The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-11 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

OFFICIAL INSPECTION OF THE QUEEN'S
WESTMINSTER.

The annual cfficial inspection of the Queen's
Westminster Rifle Volunteers, by Colonel Erskine,
took place on Saturday evening in the Regent's
Park, in the presence of Lord Dufferin, Lady Con-
stance Grosvenor, and a considerable.number of the

aristocracy, and several thousand spectators.

The enrolled strength of the Queen's IVestmin- 1
ster is somewhere between 1,300 and 1,400, and
amounts to 17 conipanieS, but the actual number
cn the field (consisting of the two battalions) was
700, viz.-Ist battalion; 351 ; 2d battalion, 349.
The regiment mustered at the Duke of York's
column, and marched, headed by its band, to the
Regent's Park, which it reached about seven o'cliKk.
Colonel Lord GrosVenor took the-chief commanti as
• brigadier, whilst Lord Fitzgerald commanded the
first brigade, and Major Russell the second brigade,
assisted by Major and Adjutant Charter and Cap-
tain and Adjutant Tyler„ Each battalion consisted
of six companies Of 22 files, or 12 companies in the
aud.formed up inline to receive the inspect- .
ing officer in the centre of the park fronting llol-
ford House, facing to the east, where a large space
was formed, the ground being admirably kept by the
West Middlesex, under command of Major, Bridg-
man, Capt. Dear, and Capt. and Adjutant Penny-
more.

The march past took place first in open columns
of companies at the quick, which was upon the
whole very creditably performed, and having changed
front, they subsequently returned to the double.
Having formed up in close and contiguous columns
of battalions, skirmishers were sent out from the
right, and after some few discharges were recalled.
Volley firing by companies in line then commenced,
and the supposed volleys were so bad as to be in the
first instance taken for file firing. The battalion
volleys were better, the first greatly excelling. The
next movement was to right about faCe and march in
line to the rear, and then the formation of battalion
squares to receive cavalry, which, although slowly,
was creditably done. The battalion having fired
from the right of faces, and subsequently in volleys,
again formed into open column, and subsequently
into line, facing to the east, and marched by companies
in " echelon" across the plateau, and at sound of the
bugle formed company squares in " echelon." This
evolution was admirably performed. Having re-
formed column, and again taken up a new aligri-
ment by marching by companies to the rear, the
whole regiment marched in line in review order, the
band playing the Huntsman's Chorus from "Der
Freischutz," and presenting arms, and thus brought
the inspection to a close. Having been formed up
in columns of battalions facing tile saluting flag,
which .consisted of the colours of the Old West-
minster Volunteers.

Colonel Erskine addressed the regiment to the
following effect :—Queen's Westminster Rifle
Volunteers,—Having closed the inspection of this
corps, I am desirous of offering a few observations
to you before you are dismissed this evening. Many
of you no doubt are aware that you have been
honoured by the presence of the Under-Secretary of
State for War, Lord Dufferin. As that noble lord
has the more immediate charge of the volunteer
forces of this country, he has expressed a wish to
see a volunteer corps go through the ordeal of its
official inspection, wherein I informed him that if he
would favour me with his company here this even-
ing I would show him something worth looking at.
I think I have kept my word, and I think that you,
gentlemen, by the manner in which ydu have ac-
quitted yourself have enabled me to keep my pro-
mise, and I may add that his lordship was very de-
lighted with what he saw. I may say for myself
that I am exceedingly pleased to find that this fine
corps keeps up its efficiency. They have shown
themselves very steady under arms throughout, and
the marching and movements were generally well
performed. There was little, if anything, with
which to find fault, except with the firing, especially
the volley firing, and I have no doubt but in that
respect your commanding officer will agree with
me there is room for improvement, and I have no
doubt it is a point which will in future engage your
commanding officer's attention. Another point upon
which I would remark, although I believe I am
only repeating that which I have expressed before,
and to other corps, and that is in respect to crowd-
ing in the ranks. Before you are dismissed I ven-
ture to crave your attention :in order to refer to a
matter entirely personal to myself. Whilst inspect-
ing you last year it will be recollected that a painful,
and as it might have been a serious accident, befel
me. (The gallant colonel was thrown from his
charger, which took fright at the volley firing, and
was injured by some keys he had in his pocket.) 1
exceedingly regretted, as I informed you, the inter-
ruption it caused to your inspection. As I have had
no opportunity of since seeing you, I have taken
this means of thanking you for the very great sym-
pathy you expressed for me on that occasion, and I
beg to assure you I shall never forget your kind
feeling.

Lord GROSVENOR then offered a few observations
to the corps, thanking them for their muster, which
he said was an improvement upon last year, and
proposed three cheers for the Inspector-General,
which was enthusiastically responded to.
Three cheers were subsequently given for the
commanding officers, and the West Middlesex for
keeping the ground. The corps marched off, and
were dismissed.