The GLIO Site

VOLUNTEER REVIEW AT SALISBURY.

     The rnuch-talked-of volunteer review at Salisbury took place on Wednesday last, and the weather being favourable, it was, predicted it would be, a complete success. This appeared, fact, to be the unanimous verdict of all who either witnessed or took part in it, and we are glad to be able to congratulate those who had the management upon the highly satisfactory result of their arrangements. This is the more important, as this was the first monster gathering of the kind in the South-Western Counties, though it will probably be by no means the last which will be witnessed on the same ground, for officers and men all agreed in approving of the admirable choice of the site. The only objection which was at all made to it was the long march which it involved to and from the city; but this was after all a very trifling matter compared with the great suitability of the ground for all the purposes of the review. Indeed we venture to assert, on the authority of most experienced military officers, that a better place could not possibly have been selected. The number volunteers present, and of the visitors who came from a distance, was in itself proof, too, of the easy accessibility of Salisbury from a wide circle country, enabling the volunteers of Wiltshire to fraternise with those of no fewer than three other counties, for it will be seen by the returns which we publish below that every corps in Hampshire was fully represented, the total number of men from that county being about 3000, whilst the Dorset men also mustered in strong force, there being no fewer than 12 corps present, numbering 691. Somerset, too, was fairly represented by its 3rd battalion, and but for two or three untoward circumstances would have sent a still larger number. The Bath battalion (1st Somerset) desired to be present, but were prevented, owing to a change which is just now being made in their uniform not having been completed and the Bristol volunteers were absent through an equally unfortunate circumstance, not having been able to come to terms with the Great Western Railway Company about the rate for the conveyance of the horses and guns belonging to the Artillery corps. So far as we can ascertain the railway company offered to convey the guns to and from Salisbury gratuitously, and the officers of the corps understood this to mean ‟horses and guns,” 3s. 6d. per head being charged for the double journey of the men. When it came to be enquired into, however, it was found that the company merely intended carry the guns free, a charge of 12s. being made for the double journey of each of the horses. There had been already, it seems, large calls upon the capitation fund of the corps, and as it was thought so large an expenditure could not therefore be incurred, the idea of taking part in the review had very reluctantly, all events on the part of the men, to be abandoned. We have heard some people disposed to grumble at what they term the niggardliness of the Great Western Company in respect to this matter, but there are two sides even to this picture. Those who grumble should bear in mind that the Great Western railway is the property of shareholders who still entertain hopes of satisfactory dividend, and though the volunteer movement is doubtless a very laudable one, there is no reason why railway companies should be called upon to contribute more than they can afford in support even of that movement. The conveyance of guns and horses would of itself have required a special train, necessarily entailing great expense, and 3s. 6d. for the double journey of the men so long a distance would not allow of much margin for that. It is true the company by the course they took lost that, which in the aggregate would have been a considerable sum; but with the conditions attached it would have an unprofitable traffic, there is not much loss to the shareholders; and when he fixed a reasonably low rate for the conveyance of both men and horses, the manager had no right to anticipate that the corps would take umbrage and refuse to come at all. The absence of the Bristol Volunteers was of course much to be regretted, and on another occasion (for there is much talk of the review being annually repeated here) it is hoped a more satisfactory state of things will enable them to visit this ancient city.
In favourable weather a volunteer review is always an interesting spectacle, even to the thousands who take no other very active interest in the movements; but it has also a much more substantial value. It would be of little use to parade a large body of volunteers simply for the purpose of showing them; but the review does infinitely more than this. In the first place, it tends to keep up an interest in the movement in the minds of the volunteers themselves; it enables one corps to compare its state of efficiency with that of the corps from neighbouring towns, and so excites attention and emulation at drill; it affords the large family of croakers ample proof that the volunteer movement is not simply a myth, and even beyond all this the return which the reviewing officer makes to the War Office of the result of his inspection has a national value. The review which has just taken place in this locality lacked no one of these features of interest. As we have already stated, the weather was delightfully fine, for the rain fall of the preceding days had greatly improved it for the marching, and had made the roads to it much more comfortable for travelling on. Then again there was a large muster of the volunteers, and as a body they must really be highly complimented upon their good soldier-like appearance, and upon the very admirable manner in which they acquitted themselves throughout a tolerably hard day’s work.
     The following, so far as we have been able to ascertain, is a return of the corps represented : —

ARTILLERY.

— 1st Hants (Bitterne), Capt. M'Naghten, 2 guns, 25 men.
— 2nd Hants (Southsea), Capt. Major Frost, Capt. Wills, Capt. Griffin, Capt. White, Lieutenant Holbrook, 140 rank and file, band 20.
— 3rd Hants (Portsmouth Dockyard), Lieut.-Colonel Richards, Major Frost, and Capt, Connolly,

INFANTRY.

Field officers—Lieut.-Colonel Everett (commanding), Majors Clarke and Penruddocke, Capt. and Adjutant Gibney.
— 1st Wilts (Salisbury), Captains Pinckney and Smith, Lieut. Wilton, Ensign Hodding, and Assistant-Surgeon Cardell, 2 buglers, rank and file, 70, band 26.
— 2nd Wilts (Trowbridge), Capt. Clark, Lieut. Stancombe, 6 sergeants, 1 bugler, rank and file 76, band 14.
— 6th Wilts (Maiden Bradley), Captain Festing, 5 sergeants, 1 bugler, 36 rank and file.
— 8th Wilts (Mere), Lieut. Card, Assistant-Surgeon Rumsey, 1 ensign, 5 sergeants, 1 bugler, 38 rank and file, band 11.
— 9th Wilts (Bradford), Lieut. Adye, 3 sergeants, 30 rank and file.
— 10th Wilts (Warminster), Capt. Scott, Lieuts. Grubb and Ingram, Ensigns Smith and Wakemen, Surgeon Bleeck, 6 sergeants, 2 buglers, 61 rank and file, band 10.
— 13th Wilts (Westburv), Capt. Knapp, 6 sergeants, 2 buglers, rank and file 41, band 12.
— 14th Wilts (Wilton), Lieut. King, Assistant-Surgeon Bennett, 2 sergeants, 1 bugler, 42 rank and file.

     We have endeavoured to get a similar field state of our 2nd battalion, but have been unable to do so, though we had no difficulty in getting the field state of every other corps taking part in the review. 

— 2nd Hants (Southampton), Capt. Goad, Capt. Abraham, Lieut. Liegh, Lieut. Smith and Lieut. Keane, Ensign Skelton, Ensign Pocock, 12 sergeants, 124 rank and file, 18 band.
— 4th Hants (Havant), Lieut. Scott, 4 sergeants, 40 rank and file, 20 band.
— 5th Hants (Portsmouth), Colonel Twyford, Major Webb, 40 rank and file.
— 7th Hants (Fareham), Capt. Gordon, Lieut. Kelsall, Ensign Appleby, five sergeants, 40 rank and file, 17 band.
— 8th Hants (Botley and Bitterne), Major Warner, Captain Warner, Lieut. Clarke, Ensigns Fox and James Warner, 8 sergeants, 2 buglers, 89 rank and file.
— 10th Hants (Christchurch), Ensign Eyre, 3 sergeants, 44 rank and file.
— 12th Hants (Petersfield), Captain Seward, Lieut. Minty, Assist.-Surgeon Holt, 4 sergeants, 49 rank and file.
— 13th Hants (Andover), Capt. Earle, Lieut. Poore, 5 sergeants, 58 rank and file.
— 17th Hants (Titchfield), Lieut. Bradshaw, 1 sergeant, 2 corporals, 20 rank and file.
— 20th Hants (Wickham), Lieut. Carter, 2 sergeants, 26 rank and file.
— 1st Isle of Wight (Ryde), Capt. Dashwood, Lieut. Marvin, 6 sergeants, 78 rank and file, 23 band and buglers.
— 4th Isle of Wight (Nunwell), Capt. Leeds, Lieut. White, Ensign Hill, 5 sergeants, 50 rank and file.
— 5th Isle of Wight (Ventnor), Ensign Judd, 4 sergeants, 20 rank and file.
— 1st Dorset (Bridport), Captain Edwards, Ensign Armstrong, 59 rank and file.
— 2nd Dorset (Wareham), Lieut. Bond, Ensign Panton, 5 sergeants, 51 rank and file.
— 3rd Dorset (Dorchester), Capt. Coombs, Lieut. Hodges, 6 sergeants, 44 rank and file, 16 band.
— 4th Dorset (Poole), Capt. Butts, Lieut. Aldridge, Ensign Viant, 54 rank and file, 14 band.
— 5th Dorset (Weymouth), Lieut. Tizard, 4 sergeants, 48 rank and file.
— 6th Dorset (Wimborne), Capt. Guest, Lieut. Weld Taylor, Ensign Pope, 7 sergeants, 52 rank and file.
— 7th Dorset (Sherborne), Capt. Falwasser, Lieut. Melmoth, Ensign Tanner, Assistant-Surgeon Williams, 6 sergeants, 52 rank and file, 1 bugler.
— 8th Dorset (Blandford), Lieut. Johns, 3 sergeants, 41 rank and file, band 17.
— 9th Dorset (Shaftesbury), Capt. Lyon, Lieut. Burridge, Lieut. Bennett, Chaplain (Rev. J. J. Reynolds), 5 sergeants, 48 rank and file, 13 band.
— 10th Dorset (Sturminster Newton), Lieut. Montague Williams, Ensign Dashwood, 1 sergeant, 29 rank and file.
— 11th Dorset (Gillingham), Capt. P. W. Matthews, Ensign Kaines, Chaplain (Rev. E. H. Stapleton), 5 sergeants, 2 buglers, 49 rank and file.
— 12th Dorset (Stalbridge), Capt. Guest, Lieut. Long, Ensign Peck, Surgeon Leach, 4 sergeants, 1 bugler, 42 rank and file.
— 6th Somerset (Weston-super-Mare), 3 sergeants, 5 rank and file.
— 10th Somerset (Wells), Ensign Wm. Chester Berryman, 3 sergeants, 30 rank and file, 9 band.
— 13th Somerset (Frome), Capt. Wickham, Lieut. Sheppard, Lieut. Walters, Ensign Cruttwell, 8 sergeants, 156 rank and file, band 14.
— 19th Somerset (Glastonbury), Capt. Walter T. Swayne, Ensign Down, 4 sergeants, 48 rank and file, 11 band.
— 23rd Somerset (Castle Carey), Lieut. Fitzgerald, 3 sergeants, 74 rank and file.
— 25th Somerset (Baltonsborough), 2 sergeants, 10 rank and file.

ENGINEERS.

— 1st Hants (Southampton), Capt. Buchan, Lieut. Rowlands, 60 rank and file, 21 band.
— P.W.O.R. Wilts Yeomanry, under the command of Colonel Lord Charles Bruce, M.P. Salisbury troop (38), Captain Nelson and Cornet Eyre; Hindon (28), Capt. T. F. Grove, M.P., Lieut. Lord Arundel, and Cornet Jarrett; Warminster (38), Captain Lord Henry Thynne, M.P., and Lieut. Barton. There were also detachments from Swindon, Marlborough and Devizes. They were formed into two squadrons, the first consisting of the troops from Salisbury, Everleigh, and Hindon, being under the command of Capt. Grove, and the second, Swindon, Marlborough, and Devizes, under the command of Capt Lord H. Thynne.
The command of the Dorset battalion devolved on Major Kindersley, Captain Matthews acting as Major.
Of the appearance of individual corps it would seem almost invidious to speak, for all certainly looked well, each putting on, no doubt, its best possible appearance for the occasion. We are bound, however, to notice a few general characteristics which seemed to attract special attention. In the first place, then, we think it was very freely admitted that the Hampshire volunteers made the most striking and most effective display. True, this was in some measure owing to their superior numbers, but it was not entirely due to that. Their neat grey uniform contrasted very markedly with the dark green (almost black) uniforms of the Wilts and Dorset corps, and by no means suffered from the contrast. Then there were the bright scarlet tunics of the Hants Engineers, with their band in white tunics, black trousers, and bearskins; and the dark blue of the strong body of Hants Artillery added still further to heighten the effect. Speaking of the Hampshire volunteers, we must specially mention the Doxford Light Horse, the only mounted rifles on the ground. This is well-known to be a crack corps, entirely self-supported, and mounted and equipped in a very superior manner. It was expected that these would muster 40 strong, and, though there were only about 25 present, it must be admitted they attracted very general attention. Of the horses it will be sufficient to say they were probably, without exception, thorough-bred hunters, each worth a substantial sum. The men seemed all thoroughly in keeping with the horses, and their somewhat peculiar uniform was greatly admired. It consisted of a grey tunic, light corn breeches, Hessian boots, and a bersaglieri hat with a plume of feathers.
The Wilts Yeomanry also looked exceedingly well, and deservedly had a large amount of attention. As during their recent annual training at Marlborough, they were all well mounted and equipped, and presented a capital appearance.
The volunteers began to arrive in Salisbury on Tuesday evening, many of those who had to come from long distances preferring to do that instead of starting at an early hour on the following morning. Amongst those who thus took time by the forelock were the Droxford Light Horse, who came by the South-Western Railway, alighting at the Milford Station, and proceeding at once to their quarters, already secured for them at the White Hart. Some of the Portsmouth Artillery also arrived on Tuesday evening, with their guns, and they too alighted at the Milford Station. On Tuesday morning, however, all was bustle and excitement in Salisbury, as train after train brought the different corps and other visitors, the South-Western Company running no fewer than twelve special trains, and the Great Western also putting on four extra trains. The inhabitants of Salisbury are well known to be staid, sober-minded citizens, not often enthusiastic about anything, and, indeed, not easily moved to enthusiasm with regard to any passing event; but on this occasion they really seemed to have put off their wonted stoicism, and the city evidently assumed its best holiday aspect. There was not, it is true, a very extensive display of bunting or other outward display of excited patriotism; but there was, nevertheless, evidence everywhere of a most hearty and cordial reception to the volunteers. Business was almost entirely suspended at noon, and all classes of the inhabitants bent their way to the downs. The church bells rang merry peals throughout the morning, and when the city became, as it was, literally crowded, the scene was most animated.
Something has been said about the railway companies being behind time in bringing the men here, but we have fully inquired into this, and so far from their being to blame we think both companies deserve much credit for the excellence of their arrangements. The South-Western Company, as we have said, put on no fewer than 12 special trains to bring the volunteers and visitors here, and 13 to convey them back to their respective districts. These conveyed probably 6000 passengers to and from Salisbury without one single accident even of the most trifling character. Of all the number, too, only 140 of the volunteers reached Salisbury by the South-Western trains after 11 o’clock, namely from Alresford and 90 from Alton (3rd Hants). These were due in Salisbury at 11 o’clock, but owing to the great number of special trains on the line it was found impossible to get them here until 35 minutes past 11. The Great Western Railway Company’s special trains for the occasion brought here about 1600 extra passengers, of whom about 1200 were volunteers, including various detachments of the yeomanry and about 60 horses. The latest of these, namely, the yeomanry from Swindon, reached Salisbury at 11 o’clock, and owing to the excellent arrangements were all got out of the station in ten minutes afterwards, so that the arrival of all here was better than could have been reasonably expected. Then, again, it is said, the railway companies ought to have taken them back at a later hour, so that the men would have had more time to get refreshments before they left; but it must be remembered that the times for the return were not fixed by the companies but by the War-office, and it would actually have been more convenient to the companies to have taken them later. The mistake, if any, was in keeping the men so long on the ground, either the military evolutions or the march back to the city occupying, perhaps, a longer time than was anticipated.
On arriving in Salisbury the cavalry assembled in the Close, the artillery paraded in front of the Council House, the first brigade of infantry in the Market-place, the second in the Close, and the third on the Canal. Lieut. Wyndham Pain had the command of a number of guides selected from the 1st Wilts (Salisbury) to direct the different corps on their arrival at the railway stations to the places of parade, Sergeant Ray officiating as orderly. Many of them made the most of the opportunity now afforded them of getting some little refreshment before commencing the duties of the day; after which they re-formed and marched to the ground in good time.
The ground upon which the review took place situated about three miles from the Salisbury Market-place, up the London-road, being a large range of down land, mostly in the occupation of Mr. Lush, farmer, and being the proper, as we stated last week, Mr. Fort, of Alderbury House, and Mr. H. P. Ewer, of this city. It is an extensive reach of down land skirted on the north by the turnpike-road from Salisbury to Andover, and on the south by the high-road running from Clarendon to the same town. It is but a little out of the direct line of the old Roman road leading to Old Sarum; high ridges of land command the east and west of the position, and the valley is intersected by the Pitton-road, in the centre of which, approachable by a ravine extending up to the Andover turnpike, are Mr. Lush’s block of farm buildings, which appeared to be the ‟key of the position” in the sham fight. To the right and left of the Andover road long belts of plantations were supposed to afford favourable means of cover to the attacking force, marching in a direction from London to Salisbury. Having two routes to the ground proved an excellent arrangement, preventing the confusion which would otherwise have been unavoidable. The volunteers passed up Milford-street, marching through the village of Laverstock to the junction of the Andover turnpike with the Ford road, taking the former, whilst all vehicles were required to take the lower or Ford road. The number of spectators was very large, being variously estimated at from 12,000 to 15,000 persons. A large grand stand had been erected on the ground by Mr. J. Marsh, of Salisbury; but this we suspect was not a very profitable speculation. It was erected opposite what was called the saluting flag, but which in truth was only nominally so, and seemed almost ignored. The weather being so delightfully fine, too, and the peculiar conformation of the ground admitting of a good view from almost any part of it, the grand stand was not very extensively patronised. There was a long line of carriages, and these, of course, afforded excellent positions for witnessing all that could be seen. Numerous refreshment booths, one all the way from Bath, were erected on the higher ground at the rear of the grand stand, and these seemed all to enjoy great patronage. Even ‟Aunt Sally” had numerous gipsy representatives, who were kept busily engaged.
After arriving on the ground the volunteers were allowed time for refreshment. They brought their own edibles, but every man was allowed at least a pint of beer or other beverage, from the special fund raised in Salisbury for that purpose. This fund, we believe, amounted to about 110l., our borough members, Mr. M. H. Marsh and Mr. Hamilton, each subscribing 10l., the Bishop of Salisbury 5l., Mr. F. Attwood 5l., the Mayor 5l., Mr. T. Pain 5l. 5s., and many other gentlemen voluntarily sending liberal suras. The beer was supplied by Mr. Wyndham Pain and Mr. W. Fawcett, and was delivered out from four large canteens, each of which was in charge of a sergeant from the Salisbury corps. Although a pint of beer per man was stipulated for, the supply was not restricted to that quantity.
     The review did not commence till about two o’clock p.m., when the whole force formed into position and saluted the reviewing officer, Colonel Erskine, Inspector General of Volunteers. The gallant colonel was accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County (the Marquis of Ailesbury) Colonel Bruce, Assistant-Inspector of Volunteers, Lieut.-Col. the Hon. J. W. Colville, Colonel Everett, and other officers. The following was the distribution of the force, as arranged at the War Office:—

     The Artillery and Mounted Rifles were under the command of Lieut.-Col. Bower, a gallant officer belonging to the Droxford corps, whose well decorated breast bespoke much active service.
In commencing the operations of the day the force was drawn up acccording to official order given above, when the staff rode down the line, the splendid band of the Hants Engineers playing an effective march. The inspecting officer and staff then took post at 200 or 300 yards to the right of the grand stand, and the marching past commenced, the yeomanry taking the lead in squadrons. The three brigades marched past in capital style, several of the corps loudly cheered as they past the grand stand. We have reason to believe that the inspecting officer was well pleased with this marching past, and though the Hampshire men perhaps deservedly had the palm, the 1st Wilts Battalion we know were not uncomplimented. It was a very friendly rivalry and all certainly deserved much praise. The Dorset volunteers throughout acquitted themselves admirably, and so too did the comparatively small band from Somerset, whose pretty brown grey uniform found many admirers.
Now began the grand military spectacle known on these occasions as a sham fight, the scene being exceedingly pretty to the spectators, though the actual nature of the movements could not be followed by any but a military man thoroughly up in the movements, and previously acquainted with the whole plan of operations. As far as it can be stated on paper it was intended to portray the approach of an enemy towards Salisbury on the London Road, the object being at the same time to secure, if possible, the route to Clarendon. To resist this the right wing was thrown out as skirmishers, the centre forming the support, and the left wing being held in reserve. These latter advanced, supporting the skirmishers in ecelon, the Light Horse having been sent forward to reconnoitre. After a long fire, well sustained, rallying squares were formed, which were supposed to be ridden at by cavalry. The first skirmishers thereupon retired, and were relieved by the second brigade, the artillery at the same time opening a rattling fire on the front of the enemy’s advance. A heavy and continuous fusillade was kept up for about a quarter of an hour by the infantry on the heights facing the Clarendon road, but meanwhile the enemy was supposed to have appeared in force on the left flank, and consequently ground was taken in echelon to the left, and skirmishers were again thrown out as before. The scene of contest was thus transferred from the heights to the ravine leading down to the farm, where a tremendous fire was kept up for a considerable time, the infantry being well supported by the cavalry and artillery, the guns of the latter being served throughout with surprising rapidity. The troops at length deployed into line, the cavalry charged, and ultimately the enemy was beaten off, and the defenders left in possession of the field. The volley firing was throughout excellent.
These manoeuvres were of course very elaborate, occupying fully three hours, and testing very fully the efficiency of all the corps engaged in it. When it is remembered that some of the Volunteers had to muster as early as 5 o’clock in morning, and that their march to and from the station and review ground with the preliminary parade would certainly be equal in itself to a distance of some seven or eight miles, it will readily be admitted that they had a tolerably hard day’s work. However, they seemed to stand it admirably, and upon their return to the stations many of them were heard to express themselves much gratified with all the proceedings of the day.
The War Office had ordered the erection of a hospital tent on the ground, to be available in the event of an accident. It would be something strange of course if such a field day passed over without an accident of any kind, but we are glad to say there was nothing at all of a serious character. Amongst the yeomanry it is true there were a few ‟spills” for their horses were not accustomed to the work, and the first volley by the Artillery tried not a few the riders. In one troop no fewer than five men suddenly found themselves on the sward, but fortunately none of them were in any wav injured beyond the shock. In another instance the horse of one of our Salisbury troop (Corporal H. Widcombe) fell and rolled over its rider, injuring his wrist, but this so far as we have been able to ascertain was the most serious accident connected with the review. The barrel of one of the rifles burst when being fired, but strange to say neither the owner nor any of his comrades were in any way injured by it. Several of the men had to give up from sheer exhaustion, but a little rest soon of course set them right again.
At the close of the review the battalion officers were summoned at a point of the review ground about half mile from, the saluting base. The Lord-Lieutenant first addressing them, said as a non-military man he could not of course venture an opinion on the manner in which they had performed the various manoeuvres in which they had been engaged. He could not help saying, however, that he was highly satisfied, indeed very much gratified, at seeing such a good muster of the Volunteers, and also with their soldier-like appearance and conduct, upon which at all events he could not help thinking Colonel Erskine would be able to make a favourable report to the War Office.
Col. ERSKINE quite concurred in Lord Ailesbury’s observations about their excellent muster and their soldierlike appearance and conduct. Altogether he considered the evolutions of the various troops had been well performed, and though he must say there had been some mistakes, they were such as almost inevitably occurred in the manoeuvres of large bodies of men, especially, as in the case of volunteers, where the men had not frequent opportunities of working together. Those mistakes, however, were fewer and of more trifling character than he had been prepared to expect, and his report to the authorities at the War Office, he was happy to say, would be a favourable one. He had been much pleased with the manoeuvres of the whole of the force and the cavalry, he must say, had acted particularly well on somewhat rough and difficult ground. He should, of course, have liked to see the Engineers engaged more in accordance with their particular business, but that could not be on that occasion. After complimenting the artillery on their smartness, the gallant colonel concluded by again expressing himself much pleased with the manner in which the whole force had acquitted itself.
This concluded the actual business of the day, and the volunteers were soon on the march to Salisbury, returning, as they came, through Laverstock.
Though, as we have said, there was a very liberal distribution of beer on the ground, we must say the men conducted themselves on the whole most admirably, and though there were some few evidences of potent influences at work, those instances were far fewer, to quote the words of the inspecting officer, than most people must have been ‟prepared to expect.” Two of the Hants Artillerymen, who had each had more than pint, left the ranks on the return march, and took the higher road to Salisbury, as did also some of the volunteers. The artillerymen got up a quarrel between themselves on the road, and afterwards betook to fighting; but neither of them suffered any very serious injury, for we afterwards saw even the one who had suffered most punishment come up in time to join his regiment in the Market-place.
It was after six when the volunteers returned to the city—nearly seven before they had all arrived, and as most of them were then due at the railway stations, there was not much time lost. Very ample—under the circumstances too ample—provision had been made for dining them upon the return to Salisbury. Mr. White, of the Chough, had taken the Market-house, where he had laid dinner for 1000, but owing to the late hour at which the men returned we believe not more than about 150 dined there, the loss of course being very considerable indeed to the caterer. Mr. Ward, of Milford-street, suffered almost as largely, having taken the Assembly-rooms and provided luncheons there for a very large number. It is an ill wind that blows no one good, however, for the public houses and refreshment rooms in Fisherton were literally besieged, and did no doubt a roaring trade.
The Market Lavington corps, between 50 and 60 in number, were entertained by Mr. Tucker, cabinet maker and upholsterer, of the Canal. A very excellent and substantial dinner was laid in the gateway, the chair being taken by Lieutenant Hitchcock. After the cloth was removed, Mr. John Neave, in very complimentary terms, proposed the healtth of Mr. Tucker, and thanked him for his hospitality. The toast was warmly responded to, and Mr. Tucker returned thanks, and expressed the deep interest which he felt in everything connected with the town of Market Lavington, and the gratification which he experienced in having the honour of entertaining the rifle corps that day. The healths of Mr. Walter Tucker and the members of the Wiltshire Yeomanry Cavalry were next proposed, and well received. Mr. James Tucker, of Southampton, returned thanks on behalf of his nephew, and said that it was not unlikely that a review would some day take place on Southampton Common, should the Lavington corps visit that place he should be most happy to entertain them at his residence in Southampton. The toast of the officers of the corps was drunk with much enthusiasm. Lieutenant Hitchcock, in the absence of their much respected captain, Mr. S. Watton Taylor, returned thanks, and observed that he considered it an honour to belong to such a corps, as the non-commissioned officers and privates did all they could to make themselves agreeable, and behaved so well both in and out of the ranks, While they did this they would find himself and his brother ready to lead them at all times and seasons. To give their worthy host and his friends some idea of their good attendance, he would mention that out of 65 members, including the army surgeon and chaplain, the return last year was 52 entitled to 30s., and nine to 20s. Government grant, or 61 effectives. They had that day (the review day) two officers, six sergeants, 44 rank and file, one bugler, and five recruits. In the name of his brother officers he returned thanks for the manner in which the toast had been received.—The health of Mr. James Tucker, of Southampton, having been proposed and acknowledged, the party left in carriages for Lavington, much pleased with their hospitable entertainment.
The Yeomanry were supplied on the ground with a most excellent dinner, provided entirely at the expense of the officers of the regiment, the dinner being appropriately supplemented with a pint of wine per man. We may add, that at the morning parade, in the Close, Colonel Bathurst made his first appearance as lieutenant of the Salisbury troop of Yeomanry, and was greeted by the men with three very hearty cheers, and before separating in the evening cheers were given for all the officers.
As in the morning, the various corps brigaded in the Market-place, the Canal, and the Close, and were very soon on their way to the South-Western Railway Station, the first train by which any of them were to leave being fixed for 6.50, and it was got off at 7.10. The latest by this line were the Southampton men, who were despatched about 9 o’clock. An extra special train, making 13 back, had to be despatched on this line, to convey the Lymington, Lvndhurst, and Christchurch men back. The arrangements were throughout very complete, much care being required to prevent accidents or any interruption of the ordinary traffic, and we believe the officers of the different corps expressed themselves much satisfied with the way in which those arrangements were carried out, both by Mr. Davis, the district superintendent here, and Mr. Holmes, the local traffic manager at the Milford Station, where three of the special trains delivered and took up their passengers. On the Great Western Railway everything passed off equally well, except that all the volunteers themselves did not come up to time. A return train was kept waiting fully half an hour for some of the Bridport Corps, and at length had be despatched without them rather than run any risk of accident through clashing with the other traffic of the line. Those who were left behind mostly belonged to the band of the Bridport corps, and in accordance with the usual instructions of the company they were conveyed home gratuitously on the following morning. The men, it must be confessed, seemed in no way annoyed by being left behind, but rather enjoyed the extended stay. The goods traffic of the line was managed for the day at the Wilton station, and Mr. May was deservedly complimented upon the arrangements he had made for facilitating the arrival and dispatch of the corps and of the cavalry horses, about 60 in number. Apropos of the dispute between this company and the Bristol Artillery Corps, we may say that the ordinary charge to Government for the conveyance of a troop horse from Bristol to Salisbury would be 19s. for the single journey, whereas the company only proposed to charge the volunteers 12s. for the double journey, the men themselves being charged 1s. per man lower than the ordinary excursion fare between Bristol and Salisbury.
The ground was admirably kept by a strong body of the county police, some of whom were also stationed at various points along the route, all under the direction of Superintendent Matthews, assisted by Superintendent Abbott from Warmlnster, and Superintendent Dann from Hindon. Capt. Meredith was on the ground, and seemed to concur in the general arrangements which had been made, and the admirable manner in which they were all carried out.
     In concluding our report, we must again congratulate all concerned in the review—those who suggested it and those who so effectively arranged everything connected with it— , their efforts have been  crowned. To the local committee, and especially to Mr. Jonas Wilton, the obliging and indefatigable secretary of the committee, thanks are especially due for this success, for all who have witnessed similar demonstrations elsewhere must at once admit nothing could have been better managed than the Salisbury Volunteer Review of 1867.