The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1885-06-02 00:00:00

THE SHAM FIGHT.

The sham fight wine', took place in the s trinity of
Weymouth on Monday was attended with a fair
amount of success. 17nfoittimitely la at Lb, tarti•
eipauts and the sitectaters had an encounter f••r
which they had not bargained—a fight agairet the
eltnieutm - inasmuch as it faillt4 heavily the greater
part of the day, and chore inns 1169 strong odd winds
at intervals, whilst the reyrismitatiess Sp Davy
had to come over a heavy sea before landing. 'FM
inamti,urres were witnesstei by. • thousands of
pentims, who ascended the varioua. summit* in the
locality, and with'prairewurthy fortitude maintained
thsir ',tuitions for u•veral Maine. Most of the depart-
nauts of Her Majesty's naval and military servic,
were repteeryt?
In
the
fight. The official nod., „r
the general ides 44 14% AN pill K 11,41 by
Colonel H. F. I fit AmonAtabne, quartermaster I iettera I
of the Southern District, was an follows :—An enemy
being expected to make • descent on the coast near
Weymouth, an advance guard of a force from the

The following particulars respecting the movements
of the attacking force have been suppli..tl us by the
c.urtLoy..f i if the rincitnl iiflincs engaged
Ti,. southern di, ision or attacking fore. remdez-
voices! at I):iiiiigtoit. aud left that (place under the
command id Colonel Sir Francis Vesting. about half.
.Koit twelve, r towards Weymouth. The
••ijitailron of I nitilanry 1.41 the way, followed II the
blue-jackets with their guns, the Militia, and the
limits and Dorset Artillery Volunteers. Wheti the
force arriveil at Cliff/ bury Lodge, on the
the tlilitia were moved forward in the .linction if
Ilroadway. and began to skirmish 4111 both sides of the
nail as soon as they entered the find field. Ti..' Mite.
jackets were sent rowel to the left, on the. other side
the low hill, with directions to, if pinsible, outflank the
401 ler guns which wen• in pinition on the
Itincombe heights under the cotrintand Major
Wallace, R. .%. In the meantime the Nfilitia advanced
up the valley, aitil soon fiamil that the ettemy
appeansl on the hill to the right. Tlo• Militia
then changell direction to the right, and taking
1111 a goal position under cover, opened fire upon
the enemy n the height. Ti,, enemy, however,
proved to lie hut a small Itody, evidently sent to nuke
a feint. Aleanwliile, the Artillery, which had hitherto
lawin kept iti nwervemuler Lover near Cliallatry Lodge,
was sent forward to siatirrt the Militia, which they
.li.l skirmishing, aiol getting tilt ler cover wherever
cover was afforded. Three batteries of the Artillery
wen. sisin after this aidjudg.4l to be isit of action on
...vomit .4 their expoeure to the enemy's (in, and had
to retire accordingly. Tlii• 111114..j3Cketi g11eC1,114.41 in
their operation.., and outflanked and took the 10-
poutwler guns belonging to the defending biro. on
Ititiconibe height., the Nlilitia still pressing on up the
valley, sittoporttvl by the .Irtillerv, who haul silenced
the enemy that lia.l appeared gin the bill to the right.
'The decisim, id the Ores- TISS44II
fumpire....-eltodt, Colonel fluffier, Captain Alibi, awl
other - w•s th-tt the attacking force was
victorious 4.n the g11CC44.1 11 1114• ,i,ari,,,s in taking
isawnssion .4 the 4.114.111Y.11 guns oil Ilincontlm. height,.
Th.. defeating force tort sin the west side of Ift•wey
railway atatlob, Tim Volunteers, who were in the
fighting line, afterwards separatod, to the right anti
left respectively. The officer comniainling the flefend•
ing forr. was. mist.tken in his impression as to the
Ilin.ction it, which the attack would come, with the
reault that the enemy 11 1111111144.1111.1.14 were not detected
, in time ti 11/141W of pretanitions being made to resist
them. The rain 111141 mist which prevailed during the
day had the effect of concealing the miersticins of the
c.ontrieling hares fr..., other its grrat.measure.
. : . .

.. „
(J,stsitlerable complaint lue. been made liv military
judges as to the ''outing of the del...titling Yeomanry
and their failure to tlettrt the strategein of the
enemy, %hilt, others affirm the tactics 11 the defence
were to blame. t sq) lat.., front whatever Callee,
lie attacking party had adVancyl t.s. far to allow the
defence an, chance of success, and till
.%ert iprivt n
gradually back till the whole of the ',slum's were in
liatals of the invaders. The fight, however, WIII
3 stubborn one. When the mann body of the defence
saw the enemy's direction, the forces were thrown out
with all sts,a-d. ami the big guns anded by
ro,reely on the advancing foe,
tle• 1.111.• packets by this tinie swanning up the
I hill, dragging their guns into positimi, at,' i ;Ito!verttlit
pluckily the Ilea, v tire of the 10.issuitlers. The
Militia gamed liehl after field, anti almost
i ..... iteliately opiewite the reviewing 6.1;1 the red.coats
were ,mll-tinatelv trimmed by a tlefael ,if thy
%""Innteers: Here cmm a the finest bits of rifle Ilitel.
. ling ensued that omit! Be intaginetl. Sheltenel
behind the hedgerows with but a small ficlil bytmeyn
them dot itietstaitig forms tired volley after tintl
we l'ewe 1t3.1 11 l,m.q" the real thing,-
. Matthews, whose white hoist. nhowtel conspiicyously
through the fog anti smoke, wmild 113131113V1
! under such fearful tire. In the liseantillso
! big guns went peppering away, and the
, skirmishers"( the Artillery 'lad engaged the defending
I forces ettatiened on the hills. The battle raged
fiercely for a cobidderable time, anil slowly mat'
steadily Colonel Mattliens ictirc-d under tlie lin of
the Militia, wit, iuttnediately cleared 110.
hedge and gained their last iswitittit. Wallace.* guile
having i.y this time been gained, and the attack
evidently having it all their "wit way, the hugle
wiundtml for cease firing. It was • most interesting
speet4t.le, and for a ti 11l e the dill was deafening, iiier
all 114IW and tipot, laing heard the shrill cries 111,V11
turn chasing some !mot unto, ti rate hare. Tlw
maineuvreing u,f tlw •as csis cally
interesting. The gallant tars displayed remarkable
agility, and a tvaickness in surmounting the hills, and
taking advantage id every bit if shelter that would
have been invaluable in and' a battle as tile titan, euvres
were mildewed to retirement. The Scots Fusiliers
, were cotnitarativtle! mit of it, and although they did
good wrvice it was lif no a%aii, for the loss of the
.artillery decided the day. Referring to ai,e collaiete
the Stan.lard military cornwpondent. Say. --The
defence had committed the seriocis erne of making all
their dispositions for an attack from the rata which
really came direct front ti,.. ,ttnith. But for the
capture of the artillery the fortunes ol tiff: 437
134311,11 r been reversed, for it was no light matter
for a direct 1e01314 431331:k 61; Noe heavy pup and be at
the sanie time enfiladetl by a Wbil'lSUitti4i4.4 eilie lire
as they advancael. .ts it was, the WWI of glib 44
-
pounder.. was held to lie decisive, and Colonel liavis,
who acted ruled that the invaders were
victorious.

The ceaae firing -bugle wail a most welcome sound,
for the men's clotl.ingwaoimpletely soaked, and the
marksmen on the height were in • mint implemant
position, owing 4, the chilly wind. and the Minas sea
tog which rolled inland, covering the valley like a
curtain cif thick amok...

Pie combined atrength id the two forces woe about
20400 dbcer. an it men. who were pretty raviolis
41v144hetweeu t attacking and defending force.

TIIK N.,lllcH PANI
Took place immediately at the close of the fight, the
large field at Claylands beim/mains, for the purpose.
Ample is,lice and other AlTalWo4lll.lll. had Isssi made
to ensure the irntund Iteing properly kept, Captain
Amyatt (Chief C'imstaltlei I being in, the
ground. Ti,.' march past was witnessed by a large
ouncourse of spectator.. Colonel Vesting was the
reviewing officer, being accompanied at the saluting
base by Colonel Davis and other officeri. All the
isuals were IDtation..ti tilw tillllitit4t liar, each
playing its respective mriment past. First Call". OW
Vt....many_ in open column ,N 1 squadron, headed lty
Colonel Han.lint mounted on a magnificent charger.
The Yeomanry presentad A fine appearance, and were
reinarkably well mounted. They went by admir
ably. treat interest centrist in the marchieg last
~t 1 the Scots Fusiliers, who went by tit the
tune of the British Grenadien,." Notwitlistandirig
the rough nature oi tbc (frontal, they were tirm as •
nett, evoking loud cheers, and more than tnie cry of
" Bravo ! ricotty." Yolionring this splem)id regiment
came the men of the Itepat, who marched
well, and came in for a fair amount of cheering. Nest,
to the tune of "Ninety•tive," came the liorset
fimiishou of Volunteers, as tine and as useful a Issly
of usen as 0,411.1 N. 1,4 11, v.. They marched well,
but their distances wino tett well 'mitt. The enthusiasm
of the spectators was thoroughly ansia.4 by the notes
of ",t Life on the Ocean Wave, tit which well-km. 411
Mlle, played by the naval t.A11.1. the Naval Brigade
inarc!!!.l Met, perilirs the gun detatchnient tlwre
wen, eight, companies, stud they went inerr.iy by in a
manlier log little inferior to the Fusiliers. Then Mile
the Militia, %hese marching, considering their brief
service, WSW very good. Tkire wen. Wit strong non-
panics. the fine hfilitia band playing toiou. 144. last '
to pass the post were the Volunteer Artillery, among :
I whom the l'ortland quarrymen stood out stalwart
and grow. The drurn.iitajor of the Scots Fusiliers
directed the lauds 'luring the march isutt. At the
close the various regiments marches, o the ground,
De ,
the lta a proceeding lenewanl, and e remainder
t4l Weymouth. Before leaving. the Fusilier,, pariiiiik
of refreshments in a field e 1.., 1.),
The 3nl I ionsishire Itegisttent (Militia included
Col. stela Hall Anil itarman, ocaptAillw, 12
90 sergeants, 20 corporals, 30 in the band, and 1124,11
privates.
The Weymouth Volunteers, 70 strong, included

north a., aent on to Dorchester (which place it reache. Captain CreorgeA alsoLieunmant. Bowen and :roves.
on the night otf Whit-Sunday), to occupy Itincombe They met the Portland Artillery Volunteer.o at the
heighta, and to prepare • pomtion within entrench- railway station shortly after ten o'clock. and then prow
ments. Early on the tnorning of Whit•Nrconday-, the ceeded by road to eh.- scene of action.
!officer commanding the advance guard rec.-it... I The Portland Artillery Vohintos.ro consisted of •
information that an enemy ha. succeeded in landing a battery and a half. They were tinder the command
force with a squadron of cavalry and *011,1•• light naval of Colonel Eliot and Captain Maclottn. There were
glans at Lula-oath Cove, which form is marching al., in attemdtince Lieutenant. D., enish and Timms.-
westward through Onnington, with tin. view otf wiling son, and eight nott-comminoioneol ottlioiont Total
the railway between Wet-mouth and I horchester, and about 100.
thto line to A blot.bury. i The Royal Scot.. Funlier. numbered 300. They
The Heightit are part of a ridge of high ground, were conveyed to Corey by a special train at half -
running with few break. front Si. Allman a Head to past ten, being under the command of Colonel
Ilriolport. One of thew. Itreak. is the valley throw:lt Bainbridge.
which the little River Wry, which rim:. quite cline by I The contingent of num from H.M.S. .Igincourt.
the scene of action, make. its way into Weymouth Minotaur. Iron Duke, Hercules, &co ratmberisl
Bay. Up this valley nuts the high road to 'torches. nearly 0:10. Owing est unfavourable weather the
ter. Two miles further to the emot another nod run. previon. arrangement, as to landing at the l'restoin
nearly parallel to thi., turning off at right angles. Coastguard Stattion had to be abandoned. Menus.from the coasot nsad to Warelizin, and intentectrag Cowen. and Co., with commendable genennity, there-
the I' nut ion which it wa. decided to defend, while on fore triratuitotedy convey.sl the majority of them to the
n.ar of the position runs the high real Wey 1111 l nth quay at Weymouth in their summer% whom. they
nt Wareham. TO the «mallard the land rims into were landed at about nine o'clock. They returned to
steep 41%.111A, "ii.' called Lorton Hill, overhanging and Portland Road. in their • DWII latinche., leaving Wet,
commanding tho• r.tol from Pm.toon. intersecting the install at half-pan four in tile aftoornoon. The who;le
IN 011itietfl 14 the defence. It wa. MIPII,O.d to of the naval force. were ler the command "(Captain
lo entrenched, though, of n0w..., no earth was. Hammett, of the Agincourt.
moved, and there wait posted a lottery of guns COM. Th.- Pormiteouth .Irtilloory Vooltanteent numbered
omotijog the intersecting road by enfilade, while 200. and th..ue fr Bournemouth 100.
bearing equally upon a force conti ii g from the emit. The llorche.ter Volunte.w.„ under Major 1101119 n,
The forces engaged con.i.ted of the following : mintered at halfizmt eight, and proceeded P. the
DICVSSION.: Erato., under the command of Colonel Fairfield. where they wee.' jooinosl soon after lw the
Marshall. corpn fnsti other part. of the county. Itefreodunent.
1)e1oot 39th Regimental Di.trict, from Dorchester, were then ...rood mit to the battallion hY
under the conimanol sof Major Egerton. Momora Foot and Daniell., of lion-eh...ter), after which
Royal Snot. Ett.iliers, from Portland, number they mart-howl
a '
under the comm ind of Colonel Bai interru n pted In- Mort halt at Nloneknon-Hill. ten
bridge. the joawney being only
about 210,
arriving at Cpwey they joined tie Ihrloe at,.l 14."...
)orAei Ride Volunteer. (nom Itritlport, Weymouth, Fu.iliers, who, had piles! ann. by the side oof the. road
Dorchnoster, Poole, Wareham. Wituborne, Blandford, near Littlentoor. The Yeomanry NW.' a 1.., stationed
Sherborne, Shaftadoury, and Dillingham, total 11111111.(T c10t... at hand, waiting for the signal grin.
*lout 630, under the conunanol ui Lientenant-Colotwl
Stewartl and Lieuts•nasitoCsolonwl Nlatthoows.. 71m•
Wo•yinosith 1111 l stowed alto out 70, lIICI VI. 14
the fano', and were coo ruled by Captain Timrd
I hstreno, and Lieutenants litwen and f :noes.
Yeomanry Cavalry, except the 81acknos.or Vale
10-r the not 1111 l awl"( Colomel Hamby.'.
natterY .1 Royal Artillery, 1111 l stowing about 710, of
the Northern Ihvi.ison, .tationtsl at lb.. Noah.. Fort,
Weyn h, under the command of Nlajor Wallace,
R.A., with four -10.1.stinoloor .iege
.krrtriemo: Ermoc, (i.e., force. landed by thoo enemy),
under the commaml .4 Colonel Fto.ting, K.C.M.I
C. 8., .1.1).C.
ilattalion of Seamen and Marine. fnan H.M. Ship.
iit P..rtlnivi Ronk with light g , mustering alont
100, hr the co and 14 Captain Hai •tt,
11.11.5., Afin.door.
3rtl 11tt lions•t Regiment (Militia), now under
training at the Node-, Weymouth, mit.tering about
etclusitoo sof hand (30), tinder the num.:it'd oof
Colonel. flail and Harnien,:tlajor Bingham, and other
officent.
Dorset anol Hants Artillery Volunteers, number
about 7109, under the no :rad of Liente•nant-Coolonel
tf. E. Eliot, Nlajo or Totenlell, Captains. Dowolney,
Will., Rochefort, Rebbock, Antlrewa, and McLean:
Lientenanta Thomposm. Nl:titans', and J. 11. Deveni.h
and .Itljutant.Major Tollner.
Th.- attacking force also incluthsl asquadnun of the
I 11..n.et Yeomanry, numbering almate 70, under the coin-
I mand of Major Goorilden.