The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-07 00:00:00

eye, it may be supposed that the, enemyrhaving
made a good landing on the coast somewhere be-
tween Ovingdean and Rottingdean, was making his
way in a north-easterly direction, with a view of
fetching a sweep round on Brighton, when he sud-

denly found himself in front of an immensely supe-
rior attacking force. Finding it impossible to make
further head against the powerful batteries playing
upon him, Col. Brewster must have determined to
hold to the favourable position which he had at-
tained on the summit of the mamelon. Ordering

his men to the back of the crest, where they lay

down to allow the enemy's shot to pass over them,

he brought his four six-pounders to the front, and
opened fire immediately to check any attempt to dia.
lodge him. To the right of his position, in the
hollow beneath, lies Wooden-dean, a large farm-
house with outbuildings, and enclosed on one side by

a plantation of young trees, which afforded a strong
cover for a defending force. This was the key of

his position—the Hougomont of the day, in fact ;
and it was clear that if he once lost it he would be

in danger of being outflanked and forced back into
the sea. To this point were despatched five com-

panies of the Inns of Court, who lined it with
skirmishers and kept up a brisk fire on the left wing
of the opposing force. A squadron of the 9th Lan-
cers, advancing at a slow trot to feel for the enemy,
came upon a party of the Devil's Own, posted
advantageously in a thicket of gorse bushes, and
were received with such a galling fire that they

were compelled to retreat quickly on their supports.
Again the Lancers charge in greater force, but the
skirmishers, rapidly fcrming square, again drove
back the cavalry, and, emboldened by their success
followed them up, taking advantage of every tree

and bush to harass their retreat. It was not until

Captain Jay's battery unlimbered and sent a few

rounds into them that their ardour was checked,
and they were driven back on the wood. Mean-

while as it became evident that Colonel Brewster
could not be dislodged very easily as long as he held

possession of the Woodendean Farm, Lord Elcho,
who commanded the left wing, was ordered to attack

and carry it. Throwing out a battalion of the Queen's
Westminsters as skirmishers, and supported by a
battery of Horse Artillery, the 4th Brigade moved
_ _ _

_ . ...
quickly down the slope, and at the same time a gene-
-

-
ral advance of the whole of the first line was or-

dered, each brigade detaching a battalion as skir-

mishers. The 9th West Middlesex performed this
duty for the lst Brigade, and the 3d Hants and Ist
Sussex for the 2d and 3d Brigades. While engaged
in this movement it became necessary to prepare
for an expected attack of cavalry, and in
a few minutes both the first and the second

division, which was advancing in support, were
thrown into echellona of squares. This was one of
the most beautiful movements of the day, and was
effected with extraordinary rapidity and precision.
The attack repulsed, the left wing again pressed
forward towards Woodendean, and in a few minutes
the Queen's Westminsters and the Inns of Court
were engaged in a brisk contest. The " Devil's
Own" held their ground manfully, so manfully
that they attracted the reviewing General's special
attention. " What corps are you ?" asked Lord
William Paulet, riding up to a party who were in
the hottest of the fire. 6, Inns of Court, my Lord,"
was the reply. " And very good fellows, too," re-

joined the general, "I should be very sorry to have
you for an enemy." Still they were outnumbered,
and were driven from the edge of the plantation,
some of them scarcely making their escape before
the enemy's skirmishers burst their way through
the hedge. Slowly they retreated up the hill, mak-
ing a stand now and again, but with little chance
of success, for under the cover of the plantation
Lord E Echo's brigade formed column, the Lon-
don Scottish at their head, and advanced steadily
up the hill. In vain Colonel Brewster brought
up his main body and endeavoured to receive
them in line. The Westminsters were hurrying
up still further to the left, and in a few minutes
he would have been outflanked. A crushing volley
which the London Scottish delivered halfway up the
hill completed his discomfiture, and he ordered his
force to fall quickly back to gain the shelter of the
18-pounder battery on the opposite hill. Just in the
hollow he encountered a new danger from the
cavalry, which had stolen round the Wick valley,
and almost caught him on his flank. There was
hardly time to form square before the Lancers came
galloping along the valley almost at a racing speed,
and charged right up to the bayonet. This was
decidedly the great effect of the day. Three or four
times the cavalry charged, retiring by squadrons,
as they were driven off by the withering fire kept
up from the faces of the squares, and at the last
charge the Rants Light Horse passed between two
of the squares,
cutting at the bayonets as they
dashed along with all the excitement of a real con-
test. It was well for them that it was not, for the
3d London, reserving their fire until the cavalry
were close upon them, poured in a tremendous vol-
ley at point blank, which,
as Lord Cardigan, who
was riding close by, exclaimed, "would have emptied
every saddle ?" Finding the square so firm and im-
penetrable, the cavalry fell back, and Col. Brewster
continued to retreat up the hill, keeping his men
still in their formation of squares to be prepared for
another attack from the cavalry, who rode on his
flank, in a parallel line, watching an opportunity to
charge again, which, however, did not occur. By
this both divisions of what we may call the English
army had advanced on the position at first occupied
by the enemy, and was formed on the crest of the
hill in a long continuous line. In these respective
positions a long fusilade was kept up by both sides,
in the course of which the volley firing of the Lon-
don Scottish, the Civil Service, and Westminsters
was specially praised by the military; and about
half-past 4 the movements were terminated by the
hasty retreat of Col. Brewster and his brigade in
the direction of the railway
station. The other troops
then marched off their
ground, and, having been
massed again at their several rendezvous, were
draughted in the order in which they arrived in the
morning as fast as trains could be provided for
them.

Thus terminated a field-day which was certainly
the most successful on a large scale in which the
volunteers have yet distinguished themselves. That
their enthusiasm in the movement has not worn
away is sufficiently proved by their undiminished
numbers, and their improved efficiency was shown
by the steadiness with which they manoeuvred on
ground not a little trying for young troops. The
day passed over, so far as could be learnt, without
any accident, except tho upsetting of one of the
monster 18-pounders in the final advance up the
hill, but this was speedily righted.

Yesterday morning, shortly after 8 o'clock, the
church of St. Thomas,Westminster-bridge• road, was
surrounded by the candidates for a marriage gratis in honour
of the late royal marriage. The Rev. W. Seaton, incumbent,
assisted by the Rev. Mr. Hopkins, performed the ceremony,
the sacred edifice being crowded. One party unfortunately
could not be married, as the bridegroom, just before the cri-
tical moment, lost the ring intended for the ceremony. The
service was attended by a very orderly congregation. The
number of couples married was between 40 and 60. The
same ceremony was gratuitously performed for nine couples
at the parish church of Marylebone by the Rev. Mr. Mac-
lure, one of the curates ; and for between 60 and 70 couples
at the district church of St. Luke's, King's cross, St. Pan-
cras, by the Rev. C. Andrews.
SEIZURE OF AN ALLEGED CONFEDERATE GUN-
BOAT AT LIVERPOOL.—About noon, on Sunday, Mr. E.
Morgan, one of the Custom's surveyors, acting under in-
structions from the Board of Commissioners, went on board
the small wood-built screw steamer Alexandra, recently
launched from the building-yard of Messrs. Miller and
Sons, and now being fitted for sea in the Toxteth Dock. No
official intimation was made by the officer as to the grounds
on which he acted. He merely went on board, marked a
" broad arrow" on one of the masts, and remained on board
keeping the vessel under surveillance, Up to 2 o'clock yes-
terday afternoon no official reason had been intimated as to
why the Alexandria had been put or was kept under sur-
veillance, but it is believed to be in consequence of informa-
tion communicated to the authorities that she is built as a
gunboat, and is meant for the American Confederate Go-
vernment. She is ti fine, tidy-looking craft of 265 tors
builders' measurement,is nicely coppered and copper fastened
and presents the appearance of possessing great speed and
comparatively considerable power. It is said that a legal
investigation will be immediately made into the circum-
stances connected with the building and outfit of the vessel.
It may be worth mentioning that the Alexandria has no
gunports, has no magazine, and is not provided with a shell-
room, or any other similar arrangement ordinarily pertain-
ing to a war-ship, and has no engines on board. In short
she presents merely the appearance of a fast schooner-rigged
steam yacht.