In anticipation of war with Russia, in early 1854 thousands of British troops received orders to embark for the Black Sea. Queen Victoria recorded in her journal that the 1st Battalion of Scots Fusilier Guards arrived at Buckingham Palace on the morning of 28 February 1854, where they presented arms and ‘gave three hearty cheers, which went to my heart... May God protect these fine men, may they be preserved & be victorious!’