The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-06 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

The 31 battalion of the Rifle Brigade arrived at Alder-
shot on Monday from Portsmouth, and the 41st and
44th Retzitnents have left Aldershot, for Dover.
The 97th Regiment also left Aldershot for Ports-
mouth.

We learn by electric telegraph that her Majesty's
steam-frigate Dragon, 6, Captain Stevens, C. 8., arrived
at Spitbead last night from Balaklava, Malta, and Gib-
raltar. 224 non•commissianed officers and men cf the
Royal Sappers and Miners also came home in her Ma-
jesty's ship Dragon.

- Her Majesty Is eteam-sloop Argus, 6, Commander
Purvis, arrived at Spithead last evening from Halifax,
which she left an the 18th July.
No more troop; are to be sent to Aldershot without
orders from her Majesty.
The Argo steam-transport arrived at Spithead on
Monday night from the East, with Col. A. Spottiswood,
let (King's) Dragoon Guards ; Capt. G. Poynter, do. ;
Lieuts. J. H. Anderson and S. Pearson, do.; Cornet R.
A. L. Grewe, Paymaster W. Smith, Adjutant and Cor-
net D. Wall, Quartermaster J. Bradbury, Veterinary
Surgeon H. Sewell, 116 horses, and 120 men, do. ; and
the Rev. Mr. Southwell.
A district court-martial, presided over by Lieutenant-
Colonel A. Anderson, Royal Marines, assembled yes-
terday at Chatham barracks, for the trial of Wm.
Dowell, a private in the 32d Regiment, on the ex-
traordinary charge of having deliberately blown off
his right hand with his musket, with the view of
being discharged from the service. The prisoner, who,
since be has been in the regiment, bore a good charac-
ter, was tried some time ago on a charge of desertion—
having been absent from his regiment only two hours
—and sentenced to a term of imprisonment. The ap-
parent hardship of his punishment preyed very much
on his mind, and on the morning of the sth of May last
while at Chatham barracks, he rose between 3 and 4
o'clock, and, without disturbing any of his comrades
asleep in the barrack-room, provided himself with 10
rounds of ammunition and ball, after which he loaded
his musket with two balls. He then placed his right
hand over the muzzle and discharged the piece, when
his hand was so frightfully shattered that, on being taken
Ito the hospital, it was found necessary to amputate
his hand above the wrist. On recovering be was
ordered to be brought before a court-martial for trial.
The sentence of the court will not be known until it has
been confirmed at the Horse-Guards, but it is believed
that he will not be discharged from the army. A short
time ago a soldier chopped off one of his fingers at Chat-
ham barracks, hoping thereby to obtain his discharge.
The following appointments were made at the Admi-
ralty yesterday :—H. P. de Prautzow, commander to
the Conqueror ; J. S. A. Dennis, commander, to the
Caner ; B. G. Roles, lieutenant, to the Cressy, Tho-
mas Kerr, master, to the .Actaeon ; R. J. Barrett, mas-
ter's assistant to the Osborne ; and John Id. Ellis, mas-
ter's assistant to the Actaeon ; the Rev. J. Lugg to be
chaplain and instructor to the Hightlyer ; H. R. Banks
surgeon, to the Edinburgh ; Augustus Slight, surgeon
to the Retribution ; W. F. Noott, to the Victory ;
Henry Harkan, assistant surgeon, to the Edinburgh ;
and W. !lackeney, clerk, to the Actmon.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN.
THE DIVIDEND.

We learn that the dividend for the half-year ending
June last will be at the rate of 5 Per cent. per annum,
with a balance of between 13,0001. and 15,0001. to be
carried forward to the revenue account for the current
six months. The dividend for the corresponding half-
year of 1855 was at the rate of only 4i per cent., with a
Surplus of about 6,0001. We understand that the in-
crease of capital to be paid upon for the present half-year
requires an additional amount of dividend to the extent
of 25,0001., and that an additional charge of 15,0001. is
made against revenue for interest on debentures. So
that in fact the company pay an additional 4 per cent. as
compared with the June six months of last year, not-
withstanding the large additional amount chargeable
against revenue on account of increased capital and inte-
rest on debentures.