The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-23 00:00:00

The Volunteer Review at Dover.

The ground chosen for the scene of the mimic fight
was the open space of Downs to the north and east
of Dover Castle. At the top of the Castle Hill, the
visitor will remember there stands a turnpike at the
junction of the Deal and Guston roads, where they
unite then to wind round the steep green glacis of
the Castle by the Castle-hill road down into the
town. The Deal road turns, by this turnpike,
sharply round to the eastward, across Downs culti-
vated like a garden, but with this favourable feature
for the purposes of the review, that there are no
hedgerows to interfere with the movement of the
troops. At the Castle the space between the Deal
road and the edge of the cliffs is not more than a
quarter of a mile ; but as the coast line trends to the
southward of east, and the road to the northward of
the same cardinal point, the area gradually enlarges,
until, at a distance of a mile and a half from the
Castle, where a cross road runs from Guston to the
edge of the cliff, the distance from the Deal road to
the sea is considerably over a mile. In the triangu-
lar space contained within these boundaries of the
coast line, the Deal road and the cross road to Gas-
ton is a ravine, or ,rather a steep valley, running
from the Deal road in the direction of the cliffs,
and there is a shallower valley parallel nearer to
the Castle. Down nearly in the lowest part of the
deeper of these valleys is a farm and outbuildings,
called Broad Lees Farm. 'This farm-house was the
very centre of the force in the first position occupied
before the action began. As the head of the column
passed the saluting base, it proceeded at once to the
position allotted to it. The plan of manoeuvres sup-
posed an invading force to have landed under the
guns of their fleet at the favourable position between
Deal and Walmer, and to have advanced, covered
on their left by the fleet along the Deal road and
the intervening land, for the purpose of eecuring
Dover as a base of communication for their
army. The garrison of Dover, however,
has been sufficiently reinforced to justify them
in sallying forth, under cover of the guns of
the fortress, to give battle to the invading enemy.
The spot chosen for the purpose was along the brow
of the ridge in rear of Broad Lees Farm, the left
crossing the Deal road, and extending in front of
the new Castle Hill fort; the right stretching far
away nearly to the edge of the cliff. The defenders
were strongly posted, with the 4th trigade of field
batteries in line on their left, commanding the De;,l
road, and entirely blocking up all access in that
direction. The troops composing the first line of
the defenders, consisting of the 3d division of infan-
try, deployed with skirmishers in front ; the 4th
division of infantry being in reserve, with the whole
force of cavalry and the 3d brigade of field batteries,
near the right wing of the deployed infantry, ready
to be brought into play immediately on any emer-
gency.
The enemy's position was along the opposite ridge
parallel to that of the defenders, and facing towards
Dover, the lst division, deployed with skirmishers,
covering the front ; the flanks strongly guarded on
the right by the two field batteries Of Royal Artil-
lery, and the left by the volunteer field batteries.
In this position the contending forces remained, the
only change being that the deployed line of
charm
de-
fenders advanced down the hill nearly to the F
House, while the line of skirmishers came forward
some distance up the opposite slope tomeet the skir-
mishers. For a few minutes matters continued thus
in grim suspense, the opposing forces watching each
other across the two lines of 'skirmishers separated
by not more than 304 yards. At 1.40 p.m. the

nal for action-wae 'yen by a gun from the Castle
keep. As the deep boom of the heavy ordnance
rolled before the fresh westerly breeze over hill and
valley, the skirmishers of the defenders commenced
the action by opening a smart, well-sustained fire
from the centre of the position. Their example was
followed right and left, and soon the fusilade ex-
tended along the whole length of the line. The
skirmishers of the enemy, nothing loth, promptly
responded, and for some time a smart combat was
maintained between them. The enemy's field
batteries, on this extreme right, took up the war-
like theme, and soon the sharp report of the
breech-loading Armstrong of the Royal Artill,xy
intermingled with the rattle of the skirmishers.
The field batteries of the defenders on their left were
speedily unlimbered and brought into action, and
for a time a deadly duel of artillery raged to tho
north of the Deal road. Perceiving signs of waver-
ing on the part of the enemy the defenders' skir-
inishers on their left pressed on in advance,. firing
as they moved, and making a capital position and
dressing. The line in their rear conformed to the
movement, and swept forward in the direction of•
the enemy's left. The corps engaged deserve
credit for the excellent way in which they advanced
over the rough ploud land without losing their for-
mation. While this was in progress a movement
took place unnoticed by the enemy which wag
destined to have a marked influence on the future
fortunes of the fight. The second brigade of the
fourth division, covered by the advance of the
skirmishers and the line, took ground to the right
towards the sea, and lay hidden from the enemy
beneath a projecting wing of the ridge on which be
himself vas posted. Meanwhile the reserve of the
defenders moved also to the right towards the sea
to support the operation that was in progress. To
cover their change of position from the enemy, the
field artillery posted on the left %ingot thedefersleca
opened fire against the deployed line of Vie enemy.
The skirmishers of the invaders, pressed by their
opponents, yielded ground slowly, firing as they
went. At the same time the guns of the Castle
opened, and being replied to by the guns of the.
enemy's left wing, the artillery fight at either end of
the line became general. As gun after gun followed
each other in rapid succession, the smoke borne
before the strong westerly wind swept in dense
masses over the valley, obscuring for a time the
position of the attacking forces. As the fleecy cloud
lifted, the skirmishers of the enemy, on the signal of
a bugle from within their lines, closed to the wings
of battalions, and retired at the double, reforming
as they reached the rear of their advanced line.
Brought thus face to face with an overwhelming
force of their opponents, the skirmishers of the
defence followed the example that had been set
them, and retired at the double to the shelter of
their own line. Shattered by the steady file fire, they
retreated in some disorder, but soon were reformed
as they reached the welcome shelter. Now carne
the tug of war between the two lines. Both core.
menced file firing from the right of companies, and
admirably on both sides was the fusilade maintained.
The example first set on the right of the defenders
was speedily followed all along the lines, and the
action became general. The whole of the heavy •
guns on the eastern ramparts of the castle joined in.
the battle, which soon waxed fast and furious. At
the same time it became evident that the object of

,he defenders was to press the invading army most
severely on his extreme left. For this purpose bat-
teries of field artillery in reserve dashed to the
front, and were brought into action to crush the
exposed brigade on his left. While these were firing
grape from the extreme right of the defenders'
position, their line advanced in echellon of brigades
from the right to close with the enemy. Here the
battle became fierce and obstinate. Three times
the right of the defenders essayed to drive the op-
posing line of the enemy from their post of vantage.
At each fresh attack the enemy's line was strengthened
by fresh battalions ani field batteries hurriedly
brought to the front. Before this continually accu-
mulating force the tight wing of the defence finally
recoiled, shattered and disheartened. There was
nothing, however, disorderly in their retreat.
Though unable to make head against the withering
fire by which they were assailed, they scorned to
yield the enemy any greater triumph than to retire
by fours from the right of companies,,not covered
even by such poor shelter as a line of skirmishers
would have given. This retreat for a time caused
a lull on the left of the defence ; but the action
knew no cessation on the other extremity of the
line. There the artillery duel raged with redoubled
fury, and was very creditably supported by the in-
fantry on both sides. As the echellon of the defenders
retired the brigades in reserve deployed and ad-
vanced down the hill in splendid style to their sup-
port, wheeling back sections to allow them to retire.
The discomfited but far from disgraced first line
reached the rear, and immediately reformed their
shattered ranks. The reserve, which had now become
the first line of the defence, advanced as if on parade
against the position of the enemy to avenge the de-
feat inflicted on their comrades. They were soon
engaged, and again a tremendous file fire played
along the entire length of the opposing lines. While
this second fight was raging, the quick reports of
heavy artillery out at sea told that the fleet of the
enemy had come into action. The squadron of men-
of-war had been hugging the shore in support of the
enemy's troops, and now, on rounding a little head-
land, came in full view of the brigade of the defen-
ders, which had been detached from the main body
to turn the left flank of their forces. Every ship at
once opened fire on the advancing brigades, and
their continuous broadsides, replied to promptly by
the sea face of the castle, the citadel, and the Guild-
ford battery, sounded like the continuous pealing
of a heavy thunder storm. The fire of the shipping
failed to stop the advancing brigade of the defen-
ders. Seeing this the fleet turned its attention ex-
clusively to the fortifications, steaming in circles
and delivering a broadside at each turn. The for-
tifications, manned mainly by volunteers, replied
with admirable effect, and the battle by sea and
land raged simultaneously. The reserve line of the
defenders had been for SOlll3 time fiercely engaging
the enemy, when the critical movement in the
battle occurred. Undeterred by the fire of the fleet
the detached second brigade of the fourth division
made its way resolutely along the edge of the cliff,
supported by batteries of field artillery. Mounting
the steep hill that concealed them from the enemy,
they deployed, and suddenly appeared overlapping
and partially surrounding his left wing. The sup-
porting field batteries at once unlimbered and opened
at the same time that the brigade commenced file
firing. Being already severely pressed in front,
this fresh attempt was too much for the enemy.
Immediate preparations were made for the retreat.
Communication had been effectually cut off with
the fleet, and to stay longer would have been to be
mowed down by . an enfilading fire of ar-
tillery and infantry. The engaged line of the in-
vaders, therefore, at once wheeled in column,
moved up their reserves who deployed and en-
gaged the victorious defenders,' and then retreated
rapidly, but in good order, in oblique echellon of
battalions from their left, in the direction oflthee
Deal-road. As each battalion retired its
was supplied by a battalion from thelienneemays'spol7cy-
serve. These being deployed inito
advanced, held the defenders in
..iielocikp,w dihile their
lighting
aliscvmn ted comrades eseapeA.
the enemy found
with determined perseverance,
that the garrison had such an
ov
ass e wdh onmiii m ig.force,
both of infantry and artillery, m t te lelt,
that the position was no longer tenable. Throwing
out a line of skirmishers, and posting artillery on
an elevated brow in the line of retreat, to cover the
movement, they, under shelter of its fire, formed
column and retired from the left. Their opponents
pressed on in pursuit, -but were held effectually in
check by the field batteries of the 3d Middlesex
and of the Royal Artillery, who vied with each
other, holding every tenable position to the last
moment, and retreating at a gallop to a fresh point.
The course of the enemy was now fully
developed.
It was seen that he meant to change front to the
left, left thrown back, so as to occupy a new posi-
tion parallel to the Deal-road. The defenders con-
formed to the movement by throwing their right
forward. having reached the cross-road running
from the Cliff to Guston and crossing the Deal-
road at the Swiug Gate lon, the battalions of the

APOPULAR HISTORY of LONDON from
the Invasion of Julius Cat4ar to tho Present time.
Part the Second—From 1066 to 1867.

E. Moses and Son, corner of Minories and Aldgate ;
New Oxford-street., and Tottenham-court-road, London;
And Bradford, Yorkshire.
Gratis and post free on application.

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