The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-30 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

Yesterday a portion of the depot of the 83d Regi-
ment, the head-quarters of which have recently ar-
rived from India, left Chatham garrison, and pro-
ceeded by railway to Dover, where the 83d Regi-
ment is stationed. The detachment that left Chat-
ham yesterday numbered 270 men of all ranks, under
the command of Capt. W. MinhEar. The depot com-

panies of the 83d are still attached to Chatham gar•
rison. Most of the men despatched to Dover yes•

terday were volunteers to the 83d from other reg

ments.

The out-pensioners belonging to the Chatham
district, under the command of Lieut.-Col. It. Jen-
kins, having completed their annual period of train-
ing, were inspected yesterday morning on Chatham
Lines by Col. H. Jervis, commanding the Ist depot
battalion. The six companies into which the divi-
sion is formed were drawn up on the ground at 10
o'clock, the total number of bayonets present being
close upon 400. Each of the men was furnished
with 15 rounds of blank ammunition. The line
broke into companies and marched past in slow and
quick time, the steadiness and regularity with
which the veterans performed these movements
eliciting great commendation. The companies
were afterwards put through an extended course of
manoeuvres, which were effected with remarkable
regularity. The file, company, and volley firing
was also pronounced very good. At the termina-
tion of the inspection, which occupied upwards of
two hours, Col. Jervis expressed himself highly
satisfied with the manner in which the men had
acquitted themselves.

Several important alterations are being carried
out at the headquarters of the Royal Engineer
establishment, Chatham, by which increased facili-
ties will be given to the officers and men quartered
at Brompton Barracks for physical training. The
removal of the various schools to the new buildings
specially erected for them has enabled the autho-
rities to construct what has long been felt as a
most important adjunct to the Royal Engineer
establishment—a gymnasium for the use of officers
and men. A building is being erected on the site
of what once formed the laboratory, where every
requisite will be provided for carrying on athletic
exercises. The portion of the barracks formerly
I used for the purposes of an infant school is being
fitted up as coffee and smoking rooms.
The huge 7in. muzzle-loading experimental gun,
manufactured in the Royal gun factories at Wool-
wich, on Mr. Whitworth's principle, is now com-
pleted and ready to be despatched to Shoeburyness
for trial. The gun has been bored and rifled on Mr.
Whitworth's hexagonal system, and will carry an
elongated shot weighing 1251 b. The proof charge
as at present decided on will be 351 b. of powder,
with a probable increase after the first rounds,
which will be regulated by the select committee, the
proof to take place under their direction. The
weight of the gun is 7 tons Bcw t. and lqr.
The marsh land adjoining the eastern portion of
Chatham Dockyard, near St. Mary's Creek,

hitherto used as a rifle range for the troops
quartered at Chatham, being required by the
Admiralty for the proposed extension of the
dockyard, and the construction of the additional
docks and basins, further practice at the range by
the troops of the garrison, as well as the local Vo-
lunteer corps, is to be discontinued. An extensive
tract of land a few miles from Chatham, adjoining
purpose of a rifle
rangeur a
ueffid
cby Government the Thames and the North Kent Railway, has been
ch
capaciousernment to
for the a
llow several hun-
dred men to carry on their practice at the same
purchased
time. The land has been levelled, and the necessary
buildings for the use of the officers and men under
ien oy
linstruction erected. The first of the detachments

selected to take possession of the new rifle range will
leave Chatham garrison forthwith. During the
time they are under rifle instrurtion the troops will
occupy the new barracks at Gravesend, just com-
pleted. They are erected in a highly salubrious part
of the town, and are constructed to accommodate
500 officers and men, but only half that number
will be quartered in them in the first instance. In
addition to the usual barrack buildings there is a
hospital, lecture and reading rooms, school room,
stores, &c. The sanitary arrangements of the new
barracks have been made under the direction of the
Army Sanitary Commissioners.