The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-05 00:00:00

71-1 E ABM'.

A field inspection of the troops in garrison at Ports-
mouth took place on Southsea Common yesterday
by Major-Gen. Lord W. Paulet, C. 8., commanding
the South-West District and Portsmouth garrison.
The force on the ground comprised the K battery of
Royal Artillery, under Col. Anderson, C. 8., 6 offi-
cers, 79 gunners and drivers, 80 horses, 6 guns (12
pounder Armstrongs), and 6 waggons; Ist battalion
24th Foot, 26 officers and 529 men ; 53d Foot, 16 offi-
cers and 334 men; 55th Foot, 21 officers and 489
men ; 2d battalion 60th Rifles, 27 officers and 514
men; Royal Marine Light Infantry, 28 officers and
651 men—giving a grand total of 124 officers, 2,526
men, 80 horses, 6 guns, and 6 waggons. The
troops first marched in single companies and in
grand divisions of companies, the Artillery leading,
and the united bands being massed opposite the
saluting point. This part of the proceedings was
closed by the IC battery going past at a smart trot.
The appearance of this baltery, which has only re-
turned three days since from the camp at Aldershot,
where it passed 3 months under canvass, excited
much favourable comment by its general appear-
ance of efficiency, and the excellent condition of the
horses. After marching past, the troops re-formed
on their original alignment in contiguous co-
lumns, and the Artillery, advancing at a trot on
the right flank, drew up and unlimbered on the
rising ground in advance and to the right of the
force, and opened fire from their 12-pounders. The
force moving up in columns by an echellon move-
ment, was thrown into squares to resist cavalry and
opened a heavy rifle fire from the right of faces.
The enemy having been foiled in his first attempt,
column was reformed, the 24th and 55th taking up
a position in line facing the sea beach, with the
Artillery on their right flank, the 53d, 60th, and
Royal Marine Light Infantry being in reserve. The
threatened attack of the enemy at this point, how-
ever, proved but a feint, his real attack being imme-
diately afterwards made on the left, to meet which
the 60th were thrown out in skirmishing order, sup-
ported by the 53d and Royal Marine Light In-
fantry, the 24th and 55th forming the second line,
or reserve. The 60th were gradually pushed for-
ward with the 53c1 and Royal Marine Light In-
fantry advancing in line, in support, with a
demi-battery on the right flank, the remaining
demi-battery being attached to the reserve. After
advancing in this order for some distance the skir-
mishers were driven in and retiring through the line
at the double, reformed in rear of the reserve, the
advanced line opening a fierce file fire from right to
left, supported by the Artillery on its right. The
enemy were, however, in too great force, and the
53d and Marines were compelled to retire through
the second line formed of the 24th and 56th, which
had moved and formed for the purpose. A check
was here again given to the enemy, but it was
temporary, for the second line had to follow the
example of the first, and retired, covered by the
60th Rifles. As, however, it would have been con-
trary to all true military tactics to leave the gallant
60th too long exposed, the 24th and 55th were no
sooner in their required position than their cover-
ing force was called in, and their whole force
thrown into squares to resist an onslaught of the
enemy's cavalry, the artillery opening fire on either
flank, while a well-sustained rifle fire was opened
from the faces of the squares, concluding with a
volley from each as the discomfited enemy drew
off his forces, and, again baffled, abandoned the
field. This concluded the proceedings, and the
troops were dismissed to their respective barracks.
The weather was exceedingly fine, and a large
number of spectators were present.
Major-Gen. Bloomfield, Inspector-General of the
Royal Artillery, left town yesterday on a tour of
inspection in Ireland. Major Teesdale, V.C., will
accompany the gallant General during his inspection.
The service companies of the 75th Regiment, re-
cently returned from India, being considerably below
their proper strength, orders have been received at
Chatham garrison for recruiting for that regiment
to be recommenced. Up to the present time the
recruiting has proceeded very satisfactorily, upwards
of 70 recruits having arrived at the depot, Chatham,
from the various recruiting districts during the
month of August. Recruiting has likewise been
opened for the Ist and 2d battalions of the 19th Re-
giment, but the number of recruits who have arrived
at Chatham for that regiment is considerably below
that for the 75th.