The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1867-08-06 00:00:00

District ittb3o.

THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

The volnnteer encampment of 1867 has been held in
fine weather, and with great enceem-Yumese esdaily
in the matter of drill, for it muse ba eeeteeeed that the
so""eaminta, which in former pyre were conduoted with
ao much spiris.d miat, on this oeateion wofully "hung
Ire. , It ni.y b., however, that the attractions of
Stilton Abbey put the site of the encampment, hindered
othiriug 04 the men together in such numbers at
amp fire sod the other diversions as at Lulvrortb.
Woodsy was the opening day, when 497 volanteers
entered the eneatopment.

-
The .hole distract around looked forward to the event
with plenum% and to show their gratification thereon
wed their good-will to the volunteer movement
generally, several of the leading agriculturists in the
neighbourhood of Mateo Abbey, on the line of marsh,
eery Itiodly and tbotighlully provided luncheon or less
formal refreshments for the men, and these hospitable
bating places proved to be verily as oases in the desert
ler the march WWI lone and ere•rying, and the sun's rays
were seorchiud in their intensity, although there was •
pleasant breeze sweeping across the land. In addition
to there tokens orfriendly regard, we should note that
neighbouring barmen aided waintens awl horses for
*ow crying to the park the baggage of the yellow' corps
and the tante, whereby much trouble and expense
was saved thea battalion.

The Dorchester 001111 assembled at seven o'clock on
jute p.me ground, and soon after got under weigh in
the direction of the camp. Seeing that they Lad but •
twelve miles march before them, the starting at so
early an hour seems at drat sight an act of folly, but
the authorities of the 3r4 D.R.V. proved to be wise in
their generation, for they were in oonsequenom enabled to
"do" the distance leisurely and with more pommel
comfort than thou who made a more hurried marsh of
it. A considerable number of Doreestrians assembled
to see "the start." and the corps was 'ed of grandly to
• spirited march played by the ban.i, under Mr. H.
Wellspring, which bad the honour of being selected to
do battalion duty during the week. On arriving at
Yellowhare wood the men halted for a rest, and on
resuming the road chose a pleasant path through the
wood and by Draw, returning again to the turnpike.
road at Dewlisb hill. On getting into the vale they
bad a " refreaber" of biscuits and beer, which
Captaia Coombs had thoughtfully provided in the
baggage waggon accompanying them. The volunteers
then strolled on to the top of the hill leading into
Ilithorne St. Andrew, where they formed Into
marshing order, and, with the band playing,
went throng
me viPage the admired of all
bs the ••isaka Varner out emmuse On one
the unusual spec e. Pommeling to Bagber farm,
where they had bees invited to luncheon, Mr. George
Ingram received them with the greatest kindness, and
the most complete arrangements had been extemporised
for their comfort In a barn close at hand were pro-
vided toilette reqmilites, which ministered greatly to the
comfort of the men after their march, although it must
be said, that after the heavy rains of last week, the roads
were is good condition for the journey. The men then
bad an unlimited supply of refreshing drinks, which
they enjoyed amid singing from cations members of the
company, varied by the playing of the band. At length
the Weymouth corps arrived, and, as soon as they had
had a "brush up," all went into the barn, decorated
with laurel, where • trot-rate luncheon was laid. Mr.
Ingram presided, suppormi by the officers of both corps.
After the repast, which was most thoroughly enjoyed,
The Chairman proposed "The Queen," which was
drunk amid cheering.
"The Army, Navy, and Volunteers" we. next pro-
posed by the Chairman, who said he esteemed it an
honour to receive the Dorset Volunteers on that
occasion —(applause).

Captain •Thrresher' said this was • very pleasant be-
ginning to the camp of 1887, and he hoped the end
would be equally gratifying. He amid not think of
leaving that place without propoming the health of their
worthy entertainer—(applause). Ur. arid Mrs. Ingram
he had known for 17 or 18 years, and be had had the
luck of travelling in this neighbourhood weekly or
monthly during the hunting season, and he never ex-
perienced anyaing bet the heartiest reception at their
bands. He gave "The health of Mr. and Mrs. Ingram"
—(lond applause).
Captain Coombs rennrked that if Captain Thresher
came there weekly (weakly) he certainly went away the
stronger—(lnd laughter).
Mr. Ingram, in responding. said Mn. Ingram felt its
pleasure, equally with himself, to receive them on that
occasiGn, and, if they appreciated the visit, for his part
he should be most happy to see them all on their return
--(chee-s).
. .

After at. brief interval, the men "mounted" their pipes,
and resumed the march for the camp,
The Wareham corps j urnied to the camp in • more
pleasant manner than either of the corps from the
westward, they having been conveyed thither in waggons
considerately provided by James Penton, EN. On the
route they were handsomely entertained by Mr. W. J.
&suit, of Deverill's farm, where a large marquee had
been erected for their aceommodation, and everything
that could be desired was spread for their refeetion. The
chair wan sampled by Mr. Basset, supported by Captain
Farm, Lieutenant Bond, and Ensign Poston. The
proceedings after the luncheon were, we understand, of
• highly gratifying character.
There was a great paucity in the number of riflemen
ecinoimif rem Peale and Wituborne, be two corps
only furnishing a contingent of 45. They travelled to
Medford. where they were joined by the local corps,
and numbed together to the camp. For ispvards of ,
ballon4tour before the Blandferd corps started, Mr.
Eyera's celebrated band played a selection of music in
the marketplace, where a large number of people had
assembled in anticipation of seeing a large gather•
inn of volunteers from the neighbourhood, but in this
they wars dissrpointed. fin the routs the et-dente,s
were liberally entertained at Qnsrlestone farm, by Mn
He. tor, and Lientenert Johns. The Sherhorne men
were conveyed in waggons as far as the Kislev stag,
from whence they marched to the Antelope Inn, ,
where they hail luncheon. Again resuming the
march they proceeded as far as Bulbarrowhill, where
they fell in with the Sturmingter Newton corps, under
the command of Lieutenant 11. Williams, and had a
fraternal glass prior to passing on to Milton Abbe,.
'The Shaftesbury and Stalbridge corps marched accord-
ing to arrangs inente.

The Bridoort corns arrived at Dorchester by the
nrimary train at 111.40 a.m., and marched smartly
into the town. They were met by their good Ensign
Hounsell (who we regret was prevented going to the
c-imp by a rather serious though we trust but temporary
affection of the rye), and, by his thoughtful conaidera-
tion, were provided with refreshments at the King's
Arm, Hotel. After staying their for a brief space,
tle:y set out for tho camp. They bad no band, V: e
whole thing having proved unmanageable and unutis
factory, but for this lack they had ample compensation
in the happy manner with which they devoted them.
helve. to singing to beguile the tedium of the way,
for in addition to Captain Edwards (whose megnifieent
musical pewees are so well known and appreciated)
they number in their ranks sever I proficient. in the
divine art, and one who has the gift omy likewise,
and devotes it to singing the praises of eolonteering.
The route lay throuAli as fair • stretch of country
as can anywhere be seen, and one of the
best cultivated we are fain to believe in
the kingdom. Passing through Pidlletown the
Interest taken in the volunteers was manifested by • di..
play of bunting in various directions, whila the good
l'.4ks of Milberne St. Andrew in addition to the diaplan
of flags hal erected by public subscription • handsome
and massive evergreen 'nth with the inscription
"Welcome," and the summit was crowned with three
handsome fin arranged in pyramidal form, and
supported on r ither side with flags while the Piers on
either side bore the initia's "DV." Passing on a little
e to the now much desired destination, we were
saluted by an appeal to halt by Mr. George Groves, who
bad erected an arch of evergreens relieved with flowers
across the road passing his residence and which bore
Ms novelty in the way of inscription, "Attention,
:et:footmen : eyes loft: halt." Here, as each corps
passed, three small cairn in were fired in their honour,
and the men were invited to partake of refreshments
with so mueh earnestnese by Mr. G. Groves, that he
nemed almost to take it as an insult if one declined. How.
over, his kindness was appreciated by all, and not • few
t, eet,,.4 'anvil him and his h, accepting their profaned
f)ospitality. At length. altar 4 three hoar.' march, the
pleasant—exceedingly pleasant to the tin id volunteer'
residence of Mr. John Tell, Quarter-Master of the
Q at Haigh farm, app. eyed in sight. and on
approaching, Mr. Tett, who had done the volunteers
tk e neat compliment of donning bit yeomanry uniform
For the ormasioo, came oat to greet the Ist
ani 4.1.1 saluted by them a /a atilitaire. He save
them a hearty welcome, and on entering within the
nrec, incts of the farm, they were graciously received by
Mr.. Tett. with the family and some friends. The most
comple e and handsome arrangements had been
made foe the entertainment of their volanner guests.
A large awning bad been carried out from one side of
the house, and • most agreeable enclosure wax made
with a pretty and effective array of shrubs and ever.
greets interspersed *tth flowers, the tag-dal disposal of
which was made by Miss Tett, assisted by a lady
'friend, and it elicited general remark and admiration.
The tables were laden with • rich profusion of eatables,
and an equally liberal supple of wine and punch, while
beer and eider were served ad Miter& Mr. Tett
presided at the luncheon, supported by Capt. Edwards
an-I tie rgt.•Musk..ln. Good—the other effort* having
travelled to the camp by other means than those
provided by Dame Nature. To any that the volunteers
aoloYed the elegant repast pron-led for them is by no
meane adequately representing the intense gratification
it Weeded them. Under any circumstances such •
feast would have been most enjoyable, hat after • weary
aid thirsty march it was felicity ( ucc/sis. When all
had taken their fill.
• no Chairman and host rose and proposed the health
of " The Queen." It was an old saying and • true that
England was a little island, but its inhabitants were
proverbial for their loyalty, and this Inn the eau with
soldiers and volunteere in an especial degepe. He had
great pleasure in proposing the health of Her gracious
Majesty the (I',.—(areat cheering).
Captain Edwards said If,. Tett had kindly given him
permission to propose • toast, and he was sure they
would receive it with greet pleasure. It was needing
for him to remined them that the let company of the
Ist Dorset battalion was mainly composed of men who
bad to gain their. livelihood by the sweat of their brow,
and being confined so much to the limits of a town,
they had few opportunities of admiring the heensio, nf
nature and seeing the skill displayed by the Dorset aid.
eulturists in the cultivation of the soil, to they hart done
that morning during their march. It had been very I
well said in one of the most clever men in the Howie
of Commons that "the agricultural Population of this
country is that particular population to which the
present proaperitv of England is indebted." They,
living and working in t.iwns were apt to forget the
great strength of the milt:altarsl interest., and their
indebtedness to thou gentlemen who devoted their skill
and energy to providing for the food of the country.
No body of 4WD were more damming of eateem than the
farmers. The agriculteriate of Dorset were well-known
for their hospitality, and it might be safely said that a
more worthy speaimen of a hoepitable Decree yeoman
we. not than their excellent entertainer Mr. John
Tett —(applause). They were Probably all strangers to
him, but he had been at very omuiderable expense and
trouble himaelf, as had also Mrs. Tett and the family to
givr them such • splendid lancheon.--(epplsusel. He
wax sure that the nuns of John Tett, Part, of finish
farm, would be a household word with thom44 op long

as they were connected with the lit Donal corps, and
In his own name and on their behalf he begged to
thank him most sincerely—(appbuse). Mr. Tett had
in additional title to their regard Woe • volunteer,
and he could tell them that not only was be good at
providing a feast for them but also at a fight. —(hest
near, sod laughter). Many yearn ago he (the captain)
got into a fray, and should have had considerably the
wont of it if Mr. Tett had not tome to his anistancis
and cleared off about fifty of hisassailsota.—(applause).
So that if they had any love for their captain they
should respect Mr. Tett, for to his (Mr. Tett'.) prowess
probably it was that he Lid the opportunity of being
their captain at the present time. tie had great pleasure
In proposing the health of Mr. Tett with his wile and
family.—(lond °Leen).
Mr. Tett, in responding, said it had afforded him
much planers to entertain them on that Invasion. He
I trusted they would have line weather in caMp, for it
I was a very nice place, and would be a change from
'Aeon's, and he thought they would like itvery much,
for Baron Hambro had Spared no expense or trouble to
I provide everything for their accommodation. He should
have great pleasure in proposing the Baron's health-
-(applaure), They would not see him at the comp, but
he would be ably represented by Captain Flambro, of
the Menai.'" corn, and he felt sure that they would
be highly gratified by the provision made for them-
--(cheers),
Mr. Henry Champ, of Blindford. Poed "The
health of Captain Edwards," and spoke in high terms of
his sonless, as shown by the number of men be had
brought to the camp and the order and military boning
which distinguished them. He busted that Captain
Edwards might long live and be their commandant, and
that the muttony might rever be fewer in numbers
than it was at the prompt time —(applause). He believed
the secret of happinesa nosined in doing thoronahly and
to the best of their ability all they undertook. That
principle seemed to animate the captain and the men of
the Bridport corn, and so long as that continued they
would have a successful and good oompany—(applause).
Captain Edwards returned thank., and expressed the
pleasure that be felt in hearing the corps well spoken of.
He had the interest of the Ist company at hurt, and
his great aim bad always been to have it first in point of
efficiency as it is first in number in the hatitlion. If
they only persevered, be would do his best for them, and
then their position would be maintained—(apolatwe).
After enjoying for a brief while a wee bit of the
fragrant weed on theist's, the volonteenreformed, and,
after giving hinny lusty cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Tett and
family, which Mr. Tett and • few friends he had with
him responded to by three vigorous cheers for Captain
Edwards and the lot D.R.V., they proceeded on their
way refreshed and cheered to the camp.
The mi.o.ti*:gagmenta of the several lamps were
oe, sval tit /yell arrived et Wilson so as
to march into camp simultaneously at three *Woe*.