The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-15 00:00:00

TILE ARIIII.

A General Order was issued yesterday, announc-
ing the appointment of Brevet-Major Win. W. H.
Greathed, G. 8., Bengal Engineers, as Assistant
Military Secretary at head- quarters, as a temporary
measure, vice Brevet Lieut.-Col. H. W. Norman,
C. 8,, who has been permitted to relinquish that
appointment for the purpose of resuming that of
Deputy Adjt. Gen. in Bengal.
A General Order, dated the 2d of May, was issued
yesterday at the Horse Guards by the General
Commanding-in-Chief as to the use of the rifled
musket. He has observed that the destructive
powers of that weapon have not been developed to
the full extent. The failure is not, he believes, in
the rifle, but has arisen from the want
i of a dexte-
roug and skilful use of it. To render t as efficient
as possible a back sight has been affixed to the
weapon, so graduated as to furnish the required ele-
vation for all distances, from 100 to 900 yards.
The correct adjustment of this sight entail-, a know-
ledge of distances, which is not difficult to acquire,
al though practice is required to keep it up. The
rifle, when the sight is correctly arranged, may be
used with the fullest confidence of success by troops
carefully trained. As, however, much allowance
must be made for the hurry and excitement conse-
quent on close action it has been deemed expedient to
lay down rules for gcnfral information and for the
guidance of officers of all grades in command of
troops before an enemy, in order to ensure the file
and volley firing being in future effectively and
rapidly executed. It is therefore to be underst.od
th:lt when firing in line or square at and under 300 ,
yards, the flap of the back sight is not to be raised
at all, but aim is to be taken through the flanges
which protect it. This will be found at once to
ensure sufficient accuracy of direction, and Prac-
tically to give adequate elevation, while the diffi-
culty, under the circumstances, of getting the eye
down to the bottom of the notch in the back sight
will be obviated. When firing in the open, at
ranges beyond 300 yards, and at all distances
when firing from behind parapets, or under cover

of any sort, the back sight is to be care- '
fully adjusted; a true alignment, taken through
the notch of the backsight, on the object aimed at,
and a correct elevation for the estimated distance,
being essential to accurate shooting. The general
order directs that these rules be carefully explained
to the non-commissioned officers and privates by
captains and officers of companies, and that they be
observed at all evolutions; also, that officers gene-
rally make themselves proficient in a knowledge of
distances, and thoroughly acquainted with the
powers of the rifle. Officers commanding divisions,
brigades, and garrisons are to ascertain by fre-
quent inspections and close examinations that the
field and company officers possess a correct know-
ledge of distances, and of the theory and practice
of rifle shooting. If the instructions herein detailed
are attended to, his Royal Highness is satisfied that
the rifle will be found to be a weapon of great
value in silencing artillery at distances up to 900
yards.
On Monday a detachment of 56 non-commissioned
officers and men of the Royal Indian Engineers,
under the command of Capt. W. B. Gosset, left the
headquarters of the Royal Engineer Establishment,
Chatham, for Warley, where they are to be sta-
tioned until they embark for Calcutta.
During the time the Ist Subdivision of the sth
Company of Royal Engineers was under the rifle
instruction at Chatham they made exceedingly good
practice, no less than 11 obtaining the distinction
of being first-class marksmen, while the figure of
merit was above 40.

In addition to the 31st Company of Royal Engi-
neers, about 200 men of that branch of the service
have been taken off all other duty at the Royal En-
gineer establishment, Chatham, and are now em-
ployed on the field works, and in sapping and
mining operations at the practising-ground of the
Royal and Indian Engineers.
The Diadem, 32, screw, Capt. Cockburn, steamed
into Portsmouth harbour on Monday morning,
where the left -►is,g of tho 2oth Rosin...A, ...A.r
the command of Major Atcherley, disembarked,
and were forwarded by special train on the South-
Western Railway to Farnborough, whence they
marched into camp at Aldershot.
The usual periodical brigade field days of the
troops at Chatham having commenced for the sea-
son, the whole of the availabldforce of the garrison
was yesterday taken out on Chatham Lines. The
troops were drawn up in review order at 10.30 a.m.
On the arrival of Major-General Eyre, accompanied
by the garrison Staff, they were put through a va-
riety of manoeuvres,:occupyiag about three hours.
On Monday Major-Gen. Lord F. Paulet inspected
the Royal London Militia, 450 strong, in the Ar-
tillery-ground, Finsbury-square, who were found to
be in an efficient state ; awl afterwards the Queen's
Own Tower Hamlets Militia, at their head-quarters,
Bethnal-green.
The Radnor Division of the Cardigan, Brecon, an d
Radnor Royal Rifles, under the command of Major
L. H. Peel, assembled for training on the 6th inst.
at headquarters, Presteign. There were only three
absentees, and the regiment is complete in its estab-
lishment. The regiment will be inspected on the
31st inst. by Major-Gen. Lord F. Paulet, C.B.
Yesterday the Ist West Kent Light Infantry
Militia were inspected by the Lord Lieutenant of
the county, Viscount Sydney, in the square of the
cavalry barracks, Maidstone. The regiment, which
is upwards of 400 strong, went through the dif-
ferent evolutions with rapidity and precision.
On Monday the 4th West York Militia were
reviewed upon Woodhouse-moor, near Leeds, by
Colonel Campbell, C. 8., Inspecting Field-officer at
York. The strength of the regiment was about
630 of all ranks. The reviewing officer expressed
himself satisfied with the manner in which the men
went through their evolutions.