The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-09 00:00:00

THE A.RMT .

Orders have been received at Chatham directing
Inspector-Gen. W, M. Muir, C. 8., principal medi-
cal officer of the garrison, to proceed forthwith to
Canada to take the medical charge of the troops
about to be despatched to that country. A num-
ber of the medical officers attached to the Staff at
Fort Pitt Hospital have also been placed under
orders to proceed to Canada, as well as a portion of
the staff of the Purveyor's department, together
with 40 men of the Army Hospital Corps. Deputy.
Inspector-Gen. T. D. Hume, M.D., will succeed
Dr. Muir, C. 8., as principal medical officer at
Chatham.

Orders have been received by the Major-General
commanding the South-Western District, Lord W.
Paulet, C. 8., to withdraw the 18th Company of
Royal Engineers from the Isle Wight, where it has
been employed on the defensive works in progress
of construction in the vicinity of the Needles' Pas-
sage, and hold it in readiness at Portsmouth for
embarcation on short notice for British North Ame-
rica. No women or children—families of officers
or soldiers—will accompany the force, but all who,
under ordinary circumstances, would be entitled to
accompany their regiment on foreign service will
receive the allowance of 6d. and 2d. per day.

On Friday afternoon a telegraphic despatch was
received at the Division-office,Shorncliffe Camp, call-
ing for 36 sergeants to volunteer from the various
regiments of the division in the south-eastern dis-
trict for service in Canada as drill instructors to the
Canadian Militia. The volunteers are to proceed to
their destination immediately, in company with
volunteer sergeants from other divisions. Dr. Fisher,
the medical officer of the camp, has also received
orders to proceed at once to Canada.
Dr. J. H. R. Innes, C. 8., Deputy-Inspector-Gene-
ral of Hospitals, and principal medical officer at the
camp at Colchester, Staff Assist.-Surg. Connell, and
Mr. P. M. Lonsdale, of the Purveyor's department,
have received orders to hold themselves in readiness
to proceed to Canada.
It is also stated that the sth Dragoon:Guards, at
present stationed at Ipswich, Norwich, and North-
ampton, have received a similar intimation.
The Government have purchased for the use of the
troops in Canada several thousands of leather waist-
coats, of the kind which proved so beneficial in the
Crimea during the late war.

THE NAVAL PREPARATIONS AT

FORTaroUTH.

Interesting as naval and military proceedings
might now be, in connection with the doings at the
various dockyards and garrisons, the preparations
at Portsmouth possess a more than ordinary amount
of interest; for alongside the dockyard and in the
steam basin of that port there arc moored two fri-
gates, on the success of which the whole naval con-
stitution of England so greatly depends—we refer
to these iron-clad sister ships, the Warrior and
Black Prince. The former frigate has been tested,
and has hitherto proved successful. The latter will,
no doubt, prove equally so, as the same principle
has been adhered to in her construction as in the
Warrior, and as models both ships are equally dis-
tinguished and commended. The iWarrior, under
the command of the Hon. A. Cochrane, remains
alongside the sheer and pitch-house jetties at Ports-
mouth. A number of workmen are employed about
her day and night, and the crew have been, and
still are, hard at work fitting her for sea service
again. The manner in which the seamen have be-
haved is most commendable. There appears to be
an innate feeling among them that war is coming
on, and that they have been insulted by the Ameri-
cans. This ship is ordered to be in readiness for
sea in six days from the present time. She has
completed her coaling, having taken in 700 tons.
Workmen are making slight alterations in her
steering apparatus, and her screw has been lifted
out. Her head, which was damaged, is being re-
paired, and men are employed fitting out her store
and her shell rooms. Blacksmiths are employed in
putting her scuppers on the upper deck to the sewer
pipe below, and a few modifications are being com-
pleted in her general ventilation. Amidst many
other fittings artisans are placing racks around the
upper deck, made to hold shots for Armstrong's
guns. The Black Prince is progressing; 250 men
of all trades are to be employed on board of her, in
order to complete the contractor's work. At the
present time a large body of workmen are actively
engaged on board this ship, preparing hr
seaf r
masting and rigging, and fitting her out fore
service. Were it necessary with the full complement
of men, this frigate could be thoroughly fitted for
sea in six weeks. Although 250 men are to be en-
gaged on her, it is well known that when at Glas-
gow, no less than 1,300 workmen were employed
on board her, and doubtless had she remained in
Glasgow, she would have been completed ere this ;
but the great disadvantage was the absence of any-
thing like a convenient place alongside in which to
berth her. She is now in the steam basin, which
has been again filled of necessity. In addition to
the warlike preparations referred to as above, we
would state that the bakers and millers at Clarence
Victualling-yard, Gosport, have received orders to
work extra hours, in order that a stock of naval
bread and flour may be on hand to supply any sud-
den demand that might arise. On Saturday the
Hero, 89, screw, Captain A. P. Ryder, received
orders to fill up with provisions, which she will
convey to the North American station. By Satdu.rd
day noon this ship was to have sailed, but she
not leave Spithead until yesterday afternoon
(Sunday). The Stromboli, 6, steam sloop, also .
n
course of preparation for active service
have
taken into No. 8 dock in order to
her copper cleaned. The gaga'', 89, tiereNY,,