The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-07-31 00:00:00

BRIDPORT RIFLE FETE.

The lee Dorset Rifle Volunteers held a Fete on
Eyrie Down, on Friday, the 20th, to which they in-
vited the Weymouth nfie corps. The Brit'port
corps mastered at liountfield, at 9.45 in full drew,
and marched to the station to meet the Weymouth
corps, who arrived la the II o'clock train. There
were between BO and 60 of the Weymouth rifler, in-
cluding the band, undo Captain Thresher and Lieu-
truant Turd; the Bridport corps numbered between
AO and 70, including band, under Cape Commandant
Edward. and Ensign flouomlL 'Ms two °outwit's
baying united, roarohal through the town headed by
the two tonic the Weymouth plaviag to the drill
shed in Si. Micaael'olane, where Captain FAwards
addressed them. and, an it wee the first time they
had amernbled there together, he pureed three
cheers for the Queen, which was loyally-reepoeded
to. Captain Edwards then mid they had met that
day far business and pleasure also, the former first,
and the latter afterwards. The men were then
drilled in the abed for about half an boar, prepa
ratory to marching to Eype Down, where a sham
fight was to take Ono& The idea of the sham fight
was that an enemy was supposed to be thinking of
landing somewhere on the coast, and bad sent •
small party on shore to view the country and see
whore it would be beet f ir them to brad, and the
volution bearing of this were to go in search of
them rod drive diem into the sea, and as they were
supposed to be souobere on Eype Down they were
to go there to we if they could find them. Thom
volunteers who were to represent the enemy under
the enninsaad of (*Oath Murals having marched
off to the Down, the remainder after a abort interval
followed them, headed by the twe buds, the
Weymouth bead playing as before, and many
persons aocompuying the two corps. The day us
very fine and very warm, but was fortunately
tempered on the Down by • delightful and re-
freshing sea breeze frost the eolith-west, the view
from it (one of the highest parts in the neighbour-
hood) being • most ostensive and beautiful one both
of see and bud. The party representing the enemy
having established themselves at • rising ground on
the Down, waited for the others to appear in search
of them, and as soon as they DUN in sight formed
in line and fired at them. Very quickly the at-
tacking party under Captain Thresher extended in
skirmishing order, and fired at the enemy, and
gradually drituserer; the invaders in the meantime
who had concealed themselves by lyreg down,
having re-loaded, suddenly rare end having
fired • volley at their opponents retired to
another knoll further beck. The attacking party
having mutated the hillock from which the others
had just retired, laid dews, and then fired on them
and kept up a continual fire, which wee returned by
the enemy, who being overpowered by numbers,
again retired, being fired at as they retreated. The
dummy after • short time got on an endeenee further
Pock, and re-commenced firing, while the attacking
party who had permed after them, and were down
in • hollow, come on at the doable to the tout the
others hid just 1.11, and retained their fire. A
section under Ensign Nouneall, was here detached
to the left, for the purpose of preveating their sups
on that side. Tbe main body of the attacking party
than marched alter the enemy, who in the maritime.
bad got behind • hedge, and walnut" firths on
them, and came up the bill in front of them, •motion
having been detached on the right under Lieutenant
Tisard, to prevent their getting away in that direc-
tion. The tiring which bad been rapid throughout
now became very warm on both sides, WY very well
does, and very regular. The enemy mein retreated
and mounted • creel farther beck and near the esa,
and tired very quickly at their opponents, bet being
In & short time dist dyed from that by the party
under Lieut. Tisard coming up, they retreated to the
clump of furs. on the side of Tbarnoombe Beacon,
elms against the ma. They were now completely
surrounded, the main body of the attacking force
being on the north, the swathes ender Lint Timid
on the west, and the motion seder Ensign Hounesll,
which bad DOW got rued an to the clifi near Ern,
being on the mat, wbda on the south was the sea
with • Mop dement from the cilia to get to it. After
• warm fire= all idea, the emigre firing serolle
very rapidly, and studies book to beck ring at
their opponents, they, being overpowered, had no
alternative but to eerrander, and acoordingly a white
flag of truce wee exhibited, and the &leg ceased,
he sonny being allowed to retire on honoutsble
auditions, taking Shoe arms with iksio. The sham
fight was wintered by a great number of lethin and
geetleames, and sweated to guise mash utmost ;
tt most Use boss warm mark for the volussers
lb. Aresed as gyps Dews W 11011 ag so •00
=sesslity salami with • priakly tuft tiumik

which the men bad to make their way. Captain
Thresher, who oenimanded the attacking party, was
ohs honehack, se was also Sergeant-Major E. C.
Guild ry, 3rd C.V. A., who sued u his aide-de-osnip.
The forces toeing united, tired volleystogether, which
were well doe., and then numbed to the tent of

the Hort 1 8 iculture ociety, w lob had been erected
. •
on Hype D..wn, *here • luncheon had been provided
by Mr. Smith, of the Royal Oak ton.
After a short interval the company assembled in
the tent, there being a mom table at the upper cad
and three tables running down the teat. Captain
Commendant Edwards was in the chair, and Ensign
Hemmen in the vice-chair, there being also present
Captain Thresher, laetat. Tissrd, Rev. H. 0.
Francis, Mr. Devenish, Mr. Bell, Mr. K C. GendrY,
Mr. G. B. Keene, Dr. Hay, Mr. Hoigbt, Mr. R.
Tucker, Mr. Manley. Mr. W. H. Molt. Captain
Hay. Mr. W. T. WhMliam, Mr. Mann, Mr. If. J.
Rawlinenti. Mr. Soots. Mr. Doeglaa, Mr. Giastavas
Ewes', Mr. Sharing Kiddie, W.r. &Mill, Mr G.
Edwards, Mr. 81enthre1ge, Mr. W. Knight, Mr.
Rewlinge, Mr. Toby, Mr. J. T. Stephens, Mr. W.
E. Turner, Mr. R. E. Hounsell, Mr. R. Hay, Mr.
Miller. Mr. A. Pittield, Mr. 8. Tucker, on.. ko.
Quartermasser•Hergeant C. Tooker and Elergeset
Instructor in Musketry F. W. Good presided at the
other tables. Grace having been said by the Rev.
H. G. Francis,
Captain EDII/AIDS remand said they would be as
pleased to his,, as he was to tell them, that there

---
would he few speeches aed shoes very short. On..
oecuioo like this when volunteers were met together
the ant toast would of course be the Queen. be pro-
posed therefore "The health of her sang Gracious
klajesty the Queue sod long life to har"—(obeers).

aapt-ain Rnw•ans said the next toast WWI
health of the Prising sad Prim:sass of Wales sad the
rest at the Royal Family." He was sure many solos-
Pere who be maw them and who had jest come from
Wimbledon, having seen the Prinos there mold tell
what a good fallow be was. He was the ;rortby eon
elf a woitby mother —(absers.)
Copt EDWAILDII then said be had greet piessur•
proposing "The health of the Bishop and Clergy of
the Dioosee," for this reuses, that of all the bishops
perhaps the bishop of this diocese was the most
respected, said he was also mach pleaded to do to, as
ha could connect with it the name of the Rec. H. O.
Francis, • gentleman who had recently mune from
Weymouth, and therefore was well known by the
WelnMital Volunteers, and in the abort time he had
been bore had gained the respect of all who kriew
biro. He bad himself met him in Weymon,h pre-
vious to bin onning here, and had ninon pliant," in
connecting his ammo with the toast—(lond chasm)

Rev. ff. 0. Freesias returned thank., and said his
was much pleased at the oordial mower in which
the toast had been received.. He was happy in way
there bad always been the greatest good feeling
between the volunteers and the clergy. They were
both soldiers, and math kept to their own orders—
the volunteers to their orders and the clergy to theirs
He was much ohliged to Capt. Edwards for the kind
manner in which be bad spoken of him, sad if any•
thing be had done had tended to promote the good
of others, it was. great pleasure to him. Relied at
all events endeavoured to do his duty. and if they
all did that they would do right—(obeers).

CAS. EDWARDS then proposed the health of the
Army, Navy, and Volonteera He believed no
gentleman of thir regular witty was promet, and he
was almost glad that was the case, as if be had been
he would have ridiculed their light that day (Grim of
no, no.) They had however found it very pleasant
end agreeable, and be was sure those present could
J•iin to the toast for the army, as after what bad
takers place that day they could better tall what the
army had to do. There was no army bad covered
keel? with 'realm honour and eclat than the army of
this country. The navy also WM conducted in ea
perfect a manner as the army, and living in an island
as they did it was perhaps rather tbe most important
.if the two services. Hit coupled with the toast
Capt. Hay for the Navy, and Sergeant Mej w Gawky
of tbe Bridport Artillery corps, and Sergeant Miller
of the Q.O. D. Y.C. fur the volunteers—(lood cheers).

Captain HAY, Sergeant Major Goma and
Saageant MILLIB briefly returned thanks.
Catpain EDWARDS then proposed the health of the
Messrs. Deverneb, of Weymouth, coupled with tei
name of Mr. .1. Devanish who was present. He
said he felt sore they would respond with the
greatest pleasure to that toed, am they were aware
that on two previous years those gentlemen had
treated them very handsomely on their return from
the camp at Lulworth, and be might mention that
they bad again this year tent an invitation to him
So be present with the corps at an entertainment to be
given by them on their return from the *sup next
week, which showed the good feeling they felt to-
wards them—(loud cheers). He boozed therefore
in thank Mr. Devenish for the kind manner in
which be had a/wave treated them. The toast was
drank with musical honours and great cheering.

Mr. J. DEVIPIIIII said he rose to relent thanks
for the kind manner in which they had drank the
health of his father and partners. When Captain
Edward. sent an invitation hew,, afraid he could
not be preemie. bet be was glad he had been able to
come, and had enjoyed himself very mach. Nest
week be hoped to entertain diem in one of their
melamine', after they returned from the camp at
Lelworth, he could only say the more the better—
(obeers) and hoped to soi them every year that
tar.. was an encampment at Lalworth (load
Wm*.
EDWARDS said he would now promos the
booth of • 'madame& meet familiar to the people of
Bridport, wbo was not unknown to the Weymouth
people also. Every Bridport man had the highest re-
aper: for him, end whether for the volunteers or the
poor of Bridport, or any other dire* connected with
tbe town. he 'nu always ready to do all lie mall. It
miaowing principally to hi. great kiednres they were
mat there that day, and though aberat in person be was
present in h-art. He was sure the W.- yesotith volunteers
would pardon him for enlarging on his merit., and if
he spoke till the nest day be could not say all he should
wish to soy of him. Re proposed therefore the health
of Thomas Collins Hounsaill, of V() kr Court
(loud cheers). This 100,4 was drank with musical
honours.

—Beene— Hannah retuned thanks for he father in a
humorous manner. He said that though absent per-
il 'welly his tether was with them in heart, bat he wee
amid they had given him too much credit (loud arise
of "No, no"), well, at all events, be would wait and see
till he gave him the bill—(ireat laughter). He hoped
the Weymouth volunteers would enjoy themselves as
well es they bed when there, and would think they hart
dose the hest they were ahl• to do, in the humide egy
they weld then, it being some way from Bridport -
(loud sheers).
esplide KDWAIDS then Meowed the toast of the
day, 'The health of Captain Thresher and the Wey-
mouth Rills Volunteer., " and saki they had now been
enineeied with them In the butt 'lion some years, and no
company either generally or individually Ind displayed
en mash kindness towards them as the sth Dorset had.
When they got by the side of them they felt they were
with their Meads, they seemed more like themeelves,
and they had always great phst-nre is being with them.
He sag afraid i hey should not be able to make theta the
slightest return for their kindness in the humble way
they could that day. He hoped Captain Thresher sould
consider they bad done the beet they mold under the
eireuisenness. He was sorry that time would not per-
mit to drink their heelths separately. The toast was
drank with miasma boaters, and with load and eon.
sinned cheering.
Captain THIIISUBB said he had groat pleasure in re-
turning thanks for the boner dose to himself as well as
the sth Dorset, in their drinking the toast in the en-
thusiastic way they hal, They bad had the sham light
that day, but the real fight was his standing on his lees
I'. thank thein—(langhter) When they met spin nett
week thee would do all they eould to promote their en-
jon t—(eheers)
Lieut. Tin= said that Capt. Eilwards had said just
now in proposing a toast that that was the toast of the
slay, bat he del not agree with him. and thought the
Weymouth Volunteers and the others present would
think that the tont he was now about to propose, the
health of Clitit Edwards, wee the Inset of the stay. He
wished it had been in better heads, as be could not do
Janne to his merits. The Bridport Volunteers were
fortunate to have hies to command them. When he
saw the drill shed that day, whish had been erected
mealy through Ow exertions it Capt. Edwards, by the
people of Bndport, be felt Unit be most be highly
revealed and esteemed there, and be himself could my
that there was no 'vino in the h Malin more capable
of ommanding a manes, than be was. He was wery
they could bring no more of the Weymouth Volunteers
there that day, but be was sure every on. of thnee
pelmet was glad to be there, cad bad enjoyed himself.
He hoped that when the Bridport velveteen mane to
Weymouth nest week they would enjoy themselves as
mush as the Weymouth ones had there that day.
The tont was drank with anneal harmers, which
Kr. Hibbs, Ittli Dorset, at the request of Lieut. Thud,
led, and... mush eheerel, .

Capt. Bowan* returned thanks, sad mid that when
emit media bad bees given te him ki his eamoity a.
Coptaia of Me let Dorm*, as Lieut. Tuned bad trot
day, and m had his. done on New other cosmioes, he
felt SS If he were an impostar--(loed Mee of " no no")
—and bad he not been beaked ups. be bad beee by the
me-eommiesicioed officers zed privates, the teem would
sever have obtained tbe theeltems it bad. It was the
proedrst moment of hie life when he was made their
cereio, oil he wag certain no one had bett.r attentioe
mid to his orders than he had; the credit., therefore,
was due to lb. corm, not to his. It was a greet
pleasure to meet an they had done that day, and hear
bow well as 01100/ of another corm had spoken of
has.. It was impartible to awry on the ementand
eithout amiamme from their neiabboera, and it wee a
meet maciefuotion to them that they had ohmioad the
emedesee of the townspeople who had mined theca,
.nd it wail as snob, pother*, through the honorer,
members as Irons soy ether (WOO, that the eourpany ICA
no so well am it bed. He timed"» proposed The
beelth of the honorary moochers," coupled with the
name of Mr. H. R. HounaaU--itheers).
Kr. Hougemit reterned thanks, and and that my
panuchuy mostairee the honorary members meld render
was amply compea-ated when they saw their ahem
Omit. EnWAILDS this proposed "The Incelt It of It•
°warm of the land," thenkiag them for allowing Meet
to be More the& day, end coupled with Me toast the
Mt" name of Mr. A MAO&
Mr. PITTIELD returned thanks.
Capt. EDWARD' priroamd "The Villiers," for which
Mr. Mare retereed thanks.
Capt. ZOWAJIDS propane! "The Ladies," coupled
with the name of Mr. 8. Whethein who eetantal
*asks.
inon TEMOMMA proposed "Th. Pries" width havlny
boa gggpmeged to, the osoposy ossandly We do Wet
to no neolorn rases sad sebbils. sports Mann twin to
Oda idsis on ths raw.

The arennsitatm far sondariting this sped@ enosisted of
Mr. H. J. Bets Ham, Mr. J. T. Stephens (who noted as
suirter), Mr. & Weetham. and Mr. A. G. Good.
The. first event wan • fiat roes of 100 yerdt for which
several mitered. Meows. A. Manley, U. Raman, and .1.
spller winning to. prises.
The nest eat • running rand jump for which • great
,Boy entered. Captain Three or winning the first
piss, Pr,vate Read the sesond, aud Corpor4 Hammen
the third. .

g.ine Wardle ream ever for night.% in whit.*
Privets Legs vas wiener, Carper.' [loanerll being
seeis .1, end fiergee.;:t_ Hommel] &A.

The next vas • Bat ram of a quarter of a voile, for
which seven Mrarradi _Nast* B. Manley cantos in first
and Mooing easily, LW wood, and Gill.neh rot third.
This is.. a 'awl ronniag backward ram,
for which s. moral entmed. Private Utmpbell h.ing Brat.
and Sergeant Charles, sth Dorset, mamma ; theta mere
on y two pries for this.
The Ilth ma. a hurdler's.. over MIMI Bights, for throb
Ber.wir Houner.ll WWI first, Corporal Hooneell woad,
sae Private LW &bird.
. .

--Tl;l7alt was a ^maim* hie., Pomp, for which there
WS several competitors. Yr. J. T. Elescbras took
p•rt ht this but Dot (or. pries, co 4 jumped tamatifollY,
the winners Isaias Ink Se Imal Hommel' ; areoad, Kr.
Hill; sad third, Corporal H.Poesell.
Captain Thresher Mee offered Me pries be bad woe,
lobs jitaip4 for. "Adak was won by W. Hemmen.
Theo aims a 11.1 roes, half a mile, Mr. H. A. Collies
being lest, Mr. Ppiller second, and Mr. A. Marley third.
The I. •1 vont was a berate rocs for all ambers over
8 Lehio of hurdle.. for which there wen six entrh'.,
Blood g being Ant, Mr. R. Hay sewed, cod M..
8 dam third.

_
There Were • ire" OSy Pfeltai at libe sports,shoelly
diet which the W. mouth leen had to leave, and it
wog o motto, of greet regret to the Bridnote oorpe tbs.%
through some metek• they were obligee, to leave with-
out hawing any too, whith bad been ordered to be p,.
pond for there.
Ms &ether was eyes by T. C. Bowmen, Seq., and
the °Mom of the Bridport corm to whigh hoot', 200
sot down; the tea being given by the nowoomenieniona

The Warnonth herd idaysi my well ladeod during
,hpaeannsi, sod after they left the Bridport band played
ander the leadership of Kr. W. Moore, a great may
p.n.,s thinning to its magic, and there being &len
kiss in the ring, Annt 8.117, ha Thera were a great
...ay wenn, in the field in the evening, and it was vary
plesonnt Uwe on the cliff so oleos to therm.