The Crimean War (October 1853 – February 1856) was a conflict between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between major European powers for influence over territories of the declining Ottoman Empire. Most of the conflict took place on the Crimean peninsula, but there were smaller campaigns in eastern Anatolia, Caucasus, the Baltic Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the White Sea. In Russia, this war is also known as the “Eastern War”, and in Britain it was also called the “Russian War” at the time.
The Crimean War was one of the first wars to be documented extensively in written reports and photographs: notably by William Russell (writing for The Times newspaper) and the photographs of Roger Fenton.
A vivandiere, a female soldier selling provisions and spirits, with the Allied forces during the Crimean War.Colonel Shadforth and the 57th Regiment during the Crimean War.English and French soldiers having a drink together in the lines before Sebastopol during the Crimean War.Mortar teams having a rest during the siege of Sebastopol in the Crimean War.Balaklava, Ukraine, looking seaward with the harbour crowded with sailing ships. Balaklava was the British headquarters during the Crimean war.Officers on the staff of Lt General Sir G Brown during the Crimean campaign.Officers of the 89th Regiment, Princess Victoria’s Royal Irish Fusiliers, at Cathcart’s Hill in the Crimea.General Pierre Bosquet (1810 – 1861), French military commander during the Crimean War. Witnessing the British charge of the Light Brigade at the battle of Balaklava, he remarked “C’est magnifique, mais ce n’est pas la guerre” (It’s magnificent, but it is not war’).8th Hussars soldiers preparing a meal at the Cookhouse in the field during the Crimean War, 1855.The interior of a redan, Russian fortifications at Sebastopol, after evacuation by the Russians following its fall to British and French troops during the Crimean War.English war photographer Roger Fenton (1819 – 1869) in the uniform of a Zouave soldier.British soldiers during the Crimean War.Captain Brown, Colonel Lowe and Captain George in their camp during the Crimean War.The War Council’s commanders-in-chief of the Allies, Lord Raglan, Omar Pasha and General Pelisier having a meeting during the Crimean war.English nursing reformer Florence Nightingale (1820 – 1910), who became the first woman to receive the Order of Merit for her tireless efforts during the Crimean War.A mobile darkroom used by photographer Roger Fenton during the Crimean war, where he developed negatives within 10 minutes of their exposure.Sir William Howard Russell (1820 – 1907), war correspondent of “The Times”.Lieutenant Colonel Halliwell being poured a drink at an army camp in Russia, during the Crimean War.Captain Brown of the 4th Light Dragoons, seated, and his servant in winter dress, in Russia, during the Crimean War.The British 4th Light Dragoons encamped in the Crimea, 1855.Members of the 4th Light Dragoons at camp in the Crimea, 1855.A soldier and two woman pose next to a row of cannon during the Crimean War, 1855.A British cannon being loaded onto a shop at Sevastopol, 1855.Mortar batteries in front of Picquet House, Light Division, during the Crimean War, circa 1855. The British soldiers are positioned behind a berm, or raised earth fortification.
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