The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-18 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEER MO VEMENT.

The Ist Middlesex Artillery paraded in strong
force on Saturday afternoon, at the Wellington
Barracks, for battalion drill and great gun practice,
under Major Stevens, Acting Adjutant. Their
movements and evolutions betoken the attention of
the members themselves and the efficiency of their
officers. Captain Henry Creed, late of her Majesty's
Indian army, is the commandant, and fully inspected
the corps.
The North Middlesex had a commanding officer's
full-dress parade and battalion drill at Albany.
street Barracks on Saturday afternoon, and the
cadet company attached to the regiment also fell
in. The attendance was very numerous and the
evolutions highly satisfactory.
On Saturday the 19th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers
met at their drill ground in Gower-street for batta-
lion drill, after which a meeting was held to con-
sider the propriety of going to the sham fight at
Brighton on Easter Monday. Many reasons were
urged for and against the trip, Col. Bathurst stat
ing that he would leave it to the men to decide.
Each man having been canvassed by the Adjutant,
it was decided by a great majority that the corps
should not go. It is expected that the corps will
get up a sham fight of their own at Richmond,
Major Hughes taking the command of one side, and
Colonel Bathurst of the other.

On Saturday a firing party of the Finsbury (39th
Middlesex) Rifle Volunteers assembled at head
quarters, Coldbath-square, and proceeded to the New
Cattle market for drill practice with blank cart-
ridge, preparatory to the approaching sham fight
at Brighton on Easter Monday, for which about 200
of the 39th have already given in their names to
the adjutant ; the firing on Saturday, both in vol-
leys and file firing, was very creditable to the men,
and the other evolutions were well performed. The
firing party was subsequently joined by another
detachment of the corps, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Colvill, and at dusk they all
returned, numbering between 200 and 300
men, headed by the brass band of the regiment,
through the principal thoroughfares to headquar-
ters, where they were dismissed. The corps now
numbers nearly 700 effective members, and is con-
stantly receiving recruits. Capt. Berdoe has signi-
fied his intention of giving a handsome set of co-
lours to the regiment, which will be formally pre-
sented to them on Whit Monday, and at the same
time a testimonial from the officers and men, con-
sisting of a gold watch and chain, and a purse of
sovereigns, will be given to the drill-sergeant
(Sergeant-Major Vadrill), in recognition of his
efforts to promote the efficiency of the regiment.
On Thursday evening Capt. Carter, adjutant of
the Royal Monmouthshire Militia, gave a lecture
in the theatre of the United Service Institution, to
a number of volunteers interested in the efficient
equipment of riflemen. A complete set of equip-
ments, similar to those now undergoing a trial at
Hythe for Major-Gen. Hay's report, by direction
of the Commander-in-Chief, was exhibited to the
meeting, and their uses explained by the lecturer.
Lord Northwick occupied the chair. The lecturer
commenced by referring to an article written by
Mr. W. Russell in the Army and Navy Gazette, in
which he highly approved the equipments he (Capt
Carter had introduced into the arrangement of the
accoutrements. The great disadvantages attending
the present system were the inequality of the sus-
pension of the knapsack-pouch, haversack, &c., and
the crossing of the belt over the men's chests, by
which many of them had had the seeds of consump-
tion sown in them and been carried to an early
grave. By his arrangement the pouch would be
fixed behind in an easily accessible position, with-
out raising the flap, and though only of the same
size as those now in use would carry 70 rounds of
ammunition instead of 60. The arrangement for
this is very ingenious, the straps being fastened to
the belt in such a manner that they come from the
middle of the back over the shoulders, and down by
the sides of the arms, and fasten to the belt at the
sides, so that the chest is left entirely free, and the
coat can be unbuttoned without removing the pouch.
The knapsack was not lighter than that at present
in use, but was so constructed that it fitted closely
to the back, and when once fixed would not shift
during a whole day's march. This was accomplished
by two moveable arms at the bottom, which opened
and clasped the wearer round the waist, while straps
from.the top came over the shoulder' and slipped
over those arms, still leaving the chest free. To one
of these arms the water barrel was suspended, and

to the other the havresack, so that the men could
carry more weight with greater comfort than with
the ordinary accoutremerr s, and yet have their arms,
hands, and chests perfectly free. With all these
things on, the belt might be undone and left loose,
and yet not a single article would shift, besides
which the knapsack could be put on without assist-
ance. By a little contrivance from the guard to
the trigger the rifle could be supported by the belt
at the slope " arms," and with a very little practice
could be carried with perfect ease, and never be
touched by the hand. Several other necessaries to
a soldier's kit were then produced, and the improve-
ments in their arrangement showed that much tact
and ingenuity had been devoted to them. A vote
of thanks to the lecturer and the chairman closed
the proceedings.
On Friday evening about 500 of the 3d London
Rifle Volunteers, originally called the Working
Men's Corps, took the customary oath of allegiance
before the Lord Mayor, in Guildhall, which was
lighted up for the occasion. The corps, consisting
of about 1,200 of all ranks, divided into 12 com-
panies, is chiefly composed of artisans resident
within the city, and Sir Win. de Bathe, an old
Peninsular officer, was recently appointed their
lieutenant-colonel by the Court of Lieutenancy of the
City of London. They wear a smart crimson tunic
and cap, faced with white, which give them the ap-
pearance rather of a regiment of infantry than a
corps of Volunteers. Some of them wear the Crimean
medal. The regiment on Friday evening was under
the command of Sir William de Bathe, and all the
subaltern officers were present. The men were
sworn in batches, and at the conclusion of the cere-
mony, which lasted nearly an hour, the Lord
Mayor advanced to the front of the platform,
and, addressing the corps with a spirit and
energy worthy of .a great general on the eve of
battle, congratulated them on being now admitted
into the honourable position they had so long desired
to occupy—that of serving their country at their
own cost. He added that every corps of Volunteers
saved the nation the expense of a regiment, to say
nothing of the efficiency of a regiment animated by
the spirit of Volunteers, and he adverted to the
security which every English family now felt, based
on the consciousness that, should the country ever
be threatened with war, some 200,000 Volunteers
would rise as one man to repel any aggression and
to vindicate its honour. The corps raised a respon-
sive cheer at the conclusion of the Mayor's address,
and Sir W. de Bathe, in their name, thanked the
chief magistrate for the honour he had done them
in taking part in the ceremony.
The members of the St. George's Rifle Volunteers
assembled in Hyde Park at half-post 7 o'clock last
Thursday morning for battalion and light in-
fantry drill, in preparation for the field-day
at Brighton, There was a large muster, and the
various movements that they were put through
were executed in a very steady manner. The sanc-
tion of the lord-lieutenant has been received to in-
crease the corps to six companies, which entitles its
commander to the title of Lieutenant-Colonel. The
annual dinner of the corps on St. George's day will
be made the occasion for the presentation to Col.
Lindsay of a valuable sword by the members of the
corps, and the presentation also of an address to that
gallant officer.
The Metropolitan Rifle Volunteers mustered at
their drill ground in the Euston-road on Saturday
evening for a night march. Counting all ranks,
there were nearly 200 present.
The Volunteer Guards (32d Middlesex) have com-
menced ball practice at Wormwood Scrubbs, and,
notwithstanding the disadvantage of gusty weather,
their score has ranged high. The majority of the
members are accustomed to the use of arms for
sporting purposes, and handle their rifles with the
aptitude of crack shots. This corps will take part
in the proposed sham fight near Brighton.
On Saturday afternoon, notwithstanding the in-
clemency of the weather, according to order, a num-
ber of the men of the Ist Surrey Rifles, amounting
to 60 or 70 men, assembled for parade in full dress,
under the command of Lieut.-Col. Macdonald, Adjt.
J. W. Freeman, &c., at 3 p.m., in the Oval, Ken-
nington, for marching out, and light infantry drill.
This corps now numbers upwards of 700 members,
and has a particularly military appearance. The
corps will march out next Saturday, weather per-
mitting.
Tho formation of a county association for Kent,
in connection with the Volunteer movement, has
already received considerable support from the resi-
dent gentry, Viscount Sydney (the Lord-Lieute-
nant) having forwarded a donation of £5O in aid of
the fund; and the following names received as
annual subscribers ,of £5 each, among others of
smaller amounts, viz., the Marquis of Camden,
K.G., the Earl of Darnley, the Earl of Romney,
the Earl Amherst, Viscount Torrington, Viscount
Hardinge (Lieut.-Colonel 2d battalion of Kent
Volunteer Rifles), Viscount Holmesdale, M.P., Lord
Harris, Lord Sondes, the Hon. Sir John D. Bligh,
K.C.8., Sir Norton J. Knatchbull, Sir E. Dering,
Sir T. M. Wilson, Sir E. Filmer, M.P., Sir Brook
W. Bridges, M. P., Sir P. H. Dyke, Mr. W. Deedes,
M.P., Mr. Gathorne Hardy, M.P., Mr. W. Anger-
stein, M.P., Lieut.-Col. Cator, Mr. C. W. Martin,
Mr. F. Whatman, Lieut.-Col. Scott, Lieut.-Colonel
Gladdish, Col. Fletcher, Mr. F. Dashwood, dr. J.
Whitehead, Mr. E. L. Betts, Major J. Bell, Mr. G.
W. Norman, the Rev. G. B. Moore, Mr. E. Loyd,
Capt. W. West, Capt. L. S. Magnus, Mr. J. F.
Magnus, Mr. Weston Woud, Mr. A. Randall, Mr.
C. Mercer, &c. A large number of life subscrip-
tions have also been promised, and the stability of
the association is now guaranteed. The Marquis of
Camden has been elected President for the ensuing
year.

Arrangements are now being made for a review
of the Volunteers of the Midland Counties at War-
wick, on the site of the Royal Agricultural Society's
Exhibition in 1859, and the following counties
will most probably be represented on the occasion
—viz,, those of Warwick, Worcester, Oxford, North-
ampton, Leicester, Derby, and Notts. The authorities
at the War-office have approved the review, which
has accordingly been fixed for the 22d of July, and
it is intended to invite the Commander-in-Chief to
review the volunteers on that occasion.

An engineer corps, composed of about 200 per-
sons engaged in the locomotive department of the
Bristol and Exeter Railway Company, has been
formed at Bristol. The company has liberally
given a piece of ground between five and six acres
in extent for drill and exercise in throwing, up
earthworks, &c., and also intend building a drill
room.

Lieut. Trafford, acting adjutant of the Norfolk
Artillery Volunteers, has obtained the permission
of his Royal Highness the General Commanding-
in-Chief to attach himself to the Royal Artillery at
Woolwich for three months for the purpose of in-
strnction. The Ist Norfolk Mounted Volunteer
Corps has been attached to the Norwich battalion
for administrative purposes. Capt. Hay Gurney,
late at the head of the 3d company of the Norwich
battalion, has accepted the command of the mounted
corps, and has been succeeded in his former appoint-
ment by Lieut. Croker.
It appears that there will be no lack of prizes for
competition among the Suffolk volunteers during
the ensuing season. In addition to a challenge cup
of the value of £,6,the members of the Ist Sussex
Corps are already offered 11 prizes, of the collec-
tive value of nearly £4O. There are to be three
periods of shooting, and three classes, arranged as
follows :-3d class, who shoot at four ranges of
150, 200, 250, and 300 yards from the shoulder; 2d
class, who shoot at four ranges of 400, 500, 550,
and 600 yards from the knee ; and Ist class, who
shoot at four ranges of 650, 700, 800, and 900 yards,
also from the knee. Five shots will be allowed at
each range, or 20 in each class. In the first period
all will commence firing in the third class, and such.
as obtain 15 points will fire their second period, in
the second class ; and those who obtain 3;!- points
in the second class will fire their last period in the
first class, all obtaining seven r, Ants and upwatds
in that class being accounted " marksmen." The
first meeting of the Suffolk County Rifle
Association wilt be held at Ipswich. The prizes
offered will be shot for on the race-course, and
the longest range will be 1,000 yards.
On Saturday the challenge cup given by the sth
Division 2d Battalion Lancashire Royal Volunteers
Was again 012.9 t for at Altear (late Hightown) by

LONDON : Printed and Published by WI WO YOUNG, at
No. 112, Strand, Printer, at TIIE bUN Office, No. 112,Strand,
in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the County of Aticicileoett,
Monday, Match 18, 1861.