The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-10 00:00:00

INSPECTION OF TROOPS BY SIR HARRY

SMITH.

EXETER, Ocr. 8.

The whole of the troops now quartered in this city,
consisting of the Ist Devon Militia, the Exeter and
South Devon Volunteer Rifle Corps, the 3d Dragoons,
and the Bth "Hussars, were reviewed this morning by
Major-General Sir Harry Smith, commander of the
Westein District. The Ist Devon Militia consists of
about 800 men, under the command of Earl Fortescue,
lord-lieutenant of the county, his son, the Hon. John
Fortescue, being lieutenant-colonel ; and during the
period they have been otit on drill they have exhibited
marked improvement.
The Exeter Volunteer Rifle Corps, which is under the
command of Sir Edmund Prideaux' Bart., is the only
one which has yet been sanctioned by Government, and
has repeatedly called forth the approbation of the lord-
lieutenant. At ten o'clock this morning they assembled
in the Cathedral-yard, and, having been supplied with
ammunition, proceeded to a field a short distance from
the city, where they were joined by the Ist Devon
Militia, and at eleven o'clock the inspection commenced
in the presence of a vast number of the county gentry.
The various evolutions were performed with great preci•
sion, and the conduct of the men was most soldierlike.
At the conclusion the troops were drawn up into a
square, and were addressed by Sir Harry Smith.
After congratulating Earl Fortescue on the success
which had attended his efforts, the gallant com-
mander observed that his lordship deserved the great-
est mark of credit for his exertions. Every officer
in his battalion had likewise shown great zeal, and the
men were truly steady and persevering. He had had
the good fortune a few days before to lead into the field
the other battalion of the Devon militia (the South
Devon, now stationed at Plymouth), and they acquitted
themselves under a heavy fire as he felt persuaded they
would have done if they had been present on that occa-
sion. He (Sir H. Smith) had ever maintained that the
militia of Great Britain was the natural and constitu-
tional force of the country: and as long as the loyal
subjects of her Majesty were true to themselves, and
consequently to the Queen, we might defy the world.
They should always be in such a position as to condemn
the supposition that Great Britain could be assailed, and
he was sure she never would be assailed whilst defended
by her loyal and patriotic subjects. To the Volunteer
Rifle Corps this remark was most justly applicable, and
deeply did he regret that more rifle companies had not
been established throughout the kingdom. In conclu-
sion, the gallant commander said he could scarcely credit
what he had that day seen, and he could not but again
congratulate Lord Fortescue on the progress of his
battalion. Three hearty cheers were then given, and
the men returned to their quarters. At a later part
of the day Sir Harry inspected the 3d Dragoons and
Bth Hussars, whom he highly complimented for their
general efficiency.

GRAND REVIEW ON ROBOROUGH DOWN,

(Front the Plymouth Mail.)

It was announced that on Friday there would be a
grand field day of all the troops in garrison, comprising
the South Devon Regiment of Militia, the North Devon
Artillery, the 50th Queen's Own, 93d Highlanders,
Royal Marine, and Royal Artillery. Somehow or other
subsequently to the firss announcement Thursday was
fixed upon as the day on which the review should come
off, accordingly there was a large gathering of the spec-
tators upon the occasion, anxious to witness one of these
military displays which are looked forward to with such
an amount of interest by the inhabitants of the neigh-
bourhood. The day wore a most threatening aspect, and
there was consequently not so large a number of per-
sons present as there generally is upon such occasions.
The let brigade was formed of the Royal Artillery and
Devon Artillery. The 2d brigade was composed of the
militia and the 50th. The 3d brigade contained the 93d
Highlanders and Royal Marines, two 6-pounders ; and
about 100 recruits were placed in position to represent
the enemy. Sir Harry Smith took the command, and
after the troops had had a rendezvous at Mansd9n-gate,
about 8 o'clock the Ist and 2d brigade proceeded directly
to the Down, some of the 50th and the militia turning
at Bickleigh, while the light infantry company of the
50th preceded the whole. When these brigades arrived
at the Down they advanced across the ground, manoeu-
vring for the purpose of turning the enemy's flank. The
other brigade advanced capitally, and opened fire excel-
lently.

Several manoeuvres of a very interesting character hav-
ing been gone through, Sir Harry addressed the regi-
ments, and said, "Now I have seen what I always fore-
told, and will say to the Secretary of State, that the
militia of England is a body to be depended upon at
any emergency;" and indeed it was astonishing to see
the regularity that prevailed. Each of the South Devon
volunteers had been provided with a pint of beer, which
with the other provisions they took with them, appeared
at the conclusion of the "fight" to be very acceptable.
The following order of the day was issued :—" Lieut.-
Colonel Sir J. B. Y. Buller cannot permit the day to
pass without expressing to the officers, non-commis-
sioned officers, and privates of the South Devon Militia,
the great gratification he experienced on hearing the
high eulogium of the South Devon regiment, after the
field day on Roborough Down, and Sir John hopes that
continued active attention to duties and good conduct,
will secure for all the members of the South Devon regi-
ment the future approbation of that distinguished officer."
It, however, was a matter of great complaint that, on
the dismissal of the militia on their return from the Down,
the men were permitted to discharge their muskets in
the streets. It is the invariable practice in all regiments
of the line (and other regiments as well) to examine the
pouches of the soldiers after blank or ball-cartridge fir-
ing ; and we think, had the same precaution been used
on this occasion, much of the terror to females that was
caused by such a course of conduct on the part of the
South Devon might have been avoided. It is notorious
that nine-tenths of these men—not thaw-bacons—never
handled a musket in all their lives before, and yet on
Thursday they were permitted to roam about the streets,
making an apparent exhibition of their skill, which
would have become the propensities of the New Zea-
landers on an introduction among them of the use of
fire-arms.

RETIREMENT OF COLONEL THE EARL OP CARDIGAN
FROM THE 11TH HUSSARS.—We are in a position to
state, on authority, that the Earl of Cardigan retires
from the 11th Hussars directly the drill season closes.
The step will go in the regiment. Major Douglas suc-
ceeds to the lieutenant-colonelcy ; Captain Edmund
Peel, to the majority ; Lieutenant and Adjutant Ennis,
to a troop; and the riding-master, Cornet R. H. R.
Dungate, to a lieutenantey.—British. Army Dispatch.
[We believe the reason for this retirement to be that eie
long the Duke of Cambridge will be appointed to the
commandership of the forces in Ireland, and that the
Eari of Cardigan will succeed his Royal Highness as in-
spector-general of cavalry.]
Major General Jackson has not, as we inferred from
the omission in the Army List, resigned the command
of the forces at the Cape. The colonelcy of the 22d
Foot will, it is said, be conferred on Major-General
Napier— a just compliment to the brother of the de-
ceased colonel. The regiment (the 27th) which Sir
William Napier will thus vacate will probably be given
either to Major-General Fleming or Major-General

Cockburn. We are sorry to find by private letters that
we have received that yellow fever continues prevalent
amongst the troops at Jamaica, and two more officers
have fallen victims to the disease ; several c,thers have
suffered, but we are glad to find are now convalescent.
United Service Gazette.

67TH DEPOT.—The hall-yearly inspection of this fine,
well-disciplined, corps, under the command of Major
Deverill, took place at the Western Heights, Dover, on
Thesday. Lieut.-General Sir George Brown, K.C.8.,
arrived on the ground at eleven o'clock, and was received
with the usual salute ; after which they marched past in
review order, in slow and quick time. Several evolu-
tions were then well performed, and the men's kits were
minutely inspected, &c. The gallant general, at the
close, congratulated the commanding officer on the ex-
cellent conduct of the men in quarters, as well as their
orderly demeanour in the town ; and we have great
pleasure in confirming these statements, as no corps
could have conducted themselves better during their re-
sidence of one year and nine months amongst us. The
usual inspection of barracks, hospital, and books fol-
lowed, all of which afforded the highest satisfaction to
the inspecting general. Leave of absence will be granted
to a proportionate number of officers, and furloughs to,
men in November, it being expected the 67th will not
leave till the end of the year.
RIFLE BRIGADE.—The depot Ist battalion, commanded
by Dentenant-Colonel Beckwith, were inspected on
Monday, in the South Foreland Meadow, Dover, by the
Adjutant-General of the Forces, Sir George Brown,
K.C.B. They are a fine body of men, mustering over
300, and possess an excellent brass band. We have
pleasure in stating that the field movements, and every-
thing appertaining to the interior economy of the corps,
elicited from the gallant general his warm approbation.
Captain Walker has joined from the 2d battalion, vice
Fyers. The service companies from the Cape may be
expected in Dover by Christmas ; and we speak the sen-
timents of all our readers, we believe, in stating they
will be heartily greeted, and receive a hospitable recep-
tion from all grades of society. It will be remembered
they embarked here on the 2d January, 1852.
Major General Cochrane inspected the 46th Regiment
last week. The inspection of the 63d commenced on
Friday.
Major Henry Garner Rainer, of the 49th Regiment
(depot stationed at Cork Barracks), having exchanged
with Major Thomas M. Dalton, of the 61st, the latter
officer has arrived to assume the command of the depot,
relieving Major Hart, who will join the service com-
panies at Malta. Major Dalton was actively engaged
in the Punjaub campaign of 1848 and 1849 ; at the pas-
sage of the Chenab, and in the battles of Sadoolapour,
Chilianwallah, Goojerat, and with the field force in pur-
suit of the enemy to the Khyber Pass in 1849, for which
he received a medal and two clasps.

The interment of the remain; of the late lamented
James Goodall Elkington, Esq., staff surgeon and sur-
geon to the Royal Hibernian Military School, took
place on Friday, in the Military Burial ground, at Ar-
bour-hill, with military honours. The following detail
of his war-services is extracted from Hart's Army List :
—"Mr. Elkington served at the capture of Madeira, in
1807, and in the Peninsula from April, 1809, to Novem-
ber, 1812 ; present at the battle of Talavera ; left pri-
soner with the wounded at that city, and marched into
France ; released in 1810, and rejoined the army in
Portugal on its retreat from Busaco ; present with it in
the lines of Torres Vedras, battle of Fuentes d'Onor,
sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, battle of Sala-
manca, capture of Madrid, and during the whole siege
of Burgos in charge of the hospital for receiving the
wounded ; on retreat of the army he was left in charge
of the English and French wounded, and again made
prisoner. He served the campaign of 1814 in Holland,
and was present with the 30th in Fort Frederick Henry,
on the Scheldt, when it was cannonaded by a line-of-
battle ship and gun-brigs. He served also the campaign
of 1815, including the battles of Quatre Bras and Water-
loo, and the capture of Paris. He has received the war-
medal with five clasps."
60th Rifles—Major Jones and Lieutenant and Adju-
tant Robinson have been ordered to embark at South-
ampton on the 10th inst., for the purpose of joining the
service companies of the regiment at the Cape.
The 33d Regiment (the Duke of Wellington's) is now
stationed at Athlone (head-quarters), Roscommon, Tul-
lamore, Shannon Bridge, and Philipstown.
London (says a Cork paper), notwithstanding its
being the head-quarters of the British troops, if the
phrase might be applied, is sadly in want of a depot for
recruits. On arriving in London the recruits are put
on billet, and it is a work of no little difficulty to collect
the men together for morning inspection ; besides, a
large number of these men are Irish unable to speak
English. In Ireland recruits are comfortably quartered
in government barracks. Cat Fort, in the city of Cork,
is set apart especially for the use of recruits awaiting
conveyances to join their respective regiments.
LONDONDERRY, Oct. 7.—Lieutenant-General Sir Ed-
ward Blakeney, G.C.8., who arrived at Derry on Thurs-
day, the 6th inst., from Portrusb, inspected the depot
of the 54th Regiment this day in the barrack square.
The regiment went through several evolutions, by direc
tion of the gallant general, with general precision, and
in a very satisfactory manner, commanded by Major
Stephney. It is gratifying to be able to announce—
what the excellent Commander of the Forces in Ireland
is quite recovered from the effects of his late accident,
which was never a severe one. He appeared in full
health and good spirit on the parade ground this day.
He proceeds to Omagh to morrow (Saturday), thence
to Newry, &c., and will inspect the different corps in
his tour, and will arrive at the Royal Hospital by the
close of the ensuing week.