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tening in the sun . This brilliant party passed along the line of arrayed soldiers , long drawn out — the saluting and lively motion of presented arms , and the successive music of many bands announcing their procession . The Queen , it was noticed , " saluted each regiment with military precision . " Having thus moved along the long and horseshoe line of the encampment , the royal party turned the camp and took up a position commanding a view of the " review ground . " Before the Queen lay a broad and shallow valley . To
the right , was Flutter ' s-hill — its top crowned with immense dark masses of spectators — sloping gently down to the valley . At the foot of the slopes the ground was uneven and marshy , cut up in ditches , and broken by turf walls . To the left of the ^ valley rose a high and somewhat abrupt knoll —( behind this , on a lower site , stretched the encampment , now deserted ); under the brow of this knoll , the attacking portion of the combatants ranged themselves in long array—the three brigades forming three continuous open columns . The Guards were on the left , the second Brigade
next it , the first Brigade on the right of that again , the Cavalry and Horse Artillery still further on . But where was the enemy ? From Flutter'shill , the opposite ridge , rashly advanced 100 Sappers , 100 Welsh Fusiliers , some Cavalry farriers , and a few guns . Leaving the black crowd of spectators as a kind of reserve on the heights , they advanced into the hollows of the marshy ground , and " there they might be seen , squatted in ditches or ensconced behind turf walls , apparently crouching , like so many partridges , from the observation of the Guards , whose lofty bear-skin caps might just be distinguished in front of them / ' Flutter ' s-hill and the neighbourhood of it were now covered with multitudes of people , who watched with all anxiety for the moment when hostilities were to commence . For a time nothing was
to be seen but single aides-de-camp galloping desperately from point to point beneath , and far off in the distance the cavalry stealing eastward to turn the left wing of the enemy . But suddenly the scene changed . The skirmishers of the 42 nd led the attack , descending from the heights , and opened a fire upon the men who occupied the enclosure in the hollow . Their rapid and scattered tiring was checked by the unexpected appearance of a party of the enemy , who rose up from the marshy ground , where their recumbent position had been unobserved by the spectators . These poured in a sharp fire on the skirmishers , who fell back firing
and retiring . The Highland regiments then formed into squares , deployed into line , and advanced . This movement was really a very beautiful sight . The steadiness of the onward progress , and the precision of the Highland vollie 3 were the subjects of general admiration . Availing themselves of every shelter , and , where exposed , rushing forward until they secured cover , the Highlanders had hard struggle . The small party of " the enemy" continued its resistance , and then the Foot Artillery , taking up a position on a height on the right flank of the infantry , opened a firo on the marsh , and speedily dislodged the little band .
( This small corps , which represented what might be called the active spirit of the enemy , so as to give vitality to the battle , consisted of the men off duty of the 23 rd Welsh Fusiliers , a party of the ltoyal Sappers and Minors , and some few cavalry , under the command of Lieut .-Colonel Vicars , R . K . With this little party , who had forty rounds of ammunition served out to them , the supposed line of the enemy was prominently marked , and sufficient point given , to evidence the utility and reason of the vigorous charges made by the Guards and Highland regiments . ) The Guards joined in thin attack . On reaching tbo ground the cavalry had formeil in clone columns of Hqnndrons , the
Carabineers attd mtli Light DritgooiiH in front , and the l » t Life Guards nnd the Lancers in the roar , having the Horse Artillery noting in concert with them . The cavalry dismounted , nnd waited , upon the extreme right of tli « lino , the arrival of the infantry . The first movement of the cuvalry , after the skirmishers of the Foot Guards were thrown out , was to remount and deploy into line and advance , en Echelon of squadrons , from the right , and then , by a well-executed movement , form n lino on the loading echelon . The Carabineers nnd tbe Light Dragoons again advanced in line , covered by their skirmishers , nnd supported by the Life Guards and Lancers . The skirmishers wore called
in , the Gth nnd Llth made a magnificent charge , and retired in columiiH of troops from tlio right of regimentu , and re-formed line in rear of the Guards and LamciH . ( On the occasion of one of these beautifullyexecutt'd evolution ^ tbo Duke of Cambridge gnllojKjd up , ami exclaimed in n loud voice of" approbation , " Very well done , Carabineers . " ) The Foot Guards having gone through several brilliant movements , and taken up a ixwition Ixshind one of tbo hills , out of reach of the supposed tinemy ' n guns , a splendid lino wns ut length
formed . The whole of the cavalry advanced in two lines , the Life Guards and the Lancers charged with splendid effect , the " support" halting during the charge . The charging regiments then retired , in columns of troops from both flanks , leaving the " support" a clear front to charge again , which they did in brilliant style , notwithstanding the rough character of the ground . The whole of the cavalry then retired , covered by the skirmishers of the 6 th and 13 th , who kept up a rapid fire from their carbines during the retreat . The cavalry halted , supported by the artillery , called in their skirmishers , and changed front from
half left on the Carabineers . The whole of the infantry brigades were now in line , ready for a decisive movement . The enemy , numbering nearly one hundred men , had still retained possession of their ground , and the gallant band of the 23 rd Fusiliers still , as at Albuera , " stood triumphant on the fetal hill . " Below them , however , might be seen the gathering storm which was to sweep before them not merely the brave military defenders of this valuable position , hut the hundreds of peaceful visitors who had lulled themselves into a state of blissful security , and who crowded the slopes of this little eminence . The infantry skirmishers
advanced , the brigade of Guards fired a deafening volley and rushed forward in column to the foot of the devoted hill , supported by other regiments , and with measured tread and rapid step commenced the ascent . At length , what with the cavalry manoeuvring on the extreme right , to turn its position , and the artillery , on the heights in the rear , covering the attack , and the three brigades pushing forward with the most headlong vehemence , the foe was driven back to Flutter ' s-hill , on the brow of which it stood , apparently resolved to make one last despairing effort . A threatened charge of cavalry induced it to form square , but
the danger passed away or the square got smashed by a flank fire from the Horse Artillery . The crowds of people who had collected on Flutter ' s-hill jiow found themselves , to their great dismay , in the thick of the fight . The close fire of blank cartridge they stood tolerably well . When they saw the Grenadiers , the Coldstreams , and the Fusiliers—old familiar friendscoming at their position with fixed bayonets and at a charge , they felt uncomfortable , but did not give way much . The 73 rd and 42 nd , however , put them completely to the rout . Nothing could possibly be finer than the advance of the brigade of Guards in two lines ,
supported on the right flank by a heavy battalion m square . Their halt , and the delivery of their volley , were something terrific ; and this latter , followed by their charge up the opposite bill , with another simultaneous charge suddenly by the Carabineers and 17 th Lancers on the right flank , at once routed the assembled multitude . The brave Fusiliers , the useful Sappers , and the indispensable farrier * , retired before the advancing masses , unable any longer to bear the unequal fight , and the hundreds of camp followers fled in
a most precipitate and tumultuous manner . It was a complete and an amusing rout , and her Majesty and Prince Albert laughed heartily at the scene . But now , to render the rout , if possible , more complete , the fieldbatteries opened fire from several parts of the ground , the cavalry took ground further to tbe right , and in the flank of the enemy , wheeled into lino , and charged towards the hill in a dashing style . The victorious infantry formed on tho top of the hill , and the colours of tbe Guards floated triumphantly on its summit . Tho field was fought nnd won .
Then tho troops defiled before the Queen . The cavalry , after the last charge , formed into musses of columns of squadrons , paused round at tbo buck of the ridge , of which tbe contested hill formed a part , nnd shortly after cuirass nnd helmet and lanco nnd fluttering pennons appeared coming over the ridge , and columns of infantry occupied tho slopes and other portions of tho hills , preparatory to their defiling before her Majesty . The bands of the cavalry regiments camo down from tho hills , near to tho foot of tho slope where tho Queen ' tent was placed , and her Majesty advanced some distnnco down the hill , in order to bo nenrcr to tho troops us they pusscd . Tho sight of the infantry swooping in open columns over the side of the hills was most
striking nnd picturesque , nnd her Majesty expressed herself highly delighted with the grand spectacle afforded * As each regiment defiled , its band moved to tho right and took up a position opposite tho royal tent . Tho Horse and Foot Artillery followed , and then camo tho brigade of Guards , tho drums nnd flfoH playing tho " British Grenadiers . " Tho scone at this moment wns remarkably picturesque . Tho cavalry extended its glittering files as far an tho oyo could reach . Tho Gunrds were immediately in front , with the i ) 3 rd Highlanders following in their rear . Tho valley was occupied by tho 95 th and 38 th regiments , while the other corps might bo soon at different points emerging from tho gorge separating tho , two hilla on the loft of the
royal tent . The rear was formed by the Bifle Brigade . The appearance of the troops excited altogether universal admiration . There were some that pointed with pride to the Queen ' s company of Grenadiers , in which not a man was under the hei g ht of 6 ft . 2 in . Others regarded with wonder the stalwart forms , broad shoulders , and sturdy limbs of the Highlanders . There were those , too , who remarked with satisfaction the medals which graced tbe breast of many an old campaigner in the 95 th . Each regiment had its friends , and the whole was certainly a display of which the nation might well be proud . There is no country in the world from whose army , however large , 9 , 000 men could be brought
together that , either in height , size , strength , vigour , health , or appearance , would bear comparison , or anything like comparison , with the men who passed before Queen Victoria on Tuesday , on Chobham-common . The 42 nd passed with their pipers playing " Bonnie Laddie—Highland Laddie , " and the Rifles with their Jager chorus . This procession was by far the finest feature of the day ' s proceedings , and must have struck everyone who witnessed it as a really splendid sight , the presence of the Sovereign and of so many thousands of her subjects enhancing the influence which welldisciplined and effective troops , representing the flower of the British army , naturally exercise over the mind .
This closed the review . The weather was fine , and the crowd of people from London immense ; fourteen thousand tickets for Chertsey having been taken at the Waterloo station . There was a large number of ladies on the gronnd , whose equestrian feats would have astonished some of their fair sisters , especially if they had seen them flying in advance of or joining in a charge of cavalry . We understand that not a single accident occurred to any of the cavalry regiments , horses or men . Several of the infantry , however , were injured by the discharge of their arms . The total forces on the field were — officers ,. 387 ; men , 7 , 469 ; horses , 1 , 757 ; guns , four 9-pounders ,. twelve 6-pounders , six 12-pounders , and two 24-pounders .
The Queen has since notified her perfect approbation of the movements executed during the day . On Thursday , some manoeuvres took place , exercising the infantry in resistance to cavalry . Some minor details of the experiment are noticeable . Each soldier gets l ^ lb . of bread , and ^ lb . of meat daily . The soldiers complain of the smallness of the tents ; the same tent which an officer has to himself is given to fifteen privates . The visitors to Chobham grumble at the badness of . the road from Chertsey to the camp . Prince Albert visited the camp yesterday .
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THE BRITISH FLEET . Theee was a stirring scene at Malta on the morning " of the 8 th . On the evening before , her Majesty's steamship Caradoc , the arrival of which from Marseilles hadl been anxiously expected for some days previously , was telegraphed , and shortly after she entered the port . All was immediately in a state of activity , officers of every rank hastening to convey orders or message * according to their instructions , and before long tkeanticipated signal was made , " Fleet , prepare for sea , " No time was lost , and by ten o ' clock every steamer had its steam up , and tho Arethusa frigate was taken in tow by the Tiger , and got out . In the meantime the wind , which was fair , blew with some violence into tho harbour , nnd it wns impossible in the darkness of the night to incur the risk of towing out the ships . At six the following morning , tho Caradoc , which hail been employed in coaling during the night , got under weigh for tho Levant with important despatches for-Lord Stratford do Itedcliffe , and before she was well out of the harbour the ships were nil ready for sea .. By eight o ' clock all had left their moorings ; and before cloven o ' clock every vessel , all of which had . shaped their course for tho Levant , was out of sight from the signal tower . In endeavouring to get out on ;
tbo previous evening , tho Uritannia hud carried away her flying jib-boom , which wns tho only accident Captain Graham , of the Rodney , beat out in beautiful style . Ho thought it a discredit not to be able to fhul . his way out without tho aid of a " smoker , " and refused to bo taken in tow . Tho fleet arrived ire Ifcsika Bay in fivo days . On Sunday last Itenr Admiral Houston Stewart arrived in Malta by the French steamer Mentor , from Marseilles , and shortly nfter hoisted bin ling uu board tho Niger steam-frigate , and received tho salute duo to his rnnk . Admiral Stewart relieves Itear-Adiniral Harvey aa miporintendent of the Malta dockyard .
Admiral Cony ' s squadron cntorod Portsmouth on Tuesday . There is now uusemblcd at that port th # most i > owerful fleet of steamers of wur the world cuu produce , among them nine sail of the line ( sailers and steamers ) , and eight first-class frigates , as the following enumeration of their character will ihow : —
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fiftfi THE LEADER . [ Satprpat ,
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), June 25, 1853, page 606, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1992/page/6/
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