The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-11 00:00:00

THE CAMP AT CLIORELAM COMMON.

Those who may have imagined that Lord Seaton had
by this time exhausted all the resources of his genius as
a military tactician, and had taxed to its utmost limit
his power of introducing variety into military move-
ments, would have been most agreeably surprised if they
had witnessed the field-day of Saturday. Brilliant as
have been many of those spectacles of mimic warfare,
and interesting and suggestive as the movements must
have been even to the most unprofessional of spectators,
it is impossible to deny that the evolutions of Saturday
surpassed without exception any which had before taken
place, and, but for an accident of a somewhat serious
nature, to which we shall presently allude, the proceed-
ings of the day would have been still more brilliant and
remarkable. The manceuvres of the day were intended
to illustrate an unsuccessful attack on the enemy's camp,
the repulse and defeat of the attacking army, and their
ultimate rallying, storming, and taking possession of the
camp. The encampment itself was the subject of the
attack, and the retreat was made over the series of
heights on the eastern extremity of the common. It is
certainly no discredit to Lord Seaton to say of him that
he appears to excel in the art of making a good retreat,
and has shown himself in this particular, as in others, a
most skilful and able general. If the troops encamped
at Chobham should ever be brought into actual service,
although we trust that they may never have occasion to
show their great skill in retreating before the enemy,
still, if by the fortune of war it should so happen that
the general should be called upon to decide between the
making a good retreat or fighting a bad battle, it is not
unreasonable to suppose that the experience of Chobham
will serve the troops well in the case of the former alter-
native being adopted. The difficulties connected with
covering a retreat are too obvious to need pointing out
to the most superficial of observers. It is not to be
wondered at if Lord Seaton, having served in the Penin-
sula under Wellington, should have learned something
from the cautious and unrivalled strategy of his great
commander. The same great principles of caution which
are so characteristic of Wellington's campaigns are seen
to pervade, upon a small scale, all the movements of the
troops at Chobham. No flank is left unprotected, no
point uncovered ; and, except upon very rare occasions,
when the fate of the day is to be decided by an advance
of the whole of the army, the reserve force is not called
into action. The spectator, bearing this great charac-
teristic always in mind, will possess the key to all the
manceuvres which he may witness at Chobham, and may
account for each movement of the various bodies of
troops with as much accuracy as an experienced chess-
player can detect from the "moves" the intention of his
antagonist.

Tile whole of the troops were ordered out for parade
at 11 o'clock, but, in consequence of the continuous and
heavy fall of rain, they did not then turn out, but waited
accoutred in their respective camps, ready at a moment's
notice. Shortly after half-past 11 the "turn-out" was
sounded, and the whole of the brigades marched off to
the valley in front of the encampment. Major-General
Fane's brigade, consisting of the 42d, 50th, and 95th,
occupied a position opposite its own encampment, but
the right and left flanks of the camp exchanged posi-
tions, thus bringing the brigade of Guards on the right,
and General Evans's brigade on the left, of the line.
After being thus placed, each regiment counter-
marched by sub-divisions around the centres of bat-
talions, thus completely changing, by a most beautiful
and well-executed movement, the position of the respec-
tive regiments in each brigade. The whole division now
formed line, en echelon of brigades, after which each
battalion formed double column of companies in rear of
the centre, and remained thus formed for a short time.
Occupying as they did this position in the valley, with
the gentle rising heights close behind them, the scene
which the varied uniforms of the 9 regiments presented
was one of great beauty. The field batteries were placed
on the heights ; one battery protecting the flank of
each brigade. The cavalry were assembled in contiguous
column on the right of the infantry with the Horse Ar-
tillery on the extreme right. The infantry bugle now
sounded the "Extend," and the two centre companies of
each battalion of the whole division of brigades were
thrown out as skirmishers, and commenced firing in the
direction of the encampment, the spectators crowding the
small eminences acting for the enemy upon this occasion,
in place of the familiar white and red jacketed Grena-
diers and Sappers. After the skirmishers' firing had
continued for some time the remaining companies of the
first brigade—the 93d, the Rifles, and the 38th—ad-
vanced through the line of skirmishers, formed line, and
supported by a field battery commenced a rapid and
most terrific file fire on the encampment of the brigade
of Guards, which continued for nearly half an hour, and
in which upwards of 20 rounds were expended. The
reader will now please to suppose at this time either that
the Guards were "up and at 'em," or that the specta-
tors were advancing with umbrellas and opera-glasses.
supported by irregular cavalry, coaches, vans, and sun-
dry other kinds of vehicles, laden with provisions and
ammunition, or that some other cause has spread a
panic through the ranks of this light brigade.
For they have now ceased fire, and, covered by
their skirmishers, their line is now falling back,
and marching away in quick time by the rear of the
second light brigade, passing by the famed 42d, the
pugnacious 50th, and the gallant 95th, till they have
obtained a shelter from their avenging pursuers at the
rear of the brigade of the Guards—when they suddenly
disappear, as though some portions of the swamps of
Chobham had engulphed them. No such dire catas-
trophe had, however, occurred, for the whole brigade
had merely laid down in the heather, concealed from
observation, and resting from their fatigues. Major-
General Fane's brigade now formed the left of the line,
and after a terrific fire, it fell back out of range of the
enemy's fire. The Guards now occupied the whole
front, and they, after firing a tremendous volley, formed
into square, as well as eaoh regiment in Fane's brigade.
The Lancers and the Carabineers made one or two dash-
ing charges to protect the retiring infantry, and the
Guards and light brigade having deployed into line, re-
tired to the base of the hills which skirt the eastern
frontier of the common. Arrived at this point, the
Guards occupied the centre, Fane's brigade the right,
Evans's brigade, with the cavalry and Horse Artillery,
were on the left. The Guards now commenced a rapid
ascent of the hill, still pursued by the terrible enemy—
more terrible, perhaps, because invisible—and covered
by the fire of the field batteries on their flanks. Ar-
rived at the summit of the hill, they rallied, formed line,
and for a moment arrested the progress of their pur-
suers. The 42d Regiment meanwhile had reached the
summit of another of the heights in rear of the Guards,
and had there formed line ; in the rear of them again, on
another hill, was posted the 95th, the Rifles occupying
the slopes. One division of the avenging foe was sup-
posed to be pursuing the light brigade on the left, who
were rapidly retiring before them, being covered in their
retreat by the Horse Artillery and cavalry. The ground
being somewhat favourable, several most brilliant
charges of cavalry took place, and in one of these the
foremost squadron of the Carabineers, apparently car-
ried away with the enthusiasm and excitement of the
moment, cleared a double ditch, with a high bank in
the centre, in real sporting style, and had, not the recal
been sounded the whole regiment would certainly have
cleared the ditch in the same dashing style.
At length nearly the whole of the infantry had retired
on the heights, and it was expected that the day was to
close with a general advance of the army, each brigade
attacking and taking possession of its own encamp-
ment, when the sad accident occurred to which we have al-
luded. The brigade of Guards were ordered to fall back
bendw hhei
n cthe
n4e2l dB,
eauntdi n we
ke,r ewahboo u
had
adt o march
apna sd toifn
tchoel column
bri-
gade of Guards, turning round to give some orders, his
horse stumbled in one of the hi▪ dden holes with which
the ground abounds, threw the gallant colonel, and rolled
over him. Colonel Bentinck lay upon the ground, ap-
parently insensible, till he was rais▪
ed by Colonel Wood
and a number of other staff officers, who were immedi-
ately on the spot. Such cursory examination as the
nature of the circumstances permitted was made by the
surgeons, and it was feared that, besides a severe frac-
ture of the ribs, the gallant colonel had sustained a con-
cussion of the brain. A cloak was procured from one of
the dragoons, and the gallant officer carefully covered
with it, and, placed upon a litter, was borne off the field
by a company of the Coldstreams, of which regiment the
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bands silent, We need scarcely say that the accident
has thrown a gloom over the camp, partially relieved'
however, by an announcement made during yesterday,
that the injuries which the gallant colonel had received
were not so severe as had been at first anticipated.
It is reported that Lord Seaton will, upon resigning
his command of the camp, when the change of troops

[PRICE SD.

takes place, be succeeded by Major-General Lord Sal
toun.

The following is a correct list of the successful com-
petitors at the games of the 93d (Sutherland) Highland-
ers, on Friday last :
Throwing the Hamm•.

1. George Bell, 93d, length thrown, 121 feet.
2. Colour-Sergeant Farquhar M`Gillivray, 93d, 113 feet.
3. William Fraser, 93d, 111 feet 8 inches.
4. John Forbes, 93d, 99 feet.
5. Sergeant Robert APQuillan, 93d, 95 feet 9 inches.
Putting the Heavy Ball, 231 lbs. weight.
1. George Bell, 93d, 32 feet 5 inches.
2. Colour-Sergeant Farquhar M`Gillivray, 93d, 27 feet 3
inches.
3. Dugald Stewart, 93d, 27 feet 2 inches.
Putting the Light Stone, 171bs.
1. George Bell, 93d, 36 feet 5i inches.
2. Archibald M`Donald, S.F.G., 31 feet 10i inches.
3. Colour-Sergeant Farquhar M`Gillivray, 93d, 31 feet
inches.
4. Sergeant Robert M`Quillan, 93d, 30 feet 9i inches.
Tossing the Caber.
1. George 8011, 93d.
2. Sergeant Robert M`Quillan, 93d.
3. Corporal Motion, 93d.
4. John Forbes, 23d.
Gillie Callum and Highland Fling.
1. Private John M‘lienzie, 93d.
2. Private Win. M'lntosh, 42d.
lied Dancing.
1. Private John M`lienzie, 93d.
2. Sergeant Jas. MTherson, 93d.

High Jump Standing.
1. John Forbes, 93d, 4 feet 7 inches.
2. Biggin, S.F.G., 4 feet 2 inches.
3. Fisher, 93d, 4 feet 2 inches.
Long Tump Running.
1. Corporal Finlayson, 93d, 17 feet 2 inches.
2. Private• Harris, S.F.G., 17 feet.
3. Private Biggin, S.-1%G., 16 feet, 10 inches.
4. John 31`lienzie, band, 93d, 16 feet 9 inches.
High Jump Running.
1. Corporal Finlayson, 93d, 5 feet 3 inches.
2. James Low, 93d, 5 feet 2 inches.
3. Biggin, S.F.G., 5 feet 1 inch.
4. Colour-Sergeant Farquhar M`Gillivray, 93d, 5 feet.
- - -

- -
Long Jump Standing.
1. John Forbes, 93d, 9 feet 3 inches.
2. Private Harris, S.F.G., 8 feet 10 inches.
3. Private Biggin, F.S.G., 8 feet 9 inches.
Short Foot Race (100 yards).
1. Colour-Sergeant Farquhar M`Gillivray, 93d.
2. George Bell, 93d.
3. George Harris, S.F.G.
4. John Forbes, 93d.
Hurdle Race (400 yards, 5 hurdles).
1. Corporal Motion, 93d.
2. Coporal Finlayson, 93d.
3. Corporal Fullerton, 93d.
4. Private Higgins, 93d.
Long Foot Race ( Three-Quarters of a Mile).
1. Campbell, S. F. G.
2. Jamieson, S. F. G.
2. Nicol, 93d.
4. Gibson, 42d.
1. Cooper,
(Quoiting (21 Yards).
2. DinwoO 93d.die, 93d.
First Sack Race.
1. William M`Lean, 93d.
Foot Race for Lads under Sixteen Years of Age.
1. Drummer Alexander Stewart, 93d.
2. Hunt, band, 38th.

Trltitlbarr[rno Race (Competitors Blindfold).
1. 31`lienzie, 93d.

Secand Sack Race.

1. J. Higgins, 93d.
Foot Stecp!echasc (One Mile) including Three Fences,- a
Ditch, and a Pond. Open to the whole Camp.
1. Private Jamieson, S. F. G.
2. Private Lockwood, Royal Artillery.
3. Private J. Douglas, 93d.
4. Private Rooney, 38th.

The latest accounts from Chobham state that Colonel
Bentinck is now in a favourable way of recovery from
the effects of his lamentable accident on Saturday. It
appears that after his horse fell with him the animal's
hind quarters rolled over, and for a moment rested
upon his gallant rider's chest. The internal injury is
confined to the fracture of one rib, and not three, as
stated by the weekly papers.
Colonel Stanhope, of the Grenadier Guards, has been
appointed to fulfil the duties of Colonel Bentinck, as
commander of the brigade of Guards, pending that gal-
lant officer's recovery.
There will be a great day at Virginia Water to-mor-
row. The pontoon bridge over the lake is to be recon-
structed, and his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge
will order the Ist Life Guards, the 17th Lancers, and
the 13th Light Dragoons to march to the spot, and cross
over the bridge.
The Horse Artillery, the 38th Regiment, and the 93d
Regiment will also march at the same hour.

The command of the whole force will be entrusted to
his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.

THE NEW HACKNEY CARRIAGE ACT.

This day the new act comes into force, and every
driver of a hackney carriage (including cabs) within the
limits of the metropolitan and city police district is re-
quired, on each occasion when such carriage is hired, to
deliver to the hirer a card, on which must be printed
" Hackney carriage" and the number of the Stamp-
office plate, &c. When required, a driver is to produce
a book of fares. There is now no back carriage fare. For
any distance within, and not exceeding one mile, the
fare is 6d. ; and for any time within and not exceeding
one hour, 2s. When more than two persons shall be
carried inside any hackney carriage one sum of 6d. is to
be paid for the whole hiring, in addition to the above
fares. Two children under 10 years of age are to he
counted as one adult person. Lamps are to be provided
for omnibuses, and to be kept lighted by the conductors.
The advertising van nuisance is entirely got rid of by
this act, as it is declared that it shall not be lawful for
such vehicles to be exhibited to the obstruction or
annoyance of the inhabitants or passengers within the
limits of the act.

The act extends to the entire limits of the metropolitan
districts and the city of London. This district is con-
stituted by the provisions of the two acts of Parliament,
10th Geo. IV., cap. 44, and 3d Vic., 3. 47, and con-
tains the whole of the county of Middlesex, and the
parishes in the counties of Surrey, Hertford, Essex, and
Kent, of which any part is within 12 miles of Char-
ing-cross, and those also of which any part is not more
than 15 miles in a straight line from Charing-cross,
except the city of London. The consequence will be,
that the advantages of hackney carriages will be ex-
tended to all the suburbs of London, and persons will
be able to ride out of London in cabs at little more than
the expense of the omnibus. It is probable, therefore,
that :all the high roads round the metropolis will be
traversed by cabs as commonly as by omnibuses. Take,
for instance, the road to Kensington, Hammersmith,
Putney, Greenwich, Camberwell, and others. The fare
to Hammersmith from Hyde Park-corner will be but
ls. 6d. The fare to Greenwich will be 35., and this will
be the same at any time of night,
It may be thought that the drivers of cabs will be in-
jured by being taken so far off at so small a sum, but
on the other hand, if travelling by such a conveyance
becomes general, the cabman will soon obtain a fare
back to town, and a constant succession of fares will
pay him better than wasting his time upon the stand.
The owners of cabs will, of course, find that their horses
are tired in a shorter period, but the remedy for this
will be an increased number of horses for each carriage,
so that where a cabman now drives one horse to his cab
per day, he will be able to change his horse two or three
times, by which the profit will be increased and the cab
in constant use.

The material advantages that the public are certain to
derive from this act will be at once perceived. In the
first place the fare is reduced to those who are careful to
avoid extra passengers and
.short. miles, otherwise the
expense will be as great, considering that there are to
be no half-mile fares, and an increased price for more
than two
passengers. In the next place there Nv ill
be a safeguard against imposition, so that the most
timid female need not fear either overcharges or
misconduct. She will merely have to apply to the
policeman at the stand and desire him to put
her into a cab and tell her how much to pay.
There are now hundreds of persons who would rather
walk or submit to the inconvenience of an omnibus
than trust themselves to the mercies of a brutal cab-
driver. These annoyances will now cease, and the cab-
men will soon perceive that civility and good behaviour
will secure them a very large increase of trade.
The advantages of the new system might be still fur-
ther increased by the proprietors of cabs, for the con-
venience of the public and their own safety, by an
arrangement for selling tickets to be used instead of
money. The policemen at the stands might be commis-
sioned to sell the tickets, and the cabman, when he
gives the card with his number to every hirer, as the
act requires, might be provided with cards, specifying
the amount of fare paid by the hirer in the nature of a re-
ceipt. A system might thus be introduced, under which
the cab owners might employ their drivers at a fixed
salary, and secure themselves against imposition, instead
of letting their cabs by the day, to a lower class of men,
who might be induced to continue a system of extortion
for their own immediate emoluments, without caring for
the discredit the whole race of cab drivers would incur.

GREAT SCULLERS' RACE.—Messrs. Schlotil and Ba-
ton, members of the Argonauts Club, contended at half-
past seven on Saturday evening, for a valuable silver
cup. Both gentlemen have earned much celebrity as
scullers, and the match was looked forward to by boating
men with considerable interest. The distance rowed
was from Hammersmith to Putney-bridge, and Mr.
Schlotil having won the chance of station, took the
Surrey side. After a few strokes, taken at great pace
by both, Mr. Schlotil went slightly in front, but his op-
ponent coming gallantly up, they fouled in the heat of
the race, about three hundred yards after the start ; the
umpire was appealed to as to whether it was not foul,
under the laws of boat racing, but from his position he
was unable to decide it, and both gentlemen agreed to
start afresh, which they did. Mr. Schlotil with, of
course, the same station, took a slight lead, and was
closely waited upon by his opponent for half a mile ; but
the water was hardly smooth enough for Mr. Ditton,
who finally gave in 200 yards from home.