CRIMEAN WAR: Richard Airey (1803-1881) British General of the Crimean War. Airey issued the fateful order for the Charge of the Light Brigade. A.L.S., Richard Airey, three pages, 4to, Port Talbot, 2nd September 1850, to Mr. Bill. Airey states that, as he had not heard from his correspondent, he 'entered into arrangements with a man, his wife and grown up daughter, who had been highly recommended to me - the man as Head Gardiner, the woman in Dairy & domestic capacities' and explaining that the family have not yet arrived and 'Should the wife be capable of cooking, it will not be in my power to engage Albert and his wife. Should she however (being an old woman) not be able to cook, then, I should have no objection to take Albert, and his wife as Cook'. Airey further discusses the work involved on his farm in regard to his cows, 'I have men to bring my cows....to their pasture, milk them and carry the milk to the Milk House so that the mere straining and churning twice a week is not much work as I have only four cows and only make butter for my own table' and also informs his correspondent that he does not require an accomplished coachman as he always drives himself, 'I would prefer a good stout active Strapper who is thoroughly acquainted with the art of cleaning horses and harness and knows when a horse is dirty'. In a postscript, signed with his initials R A, the General comments 'You will be glad to hear that your old friend The Honble. Edward Talbot, is, or is just going to be married to a young Lady of large fortune'; Edmund Lyons (1790-1858) British Admiral of the Crimean War, Commander of the Black Sea Fleet. D.S., Edmund Lyons, one page, folio, HMS Agamemnon, off Sevastopol, 21st January 1855. The manuscript document is a Memorandum addressed to Captain Michell of HMS Queen, and states, in full, 'I have called on the Commanding Officer of the Medina to report why he did not notice the Signal from the Queen although enforced by two guns, when that Steam Vessel proceeded up the Bosphorus last week'. Some light age wear to both items, Airey's letter with some neat splits at the central folds and the document with a few small tears and areas of paper loss, none of which affect the signatures. G, 2 €150-190