The History of the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own) Formerly the 95th

---

CHAPTER XIV.

Having thus brought down the account of the services of the two Battalions in India, and of the companies of those Battalions which formed the Camel Corps, to the end of the Mutiny, I now resume the account of the movements of the other Battalions, which, in order not to interrupt the narrative of the operations in India, I had left aside.

The 1st Battalion moved from Glasgow to Newcastle-on-Tyne by rail on September 24, 1858, detaching four companies to Sunderland.

On October 9 Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Smith, Colonel-Commandant of the Battalion, inspected it; and after the inspection and march past in the barrack-square, took them to the open ground near the barracks, where he put them through several rapid manœuvres. On their returning to the barracks, forming them in square, he addressed them as follows:

‘Riflemen: I have had you out, and have given you some rough handling; but I find that I cannot take either Colonel Somerset or yourselves by surprise. I did this to see if the old stuff was still awake, for I saw that you could go steadily when you marched past in the square. This is the only Regiment or Battalion in which I took my place in the ranks. Your assistance at the Cape—in fact, in three quarters of the globe I have fought with you, and I always found you worthy of the green jacket. There is no one here who has soldiered so long as I have—fifty-three years. Your hardships (which I heard of) in the Crimea; your comrades now in India; your doings in the Peninsula, when you still wore the green jacket; and, since that, in all quarters where fighting was to be done; your officers—your everything, in fact—will never be forgotten.’ He then desired the men to let him get out of the square; observing that he well knew he never could get into it if they wished to prevent him.

The following letter was addressed to Sir Harry Smith by the Adjutant-General of the Forces:

Colonel Somerset having been appointed to the Staff, Lord Alexander Russell became Lieutenant-Colonel, and assumed command of the Battalion on December 17.

During the stay of the Battalion at Newcastle, the officers and men received the Turkish War Medal for service in the Crimea.

The 4th Battalion at Chichester, having between January 1 and March 31 received 161 recruits, and 102 volunteers from the Militia, had attained a strength of 34 sergeants, 18 corporals, 15 buglers, and 649 privates. On April 19 they proceeded from Chichester to Shorncliffe, and were quartered in that camp.

This Battalion was at first armed with the common or long Enfield rifle; but in June of this year received the short Enfield and sword.

Having received a further increase of 86 recruits, and 24 volunteers from Militia regiments, they embarked in August for Malta, having then a strength of 756 non-commissioned officers and privates.

The Head-quarters, with eight companies, proceeded from Shorncliffe to Portsmouth by rail on August 11, and embarked on board the ‘Urgent’ troop-ship, and landed at Malta on the 22nd.

Two companies embarked at Portsmouth on board H.M.S. ‘Perseverance’ on the 13th, and reached Malta on August 25. The remaining two companies forming the Depôt proceeded to Winchester, and were attached to the Depôt Battalion there.

On May 6, 1859, the 1st Battalion was moved by rail from Newcastle and Sunderland to Portsmouth, where it arrived on the afternoon of the 7th, and occupied quarters: Anglesey barracks, two companies; Colewort barracks, two companies; Cambridge barracks, three companies; Clarence barracks, three companies.

The 4th Battalion remained at Malta, moving its quarters in September from Lower St. Elmo barracks to Fort Ricasoli.

On March 27, 1860, the 1st Battalion removed by rail from Portsmouth to Aldershot, and occupied huts in the North Camp.

On which occasion the following order was issued by Major-General the Hon. Sir James Y. Scarlett, K.C.B.:

Their old companion-in-arms, Sir Harry Smith, having died in London on October 12, was succeeded as Colonel-Commandant of the Battalion by their former Lieutenant-Colonel, Major-General Sir George Buller, K.C.B.

The 2nd Battalion remained at Lucknow till January 3 in this year, when they marched en route for Delhi by the following route:

Leaving the left wing, 5 companies under Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers, at Umballa for target practice, the Head-quarters marched on March 2 for Subathoo, where they arrived on the 7th; and where the left wing joined them on the 30th. The Battalion had thus made a march of more than 440 miles, from Lucknow to Subathoo.

Here they remained until December, when, marching in three divisions on the 4th, 6th, and 12th, they arrived at Umballa on the 8th, 13th, and 16th respectively, and were there stationed for musketry instruction and target practice.

The 3rd Battalion remained at Agra during the whole of this year.

The 4th Battalion remained at Malta during this year.

In the latter part of this year the Regiment received a cloth shako of a new pattern, that known by the name of the ‘Albert shako’ being discontinued.

The 1st Battalion left Aldershot by rail on the afternoon of April 9, 1861, for Liverpool, where they embarked for Dublin, which they reached on the 10th, and landing on the 11th occupied Richmond barracks.

On the 29th they marched by route to Naas, and thence on the next day to the Curragh camp.

During their stay at the Curragh they marched to Dunamase near Maryborough; where they encamped, using the ‘tentes d’abri’ for the first time, and returned to the Curragh on the next day.

On September 17 the Battalion left the Curragh, marching that day to Naas, and on the next to Dublin, where they re-occupied Richmond barracks.

During the time the Battalion was in the garrison of Dublin, a question arose as to the Castle guard, which is mounted at the residence of the Lord Lieutenant, when furnished by the Rifle Brigade carrying a colour. One of the colours of regiments of the line is ‘trooped’ and carried by this guard; but the Rifle Brigade having no colours, the attempt to make the subaltern for guard carry it was of course resisted. Sir George Brown, who then commanded in Ireland, though he had served many years in the Regiment, wished to insist on the colour being carried. But the officer commanding the Battalion referred the matter to His Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief; and in consequence the following memorandum was issued from the Horse Guards June 10, 1861:—

The American ship ‘San Jacinto’ having boarded the Royal Mail Packet ‘Trent’ and forcibly removed Messrs. Mason and Slidell, Commissioners from the Southern Confederate States proceeding to London and Paris, the Government, having resolved to demand reparation for this outrage on the British flag, ordered a force to proceed to Canada for the defence of that country in the event of a war. The Battalion was therefore ordered on December 4 to hold itself in readiness for active service, and having been inspected on the 7th by Major-General Ridley, embarked on the 11th at the North Wall, Dublin, in two divisions on board the ‘Windsor’ and ‘Trafalgar,’ under the command of Lord A. G. Russell, for Liverpool. They arrived there on the following day and were immediately transferred to the hired steam-ship ‘Australasian.’ Their strength being

At 7 P.M. on December 13 the ‘Australasian’ started, with orders to make the passage of the St. Lawrence, if possible; which was, however, doubtful in consequence of the ice in the depth of winter. They had fair weather till the 23rd, when they sighted Cape Race. But at midnight it came on to blow a gale, with snow, or rather ice, falling so thick that it was impossible to see a foot before them. The ‘Australasian’ continued tacking all the 24th, and at midnight it was found she was off the southern coast of Anticosti. The captain now declaring that he was averse to trying to enter the St. Lawrence in such weather, it was resolved (after consultation with the commanding officer and the officer of the Royal Navy on board) to make for Halifax, which, after a dangerous passage between Cape Ray and St. Paul’s Island, they reached at midday on the 26th.

During the voyage each man was supplied with warm clothing.

On December 14 the lamented death of Field Marshal His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, Colonel-in-Chief, took place at Windsor Castle. He was succeeded by Field Marshal Lord Seaton; who, though not a Rifleman, had as colonel of their old comrades of the Light Division, the 52nd, and as commanding a brigade in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, fought beside the Riflemen in many actions.

The 2nd Battalion returned to Subathoo, marching from Umballa on March 11 and arriving at Subathoo on the 16th.

The 3rd Battalion marched from Agra on March 6 for Bareilly, where they arrived on the 21st and occupied quarters.

The 4th Battalion continued at Malta, changing their quarters from Fort Ricasoli to Fort Manoel, Valetta, on March 27.

By order dated Horse Guards, January 22, 1862, it was intimated that the Queen “desiring to perpetuate the remembrance of her beloved Husband’s connection with the Rifle Brigade, and feeling sure that it will be gratifying to the Corps to have the name of one who, as its Colonel-in-Chief, took such deep and constant interest in its welfare, had been pleased to command that it should in future bear the designation of ‘The Prince Consort’s Own Rifle Brigade.’”

The 1st Battalion did not disembark at Halifax, and after remaining there a week in order to coal the ship, left it in the ‘Australasian,’ on January 1, 1862; and, after encountering another severe gale and snowstorm in the Bay of Fundy, reached St. John’s, New Brunswick, on the 3rd at two P.M. and immediately landed, and occupied quarters in the permanent barracks. The heavy baggage was left in store at St. John’s; but the Battalion proceeded in detachments of five officers and about 100 men daily from the 6th to the 14th. They were conveyed in sleighs: one for the officers, one for every eight men, and two for rations, ammunition and baggage. The men received a field ration. Previous to starting they had breakfast and half their meat; at the midday halt a pint of tea and half the ration of grog; the remainder of their ration on their arrival at the halting place for the night. They were dressed in great-coats, fur caps and mocassins, with the accoutrements outside the coat: the pouch being in front for the convenience of sitting in the sleighs; the cape of the great coat being turned up, and tied with a woollen comforter outside. Over all a blanket with a hole cut for the head as a ‘poncho.’

The first day’s journey was from St. John’s to Fredericton, 60 miles.
The second, Fredericton to Tilley’s Hotel, Dumfries, 29 miles.
The third, Tilley’s to Woodstock, 32 miles.
The fourth, Woodstock to Florenceville, 23 miles.
The fifth, Florenceville to Tobique, 23 miles.
The sixth, Tobique to Grand-Falls, 24 miles.
The seventh, Grand-Falls to Little-Falls, 36 miles.
The eighth, Little-Falls to Fort Ingall, 37 miles.
The ninth, Fort Ingall to Rivière-du-Loup, 42 miles.

The men were placed at night in such rooms or shelter as the halting places afforded, lying down on pine branches. Very great hospitality was manifested by the scattered inhabitants. Owing to the precautions taken no casualty occurred, save a few slight cases of frost-bite. One being that of Captain Playne, who, as well as two other officers who had recently joined from the Battalions in India, specially felt the extreme cold.

From Rivière-du-Loup, each detachment proceeded on the following morning by the Grand Trunk railway to Montreal, where the Battalion was assembled and occupied the College which had been given up by the Roman Catholic Bishop for the use of the troops.

The Head-quarters of the Battalion, consisting of 5 companies, left Montreal by special train at 8.45 A.M. on January 31, and arrived at Hamilton, Canada West, at 4.30 P.M. on the succeeding day, and were received with a perfect ovation by its inhabitants. The left wing followed, leaving Montreal on February 10 and arriving at Hamilton on the next day.

As there were no barracks at Hamilton the Battalion was quartered in four different stores which had been hired for their occupation. The overland journey from St. John’s to Hamilton was completed without the loss of a single man. This is most creditable to the Riflemen, as numerous agents of the United States offered them many temptations to desert.

The 2nd Battalion continued at Subathoo, sending detachments of two and three companies at a time to Umballa for musketry training during the months of December 1861, and January and February of this year. These having all returned the Battalion was again concentrated at Subathoo at the end of March, and continued there during the remainder of the year.

The 3rd Battalion continued at Bareilly, detaching one company to Loohoo Ghât on March 13.

The 4th Battalion remained at Malta during the whole of this year.

The Colonel-in-Chief, Field Marshal Lord Seaton, died on April 17, 1863, and was succeeded by General the Right Hon. Sir George Brown, who had, as Lieutenant-Colonel, commanded the 2nd Battalion for seventeen years.

By a General Order, dated ‘Horse Guards, September 3, 1863,’ Her Majesty the Queen, in commemoration of the services of the Rifle Brigade in Her Majesty’s Indian dominions, was graciously pleased to command that the word ‘Lucknow’ should be borne on the appointments of the Brigade.

The 1st Battalion remained at Hamilton during this year, its establishment being reduced on April 1 to—

On February 2 the 2nd Battalion marched from Subathoo, and arrived at Delhi on the 20th.

Three companies, under Captain F. Seymour, marched from Delhi to Meerut on November 22, and returned to Delhi on December 4.

The 3rd Battalion marched from Bareilly on January 15 (the detachment from Loohoo Ghât having previously rejoined), and formed part of the Governor-General’s escort at Agra on the 30th, and then marched to Umballa, where it was inspected by the Commander-in-Chief in India on March 30; after which it proceeded to Meon Meer, arriving there on April 16.

In the latter part of this year some of the tribes on the north-western frontier, between British India and Afghanistan, manifested a disposition to be troublesome; they made incursions into our territory, and pillaged some villages. A force under Sir Neville Chamberlain was therefore sent up to chastise them. Unfortunately, the difficult nature of the mountain passes, and the warlike nature of the tribes occupying these hills, proved insuperable obstacles to the troops originally sent forward. Reinforcements were required; and with this object the regiments at some of the adjacent stations were despatched to the frontier under Sir John Garvock. The 3rd Battalion was in consequence sent up to occupy the place of one of these regiments. Accordingly they left Meon on November 25, and proceeded to Googerat, which they reached on December 1. On the 4th they arrived at Jhelum, on the 18th at Rawul Pindee, and on the 19th reached Hoti Murdan, a frontier fort situated beyond the Indus. About the middle of December Sir John Garvock, in two engagements, had completely defeated the offending tribes to the north, and had (as it was supposed) terminated this frontier war. The Riflemen of the 3rd Battalion, therefore, not unnaturally concluded that their long and rapid march had been, so far as fighting went, to no purpose, and that they should return without having fired a shot. At any rate, they expected to eat their Christmas dinner at Hoti Murdan in peace. But on that very morning of the 25th, at three o’clock, they were startled by hearing the bugle sound for ‘Orders.’ They were to march at once for Shubkudder, another of the frontier forts, pushed up, indeed, to the very border of our north-eastern boundary. The Mohmund tribe had shown signs of disquiet, and had not long before made an incursion to Shubkudder, and killed an officer of Irregular Cavalry, who attempted with a party to cut them off before they could return to their mountains. The Battalion started at once, and marched on Christmas Day eighteen miles to their camping-ground at Nowshera. On the 26th they made a double march of twenty-four miles to Peshawur, and on the 27th reached Shubkudder, after a march of twenty-one miles, where they encamped. The Fort of Shubkudder is situated at the foot of a spur of the Bajour mountains, in a fork formed by the junction of the Lundye river with the Cabool, and not very far to the north of the Khyber Pass.

On the 30th the Mohmund tribes were seen assembling on the low hills which bound the plain, and advancing in considerable numbers. They did not, however, on that occasion come down from their mountain fastnesses; but the spies reported that an attack might be expected, as they had sworn to engage the force at Shubkudder.

Accordingly, on January 2, 1864, they were seen from the fort, early in the morning, descending the mountain paths, and collecting on a ridge about two miles off. Colonel Macdonell, who was in command of the force, sent Colonel Ross with a company of Riflemen and one of Ghoorkas, to occupy a village about 800 yards in front of the fort, to endeavour to entice them down. They accepted the invitation, and were soon seen creeping down from the hills in twos and threes; taking cover under every bank and inequality of the ground. They opened fire, which mostly whistled over the heads of the Riflemen, who returned it, probably with better effect. Meanwhile their main body came down towards our left, and planted their standards on a mound about 1,000 yards off. Colonel Macdonell, seeing that they were not disposed to come on, sent a small body of cavalry[317] and some skirmishers to turn their right. Three guns were sent to the left of the village and opened on them. They could not stand their fire; the flags soon disappeared from the mound, and the Mohmunds retreated in a disordered crowd. Then the remaining companies of the Battalion, with Ross’s party and the Ghoorkas, formed a long line in extended order, and with the guns, advanced across the plain, and followed the retreating enemy over the ridge and to a valley beyond. There the cavalry charged from the left right into them, and completed their defeat. The Riflemen gave them a hot fire as they ascended the passes into their hills. Whilst the cavalry and guns withdrew, the Battalion retired in alternate lines of skirmishers; but the enemy were so disorganised and disheartened that they made no attempt to disturb their retreat. On reaching the plain, the Riflemen closed; and they reached their camp at dusk. The Mohmunds occupied an extent of some two miles from right to left, and are supposed to have numbered about 7,000.[318]

The 4th Battalion left Malta on September 17, and landed at Gibraltar on the 21st, where they were inspected on December 18 by Major-General Sir Robert Walpole, K.C.B., who had so long served in the Regiment, and under whose command the Riflemen had often fought in India.

The 1st Battalion moved by rail on May 31, 1864, from Hamilton to Kingston, where they arrived on June 1 and were quartered, seven companies in Tête-de-Pont barracks, and three companies at Fort Henry.

During the stay of the Battalion at Kingston the men were allowed freely to boat on Lake Ontario, restrictions which had formerly been placed on the troops through fear of desertion being removed by the commanding officer, in perfect confidence in the loyalty of the Riflemen. Every company had a boat; and excursions on the lake and boat races were common among the men. Nor was this confidence misplaced, no desertions having, by this means, taken place.

Previous to leaving Hamilton the following Brigade-order was received:—

On September 8 and 9 the Battalion embarked at Kingston in two divisions on board the steam-boats ‘Banshee’ and ‘Grecian,’ and proceeded to Montreal, where they arrived on the 9th and 10th, and occupied quarters in the Victoria barracks. Where they were inspected on the 19th by Lieutenant-General Sir W. F. Williams, Bart., K.C.B., Commanding British North America.

Colonel Julius Glyn, C.B., assumed command of the 2nd Battalion at Delhi on January 18, Colonel Hill having been appointed to the command of a brigade.

The Head-quarters marched from Delhi on March 26 to Meerut, where they arrived on the 29th. The left wing followed on April 1, and arrived at Meerut on the 4th.

We left the 3rd Battalion at the Camp of Shubkudder, after the fight of January 2. They remained there until the middle of February, when they moved to Rawul Pindee, where they arrived on the 15th. In about a month they left Rawul Pindee, and marching by Khairabad and Akorah, reached Peshawur on the 20th, and there occupied quarters.

On December 30 they moved to Nowshera, where they arrived on January 1, 1865.

The 4th Battalion remained at Gibraltar during the whole of the year.

In September Whitworth rifles were issued to the men of this Battalion, forty short Enfields being retained for the use of the sergeants.

The 1st Battalion continued in quarters at Montreal, where on March 9, 1865, a letter was received, of which the following is an extract:—

On May 2 the Battalion embarked at Montreal in the steamboat ‘Europa,’ and proceeded to Quebec; and arriving there the following day, occupied the citadel.

The Battalion having been inspected by Major-General the Hon. James Lindsay, a letter was received, which contained the following approval:—

The 2nd Battalion remained at Meerut during the whole of the year.

On January 1 the 3rd Battalion arrived from Peshawur at Nowshera, and occupied quarters until December 13, when they left it for Rawul Pindee, where, arriving on the 19th, they occupied quarters.

The 4th Battalion embarked at Gibraltar on board the ‘Himalaya’ troop-ship on July 7 for Canada; and arrived at Point Levis on the 22nd, where they were encamped, and employed in erecting fortifications until October; on the 19th of which month they proceeded to Montreal, and occupied quarters in the Victoria barracks.

In this year the Regiment lost its Colonel-in-Chief, Sir George Brown, G.C.B., who died at Linkwood, Morayshire, on August 27. His remains were interred in the Cathedral burial-ground at Elgin on the 31st, being borne to the grave by five old Riflemen, who had served under him.

He was succeeded by Field-Marshal Sir Edward Blakeney, G.C.B., who had never served in, nor been connected with the Regiment.

The 1st Battalion remained in the citadel of Quebec during the whole of the year 1866.

On June 9 a railway-van, containing 2,000 pounds of ammunition, on its way from Quebec to Kingston, under charge of a sergeant and a guard of the Battalion, was discovered to be on fire on reaching Danville Station. It had been ignited by a spark from the engine. The van was immediately shoved down the line away from the station, and the alarm given. The people living in the vicinity fled from their houses, in fear of the explosion. Private Timothy O’Hea of this guard ran down to the van, forced open the door, removed the covering from the ammunition, discovered the source of the fire, ran for water, and extinguished it. A braver or more daring act it is impossible to imagine. A subscription was immediately set on foot, and a purse handed to the brave Rifleman; and he subsequently received the Victoria Cross for this courageous act.

On October 14 occurred the great fire at Quebec; and the Riflemen took a very active part in endeavouring to suppress it, to save life, and to rescue property from the flames. One man of the Battalion, named William Berry, distinguished himself by rescuing a child from a house, which the engineers were about to blow up, to prevent the extension of the fire. The train had been laid; and the fuse was already burning, when this brave man rushed in, and brought out the child in safety. For this gallant act Berry was recommended for the Victoria Cross; and though he did not obtain it, he was specially mentioned in General Orders issued at Montreal on May 7, 1867.

The 2nd Battalion continued at Meerut until November 2, when it moved viâ Ghazeeabad, to Agra, where it arrived on the 5th, and was encamped during the durbar held by the Governor-General, Sir John Lawrence; till December 1 to 5, when it proceeded in detachments, by rail, to Fort William, Calcutta.

The 3rd Battalion continued at Rawul Pindee until the 1st, when they were employed in the construction of a road from Murree to Abbottabad. This work continued till November 5, and on the 10th they returned to Rawul Pindee.

The Battalion, having been ordered to be increased by 128 privates, received volunteers from the 34th, 51st, 97th and 98th Regiments.

The 4th Battalion, continuing at Montreal, detached three companies, with the band, to Ottawa on May 21, and they continued to be quartered there during the stay of His Excellency the Governor-General.

On the Fenians from the United States crossing the frontier into Canada, two companies proceeded from Montreal on June 2 to St. John’s (Canada East), and were joined there by a company from Chambly, and were encamped at St. John’s till the 9th; when, being reinforced by the Head-quarters, consisting of four companies, under Major Nixon,[320] they proceeded by rail to St. Armand, and were about to encamp, when Lieutenant Acland,[321] who in the disguise of a habitant had gone amongst the Fenians, brought word that a considerable party of them had crossed the Canadian boundary. A small force, with two guns, to which Captains Norris’[322] and Moorsom’s companies were attached, started to find them; but the Fenians seem to have had intelligence of their approach; for although the guns, escorted by a company of Riflemen, pushed on at a trot, they disappeared in the wood, or crossed the boundary. On Major Nixon, with the rest of the force, coming up, he led the skirmishers through some thick wood and cedar-swamp, and some shots were fired. A few Fenians, half-starved and partly armed, were taken prisoners. As it was then near evening, Colonel Elrington ordered the force back to St. Armand; but Moorsom’s company was sent to Freligsburgh, about 11 miles from St. Armand. On arrival there, they found that the town had been sacked by the Fenians, and it was with some difficulty that the Riflemen obtained any provisions. This company returned to St. Armand on the 10th, but was again detached on the 15th to guard a block-house, in which the Fenian prisoners were confined, at Phillipsburgh, on Lake Champlain.

The whole of these companies, except one which proceeded to Chambly for musketry instruction, returned to Montreal on June 19.

On January 30, 1867, the 1st Battalion received the Snider breech-loading rifle.

The Battalion proceeded on June 10 across the St. Lawrence to Point Levis, leaving one company at Quebec. They encamped at Point Levis, and were employed during the summer in the construction of fortifications at that place.

On October 7 Head-quarters and two companies moved by rail to Ottawa, the remaining companies returning to Quebec. On November 20, however, two of these companies joined the Head-quarters at Ottawa.

The 2nd Battalion, having embarked at Calcutta on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Jumna,’ proceeded to Suez. And re-embarking at Alexandria on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Crocodile,’ disembarked at Portsmouth on November 23, and proceeded at once by rail to Devonport, and occupied quarters.

The 3rd Battalion, being still at Rawul Pindee, on May 1 a working party of 238 privates, under a field officer, were employed, as in the preceding year, on the road from Murree to Abbottabad, and rejoined Head-quarters at Rawul Pindee on November 3.

On January 4 the 4th Battalion at Montreal received the breech-loading short Snider, in place of the Whitworth rifle.

On September 5 the Battalion left Montreal, and on the next day embarked on board the Troop-ship ‘Serapis,’and started for England. They arrived at Portsmouth on the 17th, and disembarked on the 18th, five companies with Head-quarters proceeding to Chichester, and three companies to Winchester, whence the Depôt companies joined Head-quarters. The Battalion made but a short stay in the south of England; for on December 23 the three companies at Winchester, with one from Chichester, moved to Weedon. And on the 26th the Head-quarters and remaining six companies followed, arriving at Weedon on the next day. Three companies were detached to Leeds, and one to Northampton.

The Head-quarters of the 1st Battalion continued at Ottawa during the year 1868, where the companies remaining at Quebec joined on June 6.

In consequence of the proceedings of the Fenians in the United States, one company of the Battalion proceeded to Coburg on October 1, and was followed by two other companies on the 5th.

The 2nd Battalion continued at Devonport during the whole year 1868.

On January 10 the 3rd Battalion left Rawul Pindee, and began its march to Moradabad and Seetapore. The left wing marched into quarters at Moradabad on March 14, and the right wing and Head-quarters at Seetapore on the 30th.

On November 30 the left wing, under Captain Moore, left Moradabad, and marched into quarters at Dinapore on December 14.

The 4th Battalion continued at Weedon, Leeds and Northampton, and furnished yet another detachment of one company to Warwick on January 14. The company at Northampton, however, joining Head-quarters at Weedon on February 7.

On May 21 the Head-quarters and five companies proceeded to Chester, and were quartered in the Castle; and the detachments from Leeds and Warwick joining the company left at Weedon formed the left wing, and were quartered there.

The Colonel-in-Chief, Sir Edward Blakeney, died on August 2, and the Regiment had the honour of receiving as his successor General His Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who was appointed Colonel-in-Chief August 3.

The 1st Battalion, continuing at Ottawa, on March 1 and 15, 1869, furnished parties of 200 men each time to dig out the mail-trains imbedded in snow between Montreal and Ottawa, the employés of the railway being insufficient for that purpose. The men carried their rations with them on these occasions.

On August 5 one company, and on the 17th a second company, proceeded by steamboat to Montreal on detachment. They were followed by the remainder of the Battalion in two divisions on September 9 and 10.

On October 8 His Royal Highness Prince Arthur joined the Service companies at Montreal, having been appointed Lieutenant on August 3.

On the 24th five companies of the 2nd Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, embarked at Plymouth on board H.M.S. ‘Urgent’ for Portsmouth, and on arrival there marched to Aldershot, viâ Bishop’s Waltham and Alton.

And on the 14th the Head-quarters embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Simoom,’ and arriving at Portsmouth, on the 16th, proceeded by rail to Farnborough; and marching to Cove Common, there encamped until the 23rd, when they occupied huts in the North Camp at Aldershot.

On July 14 the Battalion marched to Chobham, forming part of a flying column, under Major-General Sir Alfred Horsford. They encamped there that night, and on the next day marched to Bushy Park, and encamped. Having taken part in a review at Wimbledon, they returned to Aldershot by the same route, and reached it on the 22nd, having taken part in a sham fight.

On August 18 the Battalion, forming part of a flying column under Colonel Elrington of the 4th Battalion, marched to Bramshill Park, and encamped there; they remained there during the 19th, and on the 20th returned to Aldershot, having taken part in a sham fight on Hartfordbridge Flats on their way. On October 1 the Glengarry cap was taken into wear, in place of the forage cap.

On January 7 the right wing and Head-quarters of the 3rd Battalion left Seetapore; and arriving at Dinapore on the 19th, marched into quarters on the 20th, and joined the left wing, which had arrived there from Moradabad in the previous month.

On May 17 two companies of the left wing of the 4th Battalion at Weedon left that station, proceeding by rail to Bicester, and thence marching by Oxford, Wallingford, and Reading to Aldershot, where they arrived on the 20th. Two other companies followed on June 2, proceeding by the same route, and (with the fifth company, which proceeded by rail, and joined them at Reading) arrived at Aldershot on the 5th.

The Head-quarters and right wing of this Battalion marched from Chester to Birkenhead on May 31; and embarked there on board the ‘Urgent’ Troop-ship for Portsmouth, where they landed on June 4, and proceeded to Farnborough. From whence they marched to Cove Common, where the Battalion encamped.

The Battalion was thus reunited for the first time since its arrival in England, its detachments having been widely separated; and for more than a year its two wings having been stationed 120 miles from each other.

This Battalion, as well as the 2nd, formed part of the flying column to Bramshill Park, mentioned above.

On September 4 the Battalion removed from the camp at Cove Common, and occupied quarters in the Permanent barracks at Aldershot.

On April 1, 1870, the establishment of the 1st Battalion, then, at Montreal, was reduced to