at parades less numerous than could have been wished. The regiment was
not in reality getting all the good anticipated. The canteen, as ever,
broke in upon punctuality and discipline. Beer and boon companionship
showed themselves at afternoon parades, and at roll call. Silence and
lights out after last post were not preserved. Leave was too often
applied for, and far too many only put in an appearance on the day of
inspection.
The _Army List_ for 1871 was as follows:--
The Marquis of Bath, _Honorary Colonel_.
J.F. Everett, _Lieut.-Colonel_.
T. Clark and C. Penruddocke, _Majors_.
R.D. Gibney, _Adjutant_.
William Fawcett, _Quartermaster_.
Charles Bleeck, _Surgeon_.
John M. Cardell and _J.S. Seale_, _Assist. Surgeons_.
1st Corps, Salisbury.
William Pinckney, _Captain_.
George Smith, _Captain_.
W.J. Wilton, _Lieut._
E.F. Kelsey, _Lieut._
F. Hodding, _Ensign_.
, _Ensign_.
T.E. Lee, _Assist. Surgeon_.
Revd. R.G. Swayne, _Hon. Chap._
2nd Corps, Trowbridge.
W.P. Clark, _Captain_ (_Comdt._).
E.P. Stancomb, _Lieut._
W.P. Clark, Junr., _Ensign_.
G.C. Tayler, _Assist. Surgeon_.
Revd. H. Meyer, _Chaplain_.
6th Corps, Maiden Bradley.
, _Captain_.
T.K. Harding, _Lieut._
E.S. Jefferys, _Ensign_.
Wm. N. Marshall, _Hon. Assist. Surgeon_.
Revd. R. Rowley, _Hon. Chaplain_.
8th Corps, Mere.
G. Troyte-Bullock, _Captain_.
E.A. Card, _Lieut._
, _Ensign_.
C. Rumsey, _Assist.-Surgeon_.
Revd. C.H. Townsend, _Chaplain_.
9th Corps, Bradford.
, _Captain_.
William Adye, _Lieut._
E.M. Davis, _Ensign_.
Revd. W.H. Jones, _Hon. Chap._
10th Corps, Warminster.
John Scott, _Captain_.
H. Ingram, _Lieut._
H.J. Wakeman, _Lieut._
T. Ponting, _Ensign_.
J. Flower, _Assist. Surgeon_.
Revd. Sir J.E. Philipps, Bart., _Hon. Chaplain_.
13th Corps, Westbury.
R.L.H. Phipps, _Captain_.
, _Lieut._
Samuel T. Stafford, _Ensign_.
14th Corps, Wilton.
, _Captain_.
C.R. Clay, _Lieut._
William Allen, _Ensign_.
P.J. Bennett, _Assist. Surgeon._
Revd. D. Olivier, _Chaplain_.
The usual regimental camp was entered this year (1871) on Homerton
Down, near Salisbury, assembling on the 4th August, and to a certain
extent answered its purpose. The battalion being divided into wings,
one half battalion, under the command of Major Clark, was detailed
to make a night attack on the camp protected by the remaining half
battalion, under Major Pinckney, Lieut.-Col. Everett being umpire.
The attacking party were successful; as the camp, extending over a
wide space on the top of a hill, with corn fields, thick gorse, and
bye-paths surrounding it, could not be defended against or repel
a combined attack on any face with so weak a garrison. A feint,
ultimately turned into a real attack, succeeded, and numbers decided
the victory.
On the 9th the battalion was inspected in camp by Colonel Peel, who, as
before, expressed himself satisfied with the progress all were making
in drill, and attributed the proficiency shown in acquiring the new
system of drill to the battalion being altogether in a camp, and to the
zeal of individual members.
As before, a luncheon was given by the officers to the county; and next
day having struck tents, packed stores, &c., the battalion was marched
to Salisbury, and was dismissed to its various head quarters.
This year, Mr. Poynder, of Hardropp Park, Chippenham, in addition to
numberless other prizes given to The County Rifle Association for the
annual competition, offered the sum of £10 to the best drilling and
really efficient company of each battalion: No. 1 Company and No.
10 Company alone entering for competition in this battalion, Major
Hallowes and Captain Collis of the 25th King's Own Borderers acting
as umpires. After a prolonged competition in drill, in which both
acquitted themselves wonderfully accurately and evenly, it was decided
in favour of the 10th Company, Warminster, that company having a larger
number on the parade ground.
The Expenses of the Camp were £399.
Subscriptions £253.
Camp Allowance £93.
Leaving a large deficit to be met by the travelling allowance. By
the resignation of the commission of junior major, held by Major
Penruddocke, Captain W. Pinckney was promoted to the rank of field
officer, and W.H. Laverton, Esq., was appointed captain in the 13th
Corps at Westbury.
There was a battalion parade held at Warminster on the 1st April, 1872,
and the officers dined together at the mess afterwards, when it was
agreed that the battalion should join the autumn manœuvres, to be held
in the county and in Dorsetshire in August. It was plain that a short
space of time spent in camp with regulars would be of great benefit to
all, and the system of punctuality and implicit obedience to orders
demanded in such a camp would produce corresponding results hereafter.
There were very many arrangements to be made, as the assistance from
Government, beyond promising rations such as were served out to all
the troops, was nothing at all. Some old great-coats were to be lent,
but little else. A committee, working under the lieutenant-colonel
commanding, and having the advice and assistance of one of the most
energetic and far-seeing of men, in Quartermaster Wm. Fawcett, brother
of the late Mr. Fawcett, M.P., left nothing undone, and on the
departure of the battalion from Salisbury for Blandford, where they
detrained and marched into camp, there was not found to be anything
omitted.
Early in the year the vacancy in the command of the 14th or Wilton
corps was filled up by the appointment of the Earl of Pembroke as
captain; and as that officer immediately attached himself to the
Guards, and afterwards to a regiment of the Line, so as to learn his
duties, the addition of his lordship to the officers of the battalion
was a very great advantage.
The battalion mustered at Blandford nearly 400 of all ranks, without
the band (this luxury not being brought), and they were met a short
distance away from their camp by the band of the 50th Foot, brigaded
with them; the men of which regiment had previously pitched the
battalion camp. Thus by their forethought, and desire to be friendly
and helpful, relieved an inexperienced lot from what would have been an
irksome job, and most probably not done at all according to regulation
or to the satisfaction of the authorities.
Whether the exigencies of the service required it, or whether the
marching in of the battalion from Blandford, the attendance at church
parade next day, or the smartness of guards and pickets, satisfied the
officers in command, is unknown; but without any test as to knowledge
or fitness, the regiment joined in a field day early on Monday, the 2nd
September, under the command of Colonel the Honble. Arthur Hardinge,
C.B., commanding the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division; to which brigade the
1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers was attached. In
the afternoon the whole southern army marched past the Prince of Wales
and the Duke of Cambridge, and next day the battalion, as forming part
of the brigade commanded by Colonel Hardinge, took part in the defence
of a position at Critchell attacked by a much larger force. The victory
was unmistakeably gained by Colonel Hardinge, and apparently was
obtained by the simple expedient of allowing himself to be attacked in
front, the only vulnerable point; his flanks being protected by rising
ground and dense woods, previously considered to be impassable by
either party. After some hours of skirmishing, short advances in line,
and refusing tempting opportunities, the attack was brought to an end,
and umpires declared the victory to have been gained by the officer
commanding the 2nd Brigade.
Not improbably, if the services of the volunteers were hastily
required, whole battalions would be at once called into action, and
there would be as little testing of their knowledge of manœuvring,
or even of the use of the rifle, as in these instances. A fortnight
of these divisional and brigade drills might make such men handy and
tolerable skirmishers, but nothing more. The steadiness required in
a retreat, deployments under heavy fire, or when suddenly attacked
by cavalry, would be wanting, and a victorious army on the slightest
check become thoroughly disorganized. Instructions as to any drills,
more especially in those touching upon the defence of positions,
guard duties, pickets, and individual action could not be given on
service; and the absence of a fair knowledge of such matters might
entail ruin on the whole force employed. One thing it most certainly
would do--bring a great diminution of strength in battalions. The
very bravery, contempt or ignorance of danger, and incapability of
self-defence, would decimate the half-taught volunteer battalions.
The 1st Administrative Battalion, Wilts, saw much bloodless service
whilst attending these autumn manœuvres, and learnt how wars were
won, but whether the future tense can be used is not for the writer
to say, he only thinks not. The Battle of Codford was a terrible
battle on paper, and doubtless, with the aid of good district maps,
admirably contrived so that both sides should win, or that defeat was
unlikely. Science and skill were to be the deciders of this great
battle, not murder and panic. Trout streams of varying depths, from
inches to feet, were to be considered rivers, with bridges here and
there broken down by artillery or blown up, so as to delay progress.
Walls and roadside buildings, loop-holed, demanded either delay,
or a detour through fields or swamps to recover the high road, and
artillery were so artfully posted as to be unknown and unseen until
the hail of shot and shell swept away at least a brigade from among
the many advancing, heedless of consequences. These contretemps have
occurred in real warfare. There was a surprise at Moodkee, something
worse at Ferozeshah; bayonets and bravery versus entrenchments and
mistakes at Subraon; and a defeat at Chillianwallah, all in India;
but these happened in days when skill was not so much considered, and
when weapons of destruction and arms of accuracy were quite in their
infancy. The Crimea had taught us something; the Mutinies, China and
Cape wars, more; and the result of the short, but cruel war, between
France and Germany, too recent for its lessons to be forgotten. Besides
all this, what were these autumn manœuvres got up for, but to teach
troops how to fight skilfully, and their commanders to practically
acquire a knowledge of strategy and tactics?
The valley dividing the great ridge, or Grovely Wood, and through
which valley somewhat lazily meandered the Wiley Brook, was the scene
where much of the conflict occurred. Farm houses, cottage gardens, and
water-meadows, half concealed in alder bushes, and low jungle, well
aiding the attack of the bold northern army on the position behind
Grovely Wood, and the great ridge taken up by the southerners. In vain
did the enemy's artillery vomit forth smoke and imaginary shot and
shell from copse and half-hidden points of advantage. The southerners
were not to be scared, but commencing the offensive, poured down upon
the devoted enemy through the paths of the Great Ridge Wood, and
covered by a cloud of skirmishers, drove the enemy from the valley,
dividing the positions of the two forces. Artillery answers artillery,
and cavalry, careless of consequences, chase skirmishers over the
meadows. Now the strategy, or _previous_ arrangements of the south
begin to tell, and gradually the attackers withdraw to their stronghold
across the great river Wiley, there in their turn to be attacked.
Perhaps the strategical part was over, and tactics required
modification; or, it may have been that the lessons in the "New
Primer," reduced to greater simplicity from the German edition on the
subject of warfare, were omitted for the occasion; however, what-ever
was the cause, the minor matters of "bridges blown up," "this part
of river unfordable," "this house is loop-holed," &c., were treated
with the contempt deserved, and men, flushed with victory, risked
their all in running through "unfordable" streams, passing over
"blown-up bridges," or hugging highways whose sides were lined with
"loop-holed" cottages or outhouses. It was no time to stop and consider
these trifles, losing valuable half hours over the restoration of a
bridge, or moving far away to a flank so as to avoid the discharge
from loop-holed barn or house. The heights of Codford, crowned with
artillery and armed men, bid defiance as they rose above the high road
leading to Salisbury, and to take these was to gain the victory.
"Deploy! Deploy!" was the word of command, and brigades extended into
line at the base of the steep hillside, firing volley after volley into
it, preparatory to commencing the ascent. Then came the storm, and,
amid a hail of bullets of imagination, a smother of hot powder, hotter
and thicker from its uncommonly close delivery, a jeer as from an
over-confident enemy, the brave 2nd Brigade struggled up the slippery,
moss-grown chalk hill, and staggering with over-exertion, breathless,
and disorganized, on reaching the summit, fearlessly attacked the
defenders' right, and claimed a victory. There was a pause. The bugles
rang out the "Cease fire," and whilst north and south were wrangling
among themselves as to blunders made, the umpire's decision was given
for the southern army, and parting company, both forces returned to
their camps.
The war ended not here. Yet another encounter took place between
the northern and southern armies before the time arrived for the
1st Administrative Battalion, Wilts, to return homewards. It tried
the marching powers of the volunteers, and appeared to have in it a
definite object and a definite plan; and so far as opening out the
road to London, or to somewhere in that direction, it was decidedly
successful. The flank of the northerners resting on Wishford, was
turned, and there could be no doubt of the inability of the centre and
right to share the glory, even had they come to the aid.
The Grovely Wood, or Great Ridge as it is termed, was an advantage
to the southern force. It extended for many miles continuous with
their right flank, and enabled them at any time to use its various
openings for the purpose of raiding the valley of the Wiley, or for
obtaining information of any changes occurring in the camp of the
enemy, posted on the higher ground between Codford and Wishford. On the
7th September, the battle of Wishford took place, and was commenced
by a large portion of the southern army (using the Great Ridge as
a screen) making a detour to the eastward, and then, when clear,
crossing the Wiley lower down at Wilton, and attacking in force the
left flank of the enemy at the time resting on the undulating ground
above the village of Wishford. The attack was irresistible, and to
all appearances unexpected; the numbers of the attackers being in
excess of the defenders, and no help from centre or flank being given.
Indeed this portion of the northern army had been kept fully employed
during the time occupied by the flank movement of the southerners, by
frequent attacks on it made by the troops holding Great Ridge and the
intervening valley of the Wiley; so that probably their being attacked
in force on the left was a surprise, and doubtless a defeat.
It was a very hard day's work, beginning any short time after daybreak,
lasting until nearly sunset, and it required a man to be the sternest
of disciplinarians not to enter fully into the satisfactory feelings of
H.M. Guards, when, some time before the finish of the day, they were
told by their commanding officer to lie down. "Smoke, if you like,"
added the hardened man, as he expressed himself grateful to the cocked
hat putting him and his regiment out of action till the battle was
over. Misguided man; he had perhaps despised his enemy, or on some
hill, somewhere, artillery were massed, and would play havoc among his
men, and for these he had not allowed. "You should have reduced your
front, sir," said he of the cocked hat, with withering sarcasm in his
tone, adding, "You are out of action until the battle is over."
"Thank God! Lie down, my men," was the impenitent reply of that
colonel.
Tired, hungry, and footsore, the battalion marched back again to
Wilton, and there, whilst the train was preparing by which they should
return homewards, they were hospitably entertained by Captain the Earl
of Pembroke, a proceeding certainly not anticipated earlier in the day,
by the noble host, or his hungry guests.
The following extract from Battalion Orders, dated 21st September,
1872, is given:--
"Lieut.-Colonel Everett has much pleasure in notifying to the battalion
under his command, that he has received a letter from Major-General
the Hon. A.E. Hardinge, C.B., lately commanding the 2nd Brigade, 1st
Division Southern Army, in which he desires the Lieut.-Colonel 'to
express to the regiment his entire approval of its discipline, and his
appreciation of the zeal and efficiency shown by all ranks during the
time they were under his command at the late autumn manœuvres.'"
Thus ended the one week attached to the regular army, and more good
was obtained from it by the battalion than might have been expected.
In no regimental camp can the same strict obedience to any order be
insisted on or carried out. The absolute and complete silence in camp
after "lights out," and that lights are out, is a great point gained;
the clipping of the wings of those rejoicing in proclaiming dawn, and
forcing such early birds to remain all still within their tents, until
the bugle note gives freedom; the punctuality on parade, fitness of
arms and uniform, respectful salute, and self-respect, are among the
many things acquired by being brigaded with regulars.
There was a regimental camp held the next year, 1873, on Warminster
Down, at which the attendance was not so large and continuous as could
be desired. It commenced on Monday, 4th August, breaking up early on
Saturday, the 9th, but much was against work and discipline. The first
two days were bitterly cold and wet, preventing parades, and either
detaining the men in their tents or filling the canteen marquee. A
moment's cessation of the downpour and the bugle summoned a parade, but
there it ended, and once again tents and canteen were occupied. These
two days' wet undid much of the good received from the camp with the
regulars, of the previous year.
On Friday the 8th, the battalion was inspected by Colonel Parish,
C.B., commanding the 38th Depôt at Devizes, who expressed himself
as satisfied; and after the usual luncheon given by the officers to
the county and visitors, the prizes won at the Wilts County Rifle
Association were given away by Lady Folkestone on behalf of the Earl
of Pembroke, who was president of the association for the year.
The field state at inspection only showed a total of 484, but the
reason for this falling off is not difficult to discover. One company
situated at Mere, on the borders of Dorsetshire, had great expenses
entailed upon them in attending camps or battalion drills, and were
to a great extent dependent on one large landholder for support, and
as expenses increased and supplies decreased, so was it with numbers
and efficiency, and twenty-five, all told, was now the strength of
the 8th Corps. No. 6 Corps, a body of men second to none for regular
attendance, fair knowledge of drill, discipline, and general set up,
were also conspicuous by their absence. They were almost entirely
composed of tenants on the estate of the Duke of Somerset at Maiden
Bradley, having been raised and commanded by the eldest son of his
Grace, and on his resignation, again were commanded by another son,
Lord St. Maur; whose untimely death, near Bombay, in an encounter
with a wounded bear, created a vacancy, which vacancy was filled up
by the promotion of Lieutenant H.B. Festing, agent to the Duke of
Somerset. The influence of this officer latterly was not favourable to
the support of the corps; and being agent to the Duke, gave him both
influence and power. Gradually the attendance at squad and adjutant's
drills diminished, and on this occasion of a camp and inspection, none
put in an appearance, consequently the corps was ineffective, and
ceased to exist, not only to the regret of the officers and men of the
battalion generally, but to many of the company.
The Expenses of the Camp were £190
Subscriptions £120
The _Army List_, for 1874, was thus:--
The Marquis of Bath, _Honorary Colonel_.
J.F. Everett, _Lieut.-Colonel_.
T. Clark and W. Pinckney, _Majors_.
R.D. Gibney, _Adjutant_.
W. Fawcett, _Quartermaster_.
C.J. Bleeck, _Surgeon_.
L.L. Seale, _Assist. Surgeon_.
1st Corps, Salisbury.
George Smith, _Captain_ (_Comdt._).
, _Captain_.
E.F. Kelsey, _Lieut._
F. Hodding, _Lieut._
T.E. Lee, M.B., _Assist. Surgeon_.
Revd. R.G. Swayne, _Hon. Chap._
2nd Corps, Trowbridge.
W.P. Clark, _Captain_ (_Comdt._).
E.P. Stancomb, _Lieut._
W.P. Clark, Junr., _Lieut._
J.H. Foley, _Lieut._
W.J. Mann, _Lieut._
G.C. Tayler, M.B., _Assist. Surg._
Revd. H. Meyer, _Hon. Chaplain_.
8th Corps, Mere.
G. Troyte Bullock, _Captain_.
E.A. Card, _Lieut._
W.N. Marshall, _Lieut._
C. Rumsey, _Assist. Surgeon_.
Revd. H.B. Townsend, _Chaplain_.
9th Corps, Bradford.
William Adye, _Captain_.
C.M. Davis, _Lieut._
T.W. Dunn, _Lieut._
Revd. W.H. Jones, _Hon. Chap._
10th Corps, Warminster.
John Scott, _Captain_.
H. Ingram, _Lieut._
H.J. Wakeman, _Lieut._
T. Ponting, _Lieut._
J. Flower, _Assist. Surgeon_.
Revd. Sir J.E. Philipps, Bart., _Chaplain_.
13th Corps, Westbury.
William H. Laverton, _Captain_.
J.P. Hall, _Lieut._
14th Corps, Wilton.
The Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, _Captain_.
C.R. Clay, _Lieut._
William Allen, _Lieut._
T.J. Bennett, M.D., _Assist. Surg._
Revd. D. Olivier, _Hon. Chaplain_.
Easter Monday was fixed upon for a battalion drill, on the high ground
above Warminster, and the attendance was fairly good. There being no
hastening away to catch trains, or any sufficient reason for the parade
being otherwise than really instructive, advantage was taken of the
circumstance by the lieut.-colonel in command, and it was the fault of
those who were so patiently and carefully drilled, if some knowledge
of manœuvring was not acquired. It was bitterly cold, but dry. The
officers messed together at the "Bath Arms," preparatory to the various
companies entering the train for their respective head quarters.
On Friday the 31st July, 1874, the battalion assembled at Salisbury,
and marched to its camping ground on Homerton Down, and after one
week's good honest work, were inspected by Colonel Parish, C.B.,
commanding the depôt. The inspecting officer expressed himself as
gratified with the way the drill had been performed, and of the
arrangements in camp: but he was extremely so at the result of a sudden
alarm, given at 9.45 p.m. on the previous night, when he happened to
be in the camp, no previous intimation of such being likely to occur,
having been even hinted to any officer or man.
Within ten minutes of the "alarm" every officer and man was in his
position, and the roll call was answered faithfully. It spoke well for
the discipline of the battalion, and elicited the following remarks
from the inspecting officer in the order issued to the battalion on its
inspection next day:--
"A sudden alarm in camp last night showed the effect of good
discipline; the whole battalion turned out most creditably and took up
their position as well as any regiment of regulars or others could have
done. This is a good proof, if any were needed, of the benefit of camp
life. The inspecting officer will be able to make a most favourable
report on all he has seen, and congratulates the regiment on having so
admirably exerted itself and so well upheld the credit of the county
forces, &c., &c." The numbers on parade at inspection were 457. The
expenses of the camp amounted to £292, met by subscriptions, letting
canteen, and Government camp allowance to the extent of £232.