The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-06-27 00:00:00

TUE MARCHINU PAST.

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The inspection of front and rear ranks having been com-
pleted, the Royal party returned to the flagstaff, and tile
corps commenced their critical, and always keenly criticised,
work of marching past.
The march past occupied just one hour and thirty seven
minutes, having commeoced at 5'30 anti concluded at seven
minutes past seven So soon as the last battalion of the
last brigade had passed the Queen, the fell-lay evolutions
comniericed by the tem, ries of the Hon. Artillery i•ompany
opening lire front the right llmok of thy Second Division,
,11111i11111111y on the whole force of cavalry, winch was
stationed in front if them. The Second DiViSlOll OHS drawn
nil in line over bower Is the thick wood, backing in the
directiou of Virginia Water. and US an accompaniment to
the artillery at intervals could be heard the 'sharp cracking
sounds of the rifles of the advaneing skirmishers thrown
out from the cover of the wood to feel the enemy. As
these skirmishers slowly advanced, the curl of the smoke
coould be perceived, AS well as hearing the reports, amidst the
thick foliage of the stately trees shieh occupy that shit: of the
treat Park. Another discharge of field artillery and a volley
from the line had the effect id sending a magnificent herd
.of deer helter-skelter across the park, end as the Ist Belts
Battalion, which were sent out as the skirmishers,
were seen slowly advancing, there was a sudden
charge of cavalry, and a hasty retreat was heaten. Volley
after volley from the line of the Second Division appeared
to tell that they were receiving what might be termed an
exceedingly warm reception. The artillery again open fire
from the right AIIII left fiance, combined with the volleys,
and presently the cavalry are seen flying, apparently in full
retreat, at a gallop right across the park, trots the irregular
formation ot the first line of cavalry, as they tear across the
ground, cmisisting of the lot Oxford Light {florae, and the
Taplow Bucks Yeomanry Lancers, certainly indicating a
disastrous flight. The three troop' of the Duke of Man-
chester's Light llorse also seem panic-stricken by the deadly
character of the fire by which they are assailed, 1111(1 gallop
furiously across the plateau lacing the saluting point, lout in
somewhat more regular order than the first line. They, hoer- ,
ever, speedily reguhi their formation in squadrons, and
wheeling to the right appear es if taking measures
for renewing the attack. At this moment consider-
able sensation was created by the amlonlance waggon
coming in sight from under the trees over by the
Long Walk, and being galloped across furiously in
the direction of the hospital tent, which had been erected
on the left, anti at 110 great distance from the royal flagstaff.
As it approached it was (mind that some one was inside, .d
the greatest apprehensions sire entertained that some
serious accident had happened, more especially when the
imtly of a volunteer was seen to be lifted out and carried by
the soldiers to the tent. It turned out, however, that one of
the 7th Surrey had either lieen seised with a lit or hail
fainted with over exertion 111111 heat. The occurrence, how-
ever, served to show the utility of such appliances on these
toccasions. and the faciity with which medical assistance
can he procured in Cane, of real necessity.
The skirmishers kept steadily advancing, the cavalry again
made several sorties and were repulsed,. and the infantry as
well as artillery were evidently gaining groin.' hp 1... Mg
along under the trees of the Long Walk, from which the guns
110 W opened lire, and the firing appeared to become general,
and continued until after eight o'clock before it finally
terminated