The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-23 00:00:00

DR WAR. company these vessels with the troops on board, to `derren-
any assistance that may be required.

The 2d battalion of the Coldstreams and the 3d of the
Grenadier Guards embarked yesterday at Southampton
for Malta. The former arrived from Chichester at half-
past 8 in the morning, and at once went quietly on board
the Orinoco, where after a few hours they appeared to
settle down into a tolerable state of order and comfort.
The Grenadiers left the Waterloo station, as we stated
yesterday, in two special trains, between half-past 6 and
7 o'clock, reaching Southampton about 10, and embarked
in the Ripon and Manilla to the music of their own band.
Though the last to go on board, the Grenadiers were the
first to leave the dock, and what with their journey from
town, the excitement of leave-taking, and, the short time
given them, they had hardly accommodated themselves to
their new quarters when they got under steam. The Manilla
the smallest of the three ships, and which is fitted with
the boomerang propeller, led the way about two o'clock,
having 250 rank and file of the Grenadiers, and six
officers, *ith a large quantity of baggage and stores on
board. Soon after three the Ripon paddle-wheel
steamer followed, having on board 600 rank and file of
the Grenadiers, 28 to 32 officers, and 32 women. Last
of all, and detained for more than two hours later by
the want of water in the dock, thelOrinoco took her de-
parture with 854 rank and file of the Coldstreams, 28 to
32 officers, and 32 women. She had also on board of
her Colonel Bentinck, Colonel Eyre, and their respec-
tive staffs. The three steamers remained in South-
ampton Water last night, and only proceeded on their
voyage this morning—a judicious arrangement, by
which the men are initiated into shipboard life before
before being called upon to pay tribute to Neptune. As
the ships passed out of dock the crowds that lined the
quays rent the air with their cheers, which were re-
turned again and again, with thrilling effect, by the
soldiers. Any one who has watched a bee-hive in a
state of violent internal commotion, and will suppose the
hive a steamer and the bees soldiers, will have a very
tolerable idea of the scene which the different decks of
the Orinoco, Ripon, and Manilla presented yesterday for
several hours. Not that there was the least ill-temper
displayed, but that every one was looking out for him-
self without knowing precisely how. Officers and men
were all in the highest spirits, and taking leave, though
protracted by the former in many instances almost to
the last moment, seemed to throw no damp over the
general excitement. The whole scene was a mingled
and confu-ed one, through which the general impression
of a remarkable event being in progress could, neverthe-
less, be more or distinctly caught. The two battalions
thus despatched were the first portion of that army
which we are about to send out to the East.
For nearly 40 years no such expedition has left our
shores. Within that period steam navigation has been
created, and Southampton, from a place of no import-
ance, has risen to be the harbour for fleets of steamers
which carry the civilisation and the commerce of Eng-
land round the world. The gigantic Himalaya, yester-
day, alongside one of her quays, was a stupendous tes-
timony to those changes which peaceful industry has
wrought since that army which " could go anywhere
and do anything" was despatched from this country.
Her huge bulk, reposing so placidly in the harbour,
dwarfed even the dimensions of the Orinoco, and the
rinoco,

public crowded eagerly on board during the day, their
curiosity being vainly checked by a small admission fee
imposed for the benefit of the South Hants Infirmary.
On Friday next she will leave Southampton, taking with
her thence 150 Sappers, 211 of the Rifles, 8 officers, 12
women, and 20 children. From Plymouth, on Mon-
day, she will take on board, in addition to these, the
93d Highlanders, consisting of 860 rank and file, 31
officers, 44 sergeants, 16 drummers, 54 women, and
from 75 to 100 children. She will thus have on board
1,320 effectives and 186 non-effectives, besides 12 horses,
all accommodated in a manner hitherto unknown to the
transport service. With such a triumph of naval archi-
tecture in their harbour, and with all the gratifying re-
collections of progress during the past 40 years, it is not
surprising that the people of Southampton should have
beheld the scene of yesterday with deep interest and
emotion. From their port, and in steamers which may
almost be called theirs, the first considerable portion of
the British army destined for the East was embarked. A
great war would make this at least as memorable an
event in their local history as the well-known tradition
of King Canute, still preserved among them.
The following circular letter has been addressed from
the Horse Guards to the general officers commanding at
Dublin, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Manchester, and Edin
burgh :

" Horse Guards, Feb. 10.

" Sir,—lt being probable that the regiment under your
command, and named in the margin, will immediately be
ordered on foreign service, and it being desirable that it
should embark as strong as possible, I am desired by the
General Commanding-in-Chief to request you will furnish
me, with the least possible delay, with a statement show-
ing how many men it will require to insure 800 effectives
being brought into the field, exclusive of officers' servants,
hospital attendants, orderly-room clerks, and others indis-
pensable for the ordinary duties of a battalion, under all
circumstances.

"Men who, from length of service, or from their state of
health, are likely to be brought forward for discharge, and
recruits at drill, are not to be included
" In the event of the contingency alluded to in the former
part of the first paragraph occurring, all the heavy baggage
is to be left in store with the depot, as well as the firelocks
of the musicians, and the depot will consist of two recruit-
ing companies—viz., 2 captains, 4 subalterns, 10 sergeants,
2 drummers, and 10 corporals, and all non-effectives left
behind will belong to it, and recruits as they come in.
" The General Commanding-in-Chief also, deeming it
essential that a soldier, when actually in the field, should
carry no more than is absolutely necessary for his efficiency,
desires me to acquaint you that the regiment will be fur-
nished, at the public expense, with squad-bags (four per
company), each capable of containing the articles extracted
from the authorised kit of the soldier. The articles carried
in the soldier's knapsack* and those in the squad-bag} are
specified below, it being clearly understood that the shell-
jacket may be carried in the one or the other, at the dis-
cretion of the commanding officer, and according to local
and other circumstances; the coatee and great coat (or
blanket) being, under ordinary circumstances, considered
sufficient for the comfort and health of the soldier. The
squad-bag will be left in the Regimental Quartermaster's
store when the regiment is actually in the field, at such
place as the General commanding the forces may appoint.
" In granting discharges, commanding officers must keep
in view the efficiency of their corps, and no personal indul-
gence, which might materially affect or interfere with that
primary object, can be granted to individuals. Private
interests must yield to the exigencies of the public service.
"To provide for the contingencies mentioned in the
latter part of the first paragraph, the regiment will embark
850 rank and file. Four women per company will be
allowed to embark.—l have, &c.,
" G. A. WETHERALL,
" Deputy-Adjutant-General."

*ln Knapsack.-1 pair of trousers, 1 shirt, 1 pair of
boots, 1 pair of socks, 1 forage cap, 1 pair of mitts, 1 brush,
1 small book, 1 hold-all, reduced ; blacking, 1 towel.
t In Squad-bag.-1 shell-jacket, 1 shirt, 1 pair of socks,
1 towel, 2 brushes, and such articles from the hold-all as
can be immediately dispensed with.

EMBARKATION OF THE 28Tii AT LIVERPOOL
Never has such a sight been witnessed in Liverpool as
the embarkation of the gallant 28th yesterday morning.
At an early hour the whole town was on the alert, and
by half-past 8 o'clock—the time at which the trains were
expected to arrive from Preston—the entrance to the
station-yard of the East Lancashire Railway Company
in Tithebarn-street, was besieged by a dense multitude.
At 10 minutes to 9 the first train arrived, containing
two companies, being followed at brief intervals by the
arrival of three other trains, each of which also con-
tained two companies, composed of upwards of.loo men,
rank and file. At 20 minutes past 9 o'clock the troops
were formed, four deep. The band struck up a spirited
march, the word of command was given, and, amid the
cheers of the assembled thousands, the troops proceeded
towards the Exchange-flags.
The regiment, composed mainly of active young men,
appeared animated with the greatest enthusiasm. The
entire regiment is composed of upwards of 1,100 men—
having been strengthened on Monday by the arrival of
109 volunteers from Chatham. Of these, however, only
850 embarked yesterday morning ; two skeleton com•
panies (the 4th and sth) having been left at Preston, un-
der the command of Capt. Rawson.
The troops are supplied with the Mule rifle, in which
they appear to have great confidence, speaking of it as
lighter and " more handy" than the old musket.
Though the distance from the station to the Exchange
flags is trifling, its passage occupied some time, owing to
the thoroughfares being almost choked up by the multi-
tude. The windows along the route were occupied—
every elevation which afforded facilities for adventurous
gazers was covered with human beings; and as the troops
filed past cheer after cheer burst frbm the occupants.
As the tenders, with the barges alongside, slipped
their moorings, and steamed steadily towards the Ni a -
garay each filled from bow to stern with soldiers, cheers,
repeatedly demanded for "the gallant 28th,': were given
with right good will, the troops waving their hats, and
echoing the " hurrahs."

ROYAL ARTILLERY.
Woomvics, FEB. 22.--The carbine rifles for
Mini 6
balls have been served out to the batteriesunder orders
for foreign service, and several of the gunners of Captain
Harrison's company have to-day mounted guard with
them. Instead of a bayonet, the gunner is supplied with
W ord about two feet long, exclusive of the brass
a shandle, which he carries in a neat and well-finished steel
scabbard. By a contrivance in the brass handle of the
sword, it can be attached to the carbine to serve as a
bayonet, and the two form a weapon of defence, by that
arrangement, of 5 feet 6 inches in length. The sword
has a double edge about 8 inches from the point, and
roust prove a powerful instrument of war in the hands
of an active soldier. The carbine is to be strapped to
the ammunition-waggon, so as to be always ready for
the protection of their guns, should the enemy come to
close quarters.
The pouch is a very great improvement on the for-
mer cumbrous and awkward hip-pouch of the service.
which was very annoying to the men when bouncing up
and down as they mounted and dismounted from their
limbers. The new pouch, although in appearance re-
markably small, is made to contain 30 rounds of cart-
ridges, and rests, like those used by the Rifle Brigade,
in the hollow of the back, to which it is kept quite close
and well adjusted by the belt passing over the left
shoulder and under the right arm. The belt is what
may be termed of the natural colour of the leather, and the
last vestige and great annoyance of pipeclay is now ban-
ished from the Artillery branch of the land forces of her
Majesty.
No day has as yet been officially appointed on which
the Artillery will embark, but. it is calculated that the
embarkation of the horses and men will be effected by
the 4th of March.
Seven of Green's transport ships have been taken up
for the conveyance of the horses, and steamers will ac-

DUBLIN, FEB. 22.
Before 7 o'clock yesterday morning the 50th (Queen's
Own) embarked on board steamers at the Northwall for
Kingstown, there to await the arrival of the Cambria
(one of Cunard '8
line), which was hourly expected in
harbour from Liverpool. The 33d (the Duke of Wel-
lington's) was to leave Dublin yesterday for embarkation
at Kingstown. A sudden order from the Horse Guards
arrived in Cork on Saturday, directing Major
Dalton, four officers, and 250 rank and file of
the 49th Regiment, in that garrison, to pre-
pare for embarkation to join the service companies
at Malta. The depot of the corps is over 400 strong—a
fine body of men. On Monday two transports, the
Georgiana and Bussorah Merchant, arrived in Queens-
town to convey troops to Malta. Both will carry about
600 men. This morning's accounts from Rilkenny say
—" On Sunday morning the 46th Regiment, in this
garrison, received a request that 20 volunteers might be
furnished from their corps for the 50th Regiment, now
in Dublin, under immediate orders for Turkey. The
regiment was immediately paraded, and made acquainted
with the nature of the communication received, when,
at once, no fewer than 60 brave fellows stepped
out of the ranks, and offered themselves for the
service required. From these 20 of the best men were
selected, and they marched accompanied by the band on
Monday, to the railway terminus to proceed to Dublin.
At the terminus they were inspected by Major-General
M'Donald, C. 8., and Colonel Williams, A.-A.-G., who
were much pleased with their fine soldierly appearance,
and they took their departure per train in high spirits,
amid the warm cheering of their old comrades and the
spectators. The Belfast Banner states, that "the
officer in command of the Ist battalion of the 12th Foot,
stationed here, received a requisition yesterday for 15
more volunteers for the 60th, and the moment that the
order was made known to the battalion the number re-
quired stepped to the front, at the same time giving three
hearty cheers for the undaunted old half hundred.'
There is not a single ' stay-at-home ' of any grade,
in volunteers
high
g e
e i n
to join
right to left, of the let battalion of the 12th. The
theoinevtehneinif
nsetawrtceodrpfocr”Dublin per railway

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE COMMAND OF THE BALTIC FLEET.

The leading question everywhere throughout the ser-
vice is, Who is to command the Baltic fleet ?—and in
their turn the names of Dundonald, Seymour, Napier,
and Berkeley are still prominently brought on the tapic.
As to the merits and qualifications of the respective
officers, we believe the universal opinion is in favour of
the noble and gallant "Cochrane ; ' and it is yet argued
that although so aged, and somewhat slow in his loco-
motion, his mind is as -vigorous as when he cut out and
did the work at Basque Roads, assisted by (then the
youthful captain of the Pallas) Sir George Seymour, the
only other living officer, we believe, who commanded a
ship in that gallant affair. Of the Earl of Dundonald a
respected correspondent writes :—" Perhaps there is not
an officer in the service, able and daring as vast num-
bers of them are, who would think his merits were
overlooked, if he were told that in either of those
qualities he was not considered the equal of Lord Dun-
donald. The noble lord's name stands facile princeps
as the greatest seaman now living—the man who was the
hero of the Basque Roads—the man who cut out the
Esmeralda, and who was the only officer in the British
navy capable of filling the place of Nelson or Coiling-
wood, had those great commanders left a powerful enemy
existing on the ocean at the period when their labours
closed with their lives. Lord Dundonald, we believe,
is at this moment in the full vigour of his great intellect,
and fully competent to undergo far more of fatigue and
hard service than he is likely to be exposed to during
the Baltic operations, which he, I believe, is fully cap-
able of bringing to a speedy and successful issue. With
such a seaman, able and willing, nay anxious, to serve,
I do not think that England will be satisfied with any
other appointment."
We may add that if the commander-in-chief were re-
' quired to lead a boarding party, we should at once say
the Earl of Dundonald's time has gone by for such work ;
but if the mind to plan, and the nerve to direct, and the
daring to lead, and the experience to achieve success,
be the indispensable requisites of a commander-in-chief,
L then we say the Earl of Dundonald is still in his prime.
—Morning Herald.