THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2185, 20 April 1870, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

THE NIGHT ALARM. Shortly after ono am on Tuesday, tbe sentries on duty in the camp were startled by tbe appearance of two bacon fires on tho Sandhills, to tbe right of tbe camp, followed by two shots from the howitzer; tho men were quickly on the alert, and forming close column of companies, tho cavalry and artillery acting as infantry, the lino then skirmished forward to the site of tlie beacons, and finding no enemy, extinguished it. Hardly, howevor, had this been accomplished, when another beacon fire arose to the left of the line, the presumption being that the enemy who had been driven off in the afternoon bad thought to take advantage of tho defenders being asleep to carry the camp—a proceeding which was defeated by tho watchfulness of those on guard. On arriving at the second beacon, however, it was found that the enemy, probably seeing that it was useless to attempt to carry out his original design, had retreated, and after extinguishing the lire the force returned to camp. Every credit is due to those in camp for tbe rapidity with whioh they mustered, particularly as the alarm was quite unknown to a very large majority of them. THE RETURN TO TOWN. Shortly after eight a m on Tuesday morning the tents and baggage were packed, and the whole force, with the exception of those remaining to fire at tbe Easter meeting of the Rifle Association marched out of camp en route for town. On arriving at the Drillshed the various companies were dismissed, and the men returned to their homes, having thoroughly enjoyed the three days spent under canvas. Before closing our notice of tbe encampment, we must say a word of praise for the admirable manner in which the commissariat arrangements were carried out, under the able superintendence of the Quartermaster, Captain A. Lean, C.E.V. :

not a single complaint being heard during the whole time.