The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-28 00:00:00

ment of the other iron vessels proposed to be laid
down at Chatham.

THE ARMY.
Major-Gen: Sir R. Decree and the Staff of Wool-
wich attended at the general local hospital on Fri-
day for the purpose of inspecting the invalids and
time-expired men of the Royal Artillery and sign-
ing the returns according to the code of regulations
recently issued, to be forwarded to the Adjutant-
General for confirmation, with a view to their being
submitted to the Chelsea Board.

Oa Wednesday the Aldershott division, in pur-
suance of orders issued on the previous day, was
formed up on Claycart-ridge in line of contiguous

columns, to resist an enemy supposed to be advanc•
ing on the camp from London, via Farnborough.

The engagement was commenced by skirmishers of
the 13th Hussars and Royal Horse Artillery firing
a few shots, after which the former were recalled,
and the 13th made a demonstration on the front of
the enemy, halted, and retired by sections of threes.
The Carabineers and Royal Dragoons then charged
in line, halted, and retired by open column of troops
from both flanks. The 13th Hussars came to the
front and threw out skirmishers, who were supported
by D battery Royal Horse Artillery. The Cara-
bineers and the Royal Dragoons then retired by
open column of troops round the right flank of the
infantry, and reformed line in their rear. The 13th
Hussars and D battery retired in like manner, and
also reformed in rear of the infantry. This move-
ment uncovered the 2d and 3d brigades, which,
having deployed, were advancing in line under
cover of a strong body of skirmishers, who kept up
a continuous fire. After advancing some distance
in this order, the skirmishers were recalled, and the
line, composed of fire regiments, threw in a heavy
fire, supported on the left by B battery, Royal
Artillery. This having been continued for some
time, the brigades retired by echelon of bat-
talions from both flanks, halted, advanced, re-
formed line, again opened fire, and retired as
before, covered by the 2d battalion, 6th Rifles,
who formed a line of skirmishers with supports.
Hard pressed by the enemy, they were compelled
to retire, and having to fall back a long distance,
the supports extended and relieved skirmishers by
a well executed movement. The Rifles then doubled
round the flanks of the Ist Brigade, which was
formed in line ready to receive the enemy, and
the Brigade opened such a terrific fire that the
enemy was thrown into disorder, which became a
precipitate retreat as the cavalry advanced to the
front and completed his overthrow by some splendid
charges.

Major-Gen. Lawrenson, Inspector-General of
Cavalry, visited Aldershott last week, and made
his annual inspection of the cavalry brigade sta-
tioned there. The regiments inspected were the
Royal Dragoons, 6th Dragoon Guards, and 13th
Hussars, with a squadron of the 18th, which worked

with the 13th throughout the parade movements.
Each regiment was minutely inspected in line, after
which they marched past in open column of squa-
drons, ranked past in single file, trotted past by
threes and by squadrons, and again by squadrons
at a gallop, reformed line, advanced and performed

,he sword exercise. Several other field movements

followed, which were executed with such dexterity
and precision as to call forth high encomiums from
the inspecting General. The inspectioq occupied
nearly six hours. On the following day the riding-
schools, the young horses, and the remounts were
inspected, together with the 13th Hussars on foot
parade. Gen. Lawrenson highly complimented the
Colonels of the various regiments on the high state
of discipline of their respective commands, and also
expressed to Gen, Hodge, commanding the cavalry
brigade, his entire satisfaction at what he had wit-
nessed. The 76th (Hindostan) Regiment, now sta-
tioned at Aldershott, is under orders to hold itself
in readiness for immediate embarcation for. India.
On Wednesday the regiment went through the usual
medical examination of corps under orders for fo-
reign service by a board of medical officers, of whom
Dr. Stewart, staff surgeon, was president. Thirty -
seve n non -commissioned cfficers and men were con-
sidered unfit for foreign duty ; and an order hav-
ing been received that no limited service men of
8 years should go unless on the condition
of being re-enlisted, and that no unlimited

service men should go who were-over 20 years' ser.

vice, a total of 100 was taken from the strength of
the regiment. On Friday the regiment was drawn
up in open column in rear of the officers' quarters,
and minutely inspected by Brigadier. Gen. Bates,
commanding the 2d Infantry Brigade at Aldershot.
Strength of the regiment on parade—two field offi-
cers, seven captains, 17 subalterns, four staff, 32
sergeants, 20 drummers, 577 rank and file ; total of
all ranks, 659. As the required strength for the
Indian establishment is 956, the deficiency will be

supplied from the depot of the regiment, and by

volunteers from other regiments. The 64th Regt.,
now stationed at Aldershot, i 3 under orders to hold
itself in readiness to move as follows—Headquar-
ters and four companies to Gosport, one company

to Tipper, one company to Marchwood, one com-
pany and a field officer to Weymouth, and three
companies and a field cfficer to Portland. No date
is yet notified for the departure of the regiment.

The following changes will take place in the
camp at Aldershot consequent upon the departure
of the 64th and 76th Regiments—On the departure
of the 64th the 2d battalion 60th Rifles will vacate
the West Infantry Barracks, and occupy A, B, and
C lines, North Camp. On the West Block Infantry
Barracks being vacated by the 2d battalion 60th
Rifles it will be occupied by the 59th Regiment.
On the departure of the 76th Regiment the 73d
will vacate its present quarters in the South Camp,
and occupy the East Block Infantry Barracks. On
Thursday a grand "assault of arms," under the
patronage of Lieut.-General Sir J. L. Pennefather,
commanding the Aldershot division, will take place
on the Gymnasium Ground, Centre Block, Perma-
nent Barracks. The competitors will consist of
the instructors in gymnastics and other non-com-
missioned officers attached to the gymnasium, and
the assault will be under the superintendence of
Major F. Hammersley, director of gymnastics
at Aldershott Camp. Previous to the commencement
of the divisional field day at Aldershott on Wednes-
day, Major-Gen. Hodge, commanding the Cavalry
Brigade, rode to the front, and presented medals for
long and meritorious services to Sergt. Long, Farrier-
Sergt. Harrison, and Private Taylor, of the 13th
Hussars, expressing his pleasure at being the me-
dium of presenting such honourable testimonials.
The whole of the cavalry, drawn up on Claycart
Ridge, witnessed the presentation.
A draught—the departure of which had been
somewhat delayed—consisting of Lieut. Monteath,
Ensign Martin, and 119 rank and file of the 70th
Regiment, left the Camp at Colchester on Friday
to embark on board the ship Chariot of Fame, for
conveyance to New Zealand, to join the service
companies in that colony. In consequence of the
extensive draughts which have left the camp during
the last three or four months the strength of the
various depots has been much reduced, and recruit-
ing has commenced. The cavalry barracks at Col-
chester are nearly ready for occupation. A contract
has been entered into with the Waterworks Com-
pany, and the mains will be laid as soon as possible.
The foundations of an immense reservoir near the
barracks are already being dug. A riding school,
150 ft by 50ft, is also being built ; the building when
complete will present a neat appearance, and will be
constructed of red brick with an open roof, the floor
sbeirlgbee°:ethreiek layerdwith of concrete
tan andeoe
osraewd.us t, beneath which
v
The new floating
target for garrison and field-gun
practice, invented by Col. A. A. Shuttlewort Roy al
Artillery, and which, on the recommendation of the
Select Committee, is in future to be
adopted Ordnance
ntheservice, consists of a half tun vat,
divided, in a complete state, into four com-
partments, withgalvanisedwre netting, painted
white, and filled 17 1111 12 bushels of cork shay-
i
shav-
ings. The target is surmounted with a flagstaff
painted white, 14ft in length, and is secured by a
281 b anchor. Targets of this kind will be imme-
diately issued to all stations where artillery practice
is carried on, and will supersede the old floating tar-
get for general service, but are not to take the place
of the 6ft and Oft wooden targets, which will be
supplied,
for practice.
as heretofore, to stations requiring them