The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-28 00:00:00

of which was to be the occupying a strong position

in his rear, covering the roads to Guildford, instead
of changing his front, throwing back his right, and
occupying a weak position. This plan, which had
the support of the volunteer brigadiers, was not
adopted; but changes were agreed to, their sub-
stance being as follows: General Rumley's attack-
ing force will be posted behind the wood in two
lines of contiguous columns at quarter-distance,
with guns in the centre. General Russell will
occupy nearly the position originally assigned him,
but with outposts thrown further forward. Gen.
Rumley will advance covered by skirmishers, a
body of whom will occupy the wood on his left.
On getting under fire, his first line will deploy.
He will then make a feint to attack Gen. Russell's
left, and, under cover of that feint, a determined
attack on his right, causing him to change front.
Yesterday, Surgeon Wakley came from London,
and, by order of Colonel M'Murdo, appointed Mr.
Ross and Mr. Butler surgeons to the field hospital
for Easter Monday. This is a very important
matter, as accidents may occur where so large a
mass of men are grouped together. On this occa-
sion there will be a tent 28 feet by 17, supplied
with mattresess, splints, bandages, and every ap •
pliance for contingencies, together with stretchers
for the conveyance of the wounded. In the event
of any accident happening to a volunteer the sur-
geon of his regiment or company will attend him
to the hospital, and will receive every assistance
from Mr. Ross and Mr. Butler. In the event of
very severe accidents, a ward capable of holding from
four to six beds has been placed at the di,:posal of
the surgeons by Quartermaster Chaplin, of tii:e 2d
Royal Surrey Militia. Sergeant B smbrick has bee :1
appointed hospital sergeant to the field tent. The
hospital tent will be placed within a quarter of a
mile of the grand stand, and on a conspicuous ridge,
with a flag flying. Either volunteers or civilians
meeting with accidents should be at once sent
thither. Policemen will be in attendance to assist
and keep off the mob. From the broken nature of
the ground, and the rabbit holes with which it
abounds, it is to be feared the hospital will be re-
quired, as accidents are likely to occur.
The chief matter of anxiety now is, of course, the
weather Cold north winds, frequent showers, and
more than one fall of snow, sleet, and hail, have
chilled the ardent hopes of many thousands who
look forward to the enjoyment of a grand military
spectacle in the midst of such scenery as England
are
herself may be proud to own. But the clouds
higher this eve.ning, and the atmosphere seems to
have cleared itself in a considerable degree of the
brooding storm that threatened Blackheath and the
heroes of Easter Monday. So far, there has been
good rather than harm done by the rainy weather ;
and if it will but hold up during to-night, the
ground will be none the worse to-morrow for the
wet that has been absorbed into its loose, peaty
'ace.

A stranger to London would have been greatly I
surprised at the appearance the Waterloo station of
the South-Western Railway presented at a very
early hour this morning, as it was of the most
exciting character. He would have imagined that
England was engaged in some terrible encounter,
and that every exertion was being made to meet
force by force, instead of coming to the correct con-
clusion that it was the commencement of the great
gala day of the Rife Volunteers. The first batch
of " ardent youths eager for the field," con-
sisting of several regiments, numbering over a
thousand men, arrived with commendable punctu-
ality, and in the most soldierlike manner marched
to the departure platform, and from thence en-
tered the carriages iu capital order, and before the
hour set for the next acce,,ion. As soon as possible
afterwards the signal-whistle sounded, and the
train proceeded on its way amidst general con-
gratulations.
At intervals of about 20 minutes up to five
minutes to 8 the different Metropolitan and Surrey
regiments continued to arrive, and as the last traino
left it was computed that between 5,000 and 6,00
rank and file had left the station.
At the London-bridge elation the scene was
quite as exciting; as, in accordance with the War-
office regulations, about a similar number left
London for Godalming by that route.
As far as the opening of the day's performance

in London was concerned, everything went off in
the best manner, and it is only to be hoped the
stern enemy of the British volunteer—the rain—
will for some time allow them to enjoy their holi-
day to the top of their bent,