The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-20 00:00:00

THE LATE GENERAL DENNIS.

Major-General Sir James Dennis, K.C.8., who died
on the 14th inst., at the advanced age of 78, had seen
much active service. He served with the 49th on board
her Majesty's ship Monarch at the battle of Copenhagen
in 1801, and was wounded in both hands and contused.
From his nautical knowledge, derived from prior ser-
vice in the navy, he as wenabled to render an important
service during this action, by fishing the cable, which by
a misapprehension of orders, had been nearly cut through
by a seaman. He served in the last American war, in-
cluding the battle of Queenstown, where he was
wounded ; the storming of Fort George, where he bad
his horse shot ; at the action of Stoney Creek, where he
was wounded in two places with musket-balls and also
contused by having his horse shot, which fell on him ;
and at the action of the rapids at Hooples Creek. He
commanded a division at the battle of Maharajpore, on
the 29th of December, 1843, for which service he re-
ceived a bronze star, and for which also he was ap-
pointed a "K C. 8." He received the brevet rank of
Major for his services at Queenstown, on which occa-
sion he commanded that post during the operations
which took place prior to the arrival of General Brook.
He received the naval war medal with one clasp for
Copenhagen. lie entered the army in 1795, was Lieu-
tenant in 1797, Captain in 1803, Major in 1812, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel in 1125, Colonel in 1833, and Major-
General in 1851.

THE MILITIA.
On Thursday the Royal Wilts INfilitia assembled in
the Barrack-square at Portsmouth, and, having formed
square, the Lieutenant-Colonel, Lord Methuen, ad-
dressed the men as follows :—" Men of the Royal Wilts,
—Upon several occasions I have had to address you in
complimentary terms relative to your conduct and ap-
pearance since the regiment has been raised. The
officers who have periodically inspected you, the district
General, Prince Albert, and her Majesty have all con-
curred in praise of your soldierlike appearance. I gain
nothing by your going ; on the contrary, no man in the
regiment will suffer greater inconvenience by going than
myself. I leave behind me my wife, my children, and
my property ; but still I call upon you as Wiltshire men,
in the name of your God, your Queen, and your
country, to rally round the Royal standard and
the colours of Wiltshire. I have spent four years of
my life in Corfu, where you are desired to serve, and I
assure you the climate is one of the finest in the world.
One of the proudest days of my existence will be when I
have the honour to lead
interestt, in which I have
always taken so great an
~ from their native land,
for the purpor of defending the liberties of Europe.
And now," said his
. lordship, " I call upon the officers
who are willing to join me to step forward." All pre-
sent came to the front ; " and now," said he, " the ser-
jeants ;" they came forward without an exception.
" After that," said his lordship, " I think it unneces-
sary to say more ; but propose three cheers for her most
gracious Majesty," which wereheartily given. The re-
giment numbers 746, and recruits are joining daily. The
following are the numbers for Corfu :—Staff serjeants 7,
serjeants 30, band 20, drummers 11, rank and file, 540 ;
total, 608.
The South Gloucestershire Militia, now on duty at
Gloucester, have just had an intimation conveyed to
them of the intention of their colonel, Earl Fitzhardinge,
to present to every man who volunteers into the line a