The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-07 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

During the past week the 24th company of Rea al
Engineers, et Aldershott have been carrying on a
series of siege works on the banks of the Basing-
stoke Canal. A number of models on a scale of
one-sixth of elevated, sunken, and half-sunken bat-
teries were constructed, and also trenches and com-
munications. A number of model magazines were
also made. A course of lectures on the subject of
siege works, &c., delivered by Capt. W. A. Frank-
land, and Mr. Hill, R.E., was well attended by the
company. These operations are understood to be
preparatory to the erection of siege works on a full
scale, which it is intended to erect on the vacant
ground between the North and South Camps. These
latter works will probably be commenced to-day.
and will be carried on very rapidly, orders having
been issued for the men to work night and day, as
in actual warfare. Large quantities of gabions,
faseines, &c., have been mado by the Engineers,
and now stand ready for use.
The review season at Aldershott for 1863 may be
considered as closed, the last grand divisional
field-day having taken place on Thursday. An
enemy was supposed to be advancing on Alder-
shott from the south-west, and already occupying
a strong position on Bricksbuey-hill, his right rest-
ing upon Caesar's camp, and the left on Beacon-
hill, forming an extended front of nearly two miles.
After some preliminary movements, with the view
of getting close upon the enemy's position, the whole
infantry force came into action simultaneously
at the base of Beacon-hill.
A sharp cannonade
was kept up by the artillery,
and at the same time
Major-General Hodge, with three regiments of
cavalry, made a vigorous attack on the enemy's left,
assisted by C and D ba of Royal Horse Artil-
lery. The enemy retired to the eastward, but rallied
and made a stand near Cmsar's camp, his cavalry
coming into action for the first time, causing the
infantry to form squares. Oar cavalry coming up
at this juncture completed his overthrow by some
splendid charges. Owing to the extended nature
of the movements, the usual march past was dis-
pensed with, and the troops returned to quarters
immediately after the termination of the manoeuvres.
The Aldershott Mission-hall and Soldiers' Insti-
tute, the first stone of which was laid on the 11th of
February by the Ear! of Shaftesbury, will be for-
mally opened on the 4th proximo. The building,
a very handsome one iu the early Anglo-Gothic
style, is furnished with a reading-room, smoking-
room, library, coffee.bar, and other aloes, together
with a spacious lecture-hall, capable of accommo-
dating 500 persons. The architects are 'Messrs.
Egger and Stapley, of Farnham, and the builders
Messrs. Goddard, of the same place. The object of
the Mission-hall is to furnish the soldier with
wholesome means of recreation in place of the
vitiating temptations which exist in Aldershott.
Chess, draught, and other amusements will be pro-
vided, and occasional lectures on interesting E bj ect
will be given. Religious services will, of course,
not be forgotten.

HOMAGE TO SIIATiSPERE!--so much anxiety has
been shown to possess a portion of lierne's Oak as
it lay in
the Home Park, that it has been necessary to
place a keeper to watch over it night and day, previous
to the removal of this interesting relic to a place of
security.

Full benefit of reduced duty obtained by pur-
chasing llorniman's puro 'Era; very choice at 3s. 4d. and
43. " nigh. Standard "at 4s. 4(1. (formerly 4s. 8(1.), is the
strongest and most delicious imported, Agents in every
town supply it in packets.