Star.
London, England, 1826-12-16 00:00:00

WOOLWICH, DECEMBER 15.

The greatest bustle and activity have pervaded every
department of the garti on here since Monday, on the
night of which, between 10 and 11 o'clock, an order
arrived fot four brigades of Al tillery to hold themselves
in readiness to emsark for Portugal on the shortest
notice. The brigades fixed upon for this service are,l
M..jor Douplas's, Nl.jor Wilgres's, Major Taylor's, and
Captain Bridges. These troops are in the highest state
discipline, and though partially composed of some
of the best anti most experienced gunners in the service,
consist chi. fly ot fine young men who have been en-
listed within the last two or three years. The non-
commissioned Officers. particularly the serjeants and
staff serjeanis, are almost all steady, healthy vete-
rans, about forty years of age, one or two of whom
have been in the service nearly a quatter of a cen-
tury, twenty years of which they have served abroad.—
To tirese men, most of whom have wives and families,
and who, what ever may be their met its, cannot look
froward to JO further promotion, this removal from
their country, to be exposed to all the dangers and fa-
tigues of war, must excite in them sensations of . great
tare and and anxitty. If they should fall in battle, their
wives and fam.lies will be left totally unprovided for—
mat a stilling being allowed to either one or the other.
Surely this is not as it ought to be. C-uld not the in-
fluence of the Duke of Wellington remedy this ? A
greater and a better soldier never graced the annals of
either ancient or modern warfare than his Grace. He,
as well as his Royal Highness the Duke of York, are
universally board upon among the ranks as the
" soldiet's biend;" and if to the other excellent regula
tions that they have introduced into the Army, they
could add some provision for the families of non-com-
missioned Officers who may fall in the field, the prayers
and blessirgs of many a widow, and of many an or-
phan, u ould follow them to their graves.
With respect to the troops ordered for embarkation
at this place, it would ill express the state of their feel.
irgs to say, that the best spirit pervaded them. They
are, in fact, in the highest state of enthusiasm, and ap•
plications are hourly made from privates of other bri-
gades to be allowed to join them who are destined for
Portugal. All the men have the utmost reliance upon,
and respect for the r Officers. The order ID r embark-
ation was not given out till Tuesday morning, yet
the four brigades were on Wednesday night per tectly
prepared for embarkation. Yesterday, his Grace the
Duke of Wellington, who is Master General of the
Ordnance, reviewed this fine body of troops on Wool-
wich Common. His Grace arrived here about half-
past eleven o'clock in the morning, and immediately
proceeded to the field on horseback. He was dressed
in plain clothes, and though he looks aged, he ap-
pealed to be in remarkably good health. His pre-
sence seemed to be highly gratifying both to the
officers and privates, and it is understood, that he ex-
pressed himself net ectly satisfied with the condition
and discipline ot the troops. His Grace was in the field
agent an hour. He left Woolwich for town in a close
carriage a little before one o'clock. The four brigades
leave the garri,on on Monday next, and some
say, that they will embank at the Arsenal, while
other- ti ink, they will proceed to Portsmouth. It
has been reported, that they will be conveyed to
Lisbon in steam -boats, but this must be a mistake,
as there are no accommodations for their horses and
cannon on board these vessels. It is probable that
the transvits enilloyed to carry them will be
towed by steam-boars. There is a report, that four more brigades
will be fitted out in the course of next week. Since writing the
above, I have been informed, that the Duke of Wellington express-
ed
to Colohel lAummond, his highest admiration and approbation
of the c,,nduct of the officers and privates, iti preparing for embark-
ation at so short a notice, and desired that these sentiments might
be communicated to them on parade. Major Douglas, who is the
senior Captain ot the brig:ides, is considered one of the most able
anal eaperieueed officers in the service. Ile was with the Duke of
Wellington in most tit the battles in the Peninsula.