The Express.
London, England, 1853-07-11 00:00:00

THE CAMP AT CHOBHAM.

of his abilities in conducting the rapid retreat of an army
across en unusually difficult country, which is so cut up
with cart tracks as to be in some places quits impracticable
to cavalry, and requiring great caution in walking even
heft the light infantry skirmishes. The melancholy &cel-
-1 scot which saddened the close of the day's proceedings i• a
pm( of the unfavourable nature of the ground. The re-
treat commenced with the light infantry division of General
Evans, which, as it faced the quarters of the Guards,
was much exposed on its right to the attacks of the
enemy front the cavalry cantonments. This brigade,
after giving in two or three tremendous volley?,
formed double columns of companies, and retired over the
hills in the rear, taking ground towards the right of the
position, and in the rear of the centre and right division.'
lu this movement they were covered by the Artillery can-
nonade from the heights, and the fl,ing of the centre divi-
sion, which was in its turn protected, while retiring, by the
fire of the right. The cavalry, at the acme time, broke up,
and passed over the common in columns of troops, to be
ready to advance and cover the retreat of the brigades,
should it be necessary. The right division also moved back,
covered by a heavy cannonade on the right. At this
element the whole line was in rapid but orderly retreat,
when a halt was called, and, with the speed of lightning,
the retiring regiments threw themselves into squares, with
Banking companies thrown cut on either side, and prepared
to receive the enemy's cavalry, which were supposed to be
advancing. After hero y file firing from the square, the re-
treat was again commenced, the cavalry advanc-
ing on splendid chargers to cover the whole move•
meat. The line bad now retreated so far hack
Oa to be close upon the steep eminence at the
Odes of the common, called Chobham heights ; and the
aunt of the retreating force was considerably changed.
General Evans's light brigade occupied the place of the
centre, with the other divisions of infantry retreating at
either side of it. From this time the light brigade bore the
whole brunt of the day, and, with the cavalry, covered the
retreat in most splendid style. For more than an hour this
brigade was in incessant motion, one time forming squares
to repulse the enemy's cavalry, the next deploying into line
to check the infantry, and keeping up throughout a most
terrific fire. The cavalry also covered themselves with im-
mortal honour. And the able manner in which the Duke
of Cambridge handled his brigade proves himself to be an
officer of no mean or common-place ability. Some of the
charges which they effected were splendid specimens both
of the drill of the men, and the management of the herscs ;
and the style in which they wheeled in troops off the field
and formed in squadrons, was much talked of.
About this time the troops had reached the long range of
bills about two miles from the camp, called, we believe,
Chobham Heights. Upon the most northerly of these a
strong position was taken up by the Grenadiers, and field
batteries, to cover the retreat of the rest of the forces
through a kind of narrow valley or gorge, which runs at
the foot of the hills and away from Chobham Commom,
The three battalions of Guards were formed in line upon
the summits of these eminences, while the light brigade and
cavalry were retreating along the valley, covered by the
artillery at each side. Matters were in this position, the
firing going forward incessantly, and the scene as it nar•
rowed in extent, and the hills became more steep, increasing
in excitement and beauty of tableaux every moment, when
General Fane's brigade of the 42ad, 95th, and 50th were
ordered to take position for the purpose of covering the
retreat of the brigade of Guards under Colonel Ben-
tinck. Ibis was instantly done by the well-
drilled regiments of General Fane, and a perfect
line was formed, stretching down the northern side of the
-lopes, behind which the Guards were to retreat. Colonel
ntinck, attended by his staff, rode round to inspect this
ground, and told the few civilians who were permitted to be
there to leave that part of the field clear for the line of
Guards. The gallant colonel was then in the act of turning
his horse towards one of his aide-de-camps, when the ani-
mal, placing its foot in a deep hole in the ground, which
was concealed by heather, stumbled heavily forward, throw.
ing and falling upon its rider. In au instant a number of
officers who were upon the spot dismounted, and raised
Colonel Bentinck, who was insensible, from the ground.
Of course the surgeons who always accompany the troops
on field-days, in case of such contingencies, were instantly
in attendance, and by those of the gallant colonel's brigade,
a surgical examination, as strict as the circumstances per-
mitted, was made to ascertain the extent of the inju-
ries. The unfortunate gentleman was found, we be-
lieve, to have sustained a concussion of the brain,
several of the left ribs fractured, besides other severe
internal injuries, which made the case assume a rather
alarming aspect. The colonel was laid upon the ground,
apparently in an unconscious state, and a guard of honour
was immediately draughted off from the Grenadiers, who
farmed a large circle round their wounded chief, permitting
none to pass but the principal offioars and the rnodical gen.
tlemen who were in attendance. Lord Seaton happened
to be close to the spot when the colonel was thrown, and
instantly dismounting, ran to proffer every assistance in his
power. An orderly was in the meantime despatched to pro-
cure a stretcher, and others were sent off to Lord Seaton's
villa residence, Iligham Lodge, which was close to where
the accident took place, to order his lordship's carriage to
be got ready for the conveyance of the colonel as soon as he
should be removed, by means of the stretcher, off the hills
to the roadway. While these messengers were des-
patched, cavalry cloaks were procured, upon which Colonel
Sentinels was gently laid, and another examination made
by the medical officers. Immediately the stretcher arrived
the unfortunate officer was lifted upon it. It was gently
raised by a party of the Grenadiers, and with Lord Seaton
walking by its aide, with the medical officers, and followed
by the staff and several cavalry officers, who, we believe,
bad been sent to make inquiries by his Royal Highness the
Duke of Cambridge, was curried down the hills in mournful
pganusion towards Lord Seaton's house. It is almost need-
less to say that the instant the melancholy occurrence took
plate, orders were despatched by Lord Seaton to terminate
des sham battle. All the regiments seemed sur-
prised at such a command, as the engagement was
at the time at its height ; but when the reason became
known, a feeling of universal sorrow spread itself over the
whole force, which moved slowly off the ground, returning
to the camp by the Chobham-road. Owing to the motion of
the litter giving such extreme pain to Colonel Bentinck, its
bearers were obliged to proceed so slowly that it was some
time before the party which bore it and the attendants
reached the road, near Iligbam Ledge,where Lord Seaton's
carriage was waiting. Col. Bentinck, however, was not
placed in the carriage, in consequence of his own expressed
wish not to be moved. The litter was therefore borne up
to Lord Seaton's residence, which is only a short distance
from Colonel Bentinck's, and the carriage despatched for
Col. Bentinck's lady, who returned in it almost instantly.
It is almost unnecessary to add that the accident has thrown
the whole camp into deep gloom.

CHERTSEY, SATURDAY.
To-day has been one of the grandest for military
manmuvrea which has been witnessed at the camp for some
time. A brilliant attendance of rank and fashion were
present, and the whole day would have passed off with the
greatest e'efat, bad not an accident occurred towards its clue,
which it is feared, will prove fatal to one of the most
generally esteemed and respected officers in the camp,
Colonel Beutinek, who was thrown from his horse and
sustained very serious internal injuries.
All the morning, the clouds hung in dense black mamas
Over the common, so as to threaten a very unfavourable day
for the troops should they be ordered out. But these
atmospheric threats apparently exercised no influence over
the attendance of visitors, who thronged up the road to
the camp in great numbers. As is usually the case on
Saturdays, the attendance, though very full, was also very
select ; and the crowd of riders had more than its usual
proportion of fair equestrians, who add so much to the grace
and gaiety of the scene.
At ten o'clock all the troops paraded on the open space in
front of the tents, and passed through the usual inspection
of their commanding officer.
General Lord Seaton came upon the ground at half-put
ten, attended by the officers of his stall, and accompanied
by the Brigadier Generals, Fane, Evan!, and Bentinck.
The latter immediately placed themselves at the bead of
their respective forces, and prepared to descend into
Catten's Valley, in front of the camp. The cavalry were
also inspected about the same time by his Royal Highness
the Dale of Cambridge, and were the first to occupy the
valley. Their picturesque and martial appearance as they
poured over the slope by Colonel Challoner's plantation was
the subject of univeral remark and admiration among the
whole camp.
The Artillery, Guards, Rifles, and regiments of the line,
marched out from their respective cantonments, and formed
'junction with the cavalry in the centre of the valley.
Here the whole force was halted and drawn up in parade
order, until Lord Seaton had finished his usual minute in-
spection.
General Sir De Lacy Evans, with the Light Infantry
Brigade, formed the left of the attacking troops. His divi-
sion, which included the Rifle Battalion, the 93d and 38th,
were opposed to the heights of the cavalry quarters on their
left and those of the Guards in advance. General Fate's
brigade of the 95th, 50th, and 42d occupied the centre ; and
Bentiek, with the three regiments of Household Troops,
the right of the infantry position. The extreme right of all
was formed by the four regiments of cavalry, under the
Duke of Cambridge, and the Royal ROM Artillery Battery.
The front thus shown by the attacking troops was upwards
of a mile and a quarter in extent, and faced the camp at all

points.
The attack was commenced as usual by the Rifles, who
broke up into skirmishing order, though without firing.
The whole line then moved forward towards the c.imp at a
steady and rapid pace, presenting an appearance in their
advance which fully justified the encomiums which were
lavished upon their admirable discipline by the amateur
'military visitors upon the hills. In this way, and screened
is a great measure in their attack by the slopes which lie
before the camp, they pushed forward without firing a shot,
until the whole force had taken up their positions at the'
foot of the camp hills. A halt was then called, while the
field batteries took up position upon some eminence in the
rear of the line, when the infantry were again advanced
under cover of • terrific cannonade. The Light Brigade
was the first to take up their allotted point of attack, and
the three regiments which compose it instantly deployed
from open column into line, and commenced a tremendous
(nailede by file firing to cover similar positions which
were being taken up by the centre and right division. The
cavalry were also advanced, and beautifully unweaned
on the right flank of the attacking troops, while the Horse
Artillery, acting in concert, commenced their usual deadly
and rapid fire upon the camp lines. The rppearancc which
the forces now presented was one a rare and unequalled
martial splendour. 'the line of infantry consisted of nine
of our finest regiments, with twenty field pieces in *up-
port ; the cavalry of four regiments with six guns, in flank,
and every man of the infantry and every gun of the artil-
lery was pouring forth its thunders, as if, in fact, their
very lives depended on their execution. It is long since
such a display of military power and grandeur has been
witnessed in this island, and it will, we believe, be many a
long day before ie is seen again, when once the present
camp is closed. At this period of the engagement it was
supposed that the enemy were too strong to permit of the
camp being forced, and the retreat of the attacking forces
eves, therefore, determined on. It may appear a ques-
tionable compliment for • military man to be pre-eminent for
his skill in conducting retreats rather than attacks ; but
such a reputation we believe Lord Seaton enjoys. Anything
more skilful than the movements by which he covers his
retiring army cannot be imagined. Every slope is taken
advantage of, and becomes for a time a temporary, thou
almost impregnable, fortress, and in his hands a beaserimp
or little paling is rendered as formidable as a BIIIIWIAMI
stockade. Yesterday his lordship gave a most aigaii. proof

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 11, 1853

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The third and last flower show of the season took
place in the grounds at Chiswick, on Saturday, and although
the day was th,estening, and some rain fell in the course of
the afternoon, the gardens were densely crowded with visitors,
who appeared to enjoy the rich floral and musical treat usually
provided by this society. In addition to the usual attrac-
tions, his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, the president of
the society, threw open the pleasure grounds and gardens
of his villa, which adjoin those of the society, and the cora-
-1 pany had an oppertunity of inspecting the ranges of hot-
houses and conservatories belotiping to his grace, in which
the choicest and most beautiful exotics are displayed.
Among the company we observed the Duke and Duchess of
Northumberland, Lord Monteagle, Lord and Lady Wharn-
eliffe, Lord Wenleek, Sir Thomas D. Acland, Lady Dreg-
beds, Sir C. Lemon, Sir W. Middleton, &e. The following
is the award of the judges :

CLASS I.
New Pelargoniums, in ti inch pots.—Dold Banksian, Mr.
Bonham ; silver gilt, Mr. Robinson ; cettleatis of excel-
lence, Mr. Judd ; new gold Backslap, Mr. Turner ; silver
gilt, Mr. Dobson ; certificate ot excellence, Mr. Gaines.
Fancy Pelargoniumx.—Silvcr gilt, Mr. Rabinaun ; certi-
ficate of excellence, Mr. Miller ; sew silver gilt, Mr.
Turner; certificate of excellence, Mr. Gaines ; large silver,
Mr. Ambrose.

Scarlet Pelargoniums, in 8-inch pots.—New certificate of
excellence, Dirs. Conway.

CLASS 11.

Stove or Greenhouse Plants, in collectior.s of 20.—Large
gold, Mr. May,gard,ner to Mrs. Lawrence ; gold Knightian,
Mr. Green ; gold Banksian, Mr. Fraser.
Stove or Greenhouse Plants, in collections of 15.—G01,1
B tnksian, Mr. Carson, gardener to J. G. Farmer, Esq.
Stove or Greenhouse Plants, in collections of sit, isi pots
or tubs not less than 20 inches in diameter.—Gold B inksien,
Mr. May, gardener to Mrs. Lawrence ; silver gilt, Mr.
Over

Stove or Greenhouse Plants, in collections of six, in pots
or tubs not exceeding 13 inches in diameter.—Silver gilt,
Mr. Taylor; certificate of excellence, Mr. Roger; large
silver, Mr. Kinahorn ; silver Knightian, Mr. Over; silver
Banksian, Mr. Watson.
Exotic Orchids, in collections of 20.—Gold Knightian,
Mr. Franklin, gardener to Mrs. Lawrence; gold Banksian,
Mr. Williams.

Exotic Orcbide, in collections of 15.—Gold Itanksian,
Messrs. Rollis=on.

Exotic Orchids, in collections of 10.—Silver gilt, Mr.
Carson ; certificate of excellence, Mr. Woolley.
Exotic Orchids, in collections of six.—Certificate of excel-
lence, Mr. Green; large silver, Mr. lvison; silver Knight-
tien, Mr. Kinghorn.
Achimencs.—Large silver, Mr. Wiggins; silver Knight.
isn, Mr. Uzgell ; silver Boni sine, Mr. Woolley; certificate,
Mr. Godfrey ; certificate, Mr. Marsh.
Ileliehrystuns.—Large silver, Mr. Green; silver Knight-
len. Mr. Taylor.
Calosanths, in sixes.—Large silver, Mr. Taylor ; silver
Kuightian, Mr. Fraser.

-
CLASS 111.
(A)—For a collection of six Pine Apples, not including
more than two of a sort.—Siver gilt, Mr. Fleming.
(B)—Pine Apples, in single specimens:
1. Queen's.—Certificate of excellence, Mr. Barron (41b.
10 oz.) ; large silver, Mr. Jones (4 lb. 10 oz.) ; silver
Knightian, Mr. Flood (41h. 1 oz.).
2. Envilles, Cayennes, Sugai loafs, Black Jamaicas, Ota-
belies, &c.—Certificate of excellence, Lady Bridport, Black
Prince (6 lb. 11 ez.); large silver, Mr. Bailey, Enville (51b.
9 on.) ; silver gilt, Mr. Flood, Black Jamaica (3 lb. 13 ox.).
3. Providenees.—Certificate of excellence, Mr. Brown
(81b. 15 oz.); liege silver, Mr. Ingram (81b. 8 oz.) ; silver
Knightian, Mr. Chapman (71b. 12 ox.).
(C l—Grapes, in pots ; three specimens to be shown.—
Certifica'e of excellence, Mr. Bowie.
(D)—Grapes, in three bunches for private growers, and
six bunches for market gardeners.
1. Black Hamburgh.—Certificate of excellence, Mr.
Henderson; large silver, Mr. Forbes; silver Knightian,
Mr. Frost.
2. Black Prince, or West's St. Peter's.—Certificate of
excellence, Mr. Lindley; large silver, Mr. APWalter
silver Knightian, Mr. Hill.
3. White Muscadine', or Sweetwaters.—Certificate of
excellence, Mr. Mitchell ; large silver, Mr. Stanley ; silver
Knightian, Mr. Wood ; silver Bunksian, Mr. Williams.
4. Muncats.—Certificate of excellence, Mr. Frost ; large
silver, Mr. Buektroot ; silver Knightian, Mr. Turnbull ;
silver Banklian, Mr. Henderson.
5. Frontignans, or other sorts, distinct from the fore-
going.—Certificate of excellence, Mr. Allport, for black
frontignans ; large silver, Mr. Henderson, grizzly frontig-
nans. _ _

(E)—Peaches, is sizes. Large silver, Mr. Snow ;
silver Knightinn, Mr. Turnbull ; silver Banksian, Mr.
Davies.
(F)—Nectarines, in sises.—Largo silver, Mr. Brown;
silver Knightian, Mr. Henderson ; slyer Banksian, Mr.
Turnbull.. .

(1i)—Cherries, in dishes of 11b. each :
1. lack.—Silver Koightian, Mr. H. Myers; silver
Banksian, Mr. Eutham ; certificate, Mr. Jones.
2. Whitc.—Silver Knightian, Mr. Snow; silver Bank-
siao, Mr. Jones; certificate, Me. Myers.
(I)—Strawberries in pots; six pots to be shown —Silver
Knightian, Mr. T. Beech, British Queen.
(K)—Strawberries, in one dish :
1. British Queen, and similar kinds.—Siver Knightian,
Me Lirlsnrrl ; silver Banksian, Mr. Jones; certificate, Mr.
May.
(14—Melons, the best flavoured :
1. Green fkihed.—Silver Knightian, Mr. Grant, for
' Victory of Bath ; silver Banksian, Mr. Fleming, the Trent-
ham Hybrid.
2. Scarlet fleshed.—Silver Knightian, Mr. Atkinson,
Oldaker's Scarlet Fleshed : silver Banksian, Mr. Daragon,
Koch Cantaloupe.