The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1882-07-29
TFrom our Regular Correspondent.l

TFrom our REGULAR Correspondent
LONDON, England, July 1852.
Preparations were going on'yesteT-
day at the various military and mann
featuring establishments. An army
corps of over 600 men is, according
to present arrangements, to be de
spatehed to Egypt. The exact number
of troops to be drawn from the Nedi
terranean and other foreign stations
has not yet TRANSFERRED; but it has be-
come known that the quota to be sent
from England will consist of $4,000
men, composed as follows: Six regi-
ments of cavalry, twenty-one battalions
of infantry, fifteen batteries of artillery,
four field companies of royal engineers,
eight companies of the commissaridt,
and transport corps, one company Of
the ordnance store corps, with a medi-
cal staff, and four bearer companies in
charge of twelve field hospitals. There
will also be a reserve ammunition col
umn, together with the necessary mum
Der of chaplains, army veterinary sur
geons, military police, and post office
employees, The preparations Of the
medical department are already COM
pleted. The pharmacy and surgery
wagons have been fitted up with the
necessary Instruments, drugs and medi-
cal comforts. The tents, wood floor
ings, and camp equipment are also
ready for the field hospitals, both at
the base of operations, along the line
of communication, and at the front !;
whilst the bearer companies, whose du-
ty it is to convey the wounded from
battle under fire, are being rapidly OF
gsnized, the filters which viii be car
ried by mules, being prepared in large
quantities. The commissariat corps
were also yesterday actively employed
in preparing appliances for field ba-
keries and butcberies The equipments
for the four field companies of royal
engineers, including stores for con
structing bridges by the Pontoon troop,
and the travelling offices of the tele-
graph troop are being fitted up with
the latest improvements, whilst orders
for the supply of a large quantity Of
telegraph poles and field wire have
been given. Two seven FOUNDER bat
teries, one of 300 pound guns and one
Of 400 pound guns, complete, with
ammunition, are nearly ready at the
hroyal arsenal, Woolwich, for the mule
transport service, whilst the large num-
Der of Gatling guns on travelling Car
riages, and light field pieces, carried by
all the vessels of the naval squadron,
which will be manned by the naval
brigade, are being got ready as being
suitable for service in Egypt. Orders
have been issued for providing a large
number of military squadron carts for
both infantry and cavalry. These will
be worked by a special light transport
column, and will be of Il character suit
able for service in sandy country,
| The substantial general service wagons
have been pronounced to be too heavy,
and all the light tip, forage, and other
military carts available are being
brought out, and will be used in the
forthcoming campaign tor mule
draught. With the object of carrying
this out, 1000 sets of the smallest
horse harness in store at WoolwicL
| Backyard are being altered TO fit mules,
of which animals her majesty's govern
ment has a very large stock, both at
the Mediterranean stations and in the
Indian Empire. A large number OF
specially-construeted pack-saddles, on
either side of which baggage can be
sluag, and the seveu-pounder guns,
carriages and ammunition mounted,
are being pushed rapidly forward. The
mule armament is constructed with
such nicely that no animal will have to
carry more than 200 pounds, the 400
pound gun being made in two parts
for this purpose, and screwed together
when wanted for use. The light siege
train atfWoolwich arsenal is now ready
for service. The Lords Commission
ers of the Admiralty are in eommuni-
cation with ship owners, with the OBJ
jeetrof chartering ships for the convey
ance of war stores in connection with
the proposed Egyptian expedition.