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

THE CAMP AT CIIOB.HAM 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.speetacles of mimic warfare,
andinterestiogand suggestive asve the movements must
have been even to the most—unprofiiiiiihialOriFetatefs;
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 manoeuvres 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
hean da phpaesasrhs
shown
no excelhi in t
m sel
f inhe
thisar opfa
rintiackuii ng a good
ar,
as
iono
others,
retreat,
a
most skilful and able general. Tf the troops encamped
at Chobham should ever be brought into actual service,
although w
their g
re terauis t
etkhi al
lt
itnh e y may never
retreating
have a
before
theocc
enemysio to,' n
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
i i uncovered
whole
ho le
always
of
the
in ;
m and,ainr ydm , except
will I ring
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
pointerstpossessea the this
when the fate of the day is to be decided by an advance
of the
the uponreserve vforce
r airse
no
oc
tc occasion?,
called
into action. The spectator,,
keyg eat cahlalrtahce-
tmanoeuvres 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. _

The 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 hat f-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 reg.ments in each brigade. The whole division now
formed line, en echelon of bi:gades, 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 'lid this position i# tteVifky, with
the gentle ri, 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 whits and red jacketed Grena-
diers and Sappers. After the sxirmishers' 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 far 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 umbrel'as 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 each regiment in Face'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 hyl, 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, saenvderianl
nnmeoostf
thbersilehatiniet
charges of cavalry took place,
excitement
moment, squadron of the Carablueeirs,xnaitpepmaerenntenyf cathre-
ried away with the enthusiasm ana
moment, cleared a double ditch, with a
thbeeencensnturer;
diendrt have
recal the
high bank in
cleared the ditceahheil wholen ha e sportingarrne style,ge im en at
dashingwouldnd
nyalde. certainlynot
At length neatly the whole of the infantry had retired
on the heights,
and it was expected that the day was to
close with a general of the army, each brigade
d accident occurred to which we have
ment, when the sa
attacking and taking poeseasion
.of its own encamp-
hsapme o f
orders, the bri-
gade•hsas in column
behind the 42d, and were about to march
al-
luded. The brigade of Guards were orderedtto. fall back
whern
of
G Coloneluard Bs eut
turningin c ,
roundw ho
htao.ddgi commandve
horse stumbled in one of the :ales
colonel,
which
the ground abounds, threw the_ ge' n
the
and rolled
over him. Colonel Bentmek lay upon ground, ap-
parently insensible, till he was raised by Colonel Wood
and a number of other staff officers, who were immedi-
ately on the spot. Such cursoif 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 Coldstreems, of which regiment the
gallant officer was the colonel. The sad cavalcade passed
slowly round the foot of the hills, accompanied by a num-
ber of field and cavalry officers, and proceeded to
Higham-lodge, the seat of Lord Seaton, whence he was
afterwards conveyed to his own residence, a short dis-
tance from Higham. The proceedings of the day were
brought to a sudden close, and the whole of the troops
marched back direct to their encampments, with their
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
l 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

1. George Bell, 93d. 32 feet 5 inches.
2. Colour-Sergeant Farquhar McGillivray, 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 McDonald, S.F.G., 31 feet 10i inches.
3. Colour-Sergeant Farquhar McGillivray, 93d, 31 feet
9,1 inches.
4. Sergeant Robert McQuillan, 93d, 30 feet 9i inches.
Tossing the Caber.
1. George Bell, 93d.
2. Sergeant Robert McQuillan, 93d.
3. Corporal Motion, 93d.
4. John Forbes, 23d.
Gillie Callum and Highland Fling.
1. Private John McKenzie, 93d.
2. Private Win. Mclntosh, 42d.
Reel Dancing.
1. Private John McKenzie, 93d.
2. Sergeant Jos. McPherson, 93d.
High Jump Standing.
1. John Forbes, 93d, 4 feet 7 inches.
2. Biggh, S.F.G., 4 feet 2 inches.
3. Fisher, 93d, 4 feet 2 inches.
Long Jump Running.
1. Corporal Figlayson, 93d, 17 feet 2 inches..
2. Private Harris, S.F.G., 17 feet.
- 4.-Private Liggin.S.R.G., 10 feet, 10inebes.-
4. John McKenzie, band, 93d, 16 feet 9 inches.
High Jump Running.
1. Corporal Fi-,layson, 930, 5 feet 3 inches.
2. James Low', 93d, 5 feet 2 inches.
3. Biagin, S.F.G., 5 feet 1 inch.
4. Colour-Sergeant Farquhar McGillivray, 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 (10) yards).
1. Colour-Sergeant Farquhar M`GißiVray, 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
1. Campbell, S. F. G.
2. Jamieson, S. F. G.
2. Nicol, 93d.
4. Gibson, 42d.
(Quoiting (21 Yards).
1. Ccoper, 93d.
2. Dinwoodie, 93d.
First Sack Race.
1. William M`Lean, 93d.
Foot Race for Lads under Si.r!em Years of Age.
1. Drummer Alexander Stewart, 93d.
2. Hunt, band, 38th.
Wheelbarrow Race (Competitors Bli tdfold).
1. M`Senzie, 93d.

4. The company has been fortunate in the selection
of its machinery and staff. .Of the latter, the committe 3
believe that a ipAver set of miners never left England.
The machinery is of the very best description, consisting
of a pumping enoi ne, .60-inch cylinde •s, with three boilers
of 12 tons each, pumps and pit-work, a steam engine
of 20inch ;cylinders, crushing machine, hauling and
stamping machines, raft wheels, connecting gear, jig-
ging machine work, bobwork„ capstans and shear
work, chains, rope, railroad iron and wheels, waggons,
engineers.; smiths,' carpenters,' masons,' too's and mining
implements, with duplicates of all the more important
pat is of the machinery most subject to accident. In con-
sequence of the advance in the price of iron, the intrinsic
value of this machinery is reported to be 1,5001. to 2,0001.
more than the 'amount paid. for the same. Considerable
credit' is due to Mr. Basset, your engineer, from whose
plans and specifications the machinery was made.
5. A portion of the miners were dispatched in .the ship
Ramillies (which left Southampton on the 20th February
last),,t4t.reixatinder.(sweatiaget,ne)saiNa is the Caroline
(402 tens register),-viillible of the machinery. from
Falmouth, on the 15th April; and the principal officers,
and the rest of the miners, sailed by the Agra, on the 20th
May.
G. Full instructions (and remittances) have been for-
warded by your committee to the colonial committee to
set the men at work on the mines immediately on their
arrival, and it is probable that, by this time, those
dispatched by the Ramilies are at work.
7. The Agra, which is a fast-sailing clipper, will pro-
bably arrive at Adelaide before the Caroline, and Mr.
Bassett, the engineer, will be enabled to organise his plan
lof operations bfore the arrival of the miners and machi-
nery by that ship. Mr. Basset has been inste acted to turn
his immediate attention to the realisation of the ore al-
ready at Grass, on the mine.
8. Intelligence having reached your committee that gold
had been discovered on the banks of the Echunga, a rive:
passing by your property at Strathalbyn, and that the dis-
covery had been made within a very short distance there-
from, your committee deemed it right to give instructions
to the engineer to report to them, at the earliest moment,
on the existence, or otherwise, of gold on your property.
It would be well if valuable discoveries should be made
thereon, that yoor committee should have the power of
taking immediate advantage of the circumstance by either
working for the gold themselves, or leasing the ground ts,
others. Your committee have, therefore, convened a special
meeting immediately after the termination of the ordinary
meeting, for the purpose of amending the rules of the cost
book, by which the requisite authority may be given.
Your committee, however, do not contemplate allowing
any discovery of gold to interfere with or delay the pri-
mary object of this company, viz., copper mining ; for,
however valuable gold mines may be, it would be better to
lease them to others to work, than to allow the company
to be diverted from its original purpose. The committee
trust the shareholders mill support them in this view ;
although gold discoveries may very materially increase the
value of your propel 4, it must be borne in mind that a
first-rate Australian copper mine is better than any gold
discovery yet known. In illustration of this, the Burra
Burra Mine, and the Kay ands Mine, may be referred to.
9. Very satisfactory representations of the valuable na-
ture of your property, stating that it abounds in mineral
wealth, have been made by various parties who have
visited the mines, confirming the reports made by the
Hon. Mr. leterphett and his colleagues, who formed the
original colonial committee. The reports, although not.
official, yet, coming as they have done, from highly re-
spectable parties, altogether independent the company,
and unknou o to. each other, strengthen the confidence
which your committee before entertained of the high cha-
racter of the undertok,ng:

10. The anxiety which has long been felt with regard to
labour in the colony is subsiding ; and, in a dispatch re-
cently received from one of the colonial committee, it is
stated that the men wore returning from the gold diggings
to their ordinary occupations, and that applications had
been made to Mtn by some hands, originally employed on
the mines, to be put to work again. Your committee
therefore hope that no fear need be entertained of the men
employed being true to their engagements.
11. In conclusion, the committea trust there is solid.
ground for looking forward. to great and early returns from
the undertaking.
12. The advantages which the company possess would.
appear to be of no ordinary character. In addition to the
mineral property, and I€evera.2 houses, smelting furnaces,
&c. &c., the company possess GM acres, of which about
12Sacres are laid out as-touta ds, at Stratbalbyn, die-
.
-te of-Itbcr Tr4tarAf!.orn th "" • VißigiikiValiP""o"WOO
, 4
tent town of Adelaide (between efe go -
roads), and the value cf this ':end has, from its rrox;ruity
t) the port, became greatly increased. The committee be-
lieve that no copper mine in the colony is more favourably
situated than the in:nes of the company at Strathalbya.
IS. The committee have endeavoured t) conduct your
affairs with the sti:ctest economy, compatible with effi-
ciency, And they cal only say that, to ti a best of their
power, they w;11 continue to uphold that course.
14. The accounts, made up to 30th day of June, will be
submitted to the meeting, and the committee will have
great pleasure in Affording the shareholders any further in-
foleaation they may requ-re.

J. THOMPSON, Chairman.

DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO MURDER 4

F.EillA LE.

On Saturday night, shortly before eleven o'clock, the
quiet inhabitants of St. Dunstan, Stepney, were thrown
into a state of considerable excitement, in consequence
of a most atrocious attempt to murder a married female
named Hannah Sargant, aged 26 years, of No. 11; Ed-
ward-street, Liniehouse-fields, Stepney ; and from what
can be gleaned, very slight hopes are entertained of the
unfortunate woman's life.
It appears that the injured female and her husband
(John Sargant), a chaff-cutter, had lived very comfort-
ably together, but were frequently visited by a man
named James Upson' a blacksmith who had known them
for many years, and who was in the habit of borrowing
snicl.l sums of money. On Saturday night, about half-
past ten o'clock, Mrs. Sargant left home alone, for the
purpose of purchasing her Sunday's dinner, and obtaining
various articles for household use, and while passing the
iron railing in font of Stepney Church, she met the man
Upson, who said, " How are you r' " Oh, I am very
well." After which they passed on in the direction of
the Thames Police-court, Arbour-square, but had only
proceeded a short distance when Upson asked her to
lend him six shillings until Monday, which she told him
she could not spare, as she was going to market. He
seemed to be much excited, and when they reached the
Edinburgh Castle public-house, he said to Mrs. Sargant
" Never mind, I will give you some half-and-half, for
you will never drink with me any more." Mrs. Sar-
gant refused to take anything to drink, and told him she
must go. She left him, and he followed at some dis-
tance from her, and when she had reached a vacant piece
of ground at the rear of the Edinburgh Castle, he rushed
upon her and brandished a large table-knife, which he
drew from under the left breast part of his coat. Mrs.
Sargant screamed violently, but he immediately put his
left arm over her mouth, and with his right hand in-
flicted a severe cut in the neck, just below the chin.
He dropped her upon the ground, and made his escape ;
but several females came out of their houses, and
discovered the unfortunate woman lying on her back,
with a large incised wound in throat, from which the
blood was flowing very copiously ; she was also quite in-
sensible and near her was lying her market basket. Her
hands were cut, as if caused by her efforts to protect
herself against the murderous violence of Upson, who is
a powerful fellow.
An immediate alarm was raised, and the wounded
woman was carried by several police constables and other
persons to the nearest surgeon's, where the injury in the
neck was temporarily dressed, and the hemorrhage
checked, after which she was placed in a cart and con-
veyed with all possible care to the London Hospital,
where Mr. Streetfield, the house surgeon, and other
medical officers rendered prompt assistance by sewing uP
the wound, which was five inches in length.
Last evening at eight o'clock, the unfortunate female.
was in a very precarious state, but only her husband and
her sister were allowed to see her.
Several officers of the K division from Arbour-spare
station went in search 'of Upson, but no traces
of him
had been gleaned at a late hour last night...b is gene-
rallyr supposed that he has committed suicide It
y Jump-
ing into the Regent's Canal, and steps Rill
the authorities of Stepney to search for thebebotadkyewn
with
hythe drags this day (Monday).
There were several rumours as to the real cause of the
quarrel between the injured woman and Upson, but the
truth could not be ascertained.