THE BERKSHIRE CAMPAIGN.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2664, 13 November 1871, Page 3

THE BERKSHIRE CAMPAIGN.

[From the Home The " autumn manoeuvres " in Berkshire commenced on the 7th September, and was brought to a close on the 21st September, and, on the whole, the result has been satisfactory. The three branches of the services engaged —that is, dividing the branches into three broad bodies, the Regulars, the Militia, and the Volunteers—have coalesced admirably, and have fought and fraternised with perfect cordiality. The commencement of the campaign was marked with some strange incidents. The first division of the manceuvring army was under orders to remain at Aldershot until further orders, so the members composing that body were at ease and content. Not so with the second and the third divisions, the first-named being started for Hartford Flats, and the second to Woolmer. Tin pannikins rose to a premium at once, and preserved meat was looked upon as a luxury. The troops got off, however, and hitherto there has scarce been heard a grumble either as to the arrangements or the result. Newspaper correspondents are, of course, in great glee. They have all the glory of a real war, and the comfort of looking at a sham battle. Some of the incidents of the mimic war are interesting enough. The militiamen seem to have behaved themselves in a way to deserve praise. They took to the first day's march as though they loved it. " Lor, sir," said one of them to the übiquitous newspaper man, "I walked further nor this many a Sunday, just to take birds* nests, and had no rations to receive either." Boots, or rather the want of them, was one of the sorest places with the militia. They were supplied with one pair each only, and damp boots, when placed to dry by camp fires, are apt to f»et hard and uncomfortable. A second pair has, however, been served out, and the grumblers are silenced and their efficiency increased. Not to the modest militiamen have the experiences been confined. The sons of dukes have participated therein, and have emerged therefrom covered with glory, having learned wisdom and enloyed themselves in the acquirement thereof. Of one such gentleman we are told that he was eeen with his shirt sleeves turned up, trying with all his might to cook a rasher of bacon, the fire being made of coke and the fireplace the tailboard of a cart, a fellow-officer blowing the fire in the

meantime. Another " noble scion," more fortunate, has a servant who procures and cooks a beefsteak for him. This the servant bears through the lines in triumph. His master is anxiously waiting, seizes the steiik, places it hetween two hunks of bread, grasps the mass between his thumb and finger, subdivides it; by moans of a clasp knife, and enjoys himself—and a bottle of beer —amazingly. Such experiences, whether they teach war or no, will teach men the grand lesson of helping themselves aud feeling happy in making themselves accustomed to duty. The plan of the war was made out somewhat after this fashion. The invading army consisting of two divisions and of nearly two-thirds of the forty thousand men engaged—having, landed on the south coast, attempted to make the Valley of the Thames, through a break in a long range of hills. This paes being forced, the march on London would have been comparatively safe. The first battle was fought on Saturday, and was gained by the " proud invader." Rendered iusolent by triumph and flushed by victory, he attempted to follow up his success. Hβ was repulsed, however, and London may now be considered safe. It will be impossible to estimate the practical results of the affair until the official reports are laid before the public, and compared with the somewhat diverse records sent in from day to day by the various newspaper correspondents. One thing ia pretty certain, the cost of the play will be something considerable ; it may, however, turn out to be worth it.