The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-15 00:00:00

TEX CAMP AT CBORTIAM COMMON.

The long-talked of formation of a camp on Chobham
common took place yesterday, and for some time to
come the inhabitants of London have within easy reach
of them a military display more extensive and snore
nearly approaching to the realities of a soldier's life,
than for many years has been witnessed in this peaceful
country. That such spectacle will prove immensely at-
tractive cannot be doubted—that it will be useful as a
means of disciplining the troops is equally certain—and,
if hard fare and exposure bring with them a certain
amount of discomfort, it is some reward to our brave
defenders that unbounded sympathy will be felt for
them every time that they have wet jackets, that rainy
days will be accounted to them as battles won, and
that the sufferings springing out of a hasty com-
missariat will rank almost with those of a campaign.
The weather seems bent upon awarding to them this
species of glory. It has entered thus far vigorously into
the plans of the Commander-in-Chief, and, should it per-
severe, the distinguished regiments new concentrated on
one of' the heaths of Surrey can hardly wish to signalise
themselves against any more formidable opponent. Yes-
terday the tents were hardly pitched when the thunders
of heaven's artillery were opened upon them, and this
was followed by showers of pelting rain, which did not
damp the ardour of the men, though it must have soaked
them to the skin. Monday was a day of continuous
wet, and the Welsh Fusiliers, who arrived on the ground
and took up their station in the midst of it, must have
thought themselves once more bivouacked somewhere
amid their own humid mountains. It was hoped that yes-
terday would have found the clouds exhausted, and that
the main body of the force ordered to concentrate upon
Chobham would be favoured with fair weather. The result
has been a disappointment. What might have been a bril-
liant spectacle ended in a rather undignified rush to shel-
ter. The snow-white canvas of the encampment vanished,
and visitors, who had hastened from town to sacrifice to
Mars, returned disconsolate, their military enthusiam con-
siderably lower than when they started. The morning
was gloomy and unpromising, with watery clouds sweep-
ing in long succession across the sky, and a dampness in
the air that could not be mistaken ; occasionally the sun
would burst with momentary brilliancy through the in-
tervals of flying vapour, and the troops, as they marched
along the different approaches to the common, brightened
up under his beams. The roads were filled with them,
and it was curious to see the contrast presented by great
columns and masses of men equipped for war, and the
quiet, secluded scenes through which they passed.
Pretty cottages, the homes of retired competence, with
flowers in their window-sills, shook as horse and foot
and rumbling gun-carriages went by. Groups of gaping
country-folks collected at cross-roads to stare at the
unwonted pageant, and even when it was gone they
still lingered to watch as the camp baggage lum-
bered heavily behind. Now and then there was
a halt, during which the men who had marched
furthest seemed glad to rest themselves, as best they
could, until the call of the bugle once more set
them in. motion. Till nearly midday the advancing
columns were struggling along the narrow approaches
to the common, and taking up the positions respectively
assigned them. Of the order in which they came or the
distance in which they had travelled, we do not venture
to speak. Some had had a long and fatiguing march,
others a comparatively short one. Some looked fresh
and unsoiled by the roads or the weather, others ap-
peared to have been soaked by the rain. They all,
however, displayed great alacrity when the time arrived
for encamping, and each regiment appeared to vie with
the other in the rapidity and precision with which it
pitched its tents. Luckily that important operation had
been completed before the storm broke.
The force assembled upon Chobham-common is from
8,000 to 10,000 strong, It comprises four regi-
ments of cavalry, three battalions of guards, two
brigades of Infantry, each comprising three regiments ;
one troop of Royal Horse Artillery, three batteries
of Horse Artillery, a company of Sappers, and
a Pontoon train. The cavalry is composed of
the Ist Life Guards, the 6th Dragoon Guards,
the 13th Light Dragoons, and the 17th Lancers, com-
manded by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.
Colonel Henry Bentinck commands the battalions of the
Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Fusilier Guards. Sir
De Lacy Evans commands the Ist Infantry Brigade,
which consists of the 38th, the 93d, and the 2d battalion
of the Rifle Brigade. Major-General Pane commands
the 42d, the 50th, and the 95th, forming the 2d Infantry
Brigade. Lieutenant-Colonel Bloomfield commands the
Royal Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Vicars the Sappers
and Miners, and Colonel H. D. Jones the Pontoon
train. The entire Division is under the command of
Lord Seaton, Lieutenant-Colonel B. Wood being
Assistant-Adjutant-General, and Colonel Torrens
Assistant-Quartermaster-General. Thns it will be
seen that a force has been brought together com-
pletely appointed in all respects, snore considerable
in strength than has for many years been assembled
in this country, and representing every arm of the
service. Cavalry, infantry, and artillery will each have
their efficiency and discipline tested, separately, and-in
combination. and it may fairly be expeitpd tlifit the