Division 1 of The History of the Present War with Russia was written in 1854, hence the 'present war' in the title, as 1854 is only the second year of the Crimean war of 1853-1856.

It's entertaining, detailed and thoughtfully written. Included are copies of diplomatic notes, letters from the front lines and declarations of sovereigns.

Included in the 1855 Printing and Publishing Company's edition are several stunning engravings of both battle scenes and portraits of Lord Raglan et ceterarum.

The books coverage includes the background of the Ottoman Empire as far back as Othman and the early days of Tsarist Russia leading to the reign of Nicholas I. Coverage of the Crimean War commencing with the Christian churches arguments over rights in Jerusalem, and the expansionist desires of Tsar Nicholas I who chooses this as his excuse to agitate and force a war with the Ottoman Empire.

Whilst no declaration of war was made, one can say generally speaking it commenced with the troops of the Russian Empire occupying Wallachia & Moldavia in 1853, of which is covered in detail within this volume, along with the diplomatic wrangling relating to such and Tsar Nicholas I's efforts to appear as saviour to the Ottoman Christian subjects.

From here we learn the details of the battles of Oltenitza, Giurgevo, Sinope, Akhaltzik, Baschkady-Lar in 1853. Then, the battles of Citate, Oltenitza, the bombardment of Odessa, the siege of Silistria and the battle of Arab Tabia in 1854.

Volume one comes to a close with the bombardment of Bomarsund & the demolition of Fort Pasto & Fort Nottich as well as a Cholera epidemic that spreads through the allied camps & ships of England & France. ( )