THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 595, 19 April 1870, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

»■- . The camp wore a much busier aapeofc yesterday than previously. From the first sounding of the reveille in the morning up to noon, additional volunteers continued to arrive, and visitors from Christcburch were even more numerous than expected. Private traps and omnibuses were alike pressed into service, and were invariably crowded with passengers. There were also many equestrians, and not a few performed the journey on foot. The early morning was occupied fay the volunteers in the usual camp duties of drill, and commanding officer's inspection, after which, they were dismissed to make ready for the projected sham fight. By one o'clock, the effect of this was visible on all sides in the bustle and excitement of military preporation for field work. 'Jhe men rapidly equipped themselves in light order, and having fallen in in front of their respective quarters, were proved by the officers intended to command them. The Yeomanry and Cadets were amalgamated into one troop. The Lyttelton Artillery and Cadets, with the representatives of the Timaru battery, were formed -to act in unison, and the Heathcote Volunteers were told off to parade with the Engineers and Engineer Cadets. All the other corps fell in independently, and the whole were then marched upon their coverers on the parade ground, forming there as an open column right in front. Having next wheeled into line, Colonel Packe, attended by his staff, com' posed of Capt. Lean, Quartermaster, Capfc. Merton, Lieuts, Wolfe and Allison, aides-de-camp, then rode up and down the ranks to inspect the men. This being concluded, the brigade broke into open column right in front and inarched past; the Yeomanry and Orphan Asylum bands during each of these manoeuvres playing appropriate music. The flag pole, immediately in front of the Commanding Officer's tent, .■ formed the saluting base, and in addition to the staff, a large number of ladies and the general public took up positions immediately around it. A goodly nnmber of the the latter also witnessed the proceedings from the adjacent sandhills which were admirably adapted to the purpose, giving a clear view of every movement. After the march past, the infantry were halted opposite the saluting base, whilst the cavalry and artillery trott.d past iv troops and batteries, afterwards forming up again at the head of the column. The infantry in their turn next marched past at the double, breaking into quick time on arriving at the first wheeling point, and resuming their old position. Making fair allowance for the uneven nature of the grouud and mixed constitution of some of the corps, all

these movements were very well executed, the first march past being the best. The review manoeuvres being concluded, the force marched off in column of troops, batteries, and companies, to the open ground on the right of the camp, where they formed lino, in preparation for the sham fl^ht. The point Bought to be protected was the track leading from the river towards the camping ground, and whence the enemy were supposed to be advancing on the camp. The •calvalry, under Major Wilson, were thrown out in skirmishing order to examine the country in front ; and the two batteries of artillery,' commanded by Captain Bird, at the same time took up positions on mounds commanding the road leading from the sea beach, on the opposite side of the river. The guns being unlimbered, the cavalry retired, and the -engineers were thrown out in skirmishing order amongst the flax on the low-lying land to the right of the artillery. Hostile operations were then commenced by simultaneous firing along the whole line, the Engineers slowly pushing forward until the bank of the river was reached. During the3e proceedings the remainder of the Infantry, under Captain Hawkes, was moved up in rear of the guns as asupport,and the Cavalry took up cover in one of the numerous hollows amongst the sandhills The enemy was, however, supposed to be too strong, and to have succeeded in crossing the river. The L>y ttelton Artillery accordingly limbered up and retired to a position some little distance in rear towards the camp ; the supporting Infantry and those of tbe Battery not engaged with their gun advanced in skirmishing order towards the river, pouring in a hot fire. The Engineers, oa the extreme right, were now also forced to give way, and the Christuhurch gun being limbered up the whole line retired, the right thrown back so as to cover the camp. The Christchurch gun having taken up a* fresh position directly on the track fired a few more rounds, the Engineers hotly pursued retiring with rapidity. ' The Lyltelton gun next cpencd fire on the extreme left of the line ; and protected by the Infantry the Christchurch battery again retired towards the camp, the right of the line still thrown back. : The infantry, on the right, getting in rear of some rough ground, formed by the first row of sandhills, made a short stand, and then again retired by fours down the track towards the camp, the cavalry following. A very inexplicable cessation of firing along the whole line now took place, and the next thing apparent was the Chnstchuruh gun entirely deserted on the track. The presumption was that tbe enemy had captured it during the retreat, but the long absence of firing by the defenders of the camp was rendered all the more strange th.reby. A new line being, however, eventually formed, firing again commenced from the small arm corps, and the Cavalry then charged smartly down the track, recapturing the gun, and driving the enemy come distance away towards the river. The members of the battery then came forward at the double, and as the Cavalry retired, delivered three rounds from their recovered gun, immediately afterwards limbering up, and retreating under protection of their mounted comrades in arm* j£o the new line. The brigade having now reached fki tutskirts of the camp a final stand was made behind the last ridge of sandhills ; the two guns in tbe centre, and the infantry on each flank. The heavy guns first renewed the conflict, opening fire down the track, and the infantry in skirmishing order immediately afterwards followed suit. A hot fusilade having been kept up for several minutes, the infantry closed to company order on the right of the heavy guns. Several volleys were then poured in by them, the artillery also keeping up a good fire. These strenuous efforts checked the hitherto onward course of the enemy, and during a temporary cessation of firing the Cavalry made a charge come distance to the front. Being beaten back, they retired to their old position, and firing was again- commenced by the Artillery and Infantry. A few rounds thus delivered completed the defeat of the enemy, and the whole line except the Artillery-ad-vanced, halting for one volley midway, and then finally driving on: the foe by a charge across the flat. This ter nutated the mimic engagement, and the whole force was then marched back to camp and the men dismissed to their quarters, No further extensive operations were undertaken during the remainder of the day, but a general relaxation of discipline was allowed. The public were permitted to wander freely through the camp, and the Cavalry band played Beveral selections of music for the accommodation of those who desired to indulge in dancing. About five o'clock the public began to return to town, but although the majority left, there were many who remained until long after darkness had set in. The convivial gathering round the camp fire was no doubt the a((raction,and it was decidedly worthy of witnessing. Far more volunteers mustered round its cheery blaze than on the first night of . the encampment, and the vocal performances were much superior. A very merry congenial evening was spent in this manner, and it was not without regret that the assembly was eventually broken up. Regarding the general proceedings of the day we may fairly deem them a success. The sham fight was well conceived and carried out with fully the average credit of. volunteer forces. 'I he men all worked well and zealously, the large guns, though in very heavy ground, were smartly handled, and the only regret that could be felt was the still small muster of the various corps. No. 6 Company had improved most in numerical atreDgth since Sunday, but was yet very far (from its old muster.