Chapter I: Part 1

1ST BATT. WILTS VOLUNTEERS.

THE HISTORY

OF THE

1ST BATT. WILTS VOLUNTEERS,

FROM

1861 TO 1885.

BY

ROBERT DWARRIS GIBNEY, MAJOR, INDIAN ARMY (_Retired_), _Late Adjutant 1st Battalion Wiltshire Volunteers_.

LONDON: W.H. ALLEN & CO., 13 WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL, S.W. 1888.

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

WITH THE CONSENT OF HIS LORDSHIP,

AND

WITH THE HEARTY CONCURRENCE OF THE MAJORITY OF OFFICERS AND MEN, PAST AND PRESENT, COMPOSING THE 1ST WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS,

I HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN

Dedicating this Work

TO

THE EARL PEMBROKE AND MONTGOMERY,

COMMANDING THE BATTALION.

ROBERT DWARRIS GIBNEY, MAJOR, INDIAN ARMY (_Retired_), _Late Adjutant 1st Battalion Wiltshire Volunteers_.

PREFACE.

It may be asked, What can be the history of a battalion of infantry not thirty years old, which has never seen a shot fired in earnest or done garrison duty? None, would be the reply, were the said battalion raised, officered, instructed, and regulated for, as are all its predecessors; but when this battalion is one of many created suddenly, without any well-arranged system for its continuance, and left at a time of great emergency to make its own arrangements, and sink or swim as it might, it must have a history, and the history of it is the history of every corps or company of which it is composed.

Rifle corps were raised anywhere, everywhere, anyhow, and nohow. War was imminent; the country was unprepared, terribly vulnerable, and the army and navy far too weak to afford protection. Influential gentlemen proposed rifle clubs, others were for arming keepers, and not a few anxiously inquired into the system pursued by the Victoria and Devonshire Rifles. To arm the people was a leap in the dark, and yet it had to be faced; and by May, 1859, the Government saw the "propriety of permitting the formation of rifle volunteer corps," and issued a circular accordingly. Beyond this sanction no assistance was offered, and according to the patronage of people of influence, or the length of their subscription list, so did these rifle volunteer corps get into existence and continue to live. Arms, accoutrements, ammunition, uniform, drill sheds, practice grounds, armouries, magazines, &c., &c., everything had to be found by the corps, and to country corps, those afterwards forming part of an administrative battalion, the expense was ruinous; far more expensive than to companies raised in large town or cities. There they could hire sheds, &c., and men attending drills could do so without losing a day's work and perhaps having to hire a trap. At the end of some months arms were furnished by the Government, and as no harm had yet been done by this show of confidence, at the end of the year the little independent corps were further favoured by being made part of volunteer battalions, an attendance at the headquarters of these battalions for so many drills in the year being directed, and a travelling allowance, most mean and unjustly arranged, being offered to cover expenses. The battalion had for its officers a lieut.-colonel, a major, an adjutant, a surgeon, and perhaps half-a-dozen retired sergeants as drill instructors, the adjutant and drill instructors alone receiving pay.

It was a time of great difficulty and doubt, but of course chiefly so at the commencement of the movement. Indeed, had it not been for the patience and perseverance of men and officers of the force, and the grand generosity and confidence in them shown by noblemen, gentlemen, tradesmen, and especially by ladies, the whole would have fallen through. The Government Order, as given below, will show the amount of assistance received therefrom.

"War Office, Pall Mall, "_May, 1859_.

"Her Majesty's Government having had under consideration the
propriety of permitting the formation of volunteer rifle corps, under
the provisions of the Act of 44 Geo. III. Cap. 54, as well as of
artillery corps and companies in maritime towns in which there may be
forts and batteries, I have the honour to inform ---- that I shall be
prepared to receive through you, and consider any proposal with that
object which may emanate from the county under your charge.

"The principal and most important provisions of the Act are--

"That the corps be formed under officers bearing the commission of
the lieutenant of the county.

"That its members must take the oath of allegiance before a deputy
lieutenant, or justice of the peace, or a commissioned officer of the
corps.

"That it be liable to be called out in case of actual invasion, or
appearance of an enemy in force on the coast, or in case of rebellion
arising out of either of those emergencies.

"That while thus under arms, its members are subject to military law,
and entitled to be billeted, and to receive pay in like manner as the
regular army.

"That all commissioned officers disabled in actual service are
entitled to half-pay, and non-commissioned officers and privates to
the benefits of Chelsea Hospital, and widows of commissioned officers
killed in service to such pensions for life as are given to widows of
officers of Her Majesty's Regular Forces.

"That members cannot quit the corps when on actual service, but may
do so at any other time by giving fourteen days' notice.

"That members who have attended eight days in each four months, or
a total of twenty-four days' drill and exercise in the year, are
entitled to be returned as effectives.

"That members so returned are exempt from Militia ballot, or from
being called upon to serve in any other levy.

"That all property of the corps is legally invested in the commanding
officer, and subscriptions and fines under the rules and regulations
are recoverable by him before a magistrate.

"The conditions on which Her Majesty's Government will recommend to
Her Majesty the acceptance of any proposal are:--

"That the formation of the corps be recommended by the lord
lieutenant of the county.

"That the corps be subject to the provisions of the Act already
quoted.

"That its members undertake to provide their own arms and equipments,
and to defray all expenses attending the corps, except in the event
of its being assembled for actual service.

"That the rules and regulations which may be thought necessary, be
submitted to me in accordance with the 56th section of the Act.

"The uniform and equipments of the corps may be settled by the
members, subject to your approval; but the arms, though provided
at the expense of the members, must be furnished under the
superintendence, and according to the regulations of this department,
in order to secure a perfect uniformity of gauge.

"The establishment of officers and non-commissioned officers will
be fixed by me, and recorded in the books of this office; and in
order that I may be enabled to determine the proportion, you will be
pleased to specify the precise number of private men which you will
recommend, and into how many companies you propose to divide them.

"I have only to add that I shall look to you, as Her Majesty's
Lieutenant, for the nomination of proper persons to be appointed
officers, subject to the Queen's approval.

"I have the honour to be, &c., Your most obedient Servant, J. Peel.

"_To Her Majesty's Lieutenant for the County of ----._"

Much less could not have been offered, or regulations made by which an useful force to be relied on in the event of invasion might turn out to be worthless. Members were to find their own arms, only the gauge to be equal, smooth bores or rifles; equipments, uniform, and quantity of drill to be at discretion of members, and all rules and regulations to be left to the decision of each lord lieutenant of a county, thereby certainly ensuring a variety of systems. Out of such confusion it is wonderful that the present disciplined and reliable force has come; and it speaks well for a nation, with such encouragement as is showed by this letter to the lord lieutenants of counties, that the volunteers held their own so long, and did not throw up in disgust.

The battalion of volunteers to which I was attached as adjutant on its first formation in 1861, and whose history I have been invited to write by the officer now in command, Lieut.-Colonel the Earl Pembroke and Montgomery, and the officers serving and served, laboured under many disadvantages. The corps composing it were much scattered, and communication with outposts or headquarters difficult. A wild county, with villages and towns few and far between, making attendances at squad drills, and much more battalion assemblies, not only very laborious to the majority of corps, but a great source of expense to officers and men.

Probably some eight or ten thousand of all ranks have passed through the hands of the author during the twenty years he served as adjutant, and chief drill and musketry instructor; and he here willingly bears testimony to the ever-ready obedience given by all to his directions, and the exhibition of a general desire to lessen troubles and difficulties. These were a little heavy in the beginning, and it was some time before all could be got to see that the wish of individuals must yield to the general welfare, and that such things as breaking up of companies or corps must be done if instruction in battalion drill was to be effectually imparted.

Robert Dwarris Gibney, _Major (Retired) Indian Army, Late 1st Wilts Volunteer Battalion_.

HISTORY

OF THE

1ST BATTALION WILTS VOLUNTEERS.

THE BATTALION.

According to the information received from officers connected with the corps or companies of which the battalion is or was composed, and also according to records kept of matters bearing on the earlier formation of these separate corps, is the account given. These corps may be said to have possessed an independent history for somewhat over one year; after that the battalion was called into existence, and with that individuality was lost. They were still termed corps as composing a part of an administrative battalion, and were numbered in the battalion as in the _Army List_, according to the date of their services being accepted by the War Office; but they could no longer attend reviews, or even mere local gatherings for mutual instruction in drill, unless with the authority of the officer commanding the whole, and were to submit to be instructed by the adjutant. Of course on the first amalgamation of corps into a battalion, and in the lessening of authority over them, hitherto entirely in the hands of captains, many difficulties presented themselves; and it required tact and temper in all concerned to carry out necessary discipline. A battalion drill, for instance, was often the cause of no little heartburning. One corps, after much expense and trouble, would bring to the place of muster probably two-thirds of its strength; but this very strength required its being partially broken up for the purpose of equalizing companies, and perhaps many of the best drilled men being amalgamated with very ignorant volunteers detached from another corps. This did not help to render the captain of the corps, or the men transferred, in a state of satisfaction with the day's work. Some corps too were more clannish than others, clinging very vigorously together; and being of superior clay disliked such moulding. The men required were, of course, given over to the adjutant and sergeant-major, but they were a selected lot, chosen for their incompetence and quality, and came as ordered, but in the sulks.

Before the corps were formed into a battalion and designated the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers, all of them, more or less frequently, had attended at various large reviews of the Volunteer Force. The Royal Review held in Hyde Park in 1860 was alone attended by the 2nd or Trowbridge Corps of this battalion, and for smartness of the men in marching, and altogether for its really soldier-like appearance, received the commendations of both military and civilians. On passing Her Majesty a prolonged shout of "Well done, Wiltshire; well done, Trowbridge!" from the crowd, proved that this determination to be present and show their loyalty was not lost on the multitude. Indeed they were worthy, for it had necessitated their leaving Trowbridge soon after midnight by horse breaks, so as to arrive in time to catch the train leaving Chippenham station at daybreak with passengers for London. Arriving in London they were at once marched to their position in the Park, and after passing, returned to Paddington to be off again by the rail, but this time homewards, not arriving there until about midnight. Again, at a review held in Clarendon Park, near Salisbury, with Major-General Lord William Paulet, C.B., in command, the various corps put in good musters; but the making up of the battalions consisted of rather a scratch lot collected from the various corps present; these being North and South Wilts, Hants, Dorset, Somerset, Oxford, Cambridge, and Middlesex. The whole were formed into two battalions and worked as a single brigade; but as these battalions were commanded by such men as Hume and Mansel, and the staff were not selected for their shouting or galloping powers, but knew their duties, the whole was a complete success; and doubtless much more of the duties of a regiment, either acting alone or as portion of a brigade, was learnt by the volunteers on this occasion than is usually done. The 1st Wilts, Salisbury, attended as two companies of thirty file each. The 2nd Corps, Trowbridge, the 6th Maiden Bradley, the 8th Mere, the 9th Bradford-on-Avon, the 10th Warminster, and 14th Wilton were the corps attending from South Wilts, and this they all did in full numbers. Small reviews of this sort, where not only those commanding the whole were regulars, but where regulars took command for the time being of both brigades and battalions, were far more useful, more especially at this early stage of the Volunteer Force, in teaching officers and men what was expected from them, than when the command devolved on the officers of the force--new men, mere learners, if civilians, and if from the line, as a rule but retired captains, or even subalterns, whose knowledge of manœuvring extended not beyond company drill, and yet these were made brigadiers and lieutenant-colonels to command regiments.

There was yet another review of volunteers at which every corps of this battalion was represented, and which came off before the whole were formed into a battalion. The review took place on Durdham Down, near Bristol, and at the time was considered as one of some mark in the volunteer movement. The reviewing officer was Major-General Hutchinson, and in his somewhat laconic address to the troops at the conclusion of the manœuvres, he expressed himself willing to make a favourable report, as the day had been successful. He also observed that he gave them all credit for having taken much pains to become efficient, more especially as he was aware that many had had little battalion drill, and some none at all.

The day was showery, the ground cramped, and spectators here, there and everywhere, and little, if anything, was learned or gained by the volunteers in attendance. But it could not have been otherwise with so few on the staff who knew anything about manœuvring, and some thousands of volunteers commanded by learners only. Here, as elsewhere, beyond the volunteer inspectors, two in number, the staff was composed of young gentlemen from the yeomanry, militia, or line, whose chief recommendation for the appointments of A.D.C., galloper, &c., consisted in their being able to ride fairly well and roar out orders in a loud tone of voice. The object of such orders was no affair of theirs, nor were they supposed to know the correct wording. It was a way we had in the army in those days, and did no great harm as long as playing at soldiers at Brighton, Salisbury, York, &c., was supposed to be lessons in real warfare; but the volunteers were in earnest, and putting away childish things gradually became nearer what soldiers could be; and by pressure on the authorities, and using common sense, helped very much to raise not only themselves to a higher standard of efficiency, but to make the regular army what it is now--a thoroughly useful force, second to none in Europe or elsewhere for scientific and well-taught officers, steady and smart non-commissioned officers, and men who do and know their work.

It is plain to a military man that a body of men so constituted, subsisting almost altogether on the liberality or length of purse of its officers and supporters, somewhat independent of authority, and held to duty by the provisions of the War Office letter to the Lord Lieutenants of Counties dated May, 1859, or by rules founded on the same, could have little stability; and that however much inspector-generals or assistant-inspectors might exert themselves, and endeavour to bring the force into forming an useful adjunct to the regular army, it would result in failure. It was impossible to have a single system pervading the whole, or indeed to make corps equally or even nearly equally fit to take their places in battalion or brigade drill. Enthusiasm was on the wane, and it was plain enough to any but those holding out for some Utopian idea of the advantages to be derived in having only well-to-do men for volunteers, that a diminishing subscription list and inability of officers to continue the constant drag on their purses was not only a serious factor in attendances at squad and company drills, but was undermining discipline, and eventually would bring the majority of corps into little else than shooting clubs; an organization not at all desirable or in any way meeting the demand for which the volunteers were raised. The few officers on the volunteer staff worked with a will, never sparing themselves in any way; and to these, from the inspector-general to each assistant-inspector, the volunteer force is much indebted. They did not expect or demand impossibilities, or even an approach to the mobility and discipline of the regular army. They knew the officers and men; and, making allowances for the difficulties under which they laboured, offered them support and advice, combined with instruction; but the system was beyond their capabilities, and failure must have resulted had not the authorities suddenly awoke to facts, and besides organizing corps into battalions, with the proper complement of field officers to command and an adjutant to carry out a fixed system of drill and interior economy, agreed to meet some of the expenses incidental to clothing, attendances at drill, &c., by issuing a capitation grant, payable by results.

In Colonels Hume and Bruce the volunteers of Wiltshire had officers not only of known merit, but such as spared no pains in trying to make those under them learn their duties. Inspecting was no easy-going affair in these early times. It was no pompous parade in a park or in a comfortable camp, with a good luncheon and the best of the county for guests and spectators. It was far more of a reality than at present, and both officers and men felt that in the inspector they had almost a personal friend. To the inspecting officer visiting corps was often a matter of difficulty, and necessitated exposure in all weathers and at all hours. Meeting the adjutant at some railway station, the two started off across country roads or over wild downs and moors in a dog cart, or not improbably, a hired shandederan fast falling into firewood, with horses none of the steadiest, to the rendezvous, which might be a village, a hillside, or country inn, and there, in all the glories of a cocked hat and feathers, he is both instructor and inspector; probably not returning to his own residence until very late at night, and this frequently. To work under such officers as these made difficulties light, and not a little aided adjutants to persevere in what at times would appear to be an almost hopeless task. To Colonel Gustavus Hume--now Major-General Sir Gustavus Hume, K.C.B.--and to Colonel Robert Bruce--now Lieut.-General R. Bruce, lately commanding the Northern Division--I hereby offer sincere thanks for support and timely advice; and in using these terms "support and advice" as being most kindly offered and willingly accepted, I believe I only echo the sentiments of most of the adjutants, on whom fell nearly all the brunt and difficulties in working volunteer battalions on their first formation.

The junction of a certain number of corps together and calling the whole a battalion, and giving some miserably inadequate sum towards meeting expenses, but with no alteration in regard to rules for the better observance of discipline, did not do much towards improving matters. The officers commanding these battalions were almost powerless, and their adjutants not only disgracefully underpaid, but left without any defined position or authority. In fact the amalgamation of corps into battalions did little, if anything, towards encouraging or improving squad or company drills, and added very much to the already very heavy expenses of officers and men in becoming efficient. The travelling expenses were doubled. The railway fares being the full conveyancing charges for soldiers, and as the usual daily train service on lines could be the only one obtainable for men coming to battalion drills, it often resulted in a day's work being lost. Besides this, to corps scattered all over a wild extent of country where no railroads existed, and waggons or carts had to be hired, attendance at the head quarters of the battalion for united drill was easier ordered than performed, and so gradually attendance at the same fell off, or was made up, or said to be made up, by an extra quantity of squad drills at home.

It must have been through complete ignorance of these facts, and of the true condition of volunteer corps, that the War Office, in granting a travelling allowance of four shillings per head, should have exempted all corps at the head quarters, or within five miles of the same, from any participation in the boon. The War Office could not possibly be expected to know anything about the fitness or accessibility of these head quarters as places for general assembly, of the strength of the companies there, or within the five-mile radius, and of the costs incidental to corps few in numbers, much scattered, and far distant who would have to put in an appearance thereat. Applied to South Wilts it meant that the travelling allowance drawn for about three hundred and sixty men should cover the expenses of the whole battalion, then probably nearly seven hundred strong. It also meant that all corps within the five miles should give a whole day, walk the distance out and home, and do all that was required at the parade; besides all this, it supposed that the men composing these corps, whose head quarters were within five miles of the battalion head quarters, were all close at hand, instead of being nearly if not quite as much scattered as corps further away. Altogether, it was unworkable. The corps on the spot came in full strength, and others according to distances, and funds in hand; so that keeping men of the same companies together, and thus avoiding heartburnings and a motley appearance, was impossible, and did much to make battalion drills disliked and useless for instruction.

The punctual attendance of corps was not to be thought of, so the volunteers came and went as trains fitted in; hanging about the headquarter town until the assembly sounded, or marched on to the ground some time after the parade had begun: their train being late or time inconvenient; thus necessitating retelling off and confusion. Then, just as the object of a manœuvre was being understood, and some steadiness showing itself in the ranks, the commanding officer was reminded that "It is train time," and men of the corps about to leave were recalled from the various companies into which they had been numbered off for drill purposes, and the whole parade collapsed.

It was in the year 1861 that the 1st Administrative Battalion of Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers was formed, at that time consisting of eight corps, and were thus designated in the _Army List_:--

1st Corps, Head Quarters, Salisbury. 2nd " " Trowbridge. 6th " " Maiden Bradley. 8th " " Mere. 9th " " Bradford-on-Avon. 10th " " Warminster. 13th " " Westbury. 14th " " Wilton.

Salisbury being the head quarters, and at the furthest removed point from any of the corps excepting Wilton: Lieutenant-General P. Buckley, M.P. for Salisbury, an officer of the Guards, and a subaltern at Waterloo, being appointed lieutenant-colonel; Captain J.H. Jacob, of the 1st Corps, major; and Captain R.D. Gibney, of the Indian army, as adjutant; Charles Bleeck, Esq., F.R.C.S., as surgeon; and William Fawcett Esq., quartermaster; the Marquis of Bath being honorary colonel.

1st Corps, Salisbury.

Beverley Robinson, _Captain Cmt._ E.D. Fisher, _Lieut._ Geo. Smith, _Lieut._ Wyndham Pain, _Lieut._ James Brown, _Ensign_. C. Brown, _Ensign_. John M. Cardell, _Assist. Surgeon_. Revd. Robert G. Swayne, _Chap._

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.

Thomas Clark, _Captain_. W.P. Clark, _Senior Lieut._ Graham Foley, _Ensign_. E.P. Stancomb, _Ensign_. W.J. Mann, _Ensign_. G.C. Tayler, M.B., _Assist. Surg._ Revd. J.D. Hastings, _Hon. Chap._

6th Corps, Maiden Bradley.

Lord E. Percy St. Maur, _Captain_. Henry B. Festing, _Lieut._ Thomas K. Harding, _Ensign_. W.N. Marshall, _Assist. Surgeon_. Revd. R. Rowley, _Chaplain_.

8th Corps, Mere.

W. Chargin Grove, _Captain_. E.A. Card, _Lieut._ John White, _Ensign_. , _Assist. Surgeon_. , _Hon. Chaplain_.

9th Corps, Bradford.

W. Pickwick, _Captain_. G. Forster, _Lieut._ A. Beavan, _Ensign_. William Adye, _Hon. Surgeon_. Revd. W.H. Jones, _Hon. Chap._

10th Corps, Warminster.

The Marquis of Bath, _Captain-Commandant_. William Davis, _Captain_. John Ravenhill, _Lieut._ John Scott, _Lieut._ Herbert Ingram, _Ensign_. Philip Grubb, _Ensign_. L. Flower, _Assist. Surg._ Revd. Sir J. Erasmus Philipps, _Hon. Chaplain_.

13th Corps, Westbury.

H.G.G. Ludlow, _Captain_. J.W. Gibbs, _Lieut._ H.W. Pinniger, _Ensign_.

14th Corps, Wilton.

Charles Penruddocke, _Captain_. Geo. Lapworth, _Lieut._ Alex. Powell, _Lieut._ I. Woodcock, _Ensign_. A. Graham, _Ensign_. Revd. R. Chermside, _Hon. Chap._

Soon after being made into a battalion, all the corps were present at the reviews held at Bristol and Salisbury, and did not add much to their fame in the performance. The volley firing carried on by some battalions at the conclusion of the review at Bristol was joined in by the 1st and 2nd Administrative Battalion, Wilts, and drew upon them the terrible reproof of the staff. However, as hard words break no bones, no great evil or good resulted, and the mistake was not worth the fuss made about it. Each battalion declared that they were not the one commencing the fire, but simply took it up as supposing it to be part of the orders in three cheers for the Queen, and as loyal subjects blazed away, to the horror of the cocked hats, and their own everlasting shame. The next day the local papers were filled with letters from warriors of all countries, anxious to explain that they had nothing to do with it, refused the temptation to join in the "bad example set by their neighbours," and were assured that it began with a volunteer on the extreme right wearing a green uniform and plumed chaco. It was not long after being made into a battalion on the 24th of August, 1862, that Major Jacob of Salisbury was removed by death. A slight accident in stepping ashore from his boat produced a serious illness ending fatally; to the great grief of many friends, and to the whole of the volunteers, among whom he had become very popular, as knowing his work well, and doing it. The vacancy in the battalion was filled up by the promotion of Captain T. Clark of the 2nd Trowbridge Corps, who at once attached himself to the 55th Foot, so as to acquire a thorough knowledge of his new duties. There were various occasions in which the whole corps assembled beyond these reviews; such as inspections by district inspectors, or where anything of moment was likely to draw a multitude to any place of note. Trains ran more conveniently on such occasions, and it was an opportunity to get off one of the required battalion drills. For example, there is an assembly of the battalion at the Earl of Pembroke's beautiful park at Wilton. It is a great occasion, and Lord Palmerston with no end of the quality are to be present; so the muster is good, and all are anxious that not only the Prime Minister, but all the multitude shall see, that neither time nor money has been spared in making the flamingo-coloured regiment assembling before their eyes, thoroughly efficient, and able defenders of their country.

There is the usual difficulty and delay in equalizing companies; as local corps have come in full strength, but the ones further away in lesser proportion. However, at last, the adjutant and sergeant-major between them have squared the circle, and all being ready, the same is reported to the lieutenant-colonel in command by the adjutant.

Lord Palmerston, with the Lady Herbert of Lea on his arm, followed by the future heir to Wilton House and the Earldom of Pembroke, move away to the saluting point, and the lieutenant-colonel directs the regiment to "march past in slow time."

A shuffle, a halt, and as the dressing of companies is deranged, the adjutant moves out to explain that "slow time" is not required to be performed by the volunteers, and that they only know "quick and double," passing always at the "quick."

The dressing corrected, another essay at starting is made, and the battalion is directed to pass in "the _usual way_."

This not being part of the drill instruction, was not well understood, and in a very _unusual_ manner the battalion commenced the march past, the _profanum vulgus_ offering advice and following with shouts. A few trees, and paths intervening, and concealing the wheeling points, did not add to the steadiness, but on the wheel of the leading two companies into the saluting base being completed, the climax was reached--the band ceased to play, and whilst the rear companies endeavoured to get themselves together, the cause of its sudden silence was briefly explained: "We've played our two companies past." The band was the private property of the Salisbury corps. ("N.B.--A battalion band an absolute necessity, and the musicians attached to corps to appear at battalion drills as riflemen only.") A slight sprinkling of rain coming on hastened the fulfilment of the programme of manœuvres, and whilst my Lord Palmerston, Lady Herbert of Lea, and the spectators generally ran for shelter to the house or shrubberies, the volunteers, careless of consequences, deployed into line among the oak trees.

"Is no one going to dress the points?" asked the junior major, as the adjutant waited patiently at the distant point for orders, the rain meanwhile descending in torrents.

There was no one to dress. The companies on the right had been dismissed (where to was not known), and as no order was received, each company in turn took upon itself to seek shelter, and thus commenced and ended a battalion drill of the 1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers at Wilton Park. Still it counted towards the required number. This was not learning battalion drill. There was no one in authority on the spot who could teach; moreover everything was against officers and non-commissioned officers willing and fairly able to instruct. The drill itself, subject to constant changes by circulars from the War Office, was patched, altered and amended until red books, were useless, and adjutants and sergeant instructors knew not what to teach; uniforms so varied in colours and cut, as to make a battalion, when equalized, appear ridiculous, and the whole drill hurried over and generally smashed up by corps having to leave in order to catch trains. The uniform was a matter that should have been arranged by the Lord Lieutenant, as was done after some delay, and no little correspondence between lieutenant-colonels, adjutants, captains of corps, and small authorities in which it was shown that each preferred his own colour to another's, considering such as exactly adapted for the battalion's adoption. The Marquis of Ailesbury, as Lord-Lieutenant, settled the matter by desiring the officers commanding both battalions of Wiltshire Volunteers (the 1st Administrative Battalion represented by the adjutant, and the 2nd Administrative Battalion by Lieut.-Colonel M.F. Ward) to meet him at the clothing depôt in London, and there after consultation with the officer in charge, dark green with black lace, similar to that worn by the Rifle Brigade, was decided upon. It was a wise decision, necessitating a general change, and an expense which would be shared in by all; and though extinguishing the supposed utility of the very lengthy and somewhat Noah's Ark cut of tunic, much approved of by the Salisburian, or the glittering loveliness of the grey and silver of the Wiltonian, or the light blue and white lace, with the wondrous solar topee, a rough ill-shaped pith or coarse felt helmet, of the Bradleyan, yet helped very much in one way or another to overcome the clannishness of corps, and to make the battalion look better on parade, but also to cause them to drill and work together better.

Improvements were very gradual. At their respective head quarters, and drill grounds, corps certainly improved in squad and company drills, and in single ranks with ropes learnt something of the theory of combination movements; but the whole was unsatisfactory. There was a want of unanimity, discipline, and cohesion, and it was not until some time after Lieut.-Colonel Everett, late captain in the 25th King's Own Borderers, had assumed the command, that any change for the better was generally visible. Captain J.F. Everett, having resigned his commission in the Borderers and settled down on his property at Greenhill near Warminster, had been selected by the Lord Lieutenant of the county to succeed General E.P. Buckley in the command; and to his untiring energy, perseverance, and foresight, the battalion is very much indebted. It was a great trust to impose on so young and untried an officer, this command of a battalion, composed of a class of men totally different from those he had been accustomed to, and worked on a system certainly not to be found in the Queen's Regulations; but which nevertheless was authorized, was rather looked upon as a "valued right" by some officers and men, and was composed of corps, each having its own head quarters, its own officers and non-commissioned officers, and difficulties to contend with. Doubtless the lieutenant-colonel brought with him numerous line ideas, which he afterwards found to be unworkable; and an inspection of corps at their own head quarters, with one or two general assemblies for battalion drill, revealed unsuspected facts. However, be all this as it may, the lieutenant-colonel set to work with a will, and by looking up single companies, interesting himself in prize shooting, commanding the battalion at autumn manœuvres, and establishing a regimental camp, gradually raised the whole tone of the battalion, causing both officers and men to see the necessity for greater punctuality, strict discipline, and the advantages to the service of cohesion and collective energy. To the diary kept by Lieut.-Colonel Everett of occurrences from the date of his joining to his resignation in 1885, I am indebted for much that is told about camps and incidental expenses, the remarks of inspecting officers, and other matters.

On the 20th April, 1866, John Frederic Everett, late a captain in the 25th King's Own Borderers, was gazetted as lieutenant-colonel, and on the 11th July following, the battalion was inspected by Colonel R. Bruce, lately commanding the 2nd Royals, and assistant inspector of the district at Salisbury. The drill was fairly well done, and met with the approval of the inspecting officer.

On the 25th July the battalion took part in a review held on the racecourse, Lansdown, Bath, but were under the command of the senior major, Major T. Clark, Lieut.-Colonel Everett commanding a brigade on the occasion.

The review was about as useful and successful as such gatherings usually were, or could be under the circumstances of their management. A few yeomanry collected together from the troops of adjacent counties, some local artillery, horsed from cabs and drays, and three or four brigades of infantry, under the command of volunteer officers. Bands very plentiful and manœuvring space limited. Each battalion on its arrival at Bath was marched away to the racecourse, and all felt that the beer and sandwich given by the citizens of Bath to each volunteer, was well earned as he reached the summit of the terrible Lansdown hill. It was a trial for many, unaccustomed to be dressed up in tight-fitting tunics, wabbling chacos with gaudy plumes, cross belts, and haversacks, to say nothing of a heavy rifle and some rounds of blank ammunition, toiling up that hot and dusty road in the hottest part of a day in hot July; but few fell out, and panting upwards, they could afford to smile at the greetings offered in honour of their coming, "Welcome!" "Our brave defenders!" &c. &c., were civil and perhaps flattering; but when half way up was reached, and strangers asked how much further it might be, the answer "Excelsior," inscribed on a banner crossing the highway, said the end was not yet.

The corps attending from the 1st Administrative Battalion were as follows:--

2nd Brigade.

Lieut.-Colonel J.F. EVERETT, Commanding; Captain Max, Major of Brigade.

1st A.B. Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

Major Clark (in command), Major Penruddocke, Captain and Adjutant Gibney.

_1st Corps, Salisbury._--Captains Pinckney and Smith; Lieuts. J.
Brown and Payne; Ensigns Wilson and Kelsey; Sergeants, 7; Rank and
File, 51; Band, 26. Total, 90.

_2nd Corps, Trowbridge._--Captain W.P. Clark; Lieut. Stancomb;
Assist.-Surgeon Seale; Sergeants, 5; Rank and File, 76; Band, 16.
Total, 100.

_6th Corps, Maiden Bradley._--Lieut. Festing; Ensign Harding;
Sergeants, 4; Rank and File, 40. Total, 46.

_9th Corps, Bradford-on-Avon._--Lieut. Beavan; Ensign Adye;
Sergeants, 5; Rank and File, 46. Total, 53.

_10th Corps, Warminster._--Lieuts. Scott and Ingram; Ensigns Grubb
and Smith; Rank and File, 50. Total, 54.

_13th Corps, Westbury._--Lieut. Gibbs; Ensign Pinniger; Sergeants, 4;
Rank and File, 40. Total, 46.

_14th Corps, Wilton._--Lieut. King; Ensign Powell, Sergeants, 3; Rank
and File, 32. Total, 37.

Total of all ranks, 430.

The idea was that the enemy were advancing from Bristol on Bath, and in the defence of Kelson Round Hill, the Bath battalion, supported by some artillery, covered themselves with glory; and doubtless would have been annihilated had not the whole of the force, accompanied by several thousand spectators, moved forward to their assistance. It was late in the evening before the review ended, and still later ere many a corps reached its head quarters.

The annual prize-meeting of the Wilts Rifle Association was held this year at Warminster, and proved to be a great success. The excellent range and the more central situation of the town enabled competitors from both battalions to enter the lists in goodly numbers. The custom hitherto had been that the meetings should be held alternately at Salisbury and Devizes, but it was considered advisable to alter this arrangement, and owing to the judgment and decision of the local committee, consisting of Lieutenants Scott, Ingram, Smith, Quartermaster Toone, &c., all went off admirably.

The 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Volunteer Rifles possessed very many good shooting men, but in this respect were certainly inferior to their companions in No. 2 Administrative Battalion. One thing, the 2nd Administrative Battalion were several corps and many men stronger, and on the whole possessed greater facilities for target practice. The President's prize, a prize of thirty-five guineas given by the Marquis of Bath in certain portions at various distances to the best shots, was taken chiefly by competitors belonging to the second battalion; but Mr. Poynder's grand prize of a piece of plate value fifty guineas, open to all Wiltshire volunteers and yeomanry, was won by Colour-sergeant Jefferys of the 6th Maiden Bradley Corps, after making a tie with Private Martin of the 10th Warminster Corps, the scores being:--

300 yards. 500 yards. 700 yards. Total. Jefferys 13 11 14 38 Martin 16 13 9 38

The score at the longest distance deciding the prize.

Mr. R. Long, of Rood Ashton, M.P., offered a prize to be given to the best shot of either battalion: each corps sending one competitor, when Sergeant Baker, 7th Wilts, 2nd Administrative Battalion, was declared the winner. Lieut.-Colonel Everett and Major T. Clark gave prizes, but these went to the 2nd Administrative Battalion, as did similar prizes given by Lieut.-Colonel M.F. Ward and Major Perry Keene; but the prizes offered by Lieut.-General Buckley and Major Penruddocke fell to Sergeant Graham, 2nd Corps, Trowbridge. The challenge cup, value £50, with a piece of plate valued at £25, given by the inhabitants of Warminster, was unfortunately lost (after tie shooting) to the 1st Battalion, being given to Corporal Nott, 5th Corps, 2nd Battalion, whose score of 41 was equalled by Lieutenant Wakeman of the 10th Corps and Corporal Purton of the 1st Corps, whilst Sergeant Butler of the 1st, and Sergeant Harris of the same corps, came next in order, and this out of eighty-one competitors.

The prizes were given away by the Marchioness of Bath, and the opportunity was taken advantage of to hold a battalion drill, but it was rather a failure--very few attended. The officers afterwards messed together at the "Bath Arms," and a plan was hastily sketched out for a camp to be held for the whole battalion in the coming year, it becoming only too evident that these spasmodic battalion drills were useless, and that each corps would be better for a continuous and systematic course of drilling and discipline, either at Aldershot or in a regimental camp. The usual annual prize-meeting between the officers of both battalions, to compete for a challenge cup of large value, and a very beautiful silver claret jug, to be retained by the winner, came off at Chippenham, and was won by an officer of the 1st Battalion. These valuable and most desirable prizes were given each year by Mr. Poynder, whose liberality in supporting the Rifle Corps and rifle movement generally was unbounded. Perhaps the terms on which this officers' prize was to be shot for did not encourage good shooting, or prove that the winner of a silver claret jug was in reality a terrible man at the targets. Each year saw the challenge cup held by a new officer, who was somewhat heavily handicapped for the next year's competition: so much so, indeed, as to render his chance, or the chances of his predecessors, in the prize holding from repeating themselves almost impossible. Under these circumstances, it appeared but a calculation of time as to how long it might be before each competing officer in the two battalions possessed an embossed silver claret jug.

These massive or fragile pieces of plate being offered as prizes for excellence in shooting, to the volunteers, were a mistake. To many of the men money prizes would have been much more acceptable, as these cups, mugs, salvers, &c., were of small advantage to any but the silversmiths, who, seizing the occasion for emptying their shops of all the ill-shaped rubbish accumulated by time, charged the donors a price far beyond the real value of the article. Experience has made all wiser, and old pint pots, and drinking cups, almost transparent in their absence of metal, have been relegated to the melting-pot. The year 1867 was a marked epoch in the history of this battalion. It was a year of preparation for more systematic arrangements generally, and for drawing tighter the cords of discipline and unity. It was very desirable that the two battalions should form regimental camps, and by these means ensure a knowledge of combined movements being more general throughout the battalions; but proposals fell to the ground, and the oft-repeated hasty assembling, and more hasty departure of portions of corps for train-catching, were continued for yet another year.

Lieut.-Colonel Everett and Lieut.-Colonel Ward, with their respective adjutants, met together at Warminster for the purpose of organizing a camp for both regiments at Devizes, and it was hoped that if this camp were held during the training time of the county militia and yeomanry, good would result; but after much correspondence with the Lord-Lieutenant, the Marquis of Ailesbury, commanding the yeomanry, and various officers, the scheme had to be abandoned. It was evident that an encampment of the battalion in its own district, and under the sole control of the commanding officer, could alone be brought about, and not improbably would meet all that was required. There was a meeting of officers commanding battalions in the three counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorsetshire, and the neighbouring counties, held at Bishopstoke Station, at which meeting it was determined to hold a volunteer review on a large scale at or near Salisbury, on the 29th May. The review took place accordingly at the date specified, on the downs, a very hard three miles' distance from Salisbury. It may have been satisfactory to some of the performers in it; but as to any real knowledge of how troops should be handled in absolute warfare there was none given. The infantry, divided into three brigades, numbered nearly 5000 men, of which this battalion yielded 500; the artillery, 228 men, with six guns, being two guns per brigade, and 180 sabres; yeomen, serving in the Wilts and Hants Yeomanry and Mounted Rifles; Colonel Erskine, Inspector-General of Volunteers, being in command, assisted by Colonels McMurdo, Bruce, and Colville, assistant inspectors.

After passing in review order, the supposed enemy had to be dislodged; but as this enemy were short of cavalry, and we, being well off in that respect, as the returns showed, it was resolved to lend him ours, so, halting the infantry, these gallant troopers passed through the openings left between brigades, and in the four-deep formation, to disappear in the valley where the enemy lay concealed. We re-formed, unsuspicious of their treachery.

Advancing once again, the battle began; but success was not to be the portion of the attackers. They retreated, and were followed up in this retreat and harassed considerably by the cavalry so kindly lent to them but a short quarter of an hour previously. The firing was great, the confusion greater, but the damage was unappreciable; the proportion of cavalry to the retreating infantry, about one horseman to thirty infantry men, not being overwhelming. Besides, the bravery of these cavalry in riding within a few feet of the muzzles of groups of riflemen must have led to heavy casualties. However, all is well that ends well, and at the termination of the manœuvres the authorities expressed themselves satisfied with the day's performance.

The Hampshire Mounted Rifles under Colonel Bower exhibited some pretty skirmishing at this review. Men and horses were all well trained and thoroughly understood their work. Colonel Bower here showed how useful an adjunct mounted infantry would be in the event of invasion.

The annual inspection of the regiment took place at Warminster Down in the month of August., Colonel Bruce being the inspecting officer.

* * * * *

On the 1st January 1868,--the officers of the regiment appeared thus in the _Army List_:--

The Marquis of Bath, _Honorary Colonel_. J.F. Everett, _Lieut.-Colonel_. T. Clark and C. Penruddocke, _Majors_. R.D. Gibney, _Adjutant_. Charles Bleeck, _Surgeon_. John M. Cardell, _Assist. Surgeon_. J. Fawcett, _Quartermaster_.

1st Corps, Salisbury.

Wm. Pinckney, _Captain_ (_Comdt._). G. Smith, _Captain_. W. Pain, _Lieut._ W.J. Wilton, _Lieut._ E.F. Kelsey, _Ensign_. F. Hodding, _Ensign_. J.M. Cardell, _Assist. Surgeon_. Revd. R.G. Swayne, _Chaplain_.

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.

W.P. Clark, _Captain_ (_Comdt._). E.P. Stancomb, _Lieut._ ,_Lieut._ W.P. Clark, _Ensign_. R.S. Seale, _Assist. Surgeon_. Revd. J.D. Hastings, _Hon. Chap._

6th Corps, Maiden Bradley.

H.B. Festing, _Captain_. Thos. K. Harding, _Lieut._ E.S. Jefferys, _Ensign_. W.N. Marshall, _Assist. Surgeon_. Revd. R. Rowley, _Hon. Chaplain_.

8th Corps, Mere.

, _Captain_. E.A. Card, _Lieut._ J. White, _Ensign_. Chas. Rumsey, _Assist. Surgeon_. Revd. C.H. Townsend, _Hon. Chaplain_.

9th Corps. Bradford-on-Avon.

, _Captain_. William Adye, _Lieut._ E.M. Davis, _Ensign_. W.H. Jones, _Hon. Chaplain_.

10th Corps, Warminster.

John Scott, _Captain_. H. Ingram, _Lieut._ P. Grubb, _Lieut._ J. Smith, _Ensign_. H.J. Wakeman, _Ensign_. J. Flower, _Assist. Surgeon_. Revd. Sir J.E. Philipps, Bart., _Chaplain_.

13th Corps, Westbury.

W. Knapp, _Captain_. H.W. Pinniger, _Lieut._ W.H. Laverton, _Ensign_.

14th Corps, Wilton.

Charles Penruddocke, _Captain_. Fred King, _Lieut._ , _Ensign_. P.J. Bennett, _Assist. Surgeon_. Revd. D. Olivier, _Chaplain_.

The year commenced with a meeting of the officers at Warminster, followed by a mess dinner, at which it was settled that a regimental camp should be held at Warminster the first week in August, and that the commanding officer of the battalion should apply to the southern division of the county of Wilts for subscriptions so as to defray the expenses. Accordingly a circular letter was sent out by Lieut.-Colonel Everett, a copy of which is given:--

"Proposed Camp for the 1st Battalion of Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

Greenhill, Warminster, _February, 1868_.

"----. The Lord-Lieutenant of the county has given his sanction
to the forming of a camp for the 1st Battalion of the Wiltshire
Rifle Volunteers, which it is proposed should take place in the
neighbourhood of Warminster in the month of next July.

"Such a camp, it is considered, would tend considerably to the
efficiency of the volunteers, by giving them an insight into camp
life, and some experience of the requirements of actual service, in a
way that cannot otherwise be obtained.

"It is felt that, as the volunteers freely give their time in the
service, they should not be called upon for a further sacrifice in
providing the necessary funds, and it is to be hoped that the county
will readily and generously come forward in assisting this object.

"Contributions will be received by me or by the Secretary, Ensign
H.J. Wakeman, of Warminster; or can be paid into the camp fund at the
following banks:--Messrs. Pinckney Brothers, Salisbury; the North
Wilts Bank at Warminster, Trowbridge, Westbury, and Bradford; as
also at the Wilts and Dorset Bank, Mere. Such contributions will be
acknowledged in the county papers.

"I have the honour to be
"Your obedient Servant,
"John F. Everett, _Lieut-Colonel_.

"_Comdg. 1st. A.B. Wilts Rifle Volunteers._

"P.S.--As arrangements must be completed speedily, I should feel
obliged by your informing me at your earliest convenience the amount
you may be willing to contribute to the above object.--J.F.E."

It was very necessary that the regimental camp should be a complete success, and to ensure this much anxious thought and time was given to details by the lieut.-colonel commanding the battalion, as also by the committee. Meetings of this committee were held at Warminster on the 5th February, 4th March, 1st, 8th and 13th of April, 13th May, 3rd, 10th and 22nd June, and on the 13th July. The committee had no precedents to guide them; and the more the necessary arrangements were considered, the greater appeared to be the difficulties. To make contracts where there was little certainty, in itself was a hard task, and it showed how much care and trouble had been given to the subject, when the camp proved a complete success.

The prospect of a regimental camp, however, did not prevent the battalion putting in an appearance at the grand review held at Portsmouth on Easter Monday, where some 25,000 men assembled, the regulars, and gunboats of the Navy, taking part in the proceedings. The part in the performance relegated to this battalion was neither instructive nor interesting. It rather imitated the army of a certain King of France, by walking up a hill and then walking down again. Some gunboats took up a position to its front, to drive away which the battalion descended from its perch to the railway embankment; but as the tide was receding, the gunboats receded also, doubtless their departure hastened by the appearance, if not by the fire of the gallant 1st Wilts, which being delivered at something over rifle range would have been harmless. Then the regiment itself retired and resumed its position on the hillside, sitting down comfortably awaiting further orders; which eventually directed them to "fire away" at some supposed enemy; and having emptied their ammunition pouches, the whole returned to Fareham station, to be taken homewards.