The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-15 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

The members of the London Scottish Regiment
mustered on Saturday evening in great strength in
Westminster-hall, for the purpose of being officially-
inspected by their Lieutenant-Colonel, Lord Elcho,
M.P., with a view of testing the efficiency of the
corps after the six drills which the respective com-
panies have gone through since the last general
muster in November. The parade was fixed for 7
o'clock, and at that hour there were eight compa-
nies assembled, each being very strong, and the
ball was well filled with the general public, in-
cluding many representatives of both sexes of the
most influential Scottish families in London. The
whole arrangements, of course, were under the
superintendence of Lord Elcho, the Lieutenant-
Colonel of the regiment, and the muster consisted
of the Ist (kilted) Company, under Captain
M'Kenzie and Lieutenant Forrest; the 2d (or
City) Company, under Lieutenant Pendar (in
room of Captain Riach, deceased); the 3d (or North)
Company, under Captain Conway ; the 4th (or Cen-
tral) Company, under Captain Macgregor, the act-
ing adjutant; the sth (or South) Company, under
Captain Carlisle; and the 6th (or West) Company,
under Captain the Marquis of Abercorn. There
were also two good companies of recruits, under
charge of non-commissioned officers of the Scots
Fusileer Guards. The inspection by the noble lord,
which lasted upwards of two hours, consisted of a
most minute examination of the arms, clothing, and
accoutrements of the men, and the result especially
with regard to the arms, was most satisfactory,
showing that the recent order from the War-office
as to the attention which Volunteers should pay to
the cleanliness of their rifles had been in this, as in
the other crack corps of the metropolis, well minded
and appreciated. The whole of the companies hav-
ing been inspected, they were respectively put
through the manual and preliminary company
practice, after which, at the command of the Lieu-
tenant-Colonel, the regiment was formed into
square ,c four deep" on the Ist Company. The order
having been given to " face inwards," Lord Elcho
addressed the, men at great length. He said they
were aware. that they had been called together by
generalmuster that evening for the purpose ofhav-
in their armd and clothing inspected, and he had
personally to thank them for the readiness with
whieh they had come forward, for the attendance
was most creditable to them. There were 530 pre-
sent, of which 476 were effeetives,and the remainder
commissioned and non-commissioned officers. At
present there were 884 names on the books of the
corps, but, as some had put down their names and
never attended, they might reckon the strength to
be 800 ; and to have from that number a muster of
630 was, to his mind, very satisfactory to the Lon-
don Scottish. He was very happy also to say that
the attendance at the six drills since the last mus-
ter had been very large and highly satisfactory.
With regard to their rifles, he had inspected
every arm, and only in a few cases had he seen
the rag, after being passed down the barrel, to be
a little black, and in one or two cases the gentle-
men had said they had not touched them since
they left the Armoury. (Laughter.) His lordship

then read a satisfactory report from Mr. Lumsden
as to the state of the clothing, and next explained
what arrangements had been made wit reference
to the future drills, and. further state that regu-
lations were being made for the shoo ng for prizes
in the spring. Lord Elcho having luded in feel-
ing terms to the death of Captain Riach, and an-
nounced that Captain Macgregor would have
command of the new Highland (kilted) company,
concluded by expressing his satisfaction at the
result of the inspection. Some regimental orders
having been read, the companies were re-formed,
and the men dismissed at a late hour of the evening.
Through the kind permission of Mr. Gye, the
3d City of London Rifle Corps, which now has
nearly 1,600 enrolled members, muster every Wed-
nesday evening, at a quarter to eight o'clock, in
the Floral Hall, for drill, under Colonel Sir W.
De Bathe, Major Richards, and the Adjutant.
The Metropolitan Rifle Volunteers mustered in
the Working Men's College, Euston-road, on
Saturday evening, at seven o'clock, and at half-
past seven, preceded by its excellent brass and
drum and fife bands, marched out, proceeding
along Tottenham-court-road to Charing-cross, and
thence to Westminster-hall, where they were
dismissed for 10 minutes to partake of refreshment.
Having again formed into marching order they
crossed over Westminster-bridge to Westminster-
road, and returned to head-quarters by way of
Waterloo-bridge. This corps has attained to a
great degree of efficiency and is 700 strong. The
cadets attached to the corps are respectable youths
between the ages of 12 and 16, and number very
nearly 200. Lord Elcho is the commandant.
The 19th Middlesex (Working Men's College)Rifie
Volunteers met at their head-quarters, Queen.
square, for the first time since the Christmas holy-
days, on Saturday, and headed by theircadet band,
marched to their drill ground, University College,
Gower-street, where, after going through variety
of evolutions, they formed square on the leading
company, and were addressed by their commander,
Captain Hughes, who said he thought it now quite
time they should elect their field-officers. After
giving a brief account of Colonel Bathurst's experi-
ence in Canada and the Crimea, Captain Hughes
proposed him as a fit and proper person to be their
Lieutenant-Colonel. It was also proposed that Cap-
tain Hughes should be Major, and that Adjutant
Reed (to whose energy the present highly efficient
state of the corps is attributable) should have a
captain's commission. The three names being put
to the vote, were carried unanimously, amid vocifer-
ous cheering.
The 38th Middlesex (Artists') Rifle Volunteers
contended on Wednesday, the 9th inst., at 200 and
300 yards for some of the prizes presented to them.
The competition was open to all members who had
passed through the preliminary course of musketry
instruction, and, notwithstanding the inclemency of
the weather, there was a good attendance. The first
prize, a Hay rifle, the gift of some of the musical
members and friends of the corps, was won by Cap-
tain Lewis, musketry Instructor; the second a
silver medal, presented by Mr. Joseph Wyon, the
celebrated medallist, was won by Ensign Gale;;
the third, a short Enfield and sword bayonet, given
to the sergeants by Lieutenant Palmer, was won by
Sergeant Eavles. The other prizes for long ranges
will be shot for after the conclusion of the regular
annual course.
On Friday last the 2d London (Spottiswoode's)
Company of Volunteers assembled at head-quarters
and marched, preceded by the splendid band of the
corps, under the command of Captain George
Spottiswoode, •to Westminster Abbey, where
they attended the morning Divine service.
The attendance of the corps, owing to the sudden
change in the weather, was not numerous.
The Armstrong (No. 10) Company of Robin Hood
Rifles, composed entirely of artisans, took the oath
of allegiance on Friday evening, the 11th inst. At
half-past 7 the members mustered at the Great
Northern station, Nottingham, in fall dress, and
after going through a few preliminary movements
marched to the Mechanics' Hall, headed by the band
of the regiment, and also a drum and fife band.
Mr. Vickers (magistrate) administered the oath,
which occupied more than an hour, after which the
company marched into the Market-place and were
dismissed, the regimental band playing the national
anthem.

On Sunday last, the 6th inst., the Ist Pembroke-
shire Volunteer Artillery marched to Trinity
church, the day being the anniversary of their for-
mation. In the course of the sermon the rector,
the Rev. G, Clark, made some feeling and eulogistic
remarks upon the movement generally, and with
fervent emphasis bid the corps heartily welcome.
On the Tuesday following the corps assembled in
full numbers and marched through th• town to the
Castle-hill, where they were reviewed, and showed
great efficiency in their various exercises, firing
with very creditable precision some 1,200 rounds
from their :rifled carbines, comprising file and
volley firing by company, sub-divisions, and sec-
tions ; and at 5 o'clock sat down to their first anLi-
versary dinner at the Cobourg Hotel. This dinner
is intended to be an annual affair, and also the
church attendance in full uniform, with band, &c.
The dinner on this occasion was the munificent gift
of the worthy Captain, J. Maule Sutton. This
corps numbers 50 efficient men, which, as the po-
pulation is but some 3,000, is very creditable to the
town of Tenby,

NA L COUR 7 "ELI RTIAL.

THE COSSACK.

A court-martial assembled at Portsmouth yester-
day morning, on board H.M.S. Victory, for the
trial of Captain Richard Moorman, commanding.
H.M.S. Cossack, by direction of the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty, on the following charges ;
"1. That Captain IC:hard Moorman did, on or
about the 29th of April, 1860, behave in a cruel and
oppressive manner to Isaiah Smith, musician to the
said ship, in causing him to be lashed to the mizen-
stay from about 9 a.m. to after 8 p.m., and to be
afterwards placed both legs in irons.
" 2. That Captain Moorman did, or or about the
30th of April, 1860, behave in an oppressive and
unofficerlike manner•to Isaiah Smith, in causing
him to go on the capstan, and iu ordering him there
to play the violin, after the said Isaiah Smith had
objected to do so, alleging that his position there
was dangerous, and in subsequently placing Smith
in irons, and in keeping him on bread and water
until.the next morning.
"3. That the said Captain Moorman did, on or
about the Ist of May, 1860, behave in an unofficer-
like manner by using threatening language towards
Isaiah Smith, then disratcd from musician to ordi-
nary seaman, by telling him on his applying
for a court-martial ' that if he asked for that again
he would give him three dozen."
The court consisted of Captain lion. J. Denman,
president; Captains It. Harris, S. Hewlett, C. 8.,
S. Wilson, It. Coote, and G. Hancock ; Mr. W. J.
Hellyer officiated as Deputy judge Advocate.
After the reading of some formal documents wit-
nesses
were ordered out of court. and called as
required.

Isaiah Smith, sworn and examined, deposed—l
am a seaman belonging to her Majesty's ship Cos-
sack, at present under sentence of a court-martial
for desertion from that ship:. Was doing duty on
board on or about the /9th of April last. On
leaving Port Royal on the 26th of April last a friend
sent me off a bunch of green bananas,.and as I was
doing duty in the boatswain's storeroom I took
them down there and hung them on a hammock
hook in the midship part of the storeroom until the
lower deck was clear. Capt. Moorman, on coming
round to me next morning, said to me, " Isaiah
Smith, do you know it's against my orders that
vegetables of any kind should be hung up here." I
replied, "No, Sir, I never heard any word passed
in the ship whero, the vegetables were to be placed."
Capt. Moorman called the master-at-arms, and
ordered me to take the vegetables on deck, and I
did so. He then ordered some four-yarn spun yarn
to he sent for to lash the vegetables round my neck,
and then ordered me to mount on the capstan, which
I respectfully refused; owing to the rating I then
held as a petty officer, and also to the rolling of the
ship. Capt. Moorman then ordered a burton to be
sent down from the maintop, which was hooked
on to a lashing made fast round me. I was then
triced up and the hauling part was made fast to
the main bitts. In this position I was kept from
nine o'clock quarters in the morning until eight
o'clock at night, and then ordered below by the
master-at-arms, and placed both legs in irons on
bread and
.water. ater. The next morning I was had up
on deck'and triced up as on the previous day fox a