The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-20 00:00:00

THE CAMP AT CROBITAM COMMON.

The camp was visited on Saturday by a great number
of persons. -During the earlier hours of the .day the
South-Westhrn and Great Western Railway stations
were much crowded. The arrangements for the convey-
ance of visitors are now complete, and as the facilities
are better known, they 3lipoine more generally appre-
ciate& The special -trains, which run every hour from
the Waterloo station to Chertsey, now convey the pas-
sengers without the necesity or delay of a change of
carriage at Weybridge, and the railway company have
laid on a number of well-horsed omnibuses to convey
visitors to the Common. At the Chertsey station there
are evident indications of an unusual gathering in the
neighbourhood—long lines of booths and tents, with
rows of flys, chaises, omnibuses, vans, and carriages of
all descriptions are drawn up close to the station, and it
is amusing to witness the furious rush from the trains as
they arrive, and the rapidity with which the nearest
vehicles are filled. One of the least agreeable portions
of the journey is the drive from Chertsey to the camp.
The enormous traffic which has passed over the road
during the past week has had a very serious effect upon
a road made of bad materials, and there can be no doubt,
many persons who have experienced the inconvenience
of the present transit, will, on making a second journey,
book themselves by Windsor.

A few days has effected a wonderful change in the
aspect of Chobham common. The brown and parched
looking heath, with its marshy ruts, hollows, and de-
clivities, over which a traveller rarely passed, is now
alive with all the animation, and movement, and traffic
of a great city, albeit a city of canvas, containing at
least 15,000 inhabitants. A district, the name of which,
a month or two since, was scarcely known in the imme-
diate neighbourhood, is now become the great centre of
attraction, not only to the metropolis, but to the rural
districts for many miles around. Tents and marquees,
sheds and stabling, have sprung up around, as if by
magic, at every entrance to the Common, and although
we miss the metropolitan mobocracy, who swarm at all
places of public resort and amusement, their absence is
amply compensated by the numerous groups of ruddy-
lookmg peasants, who travel from long distances in vans
or market-carts, or on foot, to stare at the imposing
military array, and enjoy a holiday. The roads leading
to the camp are enlivened by numerous equipages,
crowds of pedestrians, and by carts and waggons, con-
veying bands of music, refreshments, showmen, and
other accessories to the amusement or enjoyment of
camp life, and a more gay or joyous-looking scene than
the encampment presented on Saturday can scarcely be
imagined.

Though nothing could exceed the bustle which the in-
terior of the camp presented on Saturday, it was in
reality an idle day as far as regarded any field manceuvres.
The usual parade took place at half-past nine, and almost
immediately afterwards the Scots Fusilier Guards were
ordered to strike their tents. This movement was ex-
ecuted with a great deal of adroitness and military
precision. At the same time orders were given to the
93d Highlanders and the Sappers and Miners to strike
their tents. The 93d Regiment went through the
necessary evolutions in a most soldierly style, the whole
operation of removing the furniture and striking the
tents only occupying about 17 minutes. IThe rapidity of
this feat will be appreciated when it is stated that nearly
130 tents, filled with all the fittings and equipments for
1,000 men, and situated upon nearly 30 acres of ground,
have to be emptied in this brief period. The tents of
these regiments remained struck for about an hour,
when the bugles sounded, and, in-the space of a few mo-
ments, the canvass city was ance more complete. After
this, the men were dismis4ea t4thelp3rarious avocations,
which, certainly, from the ao)earance of the camp,
appeared sufficiently multifatums. At one time, for
the space of half a mile, the long lines of alleys, between
the rows of the tents were completely deserted by all
save the sentries, while at the next step you come upon
a scene where apparently all the bustle and animation of
the camp was concentrated. A few paces more, and
behold another transformation was effected, and you
passed into what was, if not misery, at least very like
it to deceive the casual observer. In these latter places
extemporaneous cloak and hat stands, of rough pine
fir, were hastily stuck a little way into the ground
before the tents, and loaded with every kind of article of
dress or equipment the camp could produce. Around
these the men reclined full length upon the heather, in
every kind of undress, and engaged in every descrip-
tion of occupation. Some were pipeclaying their cross
belts, furbishing their muskets, or standing down knee
deep in the dirty pools of mud and water which abound in
the camp, and in which they were making desperate
efforts to get through their ablutions. A few of the younger
men among the Highlanders were engaged upon a level
space of ground, apart from the rest, playing with a 24-
pound cannon ball at " putting the stone." Some of
the throws were remarkably good, and two or three were
quite astounding, when the size and weight of the ball
were taken into consideration. The tents in the camp
consist mainly of three different kinds—let, the mess
tents and tents of generals of brigade, which are large,
very commodious, and furnished with a thick double
lining, which keeps them cool in summer and warm in
winter. The second description are those appropriated
to field officers ; they consist of a kind of small marquee,
about 9i feet long by 6/ feet wide, furnished with the
double lining, and in every other respect comfortable
enough. The third and last -class, for officers under the
rank of major, are small tents, which might accommo-
date two persons with comfort. Each captain has one
of these tents to himsel. But it will scarcely be credited
that into a tent of exactly the same dimensions 15 of the
men, with all their baggage and accoutrements, are ex-
pected to find shelter and accommodation. So imper-
fectly does the tent contain (we cannot say accommo-
date) the men, that it is only by lying in cold weather
close together, with their heads to the tent-pole, and
their feet radiating towards its circumference, that they
can find room at all. In hot weather they reverse this
position, and sleep with their feet towards the pole.
Surely this trying evil might be remedied with little
trouble. All the officers are well aware that the tent is
too small for the numbers who are compelled to sleep in
it, and we believe there is hardly a surgeon in the service
who has not had to complain of their size. The addition
of some 18 or 20 inches of canvas to the end of the tent
would have the effect of very materially increasing the
circumference of its base, while the addition to its size,
when packed, would be scarcely perceptible. If this
improvement be carried out, the Chobham camp will
not have been formed in vain.

The camp, though well victualled in other respects, is I
badly situated, with regard to the supply of water, which
is only to be got in limited quantities, and of execrable
quality. Up to the present time, however, the health
of the various regiments has been excellent—indeed,
rarely has there been so few upon the sick list. From
some cause or other, the supply of bread to the 17th
Lancers fell short, the other morning. The officers,
after trying in vain to secure an adequate supply at the
canteen, at last resorted to the neighbouring booths,
from which they collected about 200 loaves. This small
quota had the effect of stopping the appetites of the
gallant corps until more could be procured from the
contractor. At present the talk of the camp, both
among the officers and men, is of the approaching field
day to-morrow. The review of Friday, though a most
magnificent sight in itself, was merely intended as a kind
of drill prelude to the more extensive display and com-
plicated evolutions which are expected, as a military
spectacle, to surpass anything of the kind which has
been attempted hi this country for many years past.
The Queen and the Prince Consort, with the King and
Queen of Hanover, and all the other illustrious foreigners
in this country, will be present.
Yesterday was observed as a strict holiday, and the
public will be gratified to hear that the spiritual wants
of the different regiments have been amply provided for.
The London Christian Instruction Society have erected
a commodious preaching tent upon the common, with
seats in it, capable of affording accommodation for at
least 350 persons. The Rev. Mr. Scholfield, of Chelsea,
officiated. The Earl of Onslow, as lord of the manor,
granted permission to erect the tent upon its present
site for the nominal fee of is. In addition to this, the
Presbyterian divines will attend the soldiers of the
Scotch regiments ; while those in the communion of the
Church of England will be suitably provided for.
The 2d Regiment of Royal Horse Guards (Blue) are
already preparing to take the places of the Life Guards
upon the camp ground. The use of the brush and
currycomb in grooming their horses has been given up
during the past week, while the windows and door of
both stable and barrack-rooms have been left open, in
order to give men and horses a little seasoning before
they are required to come and live upon damp ground,
and almost in the open air.
The whole of the present brigade of General Sir De
Lacy Evans will be changed upon the 4th of July next.
The names of the regiments that will succeed it have
not yet transpired. The men who met with accidents
during the review of Friday are all doing well. Most
, s of the injuries sustained were of a trifling character.
The staff at the camp is composed as follows :—Lieu.