THE REVIEW.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1063, 17 April 1879, Page 2

THE REVIEW.

In our last issue we promised to'give our readers a fall account of the movements of the troops at the Review at Hamilton on Monday last. We were unwilling to pass the matter over as cursorily as our space would have necessitated had we attempted it on last Tuesday. 9 lt appeared to us that a detailed account was due to the officers and men of both the Thames and Watkato Forces for the really efficient manner in which the various evolutions were performed; and to them, and in order that they may have a memorandum of their performances by them in the future, this article is principally addressed. This must be an applagy to our non-military readers for what might appear to them to" be an unnecessary and tedious recurrence to an event some time passed away. The first to appear upon the Review ground were the Te Awarautu troop with their contingent of Hamilton. They mustered seventy-three men, all ranks, who were under the command of Major Jackson. The Cambridge troop followed, with their band at the head of the column. This corps had been delayed through their courtesy to the strangers, the Thames Naval Brigade for whom tbey made' way at the punt. Their master was remarkably good, and their appearance well up to tho mark. Ciptain Runciraan was in command, sixty-two being the muster. The Infantry were. assembled iu Victoria street, and presented an o?en steady, solid appearance, rarely seen amongst Volunteers. They marched, 480 men, under Major Murray to*the ground, iu column of fours with their fine bauds.playing lively marching airs. On the arrival of the last company on the review ground the whole Brigado wa3 formed in review order to receive Col. Lyon, the officer in command. As he rode down the Hue on his inspection, accompanied by Col. Fraser, Captain McPherson, and their Adeis-de-camp and Orderlies, he was received with a general salute. As he returned, the bands of the different companies struck up martial music.

The ranks were then closed, and the Brigade formed into quarter column to the right. The march past then took place in the following order ; Cavalry: In open column, at a walk. Infantry : In open column, quick time. Cavalry: Quarter column, at a trot. Infantry: In quarter column, quick time. Cavalry: In close column, at a gallop

'The noticeable features in the marching past were the remarkable evenness and steadiness of the Infantry. The Thames Scottish looked really like a moving wall, and the Navals were also very regular, and marched splendidly together. It may seem invidious to mention these two corps where all marched so well, bat we are writing from a military point of view, and are therefore bound to say that these two bodies of men had an undoubted superiority over any other on the ground. In the case of the Cavalry the gallop past was grand, although later on in the day it was eclipsed by another performance of the same kind, to which we shall presently refer. Previous to the gallop past

the Infantry had taken ground to the right by fours, to be out of the way<

The march past having been concluded, the Brigade formed line, the Cavalry being on the extreme right; the Engineers on the right of the foot. The line than advanced with really remarkable precision. We have witnessed many movements of the kind, but never saw Volunteer, troops approach the steadiness displayed on this occasion. Our opinion is folly sharei by the Commanding Officer who certainly is an excellent judge of such matters. The advance in line.is probably the most difficult movement, where the line is of any length, that young troops can be called on to execute, and is a sure text of efficiency. We trembled for its success when the order was given, bat were delighted when we saw the manner in which it was obeyed.

The line having been halted, the Cavalry wore withdrawn to the lower end of the ground, and the Infantry advanced in echellon by companies from the right. And now came the most exciting portion of the Review. The men ware put slowly in motion, with the evident intention of quickening theit pace to the charge, for the purpose of ridiug down the advancing foot. They broke into a trot, and almost instantly into a gallop. The fate of qhe foot companies seemed imminent, as the bodies of Cavalry came thundering along by troops. But the word of command was given to form company squares, and, in an instant, little knots of men, with fixed bayonets, were kneeling and standing shoulder to shoulder, and back to back. These litth knots opened fire from the front faces of the squares upon the charging mdsses, with a rapidity which showed the wonderful power the breechloader gives the foot soldier over his m6unted adversary. The fire was simply annihilating,- and, in onr opinion, in real warfare, would have destroyed any body of cavalry of like proportions, lone-before it could have reached the squares. However, to continue our story. The troopers, riding magnificently, forced their comparatively untrained horses up to the fire and smoke reaching within a few lengths of the bayonets, and then, wheeling oatwards by subdivisions, retreated to the lower end of the ground and rapidly reformed. The whole movement, although probably never required in New Zealand warfare, was most effective in appearance, andamplydemonstratedthe efficiency ot both the attacking and defending forces.

; The foot companies, who were, as we have said, in echelton, then formed line on No. 4. Cavalry in rear in quarter column. The Infantry who had been at the commencement divided into ten companies, but during the stage dispensed with the two cadet companies, were then thrown out as skirmishers. Nos. 1, 2, and 3 advanced, and after firing lying down and advancing, for some time, were reinforced by Nos. 4, 5, and 6, who were acting as supports. As they appeared to be hotly pressed, Nos. 7 and 8, the reserves (the Navals) were rushed forward to their assistance, prolonging the line on the right. These men were very active in their movements, and seemed the very fellows to hurl at a Maori pah, although, owing to some mis-understanding of their orders, they were thrown into some confusion, whilst taking up their position. Indeed, skirmishing appeared to be the weakest point j about the foot, a fault which, with the really grand material to work * with, can be easily rectified by practice. The buglo now sounded for coverers, and the whole of the infantry fell back upon them in quarter-column, the cavalry taking up their position ontheirright,alsoin quarter-column. The Brigade then formed line, facing the saluting point, and advanced again with great precision. The Brigade then moved' to the right by fours, halted, and fronted. The Cavalry then formed quarter-column on the rear troop, the infantry on number one. The Brigade then wheeled to the left, and the infantry stood at ease, and lay down, whilst the cavalry marched past the saluting point at a gallop. We think this gallop past was one of the grandest successes we have ever witnessed with volunteers. Every troop kept their line firm, unbroken, and even ; hardly a men caught the eye as out of place. A loud cheer burst from the spatators at the. gallant sight, and the Commanding Officer, as the men swept by at a tremendous pace, gave vent to expressions of strong approval. The Officer in command of the Cavalry rode a slashing bay horse in front of the column, and made the pace at which the mancevre was accomplished very hot. At the top of the hill they came fouw about and charged back down the hill at a terrific pace, left in front, again calling forth loud applause. Perhaps the best description of this movement, although certainly rather flattering, was given by a Maori in our own hearing. He said : " They came up like thunder, went by like lightning, and wheeled like the sweep of a .closing door." In oar opinion the most noticeable feature was the admirable riding of the men, many of whom had horses really untrained to such difficult manoeuvres.

They theu went through the sword exersise, and afterwards formed up in quarter column on th«

right of the Infantry, when six Thames officers came forward and went through the sword exercise in a manner which it was a treat to witie33, and which showed their thorough proficiency in the use of their weapons. The Brigade then marched off the ground. Infantry left in front, with their respective bands playing lively airs. THE CONCLUSIONS To be drawn from this really interesting display are, to our mind, as follows :—ln the first place, if such a number of really sound, healthy efficient men can be mustered in a given spot in Waikato, in such a short time, to make a holiday, what may we not count on if any real earnest business had to be done. It proves also, in reference to our Waikato corps, that when an order is given by their superior officers, they are quick to obay ifc,ao matter at what cost and sacrifice, aud thus stamp themselves as a real stand-iby of the colony if trouble should- arise across our frontier. Not that this is a new thing", for they have done it before, bat the telegram from Col. Whitmore, an old cavalry officer, which has just come to hand, and appears in anqther column, cannot fail to convince- the Waikato Cavalry of the high appreciation which their present effort has met with from the highest quarter.

The next lesson we should learn is this :—Tnat Infantry in New Zealand would do well to pay the greatest attention to skirmishing 1 drill as of the very highest Importance ,to their efficiency in actual warfare in this country. The third lesson is that however grand a spectacle the movements of a body of Cavalry may be on an ordinary review ground, their place on a campaign will be in acting properly as scoots, foragers, and fighting dismounted after using their horses to convey them from place to place with rapidity. We shall at some future date advocate the utilisation of the next drill in ondeavoring to gain efficiency in these duties.

- We quote from one of the highest military authorities in the British Empire upon these questions—Sir Garnet Wolseley. He says : " Withput cavalry, it is really impossible to obtain information of the enemy's doings, or to keep up your communications efficiently. . It is the duty of cavalry to furnish detached parties and patrols to the flanks and rear, and to guard against surprise. It is a favorite argument with those who, basing their opinion on theoretical notions, think that cavalry is a spacies of anachorising; to point to the snrallness of the numbers actually killed by that arm in action. If the same calculation was made regarding Artillery it would be found that the actual loss it inflicts upon the enemy is in no proportion to the high value put upon it Its moral effect is powerful. .... In my opinion it is

greatly to be regretted that the Yeomanry do not aim more at being the best mounted infantry in the world—a position they can easily attain, and which they are prefitted for instead of being Cavalry pure and simple— a position that all thinking soldiers know to be beyond their reach." Now, thsse remarks of Sir Garnet a:e, as every one who knows the interest and pride we take in our Waika'to Cavalry will admit, are inserted here for no purpose of fault finding, but to induce the men to agree to our drills being in future conducted with a viow to making them efficient in the direction we have pointed out. In reference to infantry, the same authority says :—" The ofays when a stiff deployed line of men, shoulder to shoulder, could advance under fire, are past, and the officer who would now dare to attempt such an operation, under the fire of breechloading rifles, should either be tried for murder, or lodged for life in a lunatic asylum. . . Formerly, specially instructed men were required for this work, but now, no infantry are of any value in the field, unless they are good shirmishers." Volumes more might be written on this subject, but verbum sap. In concluding this article we wish again to compliment the whole of the troops \in tho review on their admirable discipline and obedience to orders, and to state to our Thames friends that which we are certain is the feeling of the whole of Waikato, viz., that their great pluck and conduct throughout the whole affair will ensure the hoartiest welcome from all in this district when they can find it convenient to pay us another visit.

We append the strength of the rsspective companies and troops :—• The Te Awamutu troop, under Lieuts. Kurherford and Wetherall, 33 strong; Cambridge troop un • Capt. Runcima, Lieuts. Fisher and Kirk wood, 62 strong; aud the Hamilton Contingent, Lieut. Johnson in charge 38 strong; making a total of 133 Cavalry with Band. The Thames Yolunteers, under Major Murray, numbering 480, included the Thames Scottish No. 1 Lieutenants Day and Johnston ; No 2. Company, Captain Watson, Adjutant Schofield, Quartermaster Symington, 67 strong ; and a detachment of No. 3 Company, 12 strong, from Ohinemuri, in charge ot Sergoant Collins; the Thames Naval Brigade, Captain Wildman, Lieu, tenants Gavin, Lawless, and Brown, 120 strong, with band ; the Hanraki Engineers, Captain Small, Lieu, tenants Barlow and Denby, 63

stroug, with the band; the Thames Rifle Kangers. Captain Farrell, Lieutenants . Huater, Grant and Close. 30 strong ; St. George's Naval Cadets, Lieutenants Savage and Stephenson, 35 strong ; the Thames Scottish Cadets, Captain Maurie and Lieutenant Seort, 40 strong ; and the Eharaes Native Voluuteers, under Captain Taipari, Lieutenants Raiaka and Hooa Nahi, 40 strong. Capt. McPherson acting Brigade Major, Lieuts. Schofield and Whitaker as Aides-de-caraps.