Military – Crimean War – The Duke of Newcastle, fine autograph letter signed dated Downing Street, November 25th 1854 to General Sir Robert Gardiner announcing that he must reduce Gardiner’s Garrison [in Gibraltar] ‘…the urgency for reinforcements in the Crimea is so great that we have resolved to send on the 39th without relief – I have written to Sir William Reid to send on a steamer from Malta as soon as any arrives…this reduction of your force will not be permanent. Parliament is to meet in little more than a fortnight and we mean to introduce a bill to enable Militia Regiments to volunteer for Colonial Service – many of our Militia Regiments are now as goods as Regiments of the Line and one will be accepted to replace the 39th in Gibraltar. 4pp 4to in fine condition.