The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-14 00:00:00

THE SUN,

THE ARMY AND NAVY.

(From the United Service Gazette.)
HORSE GUARDS LEVEE.—Lord Fitzroy Somerset,
the Military Secretary, will hold a levee on Tuesday
next, on which occasion a full attendance of General
Officers wanting regiments is expected.
THE VACANT REGIMENTAL COLONELCIES.—RU-
mour has been rife for some time at the Horse Guards
respecting the non-appointment of a successor to the
80th Regiment. On dit the Duke has certainly for-
gotten the subject of the vacancy, and not one of the
officials dare mention it to him, particularly as the num-
ber of the corps corresponds with his own age. His Grace
could not be treated with more delicacy on the subject of
his age were he an old lady, instead of a vigorous
elderly gentleman. Neither the Military Secretary
nor Mr. Ferguson can even hint to his Grace the
annoyances to which they are subject by the repeated
visits of expectant General Officers, who, with long
and doleful countenances, betray the greatest anxiety
as to their chances of obtaining a Colonelcy. We do
hope that the circumstances of the 68th Light In-
fantry having just become vacant will give a re-
fresher to the Commander-in-Chief's memory, and
ease the minds of sundry old veterans, and send them
home to their firesides and the Yule log.
STAFF OF IRELAND —We are informed, on very
good authority, that Major-General John M'Donald,
C. 8., will shortly be withdrawn from Kilkenny,
which will cease to be a military district. In conse-
quence of the above change, Lieutenant A. M'lan
M'Donald, 92d Highlanders, Aide-de-Camp, will
rejoin that corps, and Colonel Sir Charles R. O'Don-
nell will resume the command of the troops at
Waterford. Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. S. Clarke, late
of the Scots Greys, will probably remain in command
of the troops stationed at Kilkenny.

ORDNANCE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.—We under-
stand that Sir John 'Webb, K.C.11., the Director
General, retires from the service, after a period of
56 years on full pay, having held his present em-
ployment upwards of 36 years. This appointment
is not to be filled up, by which a saving will ulti-
mately accrue to the public of 1,0951. per annum, in-
inclusive of allowances. Sir John Webb
served on the Continent in 1794 with the
Duke of York, and was in the action of Lannoi.
In 1796 he served at the siege cf Morne Fortune and
capture of St. Lucia ; also at the expulsion of the
C,ribs from St. Vincent. He was at the capture of
Trinidad and the descent on Port() Rico in 1797; at
the reduction of the Helder, and the capture of the
Texel fleet in 1799; on the coast c f Spain in 1800;
the Egyptian campaign of 1801 (including the action
at the landing and those of the 13z1and 21st of
M.irch); thr:, taking of Grand Cairo, and all the sub
sequent operations; siege of Copenhagen and capture
of the Danish fleet in 1807, and expedition to the
Scheldt in 1809.
ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.—It is rumoured
that a change is about to-take place in the manage-
ment of this branch of the service, and that the
Ordnance Medical Staff will be incorporated with
that of the line. The present Director-General, Sir
James McGrigor, M.D., has been fifty-six years in
the service, forty of which he has been a member of
the Medical Board in Lyndon. He has 2,0001. per
annum and other allowances.

ARMY SAVINGS' BANKS.—The Secretary-at-War
has notified to regiments having savings'-banks, that
Government is responsible to the several depositors
for their respective amounts.
MILITARY PRESENTATIONS AT COURT.—It iS
rumoured that a change is contemplated in the com-
mand of a cavalry regiment of the Household
Brigade, by the retirement of an officer. We hear
it is owing to a presentation at Court last season,
and which was much commented on at the time.

ARMY Am st UNITION.—The Deputy- Adj utant-
General in Dublin issued a circular on the 9th inst.
to the effect that the men belonging to infantry regi-
ments serving in Ireland should be permitted to carry
only thirty rounds each of service ammunition in
their pouches ; the remaining thirty rounds to be
lodged in store in charge of the sanctioned quarter-
masters, ready for immediate issue whenever circum-
stances rendered it necessary.
We are enabled to contradict the statement which
has been going the round of the press respecting the
dilapidated state of the church at Norton, whore the
Marines attend Divine service, and to state that the
men have not been so conveniently accommodated for
many years.
REDUCTION OF THE BOARD OF ADMIRALTY.—
We are enabled to state on the best authority, that
there is not the slightest foundation for the reports
which have been circulated to the effect that the num-
ber of the Lords of the Admiralty is to be reduced.
Lord John hay's vacancy will be filled up after he
has formally accepted the Chiitern Hundreds, on the
opening of Parliament.
SIR F. COLLIER'S SUCCESSOIL—Up to the time of
our going 'to press no officer had been appointed to
the command of the East India station, vacant by the
death of Sir Francis Collier.

COMMODORE PLUMRIDGE.—We are sorry to hear
that Commodore Plutnridge, ,now Commander-in-
Chief in the East Indies, wail the appointment of a
successor to the late Sir F. Collier, is also in very ill
health, and it is reported at the clubs that he is about
to return to England immediately. The last mail
left him at Madras.

THE NEW NORTH-WEST EXPEDITION.—Among
the numerous gallant and experienced men who have
offered their services to the Admiralty to proceed
North. west in search of Sir John Franklin, is the
devoted master of the whaler Advice, Captain Penny,
DEPARTMENT OF THE SURVEYOR OF THE NAVY.—
It is reported that the department of the Surveyor of
the Navy is to be removed from Somerset louse to
the Admiralty, Whitehall. It would save an im-
mense deal of time and expense if the whole of the
departments of the Admiralty were located in one
range of build ing.

THE MEDITERRANEAN.—It is reported, on good
authority, that it is not the intention of the Govern-
ment to relieve Sir William Parker. Even should he
attain, by succession, the rank of Full Admiral, he
will hoist his flag at the main and retain the Com-
mand in-Chief of the Mediterranean.
ADMIRALTY CIVIL ENGINEER.—The candidates
for the office of Admiralty Civil Engineer are daily
Culonel Reel, R.E., and Major Veitch,
It E., it is saH, are among the number. It is con-
fidently reported, however, that no military man will
have the appointment.
SECRETARY TO THE NEW ADMIRAL SUPERIN-
TENDENT OP DEVONPORT DOCKYARD.—It is confi-
dently reported that Lord John Hay, the newly-ap-
pointed Superintendent of Devonport Dockyard, will
select a new secretary to accompany him thither. It
is understood that he will be selected from the sur-
veyor's department, Somerset House.
THE NAVAL WAR MEDALL—It is estimated that
the naval claimants for the war medals exceed 17,000.
The cost of the medal is about 10s. 6d. In consequence
of delay on the part of the Mint, the medals, which it
was expected would have been ready at this date to
distribute to claimants, who have sent in their names
subsequently to Ist June last, will not be ready until
the beginning of next month (February).