Cirrus@Austlit

Author's Preface: It was in the last charge of the British troops on that eventful day on the heights of Alma, that Captain Mortimer, of the --, whilst gallantly leading on his company, received his death wound, and was carried from the field to his tent within the lines; a few hours after which he breathed his last. ...

Whether my readers will feel the same interest in perusing these pages now laid before them with but slight alteration, I cannot tell: but as I can answer for the truth of the story, having as I said before, been an eye-witness to, and a participator in, a great portion of it, I boldly and trustfully lay it before the public.

There is a certain degree of interest ever attached to truth, that I confidently hope such may be the fate of Reginald Mortimer, and the necessary change from autobiography, for description's sake, will, I trust, also make it more readable as a monthly publication. H. B. S. Somerset House Melbourne, 12th August, 1857.