The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-29 00:00:00

2118 ARMY.

In consequence of the large number of officers of
Engineers now at Chatham, the Secretary of State
for War has approved the appointment of an in-
structor in the general principles of designing and
making specifications, estimates, and working draw-
ings for various descriptions of buildings. The officer
so appointed will be in addition to the other instruc-
tors already attached to the Royal. Engineer esta-
blishment. At present there are two instructors in
surveying and topographical drawings, two field-
work instructors, and one instructor in architecture.
The Commander-in-Chief has also given instructions
for the most intelligent and best educated of the
non-commissioned officers of the Royal Engineers
to be appointed field-work instructors.
By direction of the Duke of Cambridge, several
of the officers of Royal Engineers, including Capt.
J. E. Comes, Capt. E. H. Steward, Lieutenant G.
Harris, and Lieut. H. Robinson, have proceeded
from Chatham to Shoeburyness for the purpose
of witnessing some experiments which are being
carried out at that station, in order to test the rela-
tive strength of wrought-iron plates, from one-
quarter of an inch is three inches in thickness, and
their capabilities to resist the effect of shot from the
Armstrong and other guns. The plates to be ex-
perimented upon have been made from different
descriptions of iron, in order that the Government
may ascertain the best kinds for use in the manu-
facture of armour-plates for the exterior of the mail-
clad steamers. The experiments will extend over
several days.
The Leicestershire Regiment of Militia, 900
strong, assembled at Leicester on Thursday for a
month's training under the command of Lieut.-Col.
King. The regiment has done duty at Cork and
at Aldershott. Trade having been bad during the
winter a great number of recruits have joined, and
many men whose time of service has expired have
been re-attested.

An inspection of the South Hants Yeomanry
Cavalry took place at Hartham on Monday. Four
troops had previously assembled for training, under
the command of Viscount Malden, and had most
creditably acquitted themselves. The men were
dismissed to their homes yesterday.
The Hants Yeomanry Cavalry (200 strong) as-
sembled last week at Winchester for eight days'
training, under the command of Viscount Eversley.
An inspection and review took place on Monday,
on Compton-downs, before Lieut.-Col. Douglas,
Assist.-Adjt.• Gen. Lord Eversley became major of
the corps on its formation 13 years ago. His Lord-
ship and Major Dear are the only remaining mem-
bers of the corps.
The Ist Regiment of Devonshire Militia was in-
spected on Saturday last at St. Thomas's, Exeter,
by Major-General Hutchinson, commanding the
Western district. His report was highly satisfac•
tory.
The West Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry havejust
completed their annual period of duty at Taunton.
The regiment, which is about 430 strong, was
under the command of Colonel the Hon. H. W.
Portman. The regiment was inspected previous to
dismissal.

About 750 men belonging to the East Norfolk
Militia are at present undergoini training at Yar-
mouth, namely, 250 recruits and 500 men, who have
had some previous training.
The period of 21 days, during which the 3d
Regiment of Staffordshire Militia has been in train-
ing at Newcastle-under-Lune, having expired, the
regiment has been inspected by Lord Frederic
Paulet, in the presence of Lord Hatherton, the
Lord-Lieutenant of the county, and Colonel the
Hon. E. R. Littleton. The report of the inspector
was most satisfactory.