New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-03
ENGLISH. MARKSMEN.

WIMBLEDON. July 14.-In q picturesque part
OF sarrey one Of the most lovely OF all Ensn'n ''
and surrounded by exquisite scenery wini' You
OF the huge metropolis, 10 be seen ulny ''',us
funeral pail of thick black smoke lies inc Sna 'e
of Wimbledon which. year by year, In inc 'nonsn ~,
July, draws together. under the auspices VI w ,,,
Rifle Association OF England, resident poPua'ion
larger than that of many an English town. Inc wohuer
full community which springs into life here organizes
and itself and then disappears as II IL ad never
BEEN has Just brought its annual meeting W oo'o'
About ten years ago, when the volunteer ino'eoh' "
England was In its infancy II became question Win
the originators OF that movement now inc horoS'' vi
the force could be best secured, ana In wna' way per
manence might be given to its Institutions and t was
tbouobt that N n friendly rivalry could be brought
about suob "a exists among the sked msrksmen OF the
different cantons OF Switzerland much might be done
toward solving this problem. meeting'of nobicmeh
and others interested In the movement took place. ana
they there and then formed themselves Into an assoca
ton called the National Rifle Association or England
founded, as its constitution sets forth, Ito give
to volunteer corps, and to encourage rhe
shooting throughout the Queens dominions."
The first gathering took place In July, 1860, upon the
Common OF Wimbledon on which occasion the Queen
herself in firing the opening shot, inaugurated series
OF meetings which are viewed with the strongest
possible interest by all classes of Englishmen ana which
have at last become so immensely popular with the vol
unteer force generally as to require the most caci
calculation and management TO provide for the large
masses of people who are annually drawn together by
these contests The OF these meetings gen.
eray and the government of camp ITSELF and vested
In Council elected the members Of the Association
themselves Upon this Council, OF which Earl spencer
"a volunteer of course) is President, the routine
administration OF every matter connected with the inner
life OF the camp; the arrangement OF the details IN &c
cordance with tho varying items OF each days pro-
gramme 4; the determining of disputes which are con-
stantly arising between the several competitors upon
points connected with the shooting and requiring great
nicely and discretion in their adjustment and the gen.
era receipt and disbursement Of the funds OF the Ass0
citation. The War Office in way interferes with the
general arrangements OF the Council except 10 appoint
its own officers, to whom Is intrusted the duty
of reporting to the Government at tho end OF
each meeting any matters that may seem 10
come within its immediate eogDizance. officers
OF the regular army occupy the positions
of Camp Commandment, Camp Adiutant, and Command
ing Royal Engineer but in every other respect the Ex
ecuyes are selected officers of the volunteer forces
who carry the orders OF the Council, given through
the Camp Commsndant These matters may, to the
unintiaed of very little Importance but In reality
they are Of the greatest possible consequence Only
those who have governed bodies OF undiscipned voun-
teers In the field know how to appreciate the immense
difficulties which beset commanding officer when for
such troops. The volunteers who come into camp at
Wimbledon are drawn from every class and rank Of
socetyfrom the very highest and from the very lowest
As an instance Of the former might be mentioned the
regiment Of Civil Service Volunteers recruited from the
gentlemen from the civil service only and perhaps the
oxford University Volunteers and instances OF the
latter might be mentioned the Tower Hamlets Artillery,
recruited the worst districts OF the vile regions
about the docks. The gentlemen very tenacious OF
their dignity and somewhat inclined to call In question
the acts Of their officers the workngmen are not less So
but are disposed TO riot for the sake OF the
holiday
Five thousand regulars and volunteers were brought
together camp first time in their lives Sat
urday the 9Th OF July and the Monday following the
camp was In working order. and the most rigid military
discipline prevailed On the Cad inst, the camp
will cease to DO. within that period every
thing ia carried under most strict military discipline
No smusements whatever permitted in camp after
O'Clock In the evening, and all dances, plcnics, and
fireworks are absolutely prohibited Lights out" sounds
at D45, and at 10 every one in camp Is expected
to I'm his tent and quiet At daybreak the gun nres
and at o'clock the bugle sounds the reveie. At $50
parade Is called and at 8i5 the different squads are
marched of to the firing point Firing commences each
day punctually at o. At ~ dinner commences at nr
ng commences again and continues until O. "Tattoo"
beats last post at $780, The camp In itself seems per-
feet On entering the left about threequarters OF
mile from the volunteer camp is the camp OF the guards
who told off for duty markers at the butts and fo
other purposes connected with the shooting Starting
from that point the firing points OF the 1000 yards range
two in number are reached Then a little further on
there are at equal distances from each other five ranges
at COO yards; then another 1000 yards range
again. two more ranges at COO yards, two at
1000 one at 800 yards, and three more at
500, 600, and 800 yards respectively. and Two al
200 yards and for praccing shooting at the
running deer" at 100 yards From the Guards tents to
those Of the volunteers ramway Is laid down. the cars
upon which are horsed and generally attended to by the
Military Train. At the end Of the tramway are the mill
tary officers camp; the large county tent for members of
provincial associations meet In large beshaped tent
for lady visitors the telegraph Offices the postoces the
Council tent where the Council sit en- perdnence during
the meeting the refreshment boothan immense estab
lishment for SO small space and admirably managed
the exhibition tent for the prizes little furher on Is
the clock tower exceedingly pretty structure the gift
of Mr.. Benson the great matchmaker OF Cheapside.
Then few yards OBJ the residence of Earl Spencer
the President OF the association alongside of 1t arc the
tents OF the Staff the Royal Engineer store she'd and
not far off, the excellent lavatories.
Turning away the right the snow white tents OF the
volunteers are found, ranged in camps" according TO
re mens Here is Lovelane leading to the camp OF the
Artillery Company OF London the first volunteer corps OF
the United Kingdom, which takes precedence even OF
the militia This company is relic OF the old train
hands which marched TO raise the siege Of Gloucester
and ia the only one which carried the Queens colors
The camp OF this company may be known by the big
bearskn caps poised sticks in front OF the tents IL
has not seen any fighting but In equipments, IN drill
and in sodiery appearance 1t is the finest looking body
OF volunteers In the world. The Company con-
ssts of field battery OF artillery, troop OF cavalry
and a regiment OF infantry. The artillery ana cav
airy are admirably horsed and equipped In every
respect. Their uniform Is blue ana SILVER iaoeS
silver lnces. Inc DdnO
of the regiment consists Of pieces aud is conducted by
an eminent band-master. Every member OF the regi-
ment finds his own uniform and accouterments, whien
are of the most costly description The bearskn cap
alone costs $40 In gold and the "busby" Of the cavalry
costs more The ornaments on the accoutermeh's