The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-05 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

Among the numerous reviews that have taken
place this year that on Saturday on Wanstead-flats
_ _

may be registered as one of the most successful.
There were present between 10,000 and 15,000
spectators. In accordance with the general order
issued, between 4 and 5 o'clock the different corps
destined to take part in the review began to arrive
upon the flats. Among them were the 3d Essex
Administrative Battalion (250), the 2d Tower Ham-
lets (200), the Victoria Rifles (140), the 3d, 7th, and
10th Tower Hamlets, followed by the West Essex
Artillery (300 strong, with the field battery of six
guns). The troops were reviewed by Gen. Eyre,
who was accompanied by Col. Gordon, Capt. Con-
grove, Major Deshon, and Capt. Sidebottom.
The annual challenge plate, presented last year
for competition by Mr. Turner, the eminent silver-
smith, of New Bond-street, to the members of the
Victoria, St. George's, and Queen's (Westminster)
Rifles, was shot for on Tuesday at Wormwood
Scrubbs. The weather was fine, though extremely
windy. The conditions of the challenge were for
ten men for each corps to shoot five shots at each
range of 500, 600, and 700 yards. In the first range
the Victories and Queen's made 35 paints, the St.
George's only scoring 31. Ia the next range the
Westminsters fell back, the St. George's gaining
one point on the score of the Victories. At the 700
yards' range the contest was most exciting, the
shots being very evenly balanced. The last shot
but two of the Victories was a centre, which gave
them a majority of one point, a fact not discovered
until the aggregate score was announced, amid
much interest and excitement. After the declara-
tion of the numbers it was found that the rifle used
by Mr. Clayton, of the Victories, was only 51b. in
the pull, and, the regulation for the cup being a 61b.
pull, Colonel Kennedy, as umpire, on being appealed
to, gave his decision in favour of the St. George's.
Colonel Lindsay, however, in the most chivalrous
manner declined on the part of his corps to accept
the cup, under such circumstances, as winners. It
was at once agreed that the Victories and St.
George's should fight the fight over again. A great
number of persons attended to witness the shooting
and appeared highly delighted with the proceedings.
Saturday afternoon, the various regiments of volun-
teera,A brigade fieldday took place at Highgate on
on their arrival, assembled on a large field,
the property of Miss Burdett Coutts. The proceed-
ings created great interest. The brigade consisted
of the following regiments :-2d Administrative
, Hampstead, and Hornsey
Rifles, Captains Walters, Barclay, &c.), all under
Battalion
ettcaolmionin (Highgate
and of Major Wilkinson, and the 29th, or
, under the command of
Adjutant R. W. Jones, Major Ross,
sz:Captain i
Itilkinson acted as brigade-major, and
North. Middlesexajaoand Rifles,
Major Ross as aide-de-camp. The ground was
kept by the 7th Middlesex. Shortly hpast 6
o'clock the manoeuvres commenced. Theneldday
was brought to a close by both battalions march-
ing past in quick and double time in a very ad-
mirable manner. The prizes won by the Highgate
Rifles were then awarded to the successful competi-
tors, the first by Mr. Bodkin, Assistant-Judge of the
Mcoiudtdtlse,ss)exbySetshse
Sessions, and the second (Miss Burdett
Rev.
Mr. Dalton, incumbent of
Highgate, who
ersonally
was prevented
consequence of the
giver, Captain Langdale, having left the corps, but
by
yjird
it will be presented by deputy at some future time;
indispositiongpatiez prize
eo was nbehalf
notfrom
awarded, o
presenting that la
it
and the fourth, a silver ornamental badge, was pre-
sented to Sergeant Weddle.
On Saturday afternoon the members of . the 37th
Middlesex (Bloomsbury) Rifle Volunteers went
through the movements of a field-day at Willesden.
The regimental prizes of the corps will be shot for
in the first week of September.
The St. John's division of the Queen's (West-
minster) Rifle Volunteers will shoot for their prizes
on Wednesday next at Wormwood Scrubs. There
will be six prizes for the seventh company, and five
for the eighth.
The competition for Mr. Bird's prizes between
the West Middlesex, St. George's, South Middlesex,
Queen's, and the Paddington Rifles is announced to
take place at Wormwood Scrubbs on Tuesday next.
On Wednesday last the ceremony of presenting a
handsome dress sword to Major Ross, of the 29th
North Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, was performed
at the parade-ground of the Albany street barracks,
Regent's-park, in presence of the two members for
the borough of Marylebone, and a large number of
the inhabitants of the district.
The annual general meeting of the North-East
London Rifle Brigade was held at headquarters on
Thursday night, Lieut.-Col. Money presiding. It
appeared from the report that the regiment was in