Vääpeli Lemminkäisen päiväkirja Suomen kaartin retkestä Konstantinopolin muurien edustalle vuosina 1877-1878

The pages offer a vivid, first‑hand look at the Finnish Guard’s march toward the walls of Constantinople in the tumultuous summer of 1877. Written by a private from the third company, the diary captures the mix of excitement and uncertainty that marked the unit’s departure from Finland to the distant front. Alongside the broader political backdrop of the Russo‑Turkish conflict, the narrator’s plain‑spoken voice brings the everyday realities of a 19th‑century soldier to life.

Readers will find a blend of military orders, cramped camp anecdotes, and the occasional comic mishap that lightens the grim atmosphere of war. From the ceremonial celebration of the Empress’s name‑day to the hurried provisioning of horses and supplies, the entries paint a picture of camaraderie, duty, and the personal sacrifices made by ordinary men. The diary’s candid tone makes this historic episode feel immediate and human, inviting listeners to walk alongside the troops as they prepare for the unknown ahead.