The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-27 00:00:00

THE CAMP AT CHOEHAM.-THE SHAM

FIGHT.

The general disappointment occasioned by the

non•oe:urrencc of "the night surprise" on Friday night,
which is now g e Ily believed to have been purely the
creation of some imaginative brain, was amply compensated
by the brilliant review and sham fitht of Someday. An
immense crowd of visitors bad been expected, and all the
horseboxes and trucks of the South Western Railway Com-
pany had been engegei b forehin I, by those memh• r. of
the wealthier classes who intended to ornament the military
picture with the presence of their splendid equipages. But
the pitiless rain, which seems to have an affection for
review days, poured down unrelentingly until 12 o'clock'
and the consequence was that the spectat .rs were few in
number, and consisted prineip illy of those enthusiastic
military amateurs who had come down the night before to
be witnesses of the "surprise." Many ainu,ing stories are
told at Chobham of the curiosity, the heroism, and the
sufferings of this Spartan band. How one party obtained
snatches of slumber under Baron Nicholson's counter, their
umbrellas piled in front in strict =dairy fashion, and their
sleep broken every five minutes by the imaginary bugle
I notes of which they were dreaming. Another detachment.
it is said, had marshalled theniseiv, a under the banner of
Roland, not the paladin of that name, but a worthy inn'
keeper from one of the neighbouring towns, who had iru
pulsed a canvas hotel fur the benefit of the Chobham ins
migrants. For these • " surprise" was got up, but not
exactly of the kind for which they had braved rheumatism
and the night air. An alarm of thieves war beard in the
still hour of the night, and an onslaught was momentarily'
expected, but the inmates, with all the promptitude of put
special constables, organised so imposing a defence that the
invisible thieves were contented to preserve their incognito.
and leave the valorous surprise hunters undisputed masters
of the field. This we believe was the only "surprise" of
the night, as the only sounds heard in the camp were deci-
dedly of a nasal character, and at midnight • horse express
was nespatched to town with the astounding intelligence
that the troops (saving the sentries) were all fast asleep in
their respective quarters. It is believed that these rumours
of night surprises are not discouraged by the °Seen in cow-
in nd, as they have the effect of keeping men in camp, and
preventing too many applications for leave of absence.
For the sham-fight, which was the only real event site
all, regimental order bad been issued the night before,
providing that the divisions should form for exercise in the
front street of the camp, at 9 cm., the cavalry to form in
" columns of squadrons" at quarter distance right in front-
The brigade of guards and second brigade were to be mar-
shalled in " column of companies," also at quarter distance,
and the remainder of the infantry being similarly disposed
of, the batteries of artillery and cavalry were to take and
keep a position in the low ground beyond the bridge. Ac-
cording to these arrangements, the spectacle would have
commenced at • very early hour, but the rain came down
so incessantly, that at one moment the idea of a field-day
VMS abandoned, but about 11 o'clock the clouds broke up'
• few gleams of sunshine gave promise of finer weather,
and the whole of the troops turned out in the
main street of the camp in the positions indicated in the
regimental order. At this moment his Royal Highness
Prince Albert, who bad slept in the camp, issued from the
royal Pavilion on the Magnet, accompanied by his Royal
Highness the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Seaton, and other
persons of distinction, both English and Ilenoverian, and
followed by an exceedingly brilliant staff. The usual mili-
tary salute was given as his royal highness passed down
the line, and immediately after his royal highness passed
over to the cavalry, of which his took the command during
the evolutions of the ensuing sham fight.

Without entering into unnecessary details, it may be
stated generally that the main object of the days evolutions
was to ascertain the facility with which the troops could
attack in line, and subsequently retreat in unbroken order,
the latter being by much the more difficult evolution. For
this purpose a few men of the Sappers and Miners and one
or two companies of the Guards were despatched beyond
the hill in front of the camp, to represent the imaginary
enemy, and form by their movements the necessary point
of attack for the advancing army.
The march of the camp foreik commenced on the right
of the camp, near Colonel Chinook's plantations. The
sew, who merely formed a strong line of skirmishers, oe.
infighld the western end of Catterie valley, and opened fire
instant the force began their march onward. This, be-
kg merely a desultory dropping fire, no notice was taken of
it by the attacking party, which steadily pushed forward
for a small kind of bridge at the western end of Catterle
valley, formed by a wide dam, erected to stop the course of
• brook, and so form a pond or reservoir for the cavalry
bona to water at. But the enemy bad already seen the
advantage of maintaining this narrow pass, and, accord•
lagly, es the imps advanced, they were met with such
a hot and steady fire that the Horse Artillery had to move
up to the support of the advancing columns, and open a
heavy cannonade in reply, under cover of which the cavalry
and skirmishers effected the passage of the bridge, and
were instantly followed in regular and rapid order by the
remainder of the finest. Arrived upon the other ride of the
valley, the cavalry were beautifully manteavred by H.R.H.
the Prince Consort, so as to cover the right flank of the
position, while the infantry formed by companies in the
order of battle. The foot batteries of the artillery were also
poshod forward to support the left flank, and crown a
Ireightlarier which the forces might retreat if hard pressed.
▪ the enemy. fearing the strong position which wa, being
likes up against him, sounded a retreat, which was then
asalasenced, • continuous running fight being maintained
▪ re time. The whole of the forces then advanced in
sapid pursuit, the infantry, with the Rifles leading, being
"llusasd in close column with the cavalry and flying artiL
lery, upon the height on the right. In these relative
positions the whole forces moved rapidly across the valley
to the north, near the Bagshot Heights, the Rifles, broken
up sow into skirmishing order, answering the fire of the
eifieny's light infantry companies with astonishing rapidity.
The enemy were at this time evidently hard premed, and
.Matted upon the hill, when they would have gained a
Ilbamidable politics, bat for the skill with which the cavalry
were manoeuvred. The whole four regiments advanced at
▪ head gallop, accompanied by the Hone Artillery, and.
nuking a Maur among the hills which cross this end of
the valley is every direction, came out upon the enemy's
*hit flank, against which the guns poured out a
Illosewdons fire. The instant the smoke cleared
away, 90 as to leave the field clear, the cavalry
of the let Life Gawk and Reagan, deployed into lies,
end, supported by the Lenten and Carabineen, performed •
splendid charge, completely driving in the enemy's light con-
peaks, and turning his right flank. This movement changed
She whole of the =moan's, for the enemy, after a hurried
Yobs, wee compelled to change his front, which was done
ea adreitly as to threaten to outflank the right of the attack-
Y 6 form To counteract this movement of the enemy and
staid being outflanked the troops attacking were in turn
Allied to change their front, the men forming into open
edam and deploying into line with the precision of ma-
*lmre. From this time movements and counter-sour
Mika were formed and carried out with marvellous rapi-
dity and good order, the object of the camp troops being to
hem in the enemy and force them up the hill in their rear.
This was at last accomplished, though with vary consider-
, able difficulty, for the enemy was remarkably quick and
ready, and but for the rapidity and skill with
which the cavalry and horn artillery acted, it
would have been impossible to have prevented
the mope of the enemy's troops through one of
the many little valleys. As it was, however, they wen
driven up the hills is the rear, and, after them, the 9Stb,
38th, and 60th Regiments, together with the three bat-
tallions of the Foot Gearda, rapidly charged. Up to this
point it was all in favour of the attacking party, but now
the tide of fortune was about to ebb, for the fire of the
enemy increased Is rapidity, and the regiments which had
carried the heights, after sustaining and returning a
tremendous fusillade for nearly half an hour, at last received
orders to retreat.
The retreating movement was one of the finest manceuvres
of the day. Each regiment in turn deployed into line, and
commenced file firing to cover the retreat of the rest of the
faros. At one time, however, the enemy pressed so hard
upon the rear as to drive in the light companies, and
threaten the comp forces with a total rout, and, in order to
cheek which a halt was sounded, and the whole force
formed in order of battle. After this the retort was again
command, and the marvellous rapidity with which
advise*, was taken of the least hillocks to form and
fever the line attacked, the perfect discipline of the various
geshimelk was beautiful to witness.
The Yet great strategic movement of the day was just
Malearde the close of the action. The camp forces had been
elms leek te the little bridge, across which, in the coos-
Meillnliffillat, they had driven the enemy. The passage of
ifirstwary over this was finely executed. The whole of the
thine lottelione of the Guards formed line, and, together
with Ow 38th Regiment, kept up an incessant volley of
muelmiley, until the cavalry and artillery had effected their
parole. This done, the artillery formed upon the height,
on the other side, and instantly opened a tremendous din
to ewer the mink of the 93rd and 50th and the Onards,

the 42nd llorblawders taking the places occupied by the
Household Brigadss, and firing by cemranies, to cover ths
retteat of the others. this manner the whole force w. 4

tronaported safely over, the Rifles being the last to retreat
at tle elm* of an action whit[. had lasted five hours, one
and a half of which was continued amid heavy rain.
Of course the spectators who crowned the various rung
grounds could no: comprehend the meaning of all these
complicated movements, which were necessarily rapid, and
eons'ently obscured by the smoke of incessant discharges of
musketry and artillery, but many of the meet striking
points were admirably seen and fully appreciated. The
rapidity with which the artillery advanced to support she
attacking columns, and the tacitly with %Itch th y com-
menced and sustained an incessant lire, was understood sod
commended by every one present. The Rift a also a ere
eagerly watched as they flew across the ground in ik r•
misting parties, and performed wonders in demolishing the
invisible light infantry of the enemy. But the most sulk-
ing manceuvre of the day was the general charge of the
cavalry which could be seen by the agile hundreds,
who, curled away by the excitemeut of the scene,
bed, regardless of ruts and quagmires, followed the
whole course of attack. In this movement the cerabineers
might be seen broken up in skirmishing order, each soldier
using his carbine to pick off stragglers among the enemy ;
the Life Guards supported their Waterloo reputation, and I
the 17th Lancers earned the character of being extreme.y well
disciplined. The advaace of the brigade of guards in Ilse in
the earlier portion of the fight was easily understood, but
in a moment they delivered their fire, and became almost
invisible in smoke of their own raising. Then we were
surprised by toe rapid formation of a line nearly a mile
long by the whole infantry, but they, too,
had to deliver two rounds, which enveloped
them in a similar obscurity. The advances in
column were strikingly effective, and one infantry move-
' meet, which was commenced by the gallant 4‘ntl, deploy-
ing into line, was, from the peculiar costume of the men,
one of the most recognisable features in the day's prop eed-
lugs. These gallant highlanders having delivered their tire,
were supported with equal gallantry by the 91th, which
formed the second line. The Ilighlanden made for the
ridge of the hill, followed at a quick pace by the 95th, cud
the latter opening with true military precision, allowed
their first line (the 42nd) to retreat right through them,
clotting when they had palsy', and remaining with heroic
firmness to near all the brunt of the hostile c..valry. Boon
she order for retreat passed along the line, and gave rt..) to
a series of splendid evolutions. The rifle brigade covered
the retreat, and the infantry termed with the greatest ra-
pidity into squares of companies, or regimental squares, as
the attacks of the supposed enemy were more or lees
troublesome. At one moment a square of the 42nd was
formed as if by magic, the officers all clustered in the
centre; in the next the Rifles passed through the 95th,when
the latter formed into line, and delivered three rounds, and
so on during the retreat, each regiment when supposed to
be exhaustedpaseing through the one in its rear, and the lat-
ter terming into hue or square, u the emergency required,and
taking its turn in coveritg the retreat. At lasts grand stand
VOA made by the whole retreating force, and the pertina-
cious enemy were no more heard of until they dropped
back to their quarters very much exhausted, as Might have
been expected, seeing that with no defensive armour save
tour fatigue jackets, they had done battle for five hours
with a force of six or seven thousand men.
The return of the troops to quarters was one of the most
picturesque military displays that could possibly be ima- '
gioed Ile inequalities of the ground caused the different
regiments to appear and disappear alternately, as they
marched easapwards in dense columns, preserving unbroken
order over en execediegly broken surlier. Along a distant
ridge the dark tonna of the rifles struck out boldly alidost
the sky, while down the little country road the artidery
lumbered along in an almost interminable train, the horses
looking much fatigued, and the men begrimed with five
hours' practice of their deadly trade. duos the wild
strains of the bagpipes drew attention to a dis-
taut valley, along which the sturdy 42nd kep
tame to their spirit-stirring pibroch, defying burr
and bramble in those inexpressible, which, according
w Sam Slack, are never out of repair. Far off to the rigot
die cavalry wound slowly over the unequal ground, the
cuirasses of the Life Guards, and the pennons of the
Lancers giving colour and variety to the military pageant.
At the head of each regiment the respective bands exerted
Thee
a nindescribablytroops
proceeded , pleasing
ttwhich,ion their
:hat
quarterso, odtns
ot
themselvesh
orderly,
d yio,
,rh
wothbaa
yet.
themselves during all this time in harmonious rivalry, and
although each played a different tune, discord was prevented
by distance, and the faint converging strains of martial
luir"stenicerhad.,
ananyatclitackosinognptahrsedcam"apdkertlens,
quite as vigorous as that which they had made on the enemy
so the morning.
It is almost eupetauous to add that the Prince Consort
expressed his warm approbation of the whole of the day's
staneenvree.

An entire change in the regiments, with the exception of
the corps of Royal Sappers and Miran, will take place at
the Camp about the middle of Jely, when the present regi-
ments under canvas will be relieved by the following •
CATALAT.—The lit Life Guards b the Royal 'Horse
Guards (Blue) from Hyde-park ; the 6th Dragoon Guards
(the
by the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons
(the Seete Orel"), under the Gourmand of Lieutenant.
Colonel Henry D. GritBth, from Birmingham ; the 13th
Light Dragoons by the 4th Queen's Own Light Dragoons.
from Ipswieh, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Lord G. A. F. Paget ; the 17th Light Dragoons (Lancers)
by the Bth Itiag's Royal Irish Light Dragoons (Harare),
ender the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F. George
Showell, from Nottingham.
FOOT GIVALII.I.I.—.IIO Ist battalion of the Grenadier
Guards by the 2nd battalion from Wellington Barracks ;
the let battalion of the Coldstream Guards by the 2ad bat-
talion, from St. George's Barracks; the Ist bittalion of the
Scots Fusilier Guards by the 2nd battalion, from the TOWN'
of London.

Ittrasray.—The 38th Foot, the 42nd (Highland), the
50th, the 93rd (Highland), the 95th Foot, and the 2nd bat-
talion Rifle Brigade, by the Mx following regiments: The
7th Royal Foallien, from Plymouth; the 19th Foot. from
Gosport; the 35th, from Plymouth; the 79th (High-
landers), from Edinburgh Castle; the 88th, from Ports-
mouth ; and the 97th, from Wainer.
AJATILLIAY.—Captain Taylor's troop of Royal Horse
Artillery is expected to relieve Captain Wood's troop at the
camp, and the latter to return to Brighton.