The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-18 00:00:00

RIFLE CORPS.

The following. circular has been issued from the
War-office to the Lords-Lieutenant counties. It
is dated July 13 :
" Her Majesty's Government are full sensible of the
publie spirit displayed by large numbers f her Majesty's
subjects who have offered to form voluntee artillery or rifle
corps under the Act 44 George 111., cap. . Though en-
gaged in important and often lucrative occupations, they
have expressed their willingness, at their (INVII cost and at a
Considerable sacrifice of time, to instruct t mselves in drill
and in the use of the arm, whetherrifle or reat gun, which
1 they propose to adopt; with a view to fit emselves to act
as auxiliaries to heft Majesty's regular Eirees in case of
public danger.
" But though the very essence of a vol er forceoensists
in their undertaking themselves to bear, Without any cast
to the public;the whole charge of their t "ning and prac-
tice previous to being called out for actual .ervice, her Ma-
jesty's Government are Of Opinion Unlit it Till be but fair to
the volunteers, as a just acknowledgment 1f the spirit in
Which their services are tendered, to relieve them, in some
degree, of the expense which their first outfit will entail
upon them, and of which the purchase of arms is neces-
sarily the heaviest item. "
It is not necessary, for, the purpose of lastruction, that
each individual of a corps should be provided with a rifle,
since a musketry instructor cannot superintend a larger
class than about 10 men. It is proppsed, therefore, to issue
in the first instance to each corps Enfield rifles at the rate of
25 per cent. of the effective members, for the purpose of in-
struction, the Government undertaking to arm the whole
effectives of the force whenever it may be called out for
active service against the enemy.
" It is necessary, however, before these arms can be
issued, or; indeed, before the services of any corps can for
the, future be accepted, that certain pi'deautiona be taken
with a view to insure the public safety und the efficiency of
the volunteer force.
1 " Her Majesty's Government entertain no objection to the
members of any volunteer rifle corps providing themselves
with breech loaders, or any.bther description of rifle, for
purposes of ball practice, upon the understanding that, if
not of the regulation gauge in barrel and nipple, no prac-
tice ammunition can be issued by the Government for such
arms. .

" Every rifle corps will, however, under all circum-
stances, be furnished with 25 per cent, of the Enfield rifle,
with the use of 'which 'weapon the members are expected
to acquaint themselves, as in case of the active services of
the volunteer -force being required, it must be exclusively
armed with the rifle common to all the regular forces of her
Majesty. ,

The Secretary of State must be satisfied by the re-
port of competent military officers, who will be sent down
for the purpose, that a sufficient and safe practice range can
be obtained within a reasonable distance of the head quar-
ters ; where no such range Scan be found, a rifle corps would
clearly be either useless for want of practice, or dangerous,
if attempting it where the nature of the country affords no
sufficient security against accident, which would bring dis-
credit upon the volunteer force in general, and would tend
to indispose the public towards them.
" 2. The lord-lieutenant must satisfy himself, and must
certify to the Secretary of State, that a secure place of cus-
tody for the arms, -and a competent person to take charge of
them have been provided at the expense of the members.
" The militia county stores or police stations might, no
doubt, in some places be made available for this purpose.
"a. The rules and regtilations for the. Government of
volunteer corps must be submitted to and approved by the
Secretary of State. _

"4. The corps must be subject to periodical inspection
by a military officer deputed for that purpose.
His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-
Chief, with a view to afford every facility for the musketry
instruction of the volunteer force, has sanctioned the recep-
tion of two officers or members of each company, at their own
expense or that of the corps, at the School of Musketry at
Hythe, to undergo a modified course of instruction, which
shall enable them to conduct the practice of their companies
upon the general, principles adopted in the regular army with
such signal success. A large musketry class of sergeants
of the disembodied militia will, moreover, soon be formed at
Hythe, so that within the course of a few months there will

be a vast increase in the number of musketry instructors
who will be available for the instruction of the volunteer
force.

"But her Majesty's Government are especially anxious
to direct the attention of the lord lieutenants of maritime
counties, in which our commercial ports and chief arsenals
are situated, .to the desirability of forming artillery rather
than rifle corps.
" In case of war the vast number of guns mounted in our
coast defences will require a large artillery force to work
them, and the volunteers can in no way be so useful to the
public service as when formed in artillery corps to man the
batteries and thus release a proportionate force of Royal
Artillery for service in the field.

"Her Majesty's Government will, therefore, in all cases
where coast batteries are available for practice, give a pre-
ference to the formation of artillery corps. Atplaces on the
sea coast at which batteries do not now exist, but where
the military authorities may deem it advisable to place gm:
hereafter„ artillery corps may usefully be formed, if the
members, aided by the residents in their vicinity, would
take upon themielves the erection of earthworks.
" In that case guns would be provided by the Government
for training and practice, and for arming the works in case
of necessity.
" Should the lord-lieutenants of maritime counties be of
opinion that these suggestions can be carried out, her
Majesty's Government will request the military authorities
to afford competent professional advice as to the selection of
proper sites for such coast defences, and as to their construc-
tion and armament.

With a view to the formation of volunteer associations in
our commercial ports and open rive :s for manaing and work-
ing boats or ships'launches armed with single guns to be sup-
plied by the Government, as recommeneed in the 17thrd o
f
Admiralty will be requested on application f
para-
graph of the circular of the 25th May last, Boa
lieutenants, to send down a competent officer to give his
advice from the lordss
adviceto these associations in regard to their organisation
and equipment, and to aid them in the
gunnery instruction.
"Misconceptions have apparently arisen
with regard to
the selection of individuals to fill the position of officers in
the volunteer force and of their responsibilities. I can only
repeat that, while I shall not be disposed to question the
grounds upon which a lord-lieutenant
may recommend any
an
person for a commission for her Majesty's approval, I can-
not recognise the principle of the election of their officers
bay
tiony body possessing, in any sense,
a military organi-
" With the view of facilitating the early development of
the volunteer system, I transmit, for general information
and guidance, the accompanying memorandum,
shortly re-
capitulating the conditions upon which her Majesty's Go-
vernment have determined to sanction the formation of
corps, showing their proposed organisation and establish-
ment, land the nature of the aid which it is proposed to
s speedy
afford them, and indicating a course of proceeding which,
by obviating in a great degree necessitof reference to this
office, will afford the means of a more
and effectual
realisation of the loyal and patriotic desire so widely mani-
fested throughout the country by her Majesty's subjects to
place their services gratuitously at the Queen's command
for the general defence of the nation."
o memorandum referred to recapitulates the provi-
sions of the Act 44 George 111., chap. 54, which explains
the conditions under which
offers service will be
accepted. The chief condition is, that there shall be actual
invasion or appearance of an enemy in force on the coast
of Great Britain, or of rebellion or insurrection arising or
existing, or during any invasion. In these cases, but not
otherwise, the services of the volunteer force will extend
to any part of Great Britain. Regulations follow re-
specting the safe custody of arms and the general
guidance of volunteer corps. Directions are then given
as to the general organisation of rifle companies, the
establishment of artillery companies, supernumeraries, n.on-
effectives, rank of officers,
equipments drill musketry in-
structors, and other matters of detail. Forms are appended
to enable commanding officers to give an
accurate account
of the persons enrolled who are effective members of the
various corps.]
The Nottingham corps, which now numbers nearly 200
members, under the' name Of the "Robin Hood Rifles,"
possesses at present five companies; it is, however:intended
to have 10, each consisting of 80 or 100 members. They are
drilled four times a week, two of which drills are compul-
sory. The names of the companies are the " Castle " the
" t ark," the " Forest," the " "Clinton,' and the " Welling-
ton." The latter is under the presidency of Major Gill, of
the Indian army. The first drill of this company took place
on Friday morning in the Park.
The council of the London Rifle Brigade have determined
Saturday shall be the day for weekly drill, in order to meet
the convenience of the numerous class likely to join the
brigade.

. -
In addition to the six professional companies of the Edin-
burgh volunteer rifle regiment, the Highland company, and
the " Citizen" company, steps are being taken for the for-
mation of several artisan companies. Already about 250
men have given in their names, and a public meeting was
held a few evinings since to promote subscriptions, each
artisan volunteer being only required to pay,3os. towards
the expense of his arms and uniform. The meeting was a
remarkably enthusiastic one, and has given a considerable
stimulus to the movement generally. The uniforms of
several of the companies of the Edinburgh regiment are
being served out, and are much admired for its elegance and
suitability for ordinary wear.
From 200 to 300 volunteers are now assembling at Dun-
de
effi every evening for drill, and give promise of becoming
t force. At Broughty-ferry about 60 volunteers
have enrolled themselves.
In the small county of Selkirk, where the proposal to
form a rifle corps had not met with sufficient encourage-1
ment, a movement has been made towards the formation of
a small cavalry regiment to be called the " Ettrick Forest
Carbineers." About 30 gentlemen have enrolled them-
selves, and whenever the number has increased to 80 the
necessary steps for embodiment will be taken.
A muster of the Bristol corps for inspection and drill, to
which a portion of the public were admitted, took place
on Saturday afternoon in the quadrangle of the Bristol
Exchange. The corps at present musters about 350 mem-
bers, the great majority of whom attended on this occasion.
Eight companies have been formed, of which one or two
number about 60, exclusive of officers, commissioned and
uon-commissioned, while some hardly exceed 20. The in-
spection was made by ttie commanding officer, Major Bush
(late Regiment), Lieutenant-Colonel of the Bristol
Volunteerht Rifles, each company taking open order in turn
and closing its ranks after inspection. The area of the Ex-
change not
re at a affording
froom for more than cne company to
time, men were ordered to fall out from
manoeu
each, and were formed into a test company. The column
through a series of ordinary field-day evolu •
pany was put.
was then retired under the North Piazza, and the test com-
telk's in fours and in files, changing front by wheel of com-
pany,an by sections and subdivisions ; forming open and close
in line, taking ground to the
marching in fours and columns of sections, and reforming
to the front, reverse flank, and right about; sub-
divisionscompany
tiwheeling outwards andwheeling back
c ons
and se
colusnmasdvoafnsceientigonasndanrdetsiriubndgivisions;
Several of these movements were executed
into line, &c. echelon movements,
degree of
titude steadiness, and correctness highly creditable
promp )
from the halt as well as on the move, and with a _