the supports formed squares to receive the charge, and then opened fire, with apparent success, which concluded the action. The skirmishers retraced their steps, and after joining the reserves, re-formed into columns and companies, and obeyed the order to fix bayonets. - Col. Luard then rode up and said "I shall be able to report favourably of what I have seen today. But I wish to impress upon you how very important battalion drill is. The whole of you have not been together before, and I can therefore make every allowance for the looseness I observed. You have an officer who is well able to command you, and will, no doubt, drill you as frequently as you desire. I observed that you were sometimes ahead, when the word of command was given, but if you had attended more battalion drills that would not have been. From what I have seen of your skirmishing, I may say it was pretty well done, and I hope that in future there will be an improvement in battalion movements." A few other manoeuvres followed the address, and the day's proceeding closed with the serving out of refreshments. - The officers of the several corps afterwards dined together at the Castle Hotel.
Artillery Inspection. The inspection of the 4th Cinque Ports Artillery Volunteers, took place on a June evening in the drill-ground, Meadow Road at about 8 o'clock. There were about 150 present, including bandsmen and cadets. The command devolved on Capt. Scrivens, the other officers present being Adjutant Hunter, Capt. Lewis, Leiuts. Turner, Gant and Starkey. Hon. Surgeon Ticehurst, Master-gunner Coleman, (illegible text) Brigade-Sergt. Major Murray, Sergt Majors, Picknell and Walter, and Band master Lindridge. Lieut-Col. Rotton R. A., the inspecting officer was accompanied by Lieut-Col. Harcourt, commanding officer of the brigade. The general salute was followed by an inspection in open order and the march past. The cadets then retired, and the company went through the manual and platoon exercises. Several movements, under Capt. Scrivens's command were executed, such as changing front, diminishing and increasing front, marching in column of subdivisions, &c. Soon after that, as darkness began to show itself, the men formed fours and marched to the depot, headed by the band. A considerable time was there spent in gun-drill, and after limbering up, a hollow square was formed, and the men were addressed by Lieut-Col. Rotton in a somewhat uncomplimentary strain. He desired to impress upon them that it was a sine qua non, now that the volunteer corps were under government that they should attend the annual inspection, and that if they did not attend, they would not be able to participate in the advantages which others would have. [Out of the nearly 150 present there 30 bandsmen and 34 cadets]. The Marines had about 50 curotts, but he observed that not much more than half of them were there. With regard to the gun drill, three of the detachments were very smart, but with others, there was a certain amount of carelessness. They must remember that they were not to play at soldiers, but to be soldiers; and he hoped that should he have to come round next year, there would be no occasion for such remarks.
