The Press. — London, England, 1854-02-25 00:00:00

NI I 182 PREPARATIONS FOR WAR During the past week the first detachments of troops intended for service in the Turkish war have embarked fur the Mediterranean. On 11 , nday there was a grand inspection of the Grenadier Guards (3rd battalion) and Scotch Fusilier Guards (Ist battalion) on the parade at the WellingLn Barracks, St. James's - park, in presence of' Prince Albexj, the Duke of Cambridge, the Commander-in-Chief7Lord Hardinge, and Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar. A large num ber of distinguished military officers were also pre sent within the barrack precincts, and around a dense throng of spectators mustered, including a con siderable section of the fashionable denizens of London. Immediately after the inspection, two officers, with fifty non-commissioned officers and men of the Grenadier Guards, proceeded by railway to Southampton, for the purpose of superintending the shipment of their regimental baggage, &c., on board the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ships Ripon and Himalaya. A day's interval being allowed for last preparations and leave-takings, the 3rd battalion of Grenadier Guards left London on Wednesday, and embarked at Southampton en route for Constantinople. The mon were mustered at three o'clock a.m., and, although their leave was not restricted, not a man was absent when the roll was called. At half-past four o'clock the battalion, mustering nearly 1,000 rank and file, fell into close column in marching order. At five o'clock, all being in readiness for the march, the barrack gates were thrown open, and the march commenced amid loud cheers from the assembled multitude outside, which were echoed from the ranks. In passing down the Strand they were cheered by large crowds who at that early hour had assembled to witness the sight. The battalion arrived at the terminus of the South-Western Railway at a quarter before six o'clock, and a parting cheer was given by the thousands who had accompanied them from the barracks. Two trains were provided, and, all arrange ments being complete, at a quartet before seven o'clock the trains were set in motion, and were soon lost to sight. The convoy reached Southampton at two p.m., and found that place in a state of kreat excitement, and crowded with an interested and enthusiastic popula Lion. At an earlier hour the 2nd battalion of Cold streams had arrived, having travelled quietly from Chichester. The troops were mustered on their arrival, and marched at once from the terminus to the docks, where they were distributed between three steamers, the Orinoco, Manilla, and Ripon. This operation being terminated, the vessels immediately got under steam. The Manilla, the smallest of the three ships, and which is fitted with the bomerang propeller, led the way about two o'clock, having 250 rank and file of the Grenadiers, and six officers, with a large quantity of baggage and stores on board. Soon after three the Ripon paddle-wheel steamer followed, having on board 600 rank and file of the Grenadiers, 28 to 32 officers, and 32 women. Last of all, and detained for more than two hours later by the want of water in the dock, the Orinoco took her departure, with 854 rank and file of the Coldstreams, 28 to 32 officers, and 32 women. She had also on board of her Colonel Bentinck, Colonel Eyre, and their respective staffs. The three steamers remained in the Southampton Water during the night, a judi cious arrangement, by which the men were initiated into shipboard life before being exposed to the rough tossing of the open sea. Immediately after day break next morning the steamers weighed anchor and sailed for their destination. The wind had veered round to the northwest, and these fine ships, therefore. started under most favourable auspices with a fair wind down Channel. The Ripon and Mani/la will call at Gibraltar for coals on their way to Malta, hut the Orinoco will proceed to that island direct, and, after landing the Coldstreams there, is under engagement to go Gibraltar to take on board the 44th Regiment, destined to form a portion of the auxiliary army. Throughout Wednesday the gigantic Himalaya was moored alongside the quay at Southampton, in a state of almost complete readiness for her own voyage, which was to commence some forty-eight hours later. The public were admitted on board for some hours during the day upon payment of a small entrance fee, from which the South Hants Infirmary has benefited to the amount of nearly 701. Yester day (Friday) evening this splended steamer left Southampton, taking with her 150 Sappers, 211 of the Rifles, 8 officers, 12 women, and 20 children. From Plymouth, on Monday, she will take on board, in addition, the 03rd Highlanders, consisting of 800 rank and file, 31 officers, 44 sergeants,lB drummers, 54 women, and from 75 to 100 children. She will thus have on board 1,320 effectives and 186 non effectives, besides 12 horses, all accommodated in a manner hitherto unknown to the transport service. Regiment embarked at Liverpool on Wed • Malta. They arrived at an early hour in two trains comprising forty-nine car- THE PRESS. The Ist battalion of the Scotch Fusilier Guards ha e been relieved from garrison duty, and on Tues day morning, at four o'clock, will leave the metropolis, vial South-Western Railway, for embarkation at Southampton. The battalion musters 850 rank and file. The Ist battalion of Coldstream Guards will em bark on Wednesday next also from Southampton. The battalion will be under the orders of Col. C. Muiray Hay. The place of rendezvous for the British corps d'armee is Malta. About 250 men of the Bth Hussars will march from Do: chaster to Portsmouth on the 7th of March, for embarkation for the East. The same number of the 17th Lancers will leave Hounslow for the same destination. These troops are intended fur escort and orderly duty. The 4th King's Own Regiment, instead of coming to the south by rail, will embark at Leith on board the Golden Fleece, which will proceed to that port as soon as her fitting up is completed, The 77th , at Glasgow, will also embark at that port in the Atrato. The orse Artillery are to be embarked in nine sailing-ships taken up for their conveyance. They will be received on board at her Majesty's Victualling yard, Deptford. One of the transports is ulread) there and being fitted for their reception. The Government have chartered the Australasian Pacific Mail Company's screw steamer Kangaroo for the conveyance of troops to the East. The Kangaroo is of 1,000 tons burden, and will shortly be ready for sea. The workmen of the bakery at her Majesty's vic tualling establishment at Devonport have commenced working day and night. Colonel Pennefather, Deputy Quartermaster-Ge neral of the Army serving in Ireland, has received a similar appointment in the force about to embark for Turkey. The members of White's Club will this (Saturday) evening give a grand farewell dinner to the Duke of Cambridge, at the clubhouse, on the occasion of his going on foreign service. Boodle's Club have also invited his Royal Highness to a similar entertainment. A striking proof of the military ardour of the Scotch Fusilier Guards exemplified itself on the re giment being draughted for Constantinople. Several of the corporals who were not required to go with the regiment were reduced to the ranks at their own spe cial request, in order that they might be eligible to march with their comrades to the seat of war. The carbine rifles for llinie balls have been served out to the batteries under orders for foreign service. The new arm is a remarkable piece of workmanship, and is about three feet six inches in length, including the stock and barrel, with a light, although substan tially-finished, percussion-lock. The wood of the stock is not stained, bat left of the natural colour of elm, and polished. The barrel has three grooves in the bore, and the outside has the fine dark blue tinge of the mainspring of a watch, and, being highly finished, has a very elegant appearance. At the breech of the barrel a sliding sight is placed, which will enable the gunner to take correct aim up to 800 yards, and fire with the greatest accuracy at that long range compared with the range of old " Brown Bess," although the new arm (so far as weight is concerned) is a plaything compared with the old musket of the land service. Instead of a bayonet the gunner is supplied with a sword about two feet long exclusive of the brass handle, which he carries in a neat steel scabbard. By a contrivance in the handle it can be attached to the carbine to serve as a bayonet, and this forms a weapon of defence five feet six inches in length. The sword has a double edge about eight inches down the back, and must prove a powerful instrument of war in the hands of an active soldier. The pouch is a great improvement on the former cumbrousthip-pouch which was veryannoying to the men when bouncing u p and down as they mounted and dismounted from their seats on the limbers. The new pouch, although in appearance remarkably small, is made to contain 30 rounds of cartridges and rests, similarly to those used by the Rifle Brigade, in the hollow of the back, to which it lies quite close, and well adjusted by the belt passing over the left shoulder, and under the right arm. The belt is of the natural colour of the leather, and the last vestige of pipeclay is now be, nished from the artillery branch of our land forces. The General Commanding-in-Chief has deemed it essential that a soldier when actually in the field should carry no more kit in lis knapsack than is ab solutely necessary for his effi2iency. The remainder is to be carried in a square bag (four of which will be allowed to each company) at the public expense. A Horse-Guards circular issied provides for the aug mentation of the army. The men to be raised will be borne as supernumeraries until the Ist of April next, from which date the increased estahlshment will be authorised by the War-office. The first battalion of Grenadier Guards is to be augmented from 800 to 1,000 rank and file; and the six remaining battalions of the Foot Guards from 040 to 800 rank and file. The follawing seven regiments are to be increased from 900 to 1,600 rank and file—namely, The2Bth 11 nesday for T 1 from Preston riages. E' SATURDAY, the 2nd, 6th, 15th, 59th, 60th (2nd let battalion of the Rifle Brigade. The following fifty•siz regiments are to be augmented from 850 to 1,000 rank and file-namely, l et Foot (Ist and 2nd battalions), 3rd, 4th, 7th, oth, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 10th, 21st, 26th, 27th, 28th • 30th, 31st, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 30th, 38th, 30th, 40th, 41st, 42nd, 46th, 47th, 48th, 40th, 50th, 54th, 65th, 57th, 68th, 62nd, 63rd, 65th, 88th, 67th, (18th, 611th, 72nd, 77th, 79th, 82nd, 85th, 88th, 89th, 00th, 92nd, 93rd, 95th, 97th, and 2nd battalion Rifle Brigade. L), 73rd, and BLACK SEA FLEET.—Rumours of differences be tween Admiral Dundas and the British Ambassador at Constantinople have obtained wide currency, and attracted some notice in Parliament. It is now ac knowledged that some ground exists for these ru mours, and the explanation is given that Admiral Dundas complains of his not being allowed by the ambassador to see despatches, and interpret the wishes of the Government from his own reading of them. Lord Stratford, on the other side, complains of the return of the fleet to Beycos, contrary to his instructions. To this it is replied that the admiral is naturally the best judge of what his ships should and ought to do, and prefers to keep his fleet in a state of efficiency for fighting rather than risk damage and loss from useless cruising. The judicious conduct of Admiral Dundas has, it is said, been approved of throughout, and in these differences the home Go vernment have expressed theirdecision in his favour. The BALTIC FLEET will comprise the following ships, tinder the command in chief of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B.:— ..... . QUM OUNS. D. of Wellington (screw )131 Imperieuse (screw) .. 51 Neptune St. George Royal George (screw) 120 Pique St. Jean d'Acre (screw) 101 Amphion (screw) Princess Royal (screw) 91 Dauntless (screw) Ciesar (screw) Nile (screw) James Watt (screw) Prince Regent 9O Magicienne ( paddle) .. 16 London Monarch Cressy (screw) Boscawen 7O Vulcan, troop-ship (sew.) 6 Blenheim ( screw) 60 liragon (paddle) 0 Hogue (screw) Edinburgh (screw) ).. 58 Basilisk (paddle) .... 6 Ajax (screw) An Admiralty letter written on the 18th, by order of Sir J. Graham, in reply to some communi• cation from South Shields, states that "the Govern ment have not the remotest idea or intention of resorting to impressment or to compulsory measures, of any kind for manning the navy." Tho Admiralty have given notice to all lieute nants in the navy, now on half-pay, of and below the seniority of 1811 inclusive, immediately to transmit their addresses to the Secretary of the Admiralty; and such lieutenants as may think themselves unfit for service are to transmit a medical certificate of their inability. The half-pay of all lieutenants neg lecting to reply to this notice on or before the let of March next will be suspended. All mates and mid shipmen, second masters and masters' assistants, un employel, are also to send their addresses on or be fore the Ist of March, or they will be considered as ceasing to belong to her Majesty's service. The Foreign Secretary and the Postmaster-Gene ral have been very busy in making the necessary postal arrangements for the transmission of mails and Government despatches, via France, for Malta and Constantinople, to commence as soon as the British military force have taken their departure. The Sub marine and Electric Telegraph Company have entered into a contract to transmit, either by day or night, all Government orders that may be sent to the naval and military commanders of the Anglo Franco forces as far as Marseilles. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company have also placed at the disposal of the Government the steamers Vectis and Valetta to be empoyed as despatch-steamers between Marseilles, Malta, and Constantinople. The South- Eastern Railway Company will constantly have an ex press locomotive and steam-packetin readiness to con vey despatches and Government couriers to the East, via Boulogne; and the same arrangement has been made with the Boulogne and Amiens Railway Com pany to Paris, and so on to Marseilles. The postal arrangements will be as speedy and perfect as possi ble, not only by means of the electric telegraph, but by railways and steam vid France, and the regular mail packets viel Southampton. THE CONDITION 01 TRADE IN THE MANUFACTURING TOWNS shows no material change from the prospect of wsr At Manchester the market has been quiet, but firm, with an improved export business, chiefly for India. Birming ham enjoys unabated prosperity both in its iron and gene ral manufactures. At Nottingham considerable dulness still prevails, bat affairs RI e thoroughly sound, from the long absence of speculation. In the woollen districts the home demand, as well as that for the United States and Canada, continues good, and prices are strongly main tained. The Irish linen markets have presented no alteration. IP