The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-11-15 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—Allow me to amend my first letter on a point
of importance.
In 1805 the volunteers were formed in regiments of
1,000 strong, and even in larger masses, clothed in red
and armed, accoutred, and drilled like regular troops.
Of use they were, displaying the moral power excited
by the danger of invasion; but as soldiers mere mimics,
without solidity to support the regular army, and offer-
ing points of weakness to the enemy, because, having
neither artillery nor cavalry of their own, they required
the aid of those arms of war from the regular,; for it is
by fine combinations of infantry, cavalry, and artillery
that battles are won. Soon all would have had to trust
to their legs; for be it known to Mr. Wise that absolute
running away at the right time is also an essential part
of warfare, to be learnt with care, though a battle is
not the best school for the first lesson.

The regular artillery would then have feared to close
on the French masses, trusting only to the support and
protection of unwieldy, untaught, ill-commanded mobil
of volunteer.. . . .

Now, acting as riflenien, the volunteers will be
independent of the regular army, yet support it; and,
having free play of their own natural intelligence, it
will in each be developed according to mother wit—
though it is not every mother that give; her son military
wit. u proved by Mr. Wise. They would also more
easily escape from the evil of incapable commanders,
and yet give full play to their own usefulness.
Thus_it would be : .

A rifle infantry man takes pod, under cover, half •
mile from • French column of march, and lie plumps
into it every shot, or knocks over the men and horses of
the artillery and cavalry, if at all exposed to his fire.
At the same time one or two of Sir William .Annstrong's
lightest guns, which are said to be of sure stroke at two
miles' distance, and may be drawn by two horses, can
take post a mile or more behind the riflemen, pounding
the enemy's column and protecting our own skirmishers
from cavalry, which, however, could make but little im•
preision, giving, as they would do, half a mile start to
the volunteers in noting away, if such running should
be expedient.
It may be said the French have rifles and long rang-
ing guns also. True; and it would be a fair light be-
tween the riflemen on each side ; bat the heavily loaded
Frenchmen would soon tire, and the main column must
halt to rally them again. Thus the long ranging anus,
pushing the volunteers into their natural career, have
quadrupled their power; and, all former points of
weakness being swept away, they will be a real support
to the regular troops, instead of a drain and a burden.
The delay thus enforced on the enemy must be made
also under the destructive fire of the Armstrong gun,
which would hit always, and never be hit by • connter
gun of the same range, for the columns of the enemy
could not hide, they must be perforce of Mr. Wises
school; whereas the Armstrong gun could and would
hide, and, having fired, remove to another place to fire
again, so that the enemy's shot, directed only by the
smoke, would strike an empty nest.
Each gun, whether manned by volunteers or militia
artillerymen—and there are many good ones.--should
be attended by 'mall corps of volunteer cavalry always
moving with it, ready to support the skirmishers and
protect the gun from accidental roving detachments of
the enemy's horsemen. We also should have roving
horsemen—aye, and fight a; horsemen, numerous and
bold. They would soon teach the French cavaliers how
much • good horse has to do in warfare; horses never
blunder if their riders be earnest and strong-willed.
The last Oaxeffe having given we a step of rank, my
signature will be in future
Nov. 4. W. NAPIER, General.

A Biaeor ok £2OO A YEAII.-At a meeting held in
the Christ Church schoolroom, St. Pancras, for the pur-
pose of hearing an address from Bishop Tuffnall, the
newly-consecrated Bishop of Brisbane, an interesting in-
cident took place. Captain ". es. who, it appears, has
property in different parts of Australia, was present at
the meeting, and was so moved by the simple and touch-
ing statenients of the Bishop, and especially by his en•
nouncement of the fact that be was going out to preside
over his vest diocese on an income of exactly £2OO a
year, that he came forward and in the handsomest terms
there and then offered the Bishop a house which be owns
in South Brisbane If the house should happen to be let
before the Bishop arrives, the rent will then be paid over
to him instead. This noble offer, so opportunely made,
excited, as may be supposed, the enthusiasm of the audi-
ence to tbe highest pitch. " Perhaps." (says the Gear-
dime)" some were reminded of those who. 'having land,
sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apos-
tles' feet."