SHAM NIGHT ATTACK UPON MELBOTJENE.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1379, 9 April 1867, Page 3

SHAM NIGHT ATTACK UPON MELBOTJENE.

[From the " Australasian."]

Last night the metropolitan volunteers were called upon to defend Melbourne from a sham night attack by enemy's ships, just as they might be required to do any time in earnest. The whole affair was curiously impromptu, and came about in this way. Some weeks ago a request j was made to head-quarters that an opportunity might be given to the St. Kilda Artillery to try their six new horsed guns. The horses had been supplied at the expense of Captain Sargood, commanding the St. Kilda corps, and the object was to see how they would stand fire before they ventured upon the work of the next Sunbury campaign. A plan was drawn up, and so soon as other troops were invited to join, a strong universal desire was expressed by the whole metropolitan volunteer force to take part. The thing grew so rapidly upon Colonel Anderson's hands that he had almost at the last moment, and immediately on his return yesterday from absence on leave, to arrange for taking out the whole force for a night. The idea then was to form the St. Kilda and Brighton Artillery and the Southern Eifles into an attacking party, which had somehow landed and taken up a position at the bridge of the abandoned loop railway line over the St. Kilda road, but it was abandoned as soon as Captain Luce, of H.M.a. Esk, expressed a determination to have a hand in the affair. In consequence, the troops were united in a defending force resisting an attack by sea, ships in the bay firing at the town and shipping,

and boats with troops attempting i landing. This was, in efiect, the pro gramme carried out last night, Colone' Anderson commanding. It was greatlj to be regretted that an importani pre-engagement prevented His Excellency and General Carey from being present. It was supposed that the alarm had reached Melbourne before the attacking ships came up, aud that the volunteers were suddenly called out. The St. Kilda and Brighton Artillery and the Southern Rifles were constituted a left flank force, under LieutenantColonel Mair. They took up a position near the abandoned loop-line, and with their horsed guns and infantry occupied that point of defence. The main body was composed of three battalions. No. 1, composed of artillery corps not required in the batteries, under Captain Raven ; and Nos. 2 and 3, composed of rifles, under the command of Captains Irving and Radcliffe respectively. Besides these,there were the Metropolitan, or Prince of Wales' Light Horse, with two horsed guns, under Captain Purchas, and eighty men of the Engineers, under Captain Parnell. The Lagoon, Central, and Emerald-hill batteries of 68----pounders were manned by the Sandridge Naval Brigade and the Emeraldhill Artillery ; and across the bay, the Williamstown Naval Brigade and Artillery Corps, who had to be telegraphed to, so sudden and improvised were the preparations, to man their batteries. Staff-surgeon GHllbee and most of the other medical oflieers of the corps were also in attendance. Altogether, there were 1480 men engaged in the supposed action. The rendezvous for the main body was the north gate of St. Kilda park. Here the commanding officers met shortly after seven p.m., and reCeived their instructions. Night had then closed in, and the moon was partially eclipsed. At a quarter to eight the first corps, viz., the Metropolitan Rifles and Artillery arrived. Before this, the weather was threatening, but at eight p.m. the sky cleared, and in a quarter of an hour the whole force, comprising every corps in and about Melbourne, save the Pentridge Rifles, which had not been asked, were on the ground ; and their steadiness in taking up position was to their lasting credit. They then commenced to file down the road which leads through St. Kilda park and under the railway, to the open space behind the batteries. It was time they did so, for the attack had begun. The left flank party had to repel a boat attack, and they led the firing at the boats, both with their field guns (brass 12----pounders) and musketry. H.M.s. Esk next opened fire at the shore, and was followed by the Naval Training-ship, under Mr Handfield. The 68-pounder batteries at Sandridge and Williamstown returned the fire with interest, and as the infantry hurried up to support the batteries, the scene was very striking. The flashes from the guns seemed to light up the bay, for they were served with great rapidity, and the roar of the artillery, the volumes of thick smoke driven in shore by the southern wind, the pouring masses of troops, and the thousands of people who had been drawn to the place, made up a very unusual spectacle. For about half-an-hour the firing was very animated, and it was not from the batteries alone. The cavalry had brought up their guns in brilliant style, driving over the heavy sand with rapidity and steadiness, and they got into action within a few seconds of their halt. The infantry took up their position to support the batteries and prevent a flank attack, and at length the boats, driven off by the musketry and field pieces, and the ships beaten off by the superior metal of the shore batteries, the enemy was judged to be driven back aud utterly defeated. At the signal for ceasing fire the troops were drawn off and massed in the rear of the central battery, where they were put through a variety of battalion manoeuvres, which they performed with the facility which has become their usual attribute. Several times their position was changed while on the march. At about half-past ten o'clock they proceeded towards their several parade grounds. In case the enemy had landed and cut off the bridges, the Engineers had constructed a pontoon raft bridge across the Xarra opposite the Immigrants' Home. It was not used, but the fact of its being done was a valuable drill. The weather was pleasant throughout the affair, though rain threatened towards the last. There were no casualties, but had any occurred ample means were at hand for dealing with the cases. The staff oflieers assisting Colonel Anderson were Colonel Rede (brigade major), Major Hall, and Captains Snee, Stubbs, and Martin. It should be mentioned, to the honor of the cavalry, that the horsing of the field-guns for the St. Kilda Artillery, at the personal cost of Captain Sargood, is not wholly unprecedented, seeing that the field-guns belonging to the Metropolitan and Sandhurst troops of cavalry are horsed at the expenee of the corps.