The Crimean War, 1853–1856, was a conflict between the Russian Empire and an alliance of France, Britain, the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Sardinia, and was part of a long-running struggle for influence over territories of the declining Ottoman Empire. It is sometimes considered to be one of the first 'modern' wars as it 'introduced technical changes which affected the future course of warfare', including the first tactical use of railways and the electric telegraph. It is also famous for the work of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole, who pioneered modern nursing practices while caring for wounded British soldiers. The Crimean War was one of the first wars to be documented extensively in written reports and photographs. The Crimea Medal was issued to British troops who fought, being notable for its extremely ornate clasps, being in the form of an oak leaf with an acorn at each extremity, a style never again used on a British medal.