The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-03 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

The Ist Middlesex Engineer Volunteers, under
Itieut.-Colon el M'Leod of M'Leod, marched on Box-
ing-day to Putney, and went through the various
duties of a battalion on reconnoitring service. Fif-
teen rounds per man were served out. On reaching
Putney-common, No. 1, which formed the advanced
guard, extended smartly at the double, and, sup-
ported by No. 2, commenced carefully to examine
and patrol all cover that an enemy might be capable
of turning to account. At the first cross-roads,
No. 3 was ordered to reconnoitre and, if possible,
take the first bridge that crosses the railway, and
by that means protect the flank of the battalion and
threaten that of the enemy, who was supposed to
be occupying the second bridge. O❑ perceiving the
latter movement the enemy's cavalry charged across
both bridges, and was received by Nos. 1,2, and 3
in company squares, and the remainder in battalion
square. The falling back of the advanced
guards of the main body and No. 3, the forming
squares, and opening fire, were. done very_ §Knartly.
As soon as the enemy was beaten off and No. 3 had,
after a second advance, succeeded in taking the first
bridge, the battalion moved quickly on the second
and took it in fine style. It was materially assisted
by the flank movement of No. 3 and the sharp fi
that was kept up by the advanced guard, which
lined a fence on each side of the bridge. Roehamp-
ton-lane was treated as a defile, and after the village
had been carefully reconnoitred, two companies
a time performed outlying picket duty while the
rest were dining. At 2.30 the assembly was
sounded, and in barely 10 minutes the regiment was
moving in the direction of Wimbledon. After
having received the enemy's cavalry twice in com-
pany and battalion squares, and been warmly en-
gaged with a strong advanced post of theirs, the
regiment retired into Putney. The corps gave
another proof, if any were required, that with offi-
cers and non-commissioned officers determined to
learn and perform their duty, Volunteers are quite
capable of executing the most difficult military ope-
rations.

The Ist West Riding of Yorkshire Artillery
Volunteers (Leeds), comprising six batteries, has
recently erected by subscription a battery of four
32-pounder guns for practice at Morecambe Bay,
near Fleetwood, and the first practice took place on
Saturday last. The battery is constructed on a site
near the railway station, granted to the corps by
the Midland Railway Company, and has cost nearly
£2OO, The guns and an abundant supply of am-
munition and stores were provided by the Go-
vernment. Every facility has been afforded by the
Midland Company, who have engaged to convey
the Volunteers from Leeds to Morecambe and back
(a distance of 70 miles), by any train, for the low
charge of 2s. On Saturday, in consequence of the
numbers and to insure an early arrival at the
battery, a special train was provided, which con-
veyed about 250 members of the corps, with their
band. Lieutenant-Colonel Waud, who has recently
accepted the command, met the corps on parade for
the first time. The newly appointed adjutant, Mr.
Shields, also entered upon his duties on this occasion.
The other officers present were Captains Lawson,
Pepper, and Hainsworth ; Lieutenants Holforth,
Barr, Kay, Smith, Butler, Jackson, Clarkson and
Oates; Surgeon Price, and Lieutenant Turner,
hon. secretary. After promenading the town the
Volunteers were marched to the battery, where,
before commencing practice, Lieutenant-Colonel
Waud addressed them in an appropriate speech.
Practice then commenced at a target moored in
the bay, at a distance of 1,200 yards. The guns
were admirably served and the target was
struck twice. A large concourse of the inhabitants
of the district witnessed the proceedings from the
beach and cliffs, and appeared highly gratified.
The Volunteers were afterwards marched to the
various hotels and refreshed with a substantial
dinner, provided at the expense of Lieutenant-
Colonel Waud. The officers dined at the North-
Western Hotel. The volunteers returned to Leeds
at an early hour of the evening.

The second year's competition for the Mapperley
Challenge Cup, value £5O, presented by the late
Mr. J. C. Wright, banker, took place on Monday
and Tuesday by the various companies of the Not-
tingham Robin Hood Rifles, at the Mapperley
butts (near the town). Last year the cup was
borne off by the Castle, or No. 1 Company. The
conditions were :—Rifles, those in actual use in the
corps, Government ammunition ; 20 effective mem-
bers from each competing company ; five rounds
of file firing at 300 yards, five rounds of volley
firing at 400 yards, and Hythe positions. The 10
companies of the battalion finished shooting on
Tuesday afternoon, when the Castle Company were
again declared the victors, they having scored 150
points at volley firing. A protest has been for-
warded to Major Sherlock, the commanding
officer, on the part of the Park Company, against
the decision awarding the prize to the Castle Com-
pany.