On the embarkation of the Battalion, the Depôt companies under command of Captain and Brevet-Major Lord Alexander G. Russell, removed from Clarence to Colewort barracks; and continued at Portsmouth, occupying different quarters, till about August 1855, when they moved to Winchester. The Battalion arrived at Malta on the 24th, and there received orders to proceed at once to the East. The ‘Orinoco,’ having coaled, started the next day for Constantinople; where having arrived on the 30th, orders were received to proceed forthwith to Beicos bay, there to await further instructions. On August 2 pursuant to orders then received the ‘Orinoco’ started for Varna; but after passing through the Bosphorus she was recalled and returned to her former anchorage. The cholera having broken out on board, one Rifleman dying on August 6 and another on the 9th, it was decided to land the Battalion; on the 9th four companies, and on the 10th the remainder of the Battalion disembarked, and encamped on a range of heights on the Asiatic side.[218] The cholera however continued its ravages; and the Battalion lost during its stay here 1 colour-sergeant (Brown), 1 sergeant, 1 bugler and 24 privates. While in this camp the Riflemen were frequently exercised in the use of the new arm, which they had received before their departure from England. On August 24 the Battalion was inspected by H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, who expressed his satisfaction with its state and its fitness for immediate service. On September 2 the ‘Orinoco’ having two transports in tow, proceeded out of the Bosphorus; but on rounding the point into the Black Sea, encountered so heavy a sea, and so strong a head wind, that she was unable to proceed. And as it became dark and the wind increased, she put back and anchored in Buyukdere bay. The transports barely escaped shipwreck, the tow-ropes having broken. On the 5th the ‘Orinoco’ again started, having now but one transport in tow, and passing out of the Bosphorus, arrived off Varna the following day, and anchored in the evening. During this voyage the Battalion was in great jeopardy, the ‘Orinoco’ having been on fire by the ignition of the patent fuel which she was carrying. As she was conveying the ammunition of the 4th Division, the danger for a time was very great; and the transport in tow was cast off in order to avoid the risk of her taking fire, or being destroyed by the explosion of the ‘Orinoco.’ At Varna the rest of the expedition was assembled; and the 1st Battalion was placed in General Torrens’ brigade and attached to the 4th Division, commanded by Sir George Cathcart: a great gratification to the Riflemen, who had served under him at the Cape. The 2nd Battalion being by this time at Varna, I have now to trace its movements.