The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-27 00:00:00

THE REVIEW ON SATURDAY.

At six on Saturday morning the quarter guards and
outlying picquets turned out under arms, and encoun-
tered the most formidable enemy which the camp has
to contend against—namely, thoroughly bad weather.
The rain and the wind still struggled for supremacy, and
the unfortunate troops had to struggle against both. If
any person really wants to see how far wind and rain
will go to render quarters upon a marshy heath
thoroughly uncomfortable, let him visit the camp ; and
if he goes upon a grand field-day, when the officers and
men are out in full uniform without their great coats,
his chance is all the better.

So continuous and heavy was the rain on Saturday
morning that we believe his Royal Highness Prince
Albert and the officers in command at one time were
about to give up any idea of a field day; towards eleven,
however, the sky began to clear, and the troops that had
been under arms since halfpast nine in their tents were
ordered to parade in light marching order. The public,
however, to avoid mistake, must not imagine that by
"light marching" order any very airy costume is implied.
A soldier, when in light marching order, carries 401 b.
weight of equipments, when in heavy, 631 b. The troops
paraded as usual, in front of the camp, and having been
inspected by their commanding officer, his Royal High-
ness Prince Albert, accompanied by his Royal Highness
the Duke of Cambridge, General Lord Seaton, and
many generals and officers of distinction in the service
of his Majesty the King of Hanover, issued from the
Queen's pavilion upon the Magnet, followed by a most
numerous and brilliant staff. The troops, having saluted
the Prince Consort with the customary honours, his
Royal Highness rode over to the cavalry squadrons, the
command of which he assumed in the performance of
the subsequent evolutions of the day.
Preparations were then made for a sham battle. The,
enemy were represented by a small party of men from they
Scots Fusilier Guards, a detachment from the 23d Regi-
ment, and some companies of the Sappers and Miners.
The whole of the remainder of the forces on the ground
formed the attacking party. We may here mention that
the camp at Chobham is supposed always to be confronted
with a superior force of the enemy, which is one day
worsted and another day victorious. On Saturday they
were neither, for, though the camp forces drove their
opponents rapidly across the plain and Bagshot heights,
which are nearly six miles from the place where the ac-
tion commenced, yet here the enemy made a gallant
stand, and repulsed the camp troops, which were com-
pelled to retire quickly, though in good order, within
their lines.

The march of the camp forces commenced on the right
of the lines, near Colonel Challoner's plantations. The
enemy, who were only about 400 strong, and merely
formed a strong line of skirmishers, occupied the western
end of Cattin's Valley, and opened fire the instant the
forte began their march onward. This being merely a
desultory dropping fusillade, no notice was taken of it
by the attacking party, which steadily pushed forward
for a small kind of bridge at the western end of Cattin's
Valley, formed by a wide dam, erected to stop the course
of a brook, and so form a pond or reservoir for the
cavalry horses to water at. But the enemy had already

seen the importance of maintaining the narrow pass, and
accordingly as the troops were forming to cross it in
close column, they were met with such a hot and steady
fire that the Horse Artillery had to move up to their
support, and from the heights open a heavy cannonade
in reply, under cover of which the skirmishers and
cavalry effected the passage in gallant style, and were
followed over in regular and rapid order by the remain-
der or the forces. Arrived upon the other side of the
valley the cavalry were beautifully manoeuvred by his
Royal Highness the Prince Consort so as to cover the right
flank of the position, while the infantry formed by com-
panies in the order of battle. The foot batteries of the
artillery were also pushed forward to support the left
flank and crown a height under which the forces might
retreat if hard pressed. But the enemy, fearing the
strong position which was being taken up against him,
sounded a retreat, which was then commenced, a con-
tinuous running fight being maintained all the time.
The whole of the forces then advanced in rapid pursuit,
the infantry, with the Rifles leading, • being formed in
close columns, with the cavalry and flying artillery upon
the height on the right. In these relative positions the
whole forces moved rapidly across the valley to the
north, near the Bagshot heights, the Rifles broken up
now into skirmishing order, answering the fire of the
enemy's light infantry companies with astonishing ra-
pidity. The enemy were at this time evidently hard
pressed, and retreated upon the hill, where they would
have a formidable position, but for the skill with which '
the cavalry were manoeuvred. The whole four regi-
ments advanced at a hand gallop, accompanied by the
Horse Artillery, and making a detour among the hills
.which cross the end of the valley in every direction,
came out upon the enemy's right flank, against which the
guns poured out a tremendous fire. The instant the
smoke had cleared away so as to leave the field com-
paratively open, the squadrons of cavalry wheeled_
up on the left, and rapidly deploying into line the
let Life Guards and Dragoon Guards executed a
most splendid charge, advancing at a rapid gal-
lop for more than half a mile, without the small-
est deviation from . the most perfect regularity of
front or rear being perceptible. The Carabineers
and Lancers followed with the same regularity, though
at a much slower pace; to-support the onset of the heavy
cavalry if needed. By this advance, and the formidable
position taken-up by the.field batteries, the right flank
of the enemy was thrown into complete disorder, his
light companies driven in, and a total rout only averted
by the adroitness with which he changed his front—a
most difficult and dangerous manoeuvre, but which was
in this instance performed. so adroitly as to threaten to
outflank the right of the attacking force. To counteract
this movement of their active opponents, and avoid its
effects, the camp troops were in turn obliged to change
their front, and never did we witness anything which
more fully displayed the discipline of the various regi-
ments than the manner in which this evolution was per-.
formed. The troops halted in column at three-quarter
distance, formed open column, and then deployed into
line with the precision of machines. At the same time
the Household Foot Brigades, which up to this period
had been very slightly engaged, were ordered up from
the rear, where they had been stationed, and advanced
upon the enemy's right, so as to completely cut off his
retreat in that quarter. From this time movements
and counter-movements were formed and carried out
on both sides with the most wonderful rapidity and
good order; the object of the attacking force being
to hem in the enemy and drive them over the hills
in their rear. This object was at last accomplished,
though with very considerable difficulty, for the enemy
was active and vigilant, and upon the supposition that
their forces were superior to those of the camp, it be-
came necessary to watch their movements with the
most jealous care. But for the rapidity and skill with
which the cavalry and horse artillery acted upon both
flanks of the enemy, and at one time threatening to turn
and surround his whole position,•we believe it would
have been impossible to have prevented their escape
through one of the many little valleys which, as we have
said, intersect this end of the common. As it was,
however, they were driven up the hills in their rear, and
the whole attacking force advanced in three columns to
carry the heights. The 50th, 38th, and 95th Regiments
stormed the centre, the three battalions of Foot Guards
the left flank, and, the cavalry and horse artillery ma-
noeuvred at the base of the hill in the enemy's rear, to
cut off the retreat in that direction. - Up to this period
the action had been all in favour of the attacking party;
but now the tide of fortune was about to ebb, for the fire
of the enemy upon the hill increased in intensity, so that
the regiments which had surmounted the heights were
unable to advance, and after sustaining and returning a
tremendous fusilade for nearly half an hour, received
orders to retreat slowly. The retreat was admirably
conducted, and displayed in the highest degree the dis-
cipline of the various corps engaged.
Faeh,.regiment in turn deployed into line, and com-
menced file firino to cover the retreat of the rest of the
forces.'' At=one dine:" however;`'pressed so
hard upon the rear as to drive in the light companies,
and threaten the camp forces with a total rout. To
check this a halt was sounded, and the whole force
formed upon the plain in order of battle. The Rifle
battalion, 95th, 38th, 42d, 93d, and 50th Regiments,
with the field batteries upon a slight eminence in their
rear, forming the centre ; the Horse Artillery, Ist Life
Guards, 13th Dragoon Guards, 6th Carabineers, and 17th
Lancers, slightly in advance on the left ; and the three
battalions of Foot Guards deployed into the line on the
right of the position. From this the retreat was again
commenced, and the rapidity and skill with which ad-
vantage was taken of the least inequality in the ground,
to form line and cover the backward movement, was
beautiful to witness. _ _

The finest movement of the day was just towards the
close of the engagement. The camp forces had been
driven back, to_the little bridge already mentioned, across
which in the commencement of the action they had driven
the enemy. The passage of the army over this bridge
to .the shelter of their own lines was finely executed.
The Rifle battalion, thrown out in skirmishing order,
and supported by the 42d Highlanders in open column,
formed the centre, stretching down on the left to the
little brook, while the Foot Guards, in line, formed the
right, thus enclosing the remainder of the forces about'
to cross the dyke or bridge in an acute angle, impervious
'to • the assaults of the enemy from without. In this
position the Rifles kept up their deadly scattered fire
in advance of the line, while the Guards on the right,
firing by companies, poured out incessant volleys of mus-
ketry, under cover of which the whole of the artillery and
cavalry effected their passage. The instant this was ac-
complished, the batteries, horse and foot, were planted on
the heights upon the other side of the passage, and opened
a fire over the heads of the infantry in the plain upon the
advancing enemy. So continuous was the cannonade, that
the country for miles around echoed and shook beneath
the tremendous roar. Under cover of this the 95th, 93d,
38th, the 50th, and the Guards crossed in safety, the 42d
Highlanders occupying the places of the Guards and
firing by companies during the movement. Only the
42d and Rifles now remained to cross the bridge, and
to effect this the foot regiments, already upon the other
side, drew up in line under cover of their batteries on
the heights, and commenced that most deadly of all kinds
of firing, file firing. The 42d then crossed, the Rifles
being the last to quit the field.
Thus ended one of the grandest and most effective
military displays which has ever been witnessed in this
country, the fight having lasted five hours, during nearly
one and a half of which there was heavy rain.
We /Understand the Prince Consort expressed the
highest satisfaction, not only at the appearance of the
troops, but their admirable proficiency in all the ma-
noeuvres of field exercise.
His Royal Highness, after the review, proceeded to
the Queen's Pavilion, when, having partaken of a slight
refreshment, the Royal suite quitted the camp.
The troops after the action returned immediately to
their various quarters without filing past his Royal High-
ness, being excused that duty we believe owing to the
very fatiguing nature of the manoeuvres in which they
had been employed.
The whole of the forces still continue in excellent
health.
It is intended, we believe, in the course of a few days,
that the troops shall march to Woking, which town they
are to invest and carry by storm.
No day is named for this manoeuvre, as it is feared, if
publicly known, too great a concourse of spectators
would attend to admit of the operations being properly
carried out.

CHERTSEY, SUNDAY.

The weather at the camp during the greater part of
the day has been very fine, though it threatens rain to-
wards evening. All the troops have heard Divine Ser-
vice this morning. Most of the regiments were formed
in hollow square in the rear of their lines, and from the
centre of which the service was read. Beyond this
nothing of the least public interest took place.

ACCIDENTAL POISONING AT CLAPHAM.—On Saturday
Mr. Higgs, coroner for the Duchy of Lancaster, held an
inquest at the Two Brewers, High-street, Clapham, on
view of the body of Mr. G. Richard Thomas Fenner,
aged 47, a gentleman of property, residing at Clapham
Rise, who was accidentally poisoned by swallowing a
quantity of an embrocation. The deceased lived with
his wife and family at Clapham, and was generally in
good health and spirits, with the exception that he occa-
sionally suffered from an attack of lumbago, for which he
was attended by Mr. L. Weaver, surgeon, Sackville-
villas, South Lambeth, who prescribed for the complaint
a black draught and an embrocation. On Thursday
week he inadvertently took some of the embrocation.
Upon discovering his mistake he sent his servant for his
medical adviser, who promptly attended. The embroca-
tion had a printed label on it, "Embrocation." A fourth
part to be rubbed in night and morning. Verdict—
" That the deceased died through taking inadvertently
an embrocation composed of laudanum and ammonia,
nstead of a black draught."
A LUCKY MAN.—Captain Leicester Vernon, ' the
newly-elected M.P. for Chatham, and brother to Sir F.
Smith, received the name and arms of Vernon'-on-
riling the large fortune and estates,of -Mr. RObert Ver-
non, of Ardington-hall, Berkshire, well known by his
splendid present to the nation of the Vernon Gallery.
j Captain L. Vernon had previously taken the name of
f Samwel, with the estate of Upton-hall, Northampton-
shire.

By information we can rely on from her Majesty's
ship London, dated Spithead, June 20, we have the fol-
lowing statement relative to the dreadful and fatal acci-
dent which took place on board that ship on the 15th
inst. The writer says—" We have just returned from
our cruise of one month from Lisbon, where we arrived
on the 11th, and found the cruiser with our Admiral's
dispatches, with orders to make all possible speed back
to Portsmouth. We got under . weigh the same
night, and anchored in Casettes , Bay until morn-
ing, in consequence of two of the fleet who were -
obliged to water. In the' morning' we again got under
way and were becalmed• up to Wednesday. The Ad-
miral made a signal for the steamer's to prepare to tow.
Our order for towing was as follows=-Weather-line, the
Prince Regent flag-ship towedlby the Leopard ; the Am-
phion having broke down, was takbn in tow by.the
Highflyer ; and the lee-line was our ship (the London),
towed by the Imperieuse. lam now going to relate a
most melancholy accident that happened on board• our
unlucky ship. The signal being made to commence
towing, at 8 o'clock a.m. we commenced operations,
and all went on well until 10 o'clock the same day,
when the Imperieuse stopped her engines for the,pur-!
pose of putting some parcelling round the-hawser,-to pre-
_ventehafin2,.. and on her going abead,agaiu, she, •
then towing us by her stream cable made fast to our
stream-cable, which was passed through our starboard
hawse-hole, and was made fast by a round turn round
our fore-bitts, and over the strongback, coming forward
to the ringbolt that we fasten the slip stopper to), the
steamer starting on at full speed, and the ship at this
time lying a dead weight in the water, it caused the
ringbolt to draw, which, with the hawser, flew round
the bitts, carrying away the strongback and destroying
everything in the track of it. It most unfortunately
killed seven poor fellows, and wounded three more,
who are still in a very precarious state. The persons
killed are as follows :—Our First Lieutenant, killed on
the spot ; our gunner's mate, Charles Burreau ; Richard
Cottle, Robert High, and John Bissiker, ordinary sea-
men ; James Beaver, second-class boy ; and John Lo-
vett, Royal Marine, died from the injuries they re-
ceived. Two boys were severely wounded, and one
gunner's mate bad his arm broken and his thigh so
much injured as to confine him to his cot in the sick
bay. Our lower deck was a scene of horror for the
whole day, it being covered forward with pieces of stan-
chions, basins and plates, broken stools, tables, and mess
shelves, and the deck covered with blood. Thank God
it was no worse. A subscription has been made ; we
have all given one day's pay ; the captain and one of
the midshipmen have given 201. each. There was only
one of the sufferers married ; it is to be hoped that his
widow, who is left with one child, with the prospect of
another in a short time, will get a good share of this
little offering of ours. We lost the towing hawser, and
likewise two others ; we have made a fine smash alto-
gether ; our bitt-head is so much strained as to require
a new one." Speaking of the sailing qualities of the
London, the writer says :—" We have beat them all in
running before the wind, except the Imperieuse ; she
just holds her way with us ; but of beating to windward
I cannot say much, as we have not had a good trial, but
the Admiral has expressed himself very much pleased
with our sailing qualities. We understand here the
crew are to be paid down, have 14 days' leave, and then
proceed to the Mediterranean. It is also rumoured that
all the crew and partyof the officers are to be tumid over
to one of the large screw-ships here.
"It is very remarkable that when the London was
taken in tow to leave Sheerness, the steam-tug vessel
went suddenly ahead ; before the hawser was properly
secured it rendered round the same bitts, and struck our
first lieutenant between his shoulders, which confined
him to his cot for several days. He is now killed by
nearly the same sort of accident, if it can be called such
a thing. Mr. Richards, the master rigger of Sheerness
yard, was struck by the hawser across both his legs at
the above time, and knocked down, and had he not
caught hold of poor Lieutenant Chapman then, he
(Lieutenant Chapman) most likely would have been
killed."

The Boscawen, 70, guard-ship of ordinary at Chatham,
Captain Peter Richards, is ordered to drop down to Gil-
lingam-reach, where she is to receive on board her
lower deck guns and complete her armament. Several
landsmen have been entered under the new regulations.
The Monarch, 84 guns, guardship of ordinary, Captain
Charles Hope.—The crew of this ship were yesterday
paid wages down to the 30th of April last, receiving the
residue of their six months' pay. For this purpose
the Chatham yacht, Grundy, Acting Master, in
command, arrived here at 9 15 a.m., with the staff of the
Chatham Pay-office, and immediately commenced paying
the crew, under the personal superintendence of Captain
Charles Hope.
The steam-vessel Cuckoo, manned from the Waterloo
(flag-ship), is ordered to be got ready to leave here on
Tuesday next, with the Commander, Jenner, who pro-
ceeds to the mercantile outports, for the purpose of en-
tering landsmen and sailors, volunteers for the service,
under the Admiralty new regulations.
The Royal George, 120, screw steam line-of-battle
. . _

ship, Mr. John R. 61Osh, chief engineer, was taken into
the fitting basin yesterday, and placed under the masting
sheers.

The Tribune, 30, new screw steam-frigate, Captain the
Hon. S. T. Carnegie, at noon yesterday, left Saltpan-
reach, and proceeded down Swin on a trial trip ; she re-
turned into harbour at 7 p.m., and at 8 30 a.m. this day
she again left the harbour and renewed her trial between
the Nore and Mouse Light vessels, the distance be-
tween being eight miles. The result was highly satis-
factory ; with the tide in her favour she ran 12 knots
clean off the reel. Owing to her present light draught
of water, her propeller is not sufficiently immersed ; added
to this, the engines being new, the bearings and ma-
chinery generally by future working will yet im-
prove ; and it is fully anticipated that, when in proper
trim, she will be equal, if not superior, to any of our
steam ships-of-war. She has returned into harbour and
taken in moorings. Her fitment is ordered to be com-
pleted with all possible dispatch. It is reported she
is
to join the squadron of observation that is to cruise in
the North Sea. The squadron will rendezvous at the
Nore, and a portion will at all times be cruising in the
North Sea.
The Miranda, 14 guns, screw steam-sloop, in command
pro tens. of Mr. Vincent Williams, master of the Horatio;
has been manned from the Waterloo, and has this day
been put out of the fitting-basin and towed to Saltpan-
reach, for the purpose of completing her stock of coals.
On Tuesday next she is to proceed on a trial trip down
Swin, under the superintendence of Mr. Highes, the
Admiralty engineer, who has been for some 'time past
superintending the various trials of the Tribune.
Lieutenant Charles Bromley (Ist of September, 1845)
took up his commission on the 23d inst., and joined the
Tribune.
• Lieut. Charles S. Forbes (13th of March, 1848) took