---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,transcriber's ,note3 ,this version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects4 ,italics are delimited with the #8' character as italic4 ,superscripted characters are preceded by #8'4 ,footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced4 ,the numbering of footnotes began again at #8#a' for each chapter4 ,in this version1 footnotes have been re-sequenced across the text for uniqueness of reference4 ,there are several instances of footnotes appearing as glosses on other footnotes1 identified in all instances as #8a'4 ,these have been numbered #8,na'1 where #8,n' is the number of the note4 ,minor errors1 attributable to the printer1 have been corrected4 ,please see the transcriber's note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,,soldier ,,artificer ,,company ,plate ,i4 ,,uniform #aghf ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,from ,,the ,,formation ,,of ,,the ,,corps ,,in ,,march #aggb1 ,,to ,,the ,,date ,,when ,,its ,,designation ,,was ,,changed ,,to ,,that ,,of ,,royal ,,engineers1 ,,in ,,october #ahef4 ,,by ,t4 ,w4 ,j4 ,,connolly1 ,,quartermaster ,,of ,,the ,,royal ,,engineers4 8,of most disastrous chances1 ,of moving accidents1 by flood and field2 ,of hair-breadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach40--,shakspeare4 8,there is a corps which is often about him1 unseen and unsuspected1 and which is labouring as hard for him in peace as others do in war40--,the ,times4 ,with ,seventeen ,coloured ,illustrations4 ,,second ,,edition1 ,,with ,,considerable ,,additions4 ,,in ,,two ,,volumes4--,,vol4 ,i4 ,,london3 ,,longman1 ,,brown1 ,,green1 ,,longmans1 ,,and ,,roberts4 #aheg4 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,w4 ,,clowes ,,and ,,sons1 ,,stamford ,,street ,,and ,,charing ,,cross4 ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,second ,,edition4 ------------------ ,the ,first ,edition of the ,work has long been out of print1 and the ,second would have been published earlier1 only that an expected change in the designation of the corps delayed its appearance4 ,that change having occurred1 the volumes are republished1 recording the services of the corps to the date it continued to bear its old title4 ,revised in many places1 with verbal inaccuracies corrected1 aided moreover by journals and official memoranda placed at my disposal to modify or enlarge certain incidents and services1 the work is as complete as it would seem to be possible at present to produce it4 ,the concluding ,chapters record the services of the corps in the ,aland ,islands1 in ,turkey1 ,bulgaria1 ,circassia1 ,wallachia1 and the ,crimea4 ,the siege of ,sebastopol and the destruction of the memorable docks have been given with the fulness which the industry and gallantry of the sappers merited2 and in order that the many adventures and enterprises recorded in the final years of the history should not fail in interest and accuracy1 ,colonel ,sandham1 the ,director of the ,royal ,engineer ,establishment1 with the permission of ,general ,sir ,john ,burgoyne1 kindly lent me the assistance of the ,engineers' ,diary of the ,siege1 as well as several collateral reports concerning its progress and the demolition of the docks4 ,at the same time ,i think it right to say1 that no attempt has been made in these pages to offer a history of the ,crimean operations4 ,so much only of the details has been worked into the narrative as was necessary to preserve unbroken the thread of sapper services in connexion with particular works and undertakings4 ,it should also be borne in mind1 that these volumes are devoted to the affairs of the ,royal ,sappers and ,miners2 and1 consequently1 that care has been taken to touch as lightly as practicable on the services of other regiments4 ,hence the officers of the ,royal ,engineers have only been named when it was desirable to identify them with parties of ,sappers1 whom on certain occasions they commanded4 ,i feel a loyal pride in being able to state that the work has been honoured with the munificent patronage of ,her ,majesty the ,queen1 and of ,his ,royal ,highness the ,prince ,albert2 than which nothing could be more acceptable to me1 either as an author or a subject4 ,in closing ,i beg to express my deep obligations to ,general ,sir ,john ,burgoyne1 ,bart41 ,g4,c4,b41 the officers of the corps generally1 my personal friends1 and the public1 for the patronage with which ,i have been favoured2 and also to the ,press1 for the handsome manner in which it has noticed and commended my labours4 ,brompton ,barracks1 ,march #aheg4 ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,first ,,edition4 ------------------ ,in #ahcf1 soon after ,lieutenant ,robert ,dashwood1 ,r4,e41 was appointed ,acting ,adjutant of the ,royal ,sappers and ,miners at ,woolwich1 he was directed by ,brigade-,major1 now ,colonel ,matson1 to prepare a list of officers of the ,royal ,engineers who had commanded1 from time to time1 the different companies of the corps4 ,i assisted him in the duty2 but while he was in the midst of his work1 he was prematurely cut off by death1 and the task of completing the statement devolved on me4 ,it now forms a referential record at the head-quarter office4 ,led in its progress to consult old documents and returns1 ,i conceived the idea of making myself acquainted with the whole history of the corps4 ,with this view1 after daily fulfilling the routine duty of the office1 ,i spent all my leisure intervals in bringing to light old books and papers1 which for years had been buried in disused depositories and stores4 ,whilst thus engaged1 two ,acting ,adjutants1 ,lieutenants ,f4 ,a4 ,yorke and ,t4 ,webb1 ,r4,e41 were successively appointed to the corps at ,woolwich4 ,both officers entered with some spirit into the attempt to trace a history of its services2 but before they had proceeded to any great length1 were interrupted in their labours by removal to other stations in consequence of promotion4 ,adjutant ,yorke1 however1 succeeded so far1 that he drew up a brief account of the formation of the sappers1 commencing with the ,gibraltar company in #aggb1 and detailed its subsequent augmentations and reductions4 ,this statement also forms a permanent record in the office2 and ,captain ,webb made fair progress with an outline account of its active services4 ,to both officers it was my good fortune to afford such aid as they required1 in the collection of information for their respective efforts4 ,in #ahdg1 when medals were granted to the veterans of the last war1 ,brigade-,major1 now ,colonel ,sandham1 observed the readiness with which ,i spoke of historical events in which the corps was concerned1 and of the services of particular individuals who had belonged to it4 ,he also saw the facility with which ,i supplied the information required to establish the claims of the several applicants for medals and clasps4 ,this induced him1 after some little conversation on the subject1 to direct me to prepare for publication a history of the corps4 ,much fragmentary matter ,i had already accumulated1 for twelve years had been consumed by me in wading through books and documents in quest of dates and occurrences4 ,nevertheless1 it was not without serious misgivings that ,i set myself officially to the task1 and the researches and labours embodied in the following pages are the result4 ,in the intervals of important and onerous public duty1 the materials for the memoir have been collected and the work methodized and written4 ,necessarily severe was the application required under such circumstances2 but by steady perseverance1 even at times when my health was scarcely able to bear up against the exertion it needed1 ,i have succeeded1 without omitting any service that ,i know of1 in completing the history to the siege of ,sebastopol4 ,the work certainly is one of no pretension1 and on this score may be regarded as having cost but little toil in its preparation2 but ,i may observe1 that from the absence of many particular records1 the unaccountable neglect in furnishing others1 and the striking imperfections in many of the remaining papers1 arising from complexity1 vagueness1 obliteration1 or decay1 more than ordinary difficulty1 research1 and trouble were experienced1 in gathering the materials essential to give anything like a reasonable delineation of the events narrated in the ,memoir4 ,paucity of detail in numbers1 want of description with reference to particular occurrences1 and gaps in many years from the loss of muster-rolls and official documents1 run through a period of nearly half a century1 from #aggb to #ahae3 and strange as it may appear1 even the casualties in action so carefully reported in other corps1 have1 from some inexplicable cause1 either been omitted altogether in the war despatches or given inaccurately4 ,in later years1 however1 the connexion between the officers of the ,royal ,engineers and the soldiers of the ,royal ,sappers and ,miners has been so fully established1 that attention to these important minuti forms a decided feature in the improved command of the corps4 ,in employments of a purely civil character in which the ,royal ,sappers and ,miners have shared1 care has been taken to explain1 as fully as the records and collateral evidence would admit1 the nature of its duties2 and1 likewise1 to multiply authorities to prove the estimation in which it was held for its services and conduct4 ,this has been mainly done1 to offer a practical reply to an association1 incorporated within the last twelve years1 which1 in the course of a futile agitation1 endeavoured by injurious statements to lessen the corps in public esteem4 ,all mention of the ,royal ,engineers in this memoir has been studiously suppressed1 except when such was unavoidable to give identity to the different duties and services of the ,royal ,sappers and ,miners1 and also1 when their direct and particular connexion with the corps in certain situations1 rendered allusion to them justifiable4 ,this course was suggested to me by an officer of high rank1 for the obvious reason that1 as the ,royal ,engineers is a body entirely distinct from the ,sappers and ,miners1 and possesses its own annals1 any reference to1 or particularization of1 its services in a work professedly confined to the corps1 would not only be extraneous1 but tend to lessen its value1 and weaken its interest with those for whose information it was especially written4 ,here1 however1 it should be observed1 that the ,royal ,sappers and ,miners1 though a separate and integral body of itself1 is nevertheless1 and has been from the commencement1 officered by the ,royal ,engineers2 and whatever excellence or advancement is traced in its career and public usefulness1 whether as soldiers or mechanics1 is fairly1 in a great degree1 attributable to the officers2 for1 in every circumstance of service and situation1 they have liberally opened up for them new channels of employment to engage their faculties and energies1 and have afforded them at all times scope and facilities to develop their mental and physical resources1 and to fit them to perform with credit1 not only the circumscribed duties of soldiers1 but the more extended requirements of sappers1 artizans1 and professional men4 ,by the omission of all but special reference to the officers1 room has thus been given for mentioning many non-commissioned officers and privates1 who have attracted public attention and gained encomium for their meritorious services2 some for their skill and ingenuity2 others for their integrity and devotion2 and others for their acquirements1 their vigorous exertions and labours2 their ardour1 their endurance1 and their valour4 ,while the recognition of such examples cannot fail to incite others to emulate the military virtues of their more distinguished predecessors and comrades1 it is earnestly hoped1 that every member of the corps will be led to feel a personal interest in its reputation and honour1 and a pride in its discipline and loyalty2 its usefulness and efficiency in peace2 its heroism and achievements in war4 ,the drawings were executed on stone by ,george ,b4 ,campion1 ,esq41 master of landscape drawing at the ,royal ,military ,academy1 ,woolwich4 ,in illustrations like those in the present volumes1 it was scarcely possible to delineate with exactness the complicated ornament which make up the ensemble of a soldier's uniform4 ,notwithstanding this disadvantage1 the costume has been well defined1 and much interest given to the embellishments1 by the introduction of accessories1 characteristic of the duties and employments of the corps4 ,my respectful acknowledgments are due to ,sir ,john ,burgoyne1 the ,inspector-,general of ,fortifications1 for making the subject of my exertions known in a circular from his own hand1 to the officers of the ,royal ,engineers2 and in offering him the expression of my gratitude1 ,i think it right with a feeling of sincere thankfulness to mention1 that the success which has attended that kind appeal1 has been more1 perhaps1 than ,i could reasonably expect4 ,several of the officers have afforded me much encouragement in the work1 as well by suggestion and advice1 as by the liberality of their contributions2 but1 wanting the liberty to publish their names1 ,i am precluded from making a record1 to which it would have been my pride to give publicity4 ,to my own corps ,i am also indebted for many pleasing proofs of concern1 as evinced in their anxiety to see the undertaking prosper4 ,nearly #bjj copies have been demanded by the non-commissioned officers1 including a few of the privates1 and when the price of the work is considered1 the generosity of my patrons is as striking as noble4 ,to ,s4 ,w4 ,fullom1 ,esq41 ,i here offer the expression of my grateful thanks for his amiable and disinterested counsel1 cheerfully accorded on the many occasions ,i had to seek it2 and for kindly assisting me in looking over the sheets as the work passed through the press4 ,i now submit the volumes to my corps and the profession1 and am not without hope that they may also be acceptable to a portion of the public4 ,as far as the sources of my information and research have extended1 the memoir will be found truthful and impartial4 ,it was my aim to execute it with an integrity that would place me beyond impeachment3 ,i therefore feel some confidence that indulgence will be shown for its defects1 and also for whatever errors1 through inadvertency1 may have crept into the work4 ,,thomas ,,connolly4 ,royal ,sappers and ,miners' ,barracks1 ,woolwich1 ,march #ahee4 ,,contents ,,of ,,vol4 ,i4 ------- #aggb-aggi4 ,,page ,origin of ,corps--,its establishment and pay--,engineers to #a command it--,its designation--,working pay--,recruiting--,dismissal of civil artificers--,names of officers--,non-commissioned officers--,first augmentation--,consequent promotions--,names of other officers joined--,king's ,bastion--,second augmentation #aggi-aghb4 ,jealousy of ,spain--,declares war with ,england--,strength of the #aj garrison at ,gibraltar--,preparations for defence and employment of the company--,siege commenced--,privations of the garrison--,grand sortie and conduct of the company--,its subsequent exertions--,origin of the subterranean galleries--,their extraordinary prosecution--,princess ,anne's battery--,third augmentation--,names of non-commissioned officers #aghb-aghc4 ,siege continued--,magnitude of the works--,chevaux-de-frise from #bb ,landport-,glacis across the inundation--,prcis of other works--,firing red-hot shot--,damage done to the works of the garrison1 and exertions of the company in restoring them--,grand attack1 and burning of the battering flotilla--,reluctance of the enemy to quit the contest--,kilns for heating shot--,orange bastion--,subterranean galleries--,discovery of the enemy mining under the ,rock--,ulterior dependence of the enemy--,peace--,conduct of the company during the siege--,casualties #aghc4 ,duc de ,crillon's compliments respecting the #bi works--,subterranean galleries--,their supposed inefficiency--,henry ,ince--,quickness of sight of two boys of the company--,employment of the boys during the siege--,thomas ,richmond and ,john ,brand--,models constructed by them #aghc4 ,state of the fortress--,execution of the works depended upon #ci the company--,casualties filled up by transfers from the line--,composition--,recruiting--,reliev ed from all duties1 garrison and regimental--,anniversary of the destruction of the ,spanish battering flotilla #aghf-aghg4 ,company divided into two--,numerous discharges--,cause of the #dc men becoming so soon ineffective--,fourth augmentation--,labourers--,recruiting1 reinforcements--,dismissal of foreign artificers--,wreck of brig #8,mercury'--,uniform dress--,working ditto--,names of officers--,privileges--,cave under the signal-house #aggi-aghh4 ,colonel ,debbieg's proposal for organizing a corps of #ec artificers--,rejected--,employment of artillerymen on the works at home--,duke of ,richmond's 8,extensive plans of fortification0--,formation of corps ordered--,singular silence of the ,house of ,commons on the subject--,mr4 ,sheridan calls attention to it--,insertion of corps for first time in the ,mutiny ,bill--,debate upon it in both ,houses of ,parliament #aghg-aghh4 ,constitution of corps--,master artificers--,officers--,rank and #fd post of the corps--,captains of companies2 stations--,allowance to captains2 adjutants--,recruiting--,labourers--8,ri chmond's whims0--,progress of recruiting--,articles of agreement--,corps not to do garrison duty--,sergeant-,majors--,john ,drew--,alexander ,spence--,uniform dress--,working dress--,hearts o' pipe-clay--8,the ,queen's bounty0--,arms1 c4--,distinction of ranks--,jews' wish #aghi-agib4 ,appointment of ,quartermaster and #gb ,colonel-,commandant--,distribution of corps1 ,captains of companies--,jealousy and ill-feeling of the civil artificers--,riot at ,plymouth--,its casualties--,recruits wrecked on passage to ,gibraltar--,song1 8,bay of ,biscay1 ,o60--,defence of the ,tower of ,london against the ,jacobins--,bagshot-heath encampment--,alterations in the uniform and working dress #agic4 ,war with ,france--,artificers demanded for foreign #ha service--,consequent effects--,detachment to ,west ,indies--,fever at ,antigua--,detachment to ,flanders--,siege of ,valenciennes--,waterdown ,camp--,reinforcement to ,flanders--,siege of ,dunkirk--,nieuport--,another reinforcement to ,flanders--,toulon--,private ,samuel ,myers at ,fort ,mulgrave--,formation of four companies for service abroad--,establishment and strength of corps #agid-agie4 ,working dress--,company sails for ,west #ij ,indies--,martinique--,spirited conduct of detachment there--,guadaloupe--,mortality--,toulon- -,flanders--,reinforcement to company there--,return of the company--,works at ,gravesend--,irregularities in the corps--,causes--,redeeming qualities--,appointment of ,regimental ,adjutant and ,sergeant-major--,consequences--,woolwic h becomes the head-quarters--,alteration in working dress #agie-agif4 ,companies to ,st4 ,domingo and the ,caribbee ,islands--,reduction #aja of ,st4 ,lucia--,conduct of company there--,gallantry in forming lodgment and converting it into a battery--,attack on ,bombarde--,distribution and conduct of ,st4 ,domingo company--,mortality in the ,west ,indies--,detachment to ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia--,dougal ,hamilton--,detachments to ,calshot ,castle and ,st4 ,marcou #agig4 ,detachments to ,portugal--,to ,dover--,transfers to the #aje ,artillery-,enlistment of artificers only--,incorporation of ,gibraltar companies with the corps--,capture of ,trinidad--,draft to ,west ,indies--,failure at ,porto ,rico--,fording the lagoon1 by private ,d4 ,sinclair--,private ,w4 ,rogers at the bridge ,st4 ,julien--,saves his officer--,casualties by fever in ,caribbean company--,filling up company at ,st4 ,domingo with negroes--,mutinies in the fleet at ,portsmouth--,conduct of ,plymouth company--,emeute in the ,royal ,artillery1 ,woolwich--,increase of pay--,marquis ,cornwallis's approbation of the corps--,mutiny at the ,nore--,consequent removal of detachment to ,gravesend--,alterations in dress #agih-agii4 ,contribution of corps to the ,state--,detachment with #aaf expedition to maritime ,flanders--,destruction of the ,bruges canal--,battle near ,ostend--,draft to ,west ,indies--,capture of ,surinam--,st4 ,domingo evacuated--,expedition to ,minorca--,conduct of detachment while serving there--,composition of detachments for foreign service--,parties to ,sevenoaks and ,harwich--,mission to ,turkey--,its movements and services--,special detachment to ,gibraltar to construct a cistern for the ,navy--,detachment with the expedition to ,holland--,its services--,origin of the ,royal ,staff ,corps #ahjj4 ,mortality in the ,west ,indies--,blockade of ,malta--,capture of a #abf transport on passage from ,nova ,scotia--,movements and services of detachments in ,turkey2 attacked with fever--,anecdote of private ,thomas ,taylor at ,constantinople--,cruise of expedition to ,cadiz--,attack on the city abandoned--,subsequent movements of the expedition2 ,malta2 and re-embarkation for ,egypt--,statistics of companies at ,gibraltar #ahja-ahjb4 ,distribution of corps--,dispersion of ,west ,india #acb company--,statistics--,detachment to ,st4 ,marcou--,capture of ,danish settlements--,casualties in ,west ,india company--,compared with mortality in ,gibraltar companies--,working dress--,services1 c41 of detachment at ,gibraltar--,conduct of ,sergeant ,w4 ,shirres--,concession to the companies by the ,duke of ,kent--,cocked hat superseded by the chaco #ahjc-ahje4 ,party to ,ceylon--,the treaty of ,amiens broken--,state of ,west #ada ,india company--,capture of ,st4 ,lucia--,tobago--,demerara1 ,essequibo1 and ,berbice--,works at ,spike ,island--,capture of ,surinam--,conduct of private ,george ,mitchell--,batavian soldiers join ,west ,india company--,fever at ,gibraltar--,consequent mortality--,humane and intrepid conduct of three privates--,invasion of ,england--,works at ,dover--,jersey--,chelmsford--,martello towers at ,eastbourne--,bomb tenders at ,woolwich--,recruiting--,volunteers from the ,line and ,militia--,treaty of ,st4 ,petersburg--,party to ,naples--,ditto to ,hanover #ahjf4 ,first detachment to ,cape of ,good ,hope--,misfortunes at ,buenos #aec ,ayres--,reinforcements to ,gibraltar--,services at ,calabria--,formation of ,maltese military artificers--,increase of pay to royal military artificers--,augmentation to the corps and reorganization of the companies--,establishment and annual expense--,working pay--,sub-,lieutenants introduced--,indiscipline and character of the corps #ahjg4 ,appointments of ,adjutant and ,quartermaster--,captain ,john ,t4 #afa ,jones--,disasters at ,buenos ,ayres--,egypt--,reinforcement to ,messina--,detachment of ,maltese military artificers to ,sicily--,newfoundland--,copenhagen--,ca ptures in the ,caribbean ,sea--,madeira--,danish ,islands in the ,west ,indies--,hythe #ahjh4 ,war in the ,peninsula--,expedition thither--,detachments to the #afe seat of war1 with ,captains ,landmann1 ,elphinstone1 ,squire1 ,burgoyne1 and ,smyth--,captain ,john ,t4 ,jones--,reinforcement to ,newfoundland--,discipline at ,halifax--,services at ,messina--,parties temporarily detached to different places--,the queue #ahji4 ,retreat to ,corua--,miserable state of the detachment on #afh reaching ,england--,hardships of the stragglers--,capture of ,martinique--,skill of ,george ,mitchell at the siege--,fever in the ,west ,indies--,reduction of the ,saintes--,detachment to ,portugal--,battles of ,oporto and ,talavera--,casualties in the retreat1 and distribution of the party--,naples--,zante and the ,ionian ,islands--,term of service of the ,maltese military artificers--,siege of ,flushing--,services of the military artificers there--,gallantry1 in the batteries1 of ,john ,millar1 ,thomas ,wild1 and ,thomas ,letts--,conduct of corps at the siege--,casualties by the ,walcheren fever--,skilful conduct of ,corporal ,t4 ,stevens in the demolitions at ,flushing--,captain ,john ,t4 ,jones--,servants--,incidental detachments #ahaj4 ,capture of ,guadaloupe--,of ,st4 ,martin's and ,st4 #age ,eustatius--,torres ,vedras--,anecdote of ,corporal ,william ,wilson at the ,lines--,almeida and ,busaco--,detachments to ,cadiz--,puntales and ,la ,isla--,destruction of ,forts ,barbara and ,st4 ,felipe1 near ,gibraltar--,santa ,maura--,occasional detachments #ahaa4 ,mortality in the ,west ,indies--,strength and distribution of #agh detachments in the ,peninsula--,recapture of ,olivenza--,field instruction prior to siege of ,badajoz--,conduct of corps at the siege--,conduct of ,sergeant ,rogers in reconnoitring--,reinforcement to ,portugal and duties of the detachment--,its distribution and services--,battle of ,barrosa2 gallant conduct of ,sergeant ,john ,cameron--,tarragona--,defence of ,tarifa--,augmentation to corps and reconstruction of companies--,annual expense of corps--,command of the companies--,their stationary character--,the wealthy corporal--,new distribution of corps--,commissions to ,sub-,lieutenants1 and ingenious inventions of ,lieutenant ,munro #ahab4 ,plymouth company instructed in field duties--,engineer #ahg establishment at ,chatham--,major ,pasley appointed its director--,discipline and drill of corps--,its character--,sir ,john ,sinclair ex-private--,title of corps changed--,captain ,g4 ,buchanan--,a sergeant acrobat--,cuidad ,rodrigo--,exertions of a company on the march to the siege--,repairs to the fortress--,siege of ,badajoz--,difficulties in removing the stores to the park--,duties of the sappers in the operation--,gallant behaviour of ,patrick ,rooney and ,william ,harry--,also of a party at ,fort ,picurina1 and of ,patrick ,burke and ,robert ,miller--,hazardous attempt to blow down the batardeau in the ditch of the lunette1 and conduct of corporal ,stack--,bravery of a party in mining under the bridge of the inundation--,distribution of the ,peninsular companies and their services--,bridges of ,yecla and ,serrada--,reinforcement to ,spain--,salamanca--,burgos1 and boldness of ,patrick ,burke and ,andrew ,alexander at the siege--,bridge of ,alba--,carthagena--,reinforcement to ,cadiz2 action at ,seville--,reinforcement to the ,peninsula and distribution of the sappers--,green ,island--,tarragona--,first detachment to ,bermuda #ahac4 ,designation of corps modified--,uniform--,working #aig dress--,arms--,mode of promoting non-commissioned officers--,rank of colour-sergeant created--,company to ,canada--,reinforcement to ,bermuda--,sub-,lieutenant ,mackenzie appointed ,town-,major there--,sickness at ,gibraltar--,services of company in ,east ,catalonia--,malha da ,sorda--,services on the advance to ,vittoria--,bridge at ,toro--,blockade of ,pampeluna--,pyrenees--,stockades near ,roncesvalles--,san ,sebastian and services of the corps at the siege--,valour of sergeants ,powis and ,davis--,of private ,borland2 and of corporal ,evans--,casualties in the siege--,restoration of the fortifications--,pontoon train--,bidassoa--,bridge across it1 and conduct of privates ,owen ,connor and ,nowlan--,vera--,nivelle1 and behaviour of corporal ,councill--,bridge over that river--,bridges over the ,nive1 and daring exertions of private ,dowling--,fording the ,nive1 and posts of honour accorded to corporal ,jamieson and private ,braid--,strength and distribution of corps in the ,peninsula--,recruiting #ahad4 ,wreck of #8,queen' transport2 humanity of sergeant ,mackenzie2 #bji heroic exertions of private ,m#8,carthy--,quartermaster2 ,brigade-,major--,santona2 useful services of corporal ,hay--,bridge of ,itzassu near ,cambo-,orthes2 conduct of sergeant ,stephens--,toulouse--,bridge of the ,adour2 duties of the sappers--,flotilla to form the bridge--,casualties in venturing the bar--,conduct of the corps in its construction--,bayonne--,expedition to ,north ,america--,return to ,england of certain companies from the ,peninsula--,company to ,holland2 its duties2 bridge over the ,maerk2 ,tholen2 ,fort ,frederick--,march for ,antwerp--,action at ,merxam--,esprit de corps--,coolness of sergeant ,stevens and corporal ,milburn--,distribution2 bridge-making--,surprise of ,bergen-op-,zoom--,conduct of the sappers1 and casualties in the operation--,a mild ,irish-man--,bravery of corporal ,creighton and private ,lomas--,south ,beveland--,reinforcement to the ,netherlands--,review by the ,emperor of ,russia--,school for companies at ,antwerp--,detachments in the ,netherlands1 company at ,tournai--,movements of the company in ,italy and ,sicily--,expedition to ,tuscany2 party to ,corfu--,canada2 distribution of company there1 and its active services--,reinforcement to ,canada--,washington1 ,baltimore1 ,new ,orleans--,notice of corporal ,scrafield--,expedition to the ,state of ,maine #ahae4 ,siege of ,fort ,boyer--,alertness of company on passage to ,new #bbe ,orleans--,return of the sappers from ,north ,america--,services and movements of companies in ,canada--,also in ,nova ,scotia--,captures of ,martinique and ,guadaloupe--,services and movements of companies in ,italy--,maltese sappers disbanded--,pay of ,sub-,lieutenants--,ypres--,increase to sappers' force in ,holland2 its duties and detachments2 notice of sergeant ,purcell--,renewal of the war--,strength of the corps sent to the ,netherlands--,pontoneers--,battle of ,waterloo--,disastrous situation of a company in retreating--,general order about the alarm and the stragglers--,sergeant-major ,hilton at ,brussels--,notice of lance-corporal ,donnelly--,exertions of another company in pressing to the field--,organization of the engineer establishment in ,france--,pontoon train--,magnitude of the engineer establishment2 hired drivers2 ,flemish seamen--,assault of ,peronne1 valour of ,sub-lieutenant ,stratton and lance-corporal ,councill--,pontoon bridges on the ,seine--,conduct of corps during the campaign--,corporal ,coombs with the ,prussian army--,usefulness of the sappers in attending to the horses1 c41 of the department in ,france--,domiciliary visit to ,montmartre #ahaf-ahah4 ,movements in ,france--,return of six companies from thence to #bda ,england--,strength of those remaining1 and detachments from them--,st4 ,helena--,return of company from ,italy--,disbandment of the war company of ,maltese sappers--,battle of ,algiers--,conduct of corps at ,valenciennes--,instances in which the want of arms was felt during the war--,arming the corps attributable to accidental circumstances--,training and instruction of the corps in ,france--,its misconduct--,but remarkable efficiency at drill--,municipal thanks to companies at ,valenciennes--,dress--,bugles adopted--,reduction in the corps--,sub-lieutenants disbanded--,withdrawal of companies from certain stations--,relief of company at ,barbadoes--,repairing damages at ,st4 ,lucia2 conduct of the old ,west ,india company--,corfu--,inspection of corps in ,france--,epaulettes introduced--,sordid conduct of four men in refusing to wear them--,murder of private ,milne1 and consequent punishment of corps in ,france by the ,duke of ,wellington--,return of the sappers from ,france #ahai-ahbd4 ,reduction in the corps--,distribution--,sergeant ,thomas ,brown1 #bec the modeller--,reinforcement to the ,cape1 and services of the detachment during the ,kaffir war--,epidemic at ,bermuda--,damages at ,antigua occasioned by a hurricane--,visit to ,chatham of the ,duke of ,clarence--,withdrawal of a detachment from ,corfu--,a private becomes a peer--,draft to ,bermuda--,second visit to ,chatham of the ,duke of ,clarence--,fever at ,barbadoes--,death of ,napoleon1 and withdrawal of company from ,st4 ,helena--,notice of private ,john ,bennett--,movements of the company in ,canada--,trigonometrical operations under the ,board of ,longitude--,feversham--,relief of the old ,gibraltar company--,breast-plates--,st4 ,nicholas' ,island--,condition of company at ,barbadoes when inspected by the ,engineer ,commission--,scattered state of the detachment at the ,cape--,services of the detachment at ,corfu--,intelligence and usefulness of sergeant ,hall and corporal ,lawson--,special services of corporal ,john ,smith--,pontoon trials--,sheerness--,notice of corporal ,shorter--,forage-caps and swords #ahbe-ahbf4 ,dress--,curtailment of benefits by the change--,chacos--,survey of #bfc ,ireland--,formation of the first company for the duty--,establishment of corps2 company to ,corfu--,second company for the survey--,efforts to complete the companies raised for it--,pontoon trials in presence of the ,duke of ,wellington--,western ,africa--,third company for the survey3 additional working pay--,employments and strength of the sappers in ,ireland--,drummond ,light2 ,slieve ,snacht and ,divis--,endurance of private ,alexander ,smith--,wreck of #8,shipley' transport--,berbice2 corporal ,sirrell at ,antigua #ahbg-ahbi4 ,augmentation--,reinforcement to ,bermuda--,companies for ,rideau #bga ,canal--,reinforcement to the ,cape--,monument to the memory of ,general ,wolfe--,increase to the survey companies--,supernumerary promotions--,measurement of ,lough ,foyle base--,suggestion of sergeant ,sim for measuring across the river ,roe--,survey companies inspected by ,major-,general ,sir ,james ,c4 ,smith2 opinion of their services by ,sir ,henry ,hardinge--,sergeant-major ,townsend--,demolition of the ,glacire ,bastion at ,quebec--,banquet to fifth company by ,lord ,dalhousie--,service of the sappers at the citadel of ,quebec--,notice of sergeants ,dunnett and ,john ,smith--,works to be executed by contract--,trial of pontoons1 and exertions of corporal ,james ,forbes--,epidemic at ,gibraltar--,island of ,ascension2 corporal ,beal--,forage-caps--,company withdrawn from ,nova ,scotia--,party to ,sandhurst ,college1 and usefulness of corporal ,forbes #ahcj-ahcb4 ,the chaco--,brigade-,major ,rice ,jones--,island of #bha ,ascension--,notice of corporal ,beal--,detachment to the ,tower of ,london--,chatham during the ,reform agitation--,staff appointments--,sergeant ,mc,laren the first medallist in the corps--,terrific hurricane at ,barbadoes2 distinguished conduct of colour-sergeant ,harris and corporal ,muir--,subaqueous destruction of the #8,arethusa' at ,barbadoes--,return of a detachment to the ,tower of ,london--,rideau canal2 services of the sappers in its construction2 casualties2 and disbandment of the companies--,costume--,first detachment to the ,mauritius--,notice of corporal ,reed--,pendennis ,castle #ahcc-ahcf4 ,inspection at ,chatham by ,lord ,hill--,pontoon #bhi experiments--,withdrawal of companies from the ports--,reduction of the corps1 and reorganization of the companies--,recall of companies from abroad--,purfleet--,trigonometrical survey of west coast of ,england--,draft to the ,cape--,review at ,chatham by ,lord ,hill--,motto to the corps--,reinforcement to the ,mauritius--,inspection at ,woolwich by ,sir ,frederick ,mulcaster--,mortality from cholera2 services of corporals ,hopkins and ,ritchley--,entertainment to the detachment at the ,mauritius by ,sir ,william ,nicolay--,triangulation of the west coast of ,scotland--,kaffir war--,appointments of ten foremen of works--,death of ,quartermaster ,galloway--,succeeded by sergeant-major ,hilton--,sergeant ,forbes--,notice of his father--,lieutenant ,dashwood--,euphrates expedition--,labours of the party--,sergeant ,sim--,generosity of ,colonel ,chesney1 ,r4,a4--,additional smiths to the expedition--,loss of the #8,tigris' steamer--,descent of the ,euphrates--,sappers with the expedition employed as engineers--,corporal ,greenhill--,approbation of the services of the party--,triangulation of west coast of ,scotland--,addiscombe--,expedition to ,spain--,character of the detachment that accompanied it--,passages2 action in front of ,san ,sebastian--,reinforcement to ,spain--,final trial of pontoons--,mission to ,constantinople #ahcg4 ,change in the dress--,increase of non-commissioned #cje officers--,services of the detachment at ,ametza ,gaa--,oriamendi--,desierto convent on the ,nervion--,fuentarabia--,oyarzun--,aindo in--,miscellaneous employment of the detachment--,trigonometrical survey west coast of ,scotland--,inspection at ,woolwich by ,lord ,hill and ,sir ,hussey ,vivian--,staff appointments--,labours of sergeant ,lanyon--,staff-sergeants' accoutrements--,expedition to ,new ,holland--,corporal ,coles selected as the man ,friday of his chief--,exploration from ,high ,bluff ,point to ,hanover ,bay2 difficulties and trials of the trip2 great thirst--,exertions and critical situation of ,coles--,his courageous bearing--,touching instance of devotion to his chief--,employments of the party--,exploration into the interior with ,coles and private ,mustard--,hardships in its prosecution--,threatened attack of the natives2 return to the camp #ahch4 ,services of party in ,new ,holland--,start for the #cae interior--,labours of the expedition2 corporal ,auger--,captain ,grey and corporal ,coles expect an attack--,attitude of private ,auger at the camp against the menace of the natives--,captain ,grey and ,coles attacked2 their critical situation3 the chief wounded2 devotion of ,coles--,usefulness of ,auger--,renew the march2 ,auger finds a singular ford--,discovers a cave with a sculptured face in it--,mustard traces the spoor of a quadruped still unseen in ,new ,holland--,a sleep in the trees--,trials of the party--,primitive washing--,auger the van of the adventurers--,humane attention of the ,captain to ,mustard2 reach ,hanover ,bay2 arrive at the ,mauritius--,detachment in ,spain--,attack on ,orio--,usurvil2 ,oyarzun--,miscellaneous employments of the party--,reinforcement to it2 ,casa ,aquirre--,orio--,secret mission to ,muagorri--,second visit to the same chief--,notice of corporal ,john ,down--,bidassoa--,triangulation of north of ,scotland--,also of the ,frith of the ,clyde--,insurrection in ,canada2 guard of honour to ,lord ,durham--,company inspected by the ,governor-,general on the plains of ,abraham--,inspection at ,niagara by ,sir ,george ,arthur--,services and movements of the company in ,canada2 attack at ,beauharnois--,submarine demolition of wrecks near ,gravesend--,expedient to prevent accidents by vessels fouling the diving-bell lighter--,conduct of the sappers in the operations2 exertions of sergeant-major ,jones--,fatal accident to a diver--,intrepidity of sergeants ,ross and ,young--,blasting the bow of the brig #8,william1' by sergeant-major ,jones--,withdrawal of the sappers from the canal at ,hythe #ahci4 ,expedition to ,western ,australia under ,captain ,grey--,excursion #cbh with ,auger to the north of ,perth--,search for ,mr4 ,ellis--,exploration of shores from ,freemantle--,bernier and ,dorre ,islands2 want of water2 trials of the party--,water allowance reduced--,a lagoon discovered--,privations and hardships of the party--,return to ,bernier ,island for stores--,its altered appearance--,destruction of the dept of provisions--,consternation of ,coles--,auger's example under the circumstances--,expedition makes for ,swan ,river--,perilous landing at ,gantheaume ,bay--,overland journey to ,perth2 straits of the adventurers--,auger searching for a missing man--,coles observes the natives2 arrangements to meet them--,water found by ,auger--,a spring discovered by ,coles at ,water ,peak--,disaffection about long marches2 forced journeys determined upon2 the two sappers and a few others accompany the ,captain--,desperate hardships and fatigues2 the last revolting resource of thirst--,extraordinary exertions of the travellers2 their sufferings from thirst2 water found--,appalling bivouac--,coles's agony and fortitude--,struggles of the adventurers2 they at last reach ,perth--,auger joins two expeditions in search of the slow walkers--,disposal of ,coles and ,auger #ahci4 ,services of the detachment in ,spain--,last party of the #cda artillery on the survey--,survey of ,south ,australia--,inspection at ,limerick by ,sir ,william ,macbean--,triangulation of north of ,scotland--,also of the ,clyde--,pontoons by sergeant ,hopkins--,augmentation of the corps--,also of the survey companies--,supernumerary rank annulled--,tithe surveys2 quality of work executed on them by discharged sappers2 efficient surveys of sergeant ,doull--,increase of survey pay--,staff appointments on the survey--,responsibility of quartermaster-sergeant ,m#8,kay--,colonel ,colby's classes--,based upon particular attainments--,disputed territory in the ,state of ,maine--,movements and services of the party employed in its survey2 intrepidity of corporal ,m#8,queen--,experiments with the diving-bell--,also with the voltaic battery--,improvement in the priming wires by ,captain ,sandham2 sergeant-major ,jones's waterproof composition and imitation fuses--,demolition and removal of the wreck of the #8,royal ,george'--,organization of detachment employed in the operation--,emulation of parties--,success of the divers2 labours of the sappers--,diving-bell abandoned--,accident to private ,brabant--,fearlessness of corporal ,harris in unloading gunpowder from the cylinders--,hazardous duty in soldering the loading-hole of the cylinder--,first sapper helmet divers--,conduct and exertions of the detachment #ahdj4 ,return of the detachment from ,spain--,its conduct during the #ced war--,survey of the northern counties of ,england--,notice of sergeant ,cottingham--,secondary triangulation of the north of ,scotland--,increase to survey allowances--,augmentation to the survey companies--,renewal of survey of the disputed boundary in the state of ,maine--,corporal ,hearnden at ,sandhurst--,wreck of the #8,royal ,george2' duties of the sappers in its removal--,exertions of sergeant-major ,jones--,the divers--,an accident--,usefulness of the detachment engaged in the work--,boat adventure at ,spithead--,andrew ,anderson--,thomas ,p4 ,cook--,transfer of detachment from the ,mauritius to the ,cape--,survey of ,la ,caille's arc of meridian there--,detachment to ,syria--,its active services1 including capture of ,acre--,reinforcement to ,syria #ahda4 ,syria--,landing at ,caiffa2 ,mount ,carmel--,cave of ,elijah2 #cfe epidemic--,colour-sergeant ,black--,inspection at ,beirout by the ,seraskier2 return of the detachment to ,england--,expedition to the ,niger--,model farm--,gori--,fever sets in2 return of the expedition--,services of the sappers attached to it--,corporal ,edmonds and the elephant--and the ,princess--,staff-sergeant's undress--,staff appointments--,wreck of the ',royal ,george'--,sergeant ,march--,sapper-divers--,curiosities--,u nder-water pay2 means used to aid the divers--,speaking under water--,gallantry of private ,skelton--,alarming accidents--,constitutional unfitness for diving--,boundary survey in the state of ,maine--,augmentation to corps for ,bermuda--,sandhurst2 corporal ,carlin's services--,quartermaster-sergeant ,fraser--,intrepidity of private ,entwistle--,colonel ,pasley--,efficiency of the corps--,its conduct1 and impolicy of reducing its establishment--,sir ,john ,jones's opinion of the sappers--,and also the ,rev4 ,g4 ,r4 ,gleig's #ahdb4 ,party to ,natal--,the march--,action at ,congella--,boers attack the #chd camp--,then besiege it--,sortie on the ,boers' trenches--,incidents--,privations--,cond uct of the detachment2 courageous bearing of sergeant ,young--,services of the party after hostilities had ceased--,detachment to the ,falkland ,islands--,landing--,character of the country--,services of the party--,its movements2 and amusements--,professor ,airy's opinion of the corps--,fire at ,woolwich2 its consequences--,wreck of the ',royal ,george'--,classification of the divers--,corporal ,harris's exertions in removing the wreck of the #8,perdita' mooring lighter--,assists an unsuccessful comrade--,difficulties in recovering the pig-iron ballast--,adventure with ,mr4 ,cussell's lighter--,isolation of ,jones at the bottom--,annoyed by the presence of a human body2 ,harris1 less sensitive1 captures it--,the keel--,accidents--,conflict between two rival divers--,conduct of the sappers employed in the operation--,demolition of beacons at ,blythe ,sand1 ,sheerness--,testimonial to sergeant-major ,jones for his services in connection with it #ahdb4 ,draft to ,canada--,company recalled from thence--,its services #dja and movements--,its character--,labours of colour-sergeant ,lanyon--,increase to ,gibraltar--,reduction in the corps--,irish survey completed2 force employed in its prosecution--,reasons for conducting it under military rule--,economy of superintendence by sappers--,their employments--,sergeants ,west1 ,doull1 ,spalding1 ,keville--,corporals ,george ,newman1 ,andrew ,duncan--,staff appointments to the survey companies--,dangers--,hardships--,averag e strength of sapper force employed--,casualties--,kindness of the ,irish--,gradual transfer of sappers for the ,english survey--,distribution2 ,southampton #ahdc4 ,falkland ,islands2 services of the detachment #dab there--,exploration trips--,seat of government changed--,turner's stream--,bull-fight--,round ,down ,cliff1 near ,dover--,boundary line in ,north ,america--,sergeant-major ,forbes--,operations for removing the wreck of the ',royal ,george'--,exertions of the party--,private ,girvan--,sagacity of corporal ,jones--,success of the divers--,exertions to recover the missing guns--,harris's nest--,his district pardonably invaded--,wreck of the ',edgar1' and corporal ,jones--,power of water to convey sound--,girvan at the #8,edgar'--,an accident--,cessation of the work--,conduct of the detachment employed in it--,sir ,george ,murray's commendation--,longitude of ,valentia--,rebellion in ,ireland--,colour-sergeant ,lanyon explores the passages under ,dublin ,castle--,fever at ,bermuda--,burning of the #8,missouri' steamer at ,gibraltar--,hong-,kong--,inspection at ,woolwich by the ,grand ,duke ,michael of ,russia--,percussion carbine and accoutrements #ahdd4 ,remeasurement of ,la ,caille's arc at the ,cape--,reconnoitring #dca excursion of sergeant ,hemming--,falkland ,islands--,draft to ,bermuda--,inspection at ,gibraltar by ,general ,sir ,robert ,wilson--,final operations against the #8,royal ,george'--and the #8,edgar'--,discovery of the amidships--incident connected with it--,combats with crustacea--,success of corporal ,jones--,injury to a diver--,private ,skelton drowned--,conduct of the detachment employed in the work--,submarine repairs to the #8,tay' steamer at ,bermuda by corporal ,harris--,widening and deepening the ship channel at ,st4 ,george's--,accidents from mining experiments at ,chatham--,notice of corporal ,john ,wood--,inspection at ,hong-,kong by ,major-,general ,d',aguilar #ahde4 ,sheerness--,increase to the corps at the ,cape--,survey of #ddd ,windsor--,skill of privates ,holland and ,hogan as draughtsmen--,etchings by the latter for the ,queen and ,prince ,albert--,unique idea of the use of a bullet--,inspection at ,gibraltar by ,sir ,robert ,wilson--,falkland ,islands--,discharges on the survey duty during the railway mania #ahdf4 ,boundary surveys in ,north ,america--,duties of the party #ddh engaged in it--,mode of ascertaining longitudes--,trials of the party2 ,owen ,lonergan--,the sixty-four mile line--,official recognition of services of the party--,sergeant ,james ,mulligan--,kaffir war--,corporal ,b4 ,castledine--,parties employed at the guns--,graham's ,town--,fort ,brown--,patrols--,bridge over the ,fish ,river--,field services with the second division--,dodo's kraal--,waterloo ,bay--,field services with the first division--,patrol under ,lieutenant ,bourchier--,mutiny of the ,swellandam native infantry--,conduct of corps in the campaign--,alterations in the dress--,drainage of ,windsor--,detachment to ,hudson's ,bay--,its organization--,journey to ,fort ,garry--,sergeant ,philip ,clark--,private ,r4 ,penton--,corporal ,t4 ,macpherson--,lower ,fort ,garry--,particular services--,return to ,england #ahdf4 ,exploration survey for a railway in ,north ,america--,services #dfe of the party employed on it--,personal services of sergeant ,a4 ,calder--,augmentation to the corps--,reinforcement to ,china--,recall of a company from ,bermuda--,royal presents to the reading-room at ,southampton--,inspection at ,gibraltar by ,sir ,robert ,wilson--,third company placed at the disposal of the ,board of ,works in ,ireland--,sergeant ,j4 ,baston--,services of the company--,distinguished from the works controlled by the civilians--,gallantry of private ,g4 ,windsor--,coolness of private ,e4 ,west--,intrepid and useful services of private ,william ,baker--,survey of ,southampton1 and its incomparable map #ahdg4 ,detachments in ,south ,australia--,corporal ,w4 #dgh ,forrest--,augmentation to the corps--,destruction of the ,bogue and other forts--,services of the detachment at ,canton--,first detachment to ,new ,zealand--,survey of ,dover and ,winchelsea--,also of ,pembroke--,flattering allusion to the corps--,sir ,john ,richardson's expedition to the ,arctic regions--,cedar ,lake--,private ,geddes's encounter with the bear--,winter quarters at ,cumberland ,house--,road-making in ,zetland--,active services at the ,cape--,company to ,portsmouth ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations4 ,,vol4 ,i4 ,,plate ,,page ,i4 ,uniform #aghf ,to face ,title4 ,,ii4 ,working-dress #aghf #di ,,iii4 ,uniform #aghg #fi ,,iv4 ,working-dress #aghg #fi ,v4 ,uniform #agib #gi ,,vi4 ,working-dress #agid #hj ,,vii4 ,working-dress #agie #ajj ,,viii4 ,uniform #agig #aae ,,ix4 ,uniform #ahjb #adj ,x4 ,working-dress #ahac #aih ,,xi4 ,uniform #ahac #aih ,,xii4 ,uniform #ahbc #beh ,,xiii4 ,uniform and working-dress #ahbe #bfb ,,xiv4 ,uniform #ahcb #bhg ,,xv4 ,uniform #ahdc #dbi ,,vol4 ,,ii4 ,,xvi4 ,uniform #ahed ,,xvii4 ,working-dress #ahed ,to face ,title4 ,,history ,,of ,,the ,,royal ,,sappers ,,and ,,miners4 --------------------- #aggb--aggi4 ,origin of ,corps--,its establishment and pay--,engineers to command it--,its designation--,working pay--,recruiting--,dismissal of civil artificers--,names of officers--,non-commissioned officers--,first augmentation--,consequent promotions--,names of other officers joined--,king's ,bastion--,second augmentation4 ,before the year #aggb1 the works at ,gibraltar were mainly executed by civil mechanics from the ,continent and ,england1 who were not engaged for any term of years1 but were hired like ordinary artificers1 and could leave the ,rock whenever they felt disposed4 ,not being amenable to military discipline1 they were indolent and disorderly1 and wholly regardless of authority4 ,the only means of punishing them was by reprimand1 suspension1 or dismissal1 and these means were quite ineffectual to check irregularities4 ,the dismissal of mechanics and replacing them by others was always attended with considerable inconvenience and expense1 and often failed to secure an equivalent advantage4 ,consequently1 the works progressed very slowly1 imposing much additional trouble and anxiety upon the officers4 ,even the better class of artificers--locally termed 8guinea men0 from their high wages--who had something at stake in their situations1 could not be relied upon4 ,it therefore became necessary that steps should be taken to put a stop to the evil1 and to secure the services of a sufficient number of steady1 obedient mechanics1 upon whom dependence could1 at all times1 be placed1 for the proper execution of the works4 ,with this view1 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,william ,green1 the chief engineer at the fortress1 suggested the formation of a company of military artificers as the only expedient4 ,of the value of this suggestion some experience had been derived1 from the occasional occupation on the works1 of mechanics belonging to the different regiments in garrison4 ,indeed1 ever since the taking of ,gibraltar1 in #agjd1 soldiers had so been employed1 particularly artillerymen1 whose services to the fortress were always found to be beneficial4 ,there was every reason1 therefore1 to expect that1 when the department became entirely military in its character1 corresponding results on a large scale would ensue4 ,besides which it was considered1 that the employment of a military company on the works1 organized expressly for the purpose1 would produce a great saving of expense to the public2 and also1 that the men would be ready to participate in any military operation for the defence of the place1 either as artificers or soldiers1 should our relations with other countries render it desirable4 ,influenced by these considerations1 ,colonel ,green submitted the suggestion to the ,governor and ,lieutenant-,governor of ,gibraltar4 ,too well aware themselves of the disadvantages of the system of civil labour in carrying on the works of ,the fortress1 they were favourable to the trial of any experiment that promised success2 and in recommending the plan to the attention of the ,secretary of ,state1 they expressed their decided opinion that many advantages would certainly arise to the service and the fortress by its adoption4 ,the royal consent was accordingly given to the measure in a ,warrant1 under the sign manual1 dated #fth ,march1 #aggb2 and thus originated the corps1 whose history is attempted to be traced in these pages4 ,the ,warrant authorized the raising and forming of a company of artificers to consist of the following numbers and ranks1 with the regimental pay annexed to each rank3-- s4 d4 #a ,sergeant and as adjutant#a #c #j a-day4 #c ,sergeants1 each #a #f 0 #c ,corporals #a #b 0 #fj ,privates1 or working men skilled in the 0 following trades3--,stone-cutters1 masons1 miners1 lime-burners1 carpenters1 smiths1 gardeners1 or wheelers1 each #j #aj #a ,drummer #j #aj 0 ---- #fh ,total4 ,and officers of the corps of engineers were appointed to command this new body1 to which was given the name of 8,the ,soldier-,artificer ,company40#b ----- ,footnote #a3 ,the rank of sergeant and adjutant--an odd combination certainly--was not adopted4 ,the senior non-commissioned officer was styled sergeant-major4 ,the authority for this are the muster rolls and returns of the company4 ,but it is not a little remarkable that1 in opposition to the fact1 evidence should exist of the best kind for veracity1 to oppose the averment4 ,the error appears on a tablet built in ,charles the ,fifth's wall adjoining ,hargrave's parade at ,gibraltar1 to the memory of the widow of the first sergeant-major of the corps4 ,thus runs the epitaph3-- ,to the ,memory of ,,martha1 wife of ,,thomas ,,bridges1 ,sergeant1 and as ,adjutant to ,his ,majesty's ,artificers' ,company4 ,she departed this life1 #dth ,february1 #aggc1 ,aged #ch years4 ------- ,a more loving wife or friend sincere ,never will be buried here-- ,charitable she was to all1 ,altho' her income it was small4 ,excuse the stanza4 ,perhaps the sergeant-major was a tetchy man1 obstinate in maintaining his rights1 and took this private opportunity of asserting his warranted rank and publishing the military anomaly in imperishable marble4 ,footnote #b3 ,the ,warrant does not designate the company by such a title4 ,it is there called 8,the ,military ,company of ,artificers40 ,how the change took place1 does not appear4 ----- ,each non-commissioned officer and man was to receive as a remuneration for his labour a sum not exceeding two reals#c a day in addition to his regimental pay2 but this extra allowance was only to be given for such days as he was actually employed on the works4 ----- ,footnote #c3 ,a real is equal to #d;d4 ,english4 ----- ,the recruiting for the company was a service of but little difficulty1 as permission was granted to fill it with men from the regiments then serving in the garrison2 and although the company was restricted to the taking of properly qualified mechanics of good character1 yet1 at the end of the year1 after supplying the places occasioned by casualties1 there were only eighteen rank and file wanting to complete4 ,as vacancies occurred1 such of the soldiers of the garrison as came up to the established criteria1 and wished to be transferred into the company1 were allowed the indulgence2 and this mode was the only one followed1 for filling up the soldier-artificers1 for many years after their formation4 ,the whole of the civil mechanics were not discharged from the department on account of this measure4 ,such of them were retained as were considered1 from their qualifications and conduct1 to be useful in the fortress1 and they were placed under the superintendence of the non-commissioned officers of the company1 who were appointed foremen of the different trades4 ,the foreign artificers were1 with few exceptions1 dismissed2 and twenty ,english 8contracted artificers10 or 8guinea men10 were sent home4 ,previously1 however1 such of the good men of the number as were willing to be 8entertained0 in the company were permitted the option of enlisting1 but none availed themselves of the offer4 ,the officers of engineers who were first attached to the company were the following3-- ,lieutenant-,colonel ,william ,green1 captain4 ,captain ,john ,phipps1 ,esq4 ,capt4-,lieut4 and ,captain ,theophilus ,lefance1 ,esq4 ,lieutenant ,john ,evelegh4 ,and they were desired to take under their command and inspection the non-commissioned officers and private men of the company1 and to pay particular attention to their good conduct and regular behaviour4#d ----- ,footnote #d3 ,the order upon this subject is given at length1 as it touches upon other matters besides the discipline of the company4 ,chief ,engineer's ,orders1 ,gibraltar1 #cast ,may1 #aggb4 8,by the ,governor's orders of the #bjth ,may1 the company of soldier-artificers now raising and forming under the command of the ,chief ,engineer as captain1 ,captain ,phipps1 ,captain-,lieutenant ,lefance1 and ,lieutenant ,evelegh1 are appointed officers to the said company1 and are1 therefore1 conformable to their respective ranks1 henceforth to take under their command the conduct and inspection of the non-commissioned officers and private men of the said company1 and to pay all sort of military attentions to their good order and regular behaviour1 according to the rules and discipline of war2#d;a also to the particular standing orders1 as well as to the accustomary regulations of the garrison relative to all the required and expected duties of a soldier and an artificer1 both when on1 as well as when off1 duty4 ,captain ,phipps is also appointed to keep the accounts and to see the company duly paid their full military subsistence4 ,the company to be paid conformable to ,his ,majesty's ,warrant dated ,march #fth1 #aggb1 upon the same footing as the rest of the troops in garrison1 viz41 at seventy pence sterling the ,mexico or ,cobb1 agreeable to which1 the non-commissioned officers and men are to be paid weekly as follows1 the deduction for the surgeon excepted3-- ,sergeant-major #e dollars1 #c reals1 #c-a_/g quarts4 ,sergeants--each #b 0 #e 0 #i-c_/g 0 ,corporals--each #b 0 #j 0 #ab-d_/g 0 ,privates and drummer--each4 #a 0 #d 0 #j ,one-halfpenny sterling a-week to be stopped from each private and drummer for the surgeon1 and the non-commissioned officers to be stopped in proportion to their respective pays40 ,footnote #d;a3 ,no provision was made this year for extending the ,mutiny ,act to the company2 nor1 indeed1 was it noticed in any subsequent ,act till #aghh1 when its introduction gave rise to much discussion in the ,house of ,commons4 ,the idea of subjecting artificers to martial law was attacked with satirical bitterness by the eloquent ,sheridan4 ----- ,on the #cjth ,june1 the date on which the company was first mustered1 the non-commissioned officers were-- ,sergeant-major ,thomas ,bridges4#e ,sergeant ,david ,young1 ,carpenter4 ,sergeant ,henry ,ince1 ,miner4 ,to these were added1 on the #cast ,december-- ,sergeant ,edward ,macdonald4 ,corporal ,robert ,blair1 and ,corporal ,peter ,fraser4 and soon afterwards-- ,corporal ,robert ,brand1 who completed the non-commissioned officers to the full number authorised by the warrant4 ,footnote #e3 ,the more particular duties of the ,sergeant-major1 as described in the ,chief ,engineer's ,order of #cast ,may1 #aggb1 were 8to carry all the general orders to the ,chief ,engineer1 and the officers of the company1 through the means of the other sergeants2 also to make known the general orders to the rest of the non-commissioned officers and private men40 ,these he was required to attend to1 8in lieu of an adjutant40 ,by the royal warrant1 he should have been appointed to that rank1 and not designated 8sergeant-major40 ,no reason can be traced for altering the title4 ,the first adjutant was an officer of engineers--,lieutenant ,evelegh4 ,he was appointed #aeth ,june1 #aggc4 ,bridges enlisted into the #cjth regiment in #agea1 from which he was transferred to the corps as ,sergeant-major1 and being reduced during the siege 7#bhth ,september1 #agha71 was discharged from the company #ajth ,october1 #agha4 ,at the time the soldier-artificers were raised1 the extensive works ordered to be executed by his ,majesty in ,october1 #aggj1 were in progress1 and furnished an excellent opportunity for testing their capabilities and merits4 ,the advantage of the change1 and the consequent benefits accruing to the fortress1 were soon apparent4 ,scarcely had the company been in existence a year1 before ,major-,general ,boyd1 the ,lieutenant-,governor1 impressed with the conviction of its usefulness1 represented1 in several communications to ,lord ,rochford1 the ,secretary of ,state1 the expediency of augmenting it2 and he was the more urgent for its sanction as the new works in hand--which were absolutely essential for the defence of the place--required to be hastened with all possible despatch4 ,the recommendation1 coming from so high an authority1 met with ready attention1 and a ,warrant dated #beth ,march1 #aggd1 was accordingly issued for adding twenty-five men to the company4 ,its establishment was then fixed as follows3-- ,sergeant-major #a ,sergeants #d ,corporals #d ,drummer #a ,private artificers b#hc ---- ,total #ic ,to the former list of non-commissioned officers were now added-- ,john ,richmond1 sergeant4 ,john ,brown1#f corporal4 ,ensign ,william ,skinner joined the company #bjth ,may1 and ,ensign ,william ,booth #bcrd ,june4 ,footnote #f3 ,in ,hay's #8,western ,barbary1' chap4 x41 ,murray's edit41 there is a very pleasing anecdote of the 8half-,irish ,sultan10 ,mulai ,yezeed1 in which the name of ,brown of the ,royal ,sappers and ,miners1 properly ,soldier-,artificers1 is introduced4 ,to controvert a particular point to which it refers1 the anecdote in an abridged form1 is subjoined4 ,sidi ,mahomed1 soon after his elevation to the throne of ,morocco1 about the middle of the last century1 was desirous of completing the defences of ,fez1 and knowing the superiority of the ,english in engineering1 he applied to the ,british ,government for the aid of some person skilled in the art4 ,the request was acceded to1 and an experienced sergeant of the ,sappers and ,miners having been selected as a fit person1 was placed at the disposal of his ,majesty4 ,sidi ,mahomed received him with much kindness1 and allotted a suitable house for his reception4 ,the sergeant continued in the service of the ,sultan for some time after he had completed the works at ,fez1 and at length died1 leaving his wife without issue4 ,after his interment1 the widow1 who was a pretty ,irishwoman1 sought an interview with the ,sultan1 in order to obtain a pension and the means of returning to her own country4 ,his ,majesty was much struck by her fair and comely appearance1 treated her with condescension and benevolence1 and expressed in endearing overtures his attachment to her4 ,under no promises of future greatness could she be induced to relinquish the faith of her fathers for the creed of ,islam1 and to take an exalted station in the imperial harem4 ,sidi ,mahomed1 old as he was1 was too much fascinated to yield so choice a prize on a mere question of belief1 and making the fullest sacrifices to satisfy her religious scruples1 the poor1 friendless1 ,irish widow1 became the ,sultana of ,morocco6 ,corporal ,brown1 afterwards promoted to be sergeant1 is the non-commissioned officer alluded to4 ,he was a mason by trade1 and joining the artificers on the #bnd ,january1 #aggc1 he seemingly soon acquired the reputation of being an able foreman and an indispensable man4 ,it was in #aggf he was sent to ,fez1 not in the middle of the century as stated in the anecdote1 and he died there early in #agha4 ,that year1 or probably later1 ,widow ,brown became the ,sultana of ,sidi ,mahomet1 and ,mulai ,yezeed1 the reputed son of the widow by the ,sultan1 was then #ca years old6 ,the age of ,mulai may be gleaned from ,hay's tale1 but more directly seen in ,dr4 ,lempriere's #8,journey through the ,barbary ,states4' ,according to the latter author1 who was at ,tetuan in #agij1 ,mulai was the 8offspring of an ,english renegado10 and then about #dj years of age4 ,the ,sultan died at a patriarchal age in #agij1 and ,mulai ,yezeed succeeded him4 ----- ,no sooner was the company completed to its new establishment than the engineers proceeded with greater spirit in the erection of the ,king's ,bastion1 the foundation stone of which was laid in #aggc by ,general ,boyd4#g ,this work1 which was of material consequence for the safety of the fortress1 caused the ,general much concern1 and he employed his best efforts for its completion4#h ,but1 unavoidable delay in some official arrangements at home1 coupled with a little misunderstanding and the loss of many civil mechanics1 greatly retarded the work4 ----- ,footnote #g3 ,general ,boyd1 attended by ,general ,green1 the chief engineer1 and many officers of the garrison1 laid the foundation stone of this bastion1 with the ceremony usual on such occasions4 ,when he had finished it1 he made this remarkable speech4 8,this is the first stone of a work which ,i name the ,king's ,bastion2 may it be as gallantly defended1 as ,i know it will be ably executed2 and may ,i live to see it resist the united efforts of ,france and ,spain40--,drinkwater's ,siege of ,gibraltar1 p4 #bij1 #ast edit4 ,the desire of the worthy general was realized4 ,he not only lived to see what he wished1 but materially to assist in the operations of the siege4 ,footnote #h3 ,to carry on the work with vigour1 an opening was made in the sea-line1 which1 as long as it continued so1 made the fortress defenceless in that part4 ,similar openings were made in the line some years before by a storm1 which1 being observed by ,monsieur ,crillon1 who commanded at ,st4 ,roque1 he proposed a scheme for an attempt on the ,rock4 ,remembering this1 the ,general always kept an anxious eye upon the gap2 but he concealed his fears1 lest they should fill the people with alarm1 and the ,french or ,spaniards with notions of invasion4 ,he would not post any additional guards or picquets there for its protection1 but gave private directions that all the guns and howitzers that could be brought into position in that part should be attended to4 ,he1 however1 did not conceal his uneasiness from the ,secretary of ,state2 and in urging upon ,lord ,rochford the necessity for his being furnished with the means for completing the bastion1 he quaintly remarked1 8there is an idea of glory1 my lord1 in the thought of being killed in defending a breach made by the enemy1 but to be knocked o' th' head in the defence of one of our own making would be a ridiculous death40 ----- ,this led ,general ,boyd in #agge to apply for another augmentation to the soldier-artificers1 which was the more necessary as three regiments1 furnishing a number of mechanics for the fortifications1 were about to leave the ,rock2 and also as the foreign artificers--several of whom had been re-engaged since the pressure of the works--were like birds of passage1 abandoning the fortress when they pleased4 ,this the soldier-artificers could not do4 ,to their attention and assiduity1 therefore1 the progress of the bastion and other works of the garrison were mainly attributable2 and ,general ,boyd1 in a letter to ,lord ,rochford1 dated #eth ,october1 #agge1 gave them full credit for their services4 8,we can10 wrote the ,general1 8depend only upon the artificer company for constant work1 and on soldiers occasionally4 ,had it not been for the artificer company1 we should not have made half the progress in the ,king's ,bastion1 as well as in the other works of the garrison40 ,on the #afth ,january1 #aggf1 ,his ,majesty sanctioned an addition to the company of one sergeant1 one corporal1 one drummer1 and twenty privates1 all masons1 who were to be reduced again when the ,hanoverian troops should leave the fortress4#i ,with this increase the company consisted of #aaf non-commissioned officers and men4 ----- ,footnote #i3 ,when the ,hanoverian troops left ,gibraltar1 the company had the best character for efficiency and utility1 and its numbers therefore were not reduced4 ----- ,steadily the works advanced2 soon the ,king's ,bastion#aj was finished1 and the fortress was now in such a state of defence as greatly to alleviate the apprehension1 which1 a few years before1 caused ,general ,boyd so much anxiety4 ,though not exactly all that could be desired to oppose the onslaught of a determined and daring adversary1 it was yet capable of a long and obstinate resistance2 and1 from the political phases of the period1 it did not seem at all unlikely that its strength would soon be tried1 and the prowess and fortitude of the garrison tested4 ----- ,footnote #aj3 ,at this bastion the company worked1 by express orders1 from gun-fire in the morning to gun-fire in the evening1 as also on ,sundays4 ,all the work was of cut stone1 and skilfully executed4 ,a model of it1 exquisitely wrought in polished stone1 is in the ,rotunda at ,woolwich4 ,it formerly belonged to ,george ,,iii4 ,in #ahbj1 ,george ,,iv4 presented it to the ,royal ,military ,repository4 ----- #aggi-aghb4 ,jealousy of ,spain--,declares war with ,england--,strength of the garrison at ,gibraltar--,preparations for defence and employment of the company--,siege commenced--,privations of the garrison--,grand sortie and conduct of the company--,its subsequent exertions--,origin of the subterranean galleries--,their extraordinary prosecution--,princess ,anne's battery--,third augmentation--,names of non-commissioned officers4 ,gibraltar1 ever since its capture by the ,english in #agjd1 had been a source of much jealousy and uneasiness to ,spain1 and her desire to restore it to her dominions was manifested in the frequent attempts she made with that view4 ,invariably she was repelled by the indomitable bravery of the garrison2 but a slave to her purpose1 she did not desist from her efforts1 and in the absence of any real occasion for disagreement with ,england1 scrupled not to create one1 in order that she might attack1 and if possible1 regain the fortress4 ,a favourable opportunity for the purpose at length arrived4 ,soon after the convention of ,saratoga in #aggg1 the ,americans entered into an alliance with ,france1 which was the cause of a rupture between the latter nation and ,great ,britain4 ,hostilities had been carried on for six months1 when ,spain insinuated herself into the dispute under pacific pretensions4 ,her proposals1 however1 were of such a nature as rendered it impossible for the ,british ,government to accept them without lessening the national honour2 and being rejected1 the refusal was made the pretext for war4 ,it was accordingly declared by ,spain on the #afth ,june1 and her eager attention was at once turned to ,gibraltar4 ,on the #bast of the same month she took the first step of a hostile nature1 by closing the communication between ,spain and the fortress4 ,at this time the garrison consisted of an army of #e1chb officers and men under ,general ,eliott4 ,lieut4-,general ,boyd was second in command4 ,of this force the engineers and artificers amounted to the following numbers under ,colonel ,green3-- ,officers #h ,sergeants #f ,drummers #b ,rank and ,file #ajfaa ---- ,total #abb ,no particular demonstration on the part of the ,spaniards immediately followed the closing of the communication2 but ,general ,eliott1 anticipating an early attack upon the ,rock1 made arrangements to meet it4 ,all was activity and preparation within the fortress2 and the engineers with the artificers were constantly occupied in strengthening the defences4 ,for better accomplishing this paramount service1 the company was divided into three portions on the #bcrd ,august1 and directed to instruct the line workmen in the duties required of them4 ,to prevent misunderstanding with regard to the line non-commissioned officers--who might under certain circumstances become litigious--the ,chief ,engineer issued orders to the effect1 that all such soldiers coming into the king's works1 were to take directions from the non-commissioned officers of the company in the execution of their professional duty4#ab ----- ,footnote #aa3 ,the company wanted two privates to complete4 ,footnote #ab3 ,as foreseen by the ,chief ,engineer1 disputes soon arose between the non-commissioned officers of the company and the line1 with regard to superintendence and direction4 ,the fact having come to the ,brigadier's knowledge1 he renewed1 on the #ajth ,july1 #agha1 his former order in a more imperative tone4 ----- ,on the #abth ,september1 ,general ,eliott commenced operations by opening a fire on the enemy1 which was so unexpected1 that the latter were surprised and dispersed4 ,on recovering from the panic1 they scarcely ventured1 or indeed cared1 to retaliate2 for their object obviously was1 not to subject themselves to a costly expenditure of ammunition1 shot1 c41 but to distress the garrison by famine1 and thereby obtain an easy surrender4 ,in this1 however1 they were disappointed2 for the enduring hardihood of the garrison1 and the occasional arrival of relief1 frustrated their object1 and compelled the ,spaniards to have recourse to the more expensive and difficult method of besieging the place4#ac ----- ,footnote #ac3 ,the strength of the company1 including officers1 when the provision supplies arrived1 under ,admiral ,rodney1 in ,february1 #aghj1 and again under ,admiral ,darby1 in ,april1 #agha1 was1 on both occasions1 stated to be #abd4 ,see #8,an authentic and accurate ,journal of the late ,siege of ,gibraltar1' pp4 #bb1 #agj4 ----- ,at this period the privations of the soldiers in the fortress were of so severe a nature1 that many of them were constrained to seek expedients from unusual resources to supply their wants2 and in this way1 thistles1 dandelion1 and other wild herbs1 the produce of a barren rock1 were used to satisfy their cravings4 ,the following enumeration of some of the necessaries of life1 with their prices affixed1 will afford an idea of the extent of the scarcity3-- s4 d4 s4 d4 ,mutton or beef 4 #b #f to #c #f per lb4 sometimes higher4 ,salt beef or pork #a #j to #a #c per lb4 ,biscuit crumbs #j #aj to #a #j per lb4 ,milk and water #a #c a pint4 ,eggs #j #f each4 ,a small cabbage #a #f ,a small bunch of outward leaves #j #f ,thus curtailed in their provisions1 the wonder is1 that the men were at all capable of supporting life1 and keeping their opponents in check4 ,but notwithstanding this embarrassing privation1 their energy and courage were by no means weakened1 nor their spirit and ardour depressed4 ,in ,november1 #agha1 the ,spaniards were very zealous in completing their defences2 so much so that towards the latter part of the month their batteries presented an appearance at once stupendous and formidable4 ,this proud bulwark naturally arrested the ,governor's attention1 and as naturally engendered the determination to assault and destroy it4 ,on the #bfth ,november1 he desired a selection to be made from the troops for this purpose4 ,to each of the right and centre columns a detachment of the company--in all twelve non-commissioned officers as overseers1 and forty privates--was attached1 under ,lieutenants ,skinner and ,johnson of the ,engineers2 and #afj working men from the line were directed to assist them4 ,to the left column a hundred sailors were told off to do the duty of pioneers4 ,the soldier-artificers were supplied with hammers1 axes1 crow-bars1 fire-faggots1 and other burning materials4 ,upon the setting of the moon at three o'clock on the morning of the #bgth ,november the sortie was made4 ,the moment ,lieut4-,colonel ,hugo1 who had charge of the right column1 took possession of the parallel1 ,lieutenant ,johnson with the artificers and pioneers commenced with great promptitude and dexterity to dismantle the works4 ,similar daring efforts succeeded the rush of ,lieutenant ,skinner's artificers and workmen into the ,st4 ,carlo's ,battery with the column of ,lieut4-,colonel ,dachenhausen2 but the number of the soldier-artificers attached to the sortie1 whose ardour and labours were everywhere apparent1 being both inconsiderable and insufficient to effect the demolition with the expedition required1 the ,governor sent back to the garrison for the remainder of the company to come and assist in the operation4#ad ,hurrying to the spot to share in the struggle1 they were soon distributed through the batteries2 and the efficiency of their exertions was sensibly seen1 in the rapidity with which the works were razed and in flames4 ,only one of the company was wounded4#ae ----- ,footnote #ad3 ,captain ,luttrell1 in some remarks in the ,house of ,commons in #aghh1 relative to the expediency of raising a corps of military artificers1 stated1 8that at ,gibraltar1 where a similar body had been kept up during the siege1 they had been of infinite service4 ,when our troops had1 in a sortie1 possessed themselves of some of the enemy's works1 they could not destroy them until they had sent back to the garrison for the corps of artificers1 who soon demolished them40--,gent4 ,mag4 #eh1 part #b1 #aghh4 ,footnote #ae3 ,london ,gazette1 #ab1bef4 #be to #bi ,december1 #agha4 ----- ,general ,eliott in his despatch on this sortie1 observes1 8,the pioneers10 meaning artificers1 8and artillerists1 made wonderful exertions1 and spread their fire with such amazing rapidity1 that in half an hour1 two mortar batteries of ten #ac-;inch mortars1 and three batteries of six guns each1 with all the lines of approach1 communication1 traverses1 c4 were in flames and reduced to ashes4 ,their mortars and cannon were spiked1 and their beds1 carriages1 and platforms destroyed4 ,their magazines blew up one after another1 as the fire approached them40#af ----- ,footnote #af3 ,london ,gazette1 #ab1bef4 #be to #bi ,december1 #agha4 ----- ,shortly after the sortie the repairs to the defences at the north front and other works of the fortress1 found full employment for the company4 ,leisure could not be permitted1 and the necessary intervals of rest were frequently interrupted by demands for their assistance1 particularly in caissonning the batteries at ,willis's4#ag ,sickness also set in about this time2 nearly #gjj of the garrison were in hospital2 the working parties were curtailed2 and officers' servants and others1 unused to hard labour and unskilled in the use of tools1 were sent to the works to lessen the fatigue to which their less-favoured comrades were constantly subjected4 ,much extra duty and exertion were thus necessarily thrown upon the company1 and though frequently exposed to imminent danger1 they worked1 both by night and day1 with cheerfulness and zeal4 ,in the sickness that prevailed1 they did not share so much as might be supposed from the laborious nature of their duties1 sixteen only being returned sick1 leaving eighty-one available for the service of the works4 ----- ,footnote #ag3 ,to narrate the different services performed by the company during the siege1 would not only be tedious1 but necessarily incomplete1 from no detailed record of them being preserved4 ,a reference1 however1 to #8,drinkwater's ,history1' though particularization is not even there attempted1 will afford a tolerable idea of their labours4 ----- ,on a fine day in ,may #aghb1 the ,governor1 attended by the ,chief ,engineer and staff1 made an inspection of the batteries at the north front4 ,great havoc had been made in some of them by the enemy's fire2 and for the present they were abandoned whilst the artificers were restoring them4 ,meditating for a few moments over the ruins1 he said aloud1 8,i will give a thousand dollars to any one who can suggest how ,i am to get a flanking fire upon the enemy's works40 ,a pause followed the exciting exclamation1 when sergeant-major ,ince of the company1 who was in attendance upon the ,chief ,engineer1 stepped forward and suggested the idea of forming galleries in the rock to effect the desired object4 ,the ,general at once saw the propriety of the scheme1 and directed it to be carried into execution4#ah ----- ,footnote #ah3 ,whether the sergeant-major obtained the thousand dollars as a douceur from the ,general is a question never likely to be satisfactorily answered4 ,the probability is1 that he did not receive the reward for his suggestion in this form1 but some daily allowance commensurate with his skill and the importance of the duty4 ,i was informed by the late ,quarter-master-sergeant ,britton ,francis1 who possessed a remarkable memory1 and whose father was in the company before him1 that ,ince contracted for the work1 and--such was the story current in his day--received for all the excavations1 one guinea per running foot6 ,judging from an expression in a letter from the ,duke of ,richmond to ,captain ,evelegh1 the ,commanding ,engineer at ,gibraltar1 dated #dth ,august1 #aghd1 this tradition is an extravagant exaggeration4 ,his ,grace observes1 8,i am told that the excavation of the galleries is now constructed for1 all expenses included1 at one rial per foot cube20 and he adds1 8,i am very glad to find that a work which promises to add such effectual defences to the place1 can be carried on at so cheap a rate2 and ,i make no doubt1 that great improvements will still be made by the ,governor in this system of defences and lodgment for stores and troops under the rock40 ----- ,upon orders being issued by the ,chief ,engineer1 twelve good miners of the company were selected for this novel and difficult service1 and sergeant-major ,ince was nominated to take the executive direction of the work4 ,on the #beth of ,may1 he commenced to mine a gallery from a place above ,farringdon's ,battery 7,willis'71 to communicate1 through the rock1 to the notch or projection in the scarp under the ,royal ,battery4 ,the gallery was to be six feet high and six feet wide4 ,the successful progress of this preliminary work was followed by a desire to extend the excavation from the cave at the head of the ,king's lines1 to the cave at the end of the ,queen's lines1 of the same dimensions as the former gallery4 ,a body of well-instructed miners was expressly appointed for the duty1#ai and on the #fth ,july1 they began this new subterranean passage4 ,on the #aeth1 the first 8embrasure was opened in the face of the rock communicating with the gallery above ,farringdon's40 ,to effect this1 8the mine was loaded with an unusual quantity of powder1 and the explosion was so amazingly loud1 that almost the whole of the enemy's camp turned out at the report3 but what10 adds the chronicler1 8must their surprise have been1 when they observed whence the smoke issued60#bj ,the gallery was now widened to admit of the placement of a gun with sufficient room for its recoil1 and when finished1 a #bd-pounder was mounted in it4#ba ,before the ensuing ,september1 five heavy guns were placed in the gallery2 and in little more than twelve months from the day it was commenced1 it was pushed to the notch1 where a battery1 as originally proposed1 was afterwards established and distinguished1 on account of its extensive capacity1 by the name of 8,st ,george's ,hall40#bb ----- ,footnote #ai3 ,the ,chief ,engineer's orders for the performance of this service were as follows3--8#bbnd ,may1 #aghb4 ,a gallery #f feet high1 and #f feet wide1 through the rock1 leading towards the notch nearly under the ,royal ,battery1 to communicate with a proposed battery to be established at the said notch1 is immediately to be undertaken and commenced upon by #ab miners1 under the executive direction of sergeant-major ,ince40 ,again3 8#eth ,july1 #aghb4 ,a gallery of communication1 #f feet #f inches high1 and #f feet wide1 through the intermediate rock1 between the cave at the head of the ,king's lines1 and the cave near the west end of the ,queen's lines1 is forthwith to be commenced upon by a body of miners and labourers expressly appointed for that service40--,see also #8,drinkwater's ,siege1' ,murray's edit41 #ahdf1 pp4 #aab and #aag4 ----- ,footnote #bj3 #8,drinkwater's ,siege1' ,murray's edit41 #ahdf1 p4 #aah4 ----- ,footnote #ba3 ,drinkwater observes1 page #aah1 that 8the original intention of this opening was to communicate air to the workmen1 who1 before1 were almost suffocated with the smoke which remained after blowing the different mines2 but on examining the aperture more closely1 an idea was conceived of mounting a gun to bear on all the enemy's batteries1 excepting ,fort ,barbara40 ,to ascribe it to this accidental circumstance is natural enough1 but there is reason to suppose1 the statement excusably differs from the fact4 ,the galleries were begun with the express object of arming them with ordnance to play on the enemy's works2 and the formation of the embrasure alluded to1 was simply the earnest of a settled scheme2 the first hostile step in its development4 ,footnote #bb3 #8,drinkwater's ,siege1' ,murray's edit41 #ahdf1 note1 p4 #aah4 ----- ,at ,princess ,anne's ,battery 7,willis'71 on the #aath ,june1 a shell from the enemy fell through one of the magazines1 and1 bursting1 the powder instantly ignited and blew up4 ,the whole rock shook with the violence of the explosion1 which1 tearing up the magazine1 threw its massive fragments to an almost incredible distance into the sea4 ,three merlons on the west flank of the battery1 with several men who had run behind them for shelter1 were blown into the ,prince's lines beneath1 which1 with the ,queen's lower down the rock1 were almost filled with the rubbish ejected from the upper battery1 as also with men dreadfully scorched and mangled4 ,the loss among the workmen was very severe4 ,fourteen were killed and fifteen wounded4#bc ,private ,george ,brown1 a mason of the company1 was amongst the former4 ----- ,footnote #bc3 #8,drinkwater's ,siege1' ,murray's edit41 #ahdf1 p4 #aac4 ----- ,in ,july the company could only muster ninety-two men of all ranks1 including the wounded and sick1 having lost twenty-two men during the siege by death1 six of whom had been killed4 ,this was the more unfortunate1 as the siege was daily assuming a more serious aspect1 the enemy collecting in greater force1 and the effect of the cannonade upon the defences more telling and ruinous4 ,naturally the ,governor's attention was called to the deficiency2 and as his chief dependence rested upon the soldier-artificers for the execution and direction of the more important works1 he was not only anxious for their completion to the authorized establishment1 but convinced of the desirableness of augmenting them4 ,in this view he was the more confirmed1 by the representations of ,major-,general ,green1 the chief engineer1 and ,lieutenant-,general ,boyd4 ,as soon1 therefore1 as an opportunity offered1 he urgently requested the ,duke of ,richmond1 then ,master-,general of the ,ordnance1 to fill up the company with mechanics from ,england1 and also to make a liberal increase to its establishment4 ,his ,grace accordingly submitted the recommendation to ,his ,majesty1 and a ,warrant1 dated #cast ,august1 #aghb1 was issued ordering the company to be increased with #aah men4 ,its establishment now amounted to-- #a ,sergeant-major4 #aj ,sergeants4 #aj ,corporals4 #bji ,working-men4 #d ,drummers4 ---- ,total #bcd ,to carry out the wishes of ,general ,eliott1 the ,duke of ,richmond employed parties in ,england and ,scotland to enlist the required number1 which for the most part consisted of carpenters1 sawyers1 and smiths4 ,with great spirit and success the recruiting was conducted2 and in less than a month #ada mechanics--more than enough to meet both the deficiency and the authorized increase--were embarked for the ,rock on board the transports which accompanied the relieving fleet under ,lord ,hood4 ,twenty landed on the #aeth ,october2 a similar number next day1 and the remaining #aja on the #bast4 ,by this increase the carpenters were #ff in number1 the sawyers #ca1 and the smiths #eg4 ,the masons at this time were #cj strong4 ,the non-commissioned officers1#bd as they stood immediately after this augmentation1 were as follows3-- ,sergeant-major--,henry ,ince4 ,sergeants3-- ,david ,young1 carpenter4 ,edward ,macdonald4#be ,robert ,blyth1#bf mason4 ,alexander ,grigor4 ,james ,smith1 smith4 ,thomas ,jackson1 smith4 ,robert ,brand1 mason4 ,robert ,daniel4 ,joseph ,makin1 mason4 ,thomas ,finch1#bg carpenter4 ,corporals3-- ,robert ,newell1 mason4 ,hugh ,sirrige1 carpenter4 ,joseph ,chambers1#bh mason4 ,james ,carey1 carpenter4 ,joseph ,woodhead1#bi mason4 ,john ,morrison1 mason4 ,john ,harrison1 mason4 ,john ,fraser1 carpenter4 ,thomas ,harrenden1 carpenter4 ,antonio ,francia1#cj mason4 ,and the officers were1 in addition to those mentioned at pp4 #d and #e1 ,lieutenants ,william ,m#8,kerras1 ,john ,johnston1 and ,lewis ,hay4 ----- ,footnote #bd3 ,it is not intended to give the names of the non-commissioned officers entire at any future period4 ,in this instance they have been mentioned1 not so much for the interest of the general reader1 as to preserve them4 ,with those whose names have already been noted1 these constitute the first race of non-commissioned officers in the corps4 ----- ,footnote #be3 ,by the ,chief ,engineer's ,order of #bgth ,october1 #agha1 sergeant ,macdonald1 an active and good non-commissioned officer1 was appointed to inspect and take care of all the drains throughout the fortress in the room of sergeant-major ,bridges1 as also to keep the keys of the gratings1 and to see them locked1 to prevent ingress or egress by their means4 ,this duty was considered a very important one1 both from the facility the drains afforded for the entrance of the enemy and for desertions from the place1 and also from the health of the garrison being in a great measure affected by their state4 ,not unfrequently during heavy rains1 the gravel on the rock1 washed down by the torrent1 would rush into the drains and choke them up4 ,to clear them1 the company of artificers was invariably called upon1 often at night2 and on one occasion1 in ,april1 #ahac1 private ,william ,liddle1 who was foremost in one of the great drains1 after unlocking the grating1 was carried down the sewer with the flood into the sea1 and drowned4 ----- ,footnote #bf3 ,blyth served fifteen years in the #bnd ,foot1 and joined the company #adth ,june1 #aggc4 ,he was promoted to be sergeant on the #ahth ,april1 #agha1 in succession to sergeant ,brown who died at ,fez1 and whose widow became the ,sultana of ,morocco4 ,by his industry and frugality he amassed considerable property1 and expended about #bj1jjj dollars in buildings at the fortress4 ,he was well known as a zealous freemason1 and erected a wine-house at the corner of the ,eleventh1 since called ,south ,parade1 in which the meetings or lodges of the fraternity were held free of expense4 ,he was much respected by the inhabitants1 and became very popular among them4 ,on the #cast ,january1 #ahjj1 he was discharged from the corps1 after a service of nearly forty-two years1 and died at the ,rock about #ahjd1 ,blyth had a nephew in the ,tripoline navy1 of whom a few particulars may not be uninteresting4 ,his name was ,peter ,lisle4 ,when quite a youth1 ,peter was wrecked at ,zoara1 on the coast of ,tripoli4 ,he was one of three only who escaped4 ,for a time he endured great hardships1 but at length succeeded in getting on board a ,british merchantman4 ,in #agib he was at ,gibraltar1 on board the #8,embden' letter of marque1 ,lynch and ,ross1 owners4 ,this vessel afterwards went to ,tripoli with two consuls on board2 and ,lisle1 then chief mate1 was placed in charge of the cargo1 some of which was corn4 ,on arriving at ,tripoli1 the barrels containing the corn were found to have been plundered1 and ,lisle was called upon to account for the deficiency4 ,this he could not do2 a quarrel ensued between the captain and himself1 and resigning his situation1 he landed1 and entered the service of the ,bashaw4 ,having been chief mate of an ,english vessel was a strong recommendation in his favour1 and he was at once appointed gunner of the castle4 ,associated with a strange people1 he readily conformed to their manners and customs1 embraced ,mahommedan tenets--at least in appearance--and assumed the name of ,mourad ,reis4 ,about #agid he was nominated captain of a xebeck mounting eighteen guns2 and in the course of time1 by his naval skill and abilities1 became the ,high ,admiral of the ,tripoline ,fleet and ,minister of ,marine4 ,he married one of the daughters of the ,bashaw1 ,sidi ,yusuf1 had a fine family1 and enjoyed an ample income4 ,besides a house in the city1 he had a villa and gardens in the ,meshiah among the date-groves1 which exhibited evidence of great taste and care1 and were enriched with many trees of various species brought by him from different places at which he touched in ,europe4 ,he was a prudent and sagacious counsellor1 gave excellent advice to the ,bashaw1 which was always based on good common sense--a quality not superabundant in the ,divan--and was of great service to ,lord ,exmouth during his ,algerine expedition4 ,his appearance was venerable1 he dressed richly1 commanded much respect1 and when addressing ,british officers--whom he always treated with great courtesy and hospitality--spoke with a broad ,scotch accent1 and sometimes entertained them with a relation of his own stirring adventures4 ,he was unpopular at times1 as great politicians sometimes are4 ,blaquiere says 7#ahac71 8,poor ,peter was no longer an object of consideration with any party40 ,during the stay of ,captain ,lyon at ,tripoli in #ahah1 ,peter was in banishment1 but the consul and chief people gave him an excellent character4 ,later1 however1 he again rose into confidence1 for when ,captain ,beechey was there in #ahba1 ,mourad ,reis was much considered by his ,highness1 and acted as interpreter on the occasion of the ,captain's audience with his ,highness the ,bashaw4 ,he also proved of great service to ,captain ,w4 ,h4 ,smyth1 ,r4,n4 ,on the fall of the ,bashaw--,yusuf ,karamanli--he retreated to ,sfax in ,tunis1 since which his fate is uncertain4 ,when in the zenith of his power and greatness he paid occasional visits to ,gibraltar4 ,on entering the bay1 he always fired a salute of four guns in honour of his uncle1 serjeant ,blyth1 whom he treated with marked respect4 ,this practice1 however1 he at length discontinued1 owing to a shot1 fired by mistake from one of his guns1 having struck the wall of a ramp just above ,hargrave's ,parade whilst he was paying his relative the usual affectionate compliment4 ----- ,footnote #bg3 ,finch joined the company on the #bast ,october1 #aghb1 at the request of the ,duke of ,richmond1 in whose service he had been employed at ,goodwood4 ,anxious to secure him for the company1 his ,grace promised not only to make him a sergeant at once1 but to give him a written protection to preserve to him as long as he remained1 irrespective of his conduct1 the pay of that rank4 ,under these circumstances ,finch accepted the protective credential1 enlisted1 and sailed with ,lord ,hood for the ,rock4 ,holding such a charter1 it was not to be wondered at if he sometimes overstepped the line of prudence4 ,not by any means particular in his appearance1 nor scrupulous in his conduct or habits1 he was not unfrequently brought before his officers2 but no matter how flagrant his offence1 the only punishment that could be awarded to him was suspension for a month or two from rank1 but not from pay4 ,captain ,evelegh1 of the engineers1 finding that ,finch was becoming rather troublesome1 and his sentences of but little effect1 endeavoured to obtain the ,duke's warrant from its possessor1 but he refused to surrender it1 observing to the captain1 8,if you get hold of it1 good-bye to my rank and pay40 ,finch1 however1 was a first-rate carpenter and foreman1 and these qualifications more than counterbalanced his occasional delinquencies4 ,he was discharged from the corps on the #acth ,april1 #ahjb4 ----- ,footnote #bh3 ,chambers joined the company #bast ,september1 #aggb1 from the #bnd ,regiment of ,foot1 in which he had served two years4 ,in #agia he was promoted to be sergeant-major1 on the discharge of ,ince4 ,in the summer of #agif he was sent to ,woolwich in a deranged state of mind1 and on the #ast ,december of that year was discharged4 ,soon afterwards he was domiciled in a madhouse1 where1 his malady increasing1 he was--it has been reported--smothered according to the cruel practice then in vogue with regard to incurable cases4 ----- ,footnote #bi3 ,woodhead joined the company #afth ,may1 #aggd1 from the #abth ,regiment1 in which he had served seven years and a quarter4 ,in ,november1 #agia1 he was promoted to be sergeant1 and was discharged #agth ,july1 #ahjg1 on a pension of #bs4 #g;d4 a-day1 after a service of upwards of forty years4 ,at ,gibraltar he was found to be invaluable in the construction and repairs of the sea-line wall4 ,he possessed a good share of intelligence2 was a strong1 portly1 blustering mason1 and well adapted for the heavy and laborious duties for which he was always selected4 ,at ,woolwich he was the military foreman of masons for many years1 and was intrusted by ,captain ,hayter1 then ,commanding ,royal ,engineer1 with the building of the wharf wall in the ,royal ,arsenal--a work highly creditable to the ,engineer ,department1 and to ,woodhead as the executive overseer4 ,footnote #cj3 ,afterwards anglicised to ,anthony ,francis1 was wounded by a shell at ,willis's4 ,he and his brother ,dominick were natives of ,portugal1 and the only foreigners in the company4 ,antonio was a ,catholic2 and as it was desired to preserve the ,protestant character of the corps1 a simple but effectual plan was taken to win his adherence to the ,church of ,england4 ,he asked leave to be married4 ,the indulgence was refused unless he became a ,protestant4 ,la ,fiance was also a ,catholic2 but as a great event in their lives--which promised them no end of happiness--was likely to be indefinitely postponed by a stubborn acquiescence to a creed for which1 probably1 they felt but little interest1 both renounced the belief of their fathers1 and were married as members of the national faith4 ,their family were baptized and educated as ,protestants1 but the old man on his death-bed1 returned to ,mother-,church and died a ,catholic4 ,three of his sons1 now old men1 fill comfortable appointments at ,gibraltar4 ,their cousins1 merchants at the ,rock1 own the plain called the 8,spanish ,race-course10 above a mile beyond the ,lines4 ,one1 ,mr4 ,francis ,francia1 is ,british ,consul at ,san ,roque4 ,midway between the village of ,campo and the consulate stands his farm1 which is cultivated with enlightened taste1 and enriched with rare exotics in fruits and flowers4--,kelaart's ,botany and ,topography of ,gibraltar and its neighbourhood1 pp4 #agi1 #ahc4 ----- #aghb-aghc4 ,siege continued--,magnitude of the works--,chevaux-de-frise from ,landport ,glacis across the inundation--,prcis of other works--,firing red-hot shot--,damage done to the works of the garrison1 and exertions of the company in restoring them--,grand attack1 and burning of the battering flotilla--,reluctance of the enemy to quit the contest--,kilns for heating shot--,orange ,bastion--,subterranean galleries--,discovery of the enemy mining under the ,rock--,ulterior dependence of the enemy--,peace--,conduct of the company during the siege--,casualties4 ,in ,august the siege daily wore a more significant appearance1 and the enemy was diligent in concentrating his resources--unlimited both in means and materials--to make an extraordinary attack upon the fortress4 ,to cope with these preparations ,general ,eliott was no less alert4 ,all was ardour and cheerfulness within the garrison1 and every one waited impatiently for an opportunity to end the strife1 which had held thousands close prisoners to their posts for more than three years4 ,at this time the defensive works were very extensive1 and many important alterations had yet to be made in several of the batteries1 to afford more effectual cover to the artillery4 ,the workmen consequently were greatly increased4 ,daily1 nearly #b1jjj men of the line were handed over to the engineers for the service of the fortifications2 and the soldier-artificers were employed in their greatest force--two only being in hospital--to instruct and oversee them4 ,in the more difficult works requiring experience1 and the exercise of skill and ability1 the company always laboured themselves4 ,in the most vulnerable part of the fortress1 from the foot of ,landport ,glacis adjoining ,waterport1 to the sloping palisades on the causeway across the inundation1 the greater part of the carpenters of the company were occupied in fixing a chevaux-de-frise4 ,they completed the work without the least interference from the enemy--a surprising instance of his inattention or forbearance4 ,while the chevaux-de-frise was in course of erection1 covered ways were being constructed at the different lines on the north front1 large and lofty traverses were raised along the line wall1 the flank of the ,princess ,anne's ,battery was rebuilt1 the subterranean passages were pushed forward with vigour1 and a covered way from the ,grand ,parade to the ,orange ,bastion was completed4 ,green's ,lodge and the ,royal ,battery were also caissoned with ship-timber1 and considerable alterations were made at ,willis's4 ,indeed nothing was omitted to render the fortress capable of sustaining any attack to which it might be subjected from the enemy's immense and well-armed batteries4 ,these works and many others of a similar nature were in progress when the firing of red-hot shot from the north front1 under ,general ,boyd's directions1 commenced upon the enemy's batteries4 ,the effect of this destructive expedient was astounding1 and the demolition of the enemy's lines in great part soon followed4 ,panic-stricken or confused1 the besiegers returned but a tardy fire1 and the injury sustained by it was of little moment4 ,the bold attack of the garrison1 however1 aroused the ,spaniards1 who1 quickly repairing their works1 opened1 on the next day1 a warm and powerful fire upon the ,rock from #agj guns of large calibre4 ,nine line-of-battle ships also poured in their broadsides1 in which they were assisted by fifteen gun and mortar boats4 ,considerable injury was thus done to the north front1 as also to the ,montague and ,orange ,bastions2 the obstructions at ,landport were likewise in great measure demolished1 and many other works were partially razed4 ,the engineers with the artificers and workmen were unremitting in their exertions1 both during the night and in the day-time1 to restore the defences where their importance1 from their exposed situation1 rendered immediate reparation desirable4 ,at ,landport1 notwithstanding the sharp firing of the enemy1 the carpenters of the company were constantly detached to repair the fresh-recurring breaches1 which1 ,drinkwater states1 8were kept in a better state than might have been expected40 ,this attack and retaliation1 however1 were as yet only preliminary to the greater one which was to follow4 ,the interval was filled up by discharges of cannon1 averaging #d1jjj rounds in the twenty-four hours4 ,on the #abth ,september the combined fleets of ,france and ,spain arrived before the ,rock with ten floating batteries1 bearing #bab guns2 while their land batteries1 strong and terrible1 mounted #bjj heavy guns1 and were protected by an army of #dj1jjj men4 ,in their several stations the battering flotilla were soon moored1 and the fleet anchored in less than ten minutes4 ,the first ship having cast her anchors1 that moment the garrison artillery began to throw its burning missiles4 ,a tremendous rejoinder from the enemy succeeded4 ,upwards of #djj pieces of the heaviest artillery were disgorging their dreadful contents at the same instant4 ,of these the garrison only employed #if4 ,for hours the balance of the contest was equal1 the battering ships seemed invulnerable2 but1 at length1 the red-hot shot gave evidence of their efficacy in the sheets of resistless flame that burst in all directions from the flotilla4 ,by the #adth the whole of the floating batteries were burnt3 their magazines blew up one after another2 and it was a miracle1 that the loss of the enemy by drowning did not exceed the numbers saved by the merciful efforts of the garrison4 ,notwithstanding this appalling reverse the enemy were still reluctant to quit the contest4 ,many proofs they had had of the unconquerable spirit of the besieged even whilst suffering from pinching privation1 and warring against such overwhelming odds2 but they still clung to the hope of compelling the surrender of their invincible adversaries1 though their repeated defeats should have taught them a far different lesson4 ,this obstinacy1 of course1 necessarily caused other and more effectual preparations to be made in the fortress1 to meet and withstand any future attacks4 ,red-hot shot was considered to be the grand specific4 ,to supply it in sufficient quantities1 the company of artificers erected kilns in various parts of the garrison4 ,each kiln was capable of heating #ajj shots in little more than an hour4 ,by this means1 as ,drinkwater writes1 8the artificers were enabled to supply the artillery with a constant succession for the ordnance40 ,the struggle continued for some time much less terrific than has just been stated4 ,from #a1jjj to #b1jjj rounds1 however1 were poured into the garrison in the twenty-four hours1 and were followed up with more or less briskness for a few months1 according to the varying caprice of the assailants4 ,during this cannonade1 the artificers under the engineers were constantly engaged in the diversified works of the fortress1 and they began to rebuild the whole flank of the ,orange ,bastion on the sea-line1 #abj feet in length4 ,all the available masons and miners of the company were appointed to this important work1 and were greatly strengthened on the arrival of the #ada mechanics under ,lord ,hood4 ,in the face of the enemy's artillery1 the artificers continued fearlessly to rear the flank1 and at last completed it in about three months1 to the amazement and satisfaction of the ,governor and the garrison4 ,the erection of such a work1 in solid masonry1 and under such circumstances1 is perhaps unprecedented in any siege1 and is alike highly honourable to the engineers and to the company4 ,nor was the subterranean gallery under ,farringdon's ,battery prosecuted with less zeal under serjeant-major ,ince4 ,five embrasures by this time had been opened in the front of the ,rock facing the neutral ground4 ,the miners exerted themselves with an energy that was conspicuous and commendable4 ,this singular work seemed to be the ,governor's hobby2 he expected much from it1 and ordered a similar ,battery for two guns to be cut in the ,rock1 near ,croutchet's ,battery1 above the ,prince of ,hesse's ,bastion4 ,its completion1 however1 was not effected until after the siege4 ,to the schemes of the enemy there appeared to be no end2 neither did they lack hope nor want confidence4 ,they had failed to obtain the submission of the garrison by famine2 equally so1 by a protracted bombardment2 nor was their tremendous attack by a bomb-proof flotilla1 assisted by their formidable land batteries1 attended with better success4 ,they now attempted a fourth stratagem1 to mine a cave in the ,rock by which to blow up the north front1 and thus make a breach for their easy entrance into the fortress4 ,chimerical as the project might appear1 it was conducted with some spirit1 and occasioned the garrison much employment4 ,information of the infatuated design was1 in the first instance1 given by a deserter from the enemy1 which1 however1 was cautiously received2 and as it was impracticable to perceive the miners at work1 doubts still existed whether the enemy had actually embarked in the scheme4 ,these doubts were at length removed by sergeant ,thomas ,jackson1#ca of the artificer company1 by whose enterprising efforts the movements of the enemy were rendered indisputable4 ,it was his duty to reconnoitre#cb the north front1 in addition to other services for which he was held responsible4 ,anxious to ascertain the cause of so much mysterious activity at the ,devil's ,tower1 he descended the steep and rugged rock by means of ropes and ladders4 ,the attempt was as bold as it was hazardous4 ,stopped by an opening very near to the base of the cliff he explored the entrance1 and hearing the hum of voices and the busy strokes of hammers and picks he was well assured of the purpose for which the excavation was intended4 ,climbing the steep again1 he reported what he had discovered4 ,a stricter watch was therefore kept upon the ,tower to prevent communication between it and the ,rock4 ,hand-grenades and weighty fragments of stone were frequently hurled over the precipice to terrify the workmen below1 and choke up the entrance to the gallery2 and though these means did not make the intrepid miners relinquish their project1 they yet greatly interrupted its progress4 ,the notion of the engineer who proposed the mine must have been the result of desperation1 for what must have been its nature to crumble in its explosion a huge mass of compact rock1 nearly #a1djj feet of perpendicular height1 into a roadway1 by which to enter the fortress as through a breach8 ----- ,footnote #ca3 ,joined the company ,august1 #aggf1 from the #efth ,foot1 in which he had served eleven years4 ,discharged about #aghi4 ,footnote #cb3 ,reconnoitering appears to have been a duty that devolved upon sergeants of the company4 ,on the #beth ,december1 #aghb1 two soldiers attempted to desert from ,mount ,misery2 one 8got down1 though the rope broke1 which accident was the cause of the other being retaken4 ,a few days after a sergeant of the artificers was ordered to reconnoitre the place where this deserter descended1 and he got down far enough to discover the unfortunate man dashed to pieces at the foot of the precipice10--#8,drinkwater4' ,murray's edit41 #ahdf1 p4 #ajj4 ----- ,since the flotilla had been burnt and the fleet had disappeared1 it was evident that the enemy now depended for a triumph on their gun-boats and land-batteries1 and also the mine at the ,devil's ,tower4 ,for a time they warmly plied the fortress with shot and shell1 to which the garrison responded with considerable animation4 ,intervals followed1 induced by indecision or caprice1 in which the firing from the enemy was very desultory and inefficacious2 but that from the garrison was always well sustained4 ,the soldiers of the ,rock seemed to rise in spirit and activity as the enemy declined in these qualities4 ,with the latter1 the barometer of their hopes fell with their energies4 ,still they fruitlessly laboured on1 the mine under the ,rock being the principal object of their attention1 until relieved from the disgrace of another defeat1 by the arrival of news from home of the signing of preliminaries for a general peace4 ,the intelligence was communicated to the garrison on the #bnd ,february1 #aghc1 and on the #eth1 the last shot in the conflict was fired from the fortress4 ,thus terminated a siege1 extending over a period of nearly four years1 which1 when all the circumstances connected with it are taken into account1 can scarcely find its parallel in the chronicles of ancient or modern warfare4 ,during the whole of this memorable defence1 the company of artificers proved themselves to be good and brave soldiers2 and no less conspicuous for their skill1 usefulness1 and zeal on the works4 ,with their conduct and exertions in the performance of their various professional duties1 their officers were always well pleased2 and1 not unfrequently1 the ,governor1 and ,general ,boyd1 in witnessing their services1 encouraged and flattered them with expressions of their admiration4 ,in later days1 when the expediency of raising a corps of military artificers was discussed in the ,house of ,commons1 ,captain ,luttrell stated1 8that during the siege1 the corps at ,gibraltar had been found of infinite service40#cc ----- ,footnote #cc3 #8,gentleman's ,magazine1' #eh1 part #b1 #aghh4 ----- ,the following is a detail of the casualties that occurred in the company at this siege3-- ,officers4 ,sergeants4 ,rank and ,file4 ,total4 ,killed#cd #j #a #f #g ,wounded1 severely #j #j #g #g #di ,wounded1 but recovered #b #c #cj #ce ,dead by sickness #j #j #bc #bc ---- ---- ---- ---- ,total #b #d #ff #gb ----- ,footnote #cd3 ,sergeant ,john ,richmond--date unknown4 ,corporal ,charles ,tabb #beth ,november1 #agha4 ,mason ,adam ,parsons ,mason ,adam ,sharp--#eth ,march1 #aghb4 ,mason ,george ,brown--#aath ,june1 #aghb4 ,nailor ,robert ,shepherd--#afth ,january1 #aghc4 ,the name of the other man killed cannot be ascertained1 as the documents of the company from the commencement of the siege to the #cjth ,september1 #agha1 are lost4 ----- ,besides which1 two men having plundered the ,king's stores1 were executed for the offence at the ,convent in ,irish ,town1 on the #bith ,may1 #agha4ce ----- ,footnote #ce3 ,the names of the criminals were ,artificers ,samuel ,whitaker and ,simon ,pratts4 ----- ,it is1 however1 satisfactory to mention1 that of the forty-three desertions recorded to have taken place from the garrison1 none were from the artificer company4 ,one regiment was decreased eleven men from this cause1 and another nine4 #aghc4 ,duc de ,crillon's compliments respecting the works--,subterranean galleries-,their supposed inefficiency--,henry ,ince--,quickness of sight of two boys of the company--,employment of the boys during the siege--,thomas ,richmond and ,john ,brand--,models constructed by them4 ,the cessation of hostilities brought the commanders of the two powers together1 and a most interesting interview took place between them4 ,during the visit of the ,duc de ,crillon1 he was shown all the marvels of the ,rock2 but the fortifications especially engaged his attention4 ,having been conducted to the batteries on the heights1 his ,grace made some remarks on the formidable appearance of the lower defences1 and on the good state of the batteries in so short a period4 8,these10 writes ,drinkwater1 8produced some compliments to the chief engineer20 and1 continues the historian1 8when conducted into the gallery above ,farringdon's ,battery--now called ,windsor--his ,grace was particularly astonished1 especially when informed of its extent1 which at that time was between #ejj and #fjj feet4 ,turning to his suite1 after exploring the extremity1 he exclaimed1 these works are worthy of the ,romans40#cf ----- ,footnote #cf3 ,drinkwater's #8,siege of ,gibraltar4' ,murray's edit41 #ahdf1 p4 #afc4 ----- ,for many years the galleries thus eulogized by the ,duke were in course of construction1 and are formed1 as already stated1 by deep excavations in the solid rock4 ,passing round the north face in two tiers1#cg mounting about forty pieces of heavy ordnance1 they command the approach to the fortress from the neutral ground1 and render it almost impregnable on that side4 ,large magazines and spacious halls--in like manner hewn out of the rock--are attached to them4 ,the work1 as a whole1 executed principally by the jumper and blasting1 is curious and even marvellous1 bearing also unequivocal evidence of ingenuity and of immense labour4 ,than these subterranean passages and chambers1 no better testimony need scarcely be desired of the successful superintendence of sergeant-major ,ince and of the skill and exertions of the company4 ----- ,footnote #cg3 ,called ,lower1 or ,union ,galleries2 and ,upper1 or ,windsor ,galleries4 ----- ,notwithstanding the formidable character of these defences1 doubts seem to exist as to their real efficiency in a siege4 ,these doubts have arisen from the idea that the report of the explosion would not only be deafening1 but that the smoke would return into the galleries and suffocate the men4#ch ,no experiments have ever been made with the view of ascertaining these particulars3 speculation is therefore properly admissible4 ,once1 indeed1 in #ahjd1 they were fired in salvo to dispel1 if possible1 the then raging fever2#ci and at distant intervals since1 some of the guns have been discharged2 but no complaint was ever made--at least became public--of the inutility of these galleries from the causes stated4 ,to expect a loud report is certainly natural1 but much less so the recoil of the smoke1 as a strong current of air is always passing in the galleries1 and rushing with some force through the embrasures4 ,no matter how sultry the day1 how still the air1 or how fiercely the sun may beam upon the ,rock1 in these galleries a strong breeze is constantly felt2 and the fresher the wind from the outside1 whether from the north-east1 and blowing directly into the embrasures1 or sweeping round the ,rock1 the stronger is the current within the galleries to force back or disperse the smoke4 ,but little1 therefore1 of the vapour can find its way back1 and that little must be much less annoying to the gunners than in an open field when1 firing smartly in the teeth of the wind1 the whole volume turns back and beclouds them as long as the cannonade continues4 ,however1 should the alleged defect be found on trial to exist1 there is no reason to fear but that the military engineer will readily adopt some effectual contrivance for removing the annoyance1 and for obtaining all that power and efficiency which the galleries were designed to possess and should be capable of commanding4 ----- ,footnote #ch3 ,walsh's #8,campaigns in ,egypt1' #ahjc1 p4 #e4 ,wilkie1 #8,on ,british ,colonies considered as ,military ,posts1' in ,united ,service ,journal1 ,part ii41 #ahdj1 p4 #cgi4 ,footnote #ci3 ,maule's #8,campaigns of ,north ,holland and ,egypt1' c41 p4 #cjc4 ----- ,since these excavations--these vaults of solitude--which excite some degree of awe from their magnitude1 and the proud array of ordnance that arm them--have always been highly praised by military men1 and been visited both by officers and others as a species of marvel at the fortress1 it will not be out of place to introduce the projector--,henry ,ince--to notice4 ,he was born in #agcg at ,penzance in ,cornwall1 was brought up to the trade of a nailor1 and afterwards acquired some experience as a miner4 ,early in #agee he enlisted into the #bnd ,foot1 and served some time with it at ,gibraltar1 where he had been much employed on the works in mining and blasting rock4 ,after a service of seventeen and a half years in the #bnd regiment1 he joined the company1 then forming1 on the #bfth ,june1 #aggb4 ,the same day he was promoted to be sergeant4 ,having showed superior intelligence in the execution of his duties as a foreman1 and distinguished himself by his diligence and gallantry during the siege1 he was1 in ,september1 #agha1 selected for the rank of sergeant-major4 ,in the following year he suggested the formation of the galleries1 and was honoured by being directed to conduct the work himself4 ,this he continued to do until it was finished4 ,as 8overseer of the mines10 he had the executive charge of all blasting1 mining1 battery building1 c41 at the fortress1 and was found to be invaluable4 ,he was active1 prompt1 and persevering1 very short in stature1 but wiry and hardy in constitution2 was greatly esteemed by his officers1 and frequently the subject of commendation from the highest authorities at ,gibraltar4 ,in ,february1 #aghg1 when the ,duke of ,richmond was endeavouring to economize the ordnance expenditure at the ,rock1 the emoluments of sergeant-major ,ince claimed his attention3 but remembering his fair fame1 his ,grace thus wrote concerning him3-- 8,i do not object to sergeant-major ,henry ,ince being continued as overseer of mines at #ds4 per day1 as ,i understand1 from all accounts1 that he is a meritorious man1 and that he distinguished himself during the siege2 but1 as such allowance1 in addition to his pay1 is very great1 ,i desire it may not be considered as a precedent2 and whoever succeeds him must only receive #bs4 #aj;d4 per day1 like the foremen in other branches1 if he should be appointed a foreman40 ,in #agia1 after a period of thirty-six years' active service1 he was discharged from the company1 but was still continued on the works as an overseer4 ,on the #bnd ,february1 #agif1 he was commissioned as ensign in the ,royal ,garrison ,battalion1 and on the #bdth ,march1 #ahja1 was promoted to be lieutenant4 ,in #ahjb the regiment was disbanded4 ,all this time1 however1 ,ince was attached to the department as assistant-engineer2 but at length1 having worn himself out in the service of the fortress1 he returned to ,penzance1 and died in ,june1 #ahji1 at the age of seventy-two4#dj ----- ,footnote #dj3 ,ince had a farm at the top of the ,rock1 which is still called by his name4 ,he had an only son1 a clerk in the ,commissariat department at ,gibraltar1 under ,commissary-general ,sweetlove1 who1 together with his wife1 died in the fever of #ahjd1 leaving an infant son1 who was brought up by his grandmother4 ,the eldest daughter of ,lieutenant ,ince was married at ,gibraltar to ,lieutenant ,r4 ,stapleton1 of the #fjth ,rifles1 who exchanged with ,lieutenant ,croker into the #acth ,foot1 and then sold out4 ,one day ,mr4 ,ince was trotting at an easy pace up the ,rock1 when the ,duke of ,kent1 overtaking him1 observed1 8,that horse1 ,mr4 ,ince1 is too old for you40 8,i like to ride easy1 your ,royal ,highness10 was the subaltern's meek reply4 8,right1 but you shall have another1 more in keeping with your worth and your duties20 and soon afterwards the ,duke presented him with a very valuable steed4 ,the old overseer1 however1 was unable to manage the animal1 and he rode again to the works on his own quiet nag4 ,the ,duke1 meeting him soon after1 inquired how it was he was not riding the new horse1 when ,ince replied1 he was unable sufficiently to curb his spirit and tranquillize his pace4 ,ince then prayed his ,royal ,highness to honour his servant by receiving the noble creature into his stud again4 8,no1 no1 overseer10 rejoined the ,duke2 8if you can't ride him easily1 put him into your pocket60 ,the overseer readily understood his ,royal ,highness1 and exchanged the beautiful steed for his worth in doubloons4 ----- ,among the various stirring incidents narrated by ,drinkwater1 is the following1 relative to the peculiar advantage of the boys of the soldier-artificer company during the siege4 8,in the course of the day10 #beth ,march1 #aghb1 8 a shot came through one of the capped embrasures on ,princess ,amelia's ,battery 7,willis's71 took off the legs of two men belonging to the #gbnd and #gcrd regiments1 one leg of a soldier of the #gcrd1 and wounded another man in both legs2 thus four men had seven legs taken off and wounded by one shot4 ,the boy1 who was usually stationed on the works where a large party was employed to inform the men when the enemy's fire was directed to that place1 had been reproving them for their carelessness in not attending to him1 and had just turned his head toward the enemy1 when he observed this shot1 and instantly called for them to take care2 his caution was1 however1 too late2 the shot entered the embrasure1 and had the above-recited fatal effect4 ,it is somewhat singular that this boy should be possessed of such uncommon quickness of sight as to see the enemy's shot almost immediately after they quitted the guns4 ,he was not1 however1 the only one in the garrison possessing this qualification2 another boy1 of about the same age1 was as celebrated1 if not his superior4 ,both of them belonged to the artificer company1 and were constantly placed on some part of the works to observe the enemy's fire2 their names were ,richmond 7not ,richardson1 as stated by ,drinkwater7 and ,brand2 the former was reported to have the best eye40#da ,joseph ,parsons1#db another youth of the company1 was also employed as a looker-out on the works2 and though his name has escaped the notice of the historian1 he was nevertheless no less efficient4 ----- ,footnote #da3 #8,drinkwater4' ,murray's edit41 #ahdf1 p4 #ajh4 ----- ,footnote #db3 ,parsons joined the company in ,february1 #aggi1 and was discharged1 as a private artificer1 #ast ,january1 #ahji1 on #as4 #d;d4 a-day4 ,it was an object that every one in the fortress should be rendered useful in some way or other1 and the boys of the company--out of sympathy for their youth--were1 for some time after the commencement of the siege employed on the works at ,europa quarry1 then but little annoyed by the enemy's fire4 ,at length1 inured to labour1 and taught by events to expect danger1 it was considered of greater advantage to occupy their time at the different batteries2 and on the #aeth ,february1 #aghb1 the ,chief ,engineer directed their removal to the works and fortifications1#dc with the view of looking out for the enemy's projectiles1 and giving warning of their approach4 ,on the #bast ,june following1 such of the boys as were masons in the company were engaged under ,mr4 ,hutchinson1 a civil foreman1 in rounding stones1 agreeably to the instructions of ,major ,lewis of the artillery4 ,these stones1 according to ,drinkwater1 were 8cut to fit the calibre of a #ac-;inch mortar1 with a hole drilled in the centre1 which being filled with a sufficient quantity of powder1 were fired with a short fuse to burst over the enemy's works40 ,it was an unusual mode of annoyance1 and for its novelty was employed for some time2 but not effecting the damage that was desired1 it was ultimately laid aside4#dd ,on the failure of this experiment1 the boys returned to the perilous posts assigned to them on the batteries to look out4 ,at this duty they continued as long as the siege lasted1 and doubtless1 by their vigilance in its execution1 they were the means of saving many valuable lives1 or otherwise preventing casualty4 ----- ,footnote #dc3 ,order ,book--,chief ,engineer's4 ,footnote #dd3 #8,order-,book' 7,chief ,engineer's7 of #bast ,june1 #aghb2 and #8,drinkwater1' ,murray's edit41 #ahdf1 p4 #aah4 ----- ,of the two boys who have been so favourably noticed by ,drinkwater1 it may not be unacceptable to devote a small space here to their brief but honourable history4 ,their names were ,thomas ,richmond#de and ,john ,brand2 the former was known at the ,rock by the familiar sobriquet of shell1 being the better looker-out2 and the latter by the name of shot4 ,richmond was trained as a carpenter2 ,brand as a mason4 ,their fathers were sergeants in the company4#df ,richmond's was killed at the siege4 ,as might be expected1 the beneficial services of these boys at the batteries acquired for them no common celebrity and esteem4 ----- ,footnote #de3 ,not ,richardson1 as ,drinkwater has it1 p4 #ajh4 ,footnote #df3 ,brand's father1 a mason by trade and a ,perthshire man1 was the first artificer enrolled in the company4 ----- ,the siege being over1 the youths were sent to ,mr4 ,geddes's school1 at that time the principal seminary at ,gibraltar4 ,this gentleman paid every attention to their instruction and improvement1 and1 as a consequence1 they progressed rapidly in their studies4 ,being found quick1 intelligent1 and ingenious1 some officers of the company patronized them1 and placed them in the drawing-room under their own eye1 with the view of making them competent to fill better situations4 ,brand in time became corporal1 and ,richmond lance-corporal1 which ranks they held on the #hth ,may1 #aghi1 when they were discharged from the corps1 and appointed by the ,commander-in-,chief assistant-draughtsmen4#dg ----- ,footnote #dg3 #8,order-,book' 7,chief ,engineer's71 #hth ,may1 #aghi4 ----- ,having made considerable proficiency in their trades1 they were employed for some years previous to their discharge as modellers1 which art they continued to follow with great tact1 skill1 and perseverance1 until they quitted the fortress4 ,after several trial models of various subjects1 these young men commenced the gigantic task of modelling ,gibraltar1 at which they worked with unwearied application for nearly three years4 ,succeeding so well in this their first great and public undertaking1 ,brand#dh was directed to make a model in polished stone of the ,king's ,bastion1 and ,richmond#di a model of the north front of ,gibraltar4 ,nearly the whole of the years #agij and #agia were spent in perfecting them2 and for these noble specimens of art they were favoured with the flattering congratulations of the highest authorities at the fortress4 ,the better to exemplify the appreciation entertained of the models1 and of the merits and talents of the modellers1 they were recommended to the ,duke of ,richmond for commissions4 ,his ,grace immediately ordered them to proceed to ,woolwich1 to undergo some slight preparatory training4 ,that training was short--a few months sufficed1 and then they were honoured with appointments as second lieutenants in the royal engineers4 ,their commissions were dated #agth ,january1 #agic4ej ,soon the young subalterns1 rich in intelligence and full of promise1 were sent abroad2 but before the close of the year1 both fell a prey to the prevailing yellow fever in the ,west ,indies4#ea ----- ,footnote #dh3 ,assisted by sergeant ,james ,shirres1 an ingenious artizan and modeller4 ,this non-commissioned officer1 after serving at the capture of ,minorca1 was made a sergeant-major of the company that served there1 #bnd ,may1 #ahjj1 and on the #cast ,december1 #ahjd1 was appointed overseer in the royal engineer department at ,plymouth4 ,footnote #di3 ,assisted by ,antonio ,marques1 a ,minorcaen artificer4 ,footnote #ej3 #8,london ,gazette1' #ac1did4 #ae to #ai ,january1 #agic4 ,footnote #ea3 ,the education of these youths is highly creditable to the officers of engineers4 ,many similar instances of boys in the corps acquiring distinction by their talents1 have subsequently occurred1 the honour of which1 in great measure1 is due to the officers4 ,assistance and encouragement they never fail to give in cases where their efforts are likely to meet with success1 and numbers have thus qualified themselves to fill important situations with efficiency and credit1 in their own profession1 and afterwards in civil life4 ,richmond and ,brand1 however1 are the only instances in which commissions have been given from the ranks of the artificers1 or sappers and miners1 into the corps of engineers4 ----- ,the three models alluded to were brought to ,england in #agic by desire of ,general ,o',hara4 ,the large model of the entire ,rock was deposited in the museum in the ,royal ,arsenal1 and the other two were presented to ,his ,majesty ,george ,,iii4 ,private ,joseph ,bethell had charge of the first model1#eb and ,private ,thomas ,hague#ec of the other two4 ,the large model1 from being lodged in a public place open to visitors1 was well known4 ,it was an object of considerable attraction1 8and was much admired10 so ,drinkwater writes1 8for beauty of execution and minute correctness40#ed ,a visitor to the ,arsenal in those days corroborates the just encomium of the historian1 and thus records his impressions3-- 8,i walked yesterday morning to ,woolwich ,warren1 that immense repository of military arts1 the palladium of our empire1 where one wonder succeeds another so rapidly1 that the mind of a visitor is kept in a continual gaze of admiration4 ,should ,i be asked what has made the strongest impression on mine1 it is a magnificent view of the rock of ,gibraltar1 which was made there1 formed of the very rock itself1 on a scale of twenty-five feet to an inch1 and presents a most perfect view of it in every point of perspective40#ee ----- ,footnote #eb3 ,drinkwater says 7p4 #ajh71 8that one of the works of these young men1 while pursuing their studies at ,woolwich1 was to finish the large model of the rock of ,gibraltar40 ,the historian has certainly been misled here3 the model was finished before it left the fortress1 and did not reach the ,arsenal until after its makers had been commissioned1 and left ,england for the ,west ,indies4 ,the placement and adjustment of its several parts were intrusted to a military artificer named ,bethell4 ,he was to have been assisted by another private1 who accompanied him for the purpose1 from ,gibraltar2 but having broken his leg at ,woolwich1 his services were thus lost4 ,private ,john ,mc,naughton1 a carpenter of the ,woolwich company1 was put to the model in his place4 ,i knew ,mc,naughton well1 and he assured me that the model was not touched by any hands but his own and ,bethell's1 and that on no occasion were the modellers present during its fixation4 ,mc,naughton seems to have been an excellent artificer1 and always an active soldier4 ,during the mutiny of ,parker1 he was employed in repairing ,tilbury ,fort1 and in erecting temporary defences below ,gravesend4 ,he afterwards served under the great ,abercrombie in ,egypt2 next was employed in constructing the towers on the ,sussex coast1 at the time of the projected invasion of ,napoleon2 and1 lastly1 was many years in ,newfoundland4 ,he was discharged #bdth ,january1 #ahae1 on #as4 #d;d4 a-day1 and died at ,woolwich in ,april1 #ahec1 aged #hd4 ,footnote #ec3 ,hague was a tall1 intelligent mechanic1 a fine modeller1 and a smart soldier4 ,on account of these qualities1 he was selected to take charge of the models for ,george ,,iii4 ,having put them together on their tables at ,buckingham ,palace1 ,his ,majesty1 the ,queen1 and royal family1 with other illustrious personages of the court1 came to see them4 ,hague was cited before them to explain the model1 and to point out the defences which1 from their prominence in the late siege1 had acquired historic identity4 ,his observations were listened to with attention1 and ,his ,majesty awarded him a gratifying proof of his royal approbation4 ,soon afterwards ,hague returned to ,gibraltar1 and on the #cast ,march1 #ahae1 was discharged and pensioned at #as4 #h;d4 a-day4 ,he was subsequently employed as a modeller in the grand store2 was married in #ahbg2 and died at the ,rock about #ahcc1 upwards of #ajj years old4 ,footnote #ed3 #8,drinkwater4' ,murray's edit41 #ahdf1 p4 #ajh4 ,footnote #ee3 ,to this the visitor adds a description of the model1 which is adjoined here1 on account of the model itself having long since been destroyed4 8,first then10 says the writer1 8are the ,spanish lines2 then the perpendicular rock1 rising bold from the neck of the neutral ground1 which is not many feet above high-water mark4 ,on the east1 or left hand1 is the ,mediterranean ,sea2 and on the west1 within the mole or pier1 is the ,bay of ,gibraltar1 in which the largest ships in the ,british ,navy may ride safe4 ,the garrison1 town1 and forts1 are to the westward1 whence the rock rises with a more gradual acclivity to the summit1--the east side of which is also perpendicular1 and inhabited by monkeys4 ,on the highest point is the ,levant ,battery1 which is nearly three times and one half the height of ,st4 ,paul's church1 or #acge feet above the level of the sea4 ,the southern extremity of the model of this rock towards ,europa ,point1 being too large for the room1 and less important1 is cut off4 ,this description ought to fill a volume40--,gentleman's ,magazine1 part #b1 #agih1 p4#fdh4 ----- ,nine years after its placement1 the museum in the arsenal was fired by an incendiary1 and this celebrated model was unfortunately destroyed4#ef ,the other two models1 which held a place in ,buckingham ,palace for about twenty-seven years1 were presented in #ahbj by ,george ,,iv4 to the ,royal ,military ,repository at ,woolwich4 ,they are now daily exhibited in the ,rotunda1 and are1 perhaps1 about the best specimens of workmanship and ingenuity in the place4 ,that of the ,king's ,bastion is finely wrought1 and is really beautiful2 that of the north front1 bold and masterly4 ,both claim the particular attention of visitors1 exciting at once their surprise and admiration4 ----- ,footnote #ef3 ,this was on the #bbnd ,may1 #ahjb4 ,the account given at the time of this disgraceful act is as follows3--8,a dreadful fire broke out at ,woolwich1 and from the investigation which has taken place into this calamitous circumstance1 there is but too much reason to believe that this disaster was not the mere effect of accident4 ,the fire broke out1 at one and the same time1 in three different places1 besides which a great mass of combustible materials have been discovered4 ,the loss to ,government will be immense4 ,the damage done to the ,model-room is particularly to be lamented1 as several choice works of art have been destroyed1 without the power of reparation2 however1 the injury done to the beautiful model of the rock of ,gibraltar is not so great as was at first represented1 it having sustained but a slight damage1 which can be easily repaired1 and the whole restored to its original state40--,dodsley's ,annual ,register1 #ahjb1 p4 #djd4 ,the journalist is wrong in his remarks concerning the state of the model after the fire4 ,it was completely destroyed1 and not even the fragments are now in existence4 ,some persons1 indeed1 with whom ,i have conversed1 bear out the chronicler in his record1 and affirm that the model was repaired1 and is now in the ,rotunda2 but they have given me a fair inference of the mistaken character of their recollections1 by uniformly referring to the model of the north front1 executed by ,richmond and ,marques1 which1 at the very time that the fire occurred1 formed one of the curiosities of ,buckingham ,palace4 ,drinkwater 7p4 #ajh1 ,murray's edit47 attests the fact of its destruction2 and in this he is borne out by the #8,repository ,detail of ,arms1' c41 printed in #ahbb4 ,in that catalogue 7at p4 #i-ba7 is a list of the arms1 models1 c41 of the original institution preserved from the fire of #ahjb1 and collected by ,sir ,william ,congreve1 but no mention is made of the model in question4 ,this1 then1 is the best attainable evidence of the certainty of its demolition1 coupled with the acknowledgment1 at page #eb of the same catalogue1 that the 8,north end of ,gibraltar10 the model mistaken for the one destroyed in the ,arsenal1 was presented to the ,repository by ,george ,,iv4 ,had the large model of the ,rock been preserved1 ,sir ,william ,congreve would most certainly have noted it in the detail4 ----- #aghc4 ,state of the fortress--,execution of the works depended upon the company--,casualties filled up by transfers from the line--,composition--,recruiting--,reliev ed from all duties1 garrison and regimental--,anniversary of the destruction of the ,spanish battering flotilla4 ,for about six months previously to the termination of hostilities1 the siege had been carried on with fearful vigour1 and the destruction it occasioned1 revealed to a mournful extent the efficiency of the enemy's cannonade4 ,the tiers of batteries on the north front1 the whole of the fortifications along the sea face1 and indeed every work of a permanent character1 were considerably damaged or thrown down4 ,the town too was little better than a vast ruin1 and its houses were levelled to the rock1 or were left standing in tottering fragments1 or at best in their shells1 despoiled and untenanted1 as so many monuments of an unbounded calamity4 ,the inhabitants1 driven shelterless into the streets1 were compelled either to leave the fortress1 or to locate themselves under canvas amid the general desolation2 or to seek a comfortless retreat in the dark and gloomy caverns of the rock4 ,such was the wreck to which ,gibraltar was reduced at the close of the siege1 and the work of restoration1 therefore1 was both extensive and pressing4 ,the reconstruction or repair of the fortifications and other public works at the fortress1 in great part depended upon the company2 and the more so1 since the numbers of the line competent to work as tradesmen were inconsiderable4 ,assistance from the civil population of the place was neither given nor expected1 as the works in the town secured to them abundance of employment and excellent wages4 ,policy1 therefore1 dictated the expediency of paying particular regard both to the numerical and physical efficiency of the company4 ,at the close of the siege1 there were twenty-nine rank and file wanting to complete the soldier-artificers1 which number was increased to thirty-nine by the end of ,may4 ,to supply this deficiency1 the ,governor ordered the transfer of an equal number of artificers from regiments in the garrison2 and on the #cast ,july1 the company was complete4 ,still1 there were many of the men who1 from wounds received at the siege1 or from privation and hardship1 or from exposure in camp1 in summer1 to the excessive heat of the sun1 and in the autumn1 to the heavy rains1 were unequal to the exertion required from them on the works4 ,among them were the best masons and carpenters of the company1 who were stated to have been 8expended0 during the siege4 ,accordingly1 on the #cast of ,august1 sixty-seven men1 good 8old servants1 and those that had lost the use of their limbs in the service10 were discharged and 8recommended10 whose vacancies were at once filled up by volunteers from the line4 ,after this desirable pruning1 the composition of the company stood as under3-- #a ,sergeant-major4 #aj ,sergeants4 #aj ,corporals4 #d ,drummers4 #ch ,masons4 #cc ,smiths4 #ed ,carpenters4 #ba ,sawyers4 #cb ,miners4 #f ,wheelers4 #e ,file-cutters4 #d ,nailors4 #c ,gardeners4 #g ,lime-burners4 #c ,coopers4 #a ,painter4 #a ,collar-maker4 #a ,brazier4 ,total #bcd ,as far as circumstances permitted1 the strength of the company was never allowed to sink beneath its establishment1 for whenever a casualty occurred1 it was immediately filled up4 ,not only was the ,chief ,engineer anxious on this point1 but the ,governor and ,lieut4-,governor felt equal concern1 and were ready to give effect to any measure which should yield the required result4 ,if1 at ,gibraltar1 the recruiting failed from the want of the proper classes of mechanics to join the company1 the ,duke of ,richmond found means in ,england and ,scotland to meet the case4 ,his ,grace was both an admirer and an advocate of the military system of carrying on the works1 and took peculiar interest in the recruiting1 even to superintending the service1 and acting in some cases as the recruiting sergeant4 ,hence the company1 seldom short of its complement of men1 invariably afforded a force of more than #bbj non-commissioned officers and artificers to be employed constantly in restoring the fortifications1 c43 the sick at this period averaged about eight a day4 ,to obtain the full benefit of their services1 and to expedite the works1 the soldier-artificers were excused from all garrison routine--as well as from their own regimental guards and fatigues--and freed from all interferences likely to interrupt them in the performance of their working duties4 ,even the cleaning of their rooms1 the care of their arms and accoutrements1 and the cooking of their messes1 were attended to by soldiers of the line4 ,every encouragement was thus given to the company to work well and assiduously1 and every liberty that could possibly be conceded1 not excepting a partial abandonment of discipline1 was granted to them4 ,nevertheless1 to impress them with the recollection that their civil employments and privileges did not make them any the less soldiers1 they were paraded generally under arms1 on the ,sunday2 and to heighten the effect of their military appearance1 wore accoutrements which had belonged to a disbanded ,newfoundland regiment1 purchased for them at the economical outlay of #gs4 a set4 ,perhaps no body of men subject to the articles of war were ever permitted to live and work under a milder surveillance2 and it might be added1 that none could have rendered services more in keeping with the indulgences bestowed4 ,they did their duty with zeal1 and the works progressed to the satisfaction of the engineers and the authorities4 ,the remembrance of the late siege was not likely soon to be effaced from the memory of those who participated in it2 and hence the company1 regarding themselves in a peculiar sense as the fencibles of the fortress1 and as having contributed largely to its defence1 commemorated the event by means of a ball and supper4 ,the festival was held at the 8,three ,anchors ,inn10 on the #acth of ,september--the anniversary of the destruction of the battering flotilla--on which occasion ,lord ,heathfield1 and ,sir ,robert ,boyd1 the ,lieutenant-,governor1 with their respective staff-officers1 dined with the company1 and retired after drinking one or two complimentary toasts in praise of their gallantry at the siege1 and their useful services on the fortifications and works4#eg ----- ,footnote #eg3 ,this anniversary supper was held by the non-commissioned officers annually1 on the date named1 at the ,three ,anchors4 ,after the first year1 the tickets of admission were #afs4 #f;d4 each1 or #e dollars and #d reals1 which provided1 in the language of one who used to have a seat at the table1 8a sumptuous entertainment40 ,at that time the dollar was #cs41 and the real #d;d4 ,each ticket admitted a married non-commissioned officer and his family1 or a single one and his friend4 ,the privates took no part in the celebration4 ,on each occasion1 the ,governor1 ,lieutenant-,governor1 c41 honoured the company with their presence1 and made gratifying allusions to their services at the siege4 ,the night of the festival used to be familiarly termed ,junk-ship night1 both by the inhabitants and the soldiers4 ,the custom was perpetuated till the year #ahjd1 when1 from the fearful epidemic that prevailed1 it was necessarily omitted1 and was never again held4 ,it was a common opinion that the ,duke of ,kent interdicted these loyal anniversaries1 but such was not the case4 ,the last one was held in ,september1 #ahjc1 after his ,royal ,highness had been recalled from ,gibraltar4 ----- #aghf-aghg4 ,company divided into two--,numerous discharges--,cause of the men becoming so soon ineffective--,fourth augmentation--,labourers--,recruiting reinforcements--,dismissal of foreign artificers--,wreck of brig #8,mercury'--,uniform dress--,working ditto--,names of officers--,privileges--,cave under the signal house4 ,on the #cjth ,june the ,duke of ,richmond divided the company into two1 owing to the professional duties of the ,chief ,engineer rendering it impracticable for him to pay proper attention to the discipline and interior management of so large a body4 ,the two senior officers at the fortress were appointed to take immediate charge of these companies1 and each was authorized to receive an allowance of #efl4 #ajs4 per annum in lieu of all charges for repair of arms1 c4#eh ,the ,chief ,engineer1 nevertheless1 continued in command of both companies4 ,in the estimates1 however1 annually presented to ,parliament1 the corps was not recognized as being formed into two companies1 possibly with a view to prevent the members of the ,house of ,commons being drawn into a profitless debate upon a fancied attempt to increase the corps2 a debate which1 very likely1 would not have been productive of compliments to his ,grace1 as by his extensive but lately rejected schemes for national defence he had made himself in some respects obnoxious to the ,house and to the country4 ----- ,footnote #eh3 ,this sum seems to be a sort of standing equivalent1 and has existed without alteration1 through all the changes of advanced or reduced prices in material and labour1 to the present day4 ----- ,by this time there were many men in the corps1 who from length of service and other causes were no longer fit for the duties of the department2 and there were others1 also1 who from continued misconduct were worthless and burdensome4 ,captain ,evelegh1 returning to ,england about this period1 lost no time in making the ,duke of ,richmond acquainted with the state of the companies1 and of advising the discharge of all who were inadequate to their pay4 ,his ,grace at once acquiesced1 and the companies being well weeded1 eighty-two men were discharged during the winter and ensuing spring4 ,in so young a corps1 scarcely fourteen years embodied1 it might occasion some surprise why so many men became ineffective in so short a time4 ,the reason is obvious4 ,at all periods since the formation of the corps1 the demands for mechanics of good qualification were urgent4 ,under thirty years of age men could seldom be had from the line1 whose services were worth acceptance1 being either irregular in conduct1 or possessing but little pretension to ability as tradesmen4 ,mechanics were therefore generally received at thirty-five to forty-five1 and oftentimes at the bald age of fifty4 ,neither age nor height was an insuperable disqualification1 provided the candidate for transfer or enlistment possessed sufficient stamina for a few years' hard wear and tear4 ,it was not therefore to be expected that they could serve long in the companies1 more especially1 as1 the works of the fortress being always important and pressing1 the men were obliged to labour zealously to meet the exigency1 exposed to all the fitful and depressing changes of wind and temperature4 ,in the course of the interview with the ,duke of ,richmond1 ,captain ,evelegh proposed that an augmentation of #da labourers should be made to the companies4 ,of the necessity for this his ,grace was not so well persuaded1 for knowing the ready disposition of the ,governor of ,gibraltar to provide men1 at all times1 for the services of the works1 he felt assured that no difficulty would be found in obtaining any number required from the line1 on a proper representation of their need being made4 ,he would not therefore sanction the measure2 but1 as his ,grace was aware1 from the extent of the works in progress1 that the demand for mechanics was very great1 and as he was moreover much averse to the employment of civil artificers1 he considered it would be a far greater public benefit to increase the corps with mechanics than labourers4 ,he therefore1 in ,september1 took upon himself the responsibility of augmenting the companies with forty-one masons and bricklayers1 which fixed the strength of the corps as under3-- #a ,sergeant-major4 #aj ,sergeants4 #aj ,corporals4 #d ,drummers4 #bej ,private artificers4 ---- ,total #bge ,each company was to consist of #acg non-commissioned officers and men4 ,his ,grace1 moreover1 ordered that such of the artificers as were not sufficiently skilful at their trades1 to the number of forty1 were to be employed as labourers1 if required1 but he did not contemplate that any such could be found in the corps4 ,from this slight innovation1 however1 soon after followed the authorized enlistment of labourers as a part of the establishment1--a measure not in any sense welcomed by the old artificers1 who conceived they were losing caste and position by the association4 ,means for obtaining transfers and recruits at ,gibraltar were now considerably straitened4 ,the ,duke of ,richmond1 therefore1 undertook to furnish the number authorized to be added to the corps1 and to supply the constantly-recurring casualties4 ,upon this duty his ,grace employed several officers of engineers in the manufacturing districts of ,england and ,scotland4 ,captain ,rudyerd was the chief recruiting officer in ,north ,britain1 and he seems to have been the most successful in obtaining recruits4 ,married men#ei with families were not debarred from enlistment1 if their personal appearance and talents as tradesmen were favourable4 ,more attention was now paid to age than heretofore2 and none were received over thirty-five years old1 unless under extraordinary circumstances4 ,the bounty allowed to each candidate was #acl4 #acs4 #f;d4 ----- ,footnote #ei3 ,the regulation with regard to the wives and families of recruits going to ,gibraltar1 as established by the ,duke of ,richmond1 is sufficiently curious1 by comparison with the present very limited system1 to be mentioned here4 ,on the #ith ,september1 #aghf1 the ,duke arranged that to every #bj men1 #aj women and #aj children should be allowed to accompany them4 ,if there were more than that number with the party1 lots were to be drawn1 and those who did not gain prizes were to find their own passages2 the lots were not to divide families1 but were to be drawn by the men until the number allowed was completed4 ,if encouragement had been given to any men to hope that their families would be provided with passages1 the bargain was to be faithfully adhered to4 ----- ,five batches#fj of recruits1 numbering in the whole #ahc artificers1 were sent to the ,rock in rapid succession2 but as they were long in arriving1 it was considered expedient to hire civil artificers from ,portugal and ,italy to expedite the works4 ,however desirable it might have been to adopt this course1 the ,duke of ,richmond disapproved of it4 ,he had always a great aversion to the engagement of civil artificers1 whether from ,england or from places on the ,continent1 arising from the great expense attending their employment and their general irregular conduct4 ,his ,grace1 therefore1 ordered that the foreign artificers should be discharged on the arrival of the recruits1 which was accordingly done4 ----- ,footnote #fj3 ,of the following strength3-- #ba men #aeth ,sept4 #aghf1 embarked on board the ',new ,euphrates1' and landed #fth ,oct4 #eh 0 #bast ,sept1 #aghf1 embarked at ,leith1 on board the brig #8,mercury4' ,wrecked #bdth ,sept4 #be 0 #fth ,nov4 #aghf1 embarked in the #8,adventure2' landed4 #ce 0 #bcrd ,mar4 #aghg2 landed4 #dd 0 #aeth and #af ,apr4 #aghg2 landed4 ---- ,total #ahc 0 ,about #ajj of this number were bricklayers and masons1 the crafts most required at the ,rock4 ----- ,of the second party of recruits1 it may be permitted to take a more than passing notice4 ,it was composed of #eh men1 all mechanics1 8in the prime of life10 under charge of sergeant ,sherriff1 accompanied by their wives1 #bh in number1 and #ab children--in all #aja persons4 ,they embarked at ,leith on the #bast ,september1 on board the brig #8,mercury1' ,thomas ,davidson1 master4 ,the crew consisted of #aa men4 ,the ship sailed with a fair wind2 but on the #bcrd1 when nearing the coast of ,flanders1 she was greatly buffeted by a boisterous gale4 ,at three o'clock on the morning of the #bdth1 ,sunday1 the steeple of ,ostend was recognised1 and1 accordingly1 the course of the vessel was shaped towards the chops of the channel4 ,a storm now set in1 and as danger was apprehended1 the captain and crew were anxious and vigilant4 ,skill and exertion1 however1 were of no avail1 for at seven o'clock in the evening she struck upon a sand-bank1 about six miles off ,dunkirk4 ,the wind continued blowing hard to the north1 while the sea1 8running mountains high10 dashed the frail bark to and fro with a fury that broke her masts1 destroyed her bulwarks1 and tore her sails to shreds4 ,at nine o'clock she went to pieces1 and melancholy to add1 all on board perished but three4 ,the survivors were ,john ,patterson1 ship's carpenter2 ,walter ,montgomery1 blacksmith2 and ,daniel ,thomson1 mason4 ,the two latter were recruits4 ,on fragments of the wreck they floated all night1 and at ten o'clock next morning1 ,patterson and ,montgomery1 just ready to relinquish their hold from cold and exhaustion1 were picked up by a pilot-boat and taken on shore at ,dunkirk4 ,the other sufferer1 ,thomson1 was found some hours after in the surge1 helpless and shivering1 clinging to a spar4 ,at once he was conveyed to ,mardyck1 three miles to the westward of ,dunkirk1 where he only lived a few days4 ,of ,walter ,montgomery nothing further is known4 ,as at the time he was reported to be very ill1 and not likely to recover1 he probably died at the place where he was given an asylum4#fa ----- ,footnote #fa3 #8,morning ,chronicle1' #ajth ,october1 #aghf1 and periodical press generally4 ,in most of the papers ,daniel ,thomson is1 by mistake1 named ,daniel ,campbell4 ,fifteen bodies were washed ashore between ,nieuport and ,ostend1 on the #bgth and #bhth ,september1 and it is not a little remarkable that1 of this small number1 no less than fourteen should have been those of women4--#8,general ,advertiser4' #8,public ,advertiser1' #ith ,october1 #aghf4 ----- ,no information can be obtained relative to the dress of the companies until #aghf4fb ,then1 the uniform was a plain red coat1 double-breasted1 with two rows of large flat brass buttons down the front1 placed at equal distances of two inches apart4 ,the buttons were one inch and a quarter in diameter1 and bore the ,ordnance device of three guns and three balls4 ,the left breast buttoned over the right at the pit of the chest1 from which upwards the coat turned back in the form of lappels4 ,the cuffs and collar were orange-yellow1 laced round with narrow red ferreting4 ,the collar was turned over like the common roll collar1 and was ornamented with a red rectangular loop at each side4 ,down the front of the coat to the end of the skirts1 narrow yellow ferreting was sewn1 as well as upon the inside edges of the skirts1 which were very broad1 descending to the leggings1 and were buttoned back at the bottom to show the white shalloon lining4 ,small plaited frills about five inches long1 were worn at the breast1 to the right2 and full ruffles at the wrists4 ,over the black leather stock1 a white false collar fell down about an inch4 ,the waistcoat was white cloth1 bound with yellow ferreting1 and came well down over the abdomen4 ,at the bottom1 it was cut so that the angle or corner of each front separated about seven inches4 ,the pocket-holes were slashed2 each slash was two inches deep1 and bound round4 ,the buttons were small and flat1 similar in device to the coat-buttons4 ,the breeches were white1 of a texture like kerseymere1 and secured below the knee with three small buttons4 ,the leggings were black cloth1 reaching to the knee and strapped under the shoe2 they buttoned on the outside1 and were fastened to a small button above the calf of the leg4 ,the buttons were like those worn on the waistcoat4 ,the hat was cocked1 the same as that commonly worn2 the cock was in the front1 directly over the nose1 with a cockade to the right of it supporting a black feather4 ,in other respects it was quite plain4 ,the arms and accoutrements consisted of white leather cross-belts1 black cartouch-box with frog1 and musket and bayonet4#fc ,the breast-plate was oval1 bearing the ,ordnance device3 above the balls was the word ,,gibraltar2 below the guns ,,soldier-,,artificers4 ,the sergeants had swords1 silver-mounted1 with a plain guard of one bar only2 tassel1 white leather4 ,the distinctions with regard to ranks were as follows3 the sergeants had clothing of a superior fabric2 their breeches and waistcoats were kerseymere2 the lace on their coats was gold2 they also wore a crimson sash with tassels1 under their coats1 and laced shoulder-straps4 ,all the other ranks wore linen or cotton ferreting2 but the corporals had gold fringed shoulder-knots1 and the lance corporals one gold knot on the right shoulder4#fd 7,plate ,i47 ----- ,footnote #fb3 ,i have been informed that previously to #aghf1 the coat was somewhat similar in colour1 cut1 and ornament to that shown in ,plate ,i41 but that the breeches were blue instead of white4 ,the black leggings were banded above the knee4 ,the working dress consisted of a long duck frock1 and mosquito trowsers with gaiters attached4 ,everything was white even to the felt round hat1 which at this period had the military symbols of a yellow band and yellow edge to the brim4 ,serge pantaloons were worn in winter4 ,footnote #fc3 ,the sergeant-major and sergeants were armed with carbines and bayonets4 ,footnote #fd3 ,this novel way of distinguishing the non-commissioned officers led to frequent misconception and mistake in the garrison4 ,when dressed with the bayonet belt only1 strangers regarded the corporals as the highest rank1 and lance-corporals the next4 ,sometimes when taking an excursion into ,spain1 sentries have presented arms to them1 and guards even have turned out to pay the compliment due to field officers6 ,this military blunder continued1 with greater or less observance1 until the adoption of chevrons1 about #ahje4 ----- ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 #8,,soldier ,plate ,,ii4 ,,artificer ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,the working-dress was a plain long red jacket in winter1 and a linen one in summer1 with a single row of large brass buttons1 wide apart1 down the front4 ,it descended to the hips1 opened from the chest upwards to show the shirt1 and from that point downwards to show the waistcoat4 ,convenient to the hand on each side was a huge pocket covered with a broad slash4 ,the collar and cuffs were of yellow cloth1 the former turned over or rolled1 and at the small of the back were two large buttons4 ,under the jacket a waistcoat was worn--in summer linen1 in winter flannel--of the same cut as the regimental one1 but not laced or ferreted4 ,similar in material were the pantaloons2 and to these were attached a pair of black gaiters1 of linen or cloth1 corresponding with the season4 ,they reached a little above the ankle1 and buttoned on the outside4 ,no particular regard was paid to the neck covering4 ,stocks of leather1 or velvet1 or silk1 or black handkerchiefs1 were indiscriminately used4 ,a white hat completed the suit4 ,it was about six inches high1 had a straight pole with yellow band of an inch in width1 and a broad brim edged with yellow tape or ferreting4 ,plate ,,ii4 ,the description of working-dress worn by the non-commissioned officers has not been ascertained1 nor can any record be discovered of the precise uniform dress adopted for the drummers1 or of the peculiar badge that distinguished the sergeant-major from other sergeants4 ,the only complete record that has turned up to research1 showing the names of the officers who were attached to the companies since the year #aggb1 is a return for #aghg1 by which it seems the following officers did duty with them3-- ,captain ,robert ,pringle1 chief engineer4 ,captain ,william ,campbell ,skinner1 died #bdth ,april1 #aghg4 ,first ,lieutenant1 ,thomas ,skinner4 ,first ,lieutenant1 ,william ,kerstiman4 ,joined #beth ,may1 #aghg4 ,second ,lieutenant1 ,thomas ,smart4 ,second ,lieutenant1 ,samuel ,t4 ,dickens4 ,draughtsman1 ,james ,evans4#fe ----- ,footnote #fe3 ,these officers were also present with the corps in #aghh2 but after that year until #agig no record has been discovered4 ----- ,about this time1 it appearing to be of some consequence to cut and form a ditch immediately under the ,crillon ,battery1 situated on the south flank of the ,king's1 ,prince's1 and ,queen's ,lines1 a strong party was set to work by order of the ,chief ,engineer4 ,they executed their laborious task in a comparatively short period1 which elicited the warmest praises of ,general ,o',hara4 ,to mark his sense of their services1 however1 in a form more gratifying than words1 he gave permission to the companies to pass to the neutral ground1 and out of garrison1 on ,sundays and all holidays without a written pass1 or restraint of any kind4 ,with this privilege was also conceded the liberty to appear on such occasions in whatever apparel their fancy suggested1 except in their uniform coats4 ,it was not uncommon1 therefore1 for the non-commissioned officers and the respectable portion of the privates1 to stroll about the garrison or ramble into ,spain1 dressed in black silk or satin breeches1 white silk stockings1 and silver knee or shoe-buckles1 drab beaver hats1 and scarlet jackets1 tastefully trimmed with white kerseymere4 ,governor ,o',hara was a constant visitor at the works1 and took much interest in their progress4 ,even as early as the morning gun-fire1 he was perambulating the fortifications and batteries1 and worming his way among the mechanics4 ,almost to the last man1 he could call each by name1 and knew the best artificers too well ever to forget them4 ,familiar with their zeal and exertions1 he regretted sometimes to find that a few men were absent from the works undergoing sentences of confinement to the barracks4 ,this induced the ,general to relax a little in strictness towards the companies4 ,none of the men would he suffer to be punished for intoxication1 or other slight offences committed when off duty or on the works1 in order that he might have them all employed4 ,this slackening the reins would1 no doubt1 be looked upon now-a-days as a monstrous and culpable dereliction1 however plausible might be the object intended to be gained by it4 ,to justify or condemn the act is obviously out of place here4 ,it is simply mentioned as a fact2 and while it remains a singularity in military jurisprudence1 the main point that originated it must not be overlooked1 viz41 the estimation in which the ,governor held the corps for their services in the restoration or improvement of the works of the fortress4#ff ----- ,footnote #ff3 ,this laxity of discipline seems1 in time1 to have become general among the troops at the fortress1 and the extent to which it was carried both by officers and men was little short of disgraceful4--#8,wilkie's ,british ,colonies considered as ,military ,posts1' in #8,united ,service ,journal1' #b1 #ahdj1 p1 #cgi4 ----- ,in enlarging the works of the garrison1 the military artificers frequently opened up cavities in the promontory which were mostly of sufficient interest to excite the curiosity of geologists2 but one discovered in #aghi1 by some miners of the corps1 while scarping the back of the ,rock1 attracted1 at the time1 unusual attention4 ,it was situated about #afj feet from the foot of the cliff1 on its eastern side1 nearly under the ,signal ,house1 and its extent classed it among some of the largest within the area of the fortress4 ,removing the rank vegetation which had overgrown its mouth1 a small chasm was bared1 opening into a cave containing several chambers and grottoes1 entered by narrow funnel-shaped crevices1 some so low and winding that ingress could only be obtained by crawling through the long misty passages on all-fours4 ,seemingly1 the roofs were supported by a number of pillars1 which the dripping of ages had congealed into all shapes and sizes and into all degrees of hardness1 from patches of soft silvered powder to the bold indurated columnar stalactite4 ,on the floors1 at different heights1 were stalagmites1 some peering up like needles1 and others1 swollen and grotesque1 rose from frothlike cushions of delicate finish1 which1 8on being rudely touched1 dissolved instantly into water40 ,the hall at the extremity was divided into two oblong recesses1 floored by a 8deep layer of vegetable earth10 where not a clump of the lowliest weed or a blade of grass was seen to show that vigour was in the earth4#fg ,nothing seemed capable of living there but a colony of bats1 some flapping about on lazy wing1 and others torpid2 no process to be active1 but the cold one of petrifaction1 which1 in nature's own confused method1 had elaborated throughout the cavern1 columns and pinnacles and cushions1 puffs and concretions1 some as fleecy as snow1 others as crisp as hoar-frost1 and others of an opal hue as transparent as crystal4 ,all was rich1 beautiful1 and sparkling4 ,it was a marvel to adventurers1 but unfit for habitation2 yet1 in later years1 this hole of the mountain was possessed by a ,spanish goat-herd1 who reached his solitude by the same threadlike but dangerous tracks as his goats4 ,there might the recluse have lived till his bones fell among the petrifactions1 but he was at length expelled from its gloomy precincts on account of his contraband iniquities4 ----- ,footnote #fg3 ,martin's ,british ,colonies1 #ahce1 p4 #ea-ec4 ----- #aggi-aghh4 ,colonel ,debbieg's proposal for organizing a corps of artificers--,rejected--,employment of artillerymen on the works at home--,duke of ,richmond's 8,extensive plans of fortification0--,formation of corps ordered--,singular silence of the ,house of ,commons on the subject--,mr4 ,sheridan calls attention to it--,insertion of corps for first time in the ,mutiny ,bill--,debate upon it in both ,houses of ,parliament4 ,when ,spain declared war with ,england in ,june1 #aggi1 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,hugh ,debbieg of the engineers1 seems to have been impressed with the necessity of raising a corps of artificers for service in this country4 ,he had made several excursions through ,kent and a part of ,sussex1 no doubt with the object of ascertaining the probabilities that existed for resisting any attempt at invasion4 ,whether such was his intention or not1 these professional tours appear to have assisted his views greatly1 in all that was essential to prepare the country to repel aggression4 ,he therefore made large demands for cutting tools2 conceiving1 as he states1 8very extensive ideas of their use in all cases10 and recommended the formation of a corps of artificers4 ,in his letter to ,general ,lord ,amherst1 of the #cjth ,july1 #aggi1 he wrote3 8,i must take the liberty of mentioning how very advantageous to the service it would be1 if a corps of artificers was to be selected from the army4 ,the present establishment of pioneers to each regiment will prove in no case sufficient or equal to the purpose of advancing an army through such a country as this40 ,as if to show that his proposal was no crude idea1 nor the dreamy suggestion of some needlessly-alarmed engineer1 the ,colonel dipped a little into the history of the subject1 to claim respect for it on the ground of its antiquity1 and pointed out the way in which the measure could be effected4 ,he says1 8,the great attention of the ancients to this particular was wonderful1 and the highest point of perfection in the ,roman legion was1 that when it made detachments1 though ever so small1 they carried with them a just proportion of the component parts of its excellent system--artificers of all denominations4 ,modern armies differ from those of the ancients scarcely in nothing but the arms they use2 in all other points1 we cannot imitate them too exactly4 ,i am sensible the subject is not new to your lordship1 and if it did not strike me as a thing absolutely necessary for the good of ,his ,majesty's service1 particularly at this time1 ,i should not have troubled your lordship thereon4 8,it is a most essential part of the soldiers' duty1 ,i allow1 to be as expert as possible at covering themselves with earthworks2 but then1 there is also a necessity for a band of leading men capable of instructing others1 and of conducting works with more regularity than has been usually done where ,i have yet been upon service1 as also with greater dispatch4 8,i will not presume to point out to your lordship the means of establishing such a corps1 nor how far two men per company would go towards making it numerous enough for the purpose from the militia alone2 but ,i will venture to say1 had such a body of men been constantly here1 these lines 7,chatham7 would have been nearly completed2 and you know what state they are in at present40 ,colonel ,debbieg's attempt to revive an old practice1 constituting one of the military glories of the ancients1 was certainly worthy of the best attention1 involved as ,england was at the time in a struggle with ,france and ,spain2 and it would have been more so1 had allusion been made to the beneficial services of the companies at ,gibraltar4 ,omitting this is singular enough1 and readily urges the supposition1 that their name and duties were scarcely known beyond the scarps of the ,rock1 even to the engineers themselves4 ,however1 ,lord ,amherst1 much as he may have appreciated the represented perfection of the ,roman legion in the organization of its detachments1 was not by any means disposed to incur the responsibility of reproducing that system in the ,english army2 and on the #aath ,august following communicated his sentiments on the subject to the ,colonel4 8,your idea10 writes his lordship1 8about forming a corps of artificers from the army1 is a very good one1 as far as that such a corps would be very desirable2 but at a time when it is a material subject of consideration to increase the army by every possible means1 the forming such a corps cannot be thought of4 ,in the case of any service happening in this country1 the general business of the pioneers must be done by the able-bodied men amongst the peasants of the country40 ,his lordship here confesses the desirableness of the measure1 but at the same time repudiates it as inexpedient1 because the army requires to be increased6 ,no rejoinder or explanation appears to have been made by ,colonel ,debbieg2 and the proposal1 somewhat modified1 was left to be iterated at a subsequent period by ,charles1 third ,duke of ,richmond4 ,on the appointment of the ,shelburne administration in ,july1 #aghc1 his ,grace was nominated ,master-,general of the ,ordnance4 ,immediately after his installation1 he caused the fortifications to be examined1 and finding they were in such a state as to need the intervention of the ,house of ,commons to put them in repair and completeness1 he demanded large sums of money for the purpose in the ,ordnance estimates for #aghc4 ,his ,grace's projects were on a scale of great magnitude1 and his estimates were necessarily large2 but in order to curtail the amounts as much as possible1 and thus win the concurrence of both parties to his plans1 he proposed to employ a considerable part of the royal artillery as artificers and labourers in the arsenal at ,woolwich1 ,purfleet1 and the outports1 giving them only half the wages then paid to civil mechanics for performing similar work1 whereby it was computed that a saving of #ab1jjjl4 to #ae1jjjl4 a-year would be realized1 and that the services of the ordnance being more regularly performed1 the regiment would have a body of artificers1 always available for active duty in the event of a war1 for which they would be much required4#fh ,there was nothing in this suggestion to excite alarm or particular remark4 ,no new corps was recommended to be raised1 but simply the adaptation of means already disposable 7which would have to be maintained under any circumstances7 to a twofold object1 as also to lighten the existing pressure upon the finances of the ,state4 ,the proposal1 being merely incidental to the graver matter with which it stood connected1 gave rise to no discussion2 and it is presumed1 though no specific organization of artificers such as his ,grace contemplated took place1 that artillery soldiers were employed in great numbers at the different stations mentioned in his ,grace's famous report4 ,with the change of ministry in ,april1 #aghc1 the ,duke of ,richmond quitted his post as ,master-,general2 but resumed it again in the following ,december on the formation of the ,pitt ,cabinet4 ,the fortifications continued to be his ,grace's hobby4 ,yearly he requested large sums for the erection of new works and the repair of old ones4 ,consequently1 public attention was excited to review these apparently exorbitant items of expenditure1 and1 as may be expected1 very little was done towards effecting his ,grace's views4 ,money was voted for the purpose1 but none was expended4 ,in #aghe1 his ,grace's plans for national defence were more extensive than ever1 and were brought forward as usual by ,mr4 ,pitt4 ,though anxious to carry out the gigantic projects proposed1 still1 from the growing inquisitiveness of the country1 and probably the misgivings of the ,minister himself as to their maturity and utility1 ,mr4 ,pitt submitted them for the opinion of a ,board of general and flag officers4 ,guided by their recommendation1 he again introduced the subject for the consideration of the ,house1 but on the #bgth ,february1 #aghf1 it was rejected by the casting voice of the ,speaker as a 8measure totally inexpedient and dangerous40 ----- ,footnote #fh3 #8,journal1 ,house of ,commons1' #adth ,february1 #aghc2 vol4 xxxix4 p4 #bjh4 ----- ,in no way discouraged1 however1 on the #agth ,may following1 he ventured to submit a similar question to the ,house considerably reduced in its demands4 ,but as the subject of the fortifications had long been before the public1 had also been well investigated1 and was extremely unpopular both in the ,house and out of it1 it may occasion no wonder to state1 that the ,duke's favourite scheme was again set aside2 and its noble projector1 subjected to repeated and vexatious disappointments1 was made a butt for the keen attacks and provoking taunts of individuals1 who scrupled not to lay bare his ,grace's engineering1 and to question his ,grace's professional attainments4 ,in this last defeat1 however1 some little concession was made to ,mr4 ,pitt1 by which he was permitted to make an estimate for improving and completing the old works at ,portsmouth and ,plymouth dockyards1 which on being presented was ultimately agreed to4#fi ----- ,footnote #fi3 ,if a particular acquaintance with the ,duke's plan of defence1 c41 be desired1 it can be obtained by referring to a work entitled #8,observations on the ,duke of ,richmond's ,extensive ,plans of ,fortification1' published first in #aghe1 and again in #agid4 ,this work1 which was brought before the public in an anonymous form1 is known to have been written by ,lieutenant ,james ,glenie1 of the engineers1 who1 after serving in the corps a few years1 was compelled1 as he says1 p4 #bda1 to leave it1 8to avoid being ruined by the expense of continually moving from one station to another40 ,the attack made by this gentleman appears to have been conducted with much force and talent1 displaying an intimate acquaintance with the principles of his profession4 ,it made a great impression on the public mind1 and augmented to a considerable extent the popular ferment against the new fortifications4 ,several of the engineers joined in opinion against them1 among whom was ,colonel ,debbieg1 who1 for some expressions that he ventured1 reflecting upon the ,duke's plans1 was tried by a ,general ,court-martial in #aghi4 ,in the concluding paragraph of the later edition of ,mr4 ,glenie's essay1 the author promised to take an early opportunity of delivering his sentiments at full length respecting the corps of royal military artificers and horse artillery1 which1 he stated1 were unquestionably great impositions on the public2 but the promised expos ,i have not succeeded in procuring4 ,if it never appeared1 the gallant officer1 very probably1 prudently relinquished the idea1 or suppressed the ,,ms41 from a conviction that it was as unnecessary as unmerited4 ,it is certainly curious that ,mr4 ,glenie and ,colonel ,debbieg1 who were the most violent and persevering of the ,duke's opponents1 should have differed in opinion about the usefulness and importance of the corps of artificers4 ,by the only evidence as yet discovered1 it is obvious that ,mr4 ,glenie would willingly have disbanded it2 ,colonel ,debbieg1 on the other hand1 only a few years before aspired to the honour of originating it4 ----- ,in the diminished estimate for #aghf the amount asked was quite inadequate to effect the purposes designed2 and to enable his ,grace the better to accomplish them1 he suggested to ,mr4 ,pitt the necessity of raising a corps of military artificers on the model of the companies employed at ,gibraltar4 ,experience had demonstrated beyond all dispute their excellency as artificers and soldiers1 and the economy of their services4 ,he had watched and studied their discipline and advantage for some years1 and with these incentives1 he felt no hesitation in urging their immediate formation4 ,better reasons could scarcely have been desired by ,mr4 ,pitt1 who readily gave his assistance in obtaining a warrant from the ,king to sanction the measure4 ,he did not attempt1 however1 to enlighten the ,house upon the matter before appealing to ,his ,majesty1 knowing that it would be treated with unmerited distrust1 and probably crushed under a weight of prejudice and misconception4 ,strictly speaking1 there was nothing unconstitutional in this manner of proceeding2 it was warranted by many precedents1 but it gave rise in a subsequent session of ,parliament to some observations which required ,mr4 ,pitt to explain his conduct in the affair4 ,the warrant was signed on the #ajth ,october1 #aghg4 ,the ,ordnance estimates for that year were not brought forward until a late hour on the #ajth ,december2 and1 as but little time was afforded for discussing their merits1 and particularly the novel measure of embodying a corps of military artificers1 a motion was made that their consideration should be adjourned to the next day4 ,it was lost by a large majority1 and the sums asked for were voted without debate4 ,in this vote was involved the formation of the corps4 ,that a measure on so extraordinary a principle1 and so hateful to the sentiments of the country generally1 should have passed without scrutiny is remarkable2 but ,mr4 ,sheridan1 on the #agth ,december following1 thinking that the estimates were imprudently hurried through the ,house1 introduced them again to notice4 ,at the same time he endeavoured to bring the suggestion of raising a corps of mechanics into contempt4 ,he called the project singular and extraordinary2 ridiculed the idea of putting the artificers under martial law1 and thereby to abridge their liberty4 ,moreover1 he did not conceive that men1 capable of earning half-a-crown a-day1 would enlist as soldiers and work in their respective occupations at one-third of that sum for the mere douceur of military discipline4 ,then1 with regard to the economy of the measure1 he remarked1 8,that in the report of #aghc1 the ,master-,general had stated1 that by suffering some of the artificers at ,woolwich1 ,sheerness1 c4 to be put into companies1 the artillery would never want artificers2 and a saving of #ae1jjjl4 would be made to ,government4 ,before1 therefore1 any new plan of raising a distinct corps of artificers was authorized1 it would be proper to know what the saving made in consequence of the original plan had amounted to2 because1 if no great saving had been made1 the plan now proposed would evidently be attended with additional expense to the public40#gj ,mr4 ,sheridan did not embody this subject in his motion4 ,his remarks upon it were merely incidental to his speech on the intended fortifications in the ,west ,indies1 and elicited no discussion4 ,the ,chancellor of the ,exchequer replied to ,mr4 ,sheridan2 but he spoke only to the motion1 and made no allusion whatever to the new corps4 ,thus quietly did the ,duke of ,richmond gain a project1 which there was reason to expect would not be granted without decided indications of repugnance and hostility4 ----- ,footnote #gj3 ,dodsley's #8,annual ,register1' #aghh4 ,second edit41 #agij1 p4 #if4 ----- ,the scheme1 however1 though it easily received the approval of the ,house of ,commons1 was doomed1 ere long1 to have a severe sifting4 ,in both ,houses the question was very roughly handled by the ,opposition4 ,had it been brought forward as a specific measure at first1 it would1 in all probability1 have been rejected or passed by a scanty majority2 but being covered by a vaster and more momentous question1 it escaped observation and slipped through the ,commons concealed under the wings of its parent4 ,the time1 however1 had arrived1 when the subject1 stripped of its covering1 should be laid bare1 and fairly and openly discussed2 but after a warm debate1 the project was again sanctioned1 and the formation of the corps confirmed4 ,a summary of the debate1 which originated in the introduction1 for the first time1 of the corps of artificers into the ,mutiny ,bill1 and which is given in ,dodsley's #8,annual ,register' for #aghh1ga is subjoined4 ----- ,footnote #ga3 ,dodsley's #8,annual ,register4' ,second edit41 #agij1 pp4 #aba-abc4 ----- 8,on the #abth of ,march1 the report of the ,committee on the ,mutiny ,bill was brought up2 and on reading the clause for incorporating in the army the newly-raised corps of military artificers1 the same was strongly objected to as a dangerous innovation1 and as militating against the most favoured principles of the constitution4 ,the same system1 it was said1 might next be extended to shipwrights1 and so on to every description of persons in the service of the executive government2 and therefore the ,house was called upon to repel so alarming an innovation in limine4 ,in defence of the measure it was urged1 that it would be attended with an annual saving of #b1jjjl41 upon an expenditure of #bb1jjjl42 and that it was necessary to extend the military law to the corps in question1 as the only means of keeping them together1 and preventing their desertion of the public service in time of war4 8,this disposition to adopt a new principle of expediency and economy1 upon a subject which went to the diminution of the liberties of the subject1 instead of the old principle of actual necessity1 was severely reprobated4 ,several country gentlemen declared1 that if the ,house should agree to put #fjj ,englishmen under martial law1 merely for the paltry consideration of saving #b1jjjl4 per annum1 they would betray their constituents1 and would be devoid of those feelings for the constitution1 which ought to make their distinguishing character4 ,it was denied that any necessity for so extraordinary a surrender of the liberties of a part of the community was made out2 it having never been asserted1 nor being indeed true1 in fact1 that there was any difficulty in procuring artificers for the ,ordnance service in time of war4 ,the sense of the ,house being taken on the clause1 there appeared1 ayes #aad1 noes #fg4gb ----- ,footnote #gb3 ,clause ,lxxv4 ,public ,acts1 #bh ,geo4 ,,iii41 vol4 i41 p4 #cfi4 ,this was not a specific clause to meet the case of the artificers1 but the same which had existed1 with possibly slight variations1 since its first insertion in the ,act ,it merely included the corps by name1 and made other necessary alterations to embrace classes of persons heretofore inadvertently omitted4 ,why it should have caused so much discussion1 more especially with reference to the formation of the corps1 is almost marvellous1 since a more fitting opportunity was afforded for that purpose1 when the ,ordnance estimates were presented and passed in ,december of the previous year4 ,what were ,mr4 ,sheridan1 ,mr4 ,courtenay1 and the other opponents of the ,duke of ,richmond's schemes about1 to allow this measure to steal a successful march upon them8 ----- 8,the same subject was again discussed on the third reading of the ,mutiny ,bill1 when it was asked1 whether any part of the corps was already enlisted and embodied8 ,this question being answered in the affirmative1 it was strongly contended that the authors of the measure had been guilty of an illegal act1 in raising a body of men without the consent of ,parliament2 and that it was a violent and arbitrary measure to subject those men to military law1 who at the time of their enlisting1 were evidently not included in the ,mutiny ,act4 ,on the other hand1 ,mr4 ,pitt contended1 that1 by a liberal interpretation of the ,king's prerogative1 government was authorized1 on the late alarm of war1 to raise the corps in question3 and ,sir ,charles ,gould1 the ,advocate-,general1 maintained1 that every soldier enlisted1 became1 ipso facto1 subject to be tried by martial law4 ,the ,house again divided on the question1 ayes #adb1 noes #gj4 8,upon the commitment of the ,bill in the ,upper ,house1 the ,duke of ,manchester rose and declared his intention of opposing the novel clauses that it contained4 ,he was an avowed enemy1 he said1 to the extension of military law1 unless in cases of absolute necessity2 and that the present ,bill went unnecessarily to extend that law1 by making a number of artificers subject to its severe effects1 who had hitherto enjoyed their liberty in common with their fellow-subjects4 ,could it be proved necessary for the defence of the kingdom1 he should not entertain the least objection to the increase of the army2 but in a time of profound peace1 the adoption of a measure of so singular a nature as the present1 called for jealousy and caution4 8,the ,duke of ,richmond entered into a full explanation of the plan of which he had been the author4 ,it had occurred to him1 he said1 that the formation of a regular corps of artificers1 who would in future wars1 be applicable to any service when wanted1 either at home or abroad1 could not but be attended with very beneficial consequences4 ,in all the armies abroad1 such a corps made part of those armies1 and as their utility was unquestionable1 he had concluded that there ought to be such a corps in our army1 and therefore he had considered it as his duty to submit the proposition to ,his ,majesty1 who had approved of it1 and it had been since laid before the ,house of ,commons1 and voted by that branch of the legislature4 ,with regard to putting them in the ,mutiny ,bill1 being a part of the army1 enlisted regularly as soldiers1 like other soldiers1 they ought undoubtedly to become subjected to the same law1 as the policy of the ,state had considered it as right that all soldiers should continue in such a state of subordination4 ,at the same time1 it was not to be considered as any hardship1 since no species of trial1 however popular it might be1 was1 he believed1 more fair and candid than trials by court-martial4 ,he added1 that the corps of artificers proposed to be formed1 was not only highly useful1 but1 at the same time1 so far from being an additional expense1 they would prove a saving1 because the difference between getting such a number as heretofore1 and having them formed into a regular corps as intended1 would render the usual expense less by #b1jjjl4 8,lord ,porchester objected principally to that part of the new establishment which subjected the artificers to the arbitrary punishment of the ,master-,general of the ,ordnance4 ,in one instance they might be reduced for want of skill1 of which the ,master-,general was made the sole judge1 to the rank of labourers1 and thereby be deprived of one-third of their pay2 and in another1 he was also the sole judge of the quantum to which their pay should be reduced in cases of idleness or misbehaviour4 8,lord ,carlisle ridiculed the strange reason given for adopting the new project1 that it would be a saving of #b1jjjl4 a year4 ,if their lordships were to be governed by such arguments1 they would be led into so absurd a matter as the calculation of what the surrender of the rights of the subject was worth per man2 and if the rights and liberties of #fjj artificers were worth just #b1jjjl41 they would see that the noble lord valued the rights of every individual exactly at #cl4 #ajs4 each4 8,lord ,cathcart and ,lord ,rawdon were of opinion1 that the plan formed by the noble duke would be attended with many considerable military advantages2 and the question being at length put1 the clause was carried without a division4 ,the corps now1 for the first time1 was made legally amenable to the provisions of the ,mutiny ,act2 and1 for a few years at least1 was permitted to go on with its organization and duties without being again noticed or interrupted by the opposition in ,parliament40#gc ----- ,footnote #gc3 ,in the protracted debates which occurred in #aghh1 on the ,regency1 ,mr4 ,sheridan took occasion1 when opposing the measure for reserving the patronage of the royal household1 to attack the ,minister--,mr4 ,pitt1 and to wing from his bow another caustic shaft at the royal military artificers4 ,mr4 ,pitt1 at some previous time1 had charged a right honourable friend of ,sheridan's1 on quitting office1 8with having left a fortress behind him40 ,sheridan admitted that the accusation was true2 8but then10 continued he1 in a vein of sparkling raillery1 8like a coarse1 clumsy workman1 his right honourable friend had built his plan in open day1 and retired with his friends1 who served without pay4 99 99 99 ,not so the right honourable gentleman over the way4 ,like a more crafty mason he had collected his materials with greater caution1 and worked them up with abundantly more art4 ,perhaps he had taken the advice of the noble ,duke--famous for fortification--and1 with the aid of that able engineer1 had provided a corps of royal military artificers1 and thrown up impregnable ramparts to secure himself and his garrison4 ,upon this occasion the ,king's arms doubtless might be seen flying as a banner on the top of his fortress1 and powerful indeed must prove the effect of the right honourable gentleman's thundering eloquence from without1 and the support of the royal artificers from within1 against his political adversaries40--,sheridan's ,dramatic ,works4 ,see ,life1 p4 #ach4 ,bohn's edit41 #ahdh4 ,the last reference to the military artificers in ,parliament was made by ,mr4 ,courtenay on the #bast ,april1 #agij1 when1 moving for a committee to inquire into the expenditure of the public money by the ,duke of ,richmond from the #ast ,january1 #aghd1 he stated1 among a variety of matter1 that the corps of which his ,grace was the founder1 8were neither soldiers nor artificers40--#8,gentleman's ,magazine1' part #b1 #agij1 vol4 #fj1 p4 #gbj4 ,this was followed1 in #agid1 by ,mr4 ,glenie1 who1 in a second edition of his #8,observations1' declared that the corps was unquestionably a great imposition on the public4 ,with this announcement the party crusade against the royal military artificers terminated4 ----- #aghg--aghh4 ,constitution of corps--,master artificers--,officers--,rank and post of the corps--,captains of companies1 stations--,allowance to ,captains1 ,adjutants--,recruiting--,labourers--8,r ichmond's whims0--,progress of recruiting--,articles of ,agreement--,corps not to do garrison duty--,sergeant-majors--,john ,drew--,alexander ,spence--,uniform dress--,working dress--,hearts o'pipe-clay--8,the ,queen's bounty0--,arms1 c4--,distinction of ranks--,jews' wish4 ,the ,king's authority 8for establishing a corps of royal military artificers10 alluded to in the preceding chapter1 was conveyed in a warrant1 dated #ajth ,october1 #aghg1 to ,charles ,duke of ,richmond4 ,it was to consist of six companies of #ajj men each4 ,the constitution of each company1 and the pay of its different ranks were fixed as follows3-- s4 d4 #a ,sergeant-major #b #c a-day #c ,sergeants each #a #i 0 #d ,corporals each #a #g 0 #b ,drummers ,privates-- ,working-pay1 in addition1 #ab ,carpenters not exceeding #i;d4 a-day #aj ,masons to each non-commissioned #aj ,bricklayers officer and man for the #e ,smiths each #j #i 0 days actually employed on #e ,wheelers the works4 #d ,sawyers #h ,miners #b ,painters #b ,coopers #b ,collar-makers4 #cj ,labourers each #j #f 0 ,the sergeants consisted of a carpenter1 a mason1 and a smith1 who were styled masters2 and the corporals were a master bricklayer and a master wheeler1 one foreman of miners and a foreman of labourers4#gd ,the civil master artificers had the offer of enlisting and being appointed to these ranks4 ,those who refused were discharged as soon as the military establishment was complete4 ----- ,footnote #gd3 ,thus the higher branches of promotion were reserved to the three first classes of tradesmen1 and none but men of the latter trades were promoted to the rank of corporals4 ,this rule1 though enforced as much as practicable1 was necessarily deviated from in the lapse of a few years for the benefit of the service4 ----- ,officers of the royal engineers were appointed to command the corps4 ,all serving at the particular stations at which the companies were forming were attached to do duty with them4 ,when required to parade with other regiments1 the corps was directed to take post next on the left of the royal artillery4 ,the officers were to fall in with the corps4#ge ----- ,footnote #ge3 ,the authority for this was not embodied in the warrant for raising the corps1 but conveyed in a letter to the ,duke of ,richmond1 dated #ajth ,october1 #aghg4 ,with regard to the officers falling in with their companies1 it was necessary to issue a special order1 as1 by a previous warrant of the #beth ,april1 #aghg1 the royal engineers were to take rank with the royal artillery1 and to be posted on the right or left of that regiment1 according to the dates of their commissions4 ,at ,gibraltar1 it was the custom of the companies with their officers1 to take the right of the artillery2 and they were always inserted first in the ,governor's states and returns4 ,this was a local arrangement occasioned1 probably1 on account of the companies being stationary at the fortress4 ----- ,the ,duke of ,richmond located the companies at the principal dockyards or military stations1 and ordered the following officers to command them3-- ,woolwich--,colonel ,robert ,morse4 ,chatham--,colonel ,william ,spry4 ,portsmouth--,colonel ,john ,phipps4 ,gosport--,lieut4-,colonel ,james ,moncrief4 ,plymouth--,lieut-,colonel ,fred4 ,george ,mulcaster4 ,one company was ultimately divided between the islands of ,guernsey and ,jersey4#gf ----- ,footnote #gf3 ,the companies at ,gibraltar1 although similarly constituted1 paid1 and officered1 remained a distinct and separate body until their incorporation with the corps in the year #agig4 ----- ,the officers above named were the commanding royal engineers at the respective stations4#gg ,to each was allowed the sum of #efl4 per annum for defraying certain incidental items connected with his company2 and a lieutenant of engineers was appointed adjutant1 with an extra allowance of #bs4 a-day1 to assist in conducting the drill and in maintaining discipline4 ----- ,footnote #gg3 ,from this arrangement1 it sometimes occurred that even a ,major-,general was captain of a company4 ----- ,the recruiting was carried on by the captains of companies1 assisted by seven other officers of engineers1 with several transferred soldiers of the royal artillery1 at ,landguard ,fort1 ,tynemouth1 ,dover1 ,guernsey1 ,edinburgh1 ,fort ,george1 and ,berwick4 ,they were not restrained from putting into operation any measure which seemed to be best calculated for obtaining recruits4 ,there was no standard as to height fixed2 but labourers were not enlisted over twenty-five years of age1 nor any artificer over thirty1 unless he had been employed as a mechanic in the ,ordnance department1 and known to be an expert workman of good character4 ,all recruits1 however1 whether previously under the ,ordnance or not1 were 8to be strong able-bodied men1 free from all infirmity1 and duly qualified for their several trades and occupations40 ,the miners were all got from ,cornwall4 ,the bounty given at first was five guineas to each attested recruit2 which1 on the #bast ,november1 #aghg1 was reduced to the usual peace allowance of three guineas4 ,these general instructions for recruiting were soon afterwards#gh much altered by the ,duke of ,richmond1 who was anxious to make the corps as perfect as possible with regard to tradesmen4 ,on the decision of his ,grace all the men were afterwards enlisted as labourers at #f;d4 a-day4 ,the bounty was continued at three guineas4 ,growing lads from sixteen to eighteen years of age1 not under five feet four inches high1 were preferred before all others1 and were instructed in the trades most required by the corps4 ,over eighteen years of age none were taken less than five feet six inches4 ----- ,footnote #gh3 ,in a letter bearing date #aith ,march1 #aghh4 ----- ,this was a measure of just precaution1 as several men had already enlisted as artificers1 who upon a fair trial were found to know but little of their craft4 ,the ,duke now thought to insure his object by enlisting every man as a labourer1 and after a few months' experience of his abilities1 promoting him to be an artificer1 or retaining him as a labourer1 until recommended for preferment4 ,on promotion to artificers1 each man received a bonus or reward of two guineas1 an additional #c;d4 a-day pay1 and was distinguished from a labourer by being allowed finer clothing and a gold-laced hat4#gi 8,i think10 wrote his ,grace1 8that this method1 although the slowest1 will in the end be the best means of acquiring a good corps of artificers40 ,whatever may have been the result of this change1 it shows that the ,duke was interested in the most trifling concerns of the corps2 so much so indeed1 that the men were aware of it1 and familiarly styled his measures and arrangements 8,richmond's whims40 ----- ,footnote #gi3 ,for every labourer promoted1 a guinea was granted to the master artificer1 either civil or military1 who had the credit of training him1 as a compensation for his services and an encouragement to future exertion4 ,this was sanctioned by his ,grace in a letter dated #fth ,december1 #agia4 ----- ,great exertions were made to give effect to the ,duke's orders and wishes1 particularly at ,portsmouth and ,plymouth1 where the dockyards were to be fortified on a plan approved by his ,grace4 ,about three months after the date of the warrant1 upwards of #ajj men had been enrolled1 besides several artificers transferred from the royal artillery to form the nucleus of each company4 ,the growth of the corps was tardy at first and continued dilatory for a year and more2 after which1 however1 as the prevailing prejudices began to die away1 greater success was apparent4 ,as the enlistment of mechanics to work at their trades under military discipline was quite new to the country1 the greatest care was taken to prevent misconception and complaint4 ,the ,duke of ,richmond was sensible that both his plans for national defence1 and for the establishment of a corps to accomplish them1 were sources of suspicion and watchfulness on the part of the ,opposition in ,parliament2 and hence he was cautious1 particular1 and explanatory1 even to indulgence4 ,the recruit was required to sign certain articles of agreement1 showing fully his obligations to the service1 and those of the public towards himself4 ,among the terms was prominently placed his engagement 8to be liable to all military duties1 subject to the articles of war1 and all other military discipline like other soldiers1 and to serve in any part of the world to which his ,majesty might order him40#hj ----- ,footnote #hj3 ,this agreement was required to be attested by every recruit until about the year #ahjj1 when it seems to have fallen into disuse4 ----- ,to protect the companies from being unnecessarily interfered with1 and to insure their constant employment on the works1 directions were given to the commandants or governors of the different garrisons where they were stationed1 not to call upon them to do any duty that would take them from the public works1 except in cases of war1 internal commotion1 or any very urgent necessity4 ,such has been the abiding rule of all garrisons to the present day1 and the corps is only expected to provide its own essential guards4 ,the sergeant-majors were selected from the royal artillery1 first being recommended as competent to drill and pay a company1 and able to enforce discipline and maintain order1 which were the duties they were particularly required to attend to4 ,none were tradesmen4 ,most1 if not all1 had been in the ,american war1 had distinguished themselves in action1 and were promoted into the corps as a reward for their services4#ha ----- ,footnote #ha3 ,john ,drew was one of the sergeant-majors4 ,he was the first soldier that entered the ,english corps of military artificers4 ,on ,may #ast1 #agie1 he was commissioned to be second lieutenant in the invalid artillery1 from which he retired in ,march1 #ahai1 and died at ,woolwich ,november #i1 #ahcj4 ,one of his daughters married the late ,richard ,byham1 ,esq41 secretary to the honourable ,board of ,ordnance4 ,a son--,richard ,robinson ,drew--attained the rank of ,major in the royal artillery1 and married ,geriloma ,barona1 daughter of the late ,marquis di ,montebello4 ,this lady died on the #dth ,september1 #ahed1 and the ,major survived her only four months4 ,both were interred in the family mausoleum at ,messina4 ,though springing from a stock without any remarkable antecedents1 good fortune seems to have attended the career of the offspring of the worthy sergeant-major2 and much as his son may have added distinction to his race by his matrimonial alliance with a lady of high birth1 it was still more honoured in the person of his granddaughter1 who was wedded to the noble ,prince di ,castelcicala1 the late ,minister ,plenipotentiary for ,sicily4 ,another of the sergeant-majors was ,alexander ,spence4 ,he was born in #agbf1 and enlisted into the #bjth ,foot1 ,january #af1 #agef4 ,after a service of #ai years in that regiment1 and #ad as sergeant in the ,north ,hants ,militia1 he joined the corps at the age of #fa66 ,this is the period when men usually think of retiring from active employment and preparing for the end of life4 ,not so ,spence4 ,he was still a recruit1 hale and hearty1 and served his country for a further period of #ba years6 ,if nature had taken her course1 he might have lived to a great age1 but disappointed in his expectation of receiving a sub-lieutenancy in the corps1 he committed suicide ,january #aa1 #ahji1 at the age of #hc4 ----- ,the uniform1 which was issued every alternate year1 consisted of a blue coat with long skirts1 rolling collar1 black cloth facings1 white shalloon lining to the skirts1 and lappels at the breast2 which1 with the slashes on the cuffs and pocket-holes1 were laced with rectangular loops1 having a button at one end of the loop4 ,the buttons were similar in size1 material1 and device to those already described as being regimental at ,gibraltar4 ,at the breast frills were worn1 and at the wrist small ruffles4 ,the stock was of black leather with a false collar turned over it about a quarter of an inch4 ,the breeches and waistcoats were of white cloth1 and the gaiters of black cloth1 which reached as high as the knee1 and were secured round the leg by a row of small buttons1 eighteen in number1 on the outer seam4 ,to prevent them twisting they were steadied by a button at the bend of the knee4 ,the cocked hat1 worn transversely1 was ornamented with a binding of gold lace1 a short red feather1 horse-hair rosette1 and gold loop and button4 ,the hair was clubbed and powdered4 ,plate ,,iii4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,military ,artificers ,plate ,,iii4 ,,uniform #aghg ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,the working dress was a plain white raven duck1 or canvas frock1 reaching nearly to the ankles1 with a rolling collar1 and brass buttons down the front2 white duck waistcoat and pantaloons1 tongued and buttoned at the bottom1 and plain black felt hats4#hb ,leather stocks and frilled shirts were also worn4 ,the hair was queued but not powdered4 ,plate ,,iv4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,military ,artificers ,plate ,,iv4 ,,working-,,dress1 #aghg ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ----- ,footnote #hb3 ,while waiting for the issue of their regimental costume1 the men1 to appear smart and clean1 pipe-clayed their frocks1 vests1 and pantaloons1 and marched on ,sundays to church as white as snow1 and 8stiff as buckram40 ,unavoidably rubbing against each other during the service1 the wash being thus set free1 filled the sanctuary with clouds of white powder1 which gave rise to the playful designation1 by which they were known for some time1 of 8,hearts o'pipe-clay40 ----- ,two suits of this dress were furnished to every man annually--each suit lasted six months4 ,they were also provided with a pair of serge breeches and a flannel waistcoat4 ,under what circumstances and on what occasions these articles were to be worn1 was never determined1 and the men were therefore at liberty to dispose of them as they pleased4 ,to distinguish them from the necessary items of the working dress1 they were denominated 8,the ,queen's ,bounty40 ,the arms of the rank and file were those common to the period--firelocks1 pouches and cross belts of buff leather pipe-clayed4 ,the sergeants had pikes1 and long narrow thrust-swords--the latter purchased at their own expense3 the gripe was steel1 with a single gilt guard2 the scabbard was black leather1 mounted with a gilt tip1 top and boss1 and the shoulder belt1 with a frog to hold the sword1 was pipeclayed like those of the privates4 ,the sergeant-majors wore swords and belts the same as the sergeants1 but no pikes4 ,the drummers were armed with brass-handled swords1 short in the blade1 but broader than the sergeants1 and black scabbards with brass mounting4 ,all ranks had a square breast-buckle to their belts2 those of the superior ranks were gilt4 ,the distinctions in regard to rank were as follows3--,labourers1 coarse clothing1 yellow tape lace on their coatees and hats4 ,artificers1 clothing of a much finer quality1 same kind of tape lacing on their coatees1 but gold lace on their hats4 ,drummers1 same clothing as artificers1 with this difference--instead of plain yellow tape1 they had broad livery lace of a quality like tape1 bearing the ,ordnance arms of three guns and three balls1 extending from the collar downwards in parallel stripes4 ,corporals1 same as artificers in every respect1 but1 in addition1 small gold-fringed knots on the shoulders4#hc ,sergeants1 crimson sashes and swords1 gold lace on coats1 but no knots on shoulders3 they wore laced straps only4 ,sergeant-majors1 sashes and swords1 gold lace on coatees1 bullion epaulettes1 and silk velvet facings4 ,footnote #hc3 ,a yellow silk knot was regimental2 this the corporals were permitted to dispose of for a gold-fringed knot4 ,in most of the companies the corporals wore knots on each shoulder4 ,in the ,woolwich company1 one only was worn on the right shoulder4 ,in the working dress there was no apparent distinction between the labourers1 artificers1 and drummers4 ,the corporals and sergeants were distinguished by black hats of the same shape as the privates1 with a gold-lace band1 about an inch broad1 around the bottom of the pole1 and their frocks1 c41 were finer in fabric and whiter in colour4 ,the sergeant-majors always appeared in uniform1 for which purpose they were allowed a complete suit annually4 ,it may not be amiss to notice1 in connection with the dress of the corps1 an interesting offer that was made to the companies at ,gibraltar1 on the change of their uniform from red and yellow to blue and black4 ,at the fortress the companies were much esteemed for their good conduct and civility1 and the best understanding existed between them and the inhabitants4 ,this feeling of respect was particularly shared by the ,jews1 who desired to express it in a manner that would be more convincing than a mere verbal assurance4 ,on the new clothing arriving at the ,rock1 the ,jews1 regarding the alteration with satisfaction1 agreed among themselves to provide for the companies1 as a mark of their regard1 whatever gold lace might be required for the clothing1 free of cost1 to be worn in place of the yellow tape2 but it need hardly be mentioned1 that the desired deviations of this kind people from the established patterns of the corps could not be permitted4 #aghi--agib4 ,appointment of ,quartermaster and ,colonel-,commandant--,distribution of corps1 ,captains of companies--,jealousy and ill-feeling of the civil artificers--,riot at ,plymouth--,its casualties--,recruits wrecked on passage to ,gibraltar--,song1 8,bay of ,biscay1 ,o60--,defence of the ,tower of ,london against the ,jacobins--,bagshot-heath encampment--,alterations in the uniform and working dress4 ,heretofore the captains of the different companies communicated with the ,master-,general or his secretary direct4 ,this led to much inconvenience1 and tended to establish a distinctiveness of character and position for each company1 that was neither contemplated nor desired4 ,to prevent its continuance1 the ,duke of ,richmond1 on the #acth ,january1 appointed ,lieutenant ,william ,george ,phipps1 royal engineers1 quartermaster to the corps2 and on the #abth ,february1 directed the chief royal engineer1 ,major-,general ,sir ,william ,green1 ,bart4--who originated the companies at ,gibraltar1 and served with them at the fortress until ,november #aghf--to be ,colonel-,commandant4 ,the former attended to all matters connected with the clothing1 c41 and to the latter all the correspondence concerning the different companies was addressed4 ,the first complete returns of the corps which have yet been found occur in the month of ,february1 immediately after ,sir ,william ,green's appointment4 ,from these returns and other documents1 the following information relative to the distribution of the corps1 the strength of the different companies1 and the names of the captains1 have been collected1 viz43-- ,strength of ,company4 ,captains4 ,woolwich #dg ,colonel ,robert ,morse4 ,chatham #dg ,colonel ,william ,spry4 ,portsmouth #gb ,lieut-,colonel ,fred4 ,geo4 ,mulcaster4 ,gosport #fi ,lieut4-,colonel ,james ,moncrief4 ,plymouth #ajd ,lieut4-,colonel ,edward ,w4 ,durnford4 ,guernsey #f ,lieut4-,colonel ,alexander ,mercer4 ,jersey ,formation not commenced4 ,the company at ,plymouth was above the established strength1 arising from the works there being more important than at any other station4 ,in ,may the strength of the half company at ,guernsey was twenty-three of all ranks1 and at ,jersey twenty-one4 ,symptoms of discontent were frequently shown by the civil mechanics in the ,government service at the authorized employment of the military artificers4 ,they looked upon the measure as a political move1 or as a dangerous experiment to ascertain how it would work2 and then1 if found to answer1 to extend a like control to the other workmen in the ,crown establishments4 ,this notion they imbibed from the expressed apprehensions of some leading men of the liberal party in parliament2 and1 as a consequence1 they were jealous of the military artificers1 whom they treated with great disrespect4 ,a species of rivalry was thus induced that rather increased than allayed the feeling of mutual animosity4 ,the civilians were not sparing of their taunts1 nor were the military artificers as temperate in their retorts as might have been wished4 ,quarrels naturally ensued1 individual feuds were frequent1 and in this way did the civilians endeavour to hold up the military artificers to ridicule and disgrace for the purpose of goading the ,government to disband them2 but how far they succeeded the existence of the corps at this day affords a satisfactory reply4 ,at one of the stations the bad feeling that existed between the civil and military artificers was exhibited in an altercation that originated between the latter and some sailors1 in which the dock workmen interfered4 ,this brought about a serious rupture1 the particulars and consequences of which are given below ,matches for wrestling and cudgelling between soldiers and sailors were arranged to take place in a field adjoining ,stoke ,church1 near ,plymouth1 on the afternoon of the #dth ,june--the ,king's birthday--on which occasion the soldier-artificers1 in common with the civilians1 were granted a holiday4 ,the victors were to be rewarded with buckskin breeches and silver cups4 ,but few of the military would venture to take part in the amusements1 so that the company and the sailors1 and some mechanics of the dock-yard1 were the principal actors4 ,the men of the soldier-artificers who entered the lists were chiefly from ,cornwall and adepts at wrestling1 ,they only went1 however1 to witness the games--not to join in them2 and it was not till they were challenged that they entered the arena4 ,having done so1 they exerted themselves according to the fashion of their country1 and succeeded in gaining almost the whole of the prizes2 which1 as was natural1 they bore away with suitable demonstrations of pride and pleasure4 ,a dispute arose between a couple of rivals about the unfair award of a prize4 ,it was given to a sailor1 although fairly earned by a military-artificer4 ,the misunderstanding would have been easily settled had it been left to the wrestlers themselves to decide2 but the dock people interfered1 and fomented the quarrel1 directing their abuse in particular to the soldier-artificers4 ,for a time the latter calmly submitted to these insults1 and yielded the prize for the sake of peace2 but roused at length to retaliate1 they sought satisfaction in the ordinary way by fighting4 ,overpowered1 however1 by numbers1 they were very severely treated and driven into barracks1 where they remained for two or three hours4 ,at last1 breaking this self-imposed restraint1 they again appeared in the town1 having taken the precaution to prepare themselves with pick-handles and short sticks concealed about their persons1 to resist any attempt at violence on the part of the civilians2 and the better to cope with their opponents1 they walked into the streets1 when occasion required1 in small parties or sections2 which1 however1 had the unfortunate semblance of defiance1 and excited the sailors and dockmen to renew their insolence4 ,thus aggravated1 the military artificers fell upon the civilians and drove them pell-mell through the town4 ,intelligence of the resumed affray soon spread1 and numbers of holiday folk joined the ranks of the rabble4 ,armed with bludgeons1 staves1 and broom-handles1 the civilians paraded the streets1 and finding a small party of the military artificers refreshing themselves at an inn1 the rabble entered and furiously attacked them4 ,against such overwhelming odds the little party could not hold up1 and being easily mastered1 they were forcibly ejected from the house and pursued to the barracks4 ,what had happened was1 as yet1 merely a series of individual or sectional encounters--the preliminaries to something more serious4 ,galled by a second reverse1 the military artificers now mustered in full strength1 together with their non-commissioned officers1 and sallied into the street1 brandishing brooms1 pick-handles1 clumps of wood1 and various other unmilitary weapons4 ,some marines and a few other soldiers1 sympathizing with the company1 joined in the unhappy broil4 ,by this time the civilians and sailors were also considerably strengthened1 and every moment crowds were pouring in to swell the hostile mob4 ,the instant the two parties came in sight the conflict recommenced4 ,closely and warmly it continued for about an hour1 when the civilians gave way1 running in all directions from the field and leaving the military victors4 ,the mob1 soon rallied1 and assembled more numerous than before1 on the government ground between ,cumberland and ,st4 ,george's ,squares1 to make another and a final struggle for the ascendancy4 ,thither the military artificers with their partisans hurried4 ,nothing dismayed by the numbers collected to oppose them1 they resumed the combat4 ,pokers1 bars of iron1 and bludgeons were used with merciless fury2 stones of all sizes1 broken bottles1 and crockery-ware were thrown1 and weapons even were pressed into the riot4 ,the scene that ensued was frightful1 and the civilians continued the contest with much rancour and obstinacy4 ,they were routed once1 but suddenly turning1 they dashed at the soldiers again with a frenzy that deserved a better result4 ,the effort exhausted them2 the spirit of the soldiers was stirred afresh1 and1 plunging among the enraged but feeble throng1 they spared none that had the daring to confront them4 ,beaten at every point by a handful of soldiers1 the civilians faced about1 and retreated precipitately from the contest by the nearest avenues4 ,the military artificers and soldiers1 flushed with success1 would have pursued them1 and repaid their insolence in a manner not soon to be forgotten2 but by the activity of ,captain ,jonathan ,passingham1 of the #chth ,regiment1 who paraded the town with the main guard from the lines1 the intention was frustrated4 ,the conflict lasted several hours1 and many of each party were left for dead4 ,several1 however1 soon recovered1 and it was then found that the casualties were--one military artificer killed1 and two severely wounded2 and on the side of the sailors and dock men1 one killed1 two mortally wounded who died1 and three severely wounded4#hd ,of the less serious wounds and accidents1 from which very few escaped1 no notice appears to have been taken4 ----- ,footnote #hd3 #8,public ,advertiser4' ,june #aath1 #aghi4 ----- ,for three days the company was confined to barracks by order of the ,commandant1 to allay the popular excitement4 ,but whatever may be thought of the part taken by the military artificers in this riot1 certain it is that it taught the dock workmen a good lesson1 and had the effect of repressing their insults and annoyances1 and making their future demeanour more pacific and respectful4 ,several recruits having enlisted in ,scotland for the companies at ,gibraltar1 passage was provided for them on board a ship--the name of which cannot be confidently traced--and they landed or 8joined0 at the fortress on the #afth ,april1 #agia4 ,when in the ,bay of ,biscay the vessel encountered a white squall1 accompanied by terrific thunder and lightning1 which carried1 away her main and foremasts4 ,each moment1 indeed1 her final plunge was expected1 and the passengers and crew1 clinging to spars and boxes1 shreds of sails1 and fragments of the dismantled bulwarks1 as the last and only chance for their lives1 awaited in suspense the time when the dread alternative must be taken4 ,with the appearance of the morning1 providentially came the desired calm4 ,all hands immediately set to work to right the vessel2 the jury-mast was rigged1 and the shivered ship1 once more under weigh1 wore on with struggling throes1 and made good her passage to the ,rock4 ,the wreck and its circumstances gave rise to a song1 called 8,the ,bay of ,biscay1 ,o60#he ----- ,footnote #he3 ,there exists two ballads with this title1 one justly celebrated in the royal navy1 written by ,andrew ,cherry1 and embodied in ,dibdin's 8,naval and ,national ,songs10 and the other by a homely mariner1 named1 it is said1 ,john ,williams4 ,both songs may have taken their origin from the vessel spoken of above4 ,be this as it may1 without doubt1 one or the other was written to record the distress and struggles of the ship which conveyed the artificers to ,gibraltar4 ,the incidents of the affair related in the first edition of this history were made to correspond with the seaman's effusion1 as there were reasons at the time for believing it referred to the vessel with the recruits on board2 but1 as on a closer review1 there are doubts about its application1 the details given in the former edition are omitted in this1 leaving the question to be solved at a future day4 ,if the ballad of the seaman have reference to the ship in which the artificers sailed to the ,rock1 it differs in two known points from the facts of its voyage4 ,the 8,caroline0 is the ship of the song1 and she is said to have sailed from ,spithead on the fourteenth day of ,april1 whereas the party of recruits sailed apparently from ,scotland1 and positively landed1 or1 to use the official word1 8joined10 at ,gibraltar on the #afth ,april4 ,the seaman's 8,bay of ,biscay1 ,o60 is worked up in pure ,grub-street doggrel2 but bad as it is1 it has been rendered worse1 particularly in the last verse1 by the tampering of some grossly vulgar hand4 ,in the lapse of years the precise wording of that ,catnach composition has probably been lost1 and the version that exists1 filled up by the imperfections of tradition1 may have had its dates and places disturbed4 ,in a printed form the ballad1 seemingly1 cannot be obtained4 ,if the differences just shown be considered fatal to the relationship between the sailor's song and the vessel noticed in the narrative1 then ,cherry's very popular ballad belongs to the history of the sappers and miners4 ----- ,in ,january and ,february1 #agib1 the ,woolwich company was employed at the ,tower of ,london1 constructing an earthen battery for four guns in front of the gates1 and a wooden battery for four guns1 projecting from the coping of the wall of the fortress facing the ,minories1 to sweep the ditch and the hill4 ,these defensive measures were undertaken by ,captain ,holloway of the engineers1 sergeant ,john ,watson being the overseer1 and were intended to oppose any attack on the ,tower which might be attempted by the turbulent ,jacobins4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,military ,artificers ,plate ,v4 ,,uniform #agib ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,the ,prussian system of tactics being lately introduced into the army1 it was ordered that a union of corps should take place to ascertain its efficiency4 ,an encampment for the purpose was formed on ,bagshot ,heath1 early in ,july1 under the ,duke of ,richmond1 the ,master-,general of the ,ordnance4 ,the regiments present were the #bnd1 #crd1 #adth1 and #bith ,foot2 two regiments of light dragoons1 two battalions of artillery1 and one company of military artificers1 made up of men from the ,woolwich1 ,chatham1 ,portsmouth1 and ,gosport1 companies1 under ,lieutenant-,colonel ,moncrief1 royal engineers4 ,the sergeant-majors of these four companies were present4 ,a large quantity of intrenching implements and tradesmen's tools accompanied the party4 ,the encampment lasted for about a month1 the troops marching from one position to another1 and manuvring in a body1 as if in actual warfare4 ,during this time there were three grand field-days and two sham battles2 at the whole of which his ,majesty was present1 as also1 on some occasions1 were the ,prince of ,wales and the ,dukes of ,york and ,gloucester4 ,the company of artificers manuvred with the troops when not otherwise required2 but more generally they were employed in making bridges over small rivulets for the passage of the troops1 throwing up occasional earthworks1 as well as mining and constructing wooden redoubts4 ,one of the mines was sprung on the #dth ,august1 and created quite a spectacle4 ,it raised the earth in a solid mass about thirty feet in diameter1 throwing its contents to a considerable distance4 ,another mine was exploded on the #gth ,august1 under one of the advanced redoubts1 with equal success2 but the third and last mine was the largest1 and almost amazing in its effects4 ,of this mine some particulars have been preserved4 ,upon a round hill was erected one of ,colonel ,moncrief's square wooden redoubts1 that the results of the mine under it might be better discerned4 ,the artificers broke ground against the side of the hill1 #aeb feet from the redoubt1 and about #bj feet below the summit of the hill4 ,the first gallery was driven #aab feet in length1 about #c feet wide1 and #c feet high1 from whence commenced a turning #bb inches wide and #c feet high1 which stretched under the redoubt4 ,a second turning of #f feet was made for the chamber1 into which was put a wooden box of gunpowder lined with pitched canvas4 ,the quantity of powder used was #gb lbs41 and was exploded by means of a wooden trough containing a canvas pipe filled with powder4 ,when fired1 the whole redoubt was lifted up about #dj feet1 and disappeared in fragments1 dust1 and smoke1 leaving a large chasm where it stood1 nearly #dj feet wide and #bj feet deep4 ,it was a magnificent sight1 and called forth the spontaneous acclamations of the throng that witnessed it1 and the praises of the ,duke of ,richmond4#hf ,these were the first field services in which any of the military artificers had been employed4 ,they returned to their respective stations about the #hth ,august4#hg ----- ,footnote #hf3 ,for full information concerning these experimental operations and manuvres1 see the #8,public ,advertiser' for ,july #ith1 ,august #gth1 and ,august #ajth1 #agib4 ,footnote #hg3 ,to show how interested and considerate the ,duke of ,richmond was1 in even trivial matters connected with the corps1 it may be mentioned that on the #bhth ,september1 #agib1 he ordered that six married private labourers1 who had been at ,bagshot ,camp under his command1 should each be paid half-a-guinea as a donation for the inconvenience and expense they were subjected to in being absent from their families4 ----- ,this year the black felt round hat superseded the cocked hat4 ,the drummers' livery lace was a mixture of black1 red1 and yellow worsted--the ,ordnance device was not woven in it as formerly4 ,it was sewn on the coats in the same style as the privates' lace4 ,worsted wings of the three colours intermixed were now worn by the drummers for the first time4 ,the quality of the cloth in all ranks was somewhat deteriorated this year4 ,plate ,v4 ,to suit the seasons the working dress was considerably altered4 ,in summer a plain raven duck jacket was substituted for the long frock of #aghg4 ,the duck waistcoat for summer was abolished4 ,in winter a blue jacket with black cuffs and collar was worn1 precisely similar in cut and make to the duck jacket4 ,with this jacket a flannel waistcoat was worn1 and serge trowsers or pantaloons of the same form or style as the original pantaloons4 ,to the 8,queen's ,bounty10 consisting of a pair of serge breeches and an under serge waistcoat1 was added a second serge waistcoat4 ,the shirts were now worn quite plain in front2 the hair continued to be queued2 and the sergeants and corporals to be undistinguished in rank in the working dress4 ,plate ,,vi4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,military ,artificers ,plate ,,vi4 ,,working ,,dress #agid ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- #agic4 ,war with ,france--,artificers demanded for foreign service--,consequent effects--,detachment to ,west ,indies--,fever at ,antigua--,detachment to ,flanders--,siege of ,valenciennes--,waterdown ,camp--,reinforcement to ,flanders--,siege of ,dunkirk--,nieuport--,another reinforcement to ,flanders--,toulon--,private ,samuel ,myers at ,fort ,mulgrave--,formation of four companies for service abroad--,establishment and strength of corps4 ,louis ,,xvi4 having been dragged to the scaffold and beheaded1 the event became the subject of grave consideration in the ,british ,cabinet1 resulting in the dismissal of the ,french ambassador in ,london1 and in the declaration of war by the ,convention against ,great ,britain4 ,immediately following this publication of hostilities1 ,british troops were sent to ,holland to co-operate with those of the ,stadtholder against the common enemy1 as well to the ,west ,indies for the reduction of the ,french settlements there4 ,the new position into which ,england was thrown by the declaration of war1 gave prominence to a feature in the royal military artificers1 which had almost been lost sight of2--that was1 the liability of the men to serve in any part of the world wherever their services might be required4 ,although every care was taken to prevent misconception on this point1 by obtaining from every recruit a signed agreement1 expressive of his willingness to comply with this condition1 still1 it was regarded by all1 as a mere formal arrangement1 never to be acted upon2 and in this notion they were afterwards strengthened by the fact1 that when candidates were desired for service at ,gibraltar1 none were sent there unless with their own free consent4 ,now1 however1 their forgotten agreements were shown to be binding1 and1 accordingly1 men were demanded from the ,english companies for active service in ,flanders and the ,west ,indies4 ,as may be supposed1 the order occasioned no little surprise and regret1 as at this period1 the military artificers were living under circumstances of the most favourable character--treated indeed more like citizens than soldiers4 ,many were married and had families2 some few had property in land and houses2 and all1 or nearly all1 had profitable engagements in civil life1 which they were permitted by their officers to follow1 after the demands of the service had been attended to4 ,to avoid therefore the chance of being separated from such advantages1 several obtained their discharges by providing substitutes at considerable cost1 whilst a far greater number took the very dishonourable alternative of deserting4 ,during the year #agic1 the desertions were1 perhaps1 more in number than in any other year since the formation of the corps4 ,the ,plymouth company was called upon to furnish one corporal and seventeen private miners for the service of the ,engineer department in the ,west ,indies1 who1 embarking in ,february1 in due time1 arrived at ,grenada4 ,divided between that island and ,antigua1 they had scarcely commenced their duties before the unhealthiness of the climate began to be felt among them4 ,fever1 the prevailing scourge of the islands1 seized them1 and ere the close of the year1 all1 except private ,william ,trevethick1 had died6 ,he survived his comrades about two and a half years2 and with his decease was completed the extermination1 by fever1 of the first foreign detachment of the corps4 ,at ,antigua1 it should be mentioned1 that the malady was conveyed on shore through the unconscious imprudence of one of the party4 ,he had gone on board a vessel called the #8,experiment1' which had just arrived in ,english ,harbour in great distress1 having lost nearly all her hands by fever4 ,of the existence of the disease in the ship the artificer was not aware1 and he slept in a blanket belonging to one of the dead men4 ,seized with the disorder1 he died in a few hours1 and his wearing apparel and blanket1 being taken to the ,ordnance quarters as his property1 the infection was thus communicated to the rest of the detachment2 next to the artillery1 and from them it spread to the #cast regiment1 committing fearful ravages in its course4#hh ----- ,footnote #hh3 ,southey's #8,chron41 ,hist4 ,west ,indies1' iii41 p4 #gb4 ,five non-commissioned officers1 #cj artificers1 #ej labourers1 and #a drummer2 total #hf1 collected from the different stations and formed into a company at ,woolwich1 under ,captain ,gother ,mann1 ,r4,e41 embarked at the royal arsenal on the #afth of ,march1 to join the army in the ,low ,countries under the ,duke of ,york1 taking with them an abundant assortment of intrenching and tradesmen's tools4 ,most of the men had been encamped1 in #agib1 at ,bagshot ,heath1 and were in some measure acquainted with the art of field fortification and military mining4 ,colonel ,moncrief1 who had greatly distinguished himself during the ,american war1 was appointed chief engineer to the expedition4 ,of the company's landing1 and its early services in ,holland1 nothing is known1 but at the siege of ,valenciennes it played an important part4 ,all the non-commissioned officers1 and most of the more skilful of the miners1 acted as foremen1 and from #cjj to #djj men were frequently placed under the executive charge of one military artificer4 ,those of the company not considered fit for overseers1 were distributed singly among the working parties to stimulate them by their example to equal zeal and exertion4 ,in the more difficult services of the siege1 or when occasion required1 the labourers1 miners1 and artificers1 of the company worked in twos or in greater numbers4 ,the working party from the line was seldom less than #ad1jjj a day4 ,in the final assault of the fortress1 on the #beth of ,july1 a portion of the company under ,captain ,sutherland1 ,r4,e41 was attached to the left column appointed to attack the salient angle of the ravelin of the hornwork4 ,three globes of compression which had been pushed under the works to be stormed1 were exploded at short intervals1 after nine o'clock1 with complete success4 ,breaches being thus formed for the columns to enter the works1 they did so with great ardour and forced the enemy to fly into the fortress4 ,while these external operations were in course of accomplishment1 the miners bravely rushed from the ditch into the enemy's subterranean galleries1 took the workmen in them1 and saved the mine from being sprung4 ,to these underground manuvres and the promptitude and gallantry of the detachment of artificers and line workmen in preventing the explosion of the enemy's mines1 the fall of ,valenciennes was chiefly indebted4 ,it capitulated on the #bhth of ,july4 ,sir ,james ,murray1 in a despatch1 dated #bfth ,july1 #agic1 thus writes--8,a detachment of the company of artificers1 under ,captain ,sutherland1 accompanied the column to the ravelin of the hornwork1 and performed the duty allotted to them with great activity and resolution40 ,one labourer--private ,robert ,freeman--was killed4#hi ----- ,footnote #hi3 #8,london ,gazette ,extraordinary1' ,august #a1 #agic4 ----- ,general ,dundas1 about this period1 introduced the system of drill so long distinguished by his name2 and to test its efficiency a camp was formed on the #ast of ,july1 at ,waterdown1 under the ,duke of ,richmond4 ,the troops1 both horse and foot1 numbered #g1jjj4 ,to this camp was attached1 by the ,duke's order1 four non-commissioned officers1 thirty-six privates1 and one drummer of the military artificers1 under ,lieutenant ,george ,bridges1 ,r4,e41 who took with them a proportion of field implements and artificers' tools4 ,for three weeks1 the season being exceedingly fine1 the drill was briskly carried on2 but was succeeded by an interval of idleness and discomfort occasioned by heavy and continuous rain4 ,on the #dth of ,august1 the troops moved to ,ashdown ,forest1 where they manuvred for a week and finally marched to ,brighton3 there they drilled for a fortnight1 producing some grand military displays in the presence of the ,prince of ,wales1 and returned to their stations on the #bbnd of ,august4 ,in the purely military evolutions of the camp the artificers took no part2 but when the troops were moving they always preceded them to construct temporary bridges over the rivulets and ditches that intercepted the march1 and to cut away obstacles to afford an easier road for the passage of the artillery4 ,the materials for the bridges were cut on the spot1 formed into faggots1 and hastily thrown over the streams in view of the troops4 ,at ,brighton1 the party was daily occupied in bridge-making1 and became very expert in that description of field service4#ij ----- ,footnote #ij3 ,during the formation of one of the bridges1 ,mrs4 ,fitzherbert 7who had paid a visit to the ,prince of ,wales at ,brighton7 was riding by alone4 ,sergeant ,john ,johnston1 who was in charge of the party1 recognizing the favourite1 very politely touched his cap in compliment to her1 and she immediately pulled up4 ,after asking a variety of questions concerning the work1 she praised the men for their exertions1 and desired that each should receive an extra day's pay4 ,for this purpose she gave the sergeant sufficient money1 and taking a note of his name1 commended him for his civility and promised to remember him4 ,very shortly after he received the offer of an ensigncy in a regiment in the ,west ,indies1 and sailing thither in ,november1 received his commission in the #bith ,foot1 #ast ,may1 #agif4 ,it was supposed that ,mrs4 ,fitzherbert1 true to her promise1 had exerted her influence and obtained this appointment for him4 ,george ,ross1 the other sergeant present with the party1 was commissioned as ,lieutenant in the ,carnarvon ,militia1 in ,october1 #agif4 ----- ,a few days previous to the dispersion of the camp1 the ,duke of ,richmond ordered another selection of four non-commissioned officers and ninety-eight artificers and labourers1 to be made from the ,english companies to reinforce the corps in ,flanders2 and in order that the party should be formed of the most efficient men1 his ,grace desired as many as could be spared to be taken for the service from the ,brighton detachment4 ,to press as lightly as possible upon individual interests1 volunteering was freely allowed1 and the remainder were obtained by casting lots4 ,the companies at ,woolwich1 ,portsmouth1 and ,gosport1 were also required to provide their quota2 and being collected at head-quarters1 they sailed late in ,august1 and in a few days arrived at ,ostend4 ,with this reinforcement1 the military artificers in the ,low ,countries amounted to #g non-commissioned officers1 #da artificers1 #ajd labourers1 and #a drummer2 total #aec4 ,immediately on landing1 they were marched to join the company then before ,dunkirk1 and were employed in the operations for the reduction of that fortress until the #gth of ,september1 when the ,duke of ,york was compelled to abandon his position4 ,on returning to the ,artillery ,park1 the artificers exerted themselves in spiking all the guns that could not be carried with the army and in disabling their carriages1 as well as in throwing about #ejj barrels of gunpowder into the river and destroying nearly all the intrenching tools4 ,in this siege1 three artificers were killed--privates ,william ,drummond1 ,john ,fairbairn1 and ,john ,wilson2 and one was missing--private ,thomas ,howell2 but of the number wounded1 no record can be found4 ,colonel ,moncrief1 the chief engineer1 was dangerously wounded in repulsing a sortie by the enemy on the #fth of ,september1 and died a few days after at ,ostend1 where he was interred under the flagstaff by some of his own company4 ,a portion of the corps was employed in ,october in the defence of ,nieuport1 but in what manner cannot now be ascertained4 ,indeed1 from the paucity of information1 either verbal or documentary1 rendering it impracticable to trace1 with anything like distinctness1 the services and movements of the military artificers during the remainder of this and the subsequent campaigns in the ,low ,countries1 unsatisfactory gaps will necessarily appear in this narrative at times1 when the most interesting details might have been expected4 ,whilst the siege of ,nieuport was progressing1 ,sir ,charles ,grey with his expedition arrived at ,ostend1 and learning the critical situation of the garrison determined to relieve it2 but no sooner had he made arrangements for doing so1 than the enemy retired and left the fortress and the field in quiet possession of the allies4 ,to ,sir ,charles ,grey's force was attached #b non-commissioned officers and #bh artificers1 under ,colonel ,elias ,durnford1 royal engineers1 drafted from ,england1 with which number the corps in ,flanders was augmented to #ahb of all ranks4 ,winter setting in soon after1 and the strife in the ,low ,countries being suspended for the season1 a company was recalled from thence1 and1 on arrival at ,spithead1 sailed with the fleet for active service in the ,west ,indies4 ,in ,september1 a detachment of #a sergeant--,edward ,smith--#b corporals1 and about #bj privates1 were selected from ,captain ,nepean's company at ,gibraltar1 and sailed with the armament under ,general ,o',hara for ,toulon on board ,h4,m4 ships #8,egmont' and #8,terrible4'#ia ,the officers of engineers with the party were ,captain ,nepean and ,lieutenant ,de ,butts4 ,on landing1 the men were detached in twos and threes to the different points of defence around ,toulon2 and their duties consisted in directing1 under the general superintendence of their officers1 the several working parties employed in constructing the batteries1 c4 ,in the various actions and operations at this place1 the detachment was more or less engaged1 and 8all were most zealous1 active1 and distinguished in their several capacities40 ,some were wounded2 and in the desperate defence of ,fort ,mulgrave1 three were killed4 ----- ,footnote #ia3 ,private ,joshua ,cook1 of the ,woolwich company1 was sent to ,toulon as orderly to ,colonel ,d',aubant1 royal engineers1 and served in that capacity in ,toulon and ,corsica until the ,colonel returned with him to ,england4 ----- ,at this fort1 private ,samuel ,myers1 who had previously served at the siege of ,gibraltar1 was conspicuous in his exertions under ,lieutenant ,john ,duncan1 royal artillery1 assistant engineer4 ,at one of the guns all the artillerymen were either killed or disabled1 for the post was a dangerous one2 and the gun was consequently silent1 though in a position to do much service4 ,observing this1 ,myers1 having given general instructions to those who were under him as to the manner in which they were to perform their work1 repaired with some volunteers to the battery and manned the gun4 ,for a considerable time he laid and fired it himself with a precision and effect that checked the fierceness of the enemy's cannonade1 and attracted the notice of ,general ,dundas4 ,highly approving of the zeal and gallantry of the self-constituted gunner1 the ,general made him a corporal on the spot1 and would have honoured him with a higher rank1 only it was found that the custom of the corps did not admit of this distinction being conferred4 ,throughout the remaining period of the defence1 ,myers divided his attention between this gun and the works1 attending to both with an ardour and fearlessness that gained him much praise4 ,early in the next year he was killed in ,corsica4 ,two of the ,english companies out of six having already been sent abroad1 and the nature of our relations with ,france rendering it highly probable that more would be demanded1 the ,duke of ,richmond represented to his ,majesty the benefit that would result to the service1 if a corps of artificers and labourers were formed expressly for employment abroad4 ,his ,grace the more readily recommended this measure1 as the various stations from which detachments were sent were compelled to hire civil tradesmen to supply their places1 at wages considerably higher than the estimates warranted2 and whilst it checked improvement in the labourers1 which his ,grace was anxious to see developed1 it also crippled1 in some degree1 the general efficiency of the companies4 ,concurring1 therefore1 in his ,grace's proposition1 ,his ,majesty granted a warrant under date the #aath ,september1 #agic1 for raising a corps of royal military artificers and labourers1 to consist of four companies and to be distributed as follows3-- ,flanders #b companies ,west ,indies #a 0 ,upper ,canada #a 0 ,the command and composition of the companies were to be similar in every respect to the ,english companies2 they were to be stationary in the countries where they were appointed to serve2 and the men were to receive the like advantages in pay1 allowances1 and clothing4 ,a distinct position would seem to have been given to these foreign companies by the warrant1 but they nevertheless1 though designated a corps1 were comprehended with the ,english companies in one united body1 and depended upon the latter companies for the maintenance of their strength and efficiency4 ,such1 however1 it may be observed1 was not the case with the companies at ,gibraltar1 which yet remained a separate and independent body1 though differing from the home and foreign companies only in non-essentials of a local character4 ,the warrant just alluded to does not appear to have been carried out in the manner intended4 ,instead of sending a reinforcement to ,flanders to complete the companies there to the authorized establishment1 one company was withdrawn from thence and sent to the ,west ,indies2 while as regarded the latter station1 in addition to the company ordered1 a party also embarked with it1 forming1 with the detachment already in those islands1 the nucleus of a second company4 ,the total number of artificers and labourers in ,flanders1 after this change1 was #hb of all ranks1 and in the ,west ,indies #abf4 ,on what ground this reversionary alteration was adopted is not precisely known2 but it may reasonably be assigned to the pressing appeals from the ,west ,indies for more men1 and the inactive position of affairs in the ,low ,countries permitting it to be effected without detriment to the service4 ,the company for ,canada was never embodied1 though the idea of forming it was cherished until ,december #agih1 when it was abandoned4 ,at the end of the year the establishment and strength of the corps were as under3-- ,home companies #fjj ,foreign companies #djj ,total #ajjj establishment ---- ,strength #ehh ---- ,wanting to complete #dab #agid--agie4 ,working dress--,company sails for ,west ,indies--,martinique--,spirited conduct of a detachment there--,guadaloupe--,mortality--,toulon- -,flanders--,reinforcement to company there--,return of the company--,works at ,gravesend--,irregularities in the corps--,causes--,redeeming qualities--,appointment of ,regimental ,adjutant and ,sergeant-major--,consequences--,woolwic h becomes the head-quarters--,alteration in working dress4 ,this year the working dress of the corps was considerably modified4 ,the raven-duck frock was succeeded by a plain round blue jacket for winter1 and a raven-duck jacket for summer4 ,the colour of the working hat was changed for the privates from black to white2 and the corporals and sergeants were distinguished from the inferior ranks by a band of gold lace round the pole of the hat at the bottom4 ,see ,plate ,,vi4 ,the company from ,flanders under ,colonel ,elias ,durnford1 royal engineers1 intended for service in the ,west ,indies1 rendezvoused for a time at ,spithead4 ,while there1 every care was taken to make it as efficient for active duty as possible2 and several men who were suffering from the fatigues of the sieges of ,dunkirk and ,nieuport1 were accordingly re-embarked and their places supplied by others from the ,portsmouth and ,gosport companies4 ,after being provided with the necessary field equipment1 the company sailed with the fleet from ,spithead on the #crd ,november1 #agic1 and arrived at ,barbadoes the #fth ,january1 #agid4 ,its strength on landing was ninety-four of all ranks1 including its sergeant-major--,matthew ,hoey4#ib ----- ,footnote #ib3 ,served seven years in the ,royal ,marines4 ,enlisted in the corps ,april #bh1 #aghh1 and was present in almost every action and capture which took place in the ,west ,indies up to the year of his decease1 which occurred at ,barbadoes1 ,july #ad1 #ahaj4 ,few non-commissioned officers had a more stirring career1 or greater chances1 by his prizes1 employments1 and successful speculations1 of acquiring wealth4 ,much he gained and much he spent4 ,he had his horses and his servants4 ,costly ornaments he wore with eastern profusion1 and the hilt of his rapier1 and the mountings of his scabbard1 were of silver4 ,indeed it requires a couplet from ,pope to do him anything like justice4 8,a radiant baldrick o'er his shoulders tied ,sustain'd the sword that glitter'd at his side40 ----- ,from ,barbadoes the company proceeded with the expedition under ,general ,sir ,charles ,grey and ,admiral ,sir ,john ,jervis to ,martinique2 and having landed1 commenced and completed1 during the night of the #ajth ,february1 the erection of the required batteries on ,mount ,matherine against ,pigeon ,island4 ,on the surrender of this island on the morning of the #aath1 a portion of the company1 under ,lieutenants ,fletcher and ,durnford1 royal engineers1 was formed in line with a brigade of the royal artillery and a part of the #gjth regiment1 to protect the stores then landing1 and to support the left of the army in the attack upon the heights of ,souririe4 ,the post was soon carried2 and the entire company subsequently participated very essentially in the siege of ,fort ,bourbon4 ,after a month's unceasing exertion before that fort1 it was captured on the #beth ,march1 and ,martinique then became the prize of ,britain4 ,in noticing the services of the company1 ,sir ,charles ,grey1 in his despatch of #beth ,march1 writes3--8,colonel ,durnford1 with the corps of engineers1 have also a claim to my warmest approbation for their exertions in placing and constructing the batteries40 ,the casualties were one killed--private ,william ,simpson1 on the #aath ,february at ,pigeon ,island--and three wounded4#ic ----- ,footnote #ic3 #8,london ,gazette ,extraordinary1' ,april #agth and #bbnd1 #agid4 ----- ,after the successful attack on ,souririe1 corporal ,james ,kerr of the royal military artificers1 and a detachment of the company under his orders1 were employed on field duty at noon-day in front of the army4 ,a very superior force of the enemy attempted to surprise them1 but as soon as they perceived their danger1 they retired and defended themselves in so steady1 spirited1 and soldierlike a manner1 as to command the admiration of many officers and others4 ,nearly the whole of the company were subsequently employed in the reduction of the ,islands of ,st4 ,lucia and ,guadaloupe2 but what services were rendered by them in those captures have not been recorded4 ,sir ,charles ,grey1 having succeeded in the enterprise with which he was intrusted1 left ,major-,general ,dundas in command at ,guadaloupe and made arrangements to return home4 ,the fever peculiar to the country1 soon afterwards made its appearance in the island and the ,general died4 ,taking advantage of this event and the daily increasing sickness1 the ,french rose against the ,british and retook ,fort ,fleur d',epe4 ,sir ,charles ,grey1 hearing of the disaster and anticipating its consequences1 returned with all haste to ,guadaloupe and resumed the command of the troops4 ,at this time the company was divided into almost equal proportions at each of the subjugated islands1 to assist in carrying on the various works4 ,thirty-one non-commissioned officers and men had been left at ,guadaloupe on its capture under ,lieutenants ,dowse and ,durnford1 royal engineers2 but at the period of the outbreak only twenty-one men were present1 ten having already died of the fever4 ,at ,guadaloupe the military artificers were employed in the repairs of magazines and barracks1 and in the construction of field works at ,basseterre3 subsequently they superintended the erection of batteries1 c41 against ,point ,pitre in the endeavours to recover ,grandeterre2 but as all attempts to regain this branch of the island were now abandoned1 the detachment retreated to ,berville with the army for the purpose of preventing ,basseterre falling into the hands of the enemy4 ,here the artificers were engaged in various works for the defence of the camp1 and shared in repulsing the three attacks made on the position in ,september and ,october4 ,by climate1 fatigue1 and privation1 their numbers gradually dwindled away2 and when the post was captured on the #gth ,october1 only ten men were living4 ,six of these were taken prisoners1#id with ,lieutenant ,durnford of the engineers2 and the other four1 under ,lieutenant ,evatt1 ,r4,e41 served at the defence of ,fort ,matilda from the #adth ,october to the #ajth ,december1 the date of its evacuation4#ie ,during that protracted struggle1 the services of these four men1 especially sergeant ,john ,morris and private ,samuel ,bowes1 were found to be particularly useful in every respect4 ,such was the opinion of ,lieutenant ,evatt1 who1 fifty years after1 also afforded a general testimony to the merits of the company1 by stating that 8wherever their services were required they were ever conspicuously forward40 ----- ,footnote #id3 ,privates ,william ,burrell1 ,john ,clark1 ,abraham ,mayhead1 ,robert ,torrince1 ,william ,fleming1 and ,thomas ,wagg4 ,four of the number soon died2 and the two first1 on being released1 joined the remnant of the company at ,st4 ,domingo on the #ahth ,april1 #agif4 ,footnote #ie3 #8,london ,gazette1' #acgea4 #aj-ad ,february1 #agie4 ----- ,the yellow fever continued its ravages throughout the year with frightful violence1 and carried off more than half of the company4 ,in ,may the sickness was very general among the artificers4 ,that month twenty-five died2 and of the survivors1 very few were found sufficiently effective for the service of the works4 ,in ,june1 the party at ,st4 ,lucia1 which so far had escaped the prevailing scourge1 was removed to ,martinique to hasten the restoration of ,fort ,bourbon4 ,but little advantage1 however1 was obtained by this arrangement1 as nearly the whole of the men were immediately seized by the sickness4 ,at the close of the year sixty-five non-commissioned officers and privates had died2 of whom forty-two were at ,martinique and twenty-three at ,guadaloupe2 as also ,colonel ,durnford1 ,captain ,chilcot1 and ,lieutenants ,dowse and ,lawson of the royal engineers4 ,the strength of the company was now reduced to twenty-six of all ranks1 including the prisoners of war1 but the effectives of this number did not exceed ten4 ,toulon was evacuated in the middle of ,december1 #agic1 and the remnant of the army employed there soon afterwards landed in ,corsica4 ,with this force the detachment of military artificers shared in the various actions and sieges of that island1 particularly at ,san ,fiorenzo1 ,bastia1 ,ajaccio1 and ,calvi4 ,in directing the construction of the required works and batteries1 more especially at the lengthened siege of ,calvi1 their services were highly spoken of by their officers and the assistant engineers under whose instructions they for the most part acted2 and though so few in number1 they were considered by the army to be most useful and valuable soldiers4#if ,most of them were killed at ,san ,fiorenzo and ,calvi1 and the rest were wounded2 of whom two privates only survived4 ,these two men1 previously to the evacuation of ,corsica in ,october1 #agif1 were present at the capture of the ,island of ,elba1 and in ,january1 #agig1 returned with ,lieutenant ,de ,butts1 royal engineers1 to ,gibraltar4 ----- ,footnote #if3 ,lieutenant ,john ,duncan1 royal artillery1 who was employed as assistant engineer in the sieges of ,toulon and ,corsica1 8often spoke10 writes ,lieutenant-,general ,birch1 of the royal engineers1 under date #bbnd ,august1 #ahdh1 8with the very utmost enthusiasm of the conduct of the royal military artificers in these operations1 and would delight to dwell in describing their conduct as being fine1 brave1 and enduring40 ----- ,hostilities were resumed in ,flanders as soon as the severity of the winter had subsided4 ,to compel the ,french to evacuate ,flanders was now the purpose of the allied commanders4 ,to this end1 on the #afth ,may1 the whole force made a forward movement4 ,the column under the ,duke of ,york1 to which the company of artificers was attached1 marched to ,lannoy and then to ,roubaix driving the enemy before it4 ,on the #ahth ,may the ,french1 making a determined stand1 hotly pressed the ,british in front and rear by an overwhelming force1 and obliged his ,royal ,highness to resort to the daring alternative of retreating through the enemy's line1 which he accomplished1 but with great loss4 ,in this action the artificers had four wounded1 one missing--private ,john ,smart--and seven taken prisoners4#ig ----- ,footnote #ig3 ,privates ,alexander ,williamson1 ,archibald ,douglas1 ,alexander ,stewart1 ,andrew ,lindsay1 ,david ,morton1 ,george ,horn1 and ,john ,bristo4 ----- ,the ,earl of ,moira being appointed to command a corps intended to act on the offensive against ,france1 one sergeant1 one corporal1 twenty-one artificers1 and eight labourers of the home companies were selected to accompany it4 ,early in ,january the detachment was forwarded to ,southampton and there encamped for several months1 drilling with the troops4 ,ultimately the destination of the expedition was changed1 and his lordship was directed to co-operate with the ,duke of ,york4 ,the armament forthwith embarked1 and sailing for ,ostend1 landed on the #bfth ,june4 ,after a march of more than thirty days1 executed with cheerful resignation1 the ,earl of ,moira effected a junction with the ,duke of ,york's column at a time when1 from the precarious situation of his ,royal ,highness1 an addition to his resources was imperatively needed4 ,the detachment of artificers with his lordship now joined ,captain ,mann's company1 the strength of which1 since the opening of the winter of the previous year1 had been reduced by deaths from eighty-two to seventy4 ,with the present increase the total of the corps in ,holland amounted to #aja of all ranks2 but of this number1 many were no longer equal to the fatigues of a campaign owing to the diseases contracted by them1 from unavoidable exposure1 during a season of unusual inclemency2 and several suffering from incurable frostbites were placed in the category of wounded men4 ,on the #abth ,may1 #agie1 the above company1 transferred to the command of ,captain ,johnson of the engineers1 arrived at ,woolwich4 ,its strength was eighty-six1 including its sergeant-major4 ,being no longer required for foreign duty1 the men were distributed among the ,portsmouth and ,gosport companies and the ,guernsey and ,jersey half companies4 ,twelve were left at ,lisle sick and prisoners of war3 three of them died1 seven returned to ,england at different periods and the other two--,private ,george ,horn and ,john ,bristo--continued to be recorded as prisoners until ,february1 #agig2 when1 not having rejoined their corps1 they were struck off the strength4 ,by the reduction of the ,flanders company the establishment of the corps was diminished from #a1jjj to #hjj of all ranks4 ,about this period1 a detachment of one sergeant1 thirty-three carpenters1 and two drummers1 under ,captain ,c4 ,holloway1 royal engineers1 was sent to ,gravesend to make various repairs and additions to the defences on the shores of the ,thames1 as the state of ,european politics and our unsettled relations with ,france rendered these precautionary measures absolutely indispensable4 ,they were picked men1 of good qualification2 and to distinguish them from the corps employed at ,woolwich1 ,purfleet1 and ,chatham1 were permitted to wear a very long fantastic feather of black1 topped with crimson4 ,tilbury ,fort and the ,blockhouse at ,gravesend were thoroughly repaired by this detachment1 and the requisite arrangements and appliances for establishing a communication across the ,thames1 by means of barges for the passage of an army1 were effected by them4 ,they also constructed two batteries for four #bd-pounders each1 with temporary wooden barracks for artillerymen at ,shornmead and ,hop-,point1 below ,gravesend4 ,these services were barely finished when thirty of the detachment were recalled to join the expeditions for ,st4 ,domingo and the ,caribbee ,islands4 ,the party that remained1 was shortly afterwards increased to one sergeant and fifteen carpenters4 ,detachments of varied strength were also employed in strengthening the defences on the coast of ,sussex1 and in repairing the castles at ,hurst1 ,cowes1 and ,yarmouth4 ,drunkenness and irregularity were now very prevalent in the corps4 ,many of the men1 from their abandoned habits1 were insensible either to advice or punishment3 whilst others1 whose moral conduct could not be reproached1 were negligent of that proper respect for personal cleanliness and appearance which is one of the first considerations of a soldier in every well-regulated regiment4 ,in some degree to check these evils1 a few of the most incorrigible among the labourers were dismissed from the corps1 or were either turned over to the navy or sent to the ,west ,indies4 ,but even these severe but necessary measures failed to produce that wholesome impression on the habitual delinquents1 which it was reasonable to anticipate would be the result4 ,the first symptoms of disorder in the conduct of the men appeared when they found they were liable to be sent abroad if occasion required their services4 ,led by their constitution and employment to consider themselves permanently settled1 they were quite unprepared for any innovation which had a tendency to subvert their position or to interrupt the advancement of their individual interests4 ,the married men particularly received it with unequivocal dissatisfaction4 ,unwilling to submit to the change1 which struck at the root of their privileges1 several deserted2 and others1 not daring to involve themselves in the consequences of so serious a step1 remained only to drown their discontent in dissipation1 and bring discredit on the corps4 ,this was not the only source of demoralization4 ,ever since the formation of the corps little or no attention had been paid to its military efficiency4 ,discipline was almost entirely relinquished1 and drill was an unfashionable exercise4 ,the former was relaxed on account of the men being regarded more in the light of civilians than soldiers1 and the latter was nominally given up on the plea1 that it was of far greater public benefit to keep them constantly on the works than at drill4 ,from the leniency of the one1 numbers paid but little regard to authority on military matters1 and were only too ready to evince a spirit of disaffection when anything occurred to infringe upon liberties or privileges that the usages of the corps had given them a sort of right to enjoy2 and from the neglect of the other1 they were awkward and dirty in appearance and slovenly in their attire4 ,by the many well-intentioned and orderly men in the corps1 the laxity of the discipline and infrequency of the drill were certainly recognized and appreciated as indulgences2 but the advantages bestowed were more than counterbalanced by the evils they induced2 for several men--not labourers only1 but artificers--distinguished by their abilities as tradesmen1 but too depraved to profit by the mildness of the discipline1 plunged into all the excesses of disorder and drunkenness4 ,yet1 with all this misconduct and want of training in soldierlike principle and bearing1 they always exhibited an active pride in their fair name as mechanics1 and committed1 comparatively1 but few offences on the works4 ,another element in producing the irregularity complained of is traceable to the manner in which the corps was recruited4 ,from the difficulty of obtaining good tradesmen with satisfactory testimonials of previous conduct1 the pernicious system of receiving men without characters was resorted to4 ,ability as tradesmen was the great specific1 conduct being a non-essential qualification4 ,consequently1 in the removals from the line especially1 many men were transferred to the military artificers1 whose dissolute habits rendered their influence both mischievous and demoralizing1 although1 from their merits as mechanics1 they were found far too valuable to dismiss1 and too useful to be subjected to a protracted punishment4 ,but with all this dissipation and disorder there was much in the corps to approve1 much to admire4 ,the non-commissioned officers1 the majority of the artificers1 and a goodly number of the labourers were well-conducted men1 and upheld their military character and appearance in a becoming manner4 ,on the works1 besides being able and expert artificers1 they were found to be industrious and efficient1 supporting and assisting their officers in every duty or enterprise of difficulty or danger with readiness and zeal4 ,though differing from other troops in many essential points1 still there was much sterling worth in the royal military artificers1 rarely to be met with in any other corps in the service4 ,recourse to discipline and drill seemed to be the only chance of preventing the increase of irregularity1 and of permanently improving the character and condition of the corps4 ,at each of the stations the experiment was now in partial operation1 but1 simultaneously with this judicious effort1 another measure had been effected which promised to be of material advantage in bringing about the desired change4 ,this was the appointment1 on the #aeth ,may1 of ,lieutenant ,john ,rowley of the royal engineers1 to be ,regimental ,adjutant to the corps4 ,to each company1 from its formation1 an adjutant had been and continued to be attached2 who1 however1 from the paramount importance of the works and other circumstances1 was too engrossed by his attention to professional duties and details to be of much service to his company4 ,the ,regimental ,adjutant was stationed at ,woolwich1 and through him was carried on all the correspondence of the corps4 ,his office1 however1 was at ,westminster4 ,to assist him1 therefore1 company sergeant-major ,anthony ,haig1 who was an excellent drill-master and a talented non-commissioned officer1 was promoted to be regimental sergeant-major on the ,staff at ,woolwich with the pay of #cs4 a-day4 ,these appointments were immediately followed by an alteration in the system of recruiting as conducted by the officers commanding companies4 ,experience had proved that such a system was detrimental to the corps1 and that its discontinuance would narrow the sources from which some of the existing evils originated and were fed4 ,with this view1 the particular charge of the service was intrusted to the ,regimental ,adjutant4 ,recruits were now enlisted for general service1 and when ready to join the corps1 were1 in the first instance1 sent to ,woolwich4 ,on their arrival they were clothed1 equipped1 and subjected to the same drilling as infantry soldiers under the sergeant-major and adjutant2 and1 when trained1 were posted to the companies1 whether at home or abroad1 most in want of men4 ,even this slight modification produced a more than corresponding improvement in the corps1 and revived in some degree1 at the different stations1 the discipline and drill4 ,at ,portsmouth especially1 at a later period1 under ,colonel ,evelegh1 who was the first ,adjutant of the corps and served with its companies at the siege of ,gibraltar--the disciplinary arrangements were so satisfactorily enforced and sustained1 that it was a custom for some years to remove all the irregular men to that station1 to place them under the operation of a strict and wholesome surveillance4 ,a few years after1 about #ahjf1 to give the corps the advantage of manuvring in masses1 the companies at ,portsmouth and ,gosport1 with all the subaltern officers in command1 were1 once a week during the summer months1 brought together for drill under their respective ,adjutants--,lieutenants ,hamilton and ,oldfield4 ,woolwich now became the head-quarters of the corps1 and all invalids were ever after sent to it from the different stations for discharge1 instead of being disposed of1 as heretofore1 by the captains of companies4 ,this year the working jacket was somewhat altered4 ,broad skirts with pocket slashes were appended to it1 and1 for the sake of giving a more military appearance to the men1 a yellow worsted lace triangle was sown between the two back buttons1 and a frog was added to each side of the collar4 ,these ornaments on the sergeant's jacket were of gold lace4 ,the hats of the privates were changed from white to black felt1 and the sergeants1 in addition to the gold band1 wore rosettes and crimson plumes4 ,see ,plate ,,vii4 ,all ranks wore clothing of precisely similar fabric4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,military ,artificers ,plate ,,vii4 ,,working ,,dress #agee ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- #agie-agif4 ,companies to ,st4 ,domingo and the ,caribbee ,islands--,reduction of ,st4 ,lucia--,conduct of company there--,gallantry in forming lodgment and converting it into a battery--,attack on ,bombarde--,distribution and conduct of ,st4 ,domingo company--,mortality in the ,west ,indies--,detachment to ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia--,dougal ,hamilton--,detachments to ,calshot ,castle and ,st4 ,marcou4 ,war1 coupled with fever1 had by this time made considerable havoc among the troops in the ,west ,indies1 and reduced the force to a number totally inadequate for the services of the different islands1 much less to resist efficiently the encroachments of a vigilant enemy1 and check the insurrectionary demonstrations of a disaffected negro population4 ,in some respects to supply this deficiency1 reinforcements having been applied for1 two expeditions were fitted out at ,spithead1 and sailed in ,november1 #agie1 under ,sir ,ralph ,abercrombie1 for ,st4 ,domingo and the ,windward ,islands4 ,to each expedition a company of sixty non-commissioned officers and men of the military artificers were attached1 equipped with tools appropriate to their trades1 in addition to their arms4 ,the company for ,st4 ,domingo1 under ,lieutenant ,crozier1 royal engineers1 was formed by men drafted from the ,woolwich and ,chatham companies2 and that for the ,caribbee ,islands1 under ,lieutenant ,gravatt1 ,r4,e41 by men from the ,gosport1 ,portsmouth1 and ,plymouth companies4 ,both companies arrived--after a long and dangerous passage1 particularly in clearing the ,channel--in ,march1 #agif4 ,in disposing of the two companies1 ,sir ,ralph despatched1 under ,lieutenant ,crozier1 thirty-three non-commissioned officers and privates1 including two men who had been prisoners of war at ,guadaloupe1 to ,st4 ,domingo1 detaining the remainder to act under himself with the ,caribbean company1 which now reached the strength of seventy-seven of all ranks4 ,the reduction of ,st4 ,lucia was early the intention of ,sir ,ralph1 and the expedition accordingly sailed thither4 ,the company of artificers1 under the command of ,captain ,hay1 royal engineers1 landed on the #bfth ,april1 and at once were told off for the duties of the siege4 ,in addition to the construction of some extensive batteries to act against ,morne ,fortun1 they superintended the formation of a communication by means of a new road from ,choc ,bay to the ,morne4 ,by the #bdth ,may the ,english had pushed up to within #ejj yards of the fort1 and the garrison capitulated on the #bfth ,may4 ,from the nature of the ground and other circumstances1 the operations for the reduction of the fort were extraordinary and arduous1 and the exertions of the company conspicuous4 ,these attracted the notice of ,sir ,ralph1 who1 through the medium of ,captain ,hay1 conveyed his thanks to the military artificers for their good conduct and soldierlike behaviour at the siege4 ,in the attack on the enemy's advanced posts at ,morne ,fortun on the #bdth ,may1 a detachment of about twenty noncommissioned officers and men of the company1 under ,lieutenant ,fletcher1 ,r4,e41 with handspikes1 axes1 and picks1 rushed gallantly forward and formed a lodgment1 which was rapidly converted into a battery of five #bd-pounders to breach the body of the place4 ,the exertions of this party greatly contributed to the success of the assault and to the fall of ,st ,lucia4 ,lieutenant ,fletcher was wounded1 as also two rank and file4#ih ,of the other casualties in the company from the opening of the siege to the assault no record has been preserved4 ----- ,footnote #ih3 #8,london ,gazette ,extraordinary1' ,july #dth1 #agif4 ----- ,the detachment of thirty-three non-commissioned officers and men1 under ,lieutenant ,crozier1 ,r4,e41 arrived at ,cape ,nichola ,mole1 ,st4 ,domingo1 on the #bnd ,may1 and ,captain ,w4 ,m#8,kerras1 royal engineers1 assumed the command of it4 ,on the #hth ,june following1 about twenty of the party were engaged in the attack on ,bombarde1 in which one private--,john ,m#8,donald--was mortally wounded1 and one sergeant--,hugh ,taylor--was taken prisoner4#ii ,on the #aath ,june1 the ,st4 ,domingo detachment was further increased by the arrival from ,st4 ,lucia of one sergeant and fourteen privates under ,lieutenant ,stewart4 ----- ,footnote #ii3 #8,london ,gazette1' #bcrd to #bfth ,july1 #agif2 takes notice of the private wounded1 but not of the sergeant taken prisoner4 ----- ,of the ulterior active services of this detachment1 nothing can be satisfactorily traced4 ,it was1 seemingly1 broken up into small parties1 and disposed of at ,st4 ,marc1 ,jeremie1 ,grande ,ance1 the ,mole1 and ,port au ,prince1 superintending under their officers1 the execution of various works which were deemed essential for defence1 on account of the arrival at ,cape ,franois of ,rochambeau1 ,santhonax1 and several other republicans of consequence4 ,in these and former works the men seem to have exerted themselves with zeal1 and to have obtained commendation for their good conduct4 8,indeed1 ,i must say10 writes ,captain ,m#8,kerras to ,sir ,william ,green1 the chief engineer1 under date ,july1 #agif1 8that ,i have never seen a better set of people in every respect and manner than they were40 ,to a great extent the fever still prevailed in the ,west ,indies1 and had raged fearfully during the months of ,june and ,july4 ,it was not confined to any particular island1 but was general throughout the group4 ,never had a more melancholy scene of mortality attended any expedition than befel those to ,st4 ,domingo and the ,windward ,islands4 ,of the company of military artificers at the former island1 twenty-five had died in ,june and ,july alone1 and by the end of the year it was reduced to nineteen men only4 ,the ,caribbee ,islands' company1 during the same period1 suffered still more severely2 inasmuch as it was diminished from seventy-seven to thirty-one of all ranks2 whilst the company that served at the captures of ,martinique1 ,st4 ,lucia1 and ,gaudaloupe1 in #agid1 had frittered away by deaths and invaliding to eighteen non-commissioned officers and men4#ajj ,of the survivors more than half were incapacitated for duty from sickness1 and1 consequently1 the services of the department pressed very heavily upon the effectives4 ,on the #ast ,september the remnants of the two latter companies were amalgamated1 and reached a total of #di of all ranks4 ----- ,footnote #ajj3 ,lieutenant1 afterwards ,lieutenant-,general1 ,evatt1 who served with the company in ,sir ,charles ,grey's campaign of #agid1 writes thus of it3 8,the dreadful sickness then prevailing left few or none of the men after its conclusion1 and it might with truth be said1 they came out1 did their duty1 and died60 ----- ,in ,june a detachment of one sergeant1 two corporals and twenty artificers1 embarked for ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia1 where the classes of tradesmen most needed for the works could not be obtained except at extravagantly high wages4 ,some care was therefore taken to select mechanics fully equal to the requirements of the settlement4 ,the detachment landed in ,september following1 and ,captain ,james ,straton1 commanding royal engineer1 was appointed to command it4 ,various works were in progress at the time of their arrival1 to which they were distributed according to circumstances2 but the service upon which they were chiefly employed was the erection of the lighthouse in ,halifax harbour4 ,over this work1 private ,dougal ,hamilton1 a very intelligent and skilful mason1 was appointed foreman1 and acquitted himself throughout with credit4 ,subsequently1 when about to quit the province as an invalid1 ,h4,r4,h4 ,prince ,edward ordered his immediate disembarcation1 and placed him at the disposal of the treasurer of the settlement1 by whom he was employed as a foreman in building the ,shelburne ,lighthouse on the coast of ,halifax4 ,early in the spring a party of the ,portsmouth company was detached to ,calshot ,castle to repair and strengthen it2 and another from the ,guernsey half company1 to renew the defences at the ,island of ,st4 ,marcou4 ,in carrying on the works at the latter place1 privates ,roger ,hambly and ,hugh ,m#8,laughlin were dreadfully wounded by the explosion of a mine in the execution of their duty4 #agig4 ,detachments to ,portugal--,to ,dover--,transfers to the ,artillery--,enlistment of artificers only--,incorporation of ,gibraltar companies with the corps--,capture of ,trinidad--,draft to ,west ,indies--,failure at ,porto ,rico--,fording the lagoon1 by private ,d4 ,sinclair--,private ,w4 ,rogers at the bridge ,st4 ,julien--,saves his officer--,casualties by fever in ,caribbean company--,filling up company at ,st4 ,domingo with negroes--,mutinies in the fleet at ,portsmouth--,conduct of ,plymouth company--meute in the ,royal ,artillery1 ,woolwich--,increase of pay--,marquis ,cornwallis's approbation of the corps--,mutiny at the ,nore--,consequent removal of detachment to ,gravesend--,alterations in dress4 ,early in ,january1 ,lieutenant ,f4 ,w4 ,mulcaster1 ,r4,e41 with a party of one sergeant1 one corporal1 five artificers1 and four labourers of the ,woolwich company1 embarked for ,portugal to join the force under the command of ,lieutenant-,general ,charles ,stuart1 which was sent to that country for the purpose of preventing its invasion by the armies of ,france or ,spain4 ,the nature of the service did not call for any display of character1 and the detachment being withdrawn in ,october #agih1 immediately proceeded with the expedition to ,minorca4 ,in ,february one corporal and seven miners of the ,plymouth company were detached to ,dover to carry on the mining operations at that station under ,captain ,h4 ,bruyeres1 ,r4,e4 ,they were farther increased in ,october to two corporals1 eleven artificers1 ten labourers1 and one drummer1 as well to conduct the mining as to assist in repairing the works on the ,western ,heights4 ,a detachment was also sent from this company to ,berryhead near ,torbay1 to erect fortifications4 ,a great deficiency occurring in the numerical establishment of the royal artillery1 the ,master-,general desired that as many of the labourers of the corps of artificers as were anxious to avail themselves of the opportunity of transferring their services to that regiment1 should be permitted to do so4 ,the transferring continued from ,march to ,may1 and the corps was thus reduced sixty-seven men1 each of whom received one guinea on being accepted by the ,artillery4#aja ----- ,footnote #aja3 ,one of these labourers1 ,john ,alexander1 enlisted in the ,chatham company #aeth ,july1 #agif1 and was transferred #ast ,april1 #agig4 ,forty years afterwards he was commissioned as quartermaster in the royal horse artillery1 and after eleven years' service in that rank1 retired on full-pay in #ahdg1 and died in #ahed4 ----- ,this reduction in the establishment of the labourers was followed in ,august by an order1 that the recruiting for the corps should be limited to the artificer part only4 ,labourers and men not bred to the regulated trades were no longer enlisted1 and every artificer so enlisting only received the bounty and subsistence of a labourer1 until he had been approved as a competent artificer4 ,this was a wholesome precaution1 as those enlisted under the assumed name of mechanics were continued as labourers1 until industry and improvement had rendered them worthy of advancement4 ,in ,june the soldier-artificer corps at ,gibraltar was incorporated with the royal military artificers4 ,ever since its formation in #aggb it had held a distinct position1 and was an integral body of itself4 ,its establishment was two companies of #e sergeants1 #e corporals1 #b drummers1 and #abe private artificers each1 with #a sergeant-major to both companies2 but its actual strength on the amalgamation was only #bee of all ranks4 ,in the regular monotonous routine of that garrison there was little occasion for their services except as artificers4 ,at this period their conduct was far from commendable4 ,much addicted to drunkenness1 they were the constant subjects of courts-martial2 but on the works1 under the eye of their officers1 they behaved well and were very good mechanics1 particularly the non-commissioned officers1 who1 besides1 were skilful foremen4 ,by the incorporation of these companies with the corps1 it was increased from #hja to #a1jge of all ranks2 but its actual strength only reached #gei men4 ,sir ,ralph ,abercrombie having resolved to make an attempt on the island of ,trinidad1 an expedition under himself and ,admiral ,harvey sailed accordingly from ,martinique on the #abth ,february4 ,to this force were attached one sergeant-major1 two corporals1 and nineteen artificers1 under ,major ,charles ,shipley1 and ,lieutenants ,gravatt and ,lefebure1 royal engineers4 ,from an accident by fire1 which consumed the enemy's ships on the night preceding the morning arranged for the attack1 the island became an easy conquest and surrendered by capitulation on the #ahth ,february4 ,soon after the taking of this island1 a detachment under ,lieutenant ,ford1 ,r4,e41 of three sergeants1 two corporals1 and twenty privates1 drafted from the ,portsmouth company1 landed and joined ,major ,shipley's company at ,martinique1 the strength of which1 with the increase1 amounted to sixty-five of all ranks4 ,sir ,ralph ,abercrombie and ,admiral ,harvey now assembled an expedition against ,porto ,rico and landed there on the #agth ,april4 ,the company of artificers furnished about forty non-commissioned officers and men for this service1 including ,lieutenant ,ford's party4 ,here they constructed1 assisted by a party of the #adth regiment1 two batteries1 one for mortars and the other for guns4 ,a large magazine abandoned by the enemy1 was also partially converted into a battery for two mortars1 but its completion was relinquished in consequence of the ordnance intended to arm the battery having been swamped in a morass in crossing4 ,notwithstanding the exertions made to reduce the place1 the enterprise failed1 and the troops were withdrawn on the #cjth ,april4 ,previously1 however1 to effecting the evacuation1 the artificers1 to prevent the enemy following in the retreat1 destroyed the bridge which connected the island of ,st4 ,julien with the main2 and afterwards hastily reared a breastwork of sandbags to cover the embarkation1 which1 however1 was not required1 as the expedition was suffered to leave the island unmolested4 ,the casualties in the military artificers were five privates killed1 viz41 ,joseph ,featherstone1 ,george ,clark1 ,samuel ,hague1 ,george ,winter1 and ,john ,cameron1 and four severely wounded2 besides about twenty more who sustained slight contusions or mutilations4#ajb ----- ,footnote #ajb3 ,in the #8,london ,gazette1' #crd to #fth ,june1 #agig1 the killed only are noticed4 ----- ,among the measures suggested for reducing ,porto ,rico was one for taking the town1 by forcing the troops through the lagoon bounding the east side of the island4 ,before the project could be entertained1 it was considered advisable to ascertain if the stream were fordable4 ,an officer of ,sir ,ralph's staff having requested permission to undertake the service1 he was voluntarily accompanied by private ,david ,sinclair of the military artificers4 ,in the night1 at the appointed hour1 both entered the lagoon together1 each provided with a long staff4 ,with this support they probed their adventurous way1 and at length succeeded in gaining the opposite slope2 where1 standing near one of the redoubts which defended a broken bridge1 they distinctly heard the vigilant sentinels talking and walking on their beats4 ,with the same caution as before1 they picked their course back again1 and then coolly repeated the duty without the aid of props4 ,the officer reported the ford to be fully practicable1 and at the same time lauded the intrepidity of the soldier who accompanied him4 ,thereupon ,sir ,ralph praised him for his gallantry and rewarded him with a johannes--a piece of eight dollars4 ,the idea of making the assault by passing the stream was given up1 in consequence of the ,british force being too weak to cope with an enemy powerful in men and means1 and almost impregnable in position4 ,sinclair died the #bhth ,july1 #agig1 and during his short career in the ,west ,indies1 an officer under whom he served has left this testimony to his worth1 8that he was ever conspicuous in every service40 ,determined upon relinquishing ,porto ,rico1 ,sir ,ralph ordered ,lieutenant ,c4 ,lefebure1 of the royal engineers1 with a detachment of the artificers1 early in the morning of the #cjth ,april1 to repair to the bridge which connected the island of ,st4 ,julien with the ,main and demolish it1 for the purpose of preventing the ,spaniards following and harassing the army during the retreat4 ,the bridge was an old crazy structure of stone consisting of nine arches4 ,all were directed to work at the road-way of the centre arch1 but to private ,william ,rogers1 at his particular request1 was assigned the difficult and dangerous duty of dislodging the key stone4 ,the ground was soon harrowed up1 a gap made across the middle1 several stones were removed from the pier-heads1 and the bridge exhibited signs of instability4 ,nothing daunted1 ,rogers boldly stepped upon the crown of the arch1 and after a few heavy blows with his pickaxe1 scooped the stone from its bed4 ,at once the arch gave way2 and the others leaning towards it1 cracked as though torn by an earthquake and fell beneath him4 ,rogers's situation was one of imminent peril1 but with a fearlessness that was remarkable1 he plunged from the crumbling bridge into the stream1 and was fortunately preserved from any serious harm1 whilst five of his comrades were crushed to death by the fall2 four also were severely wounded2 and all the rest1 save corporal ,william ,robinson1 were injured4 ,nor was this all4 ,rogers swam about the heap to afford help to those who were suffering and dying4 ,it was yet dark1 and the thick dust still rising from the fall1 made the darkness denser4 ,groping1 therefore1 among the ruins1 he found an individual who still had signs of life1 struggling1 ineffectually1 to free himself from some massive fragments that entangled him4 ,rogers set to work to release the drowning man3 this he quickly accomplished1 and1 swimming with his charge to the shore1 the rescued turned out to be his own officer--,lieutenant ,lefebure4 ,the life of that gallant subaltern1 however1 was only prolonged to fall a sacrifice to his heroism on the walls of ,matagorda in #ahaj4 ,rogers's exertions were not confined to his officer only1 for several of his comrades who were precipitated into the water and were unable to swim1 he saved1 assisted by those of the party who had sustained but trivial injuries4 ,a desolating epidemic still raged in the ,caribbee ,islands and greatly diminished the numbers of the company4 ,in ,november particularly1 the climate was extremely hot and unhealthy and the deaths by fever considerable4 ,during the year the casualties were1 deaths1 thirty-one1 of which fifteen occurred in ,november2 sent home invalided1 six2 deserted1 two2 total1 thirty-nine2 leaving the company1 of all ranks1 only thirty-three strong at the end of the year4 ,at ,st4 ,domingo the great want of artificers for the service of the engineering department being severely felt1 ,captain ,mc,kerras1 ,r4,e41 in ,february1 represented the expediency of keeping up the company with negroes4 ,the number of the military artificers then serving in the colony was nineteen of all ranks1 a third of whom were constantly unfit for any kind of duty1 suffering as they did from over exertion and frequent relapses of remitting fever4 ,to ,europeans the climate was 8the most pernicious and abominable in the universe10 and none but the strongest could at all bear up against its influences4 ,to fill up the vacancies in the company1 therefore1 by drafts of mechanics from ,england1 would have incurred a heavy outlay without reaping a commensurate return4 ,considerations like these prompted ,captain ,mc,kerras to suggest the measure1 and he was further influenced by the conviction1 that1 since civil labour could not be procured in the colony unless at an enormous expense1 that of the slave would1 after receiving instructions from the present climatized artificers of the company1 be found of great advantage to ,st4 ,domingo1 and a vast saving to the public4 ,the slave artificer was to receive food1 clothing1 and barrack accommodation1 but no pay4 ,whatever attention may have been paid to the proposal1 certain it is1 that the company was never recruited by blacks4 ,this probably arose from the island having been abandoned in the autumn of #agih4ajc ----- ,footnote #ajc3 ,sir ,charles ,pasley1 in the prefatory notes to his work on #8,elementary ,fortification1' vol4 i41 p4 #d1 writes of the inefficiency and misconduct of detachments sent on foreign service1 and concludes his observations by saying1 8,i am told in the ,west ,indies1 it had actually been proposed to employ negroes as engineer soldiers40 ,if the above is the recommendation ,sir ,charles alludes to1 he has either been misinformed of the reasons for that proposal1 or he has mistaken them2 for the detachment was composed of good non-commissioned officers and well-qualified artificers from the ,woolwich and ,chatham companies2 and in the discharge of their several duties1 gave every satisfaction to their officers4 ,the proposal was dictated by humanity1 as well as with a view to the prospective advantage of the public1 and in no respect originated in the misbehaviour or inefficiency of the men4 ----- ,the memorable mutinies in the fleet at ,spithead at this time were followed by the rising of some unprincipled men1 who1 as emissaries of revolt1 traversed the country endeavouring by every device to shake the allegiance of the soldiery4 ,efforts of this kind were also attempted with the royal military artificers1 particularly at the ports1 but beyond a few desertions1 without effect4 ,most of the companies publicly opposed these agencies2 but the ,plymouth company in an especial manner distinguished itself by its open and soldierlike activity against their disloyal exertions4 ,the document1#ajd printed by the company and widely circulated through ,devonshire1 was sent by ,major-,general ,mercer1 captain of the company1 to ,lord ,cornwallis the ,master-,general2 who expressed very great satisfaction with the loyal sentiments it avowed1 and highly approved of the spirit and zeal of the men in giving the declaration publicity at so opportune a moment4 ----- ,footnote #ajd3 ,a copy of the document is subjoined3-- ,plymouth ,lines1 #cast ,may1 #agig4 ,we1 the ,non-commissioned ,officers ,of the ,company of ,royal ,military ,artificers and ,labourers1 ,stationed at ,plymouth ,lines1 ,come forward at the unanimous request of the ,company1 to avow at this momentous crisis1 our firm loyalty1 attachment1 and fidelity to our most gracious ,sovereign and our ,country1 and solemnly declare our firm determination to maintain subordination and discipline to our officers1 with whom we have every reason to be fully satisfied1 and request they will accept these1 our most grateful acknowledgments for their humane attention towards us1 and beg they will let this our determination be made known to the ,right ,honourable ,general ,lord ,george ,henry ,lennox1 ,governor and ,commander-in-,chief in this district4 ,that1 as we learn1 there are men endeavouring to withdraw ,his ,majesty's soldiers from the duty they owe to their ,king and ,country1 we are determined should any such proceedings appear amongst us1 to take the earliest opportunity of checking the same2 and1 as a mark of our attachment to our most gracious ,sovereign and glorious ,constitution1 we do hereby offer a reward of ,ten ,guineas1 to any soldier-artificer1 that will discover any person1 or persons1 offering them money1 seditious handbills1 or otherwise1 with an intent to withdraw them from their duty1 on conviction of the person1 or persons1 before a civil magistrate4 ,god save the ,king6 ,witness our hands1 7,signed7 ,,wm4 ,,browne1 ,sergeant-major4 ,,robt4 ,,wakeham1 ,,wm4 ,,burgess1 ,sergeants4 ,,jas4 ,,moir1 ,,jno4 ,,evelyn1 ,,wm4 ,,hutton1 ,corporals4 ,,wm4 ,,mcbeath1 ,,wm4 ,,cottey1 ,,josh4 ,,wells1 ,lance-corporals4 ,,wm4 ,,beer4 ,some delay occurring in extending the ,king's beneficence to the ,ordnance corps with respect to the increase of pay1 the royal artillery at ,woolwich1 impatient to obtain it1 exhibited unmistakable symptoms of discontent and insubordination4 8,more pay2 less drill60 were their constant complaints1 and hundreds stood by their arms ready to use them in compelling attention to their claims4 ,one night particularly there was much disturbance1 and next morning about daybreak1 the ,commandant of the garrison1 ,colonel ,farringdon1 of the royal artillery1 ordered the whole of the military artificers to proceed to the artillery barracks and barricade the rear entrances4 ,captain ,holloway1 ,r4,e41 complied2 and whilst the men were effecting the service as quietly as circumstances would admit1 they were discovered by the mutineers1 who showered upon them sundry articles of barrack furniture2 and then bursting open the doors1 fell upon the party and forced them from the barricades4 ,colonel ,farringdon1 who was witnessing the progress of the work1 felt the shock of the sortie1 and at once ordered the company of artificers to be withdrawn to preserve them from further danger4 ,in the course of the morning the ,duke of ,york made his appearance1 and on promising to give the claims of the regiment immediate consideration1 the disaffected were appeased and returned to duty4 ,already the subject of pay to the ,ordnance corps had been under review1 but the meute at ,woolwich hastened the decision upon it4 ,it was clear that the various allowances--permanent1 incidental1 and temporary--were insufficient to answer the objects for which they were intended2 and also1 that the application of them from sundry causes was both intricate and difficult4 ,it was therefore recommended to discontinue all extra allowances1 except a small sum1 annually1 for defraying the expense incurred in altering clothing2 and issuing a rate of pay to all ranks adequate for every purpose1 which measure ,his ,majesty approved in a warrant dated #beth ,may4 ,a comparison of the military allowances of the artificers prior to the promulgation of the new warrant1 and the pay sanctioned on #beth ,may1 is subjoined3-- ,pay per diem ,extras ,pay per diem before a-day4#aje by ,warrant of #beth ,may1 #beth ,may1 #agig4 #agig4 s4 d4 d4 s4 d4 ,sergeant-major #b #c #a #b #i ,sergeant #a #i #a #b #c ,corporal #a #g #a #b #j ,artificer #j #i #a l #b ,drummer #j #i #a #a #b ,labourer #j #f #b #a #j ----- ,footnote #aje3 ,the extras were allowed the men to provide them with bread1 a pair of breeches once in two years1 and a rosette2 and to pay the expense of making up their gaiters1 and converting their uniform coats1 after a certain period1 into jackets4 ----- ,in promulgating the augmentation of pay to the corps1 ,lord ,cornwallis felt it his duty to accompany the pleasure of the ,king with an expression of his own sentiments2 and accordingly1 in the orders dated #cast ,may1 issued on the #bnd of ,june1 he thus wrote3-- 8,marquis ,cornwallis1 ,master-,general of the ,ordnance1 feels himself happy in announcing to the corps of royal military artificers and labourers the increase which ,his ,majesty has been graciously pleased to make to their pay1 which puts it in their power to enjoy every comfort which a good soldier can reasonably desire4 8,the ,master-,general takes this opportunity of expressing his satisfaction at the regular behaviour and good conduct which this corps has manifested1 and trusts it is not in the power of the most artful traitor to seduce the soldiers of the royal military artificers and labourers from their loyalty and attachment to their ,king and country2 and when he assures them he shall always take the greatest pleasure in rendering them a service1 he is persuaded they will continue to prove themselves deserving of his good offices40 ,scarcely had the mutinies at ,portsmouth subsided1 before a more formidable one appeared in the fleet at the ,nore4 ,equitable concessions had already been made to the navy2 but at the ,nore these were not received with satisfaction4 ,other exorbitant demands were made by the ,nore seamen1 and legitimate authority was resisted even by force of arms4 ,this bold menace then led the ,government to compel unconditional submission2 and the instigators of the mutiny1 with ,richard ,parker at their head1 suffered the extreme penalty of the law4 ,during this alarming outbreak1 the company of artificers in the ,medway division were very zealous in the completion of various works to be employed against the mutineers1 should the crisis arise to require them4 ,the companies at the different ports were also on the alert and distributed to several posts of importance4 ,a detachment of sixteen non-commissioned officers and men--withdrawn from ,gravesend in ,april--were returned to that station in ,june4 ,this detachment erected two batteries at ,northfleet for four and two guns of heavy calibre1 to fire into the #8,neptune1' #ih1 and #8,lancaster1' #fd1 lying off ,greenhithe1 should they attempt without proper orders to pass to the ,nore4 ,they also made such repairs as were necessary to the blockhouse and batteries at ,gravesend1 and also strengthened the fortifications and renewed the furnaces for heating shot red-hot at ,tilbury ,fort4 ,here also1 before returning to ,woolwich in ,august #agih1 the detachment built a wooden river-wall at the ,ferry-house4 ,this year the cocked hat was revived4 ,it was an adaptation of the pinched-up ,nivernois hat and the ample ,ramilies4 ,the flaps were edged with broad black binding instead of gold lace as formerly4 ,the cockade and gold loop were retained2 but the short red feather was displaced by an eight-inch length white heckle4 ,at each of the shoots or angles of the hat was a rose-shaped ornament of gold lace4 ,the hats of the sergeants and sergeant-majors were of equal fineness and edged with black silk lace1 flowered2 while those of the corporals1 artificers1 and drummers were much superior to the labourers4 ,the latter did not wear roses4 ,alterations were also made in the dress1 inasmuch as the coatee1 with its long skirts1 was reduced to what was called a half-coat with short skirts4 ,lappels were abolished1 and the laced looping was succeeded by frogging4 ,the drummers wore scarlet for the first time1 with the usual livery lace4 ,clubs were still in vogue2 but the use of hair powder ceased4 ,sashes were now worn over the coatees of the ranks entitled to the distinction4 ,see ,plate ,,viii4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,military ,artificers4 ,plate ,,viii4 ,,uniform1 #agig ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- #agih-agii4 ,contribution of corps to the ,state--,detachment with expedition to maritime ,flanders--,destruction of the ,bruges canal--,battle near ,ostend--,draft to ,west ,indies--,capture of ,surinam--,st4 ,domingo evacuated--,expedition to ,minorca--,conduct of detachment while serving there--,composition of detachments for foreign service--,parties to ,sevenoaks and ,harwich--,mission to ,turkey--,its movements and services--,special detachment to ,gibraltar to construct a cistern for the ,navy--,detachment with the expedition to ,holland--,its services--,origin of the ,royal ,staff ,corps4 ,france1 having but little occupation for her armies1 turned her attention to ,england and matured arrangements on a scale of surpassing magnitude for its invasion4 ,in this country all ranks and orders of men were affected by the threat2 and such was the spirit of military ardour it induced1 that corps of volunteers were rapidly embodied to meet the exigency of the times4 ,throughout the kingdom the wealthy contributed largely to assist the measures for defence2 and the army1 influenced by the popular feeling1 joined in the demonstration and tendered subscriptions to the ,government to aid in the realization of its purposes4 ,the corps of military artificers also1 prompted as well by a desire to relieve the general burden of the nation as from gratitude to the ,king for the recent addition to their pay1 gave1 in ,february1 a contribution of three days' pay to the ,treasury1 to be applied as should be considered best for the defence of the state4#ajf ,in acknowledging the letter conveying the gift1 ,general ,morse1 the ,colonel-,commandant1 writes under date of #acth ,february1 8their loyal and laudable offer has afforded me great satisfaction40 ----- ,footnote #ajf3 ,the following is a copy of the letter of the ,woolwich company1 offering the contribution above alluded to3-- ,woolwich1 #abth ,february1 #agih4 ,,sir1 ,at a time when the exigencies of the ,state appear to require the assistance of every good subject to alleviate the general burden our fellow-subjects bear1 it is the unanimous wish of the non-commissioned officers1 artificers1 and labourers of the corps of ,royal ,military ,artificers1 c41 at this place1 to manifest the gratitude they owe their ,king and country for the late increase of pay1 as well as their attachment to ,his ,majesty's person and government1 and their zeal for the service in which the country is engaged1 by offering a contribution of three days' pay1 to be applied as may be thought best to the defence of the ,state4 ,we request you will be pleased to lay this our wish before the ,colonel ,commandant of the corps for his approbation4 ,signed on behalf of the artificers and labourers1 c41 of the corps of ,royal ,military ,artificers1 c41 at ,woolwich1 and with their unanimous consent4 ,,thos4 ,,fortune1 ,sergeant-major4#ajf;a ,,james ,,douglas1 ,,john ,,levick1 ,sergeants4 ,,edward ,,watson1 ,,robt4 ,,hutchinson1 ,corporals4 ,,john ,,young1 ,,benj4 ,,roberts1 ,,william ,,bain1 ,lance-,corporals4 ,,hugh ,,kinnaird1 ,captain ,,charles ,,holloway1 ,commanding the ,royal ,military ,artificers1 c41 at ,woolwich4 ,footnote #ajf;a3 ,enlisted as a matross in ,july1 #agfa1 in the royal artillery1 and was pensioned from that regiment in ,october1 #aghc4 ,on ,may #a1 #agie1 he enlisted into the ,royal ,military ,artificers1 at the age of #eb6 and died at ,canterbury1 ,august #aj1 #agii4 ,was known as the author of a small work called 8,the ,artillerist's ,companion10 published by ,egerton in #aghf4 ,an expedition under ,major-,general ,coote was fitted out in ,may1 at ,margate1 for service against maritime ,flanders4 ,the design of the enterprise was to destroy the works and sluices of the ,bruges canal near ,ostend1 and to cripple the internal navigation4 ,to effect these services a detachment of the corps1 experienced in mining1 from the ,chatham and ,plymouth companies1#ajg under ,lieutenant ,brownrigg1 royal engineers1 was attached to the force and sailed from ,margate on the #adth ,may on board ,h4,m4,s4 #8,expedition1' in which was ,general ,coote himself4 ----- ,footnote #ajg3 ,the greater part of the detachment had been specially employed in mining services at ,dover4 ----- ,the force disembarked in three divisions on the #aith ,may1 and the artificers1 who had been instructed on board ship by ,lieutenant ,brownrigg in the duties required of them1 accompanied the first division1 provided with intrenching tools1 wooden petards1 c4 ,on landing1 the troops took possession of the forts that protected the sluices1 in order that the intended work of destruction might be carried on successfully4 ,the artificers1 with a company from the #bcrd regiment and a detachment of royal artillery1 commenced the appointed work1 and in about four hours laid the locks1 gates1 and sluices in ruins1 burned several gun-boats1 and effected an explosion in the basin of the canal that almost demolished it1 and drained it dry4 ,in this service the exertions and efficiency of the party may be inferred from the praises bestowed by ,general ,coote upon ,lieutenant ,brownrigg4#ajh ----- ,footnote #ajh3 8,lieutenant ,brownrigg1 ,r4,e41 in about four hours1 made all his arrangements1 and completely destroyed the sluices2 his mines having1 in every particular1 the desired effect1 and the object of the expedition thereby attained4 99 99 99 ,in ,lieutenant ,brownrigg1 ,i found infinite ability and resource3 his zeal and attention were eminently conspicuous40--,london ,gazette1 #ag to #ba ,july1 #agih4 ----- ,having thus accomplished the object of the expedition the troops were ordered to re-embark4 ,at the appointed hour the weather had become boisterous1 and the violence of the surf rendered it impracticable to reach the shipping4 ,a position was1 therefore1 taken up on the sand-hills before ,ostend1 which was strengthened in the night by the military artificers with intrenchments suitable to the occasion2 but on the #bjth1 the ,british1 hemmed in by a much stronger force1 were compelled1 after an obstinate contest1 to surrender themselves prisoners of war4 ,the casualties in the detachment were--killed1 two2 wounded1 five2 and thirteen1 including the wounded1 taken prisoners4#aji ,the survivors returned to ,england1 and rejoined their companies in ,march1 #agii4 ----- ,footnote #aji3 #8,london ,gazette1' #ag to #ba ,july1 #agih4 ----- ,in the ,west ,indies the ,caribbean company was reduced at the end of the previous year by fever to thirty-three men1 who were distributed in ones and twos through different districts of the conquered islands4 ,none could be spared for active duty without detriment to other services equally important2 and several expeditions were1 therefore1 undertaken without a military artificer accompanying them4 ,in some measure to supply the numerous vacancies that had occurred1 one corporal and twenty-nine privates embarked in ,february on board the #8,union' transport under ,lieutenant ,t4 ,r4 ,i',ans1 ,r4,e42 and on their arrival the company was increased to fifty-seven non-commissioned officers and men4 ,on the #bjth ,august1 the expedition under ,lieut4-,general ,trigge1 which included three corporals and eleven men of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,shipley's company1 captured the ,dutch settlement of ,surinam1 which surrendered without resistance4 ,one artificer1 ,john ,nancarrow1 mason1 was accidentally drowned on this service2 and this was the only casualty that occurred to the expedition4 ,at ,st4 ,domingo the detachment fast wasted away on account of the arduous services of the island and the diseases of the climate2 and on the evacuation of the place in ,september only two of the company1 with ,lieutenant ,h4 ,morshead1 of the corps1#aaj survived to embark with the troops4 ,of the original company1 which numbered forty-seven on its arrival in ,may1 #agif1 thirty-six died1 seven were invalided1 two deserted1 and the remaining two#aaa were sent to do duty at ,jamaica4 ----- ,footnote #aaj3 ,this officer was 8ordered to the ,west ,indies with two companies of the royal military artificers3 himself and two of the privates only escaped the baleful effects of the climate of ,st4 ,domingo40--,united ,service ,journal1 i41 #ahcb1 p4 #adb4 ,footnote #aaa3 ,these were privates ,adam ,cowan and ,john ,westo4 ,the former was at once appointed sergeant and conductor of stores to ,commissary ,meek of the ,ordnance4 ,after delivering over the stores of the department at ,jamaica to a sergeant of ,dutch emigrant artillery1 he returned to ,england1 and was discharged with a pension of #bs4 #j;d4 a-day in ,april1 #ahaf4 ----- ,in ,november three sergeants1 four corporals1 fifty-five artificers1 three labourers1 and one drummer1 total1 sixty-six1 formed from the party employed in ,portugal1 and from artificers of the companies at ,gibraltar1 were sent with the force under ,general ,charles ,stuart against ,minorca4 ,on landing1 the ,spaniards1 without offering any resistance1 retired into the town of ,citadella1 which possessed a sort of fortified enceinte4 ,a battery for a few field-pieces was constructed against it in the night by the artificers under ,captain ,d',arcy1 royal engineers1 and after firing a few shots the place surrendered on the #aeth ,november4 ,soon after the capitulation1 the detachment was very much dispersed through the island1 employed on various defensive works2 and on ,sir ,charles ,stuart quitting it1 the military artificers remained to restore the fortifications4 ,in ,january1 #ahja1 the detachment was denominated the ,minorca company2 but in ,august1 #ahjb1 it was withdrawn1 and being disbanded1 the men were distributed among the companies of the corps at home and at ,gibraltar4 ,during their stay in ,minorca it seems that their conduct was not above reproach1 nor their services on the works as useful as desired4 ,sir ,charles ,pasley has recorded that they were found to be very inefficient1 and ascribes it to their having been selected for the expedition from the ,gibraltar companies1 which1 from circumstances1 were for a number of years the worst in the corps4#aab ,here1 however1 it is proper to add1 that their inefficiency did not arise from their want of ability and skill as mechanics1#aac but from their general irregular behaviour occasioned chiefly by intemperance4 ,writing of the ,gibraltar companies1 ,sir ,augustus de ,butts1 in a letter dated #aath ,july1 #ahdh1 says3--8,i cannot speak so confidently of their general conduct1 but on the works1 under the eye of their officers1 they behaved well1 and were very good artificers1 particularly the non-commissioned officers40 ----- ,footnote #aab3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification4' ,notes to ,preface1 p4 iv41 vol4 i4 ,footnote #aac3 ,several individual proofs could be adduced but two must suffice4 ,private ,evan ,roberts1 a talented mason1 was detached to ,malta during the blockade of ,valetta1 and rendered good service as a foreman under ,captain ,gordon1 ,r4,e4 ,on the formation of the ,maltese artificers1 he was appointed sergeant in one of the companies to prevent his removal to another station3 and ,sergeant-major ,james ,shirres1 formerly of the ,gibraltar companies1 from his correct conduct and merit as an artificer1 was appointed overseer of works in the royal engineer department at ,plymouth1 in ,december1 #ahjd4 ----- ,on the composition of detachments for foreign duty1 ,sir ,charles ,pasley has made some observations which may not inappropriately be introduced here4 8,when any expedition10 he writes1 8was to be undertaken1 the number of royal military artificers required were in all cases1 selected by small detachments out of the stationary companies2 and as the commanding engineers at the several fixed stations were naturally averse to parting with their best men1 the detachments thus formed for field service1 were generally composed of the stupidest and least trustworthy non-commissioned officers1 and of the most ignorant1 profligate1 and abandoned of the privates40#aad ,this was1 it would appear1 the general rule1 but exceptions may fairly be taken in favour of the detachments forwarded to ,toulon1 ,st4 ,domingo1 ,halifax1 and ,ostend1 as well as to some of the reinforcements sent to the ,caribbee islands4 ,these detachments were not formed of bad men weeded from the different companies1 but of non-commissioned officers and privates whose qualifications and utility as mechanics were unquestionable1 and whose conduct was approved4 ----- ,footnote #aad3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification4' ,notes to ,preface1 p4 iv4 vol4 i4 ----- ,in ,april and ,may a corporal and party of carpenters of the ,woolwich company were detached to ,sevenoaks1 and there built temporary wooden barracks for a company of artillery2 a second party was employed in repairing ,falmouth ,castle from ,may to ,november2 and in the latter month two carpenters and two masons1 all privates1 were sent to superintend workmen in the erection of fortifications and temporary defences at different places from ,chelmsford to ,harwich1 in which duty they continued until ,april #ahjj4 ,napoleon1 by a series of successes1 had gained a firm footing in ,egypt1 and the subjugation of ,india was contemplated by the ,french ,directory4 ,as well to thwart the intention1 as to stimulate the ,turks1 the ,british ,government determined to send a military mission to the dominions of the ,sultan1 to cooperate with the ,ottoman army in their hostile movements against the ,french4 ,the mission being formed of artillery1 engineers1 and artificers1 in all seventy-six persons1 under ,brigadier-,general ,koehler1 of the royal artillery1 embarked in the #8,new ,adventure' transport in ,february1 but did not sail from ,england till ,april4 ,the military artificers1 selected by ,major ,holloway1 royal engineers1 from the ,woolwich company1 numbered one sergeant--,edward ,watson--two corporals1 nineteen artificers1 and two labourers2 and as ,major ,holloway had proceeded overland to ,constantinople1#aae were consequently placed under the orders of ,captain ,lacy1 ,r4,e4 ,on the near approach of the #8,adventure' to ,gibraltar she was partially wrecked4 ,a quantity of stores and some pontoons were thrown overboard1 and private ,philip ,patterson1 whilst exerting himself in casting away the stores1 was washed off the deck by a wave into the sea and drowned4 ,on the #adth ,june the transport arrived at ,constantinople1 and ,major ,holloway assumed the command of the artificers4 ----- ,footnote #aae3 ,brigadier-,general ,koehler1 ,major ,holloway1 and six other officers and gentlemen proceeded by the overland route to ,constantinople4 ,three of the detachment accompanied them--privates ,joseph ,comfort1 ,jonathan ,lewsey1 and ,david ,waddell4 8,their journey in the outset10 says ,dr4 ,wittman1 in his #8,travels in ,turkey1' c41 p4 #f1 8had been attended by uncommon severities1 such1 however1 as might have been expected from a season more rigorous than any which had been experienced for many years4 ,in passing over the continent1 they had1 at the entrance of the ,elbe1 been shipwrecked among the shoals of ice2 and to relieve themselves from the perilous situation1 had been under the necessity of passing over the ice to the extent of two miles1 to gain the shore2 by this effort they were providentially saved40 ,they now prosecuted their journey to ,constantinople1 where they arrived in ,march1 #agii4 ----- ,on the removal of the mission to ,levant ,chiflick1 five of the detachment were detained with the officers at ,buyukdere1 and the remainder were occupied in various services at the former place and ,kaithana1 where they erected a furnace for heating shot4 ,shortly afterwards experiments with red-hot shot were carried on in the presence of the ,sultan1 who1 at the close of the practice1 having reviewed the mission1 presented each person with a gift suitable to his rank4 ,whilst building the furnace1 the artificers1 exposed to marsh miasma1 were early attacked with fever4 ,at first the cases were slight1 but relapses following with malignity1 three of the detachment died4 ,to preserve the mission1 therefore1 it was removed in ,october to the ,dardanelles4 ,previously to the embarkation1 the artificers constructed a handsome model of the upper castle at ,chennekalleh1 on the ,asiatic side of the ,dardanelles1 with ,major ,holloway's improvements1 which model was presented by that officer to ,hadgi ,ibrahim ,effendi1 ,secretary at ,war for the ,ottoman ,porte4 ,subsequently1 at the ,dardanelles1#aaf they were employed in effecting various alterations and additions to the castle until the #bnd ,december1 when the mission was suddenly recalled to ,constantinople2 and landing on the #dth1 awaited orders to proceed on more active service4#aag ----- ,footnote #aaf3 ,while here1 sergeant ,watson of the artificers1 in preparing money for the payment of the mission in the presence of a ,turkish marine1 quitted the room for a moment1 leaving the money on the table4 8,on his return10 writes ,dr4 ,wittman1 8the marine had disappeared with #abj piastres1 about #il4 ,english4 ,having described the person of the delinquent to the ,capitan ,pacha1 inquiries were at once commenced to detect the thief4 ,on the second day after1 the marine confessed his guilt to ,general ,koehler1 and begged his influence with the ,capitan ,pacha to save his life4 ,the ,general did so1 but several days elapsed before the affair was disposed of4 ,during the interval1 the ,general1 anxious to prevent the culprit being strangled1 expressed some doubts of the culprit's identity2 but in reply to this1 the ,pacha very handsomely declared his full conviction that the marine had taken the money1 as he was certain an ,englishman would not tell an untruth40--,wittman's ,travels in ,turkey1 ,asia ,minor1 c41 p4 #fe4 ,footnote #aag3 ,the above particulars are chiefly taken from ,dr4 ,wittman's #8,travels in ,turkey1' c4 ----- ,at the instance of the ,admiralty1 a detachment of one sergeant1 one corporal1 and forty privates1 chiefly masons and bricklayers1 able-bodied men and good artificers1 under ,lieutenant ,c4 ,mann1 royal engineers1 sailed for ,gibraltar in ,may on board the #8,fortitude1' and landed there the following month4 ,the party was specially employed in constructing a cistern for naval purposes1 under the military foremanship of sergeant ,joseph ,woodhead2 and in ,october1 #ahjj1 it was incorporated with the ,gibraltar companies4 ,england and ,russia having concluded a treaty to send an army to ,holland to reinstate the ,stadtholder1 a corps of #ab1jjj men1 under ,sir ,ralph ,abercrombie1 embarked for the ,helder and landed on the #bgth ,august4 ,attached to this expedition was a party of military artificers1 consisting of one sergeant1 two corporals1 thirty-five artificers--seventeen of whom were carpenters--and one drummer1 commanded by ,lieutenant-,colonel ,hay1 ,r4,e4 ,the detachment embarked on board the #8,amphitrite1' and disembarking with the second division1 were present in the action of that day4 ,after forming the engineer park near the ,helder1 about ten men were left to repair the fort2 and the remainder1 divided into brigades of four to each brigade1 followed the troops in their forward movement in charge of the intrenching equipment of the expedition1 which was conveyed in waggons4 ,early in ,september1 the detachment constructed several batteries for guns and mortars to defend the post at ,zuyp2 as also1 subsequently1 at ,hoorn and ,egmont-op-,zee2 and to facilitate the march of the army to the latter place1 they assisted in the formation of three flying bridges over canals that intersected the route4 ,in the retreat1 they were continually employed in throwing small bridges across the canals by means of planking1 felled trees1 and other chance materials4 ,at ,alkmaer they constructed several defensive works2 and on retiring from thence1 where three roads met1 they raised1 in an incredibly short time1 a mound of earth about twelve feet high1 across the junction1 with the view of impeding the enemy in their pursuit of the ,british4 ,none of the military artificers were killed or wounded on this service4 ,on the evacuation of ,holland in ,november the detachment rejoined the companies4 ,here1 perhaps1 it would be proper to allude1 in a general remark1 to the practice of providing detachments for foreign service4 ,it will already have been observed1 that whenever any expedition was undertaken1 resort was invariably had to the royal military artificers for a selection of men to accompany it1 suitable to the work upon which it was contemplated they would be employed2 but the numbers furnished were always insufficient for the purpose1 and no representations or remonstrances could avail in altering a custom1 which1 from causes not easily surmised1 seems to have been pertinaciously persevered in4 ,this remark is fully borne out by the statement of a highly distinguished officer2#aah and is moreover corroborated by the fact1 that about this time1 the particular attention of the ,commander-in-,chief was drawn to the subject1 without1 however1 accomplishing what the interests of the service greatly needed4 ,it is said1 that when the ,duke of ,york was preparing his expedition for ,holland1 he demanded efficient assistance from the royal engineers and royal military artificers1 which1 for some reason1 the ,ordnance authorities reluctantly met with an inadequate provision4 ,annoyed by the limited number tendered1 his ,royal ,highness determined to establish a corps competent to discharge the duties usually devolving upon the royal engineers1 8which should be absolutely at the disposal of the ,horse ,guards2 and as his ,royal ,highness held office in times when the thoughts of statesmen were bent rather to render the means of the country's defence complete1 and to aid other nations in opposing the aggressions of an arrogant and unscrupulous power1 than to effect savings in the public expenditure1 he found no difficulty in consummating his wishes1 and hence arose the royal staff corps40#aai ----- ,footnote #aah3 ,sir ,john ,jones1 in his #8,sieges1' vol4 ii41 note #ch1 p4 #chi1 #bnd edit4 ,footnote #aai3 ,gleig's #8,military ,history1' xxxvii41 p4 #bhg4 ----- #ahjj4 ,mortality in the ,west ,indies--,blockade of ,malta--,capture of a transport on passage from ,nova ,scotia--,movements and services of detachments in ,turkey2 attacked with fever--,anecdote of private ,thomas ,taylor at ,constantinople--,cruise of expedition to ,cadiz--,attack on the city abandoned--,subsequent movements of the expedition2 ,malta2 and re-embarkation for ,egypt--,statistics of companies at ,gibraltar4 ,from the diminished state of the company in the ,west ,indies1 and the impracticability of filling up the constantly-recurring vacancies by drafts from ,england1 authority was given to the ,commanding ,engineer in the ,leeward ,islands1 to obtain on the spot1 men for the company properly qualified and climatized1 either by enlistment or transfer from other corps4 ,this led to an immediate incorporation1 in ,april1 of one sergeant1 twenty privates1 and two drummers1 from the #dcrd and other regiments2 and though the plan was attended with considerable success1 the still greater mortality from fever always kept the company greatly below its establishment4 ,in addition to the repeated allusion made to the military artificers in the ,west ,indies1 the following statistics of mortality1 as far as the same can now be ascertained1 affording a tolerably correct idea of the unhealthiness of the climate1 and the sufferings to which the men must have been subjected1 may here not be misplaced4 ,number of ,deaths4 #agic #ag #agid #fe #agie #ai #agif #gj #agig #cg #agih #ab #agii #aj #ahjj #i -- ,total #bci ,the aggregate number of artificers and labourers sent there from year to year1 including those transferred from other corps and enlisted on the spot1 amounted to about #cej4 ,more than two-thirds of the number1 therefore1 fell victims to the war and the climate6 ,many also were sent home invalided1 several of whom died on the passage1 or soon after landing in ,england4 ,at the close of #ahjj1 the strength of the company did not exceed seventy-eight of all ranks1 twenty-two being required to complete it4 ,in ,february1 private ,evan ,roberts1 an active and intelligent artificer1 was chosen from the ,minorca company for service at the blockade of ,la ,valetta1 and arrived at ,malta before the end of the month4 ,from that time until the surrender of the fortress on the #aeth of ,september1 he served in the department with zeal and efficiency under ,captain ,gordon1 royal engineers2 and continued1 though a private1 to discharge the duties of an overseer of works until the formation1 in #ahjf1 of the first company of ,maltese artificers1 to which he was transferred as sergeant4 ,at ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia1 three invalids embarked on board the #8,diamond' transport on the #aeth of ,september1 with several invalids of ,captain ,r4 ,wright's company of royal artillery1 and sailed with the fleet on the #aith of that month4 ,previously to weighing anchor1 private ,walter ,allan was accidentally drowned in the harbour by falling overboard2 and the other two1 privates ,ninian ,kerr and ,samuel ,milman1 were captured by the ,french some time in ,october4 ,but all efforts to ascertain where1 or how1 the enemy effected the seizure of the vessel with her crew and passengers1 have proved unsuccessful4 ,soon after the removal of the mission from the ,dardanelles to ,constantinople1 ,captain ,lacy and ,lieutenant ,fletcher1 ,r4,e41 were detached to join the ,turkish army in ,syria4 ,with these officers two military artificers were also sent1 one of whom returned from ,cyprus with the former officer in ,april1 and the other reached the mission again1 some two months later1 with ,captain ,lacy4 ,on the #acth of ,june1 the artificers sailed from ,constantinople#abj with the mission1 and landed at ,jaffa on the #bnd of ,july1 where they encamped with the ,turkish army and commenced1 under the foremanship of sergeant ,e4 ,watson1 the improvements suggested by ,major ,holloway in the fortifications of that port4 ,these1 however1 though far advanced1 were ultimately set aside1 and the artificers were appointed to erect several new works in front of ,jaffa2 which1 in consequence of the ,french being in great force at ,catieh1 were considered to be more essential than the proposed alterations to the defences of the town4 ,with great ceremony1 on the #cjth of ,august1 the first stone of the intended new bastion was laid by the ,grand ,vizier2 and shortly after1 his ,highness having reviewed the mission1 marked his approbation of their appearance by a present to each non-commissioned officer and soldier4 ,in ,december the fever1 which had been alarmingly rife in the ,turkish camp1 attacked the mission4 ,its first victim was a military artificer2 and before the end of the month1 though the cases of mortality were few1 the mission had to lament the loss by death1 of their commander1 ,general ,koehler1 ,r4,a41 and his lady4 ,major ,holloway1 royal engineers1 then assumed the command1 and at the close of the year1 a change of cantonment having re-established the health of the men1 the works at the new bastion progressed vigorously4#aba ----- ,footnote #abj3 ,some time before leaving the city1 private ,thomas ,taylor1 royal military artificers1 was1 without any provocation1 assaulted by a ,turk1 who attempted to stab him with his yatikan4 ,on a report of this outrage being made to the ,capitan ,pacha1 to whose retinue the ,turk belonged1 he came to a resolution to have him decapitated4 ,by the mediation and entreaties of ,lord ,elgin1 a mitigation of the punishment ensued1 and the ,turk1 after receiving fifty strokes of the bastinado on the soles of his feet1 was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment in the college of ,pera1 to learn the ,arabic language4--,dr4 ,wittman's ,turkey1 p4 #ic4 ,footnote #aba3 ,particulars for the most part obtained from ,wittman's #8,travels in ,turkey1' c4 ----- ,in ,april1 a detachment of one sergeant1 two corporals1 and thirty artificers1 under ,captain ,bryce1 ,r4,e41 accompanied the expedition under ,sir ,ralph ,abercrombie1 for employment on secret service4 ,the men were selected from the different home companies1 and all were 8sufficiently qualified in their respective trades1 as well as able-bodied40 ,proceeding to ,portsmouth1 they remained inactive for about six weeks2 and1 at length embarking on board the #8,asia' transport1 sailed in ,june with the expedition4 ,in the ,channel off ,portland1 the fleet encountered a gale1 and was driven back to ,portsmouth2 but on a fair wind springing up1 got under weigh again1 and in due time ran up the ,tagus4 ,from thence the #8,asia' proceeded to ,gibraltar1 lay there about a month1 and sailing for ,minorca1 soon reached that island and landed the artificers2 where1 for about seven weeks1 they were employed in the construction of temporary barracks1 c41 for the troops put on shore4 ,at the expiration of this period1 the artificers returned to the #8,asia' and retracing the route to ,gibraltar1 anchored for a fortnight4 ,there they were reinforced by one sergeant1 one corporal1 and five miners of the companies at the fortress2 and at the appointed hour1 the #8,asia1' again weighing anchor for ,tetuan ,bay1 took water there and sailed with the fleet for ,cadiz4 ,when off ,cadiz1 the artificers were told off into two brigades1 and six of the boldest and most expert men were selected to land with the first division1 and the remainder with the second4 ,on the morning of the day in which the attempt was to be made1 the artificers1 as a preliminary measure1 removed all the intrenching tools and engineers' stores into the launches1 and then took their places in the boats1 provided with adzes1 pole-axes1 and miners' tools for removing impediments1 c4 ,a long interval of breathless suspense followed1 in which the seamen rested impatiently on their oars2 but1 as an epidemic raged at the time in the city1 the landing was countermanded1 and the men and stores being reshipped1 the meditated attack upon ,cadiz was relinquished4 ,the #8,asia1' consequently1 sailed for ,tetuan ,bay1 where1 exposed to a storm1 she was compelled to cut her cable and run for ,cape ,spartel4 ,there she anchored for four days1 and on the wind shifting again made for the bay4#abb ----- ,footnote #abb3 ,the seven non-commissioned officers and men embarked at ,gibraltar to join the expedition1 returned to their companies at the fortress immediately after the failure at ,cadiz4 ----- ,at this rendezvous the fleet was divided into three divisions1 and the artificers accompanied that under ,sir ,ralph ,abercrombie to ,malta4 ,there they were landed2 and after a stay of about seven weeks1 during which they were employed preparing platforms and fascines1 re-embarked on the #agth of ,december1 seven on board the #8,ajax1' #gd1 ,captain the ,hon4 ,sir ,alexander ,cochrane1 and the remainder on board the #8,asia' transport4 ,hitherto the service of the expedition had been expended in a series of cruises or reconnaissances alike harassing and wearying1 but at length1 a glimpse of approaching activity burst upon the armament4 ,soon the enterprise commenced1 and terminated with glory to ,britain by rescuing an inoffensive nation from the eagle grasp of an oppressive republic4 ,ever since the incorporation of the ,gibraltar companies with the corps1 the power to recruit for those companies was vested in the commanding royal engineer at the fortress1 and1 so far1 was exercised with tolerable success4 ,this permission was the more necessary1 as1 from the frequent calls made upon the home companies to detach parties for the service of particular expeditions1 it was impossible1 so to attend to those companies as to keep them numerically complete4 ,the effect of that power was1 that from the date of the incorporation to the end of #ahjj1 ninety-six artificers had either been enlisted or received as transfers from regiments in the garrison2 but from the unavoidable exposure of the men to the sun in carrying on their working duties1 and the general unhealthiness of the climate1 the casualties in the companies far exceeded the number that joined4 ,of the increase and decrease in the companies for the above period1 the following is an accurate exposition3-- ,strength at the incorporation1 of all ranks #bee ,joined from employment at the naval reservoir #cf ,enlisted or transferred from regiments in garrison b#if ---- ,total #chg ,the decrease was3-- ,deaths #de ,discharges #ca ,invalided #ch ,desertions #d -- #aah ---- #bfi ,wanted to complete #f ---- ,establishment #bge #ahja-ahjb4 ,distribution of corps--,dispersion of ,west ,india company--,statistics--,detachment to ,st4 ,marcou--,capture of ,danish settlements--,casualties in ,west ,india company--,compared with mortality in ,gibraltar companies--,working dress--,services1 c41 of detachment at ,gibraltar--,conduct of ,sergeant ,w4 ,shirres--,concession to the companies by the ,duke of ,kent--,cocked hat superseded by the chaco4 ,on the #ast ,january the corps was distributed in companies and detachments as follows4 ,the names of the officers in command and the senior non-commissioned officers at the several stations are also added3-- ,sergeant-majors4 ,woolwich ,lieut4-,col4 ,b4 ,fisher ,john ,eaves4 ,chatham ,lieut4-,col4 ,thos4 ,nepean ,john ,palmer4 ,portsmouth ,col4 ,john ,evelegh ,james ,smith4 ,gosport ,alexander ,spence4 ,plymouth ,maj4-,gen4 ,alex4 ,mercer ,william ,browne4 ,jersey ,capt4 ,john ,humfrey ,anthony ,haig4 ,guernsey ,lieut4-,col4 ,j4 ,mackelcan ,andrew ,gray4 ,dover ,gibraltar ,lieut4-,col4 ,wm4 ,fyers ,joseph ,makin4 ,minorca ,capt4 ,robert ,d',arcy ,sergeant ,jas4 ,shirres1 ,foreman of ,carpenters4 ,nova ,scotia ,capt4 ,wm4 ,fenwick ,sergeant ,john ,catto1 ,foreman of ,masons4 ,west ,indies ,col4 ,chas4 ,shipley ,serg4-,maj4 ,matthew ,hoey4 ,egyptian ,capt4 ,alex4 ,bryce ,sergeant ,john ,mc,arthur1 ,expedition ,master ,smith4 ,jaffa1 with the ,major ,c4 ,holloway ,sergeant ,edward ,watson1 ,ottoman army ,master ,carpenter4 ,the head-quarters of the ,west ,india company were at ,martinique1 from which non-commissioned officers and men were detached to ,st4 ,lucia1 ,st4 ,vincent's1 ,st4 ,kitt's1 ,st4 ,pierre's1 the ,saintes1 ,surinam1 and ,barbadoes1 for the purpose of acting as overseers on the works or for employment on particular services4 ,the establishment of the corps was #ige2 but wanting #bcb to complete1 its strength only amounted to #gdc of all ranks4 ,of this number #djc were abroad and #cdj at home4 ,early in the year a small party of one sergeant1 and seven artificers from the ,portsmouth and ,gosport companies were sent to ,st4 ,marcou1 an island on the coast of ,france1 seven miles east of ,cape la ,hogue1 to repair the fortifications2 and having accomplished the service returned to their companies in ,november4 ,to the expedition which proceeded against the ,danish settlements in ,march1 under the command of ,lieut4-,general ,trigge1 were attached one sergeant-major1 two corporals1 and twenty privates of the military artificers1 who were present at the capture of the islands of ,st4 ,bartholomew1 ,st4 ,martin1 ,st4 ,thomas1 ,st4 ,john1 and ,santa ,croix4 ,the loss in the ,west ,india company by fever and other diseases during the year amounted to twenty1 whose vacancies were immediately filled up by transfers from the line4 ,in ,may the working dress consisted of a blue cloth jacket with skirts1 two serge waistcoats with sleeves1 two pairs of blue serge pantaloons1 a black round hat1 and a pair of half black gaiters4 ,one of the waistcoats and a pair of pantaloons formed the second working dress4 ,the new jacket was made of stouter and better cloth than formerly2 sleeves were added to the serge waistcoats1 and the second pair of pantaloons were substituted for the canvas ones4 ,these improvements were considered equivalent to a linen shirt1 a pair of stockings1 and a canvas jacket previously supplied with the working suit1 but which1 from this year1 ceased to be issued to the corps4 ,at the opening of the year the military artificers with the ,british mission to ,turkey1 reduced to fifteen men1 were occupied in the erection of the new bastion at ,jaffa1 which was finished and the guns placed on the platforms with great pomp on the #bgth ,january4 ,of the detachment with the mission1 two were styled labourers1 from their not having been promoted to the rank of artificers2 and they1 when not immediately occupied on the works1 acted in the capacity of servants to ,major ,holloway4 ,one of these labourers when out one afternoon some distance from ,jaffa1 exercising the ,major's horses1 was attacked by a party of ,arabs on a predatory excursion1 by whose fire the ,major's horse was killed1 and the btman wounded with balls and slugs in nine different places4 ,the servant of ,major ,hope1 ,r4 ,a4 was also in the assault2 and by great exertion succeeded in bearing his comrade back to the camp4 ,dr4 ,wittman1 of the mission1 with celerity equal to his skill1 extracted the missiles and the sufferer speedily recovered4#abc ----- ,footnote #abc3 ,either private ,jonathan ,lewsey or private ,david ,waddell1 both of whom acted as servants to ,major ,holloway1 ,r4,e4 ,the former was a powerful man1 and remarkable from the circumstance of his having four thumbs6 two on each hand in addition to the proper complement of fingers4 ,on the breaking up of the mission at ,grand ,cairo1 these privates returned to ,england with that officer by the overland route4 ----- ,on the #bnd ,february1 ,captain ,lacy1 royal engineers1 was despatched to ,el ,arish to collect military information1 accompanied by a private of the artificers who early fell a sacrifice to the plague that prevailed there4 ,on the #beth of that month1 the ,ottoman army commenced its march to ,grand ,cairo1 the ,british mission being attached to the body guard of his ,highness the ,vizier1 mounted on fine horses superbly caparisoned1 and attended by ,arabs4 ,passing through ,ashdod1 the army encamped for a while at ,gaza1 where the military artificers were separated into three parties1 and attached to the divisions respectively commanded by the ,grand ,vizier1 ,mahomed ,pacha1 and ,taher ,pacha2 but it is difficult to record with satisfactory distinctness1 the particular services in which they subsequently participated4 ,on the #bhth ,march the army entered the ,desert at ,kahnyounes1 and traversing that arid and inhospitable region for about #aej miles1 subjected to occasional deprivation of food and water1 and exposed to sultry heats1 infectious diseases1 and danger1 reached ,salahieh on the #bgth ,april1 after a tedious and harassing march of thirty-two days4 ,two of the military artificers died in the ,desert2 and the survivors1 who were present at the capture of ,salahieh and ,belbeis1 and in the action near the village of ,elhanka1 entered ,cairo on the #aath ,july4 ,there they were employed during the remainder of the year1 in renewing the bridge of boats across the ,nile constructed by the ,french to preserve a communication with ,gizeh1 and also in repairing the fortifications of the city1 until the #aith ,february1 #ahjb1 when they quitted for ,rosetta4 ,from this town they were removed to ,alexandria1 and afterwards to ,malta1 where1 finally embarking for ,england1 they arrived at different periods in the fall of #ahjb and spring of #ahjc4abd ,the strength of the detachment on joining the ,turkish mission1 was twenty-four of all ranks2 eleven only returned6 ,of the casualties eleven died of fever or the plague1 and two were drowned accidentally4 8,after a series of painful1 harassing1 and critical events10 says the journalist1 8the labours of the mission closed2 and the patience1 forbearance1 and circumspection of the individuals engaged in this long and perilous service1 were manifested on a variety of trying occasions1 which required all the energy inherent in the ,british military character40#abe ----- ,footnote #abd3 ,sergeant ,edward ,watson1 who enlisted into the artillery as a matross1 ,january #bh1 #agge1 and joined the corps at ,woolwich1 ,march #a1 #agib1 was the senior non-commissioned officer with the mission2 and in consideration of his zeal1 ability1 and uniform exemplary conduct1 as well in discharge of his military duties1 as in the executive superintendence of the several works undertaken by ,major ,holloway1 he was promoted1 on his arrival in ,england1 to be sergeant-major of the ,woolwich company4 ,on ,december #a1 #ahaj1 he was discharged4 ,for similar reasons corporal ,david ,pollock was advanced to the rank of sergeant1 and appointed master-smith4 ,footnote #abe3 ,wittman's #8,turkey1' p4 #cie4 ----- ,meanwhile the detachment of the corps with the force under the command of ,sir ,ralph ,abercrombie reached ,marmorice ,bay2 and with the exception of the party on board the #8,ajax'1 landed1 and prepared a shipload of fascines and gabions to be used in the intended enterprise4 ,five of the #8,ajax' men were employed in different repairs to the vessel2 and the other two1 assisted by a corporal of the #ddth regiment1 made an elegant double couch of mahogany covered with various beautifully-marked skins from ,rhodes1 for the ,turkish ,general ,mustapha1 which was presented to him by ,captain the ,hon4 ,alexander ,cochrane1 ,r4,n4 ,on the #agth ,february1 the fleet set sail for ,egypt1 and running into ,aboukir ,bay on the #ast ,march1 the troops landed on the #gth1 and then followed a display of invincible ardour and bravery on the part of the ,british1 that checked ,france in her career of success1 and turned all her glorious ,egyptian conquests into painful disasters and capitulations4 ,with the first division were landed the seven military artificers of the #8,ajax1' who were present in the action of that morning2 and eight hours afterwards commenced to trace the necessary works for besieging ,aboukir ,castle4 ,next day the remainder of the detachment landed from the #8,asia' transport1 and dispersed in small parties of about four each to the several brigades of the army1 advanced to ,alexandria4 ,under the direction of their officers1 the #8,ajax' artificers superintended the construction of batteries for eleven guns and three mortars in front of ,aboukir1 laying all the platforms themselves1 and restoring1 when damaged by the enemy's fire1 the cheeks of the embrasures which were formed by a double row of sand-bags backed or strengthened by a row of casks filled with earth1 a plan suggested by ,major ,m#8,kerras1 royal engineers1 previously to his being killed2 but which was not again resorted to1 during the subsequent operations of the campaign4 ,on the #aith ,march the castle surrendered4 ,on the heights of ,alexandria1 the artificers with the column under ,sir ,ralph ,abercrombie1 superintended the erection of batteries and redoubts of sand-bags1 fascines1 and gabions1 which formed a strong line of defence from the sea to ,lake ,maedie4 ,the ,aboukir party joining on the #bjth1 also assisted in the works until their completion4 ,unable1 from being unarmed1 to take an active part in the battle of ,alexandria on the #bast ,march1 they occupied themselves in the essential duty of carrying shot1 shell1 and ammunition to the artillery and the troops4 ,after the battle the military artificers had the charge1 under their officers1 of renewing the works on the heights1 and when completed were appointed to aid in effecting the inundation of a portion of the country4 ,this was accomplished by cutting seven channels in the dyke of the canal of ,alexandria1 through which the waters of ,lake ,aboukir rushed into ,lake ,mareotis1 then nearly dry1 and about ten feet below the level of ,lake ,aboukir4 ,across the ,nile they subsequently threw a bridge of boats1 to facilitate the communication between ,alexandria and ,rosetta1 re-forming it when swept away by the rapidity of the current2 and afterwards they assisted in the construction of a similar bridge across the openings in the dyke of the canal of ,alexandria for the convenience of the shipping4 ,four of the artificers who were at the siege of the castle of ,aboukir were attached to the brigade under ,colonel ,spencer1 and served at the reduction of ,rosetta1 ,fort ,st4 ,julian--against which they constructed batteries for two guns and two mortars--,elhamet1 ,alkam1 and ,rahmanieh4 ,shortly after they proceeded to ,grand ,cairo and were present at its surrender on the #bgth ,june4 ,a brief interval elapsed1 when they returned to ,alexandria1 by the river ,nile1 in the large which contained the field equipment of the detachment4 ,on reaching ,alexandria1 the entire detachment was divided into two parties1 one under ,captain ,bryce1 the chief engineer1 and the other under ,captain ,ford1 royal engineers2 and were subsequently present at the siege of the castle of ,marabout1 the taking of ,redoubt de ,bain1 and at the final fall of ,alexandria on the #bgth ,august4 ,no casualties in killed and wounded are reported to have taken place among the men during the campaign2 and though no particular testimony to their merits appears to have been recorded1 from the circumstance of their being so few in number1 and from the absence of prominent occasions of exhibiting their zeal and efficiency1 arising from the enemy capitulating and surrendering many of his works without resistance1 still they were permitted in common with the other troops that served in ,egypt1 to wear the device of the ,sphinx on their appointments4 ,a like honour was also conferred upon the military artificers who served with the mission to ,turkey4 ,immediately following the capture of ,alexandria1 an expedition was sent to ,elba1 under ,admiral ,lord ,keith and ,general ,sir ,eyre ,coote4 ,five military artificers were attached to it on board the #8,amphitrite' transport1 under the orders of ,captain ,birch1 royal engineers2 but1 when between ,rhodes and ,candia1 an ,english man-of-war brought intelligence of peace to ,lord ,keith1 and the descent upon the island was relinquished4 ,thereupon the #8,amphitrite' sailed for ,malta1 where the artificers remained for six weeks1 employed in repairing the fortifications4 ,during this period1 they were joined by others of the detachment from ,alexandria1 and re-embarking1 arrived in ,england in ,february1 #ahjb4 ,the residue of the detachment1 detained for a while at ,alexandria and ,malta watching the development of events1 reached these shores in ,august1 #ahjc4 ,on the ,duke of ,kent being appointed ,governor of ,gibraltar1 his first care was to introduce some wholesome regulations for diminishing the drunkenness and crime so prevalent in the garrison4 ,stringent measures were therefore adopted with regard to the sale of liquors and wines in the canteens1 scrupulous attention was paid to the appearance of the men in the streets1 and drill and discipline were rigorously enforced4 ,these reforms1 however1 were received with much discontent2 and on ,christmas-eve of #ahjb the stifled feeling of insubordination broke out into mutiny4 ,in this meute the greater part of the military artificers took an unequivocal but unimportant part4 ,the ,duke's new rules interfered more essentially with the practices and indulgences of the companies1 than with any other troops in the garrison4 ,besides being subjected to the general rigours imposed on the troops1 the artificers were deprived of the privilege of working privately in the town1 and were once a week taken from the command of their own officers1 and drilled and disciplined by the ,town ,major4 ,these innovations upon old usages produced considerable disaffection in the companies1 and many of the more reckless and turbulent were not backward in ranging themselves on the side of the mutineers4 ,joining a party of the ,royals at night1 at the ,town ,range ,barracks1 they proceeded in company to the ,south ,barracks1 where1 on approaching to make arrangements for a simultaneous rising1 the #ahth ,royal ,irish fired upon them1 with no better result than tearing the feather from the hat of one of the privates of the artificers4 ,this harmless volley had the effect of cooling the ardour of the mutineers1 and the rebel artificers becoming tranquil1 returned home2 but on the ,saturday following1 another and more decided exhibition being expected1 the officers of engineers met at the barracks1 to endeavour to prevent any co-operation with the mutineers4 ,meanwhile the companies received their working pay1 and all restrictions being taken off the canteen1 the intemperance that followed soon rendered the men too insensible to discharge any duty effectually1 either for the ,crown or the mutineers4 ,during the night a strong party of the #beth regiment appeared at the gates to demand the services of the companies2 but sergeant ,william ,shirres1 assisted by a small guard of the corps1 closed and daringly held the gates against the exasperated rebels1 and prevented any communication with the barracks4 ,without entering further into the progress of the mutiny1 it will be sufficient to add1 that it was soon suppressed1 and three of the ringleaders of the #beth regiment were shot on the ,grand ,parade by sentence of a general court-martial4 ,a few days after the ,duke of ,kent ordered the companies to be specially paraded for his inspection4 ,having passed down the ranks and moved to the front1 his ,royal ,highness addressed them4 ,he appeared to have been informed that the artificers had joined with the ,royals and #beth regiment in their intemperate display2 but added1 that he felt every reluctance to give credence to the report1 and also made some complimentary allusions to the services of the companies at the fortress4 ,he then desired to know if there were any complaints1 in order1 if reasonable1 to adjust them4 ,the men1 thus courteously invited1 having stated their wish to be drilled by their own officers1 his ,royal ,highness directed the ,town ,major to manuvre the companies4 ,carefully the ,duke watched the firelock exercise and the execution of the various evolutions1 and1 expressing his satisfaction with their appearance and drill1 granted their request4 ,this year the cocked hat1 worn since #agig1 was superseded by the chaco1 similar in size and shape to the one commonly adopted in the army4 ,so strange an alteration--from the sage-like cocked hat to its trim substitute--obtained for the new head-gear the cimmerian appellation of the 8smoke-jack40 ,the white heckle feather worn with the cocked hat1 was retained4 ,see ,plate ,,ix4 ,as time wound up1 this description of chaco lost its upright lines for one which1 approaching a cone in shape1 was called the 8sugar-loaf cap40 ,the latter1 again1 was superseded by another in #ahac1 which1 from its peculiar form1 was familiarly styled the 8bang-up40 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,military ,artificers ,plate ,,ix4 ,,uniform #ahjb ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- #ahjc-ahje4 ,party to ,ceylon--,the treaty of ,amiens broken--,state of ,west ,india company--,capture of ,st4 ,lucia--,tobago--,demerara1 ,essequibo1 and ,berbice--,works at ,spike ,island--,capture of ,surinam--,conduct of private ,george ,mitchell--,batavian soldiers join ,west ,india ,company--,fever at ,gibraltar--,consequent mortality4--,humane and intrepid conduct of three privates--,invasion of ,england--,works at ,dover--,jersey--,chelmsford--,martello towers at ,eastbourne--,bomb tenders at ,woolwich--,recruiting--,volunteers from the ,line and ,militia--,treaty of ,st4 ,petersburgh--,party to ,naples--,ditto to ,hanover4 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,bridges having been appointed commanding royal engineer in ,ceylon1 he applied for a detachment of the military artificers to accompany him to that station4 ,the requisite sanction being procured1 six artificers1 comprising one corporal1 two carpenters1 one mason1 one bricklayer1 and one smith1 embarked for the ,east in ,january4 ,the precise object of despatching so small a party to so distant a settlement cannot now be learned1 but every care was taken to choose men for the service whose activity and abilities as craftsmen were well known1 and whose conduct was unexceptionable4 8,select10 says the order to the officer called upon to furnish the party1 8such men as you would prefer if going on the service yourself40 ,in ,june the party arrived at ,trincomalee1 but what specific services were performed by them in the colony it would be idle to conjecture4 ,before the autumn of #ahjf1 four of the men died1 but the other two held up against the climate till #ahae1 when one left for ,england and was discharged1#abf and the other died in ,april1 #ahag4 ----- ,footnote #abf3 ,john ,wallace4 ,it is related of him that he was lost sight of for many months1 and his appearance at ,woolwich gave rise to as much surprise as his person to doubt4 ,all traces of the original man had worn away1 and from the oddness of his dress1 and peculiarity of his manners1 the task of recognition was rendered still more perplexing4 ,eventually1 satisfactory proofs of his identity being obtained1 he was again acknowledged and discharged on a pension of #as4 #f;d4 a-day1 his service in the corps having exceeded thirty-three years4 ----- ,the treaty of peace between ,france and ,great ,britain was signed on the #bgth ,march1 #ahjb1 and hailed everywhere with exultation4 ,soon1 however1 ,buonaparte began to exhibit a spirit at variance with the solemn engagement1 and his irrepressible ambition forced him to seek occasions for gratifying it4 ,increased power and dominion were the engrossing objects of his genius2 and1 singular as it may appear1 states and republics fell under his sway without his lifting a sword to conquer them4 ,all this transpired while yet the burst of joy at the peaceful negotiation was ringing in the courts of ,europe2 but ,great ,britain1 though a sullen spectator of these events1 caring more to be blamed for reluctance than impetuosity1 at length interfered1 and the result was1 that war was declared with the ,french republic on the #ahth ,may1 #ahjc4 ,at that period the company stationed in the ,west ,indies had nearly reached its establishment2 and1 as the sickness1 so rife in former years1 had greatly lessened both in malignity and extent1 the general health of the men had much improved4 ,so keen was ,lieutenant-,colonel ,shipley about maintaining his company complete1 that whenever a death occurred or an artificer quitted the station through ill health1 he invariably applied direct to the general officer in command of the troops1 to order a tradesman of approved qualification and conduct to be transferred to it from the line4 ,alike interested in the efficiency of the company1 the general officer always acceded to his request2 and the company1 consequently1 was in excellent condition for affording effective co-operation in any active service4 ,intelligence of the renewal of hostilities soon reached the ,west ,india islands1 and an expedition was forthwith prepared to be employed in the capture of ,st4 ,lucia1 under the command of ,general ,grinfield and ,commodore ,hood4 ,to this force were attached one sergeant-major1 three sergeants1 five corporals1 and sixty-eight privates of the military artificers1 who were engaged1 on the #bbnd ,june1 in the storming of ,morne ,fortun and taking of ,st4 ,lucia4 ,corporal ,william ,dyson was killed at the storm1#abg but of the wounded1 no particulars exist4 ,of the services of ,colonel ,shipley and his company in this capture1 the ,general1 under date of ,june #bbnd1 thus wrote3--8,to ,lieutenant-,colonel ,shipley and the royal engineers1 he is indebted in a high degree for assistance and professional advice40#abh ----- ,footnote #abg3 ,in the #8,london ,gazette1' #bf to #cj ,july1 #ahjc1 this corporal is1 by mistake1 returned as sergeant4 ,footnote #abh3 #8,london ,gazette ,extraordinary1' ,august #ae1 #ahjc4 ----- ,in ,july the same company was present at the capitulation of ,tobago1 which surrendered without bloodshed to the forces under ,general ,grinfield4 8,great praise10 says the ,general in his orders of the #ast ,july1 8is also due to the alertness and readiness of the royal artillery and royal artificers in their embarkation and disembarkation1 both of themselves1 ordnance1 and stores1 and for their attention to their discipline and duties0 #abi ----- ,footnote #abi3 ,ibid4 ----- ,in the following ,september1 ,colonel ,shipley and one sergeant-major1 three sergeants1 one corporal1 and thirty-three privates1 were attached to another expedition under the same ,general1 and were present at the capture of the colonies of ,demerara1 ,essequibo1 and ,berbice4 ,like ,tobago1 these islands surrendered without resistance4 ,at each of the subjugated settlements and at ,trinidad1 a small party was left to carry on the current services and improve the defences4 ,the head-quarters still remained at ,martinique4 ,during the year the deaths in the company did not exceed twelve men2 and its strength at the end of the year was eighty-seven of all ranks1 of whom only eight were ineffective from sickness4 ,early in the year ,lieutenant-,colonel ,sir ,charles ,holloway was appointed commanding royal engineer at ,cork1 and at once commenced a minute examination of the fortifications under his charge4 ,these were found to be defective1 inasmuch as they did not sufficiently command the surrounding country and harbour4 ,sir ,charles1 therefore1 among many works which he suggested for the defence of the district1 projected an extensive fort for ,spike ,island to be erected on the site of ,westmoreland ,fort1 which was to be demolished4 ,authorized to carry his plans into execution1 he applied and obtained in ,october1 the services of an efficient detachment of tradesmen1 consisting of a sergeant1 and master mason1 thirteen artificers1 and one labourer of the ,woolwich company1 to aid in destroying the old fort and in erecting the proposed new one4 ,as the works progressed and their completion was pressed1 the detachment1 in ,december1 #ahjd1 was augmented to thirty-eight non-commissioned officers and artificers2 and in ,january1 #ahje1 to a full company of one hundred strong1 under the denomination of the 8,spike ,island ,company40 ,between five and six thousand civil mechanics and labourers were daily employed at the fort1 over whom1 to a certain extent1 were placed the non-commissioned officers of the company1 as masters of the respective trades1 or foremen of particular portions of the work4 ,arrangements for an expedition against ,surinam having been perfected1 ,major-,general ,sir ,charles ,green and ,commodore ,hood sailed there in ,april4 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,shipley1 royal engineers1 as also one sergeant-major1 two corporals1 twenty privates1 and one drummer of the artificers accompanied it1 the rest of the company not being available for the service in consequence of being greatly dispersed through the different islands4 ,surinam being very difficult of approach1 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,shipley1 on the #bith ,april1 went on shore to procure tidings with respect to the best means of reaching the settlement4 ,on returning1 he reported that a body of troops might be conducted to the rear of ,forts ,leyden and ,frederici4 ,accordingly1 twenty of the military artificers with side arms and felling axes1 ten of the #fth ,west ,india regiment similarly provided1 a detachment of #adj men of the #fdth regiment1 and about thirty seamen1 all under ,brigadier-,general ,hughes1 landed on the night of the #bith1 and proceeded through almost impassable woods1 led by negro guides1 to the place of assault4 ,after five hours' laborious marching1 the stormers arrived near the rear of ,frederici ,battery1 which was gallantly taken1 as was also ,fort ,leyden soon after2 and ,surinam surrendered on the #eth ,may4 8,no obstacle10 says the despatch of ,sir ,charles ,green1 8could damp the enterprising spirit of our seamen and soldiers4 ,they underwent great fatigue in executing these works1 which1 however1 they cheerfully submitted to under ,lieutenant-,colonel ,shipley1 who1 as usual1 was unceasing in his exertions40#acj ,severe as the storming is described to have been1 only three soldiers were killed2 of whom one was a military artificer1#aca private ,james ,connolly1 at the assault of ,fort ,leyden4 ,of the number wounded1 no official account has been traced4 ----- ,footnote #acj3 #8,london ,gazette1' #ai to #bc ,june1 #ahjd4 ,footnote #aca3 ,ibid4 ----- ,private ,george ,mitchell1 represented as a highly-meritorious soldier1 distinguished himself in the assault1 as1 indeed1 did the whole of the detachment4 ,as well on the march as in the two successive assaults1 he was conspicuous for his perseverance1 promptitude1 and bravery1 and when entering ,frederici with the foremost troops1 was severely wounded by the side of his officer1 ,lieutenant ,j4 ,r4 ,arnold1 ,r4,e41 who led the storm4 ,for his services on this occasion he was promoted to be corporal1 and subsequently for the same reason to the rank of sergeant4 ,he also received a present from the ,patriotic ,fund at ,lloyd's1 in testimony of the opinion entertained of his services4#acb ----- ,footnote #acb3 ,in the subsequent campaigns of the ,west ,indies he behaved equally meritoriously2 and in garrison and the workshops always conducted himself well4 ,besides being an excellent mason and foreman1 no artificer in the service1 perhaps1 had a better practical idea of mining1 in which he signalized himself at the destruction of ,fort ,desaix1 ,martinique4 ,after sixteen years' arduous service in the ,west ,indies1 he was sent to ,woolwich and discharged in ,july1 #ahad4 ----- ,on the reduction of the place1 the ,batavian troops were released from their former allegiance1 and at liberty to become either citizens in ,surinam1 or soldiers in his ,britannic ,majesty's forces2 but the barren and uninviting prospects that a captured country presented prevented many from settling1 and they readily offered to enrol themselves under the ,british standard4 ,availing himself of the opportunity1 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,shipley accepted the services of seventeen ,batavian artificers and enlisted them for the company4 ,fourteen deaths were reported in the company during the year2 and on the #cast ,december its strength was eighty-eight of all ranks4 ,a fever of a very malignant character appeared at ,gibraltar in ,august1 and continued its ravages during the autumnal months4 ,brought in by a foreigner1 who took up his abode in the vicinity of the married quarters of the royal artillery1 the disorder was soon communicated to the latter2 and1 by the end of ,september1 it spread with a rapidity only equalled by its virulence4 ,ere long the whole fortress was infested by the pestilence2 and1 as if to render the calamity more awful1 it was preceded by an earthquake1 which agitated the whole ,rock4 ,out of a population computed at #aj1jjj1 including #d1jjj troops1 no less a number than #e1idf died between the #ast ,september and #cast ,december4 ,so great a mortality in so short a period is unexampled in the history of that fortress4#acc ----- ,footnote #acc3 ,sir ,james ,fellowes #8,on the ,fever of ,andalusia4' ----- ,the two companies of artificers in the garrison were early visited by the epidemic and but few comparatively escaped4 ,of those who were fortunate enough to bear up successfully against the disease1 it was ascertained that the chief part had previously suffered from yellow fever in the ,west ,indies4 ,the artificers' barracks at ,hargraves' ,parade were a considerable distance from the locality where the disorder originated1 and consequently1 for a time1 were free from fever2 but several of the men having been employed in attending the sick civil master artificers of the department1 at their own homes in the town1 and the married families of the companies having unrestrained access to the ,parade1 infection was thus communicated to the single men in barracks2 and the effect was seen too late to adopt any sanitary measures or restrictions to prevent its ingress4 ,in ,august three men died1 and in ,september ten1 whilst the numbers affected by the malady were very considerable4 ,by the beginning of ,october the fever had extensively spread2 and all work in the engineer department being suspended1 the companies were confined to barracks1 and the families in quarters prohibited from appearing in the streets of the town unless from urgent necessity4 ,soon afterwards1 to preserve their health1 they were removed into camp at ,beuna ,vista4 ,nothing1 however1 could arrest the advance of the disorder3 gloom and horror hourly increased1 and in a very few days the sickness at the encampment far exceeded anything that had occurred at ,hargraves'1 ,by the end of the month a mournful diminution had taken place1 ninety men having fallen a prey to the epidemic6 ,in ,november1 providentially1 the fever sensibly waned1 and only twenty-three men died2 and in ,december1 after carrying off four more men1 its influence ceased to be felt at the fortress4 ,at the approach of the disease the companies mustered #bfc of all ranks2 but by the termination of the year #acj had died2 thus reducing the companies to the strength of #acc4acd ,here it may be added1 that the royal military artificers lost during the fever more men proportionally than any regiment or corps in the garrison4#ace ----- ,footnote #acd3 ,according to ,sir ,james ,fellowes1 #bbi men of the companies were admitted into hospital with the fever1 of whom #ajf recovered1 and #abc died2 but as ,sir ,james has omitted the statistics for ,august in his tables1 the apparent disparity between the two accounts is reduced to the trifling difference of #d only1 a mistake which1 doubtless1 occurred from some inaccuracy or accidental omission in the information furnished to ,sir ,james from the ,ordnance ,hospital records4 ,footnote #ace3 ,this statement is borne out by ,sir ,james ,fellowes4 ,see p4 #dej of his work #8,on the ,fever of ,andalusia4' ----- ,amidst so much mortality1 great alarm and irresolution naturally prevailed2 and whilst many excusably avoided all possible contact with the infected1 there were not wanting men of humanity and courage to volunteer their attentions and services to the sick and dying4 ,several instances of signal disinterestedness could be recorded1 and the names of not a few mentioned1 who fell a sacrifice to their generous zeal2 but the following men1 by their exertions and unshaken devotion in the discharge of the onerous offices assigned to them1 seem to have been regarded with peculiar admiration1 and therefore deserve whatever notice can be accorded to their merits in these pages4 ,private ,john ,inglis performed the important duty of orderly to the sick in the hospital at ,windmill-hill1 and to assiduous attention united marked kindness and tenderness1 shrinking from no difficulty and dreading no danger4 ,during the fatal month of ,october his watchfulness and exertions were incessant1 and his patience and humanity were as conspicuous as his fortitude4 ,private ,james ,lawford undertook the melancholy service of receiving the dead1 both for the artificers and the artillery1 and conveying them to the burying-ground near the ,grand ,parade4 ,horrible and hazardous as was this duty1 he persevered in its performance with a coolness and intrepidity that was perfectly amazing4 ,private ,james ,weir was the principal gravedigger1 and attended to his appointment with unflinching ardour and self-possession4 ,surrounded by the pest in its worst forms1 and inhaling the worst effluvia1 he never for a moment forsook the frightful service1 but laboured on1 inspiriting those who occasionally assisted him1 until the necessity for his employment no longer existed4#acf ----- ,footnote #acf3 ,what was most extraordinary connected with these daring fellows1 was the fact1 that throughout the epidemic1 they enjoyed the most robust health2 but1 after its cessation1 fearing that they were loaded with infection1 and that a sudden transition to the garrison again would cause the fever to return1 the authorities deemed it prudent to send the hearse-driver and gravediggers to camp at ,beuna ,vista1 where1 after about two months' quarantine1 they were permitted to rejoin their companies4 ----- ,an attempt at invasion being daily expected from the ,french1 earnest attention was turned to those parts of the coast of ,england upon which the descent would probably be essayed4 ,immense sums of money were accordingly placed at the disposal of the officers of engineers to carry into effect whatever projects might be approved for rendering the shore defences more secure4 ,increased exertions were1 therefore1 made in strengthening the permanent fortifications1 enlarging the defences of ,dover and ,chatham1 8constructing batteries at various points1 building temporary barracks along the coast1 and studding our shores with martello towers40#acg ----- ,footnote #acg3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i41 #ahde1 p4 #dhc4 ----- ,besides using all vigilance and exertion at the different ports where the royal military artificers were stationed1 in furtherance of the general business of preparation and defence1 detachments of the corps were constantly on the route from one place to another1 erecting temporary or permanent works4 ,in ,april1 at the suggestion of ,major-,general ,twiss1 then commanding royal engineer in the ,southern ,district1 the party at ,dover was much increased to assist in forming casemates in certain positions of the works on the western heights1 by which to remedy the defects in the original construction4 ,at ,jersey1 in the same month1 every precaution was taken to render the island capable of resisting any encroachment from its turbulent neighbours2 and all the batteries and forts1 as far as practicable1 were manned with ordnance4 ,in the execution of this service corporal and master-carpenter ,daniel ,brown1 described as 8a worthy man and a useful artificer10 was killed by a fall from the top of ,platte ,rocq ,tower4 ,in ,september a small party was detached to ,chelmsford1 and superintended1 under the direction of ,captain ,g4 ,whitmore1 royal engineers1 the construction of a chain of temporary fieldworks1 consisting of intrenchments1 batteries1 and redoubts1 from ,woodford ,windmill to the windmill at ,gallywood ,common1 a distance1 by the line of works1 of about two miles and a half4 ,various regiments of militia provided their contingents to execute these works1 in which they were assisted by detachments from the royal waggon train and royal staff corps4 ,about the same time another party was despatched to ,eastbourne to aid in building the circular redoubt there1 as also in erecting several martello towers on the coast1 at points best suited to protect our shores4 ,fluctuating in strength according to the general emergencies of the service1 this detachment continued to work in the ,eastbourne district until the summer of #ahag1 when1 after assisting in the erection of all the towers as far as ,rye ,bay on the one side of ,eastbourne1 and ,seaforth on the other1 it quitted the district and the men composing it rejoined their companies4 ,at ,woolwich1 during the later months of the year1 parties were specially engaged in preparing and fitting out bomb tenders for the ,channel fleet1 by casing their magazines1 making racks for shot1 and executing such other precautionary services as would insure them from explosion and destruction in action4 ,nor should the efforts made to carry on the recruiting with success be overlooked1 since the steps taken were chiefly induced by the spirit of the times1 and the anticipated wants of the coming war4 ,in the previous year1 after the treaty of ,amiens was signed1 the recruiting was suspended2 but in ,june1 #ahjc1 it was resumed with an energy that promised to yield an abundant result4 ,in addition to the old stations1 several new ones were opened for obtaining candidates1 and the bounty for recruits was increased to #adl4 #cs4 #f;d4 each6 whilst the reward to the soldier1 to stimulate him to exertion and vigilance1 was augmented to #dl4 #ads4 #f;d46 ,the former levy money was ten guineas1 but the improved premium amounted to nineteen guineas4 ,notwithstanding the great demand for men1 every care was taken to receive none in the corps who were not in every particular fully equal to its various duties2 and the officers employed on the service were specially enjoined to engage such candidates only as were 8stout made1 able-bodied1 well-limbed1 healthy1 and active1 of good character1 and good abilities as tradesmen2 not over #cj years of age1 nor under #e feet #f inches in height40 ,under these restrictions1 and as the call for mechanics in civil life was loud and pressing1 only #ec artificers were received and approved of this year1 leaving at its close #cea men to complete the corps to its establishment of #a1jge4 ,no better success attended the recruiting in the year #ahje4 ,full employment was offered by the country to every artisan disposed to handle his tools1 and the sources of enlistment1 therefore1 were almost choked up4 ,in this extremity1 as the corps was very much below its establishment1 application was made to the different regiments of militia for candidates2 and the effect was1 that #acd volunteers--all tradesmen and miners--joined the artificers1 in ,april and ,may1 from forty-six regiments4 ,after a short interval1 a similar application was made to the ,horse ,guards to allow artisans from the line to enter the corps4 ,his ,royal ,highness the ,duke of ,york1 acquiescing in the proposal1 conveyed his commands on the #hth ,july to every battalion in the service1 both at home and abroad1 to have volunteers1 to the number of two carpenters and three bricklayers from each1 transferred to the military artificers4 ,by this arrangement the corps1 which was #aab men in arrear of its establishment when the order was promulgated1 was rendered complete by the end of the year4 ,to each volunteer received was paid a bounty of ten guineas4 ,the total number of recruits and men transferred from the line and militia during the year amounted to #dce4 ,filling up the corps in this manner was highly prejudicial to its best interests and general efficiency1 so far as the transfers from the regiments of the line were concerned4 ,officers of those regiments were naturally averse to parting with their good men1 and out of a batch of volunteers the five least reputable in every battalion1 unless under extraordinary circumstances1 were selected to be transferred4 ,to prevent the reception of objectionable men1 every precaution was taken by the officers of engineers appointed to this duty2 but1 with all their circumspection1 some of the most abandoned characters were passed into the corps4 ,with the different militias1 however1 this was not the case4 ,all the volunteers were unreservedly surrendered to the recruiting-officer1 who was at liberty to pick from the number those whom he desired1 and subject them to whatever examination he pleased before accepting them4 ,in this way some of the ablest mechanics and many of the best-conducted men and finest-looking soldiers joined the corps1 and their behaviour and usefulness in after service furnished the best test of the advantages derived by receiving volunteers from the militia4#ach ----- ,footnote #ach3 ,this observation would appear to clash with the remarks of ,sir ,charles ,pasley 7note ,f1 p4 xvii4 #8,elementary ,fortification'7 upon the impropriety of enlisting militia-men2 but after carefully tracing the history of many volunteers from that arm1 the fact cannot be concealed that the transfers alluded to were decidedly beneficial to the corps4 ,the best sapper1 miner1 and pontoneer1 that ever served in the corps--perhaps the best in ,europe--was a militia-man2 and the name of ,jenkin ,jones1 the faithful and zealous sergeant-major under ,sir ,charles ,pasley at ,chatham1 now quartermaster at ,woolwich1 need only be mentioned1 to verify the assertion and to corroborate the encomium4 ,quartermaster ,hilton1 the efficient sergeant-major to the corps in ,france under ,sir ,james ,carmichael ,smyth1 had also been in the militia4 ----- ,england had not yet taken any active measures against ,france1 busied as she was in endeavours to protect her own shores2 but as soon as the ,powers of ,europe had formed themselves into a coalition1 under treaty signed at ,st4 ,petersburgh on the #aath ,april1 to check the progress of ,buonaparte1 the ,british ,government lost no time in giving effect to the engagement4 ,accordingly in that month1 a body of troops under ,sir ,james ,craig embarked for the ,neapolitan ,states to join with the ,russians in expelling the ,french4 ,to this expedition was attached a party of one sergeant1 one corporal1 and thirteen artificers of the ,woolwich company1 under the command of ,captain ,c4 ,lefebure1 royal engineers1 which landed at ,naples in ,november4 ,here the expedition remained inactive until the #aith ,january1 #ahjf1 when1 from the defection of the ,russians1 it was deemed prudent to withdraw the troops and proceed to ,messina1 where the military artificers landed on the #ahth ,february1 #ahjf4 ,in ,october1 another force was sent to ,hanover1 under ,lord ,cathcart1 which1 after it should achieve the liberation of that ,state1 was destined to advance into ,holland for the same purpose4 ,one sergeant1 one corporal1 and fourteen privates of the ,chatham company1 under ,captain ,j4 ,f4 ,birch of the engineers1 accompanied the expedition and landed in ,swedish ,pomerania the same month2 but1 by the time the force was prepared to enter into the contest1 affairs were on the change2 and ,buonaparte having gained the brilliant victory of ,austerlitz1 the treaties of ,presburg and ,vienna followed1 putting an end to the war1 and leaving ,england alone an enemy to ,france4 ,unable1 without assistance1 to re-establish the independence of ,hanover and ,holland1 ,lord ,cathcart's army returned to ,england early in #ahjf1 and the detachment of artificers rejoined the ,chatham company in ,february of that year4 #ahjf4 ,first detachment to the ,cape of ,good ,hope--,misfortunes at ,buenos ,ayres--,reinforcement to ,gibraltar--,services at ,calabria--,formation of ,maltese military artificers--,increase of pay to royal military artificers--,augmentation to the corps and reorganization of the companies--,establishment and annual expense--,working pay--,sub-,lieutenants introduced--,indiscipline and character of the corps4 ,in ,august of the previous year1 an expedition under ,sir ,david ,baird sailed against the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 to which were attached one sergeant1 two corporals1 and seventeen artificers of the ,plymouth company under ,captain ,j4 ,c4 ,smith of the royal engineers1 who embarked on board the #8,melantho' transport4 ,the artificers landed on the #dth ,january1 #ahjf1 with the artillery1 and marched and encamped with them in the field2 but ,sir ,david ,baird1 conceiving that their services would be more beneficial in the castle after its capture1 than in action1 would not permit them to take part in the operations4 ,they therefore halted about a quarter of a mile to the right rear of the position1 and there remained until they marched with the troops into the castle4 ,ever since this capture1 a detachment of the corps of varying strength has been employed in the colony1 not only at ,cape ,town1 but at many posts and forts at a considerable distance inland and upon the frontiers4 ,two privates of the ,cape detachment under ,captain ,kennett1 of the corps1 sailed in ,april with the force under ,general ,beresford against ,buenos ,ayres4 ,landing at ,point de ,quilmes on the #beth ,june1#aci they were present at the surrender of the city on the #bgth following4 ,after a time the ,spaniards1 recovering from the panic which lost them their capital1 retook it with signal success1 and those of the ,british not killed1 were taken prisoners4 ,captain ,kennett was among the former1 and one of the artificers was wounded4 ,on the loss of their captain1 the two men were attached to the artillery and served in the action of the #abth ,august1 #ahjf1 under ,captain ,alexander ,macdonald1 royal artillery3 they subsequently were taken prisoners and remained so until ,january #ahjh1 when they returned to ,england with the forces under ,general ,whitelocke4 ----- ,footnote #aci3 #8,london ,gazette ,extraordinary1' ,september #ac1 #ahjf4 ----- ,to supply the casualties at ,gibraltar occasioned by the fatal fever of #ahjd1 a detachment of #acc artificers1#adj under ,captain ,h4 ,evatt1 royal engineers1 embarked on the #cast ,december1 #ahje1 and landed at the fortress in ,february following4 ,the strength of the companies was thus increased from #agd to #cjg of all ranks4 ----- ,footnote #adj3 ,with fifty women and forty children6 ,more than1 in these days1 are permitted to accompany a battalion on foreign service4 ----- ,sir ,john ,stuart1 who commanded the army in ,sicily1 now undertook1 at the solicitation of the ,court of ,palermo1 an expedition against the ,french in ,calabria4 ,the detachment of artificers at ,messina1 reduced to twelve in number1 furnished ten men1 under ,captain ,c4 ,lefebure1 royal engineers1 to accompany the troops4 ,they were present on the #dth ,july at the battle of ,maida2 and afterwards at the siege of ,scylla ,castle from the #abth to the #bcrd of the same month4 ,shortly after the capture1 six of the party returned to their old quarters at ,messina1 leaving two non-commissioned officers and two artificers under ,lieutenant ,george ,macleod of the engineers1 to superintend the restoration of the castle defences4 ,in ,october the four men rejoined the detachment at ,messina1 where the whole continued to be employed in various engineering services for several years4 ,artificers under military control and discipline being much required for the works at ,malta1 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,r4 ,t4 ,dickens1 ,r4,e41 recommended the formation of three companies of ,maltese tradesmen for the service of the engineer department2 two to be stationed at ,malta and ,gozo1 and one for employment in general duties in the ,mediterranean1 ,gibraltar1 and ,egypt4 ,english companies of artificers would have been proposed for the works of the stations named1 had the efficiency and conduct of detachments previously sent from ,gibraltar to ,minorca1 ,sicily1 and other parts of the ,mediterranean1 warranted it2 8but10 says ,sir ,charles ,pasley1 8as the ,gibraltar companies were1 from circumstances1 the worst in the corps1 the detachments formed from them 99 99 99 99 were found so very inefficient1 that ,maltese and ,sicilians were preferred to ,britons in the ,mediterranean1 for the important service of the royal engineer department40#ada ,as well from this1 as from other local#adb and economical considerations1 the ,government approved of the measure1 and the royal authority for its accomplishment being obtained1 the companies were formed on the #ast ,may4 ----- ,footnote #ada3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' note ,a1 p4 iv4 ,footnote #adb3 ,in the treaty of ,amiens it was stipulated that one-half the soldiers in the garrison at ,malta should be natives2 and although the treaty had been violated by ,napoleon1 ,great ,britain still regarded its provisions1 in this respect at least1 as sacred and obligatory4 ----- ,the ,mediterranean or war company consisted of-- #d sergeants1 #d corporals1 #ajj privates1 #a drummer1 #aj boys4 ---- ,total #aai and the companies for ,malta and ,gozo1 numbered each-- #b sergeants1 #d corporals1 #fj privates1 #a drummer1 ---- ,total #gg ,an adjutant from the royal engineers was appointed to the #ast company1 and one1 a foreigner--,matteo ,bonavio#adc--to the other two companies at ,malta and ,gozo1 to which was also added one sergeant-major and quartermaster-sergeant ,guiseppe ,sinerco1 stationed at ,malta4 ,the total number of these companies with the staff amounted to #bgf4 ,the pay of the war company was assimilated to that of the royal military artificers1 while that of the other companies was fixed as under3-- s4 d4 ,sergeant-major or quartermaster-sergeant4 #c #j a-day4 ,sergeant #a #f 0 ,corporal #a #c 0 ,private1 or drummer #a #a 0 ,boy #j #f 0 ----- ,footnote #adc3 ,styled1 by local usage1 8,assistant ,engineer40 ----- ,the adjutants received #cs4 per day each extra1#add and the working pay of the non-commissioned officers and men was divided into two classes of #f;d4 and #i;d41 which they received in addition to their regimental pay4 ,the non-commissioned officers1 who were foremen1 received as working pay #as4 a-day each4 ----- ,footnote #add3 ,of the regimental allowances of the foreign adjutant nothing is known1 nor can any record be discovered of the uniform worn by him4 ----- ,these companies were formed into a corps with the title of ,maltese military artificers1 and1 like the old artificer company at ,gibraltar1 remained a distinct and separate body4 ,they were officered by the royal engineers4 ,their clothing consisted of a close blue cloth jacket with black collar and cuffs1 and ,ordnance buttons2 open blue cloth pantaloons and a military hat and feather4 ,the sergeants were distinguished by sashes1 the corporals by chevrons1 and the sergeant-major by a uniform like the sergeant-major of the ,english companies4#ade ----- ,footnote #ade3 ,in #ahjh the companies were clothed in a uniform made of cotton1 manufactured in the island1 similar to the local corps4 ,the facings were of black cloth4 ,the sergeants and corporals were distinguished as before1 and the sergeant-major still wore the home uniform4 ,the substitution of cotton for cloth was ordered on account of its being cheaper and better adapted to the climate1 besides forwarding the views of ,government1 in aiding the sale of the staple commodity of the island1 deprived by the war of its usual vents4 ----- ,this year ,mr4 ,windham1 the ,secretary-at-,war1 warmly espoused the cause of the army1 and ultimately obtained for it the redress he so earnestly sought4 ,this was promulgated in the well-known ,warrant called 8 ,windham's ,act10 which increased the pay of the soldier while serving1 and provided a liberal pension for him on retirement1 corresponding to his infirmities and services4 ,on the #ast ,september1 the ,act alluded to was extended to the royal military artificers1 and the advantages conferred upon the corps were as under3-- ,total amount of pay a-day4 ,increase4 d4 s4 d4 ,sergeant-major on the staff4 #e #c #aa ,sergeant #c #b #f ,corporals3-- ,after #ad years #c #b #d ,between #g and #ad years #b #b #c ,under #g years #a #b #b ,privates and ,buglers3-- ,after #ad years #b #a #d ,between #g and #ad years #a #a #c ,under #g years no increase #a #b ,in the prospect of a long war1 to provide reinforcements for the execution of the extensive works in progress at ,dover and ,nova ,scotia1 and to be capable1 to a certain extent1 of meeting the contingencies that might arise1 a royal warrant was issued dated #eth ,september1 sanctioning a reorganization of the corps for general service1 an augmentation of two companies1 and a small increase to each of the other ten companies4 ,under this arrangement the corps was distributed as follows1 and the companies for the first time1 appear to be distinguished by numbers2 which1 however1 from the long habit of designating them by stations1 soon became obsolete3-- #ast4 ,woolwich ,captain ,g4 ,hayter4 #bnd4 ,chatham ,major ,r4 ,d',arcy4 #crd4 ,dover ,captain ,w4 ,h4 ,ford4 #dth4 ,portsmouth4 ,captain ,r4 ,fletcher4 #eth4 ,gosport4 ,captain ,t4 ,fyers4 #fth4 ,plymouth4 ,lieut4-,colonel ,t4 ,skinner4 #gth4 ,spike ,island ,lieut4-,colonel ,sir ,c4 ,holloway4 #hth4 ,jersey ,captain ,j4 ,humfrey ,guernsey4 ,major ,j4 ,mackelcan4 #ith4 ,gibraltar ,captain ,h4 ,evatt4 #ajth4 ,gibraltar ,captain ,g4 ,landmann4 #aath4 ,west ,indies4 ,lieut4-,colonel ,w4 ,johnston4 #adfabth4 ,nova ,scotia ,captain ,w4 ,bennett4 ----- ,footnote #adf3 ,sir ,john ,jones states1 evidently by mistake1 that the corps was composed of thirty-two companies4--,journals of ,sieges1 ii41 note #ch1 p4 #chi1 #bnd edit4 ----- ,by the authority of the warrant alluded to1 the establishment of each company was remodelled1 the ranks of ,sub-,lieutenant and second corporal were created1 and the total of all ranks per company increased from #ajj to #abf4 ,under the previous system of detaching men1 the companies were mutilated1 disordered and reduced2 but under this enlarged organization1 it was considered they would be more accessible1 and better able to afford such accidental assistance as might be needed1 without diminishing the companies to an inconvenient strength1 or without particular detriment to the station4 ,the subjoined detail shows the approved composition of a company at this period4 #a ,sub-,lieutenant1#adg a new rank1 with pay of #es4 a-day4#adh #a ,sergeant-major4 #e ,sergeants4 #e ,corporals4 #aj ,second ,corporals1#adi a new rank1 pay fixed at #as4 #i;d4 a-day4 #cj ,carpenters1 including #d top sawyers4 #bj ,masons1 including slaters1 tiles1 and plasterers4 #ah ,bricklayers1 #aj ,smiths1 #aj ,miners1 #d ,wheelers1 #d ,collar ,makers1 #b ,coopers1 #b ,painters1 #d ,drummers4 ---- ,total #abf ----- ,footnote #adg3 ,styled ,second ,lieutenants in the warrant by mistake4 ,the ,sub-,lieutenants were junior to the ,second ,lieutenants of engineers1 but held rank with ,second ,lieutenants of the line1 according to dates of commission4 ,this right was often questioned1 but never1 as long as the ,sub-,lieutenants were attached to the corps1 officially settled4 ,in #ahce the position of a ,sub-,lieutenant 7,h4 ,b4 ,mackenzie71 who had joined the line as paymaster being disputed1 it was then settled that ,sub-,lieutenants were junior to ,ensigns4 ,footnote #adh3 ,subsequently increased to #es4 #g;d4 a-day1 and after seven years' service to #fs4 #g;d4 a-day4 ,footnote #adi3 ,holding comparative station with corporals of the line1 according to date of promotion4 ----- ,the total establishment of the corps1 including the adjutant and sergeant-major on the staff1 amounted to #a1ead1 exhibiting an increase above the former establishment of #dci men2 and its expense for one year1 exclusive of the working pay and other miscellaneous allowances1 reached the sum of #de1ejjl4 #ags4 #g;d4 ,with the three companies of ,maltese artificers1 the corps mustered a force of #a1gij officers1 non-commissioned officers1 and men4 ,as a means of encouraging the men to exertion and good behaviour1 their working pay was permitted to be increased1 under the authority of the warrant before mentioned1 from #f;d4 to #i;d4 or #as4 a-day4 ,the non-commissioned officers invariably received the highest rate4 ,none1 however1 could be advanced from the lowest to the superior rates without first being recommended to the commanding royal engineer at the station1 by the junior officers1 foremen1 or overseers2 and this system of rewards1 except for special services1 has been observed in the corps ever since4 ,the sergeant-majors who received the first commissions had been in the artillery1 and were distinguished for their good services and bravery4 ,to their zeal and expertness as soldiers1 they added an intimate knowledge of drill and discipline--requisites of essential importance in the organization of a new force1 but which1 from the vague and indefinite character of the corps1 became1 almost necessarily1 too temporizing and elastic to be sufficiently beneficial or respected4 ,efforts had on one or two particular occasions been made to avoid the faults and supply the omissions of earlier years2 but the improvement before alluded to1 had not reached the expectations of those who felt an interest in the corps4 ,one obvious reason was1 the nominal appointment of officers to companies1 who were so incessantly shifted1 that it was not uncommon to find a company passing under the command of three or four different officers in the course of twelve months2#aej and another was1 the reluctance with which some commanding officers permitted the temporary withdrawal of the men from the works for the purposes of drill and discipline4#aea ,the free use of the means to train the men to subordination and the use of arms1 to restrain them from irregularities1 and fully to develop the organization and purposes for which the corps was raised1 being thus interrupted1 naturally tended to vitiate and lower its military pride1 spirit1 and appearance4 ----- ,footnote #aej3 ,this may be regarded as a favourable view of the case4 ,sir ,john ,jones states1 8,each company was commanded for the moment by the senior ,captain of engineers1 who might happen to be placed on duty wherever the company might be2 so that it was not unfrequent for a company to be commanded by five or six captains in as many months40--,journal of ,sieges1 ii4 note #ch1 p4 #chi1 #bnd edit4 ,footnote #aea3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' note a1 p4 iii4 ----- ,bald and grey-headed non-commissioned officers with ages varying from forty-five to sixty-five1 good artificers and foremen1 but lacking the energy and demeanour of soldiers1 were no rarities in the royal military artificers4 ,disinclined to learn1 they but very imperfectly understood their military station1 and seldom exercised their authority1 except in the emollient guise of persuasion and advice4 ,on all sides there was a yielding1 that in some measure obliterated the lines of distinction between the different grades4 ,their interests seemed to be reciprocal and interwoven1 and the best workman was generally esteemed the best man4 ,almost every military idea was sacrificed for 8the works10 in which it would be hazardous to say1 that they did not labour with ability and industry4 ,to check the growth of these unmilitary principles and practices1 to enforce respect for position and authority1 and to assist in maintaining in the corps the exercise of proper discipline and drill1 the ,sub-,lieutenants were established4 ,their duties were like those of adjutants1 whom they superseded1 and were1 therefore1 held responsible to their ,captains for the conduct1 efficiency1 internal management1 and payment of their respective companies4 ,this1 however1 was but a transient expedient4 ,an instalment only of the good that was expected was realised2#aeb and it was left for a later period to enlarge and perfect what in this year1 though spiritedly commenced1 fell considerably short of success4 ----- ,footnote #aeb3 ,ibid41 note ,f1 p4 xvii4 ----- #ahjg4 ,appointments of ,adjutant and ,quartermaster--,captain ,john ,t4 ,jones--,disasters at ,buenos ,ayres--,egypt--,reinforcement to ,messina--,detachment of ,maltese military artificers to ,sicily--,newfoundland--,copenhagen--,ca ptures in the ,caribbean ,sea--,madeira--,danish ,islands in the ,west ,indies--,hythe4 ,it having been determined to consolidate the appointments of ,adjutant and ,quartermaster to the royal military artificers1 ,major ,john ,rowley#aec and ,colonel ,george ,w4 ,phipps#aed resigned their offices4 ----- ,footnote #aec3 ,in the earlier years of his appointment he was much at ,woolwich1 and personally superintended the affairs of the corps2 but for some years prior to the new organization1 his duties in ,london seldom permitted him to visit the head-quarters4 ,footnote #aed3 ,colonel ,phipps was never present with the corps4 ,as ,quartermaster1 he performed his duties in ,london4 ,in consideration of his relinquishing the ,quartermastership1 and also for his good services1 he was granted by ,his ,majesty an allowance of #ajs4 a-day4--#8,accounts of ,ordnance1 ,house of ,commons1' #ahaf1 p4 #ca4 ----- ,to succeed to the vacancies thus created1 ,captain ,john ,thomas ,jones1 an officer of undoubted ability and military experience1 was brought from ,sicily1 and on the #ast ,january commissioned to hold both appointments4#aee ,upon him1 therefore1 devolved the difficult task of arranging and directing the details of the new organization both at home and abroad1 and of carrying into effect a general system of drill and discipline4#aef ,in this duty he continued until ,july1 #ahjh1 when1 ordered on a particular service to the ,asturias1 he resigned the staff rank4 ,from the time of the appointment of ,captain ,j4 ,t4 ,jones1 the ,adjutant was permanently stationed at the head-quarters at ,woolwich1 and his office also was established there4 ----- ,footnote #aee3 #8,london ,gazette1' #bjth to #bdth ,january1 #ahjg4 ,footnote #aef3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' ii41 #ahdc1 p4 #aaj4 #8,jones's ,sieges1' ii41 note #ch1 p4 #chi1 #bnd edit4 ----- ,early in the year an expedition was sent against ,chili under ,major-,general ,crawford1 accompanied by a sergeant and ten artificers under ,captain ,j4 ,squire1 ,r4,e4 ,instead of proceeding to ,chili1 counter orders were received1 and ,captain ,squire and his eleven men sailed with the force to ,buenos ,ayres4 ,arriving at ,monte ,video on the #adth ,june1 they were accordingly landed and took part in the disastrous attack on ,buenos ,ayres1 in which all the artificers were taken prisoners1 and so remained until ,january1 #ahjh1 when they quitted with the force under ,general ,whitelocke4 ,on the #fth ,march1 ,major-,general ,frazer1 at the head of a small armament1 sailed from ,messina to dispossess the ,turks of ,egypt4 ,to this force were attached1 under ,captain ,j4 ,f4 ,burgoyne1 royal engineers1 four of the military artificers furnished from the detachment in ,sicily1 who embarked on the #aith ,february4 ,having in due time landed at ,alexandria1 they served at the capture of that city1 also in the attack of ,rosetta1 and in the retreat to ,alexandria4 ,in ,september following these four artificers rejoined the party at ,messina4 ,in the meantime the detachment at ,messina was reinforced by a sergeant1 one corporal1 and eighteen privates of the ,gibraltar companies1 under ,lieutenant ,george ,j4 ,harding1 ,r4,e41 who embarked at the ,rock on the #adth ,april4 ,with the exception of the non-commissioned officers1 this party was composed of irreclaimable drunkards1 worthless alike as artificers or soldiers4 ,from the inefficiency of these men1 the ,maltese war company was ordered to furnish its contingent for service in ,sicily1 and accordingly a detachment of one sergeant--,evan ,roberts--one corporal1 and twenty-nine artificers1 embarked at ,malta on board the #8,charlotte' transport on the #bcrd1 and landed at ,messina on the #cjth ,july4 ,in the autumn following1 the whole of the party with two men of the royal military artificers as foremen1 were detached to ,augusta and ,syracuse1 to be employed on the works under sergeant ,roberts4 ,newfoundland now became a station for the corps4 ,a detachment of eighteen non-commissioned officers and men1 all masons and miners1 embarked at ,plymouth in ,may1 on board ,his ,majesty's ship #8,isis1' under ,captain ,george ,ross of the royal engineers1 and arrived there in ,july4 ,before the end of ,august1 the detachment was further strengthened by six artificers from ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia4 ,until proper accommodation could be provided1 they lived in huts like the ,esquimaux or emigrant fishermen1 or under canvas in a dreary uncleared valley between ,signal ,hill and the sea4 ,in some measure to relieve the monotony and mitigate the rigours of an inhospitable country and climate1 permission was granted to the men to spread their nets in the waters near ,st4 ,john1 and to catch as much fish as was needful for the sustenance of themselves and families4 ,provisionally1 also1 the married portion of the detachment were allowed small allotments of land1 which they cleared and cultivated at intervals1 when they were not employed on the works4 ,from these sources of occupation they were kept in constant industry and amusement1 and their health effectually preserved and invigorated4 ,two sergeants1 two corporals1 six second corporals1 and forty-one artificers1 with ,captain ,fletcher1 ,r4,e41 embarked at ,woolwich for ,copenhagen on the #bith ,july1 and landed there the #afth ,august4 ,in the bombardment of that capital they served under the immediate direction of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,r4 ,d',arcy1 ,r4,e42 and1 in returning to ,england1 served as ,marines under ,lieutenant ,bassett of the royal navy4 ,the party rejoined their companies on the #gth ,november4 ,one second corporal and three privates of the ,west ,india company were embarked in ,august1 on board ,his ,majesty's ship #8,blonde1' ,v4 ,v4 ,ballard1 ,captain1 to act as artificers and seamen during a short cruise in the ,caribbean sea2 and while forming part of the crew of this ship1 they served at the guns in the capture of the undernamed ,french privateers3-- ,guns4 ,men4 #aeth ,august #8,la ,dame ,villaret' #e #fi #afth 0 #8,l',hortense' #h #ij #adth ,september #8,l',hirondelle' #h #hd #bcrd 0 #8,duquesne' #ag #abc #adth ,october #8,alerte' #bj #adi ,an expedition was sent to ,madeira in ,october under ,general ,beresford1 to which was added a detachment from the ,spike ,island company of one corporal1 one second corporal1 and ten privates1 under ,captain ,a4 ,morshead1 royal engineers4 ,they landed in ,december1 and were stationed at ,funchal until ,may1 #ahab1 when they were withdrawn and despatched to their companies in ,portugal4 ,in ,december1 ,general ,bowyer ordered a party of the ,west ,india company to be attached to his expedition about to sail against the ,danish islands of ,st4 ,john1 ,st4 ,thomas1 and ,st4 ,croix4 ,three sergeants1 four corporals1 and forty-two privates were accordingly selected1 and embarked for that service on the #afth ,december2 but the islands having surrendered without resistance1 the detachment rejoined at ,barbadoes on the #acth ,january1 #ahjh4 ,a sergeant was left at ,st4 ,croix to superintend repairs to barracks1 c4 ,six mechanics belonging to the ,danish service1 taken prisoners at ,st4 ,thomas and ,st4 ,croix1 enlisted into the company4 ,throughout the year a small party of the ,dover company was employed on the works at ,hythe1 under sergeant ,adam ,cowan1 and continued so occupied for several years4 #ahjh4 ,war in the ,peninsula--,expedition thither--,detachments to the seat of war1 with ,captains ,landmann1 ,elphinstone1 ,squire1 ,burgoyne1 and ,smyth--,captain ,john ,t4 ,jones--,reinforcement to ,newfoundland--,discipline at ,halifax--,services at ,messina--,parties temporarily detached to different places--,the queue4 ,napoleon had now fairly reared his eagles in ,spain and ,portugal1 and compelled the reigning monarchs of those countries to renounce their thrones4 ,to his brother ,joseph he gave the sovereignty of the former kingdom1 retaining for himself the sceptre of the latter4 ,england1 more indignant than alarmed at these spoliations1 but eager to dispossess the invader of his acquisitions1 at once willingly responded to the desire of ,portugal to restore the dynasty of ,braganza to the throne1 and also tendered her assistance1 uninvited1 to ,spain1 to carry on the war4 ,no sooner had the ministry determined upon sending succours to the ,peninsula to effect the overthrow of ,napoleon1 than different expeditions were fitted out and sent to the seat of war4 ,small parties of the military artificers1 selected from the various companies of the corps1 were at the same time forwarded with these forces4 ,on the #acth ,may1 two miners1 under ,captain ,g4 ,landmann1 royal engineers1 were sent from ,gibraltar to ,cadiz with the division under ,general ,brent ,spencer1 and were afterwards removed to the scene of active operations in ,portugal4 ,on the #ahth ,june1 one sergeant1 one second corporal1 and eleven privates1 armed with small swords only1 embarked at ,woolwich under ,captain ,elphinstone1 ,r4,e41 and joined the force under ,sir ,arthur ,wellesley4 ,both these parties were present at the battle of ,rolia on the #agth ,august1 and ,vimiera on the #bast of that month4 ,a detachment of one sergeant1 one second corporal1 and twelve privates1 under ,captains ,j4 ,squire and ,j4 ,f4 ,burgoyne1 royal engineers1 was forwarded on the #bith ,april with ,sir ,john ,moore's army to ,gottenburg to assist the ,swedes against the ,russians4 ,the arms and appointments of the corps were taken from them1 and they were supplied for defence with a short hanger sword4 ,several of the party had already been on service at ,buenos ,ayres under ,captain ,squire1 and were again solicited by that officer for this expedition4 ,the rest were men specially selected for the duty1 both on account of their abilities and conduct as artificers and soldiers4 ,after the force was recalled from its inactivity in ,sweden1 the detachment of artificers accompanied it to ,portugal4 ,about this period three artificers proceeded to the ,peninsula with ,sir ,david ,baird's division1 and one man was attached to the force under ,sir ,harry ,burrard4 ,in ,september1 one corporal1 one second corporal1 and fourteen privates embarked for ,spain on board the #8,sisters' transport under the command of ,captain ,j4 ,carmichael ,smyth1 ,r4,e41 and joined the army under ,sir ,john ,moore in ,november4 ,the total artificer force in the ,peninsula1 comprising six different parties1 was forty-nine of all ranks4 ,this number does not include ,captain ,j4 ,t4 ,jones1 the adjutant1 who quitted ,woolwich in ,july for special service in the northern provinces of ,spain under the orders of ,major-,general ,leith4#aeg ----- ,footnote #aeg3 ,in the absence1 on foreign duty1 of ,captain ,j4 ,t4 ,jones1 from ,july1 #ahjh1 to ,january1 #ahji1 ,sub-,lieutenant ,john ,eaves performed the duties of adjutant to the corps with credit and efficiency4 ----- ,to reinforce the party in ,newfoundland1 a detachment of one sergeant1 one corporal1 one second corporal1 and forty-six privates embarked at ,portsmouth in ,june1 and landed at ,st4 ,john's from the #8,vestal' frigate on the #ahth ,july4 ,early in the following year the detachment was increased to the establishment of a company4 ,lieutenant ,oldfield of the royal engineers--a painstaking officer--was removed to ,halifax about this time and appointed adjutant to the company stationed there4 ,having previously held a similar commission at ,portsmouth--the model station for discipline--he commenced his duties with a favourable prestige4 ,the materials he had to work upon were old in years1 misshapen from habit and labour1 and somewhat addicted to the prevailing vice of intemperance2 but even these worn-out men he moulded by his once a-week drill into an appearance which enabled them to march past creditably with the ,line on the ,sunday garrison parades4 ,most of the company had been many years in the ,province1 and though not very tight and tidy soldiers1 were nevertheless valuable as workmen and specially useful as foremen when military working parties were employed4 ,both parties employed in restoring the fortresses at ,syracuse and ,augusta were recalled to ,messina1 and assisted to repair and improve the defences of that place4 ,at the ,cape of ,good ,hope parties were detached at intervals during the year to ,stellenbosch1 ,simon's ,town1 and ,hout's ,bay2 and at ,halifax to ,st4 ,andrews and ,fort ,clarence4 ,at the latter fort1 the non-commissioned officer detached was employed surveying4 ,from ,newfoundland a detachment was sent to ,cape ,breton2 and from ,gibraltar1 also1 second corporal ,thomas ,paul and four privates were detached to ,perexil1 a small islet opposite the ,rock between ,ceuta and ,apes' ,hill1 where they dismantled all its batteries1 magazines1 and storehouses4 ,parties were also employed at ,hurst ,castle and the ,isle of ,wight4 ,the time-honoured queue1 which had long formed a conspicuous appendage to the soldier's head-dress1 was abolished in the corps in ,august2 and the closely-cropped hair of the present day1 and small whisker extending to the lobe of the ear1 were then adopted4 #ahji4 ,retreat to ,corua--,miserable state of the detachment on reaching ,england--,hardships of the stragglers--,capture of ,martinique--,skill of ,george ,mitchell at the siege--,fever in the ,west ,indies--,reduction of the ,saintes--,detachment to ,portugal--,battles of ,oporto and ,talavera--,casualties in the retreat1 and distribution of the party--,naples--,zante and the ,ionian ,islands--,term of service of the ,maltese military artificers--,siege of ,flushing--,services of the military artificers there--,gallantry1 in the batteries1 of ,john ,millar1 ,thomas ,wild1 and ,thomas ,letts--,conduct of corps at the siege--,casualties by the ,walcheren fever--,skilful conduct of ,corporal ,t4 ,stevens in the demolitions at ,flushing--,captain ,john ,t4 ,jones--,servants--,incidental detachments4 ,excepting the two miners with ,general ,spencer1 the whole of the royal military artificers in ,spain joined ,sir ,john ,moore's army4 ,when the force was put in motion1 the senior sergeant of the detachment was left at ,lisbon for special duty4 ,the remainder accompanied the army in the retreat1 and with the exception of two men taken prisoners and seven stragglers1 were present at the battle of ,corua4 ,immediately after1 the detachment embarked for ,england4 ,the season being stormy there was no regularity in the arrivals4 ,some1 therefore1 landed at ,portsmouth and others at ,plymouth between ,january and ,march4 ,they were destitute of every article essential to their comfort or equipment4 ,several were shoeless and clad in tatters and undistinguishable uniforms2 while the majority1 haggard and attenuated1 suffering from shipwreck1 privation1 and sickness1 afforded indubitable evidence of the severe and arduous campaign1 through which the necessities of war had recently carried them4 ,left to their own resources1 the seven stragglers retraced their steps1 between #cjj and #djj miles1 to ,lisbon4 ,in undertaking the journey1 during a very inclement season1 they encountered many dangers1 endured frequent trials and hardships1 and barely supported life upon the scanty offerings which chance and a ransacked country afforded them4 ,on the #bhth ,january1 three sergeants and seventy-one rank and file of the ,west ,india company1 under the command of ,brigadier-,general ,shipley1 embarked at ,barbadoes with ,lieutenant-,general ,beckwith's expedition and landed at ,martinique on the #cjth4 ,the company was further increased by a sergeant1 three corporals1 and seventeen artificers under ,lieutenant ,robert ,thomson1 royal engineers1 who embarked at ,halifax1 ,nova-,scotia1 with ,lieutenant-,general ,sir ,george ,prevost's division4 ,both parties1 when not engaged as overseers1 were employed in the general labour of the trenches and the park1 and performed the duties allotted to them1 particularly in the destruction of ,forts ,bourbon and ,desaix1 with activity and zeal4 ,several non-commissioned officers and men were distinguished by special commendation2 and the skill of corporal ,george ,mitchell gained for him the reputation of being the best miner in the service4 ,private ,george ,thomas was killed #bbnd ,february in the advanced battery before ,fort ,bourbon4 ,after the surrender of ,martinique it became the head-quarters of the company4 ,the ,nova ,scotia party returned with ,sir ,george ,prevost and landed at ,halifax the #agth ,april4 ,during the operations the rains were heavy and incessant1 and the men being much exposed1 fevers and dysentery were rife among them4 ,by the end of the year1 twenty-one of the company had died and five were invalided4 ,in ,april1 two sergeants and seventeen rank and file were present at the reduction of the ,saintes under the command of ,lieutenant ,hobbs1 ,r4,e41 and were employed during the service in the construction of the required batteries1 magazines1 c4 ,the party returned to ,martinique the latter end of the month4 ,a detachment of one sergeant and eighteen rank and file embarked at ,portsmouth1 on the #adth ,march1 under the command of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,fletcher1 for ,portugal1 and arrived at ,lisbon on the #eth ,april4 ,it was composed of men chosen from the ,portsmouth and ,gosport companies1 among whom were several who had served in the previous campaign4 ,writing from ,portsmouth1 the ,colonel says1 8,i find that all the men now here1 who were with me before1 are very anxious to go out again1 but one cannot ask for everybody40 ,on arriving at ,lisbon the party was joined by a sergeant and the seven stragglers of the ,coruna party4 ,it was thus increased to twenty-eight total1 and shortly after another private from ,england was added to the number4 ,on the #abth ,may was fought the battle of ,oporto3 twenty-five men of the artificers were present4 ,they afterwards repaired the wooden bridge which led into the town4 ,moving with the army they mustered at ,coimbra on the #ast ,june1 and at ,castello ,branco on the #ast ,july4 ,at the battle of ,talavera1 on the #bgth of that month1 fifteen of the detachment were present4 ,private ,aaron ,delacourt was taken prisoner while endeavouring to convey to the rear ,captain ,boothby of the royal engineers1 who was wounded1 and had his leg amputated4 ,of the artificers not present at the battle1 two were at ,lisbon1 three on route to join the army1 four at ,abrantes1 sick2 and one on the ,alberche4 ,with the exception of two at ,lisbon all joined at ,talavera before the end of ,july4 ,a severe retreat succeeded the battle1 in which the party suffered very much4 ,at ,merida they were mustered on the #ast ,september4 ,lisbon was their head-quarters in ,november1 at which time they were greatly scattered4 ,a sergeant only was at ,lisbon and the rest were distributed as follows3--one ,abrantes1 one ,badajos1 one ,oeyras1 four ,sobral1 and six ,torres ,vedras4 ,of the other artificers in ,portugal1 four were in the general hospital sick1 and one a prisoner of war4 ,the casualties since the opening of the campaign were six deaths1 two missing1 and two invalided to ,england4 ,the company of ,maltese military artificers at ,messina was increased in ,april by seventeen rank and file from ,malta4 ,on the #ast ,june following1 sergeant ,roberts and thirty-eight men of the company1 were attached to the expedition for the invasion of ,naples4 ,twelve of the royal military artificers also went with the expedition1 and served under the command of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,a4 ,bryce1 royal engineers1 in the reduction of the islands of ,ischia and ,procida4 ,returning to ,messina in ,august1 six of the royal and eight of the ,maltese artificers were added to the force under ,brigadier-,general ,oswald1 and were present1 on the #bnd ,october1 at the surrender of ,zante and other ,ionian islands4 ,these parties continued at ,zante until after the taking of ,santa ,maura in the next year4 ,the ,maltese artificers being enlisted for a term of three years only1 their engagements expired in the summer4 ,upwards of sixty men consequently claimed their discharge1 and in ,july the third ,maltese company was re-formed4 ,in the mean time a force of one sub-lieutenant--,george ,robinson--two sergeant-majors--,joseph ,forbes and ,john ,smith--ten sergeants1 and about #bhj rank and file#aeh had been selected for an expedition to ,holland under the ,earl of ,chatham1 to destroy the fleet and arsenals on the ,scheldt4 ,the youngest and most active men were chosen for the service1 and were provided with swords and belts4 ,the greater portion were also armed with muskets1 under an impression that they would have to fight their way on shore4 ,the detachment was divided into two operations to proceed against ,flushing and ,antwerp2 the former under the command of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,r4 ,d',arcy1 ,r4,e41 the latter under ,colonel ,fyers1 ,r4,e4 ,both brigades embarked the #aith ,july1 and having landed near ,goes and ,walcheren1 a small force was employed in the operations in ,south ,beveland under ,captain ,squire1 ,r4,e41 and the remainder1 with ,sub-,lieutenant ,robinson1 were engaged in the bombardment of ,flushing4 ,the meditated attack on ,antwerp was abandoned4 ,private ,anthony ,webster was killed at the seamen's battery on the #acth ,august1 and two men were wounded4 ----- ,footnote #aeh3 ,in ,jones's #8,sieges1' vol4 ii41 p4 #bfi1 #bnd edit41 the number1 including the sub-lieutenant1 is shown as #bfa only2 at p4 #dae1 the total of all ranks is stated to be #bgf2 but both strengths differ from the actual force engaged4 ----- ,during the bombardment1 fifty of the detachment were permanently employed in making fascines and gabions1 and about eighty carpenters prepared and put up the splinter-proof magazines and laid the platforms4 ,the remainder were distributed to the batteries as sappers and miners or overseers4 ,one of the batteries which was required in a hurry was worked solely by the royal military artificers1 and completed in twenty-eight hours4#aei ,generally they attended to the more difficult and dangerous portion of the batteries1 and besides repairing the parapets and platforms1 improved the embrasures when injured by the enemy's cannonade4 ----- ,footnote #aei3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' vol4 ii41 p4 #bgi1 #bnd edit4 ----- ,in this service privates ,john ,millar1#afj ,thomas ,wild1 and ,thomas ,letts acted very praiseworthily in situations of great danger1 and showed examples of courage1 zeal1 and attention to duty much beyond the rest of the detachment4 ,on occasions when particular parts of the batteries were broken1 these men fearlessly forced themselves into the embrasures to renew the work4 ,the firing upon them was usually heavy4 ,to effect their purpose with less interruption1 they spread across the mouths of the embrasures1 wet bulls' hides with the hairy surfaces to the fortress2 and bearing as they did a resemblance to the newly disturbed earth1 the enemy was deceived and withdrew their firing upon the work4 ,the injured parts of the embrasures were thus restored with incredible dexterity4 ,the two former were promoted to be second-corporals for their gallantry1 and a similar rise was offered to ,letts but he preferred to remain a private4 ----- ,footnote #afj3 ,was left property to the amount of #djjjl4 and purchased his discharge in #ahaj4 ----- ,the conduct of the detachment at ,walcheren is thus noticed by the ,earl of ,chatham3--8,the active and persevering exertions of the corps of royal engineers have been conducted with much skill and judgment by ,colonel ,fyers1 aided by ,lieutenant-,colonel ,d',arcy40#afa ,elsewhere their exertions in the construction of the batteries are stated to have been indefatigable4#afb ----- ,footnote #afa3 #8,london ,gazette4' ,footnote #afb3 ,hargrave's #8,account of ,walcheren and ,south ,beveland1' p4 #af1 edit4 #ahab4 ----- ,after the occupation of ,flushing1 the fever common to the country set in with peculiar virulence2 and the royal military artificers suffered very severely4 ,employed as they frequently were in conducting excavations in marshy and unhealthy situations1 nearly the whole of the detachment were seized with the malady and thirty-seven died4 ,sergeant-major ,forbes was of the number4 ,by repeated removals of the sick1 the detachment was reduced to about eighty of all ranks1 who were employed1 previously to the evacuation of the island1 in the demolition of the basin of ,flushing and the naval defences of the place under ,lieutenant-,colonel ,pilkington1 royal engineers4 ,second-corporal ,thomas ,stephens was intrusted with the practical conduct of the destruction of one of the piers of the flood-gates4 ,the task imposed on him was so ably executed1 that when the explosion took place1 the bottom of the pier was forced out and the superincumbent masonry fell without projecting a stone to any distance4 ,though only a second corporal he was appointed lance-sergeant on the spot for his skilful conduct4 ,captain ,john ,t4 ,jones1 the adjutant1 was removed from the royal military artificers1 on the #ast ,july by promotion1 and was succeeded in the appointment by ,captain ,gilbert ,buchanan1 ,r ,e4 ,in reorganizing the corps1 ,captain ,jones had effected considerable improvements and raised in a high degree its morale and military efficiency4 ,the practice of employing men of the corps as servants to officers of royal engineers was discontinued in ,august4 ,on active service the custom was found to be a great disadvantage4 ,stringent measures were therefore adopted to prevent its recurrence2 and to this day1 the officers are required to affirm quarterly1 that they do not employ any men of the corps in their private service4 ,detachments are traced during the year at the following new stations3--to ,alderney1 seven rank and file were removed from ,guernsey by order of ,lieutenant-,general ,sir ,john ,doyle4 ,two armourers were employed in the royal manufactory for small arms at ,lewisham1 and continued on this service for many years4 ,the ,eastbourne party was scattered along the ,sussex coast1 working chiefly at ,hastings and ,bulverhithe4 ,the ,newfoundland company gave a strong party for the ,king's works at the south side of the harbour1 which remained there for many months4 ,a non-commissioned officer of the ,halifax company was employed on a tour of inspection to ,cape ,breton and ,prince ,edward's ,island2 and the detachment at the ,cape of ,good ,hope was distributed to ,simon's ,town1 ,hout's ,bay1 ,king's ,blockhouse1 and ,muyzenberg4 #ahaj4 ,capture of ,guadaloupe--,of ,st4 ,martin's and ,st4 ,eustatius--,torres ,vedras--,anecdote of ,corporal ,william ,wilson at the ,lines--,almeida and ,busaco--,detachments to ,cadiz--,puntales and ,la ,isla--,destruction of ,forts ,barbara and ,st4 ,felipe1 near ,gibraltar--,santa ,maura--,occasional detachments4 ,on the #bbnd ,january1 ,colonel ,william ,johnston and ,lieutenant ,hobbs1 royal engineers1 with three sergeants and forty-five rank and file of the ,west ,india company1 embarked at ,martinique under ,lieutenant-,general ,beckwith4 ,the detachment was appointed to the fifth or reserve brigade under the command of ,brigadier-,general ,wale2 and having landed at ,st4 ,mary's ,capisterre1 served at the taking of ,guadaloupe4 ,a small party under ,captain ,hobbs1 ,r4,e41 afterwards accompanied the force under ,brigadier-,general ,harcourt1 and was present at the capture of the islands of ,st4 ,martin's and ,st4 ,eustatius4 ,the celebrated ,lines of ,torres ,vedras1 commenced in ,october1 #ahji1 were fully completed late in #ahaj4 ,the number of the royal military artificers employed in their construction never exceeded eighteen of all ranks1 who were distributed in ones and twos throughout the whole extent of country to be intrenched4#afc ,under the superintendence and control of their officers1 they directed the labours of many hundreds of the peasantry4 ,some of the party were responsible for the efficient services of no less than #ejj to #gjj workmen4 ,in this duty second-corporal ,william ,wilson and private ,james ,douglas rendered themselves conspicuous by their skill and activity4 ,both were promoted in consequence4 ----- ,footnote #afc3 ,jones's ,lines of ,lisbon1 #ahbi1 p4 #gh4 ----- ,corporal ,wilson was selected by ,colonel ,fletcher1 the commanding engineer1 to be his orderly1 in which capacity he served until the death of his chief at ,st4 ,sebastian4 ,at ,torres ,vedras the corporal had charge of a work1 and a party of the ,portuguese ,ordenanza ,militia was placed under his orders to execute it4 ,two of the men were put to a task to be completed within a certain time2 but regarding the work as impossible1 they refused to comply and complained to their officer1 who took their part and was inclined to censure the corporal4 ,however1 with more manliness than soldier-like propriety1 the corporal offered to bet the officer a dollar that he would accomplish the task himself within the time4 ,the bet was accepted4 ,corporal ,wilson stripped1 easily won his dollar1 and prevented the recurrence of similar complaints during the progress of the ,lines4 ,four of the royal military artificers were attached to the army on the ,coa1 and were present at the action near ,almeida in ,july1 and the battle of ,busaco in ,september4 ,retreating with the army to ,torres ,vedras1 the four men rejoined the detachment1 and the whole continued to do duty in the ,lines until removed for more active service4 ,on the #acth ,march1 one corporal and eleven men of the ,portsmouth and ,gosport companies embarked with the force under ,sir ,thomas ,graham for ,cadiz4 ,the non-commissioned officers were 8careful trusty persons10 and the men 8stout1 able1 and good tradesmen40 ,they landed from the #8,concord' transport on the #bdth ,march1 and were commanded by ,major ,c4 ,lefebure1 royal engineers1 until he received his death wound1 which took place in ,april as he was descending the walls of the fortress of ,matagorda during its evacuation4 ,meanwhile a reinforcement from ,portsmouth increased the party to two sergeants and forty-eight rank and file2 and in ,october it was again augmented1 by artificers selected from the different companies1 to three sergeants1 nine corporals1 five second-corporals1 two drummers1 and seventy-three privates1 with ,sub-,lieutenant ,r4 ,davie4 ,the last draft landed at ,cadiz from the #8,diadem' transport4 ,in defending the fort of ,puntales1 which sustained a bombardment from across the water1 a portion of the company was always employed4 ,there private ,benjamin ,hall was killed1 and several privates were injured by a wall1 under which they were mining1 falling on them4 ,the remainder of the company were occupied in fortifying the position of ,la ,isla for the defence of ,cadiz4 ,their particular duty consisted in making platforms1 palisades1 c41 and in acting as overseers to the military working parties of the line1 assisted by artificers drawn from the regiments in garrison4 ,the principal share of the work was done by task1 which1 being laid out beforehand1 the royal military artificers showed the workmen their respective portions as soon as they arrived on the ground1#afd and superintended its correct execution1 both in quantity and detail4 ,at ,la ,isla1 the company was stationed at the park1 and domiciled in one of the powder-magazines which had been made defensible4 ,under the direction of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,evatt and ,captain ,g4 ,j4 ,harding1 royal engineers1 ,forts ,barbara and ,st4 ,felipe1 on the ,spanish lines in front of ,gibraltar1 were demolished by a strong detachment from the two companies stationed at the fortress4 ,the operations occupied a few months2 and during the work the detachment was covered by a force from the garrison of #ejj to #hjj soldiers4 ,in firing a mine near ,st4 ,felipe1 private ,john ,barber lost an arm1 both eyes1 and part of his chin and teeth4 ,in springing another mine near ,tarifa1 private ,thomas ,hughes was killed4 ,from ,zante a party of five royal and eighteen ,maltese military artificers sailed with the force under ,brigadier-,general ,oswald1 and were present on the #afth ,april at the capture of ,santa ,maura4 ,this service effected1 the detachment returned to ,messina1 leaving for the works of the newly-captured island a corporal and a mason of the royal military artificers4 ,during the year1 parties or individuals of the corps were employed on particular service abroad--at ,ceuta1 ,tarifa1 and at ,sidney in ,cape ,breton2 while1 at home1 men were detached to ,hythe1 ,isle of ,wight1 and ,northfleet4 ,at the latter place the party was employed1 from ,august to ,december1 in surveying under ,mr4 ,stanley of the royal military surveyors and draftsmen4 ----- ,footnote #afd3 #8,prof4 ,papers1' iii41 p4 #id4 ----- #ahaa4 ,mortality in the ,west ,indies--,strength and distribution of detachments in the ,peninsula--,recapture of ,olivenza--,field instruction prior to siege of ,badajoz--,conduct of corps at the siege--,conduct of ,sergeant ,rogers in reconnoitring--,reinforcement to ,portugal and duties of the detachment--,its distribution and services--,battle of ,barrosa2 gallant conduct of ,sergeant ,john ,cameron--,tarragona--,defence of ,tarifa--,augmentation to corps and reconstruction of companies--,annual expense of corps--,command of the companies--,their stationary character--,the wealthy corporal--,new distribution of corps--,commissions to ,sub-,lieutenants1 and ingenious inventions of ,lieutenant ,munro4 ,the ,west ,india company being gradually reduced to about fifty men1 it was strengthened in ,march to #aaj1 by the arrival at ,barbadoes1 in the #8,flora' transport1 of fifty-eight men4 ,during the years #ahaj and #ahaa the number of deaths in the company from yellow fever was thirty4 ,the detachment of the corps in ,portugal was increased to seventy-eight of all ranks1 by the landing at ,lisbon of two sergeants and fifty-seven rank and file under ,lieutenant ,p4 ,wright of the royal engineers4 ,thirty-four of the reinforcement were forthwith sent to the ,lines of ,torres ,vedras and the ,almada position2 and the remaining twenty-five joined the head-quarters of the army1 under ,captain ,george ,ross and ,lieutenant ,stanway4#afe ----- ,footnote #afe3 ,jones's #8,sieges' vol4 i4 p4 #cgg1 #bnd edit4 ----- ,while these movements were being effected1 two artificers of the detachment were present at the recapture of ,olivenza in ,april1 under the command of ,captain ,squire1 ,r4,e4#aff ----- ,footnote #aff3 ,ibid4 p4 #f4 ----- ,soon after the reduction of ,olivenza the siege party was augmented to twenty-seven1 by the arrival at ,elvas of twenty-five men under ,captain ,george ,ross4 ,of this increase not a man had ever seen the construction of a sap1 battery1 or trench4 ,the whole were therefore daily drilled in the formation of fieldworks and in making fascines and gabions4#afg ,in these instructional operations they soon acquired sufficient knowledge to render themselves useful to their officers2 and1 at the same time1 showed intelligence and alacrity in aiding in the construction of the flying-bridges across the ,guadiana at ,juramenha4 ----- ,footnote #afg3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' vol4 i41 p4 #aj1 #bnd edit4 ----- ,these twenty-seven men were employed in the first siege of ,badajoz4 ,reduced by two1 they were also present at the second siege of that fortress4 ,on both occasions the diligence and exertions of the detachment were prominent2 and1 assisted by the line workmen1 they quickly repaired the broken batteries and damaged embrasures4 8,many a fine fellow10 says a well-known author1 8lost his life in endeavouring to vie with the men of the engineers40#afh ----- ,footnote #afh3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' ii41 #ahca1 p4 #cbi4 ----- ,in the second siege1 on the night before the storming1 sergeant ,william ,rogers1 and three intrepid men of the corps1 accompanied ,captain ,patton1 ,r4,e41 on the dangerous service of reconnoitring the fords of the ,rivillas1 and the approach to the castle breach beyond the river4 ,they conducted the examination for a time and then returned to the works for a file of men as a guard4 ,with this escort they retraced their steps2 but left it behind at a short distance from the breach1 when the captain and his 8trusty sergeant0 went forward alone and completed the reconnaissance4 ,in returning to the guard the captain stumbled1 and the clanking of his sword drawing the attention of the ,french sentinels1 they fired1 and he fell mortally wounded4 ,sergeant ,rogers protected his captain till he gained the escort1 with whose assistance he succeeded in bearing him alive to the trenches4 ,captain ,patton was able to make his report of the practicability of the assault and soon afterwards expired4#afi ,sergeant ,rogers died at ,fuente ,guinaldo in the following ,august4 ,of him ,colonel ,fletcher wrote3 8he was an attentive1 good soldier1 and in every way a most estimable character40 ----- ,footnote #afi3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' vol4 i41 p4 #gj1 #bnd edit4 #8,united ,service ,journal1' ii41 #ahca1 p4 #cca4 ----- ,in ,may the detachment under ,lieutenant-,colonel ,fletcher received an addition of thirty-nine men2 and on the #bith ,june a further reinforcement of sixty-three non-commissioned officers and men under ,lieutenants ,melhuish and ,de ,salaberry1 royal engineers4 ,in consequence of this augmentation1 the men of the infantry acting as overseers and mechanics on the lines1 rejoined their respective regiments2 and the posts thus vacated were occupied by the newly-arrived detachments of military artificers4#agj ----- ,footnote #agj3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' vol4 i41 p4 #ij1 #bnd edit4 ----- ,the whole force of the corps in ,portugal amounted in ,july to #h sergeants1 #e corporals1 #af second corporals1 #c drummers1 and #ade privates2 total1 #agg4 ,of this number a comparatively small party only was kept with the army1 whilst the remainder were distributed to the lines1 ,sobral1 ,oeyras1 the ,almada position1 ,peniche1 ,abrantes1 ,alhandra1 ,fort ,st4 ,julian1 c4 ,in conducting the works at those places1 8the abilities and good conduct of the men were found of the utmost advantage40 ,at ,fort ,st4 ,julian particularly1 where they were employed in the formation of four extensive jetties for the embarkation of troops in case of necessity1 their skill and expertness were found of great importance4 ,sergeant ,john ,m#8,kay had the executive superintendence of the work under the direction of ,captain ,holloway1 ,r4,e4 ,the detachment with the moving army was broken up into sections of five or six men to each division or corps1 and one or other of them was at the blockade of ,almeida1 ,fuentes d',onoro1 ,albuera1 ,campo ,maior1 and the several other actions which occurred in the ,peninsula during the campaign of #ahaa4 ,from ,cadiz ,sub-,lieutenant ,davie and fifty men under ,captain ,j4 ,f4 ,birch of the royal engineers1 were detached with ,sir ,thomas ,graham's force1 and landed at ,algeciras #bbnd ,february4 ,being armed with short swords only1 ,sir ,thomas caused them to be furnished with such spare muskets1 accoutrements1 and ammunition as could be collected1 to defend themselves if necessary on the march4 ,they were then placed at the head of the column to remove obstructions and facilitate the advance of the army4 ,on the #eth ,march1 ,barrosa was fought1 and the detachment of artificers was present in the battle4 ,here sergeant ,john ,cameron gave a manifestation of his zeal by leading to the charge a section of seven men4 ,they pressed where the fight was warmest2 and in a few moments lost one private--,john ,storie--killed and two wounded4 ,the blue uniform of the artificers was distinctly seen among the red coats of the line1 and ,sir ,thomas ,graham ordered the instant withdrawal of the party to the rear1 observing that he might want it for other work4 ,the sergeant was to have been tried by a court-martial for taking the men into action without orders2 but his bravery saved him4 ,in ,june a second-corporal and four military artificers of the ,cadiz company under ,lieutenant ,harry ,d4 ,jones1 were attached to ,colonel ,skerrett's expedition to assist the ,spaniards in sustaining the siege of ,tarragona2 but the fortress fell while the ,british troops were in the roadstead4 ,the party of artificers landed and occupied quarters in ,st4 ,george's ,barracks1 near ,mahon1 in the island of ,minorca1 and returned to ,la ,isla in ,july4 ,in the following ,october1 two artificers were sent from ,cadiz for the defence of ,tarifa under ,captain ,c4 ,f4 ,smith1 ,r4,e4 ,two also were sent there from ,gibraltar by ,colonel ,sir ,charles ,holloway1 the chief engineer at the fortress4 ,ultimately the engineers' means were increased to seventeen men of all ranks1 who were employed as overseers in strengthening the defences of the place1 and they carried on their duty with energy and credit4 ,one private was wounded on the #bith ,december4 ,a detachment of variable strength continued at ,tarifa until ,april1 #ahac1 when it returned to ,cadiz4 ,a reinforcement of twenty men under ,sub-,lieutenant ,stewart ,calder1 sailed in ,november on board the #8,tartar' transport for ,cadiz1 and landed before the end of the year4 ,the artificer force there now counted #aja of all ranks4 ,anholt1 an island of ,denmark in possession of the ,british1 had been attacked by the ,danes in ,march1 and the fortifications consequently were much damaged4 ,no officer of the royal engineers being available for the duty of restoring the defences1 corporal ,alexander ,borthwick of the royal military artificers1 an experienced mechanic1 was sent there in ,his ,majesty's ship #8,helder1' with two privates as overseers4 ,they landed in ,september and were quartered in ,fort ,yorke under ,lieutenant ,john ,bezant1 the ordnance storekeeper4 ,the marines on the island were employed on the works1 and each received for his labour #bs4 #d;d4 a-day4 ,they worked with attention and spirit4 ,in six months all the authorized renewals and improvements were executed2 and in ,may1 a further sum of #c1gjjl4 having been voted for completing the defences of the island1 additional works were commenced to place the fortifications in a state to sustain a regular siege4 ,in preparing to meet an apprehended attack on the island by the ,danes1 corporal ,borthwick made various effective arrangements for the disposition and employment of the working parties1 and gained the thanks of the ,military ,commandant1 ,major ,torrens1 royal marines4 ,shortly after1 ,admiral ,martin being of opinion that the fortifications were sufficiently tenable to stand an attack1 the works were suspended2 and in ,august1 #ahab1 ,borthwick and his overseers returned to ,england4 ,for his conduct and services at ,anholt he was promoted to be sergeant2 and a commission to a sub-lieutenancy was to have been conferred on him1 but in the interim he became involved in some serious irregularities1 which prevented the reward and ultimately ruined him4 ,so many detachments had been provided for the colonies and the war1 that appeals for reinforcements or more extended aid could only occasionally be attended to4 ,from the ,peninsula and elsewhere1 therefore1 representations had been made of the necessity for increasing the corps1 and augmenting the engineers' means for carrying on with efficiency the duties of the department4 ,the proposals at length met with due consideration2 and on the #bhth ,may a warrant was issued for an improved organization of the corps1 enlarging its establishment to an extent commensurate with the precautions which the disturbed state of ,europe rendered advisable4 ,the warrant sanctioned an increase of #a1cdg men1 abolished the rank of company-sergeant-major1 added to the number of the sub-lieutenants1 and divided the corps into four battalions of eight companies1 each company being constituted as follows3-- ,sub-,lieutenant #a ,sergeants #e ,corporals #e ,second-,corporals #e ,drummers #c ,carpenters #ae ,masons #aj ,bricklayers #f ,smiths #d ,wheelers #b ,collar-makers #b ,cooper #a ,miners#aga #cj ---- ,total #hi ,the establishment of the corps was fixed as under3-- ,staff ,adjutants#agb #d ,sergeant-majors #d ,quartermaster-,sergeants #d ,drum-major #a ,sub-,lieutenants #cb ,sergeants #afj ,corporals #afj ,second-,corporals #afj ,drummers #if ,privates #b1bdj ---- ,total #b1hfa exclusive of the three companies of ,maltese military artificers4 ----- ,footnote #aga3 ,a third of whom were to be gardeners1 hedgers1 or canal-diggers1 but only to be enlisted on special authority from head-quarters4 ,footnote #agb3 ,these appointments were never conferred4 ,the whole business of the corps was carried on by an ,adjutant1 who held his office independently of the battalions4 ----- ,the annual expense of the corps1 not including working pay and other fluctuating contingencies1 amounted to #hg1gcfl4 #ads4 #c;d4 ,at this period #e sub-lieutenants1 #a sergeant-major1 and #acj men were employed on the recruiting service4 ,in all practicable cases1 general and field-officers were deprived of the command of companies1 which now ceased to be stationary1 but were removed by rotation of relief from one station to another1 the same as the companies of the royal artillery4 ,the employment of men on detached duties was also discouraged1 and companies were composed of a convenient strength to enable them to move in bodies4 ,upon the stationary condition of the corps a celebrated officer of the royal engineers has made the subjoined correct remarks3--#agc 8,from the close of the ,american war till the year #ahaa1 all the companies of royal military artificers were kept permanently fixed at their respective stations1 both at home and abroad1 where they remained for life1 in what may1 for military men1 be styled a state of vegetation2 so that they were1 at that period1 a vast number of men who had actually grown grey in the corps1 who had never entered a transport1 nor made a single day's march from the head-quarters of their company4 ,to the men at ,gibraltar and other foreign stations the service of the corps was thus rendered almost equivalent to transportation for life4 ,everywhere they intermixed with civilians2 they married in a proportion unknown in any other corps2 so much so1 that the number of women and children belonging to one company was often equal to that of a battalion of the line40#agd ----- ,footnote #agc3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' note a1 p4 iv41 vol4 i4 ,footnote #agd3 ,there was a ,william ,painter at ,gibraltar1 whose affluence was something extraordinary4 ,he enlisted into the corps in ,july1 #agih1 and though a man of very useful intelligence1 only attained the rank of second-corporal in #ahjg4 ,he tried to procure his discharge to return to his estate in ,cornwall1 but such was the pressure for men1 his desire was negatived4 ,his humble position1 however1 did not prevent his living in ease and luxury4 ,he kept his servants1 horses1 and1 it is said1 his carriage1 and entertained and enjoyed very good society4 ,well could he do all this1 for1 coupling with his own receipts his wife's settlement1 he possessed an income of eleven hundreds pounds a-year6 ,he died at the ,rock1 ,august #ac1 #ahaa1 aged #de years4 ,by his ,will he left #ejjjl4 stock to his two sons--,john1 and ,william ,grible2 #cjjl4 to ,sub-,lieutenant ,falconer and his family1 and a few smaller legacies to relatives and an attached servant1 besides considerable landed property1 houses1 and the usual legal addenda of 8messuages1 tenements1 and hereditaments0 at ,gwennap in ,cornwall to his elder son ,john1 8and his heirs for ever40 ,the widow1 under a jointure1 was in receipt of #eejl4 a-year4 ,as if to show how likely fortune is to be overtaken by calamity1 ,sub-,lieutenant ,falconer1 five days after the death-bed remembrance of the corporal1 was fired at from an open window by private ,samuel ,fraser4 ,the ball luckily missed him1 but whizzed sufficiently near to be alarming4 ,the ruffian was sent to a condemned regiment in commutation for his sentence of one thousand lashes6 ----- ,under the new arrangement the companies were distributed as follows3-- ,companies4 ,woolwich #f ,chatham #b ,portsmouth and ,gosport #c ,plymouth #b ,dover #b ,guernsey #a ,jersey #a ,cork #b ,gibraltar #c ,newfoundland #a ,halifax #a ,west ,indies #b ,cadiz #b ,portugal #d with detachments from the above to ,eastbourne and the ,sussex coast1 ,hythe1 ,cape ,breton1 ,new ,brunswick1 ,ceylon1 ,cape of ,good ,hope1 ,sicily1 the ,ionian ,islands1 and ,madeira4 ,the companies at ,cadiz were the sixth and seventh of the first battalion2 and those in ,portugal were the fifth1 sixth1 seventh1 and eighth of the second battalion4 ,at this time the corps counted a force of nearly #a1ejj men4 ,more than half were employed in foreign possessions and colonial defence4 ,the remainder1 distributed in home garrisons and the ,channel ,islands1 included a large proportion of aged men1 invalids1 and recruits4 ,by the end of the year the reconstruction of the companies was completed2 and from continual accessions of squads of recruits1 rapidly equipped and disciplined1 the corps was soon in a condition1 to a greater extent than heretofore1 to meet such incidental necessities as might arise4 ,eleven sergeants were commissioned to be sub-lieutenants during the year4 ,some joined from the royal artillery4 ,all were distinguished either as soldiers or artificers1 particularly ,sub-,lieutenant ,munro1 who was an 8ingenious and skilful mechanic10 and his inventions1 which met with general approbation1 were attended with considerable saving to the ,government4 ,the captain of his company1 in making a record of his acquirements1 wrote that ,lieutenant ,munro 8was the most zealous and intelligent non-commissioned officer whom he had met in the course of his services40#age ----- ,footnote #age3 ,he invented an engine for nipping lead shot1 used for years in the royal laboratory1 but for which an impostor and spy1 named ,de ,haine1 received a reward of #ejjl4 ,while filling the office of inspector of ordnance stores1 he made various improvements in the mechanical and intrenching tools4 ,he also detected many extraordinary frauds in the deliveries made by contractors4 ,in one attempted imposition only1 he saved the ,government #bjjjl4 ,he designed and constructed a life-ladder1 which was frequently used with success at fires1 and an ingenious mortar-mill which occasioned a great saving of expense to the department4 ,at ,chatham he invented many useful tools1 implements1 and apparatus1 and his services were repeatedly acknowledged in the order books of the establishment4 ----- #ahab4 ,plymouth company instructed in field duties--,engineer establishment at ,chatham--,major ,pasley appointed its director--,discipline and drill of corps--,its character--,sir ,john ,sinclair ex-private--,title of corps changed--,captain ,g4 ,buchanan--,a sergeant acrobat--,cuidad ,rodrigo--,exertions of a company on the march to the siege--,repairs to the fortress--,siege of ,badajoz--,difficulties in removing the stores to the park--,duties of the sappers in the operation--,gallant behaviour of ,patrick ,rooney and ,william ,harry--,also of a party at ,fort ,picurina1 and of ,patrick ,burke and ,robert ,miller--,hazardous attempt to blow down the batardeau in the ditch of the lunette1 and conduct of corporal ,stack--,bravery of a party in mining under the bridge of the inundation--,distribution of the ,peninsular companies and their services--,bridges of ,yecla and ,serrada--,reinforcement to ,spain--,salamanca--,burgos1 and boldness of ,patrick ,burke and ,andrew ,alexander at the siege--,bridge of ,alba--,carthagena--,reinforcement to ,cadiz2 action at ,seville--,reinforcement to the ,peninsula and distribution of the sappers--,green ,island--,tarragona--,first detachment to ,bermuda4 ,major ,pasley1 ,r4,e41 on his appointment to the ,plymouth station1 occasionally practised his company in sapping and mining4 ,he was one of those officers who took pains to improve the military appearance and efficiency of his men1 and to make them useful either for home or foreign employment4 ,he is believed to have been the first officer who represented the advantage of training the corps in the construction of military field-works4 ,after the failure of ,badajoz in #ahaa the necessity of this measure was strongly advocated by the war officers4 ,then it was recommended to form a corps under the name of royal sappers and miners1 to be composed of six companies chosen from the royal military artificers1 which after receiving some instruction in the art1 was to be sent to the ,peninsula to aid the troops in their future siege operations4#agf ,early in this year #ahab the suggestion was repeated by ,sir ,richard ,fletcher2 and ,lord ,wellington having also1 in the most forcible manner1 brought the subject to the notice of the ,secretary of ,state1#agg a warrant was issued under date of the #bcrd ,april for the formation of an establishment for instructing the corps in military field-works4 ----- ,footnote #agf3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' #bnd edit41 ii41 p4 #cij4 ,footnote #agg3 #8,wellington ,dispatches1' #ahde1 v41 p4 #ejh4 ----- ,lord ,mulgrave1 the ,master-,general1 selected ,chatham as the most suitable place for carrying out the royal orders1 and appointed ,major ,c4 ,w4 ,pasley director of the establishment4 ,the exertions of that officer at ,plymouth naturally singled him out for the post4 ,the better to effect his purpose1 he published for the use of the corps1 elementary works on fortification1 geometry1 c4 of the greatest simplicity2 and they have ever since been the text-books of the institution4 ,in addition to sapping and mining1 his system comprised bridge-making1 pontooning1 the use of ropes1 mechanical appliances1 and all other arts and contrivances1 which the corps1 in its connection with the engineer department1 is likely to be called on to perform4 8,uniting10 says ,sir ,john ,jones1 8great zeal and unwearied perseverance with good talents0 and judgment1 ,major ,pasley 8succeeded in extending the course far beyond these objects10 and not only 8filled the ranks of the corps with good scholars1 good surveyors1 and good draughtsmen10 but enabled many1 after quitting the service1 to occupy with ability and credit1 situations of considerable importance in civil life4#agh ----- ,footnote #agh3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' #bnd edit41 ii44 p4 #cib4 ----- ,the formation of the school at ,chatham increased the means for discipline and drill4 ,other stations1 stimulated by the example1 paid greater attention to their enforcement4 ,the injurious system of changing officers incessantly was now abolished2 and the juniors1 among a stated number of the second captains1 first lieutenants1 and second lieutenants of the royal engineers1 were appointed regimental officers of the companies4 ,sir ,john ,jones has recorded that 8the men generally were of superior acquirements and well-disposed10 and the above changes had the best possible effect upon their general behaviour4#agi 8,by linking officers and men together10 he added1 8and closely connecting their mutual interests1 discipline and pride were given to the soldier10 and character to the corps4#ahj ----- ,footnote #agi3 ,among the recruits at this period was ,sir ,john ,sinclair1 ,bart41 who1 on the #abth ,august1 #ahab1 enlisted in the name of ,john ,smith4 ,through various misfortunes he was reduced from affluence to poverty4 ,noticed by ,colonel ,pilkington1 ,r4,e41 for his uniform good conduct and attainments1 he was promoted to the rank of second-corporal1 and provided with a quarter at the main-guard in the royal arsenal4 ,his lady sometimes visited him in all the pride of her station1 but his own rank was as yet unsuspected4 ,from a comrade--afterwards ,sub-,lieutenant ,h4 ,b4 ,mackenzie--he frequently borrowed plain clothes to elude arrest in the streets1 and invariably proceeded to the ,treasury by water to receive his allowance4 ,he was at length dogged to ,woolwich1 and1 on the #cast ,august1 #ahac1 being taken1 was thrown into the debtors' side of ,newgate1 from whence he was removed to the ,fleet ,prison1 where1 for a year and a half he was confined1 and was then only released by an error in law4 ,thirteen months' sickness and distress followed his release1 during which time he was supplied with means by an acquaintance of his earlier and happier days4 ,all the while the whereabouts of ,john ,smith was unknown1 but1 advised by his friend1 he confessed himself a deserter1 and in imploring pardon and indemnity for past errors1 solicited to be received for life in the ,new ,south ,wales ,corps4 ,the pardon was granted1 and being relieved from further service in the sappers1 he was again left at liberty to follow his own inclination4 ,footnote #ahj3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' #bnd edit41 ii41 pp4 #cij1 #cia4 ----- ,more fully to accord with its recognized duties the ,master-,general on the #dth ,august1 ordered that the royal military artificers should be hereafter styled1 ,royal ,military ,artificers or ,sappers and ,miners4#aha ----- ,footnote #aha3 ,sir ,john ,jones1 by mistake1 vol4 ii4 p4 #cij1 makes the alteration of the name of the corps antecedent to the creation of the establishment at ,chatham4 ----- ,captain ,g4 ,buchanan1 the adjutant1 resigned the appointment1 and ,captain ,rice ,jones1 under commission dated #ast ,february1 succeeded to it4 ,during his period of office1 ,captain ,buchanan1 besides attending to its many official requirements and details1 performed duty on the works like other officers of engineers4 ,by his application and exertions he ruined his health4 ,captain ,rice ,jones was relieved from the duties of the district1 and the pay of the appointment was increased from #fs4 to #ajs4 a-day4#ahb ,footnote #ahb3 ,soon after this change1 an act of gross indiscipline occurred1 which will afford a tolerable notion of some of the singular characters who held rank in the corps4 ,a sergeant's guard usually mounted in the sappers' barracks at ,woolwich4 ,one morning sergeant ,millar was appointed to the new guard1 and during the ceremony of 8mounting10 was posted in front of it4 ,lieutenant ,eaves1 the officer on duty1 gave the usual words of command4 8,sergeant1 to your guard1 march60 ,millar no sooner heard it1 than he whirled his halberd in the air1 and as every one stood amazed to see the upshot of this mad manuvre1 the pike turned point downwards and stuck in the earth4 ,at this moment1 to complete the extravaganza1 ,millar pitched on his hands1 and with his legs towering erect in the air1 paddled1 with all the flexibility and steadiness of an acrobat1 to his wondering guard6 ,the siege of ,cuidad ,rodrigo began on the #hth and terminated on the #aith ,january when the fortress was carried by storm4 ,in this siege eighteen rank and file of the royal military artificers were present1 of whom one was killed and ten were wounded4 ,in carrying on their duties they were sometimes annoyed by the presence of light balls thrown by the enemy into the sap4 ,the instant they alighted some bold sappers1 heedless of the peril they incurred1 rushed to the spot1 and in a few seconds extinguished them with sand-bags or smothered them by shovelling earth upon the flames4#ahc ,the conduct of the party during the operations was praised by ,lord ,wellington4#ahd ----- ,footnote #ahc3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' i4 p4 #cfi1 #crd edit41 and note added by ,colonel ,harry ,d4 ,jones4 ,footnote #ahd3 #8,wellington ,dispatches1' #ahde1 v41 p4 #dgf4 ----- ,to join the siege party1 the fifth company second battalion of forty-one men1 had been embodied at ,alhandra from the different districts of ,torres ,vedras1 and marched for ,cuidad ,rodrigo on the #bnd ,january4 ,it had in charge a large assortment of intrenching tools to be used in the works before that fortress4 ,the weather was bitterly cold1 a considerable quantity of rain had fallen1 and the roads were cut into deep ruts and covered with pools4 ,frequently the jaded mules dropped from fatigue2 and to relieve them1 the men were constantly compelled1 either to lead them instead of the disaffected muleteers1 or take the labour of the animals themselves4 ,after a trying and toilsome journey of seventeen days1 the company arrived in front of ,cuidad ,rodrigo on the night of the #aith ,january1 but took no part in the storming4#ahe ----- ,footnote #ahe3 ,sir ,john ,jones1 in his #8,sieges1' i4 p4 #acj1 #bnd edit41 records1 by mistake1 the arrival of the company on the #aeth instead of the #aith ,january4 ----- ,the above company and detachment were afterwards employed in restoring and improving the defences of the place4 ,paid by measurement for their labour1 they greatly exerted themselves1 notwithstanding the bitter weather to which they were exposed4 ,corporal ,james ,douglas was intrusted with the charge of the restoration4 ,in the siege of ,badajoz from #afth ,march to #fth ,april1 the military artificers bore an important part4 ,there were present #aae of all ranks1 being portions of the fifth and seventh companies1 second battalion1 from ,cuidad ,rodrigo2 and the sixth of the second battalion from the ,almada position4 ,a company from ,cadiz comprising men of the sixth and seventh companies1 first battalion1 did not join till nearly the conclusion of the siege4 ,the company disembarked at ,ayamonte and ascended the valley of the ,guadiana on the ,portugal side1 partly by boats and partly by marching4 ,no ,british soldiers1 save this company1 had ever been in that part of ,portugal4 ,all the engineers' means for the operation were conveyed from ,elvas to ,badajoz under charge of the corps1 for which purpose #abj pairs of bullocks were pressed into the service4 ,the effectual removal of the stores was accomplished under great difficulties4 ,from the desertion of the drivers1 taking with them their oxen1 and the weakly condition of others1 many of the sappers frequently yoked themselves to the abandoned burdens1 and in carrying them through the ,guadiana at the fords1 were sometimes borne down the stream by the rapidity of the current4 ,nearly all the stores1 however1 reached the dept at the appointed time4 ,in the distribution of the men1 a strong party was nominated for the duty of the park1 to repair tools1 make scaling-ladders1 platforms1 c41 and the remainder1 told off into seven brigades1 performed good services as overseers and leading sappers in the trenches and the batteries4 ,sub-,lieutenants ,a4 ,wallace and ,r4 ,gibb who joined in ,january1 volunteered their services as assistants in the trenches1 and both discharged their duties 8extremely well40 ,their conduct was noticed in flattering terms in a letter to ,general ,mann1 the inspector-general of fortifications4 ,soon after commencing operations1 corporal ,patrick ,rooney signalized himself by laying gun platforms in the day-time under a warm fire from the enemy4 ,no less conspicuous was private ,william ,harry1 who opened in daylight under fire of the ,picurina1 the embrasures of a masked battery4 ,in executing these dangerous services1 their firmness and skill had the effect of stimulating the workmen to the prompt performance of similar exploits4 ,at the storming of ,fort ,picurina the royal military artificers who preceded the columns1 conducted themselves with the 8greatest gallantry and coolness40 ,particular mention is made of those who accompanied ,captain ,holloway of the royal engineers1 in leading the reserve column to the place4 ,encumbered with ladders and axes1 they broke through a line of palisades on the covertway1 planted the ladders against the counterscarp1 and then1 descending into the ditch1 moved the ladders across to the scarp with the greatest 8steadiness and precision40 ,instantly they mounted1 and after tearing down the fraises to a sufficient extent for the escalade1 ascended the ramparts and dashed through the embrasures into the fort4 ,private ,patrick ,burke1 a bold soldier1 took a leading part in the assault and was amongst the foremost that entered the place4 ,on the parapet ,captain ,holloway fell severely wounded4 ,lance-corporal ,robert ,miller rushed to his rescue1 and at imminent personal peril1 guarded his body and bore him in safety to the camp4 ,late in the siege a hazardous attempt was made by ,lieutenant ,stanway1 ,r4,e4 to blow down the batardeau in the ditch of the lunette for the purpose of drawing off the inundation4 ,he was accompanied by an officer and twenty men of the royal military artificers1 of whom lance-corporal ,william ,stack gave proof of prominent zeal and daring4 ,the powder-barrels were duly placed against the dam and fired2 but the effect intended was not produced1 and the party returned to the trenches without loss4 ,in the final assault of ,badajoz1 selected men of the corps accompanied each of the columns to the breaches1 bearing ladders1 hatchets1 crowbars1 c41 and executed the duty allotted to them with the utmost bravery4 ,after storming the lunette ,st4 ,roque1 a party of the royal military artificers1 under ,lieutenant ,wright1 ,r4 ,e4 displayed expertness and courage in mining under the dam and bridge of the inundation4 ,of the general services and conduct of the sappers 8during the operations of the siege and in its close10 it is recorded that they 8distinguished0 themselves4#ahf ----- ,footnote #ahf3 #8,wellington ,dispatches1' edit4 #ahde1 v41 p4 #egi4 ----- ,privates ,william ,bond and ,edward ,doran were killed1 and five rank and file wounded at the storming4 ,in the trenches1 during the operations1 corporal ,john ,blackadder was killed1 and ,sub-,lieutenant ,wallace wounded4 ,many others also were wounded1 but the precise number cannot be traced4 ,soon after the capture1 the detachment of the sixth and seventh companies1 first battalion1 returned to ,cadiz1 ,major-,general ,cooke having represented the desirableness of maintaining the corps in adequate strength to carry out the defensive operations under his orders4#ahg ,the sixth of the second battalion was attached to the expedition for besieging ,tarragona1#ahh and portions of the fifth and seventh companies1 second battalion1 remained at ,badajoz to assist in the repairs of the breaches1 and in improving the defences of the town4 ,one private was killed by the unexpected explosion of a blast when he applied the match to fire it4 ,the restorations were effected before the close of the year1 and to mark the date1 some masons of the corps built the number of the year with #bd-pound shot in the escarp wall of the face of the bastion ,la ,trinidad4 ----- ,footnote #ahg3 ,ibid1 v41 p4 #fej4 ,footnote #ahh3 ,in the ,dispatch to the ,earl of ,liverpool1 dated ,fuente ,guinaldo1 #ajth ,june1 #ahab1 the ,earl of ,wellington states1 8,i have likewise sent from this country to ,gibraltar ,lieutenant-,colonel ,jones and four subaltern officers of engineers1 and two companies of military artificers1 including all the sappers there are with the army10 to join the corps d'arme under ,lieutenant-,general ,lord ,william ,bentinck1 8to make an attack on the eastern coast of the ,peninsula1 with the troops from ,sicily40--,wellington ,dispatches2 #ahde1 v41 p4 #gjf1 #gjg4 ,the above company1 #ib strong1 was the only one despatched from ,portugal1 but one of the ,maltese military artificers from ,messina was added to the engineers' means for the siege1 which made a combined sapper-force of #acd strong4 ----- ,the bridges of ,yecla and ,serrada1 which spanned the ,yebra--a branch of the ,douro between ,salamanca and ,cuidad ,rodrigo--were mined in ,december #ahaa by ,spanish miners1 with a few privates of the sappers as overseers1 under the direction of ,lieutenant ,w4 ,reid1 royal engineers4 ,owing to the flinty nature of the cement giving the compactness of rock to the structures1 it required a fortnight's unceasing toil--day and night--to drive the shafts4 ,the mines were fired in ,april1 following1 when one arch of the ,yecla was blown down1 and a pier and two arches of the ,serrada were destroyed4 ,sub-,lieutenant ,c4 ,booth and ninety-five men reinforced the companies in ,spain under ,sir ,richard ,fletcher4 ,nine men also joined from ,madeira4 ,both parties landed in ,april increasing the artificer force to #bgc of all ranks4 ,all the effective men were attached to the different divisions of the army1 or were dispersed on various duties throughout the country4 ,those remaining at ,badajoz were instructed in sapping and mining under ,lieutenant ,harry ,jones of the royal engineers4 ,in ,june1 nine rank and file were present under ,lieutenant-,colonel ,burgoyne1 ,r4,e41 at the siege of the fortified posts at ,salamanca4 ,private ,james ,durant was killed in the trenches on the night of the #agth ,june1 and four privates were wounded4 ,thanks for their good conduct in the siege of the forts was conveyed to them in general orders4#ahi ----- ,footnote #ahi3 #8,wellington ,dispatches1' #ahde1 v41 p4 #gbd4 ----- ,eight of the corps were present in ,august at the capture of the ,retiro at ,madrid1 and at the siege of ,burgos in ,september and ,october4 ,all were employed as overseers in the park and the trenches4 ,corporal ,m4 ,develin was killed1 and the remaining seven were wounded4 ,the whole party proved themselves to be good soldiers and skilful miners4 ,deriving their instruction1 in great part1 from the labours of previous sieges1 they knew the best methods to achieve success4 ,at ,fort ,christoval the want of experienced miners rendered it impracticable to crown the glacis and prevent the garrison removing the debris from the foot of the breach4 ,at ,burgos1 on the contrary1 though the assaults were frequent before the place fell1 this handful of sappers1 assisted by some miners from the guards1 successfully worked up to the fortress1 and formed effective breaches by mining1 in the castle walls4#aij ,private ,patrick ,burke1 a distinguished stormer at ,badajoz1 was remarked for his usefulness and resolution in the explosion of a mine2 and private ,andrew ,alexander for his valour in leading the workmen to crown the crater of a mine on the enemy's glacis before the breach4 ,the fifth company1 second battalion1 was sent in advance with stores for the siege but arrived too late to share in the operation4 ----- ,footnote #aij3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' notes by ,colonel ,harry ,d4 ,jones1 i41 p4 #ace1 #cgg1 #crd edit4 ----- ,in the retreat to the frontier of ,portugal a few men of the corps mined the bridge at ,alba on the ,tormes1 under ,captain ,goldfinch of the engineers4 ,an eye-witness who observed their exertions says1 8,in crossing the bridge1 we found the sappers hard at work mining and laying barrels of gunpowder to blow up the centre arch40#aia ,the bridge was accordingly destroyed to check the advance of the enemy4 ,this small party also assisted in the hasty intrenchments thrown up to defend the castle1 and was present in repulsing the attack on the place4 ----- ,footnote #aia3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' #b1 #ahbi1 p4 #bhd1 #bhe4 ----- ,in ,january a corporal and nine privates were detached from ,la ,isla to ,carthagena to strengthen the fortifications there4 ,private ,thomas ,grewer was killed in springing a mine4 ,the detachment returned to ,la ,isla in ,april1 #ahad4 ,a draft of twenty-eight non-commissioned officers and men landed at ,cadiz in ,april to reinforce the sixth and seventh companies1 first battalion4 ,in ,august following1 a sergeant and ten rank and file were present with ,colonel ,skerrit's force in the action at ,seville on the #bgth of the month4 ,they rejoined their companies in ,september4 ,late in the year ,lieutenant ,matson of the royal engineers1 having under his command ,sub-,lieutenants ,r4 ,turner and ,c4 ,gratton and #ace non-commissioned officers and men1 joined the corps in the ,peninsula4 ,many of them had been instructed in the formation of military field-works4 ,the total of the artificer force in ,spain and ,portugal in ,december1 reached the following numbers3-- ,lisbon1 ,badajoz1 and with the army in the field #cjc ,alicant #ib ,cadiz #ajc ,tarifa #aa ,carthagena #f ---- ,total #eae including ,sub-,lieutenants ,wallace1 ,gibb1 ,booth1 ,turner1 and ,gratton4 ,during the year the casualties in the detachment under ,sir ,richard ,fletcher were1 nine invalided and forty-three deaths4 ,in ,may the number sick counted thirty-one2 in ,december it was increased to sixty-one4 ,at ,green ,island1 opposite ,algeciras1 four privates were employed in repairing the defences early in the year under ,lieutenant ,a4 ,brown of the corps4 ,when completed they returned to ,gibraltar4 ,the first company of ,maltese ,artificers of forty-one total1 and one smith of the royal military artificers1 left ,messina in ,june under the command of ,major ,thackeray1 ,r4,e41 with the expedition against ,tarragona4 ,at ,port ,mahon1 ,minorca1 they were joined by the sixth company1 first battalion4 ,both companies soon afterwards landed at ,alicant1 and portions of them were employed on such occasional services as the course of events demanded4 ,bermuda was this year appointed a station for the corps4 ,two sergeants1 one drummer1 and fifty rank and file1 embarked on the #bast ,august on board the #8,catherine1' freight-ship1 and arrived at the island #bjth ,november4 ,the detachment generally were inferior artificers and ill-behaved men4 ,throughout the voyage they were discontented and mutinous2 and after landing1 animadversion and punishment for a long time had but little effect in checking their excesses and insubordination4 ,captain ,cunningham1 royal engineers1 commanded the party4 #ahac4 ,designation of corps modified--,uniform--,working-dress--,arm s--,mode of promoting non-commissioned officers--,rank of colour-sergeant created--,company to ,canada--,reinforcement to ,bermuda--,sub-,lieutenant ,mackenzie appointed ,town-,major there--,sickness at ,gibraltar--,services of company in ,east ,catalonia--,malha da ,sorda--,services on the advance to ,vittoria--,bridge at ,toro--,blockade of ,pampeluna--,pyrenees--,stockades near ,roncesvalles--,san ,sebastian and services of the corps at the siege--,valour of sergeants ,powis and ,davis--,of private ,borland2 and of corporal ,evans--,casualties in the siege--,restoration of the fortifications-,pontoon train--,bidassoa--,bridge across it1 and conduct of privates ,owen ,connor and ,nowlan--,vera--,nivelle1 and behaviour of corporal ,councill--,bridge over that river--,bridges over the ,nive1 and daring exertions of private ,dowling--,fording the ,nive1 and posts of honour accorded to corporal ,jamieson and private ,braid--,strength and distribution of corps in the ,peninsula--,recruiting4 ,to correspond with the intentions of the ,government with respect to the future duties of the corps1 the title was again changed on the #eth ,march1 from 8royal military artificers or sappers and miners10 to 8,royal ,sappers and ,miners40 ,some mistrust and discontent were occasioned by this second alteration1 but conciliatory explanations restored confidence and satisfaction4 ,a change of dress followed the change of name4 ,this originated with the war officers in the ,peninsula4 ,working with the line at the sieges1 it was considered desirable to assimilate the dress of the two services2 and scarlet with blue facings was introduced to render the men less conspicuous to the enemy and less subject to danger4 ,no material alteration was made in the cut and frogging of the coatee4 ,for particular parades1 the white breeches and long gaiters were continued1 except in the ,peninsula1 where grey trousers and ankle gaiters were substituted4 ,the chaco--a singular concoction from the ,german mitre1 preserved in ,hogarth's 8,march to ,finchley10 and the 8smoke-jack0--was much higher in front than in rear and decorated with yellow cords and tassels4 ,a short white feather1 worn at the left side of the chaco1 just peered above the curve of the fan4 ,see ,plate ,x4 ,the working dress consisted of a plain red jacket with short skirts1 grey trousers with red stripes1 short spats1 shoes with brass clasps1 and a leather cap worn lengthways1 or square1 bearing on its front leaf in brass1 the initials of the corps1 and subsequently a crown and garter ornament4 ,this much-disliked head-covering was a remote but unsightly variety of the cocked hat2 and in lieu of tassels was furnished at the corners with black silk ribbon ties of some length4 ,see ,plate ,,xi4 ,some companies wore white linen overalls1 buttoned the whole length of the outer seam4 ,at ,cadiz1 previous to the general change1 the companies wore grey trousers with a black stripe down each outer seam1 and a grey cloth forage-cap1 trimmed with black braid1 and the letters ,r4 ,m4 ,a4 on the left side of the cap4 ,greater attention was now paid to arming the corps4 ,heretofore1 in this respect1 many irregularities had crept in4 ,at ,newfoundland the detachment was armed with swords1 cutlasses1 and accoutrements of every shape1 saved from the ,american war4 ,in the ,west ,indies the companies used the shattered remains of old armouries and black accoutrements of various patterns4 ,in ,sicily the military artificers could only muster a few foreign cumbersome firelocks2 whilst the ,maltese artificers were unable to appear with a weapon of any kind4 ,for a number of years the ,gibraltar companies wore the obsolete accoutrements and cartouche-boxes of a disbanded ,newfoundland regiment2 and a party of the corps on its way to the ,peninsula1 did duty with pikes and blunderbusses4 ,among the sergeants the swords and belts were very dissimilar4 ,permitted to purchase their own arms1 more attention was paid to fancy and ability of payment than uniformity4 ,these and other anomalies were progressively removed from the corps in consequence of the improved method of officering the companies4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,sappers ,miners ,plate ,x4 ,,working ,,dress1 #ahac ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,sappers ,miners ,plate ,,xi4 ,,uniform4 #ahac ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,in ,march an important plan was adopted for the promotion of non-commissioned officers4 ,all men at home recommended for advancement1 were sent to ,woolwich to be examined4 ,if found competent as artificers and soldiers1 they were especially instructed in a uniform system of routine and drill1 and returned perfect to their companies4 ,a few years1 however1 showed the expense and inconvenience of the system1 and it was necessarily relinquished4 ,in ,july the rank of colour-sergeant was granted to the corps4 ,one was appointed to each company with the pay of #bs4 #i;d4 a-day1 and was distinguished by the badge of the open colour and cross swords on the right arm4 ,sixpence a-day was also added to the pay of the sergeant-majors1 which raised it to #ds4 #a;d4 a-day4 ,the third company1 third battalion1 of eighty-one men under ,lieutenant ,g4 ,philpotts1 ,r4,e41 and ,sub-,lieutenant ,james ,a4 ,stephenson1 sailed for ,canada on board the #8,zodiac' transport on the #bcrd ,april1 and landed at ,quebec on the #eth ,june4 ,they had been trained in the field duties of the department at ,chatham1 and were the first of the corps ever employed in the ,canadas4 ,nothing satisfactory is known of their services2 but they appear to have been much dispersed through the country1 the greatest numbers being at ,burlington ,heights1 ,prescott1 ,point ,henry1 ,york1 and ,kingston4 ,the last station was the head-quarters of the company4 ,in the summer the detachment at ,bermuda was increased to a company by the arrival of thirty men under ,sub-,lieutenant ,hugh ,b4 ,mackenzie1#aib from his ,majesty's ship #8,ardent4' ----- ,footnote #aib3 ,in #ahaf this officer was appointed ,town-,major at ,bermuda1 and from the able manner in which he discharged its duties1 was honoured with the confidence and approval of his patron1 ,sir ,james ,cockburn4 ----- ,at ,gibraltar the companies suffered much from sickness during the year4 ,ophthalmia was also very prevalent4 ,in ,december a malignant epidemic appeared in the garrison and nineteen deaths occurred in the companies4 ,nine other deaths took place in the year1 and twenty-four were invalided4 ,the three companies at the ,rock were now reduced from #bfg to #ada of all ranks4 ,the sixth company1 second battalion1 attached to the ,anglo-,sicilian army at ,alicant1 sent during the year portions of the company with three expeditions undertaken by ,sir ,john ,murray and ,lord ,william ,bentinck1 who were present in the several movements and affairs of the campaign1 including the action at the ,biar ,pass1 battle of ,castalla1 siege and capture of ,fort ,belaguer1 and the second and third sieges of ,tarragona4 ,thirty-nine men of the ,maltese sappers and miners accompanied these expeditions4 ,detachments of both corps were also cantoned1 at different intervals1 at ,valencia2 and thirty men of the company made1 in the island of ,ivica1 a liberal provision of fascines1 gabions1 and platforms1 for the last siege of ,tarragona4 ,after ,suchet evacuated the place1 and ,lord ,william had marched to ,villa ,franca1 the royal and ,maltese sappers and miners commenced to clear and repair the breaches1 and to restore1 generally1 the fortifications4 ,until ,april #ahad they continued so employed1 when1 the works having been placed in as defensible a state as before their recent destruction1#aic they sailed to rejoin the force under ,lord ,william ,bentinck in ,italy4 ----- ,footnote #aic3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii41 #ahdd1 p4 #gg1 #gh4 ----- ,with the exception of a few scattered detachments1 the companies in the ,peninsula under ,sir ,richard ,fletcher were concentrated at ,malha da ,sorda1 and in ,january the seventh company1 first battalion1 from ,cadiz1 also joined there4 ,all were practised as occasion permitted in the construction of field-works under ,lieutenant ,e4 ,matson1 royal engineers4 ,sub-,lieutenant ,gratton1 who was appointed adjutant1 drilled the companies and conducted the roster4 ,on the army breaking up cantonments1 the seventh company1 first battalion1 and the fifth and seventh companies1 second battalion1 with ,sub-,lieutenants ,calder1 ,gratton1 and ,wallace1 were attached to the pontoon train4 ,the royal staff corps also accompanied it4 ,both corps assisted in the formation of bridges for the passage of the army4 ,carrying the pontoons down the steep banks of the ,esla was an arduous service1 but the bridge was thrown across the river with promptitude4 ,without loss or material casualty1 the companies reached ,vittoria1 but were not present at the battle4 ,at ,zamora and ,toro parties were left to construct earthworks for cover in the event of a retreat4 ,others stationed on the ,douro and the ,esla1 guarded and used the flying bridges over those rivers whenever required by the troops4 ,the eighth company1 second battalion1 with ,sub-,lieutenant ,turner1 was attached to the light division and encamped with the #dcrd regiment4 ,at night1 while the ,toro bridge was still burning1 the company repaired the broken arch with ladders1 trees1 and planks1 under the direction of ,lieutenant ,edward ,matson1 ,r4,e41#aid and was present at the battle of ,vittoria on the #bast ,june1 but not actively engaged4 ,one private was severely wounded2 and ,sub-,lieutenant ,turner received three shots about his person1 but remained unhurt4 ----- ,footnote #aid3 ,sir ,w4 ,napier1 in his #8,peninsular ,war1' attributes1 by mistake1 this service to ,lieutenant ,g4 ,pringle1 ,r4,e4 ----- ,at the blockade of ,pampeluna1 from #beth ,june to #ast ,november1 a detachment of twelve sappers and miners was employed and superintended the working parties under the direction of ,major ,goldfinch1 royal engineers4 ,private ,james ,napier was killed4 ,the seventh company first battalion1 with ,sub-,lieutenant ,calder1 attached to the corps of the army under the command of ,lieutenant-,general ,sir ,rowland ,hill1 was present at the operations in the ,pyrenees1 including the actions at ,maya and ,roncesvalles4 ,under ,lieutenant ,peter ,wright of the engineers1 this company1 assisted by working parties from the line1 erected several musket-proof stockade-redoubts on the summits of the ridges in the neighbourhood of ,roncesvalles2 and as the weather was extremely cold1 accompanied with rain and sometimes snow1 the interior was so constructed as to serve the purpose of a barrack to shelter a garrison of about #bjj men4 ,young trees were found in great abundance on the mountain sides1 which were sawn in two for the work1 and 8the berms were filled up with a triangle of earth10 to prevent the enemy creeping up the slopes and firing into the loop-holes4 ,attention was also paid to providing the troops with sufficient sustenance and the means of defence for a fortnight4 ,water was obtained from a cask sunk in the centre of the stockade1 and an ample supply of loaded shells was procured from a foundry in the neighbourhood1 to roll down the mountain should the enemy attempt to pass at its base1 or to hurl into the ditch should he assail the garrison4 ,the stockades were also provided with small ordnance when the situation required a more powerful armament4#aie ----- ,footnote #aie3 ,manuscript1 ,royal ,engineer ,establishment4 ,the model in the ,model ,room at ,brompton1 showing the details of one of the stockades1 was made under the direction of ,sub-,lieutenant ,calder4 ----- ,the fifth1 seventh1 and eighth companies1 second battalion1 and detachments of the sixth and seventh companies1 first battalion1 were present at the siege of ,san ,sebastian from the #aath ,july to the #hth ,september4 ,the second company1 second battalion1 joined there on the #bjth ,august from ,england1 and was the first company in the corps that appeared in the scarlet uniform4 ,all the men composing it had been instructed at ,chatham1 and were derisively styled 8,pasley's cadets40 ,the greatest number at the siege counted five ,sub-,lieutenants--,gratton1 ,stratton1 ,turner1 ,wallace1 and ,johnson1 and #cje non-commissioned officers and men4 ,the eighth company1 second battalion1 with ,lieutenant ,turner1 was posted on the ,chofre hills1 and the other companies on the isthmus4 ,the men were divided into three reliefs2 each relief was on duty eight hours1 but when the works required to be pressed1 the periods of rest were shortened to meet the emergency4 ,the sub-lieutenants acted as assistant engineers4 ,a large party of the corps did duty in the park1 and the remainder were employed as overseers of the working parties4 ,they also had to place the gabions1 fascines1 platforms1 c41 open and repair the embrasures1 and execute all services requiring more than ordinary skill1 such as commencing the saps and leading their progress4 ,in the early part of the siege the batteries and communications were wholly constructed by the sappers2 but from the #afth ,july1 these services1 except in occasional instances of difficulty and danger1 were performed by the line4 ,in both assaults parties of the corps assisted in carrying and placing the ladders for the stormers2 others bore axes1 crowbars1 and intrenching tools4 ,in the second assault it is recorded1 that the party with picks and shovels 8long persevered1 with cool intrepidity1 to form cover on the face of the breaches1 but in vain40 ,the assault1 however1 ultimately succeeded4 ,as well in the trenches as at the stormings1 the sappers and miners distinguished themselves by their usefulness1 intelligence1 and gallantry4#aif ----- ,footnote #aif3 ,sir ,thomas ,graham1 in #8,wellington ,dispatches1' vi41 p4 #fej1 edit4 #ahde4 ,jones's #8,sieges1' ii41 p4 #cia1 #bnd edit42 and ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' note ,d1 p4 ix41 vol4 #a4 ----- ,here may be given a little incident to show how cool were the sappers in carrying on their duties4 ,colonel ,pasley has stated that 8several of the embrasures of the breaching battery were cut in broad daylight1 under fire1 by a party of the corps under ,lieutenant ,e4 ,matson1 ,r4,e41 after the guns in a part of the battery previously finished1 had actually opened against the fortress40#aig ----- ,footnote #aig3 ,pasley's #8,operations of a ,siege1' ii41 p4 #bdf1 note4 ----- ,another instance is equally worthy of notice4 8,at one time10 according to ,major ,reid1 8the trunk of a large poplar tree completely stopped the progress of the men and defied all their efforts to move it1 until a daring sapper gallantly jumping from the trench1 stood exposed until he moved it from the head of the sap1 and returned without being wounded40#aih ----- ,footnote #aih3 #8,instructions for the ,defence of ,fortresses1' translated by ,major ,reid1 ,r4,e41 #ahbc1 p4 #bj4 ----- ,striking instances of individual exploit follow1 which are creditable to the soldiers whose names are associated with their performance4 ,sergeants ,william ,powis and ,john ,davis accompanied the first assault4 ,forced down the breach with the retreating stormers1 they perceived ,captain ,g4 ,g4 ,lewis1 ,r4,e41 lying badly wounded exposed to the enemy's fire2 and ,davis1 who but a few moments before had been wounded in the arm1 returned with ,powis to the breach and carried off their officer to the trenches4 ,in effecting this gallant and humane act1 ,davis was a second time struck by a musket-ball1 through which he lost an eye4 ,by ,major ,pasley he was reported to be 8a man of extraordinary merit and abilities1 and a most skilful and ingenious artificer40#aii ----- ,footnote #aii3 ,from his perfect knowledge of the duties of field engineering1 he was known among his comrades by the title of 8,sap ,major40 ----- ,no less distinguished was private ,hugh ,borland at the second storming4 ,in placing his ladders he discovered that they were likely to become useless1 from the joints being insecure1 and while in the act of binding the ends together with his braces--an act of supererogation which the service scarcely contemplated--a ball pierced the root of his tongue and killed him4 ,santa ,clara1 a rocky island off ,st4 ,sebastian1 had been taken1 and it was necessary to communicate with the officer of engineers there on a matter of great importance4 ,it being broad daylight1 no boat could venture across the bay without the certainty of being sunk4 ,corporal ,thomas ,evans therefore volunteered to execute the service4 ,he immediately stripped himself1 tied his cap round his neck with the despatch in it1 and plunging into the stream1 performed1 under fire from the castle1 this gallant exploit unscathed4 ,the distance to the island was nearly a mile1 and he returned with an answer in about an hour4 ,the casualties at the siege were as follows3-- ,at the sortie--one killed2 private ,james ,hicks3 three taken prisoners1#bjj one of whom1 private ,owen ,connor1 was wounded4 ,in the trenches--four killed2 second-corporals ,findlay ,mc,donald and ,daniel ,niblock1 and privates ,thomas ,penhorwood and ,peter ,milne2 ,sub-,lieutenant ,turner1 wounded4 ,first storm--five killed2 privates ,samuel ,clarke1 ,james ,dunn1 ,william ,cormack1 ,jonathan ,millar1 and ,james ,morris3 one died of wounds1 private ,stephen ,teaff4 ,second storm--four killed2 second-corporal ,henry ,logan1 privates ,peter ,walsh1 ,john ,flannagan1 and ,hugh ,borland3 twenty-nine wounded1 of whom one died1 second-corporal ,william ,dodds4 ----- ,footnote #bjj3 ,corporal ,charles ,ford was one of the prisoners4 ,he was of a respectable family1 and had a brother a clergyman in the ,church of ,england1 presiding over the cure of the parish of ,kilbeaconty in ,ireland4 ,in an article in the #8,united ,service ,journal1' headed1 8,captivity in ,san ,sebastian10 ,captain ,harry ,jones1 ,r4,e41 who also had been taken prisoner1 alludes to this non-commissioned officer4 8,in the course of the day10 he says1 8,i was asked whether ,i would like to speak to a corporal of sappers1 who had been made a prisoner during the sortie4 ,i was delighted at the prospect of seeing one of my old friends1 but was greatly astonished1 in the afternoon1 by seeing a fine tall young man1 a stranger1 walking into the ward1 dressed in a red jacket4 ,he was the first sapper ,i had seen in the new uniform1 as blue was the colour worn when ,i was taken prisoner4 ,upon inquiring when he joined the army from ,england1 he replied1 ',yesterday morning4 ,i was put on duty in the trenches last night1 and was shortly afterwards brought into the town by the enemy4'0--#8,united ,service ,journal1' #a1 #ahda1 p4 #aih4 ----- ,correct particulars of the wounded from the opening of the operations until the last assault cannot be obtained4 ,the three prisoners taken at the sortie were returned to the corps on the #hth ,september4 ,not allowed1 during their confinement1 to throw up cover for their own safety1 they were exposed in the castle1 in the yard of the magazine1 to all the fury of the siege4 ,on the removal of the troops from ,st4 ,sebastian1 the fifth company1 second battalion1 was left at the fortress4 ,under the orders of ,captain ,frank ,stanway1 royal engineers1 it superintended a body of ,spanish soldiers in reforming and restoring the fortifications4 ,the company continued so employed for nearly five months after the abdication of ,napoleon1 and returned to ,woolwich in ,september1 #ahad4 ,the remaining four companies moved with ,lord ,wellington's army1 having in charge the stores and matriel of the department4 ,on the arrival of the pontoon train at ,passages1 a strong detachment of the corps was placed under the direction of ,lieutenant ,piper1 ,r4,e41 to assist in the formation of the required bridges4 ,in the passage of the ,bidassoa on the #g th ,october1 the sappers threw a pontoon bridge across the river near ,irun4 ,it was soon afterwards carried away by the tide2 but1 on being recovered1 was speedily replaced4 ,about three miles higher up the river1 at the foot of the ,pyrenees1 they also constructed a trestle bridge with a roadway of sleepers1 covered by fascines and earth1 under ,captain ,dickens1 ,r4,e4 ,this bridge also was washed away by the violence of the current1 and with it privates ,owen ,connor and ,john ,nowlan1 who at the time1 were under the superstructure1 fastening ropes from the land to the trestles to give stability to the bridge4 ,both these intrepid bridgemen1 after a hard struggle1 gained the shore4 ,the second company1 second battalion1 under ,captain ,pitts of the corps1 was present in the action at ,vera1 and afterwards threw up a line of breastworks at the gorge of one of the passes through the mountains1 and constructed several other works about the position4 ,at the battle of ,nivelle1 on the #ajth of ,november1 the four companies above mentioned were present but not actively engaged4 ,two or three small parties of the corps1 however1 had the honour of leading a strong force of the #bgth regiment to the storming of a strong redoubt1 under ,lieutenant ,george ,west1 ,r4,e4 ,they took with them long sand-bags1 filled at the instant with fern1 which they threw into the ditch2 and jumping upon them1 sprang to the parapet and entered the redoubt4 ,lance-corporal ,edward ,councill of the corps1 led one of the detachments to the storm and dashed into the works with the foremost soldier1 who was a sergeant of the #bgth regiment4 ,on the #aath ,november the second company1 second battalion1 threw a trestle bridge across the ,nivelle1 below ,sarre1 constructed from materials obtained from a farmhouse1 under the direction of ,captain ,pitts and ,sub-,lieutenant ,stratton4 ,the seventh company1 second battalion1 being detached to ,socoa1 to arrange the hawser bridge for the passage of the ,adour1 the three remaining companies were present at the battle of the ,nive1 and the actions in front of ,bayonne1 from the #ith to #acth ,december4 ,for the passage of the corps d'arme under ,marshal ,beresford and ,sir ,rowland ,hill1 the companies threw two bridges at ,ustaritz1 and repaired the shattered arches of another bridge at that place and one at ,cambo4 ,the first bridge thrown was made of pontoons under ,captain ,boteler1 ,r4,e41 in which private ,william ,dowling distinguished himself by gallantly swimming across the river with the sheer line1 and securing it to a picket on the enemy's side4 ,when striking home his stake1 he drew the fire of some ,french sentinels upon him1 but returned unhurt4 ,the second bridge resting upon eleven bays1 was made by the second company1 second battalion1 under ,sub-,lieutenant ,stratton1 directed by ,captain ,henderson1 ,r4,e41 and formed from chance materials collected in the wood and the village4 ,during the operations1 another bridge was thrown by the sappers over a deep stream with a rapid current1 beyond the ,nive1 and was formed of wine pipes and barrels1 strengthened by two skiffs or chasse-mares1 with a hastily-prepared roadway laid upon them4 ,previous to the battle a few expert swimmers were selected to find the fords of the ,nive1 and to note the exact rising and falling of the tides4 ,corporal ,alexander ,jamieson and private ,william ,braid found the three fords near ,cambo4 ,in the passage of the troops these two men1 by appointment1 guided the columns of ,generals ,byng and ,barnes across the stream2 and for their coolness and steadiness in executing the service1 were rewarded by the ,generals4 ,the former received two doubloons1 the latter one4 ,the four companies with the army were reinforced in ,november1 by forty-nine men under ,captain ,english1 royal engineers1 from ,england4 ,on the #cjth of the month1 the total number in the south of ,france1 at ,st4 ,sebastian1 and ,alicant1 reached six sub-lieutenants and about #ejj non-commissioned officers and men4 ,the number sick in the different hospitals amounted to between sixty and seventy4 ,the casualties during the year were1 killed fifteen1 deaths thirty-three1 missing five1 and invalided thirteen4 ,the head-quarters of the companies with ,lord ,wellington's army1 were at ,cambo1 ,ustaritz1 and ,st4 ,jean de ,luz1 but the men were greatly dispersed and variously employed1 in making redoubts1 batteries1 and entrenchments1 and in the preparation of materials and appliances for the formation of bridges4 ,during the year the recruiting was carried on with great spirit4 ,the number received by enlistment was #dca1 and by transfer from the militia #ccd4 ,six sub-lieutenants1 one sergeant-major1 and #add non-commissioned officers and men1 were employed on this service in the ,united ,kingdom and ,ireland4 ,the corps now counted a total strength of #b1cgc1 leaving still to complete it to the establishment #dhd men4 #ahad4 ,wreck of #8,queen' transport2 humanity of sergeant ,mackenzie2 heroic exertions of private ,m#8,carthy--,quartermaster2 ,brigade-,major--,santona2 useful services of corporal ,hay--,bridge of ,itzassu near ,cambo--,orthes2 conduct of sergeant ,stephens--,toulouse--,bridge of the ,adour2 duties of the sappers--,flotilla to form the bridge--,casualties in venturing the bar--,conduct of the corps in its construction--,bayonne--,expedition to ,north ,america--,return to ,england of certain companies from the ,peninsula--,company to ,holland2 its duties2 bridge over the ,maerk2 ,tholen2 ,port ,frederick--,march for ,antwerp--,action at ,merxam--,esprit de corps--,coolness of sergeant ,stevens and corporal ,milburn--,distribution2 bridge making--,surprise of ,bergen-op-,zoom--,conduct of the sappers1 and casualties in the operation--,a mild ,irishman--,bravery of corporal ,creighton and private ,lomas--,south ,beveland--,reinforcement to the ,netherlands--,review by the ,emperor of ,russia--,school for companies at ,antwerp--,detachments in the ,netherlands1 company at ,tournai--,movements of the company in ,italy and ,sicily--,expedition to ,tuscany2 party to ,corfu--,canada2 distribution of company there1 and its active services--,reinforcement to ,canada--,washington1 ,baltimore1 ,new ,orleans--,notice of corporal ,scrafield--,expedition to the ,state of ,maine4 ,late in ,december1 #ahac1 sergeant ,richard ,mackenzie with six invalids and their wives and children1 embarked at ,lisbon on board the #8,queen' transport4 ,separated during a tempest from the convoy1 the vessel1 after a dangerous passage1 arrived off ,falmouth1 and entering the harbour1 anchored at about half a mile from the shore to await a fair wind to sail for ,portsmouth4 ,on the #adth of ,january1 at night1 a violent storm arose2 and early next morning1 the ship1 snapping her cable and parting her anchor1 drifted on the rocks off ,trefusis ,point near ,falmouth4 ,the unabated severity of the wind kept the vessel constantly bumping upon the rocks1 and in a short time the #8,queen' broke amidships4 ,as long as practicable the crew and passengers clung to the gunwale and rigging1 but the long-boat being at last disengaged1 numbers crowded into it4 ,sergeant ,mackenzie was about the last who entered it2 and even then1 though the chance of life was hanging upon the prompt effort of the moment1 he caught up a poor orphan boy shivering from cold and fright1 and pushing him into the vessel first1 followed after1 and wedged himself in the bow of the boat4 ,without rudder or oars1 the boat1 scarcely able to hold the weight she bore1 drifted to sea4 ,masses of the wreck floated about her and beat against her sides4 ,shock succeeding shock soon loosened her timbers1 and the bottom giving way1 the human freightage was cast into the sea4 ,in less than two hours1 out of #ccf souls1 #aie were lost4 ,two of the number with three women and their children1 belonged to the party of sappers4 ,one was private ,james ,m',carthy1 who had gained the shore on a fragment of the wreck1 and plunging into the sea again1 perished in an heroic attempt to save the wife of a comrade4 ,the commissions of ,adjutant and ,quartermaster1 hitherto held by one officer1 were separated in ,february2 and quarter-master-sergeant ,james ,galloway was promoted to be ,quartermaster from the #ast of that month1 with the pay of #hs4 a-day1 and #ahl4 #es4 a year for a servant4 ,his dress and appointments were assimilated to those of the subaltern officers of royal engineers1 with the exception of the head-dress1 which was a cocked-hat1 plumed with flowing cock-tail feathers4 ,on the #bjth of ,december following1 the ,adjutant1 ,captain ,rice ,jones1 was advanced to the staff appointment of ,brigade-,major2 which rank has ever since been borne by the chief executive officer of the corps4 ,after the passage of the ,bidassoa1 ,captain ,wells1 with two men of the eighth company second battalion1 marched to ,santona to co-operate with the ,gallican1 or fourth ,spanish army1 under ,general ,barco4 ,the historian of the ,peninsular war has stated1 that some sappers and miners were sent to quicken the operations of the ,spanish officers1 but a ,french writer1 erring beyond all excuse1 has magnified the two men into a whole battalion4#bja ,under their captain1 they superintended the prosecution of various field-works2 and on account of his usefulness and intelligence1 lance-corporal ,hay was styled assistant engineer4 ,several villages in the vicinity of ,santona were called upon to supply a certain number of scaling ladders for the operation1 and corporal ,hay1 furnished with authority from ,general ,barco1 visited those localities1 superintended the making of the ladders1 and had them conveyed to the park4 ,both the sappers were present in the escalade of the fort of ,puntal on the #acth ,february1 and at the storming of the town and fort of ,laredo on the #bast4 ,throughout the operations1 corporal ,hay was particularly noticed for his ability and zeal4 ,santona ultimately capitulated1 and the two sappers rejoined their company in front of ,bayonne4 ----- ,footnote #bja3 ,napier's #8,peninsular ,war1' vi41 p4 #ejb1 edit4 #ahdj4 ----- ,early in ,january ten artificers of the seventh company1 first battalion1 assisted by fifty ,spanish soldiers1 threw a very efficient bridge across a loop of the river ,nive at ,itzassu near ,cambo1 under the direction of ,sub-,lieutenant ,calder4 ,the bridge was constructed by order of ,general ,hill at the request of the ,spanish ,general ,morillo1 to establish a communication with the rear and a brigade of his division which had not crossed the stream4 ,a ferry had formerly existed at the spot by means of a small canoe which the enemy1 in his retreat1 had taken the precaution to sink4 ,it was recovered by the sappers and turned to advantage in the operation4 ,the site chosen for the bridge was accessible and convenient1 being directly in rear of the division4 ,for some distance along the shore the north side had a perpendicular face1 high and craggy with projecting ledges2 whilst the opposite shore was low and shingly1 and inundated in wet weather4 ,the bed of the river was rocky and uneven1 showing such abrupt variations in its level1 that piles or trestles could not be used for the formation4 ,in some places the depth was #ae feet2 in others not more than #d or #e4 ,boats or craft of any kind could not be procured1 and the expedient of a bridge of casks was therefore resorted to4 ,barrels for the purpose--four feet long by two feet at the swell--were obtained from a wine manufactory in the village2 chestnut planking1 nails and bolts from different houses2 trees from the adjacent plantations to form the framework and shore piles2 and bars of iron grating1 taken from the vaults of a country churchyard1 were converted into a chain of #bj-;inch links1 and stretched across the river4 ,this chain was fastened at one bank to a huge fragment of rock1 brought from a distance by means of a hastily-constructed sledge2 and at the other it was held firmly by one of the ordinary methods4 ,the number of casks employed in the formation were thirty-five1 arranged in five floats or piers of seven each1 two piers being lashed together at each end of the raft1 #ah feet from either shore1 and one in the centre with a space between of #ab feet from either float4 ,the piers were fixed in strong cradles or frames1 and by simple connections each maintained a reciprocal bearing upon the other4 ,from the low or south shore the raft was approached by a jetty #abj feet in length1 resting on young trees driven into the soil in a double row1 #h feet wide and #aj feet asunder2 and from the other by a wide gangway supported on a sunken rock1 which was heightened to the required altitude by a pier of stout masonry built at the moment4 ,the superstructure consisted of planks secured to frames1 and also to baulks longitudinally laid on the floats2 and when all was completed1 the bridge was held in position by means of poles1 #h feet in length1 running from the piers and linking to small double chains1 which again were moored to the great chain cable by a series of stout hanger hooks4 ,the slopes to the raft at each end were easy and natural1 and contrivances were effected which permitted the bridge to ride with the tide without disarrangement4 ,on both sides a hand-rail was placed for the convenience of the troops1 which gave it a neat and finished appearance2 and though executed with the hurry which a pressing movement demanded1 it was so firmly put together that it fulfilled in every respect the objects of its construction1 without even sustaining a break from the force of the current or fury of the storm4#bjb ----- ,footnote #bjb3 ,manuscript1 ,royal ,engineer ,establishment4 ,the details of the construction of this bridge have been considered sufficiently interesting to be preserved in a model at the royal engineer establishment at ,chatham4 ----- ,the above company with its sub-lieutenant1 and the eighth company1 second battalion1 struck camp in ,february and moved forward with the army4 ,the former company was attached to the column under ,sir ,rowland ,hill1 and the latter to ,marshal ,beresford's4 ,both companies1 numbering #acj of all ranks1 were present at the battle of ,orthes on the #bgth of ,february1 but their services in the action were of little importance4 ,a portion of the companies being attached to the pontoon train1 assisted to re-establish the ruined bridge of ,berenx during the night of the #bfth2 and on the #bgth1 a small party under sergeant ,thomas ,stephens1 who had distinguished himself in the demolition of the flood-gates at ,flushing1 destroyed a barricade in front of a bridge which led into the town of ,orthes4 ,in this little rencontre1 sergeant ,ninian ,melville and private ,samuel ,needham were wounded1 the latter mortally4 ,these companies1 still attached to the advancing army1 aided in forming the several pontoon and flying bridges required for the passage of the troops1 both on the march from ,orthes and just before the battle of ,toulouse4 ,in this action1 fought on the #ajth of ,april1 the two companies were present1 but were not required to perform any service worthy of especial remark4 ,during the winter of #ahac1 the seventh company1 second battalion with ,sub-,lieutenant ,wallace1 was detached to ,st4 ,jean de ,luz to prepare a bridge for the passage of the ,adour2 and early in ,january1 ,sub-,lieutenant ,stratton with the second company1 second battalion1 was sent to ,socoa to hasten its completion4 ,these companies with the artificers of the guards and staff corps1 and large parties of the royal navy1 worked incessantly at the undertaking under the direction of the engineers4#bjc ----- ,footnote #bjc3 ,jones's #8,sieges' ii41 p4 #ajg1 #bnd edit4 ----- ,in the middle of ,february1 the necessary apparatus and stores being ready and every preliminary arrangement completed1 the greater part of the two companies were shipped on board the chasse-mares1 intended to form the bridge4 ,in two vessels six sappers were embarked1 in others three1 but the majority carried only two1 who were destined to cut 8away the waste boards to render the deck level1 and also to spike down the timber1 prepared with grooves to receive the cables1 the moment the vessels should be moored40#bjd ----- ,footnote #bjd3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' p4 #aji4 ----- ,on the night of the #bbnd1 the flotilla put to sea and encountered some stormy weather on the passage4 ,in the afternoon of the #bdth it neared the ,adour1 when the sea1 tossed into foaming waves by a driving gale1 wore an aspect of peculiar danger4 ,a high and angry surf being on the bar and the tide furious1 many of the native crews ran below in terror and refused to navigate their boats4 ,several fell on their knees and spent much of their energy in earnest devotion4 ,at length1 urged to their duty by the angry threats of the engineers and sappers1 most of the masters yielded a reluctant but desperate submission1 and steering into the channel1 one vessel after another cut through the frightful breakers and soon gained the position chosen for the bridge4 ,this hazardous service was not accomplished without loss to the sappers4 ,in an instant1 one vessel was engulphed on the bar1 and second-corporal ,patrick ,power and private ,john ,m#8,knight1 perished4 ,another vessel had safely outridden the surf1 but was overtaken by an overwhelming wave that dashed her to pieces4 ,in this wreck1 corporal ,james ,gorman and private ,william ,bunn were washed to the shore1 and after several hours' insensibility and exposure to cold1 reached their company in a miserable plight1 the next morning4 ,in forming the bridge1 the chasse-mares were anchored head and stern1 about #cj feet apart2 and as soon as the washboards were cut away and the grooved timbers spiked to the decks1 the cables were stretched across the vessels from shore to shore1 and the planks or superstructure quickly lashed to them4 ,on the right bank of the river1 the ends of the cables were secured to some #ah-pounder guns half buried in the marsh2 and on the left bank were hauled taut by mechanical ingenuity4 ,from the violent heaving of the vessels it was unsafe to fix the planks in the intervals between them1 but there were not wanting men who thought less of the danger than the prompt execution of the service4 ,with skill equal to their assiduity1 the companies laboured in completing the bridge1 even working throughout the night1 and the structure was fully ready for the passage of the troops on the #bfth of ,february4#bje ,the boom was laid by the navy and completed soon after the bridge4 ----- ,footnote #bje3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' ii41 p4 #aah1 #bnd edit4 ,as a reward for their services1 most of the men that belonged to the flotilla received a guinea and a pair of shoes4 ----- ,admiral ,penrose1 in his despatch of #beth ,february1 thus notices the services of the sappers1 8,that so many chasse-mares ventured the experiment1 ,i attribute to their having been one or more sappers placed in each of them1 and a captain and eight lieutenants of engineers commanding them in divisions40#bjf ,the ,admiral further stated1 8that the sappers not only proved themselves good soldiers1 but intrepid seamen40#bjg ,major ,todd of the royal staff corps1 who assisted in planning the bridge1 informed the author of the #8,peninsular ,war1' 8that he found the soldiers1 with minds quickened by the wider range and variety of knowledge attendant on their service1 more ready of resource1 and their efforts1 combined by a more regular discipline1 of more avail1 with less loss of time1 than the irregular activity of the seamen40#bjh ,honourable mention is also made by the great historian of the intrepidity of the sappers2 and in winding up his remarks upon the operation1 he writes1 8this stupendous undertaking must always rank amongst the prodigies of war40#bji ----- ,footnote #bjf3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' ii41 p4 #aag1 #bnd edit4 ,footnote #bjg3 ,colonel ,harry ,d4 ,jones1 royal engineers4 ,footnote #bjh3 ,napier's #8,peninsular ,war1' vi41 p4 #edb1 edit4 #ahdj4 ,footnote #bji3 ,ibid41 p4 #edc4 ----- ,the subsequent charge of the bridge being confided to the royal staff corps under ,major ,todd1 the two companies of sappers were removed to ,bayonne to take part in the siege4 ,including the second company fourth battalion with sub-lieutenant ,millar under ,captain ,blanshard1 ,r4,e41 which arrived from ,portsmouth in the #8,warren' transport1 and landed at ,passages on the #afth ,march1 the royal engineers had collected for the blockade four sub-lieutenants--,wallace1 ,gratton1 ,stratton1 and ,millar--and a body of nearly four hundred well-trained sappers and miners1#baj who were chiefly employed as overseers in conducting the execution of the required fieldworks4 ,a strong party was on duty in the trenches when the sortie was made from the citadel on the night of the #adth ,april1 but no casualties among the men were reported4 ,throughout the operations the sappers and miners1 from their skill and exertions1 gave the highest satisfaction to their officers4 ----- ,footnote #baj3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' ii41 p4 #abf1 #bnd edit4 ----- ,at ,bayonne the last blow of the war was struck2 for as soon as the news of ,napoleon's abdication had arrived1 hostilities ceased4 ,in ,may the five companies at ,bayonne and ,toulouse marched from their respective cantonments to ,blanquefort and ,bordeaux1 where they were encamped for a few weeks awaiting the general evacuation of the country4 ,an expedition being ordered to proceed to ,north ,america1 the second company fourth battalion embarked with it on the #bgth ,may2 and the other four companies1 viz41 the seventh of the first battalion and the second1 seventh1 and eighth of the second battalion1 sailed from ,poulliac on the #bbnd ,june1 and landed at ,portsmouth the #ajth and #adth ,july1 leaving fifty-five men sick in ,france4 ,the casualties in these companies for the half year were thirty deaths and one missing4 ,the sixth company second battalion was removed to ,italy in ,april4 ,the sixth company first battalion from ,cadiz1 and the fifth company second battalion from ,st4 ,sebastian1 sailed from ,spain the latter end of ,august1 and arrived at ,woolwich early in ,september4 ,these two companies were with the last troops which left the ,peninsula after the close of the war4 ,the fourth company second battalion1 counting eighty-two men1 with ,sub-,lieutenant ,t4 ,adamson under ,captain ,r4 ,thomson1 left ,margate with the expedition under ,sir ,thomas ,graham1 and landed at ,williamstadt the #ahth ,december1 #ahac4 ,there the company suffered loss by the accidental burning of the barracks in which it was quartered4 ,after removing the stores from the shipping1 parties were employed in preparing fascines and gabions1 in bridge-making1 constructing a landing place of faggots for the disembarkation of the cavalry1 and in removing the platforms and heavy mortars from the ramparts at ,williamstadt for carriage to ,merxam4 ,these services being accomplished1 the company was distributed to ,klundert1 ,groat ,zundert1 ,zandaarbuiten1 ,tholen1 ,steenbergen1 and ,fort ,frederic near ,lille4 ,among other duties the detachment at ,zandaarbuiten formed1 in a very expeditious manner1 a bridge of country-boats over the river ,maerk under two young lieutenants of engineers1 which served for the conveyance of the heaviest artillery4 ,the boats were of different shapes and sizes1 collected for the occasion1 and the materials for the superstructure were of irregular scantling1 partly collected in the neighbourhood and partly felled on the spot4#baa ,at ,tholen a corporal and eight men under ,lieutenant ,eyre1 ,r4,e41 attached to the ,prussians1 built a battery on the bank of the river for the protection of a flying bridge2 and at ,fort ,frederic a party restored a battery for two guns1 which afterwards held an unequal contest with a ,french eighty-four gun ship1 and prevented her proceeding to ,bergen-op-,zoom with provisions4 ,no less than forty-one1 including the commander1 were killed and wounded on board the man-of-war1 while the casualties at the battery only amounted to one killed and two wounded4 ----- ,footnote #baa3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' note ,c1 p4 viii41 vol4 #a4 ----- ,leaving sixteen men at ,tholen and ,zandaarbuiten1 the remainder of the company1 armed with short swords1 felling-axes1 saws1 c41 and guarding an establishment of mules drawing about one hundred waggons laden with intrenching tools1 commenced the march for ,antwerp4 ,they followed the royal artillery1 and reliefs of twenty men were1 by turns1 repeatedly ordered to the front to remove abattis and other obstructions that were met with on the route4 ,from intense frost and a heavy and continuous fall of snow blowing in their faces1 they encountered many difficulties and suffered extremely during the journey4 ,merxam being taken on the #bnd ,february the company and a strong force of the guards and line1 began the erection of batteries to attack the fleet at ,antwerp4 ,by command1 no relief was permitted to the sappers1 and they continued on duty for seventy-two hours without intermission4 ,their steady labours at the ,napoleon battery of sixteen guns1 and their skill in revetting the embrasures1 and in attending to the more perilous parts of the works1 were the wonder of both officers and soldiers4 ,sir ,thomas ,graham1 in general orders dated ,merxam1 #eth ,february1 did full justice to the zeal and exertions of the sappers1 and stated1 8that they deserved the highest praise40 ,two privates were wounded4#bab ----- ,footnote #bab3 ,here is a practical exemplification of esprit de corps4 ,whilst engaged in the attempt to destroy the shipping in the basin of ,antwerp1 his ,royal ,highness ,prince ,william frequently visited the ,napoleon battery with several military officers4 ,on one of those visits a mounted veteran in the suite of the ,prince approached private ,john ,brennan1 and said1 8,sapper1 will you hold this horse for an old guardsman80 ,brennan1 who was very busy at the time with his shovel1 turned his face towards the officer1 and feeling that as a sapper he was two or three removes above a groom1 replied1 8,egad1 sir1 ,i'd sooner be shot layin' sand-bags40 ----- ,sergeant ,william ,stevens and corporal ,thomas ,milburn distinguished themselves by their coolness and bravery in superintending the laying of platforms and making a splinter-proof magazine under a heavy fire4 ,recommended by ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth1 the commanding royal engineer1 the former was forthwith appointed colour-sergeant1 and soon afterwards commissioned to a sub-lieutenancy in the corps2 and the latter was promoted to be sergeant4 ,after the failure at ,antwerp1 the head-quarters of the company went into cantonments at ,rosendaal1 and parties were detached to ,groat ,zundert1 ,fort ,henrick1 ,calmthout1 ,eschen1 and ,brieschaet4 ,at ,groat ,zundert seven men under corporal ,james ,hilton conducted some experimental bridging in the presence of ,sir ,thomas ,graham and ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth1 with the view of adopting the easiest plan for crossing ditches in future enterprises4 ,sir ,thomas was struck with the simplicity of the corporal's arrangement and the rapidity of its execution2 and as a proof of his approbation gave him a ,napoleon4 ,on another occasion1 that distinguished general took particular interest in the formation of a ditch bridge and even laboured himself in its construction4 ,from the unevenness of the banks the baulks did not lie firmly4 ,private ,james ,mc,kay was in the act of obtaining the desired steadiness1 when ,sir ,thomas took a spare spade1 cut some sods1 and assisting to place them in the required positions1 only gave up when the work was satisfactorily accomplished4 ,in the surprise of ,bergen-op-,zoom on the #hth ,march1 parties of the company were attached to each of the columns appointed for the attack4 ,there were about forty men in all1 who were provided with axes1 saws1 and crowbars1 and also a few ladders to scale the walls of the fortress4 ,at about half-past ten o'clock the attack was made4 ,the sappers cut down the palisades1 crossed the ditches1 planted the ladders1 and leading the way in the escalade1 were the first soldiers on the enemy's ramparts4 ,they then pushed forward to remove any obstacle that opposed the advance of the assailants1 and persevered in their several duties till the place was captured4 ,a reverse1 however1 awaited the ,british3 the enemy renewed the attack with unwonted vigour1 and in a few hours regained the fortress4 ,during these extraordinary operations the following casualties occurred in the detachment3 ,sub-,lieutenant ,adamson was killed by a cannon-ball on the glacis when advancing4 ,about twelve were wounded1 of whom two mortally--privates ,john ,mc,keer and ,james ,munro--and ten were taken prisoners1 and conveyed to ,fynaart1 but shortly afterwards released4 ,of the conduct of the sappers in this coup-de-main ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth has left it on record1 that the company conducted themselves with the utmost coolness and courage1 and the ,master-,general1 in a letter dated #bnd ,april1 was pleased to express himself highly satisfied with the zealous conduct of the ,royal ,sappers and ,miners on the above occasion4#bac ----- ,footnote #bac3 ,the gentle ,brennan1 about whom an anecdote is told in a previous page1 very reluctantly quitted the ramparts4 ,finding1 that to save himself1 retreat was inevitable1 he turned his back on the fortress1 and with a scowl1 such only as an ,irishman could make1 growled out1 8,bad luck to the whole ov yees60 ,with this mild curse1 so unusual in a hot-headed1 free-spoken ,milesian1 he scampered down the ladder1 escaped without wound or touch1 and finally halted1 still breathing the anathema1 8,bad luck to the whole ov yees60 ,the incident is only remarkable for its freedom from those horrible epithets and curses so common in ,irish execrations4 ,brennan was applauded for his bravery at the storming by ,captain ,robert ,thomson1 and his subsequent exertions and constancy in the restoration of the defences of ,antwerp and ,ypres1 where he had large parties of ,hanoverian troops and ,dutch peasants under his superintendence1 led to his promotion first to lance-corporal and then to corporal4 ----- ,the gallant behaviour of corporal ,james ,creighton and private ,edward ,lomas is deserving of notice4 ,after breaking through a palisade on the ramparts1 they dashed forward and were challenged by a vigilant sentinel1 who fired and shot ,lomas in the thigh and then charged ,creighton4 ,creighton parried the bayonet with his axe1 and1 seizing the ,frenchman's musket1 a desperate struggle ensued4 ,the sentinel1 who was a powerful man1 at length threw his antagonist violently to the ground1 and stamping his foot on his breast1 endeavoured to wrest the firelock from the corporal's grasp4 ,his strength spent1 ,creighton could scarcely maintain the contest1 when ,lomas1 yet bleeding from his wound1 rushed to the rescue of his comrade and struck the ,frenchman with a pole-axe on the back of his head4 ,the blow was fatal4 ,lomas now armed himself with the musket and ammunition of the sentinel1 and pressing forward into the fortress1 his resolution and daring were further signalized by his killing two other ,frenchmen1 and wounding two more4 ,the latter he delivered over as prisoners of war to sergeant ,thomas ,milburn of the company1 first breaking their muskets in their presence1 and then dispossessing them of their accoutrements4#bad ,corporal ,creighton followed ,lomas in the adventure1 but was too much fatigued and weakened to be of material service4 ----- ,footnote #bad3 ,lomas was discharged in #ahaf by reduction1 and being a young soldier1 received no pension4 ,some thirty years afterwards1 he applied for a pension1 and his exploits being still remembered1 he was granted #f;d4 a-day4 ----- ,soon after the reverse at ,bergen-op-,zoom1 the greater part of the company was sent to ,south ,beveland and attached to the engineer brigades of ,captains ,r4 ,thomson and ,oldfield1 to be employed in the attack of ,fort ,batz4 ,the night that ground was to have been broken news arrived of peace4 ,the company returned into cantonments at ,rosendaal1 then changed its head-quarters to ,horst1 and in ,may assembled at ,antwerp1 where it remained1 with the exception of some small detachments1 to the end of the year4 ,in ,july another company--fourth of the third battalion--under ,lieutenant ,p4 ,cole1 arrived in that city from ,woolwich4 ,it was sent there to assist in the demolition of its fortifications and arsenal1 as1 by treaty1 it was decided that ,antwerp should only be a commercial port4 ,on the advice1 however1 of the ,duke of ,wellington1 who inspected that great naval dept on his way to ,paris1 the operations were suspended4 ,while stationed at ,antwerp both companies were quartered in the ,hotel de ,salm1 where the ,french had established their head-quarters and sapper barracks4 ,when the ,emperor ,alexander of ,russia visited the city1 the two companies were turned out with the garrison to receive the ,czar1 and specially attracted his majesty's attention4 ,in ,september the companies1 under the command of ,captain ,oldfield1 were inspected at ,antwerp by ,lieutenant-,general ,clinton1 who expressed himself highly pleased with their appearance4 ,the idea that the sappers should be properly educated1 led1 even in an enemy's country1 to the establishment of a school for their professional instruction1 and they were permitted the privilege of assisting their officers in the preparation of projects for the destruction of the docks and several fronts of fortification4 ,the drill too was strictly attended to1 and to keep up their military spirit and bearing1 they were marched two days a week into the country1 and joined the troops at all garrison parades4 ,captain ,oldfield1 the resident engineer1 commanded the companies4 ,the strength of the sappers in the ,netherlands was now #aeb4 ,the sub-lieutenants belonging to them were ,james ,adam and ,edward ,sanders4 ,for several months of the year the parties detached were employed at ,liere1 ,schilde1 ,graven ,wesel1 ,brussels1 ,tournai1 and ,mons4 ,subsequently the fourth company1 third battalion1 was wholly removed to ,tournai1 and employed in the repair of the citadel1 under the command of ,captain ,w4 ,d4 ,smith4 ,the sixth company1 second battalion1 from ,tarragona1 with ,sub-,lieutenant ,gibb1 landed at ,genoa from the #8,mercury' transport on the #dth ,may2 and on the #aath ,june following removed to ,messina1 leaving a small party at ,genoa4 ,other detachments were also employed at ,savona1 ,palermo1 and ,faro4 ,sixteen men of the ,maltese company at ,palermo were attached to ,lord ,william ,bentinck's ,tuscany expedition1 and served at ,leghorn1 ,pisa1 and ,lucca from ,february to ,april4 ,in the latter month the company of ,maltese sappers at ,tarragona was increased to forty-nine men4 ,in ,may1 it landed at ,genoa1 and changed its quarters to ,palermo in ,june1 where both detachments were incorporated into a company of #aaj strong4 ,in ,november seven men of the ,maltese sappers were detached to ,corfu4 ,the third company1 third battalion1 in ,canada retained its head-quarters at ,kingston2 but throughout the campaign was much dispersed on various important duties to ,york1 ,point ,kerry1 ,fort ,niagara1 ,snake ,island1 ,montreal1 ,ganonoque1 ,fort ,wellington1 ,prescott1 and ,bridge ,island4 ,parties are also traced at the attack and burning of ,oswego under ,lieutenant ,gossett1 and at the assault of ,fort ,erie under ,lieutenant ,phillpotts4 ,in the latter service they received the acknowledgments of ,lieutenant-,general ,drummond for their ability and exertions4 ,a second company--fourth of the fourth battalion--embarked for service in ,canada in ,april1 and disembarked at ,quebec from the #8,belfield' transport in ,june4 ,in ,august the company was attached to the expedition under ,sir ,george ,prevost1 and was present at the attack on ,plattsburg1 where they constructed sand-bag batteries1 temporary bridges of felled trees1 and planted the ladders against the walls for the storm4 ,subsequently to the assault1 the company removed to ,lacolle1 and1 after fortifying ,ash ,island1 wintered at ,prescott4 ,during the campaign parties were detached to ,montreal1 ,cascade-,montmorenci1 ,isle-aux-,noix1 ,turkey ,point1 and ,burtonville4 ,captain ,blanshard's company-second of the fourth battalion--which sailed from ,bayonne on the #bgth ,may1 was transhipped in ,july from the #8,thames' frigate to the #8,golden ,fleece' transport1 and landed at ,benedict in the ,patuxent on the #aith ,august4 ,marching with the troops1 the company of sixty-two strong was present in the action at ,bladensburg on the #bdth1 and had three men taken prisoners1 two of whom were wounded4 ,at ,washington the company was employed in burning the ,senate-house1#bae ,president's palace1 ,war-,office1 and other public edifices and establishments4 ,fully expecting that the ,british would fall1 as at ,saratoga1 a prize to the republic1 the ,president1 in the extravagance of his anticipations1 had prepared a sumptuous repast to entertain the chiefs of the captive ,british staff2 but so singular are the chances of war1 it fell to the lot of the sappers instead of the staff to do justice to the ,president's hospitality4 ,afterwards the company was present in the action near ,baltimore and at the attack of ,new ,orleans4 ,in the latter they were joined by the seventh company1 first battalion1 with ,sub-,lieutenant ,calder under ,captain ,a4 ,emmett1 who disembarked from the #8,bedford' and #8,maria' transports4 ,both companies were of great service during the operations and at the assault4 ,the casualties were one missing and four wounded--one mortally4 ----- ,footnote #bae3 ,private ,henry ,scrafield behaved with spirit in overpowering two armed sentinels in the ,senate-house1 and taking them prisoners4 ,a more uncompromisingly independent man perhaps never lived4 ,once he complained1 in a petition to ,george ,,iv41 of the conduct of an officer1 but it ended without the concession of the redress which he unwarrantably sought from ,his ,majesty4 ,in ,february1 #ahca1 he endeavoured to save the lives of five boys who had fallen into ,mulgrave ,reservoir1 at ,woolwich4 ,an orange had been thrown on the ice by some reckless fellow1 and the unfortunate youths1 scrambling after it1 fell into the water4 ,scrafield was soon on the spot1 and at imminent personal risk1 crossed the broken ice on ladders1 and1 with ropes and grapnels1 succeeded in rescuing the poor boys1 but not till all life had departed4 ,the first youth was got up in ten minutes after the catastrophe4 ,for his judgment and intrepidity on the occasion he was promoted to be second-corporal1 and the ,royal ,humane ,society granted him a pecuniary reward4 ,pensioned in ,november1 #ahcc1 he afterwards obtained a lucrative situation on a railway1 and died at ,bletchington1 of cholera1 in ,september1 #ahdi4 ----- ,a party of one colour-sergeant and six men under ,captain ,nicolls1 from ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia1 was attached to the expedition under ,sir ,john ,sherbrooke1 and served1 in ,august and ,september1 at the capture of ,moose ,island1 ,castine1 and ,belfast1 in the ,state of ,maine4 #ahae4 ,siege of ,fort ,boyer--,alertness of company on passage to ,new ,orleans--,return of the sappers from ,north ,america--,services and movements of companies in ,canada--,also in ,nova ,scotia--,captures of ,martinique and ,guadaloupe--,services and movements of companies in ,italy--,maltese sappers disbanded--,pay of ,sub-,lieutenants--,ypres--,increase to sappers' force in ,holland2 its duties and detachments2 notice of sergeant ,purcell--,renewal of the war--,strength of the corps sent to the ,netherlands--,pontoneers--,battle of ,waterloo--,disastrous situation of a company in retreating--,general order about the alarm and the stragglers--,sergeant-major ,hilton at ,brussels--,notice of lance-corporal ,donnelly--,exertions of another company in pressing to the field--,organization of the engineer establishment in ,france--,pontoon train--,magnitude of the engineer establishment2 hired drivers2 ,flemish seamen--,assault of ,peronne1 valour of ,sub-lieutenant ,stratton and lance-corporal ,councill--,pontoon bridges on the ,seine--,conduct of corps during the campaign--,corporal ,coombs with the ,prussian army--,usefulness of the sappers in attending to the horses1 c41 of the department in ,france--,domiciliary visit to ,montmartre4 ,in ,february of this year nine men were present at the siege of ,fort ,boyer1 near ,mobile1 and their services on the occasion have been cited as a remarkable proof of the utility of the corps4 ,sir ,charles ,pasley thus writes concerning the party3--8,the first night of the operations soldiers of the line only were employed4 ,from a want of skill and experience in the nature of the duties required of them1 and there being very few engineer officers to direct1 they collected in groups1 instead of being spread out as they ought to have been4 ,consequently1 out of one small party of twenty men1 fourteen were killed and wounded by a single discharge of grape-shot2 and such confusion ensued1 that very little progress was made in the course of that night4 ,on the second night of the siege1 the small party of sappers was employed in addition to the troops of the line4 ,by the assistance of these few men the officers of engineers were enabled to regulate their working party to so much advantage1 that before morning they had completed a parallel of #bjj yards in extent within #ej yards of the enemy's works1 besides approaches in advance1 which1 being filled with sharpshooters1 the ,americans were unable to show themselves at their guns1 and the fort surrendered4 ,it is proper to explain1 that as the army sailed from the ,mississippi in divisions1 the main body of the royal engineer department had not arrived at the period of the attack4 ,the nine men who so particularly distinguished themselves happened to be on the spot before the others1 because1 being all carpenters by trade1 they had been lent to the ,admiral to repair the boats of the fleet40#baf ,one private was wounded4#bag ----- ,footnote #baf3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' i41 note ,d1 p4 x4 ,footnote #bag3 #8,london ,gazette4' ----- ,after a detention of about six weeks from contrary winds1 the eighth company1 second battalion1 with ,sub-,lieutenant ,p4 ,johnston under ,captain ,harry ,d4 ,jones1 cleared the channel on the #beth ,december and sailed for ,new ,orleans4 ,while off ,madeira1 the company was served out with the serviceable carbines and blunderbusses belonging to the transport1 and drilled to the use of the carronades on board4 ,these measures were necessary from the presence of ,american vessels and privateers hovering about the convoy4 ,the company was consequently kept perpetually on the alert until it landed at ,dauphine ,island on the #bhth ,february1 too late to take part in the war4 ,hostilities closed in ,north ,america with the capture of ,fort ,boyer1 and the three companies with the force under ,major-,general ,lambert1 re-embarked at ,dauphine ,island for ,england in ,march4 ,the eighth company1 second battalion1 returned to the #8,dawson' transport1 and the other two companies were put on board the #8,hyperion1' and all arrived at ,woolwich in ,june following4 ,the two companies in ,canada were continually on the move fortifying the frontiers4 ,the third of the third battalion maintained its head-quarters at ,kingston2 and the fourth of the fourth battalion commenced the year at the ,holland ,river4 ,it was next removed to ,penetanguishine ,harbour1 where half of the company under ,captain ,w4 ,r4 ,payne1 completed the military arrangements for establishing a naval dept4 ,it then proceeded to ,york2 afterwards to ,fort ,george1 ,sandwich1 and ,drummond's ,island1 on ,lake ,huron4 ,from one or other of the companies1 parties were thrown out to ,fort ,niagara1 ,turkey ,point1 ,amherstberg1 ,fort ,wellington1 ,montreal1 ,coteau de ,lac1 and ,lower ,canada4 ,in carrying on the various duties of the department1 the sappers1 who were employed as overseers of military working-parties1 were found of great advantage4#bah ,during the year1 eighteen men deserted from the companies1 most of whom were seduced from their allegiance by sergeant ,robert ,hunter of the corps4 ,when he headed the deluded party into the ,states1 he was off ,fort ,grochett1 ,river ,st4 ,clair1 on his way from ,sandwich to ,machinac'1 ,lake ,huron4 ----- ,footnote #bah3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' i41 note ,b1 page vi4 ----- ,from the company at ,halifax detachments were sent on particular duties to the harbour posts1 but chiefly to the works at ,sherbrooke's ,tower on ,manger's ,beach4 ,on the #bnd ,march1 one sergeant and eight rank and file embarked at ,barbadoes for special service under ,captain ,a4 ,brown1 ,r4,e4 ,on the #bhth ,may1 the party was increased to thirty-three men of all ranks1 and was present with the force under ,lieutenant-,general ,sir ,james ,leith at the captures of ,martinique on the #eth ,june1 and ,guadaloupe on the #ith ,august4 ,in the latter attack the sappers were engaged with the artillery at the guns4 ,the head-quarters of the sappers were then changed from ,barbadoes to ,guadaloupe2 and the establishment of the corps in the ,west ,india command was reduced from two companies to one4 ,the sixth company1 second battalion1 and sixty men of the ,maltese sappers at ,messina1 embarked at ,milazzo on the #agth ,may and landed at ,naples on the #bgth4 ,on the #bnd ,july following they re-embarked1 and arrived at ,genoa on the #aath of that month4 ,there the ,maltese sappers were reinforced by the landing of the remainder of the company from ,messina on the #ahth ,october4 ,the number of the whole reached #aja men1 including the small party which rejoined the company from ,corfu in ,april4 ,throughout the year1 detachments of the sixth company1 second battalion1 were maintained at ,palermo and ,faro2 and a party of two sergeants and nineteen rank and file1 sent on a secret expedition1 was afterwards on duty for a few months at ,milan and ,marseilles4 ,under a royal warrant1 dated #eth ,october1 the two companies of ,maltese sappers stationed at ,malta and ,gozo1 were disbanded2 and the war company--retained for general service--was assimilated in all essential respects to the royal sappers and miners4 ,the establishment of the company was fixed at one sub-lieutenant1 five sergeants1 five corporals1 five second-corporals1 three drummers1 and seventy privates2 and its strength was sustained1 from time to time1 by transfers of ,britons1 ,maltese1 ,sicilians1 and ,italians--all properly-qualified artificers--from the regiments serving in the ,mediterranean4 ,the designation of the company--8,maltese ,sappers and ,miners0--assumed in #ahac for the sake of uniformity1 was confirmed by the warrant1 and the colour of the dress was changed from blue to red4 ,on the representation of four sub-lieutenants1 the regimental allowances of officers of that rank were brought under consideration4 ,on active duty the pay was found to be inadequate to meet the requirements of the service4 ,in the ,peninsula1 the officers with the army had to endure much hardship1 and were continually menaced with pecuniary difficulties and embarrassments4 ,aware of these facts1 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,burgoyne and ,major ,rice ,jones backed the appeal by forcible recommendations to ,lieutenant-,general ,mann1 and on the #ith ,november the ,prince ,regent was pleased to increase the pay of the sub-lieutenants from #es4 #g;d4 to #fs4 #g;d4 a-day4 ,in ,january the fourth company1 second battalion1 moved from ,antwerp to ,ypres1 where they were quartered in the bishop's palace and adjoining convent1 which had been sacrilegiously converted by the ,french into an engineer establishment4 ,the defences of ,ypres had not been repaired since the fortress was taken by the ,french in #agid4 ,two considerable breaches were in the body of the place and the various outworks were in a dilapidated condition4 ,the officers of engineers and the company were employed in restoring the works to a state to resist a field attack or a coup-de-main4 ,this last contingency1 however1 was not calculated upon until ,napoleon had regained the capital and the royal family fled to the frontier4 ,the startling intelligence was announced to the resident engineer--,captain ,oldfield--at six o'clock one evening1 and by the same hour next morning1 parties of sappers under two officers of engineers had opened the sluices and covered1 with inundations1 the two breaches on the ,bailleul front4 ,immediately after1 large military parties under the direction of the sappers and the officers of royal engineers commenced the work of strengthening the fortress1 and further assisted by labourers of all ages intermixed with stout women and sturdy girls from the town and adjacent villages1 the fortress was renewed with singular despatch4 ,sub-,lieutenant ,adam1 who was appointed assistant engineer1 superintended the restoration of the body of the place near the ,lille gate and the outworks in front of the ,menin and ,dixmude gates2 he also attended to the repairs of the communication boats and bridges1 barriers1 posterns1 c4 ,with the exception of the sappers1 the garrison was entirely composed of foreign troops who could not speak a word of ,english1 and as the sappers had only mastered a few elementary snatches of the ,flemish language1 the duty of superintendence was not accomplished without difficulty4 ,to the force in ,holland was added the fifth company1 second battalion1 which embarked at ,woolwich on the #bnd ,january1 and landed at ,antwerp the same month4 ,this company and two others already there1 were employed for several months in improving the defences of the frontiers of the ,netherlands1 particularly at ,ypres1 ,tournay1 ,mons1 ,menin1 ,dendermond1 ,ath1 ,namur1 ,charleroi1 and ,brussels4 ,the various works were subdivided amongst the non-commissioned officers and privates1 each of whom was held responsible for the proper execution of the work intrusted to his superintendence4 ,the peasants and women under the direction of each counted from #bj to #ajj1 and even more1 according to circumstances4#bai ,sergeant ,john ,purcell had from #cjj to #djj women under his orders at ,ypres2 and from some winning peculiarity in his mode of command1 obtained from their willing obedience and energies an amount of labour that was almost astonishing4 ,no less than about #a1hjj peasants and #b1jjj horses were engaged in these works1 and1 by all accounts1 they were conducted with the greatest regularity and despatch4 ,sir ,charles ,pasley attributes no inconsiderable credit to the sappers for their assistance in the general services of the frontier2#bbj and the ,master-,general1 the ,earl of ,mulgrave1 in a letter dated #dth ,april1 expressed his 8warm approbation of their zeal and exertions40 ,the ,duke of ,wellington also on visiting the frontier1 awarded similar praise to the officers and sappers1 particularly for their efficient labours at ,ypres4 ----- ,footnote #bai3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' i41 note ,b1 p4 vi4 ,footnote #bbj3 ,ibid4 ----- ,meanwhile ,napoleon1 breaking his captivity in ,elba1 reappeared in ,france1 and wherever he journeyed1 was enthusiastically welcomed by his former legions4 ,as by a spell1 the army gathered under the wings of his eagles1 and again lifted him into the imperial seat from which he had been so recently expelled4 ,europe was once more thrown into commotion by the event1 and to crush the lofty hopes and pretensions of an intolerable ambition1 war was at once declared by the ,allies against the usurper4 ,at the instance of the ,duke of ,wellington1#bba who requested 8the whole corps of sappers and miners0 to be sent to ,brussels to join his ,grace's force1 seven companies of the corps1 instructed in their art1 were hurried off to ,ostend between the #bdth ,march and #ajth ,june1 and distributed with all possible haste to those frontier posts and fortresses in the ,netherlands that most required their services4 ,those companies were the ,third and sixth of the first battalion2 ,second and eighth of the second battalion2 ,first and seventh of the third battalion2 and ,first of the fourth battalion3 and they were employed in constructing indispensable fieldworks1 or improving the fortifications at ,ostend1 ,ghent1 ,nieuport1 ,tournay1 ,oudenarde1 ,boom1 ,escaneffe1 ,antwerp1 ,lille1 ,liefkenshoek1 and ,hal4 ,not less than #bj1jjj civil labourers with very strong military parties1 were employed on the line of works extending from ,ostend to ,mons1 and it was due to the intelligent manner in which the sappers carried out the duties of overseers1 that this important field operation was so efficiently executed4 ,hal was the dept from which the engineer brigades were equipped4 ,the three companies in the ,low ,countries1 before the campaign opened1 were the fourth and fifth of the second battalion1 and the fourth of the third battalion4 ,the total strength of the whole ten companies reached the following numbers3-- ,sub- ,second ,lieuts4 ,sergeants4 ,corporals4 ,corporals4 ,drummers4 ,privates4 ,total4 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ------ #aj #ce #cb #db #ai #fdd #ghbbbb ,the ,sub-,lieutenants were ,a4 ,ross1 ,j4 ,sparks1 ,w4 ,stratton1 ,p4 ,johnston1 ,w4 ,knapp1#bbc ,j4 ,armstrong1 ,a4 ,turner1 ,c4 ,gratton1 ,j4 ,adam1 and ,e4 ,sanders4 ----- ,footnote #bba3 #8,wellington ,dispatches1' viii41 p4 #ah1 edit4 #ahdg4 -- ,footnote #bbb3 ,corroborated1 by the official ,state on the #ahth ,june1 #ahae4 ,see #8,gurwood1' vol4 viii41 ,app4 xiii41 p4 #cib1 edit4 #ahdg4 ,footnote #bbc3 ,died at ,tournay1 #afth ,june1 #ahae4 ----- ,in order that the organizations of every description with the army should be as complete as forethought could make them1 the ,duke of ,wellington recommended the employment of two companies of seamen as pontoneers4 ,no exertions were omitted to give effect to his ,grace's wishes1 and #bjj hardy man-o'-war's men1 with ,captain ,charles ,napier1 ,r4,n41 at their head1 were speedily embarked in the #8,euryalus' to join the army as bridgemen for the campaign4 ,meanwhile the ,duke1 who was unaware of the extensive character of the instruction imparted to the sappers at ,chatham1 was informed1 that the companies of the corps in the ,netherlands had1 for the most part1 been trained in the art of constructing military bridges1 and had acquired an expertness in all the details and management of floating equipments under the careful tuition of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,pasley1 that promised to equal the most gigantic requirements of the service4 ,his ,grace1 only too glad to learn this agreeable intelligence1 revoked his original intention1 countermanded the landing of the seamen1 and thus the duty of forming the bridges for the passage of rivers1 was wholly confined to the royal sappers and miners4#bbd ----- ,footnote #bbd3 #8,wellington ,dispatches1' edit4 #ahdg1 7#b #ab ,may17 pp4 #ee1 #ha4 ----- ,at the battle of ,waterloo the royal sappers and miners were not engaged4 ,three companies1 however1 were brought conveniently near to act in the event of their services being needed2 and two companies with the pontoons1 were quartered at ,malines4 ,of the former companies1 the first company1 fourth battalion1 is considered to have behaved with discredit in quitting the field without sufficient reason1 and losing1 in the precipitancy and confusion of the march1 its baggage and field equipment4 ,but the stigma seems to have been attached to the company without an adequate investigation of the circumstances under which the retreat was imperatively resorted to4 ,the details of the affair are as follows3--,on the #agth ,june the company moved from ,hal by ,braine-la-leud towards ,waterloo1 marching the whole of the night1 and was on the position when the action commenced on the morning of the #ahth4 ,after a time1 it was ordered to the rear by ,major ,sir ,george ,hoste1 and accordingly it marched to the furthest end of the village of ,waterloo under ,lieutenant ,w4 ,faris and ,sub-,lieutenant ,r4 ,turner4 ,there the company remained till between three and four o'clock ,p4,m41 when ,lieutenant ,c4 ,k4 ,sanders1 ,r4,e41 joined it4 ,about this time a brigade of ,hanoverian artillery and cavalry1 and several of the ,british cavalry1 were retiring4 ,the latter had vainly laboured to penetrate the retreating crowds1 and informed ,lieutenant ,sanders that the ,french were at the other end of the village4 ,in a wood on the right1 discharges of musketry were heard1 and both officers and men1 who hurried away from the battle1 corroborated the general testimony1 that the enemy not only had possession of the wood1 but in a short time would cut off the ,british from the road4 ,still incredulous of the alarming rumours which reached him1 ,lieutenant ,sanders sought more decisive information as to the reported advantages of the ,french1 and at length1 satisfied with the additional affirmations of hundreds of officers and soldiers1 who threatened in their flight to overrun the company1 he at once ordered it to retire4 ,the circumstances fairly justified this step4 ,but the company had not proceeded far before it was unavoidably thrown into difficulties and disorder4 ,to relieve itself from the masses was impossible4 ,driven in rear1 and encompassed by overwhelming numbers of different regiments1 it was borne along at a very rapid rate1 in the vortex of the confusion4 ,by the presence of cavalry and cannon1 and of capsized waggons and baggage1 its march was interrupted and its files broken4 ,many of the men1 therefore1 who could not keep up were dispersed among the fugitives2 the brigade of waggons1 stopped by insuperable obstructions on the road1 was abandoned1 and the company thus routed lost many of its knapsacks and most of its intrenching tools1 baggage1 and horses4#bbe ,such are the facts of this ill-understood affair1 which deserve to be viewed more with regret than animadversion2 but ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth1 jealous of the honour of the corps1 and feeling this apparent taint upon its character1 was highly displeased1 and refused to recommend the officers and men of the company for the ,waterloo honours and advantages4#bbf ----- ,footnote #bbe3 ,to show how serious was the alarm1 and how great the number of fugitives1 the following extract from general orders1 dated ,nivelles1 #bjth ,june1 #ahae1 will fully testify3-- 8#c4 ,the ,field ,marshal has observed that several soldiers1 and even officers1 have quitted their ranks without leave1 and have gone to ,bruxelles1 and even some to ,antwerp1 where1 and in the country through which they have passed1 they have spread a false alarm1 in a manner highly unmilitary and derogatory to the character of soldiers4 8#d4 ,the ,field ,marshal requests the ,general ,officers commanding divisions in the ,british army1 and the ,general ,officers commanding the corps of each nation of which the army is composed1 to report to him in writing1 what officers and men 7the former by name7 are now1 or have been1 absent without leave since the #afth instant4 8#e4 ,the ,field ,marshal desires that the #adth article of the #adth section of the ,articles of ,war may be inserted in every orderly book of the ,british army1 in order to remind officers and soldiers of the punishment affixed by law to the crime of creating false alarms40--#8,gurwood1' viii41 p4#aef1 edit4 #ahdg4 ,nearly #bjjj men were returned 8missing10 the greater number of whom were said to have gone to the rear with wounded officers and soldiers4--',gurwood1 viii41 p4#aea1 edit4 #ahdg4 ,but the probability is1 that very few of this strength returned into the battle1 but1 worked upon by the alarm1 helped to swell the force of the renegades4 ,under the circumstances1 the retreat of the company of sappers is fairly exonerated1 pressed as it was by masses of troops of all nations1 who fled from the field in infamous haste and terror4 ,it is right to go a step further1 and show what was the effect of the alarm at ,brussels--#bd miles away from the position2 and thus notice the conduct of one who should be recognized in these pages4 ,some hours before the company arrived at ,brussels1 the panic was so complete1 that the inhabitants flew in all directions from the horrors of an anticipated calamity1 and not a few of the soldiers quartered in the place swelled the rout4 ,sergeant-major ,hilton in charge of a detachment of sappers1 prepared for the worst by packing the plans1 charts1 c41 of the engineer department1 and also the military baggage of the commanding royal engineer4 ,as all his own drivers had disappeared1 he harnessed a couple of horses in readiness to move should necessity force him4 ,a ,belgic servant of ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth's1 who had been in the ,french service1 ought to have assisted1 but showing signs of treachery1 an altercation ensued1 in which1 to save himself from the cut of a sabre1 the sergeant-major wounded the shins of the ,belgian with a stroke from a crowbar4 ,expecting no aid from this faithless foreigner1 the sergeant-major looked about for more reliable intelligence respecting the rumoured reverse at ,waterloo4 ,while doing so the ,commandant of ,brussels accosted him1 which led to his explaining the course he intended to pursue to preserve the plans1 c41 from falling into the hands of the enemy4 ,after remarking that there was no fear of the ,french reaching the city1 the ,commandant desired him to order the provost1 with all the disposable men of his guard1 to wait upon him immediately at the ,rue ,royale4 ,sergeant ,hilton promptly complied2 but the provost--this paragon of order and discipline--could not be found2 and his irresolute men were only too desirous of following in the wake of the winged crowd4 ,at last about nine of the guard accompanied the sergeant-major to the ,rue ,royale1 where the ,commandant ordered him to station the men across the road leading to ,antwerp4 8,stop every waggon10 he roared1 furious at the insane sight that everywhere met his gaze1 8and run any one through who attempts to pass in violation of your orders60 ,the terror of the citizens was at its highest1 soldiers of every country were pouring into the capital2 all was confusion and haste2 the streets were lined with vehicles in endless variety1 and each owner was striving to out-ride his neighbour in the frantic chase4 ,it required to be firm at such a time1 and the sergeant-major1 quite as stern as the ,commandant1 drew his sword1 and opposing himself and his small guard to the onward movement of the vans1 stemmed with difficulty the flight4 ,quickly the horses were withdrawn from the shafts1 to prevent the possibility of whipping them forward2 and turning a waggon with its broadside to the stream1 the outlet was thus partially closed4 ,so great now was the pressure from behind that waggon drove on waggon1 and smashing in the roadway1 the passage was at length blocked up with an impenetrable barricade1 which effectually checked the efflux of the fugitives to ,antwerp1 and calmed the agitation of the people4 ,footnote #bbf3 ,the only soldier of the corps actually in the battle was lance-corporal ,henry ,donnelly1 who was orderly to ,captain and ,brigade-,major1 now ,major-,general ,oldfield1 ,k4,h4 ,he was present on the #agth and #ahth1 and ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth1 who was seriously indisposed on the night of the #agth1 was much indebted to him for his care and attention4 ,his claim to a medal was warmly advocated by the ,major1 who testified to his presence in the field for two days1 but ,colonel ,smyth never would allow that he was entitled to it4 ,at the final rejection of his just right corporal ,donnelly was so much affected1 that shortly after he went into hospital1 and died on the #beth ,july1 #ahag4 ,the claim of corporal ,donnelly had been officially recognized at one time in the following order by the officer commanding his company3-- 8,company orders4 ,argenteuil1 ,august #f1 #ahae4 ,in consequence of private ,henry ,donnelly being present at the battle of ,waterloo1 he is entitled to two years advance of service4 ,he will therefore be mustered according to the regulations of his ,royal ,highness the ,prince ,regent1 dated #bith ,july1 #ahae4--7,signed7 ,,ed4 ,,covey1 ,lieutenant ,royal ,engineers40 ,and he was so mustered until ,july #ahaf1 when ,colonel ,smyth ordered its discontinuance1 making at the same time these remarks3--8,the sapper in question rode out a horse of ,major ,oldfield's on the #agth1 and returned to ,brussels on the morning of the #ahth1 without having seen an enemy or heard a shot fired4 ,he was in ,brussels during the actions of the #afth and #ahth2 and under these circumstances ,i should have been guilty of a dereliction of duty to have certified that he was entitled to a medal1 and which he could hardly have worn on the parade of his company1 in preference to the very good non-commissioned officers and men of that company1 who have constantly done their duty much to my satisfaction and their own credit2 and who could not but have felt aggrieved to have seen a mark of distinction bestowed upon private ,donnelly without his having in any way deserved it40 ----- ,another company ordered to ,waterloo on the #ahth ,june1 gained much praise for its firmness and regularity in pushing up to the field4 ,this was the eighth company1 second battalion1 under ,sub-,lieutenant ,patrick ,johnston4 ,at #b o'clock on the morning of the #ahth it marched from ,antwerp1 and on arrival at ,brussels ,lieutenant ,johnston1 finding that the captain of the company as well as the commanding royal engineer and his staff were in the field1 at once moved on for ,waterloo4 ,crowds of wounded soldiers1 anxious runaways1 dismantled waggons and cannon1 greatly impeded the march4 ,from all he met he received the most discouraging advice1 but amid the general panic and the numerous obstacles he had to contend with1 he resolutely pursued his march and reached the village of ,waterloo at #d o'clock ,p4,m41 in a state that reflected great credit upon the discipline and perseverance of the company4 ,late in the evening1 after firing had ceased1 as there were many inducements to plundering and straggling1 ,lieutenant ,johnston withdrew the company a short distance on the ,brussels road1 and placed it in an empty barn till next morning1 when it commenced its march for ,paris4 ,in applauding the company for its steadiness and order under trying circumstances1 ,colonel ,c4 ,smyth alluded in a particular manner to the meritorious conduct of ,lieutenant ,johnston4 ,neither the officer nor his men were considered entitled to the ,waterloo medal and extra service2 and for several years afterwards many of the company claimed these advantages with unprecedented pertinacity1 but without effect4 8,the experience of former defects in the ,peninsula10 wrote ,lieutenant-,colonel ,pasley1 8led to the more perfect organization of the field establishment of the royal engineer department40 ,on the #bjth ,june orders to effect the arrangement were issued by ,colonel ,c4 ,smyth4 8 ,every division of the army had one engineer's brigade attached to it2 each brigade consisting of a complete company of well-trained sappers and miners1 with drivers1 horses and waggons carrying entrenching tools sufficient to employ a working party of #ejj men1 besides a proportion of artificers' tools1 and other engineer stores40#bbg ,the number of companies so distributed was six4 8,a captain and a certain number of subaltern officers were attached to each brigade1 and were responsible for the discipline of the men and efficiency of the horses10 c4#bbh ----- ,footnote #bbg3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' i41 note ,f1 p4 xii4 ,footnote #bbh3 ,ibid4 ----- ,four companies were attached to the pontoon train1 8which10 according to the same authority1 8consisted of eighty pontoons1 besides store-waggons1 c41 and was drawn by nearly #hjj horses1 the whole being under the command of ,brevet-,major ,tylden of the engineers1 assisted by a due proportion of captains and subalterns of the same corps40#bbi ,the second company1 fourth battalion1 under ,sub-,lieutenant ,samuel ,m#8,lean1 of sixty-seven total1 having joined the army from ,england soon after the disposition1 was also added to the pontoon train4 ----- ,footnote #bbi3 ,ibid4 ----- ,the total of the engineer establishment with the army and in the ,netherlands1 under the command of about sixty officers of engineers1 amounted to #aj sub-lieutenants and #hch soldiers of the royal sappers and miners1 and1 adds ,lieutenant-,colonel ,pasley1 8#eej drivers in charge of #afj waggons1 pontoon carriages included1 and more than #a1jjj horses40 ,besides medical officers and other non-combatants1 and a large force of peasants employed on the works1 8a small number of ,flemish seamen1 accustomed to rivers and coasting navigation1 was attached to each division of the pontoon train40#bcj ,the hired drivers1 paid at #as4 #f;d4 a-day each and rations1 were provided with a uniform of grey clothing1 having red cuffs and collars to their round jackets2 and the ,flemish seamen1 receiving each an allowance of #bs4 a-day and rations1 were dressed like ,british sailors1 having on the front of their low glazed caps1 painted in white1 the word 8,pontoneer40 ----- ,footnote #bcj3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' i41 note ,f1 p4 xii4 ----- ,all the companies of the corps moved with the army towards ,paris1 leaving a few small detachments dispersed in ,flanders4 ,the second company1 second battalion1 attached to the first division1 was present at the capture of ,peronne on the #bfth ,june under ,sub-,lieutenant ,w4 ,stratton and two captains of engineers4 ,the ladders used on the occasion were collected in the neighbourhood1 but being too short were lashed together4 ,the company had the honour of leading the brigade of guards to the assault1#bca and behaved remarkably well4#bcb ,preceding the column1 they threw a number of fascines and faggots1 hastily prepared by them1 into the ditch of the hornwork1 and thus enabled the troops to pass its swampy bottom into the body of the place4#bcc ,a party of the company advanced under a heavy fire to force the main entrance4 ,no ladders were carried with it1 nor any sledge-hammers or instruments by which to force it open4 ,daring men were in the batch1 and their first impulse1 forlorn as it was1 urged them to mount the gate4 ,lieutenant ,stratton and lance-corporal ,edward ,councill soon gained the top1 and tearing themselves over the spikes which crowned it1 jumped into the place1 tore down the fastenings1 and pulling the gate open1 admitted the troops4 ,in leading the stormers into the work1 ,captain ,alexander ,thompson1 ,r4,e41 and ,lieutenant ,stratton were severely wounded1 as also two men of the company4 ,corporal ,councill was dangerously wounded in the breast4 ----- ,footnote #bca3 ,ibid1 i41 note ,d1 p4 ix4 ,footnote #bcb3 #8,wellington ,dispatches1' viii41 p4 #agf1 edit4 #ahdg4 ,footnote #bcc3 ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth's #8,plans of attack upon ,antwerp1' c41 p4 #i1 and plan4 ----- ,for the passage of the army to ,paris1 a pontoon bridge was thrown over the ,seine at ,argenteuil early in ,july4 ,twenty pontoons were employed in its formation1 and also some trestles1 which were placed next to the banks of the river4 ,on its completion1 the ,duke of ,wellington1 who was present during the greater part of the operation1 first passed over leading his horse1 and then the whole army with its artillery and baggage4 ,from the acute winding of the ,seine it was again necessary to pass the troops over the river1 and a pontoon bridge similar to the one laid at ,argenteuil was thrown at ,aniers4 ,the fifth company1 second battalion1 and seventh company1 third battalion1 constructed these bridges4 ,some ,flemish seamen assisted in their formation1 confining their exertions chiefly to mooring the pontoons4 ,skilful as they were as sailors1 their want of previous training as pontoneers1 rendered them far less serviceable than the royal sappers and miners4#bcd ,the bridges were maintained for some months on the ,seine1 facilities being afforded for continuing the navigation without interruption4 ,for this purpose an opening was made in the centre of each bridge1 and when required to be re-established for the passage of the troops1 the floating rafts were lashed in their places and removed again when the occasion was served4 ,a sufficient detachment under ,sub-,lieutenant ,james ,adam was posted for a season at ,chatou1 to attend to a similar duty at the bridge thrown there by the ,russians4 ,three companies with forty pontoons were also stationed at ,epinay4 ----- ,footnote #bcd3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' i41 note ,f1 p4 xii4 ----- ,after the capture of ,paris1 the ,earl of ,mulgrave1 then ,master-,general of the ,ordnance1 in a letter dated #aath ,july1 expressed his high appreciation of the zealous1 able1 and beneficial exertions of the officers and soldiers of the corps during the successful progress of the campaign2 and also of the services of the officers and men at the different fortresses4 ,corporal ,joseph ,coombs1 of the fourth company1 second battalion1 detached to ,maubeuge on the #bcrd ,july1 under ,captain ,harding1 royal engineers1 was present at the sieges of ,philipville1 from the #gth to #ahth ,august1 and ,rocroy on the #aeth and #afth following4 ,he was with the army commanded by ,prince ,augustus of ,prussia1 and was the only ,british sapper engaged4 ,on leaving that army in ,october1 ,captain ,harding said that the corporal had conducted himself extremely well1 and was both intelligent and active in the different services in which he had been employed4 ,during the year a number of hired drivers deserted4 ,they were generally ignorant of their duties and many of them of bad character4 ,to take care of the horses was the principal object of the chief engineer and his officers4 ,obtaining an equal number of foreign drivers to replace the vacancies occasioned by desertion1 afforded no promise of advantage or improvement4 ,it was1 therefore1 determined1 to make an experiment by appointing the royal sappers and miners to the duty4 ,accordingly1 the number of men required was attached to the horses1 and 8from their peculiar habits of zeal and exertion1 they made no difficulty of reconciling themselves to the novel occupation of grooms and drivers40 ,the experiment was eminently successful4 8,the horses were kept efficient and in proper condition20 and1 8but for this measure1 a number of valuable horses must have been ruined1 and the pontoon train1 as well as the engineers' brigades1 by degrees1 have become totally unserviceable40#bce ----- ,footnote #bce3 ,pasley's #8,elementary ,fortification1' i41 note ,f1 p4 xii4 ----- ,at ,paris the sappers were called upon to perform a domiciliary visit to the capital1 which probably is the only instance on record of ,british soldiers being so employed in an enemy's country4 ,the ,duke of ,wellington having been informed that arms were carried nightly into ,paris from ,montmartre1 desired ,sir ,thomas ,brisbane1 commanding the seventh division of the army1 to order ,captain ,harry ,jones1 ,r4,e41 to take the company of sappers attached to the division1 with such tools as might be necessary1 and examine rigidly every part of ,montmartre where it was probable arms might be concealed4 ,the officer commanding the troops stationed within the intrenchments1 had orders not to allow any person to pass out1 until ,captain ,jones had completed his examination4 ,the sappers were employed nearly the whole day in making the search4 ,every cellar1 house1 and garden was examined2 no place where it was possible to conceal arms was unexplored1 but the result was unsuccessful4 ,no doubt1 however1 existed1 that the information communicated to the ,duke of ,wellington was well founded4 #ahaf-ahah4 ,movements in ,france--,return of six companies from thence to ,england--,strength of those remaining1 and detachments from them--,st4 ,helena--,return of company from ,italy--,disbandment of the war company of ,maltese sappers--,battle of ,algiers--,conduct of corps at ,valenciennes--,instances in which the want of arms was felt during the war--,arming the corps attributable to accidental circumstances--,training and instruction of the corps in ,france--,its misconduct--,but remarkable efficiency at drill--,municipal thanks to companies at ,valenciennes--,dress--,bugles adopted--,reduction in the corps--,sub-,lieutenants disbanded--,withdrawal of companies from certain stations--,relief of company at ,barbadoes--,repairing damages at ,st4 ,lucia2 conduct of the old ,west ,india company--,corfu--,inspection of corps in ,france--,epaulettes introduced--,sordid conduct of four men in refusing to wear them--,murder of private ,milne1 and consequent punishment of corps in ,france by the ,duke of ,wellington--,return of the sappers from ,france4 ,after the capitulation of ,paris1 the royal sappers and miners were encamped in the vicinity of the city4 ,late in the year they were removed to other stations on the northern frontiers of ,france2 and until the formation of the army of occupation1 were constantly changing their quarters and furnishing detachments for particular services at different places4 ,to meet the arrangements for reducing the army in ,france1 six companies quitted the country for ,england in ,january4 ,four embarked at ,boulogne and two at ,calais4 ,the former arrived at ,woolwich on the #ith ,february and the latter on the following day4 ,five companies remained with the army of occupation and were attached to divisions as follows3-- #ast division #hth com41 #bnd batt4 ,sub-,lieut4 ,p4 ,johnston4 #bnd division #ast com41 #crd batt4 ,sub-,lieut4 ,w4 ,stevens4 #crd division #dth com41 #bnd batt4 ,sub-,lieut4 ,j4 ,adam4 ,pontoon train #bnd com41 #dth batt4 ,sub-,lieut4 ,s4 ,m#8,lean1 #eth com41 #bnd batt4 ,sub-,lieut4 ,c4 ,gratton4 ,their united strength counted #dce of all ranks1 and they were quartered at ,valenciennes1 ,raismes1 ,cantain1 ,bellain1 ,st4 ,amand1 ,pernes1 ,denain1 and ,houdain4 ,these places were the chief stations of the corps until its removal from ,france in #ahah4 ,parties were also detached to ,cambrai1 ,st4 ,pol1 and other places4 ,raismes was the head-quarters of the pontoon train4 ,each company attached to the train had twenty pontoons with stores and waggons in charge4 ,the second company1 fourth battalion1 was attached to the right bridge of the train1 and the fifth company1 second battalion1 to the left4 ,the former bridge was permanently stationed at ,raismes1 but the latter was repeatedly moved from village to village for service and instruction1 making its chief halts at ,raismes and ,aubry4 ,on the #bfth ,january the seventh company1 fourth battalion1 of forty-eight total under ,sub-,lieutenant ,a4 ,wallace followed ,napoleon to ,st4 ,helena1 and landed from the #8,phaeton' frigate on the #acth ,april4 ,major ,emmett1 ,r4,e4 took command of the company on its arrival4 ,in carrying on the duties of the island the men were much detached and separated4 ,many acted as overseers of the ,chinese and line workmen1 and were found very useful in their several occupations4 ,the headquarters were at ,st4 ,james'1 and parties at different periods were employed at ,prosperous ,bay1 ,turk's ,cap1 ,sandy ,bay1 ,great ,pound ,ridge1 ,horse ,pasture ,point1 ,lemon ,valley1 ,rupert's ,hill1 ,rupert's ,valley1 ,ladder ,hill1 c4 ,besides attending to the repairs of the barracks and public buildings and strengthening the sea-defences1 the company rendered efficient assistance in the building of a residence for ,napoleon at ,longwood4 ,the structure was of one story only and contained about forty rooms4 ,it was1 however1 never occupied1 as the ex-emperor expired before the furniture had been arranged in the several apartments4 ,on the evacuation of ,italy the sixth company1 second battalion1 under ,sub-,lieutenant ,r4 ,gibb1 sailed from ,genoa and landed at ,gibraltar on the #agth ,march4 ,two months after1 a fourth company was added to the engineer force on the ,rock1 by the arrival1 in the #8,kennesby ,castle' transport1 of the first company1 fourth battalion1 from ,portsmouth4 ,the ,maltese company of sappers quitted ,genoa with the ,british troops and landed at ,malta in ,march4 ,it continued to maintain its military organization and character until the #cast ,march1 #ahag1 when1 by the ,prince ,regent's command1 it was disbanded4 ,this was the last company of the ,maltese sappers and miners4 ,on the #bgth ,august the seventh company1 first battalion under ,captain ,william ,reid and ,major ,william ,gosset1 ,r4,e41 8had the high honour10 says ,sir ,john ,jones1 8of participating with the fleet10 under ,lord ,exmouth1 8in a splendid naval triumph40 ,this was the battle of ,algiers4 8,under the idea10 adds ,sir ,john1 8that it might become necessary to land and destroy some of the batteries and works covering the harbour of ,algiers1 the company10 eighty-four strong1 8was embarked with the fleet2 but owing to the daring intrepidity and able nautical manuvres of ,lord ,exmouth1 their services as miners were rendered unnecessary40#bcf ,throughout the action1 therefore1 they fought with the seamen at the guns of the #8,queen ,charlotte' and the #8,impregnable1' and gained equal credit with the navy and marines for their 8noble support40#bcg ,sub-,lieutenant ,s4 ,calder and fifteen rank and file were wounded1 of whom private ,david ,campbell mortally4 ,the company returned to ,england in the #8,queen ,charlotte' and the #8,glasgow' frigate in ,october1 and as a reward for their services each soldier received a gratuity of two months' pay4 ----- ,footnote #bcf3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' ii41 p4 #hia1 #bnd edit4 ,footnote #bcg3 #8,london ,gazette4' ----- ,comparatively unnoticed1 from the nature of their duties1 it was seldom that the sappers and miners were referred to in the despatches of general officers2 but the rule seems to have been infringed by ,lieut4-,general ,sir ,charles ,colville1 who on quitting his command at ,valenciennes early in #ahag1 offered the following tribute to their merits3-- ,london1 #aith ,april1 #ahag4 ,,my ,,dear ,,sir ,,charles1 ,i am unwilling to part with those whom ,i regard so much1 without bidding them adieu1 and therefore request you will accept yourself1 and have the goodness to express to the other officers of the royal engineers of the ,valenciennes' staff and pontoon train1 as well as those who were attached to the late third division1 my sincere good wishes for their continued honour and welfare1 and that you and they and the officers and privates of the royal sappers and miners will accept my thanks for the promptitude and correctness with which my wishes were met by them1 during the time ,i had the honour to have them under my command4 ,i am1 c41 7,signed7 ,,charles ,,colville4 ,lieut4-,colonel ,sir ,c4 ,f4 ,smith1 ,r4,e4 ,arming the corps efficiently had for years been a subject of discussion and representation4 ,lord ,mulgrave1 the ,master-,general1 however1 could not be persuaded of the necessity of the measure1 and under the opinion that a working corps ought not to be armed1 sent detachments to the ,peninsula equipped only with swords4 ,the evil of this was greatly felt1 as the sappers could not march across the country without being guarded by other troops4 ,for the same reason the company attached to the light division1 which was required for the siege of ,bayonne1 was unable to join4 ,upwards of #djj sappers were employed in that siege1 and might1 had they been equipped with fire-arms1 have rendered important assistance in repelling the disastrous sortie4 ,eleven companies were sent to the ,netherlands in a similarly defenceless state4 ,before moving them1 ,earl ,mulgrave was ready to abide by the views of the ,duke of ,wellington on the point1 as his ,grace promised to consider the question when the first company should arrive2 but no farther notice appears to have been taken of the subject1 and the whole eleven companies landed without a firelock4 ,when the alarming and unfounded reports of the retreat of the ,british from ,waterloo reached ,malines1 ,major ,tylden1 with the pontoon companies under his command1 assumed a posture of defence2 but the attitude1 from want of arms1 was necessarily impotent and embarrassing4 ,this gave the ,major a notion1 when afterwards crossing the plains of ,waterloo1 of arming the companies with muskets and accoutrements scattered on the battle-field2 the idea1 however1 from some regimental considerations was not carried out4 ,on one occasion1 near ,st4 ,denis1 all the sappers of the army1 nearly #a1jjj strong1 were assembled to witness an execution1 and strange to add1 in that imposing force there was not a single fire-arm6 ,at another time there was an inspection of the pontoon train of eighty pontoons and other carriages1 with horses1 drivers1 and pontoneers1 occupying a line of road nearly two miles in length4 ,the sappers were present in their whole strength1 but without a musket in their ranks to show the quality of protection they could afford to the immense charge intrusted to them4 ,fifty men with fire-arms could easily have destroyed the whole force in ten minutes4 ,these instances and others equally striking1 occurring in an enemy's country1 were strongly brought under the notice of the higher powers2 but1 where representations and remonstrances founded on the necessities of the service failed to obtain attention1 accidental circumstances at last gained the desired object4 ,at the great reviews in ,france1 the bridges required for the passage of the army were thrown the evening previously1 and the sappers consequently were free for any other duty4 ,usually they were employed to represent the enemy1 and to show the line of the enemy's position to advantage it was considered best to effect it by musketry fire4 ,orders were therefore given1 on the #hth ,october1 to supply the companies with muskets and bayonets from the stores at ,valenciennes2 and from this trivial incident may be dated the period from which the corps was properly and uniformly armed4 ,to keep up the training and efficiency of the corps in ,france1 ,sir ,james ,carmichael ,smyth issued to each non-commissioned officer and fifty of the most steady and intelligent privates1 books and useful articles for their instruction and improvement4 ,schools were also established for the men1 and prizes liberally awarded for industrious application and advancement4 ,to perfect the corps in the use of the firelock and marching evolutions1 five serjeants from the light infantry regiments in ,france were specially appointed to the duty4 ,each company was also required to execute a certain portion of field-work every year and reports of individual progress in instruction were prepared weekly1 which were carefully examined1 and promotion distributed according to merit4 ,the pontoon train1 which was constantly in motion and sustained a high character for activity and usefulness1 was only expected to do half the work demanded from the divisional companies2 and this course of professional and general education1 based upon the system of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,pasley1 was scrupulously enforced until the companies quitted ,france in ,november1 #ahah4 ,notwithstanding all this attention on the part of the officers1 there was much misconduct prevalent in the sappers4 ,during the period that eleven companies were with the army1 courts' martial were very uncommon1 and the punishments infinitely fewer than were found necessary to keep only five companies in order4 ,this suggests a difficulty not easily explained2 for1 when the six companies were removed from the country in #ahaf1 the weeds from the other five were sent to ,england1 and their places supplied by privates of unexceptionable character4 ,so rigid indeed had the drilling been enforced that at the last reviews in the vicinity of ,valenciennes1 the correct manner in which the royal sappers and miners were handled by ,captain ,harry ,d4 ,jones1 when representing the enemy1 excited general approbation4 ,their light infantry evolutions even emulated those of their old companions in arms of the light division1 whose only business was that of constant exercise in the requirements of the parade and in martial movements and combinations4 ,the formation of 8rallying square0 by the companies was particularly commended2 and those who did not justly appreciate their military attainments from the semi-civil nature of their many employments--expected to see them fly1 as the cavalry1 in its impetuous charges over the plain1 furiously approached their compact and immoveable phalanx4 ,while these disciplinary exercises were in operation1 it happened that the fourth company second battalion at ,valenciennes1 was suddenly called upon to extinguish a fire in the town4 ,so well applied were their efforts in this humane service that the flames were speedily suppressed amid the thankful shouts of the people4 ,this seemingly was not enough to mark their gratitude1 and therefore the mayor and corporation in full municipal costume bearing the symbols of their offices1 waited upon ,captain ,harry ,jones to express the deep acknowledgments of the inhabitants 8to the officers and men of the corps for their conduct on the occasion40 ,in his orders of the #bnd ,november1 ,captain ,jones added1 8,the activity displayed by the non-commissioned officers and privates as well as the cheerfulness with which they executed all orders reflects the highest credit upon them4 ,the bold conduct of private ,thomas ,james deserves to be particularly mentioned10 and he was appointed a lance corporal4 ,early in the year the high-fronted chaco was superseded by a black felt cap of more military pretensions than was formerly worn4 ,it was embellished with yellow cords and tassels1 which fell with chivalric gaiety upon the left shoulder4 ,the sergeants and staff sergeants wore white heckle feathers1 gold bands and cords1 with gilt scales and ornaments4-,see ,plate ,,xii4 #ahbc4 ,in ,march the drums throughout the corps were abolished and bugles adopted4 ,the rank of drummer was also changed to accord with the alteration1 and drum-major ,james ,bailey1 the first of the rank1 was now styled bugle-major4 ,the return of peace gave rise to a gradual reduction in the corps4 ,on the #afth ,august1 #ahaf1 twenty-five men per company were lopped off4 ,this took away #hjj men1 reducing the corps from #b1hfa to #b1jfa of all ranks4 ,by the royal warrant of the #dth ,february1 #ahag1 an entire battalion was disbanded1 and a further diminution of ten privates and one drummer took place in each of the remaining twenty-four companies4 ,from the staff was taken one adjutant1 one sergeant-major1 and one quartermaster-sergeant1 and also the whole of the sub-lieutenants1 thirty-two in number4#bch ,the establishment of the corps was thus decreased to twenty-four companies of #a1beh of all ranks4#bci ----- ,footnote #bch3 ,generally the sub-lieutenants were commissioned into the corps from the ranks of other regiments1 as a patronage to the military friends of the ,master-,general4 ,many of them had distinguished themselves in the field1 were good drills1 and fine-looking soldiers2 but though considered at first to promise well1 they disappointed the expectations formed of their probable usefulness4 ,wanting the necessary ability and weight1 they were neither respected in the army nor by the corps2 and unable1 therefore1 to give the satisfaction which was reasonably hoped for1 the first reduction ordered after the peace1 embraced the abolition of the rank4--,pasley's ,mil4 ,pol41 pp4 #ah1 #ai1 ,introduction4 ,their removal from the corps was1 nevertheless1 alluded to in terms of 8extreme regret0 by ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth in his orders of the #bbnd ,april4 ,in concluding his address at parting1 he thus wrote1 8,with the conduct of the whole of the sub-lieutenants ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth has had every reason to be satisfied1 but more particularly with those who1 having been longest under his command1 he has had more occasion of knowing4 ,if1 in the course of future service1 he should have any opportunity of being useful to them1 he assures them he will embrace it with pleasure40 ,footnote #bci3 ,in addition to this total #ahj men of the companies in ,france were borne on the strength as supernumeraries1 until ,december1 #ahah4 ----- ,in consequence of these orders1 the companies at ,dover and ,spike ,island were withdrawn1 as also the detachment at ,guernsey4 ,the force at ,gibraltar was reduced from four to three companies1 and the strength at ,woolwich and ,chatham was brought down to a fluctuating establishment of five companies4 ,the company discontinued on the works at ,spike ,island1 sailed for ,barbadoes on the #agth ,december1 #ahag1 on board the #8,thames of ,london' freight-ship1 to relieve the old company which landed there in ,january1 #agid4 ,the vessel encountered some very stormy weather on the voyage1 from the effects of which ,lieutenant ,rogers1 ,r4,e41 who commanded the company1 died when near ,madeira1 and the charge of the men devolved upon ,captain ,robert ,duport of the royal artillery4 ,not a single irregularity was committed by the sappers during the voyage1 and on their arrival in ,carlisle ,bay on the #ahth ,january1 ,lord ,combermere1 the governor1 expressed in orders his high satisfaction of their excellent conduct as reported to him by ,captain ,duport4 ,on the landing of the new company1 the old ,west ,india hands1 dwindled to twenty-eight in number including sergeants1 were sent to ,st4 ,lucia1 and assisted in repairing the damage done by a recent hurricane4 ,in ,march following1 they arrived in ,england and were disbanded4 ,in summing up their character1 ,colonel ,william ,johnston1 of the engineers1 thus wrote1 8,they are a drunken set1 and require to be thought of and provided for like babies20 but1 nevertheless1 he urged that the sapper force in ,barbadoes should be always maintained complete1 as it would act as a check upon the contractors1 and enable the estimates to be carried into execution with more despatch1 economy1 and superiority of workmanship in almost all the details1 than if an equal number of artificers were derived from the country4 ,a company of fifty strong1 intended for the service of the palace of the ,lord ,high ,commissioner at ,corfu1 embarked at ,portsmouth on the #dth ,may1 and after a month's detention at ,malta reached its destination in ,august4 ,the employment of the company was chiefly confined to clearing away the rock1 by blasting1 for the foundations of the palace1 and in executing such other miscellaneous services as were required4 ,from local disagreements regarding the working pay of the company1 the men were precluded from taking part in the artistic details of the palace1 and eventually1 from the same cause1 it was removed from the island4 ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth made his last general inspection of the corps in ,france in ,may1 and in complimenting the companies for the excellency of their discipline1 interior economy1 and improvement in the field duties1 awarded to fifteen non-commissioned officers and men--the most advanced in the course of instruction--a silver penholder each as a token of his approbation4 ,this year1 the companies in ,france substituted yellow worsted epaulettes for the plain shoulder-strap1 the expense of which was borne by the men themselves4 ,among the companies there were four unepauletted privates who at all times fell in1 like branded castaways1 in the rear of their company4 ,the badges had been placed on their shoulders1 but1 more mean than avaricious1 they refused to pay for them4 ,feeling none of that becoming pride which has always been so largely developed among even the commonest soldiers1 they were publicly stripped of the epaulettes intended to give them distinction1 not allowed to disfigure the ranks with their presence1 and ultimately removed in contempt to ,england4 ,the circumstances of this curious proceeding are given in the following spirited order of ,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth4 8,c4 ,e4 ,o4 ,head ,quarters1 ,cambray1 #cjth ,may1 #ahah4 8,the commanding engineer has received a report that four men of ,captain ,stanway's company1 viz41 privates-- ,patrick ,o',kean1 ,andrew ,graham1 ,james ,ballingall1 ,james ,scoble1 have refused to sign their accounts1 alleging that they have no right to pay for the additional fringe for their epaulettes1 as sanctioned by the commanding engineer's orders of #dth ,april1 #ahah4 8,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth had not an idea that1 in the whole of the five companies in this country under his command1 four men of so sordid and mean a disposition would have been found4 ,he holds them up to the contempt of their comrades1 as void of every feeling that ought to actuate a soldier with pleasure or pride in the character or appearance of the company to which they belong4 8,he directs that the epaulettes may be forthwith cut off their shoulders1 and that they are in future to parade upon all occasions in the rear of the company until an opportunity offers to send them away from it altogether4 ,they will be removed to either the ,gibraltar or ,west ,india company1 being perfectly unworthy of serving with this army4 8,colonel ,carmichael ,smyth feels confident that the non-commissioned officers and men of the sapper companies with this army must be sensible of their improved state of discipline1 regularity1 and appearance1 and how much in consequence1 their own individual happiness and respectability are increased4 ,the character1 conduct1 and appearance of a corps1 reflects good or evil upon every soldier belonging to it as the case may be4 8,the sapper companies have fortunately established a respectable character1 and are well thought of in this army4 ,the epaulettes have been adopted as distinguishing them from the infantry4 ,the sapper's duty requires much more intelligence1 and much more previous training1 than that of a common infantry soldier4 ,he is better paid and better clothed1 and ought to conceive himself happy at being permitted to wear a distinction showing that he is a sapper4 ,such1 no doubt1 will be the view taken of the subject by every non-commissioned officer and sapper who feels any way interested in the welfare and respectability of the corps4 8,the sooner men who have not this feeling are got rid of the better4 ,they are unworthy of belonging to this army4 7,signed7 8,,john ,,oldfield4 8,major of ,brigade40 ,on the #aith ,june1 private ,alexander ,milne of the corps was found in a wheat-field1 near ,raismes1 murdered6 ,a number of the men of his company had been in the habit of breaking out of their quarters after tattoo roll-call1 and spending the time of their absence in gambling4 ,some were said to have been playing with the deceased on the night of the murder4 ,strong suspicion attached to the card-party1 but as the perpetrator of the deed could not be discovered1 the ,duke of ,wellington1 convinced that the murderer was in the ranks of the corps1 ordered all the sappers and miners with the army1 both near and distant1 to parade every hour of every day from four in the morning till ten in the evening1 as a punishment for the crime2 and as the order was never rescinded1 it was enforced--with only a slight relief--until the very hour the companies quitted ,france4#bdj ,several of the officers and many of the men were worn out and laid up with fevers by the rigour of the penalty1 and its execution fell with singular hardship upon one of the companies which1 quartered with the division encamped near ,st4 ,omer1 was1 at the time1 seventy miles away from the place of the murder6 ----- ,footnote #bdj3 ,the orders issued for the infliction of this discipline were as follows3-- 8,head ,quarters1 ,cambray1 #beth ,june1 #ahah4 ,in consequence of the circumstances connected with the murder of ,alexander ,milne1 of ,captain ,peake's company1 which have appeared upon the proceedings of a court of enquiry1 the ,field ,marshal has directed that the rolls of the royal sappers and miners may be called1 until further orders1 in their several cantonments every hour from #d in the morning until #aj at night1 all the officers being present2 and that a daily report thereof may be made to head-quarters40 8,head-,quarters1 ,cambray1 #ahth ,july1 #ahah4 ,in consequence of orders from ,his ,grace the ,commander of the ,forces1 the rolls of the several companies of royal sappers and miners will be called every two hours from #d in the morning until #aj at night1 in place of every hour as directed in the ,c4 ,e4 orders of the #beth ultimo40 ----- ,early in ,november1 on the breaking up of the army of occupation1 the eighth company1 second battalion1 took charge of the pontoons and stores to ,antwerp1 and the other four companies marched from ,cambrai to ,calais1 where1 as arranged by ,general ,power with the ,french governor1 they were encamped on the glacis on the east side of the town4 ,this was requisite1 as by the treaty of the #crd ,november1 #ahae1 no troops of the army of occupation could be quartered within any of the fortresses not specified in the treaty4 ,at ,calais the companies remained about a week1 assisting in the embarkation of the army and the shipment of the cavalry horses4 ,in this service the sappers became so expert1 that a regiment was embarked and many were landed at ,dover during the same tide4 ,all the companies arrived in ,england before the end of ,november4 ,one sergeant and twenty men1 under ,lieutenant ,hayter1 of the engineers1 after the sailing of the troops1 guarded the military chest both at ,calais and on the passage1 and rejoined their companies1 when the important duty for which they were selected was completed4 #ahai-ahbd4 ,reduction in the corps--,distribution--,sergeant ,thomas ,brown1 the modeller--,reinforcement to the ,cape1 and services of the detachment during the ,kaffir war--,epidemic at ,bermuda--,damages at ,antigua occasioned by a hurricane--,visit to ,chatham of the ,duke of ,clarence--,withdrawal of a detachment from ,corfu--,a private becomes a peer--,draft to ,bermuda--,second visit to ,chatham of the ,duke of ,clarence--,fever at ,barbadoes--,death of ,napoleon1 and withdrawal of company from ,st4 ,helena--,notice of private ,john ,bennett--,movements of the company in ,canada--,trigonometrical operations under the ,board of ,longitude--,feversham--,relief of the old ,gibraltar company--,breastplates--,st4 ,nicholas' ,island--,condition of company at ,barbadoes when inspected by the ,engineer ,commission--,scattered state of the detachment at the ,cape--,services of the detachment at ,corfu--,intelligence and usefulness of sergeant ,hall and corporal ,lawson--,special services of corporal ,john ,smith--,pontoon trials--,sheerness--,notice of corporal ,shorter--,forage-caps and swords4 ,by the royal warrant of #bjth ,march1 #ahai1 the peace establishment of the corps was further reduced1 from twenty-four companies of #a1beh total1 to twelve companies of #geb4 ,of this number the staff embraced one brigade-major1 one adjutant1 one quartermaster1 two sergeant-majors1 two quartermaster-sergeants1 and one bugle-major4 ,the organization of each company was fixed at the subjoined detail3-- #a colour-sergeant1 #b sergeants1 #c corporals1 #c second-corporals1 #b buglers1 #ea privates4 ---- ,total #fb2 and the whole were distributed1 with regard to strength1 consistently with the relative wants of the several stations4 ,these stations were ,woolwich1 ,chatham1 ,portsmouth1 and ,plymouth2 ,gibraltar1 ,corfu1 ,bermuda1 ,barbadoes1 ,st4 ,helena1 ,kingston in ,upper ,canada1 and the ,cape of ,good ,hope4#bda ----- ,footnote #bda3 ,the companies at ,newfoundland and at ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia1 returned to ,england late in #ahai4 ,to the former company belonged sergeant ,thomas ,brown1 who was discharged from the corps in ,november1 #ahai1 after a service of twelve years4 ,in #ahba the late ,sir ,william ,congreve appointed him modeller at the royal military repository1 ,woolwich1 which situation he has held for thirty-six years with great credit4 ,in that period he has made #abe models1 chiefly of field artillery1 pontoons1 bridges1 and miscellaneous military subjects4 ,the greatest number are deposited for exhibition in the ,rotunda1 and the remainder in the rooms of instruction for the officers and non-commissioned officers4 ,many others also1 which were defective or out of repair he has renewed or remade4 ,his principal works1 considered with regard to the skill and artistic excellence displayed in their construction1 are the model of a fortified half octagon1 showing the approaches and plan of attack1 on a scale of #bb feet to an inch1 and a model of ,st4 ,james's ,park as it was at the celebration of the peace in #ahad4 ----- ,a reinforcement of thirty men1 under ,lieutenant ,rutherford1 ,r4,e41 arrived at the ,cape of ,good ,hope on the #bdth ,july4 ,in consequence of hostilities with the ,kaffirs the detachment marched #gjj miles to the south-eastern frontier4 ,it traversed a wild and thickly-wooded country1 where there were neither bridges nor roads2 and in the absence of soldiers of the quartermaster-general's department1 facilitated by their exertions the progress of the troops4 ,in places where civil artificers could not be procured at any rate of wages1 they executed various services and works of defence for the security and tranquillity of the settlement4 ,on one occasion they constructed a temporary bridge1 of chance materials1 to span one of the principal rivers of the country1 which was swollen by floods1 and rendered deep1 rapid1 and dangerous4 ,the bridge was thrown in six hours1 and the whole of the force1 about #b1jjj horse and foot1 a demi-battery of guns with ammunition waggons1 about #ajj baggage waggons with commissariat supplies1 camp equipage1 c41 crossed in perfect safety in three hours4 8,without the assistance of these sappers10 writes ,colonel ,holloway1 ,r4,e41 8the river could not have been passed without much delay1 loss of property1 and perhaps loss of life20 and1 8both on the frontier1 and at the seat of government1 they were always found of the utmost benefit40 ,the detachment returned to ,cape ,town in ,december1 when the remnant of the old party1 which had been in the colony since #ahjf1 quitted for ,england and arrived at ,woolwich on the #eth ,september1 #ahbj4 ,an epidemic fever of a severe character raged at ,bermuda during the months of ,august and ,september1 and out of a company of fifty-two total1 no less than one sergeant1 twenty rank and file1 three women1 and one child1 fell victims to its virulence4 ,captain ,cavalie ,s4 ,mercer who commanded the company1 was also numbered with the dead4 ,from ,barbadoes1 thirty non-commissioned officers and men1 under the command of ,captain ,w4 ,d4 ,smith1 were detached to ,antigua1 in ,november1 and worked in the engineer department1 repairing the damage caused by a recent hurricane1 until the ,january following1 when they returned to their former station4 ,small parties1 of fluctuating strength1 were also detached to ,trinidad1 ,st4 ,lucia1 ,tobago1 and ,demerara1 and had charge of different working parties at those islands for several years4 ,at ,chatham on the #aath ,november1 the ,duke of ,clarence reviewed the corps under arms2 and after witnessing various field operations1 including the firing of mines1 the construction of flying saps1 and the manuvring of pontoons1 inspected the model and school rooms4 ,in the latter1 he watched with great interest the system of instruction as carried out by ,lieutenant-,colonel ,pasley2 and in expressing his perfect satisfaction with all he saw1 added his opinion1 that the establishment was one of great public utility4 ,on the #adth of the same month1 thirty-four non-commissioned officers and men of the company at ,corfu were withdrawn from the island in the #8,christiana' transport1 and sailed for ,england4 ,on arriving at ,gibraltar1 one sergeant and nineteen rank and file joined the companies there under an order from ,general ,sir ,george ,don2 and the remaining twelve reached ,chatham on the #bnd ,april1 #ahbj4 ,the conduct of the company during its brief tour of duty at ,corfu1 was reported to the ,inspector-,general of ,fortifications in very favourable terms1 by ,lieutenant-,colonel ,whitmore1 ,r4,e4#bdb ----- ,footnote #bdb3 ,to this company belonged private ,james ,gordon1 who lost an eye by accident in mining for the foundation of the palace1 and was discharged at ,woolwich #cjth ,september1 #ahbj1 with a pension of #i;d4 a-day4 ,throughout his service of nine years he was a zealous and exemplary soldier1 and bore about him the stamp and evidences of a loftier origin than his humble station gave reason to expect4 ,singular events in life sometimes occur that make contrasts at times appear almost fabulous4 8,the soldier turned peer10 has hitherto been the player's jest1 but it has at last become a veritable reality1 for in ,september1 #ahdh1 this ,james ,gordon1 the private soldier1 succeeded1 as heir to his grandfather1 to the titles of ,viscount ,kenmure and ,lord ,lochinvar4 ----- ,on the #eth ,june thirty-one men1 chiefly masons and bricklayers1 under ,lieutenant ,skene1 ,r4,e41 arrived at ,bermuda1 to replace the men who had died during the epidemic4 ,a party of variable strength1 with the exception of occasional periods of temporary withdrawal1 was permanently detached to execute the defences at ,ireland ,island4 ,in ,august the ,duke of ,clarence again visited ,chatham1 and a full routine of military and field operations was carried on for his inspection4 ,with the works1 the schools1 and model rooms1 his ,royal ,highness expressed his approbation in language that was both flattering to the corps and honourable to the institution4 ,in ,october the yellow fever again visited ,barbadoes1 but its violence1 contrasted with former visitations1 was considerably assuaged1 and its fatality less felt among the population4 ,forty-six of the corps were present during its prevalence1 and though nearly the whole of the number were attacked1 only eleven died1 and but fifteen were invalided4 ,the loss in the company1 however1 was proportionally more severe than in any other corps in garrison1 and the deterioration in the general health of the men drew the particular notice of the ,commander of the ,forces1 who made repeated comments on it in his reports to ,england4 ,in consequence of these reports1 the company was relieved early in #ahbb1 some months before the completion of its tour of service4 ,its character while in the ,west ,india command was flatteringly spoken of by ,captain ,w4 ,d4 ,smith1 ,r4,e4 ,in one of his communications he wrote1 8,its conduct1 ,i have pride in saying1 has been most exemplary40 ,napoleon died at ,st4 ,helena on the #eth ,may1 and his remains were deposited with quiet solemnity in an unpretending tomb1 shadowed by a willow1 in ,slane's valley4 ,the company of sappers at the station took part in the funereal arrangements4 ,the stone vault was built by privates ,john ,warren and ,james ,andrews4 ,the body was lowered into its resting-place by two privates of the company1 and other privates1 appointed for the duty1 refilled the grave1 and secured all with plain ,yorkshire slabs4 ,thus1 without epitaph or memorial1 were entombed the ashes of the most extraordinary man of modern times4 ,as the necessity for retaining the company1 now reduced1 by deaths and the withdrawal of a detachment in #ahai1 to twenty-five of all ranks1 no longer existed1 it quitted the island and arrived at ,woolwich on the #adth ,september4 ,private ,john ,bennett was detained for three months after the removal of the company1 and during that period he was employed with the ,clerk of ,works1 in giving over the stores of the engineer department to the island storekeeper4#bdc ----- ,footnote #bdc3 ,was an excellent clerk1 and became in time a quartermaster-sergeant4 ,after his discharge from the corps in #ahdc1 he filled1 for about ten years1 important offices under the ,surveyor-,general of ,prisons1 and died while steward of ,dartmoor ,prison1 in ,february1 #ahec1 from a cold caught in that bleak quarter4 ,the season was a peculiarly bitter and stormy one1 during which three soldiers of the line1 on escort duty1 in crossing ,dartmoor ,heath1 perished in the snow4 ----- ,the company in ,upper ,canada changed its head-quarters in ,june1 from ,kingston to ,isle aux ,noix1 and afforded parties for service at ,quebec and ,fort ,george1 both of which were recalled to ,isle aux ,noix in ,august4 ,in ,november1 #ahbb1 the greater part of the company was removed to ,quebec1 and the remainder were retained for the works at ,isle aux ,noix4 ,from ,july to ,november1 a sergeant and nine men1 chiefly carpenters and smiths1 were employed by the ,board of ,longitude under ,major ,colby and ,captain ,kater1 in the operations for determining the difference of longitude between the observatories at ,paris and ,greenwich2 and visited ten of the principal trigonometrical stations in ,england4 ,besides attending to the laborious requirements of the camp1 the party erected poles1 and constructed stages or platforms wherever needed1 on commanding sites and towers1 for purposes of observation2 and were also intrusted with the care of the philosophical instruments4 ,in the professional operations of the season they took no part4#bdd ----- ,footnote #bdd3 ,captain ,kater1 in his account of the operations published in the #8,philosophical ,transactions1' #ahbh1 p4 #aec1 notices1 by mistake1 this party as belonging to the royal artillery4 ,there were1 it is true1 two gunners of the regiment present1 but they were employed as servants to the officers4 ----- ,in ,june1 one sergeant and thirty-nine rank and file under ,captain ,john ,harper1 ,r4,e41 were detached from ,woolwich to ,feversham1 and after destroying the powder-mills and premises connected with them1 returned to head-quarters in ,september4 ,the first company of the corps1 which had been at ,gibraltar since #aggb and was present at the celebrated siege a few years afterwards1 was removed1 in the course of relief1 from that fortress to ,woolwich in ,june4 ,breast or belt-plates of brass1 in place of buckles1 were adopted early in the year by permission of ,general ,gother ,mann4 ,all ranks wore a plate of uniform device and dimensions1 and each soldier paid for his own4 ,the device consisted of the royal cipher1 encircled by the garter1 bearing the name of the corps and surmounted by a crown4 ,a fluctuating detachment1 not exceeding thirteen masons and miners under a corporal1 was detached in the autumn from ,devonport to ,st4 ,nicholas ,island1 and remained there for nearly four months repairing the fortifications4 ,at the fall of the year the engineer commission to the ,west ,indies1 composed of ,colonel ,sir ,james ,carmichael ,smyth1 ,major ,fanshawe1 and ,captain ,oldfield inspected1 in the course of their professional tour1 the fourth company of sappers stationed at ,barbadoes under the command of ,captain ,loyalty ,peake4 ,its state was most creditable4 ,since its arrival in the command it had only lost one man and that from an accident4 ,whilst other troops quartered under the same roof were withered and sickly1 the sappers were healthy--a fact that was ascribed to the attention of the officers1 and the absence among the men of those intemperate habits1 which in a hot and enervating climate1 originate so many ailments4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,sappers ,miners ,plate ,,xii4 ,,uniform #ahbc4 ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,the small detachment at the ,cape of ,good ,hope was much dispersed at this period4 ,the men detached are traced at short intervals at ,cape ,town1 ,kaffir ,drift1 ,wiltshire1 ,port ,elizabeth1 and ,new ,post ,kat ,river4 ,the ,corfu detachment of seven men was removed to ,gibraltar1 in the #8,frinsbury' transport1 in ,december1 and arrived at the ,rock on the #fth ,march1 #ahbd1 bearing with it records of its uniform exemplary conduct and public utility4 ,being first-rate workmen1 they were the leading men of their trades1 and some of the best work at the palace was the result of their superior mechanical acquirements and skill4 ,sergeant ,john ,hall was overseer and master carpenter for four years1 and corporal ,andrew ,lawson1 a man of considerable talent1 was clerk of works1 and also directed the masons and bricklayers4#bde ,captain ,streatfeild in parting with them1 wrote 8,they are a very honest1 trustworthy set of men1 and do honour to the corps40 8,the worst mechanic among them10 said ,lieutenant ,g4 ,whitmore1 8would be almost invaluable in the corps40 ,before the company quitted ,corfu1 four deaths had occurred2 four also took place in the small party that remained1 one of whom1 private ,gamaliel ,ashton1 a bricklayer1 was killed by falling from a scaffold while at work at the palace4#bdf ----- ,footnote #bde3 ,such was the sense entertained of his services1 that ,sir ,frederick ,adam1 the ,lord ,high ,commissioner1 after the detachment had reached ,malta1 recalled him to ,corfu to superintend the civil works on the island4 ,his position thus became anomalous1 and1 as far as military law and usage are concerned1 unexampled for privilege and emolument4 ,besides his regimental pay1 he received an allowance of #cs4 #c;d4 a-day working pay1 7afterwards increased to #ds4 #c;d4 a-day17 with a fine residence and free rations for his wife1 family1 and a servant4 ,he had also a horse and boats at his command1 was relieved from the performance of regimental duty1 and was permitted at all times to wear plain clothes4 ,throughout the building of the palace1 the ,villa of ,cardachio1 and other important civil buildings1 he was the clerk of the works1 and ,sir ,frederic ,adam took every occasion of applauding his talents and exertions4 ,in ,april1 #ahcd1 after removal to ,woolwich1 sergeant ,lawson was appointed clerk of works at ,sierra ,leone1 where1 after a brief period of service1 during which he was bereaved of his wife1 he died1 leaving nine orphans to lament his loss4 ,his eldest son was nominated to the appointment as the fittest person in the colony to discharge its professional duties1 but the youth fell a sacrifice to the climate four days after his father's decease4 ,the eight remaining orphans were generously cared for by ,sir ,frederic ,mulcaster1 the inspector-general of fortifications and the executive of the corps at the ,ordnance ,office1 who obtained from the officers of royal engineers and the civil gentlemen of the department sufficient means to free them from that distress1 to which the absence of this benevolent support would have inevitably reduced them4 ,footnote #bdf3 ,the remains of all were interred with unusual respectability1 and the spots where they lie have been marked by neat tomb-stones--a graceful tribute from the survivors to the memory of the departed4 ----- ,second-corporal ,john ,smith was sent from ,quebec in the summer to examine the freestone quarries of ,nova ,scotia and ,new ,brunswick1 and to report upon their capabilities and facilities for furnishing stones of certain dimensions for the service of the department4 ,he started on his mission in a merchant schooner on the #gth ,august1 and1 with ,captain ,melville ,glenie1 of the #fjth rifles1 was nearly wrecked on the ,beaumont shoals4 ,the flag of distress and the shouts of the passengers being unheeded1 corporal ,smith procured an old musket and some powder1 and having with some difficulty fired a few rounds from it1 the situation of the vessel was observed by some pilots1 who rescued the passengers4 ,next day the corporal re-embarked on board another vessel1 and landing at ,miramichi1 visited the quarries there1 and also at ,remsheg1 ,pictou1 ,mergomish1 and ,nipisiguit4 ,upwards of two months were spent in completing his researches2 and1 returning to ,quebec on the #afth ,october with specimens of the building stones and slates taken by him from the various quarries he had examined1 he made a lucid report of their capabilities1 c1 and detailed the terms upon which the owners of the properties were prepared to deal with the department4 ,colonel ,durnford1 the commanding royal engineer1 expressed his entire satisfaction of the manner in which the duty was performed1 and of the intelligence evinced by the corporal in his descriptive report4#bdg ----- ,footnote #bdg3 ,smith1 afterwards a sergeant1 was a first-rate mason and foreman1 and during his service of thirty two years1 twenty-five of which were abroad1 his abilities1 experience1 and precision were found of great benefit to the department4 ,at ,corfu1 ,vido1 and ,zante1 he was entrusted with very important duties4 ,subsequently to his discharge in #ahdb on a pension of #bs4 #c;d4 a-day1 he superintended1 on the part of the ,admiralty1 the building of the royal marine barracks at ,woolwich by contract1 and his vigilance prevented the employment of any of those artifices so commonly resorted to by contractors4 ,he afterwards superintended for the ,duke of ,buckingham the building of a circular redoubt1 partly of stone1 for six guns1 at his ,grace's ducal residence at ,stowe3 and in the inscription on one of the piers1 his name is thus associated with the work3-- ,richard ,plantagenet ,duke of ,buckingham ,chandos4 ,robert ,wilcox1 ,captain ,royal ,navy4 ,john ,smith1 ,sergeant ,rl ,sappers and ,miners4 ,in ,september and ,october trials of the pontoons1 invented respectively by ,sir ,james ,colleton and ,lieutenant-,colonel ,pasley1 were made in the open part of the ,medway near the ,gunwharf1 and at ,rochester ,bridge--on the #ith and #ajth ,september1 in the presence of a committee of seven officers of the royal artillery and royal engineers1 ,lieut4-,general ,cuppage1 ,r4,a41 being the president2 and on the #ast ,october in the presence of his ,royal ,highness the ,duke of ,york4 ,one or other of the rival systems was to supersede the use of the old ,english tin pontoons4 ,to work the buoy pontoons of ,sir ,james ,colleton1 seamen were lent from ,h4,m4,s4 #8,prince ,regent4' ,the third and sixth companies were employed with ,colonel ,pasley's decked canoes4 ,the manuvres were exceedingly laborious1 and the men were exposed a greater part of each day to very heavy rains4 ,they not only1 however1 did everything to the satisfaction of his ,royal ,highness and of the officers composing the committee1 but several distinguished naval officers declared it was impossible that any operations with boats could have been better or more quickly performed4#bdh ----- ,footnote #bdh3 ,pasley's #8,narrative of ,operations with the ,new ,pontoons1' #ahbd4 ,sir ,james ,colleton's #8,buoy ,pontoons4' ----- ,from early in ,november to the #bast ,january1 #ahbe1 a party of ten privates with second-corporal ,robert ,shorter1 was employed at ,sheerness under the command of ,lieutenant ,e4 ,w4 ,durnford1 ,r4,e41 in boring to ascertain the nature of the strata with a view to determine its practicability for building some permanent works of defence4 ,the borings were carried on at all the salient points of the contemplated fortifications1 ranging in depth from thirty to sixty feet4 ,borings were also made on the ,isle of ,grain1 and the men of the party were occasionally employed at their trades in the engineer department4 ,corporal ,shorter registered the daily progress and results of the operation2#bdi but1 although the intended works were never undertaken1 the borings were not without interest in adding their quota of information to the cumulative discoveries of geological research4 ----- ,footnote #bdi3 ,shorter was afterwards stationed for fourteen years at ,corfu4 ,for seven of his twenty-seven years' service he filled the office of quartermaster-sergeant1 and was honoured with an annuity and medal for his meritorious conduct4 ,he retired from the sappers on being appointed a ,yeoman of the ,queen's ,guard1 and was the first non-commissioned officer of the corps who received a nomination to that ancient company4 ,while he was all that could be desired in his corps in respect to efficiency and intelligence1 in private life he was a thorough humourist1 and the most simple incident1 with scarcely an element for merriment in it1 became by his droll inventorial recital1 a subject of the richest amusement4 ----- ,the leather forage cap introduced in #ahac1 was this year superseded by a dark blue cap1 called the ,kilmarnock bonnet1 with a yellow band manufactured in the web1 and a peak and chin-strap4 ,the crown was of immense circumference4 ,see ,plate ,,xiii4 ,the corporals wore the chevrons of their rank above the peak4 ,the superior ranks had blue cloth caps1 with peaks1 chin-straps1 and gold lace bands4 ,the ,kilmarnock bonnets were purchased by the men2 the leather caps had been supplied by the public4 ,about this period the army pattern sword for staff-sergeants and sergeants was adopted in the corps2 but the swords introduced for the buglers were of the artillery pattern4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,sappers ,miners ,plate ,,xiii4 ,,uniform ,,working ,,dress1 #ahbe ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- #ahbe-ahbf4 ,dress--,curtailment of benefits by the change--,chacos--,survey of ,ireland--,formation of the first company for the duty--,establishment of corps2 company to ,corfu--,second company for the survey--,efforts to complete the companies raised for it--,pontoon trials in presence of the ,duke of ,wellington--,western ,africa--,third company for the survey2 additional working pay--,employments and strength of the sappers in ,ireland--,drummond ,light2 ,slieve ,snacht and ,divis--,endurance of private ,alexander ,smith--,wreck of #8,shipley' transport--,berbice2 ,corporal ,sirrell at ,antigua4 ,early in the year the breeches1 long gaiters1 and shoes1 ceased to be worn by the corps1 and in their stead were substituted light blue trousers1 with scarlet stripes1 and short ,wellington boots4 ,the coatee was stript of its frogging on the breast2 and the skirts1 with the slashes sewn transversely on the loins1 were lengthened to the swell of the thigh4 ,white turnbacks were added to the inner edges of the skirts1 and brass grenades united the turnbacks near the bottom of the skirts4 ,the working jacket was simply altered in the collar from the open to the close ,prussian fashion1 and the working trousers were dyed of a deeper grey4--,see ,plate ,,xiii4 ,these alterations were followed by curtailments of benefits heretofore enjoyed by the corps1 inasmuch as the stockings1 shirts1 and forage caps1 annually issued with the clothing1 ceased to be provided at the public expense4 ,the allowances for oil and emery1 and shoes1 were also abolished2 but in lieu of the one pair of shoes formerly issued1 and the compensation for a second pair1 the corps had the advantage of receiving1 yearly1 two pairs of short ,wellington boots4 ,the low chaco of #ahag gave place to one of about ten inches in height1 bearing a goose feather of a foot long in an exploded grenade4 ,the ornaments consisted of scales secured by lions' heads1 the garter and motto encircling the royal cipher surmounted by a crown1 and also a cluster of forked lightning1 winged4 ,for protection to the neck in wet weather1 a varnished canvas ear-cover was attached to the back of the cap4--,see ,plate ,,xiii4 ,the ornaments on the staff-sergeants' chacos were of excellent gilt1 and a band of rich silk1 embossed with acorns and oak leaves around the top of the cap1 gave it an elegant appearance4 ,the sergeants' ornaments were manufactured of a metal resembling copper1 and the black bands were of plain narrow silk4 ,both ranks wore white heckle feathers4 ,in ,june1 #ahbd1 a committee of the ,house of ,commons recommended the trigonometrical survey of ,ireland1 with the view of apportioning equally the local burdens1 and obtaining a general valuation of the whole country4 ,the measure was sanctioned1 and ,colonel ,thomas ,colby1 ,r4,e41 was appointed to superintend the work4 ,it being intended that the survey should be conducted under military supervision1 ,major ,william ,reid suggested the advantage to be derived from the co-operation of the royal sappers and miners in carrying out its subordinate details4 ,colonel ,colby after due reflection1 the result of a discussion of nearly six weeks' duration with ,major ,reid1 considering the plan to be not only practicable but desirable1 made known his wishes to the ,duke of ,wellington1 then ,master-,general of the ,ordnance1 and on the #ast ,december1 #ahbd1 his ,grace obtained a royal warrant for the formation of a company of sixty-two non-commissioned officers and men1 to be employed in the operations of the survey in ,ireland4#bej ----- ,footnote #bej3 #8,report ,army and ,ordnance ,expenditure1' ,minutes of ,evidence1 p4 #fag4 #8,naval and ,military ,gazette4' ,pasley's #8,mil4 ,policy1' ,introd41 p4 #cg1 #dth edit4 ----- ,this company was at once organized at ,chatham2 and the men1 selected from the most intelligent of the corps at the station1 were specially trained for the duty by ,lieutenant-,colonel ,pasley4 ,it1 however1 remained for ,colonel ,colby1 in giving effect to his great and comprehensive system1 to develop and enlarge the acquirements and efficiency of the men1 by adapting them to the various details and necessities of this novel service4 ,in doing so he encountered difficulties of no ordinary character2 but eventually he succeeded in achieving the end he sought1 not without credit to the mass whom he moulded and fashioned to the purpose1 as well as great honour to himself4 ,by the augmentation of this company the establishment of the corps was increased to thirteen companies1 of #had of all ranks1 including the staff4 ,the first detachment of one colour-sergeant and twenty rank and file was conveyed to ,dublin in ,march under the command of ,lieutenant ,edward ,vicars1 ,r4,e41 and was soon removed from ,mountjoy to ,dromore1 where1 in ,april1 further reinforcements arrived1 completing the company to its establishment2 and the whole were distributed in small sections to ,antrim1 ,belfast1 ,coleraine1 ,dungiven1 ,londonderry1 c41 from whence the corps1 by degrees1 traced its progress all over ,ireland4 ,major ,reid was appointed to command the first survey company1 which was numbered the thirteenth4 ,on the #bdth ,march1 the sixth company1 of sixty-two total1 sailed for ,corfu on board the #8,baltic' merchant transport1 and landed there on the #adth ,may4 ,this addition to the command was made at the instance of the ,ionian government for the purpose of executing the works and fortifications at ,corfu and ,vido4 ,by the warrant for raising this company1 dated #dth ,april1 #ahbe1 the corps mustered fourteen companies1 and counted #hgf officers and soldiers of all ranks4 ,all the regimental and working disbursements of the company1 and of others arriving at the station in periodical relief1 were for a number of years paid from the ,ionian exchequer4 ,while the instruction of the first survey company was still in progress1 steps were taken for the formation of another company for the same service4 ,the ,duke of ,wellington expressed his conviction of the propriety of the measure from the satisfactory advancement already made in the professional education of the company raised for the duty early in the year4 ,on the #dth ,april1 #ahbe1 therefore1 his ,grace obtained another warrant for the employment of a second company in the operations of the survey of ,great ,britain and ,ireland4 ,this company was numbered the fourteenth2 and being of the same numerical organization as the other companies1 viz41 sixty-two men1 the establishment of the corps was raised from #hgf to #ich4 ,at ,harwich1 ,hull1 ,newcastle-upon-,tyne1 ,liverpool1 ,cornwall1 ,fort ,george1 as well as in ,london and ,edinburgh1 recruiting for these companies was carried on very briskly4 ,recruiting at ,dublin was also permitted2 and some draftsmen from the ,dublin ,society ,school were1 about this period1 enlisted for the survey companies4 ,the ,military ,asylum at ,chelsea and the ,hibernian ,school were likewise canvassed to procure eligible boys for training2 but such was the circumscribed nature of the education imparted to the children at ,chelsea1 that of the number selected to join the companies1 a few only were found that gave promise of future aptitude and usefulness2 and of those who succeeded1 none ever distinguished themselves by their talents4 ,from the ,hibernian ,school ten boys were received1 all of whom were clever and intelligent2 but one lad far outshone his comrades1 and in time1 by his zeal1 extensive mathematical attainments1 and varied acquirements1 gained the highest position in the sappers on the survey4 ,the person alluded to is ,quartermaster ,william ,young4 ,the fourteenth company quitted ,chatham for the survey1 and landed at ,belfast1 its first head-quarters1 on the #aeth ,july4 ,on the #bfth ,september1 a trial of the capabilities of the pontoons invented by ,sir ,james ,colleton1 ,colonel ,pasley1 and ,major ,blanshard1 took place at ,chatham in the presence of the ,duke of ,wellington2 and the men of the corps employed on the occasion displayed much zeal1 spirit1 and activity4 ,sergeant ,jenkin ,jones was particularly praised for his conduct in managing the pontoons of ,major ,blanshard2 and as the ,master-,general arrived a day earlier than was expected1 and ordered at night the exhibition to take place the next morning1 much of the success of the efforts in favour of the cylindrical pontoons is ascribed to the sergeant's able and zealous arrangements and personal exertions4 ,this induced ,colonel ,pasley to recommend sergeant ,jones as a non-commissioned officer fit to be entrusted with any difficult or important detached duty1 which might save the services of an officer4 ,one private1 ,william ,berry1 fell from a raft during the trial1 and was drowned4 ,sergeant ,william ,addison and second-corporal ,james ,white embarked at ,portsmouth on board the #8,despatch' in ,november for the coast of ,africa1 and were employed under the direction of ,captain ,r4 ,boteler1 ,r4,e41 in surveying the ,british dependencies and forts at ,sierra ,leone and the ,gold ,coast4 ,the corporal died on the service1 and the sergeant landed at ,portsmouth #ajth ,august1 #ahbf1 and rejoined his corps4 ,a third survey company1 of sixty-two non-commissioned officers and men1 was formed in ,december1 under a royal warrant1 dated #bjth ,october1 #ahbe1 and was numbered the sixteenth4 ,the establishment of the corps was thus augmented from #ich to #a1jjj officers and soldiers4 ,the rates of working pay authorized by the successive warrants were limited to the three ordinary classes of #f;d41 #i;d41 and #as4 a-day2 but extraordinary powers were granted to ,colonel ,colby1 of awarding increased rates1 proportionate to the attainments and exertions of the men1 up to #bs4 a-day4 ,the maximum allowance was rarely bestowed1 and then only upon non-commissioned officers1 whose undoubted talents and services rendered them deserving of the distinction which the exclusiveness conferred4 ,by the end of the year the effective men on the survey counted #aji of all ranks1 who were chiefly dispersed in the field4 ,several were employed in offices as draftsmen and computers2 but at this early period very few were intrusted with any particular responsibility4 ,civilian assistants1 for the most part1 were second to the officers1 and aided in superintending the management of the districts2 but in the field1 the sappers took the lead as surveyors1 never working as chainmen1 or subordinately to the civilians4 ,as the duty was new1 their qualifications required tact and practice before a fair return of progress could be realized4 ,in ,august very few had proved themselves of sufficiently matured acquirements to merit advancement to ,colonel ,colby's classes1 and five only of the number had graduated as far as #as4 #d;d4 a-day4 ,the third survey company proceeded to ,ireland in ,september4 ,in ,december the total force there numbered #abi of all ranks1 and #fa men were under training at ,chatham4 ,at the close of the year a party of the corps was attached to ,captain ,drummond to assist him in carrying on experiments and observations with his lamp and heliostat4 ,the observing station was on ,divis ,mountain1 near ,belfast1 and the season was fearfully inclement4 ,frequently the mountain and the camp were enveloped in snow1 and the blowing of a keen cold wind made their situation anything but agreeable4 ,on two or three occasions a storm visited their desolate location1 and carried away in its blast1 tents1 baggage1 and stores4 ,still the men were sturdy in frame1 willing in disposition1 and exerted themselves in the discharge of their duties under trials of no ordinary character4 ,a few men of the party1 thirteen in number1 were removed to ,slieve ,snacht in ,donegal1 to exhibit the light1 that it might be observed from ,divis4 ,the distance between the heights was sixty-six miles4 ,the camp on ,snacht was at an altitude of #b1jjj feet1 and the party peculiarly exposed4 ,few in number1 they were ill able to buffet with the tempests of those cold regions2 8and the tents were so frequently blown down10 and had become so shattered and torn1 8that1 after the first few days1 they abandoned them1 and constructed huts of rough stones1 filling the interstices with turf40 ,on this bleak mountain the success of the light was first proved4 ,at night the lamp was directed on ,divis4 ,it was then dark1 and both the camps were covered with snow4 ,the wind blew piercingly over the mountain tops1 and almost flayed the faces of the men as they worked4 ,but it was on that stormy night that the light1 first seen by the sapper sentry1 8burst into view with surpassing splendour10 and afterwards became one of the most useful agencies in the prosecution of the survey4#bea ----- ,footnote #bea3 #8,prof4 ,papers1' iv42 preface1 pp4 xiv4 xvii4 ----- ,of this mountain party one man in particular was noticed for his hardihood and endurance4 ,this was private ,alexander ,smith4 ,in the morning he would leave the camp1 and1 after journeying about twenty miles1 return to the height weighed down with a mule's load1 and on gaining the summit1 would after relieving himself of his burden1 resume his work in the camp1 without exhibiting any symptoms of fatigue1 or evincing a desire for rest4 ,on one occasion1 having been at ,buncrana1 about ten miles from the station1 he was returning late with his freight1 comprising a side of mutton1 a jar of spirits1 a number of lesser articles1 and a bag of letters4 ,wrapped up in his greatcoat1 and his cap pulled over his ears1 he commenced to pick his way up the ascent2 but the tempest beat against him1 the piercing wind opposed his progress1 and the snow covered alike the lone traveller and the waste4 ,as he encountered this war of elements1 darkness closed upon him1 and1 losing his track1 he passed the night exposed to the pitiless storm1 wandering about on the mountain4 ,at day-break he crawled into the camp--a picture that gave a melancholy interest to the wild landscape around2 but such was his endurance1 and such his fortitude1 that beyond the pain of numbness1 he felt no inconvenience from the sufferings and exertions of that dreadful night4 ,the devotion of this man was the admiration of ,captain ,drummond1 and his promotion to second-corporal was the reward of his willing zeal4 ,ultimately he reached the rank of sergeant1 and was discharged in ,october1 #ahci1 from a chest complaint1 which traced its origin to his labours and exposure on ,slieve ,snacht4 ,the third company1 of sixty strong1 under ,lieutenant ,gregory1 ,r4,e41 embarked at ,woolwich1 #bfth ,february1 on board the #8,shipley' transport for the ,west ,indies1 and was wrecked on the morning of the #aith ,april on the ,cobbler's ,rocks near ,barbadoes4 ,the ship had made the land at half-past ten o'clock the preceding evening1 and1 hauling up to ,s4,s4,e41 the agent on board counselled that the ship should stand off till #c o'clock4 ,soon after #ab at night1 the master1 contrary to the naval officer's advice1 ordered the ship to stand for the land1 and went to bed1 leaving in charge a man who soon became intoxicated and fell asleep4 ,thus left to herself1 the vessel got out of her course1 and about #c ,a4,m4 dashed with a frightful crash upon the reef4 ,at this time it was pitch dark1 and the frequency of the shocks split and tore the ship in every direction4 ,while the crew and the sappers were getting tackle ready to hoist the long-boat out1 the cook-house caught fire1 but it was promptly extinguished with wet blankets and sails4 ,the freshness of the wind driving the sea against the shore1 and the steepness of the cliffs which were higher than the ship's royal mainmast1 made it impracticable to land a boat2 but the boatswain1 taking with him a deep sea-line1 gained a craggy pinnacle on the rocks1 and throwing it to a black fisherman on the top1 who chanced to reach the spot at the moment1 a six-inch tow-line was quickly passed to him1 by which the troops1 with their wives and families1 in slings and cradles1 worked themselves to the summit of the precipice4 ,in ten minutes after the #8,shipley' became a total wreck1 and the company lost its entire baggage1 equipment1 c4 ,lieutenant ,gregory was the last to quit the sinking ship4 ,being almost naked and barefooted1 a number of greatcoats and ample land-carriage were sent for the company2 and in this state1 under an oppressive sun1 they reached their quarters at ,st4 ,anne's on the evening of the #aith ,april4#beb ,a party of this company was constantly detached to ,berbice for the service of the engineer department2 and second-corporal ,thomas ,sirrell1 an able artificer1 superintended the construction of the iron hospital at ,antigua1 where he died4 ,to acquire a knowledge of the application of iron to be used in the erection of barracks in the ,west ,indies1 he had been specially employed for six months under ,lieutenant ,brandreth in the foundries at ,birmingham4 ----- ,footnote #beb3 #8,morning ,herald1' ,june #e1 #ahbf4 ----- #ahbg-ahbi4 ,augmentation--,reinforcement to ,bermuda--,companies for ,rideau ,canal--,reinforcement to the ,cape--,monument to the memory of ,general ,wolfe--,increase to the survey companies--,supernumerary promotions--,measurement of ,lough ,foyle base--,suggestion of sergeant ,sim for measuring across the river ,roe--,survey companies inspected by ,major-,general ,sir ,james ,c4 ,smyth2 opinion of their services by ,sir ,henry ,hardinge--,sergeant-major ,townsend--,demolition of the ,glacire ,bastion at ,quebec--,banquet to fifth company by ,lord ,dalhousie--,service of the sappers at the citadel of ,quebec--,notice of sergeants ,dunnett and ,john ,smith--,works to be executed by contract--,trial of pontoons1 and exertions of corporal ,james ,forbes--,epidemic at ,gibraltar--,island of ,ascension2 corporal ,beal--,forage-caps--,company withdrawn from ,nova ,scotia--,party to ,sandhurst ,college1 and usefulness of corporal ,forbes4 ,great inconvenience was felt in carrying on the public works abroad1 from the inadequacy of the strength of the corps to supply the number of workmen for services in which their employment would have been useful and economical2 and as very heavy expenses had been incurred1 in having recourse to a greater proportion of civil workmen1 at high wages1 than would otherwise have been necessary1 ,general ,gother ,mann1 in ,july1 #ahbf1 submitted some suggestions on the subject to the ,master-,general and ,board1 and obtained their authority to carry out his plans4 ,in ,december1 consequently1 orders were given for the formation of a company of #ha strong1 for employment on the works at ,bermuda1 and for augmenting the company already there from #ea to #gj privates4 ,the company was accordingly formed in ,january1 #ahbg1 and with the reinforcement to complete the other company1 sailed from ,devonport in the #8,hebe' freightship1 and landed at ,bermuda on the #beth of ,may4 ,the sappers at the station were then divided between ,st4 ,george's and ,ireland ,island4 ,a royal warrant1 dated #bfth ,march1 #ahbg1 confirmed the raising of the company for ,bermuda1 and ordered a further augmentation of two companies of eighty-one strong each for the works of the ,rideau ,canal in ,canada4 ,the fifteenth and seventeenth companies were appointed for this service under ,captains ,victor and ,savage1 ,r4,e4 ,the former landed there from the #8,southworth' transport on the #ast of ,june1 and the latter from the #8,haydon1' on the #agth of ,september4#bec ,the establishment of the corps now reached nineteen companies1 and counted1 of all ranks1 #a1bfb4 ----- ,footnote #bec3 ,on the removal of the fifteenth company to ,canada in ,march1 the ,portsmouth station was without a company until ,november1 #ahbg1 when the eleventh company was sent there from ,chatham4 ,the sappers at the ,cape of ,good ,hope were reinforced to thirty of all ranks by the arrival of one sergeant and eleven privates in ,august4 ,at this period the men were chiefly employed at ,cape ,town and ,graham's ,town4 ,occasionally1 men are traced at ,wynberg1 ,franch ,hoek1 and ,simon's ,town4 ,the detachment rendered essential aid in the execution of the services of the engineer department1 and the necessity for maintaining its numerical efficiency was represented by ,major ,general ,bourke and ,lord ,charles ,somerset4 ,the fifth company at ,quebec1 on the #aeth of ,november1 #ahbg1 was present at the laying of the foundation stone of the monument erected to the memory of ,general ,wolfe4 ,all the masonic tools required for the ceremony were made by men of the company1 and the stone was lowered into its bed by some selected masons with colour-sergeant ,dunnett4 ,the formal laying of the stone was accomplished by the ,earl of ,dalhousie and ,mr4 ,james ,thompson1 a venerable man in the ninety-fifth year of his age1 the only survivor in ,canada of the memorable battle of ,quebec1 in which ,wolfe fell4 ,a few days afterwards1 the silver trowel used on the occasion was generously presented by his lordship to sergeant ,dunnett4 ,great interest was taken by the ,duke of ,wellington in the survey of ,ireland1 and he was anxious that it should be prosecuted with all possible despatch4 ,augmenting and completing the three companies being considered the most important means to facilitate that object1 his ,grace and the ,honourable ,board1 on the #ast ,january1 sanctioned an increase to the survey companies of nineteen privates each1 and on the #acth of ,march1 a further addition of thirty privates2 both of which augmented the survey force from #ahf to #bgc of all ranks1 and the establishment of the corps from #a1bfb to #a1cdi officers and men4 ,at the commencement of the survey1 all promotion was suspended for a time1 to enable ,colonel ,colby to select the ablest men for preferment4 ,he found great difficulty in choosing individuals qualified for it2 but in less than two years after1 so satisfactory was the improvement made in the attainments and efficiency of the companies1 that the ,colonel felt it essential to create by authority1 supernumerary appointments as a reward for past diligence and an incitement to future exertion4 ,this measure was the more necessary1 as the most important part of the work was performed by the non-commissioned officers1 who were mostly detached in charge of small parties of the corps with an equal number of civil chainmen4 ,each non-commissioned officer was thus the chief executive of a certain portion of work1 and was responsible for its correct and rapid execution to the officers of the divisions4 ,on the #agth of ,january1 the supernumerary appointments were sanctioned by the ,duke of ,wellington without limit as to number1 and ,colonel ,colby made ample use of the reward4 ,the advantage enjoyed by the supernumeraries extended only to pay1 they receiving the rate of the rank to which they were appointed4 ,service in the supernumerary grades did not reckon for their benefit towards pension4 ,from the #fth of ,september1 #ahbg1 to the #bjth of ,november1 #ahbh1 with occasional intervals of cessation1 a detachment varying from two sergeants and twenty-three rank and file1 to two sergeants and six rank and file1 were employed on the measurement of ,lough ,foyle base in the county of ,londonderry4 ,a strong detachment of the royal artillery was also employed on this service4 ,the duties of the sappers did not extend to the scientific and more precise details of the operation1 but were limited to those subsidiary services which were essential to the rigid execution of the former4 ,their attention1 in fact1 was confined to the labours of the camp1 the placement of the triangular frames1 pickets1 trestles1 and such other incidental services as were indispensable to obtain an exact level alignment for the application of the measuring bars4 ,a non-commissioned officer invariably attended to the adjusting screws2 another frequently registered the observations1 another attended to the set of the rollers and the regulation of the plates2 and a fourth1 with a few men1 erected the base tents1 moved them forward to the succeeding series of bars1 and looked to the security of the apparatus for the night4#bed ,all these duties1 though of a subordinate nature1 nevertheless required the exercise of intelligence1 and much careful attention on the part of those employed4 ----- ,footnote #bed3 ,yolland's #8,lough ,foyle ,base1' p4 #be-bg4 ,in connexion with the base operations1 the name of sergeant ,thomas ,sim of the corps1 is noticed with credit4 ,carrying the measurement across the river ,roe1 about #dej feet broad1 was1 through his ingenuity1 found a more simple matter than had been expected4 ,after giving a good deal of consideration to the subject1 the sergeant proposed a plan1 which enabled the measurement to be completed in one day and verified the next4 ,this was accomplished1 by driving1 with the assistance of a small pile engine1 stout pickets to the depth of about six feet into the sand and clay1 in the exact line of the base1 then placing on the heads of the pickets1 by means of a mortice1 a stretcher perfectly horizontal1 and finally1 laying upon the upper surfaces of the stretchers1 a simple rectangular frame1 with two cross pieces to support the feet of the camels or tripods4#bee ----- ,footnote #bee3 ,ibid41 p4 #bh4 ----- ,by the month of ,august1 the force of the sappers in ,ireland amounted to #bf non-commissioned officers1 #bbg privates1 #f buglers and #aa boys1 total #bgj4 ,in ,september1 the survey companies were inspected by ,major-,general ,sir ,james ,carmichael ,smyth1 royal engineers1 and in his report he stated1 8when the detached nature of the duty is considered1 and how the soldier is necessarily left to himself1 the appearance of the men under arms1 as well as the zeal and goodwill they evince in the performance of a duty so new and so laborious1 are very much to their credit40 ,in ,march previously1 ,sir ,henry ,hardinge1 in his evidence before the ,select ,committee on ,public ,income and ,expenditure1 spoke of the services of the corps on the survey1 as being cheap and successful4 ,to put the question fairly at issue1 certain districts of the same nature were conducted1 some by engineers with sappers and miners2 others1 with engineer officers and civil persons and it was satisfactorily proved1 that the progress made by the sappers under military authority1 was greater than that made by the civil surveyors1 and the cheapness commensurate4#bef ----- ,footnote #bef3 #8,second ,report ,ordnance ,estimates1' #ahbh1 printed #abth ,june1 #ahbh1 p4 #ga1 #gb4 ----- ,on the #bdth of ,january1 sergeant-major ,thomas ,townsend was removed from the corps as second lieutenant and adjutant to the second battalion1 #fjth royal rifles1 through the intercession of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,fitzgerald who commanded that regiment1 and in the lapse of years became a captain4 ,in #ahdd1 he retired from the regiment by the sale of his commission1 and obtained a barrack-mastership under the ,ordnance4 ,to proceed with the formation of a new citadel at ,quebec1 it became necessary to remove a portion of the old ,french works called the ,glacire ,bastion1 comprising the face and flank1 about #bfj feet in length and #be feet in height1 to give place to a new counterguard intended to cover the escarp of both faces of ,dalhousie ,bastion from the high ground on the plains of ,abraham4 ,this was done by mining1 in which service the fifth company of the corps was employed4 ,the whole operations being completed with the desired efficiency by the #aith of ,february1 the ,earl of ,dalhousie1 then ,governor-,general1 accompanied by his staff and a vast assemblage of civil and military persons1 attended to witness the demolition4 ,the mines were to have been fired at three points to insure the entire mass coming down at once1 but the sapper#beg stationed at the third mine1 without waiting for the necessary signals1 applied his match to the charge1 and the whole of the mines1 twenty in number1 were simultaneously exploded1 crumbling the escarp to pieces1 without projecting a stone fifty feet from its original position1 and levelling at one crash the whole of the work4 ,the effect produced far surpassed the expectations of the officers employed4 ,of the services of the company1 the commanding royal engineer1 in his orders of the day1 thus expressed himself3 8,to colour-sergeant ,dunnett1 sergeant ,young1 acting-sergeant ,smith1 and the non-commissioned officers and privates of the fifth company1 ,colonel ,durnford begs that ,captain ,melhuish will convey his high approbation of the zeal and ability with which they have performed this portion of practical duty1 and to assure them1 that a report of it shall be made to the ,inspector-,general of ,fortifications1 in order that the success of the operations may be recorded to the credit of the fifth company40#beh ,to mark his sense of the services of the sappers on the occasion1 the ,earl of ,dalhousie1 in a style of rare munificence1 entertained them with a ball and supper on the evening of the #gth of ,march1 in the casemated barracks erected by themselves in the citadel4 ,all the wives1 families1 and friends of the company attended4 ,sir ,noel and ,lady ,hill1 the ,honourable ,colonel and ,mrs4 ,gore1 ,captain ,maule1 aide-de-camp to his ,excellency1 the officers of royal engineers and artillery1 and several officers of the garrison were present4 ,after supper1 the officers of the company and gentlemen visitors took their stations at the head of the table1 and at the call of ,captain ,melhuish1 the usual toasts were disposed of4 ,after due honour had been paid to the toast for the health of the ,earl of ,dalhousie1 ,captain ,maule then rose and spoke as follows3-- 8,sergeant ,dunnett and soldiers of the fifth company of royal sappers and miners1 nothing will be more agreeable to me1 than the duty of reporting to his lordship1 the ,commander of the ,forces1 the manner in which you have drunk his health4 ,the trait in a soldier's character1 which above all others1 recommends him to the notice of his ,general1 is a cordial co-operation on his part1 heart and hand1 in the undertaking of his officers more immediately placed over him4 ,the fifth company of royal sappers and miners have ever eminently displayed this feeling1 but on no occasion more conspicuously than lately in the demolition of the old fortifications4 ,the skill with which this work was devised1 the zeal and rapidity with which it was executed1 and the magnificent result1 will long remain a memorial of all employed in it2 and if ,i may judge from the manner in which you have done honour to his lordship's health1 this mark of his approbation has not been bestowed on men who will soon forget it4 ,i beg all present will join me in drinking the health of ,captain ,melhuish1 the officers1 non-commissioned officers1 and privates of the fifth company of royal sappers and miners40 ----- ,footnote #beg3 ,corporal ,daniel ,brown4 ,footnote #beh3 #8,memoir of a ,practice in ,mining at ,quebec4' ----- ,thanks being returned for the company by ,captain ,melhuish1 sergeant ,dunnett1 in a most soldierlike manner1 gave the health of the ladies and gentlemen who had honoured the company with their presence4 ,soon after1 the company retired to the ball-room1 accompanied by the officers and their ladies1 and the festive entertainment was kept up with spirit and propriety until five o'clock the next morning4#bei ----- ,footnote #bei3 #8,quebec ,mercury1' ,february1 #ahbh4 ----- ,in the erection of the citadel at ,quebec1 the sappers were constantly engaged1 and some of its chief work was executed by them4 ,the superintendence was carried on by the non-commissioned officers--colour-sergeant ,dunnett#bfj and acting-sergeant ,john ,smith#bfa being the principal foremen4 ,soon after the arrival of the company1 ,mr4 ,hare1#bfb the foreman of works at ,quebec1 died2 and on the completion of the works at ,kingston1 the master mason there was sent to ,quebec2 but so efficiently had the masons' and bricklayers' work been executed under military supervision1 that ,colonel ,durnford1 the commanding royal engineer1 ordered the recently-arrived master mason to attend to the repairs of the old fortifications and buildings1 and not to interfere with the superintendents at the new citadel4 ,the company quitted ,quebec in ,october1 #ahca1 with an excellent character1 both as workmen and soldiers4 ,only five men had deserted during the period of the station1 two of whom were recovered to the service and pardoned by the ,earl of ,dalhousie4 ,this was another proof of his lordship's high estimation of the services and conduct of the company4 ----- ,footnote #bfj3 ,was the principal military foreman1 and had under his charge from #ajj to #bjj masons1 with their labourers4 ,in the arrangement and management of this working force he displayed much tact and judgment1 and his work was always laid out and executed with exactness and success4 ,for his services he received a gratuity and medal and a pension of #as4 #aj;d4 a-day in ,april1 #ahcd4 ,he was soon afterwards appointed foreman of masons in ,canada1 where he died4 ,footnote #bfa3 ,see page #bfj4 ,footnote #bfb3 ,joseph ,hare had formerly been a sergeant in the corps1 and on his discharge in ,october1 #ahbb1 was appointed foreman of masons at ,quebec4 ----- ,a select committee on public income and expenditure sat early this year to scrutinize the ,ordnance estimates4 ,by this committee the duties and services of the corps were considered4 ,in the report upon the evidence adduced1 the committee strongly recommended that all work which admitted of being measured should be done by contract1 and that the sappers and miners employed on buildings at day-work should be diminished4#bfc ,the effect of this measure was simply to confine the labours of the corps to the repairs and fortifications1 and occasionally to building1 without reducing its numerical establishment4 ----- ,footnote #bfc3 #8,second ,report ,ordnance ,est41' #ahbh1 printed #abth ,june1 #ahbh1 p4 #be4 ----- ,another trial of pontoons took place at ,chatham in ,july1 and the exertions of the detachment employed on the occasion under ,captain ,j4 ,s4 ,macauley1 ,r4,e41 were warmly acknowledged by ,sir ,james ,colleton1 one of the competitors4 ,captain ,white of the royal staff corps1 who was engaged on the part of ,sir ,james1 thus wrote of the sappers3--8,during my long acquaintance with military men1 ,i never witnessed in any troops a greater determination to perform to the utmost of their power the duty on which they were placed4 ,where all have done their duty with such energy1 ,i cannot make any distinction in conveying to you my good wishes towards them1 except in the conduct of corporal ,james ,forbes1 who appears to me to be a first-rate non-commissioned officer1 and who has on this occasion done his duty in a manner highly creditable to himself40#bfd ----- ,footnote #bfd3 ,see page #bif4 ----- ,an epidemic fever of nearly equal severity to the one of #ahjd raged at ,gibraltar in ,september and ,october4 ,the greater part of the sappers at the ,rock were seized with the complaint and nineteen died4 ,being quartered in the barracks near the unhealthy district and in the vicinity of the line of drains1 the companies furnished the first victims to the disease2#bfe and to lessen the mortality which this circumstance was likely to induce1 they were1 for a time1 encamped on a rocky flat below ,windmill ,hill4 ,the deaths at the fortress during the prevalence of the fever were #ejg military and #a1gjj civilians4#bff ----- ,footnote #bfe3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i4 #ahca1 p4 #bce4 ,footnote #bff3 ,martin's #8,british ,colonies1' v4 p4 #gi4 ----- ,lieutenant ,h4 ,r4 ,brandreth1 ,r4,e41 early in #ahbi proceeded to ,ascension1 and having made a survey of the island1 returned to ,england and reported on its capabilities for defence and eligibility for an ,admiralty station4 ,lance-corporal ,william ,beal was attached to that officer and employed under him from ,march to ,september4 ,his duty was chiefly that of a clerk1 but he also assisted in making the measurements of the survey1 and in collecting geological specimens to illustrate the character of the strata4 ,in the discharge of these services1 his zeal and intelligence were found very useful1 and on his return he was deservedly promoted to be second-corporal4 ,in ,june the forage caps were somewhat altered4 ,the yellow band was abolished1 and hoops and stiffening were forbidden4 ,the cap was now of plain blue web1 with leather peak and chin strap4 ,the sergeants' caps were of plain blue cloth1 hooped and stiffened1 with three chevrons of gold lace in front over the peak4 ,the staff-sergeants retained the gold bands4 ,nova ,scotia1 which ceased to be a station for the corps in #ahai1 was again opened for a company this year1 which landed from the #8,sophia' transport on the #ajth ,june1 #ahbi4 ,a company of the corps has ever since been employed there in carrying on the ordinary works and fortifications1 and in the erection of the citadel4 ,twelve privates under corporal ,james ,forbes1 were1 in ,september1 for the first time1 sent to ,sandhurst to afford practical instruction in sapping1 mining1 c41 to the gentlemen cadets at the ,royal ,military ,college4 ,the term extended over ,september and ,october1 and the party returned to ,chatham with the highest character4 ,much praise was awarded to corporal ,forbes for his exertions and attainments1 and his promotion to the rank of sergeant followed in consequence4 ,from that time a detachment has1 during each term1 been attached to the college for the same useful purpose1 and has invariably performed its duties with credit and effect4 #ahcj-ahcb4 ,the chaco--,brigade-,major ,rice ,jones--,island of ,ascension--,notice of corporal ,beal--,detachment to the ,tower of ,london--,chatham during the ,reform agitation--,staff appointments--,sergeant ,m#8,laren the first medallist in the corps--,terrific hurricane at ,barbadoes2 distinguished conduct of colour-sergeant ,harris and corporal ,muir--,subaqueous destruction of the #8,arethusa' at ,barbadoes--,return of a detachment to the ,tower of ,london--,rideau canal2 services of the sappers in its construction2 casualties2 and disbandment of the companies--,costume--,first detachment to the ,mauritius--,notice of corporal ,reed--,pendennis ,castle4 ,the chaco was altered this year to one of a reduced form1 and decorated with yellow lines and tassels1 which fell upon the shoulders and looped to the centre of the breast4 ,the brasses comprised a radiated star with three guns1 carriages1 and sponges1 surmounted by a crown4 ,the scales were1 for the first time1 worn under the chin1 and a goose feather ten inches long1 was held upright by an exploded shell4 ,the ear-cover was removed1 and a patent leather band was substituted4--,see ,plate ,,xiv41 #ahcb4 ,the sergeants and staff-sergeants had chacos of a superior description with ornaments of fine gilt1 bearing guns1 carriages1 and sponges of silver4 ,the lines and tassels were of gold cord1 and were worn only at reviews or on special occasions4 ,oil-skin covers were sometimes worn by the officers1 and oil-skin cases for the feather by all ranks in rainy weather4 ,worsted mitts were also adopted at this time instead of leather gloves4 ,the sergeants and the staff wore white ,berlin gloves4 ,major ,frank ,stanway1 ,r4,e41 was appointed brigade-major to the corps on the #hth ,june1 vice ,lieutenant-,colonel ,rice ,jones removed on promotion4 ,the post had been held by ,colonel ,jones for seventeen years4 ,under his guidance1 a successful check was given to those deep-rooted habits of indiscipline which had characterized the corps1 and cramped its efficiency4 ,this was not accomplished without encountering many obstacles2 but firm in his purpose1 and decided in his bearing and orders1 he soon reaped the reward of his perseverance and diligence2 and when the custom of the service required that he should relinquish his charge1 he delivered the corps to his successor in a state that reflected upon him the highest honour4 ,second-corporal ,william ,beal returned to ,ascension in ,august with ,captain ,brandreth1 and continued with him till ,september1 #ahca4 ,during this period he assisted in marking out the sites of the principal works proposed to be erected for the improvement and establishment of the colony as a naval victualling station1 and performed his duty in an able and satisfactory manner4#bfg ----- ,footnote #bfg3 ,was educated for a ,baptist minister2 but an introduction to ,dr4 ,olinthus ,gregory failing to realize his hopes1 he enlisted in the corps in #ahbh4 ,his intelligence caused him to be chosen for the two surveys of ,ascension4 ,he afterwards served at ,bermuda1 and at ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia4 ,at the former station he was wounded by the accidental firing of a mine whilst blasting rock1 and submitted to the amputation of portions of his fingers with stoical composure4 ,wherever he went he took with him a small but valuable library1 and was well read in the latest issues from the press4 ,byron1 ,carlyle1 and some abstruse ,german writers1 were his favourite authors4 ,no man in his condition of life was1 perhaps1 as conversant with the roots and eccentricities of the ,english language as ,beal1 and his mental endowments rendered him capable of grasping any subject1 however deep1 and turning it to profit both in his duties and in his daily intercourse with men4 ,late in his service he attained proficiency as a draughtsman1 and later still1 an enterprising engineer in ,london submitted a plan for a system of sewers in the metropolis1 which was accompanied by a report drawn up by this sergeant4 ,he left the corps in ,april1 #ahdi1 with a pension of #bs42 and the knowledge and experience he had acquired by application and travel1 are now being employed1 with advantage to his interests1 in one of the settlements on the ,rideau ,canal in ,canada4 ----- ,reform was1 at this period1 the turbulent cry of the country1 and masses of the people in consequence of its delay1 assumed a menacing attitude4 ,anticipating an outbreak in the metropolis1 one sergeant1 two corporals1 and twenty-eight privates under the command of ,lieutenant ,george ,page1 ,r4,e41 marched to the ,tower on the #hth ,november4 ,the two following days the detachment was under arms with the other troops to put down any attempt at insurrection1 but both days passed off without any demonstration requiring the interference of the military4 ,after constructing some temporary works in and about the ,tower1 the party returned to ,woolwich #bbnd ,january1 #ahca4 ,at ,chatham during the same period1 ,colonel ,sir ,archibald ,christie1 the commandant1 did the corps the honour of confiding to it the charge of the magazines within the lines4 ,repeatedly the guards were approached by suspicious persons2 and on one occasion private ,john ,herkes was fired at by an unseen hand1 but the ball missed him and perforated the sentry-box4 ,the vigilance of the men and the strictness with which they discharged their duty1 gained them the highest credit4 ,captain ,edward ,matson was appointed brigade-major to the corps on the #adth ,february1 vice ,major ,stanway who resigned2 and ,captain ,joshua ,jebb was commissioned as adjutant to the establishment at ,chatham from the same date in the room of ,captain ,matson4 ,colour-sergeant ,james ,mc,laren was the first soldier of the corps who received the gratuity and medal4 ,the distinction was conferred upon him in ,april1 and well he merited it1 both on account of his excellent conduct and his good services at ,st4 ,sebastian1 ,algiers1 ,new ,orleans1 and the ,cape of ,good ,hope4 ,he only survived the receipt of his honours a few days4 ,barbadoes was visited by a hurricane at midnight on the #aath ,august1 and its results far exceeded in magnitude the fearful storms of #afge and #aghj4 ,the loss of life on this occasion was calculated at #b1ejj1 and the wounded at #e1jjj persons2 while the value of property destroyed1 exclusive of losses by the government and the shipping1 was estimated at more than a million and a half of money4 ,but in this universal devastation the military suffered but little4 ,the company of sappers was quartered in the barracks at the parade-ground4 ,the lower part1 occupied by the artillery1 lost only the jalousie windows2 while the upper part1 where the sappers were located1 was considerably cracked1 the roof uncovered1 and several of the rafters broken1 by the falling of the parapet upon them4 ,still with all this danger no accident happened which affected life or limb4#bfh ,at the hospital the consequences were different4 ,strongly built and appearing to defy the most powerful storm1 that building was blown down1 and private ,charles ,shambrook crushed to death in the fall4#bfi ,during the hurricane it is recorded1 that colour-sergeant ,joseph ,harris signalized himself at the hospital of the #cfth regiment by his praiseworthy exertions in rescuing sufferers from the ruins2 and his skilful and zealous conduct was applauded by the officers who assisted him4#bgj ,corporal ,andrew ,muir of the corps also1 at great risk to his life1 distinguished himself by his activity in every part where his assistance was required1 and being a very powerful man1 was eminently successful in relieving his suffering fellow-soldiers of various corps4#bga ----- ,footnote #bfh3 #8,account of the fatal ,hurricane at ,barbadoes in #ahca1' p4 #hi4 ,footnote #bfi3 ,opposite the ,general ,hospital1 a monumental tomb1 erected by his surviving comrades1 marks the spot where the mangled remains of poor ,shambrook were interred4 ,ibid41 p4 #ie4 ,footnote #bgj3 ,ibid41 p4 #id4 ,footnote #bga3 ,ibid41 p4 #ig4 ----- ,soon after the hurricane1 the #8,arethusa1' of ,liverpool1 a ship of #cej tons1 was blown to pieces by gunpowder in the harbour of ,barbadoes1 by colour-sergeant ,harris and a party of the #aith company under the direction of ,major1 now ,colonel ,sir ,william ,reid4 ,the destruction of the ship was effected by a number of successive small charges of gunpowder applied to the ship's bottom as near the keel as possible1 and fired at high water2#bgb and as it has not been discovered1 in the history of engineering1 that the entire demolition of a wreck was ever accomplished by these means1 it is therefore memorable that the royal sappers and miners were the first who ever destroyed a sunken wreck by submarine mining4#bgc ----- ,footnote #bgb3 #8,prof4 ,papers1 ,royal ,engineers1' ii4 p4 #cf4 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii4 #ahch1 p4 #cg4 ,footnote #bgc3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' ii4 #ahci1 p4 #ahc1 #ahd4 ----- ,on the #gth ,october1 the ,house of ,lords threw out the ,reform ,bill1 and as consequent riots had occurred in various parts of the country1 it was expected that an attack would be made on the ,tower of ,london4 ,to assist in repelling any attempt upon that fortress1 two sergeants and thirty-three rank and file under the command of ,lieutenant ,john ,williams1 ,r4,e41 were sent there on the #hth ,november1 but after being under arms for a week1 they returned to ,woolwich1 without any necessity arising for the employment of their services4 ,late in ,december1 second-corporal ,edward ,deane and private ,james ,andrews1 accompanied ,captain ,c4 ,grierson to ,western ,africa1 where they were employed in surveying the coast and the town of ,bathurst4 ,on this duty they were found particularly useful1 and rejoined at ,woolwich in ,june1 #ahcb4 ,the ,rideau ,canal1 began in #ahbg1 was finished in the winter of #ahca1 connecting the trade and commerce of the two provinces of ,canada1 on which1 by means of locks and dams1 vessels are raised to a summit level of #bhc feet in eighty-four miles1 and again descend #afe feet in forty-three miles4#bgd ,the object of the undertaking was1 in the event of a war with the ,united ,states1 to have a secure water communication open between the lakes and ,lower ,canada4#bge ,two companies of the corps were employed on this service under the command of ,lieut4-,colonel ,by of the engineers1 whose name was given to the town which rose up in the wild spot selected for the headquarters4 ,the earliest hut in ,bytown1 now a flourishing settlement1 was built by the sappers4 ,for the first summer they were encamped on a height near the ,ottawa1 but before the winter set in were removed into temporary barracks erected by themselves4 ,most of the work of the canal was executed by contract1 but in some parts of the line where the engineering difficulties were great1 sapper labour was chiefly resorted to--the non-commissioned officers acting as foremen of trades and overseers4 ,parties were detached during the progress of the canal to ,merrick's ,mills1 ,isthmus of ,mud ,lake1 ,upper ,narrows1 rivers ,tay and ,richmond1 ,jones' ,falls1 ,claffey's ,mills1 ,newborough1 and ,isthmus of ,rideau ,lake4 ,footnote #bgd3 ,speech of ,major ,selwyn1 ,r4,e4 #8,graham's ,town ,journal1' #ahdb4 ,footnote #bge3 #8,prof4 ,papers1 ,royal ,engineers1' v4 p4 #aeg4 ----- ,among the chief services rendered by the companies it is recorded1 that a party levelled and cleared the channel of the river between ,black ,rapids and the head of ,long ,island4 ,over the canal they built a bridge connecting upper and lower ,bytown1 which still bears the designation of the 8,sappers' bridge40 ,in the construction of the first eight locks at the ,ottawa1 the companies participated to an important extent1 and ,sir ,henry ,hardinge1 in his evidence before the ,select ,committee in ,march1 #ahbh1 alluded to their employment at some of the most difficult parts of the work towards the ,ottawa4#bgf ,no less difficult was the work executed by them at ,hog's bank4 ,the dam there had been commenced by the contractor1 but he ultimately abandoned the undertaking4 ,sixty men of the corps were withdrawn from the ,ottawa to recommence it1 and1 with some hundred labourers1 were employed at the dam all the winter of #ahbh and #ahbi4 ,before the breaking up of the frost1 the masonry was nearly completed with a base of #be feet2 but on the #fth ,april1 #ahbi1 the water found its way through the frozen earth1 and making a breach in the dam1 carried away everything opposed to it4 ,this was the second failure4 ,still a third time it was attempted1 and under the superintendence of ,captain ,victor of the royal engineers1 a strong framework of timber was formed in front of the breach1 supported and strengthened by enormous masses of clay1 stone1 and gravel1 with a base of #bej feet1 which successfully overcame the difficulty2 and the dam1 in #ahcg1 was the most substantial work on the whole line of canal4#bgg ----- ,footnote #bgf3 #8,select ,report ,ordnance ,est41' printed #abth ,june1 #ahbh1 p4 #hb4 ,footnote #bgg3 #8,prof4 ,papers1 ,royal ,engineers1' i4 p4 #hf4 ----- ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,sappers ,miners ,plate ,,xiv4 ,,uniform #ahcb ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,on the completion of the work1 which cost upwards of a million of money1 the two companies were disbanded in ,december4 ,their united strength on leaving ,england was #afj1 and the casualties during their period of service at the canal were as follows3-- ,deserted #ce ,of whom two were apprehended and transported4 ,transported #a ,died #af ,killed #e ,by blasting rock1 either in the quarries or the canal4 ,drowned #a #ga ,thirty-seven at the ,isthmus of ,rideau ,discharged ,lake1 and thirty-four at ,bytown4#bgh ,invalids1 and remnant of companies returned to #ca ,england ,total #afj ----- ,footnote #bgh3 ,most of these men received #ajj acres of land each as a reward for their services and good conduct1 and several were provided with appointments on the canal4 ----- ,by the reduction of these companies the establishment of the corps fell from #a1cdi to #a1ahg of all ranks4 ,a material alteration was made in the clothing this year by changing the colour of the coatee from scarlet to the infantry red1 and the style and decoration of the dress were also modified1 to correspond with the form of lacing adopted generally in the line4--,see ,plate ,,xiv4 ,the coatee of the bugle-major remained in all respects the same as before4 ,the buglers also retained the scarlet1 but the style of wearing the lace accorded with that of the privates4 ,for the working dress1 a round jacket with bell buttons bearing the corps device1 was established1 instead of the jacket with short skirts4 ,of both uniform and working trousers1 the colour was changed from light blue to dark ,oxford mixture2 but the uniform trousers as formerly1 were much finer than the working ones4 ,the red stripe down the outer seam was two inches broad on the former1 and half an inch wide on the latter4 ,laced boots were also introduced this year in place of the short ,wellingtons1 issued for the first time in #ahbe4 ,the leather stock hitherto supplied by the public1 was now made an article of necessaries and provided at the cost of the soldier4 ,a detachment of seven masons and bricklayers under corporal ,john ,reed1 embarked for the ,mauritius on the #beth ,may and arrived there in the #8,arab1' transport1 on the #acth ,november4 ,this was the first party of the corps that had ever landed at the ,isle of ,france4 ,on board ship1 great irregularity prevailed among the troops2 but corporal ,reed's party behaved in so exemplary a manner1 that the report of their creditable conduct was made the subject of a general order to the corps4#bgi ,the detachment was sent to the island at the recommendation of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,fyers of the royal engineers1 for the purpose of leading and instructing the native artificers1 and were quartered in some old slave huts at the ,caudon4 ,the first work undertaken by the sappers was the tower at ,black ,river4 ,while this was in progress1 a reinforcement of one colour-sergeant1 and twenty-two rank and file1 under the command of ,captain ,c4 ,grierson1 ,r4,e41 landed from the #8,royal ,george1' freightship on the #bbnd ,january1 #ahcc1 and afterwards assisted in the works at ,black ,river1 and also in the erection of two martello towers at ,grand ,river4 ,when these were completed1 the services of the entire detachment were chiefly confined to the building of the citadel on the ,petite ,montagne4 ----- ,footnote #bgi3 ,corporal ,reed1 when returning home an invalid from the ,mauritius1 was wrecked on the #agth ,july1 #ahcf1 in the barque #8,doncaster1' on the reef ,l',agulhas1 #gj miles ,s4,e4 of the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 and perished with his wife and family of four children4 ----- ,in ,may six rank and file were detached from ,plymouth to ,pendennis ,castle4 ,in ,june of the next year the party was increased to two sergeants and eighteen rank and file1 who were employed there until ,august in repairing the barracks and strengthening the ramparts4 #ahcc-ahcf4 ,inspection at ,chatham by ,lord ,hill--,pontoon experiments--,withdrawal of companies from the ports--,reduction of the corps1 and reorganization of the companies--,recall of companies from abroad--,purfleet--,trigonometrical survey of west coast of ,england--,draft to the ,cape--,review at ,chatham by ,lord ,hill--,motto to the corps--,reinforcement to the ,mauritius--,inspection at ,woolwich by ,sir ,frederick ,mulcaster--,mortality from cholera2 services of corporals ,hopkins and ,ritchley--,entertainment to the detachment at the ,mauritius by ,sir ,william ,nicolay--,triangulation of the west coast of ,scotland--,kaffir war--,appointments of ten foremen of works--,death of ,quartermaster ,galloway--,succeeded by sergeant-major ,hilton--,sergeant ,forbes--,notice of his father--,lieutenant ,dashwood--,euphrates expedition--,labours of the party--,sergeant ,sim--,generosity of ,colonel ,chesney1 ,r4,a4--,additional smiths to the expedition--,loss of the #8,tigris' steamer--,descent of the ,euphrates--,sappers with the expedition employed as engineers--,corporal ,greenhill--,approbation of the services of the party--,triangulation of west coast of ,scotland--,addiscombe--,expedition to ,spain--,character of the detachment that accompanied it--,passages2 action in front of ,san ,sebastian--,reinforcement to ,spain--,final trial of ,pontoons--,mission to ,constantinople4 ,the corps at ,chatham1 consisting of two companies and a detachment1 were inspected by ,lord ,hill1 the ,commander-in-,chief1 on the #afth ,august1 #ahcc1 and his ,lordship was pleased to express his approbation of their efficiency and appearance4 ,on the #bjth of the same month1 some experimental practice was carried on with ,major ,blanshard's cylindrical pontoons on the canal in the royal arsenal at ,woolwich1 in the presence of ,lieutenant-,general ,sir ,james ,kempt1 the ,master-,general4 ,in these trials two non-commissioned officers and twenty-four privates from ,chatham assisted1 and their activity and energy elicited the thanks of the inventor and the commendation of the ,master-,general4 ,on the recommendation of a committee appointed by the ,master-,general1 the company at ,plymouth with the detachment at ,pendennis1 was removed to ,woolwich on the #ahth ,august1 #ahcc1 and the company at ,portsmouth was also transferred to head-quarters on the #bith of the same month4 ,for nearly fifty years a company had been quartered at each of those ports1 and their withdrawal was caused by some approaching alterations in the construction and distribution of the corps4 ,the expediency of reducing it1 and remodelling the organization of the companies1 had been under consideration for months2 and it was believed that even after providing an adequate establishment of sappers and miners proportionate to the strength of the infantry1 the numbers of the corps might be so diminished as to lessen its expense #e1jjjl4 annually4 ,major-,general ,pilkington1 the ,inspector-,general of ,fortifications1 laid down the rule that #ajj sappers was a fair number to be attached to #d1jjj infantry1 subject1 however1 to augmentation in particular cases1 according to the nature of the country in which operations might be carried on4 ,on these data1 ,sir ,james ,kempt ordered1 on the #cjth ,august1 #ahcc1 the companies of the corps to be compressed from seventeen into twelve1 and the establishment to be reduced from #a1ahg to #a1jgj of all ranks4 ,under the same order1 the eight general service and three survey companies were composed of the following ranks and numbers3-- ,colour- ,ser- ,cor- #bnd ,bugl4 ,priv4 ,total4 ,general sergeant4 geants4 porals4 corp4 ,total4 #a #b #c #c #b #hj #ia for #aa ,comps4 #a1jja ,the ,corfu ,comp- any1 paid by the ,ionian ,gov- ernment1 was #a #b #c #c #b #ea #fb #fb unchanged in its establish- ment1 and consisted of #a1jfc ,the ,staff1 including ,brigade-major1 ,adjutant1 ,quartermaster1 #b ,sergeant-majors1 #a ,quartermaster-sergeant1#bhj and #g #a ,bugle-major1 amounted to ,making of all ranks a total of #a1jgj ----- ,footnote #bhj3 ,one quartermaster-sergeant was now reduced1 and ,francis ,allen1 who held the rank for twenty-two years1 was discharged in ,october1 #ahcc1 and pensioned at #bs4 #h;d4 a-day1 having completed a service of more than forty years4 ,one of his sons1 formerly in the corps1 is foreman of works at ,alderney1 and another1 until recently1 was clerk of works in the royal engineer department1 ,london district4 ----- ,the distribution of the companies was fixed as follows3-- ,companies4 ,woolwich #c ,chatham #a ,survey #c ,gibraltar #a ,corfu #a ,bermuda #a ,halifax #a ,cape of ,good ,hope ,mauritius ,mauritius ,total #ab ,the companies at ,barbadoes and ,quebec1 and the second companies at ,gibraltar and ,bermuda1 were recalled and incorporated with the newly-constructed companies1 or reduced as the circumstances of the service required4 ,the reduction was a progressive measure1 and not finally effected till the #fth ,november1 #ahcd4 ,a party of six rank and file was sent in ,january to ,purfleet2 and a like number continued for more than twenty years to be employed there in carrying on the current repairs to the departmental property with advantage to the public service4 ,in ,may1 sergeant ,george ,derbyshire and five rank and file were detached under ,captain ,henderson1 of the engineers1 on the trigonometrical survey of the west coast of ,england4 ,the operations embraced the triangulation of the ,lancashire and ,cumberland coasts with the ,isle of ,man1 and part of the coast of ,scotland4 ,the sergeant and one of the privates were employed as observers2 the remainder assisted in the erection of objects for observation1 stages1 c41 and attended to the duties of the camp4 ,the party quitted the mountains in ,october and rejoined their several companies4 ,in the same month1 at the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 the detachment was augmented to half a company of forty-eight of all ranks4 ,the necessity for this addition had been repeatedly represented by the commanding royal engineer at the station4 ,scarcely a bricklayer or mason could be found in the colony who had served an apprenticeship2 and those who professed these trades were not only unskilful and indolent1 but generally drunken and dissipated4 ,it therefore became an object of much importance to increase the sappers at the ,cape to a number sufficient to meet the exigencies of the service4 ,on the #crd ,june a company and detachment of the corps were reviewed at ,chatham with the troops in garrison by ,lord ,hill1 who expressed his approbation of the soldier-like appearance and effective state of the sappers4 ,his ,majesty1 in ,july1 #ahcb1 ordered the motto 8,ubique quo fas et gloria ducunt0 to be borne on the appointments of the corps1 in addition to the ,royal ,arms and ,supporters2 and this year the cap-plates and breast-plates were made to accord with the ,king's command4 ,the cap-lines or cords and tassels issued in #ahcj were abolished this year1 and the staff-sergeants were permitted to wear1 instead of the forage-cap1 a silk oilskin chaco of the same size and shape as the regimental chaco4 ,in ,july a reinforcement of fifteen rank and file landed at the ,mauritius from the #8,valleyfield' freightship1 increasing the detachment to a half company of forty-five strong4 ,on the #afth ,august the three companies and detachment at ,woolwich were inspected by ,major-,general ,sir ,frederic ,mulcaster1 the ,inspector-,general of ,fortifications1 and the perfect satisfaction he felt at what he witnessed was made the subject of a general order to the corps4 ,for four years the cholera had been prevalent in many parts of ,great ,britain and the colonies1 but owing to the admirable precautions adopted1 the disease was not only less formidable1 but much less fatal among the military than the civil population4 ,in the royal sappers and miners the numbers seized with the malady were comparatively insignificant2 and during this period1 though the disease had visited most of the stations where companies of the corps were quartered1 the fatal cases only amounted to sixteen men1 five women1 and four children4 ,those cases occurred at the following stations3-- ,serg4 ,priv4 ,wom4 ,child4 ,quebec1 in ,july and ,september1 #ahcb 44 44 44 ,portsmouth1 ,august1 #ahcc 44 #a #a #b ,gibraltar1 ,july1 #ahcd #a #c #c #c ,halifax1 ,n4,s41 in ,august and ,september1 #ahcd4 44 #g 44 44 ,at ,portsmouth ten men were admitted into hospital with the disease4 ,the company was consequently removed to ,southsea ,castle and the cholera disappeared4 ,at ,gibraltar thirty-one men were admitted1 and the deaths were few in proportion to the loss of some regiments in garrison1 the #ejth regiment having lost nearly fifty men4 ,of the military at the fortress about #adj died of cholera1 but the civilians counted #dgj fatal cases4 ,during the raging of the disease1 corporal ,john ,hopkins and lance-corporal ,william ,ritchley were conspicuous for their zeal and attention to the sick4 ,their duties were attended with considerable personal risk2 and to the valuable assistance they rendered to the men in the early stages of the attack1 both by their cheerful exertions and judgment1 is attributed the rapid recovery of many of those who were sent to the hospital4 ,corporal ,hopkins was promoted to the rank of sergeant in consequence4 ,at ,halifax1 ,dr4 ,m#8,donald of the ordnance medical department1 gained much credit for his indefatigable attention to his numerous patients1 twenty-six of whom recovered under his skilful treatment2 and his great success in so many cases was lauded both by the medical chief of his own department1 and the ,master-,general4 ,in ,december the foundation stone of the citadel of ,la ,petite ,montagne1 ,mauritius1 was laid by ,major-,general ,sir ,william ,nicolay1 the governor of the colony1 with all the parade and ceremony usual on such occasions4 ,the company was present1 and private ,william ,reynolds1 the most skilful mason in the detachment1 had the honour of assisting his ,excellency in the deposition of the stone4 ,in the evening of the same day to commemorate the event1 the detachment with their wives and families partook of a sumptuous supper generously furnished by his ,excellency4 ,from ,june to ,october1 sergeant ,george ,darbyshire and five men were employed under ,captain ,henderson1 ,r4,e41 in the triangulation of the west coast of ,scotland1 and were encamped during the operations on the mountains4 ,at the ,cape of ,good ,hope the incursions of the ,kaffirs brought on a desultory war this year1 and the detachment of the corps in the colony was scattered in small parties over the frontier4 ,though much employed with the advanced forces in superintending the construction of redoubts and other indispensable defensive works1 they were never called upon to take any particular part in attacking the enemy4 ,the marching to which they were subjected1 through a country of bush and mountain1 was severe1 and exposed under canvas or in bivouac to every variation of the climate1 they shared all the trials and sufferings incident to the troops4 ,sir ,hussey ,vivian1 the ,master-,general1 entertained so favourable an opinion of the corps1 that he felt it right1 on the #fth ,october1 to order increased encouragement to be given to non-commissioned officers of proper attainments and merits1 by appointing them occasionally to be foremen of works in the royal engineer department4 ,the first appointed under this order was sergeant ,henry ,french1#bha and at distant intervals the following non-commissioned officers were promoted to that rank--viz41 sergeants ,nicolas ,markey1#bhb ,william ,spry1#bhc ,john ,wood1#bhd ,william ,jago1#bhe ,hugh ,munro1#bhf ,john ,hopkins1#bhg second-corporal ,daniel ,rock1#bhh sergeant ,william ,sargent1#bhi and quarter-master sergeant ,noah ,deary4#bij ----- ,footnote #bha3 ,had served upwards of twenty-two years in the corps2 and was a shrewd man and a skilful carpenter and overseer4 ,he was appointed in ,october1 #ahcf1 to ,guernsey1 where he died in ,february1 #ahed4 ,his eldest son1 a very promising young man1 is now foreman of works in the department at the ,tower4 ,footnote #bhb3 ,joined the corps a lad1 and by perseverance made himself competent for higher duty4 ,to smartness in person he united much activity of body1 and in ,september1 #ahdc1 was advanced to the civil branch1 first to ,corfu and then to ,gibraltar2 where1 in the excess of his zeal on the works1 he fell from his horse by a stroke of the sun1 and sustained an injury in the head4 ,he is now at ,dublin1 a lunatic1 passing away his life on a retirement of #cbl4 a-year4 ,he served seventeen years in the sappers4 ,footnote #bhc3 ,was an excellent mason and very efficient as a foreman4 ,he had been on a mission to ,constantinople1 and received from ,sultan ,mahmoud ,,ii4 a gold medal for his services4 ,after a service of twenty-one years in the corps1 he was1 in ,june1 #ahdd1 appointed to ,gibraltar1 where he fell into habits of excessive intemperance and committed suicide in #aheb4 ,footnote #bhd3 ,as master mason at ,vido he constructed the works with remarkable ability4 ,he also superintended the erection of the half-moon battery in the citadel and the defensive buildings at ,fort ,neuf4 ,colonel ,hassard said1 on his leaving1 that he hardly expected a man of equal talent to fill his place3 and it may be observed that he could speak with fluency the different languages of the civil workmen at ,corfu4 ,by ,colonel ,hassard he was recommended to visit ,rome and other places for artistic improvement1 but the usages of the service did not permit the concession of this favour4 ,in #ahcg he finished the erection of the ,longona cistern at ,paxo1 which relieved the inhabitants from the necessity of taking long journeys to procure supplies4 ,the work was very creditable to him1 and gained for him the eulogy and good will of the whole island4 ,to commemorate its completion a procession of the functionaries and lite of ,paxo took place1 and ,wood1 the great object of attraction1 was warmly greeted by the grateful populace4 ,he became foreman of works in ,november1 #ahdd1 first at ,cephalonia1 and next at ,corfu4 ,his service in the corps was over twenty-three years4 ,footnote #bhe3 ,he gained his promotion very rapidly1 for he was in all respects a very clever artificer and foreman4 ,in the works of the department at ,woolwich he was found a great acquisition1 and after serving for a few years at ,bermuda1 where his usefulness was greatly appreciated1 he was discharged in ,may1 #ahde1 and appointed to ,canada4 ,there he passed seven years1 and is now serving at ,gibraltar4 ,footnote #bhf3 ,a good mason1 and bore an unblameable character4 ,after twenty years' service1 chiefly at ,halifax and ,corfu1 he was appointed to ,malta in ,april1 #ahdg1 where he is still serving with efficiency and credit4 ,footnote #bhg3 ,when he joined the corps a lad1 in #ahbf1 he could scarcely write1 but by diligent application he soon exhibited talents which in after years caused him to be selected for important duties4 ,promotion he received rapidly1 and for his intelligence and ingenuity at ,sandhurst in #ahci he was honourably noticed in the #8,united ,service ,journal1' ii4 #ahci1 p4 #dbj4 ,for many years he served at ,gibraltar and the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 became a fair draftsman and architect1 and in ,july1 #ahdh1 after a service of twenty-two years1 was appointed foreman of works1 first at the ,cape1 and then at ,woolwich4 ,he is now clerk of works at ,shoeburyness4 ,footnote #bhh3 ,was a superior mason1 and trained before enlistment as an overseer4 ,most of his military service--nineteen years--was spent on the surveys of ,great ,britain and ,ireland1 in which he had made himself so proficient a surveyor and mathematician1 that he was one of three non-commissioned officers sent to the royal observatory at ,greenwich to receive instructions in the mode of making astronomical observations4 ,this was with the view to his employment on the boundary survey in ,america1 in which he afterwards served for a season with approbation4 ,colonel ,estcourt wrote of him1--8,he is intelligent1 well educated1 and efficient for almost any duty40 ,these acquirements1 coupled with his good conduct1 gained for him the vacant foremancy at ,zante1 in ,september1 #ahdh2 but1 it must be added1 he commenced the duty in dishonour by unwarrantably drawing a bill on the ,assistant ,adjutant-,general of the royal engineers1 and then having run a career of dissipation that nothing could check1 was justly dismissed in disgrace in ,july1 #ahdi4 ,footnote #bhi3 ,joined the corps from the military asylum at ,chelsea4 ,until the ,russian war broke out he had not been noticed for any particular aptitude or efficiency4 ,when at ,constantinople1 thrown by circumstances into boundless difficulties consequent on the frightful pressure for hospital accommodation1 his services were invaluable4 8,i have no hesitation10 wrote ,captain ,e4 ,c4 ,a4 ,gordon1 #bjth ,august1 #ahee1 8in saying1 that ,i believe the success of the works that were executed was owing1 in a great measure1 to his excessive and untiring zeal and activity40 ,this recommendation was the occasion of his appointment at ,scutari1 from whence1 after the return of peace1 he was removed to the engineer department at ,devonport4 ,footnote #bij3 ,entered the corps a boy from ,chelsea school4 ,with a fair share of common sense1 he made the best of his chances as a military foreman at the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 where he had served for many years4 ,the recollection of his usefulness at ,natal1 and in other districts of the frontier1 led to his being appointed civil foreman of works in that colony4 ,in #ahdb1 ,deary fought in the actions against the insurgent ,boers at ,natal4 ----- ,quartermaster ,james ,galloway died on the #ith ,november at ,wellesley ,house1 ,shooters' ,hill1 after an active service of forty-five years1 which he performed with a faithfulness amounting to devotion4 ,few officers in the army in passing from the ranks to a commission1 gained higher respect than he did1 and in his death few were more regretted or more honoured4 ,sergeant-major ,james ,hilton succeeded to the vacancy--a distinction he merited by his long services1 uniform zeal1 and soldier-like qualities4 ,he was presented on the occasion by the officers of royal engineers at ,woolwich with a sword1 and a grant was made to him of #bjl4 to assist him in his outfit4 ,sergeant ,james ,forbes was promoted to be sergeant-major by ,sir ,hussey ,vivian as a reward for his services4 ,for six years he had been employed1 during every spring and autumn1 at the royal military college at ,sandhurst1 in the instruction of the gentlemen cadets1 and returned to his corps on every occasion with fresh claims to approbation4 ,every season at the college was marked by his effecting some improvement in the course and in rendering some new and essential service to the institution4 ,among many minor subjects necessary to complete the experimental course1 he introduced the use of various mechanical expedients in connexion with purposes of military science1 and the construction of military bridges of different kinds1 from the rudest adaptations of rough timber and wicker work to the finished formation of a pontoon bridge4#bia ,observing his indefatigable exertions in carrying out his professional duties at the institution1 ,sir ,george ,scovell1 the ,lieutenant-,governor1 was induced to say1 that 8sergeant ,forbes had laid the college under great obligations to himself and the admirable corps to which he belonged20 and in acknowledgment of that obligation1 ,sir ,edward ,paget1 the ,governor1 presented him with a valuable case of drawing instruments4 ,subsequently he had the high honour of being admitted to an audience with his ,majesty1 ,william ,,iv42#bib in which interview the ,king graciously commended his conduct1 ability1 and zeal4 ,soon afterwards the ,master-,general1 who frequently wrote in eulogistic terms of his services1 promoted him from the rank of sergeant to be sergeant-major4#bic ----- ,footnote #bia3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii4 #ahcd1 p4 #efa1 and ii4 #ahce1 p4 #bgg1 #bgh4 ,footnote #bib3 ,forbes's ,pamphlet1 #8,national ,defences1' #aheb4 ,footnote #bic3 ,the father of the sergeant-major1 who also held that rank in the corps1 died of fever at ,walcheren in #ahji1 and1 as soon as his son was old enough1 he was enlisted into the sappers4 ,his age on joining was only eight years6 ,for a few years he was stationed at ,dover1 but the chief of his career was passed at ,chatham1 where1 under ,sir ,charles ,pasley1 he received that instruction in field fortification and drawing which made his services at ,sandhurst so important and successful4 ,here it should also be noticed that he kept his detachments in the best order2 and by their steadiness and willing exertions1 they earned for themselves a character which has greatly raised the corps in public estimation4 ----- ,in ,december1 ,lieutenant ,robert ,dashwood1 ,r4,e41 was appointed acting-adjutant at head quarters1 to assist the brigade-major in the office and parade duties4 ,this was the first appointment of the kind in the corps at ,woolwich4 ,smart1 strict in discipline1 and exact in the performance of duty1 he promised to advance the sappers to the high development attained in well-disciplined regiments1 but his career of usefulness was suddenly cut short by disease of the heart1 of which he died on the #bast ,september1 #ahci4bid ----- ,footnote #bid3 ,the names of the succeeding acting-adjutants at ,woolwich will be found in the ,appendix ,,iii4 ----- ,in the summer of #ahcd an expedition under the command of ,colonel ,chesney was projected1 to ascertain the practicability of the ,euphrates for opening a route by steam navigation to ,india4 ,a detachment of the royal artillery and five men of the corps were appointed to it4 ,one1 sergeant ,thomas ,sim1 was a surveyor1 and the rest were smiths1 and their qualifications in steam machinery1 surveying1 and drawing1 had particular reference to the wants of the enterprise4 ,when selected their names were submitted to the ,king4#bie ,for their military dress was substituted a plain blue suit1 consisting of a slouched cap1 frock coat with gilt buttons1 and loose trousers1 as more suitable to the climate of the ,east4 ,the beard and moustache after the oriental fashion were also worn4 ----- ,footnote #bie3 ,chesney's #8,expedition to the ,euphrates1' ,pref4 x4 ----- ,in ,september the party was sent to the factory of ,messrs4 ,laird and ,co41 at ,birkenhead2 and after receiving instructions in riveting and the management of steam engines1 sailed on the #ajth ,february1 #ahce1 for ,syria4 ,three of the party only landed2 the other two having1 by some mismanagement1 returned to ,england from ,malta4 ,from the mouth of the ,orontes to ,bir1 a distance of #ade miles1 the three sappers1 as well as the other soldiers and seamen1 were employed in transporting the materials for the construction and armament of two steamers1 across a country of varied and difficult features1 intersected by a lake and two rapid rivers4 ,boilers of great weight were forced up hills1 inch by inch1 by means of screw-jacks2 and through the unflagging exertions of officers and men1 and their patient endurance of suffering and fatigue1 was accomplished 8one of the most gigantic operations of modern times40#bif ----- ,footnote #bif3 ,chesney's #8,observations on ,fire-arms1' p4 #aig4 ----- ,while these arduous labours were in operation1 two of the three sappers died--sergeant ,sim and lance-corporal ,samuel ,gidens4 ,for the most part1 the sergeant had been employed with ,lieutenant ,murphy1 ,r4,e41 or alone1 in surveying the country from ,latakia to the ,gulf of ,scanderoon2 and in which1 from his previous knowledge and experience1 he was found of great use2 but while prosecuting this duty1 he frequently slept on the sands or in open boats1 and thus contracted a disease no skill could eradicate4 ,when surveying on ,beilan mountain he suffered much from the keen and penetrating wind to which he was exposed1 and was removed to ,antioch for the benefit of his health4 ,a slight improvement urged him to the field again2 but at ,suedia1 being thrown from a horse and much injured1 he was again sent in a litter to ,antioch1 where he breathed his last on the #aith ,september1 #ahce4 ,the corporal died at ,fort ,william on the #crd ,august4 ,up to the date of his illness he worked most diligently2 and to mark the sense entertained of his services1 a gratuity of #ajjl4 was granted by the ,treasury to his bereaved family on the recommendation of ,colonel ,chesney1 to whose honour it should be recorded that out of his own purse1 he liberally supported the widow and her children1 until the award was made by the ,government4 ,feeling the want of the two smiths who had been sent home from ,malta1 ,colonel ,chesney applied to have them re-attached to the expedition4 ,his wish was at once acceded to1 and with them sailed two other privates1 on the #crd ,january1 #ahcf1 for ,syria4 ,arriving at ,malta1 they were passed on with all dispatch in the #8,columbia' sloop of war1 and reached ,antioch late in ,february1 in time to take part in the final preparations for floating the steamers4 ,this reinforcement of 8promising men1 brought the party10 so the ,colonel writes1 8to efficiency once more10 and on the #afth ,march the descent of the river was commenced4 ,there were now five sappers with the expedition--one surveyor1 and four blacksmiths and millwrights1 including corporal ,william ,black1 all valuable as artificers and engineers4 ,three were allotted to the #8,euphrates' steamer1 and two to the #8,tigris4' ,civil engineers were also attached to each vessel1 to whom the sapper smiths acted as subordinates1 and were styled assistant engineers4 ,on the #bast ,may a calamity occurred which deprived the expedition of nearly one half of its force4 ,the steamers were descending the river with success1 when they were overtaken by a hurricane of indescribable violence which placed both vessels in imminent peril4 ,the storm raged only eight minutes1 but during those fearful moments the #8,tigris1' caught up in its furious vortex1 was engulfed with twenty of its officers and men4 ,corporal ,benjamin ,fisher and private ,archibald ,mc,donald of the sappers were on board3 the former was dashed on shore and saved1 the latter perished2 but his comrades had the satisfaction of recovering and interring his remains on the banks of the stream1 near ,anna4 ,the descent of the 8,great ,river0 was accomplished by reaching its junction with the #8,tigris' at ,kurnah1 on the #ahth ,june1 #ahcf1 and seventy-two guns having been fired the next day in honour of ,his ,majesty ,william ,,iv41 the steamer crossed the ,persian ,gulf to ,bushire1 to meet expected supplies from ,bombay4 ,after three months' delay at the former port refitting the vessel and completing the engines with the assistance of the sappers1 and a fresh crew having been obtained from the ,indian navy1 the steamer re-crossed the ,persian ,gulf1 and the ascent of the river commenced4 ,the chief engineer having died the first day of the ascent1 the engines were entrusted to the sole management of corporal ,fisher1 who continued to perform this duty most satisfactorily up to the termination of the service4 ,corporal ,black was the senior non-commissioned officer of the party1 but his health had previously become so much impaired that he was sent from ,bussora to ,bombay for its recovery4 ,of this non-commissioned officer ,colonel ,chesney wrote1 that 8both as a soldier and a man1 in every way1 he does credit to his corps40 ,with the highest testimonials the party rejoined the corps at ,woolwich in ,may1 #ahcg4big ,as engineers they had been found of the greatest service to the expedition2 and for the skilfulness and efficiency with which the engines were worked1 the ,government divided the engineers' pay among them for the period they were so employed in the following proportions3--corporal ,black #acl42 lance-corporal ,b4 ,fisher #ail42 lance-corporal ,t4 ,edrington #bal4 ----- ,footnote #big3 ,on the completion of the service1 the expedition was favoured with a few days' location at ,damascus1 where the party removed their beards and moustaches1 and for the first time since the commencement of the enterprise1 had the advantage of attending church for religious worship4 ----- ,lance-corporal ,william ,greenhill was attached to ,lieutenant ,murphy1 ,r4,e41 and his duties were those which arose out of surveying and astronomy4 ,in the whole of the survey of the two rivers and the countries adjacent to their banks1 he took an important part1 and after the death of that officer was employed on the line of levels between the two rivers1 with reference to a canal of intercommunication for commercial purposes4 ,captain ,estcourt1 #dcrd regiment1 the second in command1 in writing of this non-commissioned officer1 says3 8,a more willing1 honest1 active man does not exist1 and he is sober and trustworthy in the highest degree40 8,all10 writes the same officer1 8are valuable men1 and capable of rendering important services wherever they may be employed40 ,the approbation of the commissioners for the affairs of ,india was accompanied with the following gratuities3--to corporal ,black #cil41 and to each of the other three non-commissioned officers #ail4 #ajs42 and further1 ,sir ,hussey ,vivian1 the ,master-,general ordered the promotion of corporal ,black to the rank of sergeant1 second-corporal ,fisher to corporal2#bih and lance-corporal ,william ,greenhill to be second-corporal4#bii ,in ,may the operations for the triangulation of the west coast of ,scotland were resumed1 for the third time1 under ,captain ,henderson1 ,r4,e41 by six non-commissioned officers and men of the corps1 who were continued on the service till the early winter4 ,they then returned to ,woolwich with a good character for activity and exertion4 ----- ,footnote #bih3 ,pensioned in ,may1 #ahdc1 and appointed assistant lighthouse keeper at ,europa ,point1 ,gibraltar1 under the ,trinity ,board of ,london4 ----- ,footnote #bii3 ,greenhill was an intelligent man1 pleasantly eccentric1 and fond of antiquities4 ,while with the expedition he made a collection of silver coins of remote times1 which1 with laudable feelings of attachment to his native place1 he presented to the ,perth ,museum4 ,his hair was as white as silver1 but his beard1 full and flowing1 was as black as ebony4 ,to the ,arabs he was quite a phenomenon1 but the singularity which made him so1 did not save him1 on one occasion1 from being rudely seized by a horde of banditti1 and plundered1 with almost fabulous dexterity1 of the gilt buttons on his frock coat4 ,they had nearly finished their work1 when ,greenhill tore himself from their grasp1 but finding that a button still remained on the cuff1 he audaciously pulled off the frock and threw it at them4 ,suspecting that their work was incomplete the ,arabs pounced on the coat1 and tearing off the remaining button scampered away to the hills again4 ,when1 some years later1 the ,niger expedition was forming1 ,greenhill volunteered to accompany it4 ,he had a notion that the service would be one of suffering and vicissitude1 and the better to inure himself to its contemplated hardships he submitted his body to rigorous experiments of exposure and self-denial1 which1 inducing erysipelas1 caused his premature decease in ,october1 #ahdj4 ----- ,at the request of the court of ,directors of the ,east ,india ,company1 seven rank and file were employed at the seminary at ,addiscombe1 in throwing up field-works for the instruction of the gentlemen cadets1 during the months of ,august1 ,september1 and ,october4 ,the corporal in charge received #bs4 a-day working pay1 and the privates #as4 a-day1 each4 ,for the two succeeding terms1 a similar party was provided for the seminary1 and on each occasion received much credit for its services4 ,after the third term it was found desirable to discontinue the detachment1 and the ,addiscombe authorities drew the means of instruction from their own resources4 ,by an order from ,lord ,palmerston1 ,lieutenant ,edward ,vicars1 ,r4,e41 and one sergeant and twelve rank and file1 embarked at ,woolwich on the #ajth ,july1 in the #8,pluto1' steamer1 and landed at ,san ,sebastian on the #aith1 taking with them a limited supply of field equipment and engineer stores4 ,the party was attached to the royal marines1 with the ,british naval forces under the command of ,lord ,john ,hay1 and was intended to take part in any operations deemed necessary to defend the ,queen of ,spain against the adherents of ,don ,carlos4 ,all the men were volunteers1 fully capable of constructing field-works and military bridges1 and qualified1 also to direct and take charge of working parties4 ,the major part of the detachment were men of notoriously bad character1 appointed to the service to afford them a chance of reclaiming themselves2 but their arrival in ,spain was soon marked by those habits of turbulence and dissipation which rendered them a burden at home4 ,without zeal1 spirit1 or subordination1 they were found almost useless on the works1 and to such a pitch was their misconduct carried1 that ,lieutenant ,vicars contemplated dispensing with their services as sappers and miners4 ,by the removal1 however1 of a few of the grossest offenders1 the punishment of others by the navy1 and the infusion of a better class of men among them from ,england1 the inevitable disgrace of the corps was prevented2 and eventually1 with few trifling exceptions1 the detachment established a character for discipline1 good conduct1 and usefulness4 ,on landing1 the party was removed to the eastern heights of ,passages to complete works for the protection of the shipping in the harbour4 ,here the royal marines were employed for a time1 as also a force of about #bjj of the auxiliary legion4 ,late in ,september1 a few of the party assisted in throwing up a work for the defence of a bridge leading into ,san ,sebastian1 and secured the position held by the force on the left of ,passages4 ,it was now understood that the ,carlists intended to attack ,general ,evans3 a redoubt was forthwith constructed on a commanding hill in front of the enemy1 and a battery for four guns and some breastworks were thrown up on the extreme left of the position4 ,the legion furnished a working party of #bjj men for these operations4 ,on the #ast ,october1 the enemy attacked the lines in front of ,san ,sebastian1 directing their fire principally on the picket-house1 near which the battery was progressing4 ,against this battery1 also1 another battalion was sent1 and having taken it1 the column pressed on to the walls of the station2 but the party within remained firm1 and the ,carlists were ultimately driven from the contest with the loss of #a1bjj in killed and wounded4 ,in this action were present four sappers1 one of whom was wounded4 ,on the #cast ,october1 the detachment in ,spain was increased to twenty-five non-commissioned officers and men1 by the arrival of twelve rank and file from ,woolwich1 in the #8,rhadamanthus' steamer1 who were at once disposed of between ,san ,sebastian and ,passages1 and assisted in the completion of the fort and barracks at the latter4 ,experiments with the pontoons of ,colonel ,pasley and ,major ,blanshard1 took place at ,chatham on the #ast ,july4 ,sir ,hussey ,vivian1 the ,master-,general1 was present4 ,for a few years previously1 a portion of the summer of every year had been past in practically testing the projects of rival competitors for the passage of rivers2 but on this occasion the trial ended in favour of the cylindrical pontoon of ,major ,blanshard4 ,in all these trials a detachment of the corps was employed1 and in this1 the last experiment1 executed under the disadvantage of extreme heat1 ,colonel ,pasley warmly praised the party for its zeal and activity in working the two bridges4 ,with the mission to ,turkey under the command of ,captain du ,plat1 ,r4,e41 were embarked on the #aeth ,september1 two lance-sergeants of the corps on board the #8,astrea1' which entered the port of ,constantinople on the #cast ,october4 ,one was a surveyor conversant with the management of surveying instruments1 and the other skilled in the details of the duties connected with the system of instruction carried out at ,chatham4 ,the mission took stores as presents to the ,sultan4 ,a sergeant of the royal artillery and a civil mechanic from the royal arsenal with ,lieutenant ,knowles1 ,r4,a41 accompanied it4 ,at the time of its arrival the plague was prevalent1 and under orders from ,his ,majesty's ambassador at the ,porte1 the mission passed a few months in the #8,volage' and #8,carysfort1' lying in the ,bosphorus4 ,when the plague abated1 the presents were conveyed to the ,sultan--,mahmoud ,,ii42 and his ,highness as a token of satisfaction presented each officer and soldier with a gold medal1 and the artizan with a gold snuff-box4 ,the non-commissioned officers of sappers who had the honour of receiving the distinction1 were ,william ,spry and ,william ,richardson4 ,each medal bore a gold clasp1 upon which was inscribed the name of the recipient and that of the ,sultan4 ,during their service with the mission each received #as4 #f;d4 a-day working pay1 and on arrival in ,england in ,april1 #ahch1 a gratuity of #ajl4 #ahcg4 ,change in the dress--,increase of non-commissioned officers--,services of the detachment at ,ametza ,gaa--,oriamendi--,desierto convent on the ,nervion--,fuentarabia--,oyarzun--,aindo in--,miscellaneous employments of the detachment--,trigonometrical survey west coast of ,scotland--,inspection at ,woolwich by ,lord ,hill and ,sir ,hussey ,vivian--,staff appointments--,labours of sergeant ,lanyon--,staff-sergeants' accoutrements--,expedition to ,new ,holland--,corporal ,coles selected as the man ,friday of his chief--,exploration from ,high ,bluff ,point to ,hanover ,bay2 difficulties and trials of the trip2 great thirst--,exertions and critical situation of ,coles--,his courageous bearing--,touching instance of devotion to his chief--,employments of the party--,exploration into the interior with ,coles and private ,mustard--,hardships in its prosecution--,threatened attack of the natives2 return to the camp4 ,this year the colour of the coatee was changed from red to scarlet--,plate ,,xv41 and the huge ,kilmarnock woven cap was superseded by a neat superfine blue cloth cap1 stiffened1 with peak and chin-strap4 ,the sergeants were distinguished by black oak-leaf bands and gilt ornaments1 comprising a grenade1 encircled by a laurel wreath1 and surmounted by a crown and three chevrons4 ,the other non-commissioned officers wore chevrons according to their ranks4 ,the oil-skin chaco of the staff-sergeants was put aside for a forage-cap1 with a gold oak-leaf band and gilt ornaments of a crown within a laurel-leaf4 ,by a royal warrant dated #bdth ,april1 an increase of one sergeant1 one corporal1 and one second corporal was made to each company by reducing five privates per company4 ,recourse to this expedient was necessary on account of the control of the companies being much diminished by the several detached duties upon which non-commissioned officers were employed1 as well as a number being always required to take charge of the workshops and working parties4 ,the strength of each company was now fixed at #a colour-sergeant1 #c sergeants1 #d corporals1 #d second-corporals1 #b buglers1 #ge privates2 equal #hi2 which1 for #aa companies1 gave an establishment of #igg4 ,the ,corfu company1 paid by the ,ionian government1 did not1 from its weak numbers1 participate in the alteration4 ,its strength1 therefore #fb1 with the #c officers and #d non-commissioned officers of the staff1 made the total establishment of the corps sanctioned by the warrant reach the total of #a1jdh4 ,the number reduced was #bb privates4 ,in the early months of the year the detachment in ,spain was employed on the eastern heights of ,passages in superintending the completion of the fort and barracks1 and also on the island of ,santa ,clara in making platforms and repairing batteries4 ,on the #ajth ,march1 seventeen of the party were present in the attack on ,ametza ,gaa1 and were subsequently employed in strengthening the redoubt previously occupied by the ,carlists on that position4 ,in the action at ,oriamendi on the #aeth and #afth ,march1 they also served4 ,ten of the number assisted in levelling the enemy's parapets and destroying their barricades and works4 ,the other seven1 under ,lieutenant ,burmester1 ,r4,e41 did duty with the royal artillery commanded by ,lieutenant-,colonel ,colquhoun4 ,their help1 readily afforded at a time when it was of much value1 enabled a third gun to be brought into action2 and in cutting fuzes and loading shells1 c41 they were found but little inferior to experienced artillerymen4 ,lord ,john ,hay complimented ,lieutenant ,vicars upon the good service of this detachment2 and the officers of the royal and marine artillery were loud in their praises of the exertions of the sappers1 and of the efficiency of their assistance at the guns4 ,one private was wounded4 ,a brief interval of repose followed1 in which the detachment was occupied in fortifying the eastern entrance of ,passages1 also in barricading the advanced picket-house near that point1 and in completing the batteries on ,santa ,clara4 ,four men were likewise detached to the river ,nervion1 and1 with the crews of the #8,scylla' and #8,savage1' restored the works of the ,desierto convent which protected the communication with ,bilbao4 ,on the return of the men1 the commander of the #8,savage' brig spoke most favourably of their conduct4 ,in the operations of the army under ,espartero on the #adth ,may1 fifteen of the detachment were present and assisted in working the guns of the royal artillery4 ,on the #agth they embarked to act in an attack on ,fuentarabia1 and were present at its capitulation on the #ahth ,may4 ,here the detachment restored one of the ruined bastions of the fortress1 and1 besides making embrasures for two heavy guns1 cleared away the debris from other parts of the defences and placed them in temporary repair4 ,at ,oyarzun the ,carlists were in the habit of creeping up to the town and annoying the troops4 ,to prevent this1 the hill above was crowned with a square redoubt for two guns4 ,ten of the detachment superintended its construction1 and the work was executed in so excellent a manner1 that experienced officers spoke of it with unqualified satisfaction4 ,the working party consisted of peasants who were skilful in the construction of earth-works1 and zealous in the use of the spade and pickaxe4 ,at the solicitation of ,general ,o',donnell of the ,spanish service1 nineteen of the sappers1 under the command of ,lieutenant ,vicars1 were attached to his force4 ,the party reached ,aindoin on the #aath ,september1 and were set to work with a company of ,gastadores under them1 on a height on the extreme left of the position4 ,very rapidly1 a large hedge surrounding the height was turned into a parapet2 and in places where it was too high to cut down1 loopholes were formed4 ,a dense wood that joined the hedge was partly felled1 and from its ample resources abattis were thrown out in front of the line of hedge4 ,for three days the work progressed2 at intervals under heavy rain2 and on the #acth ,september a formidable work of more than half a mile in length was ready to obstruct the advance of the enemy4 ,at daylight on the #adth the ,carlists opened fire on ,aindoin1 and the first shot went through the house where the sappers were quartered4 ,at once they were withdrawn to the church1 and ultimately removed to a circular fort to attend to orders either from ,lord ,john ,hay or ,general ,o',donnell4 ,scarcely had they commenced the movement before the enemy approached the church with irresistible impetuosity1 and drove the forces of ,o',donnell from the town with signal disaster4 ,the escape of the detachment of sappers was almost miraculous2 a few moments later would have thrown them wholly into the hands of the ,carlists4 ,during the later months of the year the detachment repaired ,fort ,morales1 and the lines on the western heights of ,passages4 ,there also they fitted up barracks for the royal marines1 and strengthened the advanced picket-house4 ,four of the men superintended a working party of the royal marines in completing and arming the redoubts around ,san ,sebastian1 in which service much difficulty was experienced from the want of an adequate working party and materials4 ,so impoverished were the stores1 that to provide planks and sleepers for the platforms and magazines1 recourse was had to old splintered timbers from ruined sheds and buildings4 ,among other services performed by the detachment was the construction of a redoubt at ,cachola on the high road from ,san ,sebastian to ,hernani1 to protect that communication4 ,on the #acth ,may1 six rank and file were attached to ,captain ,a4 ,henderson1 ,r4,e41 and were employed for the fourth summer under his direction in the trigonometrical survey of the western coast of ,scotland for the ,admiralty4 ,the nature of the operations1 as on former occasions1 necessitated their encampment on the mountains2 and when the service closed in ,november1 the party returned to ,woolwich4 ,lord ,hill and ,sir ,hussey ,vivian1 the ,master-,general1 inspected the seventh company and detachment of the corps at ,chatham on the #aeth ,june1 and afterwards witnessed the siege operations carried on by the troops and sappers under ,colonel ,warre4 ,at the steadiness of the latter on parade1 and the able manner in which the siege details were executed1 his lordship expressed the highest gratification2 and ,colonel ,warre1 in his public orders of #afth ,june1 also eulogised the corps for the cheerful and indefatigable manner in which they had worked in the field1 adding1 8that the construction of the works did credit to their skill as engineer workmen1 and their appearance to their discipline and efficiency as soldiers40 ,second-,captain ,henry ,sandham1 ,r4,e41 by commission dated #ast ,august1 was appointed adjutant to the corps at ,chatham vic ,captain ,jebb promoted4 ,the latter had filled the office with much advantage to the public service2 and his many excellent qualities1 as evinced in the discharge of his duties1 commanded the esteem of the corps1 and caused him to be much regretted at his leaving4 ,sergeant ,hugh ,lanyon1 after ,sergeant-major ,forbes's removal1 was appointed to the charge of the detachment at ,sandhurst ,college1 and carried on the field details in every way to the satisfaction of the authorities4 ,for many years1 as a private and non-commissioned officer1 he worked at the college1 and his example had the best effect on the successive parties with which he served4 ,as a practical sapper he was one of the ablest and most skilful in the corps1 and in the rapidity with which he threw up earth-works was unsurpassed4 ,sir ,charles ,pasley has done him honour by noticing the extraordinary labours of the sergeant in his #8,practical ,operations for a ,siege4'#cjj ,his willingness and ability in this respect1 covered1 in great measure1 his educational deficiencies4 ,in charge of the detachment he displayed his usual industry and exertion1 kept his men in perfect discipline and order1 and the excellent work resulting from their united efforts elicited an encomium in a popular periodical very creditable to the sergeant and his party4#cja ,indeed1 so effectually were all the instructional operations carried out1 that the governor of the college1 with the sanction of the ,master-,general1 presented him in ,november with a case of drawing instruments1 bearing an inscription flattering to his zeal and services4#cjb ----- ,footnote #cjj3 ,pages #ea and #eg1 notes1 #ast part1 #bnd edit4 ,it may be tolerated to mention the instances in which ,lanyon figured1 to deserve the record4 ,in ,october1 #ahbh1 he finished a parallel in very easy soil of #bfb cubic feet in #b hours and #da minutes1 whilst an able-bodied sapper1 unskilful at the pickaxe and the shovel1 only completed the same content of excavation in #h hours and #d minutes6 ,thirty men were employed at the same time at similar tasks1 the result of whose labours showed that for each man1 strong and trained1 it required to execute the work an average period of #d hours and #ed minutes4 ,the other instance refers to his completing the first task of a parallel1 nearly #aji cubic feet1 in easy soil in #af minutes4 ,in the ,peninsula sieges1 no more than #db cubic feet of excavation appears to have been excavated by each individual of the military working parties as his first night's work2 but at the rate which rendered ,lanyon celebrated1 an active workman in these sieges ought to have finished his first night's task in seven minutes6 ,the comparison makes the difference so excessive1 that credulity has scarcely sufficient tension to accredit it2 but coming from an authority so proverbial for his accuracy1 there is no alternative but to wonder at the achievements of the man who so signalized himself as a sapper2 and to add1 with the ,colonel1 the expression of mortification1 8that the exertions of the ,british army should have fallen so miserably short of their brilliant exploits in the field40 ,footnote #cja3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' ii4 #ahcg1 p4 #bgi4 ,footnote #cjb3 ,lanyon was afterwards promoted to be a colour-sergeant1 and passed a few years in ,canada during the revolt4 ,on his return1 his health1 shattered by the exertions of his laborious life1 caused him to leave the corps4 ,obtaining a situation as surveyor on the ,trent and ,mersey canal under ,mr4 ,forbes1 his former fellow labourer1 he devoted himself to his new duties with his accustomed zeal3 but in a few short months his powerful frame broke up1 and he died at ,lawton in ,cheshire1 in ,june1 #ahdf4 ,the integrity of his conduct and the utility of his services induced the directors of the company to honour his remains by the erection of a tomb to his memory4 ,here it would be proper to notice1 he was one of those brave and humane miners who1 in the #8,cambria1' bound for ,vera ,cruz1 assisted to rescue the crew and passengers from the burning #8,kent' ,east ,indiaman1 in the ,bay of ,biscay1 in ,february1 #ahbe4 ,the souls saved were #eea1 including #cja officers and men1 #ff women1 and #de children of the #cast regiment4 ----- ,late in the year the shoulder-belt of the staff-sergeants was superseded by a buff waist-belt1 two inches broad1 having carriages for the sword1 with gilt plate1 buckles1 swivels1 and hooks4 ,the plate bore the royal arms--without supporters--within a wreath1 with the motto 8,ubique0 at its base1 and above1 a crown4 ,the sword was the same as issued in #ahbd1 and as at present worn1 but adapted by rings to be slung to the improved accoutrement4--,see ,plate ,,xvi41 #ahed4 ,under orders from ,lord ,glenelg1 the ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 corporals ,john ,coles and ,richard ,auger were attached to the ,new ,holland expedition under ,captain ,grey1 the object of which was to gain information as to the real state of the interior and its resources4 ,on the #eth ,july1 #ahcg1 they sailed in the #8,beagle' from ,plymouth1 and at the ,cape of ,good ,hope were removed into the #8,lynher' schooner4 ,there1 private ,robert ,mustard joined the party1 and all reached ,hanover ,bay1 ,western ,australia1 on the #bnd ,december4 ,captain ,grey had early formed a good opinion of corporal ,coles and made him his chief subordinate4#cjc ,he was emphatically his man ,friday1 and his conduct in striking instances of suffering and peril was marked by unfaltering devotion and fortitude1 combined with diligence and humanity4 ,auger was #8jack of all trades2' the mechanic and architect2 equally a tailor and a tinker2 the ready mender of boats1 and the efficient millwright and armourer of the party4 ----- ,footnote #cjc3 #8,grey's ,travels1' #ahda1 i4 p4 #ce4 ----- ,on the day of arrival the ,captain landed with five persons and three dogs at ,high ,bluff ,point1 to explore from thence to ,hanover ,bay4 ,coles was one of the number4 ,the sun was intensely hot4 ,a long confinement on ship-board had made them unequal to much exertion4 ,forward1 however1 they journeyed1 without the advantage of trees or foliage to screen them from the sun's burning rays4 ,the country1 too1 was rocky2 and its surface1 jagged and torn into crevices1 being overgrown with spinifex and scrub1 they frequently either slipped or fell into the covered fissures4 ,soon the party was overcome by thirst and lassitude4 ,two pints of water was all that was brought from the ship1 and this1 shared with the panting dogs1 left but little for the adventurers4 ,as time wore on1 their weariness1 before excessive1 became worse1 and the dogs falling back exhausted1 were never recovered4 ,water was at length observed at the bottom of a ravine1 and down its precipitous slopes ,coles and others scrambled1 only to mock the thirst they craved to satiate1 for the inlet was salt water6 ,however1 after travelling for about another mile1 fortune favoured them with a pool of brackish water1 from which they drank freely4#cjd ----- ,footnote #cjd3 ,ibid41 #ahda1 i4 p #fg-ga4 ----- ,whilst the party rested by the pool1 ,captain ,grey1 accompanied by ,coles1 explored the ravine1 and then returning1 led the party into the country by a fertile valley surrounded by rocky hills4 ,not long after1 the thirst and fatigue so dreaded before1 recurred in an aggravated form1 and some were almost completely worn out by it4 ,to march through the night without fresh water was next to impossible2 and as a last effort to obtain relief1 the ,captain pushed on for the coast1 directing that when he fired1 ,mr4 ,lushington with the party should follow4#cje ----- ,footnote #cje3 #8,grey's ,travels1' #ahda1 i4 p4 #ga-gc4 ----- ,the arranged signals being given and answered1 the party moved on4 ,corporal ,coles was in the van1 and forcing his way over broken rocks and down steep cliffs1 he was the first to reach the ,captain4 ,at this spot he followed the example of his chief1 and1 plunging into the sea1 refreshed his strength and appeased his thirst4 ,mr4 ,lushington and the sufferers now arrived1 and1 leaving them to try the effect of bathing1 the ,captain and his corporal moved along the coast to find the #8,lynher1' and send a boat to the party4 ,about two miles they had journeyed when their progress was arrested by an arm of the sea1 about #ejj yards across4 ,coles kept firing his gun in hopes it might be heard on board4 ,from hill to hill and cliff to cliff1 its report re-echoed1 but no answering sound came back4 ,the ,captain now resolved to swim the arm2 and as ,coles was unskilful in the water1 he was directed to wait until the others came up and remain with them until the ,captain returned4 ,the latter then plunged into the sea1 and left ,coles alone in that solitary spot with wild and rugged cliffs overhanging the shore1 and the haunts of savages in his vicinity4#cjf ----- ,footnote #cjf3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #gc-gf4 ----- ,after dark the flashes of the guns had been seen by the schooner1 and a boat was instantly despatched for the party4 ,coles was the first found2 but fearing1 if he then availed himself of the protection of the boat1 he would lose the clue by which to trace the ,captain1 he directed the mate to pass on for the others4 ,they were soon picked up1 and returning for ,coles1 he was found at his post--one of danger and honour--and taken into the boat with his companions4 ,the other shore was soon reached and the ,captain found4#cjg ----- ,footnote #cjg3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #gi4 ----- 8,have you a little water80 he asked1 as he entered the boat4 8,plenty1 sir60 answered ,coles1 handing him a little1 which the ,captain greedily swallowed4 ,that choice drop of water was all that was in the boat when ,coles was picked up1 and although he suffered severely from thirst1 he would not taste it as long as he retained any hope that his chief might be found and be in want of it4#cjh ----- ,footnote #cjh3 #8,grey's ,travels1' #ahda1 i4 p4 #gh4 ----- ,for several days the sappers and others of the expedition were employed in searching for water1 taking short exploratory trips1 and in removing the live stock and stores from the #8,lynher' to the location fixed upon by ,captain ,grey4 ,to facilitate the service1 a rude pathway was formed by firing the bush1 and removing1 with much toil1 the rocks and vegetation4 ,so rough was the track that a wheelbarrow could not be used upon it1 and every burden was1 therefore1 necessarily carried on the men's shoulders4 ,by the #afth ,december1 the country had been taken possession of1 and the encampment completed4#cji ----- ,footnote #cji3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #hb-ia4 ----- ,on the following evening1 ,captain ,grey with corporal ,coles and private ,mustard1 started from the camp to penetrate some distance into the interior4 ,confident in the steadiness and courage of his men he felt no anxiety4 ,each carried ten days' provisions1 a day's water1 and his arms and ammunition4 ,thus laden1 in a tropical climate1 their progress was slow and laborious4 ,their route lay through a region of romantic beauty4 ,now they were urging their course through deep ravines alive with the gush of water and the foaming of cascades2 now threading their tiresome way through the devious forest with its prickly grasses and entangled bush4 ,again they were climbing crumbling ranges1 scrambling down precipices1 tearing themselves through mangroves and densely-matted vegetation1 traversing some wild broken land1 or worming themselves among lofty and isolated columns of sandstone mantled with fragrant creepers1 which1 like the remains of ruined temples of classic ages1 afforded indubitable evidence of the ravages of time upon rock and range4 ,wherever they journeyed1 they found the same chaos--beautiful in its wildness and eccentricity--rich in its luxuriance and picturesqueness4#caj ----- ,footnote #caj3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #ic-ajg4 ----- ,nearly six days were spent in this march1 and the trials endured were only a prelude to what were to follow4 ,rice and tea in small quantities formed the staple of their diet4 ,an occasional slice from a pheasant's breast1 or a bite from the remains of a crane left by the rats1 gave relish to their repast4 ,the ,captain was the game purveyor to the party and ,mustard its ,soyer4 ,on the first night they slept in a bark hut of their own making at the foot of a towering precipice2 the second was passed under some overhanging rocks4 ,on the other three nights they bivouacked on the slopes of the glens under the lightning's vivid flash1 exposed to the rains of violent thunderstorms4 ,early in the journey ,mustard became ill1 but he was soon sufficiently recovered to sustain the toils and privations of discovery and the discomfort of unsheltered sleep4 ,dripping wet1 tired1 weary and hungry1 these brave men carried out the purposes of their mission1 and1 with unwavering faithfulness and zeal1 penetrated wherever their chief desired4 8,three of us10 writes the ,captain1 8slept in the open air without any covering or warm clothes for five successive nights1 during three of which we had constant showers of heavy rain1 and yet did not in any way suffer from this exposure40#caa ----- ,footnote #caa3 #8,grey's ,travels1' #ahda1 i4 p4 #bdh4 ----- ,want of food at length compelled the adventurers to return4 ,having gained the summit of a range1 the rain began to fall in torrents4 ,to escape it they retired to a detached group of rocks4 ,a party of fourteen savages now appeared1 brandishing their spears1 bounding from rock to rock1 and making the wilderness ring with their war cry4 ,this was answered by a party coming over the high rock in rear of the travellers4 ,in this critical situation a hostile attitude was at once taken up4 ,there was a natural opening like an embrasure between the blocks of the rock1 through which they could level their pieces1 and each gallant fellow took his station1 with orders to fire one by one if the command were given4 ,the ,captain fired over their heads2 but this one report was quite enough1 for the savages fled on all sides1 and the party thus left to itself1 hurried home through a tempest of rain and reached the cantonment before nightfall on the #bbnd ,december4#cab ----- ,footnote #cab3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #ic-ajg4 ----- #ahch4 ,services of party in ,new ,holland--,start for the interior--,labours of the expedition2 corporal ,auger--,captain ,grey and corporal ,coles expect an attack--,attitude of private ,auger at the camp against the menace of the natives--,captain ,grey and ,coles attacked2 their critical situation2 the chief wounded2 devotion of ,coles--,usefulness of ,auger--,renew the march2 ,auger finds a singular ford--,discovers a cave with a sculptured face in it--,mustard traces the spoor of a quadruped still unseen in ,new ,holland--,a sleep in the trees--,trials of the party--,primitive washing--,auger the van of the adventurers--,humane attention of the ,captain to ,mustard2 reach ,hanover ,bay2 arrive at the ,mauritius--,detachment in ,spain--,attack on ,orio--,usurvil2 ,oyarzun--,miscellaneous employments of the party--,reinforcement to it2 ,casa ,aquirre--,orio--,secret mission to ,muagorri--,second visit to the same chief--,notice of corporal ,john ,down--,bidassoa--,triangulation of north of ,scotland--,also of the ,frith of the ,clyde--,insurrection in ,canada2 guard of honour to ,lord ,durham--,company inspected by the ,governor-,general on the plains of ,abraham--,inspection at ,niagara by ,sir ,george ,arthur--,services and movements of the company in ,canada2 attack at ,beauharnois--,submarine demolition of wrecks near ,gravesend--,expedient to prevent accidents by vessels fouling the diving-bell lighter--,conduct of the sappers in the operations2 exertions of sergeant-major ,jones--,fatal accident to a diver--,intrepidity of sergeants ,ross and ,young--,blasting the bow of the brig #8,william1' by sergeant-major ,jones--,withdrawal of the sappers from the canal at ,hythe4 ,some weeks of the early year were spent by ,captain ,grey and his men in a variety of occupations preparatory to a long journey into the interior4 ,sheds were built for the stores1 pack-saddles made by corporal ,auger for the ,timour horses1 and short excursions through wood and wilderness undertaken4 ,pathways were also constructed for the horses in forest and glen1 without which it would have been impracticable to pursue their course4 ,these were formed by burning the bush1 and removing1 by manual strength and dexterity1 huge boulders and fallen trees levelled by age and storm1 that everywhere intercepted the track4 ,on the #crd ,february the expedition was in motion4 ,twenty-six wild ponies were attached to the party4 ,each man had three or four of these giddy unbroken animals in charge1 fastened together by ropes4 ,from the ponies straying in different directions1 and getting frequently entangled with rocks and trees1 the difficult nature of the service was greatly increased4 ,as beasts of burden they were of little use4 ,in steep ravines or in rugged country1 the stores were almost wholly carried by the adventurers2 and this1 coupled with the task of guiding the untamed horses and the hard travelling in a rocky country abounding with clefts1 thick bush1 and forest1 made the route one of unmitigated toil and fatigue4 ,in these duties corporal ,auger particularly distinguished himself2 for1 8possessing the power of carrying on his back very heavy burdens1 he took every occasion of exercising it in such a way as to stimulate the others and very much to accelerate the movements of the expedition40#cac ----- ,footnote #cac3 #8,grey's ,travels1' i4 p4 #aba-aci4 ----- ,with corporal ,coles the captain started on the #fth ,february to explore the country in his front4 ,coming to a deep ravine with a body of water at its base1 he wished to find a passage out of it4 ,both searched for many hours until after sunset1 but without avail4 ,the ravine was bounded by inaccessible cliffs with other ravines branching into it1 which 8invariably terminated in precipitous cascades40 ,a great portion of the exploration was spent in wading the flooded valley up to their bellies in water4 ,on their return homewards they came upon a large party of natives1 and ,coles followed the captain up the northern slope of the ravine ready for an attack2 but the savages moved on without molesting the weary travelers4#cad ----- ,footnote #cad3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #acf-ach4 ----- ,five days afterwards corporal ,auger and two men were left at the camp1 while the rest of the expedition were detached4 ,about two hundred of the natives assembled across a stream at the foot of a hill near to them4 ,they were armed4 ,at the time of their appearance ,auger was quietly seated on the ground cleaning ,lieutenant ,lushington's double-barrelled gun1 with its springs1 screws1 and cramps lying around him4 ,seeing his comrades nervously perturbed1 he coolly refixed one of the barrels1 and mounting the lock1 loaded the gun with some loose powder4 ,meanwhile the two men turned out with their muskets1 and the trio posting themselves on the brow of the hill1 motioned the savages away4 ,they answered by a shout1 and retired a little2 when ,auger and the party now took counsel1 and agreeing that it would be imprudent with their small number to hold intercourse with so large a force of natives1 they resolved not to allow them to approach beyond a point which they considered safe2 8and in the event of any armed portion passing the stream towards the tents in defiance of their signals1 to fire on them one by one40 ,these cautious resolves1 however1 it was unnecessary to enforce1 as the savages1 after ,auger had given them a blank discharge1 hurried off in the direction of ,captain ,grey4#cae ----- ,footnote #cae3 #8,grey's ,travels1' i4 p4 #add4 ----- ,the ,captain1 accompanied by ,coles and a ,cape man1 had been out since the morning examining the country to choose a route for the next day's march1 and were working with all their energies at a road for the horses1 when the savages from the camp poured into the forest4 ,the ,cape man1 who was in the rear1 first saw them2 and instead of calling to ,coles or the ,captain for assistance1 took to his heels1 pursued by the natives4 ,the three were now engaged for their lives1 and taking up a position behind some rocks1 the men were directed to fire separately4 ,coles was armed with the ,captain's rifle1 but it was covered with a cloth case for protection against the rain4 ,this becoming entangled with the lock1 his services at a critical moment were lost4 ,the ,captain now gave ,coles his gun to complete the reloading1 and taking the rifle1 tore off the cover and stept from behind the rocks4 ,in an instant three spears pierced his body1 but a deadly shot from the rifle slew the principal antagonist4 ,the combat at once ceased2 but1 though it had only lasted a few seconds1 the spears and weapons strewn in such abundance about that wild position gave proof of its severity4 ,neither ,coles nor the ,cape man was injured1 but the ,captain was badly wounded4 ,coles bound up the ,captain's hip wound as well as he could1 and supporting him with his arm1 assisted him homewards4 ,some hours were spent in the journey4 ,the track was lost1 and the ,captain1 leaning more and more heavily on ,coles1 showed signs of increasing weakness4 ,a beaten route at last was gained and a stream in its vicinity crossed2 but the ,captain1 in the effort1 strained his wounded hip and fell on the opposite shore unable to rise4 ,coles1 with his usual devotion1 volunteered to go alone to the party and send assistance4 ,this he did1 bounding over rock and cliff1 through wood and scrub1 jumping gaping rifts1 and fording streams with the natives on his trail4 ,in a short hour1 through his unflinching ardour and daring1 the surgeon and ,mr4 ,lushington were ministering to the wants of the wounded chief4#caf ,the only drawback to this day's steadiness and fidelity was the loss1 by ,coles1 of the ,captain's valuable note-book4#cag ,the nipple of the rifle injured by ,coles in his eagerness to remove the case1 was taken out by ,auger2 but lacking proper tools1 several days were spent in niggling perseverance1 to drill it out with a bradawl4 ----- ,footnote #caf3 #8,grey's ,travels1' i4 p4 #aed4 ,footnote #cag3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #aec4 ----- ,the expedition was now delayed for a time2 and corporal ,auger1 whose ingenuity and skill as a carpenter had frequently been of service1 made the ,captain a low stretcher to lie upon1 which gave him a little more ease4#cah ,to relieve him1 moreover1 from unnecessary discomfort and pain1 ,auger1 with feeling solicitude1 carried the chief in his arms at times when he seemed to need it1 to convenient distances in the vicinity of the tent4 ,athletic and careful1 he was not a bad substitute for a sedan4 ----- ,footnote #cah3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #aeh4 ----- ,on the #bgth ,february the party was again in motion1 but their progress was slow4 ,much time was spent in constructing pathways in ravines and clefty land otherwise inaccessible1 and in finding fords over streams1 and passages across swamps4 ,to one ford ,captain ,grey particularly alludes4 ,on the #bgth ,march1 he and his party sought for a ford across a river about a hundred yards wide in ,s4 ,lat4 #ae #di1 ,e4 ,long4 #abe #f1 but their efforts were fruitless4 ,it therefore appeared inevitable that the winding of the river should be followed1 or the party branched off in another direction to find an open route in advance4 ,this surmise was not very agreeable4 ,auger pondered a little over this aspect of the journey1 and soon resolved to make a survey of the stream untrammelled by the presence of any one4 ,accordingly1 disposing of a hasty breakfast1 he started alone to the river1 and returned in about an hour reporting he had found one4 ,the ponies were at once moved on1 and as they wound through it following a circuitous course1 it was nowhere less than knee deep1 but on each side1 at times1 the water was dangerously high4 8,i could not10 writes the ,captain1 8but admire the perseverance of ,auger1 in having discovered so intricate a ford as this was40#cai ----- ,footnote #cai3 #8,grey's ,travels1' i4 p4 #bji4 ----- ,two or three nights before finding this ford he tied himself among the branches of a stunted acacia-tree1 and shaken by the wind slept as soundly as in a cradle rocked by an attentive nurse4 ,he did this to escape the wet and chills of the stony ground on which the travellers bivouacked and rested during the darkness4 ,much labour was given in tracing the courses of rivers1 the direction of mountain ranges1 and acquiring information of the physical features of the country1 and of its natural history4#cbj ,all these services were not accomplished without much exertion and diligence4 ,to scale the mountain side1 to creep down the perilous declivity1 to wade the morass1 to traverse a wild country torn into fissures1 and encumbered by rocks and scrubs and a dense vegetation1 were but their common daily task2 but when to these exertions are added the trials arising from privation1 constant exposure to the sun and the storm1 the bare shelter by night of some overhanging cliff or frail tent1 with the discomfort of being1 for days together1 unable to undress or wash themselves1 a faint glimpse only is caught of the harassing and difficult nature of their duties1 their weariness1 their sufferings and hardships4 ----- ,footnote #cbj3 ,auger accompanied ,captain ,grey on one occasion to examine a sandstone ridge in the hope of finding egress from it4 ,after proceeding some distance the corporal discovered a cave1 in which was an intaglio face and head cut in the rock1 of rather superior workmanship for an untutored savage2 and ,captain ,grey has distinguished the work by giving a drawing of it in his ,travels4 ,vol4 i4 p4 #bjf4 ,private ,mustard1 who had been at the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 brought his experience to bear upon the present service4 ,he discovered the spoor of a large quadruped with a divided hoof4 ,he had seen like impressions at the ,cape4 ,captain ,grey conceiving that ,mustard had made some mistake1 paid no attention to his report1 until he afterwards saw traces of the animal himself4 ,on one occasion the ,captain followed its track for a mile and a half1 when it was lost in rocky ground4 ,the footmarks were larger than those of a buffalo1 and it was apparently more bulky1 for where it had passed through the brushwood1 shrubs in its way of considerable size1 had been crushed aside or broken down4 ,the animal has not yet been seen4 ,its existence is1 however1 asserted1 from the peculiarity of the spoor4 ,vol4 i4 p4 #bdb1 #8,grey's ,travels4' ----- ,the mode of refreshing themselves by washing was as primitive as inconvenient1 but the trying nature of the service led them to find contentment in the roughest resources4 ,full dressed1 they often plunged into the lakes to scrape and wash away the accumulations of days from their persons and clothes2 and on emerging from the waters1 bearing their dripping suits on their backs1 they ran about to prevent colds or rheumatic seizures1 while the sun steamed off the moisture from their threadbare garments4 ,corporal ,auger in these wanderings was the chief dependent4 ,uncompromising1 he was straightforward in his duties2 enterprising1 he feared nothing4 ,on most occasions he was sent ahead of the party to pace the distance1 to find the track through regions of country covered with rank grass more than fourteen feet high1 and to discover fords to assist the progress of the wayfarers and thus prevent depressing and harassing detours or returns4 ,the moral courage of that man must indeed have been great1 who was the first to penetrate a shrouded and unbroken stretch of solitude1 unaware of the dangers in which his every step might suddenly have involved him4 ,the expedition had now penetrated two rivers beyond the ,glenelg and ,prince ,regent1 and then turned towards ,hanover ,bay4 ,on #ast ,april they started1 encountering difficulties of a character similar to those already borne with such cheerfulness and fortitude4 ,seven days of their journey found private ,mustard crippled from falling into a crevice in the rock4 ,here the ,captain1 though suffering himself from the wound in his hip1 yielded his horse for ,mustard's convenience4 ,on the #aeth ,april1 the party reached ,hanover ,bay1 having lost nearly all their live stock and fifteen of their ponies4 ,a few more days were occupied in collecting the stores and shipping them1 when the expedition sailed for the ,isle of ,france and arrived on the #agth ,may4 ,the three sappers were landed in a very sickly and emaciated state1 and during their stay at the ,mauritius were under medical treatment in hospital4 ,on the #bgth ,january1 nineteen non-commissioned officers and privates of the detachment serving with the naval force under the command of ,lord ,john ,hay at ,san ,sebastian1 were present with ,general ,o',donnell's army in an attack on the village of ,orio1 and burnt and sank several flat-bottomed boats under the fire of musketry from the opposite side of the river4 ,on the following day1 at the request of the ,spanish general1 the same sappers were despatched to ,usurvil to intrench and fortify a large garden at the outskirts of the village4 ,the work was instantly commenced2 but when the party was about to destroy the bridge which had been partially broken1 ,general ,o',donnell changed his intention and the sappers returned to ,san ,sebastian4 ,shortly after1 the detachment marched with the marine battalion to ,oyarzun to cover the operations of ,general ,o',donnell at ,bera4 ,about this period the available men of the party fitted up the #8,columbia' steamer for the accommodation of troops1 and a storehouse for the use of the squadron4 ,at ,passages1 also1 the carpenters converted the church into a commissariat dept for stores and provisions1 and strengthened and improved the fortifications around ,san ,sebastian and the heights4 ,all the works were carried out with difficulty2 for the ,spanish authorities could scarcely command the use of a plank or even a nail for their purposes1 and it was only by the force of habitual and urgent requisitions1 that they could be induced to press for any materials for the service of the department4 ,by the #8,alonzo' transport a reinforcement of eleven rank and file arrived in ,may1 increasing the detachment to thirty-one of all ranks4 ,late in the month1 these men1 with others of the party1 were1 at the recommendation of ,general ,o',donnell1 detached to ,casa ,aquirre on the left of ,venta1 to render it sufficiently defensive to receive the garrison of ,astigaraga in the event of its being compelled to retire4 ,the working party consisted of a company of the ,spanish marine battalion of seventy soldiers and twenty peasants1 and the position was completed with the necessary works by ,march1 #ahci4 ,on the #bdth ,june1 twenty-five of the detachment moved with a part of the army to the river ,orio1 and1 under fire1 levelled the parapets and works of the ,carlists4 ,in ,october1 four men of the party in plain clothes under orders of secrecy1 accompanied ,colonel ,colquhoun of the royal artillery1 and ,lieutenant ,vicars of the engineers1 to the headquarters of ,muagorri1 to assist in putting him in motion and to secure his position4 ,the mission reached ,sara on the #agth1 then passed to a hill to the east of ,la ,rune mountain1 about four miles from the village1 where the chief was posted1 and afterwards to ,st4 ,jean ,pied de ,port2 but owing to the opposition of ,aquirre1 the commandant of ,valcarlos1 who would not allow the pacificators to take up quarters in his neighbourhood1 the expedition1 unable from this cause to assist the ,fuerist chief1 returned to ,san ,sebastian on the #bdth ,october4 ,the same sappers1 in plain clothes as before1#cba accompanied the above-named officers on a second mission to ,muagorri in ,november4 ,the party reached ,st4 ,jean ,pied de ,port vi ,bayonne on the #eth4 ,aquirre1 acting under the orders of ,espartero1 was firm in his resolution to resist the pacificators in the occupation of ,valcarlos2 and as he would not yield a pass to the force of ,muagorri1 the project of entering ,spain at ,valcarlos was necessarily abandoned1 and the expedition once more retraced its steps to ,san ,sebastian1 where it arrived on the #afth4 ----- ,footnote #cba3 ,the senior of whom was second-corporal ,john ,down1 afterwards sergeant4 ,in ,september1 #ahce1 while pontooning in the ,medway at ,halling1 he plunged into the river and saved from drowning1 by means of an oar1 private ,f4 ,adams of the corps4 ,he also relieved from a very precarious situation lance-corporal ,woodhead1 of the ,honourable ,east ,india ,company's sappers1 who had jumped in to assist private ,adams4 ,for his courage and humanity the ,royal ,humane ,society granted ,down a pecuniary reward1 and his officers gave him a military hold-all1 containing the usual articles1 chiefly of silver1 bearing on a silver plate this inscription--8,presented by his officers to private ,john ,down for his gallant conduct in rescuing a comrade from drowning40 ,this non-commissioned officer served two stations at ,gibraltar and ,bermuda1 and being pensioned at #as4 #i;d4 in ,october1 #ahdi1 retired to ,chatham1 where he is now filling the humble but sufficient situation of pump-master to the ,barracks at ,brompton4 ----- ,late in the same month1 twelve men of the detachment were sent to the ,bidassoa to fortify the position taken up by the ,fuerist chief4 ,a fatality attended all his movements and projects4 ,st4 ,marcial had been fixed upon by him to establish his force there2 but before the operation could be effected1 the ,queen's troops under ,general ,o',donnell were already in possession of it1 and the approach of ,muagorri was therefore interdicted4 ,another position1 however1 was soon selected near the ,bidassoa1 and a redoubt forthwith commenced4 ,sixty peasants from ,san ,sebastian and a small force from the ranks of the ,fuerists formed the working party4 ,the latter were indolent to the last degree1 and even the presence of ,muagorri and ,jarregui failed to inspire them with the necessary energy4 ,the sappers worked from morning till nightfall1 and often remained on duty the entire day1 exposed the whole time to the drenching storm4 ,all the works were marked out1 and every detail for the defence was conducted by the sappers under the direction of ,lieutenant ,vicars1 and their zeal and usefulness were noticed in commendatory terms4 ,after completing the defences1 the party rejoined ,lord ,john ,hay's force early in ,january1 #ahci4 ,in ,may one sergeant and twelve privates were detached to the north of ,scotland1 and employed on the trigonometrical survey of that part of the country until ,december under the direction of ,lieutenant ,robinson1 royal engineers4 ,this mountain detachment endured much fatigue in carrying out the service1 and for their diligence and exertion in conducting the operation1 received a high character4 ,six rank and file were employed on a similar duty at the ,frith of the ,clyde under ,captain ,a4 ,henderson1 ,r4,e41 and rejoined the corps on the #bdth ,october4 ,the men were selected on account of their physical strength1 and were in every respect found equal to the arduous requirements of the service4 ,the insurrection in the ,canadas1 headed by ,papineau1 induced the ,government to send a company to that colony4 ,captain ,colin ,mackenzie with one sergeant and thirty-seven rank and file went out in the #8,hastings1' seventy-four1 as a guard of honour to ,lord ,durham when his lordship was appointed ,governor-,general in ,canada4 ,the remainder1 three sergeants and forty-five rank and file1 sailed in the steamer #8,dee4' ,the guard of honour landed at ,quebec on the #bith ,may1 and the #8,dee' detachment on the #adth ,june4 ,a proportionate quantity of intrenching tools and engineer stores were landed with the company4 ,at the celebration of ,her ,majesty's coronation on the plains of ,abraham in ,june1 #ahch1 the ,earl of ,durham minutely inspected the company1 and in the presence of several general officers1 noticed the steadiness with which the company marched past4 ,this expression the ,governor-,general repeated at the chateau of ,st4 ,louis on the #bhth ,june1 and added1 that the soldier-like appearance of the sappers and their steadiness under arms exceeded his expectations4 ,the good conduct of the company also elicited his lordship's approbation4 ,while at ,niagara1 on the #aath ,september1 the company was reviewed by ,major-,general ,sir ,george ,arthur1 with the ,king's dragoon guards and #dcrd regiment1 and his ,excellency spoke in praise of the appearance of the company1 its marching and manuvring4 ,soon after1 the head-quarters of the company were removed to the ,niagara frontier to place it in a state of defence4 ,the work of reparation commenced with ,fort ,mississaqua4 ,about this time twelve non-commissioned officers and men were removed1 for engineer services1 to ,amherstburg1 and another party of twenty-two of all ranks was detached to ,montreal4 ,the latter was detained at ,cornwall for a few days by ,major ,phillpotts of the corps1 and1 under ,lieutenant ,roberts1 formed the advanced guard with a detachment of the #gast light infantry1 in a successful attack on the rebels at ,beauharnois on the #ajth ,november1 #ahch4 ,the good conduct of this party was acknowledged by ,colonel ,carmichael who commanded the attack4 ,a novel duty now devolved upon the corps in the subaqueous destruction of the brig #8,william1' sunk off ,tilbury ,fort in ,may1 #ahcg1 and the schooner #8,glenmorgan1' wrecked in ,gravesend ,reach several years before4 ,the wrecks were impediments to navigation2 and the ,lord ,mayor1 after consulting ,colonel ,pasley1 determined to have the vessels destroyed by gunpowder4 ,operations commenced on the #aith ,may by a detachment of thirty non-commissioned officers and men of the #hth company1 under the direction of ,captain ,yule1 royal engineers1 and in a few days the wrecks were blown to pieces by two great charges of gunpowder of #bcdj lbs4 each4 ,the object desired was thus satisfactorily attained4 ,the sappers executed all the minor fitments not requiring the skill of shipwrights4 ,they also descended in the diving-bell and diving-helmet1 managed the movements of the former1 and besides preparing and executing the mining details of the operation1 assisted the seamen and the riggers in the naval arrangements4#cbb ,the men in the diving-bell were exposed to great danger from the violent action1 on two occasions1 of the ebb and flood tides1 and had they not been very resolute men1 would have given up the attempt4 ----- ,footnote #cbb3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii4 #ahch1 p4 #de1 #bgd4 ----- ,during the service1 a vessel ran foul of the diving-bell lighter1 and carried it above a quarter of a mile up the river1 disconnecting the great cylinder containing the charge4 ,the next day1 sergeant-major ,jones1 acting with the leading rigger1 8got the lighter very nearly back into her former place over the wreck1 and recovered the cylinder and leaden pipe from the bottom of the river40 ,to prevent the recurrence of a similar accident1 the guard of the detachment on board1 kept up a brisk fire of blank cartridges when any vessel approached them in the night1 which had the desired effect4#cbc ----- ,footnote #cbc3 ,ibid41 iii4 p4 #da1 #db4 ----- ,of the 8indefatigable exertions of the sappers10 ,colonel ,pasley made particular mention in his official report1 and added1 8it was a pleasure to see them1 and the seamen and riggers1 working so cheerfully together40 8,sergeant-major ,jones10 writes the ,colonel1 8who is equally skilful and active as a miner and a pontoneer1 was quite in his element40#cbd ----- ,footnote #cbd3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii4 #ahch1 p4 #de4 ,the operations did not terminate without the occurrence of a melancholy accident4 ,on the #bast of ,may1 ,corporal ,henry ,mitchell1 who had been practised as a diver for a short time in the ,medway1 was sent down in a diving-helmet to fix a couple of eye-bolts to the side of the #8,william1' preparatory to the first explosion4 8,after examining the wreck1 he came up and gave a favourable account of his prospects10 and then 8took his tools and descended again2 but owing to a rope fixed round him having become entangled in the wreck1 the signals usually made by pulling this rope could not be distinguished20 nor could he be drawn to the surface of the water4 ,on ,colonel ,pasley reaching the wreck1 and as soon as the necessary arrangements could be completed1 sergeants ,john ,ross and ,james ,young with two privates1 voluntarily descended a second time in the diving-bell1 and after a few minutes' careful exertion1 succeeded in finding their comrade2 but he was quite dead1 having been at the bottom upwards of twelve hours4 ,the intrepid conduct of these non-commissioned officers was much applauded4#cbe ----- ,footnote #cbe3 ,ibid41 iii4 p4 #dj1 #da4 ----- ,the great explosions above referred to1 had not1 it was ascertained1 touched the bow of the brig #8,william2' and in ,august operations were resumed to destroy it4 ,the entire service1 except the duty of diving1 devolved on the sappers4 ,a leaden cylinder1 to hold a charge of #cae lbs4 of gunpowder1 was made by some artificers of the corps at ,chatham2 but it failed on application1 and tin oil bottles1 containing small charges prepared by the sappers1 were found to answer the purpose4 ,these were taken to the wreck every morning by sergeant-major ,jones and another non-commissioned officer1 and being properly fixed by the divers and fired by the sergeant-major1 the remaining fragments of the wreck were so broken and dispersed1 as to render the anchorage perfectly safe for the shipping4 ,fifteen of such charges were fired against the #8,william1' and two more1 to make #8assurance doubly sure1' were also exploded among the scattered timbers of the #8,glenmorgan4' ,sergeant-major ,jones was the executive on this service under the direction of ,colonel ,pasley4#cbf ,under the authority of the ,act of #ast ,vict4 cap4 #bj1 the ,ordnance received in charge the royal military canal at ,hythe4 ,with a view to a more economical expenditure in its control and repair1 the company of the royal staff corps in charge of it1 was disbanded in ,july1#cbg and a detachment of two sergeants and forty-two rank and file of the royal sappers and miners succeeded to the duty4 ,of this detachment1 one sergeant and twenty rank and file had been detached to the canal early in ,april1 and the remainder1 to the above total1 was completed by an incorporation of several men from the staff corps company1 and six non-commissioned officers and gunners acquainted with the care and management of horses from the royal artillery4 ,the principal duties of the detachment consisted in taking charge of the locks and sluices1 collecting tolls1 repairing the drains1 fences1 c41 and in the execution of various laborious services in mud and water4 ,a careful review of this arrangement1 and of the receipts and expenses of the canal1 however1 induced ,sir ,hussey ,vivian1 the ,master-,general1 to supersede the employment of sappers by pensioners from the ordnance corps at very reduced wages2 and accordingly in ,december1 #ahdj1 the detachment was reduced to thirty-two of all ranks2 in ,may1 #ahda1 to seven2 and in the following month1 to one sergeant1 who continued on duty at ,hythe till ,october1 #ahdb4 ----- ,footnote #cbf3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii4 #ahch1 p4 #bga-bgd4 ,footnote #cbg3 ,the disbandment of this company was the last in the annihilation of the corps4 ,in that month it disappeared from the muster-rolls of the army4 ----- #ahci4 ,expedition to ,western ,australia under ,captain ,grey--,excursion with ,auger to the north of ,perth--,search for ,mr4 ,ellis--,exploration of shores from ,freemantle--,bernier and ,dorre ,islands2 want of water2 trials of the party--,water allowance reduced--,a lagoon discovered--,privations and hardships of the party--,return to ,bernier ,island for stores--,its altered appearance--,destruction of the dept of provisions--,consternation of ,coles--,auger's example under the circumstances--,expedition makes for ,swan ,river--,perilous landing at ,gantheaume ,bay--,overland journey to ,perth2 straits of the adventurers--,auger searching for a missing man--,coles observes the natives2 arrangements to meet them--,water found by ,auger--,a spring discovered by ,coles at ,water ,peak--,disaffection about long marches2 forced journeys determined upon2 the two sappers and a few others accompany the ,captain--,desperate hardships and fatigues2 the last revolting resource of thirst--,extraordinary exertions of the travellers2 their sufferings from thirst2 water found--,appalling bivouac--,coles's agony and fortitude--,struggles of the adventurers2 they at last reach ,perth--,auger joins two expeditions in search of the slow walkers--,disposal of ,coles and ,auger4 ,captain ,grey of the #hcrd regiment1 undertook a second expedition2 this time to ,western ,australia4 ,as soon as the sappers had recovered from the hardships and privations to which they had been subjected in ,new ,holland1 they volunteered again to accompany him4 ,private ,r4 ,mustard1 too much shaken by the injury he had sustained on the former expedition1 was unfit to proceed1 and was left with the company of the corps at the ,mauritius4 ,on the #bast of ,august1 #ahch1 the party embarked at ,port ,louis2 and1 on the #ahth of ,september1 arrived at ,perth1 ,western ,australia4 ,delays prevented the ,captain immediately pursuing his object1 but to turn the interval to profit1 he made a short excursion to the north of ,perth with ,mr4 ,frederick ,smith and ,corporal ,auger4 ,the exploration continued from the #cjth ,november to the #hth of ,december1 and was marked by incidents of a pacific character4 ,none of the difficulties which clogged their previous exertions were experienced on this trip1 and1 coupled with the variety and beauty of the scenery1 but little enthusiasm was needed to make the travellers feel an interest in the service4#cbh ----- ,footnote #cbh3 #8,grey's ,travels1' i4 p4 #bib-cji4 ----- ,the year opened with ,captain ,grey and four adventurers1 including his two sappers1 travelling into the interior in search of ,mr4 ,george ,ellis and his two companions1 who1 having left the ,williams' ,river for the ,leschenault on the coast1 had been out for several days beyond the period it was expected they would reach their destination1 and fears were entertained for their safety4 ,captain ,grey and his men steadily pursued their object1 till the missing travellers1 alive and in tolerable health1 turned up to their exertions at ,augusta4 ,after twenty-two days' bush-ranging1 the ,captain and his party re-entered ,perth on the #cast of ,january4 ,this episodical service was one of fatigue1 particularly in crossing the ,darling range and in pushing their route through forests and over wild and rugged ground4 ,in some districts1 the want of water was severely felt by them1 and for eleven hours in one day1 they journeyed onwards under a sultry sun1 suffering from excessive thirst4#cbi ----- ,footnote #cbi3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #caj-cbh4 ----- ,on the #agth of ,february1 the expedition of twelve persons sailed from ,fremantle to examine the shores of ,shark's ,bay and the country behind it1 taking with them three whale-boats for future use4 ,on the #beth1 they landed at ,bernier ,island1 discovering1 when too late1 that the keg of tobacco which was to have constituted their chief consolation in hardship1 was left on board4 ,after landing the provisions1 the greater part of them were buried for security1 but the want of water drove the expedition to ,dorre ,island on the #bhth of ,february1 where their persevering search was equally unavailing1 for the little that was obtained was extracted by suction from small holes in the rock4 ,already the party had had one of its boats knocked to pieces1 and its stores lost1 whilst the other two boats in a hurricane were much injured4 ,for three days the sappers were engaged in their repair1 and on the #crd of ,march1 the travellers1 oppressed with thirst1 wearied by fatigue1 and exposed to the full blaze of a powerful sun1 sailed for the main4#ccj ----- ,footnote #ccj3 #8,grey's ,travels1' i4 p4 #cbi-cdd4 ----- ,reaching a sand-bank1 the boats were tracked and pulled onwards1 through deep mud and weeds1 into a dense mangrove creek1 to land2 and1 in accomplishing this service1 severe trials were encountered1 the difficulties of which were increased by the exhaustion which labour and the want of water induced4 ,in fifteen days1 the allowance had been reduced from two and a half pints to half a pint a day4#cca ----- ,footnote #cca3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #cde-cea4 ----- ,pursuing their journey1 a lagoon of fresh water was soon found1 and all bent the knee to take their fill of the luxury4 ,a black line round the countenance showed how deeply each had regaled himself4 ,next day1 the two sappers and some of the party visited the lagoon again1 and in the evening returned loaded to the boats4#ccb ----- ,footnote #ccb3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #cea-cec4 ----- ,several days had been spent in exploration and adventure1 during which the river ,gascoyne had been discovered1 and a few objects of geographical interest named4 ,on one occasion1 a storm having overtaken the wayfarers1 their boats1 which were swamped1 were dragged amid much danger to shore2 and their flour1 saturated with salt water1 was now quite spoilt4 ,nevertheless1 unwholesome as it was1 they were forced to use it1 as they had nothing else to eat4 ,illness now began to appear among the party1 and as there was neither food nor medicine to give them1 their situation was deplorable4 ,while in this helpless state1 they were attacked by a body of about thirty natives near ,kolaina plains2 but fortunately1 they succeeded in pushing off their boats without any serious accident occurring4#ccc ,auger at the time was in the head of the boat1 soldering up the breaches in an old kettle1 valuable in its way1 for the expedition had none other for its cooking purposes1 when a spear1 thrown by a savage1 whizzed past the industrious tinker1 and struck the seaman ,ruston4 ----- ,footnote #ccc3 ,ibid41 i4 p4 #cea-cgi4 ----- ,after a period of intense desolation and gloom1 in which the expedition was exposed to the fury of angry storms1 and the pinching calls of want1 the boats put to sea2 and surrounded by perils both from surf and squall1 the adventurers returned to the ,gascoyne4 ,launching or beaching their boats on the rocky coast was a service of hazard and difficulty4 ,on the #bjth of ,march the provisions were nearly expended1 and to replenish their stores1 the boats made for ,bernier ,island4 ,a gale of wind caught them on the passage1 and they only made good the landing by almost superhuman exertion4 ,here a store of provisions had been buried1 when the expedition first made the island1 but from its very altered appearance1 caused by the ravages of recent hurricanes1 ,captain ,grey doubted whether the dept could be found4 ,fearing some disaster had befallen the stores1 he considered it unadvisable that the 8discovery should be made in the presence of too many persons1 as future discipline would depend on the first impression that was given40 ,he therefore selected ,mr4 ,smith and corporal ,coles1 in whose courage1 disinterestedness1 and self-possession1 he placed great confidence1 to accompany him to the dept4 ,the corporal took a spade with him4#ccd ----- ,footnote #ccd3 #8,grey's ,travels1' i4 p4 #cgi-cia4 ----- ,before they had gone far1 they observed staves of flour casks scattered about amongst the rocks and high up on the sand hills4 ,coles1 taking a rapid glance of the ground1 8persisted1 they were so far inland1 that they could only have come from the flour casks which the expedition had emptied before starting40 ,moving on in their anxious survey1 they 8next came to a cask of salt provisions washed high and dry at least twenty feet above the usual high-water mark2 the sea had evidently not been near the spot for a long period1 as it was half covered with drift sand1 which must have taken some time to accumulate4 ,this ,coles again easily accounted for2 it was merely the cask which had been lost from the wreck of the ',paul ,pry4'0 ,the ,captain thought otherwise1 but made no remark4 ,at length they reached the dept4 8,so changed was it1 that both ,mr4 ,smith and ,coles persisted it was not the place3 but on going to the shore1 there were some very remarkable rocks1 on the top of which lay a flour cask more than half empty1 with the head knocked out1 but not otherwise injured4 ,this was also washed up at least twenty feet of perpendicular elevation beyond high water mark4 ,the dreadful certainty now flashed on the minds of ,mr4 ,smith and corporal ,coles20 but poor ,coles1 usually so imperturbable in character1 and so ready to find reasons for the alarming appearances which had met his gaze at every step1 did not bear the surprise as well as had been expected4 ,he dashed the spade upon the ground with almost ferocious violence1 and looking up to ,captain ,grey1 said1 8,all lost1 sir6 ,we are all lost40 ,a few rallying words from the ,captain1 however1 made him 8perfectly cool and collected1 and he promised to make light of the misfortune to the rest1 and to observe the strictest discipline40 ,coles with eager economy now collected every particle of the precious flour1 discoloured as it was1 that was left in the barrel and strewn on the rocks1 and with another bag of spoiled flour found among the sea-weeds1 the adventurers returned to the party4 ,their tale of distress was soon told1 and all heard it with dismay4 8,mr4 ,walker and corporal ,auger set an excellent example to the others4 ,two seamen named ,woods1 indisposed to bear1 in common with the adventurers1 the sacrifices that impended1 seized the first opportunity of endeavouring to appropriate to themselves the miserable remnant of damper belonging to the party2 but their unmanly intention being observed1 a sentry was placed in charge of the scanty store of provisions1 which only amounted to about nine lbs4 of salt meat1 and about sixty lbs4 of tolerably good flour40#cce ----- ,footnote #cce3 #8,grey's ,travels1' i4 p4 #cia-cif4 ----- ,the expedition quitted ,bernier ,island on the #bbnd of ,march1 to make for ,swan ,river4 ,in taking this course1 it was hoped1 that if any accident occurred ,perth could be reached by walking4 ,crossing the bay1 the party sailed to the southward1 examining the coast1 and after a brief stay on ,perron's ,peninsula and ,dirk ,hartog's ,island1 the boats on the #cast1 reached ,gantheaume ,bay4 ,eleven days were spent in achieving this run3 the coasting was very perilous1 and the gales that caught the leaky boats as they swept along1 were terrific4 ,both were more than once in imminent danger1 but the unsparing energy and determination of the men carried them safely to the shore4 ,at ,gantheaume ,bay1 however1 the landing was not effected without casualty4 ,the surf was high and raging1 and the wind drove the boats along at a fearful rate4 ,onwards they plunged1 now dancing on a swell1 now pitching in a trough1 now quite unmanageable1 when one was tossed over by a furious wave and dashed in fragments amongst the rocks and breakers4 ,in an instant1 its crew and the two sappers were struggling through the foaming surf1 but after tumbling amongst oars and water-kegs1 and the spars and splinters of the wreck1 all clambered to the summit of the cliff1 torn1 jaded1 and exhausted4#ccf ----- ,footnote #ccf3 #8,grey's ,travels1' i4 p4 #cif-dab4 ----- ,a crisis had now arrived which it was necessary to meet with firmness4 ,assembling the expedition1 the captain explained matters as they appeared1 and of which the travellers were only too cognizant4 ,auger1 who all along had repaired the boats1 was asked by the chief1 if they could be put in any kind of condition for service4 ,knowing their unfitness for anything1 and the impossibility of making them even temporarily seaworthy1 he frankly answered in the negative4 ,fortified by the professional opinion of a truthful and skilful artificer1 ,captain ,grey took his determination at once and arrangements were made accordingly4 ,on the #bnd ,april1 the party started from ,gantheaume ,bay1 resolved to reach ,perth by marching4 ,the provisions had been shared out--#bj lbs4 of flour and #a lb4 of salt meat per man4 ,the flour was of a brown colour with a fermented taste1 like bad beer1 and nothing but dire necessity could induce any one to eat it4 ,the distance to be travelled was about #cjj miles in a direct line1 without taking hills1 valleys1 and deviations into account4 ,corporals ,coles and ,auger1 besides their provisions1 c41 carried a pocket chronometer and a large sextant1 turn about4 ,coles also bore the ,captain's rifle1 and ,auger a choice book valued by the chief1 and a housewife containing some needles and thread and a few patches4 ,in all the dreadful hardships that beset them1 even when extreme feebleness might have excused them the toil of bearing the articles1 they abandoned nothing until ordered to do so4 8,indeed10 says ,captain ,grey1 8,i do not believe that there is a stronger instance of fidelity and perseverance than was evinced by some of the party1 in retaining under every difficulty1 possession of that which they had promised to preserve for me40#ccg ,impeded by natural obstacles1 their progress was tediously slow4 ,the ,hutt ,river was reached on the #eth4 ,a few days after they touched the ,bowes ,river1 and then journeying through the province of ,victoria1 rested by the rivers ,buller and ,chapman4#cch ----- ,footnote #ccg3 #8,grey's ,travels1' ii4 p4 #f4 ,footnote #cch3 ,ibid41 ii4 p4 #a-ca4 ----- ,on the banks of the latter a man was found missing2 and ,dr4 ,walker and corporal ,auger were sent in search of him4 ,they ascended the cliffs and tracked him to the sea2 but as a large party of natives were near them1 they gave up the pursuit1 and1 unobserved1 retreated4 ,the missing man turned up next day4#cci ----- ,footnote #cci3 ,ibid41 ii4 p4 #ca-cg4 ----- ,while this party was out1 corporal ,coles1 who was posted as sentry on a high terrace difficult of access1 saw natives on the opposite cliffs brandishing their spears in the manner they do before a fight4 ,captain ,grey clambered up the height1 but as he could not make them out1 he thought ,coles had made a mistake4 8,when ,i told him this10 writes the ,captain1 8he merely said1 ,look there1 then1 sir10 and pointed to the top of ,mount ,fairfax4 ,there1 indeed1 they were1 going through a series of enigmatical ceremonies4 ,the disposition which the ,captain made of his men1 being observed by the natives1 at first excited them to furious gestures1 but by degrees1 they calmed down and suddenly withdrew4 8,the ,british soldiers and sailors with me10 proceeds the chief1 8were surprisingly calm40#cdj ----- ,footnote #cdj3 ,ibid41 ii4 p4 #ca-cc4 ----- ,the ,greenough ,river was reached on the #hth ,april4 ,here some of the men became sullen and would not proceed4 ,in the mean time corporal ,auger went alone to search for water1 and soon finding it1 the party was moved to the stream4 ,revived in spirits by the supply1 all readily resumed the march1 and before nightfall1 had travelled seven miles further on their journey4#cda ,but the wish for short marches and long halts which prevailed from the first1 and in which ,dr4 ,walker coincided1 was now exhibited in discontent4 ,the ,captain1 however1 wisely persisted in following his own plan4 ,on the #ith ,april the want of water was much felt2 and late in the day corporals ,auger and ,coles and three others went in search of some4 ,they had made about seven miles1 8when the keen eye of ,coles10 says the ,captain1 8discovered a beautiful spring under a hill1 which was then named the ,water ,peak40 ,why this designation8 ,indebted to the corporal for finding the spring1 it would not surely have been irrelevant to associate the humble name of the faithful discoverer with this interesting feature of the hard journey4 ,in returning to the party1 they wandered over a rough country full of crevices1 sustaining some serious falls1 and1 being benighted1 did not reach their companions till the next morning4#cdb ----- ,footnote #cda3 #8,grey's ,travels1' ii4 p4 #cg4 ,footnote #cdb3 ,ibid41 ii4 p4 #dj-dd4 ----- ,so great had the disaffection become about short marches1 that the ,captain resolved to adopt a course to settle the question4 ,about seventy miles only had been marched1 and six or seven pounds of flour were all that was left to each person4 ,all were hourly losing strength and energy1 and suffering from stiffened limbs4 ,to delay under such circumstances was sure to bring with it wants and trials of the most distressing nature4 ,the ,captain1 therefore1 determined to proceed by forced journeys4 8,it was evident10 he writes1 8that those men who1 during our late toils1 had shown themselves the most capable of enduring hardships1 privations1 and the fatigue of long and rapid marches1 were those best suited for the service destined for them40 ,among the five selected to accompany him were corporals ,auger and ,coles1 whose force of character and disciplinary habits made them fit examples for imitation in so forlorn an extremity4 ,dr4 ,walker's party consisted of five men1 and himself as the chief4 ,mr4 ,frederick ,smith was with the slow walkers4 ,the separation took place on the #ajth ,april4#cdc ----- ,footnote #cdc3 ,ibid41 ii4 p4 #de-eb4 ----- ,the ,arrowsmith ,river was gained by ,captain ,grey and his steady men on the #aath1 and a further march of forty-six miles brought them on the #acth to ,gairdner's ,range4 ,on the #adth1 they reached the ,hill ,river1 and after a long journey1 halted at a pool1 where they each cooked two table-spoonsful of flour in about a pint of thick water into a mess they termed soup4 ,this1 with a few nuts from the zamia tree1 formed their day's repast4 ,on this scanty fare they trudged along at a smart pace1 over an arid and sterile tract of country1 groaning from pain and fatigue4 ,the sun1 too1 was intensely hot1 and all grew faint for want of water4 ,gaining the course of a parched-up stream1 it was called the 8,smith0 ,river4 ,many holes like wells were in its bottom1 inviting search and promising success2 but all were cruelly dry1 and the very stones over which the water once had gushed1 were blanched or blackened with long exposure to a burning sun4 ,now their weary days only passed to be succeeded by sleepless and toilsome nights4 ,almost perishing with thirst1 they wandered like wild men even in the dark hours of night1 from swamp to swamp1 digging holes in a vain search4 ,for two days and two nights they had not tasted a single drop of water or food of any kind2 and on the #agth1 as they moved slowly on with weak and husky voices1 they moistened their mouths by sucking a few drops of dew from the shrubs and reeds4 ,so worn out were they all1 that now they could only walk a few hundred yards at a time2 but about two o'clock in the afternoon they were so completely exhausted1 it was impossible to move them4 ,the sun was then very oppressive1 and the groans of the men were painful in the extreme4 ,some had fruitlessly essayed to obtain relief to their parched throats by chewing the laces and fragments of the tops of their ankle boots2 but now the 8last sad and revolting resource of thirst was upon them--they were driven to drink their own ----60#cdd ----- ,footnote #cdd3 #8,grey's ,travels1' ii4 p4 #ed-gb4 ----- ,reduced to the last degree of weakness and want1 ,captain ,grey1 in this desperate crisis1 resolved to proceed southward1 and never to halt until he dropped or reached water2 and if any of the party fell behind1 not to wait for them1 but to go on until he slaked his own thirst1 and then to return with assistance to them4 ,upon all he called to exert their utmost energies and make a last struggle for their lives4 ,every superfluous article was now thrown away1 and the very valuable sextant1 carried in turns by corporals ,coles and ,auger1 was also abandoned4 ,in sad procession the sufferers reeled on with wild and haggard looks2 and though reason with some had begun to hold but a very slight influence1 discipline was rigidly maintained1 and not a complaint escaped them4 ,at length1 after suffering intense thirst for three days and two nights1 performing severe marches under a scorching sun1 the delighted travellers1 finding a small hole of moist mud1 each as he came up cast his wearied and aching limbs beside the hole1 and1 thanking ,god1 greedily swallowed the liquid4#cde ----- ,footnote #cde3 #8,grey's ,travels1' ii4 p4 #gg-ha4 ----- ,almost in a state of stupefaction the men lay down by the pool1 watching with straining eye-balls until they again saw a little mud in it1 which they eagerly licked up4 ,pigeons and cockatoos in numbers came to drink of the spring1 but the gaunt wayfarers forestalling them had consumed the supply4 ,above1 hovered birds in tempting flocks while the travellers by the 8lone pool0 were starving4 ,not an arm was strong enough to bring one down4 ,the gun was partially raised1 but the tremor of the effort rendered the attempt altogether hopeless4 ,each now turned to his own little store1 and cooking a spoonful of flour1 mixed with the black liquid1 gratefully ate it4 ,all sense of smell and taste had gone1 and a repast of mud was as palatable as a custard4 ,next day1 ,april the #ahth1 quitting the memorable pool1 they traversed a very hilly and densely-wooded country1 and finding excellent water1 made1 notwithstanding their extreme feebleness1 an incredibly long march4 ,at night they lay down exposed to heavy rain1 and1 as a piece of torn and shredded blanket between two was their only covering1 their situation was one of extreme wretchedness and suffering4#cdf ,during these wanderings1 ,auger found intervals in which his spirits were sufficiently buoyant to encourage him to unpack his needles and thread1 and to do his best--being only an improvised tailor--to mend the gaping rents and fretted fractures in the ,captain's tattered costume4#cdg ----- ,footnote #cdf3 ,ibid41 ii4 p4 #ha-hg4 ,footnote #cdg3 ,lady ,thomas1 the mother of the chief1 heard of these thoughtful attentions exercised under such trying circumstances1 and on the traveller being introduced to her1 she acknowledged his kindness with no little emotion1 and marked her grateful appreciation of it by a suitable gift4 ----- ,on the #aith1 the exhausted travellers were in motion again1 but completely crippled from the cold of the night4 8,corporal ,coles10 writes the ,captain1 8my faithful and tried companion in all my wanderings1 could scarcely crawl along4 ,the flesh was completely torn away from one of his heels2 and the irritation caused by this had produced a large swelling in the groin4 ,nothing but his own strong fortitude1 aided by the encouragement given him by myself and his comrades1 could have made him move under his great agony40#cdh ,twenty-one miles the party marched that day without food1 and only gave up when the darkness closed in upon them4 ,a night of appalling misery succeeded1 for the teeming rain drenched them as they lay2 and the following morning1 wasted and weak1 with rigid limbs and shivering bodies1 they could only1 by extraordinary efforts1 push themselves along4 ,life was scarcely worth the effort it cost to move4 ,coles was in a dreadful state1 staggering on like a drunken man reduced to the last extremity of human endurance4 ,it required fortunately but a few more desperate struggles to succeed2 all therefore buoyed up their spirits1 for1 in their deep despair1 a flickering hope still remained2 and on the #bast ,april the five exemplary adventurers under their captain1 entered ,perth miserable objects of emaciation and prostration4#cdi ,here ended their toils1 discouragements1 and privations2 and here they were tended with the best medical skill that the settlement could command4#cej ----- ,footnote #cdh3 #8,grey's ,travels1' ii4 p4 #hg4 ,footnote #cdi3 ,ibid41 ii4 p4 #hh-ig4 ,footnote #cej3 ,both received #as4 a-day each working pay1 and for their good and enterprising conduct a gratuity of #ajl4 from the ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies4 ----- ,worn as he was1 ,auger started again the next day with a party under ,lieutenant ,mortimer to search for the lagging travellers left with ,dr4 ,walker1 and was out a fortnight4 ,driven by want of provisions the mission returned to ,perth on the #fth ,may1 bringing with it one of the missing men4 ,in the following morning the corporal was again afoot with a second party under ,mr4 ,roe1 the surveyor-general of the province4 ,big-boned1 broad and unbending1 though ailing1 attenuated and of melancholy aspect1 he marched for eleven more days1 re-entering the settlement on the #bast ,may with ,mr4 ,spofforth1 the companion traveller of ,mr4 ,roe4 ,the search was successful2 four of the adventurers were taken into ,perth1 and the starved remains of the last were buried in a sand-hill4 ,after sleeping upwards of #djj nights in the open air and suffering hardships of extreme severity1 it seems strange that ,auger1 footsore and tired1 should not have been allowed a horse1 as some of the party were1 upon which to travel in these concluding services2 and it is even more surprising that ,captain ,grey1 in furnishing the details of these secondary expeditions1 should have suppressed all allusion to the presence of the corporal1 who deserved1 for his spirit and endurance1 most honourable mention4 ,months passed away before the two corporals regained their health1 when1 in ,february1 #ahdj1 they proceeded to ,south ,australia4 ,corporal ,coles joined the detachment of the corps at ,port ,adelaide2 and corporal ,auger landed at ,woolwich in ,september1 and was soon afterwards discharged by purchase4#cea ,coles remained in the corps till ,june1 #ahdc1 when he was pensioned on #as4 a-day1 in consequence of the loss of the fingers of his right hand and the forefinger of his left1 occasioned by the accidental explosion of a carronade1 which he was firing in honour of the birth of the ,duke of ,cornwall4 ,captain ,grey was then ,governor of ,south ,australia1 and he at once nominated his faithful companion and servant to a lucrative government appointment in the colony1 presenting him also1 at great cost1 with a set of fingers fitted to his hand1 which were so beautiful in their mechanism and accurate in their working1 that he could pick up a button or a sixpence with pleasing facility4 ----- ,footnote #cea3 ,broken down by the service ,auger felt it necessary to seek repose in civil life4 ,when sufficiently restored he was engaged to hold a responsible situation in the ,pimlico wheel factory1 by ,octavius ,smith1 ,esq41 of ,thames ,bank1 the father of poor ,mr4 ,frederick ,smith1 who was one of the expedition4 ,this young gentleman offered a noble example of courage1 patience1 and resignation1 but his delicate and shattered constitution not giving him strength to keep up in the forced marches of his chief1 he was left1 in the painful separation on the #ajth ,april1 with the slow marchers under ,dr4 ,walker1 and perished in the bush from want and exhaustion1 at the tender age of nineteen4 ,captain1 now ,sir ,george ,grey1 on visiting ,england in #ahed1 most kindly sought for ,auger4 ,naturally the meeting awakened reminiscences of the ,new ,holland struggles2 and the chief1 at parting1 presented his corporal with an elegant silver teapot and stand1 bearing this simple but expressive inscription3--8,sir ,george ,grey to his old follower1 ,richard ,auger1 ,august1 #ahed40 ----- #ahci4 ,services of the detachment in ,spain--,last party of the artillery on the survey--,survey of ,south ,australia--,inspection at ,limerick by ,sir ,william ,macbean--,triangulation of north of ,scotland--,also of the ,clyde--,pontoons by sergeant ,hopkins--,augmentation of the corps--,also of the survey companies--,supernumerary rank annulled--,tithe surveys2 quality of work executed on them by discharged sappers2 efficient surveys of sergeant ,douli--,increase of survey pay--,staff appointments on the survey--,responsibility of quartermaster-sergeant ,m#8,kay--,colonel ,colby's classes--,based upon particular attainments--,disputed territory in the ,state of ,maine--,movements and services of the party employed in its survey2 intrepidity of corporal ,m#8,queen--,experiments with the diving-bell--,also with the voltaic battery--,improvement in the priming-wires by ,captain ,sandham2 sergeant-major ,jones's waterproof composition and imitation fuses--,demolition and removal of the wreck of the #8,royal ,george'--,organization of detachment employed in the operation--,emulation of parties--,success of the divers2 labours of the sappers--,diving bell abandoned--,accident to private ,brabant--,fearlessness of ,corporal ,harris in unloading the gunpowder from the cylinders--,hazardous duty in soldering the loading-hole of the cylinder--,first sapper helmet divers--,conduct and exertions of the detachment4 ,the detachment in ,spain was not called upon during the year to take part in any active operation4 ,its services were1 therefore1 confined to the works4 ,at ,passages the men performed several duties connected with the squadron2 and in addition to fitting up ,her ,majesty's ship #8,nightingale' for stores1 made various essential alterations and fitments in ,lord ,john ,hay's vessel1 the #8,north ,star4' ,sections of the detachment were for months at ,aquirre completing the construction of a redoubt and magazine1 and repairing the fortified house there1 and building a barrack and magazine at ,cachola ,fort on the ,hernani road4 ,others were also occupied for a period in fitting up the hospital at ,san ,sebastian1 repairing the barracks of the royal artillery and royal marines1 and attending to the security of the different forts in front of the fortress4 ,a detachment of the artillery had1 ever since the commencement of the national survey1 been employed on that duty1 whose numbers1 by degrees1 were reduced to five non-commissioned officers and privates4 ,this year saw the last of that regiment on the survey1 for the men alluded to were transferred to the corps on the #ast ,april4 ,on the #bjth ,september1 one sergeant1 two corporals1 and twelve privates landed at ,port ,adelaide1 ,south ,australia1 from the #8,recovery' emigrant ship4 ,the royal authority for the organization of this party to carry out the surveys of the colony1 under the direction of ,captain ,e4 ,c4 ,frome1 royal engineers1 was dated #bnd ,july1 #ahci4 ,lord ,normanby1 the ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 at the instance of the ,south ,australian ,commissioners1 recommended the measure4 ,by this addition1 the corps was increased from #a1jdh to #a1jfc of all ranks4 ,the party was composed of men chiefly from the survey1 married1 with families1 and well adapted for the service of the settlement4 ,soon the men were dispersed over a wide extent of the province1 surveying a wild unoccupied territory1 and also in setting off and surveying blocks of land for the emigrants4 ,the duty was not without its trials2 and for months the surveyors obtained no better shelter than the bush1 the shade of some bold cliff1 or the cover of a frail canvas tent4 ,in #ahdd1 when it became indispensable to effect some changes in the surveying department and in the mode of its action1 in consequence of the increased population of the colony and its great inland distribution1 his ,excellency ,captain ,g4 ,grey expressed before the ,legislative ,council his sense of the accuracy and ability with which the detachment had conducted the surveys1 and added1 that no greater efficiency could be desired in effecting the trigonometrical survey than that displayed in their labours4#ceb ,some of the party were constantly at ,port ,adelaide engaged in the contingent duties of the station1 such as working at their trades1 drawing1 c41 and in superintendence4 ,at first all expenses were borne by the ,commissioners1 but eventually they were defrayed from the colonial revenue4 ,the working pay of the party continues to range between #as4 and #es4 a-day each1 exclusive of regimental allowances and rations4 ,the sergeant in charge receives the highest rate1 and the privates seldom less than #bs4 a-day each4 ----- ,footnote #ceb3 #8,south ,australian ,register1' ,august #bd1 #ahdd4 ----- ,on the #bcrd ,may1 the sixteenth company under the command of ,captain ,stotherd1 ,r4,e41 was inspected at ,limerick by ,major-,general ,sir ,william ,macbean1 and commended by the ,general for their soldier-like conduct and appearance4#cec ----- ,footnote #cec3 #8,limerick ,chronicle1' #beth ,may1 #ahci4 ----- ,one corporal and twenty privates were detached in ,may under ,lieutenant ,robinson1 ,r4,e41 to the north of ,scotland1 and continued on the trigonometrical survey of that portion of the country until late in ,december1 when they rejoined their companies4 ,captain ,a4 ,henderson1 having with him one corporal and six privates1 was employed in the secondary triangulation of the ,clyde from ,may to the #ajth ,october4 ,at the summer examination of the gentleman cadets at ,sandhurst1 there was 8exhibited a pontoon raft of very ingenious construction1 made by the sappers employed at the college under the direction of sergeant ,john ,hopkins40 ,the raft was supported on two wicker boats formed after the fashion of the old ,welsh coracle1 covered with waterproof canvas1 8each being ten feet long by three feet wide1 and two feet three inches deep4 ,the buoyancy and firmness of the raft were such as to show1 that by giving a small additional length to the coracles1 it might be rendered capable of bearing field artillery1 and it was so light as to be swiftly impelled by a pair of oars4 ,the experiment was extremely satisfactory1 and proved that a very valuable resource in the field might be found in such constructions for passing rivers40#ced ,on several occasions during the term the detachment were out day and night extinguishing fires--the work of incendiaries--in the plantations near the college1 and their effectual exertions prevented the destruction of much of the crown property4 ,sergeant ,hopkins was highly praised for his activity and intelligence in the practical work of instruction1 and corporal ,robert ,hearnden for his skill in the construction of revetments4 ----- ,footnote #ced3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' ii4 #ahci1 p4 #dbj4 ----- ,by the authority of a royal warrant dated #crd ,july1 #ahch1 a company of eighty-nine strong1 numbered the tenth1 was added to the corps on the #ast ,july1 #ahci1 which increased the establishment from #a1jfc to #a1aeb of all ranks4 ,the formation of this company was occasioned by the removal in the previous year of a company from home duty to the ,canadas4 ,in #ahch the ,government threw the tithe surveys in ,england into the hands of contractors1 whereby the parishes were burdened with an expense of #i;d4 an acre1 while the survey executed by the ,ordnance cost but little more than half the sum4 ,the higher price thus paid to the contractors1 enabled them to attract to their employment civil assistants trained by the ,ordnance1 to do their work4 ,many resignations of superior surveyors and draughtsmen were therefore the result1 and so great a loss from a single class1 necessarily deferred the completion of a large portion of surveyed work4 ,to provide against injury from any similar contingency1 a warrant dated #bnd ,july1 #ahci1 authorized an augmentation of two sergeants1 two corporals1 two second corporals1 and ten privates to each survey company1 which1 for the three companies devoted to that service1 gave an increase of forty-eight men1 making the total sapper establishment on the survey amount to-- ,col-,sergts4 ,sergts4 ,corporals4 #bnd ,bug4 ,privates4 ,total4 ,corpls4 #c #ae #ah #ah #f #bee #cae ,by this augmentation1 the corps was raised from a total of #a1aeb to #a1bjj4 ,at this period1 the survey companies were generally employed on confidential duties and dispersed over a vast extent of country2 while most of the non-commissioned officers and many of the privates were in charge of parties1 performing duties which required the exercise of great judgment and discretion4 ,the additional permanent rank was granted to invest the non-commissioned officers with more weight and authority among their parties1 and to supersede recourse to the anomalous expedient of supernumerary promotion4 ,the same reason which diminished the civil strength of the national survey1 induced a disposition among the best soldiers of the corps on that duty to purchase their discharge4 ,several quitted during the tithe survey mania1#cee and the vacancies in the three companies by this and other means1 showed that encouragement was wanted to influence them to continue in the service4 ,to afford this1 ,colonel ,colby obtained the power on the #afth ,august1 #ahci1 to award working pay to the royal sappers and miners under his command1 to the maximum of #cs4 a-day1 according to individual merit and exertion1 in addition to their regimental pay and allowances4 ,this1 however1 was not regarded by ,colonel ,colby as sufficient to meet the emergency4 ,it was hopeless for him to compete in pecuniary payments with the expensive parochial surveys of ,england1 and he therefore asked for two military rewards in addition to the augmented working pay4 ,these were the permanent rank and pay of one sergeant-major and one quartermaster-sergeant4 ,but the ,master-,general did not view the matter in the same light as the ,colonel1 and only consented to the appointment of an acting sergeant-major with the pay of the rank4 ,this ,colonel ,colby did not consider an adequate distinction1 and he never availed himself of it4#cef ----- ,footnote #cee3 ,several of those who quitted obtained ready employment on these surveys1 and their maps in all cases were of the first class4 ,mr4 ,chadwick1 in his report to the ,poor-,law ,commissioners1 compared the 8non-efficiency of persons appointed to make surveys under the ,tithe ,commutation and ,parochial ,assessment ,acts1 with those executed by privates and non-commissioned officers of the sappers and miners4 ,out of #a1gjj first-class maps1 not more than one-half displayed qualifications for the execution of public surveys without superintendence4 ,amongst the most satisfactory surveys were those executed by a retired sergeant of the corps0--,alexander ,doull4--#8,british ,almanac and ,companion1' #ahdc1 p4 #ch4 ,footnote #cef3 ,in ,december1 #ahcd1 ,james ,m#8,kay was appointed acting quartermaster-sergeant with the pay of the rank4 ,entrusted with the care and issue of the engravings of the survey1 more than #ahj1jjj passed through his hands1 amounting in value to #ce1ejjl41 the accounts for which1 rendered half-yearly to the ,irish ,government1 were never found to contain a single error4 ,so extensive a responsibility rarely falls to a non-commissioned officer4 ,upwards of forty years he served in the corps1 and1 for his merits1 received a gratuity and medal4 ,he was discharged in ,july1 #ahdd1 with a pension of #bs4 #d;d4 a-day1 and afterwards obtained a quiet unpretending situation at ,birmingham1 where his business habits made him of essential service in the promotion of a scheme for a loan society on liberal principles4 ----- ,in ,july1 #ahci1 before the increased working pay was granted1 the following was the distribution of the companies on the survey according to classes4 s4 d4 ,no4 ,receiving less than #a #j a-day #ai 0 #a #j 0 #be #ast #a #a 0 #ae #bnd #a #b 0 #ab #crd #a #c 0 #ag #dth #a #d 0 #ag #eth #a #e 0 #bd ,colonel ,colby's #fth #a #f 0 #bf ,classes4 #a #g 0 #bj ,a #a #h 0 #ag #a #i 0 #e #a #aj 0 #c ,b #a #aa 0 #a #b #j 0 #e ---- #bjf #ceg ,the qualifications demanded of surveyors to render them deserving of advancement were as follows3-- ,class #ast4--,to be capable of surveying for content--flat country4 ,class #bnd4--,surveying for content--hilly country1 including the use of the theodolite1 taking the horizontal and vertical angles1 as well as reducing the lines to the horizontal planes of the links on the arch4 ,class #crd4--,competent to register angles and distances1 and to make a content plot4 ,class #dth4--,able to compute areas1 and horizontal and vertical distances and triangles4 ,class #eth4--,able to lay out town lands or parishes for content with skill1 so as to prevent confusion or unnecessary labour in the subsequent measurements4 ,class #fth4--,fully acquainted with every branch of content surveying1 and capable of directing parties of content surveyors4 ,class ,a4--,competent to survey and plot roads1 c4 ,class ,b--,competent to draw plans4 ----- ,footnote #ceg3 ,the above detail does not exhibit a true exposition of the acquirements and usefulness of the survey companies1 as many of those not advanced to the classes1 had been reduced from the higher to the lower rates for irregularity2 and others1 on the higher rates1 were not advanced as soon as their qualifications merited1 it being a principle with the ,colonel1 not to exhaust the limited power he possessed of awarding working pay1 because he wisely considered nothing was more discouraging to human exertions than the knowledge1 that those whose duty it was to reward1 had no further power to grant them encouragement4 ----- ,in all the classes1 every man was expected to do his work accurately2 and if1 in addition1 he showed rapidity with correctness and neatness1 special encouragement was given to such sappers by the grant of a proportional allowance4 ,second-corporal ,robert ,hearnden and two lance-corporals were attached on the #ith ,july to ,colonel ,mudge1 ,r4,e41 and ,mr4 ,featherstonhaugh1 to assist in the topographical survey of the disputed territory in the state of ,maine1 with a view to the settlement of the boundary question4 ,the sappers were dressed in plain clothes1 suitable to the climate2 and after a brief stay at ,new ,york1 and subsequently at ,boston1 entered ,fredericton on the #aith ,august4 ,sixty-two canoes were hired for the service of the commission1 and about #ajj men1 chiefly ,indians1 to man them4 ,lance-corporal ,william ,mc,gregor was left at the observatory at the ,grand ,falls1 ,st4 ,john's2 and on every day1 at intervals of two hours1 registered the indications of the five different barometers placed in his charge4 ,corporal ,hearnden and lance-corporal ,john ,mc,queen were employed with the ,commissioners2 and1 in tracing the sources of the rivers and finding the heights of land1 aided in registering the results of the instruments used to determine their altitudes4 ,this employment necessarily kept them much afloat2 they moved daily to reconnoitre2 and in doing so1 the stores and equipage1 for which they were responsible1 were invariably sent onwards under their charge4 ,at night they slept in tents by the shores of the streams where their day's labour ended1 and in winter were much exposed to great inclemency of weather and sometimes personal danger4 ,once corporal ,mc,queen1 under circumstances of peculiar peril1 saved from drowning a servant of one of the commissioners1 and held him with his powerful arm1 by the collar1 at the side of the canoe for about an hour1 until he reached land4 ,the canoe at the time was crossing the first lake on the ,allagash1 about three miles broad1 and was freighted with baggage4 ,had he taken the sufferer into the canoe it would have foundered1 as it was then sunk in the water to the gunwale4 ,corporal ,mc,queen also met with personal misfortune in the loss by fire of his necessaries4 ,late in ,november the party reached ,fredericton1 and arrived at ,woolwich on the #bdth ,january1 #ahdj4 ,each received #as4 a-day working pay1 and as a reward for having performed their duties in a satisfactory manner1 a gratuity of #ajl4 ,previously to undertaking the destruction of the wreck of the #8,royal ,george1' at ,spithead1 ,colonel ,pasley made various experiments with the diving-bell4 ,the common form was rectangular1 and proved under certain circumstances very dangerous4 ,the diving-bell in ,chatham dockyard was fitted up by carpenters of the corps1 and when completed1 resembled in its horizontal section1 that of a boat twelve and a half feet long1 and four and a half broad4#ceh ,on the #adth ,may the altered bell was tried from the #8,anson1' #gb1 in the ,medway1 near ,gillingham4 ,captain ,m4 ,williams1 ,r4,e41 was the executive officer3 he had with him a party of the corps and some riggers1 c41 to work the bell4 ,sergeant-major ,jones was the first man of the sappers to enter it1 and on that day the experiments fully proved its efficacy for hazardous service4 ,colonel ,pasley thereupon determined to use it at ,spithead4#cei ----- ,footnote #ceh3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i1 #ahdj1 p4 #gd4 ,footnote #cei3 ,ibid41 #ahdj1 p4 #gd4 ----- ,in the experiments which from time to time were made with the voltaic battery1 serjeant-major ,jones was always appointed to assist4 ,colonel ,pasley had a high opinion of his experience1 and of the quickness with which he saw a difficulty and proposed a remedy4 ,the operation of passing the priming wires through water into the bursting charges of powder1 was brought to perfection by ,captain ,sandham1 of the royal engineers4 ,hitherto tape had been wrapped all round the priming wires1 and paid over the outside with waterproof composition1 leaving the inside of the tapes1 and the wires embraced by them1 quite clean1 8which formed two circular open joints1 and therefore was rather a curious sort of connexion40 ,but the improved arrangement consisted in adopting the 8expedient of smearing over or saturating with sergeant-major ,jones' waterproof composition1 the wires themselves1 as well as every other part of the other materials used in this junction1 whether tape1 thread1 hemp1 twine1 wooden plugs1 and caps to prevent contact with the leaden pipe in which the priming apparatus was inclosed1 or canvas tops applied over the wooden cap which served to cement it to the outside of the cylinder containing the great charge40 ,in the judicious use of that valuable composition1 very extraordinary proofs of its excellence afterwards came to light in the operations at ,spithead4#cfj ----- ,footnote #cfj3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i4 #ahdj1 p4 #gf4 8,the sergeant-major's composition was simply pitch softened by bees'-wax and tallow4 ,he had tried a great number of experiments for ascertaining the best sort of waterproof composition for bags of gunpowder in #ahcb1 when ,bickford's fuses were first used by the corps at ,chatham4 ,he also at the same period discovered the means for imitating ,bickford's fuses in an efficient manner4 ,his imitation fuses1 however1 were not precisely the same1 as ,bickford's fuses were evidently made by machinery40--#8,united ,service ,journal1' ii4 #ahci1 p4 #aib-aic4 ----- ,the #8,royal ,george1' a first-rate man-of-war of #ajj guns1 was overset at ,spithead ,june #bhth1 #aghb1cfa and for nearly sixty years1 that leviathan wreck had been lying in the roadstead1 a danger to shipping4 ,several enterprising individuals had attempted or proposed to raise or remove it1 but with unavailing results4 ,at length ,colonel ,pasley undertook the task1 and in a few summers1 by means of gunpowder1 effected its entire demolition and removal4 ,many guns had been previously recovered1 but the number still at the bottom was estimated in value at more than #e1jjjl4 ----- ,footnote #cfa3 ,by this catastrophe1 ,admiral ,kempenfeldt and a crew of many hundreds of seamen1 with nearly #ajj women and #bjj ,jews1 then on board1 perished4--#8,haydn's ,dates4' ----- ,under the auspices of the ,admiralty1 ,colonel ,pasley repaired to ,portsmouth from ,chatham with the necessary stores and a detachment of the corps1 consisting of sergeant-major ,jenkin ,jones1 one bugler1 a clerk1 and thirteen rank and file under the command of ,captain ,m4 ,williams1 of the corps1 who was afterwards relieved by ,lieutenant ,j4 ,f4 ,a4 ,symonds1 royal engineers4 ,the rank and file comprised a collar-maker and a cooper1 with a proportion of carpenters1 blacksmiths1 and tinmen4 ,after being removed from the #8,queen1' navy lighter on the #bjth ,august1 to the #8,success1' frigate hulk1 then anchored near the wreck1 operations commenced on the #bast1 and were continued with diligence till the #dth ,november4 ,they were then suspended till the return of the summer4 ,during the service1 the sappers1 and the seamen1 marines1 c41 were divided into two squads1 and attached to two lumps moored about #ajj fathoms apart1 with the wreck between them4 ,from these lumps the work was usually carried on4 ,each lump had its own diver4 ,lieutenant ,symonds directed the operations of one1 and sergeant-major ,jones the other4 8,thus a friendly emulation took place between the whole of the men employed10 each party working for the success of its own diver1 8and the divers themselves being no less anxious to surpass each other40#cfb ----- ,footnote #cfb3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i4 #ahdj1 p4 #afd4 ----- ,two of the great explosions failed1 but two succeeded1 besides a vast number of smaller ones1 which shook the wreck and opened its sides and cleared its decks4 ,the labour consequent on the success of the divers was immense1 and the recovery of articles and guns gave promise of realizing more than sufficient to cover the outlay in carrying on the work4 ,the more particular duties of the sappers did not prevent them taking a full share of the labour at the capstan and the ropes4 ,when not employed in the general duties of the operation1 they were confined to the performance of special ones2 such as preparing the various explosions1 managing the voltaic battery and apparatus1 and repairing the latter when needed4 8,they also repaired the diving-dresses1 and did all the coopers'1 blacksmiths'1 and carpenters' work necessary1 including the fitting up and occasional repairs to launches used for receiving the materials40 ,in all these duties they were found particularly useful4#cfc ----- ,footnote #cfc3 ,ibid41 i4 #ahdj1 p4 #cch4 ----- ,when ,mr4 ,dewar1 the only bell-diver1 was discharged1 it became necessary to train volunteers to succeed him4 ,two men of the detachment readily offered to try the service4 ,these were corporal ,david ,harris and private ,william ,reid4 ,on the #bgth ,august1 with ,colonel ,pasley and ,lieutenant ,symonds1 they entered the bell1 and twice were lowered1 the second time with the intention of going down on the wreck2 but before they had descended low enough1 a pleasure yacht having run foul of the lump from which the bell was being lowered1 it was in consequence hauled up1 as every man was wanted to assist in saving the yacht4 ,the diving-bell was employed a second time on the #dth ,september1 with lance-corporal ,harris and private ,john ,skelton1 as the sub-marine operators4 ,when the vessel had descended about eight fathoms1 the message-board and caution-line got entangled1 and the divers were consequently hauled to the surface4 ,a mishap of this kind would have discouraged some beginners1 but spirited and willing1 they only cared to succeed1 and down again they went1 reaching the bottom in little more than fourteen fathoms4 ,as1 however1 no less than two and a-half feet of water had entered the bell1 it was rendered inefficacious for any useful result4 ,owing to #ej men1 hardy seamen and marines from the #8,pique' frigate1 working the capstan and machinery1 the descent was accomplished in ten and a-half minutes1 and the re-ascent in eight and a-half2 but when only #cj men were employed on the former occasion1 the ascent went through the insufferably tedious period of #bg minutes4 ,after these trials1 the diving-bell1 which from its unwieldy weight required no less than forty-nine men to be employed in various ways to raise it1 was discarded and sent into ,portsmouth dockyard4#cfd ----- ,footnote #cfd3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i4 #ahdj1 p4 #aec4 ----- ,on the #eth ,september a large wrought iron cylinder filled with powder to be fired against the wreck1 was found to have a small leak in it4 8,this would have been of no importance1 as only a few pounds of powder were thereby spoiled2 but when the whole of the powder was ordered to be emptied out that the hole might be repaired1 unfortunately1 the operation was carelessly executed10 inasmuch as water which should have been poured into the cylinder was not done4 ,when1 therefore1 private ,charles ,brabant was afterwards employed in soldering a piece of tin over the hole1 the powder still remaining in the cylinder blew up1 and a fragment from it broke one of his thighs1 and then indented itself in the deck4 8,this accident was much regretted by every one1 especially as the young soldier thus injured bore an excellent character1 and was one of the most useful men employed1 his services as a tinman being in constant requisition40#cfe ----- ,footnote #cfe3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i4 #ahdj1 p4 #aef4 ,brabant was discharged in ,april1 #ahda1 on a pension of #f;d4 a-day4 ,he was quite lame1 but shortly after obtained the situation of turnkey to ,maidstone gaol4 ----- ,the method adopted for unloading the powder from the cylinders when any was found to be damaged1 and for preserving the good powder1 was as curious as it was dangerous4 8,having removed part of the outer casing of lead1 corporal ,david ,harris cut a hole through the side of the wood-work1 by which1 after emptying a part of its contents1 he got into the cylinder1 and continually kept filling a copper shovel with powder1 which he handed out from time to time when full4 ,at those periods only could any portion of him be seen4 ,when rising up in his hole he displayed a face as black as a chimney-sweep's40 ,to knock off the powder which had become caked either by wet or compression1 he was provided with a wooden wedge and a copper hammer4 ,every precaution was taken to prevent accident1 such as putting out the fires1 laying hides on the deck and wetting them occasionally1 as well as working in slippers4 ,the duty was very unpleasant1 and required in the operation more than ordinary courage4#cff ----- ,footnote #cff3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i4 #ahdj1 p4 #cbj4 ----- ,soldering the loading-hole of the cylinder was also a dangerous service4 8,the neck and loading-hole were of brass1 in the form of an hour-glass1 soldered to the iron-work4 ,as the hole was to have a disc of metal soldered over it after the cylinder was filled with powder1 with a plug and some inches of clay between the powder and the disc1 ,mr4 ,taplin1 a foreman in ,portsmouth dockyard1 was requested to send one of his artificers to do it who was accustomed to that sort of soldering2 but the man sent to do it was horror-struck at the idea of the thing1 and declared he would not attempt it for a thousand pounds60 ,the hole was eventually soldered by private ,skelton1 though unused to the work4#cfg ----- ,footnote #cfg3 ,ibid41 p4 #cbc1 #cbd4 ----- ,the first helmet divers were corporal ,harris and private ,william ,reid1#cfh who volunteered to act if required4 ,they went down for trial in fifteen fathoms water near the #8,success' frigate one day when the regular divers were not required at the wreck4 ,on another occasion when ,hiram ,london had injured his hand1 8corporal ,harris went down four times to the wreck in one slack1 and succeeded in slinging four pieces of timber1 all of which were brought up40#cfi ----- ,footnote #cfh3 ,a man of varied acquirements1 a good surveyor1 and an expert draughtsman and clerk1 and assisted in executing the wood engravings in ,colonel ,pasley's #8,practical ,operations of a ,siege1' for which his name is recorded at page #gf of the first edition of that work4 ,disposed to habits of irregularity1 he never received promotion1 and was pensioned at #as4 a-day in ,january1 #ahej4 ,footnote #cfi3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i4 #ahdj1 p4 #ccc4 ----- ,sergeant-major ,jones1 it is recorded1 assisted ,lieutenant ,symonds with great efficiency1 8and being very nearly as skilful in the management of boats and application of the mechanical powers as in the use of gunpowder10 his services were very important4 ,private ,william ,read#cgj prepared the voltaic battery for use1 assisted by one or two others of the detachment1 and his skill and steadiness1 at all times apparent1 were more decided in moments of difficulty4 8,private ,john ,skelton1 a blacksmith1 not only did everything essential in his own trade1 but worked as a tinman in soldering up the loaded cylinders1 and contrived to put the air-pipes in good order when the attempt seemed hopeless4 ,being also one of the most active men in boats or at the capstan1 when not employed as an artificer1 he and private ,william ,read were appointed lance-corporals on the conclusion of the service40#cga ,the detachment returned to the corps at ,woolwich in the #8,medea' steamer on the #fth ,november1 #ahci4 ,the working pay of the sergeant-major was #bs4 a-day1 and the rank and file #as4 a-day each4 ----- ,footnote #cgj3 ,now sergeant-major at the royal engineer establishment1 ,chatham4 ,footnote #cga3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' #ahdj1 p4 #ccg4 ,a minute and faithful record of the operations will be found in the #8,united ,service ,journal1' i4 #ahdj1 pp4 #gb-hc1 #adi-afd1 #cai-cch4 ----- #ahdj4 ,return of the detachment from ,spain--,its conduct during the war--,survey of the northern counties of ,england--,notice of sergeant ,cottingham--,secondary triangulation of the north of ,scotland--,increase to survey allowances--,augmentation to the survey companies--,renewal of survey of the disputed boundary in the state of ,maine--,corporal ,hearnden at ,sandhurst--,wreck of the #8,royal ,george2' duties of the sappers in its removal--,exertions of sergeant-major ,jones--,the divers--,an accident--,usefulness of the detachment engaged in the work--,boat adventure at ,spithead--,andrew ,anderson--,thomas ,p4 ,cook--,transfer of detachment from the ,mauritius to the ,cape--,survey of ,la ,caille's arc of meridian there--,detachment to ,syria--,its active services1 including capture of ,acre--,reinforcement to ,syria4 ,the services of the sappers in ,spain were of a nature similar to those in which they were engaged during the greater part of the previous year2 and the diligence and ability shown in their execution drew repeated expressions of admiration from ,lord ,john ,hay4 8,they could turn their hands10 it is recorded1 8to anything and everything40 ,under orders from the ,admiralty1 the detachment1 nineteen strong1 was withdrawn from ,spain and arrived at ,woolwich in the #8,alban' steamer1 #bbnd ,august1 #ahdj4 ,its original strength increased by subsequent reinforcements1 reached thirty-six of all ranks3 the difference was occasioned by the removal of invalids1 five deaths1 and one killed by falling over a precipice4 ,lord ,john ,hay1 in a letter to ,lieutenant ,vicars1 ,r4,e41 parted with the detachment in the following eulogistic terms3-- 8,the ,lords ,commissioners of the ,admiralty having ordered me to embark the detachment of royal sappers and miners under your command for a passage to ,england1 have directed me at the same time to convey to yourself1 the officers1 non-commissioned officers1 and privates of the detachment1 their lordships' marked approbation of the zeal1 gallantry1 and good conduct which have been displayed by them on all occasions during the long course of service in which they have been employed on this coast4 8,in communicating this expression of their lordships' satisfaction1 ,i avail myself of the opportunity of again recording my thanks to yourself1 the officers1 non-commissioned officers1 and privates of the detachment1 for the zeal and gallantry with which my orders have at all times been carried into effect1 and particularly for the ability displayed in the erection of the various works of defence entrusted to you40 ,at the commencement of the principal triangulation of ,great ,britain1 it was carried forward more with a view to the solution of the astronomical problem connected with the size and figure of the earth than as a basis for an accurate topographical survey4 ,in pursuance of this object1 a series of triangles had been carried northward from the ,isle of ,wight1 and continued to the north coast of ,yorkshire in #ahjf2 but a portion of the east of ,yorkshire was still left without any fixed points or stations4 ,the series went along the eastern edge of the ,cleaveland vale2 but at that time the mountainous country on the west of ,cleaveland1 and in ,derbyshire1 ,westmoreland1 ,cumberland1 ,durham1 and ,northumberland1 was inaccessible for trigonometrical stations from the want of roads1 or other local approaches4 ,these having been subsequently constructed1 a detachment of the corps was sent in ,may1 #ahdj1 under ,lieutenant ,pipon1 ,r4,e41 into the northern counties1 to visit some stations in order to fix the points to expedite the topographical survey4 ,the party encamped on the ,great ,whernside mountain near ,kettlewell1 and from this time a force of the corps has ever since been employed in the ,english surveys1 gradually swelling the numbers of the latter1 as the progress of the work in ,ireland permitted their removal4#cgb ----- ,footnote #cgb3 ,ambrose ,cottingham was the first sergeant detached from ,ireland for the survey of ,england1 and he assisted in superintending a large force of field surveyors4 ,it is recorded that 8he performed this arduous and important duty in a manner highly advantageous to the service1 and caused considerable saving of expense in that branch of the work40 ,beyond1 however1 his zeal1 industry1 and the capability of keeping large bodies of men in full activity1 he possessed no available acquirements4 ,in ,april1 #ahdd1 he quitted the service on a pension of #as4 #h;d a-day1 and having amassed some property by his frugality1 retired to ,mayfield in ,sussex4 ----- ,for the secondary triangulation of the north of ,scotland1 sixteen rank and file were provided in ,may1 and by the fall of the year they had increased to thirty-one men4 ,from this period ,scotland has always had a few sections of sappers employed in its national surveys2 but of late1 the numbers have swelled to some magnitude4 ,similar advantages as to working pay granted to the sappers in ,ireland were extended to the detachments occupied in the surveys of ,great ,britain1 to give due encouragement to their exertions4 ,four shillings a-day were also granted to non-commissioned officers superintending large forces of field surveyors1 to cover the extra expenses incurred1 and compensate for the labour and fatigue endured in the performance of this duty4 ,on the #aith ,june1 #ahdj1 by order of ,sir ,hussey ,vivian1 the ,master-,general1 the survey companies were increased by one sergeant1 one corporal1 and one second corporal1 but to make up for this addition1 the privates were reduced three men per company4 ,the establishment for each of the three companies was therefore fixed as follows3-- ,col4-,sergts4 ,sergts4 ,corporals4 #bnd ,buglers4 ,privates4 ,total4 ,corpls4 #a #f #g #g #b #hb #aje ,this measure was recommended by ,colonel ,colby because1 as he expressed it1 8the general conduct of the non-commissioned officers was so excellent that a selection for promotion could seldom be given as a reward for a special service without showing a preference for some class of duty to the exclusion of others equally onerous and well performed20 and even with this increase1 a non-commissioned officer higher than the rank of lance-corporal1 could not be spared to assist in the charge of the detachment on the ,great ,whernside ,mountain4 ,second-corporal ,john ,mc,queen was sent in the summer with ,captain ,broughton1 ,r4,e41 and ,mr4 ,featherstonhaugh to the disputed territory in ,north ,america1 to aid in its reconnaissance and survey4 ,he was dressed in plain clothes and wore in his girdle a brace of pistols4 ,operations commenced on the #ast ,august at the ,grand ,falls1 and ceased for the winter on the #eth ,october1 at which date the commissioners reached ,quebec4 ,throughout this period corporal ,mc,queen was in the bush4 ,his duty1 apart from the general services of the survey1 comprised the registration of the barometers and thermometers every hour1 often at intervals of half an hour1 taking the bearings of the several streams1 superintending the movements of the camp equipage and stores1 and issuing the provisions4 ,the service was not accomplished without hardship and occasional privation4 ,the marching1 too1 was toilsome1 and it was the lot of the corporal sometimes to struggle through swamps and ford streams where the exertion of swimming was necessary for his safety4 ,the snow at times was deep2 the cold in the morning great2 but generally at mid-day the heat from the density of the woods was almost insupportable4 ,the sandflies which infested the bush were a distressing nuisance2 and the expedition1 to protect themselves from swollen faces and blindness1 resorted to the expedient of covering the face with a gauze veil1 or of tying round their hats a piece of burning cedar1 by the hostile fumes of which the stinging swarm was kept at bay4 ,on the party reaching ,quebec1 corporal ,mc,queen was quartered in the artillery barracks1 and worked during the winter in the engineer department1 preparing for the next summer expedition such utensils and conveniences as the experience of the past had proved to be desirable4 ,both terms at ,sandhurst the detachment employed with the gentlemen cadets1 was in charge of corporal ,robert ,hearnden1 and being an active and intelligent non-commissioned officer1 he acquitted himself extremely well4 8,with his own hands he completed10 says the official report1 8the masonry of a small splinter-proof magazine1 including a roof ingeniously constructed of tiles so arranged as to break joint1 and imbedded in cement1 which gives to the whole work the appearance and strength of a stone roof40 ,both parties laboured with readiness and industry1 and maintained their usual exemplary character4 ,corporal ,joseph ,t4 ,meyers had been several times at ,sandhurst1 and was found so assiduous and deserving a non-commissioned officer1 that the governor of the ,college rewarded him by giving him the appointment of staff-sergeant at that institution4#cgc ----- ,footnote #cgc3 ,on quitting the college became a clerk to the military prison at ,gosport4 ----- ,early in ,may1 one bugler and twenty-two rank and file1 with serjeant-major ,jones1 returned to the wreck of the #8,royal ,george' at ,spithead1 and under the executive charge of ,lieutenant ,symonds1 ,r4,e41 resumed the operations which were suspended in the winter of the previous year4 ,colonel ,pasley had the direction of the service4 ,the duties of the sappers were similar in all respects to those mentioned on the former occasion1 and the composition of the party rendered it fully equal to the varied and novel circumstances of so peculiar an undertaking4 ,on the #bgth ,october1 the winter then having completely set in1 the operations were again suspended1 and the detachment returned to ,chatham4 ,when ,lieutenant ,symonds quitted early in ,october1 sergeant-major ,jones took charge of the service1 which he managed with success1 and was fortunate in recovering a considerable portion of the wreck4 ,throughout the season his zeal1 judgment1 and activity gained the high commendation of ,colonel ,pasley4 ,corporal ,david ,harris was employed for several months as a diver4 ,ambitious to earn fame in the art1 he rivalled by his exertions the professional civil divers4 ,with exciting rapidity he sent aloft planks1 beams1 staves1 iron knees1 grape-shot1 fragments of gun-carriages1 abundance of sheet-lead1 remnants of the galley1 and a thousand et ceteras4 ,it was he who ferreted into the store-room1 and cleared out its heterogeneous contents1 recovering by his zeal crates of brass locks1 bolts1 nuts1 copper hoops1 and axletrees4 ,now he would penetrate into a magazine1 and remove its powder-barrels and bulls' hides2 then1 tearing down the decks and walls1 would anon push into a carpenter's shop1 and surprise all hands with instalments of sash-frames1 window-weights1 plate-glass1 and engine-hose4 ,into the craters formed by the large explosions he would fearlessly enter1 and1 probed on all sides by projecting spars and splintered beams1 would drag from the abysses huge timbers and unwieldy masses of the wreck1 that strained from their weight the powerful shackles and gear used to raise them on board4 ,an entire #cb-pounder gun-carriage he also obtained2 and only for the snapping of the slings1 would have had a gun recorded to his credit4 ,indeed1 it was on the way to the surface1 when it dropped from the broken ropes and was lost for the summer4 ,a guinea of #agfh1 the only one which saw the light during the season1 was among the spoils which ,harris had recovered4 ,for experiment this corporal tried to dive in one of ,bethell's dresses1 but after two or three attempts it had so exhausted his energies1 that he was compelled to abandon its use4 ,from the #bith ,may till the winter set in1 he dived incessantly1 except when prevented by heavy gales of wind1 the strength of the tide1 or the occasional sickness which was inseparable from so hard a duty4 ,frequently he earned as much as #ds4 #f;d4 a-day working pay4 ,lance-corporal ,john ,skelton1 and privates ,charles ,symon1 ,richard ,pillman ,jones1 ,thomas ,penny ,cook1 ,joseph ,ireland1 and ,andrew ,duncan1 also dived at intervals when available dresses offered them chances of engaging in the perilous service4 ,in the journal of the operations ,lieutenant ,symonds writes--8,i find but little difference between them and the other divers1 except that the sappers work with a better will40 ,the first two of these young divers were the most promising4 ,the former1 moreover1 from his skill and ingenuity as an artificer1 made himself very useful1 and his diligence as a workman was felt in various ways4 ,most of the delicate work connected with the diving-apparatus1 air-pumps1 voltaic-batteries1 etc41 in which approved judgment and intelligence were required1 was turned out of the hands of this craftsman in a manner that satisfied to the utmost those whose lives depended upon the accuracy and completeness of his labours4 ,only one accident of a serious nature occurred3 this was to private ,andrew ,duncan1 who a day or two before had slung a large beam of the orlop-deck with knee attached1 which was hove on board with great difficulty4 ,he had on one of ,deane's dresses1 which required the head and helmet to be kept upright4 ,losing this position he toppled over1 and falling into a hole1 the water rushed into his helmet and nearly drowned him4 ,on being brought up his face was cased with mud1 and he remained insensible for several minutes1 bleeding from the mouth and ears4 ,chafing1 with other simple remedies1 however1 soon restored him4 ,corporal ,william ,read#cgd had again the management of the voltaic battery1 which was almost in constant use1 and gave every satisfaction4 ,the powder expended in the operations was #ae1jjj lbs4 ,innumerable were the charges fired against the wreck1 none containing less than #ah lbs4 of gunpowder1 nor more than #bfj lbs4 ,all the privates showed the greatest energy and activity in the duties they were called on to perform4 ,both in boats and the work necessary for getting up the fragments of the wreck1 whether at the windlass or capstan1 c41 in the repair of the launches1 the preparation of the charges1 and the loading and unloading of the cylinders1 they were found prompt1 spirited1 and efficient1 and their example was very beneficial in exciting the emulation of the sailors4 ,so well indeed had the detachment been constituted1 that1 for its numbers1 it was equal to the execution of any mechanical service which the operations demanded4 ,in their general duties privates ,james ,hegarty and ,joseph ,ireland were the most conspicuous4#cge ,exertion and ship fare made the whole party strong and hardy1 and a few weeks roughing it on shipboard turned them out as weather-beaten and brawny as seamen4 ----- ,footnote #cgd3 ,now sergeant-major of the royal engineer establishment4 ,footnote #cge3 #8,corps ,orders1' ,chatham1 #bith ,october1 #ahdj4 #8,manuscript ,journal of the ,operations4' ----- ,during this season at ,spithead there was a strong gale from the eastward1 and the storm-flag was hoisted at ,gosport4 ,no boats would venture out1 and the #8,success' frigate1 with a part of the detachment on board1 was in danger of parting from her anchors and drifting to sea4 ,lieutenant ,symonds was on shore at the time1 and thinking his presence necessary to secure her safety1 determined to attempt the passage4 ,the civil divers1 accustomed to perilous boat service1 said no boat could live in such a sea1 and the ,port-,admiral refused his permission for ,lieutenant ,symonds to proceed unless on his own responsibility4 ,unable from the raging storm to row out of the harbour1 he1 with four sappers1 hauled the gig along shore for more than two miles1 and when a good offing was gained1 the lug-sail was hoisted and the boat pushed off4 ,with the tact and sagacity of a skilful pilot1 ,lieutenant ,symonds guided the gig1 now skirting the furious wave1 now skimming across its angry top1 and anon lost for a time between the furious billows of a long1 deep trough4 ,to lessen the danger of the fearful venture1 the men lay down in the boat for ballast1 and pulling off their boots1 used them1 with noble exertion1 in baling out the water as she shipped the sea4 ,at length1 to the utter amazement and joy of the party on board1 the gig reached the frigate4 ,then1 however1 the peril was increased1 for frequently like a log she was dashed against the hull of the vessel1 and as frequently nearly foundered2 but by the spirited exertions of the brave lieutenant and his intrepid crew1 the boat was eventually secured1 and all gained unhurt the deck of the #8,success4' ,lieutenant ,symonds then took such further precautions as were indispensable for the safety of the ship1 and she successfully outrode the storm4 ,the names of the gig's crew were privates ,john ,hegarty1 ,andrew ,anderson1#cgf ,thomas ,p4 ,cook1#cgg and ,john ,campbell3#cgh the two latter became colour-sergeants in the corps4 ----- ,footnote #cgf3 ,his career in the corps was somewhat eventful4 ,a noble soldier1 with a spirit that nothing could depress1 he was often selected for unusual enterprises4 ,he received a medal for the ,kaffir war of #ahdf-g4 ,another he received1 and a second-class prize of five pounds1 for his services at the ,great ,exhibition4 ,was also honoured with the order of the ,medjidie for his heroic conduct at the battle of ,guirgevo1 and wore a medal for the ,crimea4 ,after serving a period in the trenches before ,sebastopol1 his life was sacrificed to his excesses4 ,one morning1 to the deep regret of his officers and his comrades1 he was found dead in his tent4 ,footnote #cgg3 ,was recorded for distinguished conduct in the ,kaffir war of #ahdf4 ,accompanying that portion of the corps which served at ,gallipoli and ,bulgaria1 he was1 on account of his experience and soldier-like deportment1 appointed sergeant-major to the expedition4 ,through sickness his strong-built frame had become so weak and attenuated1 that when the cholera seized him he was carried off in a few hours4 ,he died on board the #8,andes1' when sailing for the ,crimea4 ,footnote #cgh3 ,will be found noted on the same page with his late comrade1 sergeant ,cook1 for the determination and intelligence he displayed in the ,kaffir war of #ahdf4 ----- ,on the completion of the citadel at the ,mauritius1 the half-company stationed there was removed on the #gth ,october1 under the command of ,lieutenant ,g4 ,r4 ,hutchinson1 ,r4,e41 in the #8,isabella ,blyth' to the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 where it landed on the #bgth of the same month4 ,the chief of the work at ,port ,louis was executed by the sappers1 in which privates ,william ,reynolds and ,william ,crawford#cgi displayed the most skill and obtained the most credit4 ,four detachments had been sent to the ,mauritius1 whose united strength reached fifty of all ranks3 of these the casualties amounted to ten deaths and one drowned4 ----- ,footnote #cgi3 ,both were discharged from the corps by request at the ,cape of ,good ,hope4 ----- ,sergeant ,john ,hemming and seven rank and file embarked at ,woolwich on the #ith ,april1 #ahdj1 and landed at the ,cape of ,good ,hope in ,july4 ,the party was detached under ,captain ,henderson1 ,r4,e41 to assist the colonial astronomer1 ,mr4 ,maclear1 in the remeasurement of ,la ,caille's arc of the meridian4 ,all were armed with rifles and accoutrements to protect them in a wild country1 and the sergeant was selected to take charge of the detachment from his well-known steadiness and intelligence4 ,working pay was granted to each for his services1 according to individual exertion and general usefulness1 up to #cs4 per day4 ,a few weeks were spent in the preliminary business of adjusting the instruments in ,cape ,town1 when the party1 to which some men of the #beth regiment had been added1 left in ,september for ,zwartland and ,groenekloof1 west of the ,berg ,river4 ,on this extensive plain the base was measured with the compensation bars invented by ,colonel ,colby1 but as ,la ,caille's arc could not be identified1 a new line very near to it was laid out and measured about seven miles in length1 which occupied from ,october1 #ahdj1 to ,april1 #ahda4chj ,in this service the party carried out the subordinate details4 ,they assisted in driving the pickets and the placement of the trestles to sustain the bars4 ,these were scientifically fixed by the colonial astronomer and ,captain ,henderson1 aided by the sappers4 ,two men were also appointed to guard the last point of observation whilst the bars were being carried forward and adjusted2 and another occasionally attended to the registration of the observations4 ,thus the work continued until the whole distance was measured4 ,the delicate nature of the duty rendered it very irksome1 and required much assiduous care in its performance4 ,the jar of a bar simply would have been sufficient to cause the loss of a day's work4 ,nearly the whole time the sappers worked from four in the morning till eight or nine at night4 ,in ,july1 #ahda1 the party returned to winter quarters4 ----- ,footnote #chj3 #8,prof4 ,papers1' ,new ,series1 i4 p4 #cb4 ----- ,by the terms of a treaty1 dated #aeth ,july1 #ahdj1 ,mehemet ,ali was required to accept certain conditions within a limited time1 and1 if he declined1 the forfeiture of the pachalic of ,acre and the loss of ,egypt were to follow4 ,having allowed the time to elapse1 offensive operations commenced to compel him to evacuate ,syria4 ,england being greatly involved in the treaty1 the ,british ,cabinet at once sent a fleet under ,admiral ,sir ,robert ,stopford to the coast1 with which was a small force of the ordnance corps1 to assist the troops of the ,sultan in this service4#cha ----- ,footnote #cha3 #8,prof4 ,papers1' ,royal ,engineers1 vi4 p4 #dg4 ----- ,on the #gth ,august one sergeant and eleven rank and file embarked at ,gibraltar on board the #8,pique' frigate1 under ,colonel ,sir ,charles ,smith1 ,bart41 ,r4,e41 for active duty with the fleet4 ,a liberal assortment of intrenching and tradesmen's tools accompanied the party4 ,on the #ast ,september it arrived at ,beirout1 and a landing was effected on the #ajth4 ,second-corporal ,john ,moore#chb accompanied the first detachment that landed1 and was present at the advanced position above the ,dog ,river4 ----- ,footnote #chb3 ,this non-commissioned officer afterwards broke his leg at ,beirout in falling from the roof of the ordnance store in endeavouring to get access to a building adjoining it which was on fire4 ,in ,january1 #ahdc1 he was pensioned at #as4 #i;d4 a-day1 and emigrated to ,canada4 ----- ,on the same day the sappers landed at ,d',junie from the #8,pique' frigate1 and after occupying the lines were employed in repairing and improving them until the #ajth ,october4 ,corporal ,henry ,brown and private ,john ,greig#chc were in the meantime sent on in the #8,hydra' steamer1 and were present on the #beth and #bfth ,september at the taking of ,tyre and ,sidon4 ,soon after their return to ,d',junie1 the whole party embarked in the #8,stromboli' steamer1 and served at the capture of ,beirout on the #ajth and #aath ,october4 ,on the #crd ,november1 sergeant ,black and three privates were present on board the #8,princess ,charlotte' at the taking of ,acre1 and were the first troops that entered that famous city4 ,in all these operations the sappers were under the orders of ,lieutenant ,aldrich1 ,r4,e4 8,their conduct10 writes that officer1 8in their extensive and arduous duties1 and under suffering from great sickness1 has been most exemplary20 and again1 in a despatch from ,lord ,palmerston1 the approbation of ,her ,majesty's ,government is conveyed for the share the party took in the capture of ,acre1 and for the zeal and ability displayed by them in restoring the defences of the place after its capture4 ----- ,footnote #chc3 ,was a clever mechanic and a handsome soldier1 but his constitution eventually gave way under the influence of the ,syrian fever1 and he died in ,october1 #ahdg4 ----- ,a second detachment of ten rank and file arrived at ,beirout on the #acth ,december in the #8,hecate' steamer1 under ,lieutenant ,j4 ,f4 ,a4 ,symonds1 ,r4,e41 from ,woolwich1 and was sent in the #8,vesuvius' to ,acre1 to reinforce the sappers1 and to assist at the breaches1 taking with them a supply of intrenching tools4 ,the sapper force in ,syria now consisted of one sergeant and twenty-one rank and file4 #ahda4 ,syria--,landing at ,caiffa2 ,mount ,carmel--,cave of ,elijah2 epidemic--,colour-sergeant ,black--,inspection at ,beirout by the ,seraskier2 return of the detachment to ,england--,expedition to the ,niger--,model farm--,gori--,fever sets in2 return of the expedition--,services of the sappers attached to it--,corporal ,edmonds and the elephant--and the ,princess--,staff-sergeant's undress--,staff appointments--,wreck of the #8,royal ,george'--,sergeant ,march--,sapper-divers--,curiosities--,u nder-water pay2 means used to aid the divers--,speaking under water--,gallantry of private ,skelton--,alarming accidents--,constitutional unfitness for diving--,boundary survey in the state of ,maine--,augmentation to corps for ,bermuda--,sandhurst2 corporal ,carlin's services--,quartermaster-sergeant ,fraser--,intrepidity of private ,entwistle--,colonel ,pasley--,efficiency of the corps--,its conduct1 and impolicy of reducing its establishment--,sir ,john ,jones's opinion of the sappers--,and also the ,rev4 ,g4 ,r4 ,gleig's4 ,a portion of the detachment in ,syria was removed from ,acre to ,jaffa on the #aath ,january4 ,about this time1 lance-corporal ,hugh ,smith#chd accompanied ,lieutenant ,aldrich to ,medjel4 ,from the #bcrd ,february to the #abth ,april1 three of the party from ,acre assisted ,lieutenants ,aldrich and ,symonds in the survey of ,jerusalem and ,sidon1 halting on the route at ,jericho1 ,nablous1 and ,safed4 ,sergeant ,black was left in charge of the restorations at ,acre2 but owing to the plague which had been so fatal to the royal marines1 he was soon after removed with the remainder of the detachment to ,jaffa1 in the defensive occupation of which he and his men were engaged for about six weeks4 ,the party then returned to ,beirout1 and was occupied in various contingent services2 such as repairing the billets provided for the troops by the ,ottoman government4 ,here the three men rejoined from ,jerusalem and ,sidon4 ,all the party was subjected to much inconvenience from the want of those essentials in barrack furniture which formed no part of the inventory of a ,turkish soldier's accommodation2 and1 to supply the deficiency1 the carpenters of the detachment made some tables1 forms1 and other indispensable utensils4 ----- ,footnote #chd3 ,was discharged in ,october1 #ahej1 and pensioned at #as4 #i;d4 a-day4 ,out of a service of thirteen years in the corps1 he was eleven abroad1 at ,gibraltar1 in ,syria1 and ,china4 ,from the last station he returned in a distressing state of emaciation and weakness4 ,there1 though a sergeant1 the necessities of the service required that he should labour at the anvil1 and the skilfulness of his work was superior to anything that could be procured at ,hong ,kong4 ----- ,on the #bcrd ,april twelve of the sappers sailed in the #8,phnix' for ,caiffa1 and in disembarking1 under rain1 the boat was swamped in a heavy surf4 ,the men made the shore as best they could1 but lost most of the public stores and their baggage4 ,before sunset they were tented on the beach1 and1 in a few days1 the encampment was removed under ,mount ,carmel1#che there to await the cessation of the plague1 and afterwards to repair again to ,acre to strengthen the defences4 ,it was at first intended to take up a station near the convent on the mount1 but that quarter was found to be in quarantine1 on account of the plague being at ,caiffa1 only a few hundred yards off4 ,no resource was left but to seek shelter under canvas1 which1 in a country subject to endemics1 was very inimical to health2 and that1 combined with the circumstance of the party being detached without a medical officer1 might have added one more calamity to the fatal incidents of the campaign4 ,a quarantine cordon was therefore formed around the encampment1 and every means adopted to prevent fever1 from contiguity or local miasma1 appearing in the tents4 ----- ,footnote #che3 ,see a representation of the encampment in the #8,professional ,papers1 ,r4,e4' vi41 p4 #bb4 ,this was the note affixed to the first edition1 but the plate referred to is on so small a scale1 it would need more than the assistance of a powerful glass to discover the site of the tents4 ----- ,the sappers now took their meals in the sacred cave of ,elijah--a cool but ill-ventilated retreat4 ,the water at the camp was deleterious to health2 but1 after the #bast ,june1 mountain spring-water1 obtained three miles away1 was brought for their use4 ,in a country subject to plague and fever1 a ,european holds his life by a precarious tenure3 the detachment felt this1 but bore up well1 notwithstanding the absence of a medical officer4 ,dr4 ,zorab1 a ,turkish practitioner1 made one or two professional visits to the party1 and then ,mr4 ,robertson1 ,deputy ,inspector-,general1 voluntarily joined the camp from ,beirout4 ,three weeks afterwards1 he was relieved by ,assistant-,surgeon ,acton1 ,r4,n41 who had scarcely commenced his duties when the fever attacked the party4 ,the two men employed outside the cordon were the first seized with the malady1 and every man of the party was soon under treatment4 ,in most of the cases the seizure was highly dangerous1 and in forty-eight hours the strongest man was completely prostrate4 ,it was not until the shelter of a building for the sufferers could be obtained that the skill of ,dr4 ,acton was of any avail4 ,four of the men died1 and the remainder were conveyed in the #8,stromboli1' on the #ajth ,july1 to ,beirout4 ,two more were invalided to ,england1 and the other six only regained convalescence after a long period of illness4 ,constantly moving along the coast1 embarking and disembarking the stores1 made the duties of the detachment laborious2 and both colour-sergeant ,william ,black#chf and second-corporal ,henry ,brown#chg were promoted1 in consequence of the efficient manner in which they executed those services1 and for their zeal before the enemy4 ,at one time1 the engineer park in charge of the former consisted of #ajj1jjj sand-bags with a proportional quantity of field implements and tools1 and was never less than #gb1jjj sand-bags4 ,he also issued commissariat stores to the whole camp4 ----- ,footnote #chf3 ,was pensioned at #bs4 a-day in ,january1 #ahea4 ,in the corps he served nearly twenty-four years1 of which period he was seventeen and a-half abroad1 at ,corfu1 the ,euphrates1 ,gibraltar1 ,syria1 and ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia4 ,his great merits obtained for him the grant of an annuity of #ajl4 a-year1 and a silver medal1 and an appointment as messenger to the commanding royal engineer's office1 in the ,london district4 ,through ,lieutenant-,colonel ,aldrich1 his commanding-officer in ,syria1 he was also appointed a yeoman of the ,queen's ,guard4 ,the emoluments derived by him from these different sources1 amounting to about #afjl4 a-year1 with excellent quarters1 are the hard and just earnings of a life full of vicissitude and devotion to the service4 ,footnote #chg3 ,now a quartermaster-sergeant in the corps2 and besides serving a second tour at ,gibraltar1 was present at the reduction of ,bomarsund and the siege of ,sebastopol4 ,is in receipt of an annuity of #ajl4 a-year1 and wears five medals and a clasp for his active services4 ----- ,at ,beirout the party was occasionally employed on the works1 and furnished a guard for the station1 in concert with the royal artillery4 ,on the #ast ,december1 the ,seraskier1 ,selim ,pacha1 and ,colonel ,rose1 commanding the expedition1 inspected the detachment1 and expressed themselves in a flattering manner relative to their services in the country4 ,the latter1 in orders1 added his assurance that he entertained the highest sense of their zeal and efficient services on all occasions2 and the ,sultan awarded to each a medal in commemoration of the campaign4#chh ,from the inspection parade of the ,seraskier1 the detachment1 reduced from twenty-two to fourteen men1 embarked on board the #8,thunderer1' and landed at ,malta on the #bgth ,december1 where they passed two months in the ,forts of ,manoel and ,st4 ,elmo1 and landed at ,woolwich from the #8,gorgon' steamer on the #bcrd ,march1 #ahdb4 ----- ,footnote #chh3 ,the medals were copper1 but washed1 at the expense of the wearers1 with a preparation that gave them the appearance of gold4 ,in #ahdh1 the ,british ,government awarded them silver medals for the same campaign4 ----- ,on the #bjth ,february1 one corporal and seven privates embarked with the expedition under the command of ,captain ,trotter1 ,r4,n41 to the ,niger4 ,its object was to explore the source of the river1 to introduce civilisation into ,africa1 and to prevail on the chiefs to extinguish slavery4 ,the sappers were divided into two sections3 one was added to the crew of the #8,albert' steamer1 and the other to the #8,wilberforce4' ,they had been specially taught at ,chatham the mode of blasting rock under water1 with a view to removing obstructions in the navigation of the streams of the ,niger yet unsurveyed4 ,five were men of excellent character1 but three were not irreproachable in point of sobriety4 ,the royal warrant sanctioning the formation of this special detachment is dated #gth ,december1 #ahdj1 and the corps was thereby increased from #abjj to #abjh of all ranks4 ,the party was armed with rifles and bayonet-swords4 ,late in ,june the expedition reached ,freetown1 and1 steaming along the coast1 crossed the mouth of the ,niger on the #acth ,august4 ,after passing the ,bight of ,benin1 the steamers anchored off ,ibu on the #bfth2 and the king1 ,obi1 with the heir-apparent1 ,chikuna1 and a vast retinue1 visited the #8,albert4' ,on the #bnd ,september the expedition was off ,iddah4 ,to the king1 or ,atth of ,egarrah1 a visit was paid by ,captain ,trotter4 ,the sappers and seamen formed the guard of honour4 ,corporal ,edmonds commanded1 and he and all the men were grotesquely habited and decorated1 to suit the barbaric taste of his majesty4 ,near the confluence of the rivers ,niger and ,tchadda were landed the wooden houses to form the model farm on ,mount ,stirling1 purchased from the ,king of ,egarrah for #gjj1jjj cowries4 ,the ,kroomen and seamen were the labourers in this service1 and the sappers superintended the construction of the farm and the erection of the magnificent tent used in the ,eglintoun tournament4 ,the manipulation of the houses was prepared in ,england1 leaving nothing to do but to put the materials together4 ,to do this effectually1 some trivial details in wood and iron were made on the spot by the sappers4 ,private ,john ,craig surveyed the island and accomplished his work with quickness and credit4 ,the duties of the farm were greatly interrupted by the intolerable heat1 and numbers seized by the fever were sent away in the #8,wilberforce' and the #8,soudan4' ,the whole of the model arrangements were at length concluded1 and on the #bast ,september the #8,albert' got under weigh again4 ,the sappers were then healthy4 ,passing ,mugah1 the #8,albert' anchored off ,gori on the #bbnd1 and ,captain ,trotter paid a visit to the chief4 ,corporal ,edmonds was with the party4 ,the chief and his officers were seated on mats in the court-yard--a space measuring about twelve feet by eight1 formed by five ovally-shaped huts4 ,he was an old man1 and his counsellor answered the questions put to his majesty in a reserved and evasive manner4 ,the streets of ,gori were very narrow1 crooked1 and puzzling1 and in many places not wide enough to allow two persons to pass each other4 ,to make way1 ,captain ,trotter would suddenly open his umbrella1 and the natives1 surprised at the novelty1 would scamper off alarmed4 ,continuing the ascent1 the #8,albert' passed ,bezzani1 ,kinami1 and ,egga1 and by the #eth of ,october1 the sick had so greatly increased1 that the charge of the ship fell on one of the mates4 ,the expedition now turned for the sea1 and passing the confluence on the #ith1 steamed down the river in its more navigable channels1 and landed at ,fernando ,po on the #ahth4 ,there for about six weeks1 the expiring expedition was stowed away in miserable quarters1 and the sad remnant re-embarking1 put into ,ascension1 and returned to ,england in the autumn of #ahdb4 ,all the sappers had been seized with the river fever1 so called from its peculiarity4 ,some had severe relapses1 but only two died--,william ,rabling at the confluence1 on the shores of which he was interred1 and ,william ,moffatt1 somewhere between the ,niger and ,ascension4 ,the duties performed by the detachment were in all respects the same as the marines1 until the river ,niger was reached1 when they acted as seamen2 but were never required to go aloft4 ,their chief services were rendered at the model farm4 ,corporal ,edmonds was ship's corporal1 and had charge of the after hold of the vessel containing the provisions of the officers4 ,whenever ,captain ,trotter1 or any of the officers left the vessel for purposes of exploration1 he always accompanied them as coxswain1 armed with a rifle and a full pouch of powder4 ,others of the party were also occasionally employed in this particular manner1 and all1 as their health permitted1 assisted by ,kroomen1 performed the last rites of sepulture on those fatal shores to the many dead4 ,the special duty they were sent out to perform was not required of them1 as nautical skill overcame the difficulties of the navigation without subaqueous blasting4 ,while serving with the expedition1 each sapper received double pay according to his rank1 and free rations4 ,corporal ,edmonds and private ,john ,craig were specially noticed by ,captain ,trotter4 8,their steady1 zealous conduct1 even when sickness might have excused them from duty1 tended much to the good discipline of the #8,albert1' and merited10 as the captain reported1 8his best acknowledgments40 ,the latter assisted with readiness1 at all times1 in some of the scientific observations4 ,above the confluence1 corporal ,edmonds#chi was out in the forest with ,doctors ,m#8,william and ,stanger1 when suddenly turning round1 he saw1 approaching from behind a tree1 a young elephant1 which was near to him4 ,in an instant he fired his rifle and the bullet pierced the animal in the head4 ,fearing an attack by other elephants for this assault1 the gentlemen and the corporal hastened to the boats1 but as none made their appearance1 the party returned into the forest1 when ,edmonds1 with a daring that bordered on rashness1 rushed up to the enraged beast and plunged his sword into its throat4 ,the poor animal gave a few hoarse groans and expired4 ,as trophies of this sanguinary incident1 ,edmonds brought away its tusks1 and ,dr4 ,m#8,william one of its feet4 ----- ,footnote #chi3 ,an anecdote may be given of this non-commissioned officer4 ,one of the princesses of ,iddah conceiving a liking for ,edmonds1 who was a handsome1 dark-complexioned man1 with a brilliant black eye1 solicited the king1 her father1 to beg his retention there4 ,captain ,trotter consented to let the corporal remain until the return of the expedition4 ,edmonds was not averse to the arrangement provided he was permitted to have with him a comrade from the #8,albert4' ,this1 however1 was not conceded1 and the corporal rejoined his ship2 but before doing so1 the love-stricken princess contrived not to part with her paramour without easing him of his silk handkerchief6--to keep1 perhaps1 in remembrance of the interesting feeling he had unwittingly awakened in the royal breast4 ,edmonds served two stations1 at ,bermuda and ,gibraltar1 became a sergeant1 and1 on his discharge in #ahed1 was appointed foreman of works under the ,inspector-,general of ,prisons in the convict establishment at ,portland4 ----- ,on the #bdth of ,february1 an undress frock coat was established for the staff sergeants of the corps4 ,it was plain1 without ornament of any kind1 single-breasted1 of dark ,oxford mixture1 with regimental buttons and ,prussian collar4 ,the same undress is still worn2 but the colour has been changed from dark ,oxford mixture to dark blue4--,see ,plate ,,xvii41 #ahed4 ,by a commission dated #bdth ,may1 ,captain ,henry ,sandham was appointed brigade-major in the room of ,major ,edward ,matson1 promoted to be assistant adjutant-general to the royal engineers4 ,the latter officer had for many years been attached to the corps1 and never did its character stand higher than under his command4 ,no means did he leave untried to elevate its ranks1 and raise it in public estimation4 ,he was a disciplinarian in the right sense of the word1 but in enforcing his orders1 he always evinced such a just measure of mild consideration1 that it was difficult to discover the rigidity with which he really acted4 ,so much had he gained the gratitude of the corps1 that the non-commissioned officers at head-quarters respectfully solicited he would sit to an eminent artist for his portrait4 ,one hundred pounds was the sum intended to be expended1 if necessary1 in its execution2 but as the rules of the service seemed to be opposed to such a testimonial1 the ,major felt it to be his duty to decline the honour4 ,early in ,may1 sergeant-major ,jones and twenty-four rank and file proceeded to ,spithead to resume the operations against the wreck of the #8,royal ,george4' ,this was the third season of their employment under the ,admiralty2 and ,lieut4 ,g4 ,r4 ,hutchinson1 ,r4,e41 was placed in executive command of the party4 ,the same round of duties and toils which marked their previous service at the wreck1 were repeated with but little variation of detail this season4 ,they were constantly on board ship1 or employed in boats or lighters attending to the general business of the wreck1 and often exposed to gales and storms1 amid difficulty and peril1 emulated in their coolness and exertions the weather-beaten seamen engaged for the service4 ,all the artificers' work of every kind was executed by them4 ,they were also entrusted with the entire management of the voltaic battery and explosions1 and for a portion of the time1 the whole of the helmet-diving devolved upon them4 8,throughout the operations10 writes ,colonel ,pasley1 8they were of the greatest service by their zeal and exertions40 ,the season closed on the #bith ,october1 and the detachment returned again to ,chatham4 ,of individuals1 ,colonel ,pasley makes honourable mention of the following3 ,sergeant-major ,jones1 for his able and zealous assistance to ,lieut4 ,hutchinson in the management of the operations and preserving the discipline of the men4 ,sergeant ,samuel ,march was very useful in special duties of importance2 and his drawings and sketches of several hundred interesting relics and detached portions of the wreck were well executed4#cij ----- ,footnote #cij3 ,sergeant ,march was two seasons at ,spitbead4 ,many of the sketches of the wreck were executed by him with the assistance of the camera lucida1 kindly lent for the purpose by the late ,captain ,basil ,hall1 ,r4,n41 from whom he received much useful instruction4 ,almost the whole of his service has been passed in the professional office of the director of the royal engineer establishment at ,chatham1 in which1 either as a draughtsman or a confidential leading clerk1 he has always been found1 from his attainments and constitutional energy of mind and body1 efficient and valuable4 ,from time to time he has drawn the plates forming the architectural course of the study of the junior officers of the corps and the ,east ,india ,company's engineers1 and also the plans and other drawings and projects comprised in the military branch of the course4 ,he is an excellent colourist1 and has a good conception of light and shade4 ,as an artist in water-colours1 he possesses undoubted talent and merit4 ,sergeant ,march is moreover an intellectual man and well informed4 ,his controversial letters in reply to the calumnious attacks on the royal engineer establishment at ,chatham have been remarked for their honesty and boldness2 and his series of communications in the #8,united ,service ,gazette1' in answer to the forcible animadversions of the celebrated #8,emeritus' in the #8,times1' concerning ,ordnance finance1 were not only well and truthfully written1 but deserve for their vigour and appositeness as prominent a place in the columns of the #8,times1' as the communications of the more favoured #8,emeritus4' ,this non-commissioned officer is now quartermaster-sergeant of the corps at ,chatham4 ----- ,corporal ,david ,harris1 lance-corporals ,richard ,p4 ,jones and ,john ,rae1 and privates ,john ,skelton1 ,john ,williams1 and ,roderick ,cameron1 made their services apparent in the duty of diving2 and several others1 particularly privates ,james ,anderson1 ,james ,jago1 and ,alexander ,m#8,alpine1 promised well4 ,of these second-rate divers ,anderson was so far advanced that besides slinging numerous timbers1 he probed his way to the dreary bottom of the ship and sent up #ah feet of the keelson4 ,the successful exertions of the whole party attracted admiration1 and an immense pile of about #ah1fjj cubic feet1 or #cgb loads of timber1 got up from the wreck in the summer1 was deposited in ,portsmouth dockyard1 chiefly through their exertions4 ,the divers were six or seven hours a day1 and sometimes more1 under water1 at a depth of sixty or seventy feet2 and so skilfully had they learned to economize time and save labour1 that all sent up their bundles of staves1 casks1 or timber1 as closely packed together1 as a woodman would make up his fagots in the open air4 ,in one haul1 corporal ,jones sent up fifty-eight such pieces lashed together1 and corporal ,harris ninety-one6 ,only one professional civil diver was employed in concert with them for about half the season2 and of the five guns recovered1 two brass #bd-pounders1 the most valuable of the whole1 and an iron #cb-pounder1 were got up by corporal ,harris4 ,this non-commissioned officer was a most confident and resolute diver1 and in ,siebe's dress1 repeatedly plunged into the sea1 head foremost1 for experiment4 ,however safe might have been the apparatus1 it required a bold spirit to make the first essay4 ,lance-corporal ,jones1 from his superior intelligence1 rendered himself eminently useful4 ,he was the first to get to the bottom of the wreck2 and to prove his title to the honour1 sent up #ac feet of the keel4#cia ,the larboard side1 which leaned over when the vessel sunk1 had fallen to pieces and was buried in the mud4 ,this was the most troublesome part of the work2 and corporal ,jones1 by tact and perseverance1 after removing the timbers on that side1 got up #cjj superficial feet of outside planking covered with copper1 under which he found the original ground on which the larboard bilge rested4 ,his exertions were immense1 and the huge pile he recovered1 was increased by several tons of iron ballast slung by him4 ,corporal ,harris was no less successful in reaching places hitherto untouched1 for he wormed his way down to the floor timbers1 found the lee side of the wreck1 and came in contact with another foundered ship of some magnitude1 from which he tore a couple of timbers and sent them aloft4 ,this discovery was due to an unusual mode of descent in which ,harris engaged4 ,he went down from the yawl by the sweeps and was stopped in his course by the unknown wreck4 ,on re-ascending he became entangled in the sweeps and the buoy-line1 without1 however1 experiencing any inconvenience beyond the extra exertion of disengaging himself from their meshes4 ----- ,footnote #cia3 ,three feet of the heel of it1 with clamps attached1 had been recovered in the previous year by ,george ,hall the civil diver4 ----- ,the curiosities obtained this season were in chief part sent up by ,corporal ,harris1 and though intrinsically trifling1 were regarded with infinitely more relish than the huge masses which made the wharf groan with their weight4 ,nearly the first article recovered was a human skull--sad relic of that catastrophe which engulfed in a moment so many souls3 then came a cumbersome musket with some fragments of arms that might have done honourable service against the foe4 ,not the least interesting was a stick of sealing-wax with its ,dutch advertisement1 which translated announced its qualities in these recommendatory terms--8,fine1 well burning1 fast holding sealing-wax40 ,skelton found a dog-collar inscribed with the name of 8,thomas ,little4 ,victory4 #agha40 ,the little favourite1 no doubt1 went down with its young master1 who was a midshipman on board the ill-fated #8,royal ,george4' ,singular that sixty years after1 this simple collar should be dug from the depths1 to become a mournful souvenir of its perished owner4 ,professional divers during the season could not be obtained1 unless at a cost each1 sufficient to pay four or five military divers4 ,the latter1 paid by the tide1 usually earned three or four times as much as the regular working pay of the corps1 and their successful exertions supplied work for about #ajj men1 who were daily employed in removing the timbers1 guns1 ballast1 c4 slung by them4 ,to aid the divers in their labours1 large rakes and half-anchor creepers were drawn over the shoal in which the remains of the wreck were lying1 by which means much of the mud was harrowed up and cleared away4 ,the timbers of the wreck were thus somewhat exposed1 and five1 and sometimes six sapper-divers were down at a tide1 forcing their way through its dangerous tracks1 and sending above its ponderous fragments4 ,in the course of the season1 corporal ,jones and private ,skelton ascertained a curious fact before unknown in the annals of diving4 ,they met at the bottom1 and to their surprise discovered1 when standing close together1 they could hear each other speak2 but the knowledge thus obtained could not be turned to advantage1 as the continued effort to speak loudly1 exhausted their powers and rendered them unable to hold a connected conversation4#cib ,skelton also met ,george ,hall in the wreck1 to whom he introduced himself in a way sufficiently courteous for divers1 by tapping the chf on the helmet with his iron pricker4 ,footnote #cib3 ,when corporal ,jones first heard the voice1 ,skelton was singing1-- 8,bright1 bright are the beams of the morning sky1 ,and sweet are the dews the red blossoms sip40 ,this simple incident sufficiently shows the confidence and coolness of the diver in so novel and hazardous a duty4 ,private ,skelton1 as on former occasions1 made himself conspicuous by his skill and diligence as an artificer and his tact as a diver2 and in addition1 this season1 his gallantry led him to plunge into the sea to save a boy who had fallen overboard1 and his father who jumped after him1 neither of whom could swim4 ,as the tide was running very strong1 ,skelton1 with great judgment1 tied a line round his body1 which he made fast to the stern of the #8,success' frigate1 and then jumped into the sea2 but before he reached the drowning boy and his parent1 a boat quickly came to hand and saved them4 ,alarming accidents1 none of which fortunately proved fatal1 occurred to lance-corporal ,jones1 and privates ,skelton and ,cameron4 ,corporal ,jones had his mouth crushed and some of his front teeth broken by an iron dog1 which he had attached to a bull rope bearing a heavy strain1 slipping from its hold and striking him violently under the helmet4 ,he was at the time endeavouring to move a piece of timber from the load1 when a pig of iron ballast1 weighing about three hundred weight1 got dislodged and fell upon his helmet4 ,had not his head been thus protected1 he would have been killed on the spot1 for it made an indentation in the metal as large as the palm of one's hand1 and nearly an inch deep4 ,at another time1 a large floor timber1 which resisted many efforts to sling it1 was at last in a fair way of reaching the deck1 but on heaving on the bull rope1 the chain flew off with violence1 and struck ,jones a blow on the hand1 laying bare one of his fingers to the bone4 ,such was his spirit1 however1 he remained at the work1 though the mutilated limb might readily have excused him from further duty4 ,anderson1 busy at work over the wreck1 lost all idea of time1 and remained below imprudently long4 ,meanwhile the tide began to run swiftly1 and1 losing his ladder which was fixed on the larboard side of the lump1 he was carried under it1 and came up at the starboard side4 ,the man attending the life-line found1 on hauling it1 that it pulled against the keel of the lump1 and the diver1 thus precariously situated1 could not be drawn up4 ,at first this had a very alarming appearance1 but the evolution which brought him to the surface1 took away the danger of the accident1 and he alighted on deck without injury4 ,skelton was coming up from the bottom to permit the firing of a charge1 but by some mismanagement in the signals1 the explosion took place when he was a few feet from the surface of the water1 and the shock injured his chest and rendered him insensible for a short time4 ,four days afterwards he resumed his place as a diver with his usual zeal and activity4 ,cameron received an injury by the bursting of the air-pipe connected with his helmet1 and when hauled on deck1 he was almost dead from suffocation4 ,he recovered1 however1 after a month's treatment in ,haslar ,hospital1 and in some respect to compensate him for his suffering1 the ,admiralty ordered him to receive his subsistence free of expense4 ,these accidents never for a moment damped the courage of the other men of the detachment1 for they were always ready to take the places of the injured divers the instant they were warned for the duty4 ,not every man1 however1 who offered1 was found capable of diving under such a pressure of water as existed at ,spithead4 ,the effect of the weight may be conceived from the fact1 that the strongest cask sent down empty cracked like an egg-shell4 ,twelve sappers1 in addition to those named above1 essayed to be of service in the art1 but several among the most resolute and promising divers after two or three days' trial1 were compelled to desist from the duty4 ,headaches1 giddiness1 and spitting of blood1 were the effects of their exertions4 ,even of the seasoned divers1 not a man escaped repeated attacks of acute rheumatism and cold2 and it was not a little surprising to find them returning to the work even before they had ceased to complain of their ailments4 ,harris1 ,rae and ,williams were really martyrs in suffering2 but1 nevertheless1 they continued to labour at the bottom1 even when the sea was high1 the weather bitterly cold1 and their hands so benumbed1 that they could scarcely feel anything that they slung4#cic ----- ,footnote #cic3 ,much of the information about the labours of this summer has been collected from the #8,hampshire ,telegraph1' #8,army and ,navy ,register #8,manuscript ,journal of the ,operations4' ----- ,second-corporal ,mc,queen returned to the woods in ,may to resume the reconnaissance and survey of the disputed territory in ,north ,america under ,captain ,broughton1 ,r4,e41 and ,mr4 ,j4 ,d4 ,featherstonhaugh1 ,her ,majesty's commissioners4 ,on the #crd ,may the ,metis lake was gained1 where corporal ,mc,queen was stationed in charge of the observatory until the middle of ,july4 ,every day for that period he registered1 hourly1 the barometrical observations of nine instruments with thermometers both attached and detached4 ,on the #ahth ,july he entered the bush again with thirteen ,indians and ,canadians1 and penetrated the forest for forty miles1 which brought him to the ,metjarmette mountain4 ,throughout this journey he recorded with great care1 at the appointed hours1 the indications of the different instruments in his charge1 and assisted in the various duties of the survey4 ,the mission returned to ,lake ,metis by a different route1 ascertaining1 as it travelled1 the sources of the streams in its track1 and recording such topographical minuti of a particular character as were desirable to elucidate the duties and objects of the enterprise4 ,on the #bdth ,october1 corporal ,mc,queen sailed from ,quebec vi ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia1 to ,england1 and arrived at ,woolwich on the #bjth ,november1 #ahda4 ,for three seasons he had served with the ,commissioners2 twice he was the only ,british soldier with the expedition1 and in appreciation of his diligence and conduct1 was awarded by ,lord ,palmerston1 in addition to his working pay1 a gratuity of #ajl4#cid ----- ,footnote #cid3 ,afterwards became a sergeant1 and served at ,gibraltar4 ,in ,october1 #aheb1 he was pensioned at #as4 #i;d4 a-day4 ,being a skilful mechanic1 he obtained on the day of his discharge1 employment as a blacksmith in the royal carriage department in the arsenal4 ----- ,by warrant dated #bast ,june1 #ahda1 a company of eighty-nine strong1 numbered the #aath1 and one quartermaster-sergeant1 were added to the corps1 which increased its establishment from #a1bjh to #a1bih of all ranks4 ,the company was raised for ,bermuda at the suggestion of the ,governor of the colony1 in consequence of the impracticability of obtaining artificers among the civil population of the required competency to carry on the works4 ,it did not1 however1 reach the station--where one company was already employed--until the #bnd ,april1 #ahdb4 ,the quartermaster-sergeant was appointed for duty at ,chatham1 and sergeant ,thomas ,fraser was promoted to the rank4#cie ----- ,footnote #cie3 ,fraser was a successful modeller1 and although a carpenter by trade1 made himself useful as a wood engraver4 ,many of the wood-cuts in ,colonel ,pasley's #8,practical ,operations of a ,siege1' were executed by him1 and although they exhibit but little artistic merit1 they yet afford scope to show how he adapted himself to circumstances4 ,he also assisted in the task of engraving the most difficult of the plates to the #8,architectural ,course4' ,none of his works in this line betray any ambition1 but his models were put out of hand in a skilful and workmanlike manner4 ,as a whole1 he was a man of singular simplicity4 ,in ,july1 #ahdi1 he was pensioned at #bs4 #c;d4 a-day1 and retiring to ,kilochunagan1 settled down as a farmer4 ----- ,private ,henry ,entwistle distinguished himself on the #cjth ,august1 #ahda1 at pontoon practice1 by plunging into the rapid stream of the ,medway near ,rochester ,bridge1 and at imminent personal risk1 rescuing from drowning private ,samuel ,turner of the corps1 who had fallen overboard and was unable to swim4 ,his courage on this occasion gained the admiration of the ,royal ,humane ,society1 which awarded him a silver medallion accompanied by a vellum certificate1 recording the particulars of his intrepidity1 signed by the ,duke of ,northumberland4#cif ----- ,footnote #cif3 ,became a sergeant1 and after serving at ,corfu and ,china1 was employed in the expedition under ,lord ,raglan to ,turkey1 ,bulgaria1 and the ,crimea1 where1 from disease contracted in the trenches in front of ,sebastopol1 he died in camp before the conclusion of the siege4 ----- ,the detachments at ,sandhurst during the year greatly exerted themselves in the field-work instruction1 and returned to the corps receiving much praise for their zeal and good conduct4 ,corporal ,john ,carlin was in charge of both parties1 and was extremely useful4 ,in the spring term he skilfully prepared the apparatus for a series of subaqueous explosions by the voltaic battery2#cig and1 at the autumn examination1 the rafts and bridges exhibited on the lakes and canals were constructed by him and his party4 ,these consisted of rafts of rough timber and bridges upon various principles1 such as floating1 suspension1 and trestle2 also spars heavily loaded at one end to act as levers1 and others interlaced upon a system of mutual pressure4 ,in carrying out these services corporal ,carlin was honourably noticed1 8as a non-commissioned officer of much merit and ingenuity40#cih ,corporal ,john ,cameron was also mentioned in the ,governor's reports for his activity and ability1 and for having executed with great neatness a quantity of sod revetments for the scarps of the field-works4 ----- ,footnote #cig3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' ii41 #ahda1 p4 #bfg4 ,footnote #cih3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii41 #ahda1 p4 #efc4 ,carlin became a colour-sergeant1 and prior to his discharge had served at ,gibraltar and ,malta1 ,turkey and the ,crimea4 ,when at ,portsmouth1 he received from ,lord ,frederick ,fitzclarence a gold pen and engineering pencil-case1 in return 8for his most useful services in carrying out instruction in musketry1 in which he proved himself to be exceedingly clever in calculations of a rather puzzling nature1 and to be a most zealous1 active1 and painstaking non-commissioned officer40 ----- ,colonel ,pasley was removed from the appointment of director of the royal engineer establishment at ,chatham in ,november1 #ahda1 on promotion to the rank of ,major-,general4#cii ,nearly thirty years he had held the office1 and fulfilled its various functions with a genius1 composure1 and success1 that no successor can ever hope to surpass4 ,to him the corps is largely indebted for that military efficiency which has characterized its progress since #ahab4 ,diligently superintending its practical exercise in all the operations of a siege1 as well as in mining1 pontooning1 and bridge-making1 and in the numerous other essential details of the field establishment1 he made the corps fully equal to the prosecution of any service in which its assistance might be required4 ,some well-meaning officers of high rank did not see the necessity of training the corps in the principles of elementary fortification1#djj but ,colonel ,pasley finally overcame their honest scruples by earnest argument4 ,he not only gained this concession1 but was permitted to teach the corps the elementary principles of geometry and plan-drawing2 and ultimately1 so extensive and complete had his system become1 that some hundreds of non-commissioned officers and men passed from his schools1 as surveyors and draughtsmen1 to the survey of ,ireland4 ,as a disciplinarian he was rigid2 and in exacting from all under his command that obedience1 attention1 and punctuality which were the characteristics of his own laborious career1 he was blind to that partiality or favouritism which could cover the indiscretion of one offender and punish that of another4 ----- ,footnote #cii3 ,the names of the succeeding directors of the royal engineer establishment are given in the ,appendix ,,iii4 ,footnote #djj3 #8,military ,policy4' ----- ,here it may be right to show what was the public opinion of the corps at this period1 as contrasted with its state at the commencement of the ,peninsular war1 and to whom its improved organization and perfect efficiency were chiefly attributed4 8,with respect to our engineer establishment1 it would perhaps be difficult to name any occasion on which a modern ,european army took the field so utterly destitute of efficient means for conducting siege operations as were the ,british troops at the opening of the last war4 ,at this moment1 on the contrary1 no army in the world possesses engineer officers and soldiers better instructed in all that relates to the science and practice of this branch of the service4 ,we have heard one of the most able and most experienced of those officers declare1 that when he was first called upon to take part in some siege operations at the very outset of the war1 he had never seen a gabion1 nor was there a soldier in the force who knew how to make one4 ,to carry on a sap1 or drive the gallery of a mine1 was alike an impossible attempt4 ,the army had neither a single sapper1 miner1 or pontoneer1 and a few drunken and worthless military artificers formed the only engineer troops4444 ,the lessons of experience thus dearly bought have not been acquired in vain4 ,the practical engineer school at ,chatham1 organised and long directed by ,colonel ,pasley1 has produced a corps of sappers and miners equal to any in ,europe4 ,their exercises on the ,medway have likewise given them the qualities of excellent pontoneers40#dja ----- ,footnote #dja3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i41 #ahdb1 pp4 #bf1 #bg4 ----- ,another extract from the same journal1 relative to the conduct of the corps and the impolicy of the reductions which have taken place in its numbers since the return of the army of occupation from ,france in #ahah1 should not be suppressed3--8,the reductions in the sappers and miners since the war are much to be regretted2 and it would be more wise to organize them equivalently to two battalions of eight companies4 ,they are a description of troops invaluable in every respect1--being as soldierlike1 and well trained in the duties of infantry1 as the best regiments of that arm1 and therefore equally available for all military services in garrisons and quarters2 while their qualities as artificers are by no means confined to admirable proficiency in their proper business as engineer-soldiers1 in the management of the pontoon-train and the conduct of siege operations4 ,their exemplary conduct offers an illustration of a principle too much neglected in the discipline of modern armies--that to find constant and wholesome occupation for troops1 as indeed for mankind in every situation1 is the best security both for happiness and good order4444 ,but in the case of this engineer corps1 apart from the important object of keeping up an efficient body for those peculiar duties of their arm in the field1 which require a regular course of practical education1 we are convinced it would be found true economy to increase its force for the repair and maintenance of the numerous fortifications in every quarter of our colonial empire40#djb ----- ,footnote #djb3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i41 #ahda1 p4 #ddc4 ----- ,this perhaps is the fittest place to introduce a glowing testimony to the corps1 penned by one well acquainted with its merits and defects1 and too impartial to append his name to any but a faithful record4 8,indeed10 writes ,sir ,john ,jones1 8justice requires it to be said1 that these men1 whether employed on brilliant martial services1 or engaged in the more humble duties of their calling1 either under the vertical sun of the tropics1 or in the frozen regions of the north1 invariably conduct themselves as good soldiers2 and by their bravery1 their industry1 or their acquirements1 amply repay the trouble and expense of their formation and instruction40#djc ----- ,footnote #djc3 ,jones's #8,sieges1' ii4 p4 #cia1 #bnd edit4 ----- ,nor should the testimony of the chaplain-general1 the ,rev4 ,g4 ,r4 ,gleig1 be omitted4 ,unconnected as he is with the royal sappers and miners1 his opinion has been formed without the prejudice of interested feelings4 ,in taking a bird's-eye retrospect of the formation and growth of some of our military institutions1 he thus speaks of the corps3 8,besides the infantry1 cavalry and artillery1 of which the regular army was composed1 and the corps of engineers1 coeval with the latter1 there sprang up during the war of the ,french ,revolution other descriptions of force1 which proved eminently useful each in its own department1 and of the composition of which a few words will suffice to give an account4 ,first1 the artificers as they were called1 that is to say1 the body of men trained to the exercise of mechanical arts1 such as carpentry1 bricklaying1 bridgemaking1 and so forth1 which in all ages seem to have attended on a ,british army in the field1 became the royal sappers and miners1 whose services1 on many trying occasions1 proved eminently useful1 and who still do their duty cheerfully and satisfactorily in every quarter of the globe4 ,during the late war1 they were commanded under the officers of engineers1 by a body of officers who took no higher rank than that of lieutenant1 and consisted entirely of good men1 to whom their merits had earned commissions4 ,their education1 carried on at ,woolwich and ,chatham1 trained them to act in the field as guides and directors to all working parties1 whether the business in hand might be the construction of a bridge1 the throwing up of field works1 or the conduct of a siege4 ,whatever the engineer officers required the troops to do was explained to a party of sappers1 who1 taking each his separate charge1 showed the soldiers of the line both the sort of work that was required of them1 and the best and readiest method of performing it4 ,the regiment of sappers was the growth of the latter years of the contest1 after the ,british army had fairly thrown itself into the great arena of continental warfare1 and proved so useful1 that while men wondered how an army ever could have been accounted complete without this appendage1 the idea of dispensing with it in any time to come1 seems never to have arisen in the minds of the most economical40#djd ----- ,footnote #djd3 ,gleig's #8,mil4 ,hist41' ch4 xxvii41 pp4 #bhf1 #bhg4 ----- #ahdb4 ,party to ,natal--,the march--,action at ,congella--,boers attack the camp--,then besiege it--,sortie on the ,boers' trenches--,incidents--,privations--,cond uct of the detachment2 courageous bearing of sergeant ,young--,services of the party after hostilities had ceased--,detachment to the ,falkland ,islands--,landing--,character of the country--,services of the party--,its movements2 and amusements--,professor ,airy's opinion of the corps--,fire at ,woolwich2 its consequences--,wreck of the #8,royal ,george'--,classification of the divers--,corporal ,harris's exertions in removing the wreck of the #8,perdita' mooring lighter--,assists an unsuccessful comrade--,difficulties in recovering the pig-iron ballast--,adventure with ,mr4 ,cussell's lighter--,isolation of ,jones at the bottom--,annoyed by the presence of a human body2 ,harris1 less sensitive1 captures it--,the keel--,accidents--,conflict between two rival divers--,conduct of the sappers employed in the operations--,demolition of beacons at ,blythe ,sand1 ,sheerness--,testimonial to sergeant-major ,jones for his services in connection with it4 ,in ,january1 #ahdb1 a small force under the command of ,captain ,smith1 #bgth regiment1 was sent to the ,umgazi1 about ten miles south of the ,umzimvooboo1 to watch the movements of the ,boers1 who had attacked a native chief in alliance with the colonial government4 ,with this force was detached a party of eight royal sappers and miners under ,lieutenant ,c4 ,r4 ,gibb of the engineers4 ,there the expedition was encamped for a season1 when a portion of it1 on the #cast ,march1 quitted the ,umgazi for ,natal1 taking with them seventy wheeled carriages and numerous oxen4 ,the sappers took the lead of the column to remove obstructions on the route4 ,the force comprised about #bej men1 chiefly of the #bgth regiment1 and a few artillerymen4 ,in the journey to ,natal1 a distance of more than #fjj miles1 the greatest difficulties were encountered4 ,much of the ground traversed was very marshy4 ,rivulets and larger streams were so much increased by the rains that the broken drifts across them had frequently to be renewed or repaired after one or two waggons had crossed4 ,several very steep hills had to be surmounted1 one of which was the ,umterda1 over which the hunter and trader had never attempted to take his waggon without first dismantling it1 and then carrying it up or down4 ,up this rugged hill1 formed of huge boulders of granite imbedded in a swamp1 a rough road was constructed2 and by putting three spans of oxen--thirty-six bullocks--to each waggon1 all1 after three days' heavy labour and fatigue1 were got to the summit4 ,constantly in their progress1 they had to improve the roads1 to cut through wood and bush1 to toil along the sand on the shore1 and occasionally1 harnessing themselves with ropes1 drag the unwieldy train along wild passes and almost impenetrable tracts of fastness4 ,at length1 after a most harassing march of six weeks1 of straining energy and arduous exertion1 having crossed one hundred and seventy-two rivers and streams1 much of the journey under violent rain1 and often sleeping at night on the swampy ground1 the troops reached ,natal on the #crd ,may1 and encamped at the head of the bay2 from whence they afterwards removed to the ,itafa ,amalinde1 where they intrenched themselves1 and placed beyond the parapet1 for additional protection1 the waggons which accompanied the force4 ,the ,boers were opposed to the presence of the troops1 and desired them to quit the country4 ,this was unheeded by the ,english commandant1 and hostilities at once commenced4 ,on the night of the #bcrd ,may1 ,captain ,smith1 in command of a portion of his force1 left the camp and attacked the ,boers at ,congella1 taking with him seven sappers and miners1 armed and carrying tools4 ,when the enemy opened fire1 the troops were in file up to their knees in water4 ,private ,burridge fired the first shot in the engagement4 ,more than an hour the contest continued without any one being able to take a direct aim2 and1 when the troops commenced the retreat1 they were up to their armpits in water4 ,here a sergeant of the #bgth was shot1 who would have been carried away in the receding tide1 had not sergeant ,young with two of the sappers1 brought him across the bay to the camp1 where his remains were interred4 ,private ,william ,burridge was wounded in the knee4 ,on regaining the camp all were served out with fresh ammunition1 and1 when about to lie down1 the ,boers attacked the position and only retired at daylight in the morning4 ,during the action half of the pole of the sappers' tent was carried away by a shot1 and the waggon in their front was pierced by eleven balls4 ,private ,richard ,tibbs on this occasion received three balls in his clothes and was wounded4 ,soon afterwards 7#cast ,may7 the ,boers1 comprising a force of about #abjj men and nine guns1 commenced to besiege the camp4 ,this they continued with vigour till the #bfth ,june1 when a reinforcement having reached the cantonment from the frontier1 hostilities ceased4 ,throughout the operations the eight sappers were employed superintending the execution of such works as the circumstances of the siege rendered indispensable4 ,these included a redoubt1 to preserve the communication with the port and village1 and a magazine4 ,they also assisted in constructing a large kraal of stakes and abattis1 for the safety of the cattle4 ,the waggons were likewise drawn closer in1 to make the defence more compact2 and from a trench1 dug on the inside1 the earth was thrown under the body of the waggons1 which were thus imbedded in the parapet4 ,by this means the troops were enabled to fire over the parapet and underneath the bed of the waggons2 and by leaving traverses in the line of trench1 the camp was protected from enfilade4 ,daily the sappers were occupied in repairing the earth-works1 and almost unassisted1 built a battery for an #ah-pounder gun in the south angle of the intrenchment4 ,sergeant ,young1 under ,lieutenant ,gibb1 was the executive non-commissioned officer in conducting the field-works1 and twice every day he went round the trenches1 reported what was necessary to strengthen the defences1 and carried out the directions of his officer4 ,on the night of the #hth ,june1 sergeant ,young and three sappers carrying their arms and intrenching tools1 accompanied the sortie to the ,boers' trenches under ,lieutenant ,irwin1 #bgth regiment4 ,the enemy retreated and the trenches were destroyed4 ,on the #ahth following three sappers were present in a second sortie under ,lieutenant ,molesworth of the #bgth1 and led the column to the points of attack4 ,the conflict was short but fierce1 and the troops returned to the camp with the loss of one officer and three men killed1 and four wounded4 ,among the latter was private ,richard ,tibbs of the sappers4 ,during the siege1 private ,john ,howatson had made some wooden cradles for surgical purposes1 and on finishing one1 begged the doctor to look at it4 ,both stooped to do so1 when a #f-pound shot passed within a few inches of their heads and whizzed by the rest of the party in the trench4 ,when ,lieutenant ,gibb's servant was killed1 corporal ,deary and private ,burridge buried him outside the waggons1 and the melancholy service was not accomplished without much daring and danger4 ,as the siege progressed provisions became scarce and the troops were put on the smallest possible allowance4 ,horses were killed and their flesh made into biltong4 ,this1 with a little beef1 formed the daily repast of the camp2 and in lieu of meal and biscuit1 ground oats were issued4 ,upon this fare it was impossible to hold out more than fourteen days1 but a strong reinforcement arrived on the #bfth ,june1 and effecting a landing1 the ,boers retreated with loss and haste from the beach and the trenches1 and the siege terminated4 ,with the relief were three men of the sappers1 who increased the strength of the ,natal party to eleven of all ranks4#dje ----- ,footnote #dje3 ,much of the above information is taken from ,captain ,gibb's #8,memoranda in ,corps ,papers1' i41 pp4 #bcj-bch4 ----- ,lieutenant ,gibb in his report to head-quarters praised sergeant ,young1 corporal ,deary1 and the detachment for their usefulness1 alacrity1 and cheerfulness2 and ,captain ,smith in command1 eulogized them for their uniform activity and readiness of resource in the presence of the enemy4 ,when quitting ,natal1 the latter officer favoured sergeant ,young with a testimonial in the following terms3 8,as ,i am about to relinquish the command1 ,i am desirous to bear testimony to the high and irreproachable character of sergeant ,young of the royal sappers and miners4 ,having accompanied the expedition from the ,umgazi to ,natal early in #ahdb1 and shared in all its subsequent dangers and privations1 ,i cannot speak too highly of his courage and self-possession1 and his unwearied zeal in the performance of his various and arduous duties4 ,he was always at his post and never found wanting2 and ,i therefore beg to recommend him to notice as one of the best and most trustworthy non-commissioned officers ,i have met with during my long course of service40 ,after the siege the detachment built a sod wall round the camp and loopholed it1 within which they constructed a temporary barracks of wood1 working from daylight to dark even on ,sundays4 ,a wattle barracks for #cjj men was next erected by them1 and afterwards a block-house at ,port ,natal4 ,they also extended their services to the requirements of ,fort ,napier1 ,van ,vooren1 ,bushman's ,river1 and the neighbouring posts in the district1 during which time their head-quarters was established at ,pietermauritzburg1 where a party of ten or twelve men have ever since been employed4#djf ----- ,footnote #djf3 ,young1 as a sergeant1 was overseer of the works at ,natal1 at #bs4 #f;d4 a-day1 in addition to his regimental allowances2 and1 for his gallant conduct in action and useful services1 was awarded a silver medal and an annuity of #ajl4 a-year4 ,in ,july1 #ahej1 he retired to ,charleston1 of ,aberlour1 in ,banffshire1 on a pension of #bs4 a-day4 ,he was a stern and an abrupt soldier1 but an example of faithfulness1 accuracy1 and exertion4 ----- ,sergeant ,robert ,hearnden and eleven rank and file1 detached in the brig #8,hebe' in ,october1 #ahda1 to the ,falkland ,islands1 under ,lieutenant ,r4 ,c4 ,moody1 ,r4,e41 the ,lieutenant-,governor of the colony1 arrived there on the #aeth ,january1 #ahdb4 ,three women and seven children accompanied the party4 ,the men were volunteers and of trades suitable to the experiment of improving an old but neglected settlement4 ,they were armed with percussion carbines1 carrying a sword with a serrated back1 which was affixed to the piece when necessary as a bayonet4#djg ----- ,footnote #djg3 ,this weapon was proposed for adoption in the corps both as a sword for personal defence and an instrument for removing obstructions on active service2 but ,sir ,george ,murray1 then ,master-,general1 refused to sanction its introduction1 considering it to be an improper weapon to be used in civilized warfare4 ----- ,after bearing up ,berkeley ,sound the party landed at ,port ,louis on the #bcrd ,january1 and were present as a guard of honour to his ,excellency on taking over the government of the ,falkland ,islands4 ,the inhabitants were assembled to receive him and the ,lieutenant-,governor made them a gracious speech4 ,soon the men became acquainted with the nature of the country they had been sent to improve4 ,its land was unfruitful and its character inhospitable4 ,vegetation was so scant and the soil so poor1 that nowhere could a tree be seen4 ,large barren tracts of country1 softened into mud by perpetual rains1 everywhere met the eye2 and the luxuries of living embraced but few varieties beyond fish1 flesh1 and fowl4 ,houses there were none1 nor was there any society or amusement4 ,what with rain1 snow1 fogs1 gales1 and tempests1 the ,falkland ,islands have well been called the region of storms4 ,the population1 not more than #bjj in all1 consisted of a dissipated set of ruffians1 the depraved renegades of different countries4 ,after landing the stores and provisions from the #8,hebe1' the detachment was put to work4 ,two portable houses were in course of time erected2 one for his ,excellency1 and the other for the sappers4 ,for durability they were built on stone foundations1 and the roofs1 to keep out the rain1 were covered with tarred canvas and thatched with tussack4 ,a number of outhouses and sheds to suit every convenience and want were rapidly run up1 and the old dreary settlement gave unmistakable signs of vigorous industry and improvement4 ,one of the houses1 with six apartments1 was erected as an addition to the old government-house1 which was a long1 narrow1 crazy structure of one story1 with thick stone walls1 a canvas roof1 and five ill-contrived rooms4 ,the other for the sappers1 was constructed a little distance in the rear of the ,governor's dwelling4 ,two ruinous cottages at ,pig ,brook were also fitted up1 and two cottages at ,german's ,point rebuilt4 ,to make the habitations of the location more homely and ,english1 enclosures were fenced in for gardens and pasturage4 ,a well likewise was built of dry stone with an oval dome and approached by stone steps4 ,for purposes of correction1 an oven built by the ,french settlers under ,bougainville1 about #agfj1 the oldest building in the group1 was used for the confinement of refractory characters4 ,the detachment1 in addition to its other duties1 served as the police of the settlement1 and sergeant ,hearnden was appointed chief constable4 ,much of the time of the men was spent in boat service to ,long ,island and other places to get tussack1 oxen1 horses1 peat1 c4 ,the last was obtained in large quantities and stacked for winter fuel4 ,occasionally a few were out on reconnoitring excursions examining portions of the country1 and surveying the islands and patches of land of colonial interest4 ,in this service corporal ,william ,richardson1 who was a surveyor and mathematician1 was the most conspicuous4 ,when opportunity permitted1 some were employed quarrying stone1 repairing landing-places1 making roads1 and improving the paths and approaches to the settlement4 ,to add to the diversity of their duties1 a few were sometimes occupied in marking out allotments and indicating the passes or routes across bogs and lagoons by means of poles4 ,the first pole was placed on the loftiest hill between ,port ,louis and ,saint ,salvador1 which his ,excellency1 in honour of his sergeant1 named ,hearnden ,hill4 ,in short the men were compelled to turn their hands to anything1 for an abandoned and desolate settlement rendered numerous services essential for the convenience and comfort of the settlers4 ,sergeant ,hearnden was clerk of the works1 and also filled with energy and ability a number of other offices of colonial necessity4#djh ,frequently he was detached to considerable distances1 and his reports upon the aspects and capabilities of particular sites and places were invariably received with approbation and his suggestions carried out4 ----- ,footnote #djh3 ,such as auctioneer1 excise-officer1 c4 ,in carrying on the former duty1 among his many sales1 he disposed of the #8,melville' schooner1 a vessel belonging to four partners1 obtaining for it1 from one of the partners1 only #gbj dollars6 ,this may be taken as a fair specimen of the wealth of the colonists4 ----- ,sections of the detachment were often sent on duty to ,long ,island1 ,green ,island1 ,salvador ,bay1 ,johnson's ,harbour1 ,port ,william1 c4 ,two or three times the men sent to ,long ,island could not return to the location1 as the boats on each occasion were1 by a driving gale1 dashed back on the beach1 and the men exposed through the weary night to the pelting storm4 ,once under such circumstances the party was without food for twenty-three hours4 ,two men detached to ,jackson's ,harbour1 when returning home1 were caught in a snow-storm and with great difficulty reached the untenable hut at ,fishhouse ,creek4 ,there1 benumbed and fatigued1 they sought shelter for the night1 being unable to proceed further or to assist themselves4 ,to relieve the monotony of their public duties1 the men were permitted to follow any sport which their inclination suggested4 ,boating1 hunting1#dji shooting1 fishing1 and angling1 were among the varieties of their diversions4 ,game was plentiful1 and the men usually returned from their excursions laden with rabbits1 geese1 and birds of different form and plumage4 ,in fishing1 the party at one time in a single haul1 caught at ,fishhouse ,creek thirteen hundred weight of mullet4 ,the ,governor1 too1 was ever ready to devise means to promote their amusement and comfort1 and on one occasion so pleased was he with their general good conduct and exertions1 that he honoured them with an excellent dinner from his own purse and shared himself in the festivities4 ----- ,footnote #dji3 ,all had horses1 as travelling on horseback was frequently necessary4 ,the ,governor presented one1 with harness complete1 to sergeant ,hearnden4 ,the men made themselves very expert in the management of horses1 and throwing aside the rude thongs of raw hide by which they were controlled1 quickly adapted the draught-horses to the use of artillery harness and collars4 ----- ,with the view of verifying the reported peculiarity of the tides at ,southampton1 ,professor ,airy1 in ,february1 proceeded thither to examine the rise and fall of the water4 ,some non-commissioned officers and privates were placed by ,colonel ,colby at his disposal for this purpose1 who prepared and fixed the vertical scale of feet and inches1 and kept a watch upon the general accuracy of the observed tides4 8,i was10 says the ,professor1 8extremely glad to avail myself of this offer1 for ,i believe that a more intelligent and faithful body of men does not exist than the sappers employed on the trigonometrical survey2 and ,i know well the advantage of employing upon a tedious business like this1 a set of regular service men stationed on the spot40#daj ----- ,footnote #daj3 #8,philosophical ,transactions1' i41 #ahdc1 p4 #de4 ----- ,on the #aith ,march about #aej non-commissioned officers and men of the corps at ,woolwich under ,lieutenant ,f4 ,a4 ,yorke1 ,r4,e41 were present in the night at a fire1 which burnt the #8,bull' tavern to the ground4#daa ,the sappers were the first to render assistance and to secure from destruction much of the property4#dab ,by the falling of the principal wall of the building eighteen persons were severely crushed and wounded1 six of whom were privates of the corps4 ,private ,malcolm ,campbell1 one of the injured1 rescued the landlord1 ,mr4 ,boyd1 from being burnt to death4 ,the latter in a state of great bewilderment rushed back into the burning tavern1 and ,campbell dashing after him dragged him through the flames and falling timbers1 from a back room of the building1 into the street again4#dac ----- ,footnote #daa3 ,reference would not have been made to this service only for the accident which attended it4 ,often it is the lot of the corps at the various stations to distinguish themselves at fires1 and by their promptitude and cheerful exertions1 to save both lives and property4 ,footnote #dab3 ,an insurance company1 in no respect under obligations to the parties who assisted at the fire1 felt interested in the exertions of the sappers and awarded them #el4 ,as the sum was too small for distribution1 it was well expended in the purchase of a clock for the barracks at ,woolwich4 ,footnote #dac3 ,after serving a station in ,china1 died at ,woolwich1 in ,july1 #ahdg4 ----- ,during the summer a corporal and twenty-three rank and file of the royal sappers and miners1 and nine men of the ,east ,india ,company's sappers were employed at ,spithead under ,major-,general ,pasley1 in the removal of the wreck of the #8,royal ,george4' ,the operations were carried on from the #gth ,may to the end of ,october under the executive orders of ,lieutenant ,g4 ,r4 ,hutchinson1 ,r4,e4 ,in all respects the duties1 labours1 and responsibilities of the sappers were the same as on previous occasions1 except that the diving was carried out by the party1 and a few of the ,east ,india ,company's sappers and miners1 without in any one instance needing the help of professional civil divers4 ,on the #bnd ,november the detachment rejoined the corps at ,chatham4 ,four divers were at first employed4 ,on the #acth ,may the number was increased to five1 and on the #crd ,june to six1 which force continued at the duty throughout the season4 ,several other men during the summer had been so employed when casualty or other cause prevented the regular divers descending1 and the whole who had distinguished themselves in this work by their activity and success1 were classified as follows3-- ,first-class divers3--corporal ,david ,harris3 lance-corporals ,richard ,p4 ,jones1 and ,john ,rae3 privates ,roderick ,cameron1 ,james ,jago1 ,john ,williams1 and ,william ,crowdy4 ,second-class divers3--privates ,alexander ,cleghorn and ,john ,girvan4 ,third-class divers3--lance-corporal ,w4 ,thompson3 privates ,william ,browning1 ,william ,penman1 and ,edward ,barnicoat4#dad ----- ,footnote #dad3 ,the nine men of the ,east ,india ,company's sappers1 whose names are appended1 dived more or less as occasion offered4 ,lance-corporal ,thomas ,sherstone1 privates ,james ,hewitt1 ,james ,beale1 ,george ,taylor1 ,william ,brabazon1 ,john ,hunt1 ,william ,england1 ,john ,mc,ivor1 and ,john ,a4 ,goodfellow4 ,hewitt was the best1 ,sherstone the next1 and ,beale and ,taylor were very promising4 ----- ,corporal ,harris almost entirely by his own diligence removed1 in little more than two months1 the wreck of the #8,perdita' mooring lighter1 which was sunk in #aghc in the course of ,mr4 ,tracy's unsuccessful efforts to weigh the #8,royal ,george4' ,it was about sixty feet in length1 and embedded in mud fifty fathoms south of that vessel4 ,the exposed timbers stood only two feet six inches above the level of the bottom1 so that the exertions of ,harris in removing the wreck were herculean4 ,completely overpowered by fatigue1 he claimed a respite for a day or two to recruit his energies1 and then resumed work with his accustomed assiduity and cheerfulness4 ,there was a sort of abnegation--an absence of jealousy--in the character of ,harris which1 as the rivalry among the divers made them somewhat selfish1 gave prominency to his kindness4 ,he met ,cameron at the bottom1 who led him to the spot where he was working4 ,for a considerable time ,cameron had fruitlessly laboured in slinging an awkward timber of some magnitude1 when ,harris readily stood in his place2 and in a few minutes1 using ,cameron's breast-line to make the necessary signals1 sent the mass on deck4 ,it was thus recorded to ,cameron's credit1 but the circumstance1 on becoming known1 was regarded with so much satisfaction1 that honourable mention was made of it in the official journal4 ,lance-corporal ,jones1 a sagacious and indefatigable diver1 was the most conspicuous for his success at the #8,royal ,george4' ,in one day besides slinging innumerable fragments1 he sent up nearly three tons of pig-iron ballast4 ,the duty of recovering it1 which was excessively trying1 was confined to him4 ,so painful and enlarged had his hands become in discharging it1 he was at last fairly beaten1 and for a few days1 took an easier area at the bottom4 ,meanwhile private ,hewitt of the ,east ,india ,company's sappers1 one of the most spirited divers of his party1 succeeded him1 and led by mark-lines to the spot1 commenced his arduous task4 ,hard indeed did he labour to follow his predecessor even at a remote distance2 but on coming up1 he declared it was impossible for any one to work there4 ,it appeared for some time1 that ,jones in his dogged perseverance1 had run his adventurous chances in gaps and gullies over his head in mud1 and could only feel the ballast by forcing his hands down among the shingle as far as his strength permitted him to reach4 ,on another day ,jones lodged on deck from his slings a crate containing eighty #ab-pounder shot4 ,with singular success he laid the remainder of the kelson open for recovery1 and then1 sinking deeper1 drew from the mud in two hauls nearly #ce feet of the keel4 ,he also weighed a small vessel of six tons burden belonging to a ,mr4 ,cussell1 which drove1 under a strong current1 upon one of the lighters4 ,becoming entangled1 the craft soon filled and foundered1 grappling in her descent with the ladder of one of the divers4 ,grounding at a short distance from the interval between the lighters1 ,jones was selected to try his skill in rescuing her4 ,at once descending he fixed the chains under her stern1 and while attempting to hold them in position by passing them round the mast1 the tide turned1 the vessel swung about1 and the mast fell over the side1 burying ,jones under her sails and rigging4 ,perilous as was his situation1 his fearlessness and presence of mind never for a moment forsook him4 ,working from under the canvas and carefully extricating himself from the crowd of ropes that ensnared him1 he at last found himself free4 ,a thunderstorm now set in1 and obedient to a call from above1 he repaired to the deck2 but as soon as the squall had subsided he again disappeared and cleverly jamming the slings1 the boat was hove up2 but she had become a complete wreck and was taken on shore4 ,nothing was too venturesome for him to undertake1 and the trial of enterprising expedients only whetted his wish to be the chief in their execution4 ,it was desired to ascertain how long a diver could exist in his dress without communication with the external air4 ,jones offering himself for the experiment1 remained ten minutes on the deck of the lighter1 cased up as if hermetically sealed1 without experiencing any inconvenience4 ,a more dangerous trial followed4 ,a clever man had expressed his conviction1 that if the air-pipe were to burst on deck and the diver not instantly drawn up1 he would be suffocated4 ,notwithstanding this scientific speculation1 ,jones descended1 and the pump1 by signal1 ceased4 ,five minutes he continued unsupplied from above1 but a feeling of pressure having then commenced on his chest1 he signalled for air4 ,the knowledge thus acquired1 proved that a diver had ample time to be hauled up before the air in his dress should become too vitiated to sustain life4 ,on going down to examine the progress made in the removal of the #8,perdita1' ,jones encountered a human body which had been drowned about six weeks4 ,it felt round and hard2 was nude to the waist but clothed in trowsers to the ankles4 ,jones was a long time before he could discover what it was that annoyed him4 ,on tracing with his fingers the course of the spinal column1 it felt as if the vertebr were as distinct as the bars of an iron grating4 ,the thought suddenly possessed him that he was handling the remains of a fellow creature4 ,horror-stricken at the idea1 he rushed up the ladder1 and it was a few hours before he could sufficiently master his feelings to redescend4 ,when he did so he went to the spot where the body visited him1 and removed the timber he had previously secured4 ,he was1 however1 no more troubled with this submarine apparition nor with a return of his melancholy emotions4 ,two days after1 ,corporal ,harris had an interview with a strange substance at the foot of his ladder2 but not over-nice in his sensations1 he struck his pricker into it4 ,when pulled up to the surface1 it turned out to be the mutilated remains that molested the sensitive ,jones4 ,these two non-commissioned officers were now equal to the best divers in ,europe1 and their daring exploits at the bottom of the sea under a great depth of water1 with a strong tide1 and traversing a space covered with thick mud1 embarrassed by iron and shingle ballast1 huge timbers1 guns1 and a thousand other obstacles1 were constantly recorded in the newspapers of the day1 and filled the public with wonder4 ,a sort of fixed intention possessed the minds of the divers this season to bring up the leviathan keel at all hazards4 ,several therefore shared in the honour of recovering a portion of it4 ,cameron was the first to burrow under it1 and he slung a short piece1 which was scarfed1 connected with six pairs of copper bolts1 measuring one foot six inches long1 and also the clamps for securing the false keel4 ,private ,james ,hewitt of the ,east ,india ,company's sappers also recovered a short length4 ,jago1 more successful1 sent up six feet2 ,harris sixteen feet2 and ,jones came in for the lion's portion1 having slung no less than thirty-four feet six inches4 ,crowdy also added to the registry of his achievements1 the recovery of a guinea2 and ,cleghorn had the good fortune to send up an #ah-pounder iron gun1 the only one disembowelled from the deep this summer4 ,a few accidents occurred during the season1 only one of which was serious4 ,corporal ,jones1 as usual1 fell in for his share of them4 ,slinging1 on one occasion1 five pigs of ballast1 he jumped upon the chains to tighten the load and secure it from slipping4 ,in so doing the weight whirled round and imparted a rotating motion to the bull rope to which the chains were attached4 ,the rope coming in contact with his air-pipe and life-line twined several times round them1 and interrupted1 in a measure1 the channels of communication4 ,to avert the danger which threatened1 ,jones threw himself on his back1 declining the slow process of climbing his ladder2 and permitting the air in proper quantity to take vent through the escape valve1 passed motionless through the water1 except the simple action of his hand occasionally to rectify his balance4 ,his upward flight was something like the downward pitch of a bird1 which1 laying its wings on the air1 descends with scarcely a flutter to the ground4 ,quickly hauled on board1 it was not without much difficulty he was extricated from the entanglement in which his zeal had unwittingly involved him4 ,at another time1 being very wet1 he was compelled to re-ascend to ascertain the cause of the inconvenience4 ,on examining his helmet1 the escape valve was found to be open owing to the presence of a small stone in the aperture1 which opposed the true action of the valve and admitted water into his dress in a small but unchecked stream4 ,private ,john ,williams early in the season tore his hands very severely in attempting to sling a mass of the wreck with jagged surfaces and broken bolts4 ,after a few days' rest1 he re-appeared in his submarine habit and dived as before2 but1 from excessive pain in the ears1 was again hors-de-combat until the #aath ,july2 when1 on re-descending1 he was grievously injured by the bursting of his air-pipe a few inches above the water4 ,this casualty was indicated by a loud hissing noise on deck4 ,a few seconds elapsed before the rupture could be traced and the opening temporarily stopped4 ,with great alertness he was drawn up2 and on being relieved of his helmet presented a frightful appearance4 ,his face and neck were much swollen and very livid1 blood was flowing profusely from his mouth and ears1 his eyes were closed and protruding1 and on being laid on deck1 he retched a quantity of clotted gore4 ,though partially suffocated he possessed sufficient sensibility to speak of the mishap4 ,a sudden shock1 it seems1 struck him motionless1 and then followed a tremendous pressure as if he were being crushed to death4 ,a month in ,haslar hospital restored him to health1 and on returning to the wreck1 he at once re-commenced the laborious occupation of diving4 ,he was quite as venturesome and zealous as before1 but was again soon obliged to leave off1 having resumed the duty at too early a period of his convalescence4 ,a dangerous but curious incident occurred this summer between corporal ,jones and private ,girvan--two rival divers1 who in a moment of irritation engaged in a conflict at the bottom of the sea1 having both got hold of the same floor timber of the wreck which neither would yield to the other4#dae ,jones at length fearful of a collision with ,girvan1 he being a powerful man1 made his bull-rope fast and attempted to escape by it2 but before he could do so1 ,girvan seized him by the legs and tried to draw him down4 ,a scuffle ensued1 and ,jones succeeding in extricating his legs from the grasp of his antagonist1 took a firmer hold of the bull-rope and kicked at ,girvan several times with all the strength his suspended position permitted4 ,one of the kicks broke an eye or lens of ,girvan's helmet1 and as water instantly rushed into his dress1 he was likely to have been drowned1 had he not at once been hauled on board4 ,two or three days in ,haslar hospital1 however1 completely cured him of the injuries he thus sustained1 and these two submarine combatants ever afterwards carried on their duties with the greatest cordiality4 ----- ,footnote #dae3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii4 #ahdc1 p4 #aci4 ----- ,as artificers1 lance-corporal ,thompson and private ,penman were skilful and diligent4 ,lance-corporal ,rae and private ,thomas ,smith were in charge of the gunpowder and voltaic battery1 and made all the mining preparations for explosion4 ,nearly four tons and a quarter of powder were fired in numerous small charges from #ah to #agj lbs41 which will afford some idea of the importance of the duty4#daf ----- ,footnote #daf3 ,much of the information given about the wreck of the #8,royal ,george1' has been gleaned from the #8,hampshire ,telegraph1' #8,army and ,navy ,register1' and the #8,manuscript ,journal of the ,operations4' ----- ,general ,pasley in his official report1 besides highly commending the men above named1 wrote in praise of the general good conduct of the entire detachment and of its useful and active services4 ,corporal ,blaik1 who assisted in the superintendence of the whole of the workmen in one of the two mooring lighters1 the ,general alluded to as a non-commissioned officer of much merit and strict integrity4 ,his courteous behaviour1 too1 elicited the respect of every man employed1 and attracted the favourable notice of many officers and gentlemen who visited the operations4#dag ----- ,footnote #dag3 ,afterwards a sergeant4 ,was generally employed in duties of importance far exceeding his rank1 at the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 ,isle of ,france1 and ,hong-,kong4 ,in #ahdg he was present in the expedition to ,canton1 blew up the ,zigzag ,fort1 and otherwise conspicuously distinguished himself4 ,he died at ,hong-,kong1 after five years' service there1 in #ahdh4 ,blaik had been brought up at the royal military asylum1 ,chelsea4 ----- ,early in ,september1 at the request of the ,trinity corporation1 ,colonel ,sir ,frederick ,smith1 director of the royal engineer establishment1 undertook to demolish two barges formerly used as the foundations of beacons at ,blyth ,sand1 ,sheerness4 ,for this purpose he sent ,lieutenant ,bourchier1 ,r4,e41 sergeant-major ,jenkin ,jones and seven men of the corps to the spot in the #8,beaconry1' one of the ,trinity steamers4 ,a number of small charges deposited in tin cases were fixed at low water1 and fired to shake the wrecks4 ,by the explosion of a large charge on the #crd ,september1 one barge was completely destroyed and dispersed2 and on the #eth1 by the firing of a still greater charge1 the other barge shared the fate of its consort4 ,masses of the wreck on the first explosion were projected to a height of about #bjj feet1 and about #djj feet from the scene of operations1 while at the same time a column of water1 eighty feet high1 was forced into the air4 ,on the second occasion1 ,sir ,thomas ,willshire1 the commandant of ,chatham garrison1 and ,captain ,welbank1 chairman of the ,trinity corporation1 were present1 but the effect was less striking1 although a much greater quantity of powder was used1 in consequence of there being at the moment twenty feet of superincumbent water pressing on the barge4 ,captain ,welbank personally complimented the 8indefatigable0 sergeant-major for his success1 and the corporation of ,trinity ,house afterwards1 with the permission of the ,master-,general1 presented him with a silver-gilt snuff-box to commemorate the assistance he rendered in the dispersion of the wrecks4#dah ----- ,footnote #dah3 ,four years previously1 ,august1 #ahch1 sergeant-major ,jones was presented with a silver tankard1 8by the sergeants of ,chatham garrison1 in testimony of their gratitude for the undeviating attention he evinced in superintending the formation of a military swimming-bath at that station40 ----- #ahdb4 ,draft to ,canada--,company recalled from thence--,its services and movements--,its character--,labours of colour-sergeant ,lanyon--,increase to ,gibraltar--,reduction in the corps--,irish survey completed2 force employed in its prosecution--,reasons for conducting it under military rule--,economy of superintendence by sappers--,their employments--,sergeants ,west1 ,doull1 ,spalding1 ,keville--,corporals ,george ,newman1 ,andrew ,duncan--,staff appointments to the survey companies--,dangers--,hardships--,averag e strength of sapper force employed--,casualties--,kindness of the ,irish--,gradual transfer of sappers for the ,english survey--,distribution2 ,southampton4 ,the company in ,canada which accompanied the troops to that province on the occasion of the unsettled state of affairs on the ,american frontier1 was increased to a full company by the arrival of thirteen men on the #hth ,july1 #ahdb4 ,scarcely had the party landed before the company itself was recalled1 and rejoined the corps at ,woolwich on the #cast ,october1 #ahdb4 ,during its four years' service on the frontier1 the total of the company1 with its reinforcement1 counted ninety-nine of all ranks1 and its casualties only amounted to eight men invalided1 three discharged1 and five deserted4 ,not a death was reported4 ,from time to time it was stationed at ,quebec1 ,fort ,mississaqua near the ,falls of ,niagara1 ,st4 ,helen's ,island1 ,st4 ,john's1 and ,fort ,lennox1 ,isle aux ,noix4 ,these were its several head-quarters1 and as the company was removed from one to the other1 parties were detached for service to each of the other stations1 and also to ,amherstburgh4 ,in repairing and improving the defences at ,mississaqua and ,isle aux ,noix they were found of great advantage4 ,at the other stations they were no less usefully occupied in barrack repairs and other contingent services4 ,from ,amherstburgh the detachment rejoined the company in #ahdj4 ,whilst the latter was at ,st4 ,helen's and afterwards at ,st4 ,john's1 the men were exercised during the summer months in pontooning with bridges of ,colonel ,blanshard's construction1 which had been stored at ,chambly until #ahdj4 ,the pontoons were found to travel well on bad roads1 but the breadth of the rivers in ,canada did not permit of their being often used as bridges4 ,after the removal of the company1 ,colonel ,oldfield1 the commanding royal engineer1 thus wrote of it3 8,the discipline of the company was not relaxed by its four summers in ,canada4 ,it had suffered the inconvenience of several times changing its captain1 but it was nevertheless maintained in good order and regular conduct4 ,lieutenant ,w4 ,c4 ,roberts1 ,r4,e41 however1 was constantly with it1 to whom and colour-sergeant ,lanyon#dai and the non-commissioned officers1 much credit is due4 ,the desertions only amounted to six1 although the company was on the frontier in daily communication with the ,united ,states4 ,of these six1 one returned the following morning2 a second would have done so but he feared the jeers of his comrades2 and the other four found when too late the falsity of the inducements which had attracted them to the ,states1 and would gladly have come back could they have done so40 ,and the ,colonel then concludes1 8,the advantages enjoyed by well-behaved men1 and the esprit de corps which has always existed in the sappers have been found to render desertion rare1 even when exposed to greater temptation than usually falls to the lot of other soldiers40 ----- ,footnote #dai3 ,ante1 pp4 #cjg-caj4 ,at the new barracks built for the dragoons at ,niagara1 sergeant ,lanyon successfully constructed a circular well1 about thirty feet deep1 after two or three contractors had attempted it and failed4 ,he laboured himself in laying the stones up to his hips in water1 and afforded ample work for a strong party above in preparing the stones for placement1 and pumping up the water4 ,the service was effected under many difficulties and hazards1 and while the weather was intensely cold4 ,as an instance of his great strength it may be remarked1 that six men complained to him of the heavy task they were subjected to in removing timbers about #ae feet long and #ab inches square for constructing a stockade at ,fort ,mississaqua4 ,lanyon made no observation1 but shouldered one of the unwieldy logs1 and1 to the amazement of the grumblers1 carried it to the spot unassisted4 ----- ,in the meantime a second company had been removed to ,gibraltar in the #8,alban' steamer under ,lieutenant ,theodosius ,webb1 ,r4,e41 and landed on the #fth ,july1 #ahdb4 ,this augmentation to the corps at that fortress was occasioned by the difficulty felt in procuring a sufficient number of mechanics for the works2 and to meet the emergency1 the company in ,canada was recalled1 as in both provinces works of considerable magnitude had been carried on by civil workmen1 who could at all times be more easily engaged in a country receiving continual influxes by immigration1 than in a confined fortress like ,gibraltar with a limited population4 ,on the return of the ,niger expedition in ,november1 to which eight rank and file had been attached1 the establishment of the corps was reduced from #a1bih to #a1bij of all ranks4 ,the survey of ,ireland upon the #f-;inch scale was virtually completed in ,december of this year1 terminating with ,bantry and the neighbourhood of ,skibbereen4 ,the directing force in that great national work was divided into three districts in charge of three captains of royal engineers in the country2 and there was also a head-quarter office for the combination and examination of the work1 correspondence1 engraving1 printing1 c41 in charge of a fourth captain4 ,to each of these districts the survey companies were attached in relative proportion to the varied requirements and contingencies of the service1 and adapted to the many modifications which particular local circumstances frequently rendered imperative4 ,a staff of non-commissioned officers and men was also stationed at the head-quarter office1 and discharged duties of trust and importance4 ,in framing his instructions for the execution of the ,irish survey1 ,colonel ,colby had to reject his old opinions formed from circumscribed examples of small surveys1 and to encounter all the prejudices which had been fixed in the minds of practical men4 ,the experience of these parties did not extend beyond the surveys of estates of limited space1 performed without hurry and with few assistants4 ,colonel ,colby1 on the other hand1 was to survey rapidly a large country1 with much more accuracy4 ,the two modes were therefore so entirely different1 that it took less time to train for its performance those who had no prejudice1 and who had been brought up by military discipline to obey1 than to endeavour to combine a heterogeneous mass of local surveyors fettered by preconceived notions and conceits1 deficient in habits of accuracy and subordination1 and who could not be obtained in sufficient numbers to form any material proportion of the force4 ,hence the survey of ,ireland became essentially military in its organization and control1 the officers of engineers being the directors of large parties1 and the non-commissioned officers the subordinate directors of small parties4 ,in the later years of the ,irish survey1 however1 the superintendence by the sappers became of much consequence and its advantages very appreciable in the reduction of expense4 ,for the year #ahbg1 the outlay for the survey was above #cg1jjjl41 at which period the sum paid to the officers was more than one-third of the whole amount2 but in #ahda1 when the expenditure was more than doubled1 the amount for superintendence had been reduced to a twelfth part of the total expenditure4#dbj ----- ,footnote #dbj3 #8,second ,report ,army and ,ordnance ,expenditure1' #ahdi1 p4 #ejj4 ,to such an extent was the diminution in the number of the officers subsequently carried1 that in #ahdi the amount of expense incurred by the superintendence of officers was reduced to one twenty-second part of the total expenditure2 therefore by the more general employment of sappers in the direction of the work1 the amount of superintendence was reduced from one-third and one-fourth1 to one twenty-second part4 ----- ,the general employment of the sappers and miners in this great national work embraced the whole range of the scheme for its accomplishment1 and many non-commissioned officers and men trained in this school became superior observers1 surveyors1 draughtsmen1 levellers1 contourers1 and examiners4 ,among so many who distinguished themselves it would be almost invidious to name any2 but there were a few so conspicuous for energy of character1 efficiency of service1 and attainments1 that to omit them would be a dereliction no scruples could justify4 ,their names are subjoined3-- ,colour-sergeant ,john ,west celebrated as an engraver4 ,in #ahcc1 the ,master-,general1 ,sir ,james ,kempt1 pointed out his name on the engraving of the index map of ,londonderry to ,his ,majesty ,william ,,iv4 in terms of commendation2 and the ,master-,general1 while ,west was yet a second-corporal1 promoted him to be supernumerary-sergeant1 with the pay of the rank4 ,most of the index maps of the counties of ,ireland were executed by him1 and a writer in the ,united ,service ,journal#dba complimented him by saying that the maps already completed by him were as superior to the famous ,carte des ,chasses as the latter was to the recondite productions of ,kitchen1 the geographer4 ,his also was the master hand that executed the city sheet of ,dublin1 and his name is associated with many other maps of great national importance4 ,the geological map of ,ireland1 #ahci1 engraved for the ,railway ,commissioners1 was executed by him2 and in all his works1 which are many1 he has displayed consummate skill1 neatness1 rigid accuracy1 and beauty both of outline and topography4 ,in ,october1 #ahdf1 he was pensioned at #as4 #aj;d4 a-day1 and received the gratuity and medal for his meritorious services4 ,he is now employed at the ordnance survey office1 ,dublin1 and continues to gain admiration for the excellency of his maps4 ----- ,footnote #dba3 ii41 #ahce1 p4 #aed4 ----- ,sergeant ,alexander ,doull was enlisted in #ahac4 ,after serving a station in the ,west ,indies1 he was removed to ,chatham4 ,there on the plan of #8,cobbett's ,grammar1' he commenced publishing letters to his son on 8,geometry10 but after the second number appeared1 he relinquished the undertaking4 ,in #ahbe he joined the survey companies1 and was the chief non-commissioned officer at the base of ,magilligan4 ,he was a superior mathematical surveyor and draughtsman1 and his advice in difficult survey questions was frequently followed and never without success4 ,between #ahbh and #ahcc he had charge of a #ab-;inch theodolite1 observing for the secondary and minor triangulation of one of the districts1 and was the first non-commissioned officer of sappers1 it is believed1 who used the instrument bearing that designation4 ,in ,july1 #ahcd1 while employed in the revision of the work in the neighbourhood of ,rathmelton1 he introduced a system of surveying similar to traverse-sailing in navigation1 which effected a considerable saving of time in the progress of the work1 and elicited the approbation of ,colonel ,colby4 ,while on the duty he invented a plotting-scale1#dbb and subsequently a reflecting instrument1#dbc both simple and ingenious in construction4 ,after a service of twenty-three years1 he was discharged in ,january1 #ahch4 ,when the tithe commutation survey was thrown into the hands of contractors1 ,doull got portions of the work to perform1 and his maps were referred to in terms of high commendation by ,edwin ,chadwick1 ,esq4#dbd ,among several towns that he surveyed1 one was ,woolwich1 the map of which1 dedicated to ,lord ,bloomfield1 was published by him in #ahdc4 ,in the proposed ,north ,kent ,railway1 ,mr4 ,doull was assistant-engineer to ,mr4 ,vignoles1 and he planned a bridge of three arches1 having a roadway at one side and a double line of rails at the other1 with an ornamental screened passage between1 to span the ,medway where the new bridge recently constructed1 connects ,strood and ,rochester2 which plan1 had the proposed railway not been superseded by a rival line1 would have secured an enduring fame for the designer4 ,this was the opinion of ,mr4 ,vignoles and ,sir ,charles ,pasley4 ,afterwards when the competing companies were preparing their respective projects1 ,mr4 ,doull represented the engineering difficulties of the opposing scheme in a pamphlet under the signature of 8,calculus40 ,in this his military knowledge and experience were well exhibited1 inasmuch as he showed how the fortifications at ,chatham would be injured by the adoption of that line2 and the railway consequently1 on account of this and other influences1 has never been prolonged so as to interfere with the defences4 ,a few years afterwards he published a small work entitled1 8,railway ,hints and ,railway ,legislation10 which obtained for him1 from the ,south-,eastern ,railway ,company--the one he so perseveringly opposed--the situation of assistant-engineer to the line4 ,more recently he issued a pamphlet on the subject of a railway in ,america1#dbe which for its boldness and lucidity gained for him the praise of a rising literary genius in the royal engineers4#dbf ,his last pamphlet on the subject of opening a north-west passage between the ,atlantic and ,pacific oceans1 a distance of #b1ejj miles1 is more daring1 and evinces more pretension and merit than any of his previous literary efforts4 ,mr4 ,doull is also known as the inventor of several improvements of the permanent way of railways1#dbg and is a member both of the ,society of ,civil ,engineers and the ,society of ,arts4 ----- ,footnote #dbb3 ,frome's #8,surveying1' #ahdj1 p4 #dj4 ,simms' #8,math4 ,inst41' #ast edit4 ,footnote #dbc3 ,frome's #8,surveying1' #ahdj1 p4 #dd4 ,footnote #dbd3 #8,british ,companion and ,almanack1' #ahdc1 p4 #ch4 ,footnote #dbe3 ,first published in a series of letters to the #8,morning ,chronicle1' and then collected1 with additional matter1 in a pamphlet4 ,footnote #dbf3 ,synges's #8,great ,britain--one ,empire4' ,footnote #dbg3 ,these he patented in ,november1 #ahea4 ,a description of the improvements1 with sixteen illustrations1 is given in the #8,civil ,engineer and ,architects' ,journal1' xv41 pp4 #afd1 #afe4 ----- ,serjeant ,robert ,spalding was for many years employed on the survey of ,ireland1 from which1 on account of his acquirements1 he was removed to ,chatham to be instructor of surveying to the young sappers4 ,to assist him in the duty he published a small manual for the use of the students4 ,it was not an elaborate effort1 but one which detailed with freedom and simplicity the principles of the science4 ,in #ahcd he was appointed clerk of works at the ,gambia1 where his vigorous intellect and robust health singled him out for varied colonial employment1 and his merits and exertions frequently made him the subject of official encomium4 ,five years he spent in that baneful and exhausting climate1 and in #ahdj1 just as he was about to sail for ,england1 the fever seized him1 and in a few days he died4 ,in his early career as a bugler he was present in much active service1 and was engaged at ,vittoria1 ,san ,sebastian1 ,bidassoa1 ,nivelle1 ,nive1 ,orthes1 and ,toulouse4 ,sergeant ,edward ,keville was a very fair and diligent artist4 ,he engraved the index map of the county of ,louth1 and assisted in the general engraving work at the ordnance survey office in ,dublin4 ,in ,january1 #ahdf1 he was pensioned at #as4 #aj;d4 a day1 and obtained re-employment in the same office in which he had spent the greatest part of his military career4 ,second-corporal ,george ,newman was eminent as a draughtsman1 and the unerring fineness and truthfulness of his lines and points were the more remarkable1 as he was an unusually large man of great bodily weight4 ,he died at ,killarney in #ahda4 ,lance-corporal ,andrew ,duncan was a skilful and ingenious artificer4 ,his simple contrivance for making the chains1 known by the name of 8,gunter's chains10 is one proof of his success as an inventor4 ,those delicate measures1 in which the greatest accuracy is required1 have by ,duncan's process been made for the last twelve years by a labourer unused to any mechanical occupation1 with an exactitude that admits of no question4 ,the apparatus is in daily use in the survey department at ,southampton1 and the chains required for the service can be made by its application with great facility and rapidity4 ,he was discharged at ,dublin in ,september1 #ahdc1 and is now working as a superior artizan in the proof department of the royal arsenal4 ,equally distinguished were sergeants ,william ,young1 ,william ,campbell1 and ,andrew ,bay1 and privates ,charles ,holland and ,patrick ,hogan1 but as their names and qualifications will be found connected with particular duties in the following pages1 further allusion to them in this place is unnecessary4 ,colonel ,colby in his closing official report1 spoke of the valuable aid which he had received from the royal sappers and miners in carrying on the survey1 and as a mark of consideration for their merits1 and with the view of retaining in confidential situations the non-commissioned officers who by their integrity and talents had rendered themselves so useful and essential1 he recommended the permanent appointment of quartermaster-sergeant to be awarded to the survey companies2 but this honour so ably urged was1 from economical reasons1 not conceded4 ,seventeen years had the sappers and miners been employed on the general survey and had travelled all over ,ireland4 ,they were alike in cities and in wastes1 on mountain heights and in wild ravines1 had traversed arid land and marshy soil1 wading through streams and tracts of quagmire in the prosecution of their duties4 ,to every vicissitude of weather they were exposed1 and in storms at high altitudes subjected to personal disaster and peril4 ,frequently they were placed in positions of imminent danger in surveying bogs and moors1 precipitous mountain faces1 and craggy rocks and coasts4 ,boating excursions too were not without their difficulties and hazards in gaining islands almost unapproachable1 and bluff isolated rocks and islets1 often through quicksand and the low channels of broad sandy bays and inlets of the sea1 where the tide from its strength and rapidity precluded escape unless by the exercise of extreme caution and vigilance1 or by the aid of boats4 ,two melancholy instances of drowning occurred in these services3 both were privates1--,william ,bennie and ,joseph ,maxwell2 the former by the upsetting of a boat while he was employed in surveying the islands of ,loch ,strangford1 and the latter at ,valentia ,island4 ,this island consisted of projecting rocks very difficult of access1 and when private ,maxwell was engaged in the very last act of finishing the survey a surf swept him off the rock4 ,a lad named ,conway1 his labourer1 was borne away by the same wave4 ,the devoted private had been immersed in a previous wave by which his note-book was lost1 and while stooping with anxiety1 to see if he could recover it1 another furious wave dashed up the point and carried him into the sea4#dbh ----- ,footnote #dbh3 ,in consideration of this event1 the ,board of ,ordnance granted his widow a donation of #bjl42 and she was1 moreover1 assisted by a very handsome subscription from the officers and men of the district in which her husband had served4 ----- ,hardship and toil were the common incidents of their everyday routine1 for on mountain duty theirs was a career of trial and vicissitude4 ,comforts they had none1 and what with the want of accommodation and amusement in a wild country1 on a dizzy height1 theirs was not an enviable situation4 ,covered only by a canvas tent or marquee they were barely closed in from the biting cold and the raging storm2 and repeatedly tents1 stores1 and all1 have been swept away by the wind or consumed by fire1 while the hardy tenants1 left on the bleak hill top1 or the open heath1 have remained for days together half naked and unsheltered4 ,such was their discipline and such their spirit1 they continued to labour protected only by their great coats--if haply they escaped destruction--till1 renewed with tents or huts1 they pitched again their solitary dwellings far away on the height or the moor4 ,even on the less exposed employments of the survey1 the men were subjected to many discomforts and fatigues4 ,the marching was harassing2 miles to and from work were daily tramped1 frequently in a drenching rain2 and in this kind of weather soaked to the skin1 they barely permitted their work to be interrupted4 ,night after night for two or three weeks together1 have these men returned to their quarters dripping wet2 and when1 in frosty weather1 their clothes have frozen on their backs1 the removal of boots and trousers have only been accomplished by immersing the legs in warm water4 ,the average strength of the three companies set apart for the survey1 for each year from #ahbe to #ahdb1 is subjoined3-- ,least ,greatest ,average for each ,strength4 ,strength4 #ab ,months4 #ahbe #fa #aji #hf #ahbf #ajf #acd #aae #ahbg #abi #bbj #agg #ahbh #bcb #bei #bdh #ahbi #bcd #beg #bdb #ahcj #bcc #beh #bdg #ahca #bdh #bfh #bee #ahcb #bcj #bef #bdb #ahcc #baa #bca #bbj #ahcd #bjd #bae #bji #ahce #aii #bjd #bja #ahcf #aie #aih #aif #ahcg #aia #bac #aii #ahch #bjh #bag #bac #ahci #aii #bbj #bjh #ahdj #ahc #bac #aig #ahda #hg #agi #adb #ahdb #ca #gd #ej ,during the above period the casualties by death in ,ireland only amounted to twenty-nine of all ranks1 proving the general healthiness of their occupation4 ,of these1 three were untimely3 two by drowning as shown in a preceding paragraph1 and one killed--private ,john ,crockett--by falling from a car while proceeding on duty from ,leixlip to ,chapelizod4 ,here it should be noted that the sappers1 in the prosecution of their duty1 necessarily mixed with all descriptions of society1 and were invariably treated with respect1 civility1 and hospitality4 ,the spirit of agrarianism1 the bigotry of religion1 or the natural irritable temperament of the people1 were seldom evinced against the companies in abuse or conflict4 ,as the work was drawing to a close the sappers by rapid removals augmented the force employed in the survey of ,great ,britain1 so that at the termination of #ahda there were no less than #adc men chiefly in the northern counties of ,england1 and thirty-four carrying on the triangulation of ,scotland1 leaving for the residual work of the ,irish survey only eighty-seven men of all ranks4 ,in ,june1 #ahdb1 the payment of the companies in ,england commenced on a system of consolidating the detachments into a series of vouchers prepared for their respective companies4 ,at that time the force in ,ireland1 left for the revisionary survey of ,dublin and the northern counties and for the engraving office at ,mountjoy1 reached a total of six sergeants and forty-one rank and file2 while the absorbing work of the survey of ,great ,britain had on its rolls a strength of #bag of all ranks4 ,southampton1 in consequence of the destruction of the map office at the ,tower of ,london by fire1 was established as the head-quarters of the survey companies2 and in the institution formerly known as the royal military asylum for the orphan daughters of soldiers1 are now carried on those scientific and extensive duties which regulate with such beautiful accuracy and order1 the whole system of the national survey4 #ahdc4 ,falkland ,islands2 services of the detachment there--,exploration trips--,seat of government changed--,turner's stream--,bull fight--,round ,down ,cliff1 near ,dover--,boundary line in ,north ,america--,sergeant-major ,forbes--,operations for removing the wreck of the #8,royal ,george'--,exertions of the party--,private ,girvan--,sagacity of corporal ,jones--,success of the divers--,exertions to recover the missing guns--,harris's nest--,his district pardonably invaded--,wreck of the #8,edgar1' and corporal ,jones--,power of water to convey sound--,girvan at the #8,edgar'--,an accident--,cessation of the work--,conduct of the detachment employed in it--,sir ,george ,murray's commendation--,longitude of ,valentia--,rebellion in ,ireland--,colour-sergeant ,lanyon explores the passages under ,dublin ,castle--,fever at ,bermuda--,burning of the #8,missouri' steamer at ,gibraltar--,hong-,kong--,inspection at ,woolwich by the ,grand ,duke ,michael of ,russia--,percussion carbine and accoutrements4 ,the settlement at ,port ,louis1 in the ,falkland ,islands1 was daily growing into importance1 and works applicable to every conceivable emergency were executed4 ,this year the old government-house was thoroughly repaired1 and a new substantial barrack for the detachment erected4 ,unlike the other buildings of the colony1 the foundation-stone was laid by the ,governor with the usual ceremony1 and in a chamber was placed a bottle of ,english coins of the reign of ,queen ,victoria4 ,there were also built houses for baking1 cooking1 and to hold boats4 ,a butcher's shop was likewise run up1 and cottages erected for the guachos and their major-domo1 as well as a small calf house on ,long ,island and a large wooden peat-house at ,town ,moss4 ,to add to the variety of their employment the sappers repaired the pass-house1 put the pinnace in fine sailing condition1 and constructed a jetty of rough stones for boats4 ,other services of less note but equally necessary were performed1 such as quarrying stone1 building a sod-wall to enclose a space for garden purposes1 stacking peat for the winter1 and removing stores and provisions from the newly-arrived ships1 c4 ,parties were detached on exploring services to ,north ,camp and ,mare ,harbour4 ,in both places wild cattle abounded and troops of horses made no attempt to scamper away4 ,on one excursion sergeant ,hearnden and corporal ,watts accompanied ,mr4 ,robinson to ,port ,st4 ,salvador in the face of a snow-storm1 opposed by a cutting wind4 ,several wild horses and a herd of savage bulls were met in the trip2 and geese1 too1 crossed their track in vast numbers1 merely waddling out of the way to prevent the horsemen crushing them4 ,night at length spread over them4 ,to return in such weather was impossible2 and looking about they discovered a heap of stones1 which turned out to be a sealer's hut4 ,the ribs of a whale were its rafters and turf and stones served the purpose of tiles4 ,leashing their horses and fastening them in a grassy district some four miles from the hut1 ,hearnden at once repaired the roof of the desolate hermitage1 and ,mr4 ,robinson with his companions crept into it through a small aperture on their hands and knees4 ,here they passed a bitter night2 and so intense was the cold that four of the five dogs taken with them perished4 ,next day they returned to the settlement with less appearance of suffering than cheerfulness1 and with a heavy supply of brent and upland geese and some wild rabbits4 ,notwithstanding the inclement weather1 the health of the detachment continued to be robust4 ,fourteen months they had been at the ,falkland ,islands without a doctor2 but in ,march one was added to the settlement from the #8,philomel4' ,after having erected comfortable residences for nearly the whole of the official establishment1 the seat of government1 by orders from the ,colonial ,office1 was removed to ,port ,william4 ,the proclamation for this purpose was read to the inhabitants of ,port ,louis by sergeant ,hearnden on the #ahth ,august1 #ahdc4 ,jackson's ,harbour was selected by the ,lieutenant-,governor for the future settlement4 ,soon after1 the detachment marched overland to the spot1 and continued there during the remainder of the year--except when temporary service required their presence at ,port ,louis--preparing the location for the ,governor and the official officers4 ,a sod-hut was soon run up for one of the married families1 and the rest were tented on boggy ground about twenty yards from the river4 ,in stormy weather the ground1 as if moving on a quicksand1 would heave with the fury of the wind2 and what with the whistling of the gale through the cordage1 the flapping of the tents1 and the roaring of the waves1 the men at night were scarcely free from the hallucination of fancying themselves at sea4 ,their early operations at ,jackson's ,harbour were very harassing1 much of the material required for building having to be brought from a distance2 but before the close of the year a two-roomed wooden cottage was erected with some convenient outhouses for domestic purposes4 ,a portable house for the surveyor was also constructed1 and one built in ,mare ,harbour4 ,a rough jetty of planks1 piles1 and casks was likewise made1 and the high grass for miles about the settlement was burnt down4 ,this service was not accomplished without difficulty1 for the continual rains having saturated both grass and ground1 prevented the spreading of the flames1 and required unceasing efforts for more than a month to insure eventual success4 ,while out on this duty sergeant ,hearnden discovered a good ford for horses about #aej yards from ,turner's ,stream1 and marked the spot by a pile of stones1 the summit of which was on a level with high-water mark4 ,turner's ,stream was named in compliment to a private of that name1 who carried the ,governor in his journeys over the shallow waters and lagoons that intersected his track4 ,much discomfort and some privation were experienced by the men in the first months of their encampment at ,jackson's ,harbour4 ,to get meat they usually travelled to ,port ,harriet1 or some eight or nine miles from the location4 ,the bulls they shot were always cut up on the spot and their several parts deposited under stones till required for use at the camp4 ,in these expeditions the bulls were frequently seen in herds and wild horses in troops1 sometimes as many as fifteen in a group4 ,once the camp was attacked by a number of wild horses and four savage bulls4 ,the party1 about four in number1 were at breakfast at the time they approached1 and1 at once seizing their loaded rifles1 ran out of the tent to meet them4 ,two of the bulls only1 stood their ground2 and though struck by two bullets1 rushed on furiously1 and forced the party to beat a hasty retreat4 ,a position was rapidly taken up among some barrels and timber1 under cover of which the men were reloading2 but the onslaught of the bulls was so impetuous that the operation was interrupted and the party driven into the tents4 ,one of the animals now trotted off2 but the other1 still pursuing1 bolted after the men into the marquee4 ,a ball from private ,biggs's rifle fortunately stopped his career1 and1 turning round1 the infuriated animal tore up the tent1 committed great havoc through the camp1 and made a plunge at private ,yates1 who dexterously stepped aside1 and1 firing1 shot the bull in the head1 and the combat ceased4 ,lance-corporal ,john ,rae and private ,thomas ,smith were employed in ,january under ,lieutenant ,g4 ,r4 ,hutchinson1 ,r4,e41 in the demolition and removal by blasting of a portion of the ,round ,down ,cliff1 near ,dover1 for the purpose of continuing the ,south ,eastern ,railway in an open line1 supported by a sea-wall1 up to the mouth of ,shakspeare ,tunnel4 ,the summit of the cliff was about #chj feet above high-water mark1 and #gj feet above that of ,shakspeare ,cliff4 ,the two sappers had the executive superintendence of the mines1 the placement of the charges1 and various duties connected with the management of the voltaic apparatus and wires4 ,no less than #ahj barrels of gunpowder were expended in the operation2 and the explosion by electric galvanism brought down1 in one stupendous fall1 a mass of chalk--about #djj1jjj cubic yards--which covered a space of #ae acres1 varying in depth from #ae to #be feet1 and saved the ,south ,eastern ,railway ,company the sum of #g1jjjl4 ,six corporals under ,captain ,robinson1 ,r4,e41 with ,lieutenant ,pipon1 were attached1 under orders from ,lord ,aberdeen1 to the commission of which ,lieutenant-,colonel ,estcourt was the chief1 for tracing the boundary line between the ,british dominions in ,north ,america and the ,united ,states1 as settled by the ,ashburton treaty4 ,dressed in plain clothes1 they embarked at ,liverpool on the #aith ,april1 and arriving at ,halifax on the #bnd ,may1 proceeded by ,boston and ,new ,york to the ,kennebec road and entered the woods late in the month4 ,in ,may1 #ahdd1 the party was increased to twenty men by the arrival of fourteen non-commissioned officers and privates from the ,english survey companies4 ,the co-operation of this party was urged as of paramount importance4 ,it enabled the work1 so says the official communication1 to be carried on over a large portion of country at once with energy and rapidity1 and in such a manner as to insure a more vigorous and correct execution of it than if the ,commissioners were left to depend on the assistance to be met with on the spot2 and which1 although greatly inferior in quality1 would have entailed more expense on the public than the employment of the military surveyors4 ,each sapper was selected as being competent to work by himself1 and to survey and run lines of levels1 besides keeping in constant employment a staff of labourers4 ,sergeant-major ,james ,forbes retired from the corps on the #aath of ,april on a pension of #bs4 #b;d4 a-day4 ,he was succeeded by colour-sergeant ,george ,allan1#dbi an excellent drill non-commissioned officer1 who was appointed to the staff at ,chatham1 vic sergeant-major ,jenkin ,jones1 removed to the staff at ,woolwich4 ----- ,footnote #dbi3 ,became in time the quartermaster of the royal engineer establishment at ,chatham1 and when the siege of ,sebastopol was at its highest1 was removed from the corps by promotion into the ,turkish contingent engineers with the rank of ,captain4 ----- ,the merits of sergeant-major ,forbes have been frequently alluded to in these pages1 but there still remain some other points in his history to be noticed4 ,to the royal military college at ,sandhurst1 he presented several models made by himself on military subjects4 ,about two years before his retirement he invented the equilateral pontoon1 a vessel of a very ingenious character4 ,its sides consist of 8portions of cylinders1 supposed to be applied to three sides of an equilateral triangular prism1 each side of the triangle being two feet eight inches long2 so that the cylindrical portions meet in three edges parallel to the axis of the pontoon4 ,the sagitta1 or versed sine of the curvature being about one-fifth of the side of the triangle1 it follows that each side of the pontoon forms1 in a transverse section1 an arc of nearly #ij4 ,each end of the pontoon consists of three curved surfaces1 corresponding to the sides of the vessel1 and meeting in a point1 as if formed on the sides of a triangular pyramid40#dcj 8,the form10 says ,sir ,howard ,douglas1 8appears to be well adapted for the purposes of a good pontoon2 as whichever side is uppermost it presents a boatlike section to the water1 and a broad deck for the superstructure4 ,it possesses1 also1 the advantage of a horizontal section gradually enlarging to the highest point of displacement1 by which means stability and steadiness in the water are obtained in a high degree4 ,the area of a transverse section of this pontoon is greater than that of the present cylindrical pontoon2 and the greater capacity produces more than a compensation1 in buoyancy1 to the small excess of weight above that of a cylindrical pontoon40#dca ,a raft of this form of pontoon was prepared under the eye of the sergeant-major and sent to ,chatham for trial1 but although it gained much favour for its decided excellences1 it was finally set aside on account of 8some inconvenience in the management causing a preference to be given to those of a simple cylindrical form0#dcb--the construction1 in fact1 established for the service4 ,he was however awarded by the ,board of ,ordnance1 in consideration of his trouble and as a tribute to his skill1 the sum of one hundred guineas4 ----- ,footnote #dcj3 ,sir ,howard ,douglas1 #8,on ,military ,bridges1' #crd edit41 p4 #cb4 ,footnote #dca3 ,ibid41 #cc4 ,footnote #dcb3 ,ibid41 #cc4 ----- ,on leaving the royal sappers and miners1 he was appointed surveyor to a district of the ,trent and ,mersey canal1 at a salary of #bael4 a year1 with a fine residence and five acres of land attached4 ,he was also allowed forage for two horses1 and all his taxes and travelling expenses were paid4 ,some two years afterwards his salary was increased to #bhjl4 a year1 and in #ahdf1 so highly appreciated were his services1 that the ,directors of the company proposed him to fill the office of engineer to the canal4 ,his integrity however was such1 that he would not be tempted by the great increase of salary the promotion promised1 and declined it1 from a modest feeling that he might not be able to do justice to so important and onerous a charge4 ,quickly upon this1 he received the thanks of the ,directors1 accompanied by a special donation of #ajjl4 ,determining upon other arrangements for the execution of their works1 the company disbanded its establishment of workmen and superintendents1 retaining only the engineer and ,mr4 ,forbes2 and such was his character for alacrity1 resolution1 and discrimination1 that the ,directors appointed him to superintend all the works undertaken for the company1 both on the canal and the ,north ,staffordshire ,railway1 which was now incorporated with the ,trent and ,mersey ,canal proprietary4 ,this alteration in the company's affairs1 caused his removal from ,middlewich to a commodious residence in ,etruria1 in ,staffordshire1 where his energy and influence in the parish soon gained him the post of churchwarden1 and the honour of being invited to a public breakfast1 at which1 while the ,bishop of ,lichfield held the chair1 he had the distinction of filling the vice-chair4 ,latterly he has appeared before the public as a writer4 ,his pamphlet on the ,national ,defences1 proposing a locomotive artillery1 addressed to ,lord ,john ,russell1 was perused by that nobleman and received the attention of ,sir ,john ,burgoyne4 ,frequently he has written in the public journals on pontoons4 ,he has also published a pamphlet on the subject1 and another relative to a pontoon-boat1 which he has invented4#dcc ,the latter is of great interest and may yet receive the attention its ingenious suggestions deserve4 ,on the #fth of ,may1 #ahec1 he was elected an ,associate of the ,institution of ,civil ,engineers1 for which honour he was proposed by the great ,robert ,stephenson and ,mr4 ,s4 ,p4 ,bidder1 the two leading civil engineers of this country4 ,within the last year1 he has been advanced to the post of engineer to the company1 and he enjoys the perfect satisfaction and confidence of his employers4 ,his salary and emoluments exceed #djjl4 a year4 ----- ,footnote #dcc3 ,it is simply a half-cylinder1 #bj feet long by #a foot #i inches wide1 and #c feet deep1 strengthened internally by hollow tubes1 and deriving its buoyancy from an ingenious distribution of water-tight compartments1 which not only preserve the flotation but provide seats for the troops4 ,to render the contrivance more efficient for rafts or bridging purposes1 a similar half-cylinder is attached to its consort by strong hinges and bolts4 ,when shut its form is cylindrical2 when open1 two boats in rigid connection1 taking the same swing in the water--the same motion on the wave4 ,in this ,siamese connection it is intended always to be used2 and fitted as it is with all the necessary details1 and the means of applying a rudder or an oar for steerage at any end1 it appears to be adequate for all the uses and contingencies1 not only of a pontoon1 but of an ordinary passage-boat4 ,it moreover aspires to the merciful functions of a lifeboat1 being capable1 without risk of capsizing or sinking1 of venturing out in heavy seas to save human life imperilled by squalls or shipwreck4 ----- ,the operations against the wreck of the #8,royal ,george' were resumed1 for the fifth time1 early in ,may1 with a detachment of fifteen royal sappers and miners1 eight ,east ,india ,company's sappers1 and about eighty seamen1 riggers1 c41 under the direction of ,major-,general ,pasley1 with ,lieutenant ,g4 ,r4 ,hutchinson as the executive officer4 ,at the end of #ahdb1 almost all the floor timbers had been got up and #aja feet of the keel1 leaving only about #ej feet more at the bottom2 and out of #abf tons of pig-iron ballast1 #ajc tons had been safely wharfed4 ,there was therefore confident reason to expect the entire removal of the wreck before the close of the season2 and such indeed was the success of the enterprise1 that ,major-,general ,pasley1 on quitting the work in ,november1 declared that the anchorage ground1 where the wreck had lain1 was as safe and fit for the use of ships as any other part of ,spithead4 ,at first four divers went down regularly1 and afterwards five or six were at work at every slack tide1 generally three times a day4 ,after a few weeks of unsuccessful effort1 the firing of three charges each of #fge lbs4 of powder in puncheons1 removed a bank of shingle which chiefly interfered with the divers' success4 ,these charges were fixed by corporals ,harris and ,jones1 and private ,girvan4 ,in one week afterwards1 the divers effected as much as in the five weeks previously1 for not only were the keel and bottom planking somewhat bared1 but a great deal of the remaining iron ballast was rendered accessible4 ,six other charges1 of #gbj lbs4 of powder each1 and numerous smaller charges1 were subsequently fired1 with results that gave ample employment for all the divers and the detachment on board4 ,one or two failures occurred which arose from want of experience in firing conjunct charges at ,spithead2 but in other respects1 the operation1 which was exceedingly difficult1 was conducted with skill and success1 owing to the able arrangements of ,lieutenant ,hutchinson1 assisted by the leading riggers1 and by lance-corporal ,rae and private ,alexander ,cleghorn1 who had the preparation of the charges and the voltaic batteries4 ,the divers1 too1 did everything necessary at the bottom1 and were well seconded in every department by the sappers and others employed4 8,in short10 adds the narrative1#dcd 8this operation1 including the separation of the two mooring lighters before the explosion and bringing them together afterwards10 could not1 in consequence of the severe weather1 have possibly succeeded1 8if all the men had not1 from long experience1 known their respective duties well and entered into them with laudable zeal40 8,on the #ith of ,july private ,john ,girvan slung the largest and most remarkable piece of the wreck that had been met with this season1 consisting of the fore foot and part of the stem1 connected by two very large horse-shoe copper clamps bolted together2 the boxing by which it had been connected with the fore part of the keel was perfect1 from which joint six feet of the gripe had extended horizontally1 and terminated in the curve of the stem1 which was sheathed with lead4--,the length of this fragment was sixteen feet1 measured obliquely1 and its extreme width five feet40#dce ,at another time he recovered an enormous fish-hook1 no less than eight feet nine inches in length from the eye to the bow6 ,by corporal ,jones1 on the #agth following1 was slung a large iron bolt1 ten feet long2 which1 on being brought on deck1 was observed by him to exhibit marks of having been in contact with brass4 ,he therefore rightly conjectured there must be a brass gun at the spot1 and descending again recovered a brass #bd-pounder1 nine and a half feet long1 of the year #agdh4dcf ----- ,footnote #dcd3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii41 #ahdc1 p4 #aci4 ,footnote #dce3 ,ibid41 p4 #aci4 ,footnote #dcf3 ,ibid41 p4 #ach4 ----- 8,on the #cast of ,july1 private ,girvan discovered a gun buried under the mud1 but it was not till the #crd of ,august that he succeeded in slinging it1 assisted by corporal ,jones1 with whom he generally worked in concert this season20#dcg and shortly after1 the latter diver recovered the last remnant of the keel1 measuring nearly twenty-two feet in length1 corporal ,harris having previously sent up portions of it in the early part of the summer amounting in length to thirty-six feet1#dch and private ,girvan1 six feet4 ----- ,footnote #dcg3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii41 #ahdc1 p4 #aci4 ,footnote #dch3 ,ibid41 pp4 #acg1 #adj4 ----- ,the only money got up this season was a guinea of #agge1 found on a plank sent up by ,jones4 ,increased exertions were now made to recover the guns1 which were embedded some depth in the mud1 and the divers cleared the way by sending up everything they could meet with1 until nothing but insignificant fragments could be found4 ,to assist them1 two frigate anchors and the half anchor creepers with some auxiliary instruments1 drawn backwards and forwards as well as transversely over the site of the wreck1 were made to do effectual work4 ,the ,east ,india ,company's sappers had been removed before these labours began2#dci the whole of the subsequent diving1 therefore1 was exclusively carried on by the royal sappers and miners1#ddj and to their vigilance of observation and unceasing zeal1 was attributed the recovery of thirteen guns late in the season4 ,of these1 corporal ,harris got up three iron and six brass guns1 corporal ,jones three brass1 and private ,girvan one iron4 ----- ,footnote #dci3 ,quitted #bhth ,august1 #ahdc4 ,footnote #ddj3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i41 #ahdd1 p4 #adc4 ----- ,here it should be explained 8how much more successful than his comrades corporal ,harris was towards the close of the season1 in recovering guns1 though the other divers1 corporal ,jones and privates ,girvan and ,trevail1 had been equally successful in all the previous operations4 ,corporal ,harris fell in with a nest of guns1 and it was a rule agreed upon1 that each first-class diver should have his own district at the bottom1 with which the others were not to interfere40#dda ----- ,footnote #dda3 ,ibid41 p4 #adf4 ----- ,jones1 though satisfied with the arrangement as a general rule1 was a little disposed to feel aggrieved when1 by contrast1 the odds were against him4 ,he was curious to know by what means ,harris turned up the guns with such teasing rapidity1 and going down with the secret intention of making the discovery1 tumbled over a gun with its muzzle sticking out of the mud4 ,this piece of ordnance legitimately belonged to ,harris1 for it was in his beat2 but1 as ,jones enthusiastically expressed it1 seeming to invite the favour of instant removal1 he could not resist the temptation to have its recovery registered to his credit4 ,he therefore securely slung it1 and rubbing his hands with delight at the richness of the trick1 gave the signal to haul up4 ,harris1 suspecting that his territory had been invaded1 dashed down the ladder and just reached the spot in time to feel the breech of the gun slipping through his fingers4 ,jones1 meanwhile1 pushed on deck1 and was pleased to see that the plundered relic was a #ab-pounder brass gun of the year #agci4 ,jones a second time applied to the district over which ,harris walked with so much success1 and filched from the nest a brass #ab-pounder gun--the last one recovered this season4 ,after the removal of the #8,royal ,george' had been effected1 but while the search for the guns was going on1 ,major-,general ,pasley detached to the wreck of the #8,edgar1'#ddb the #8,drake' lighter1 with thirteen petty officers and seamen of ,her ,majesty's ship #8,excellent1' to learn the art of diving4 ,corporal ,jones was attached to the party to instruct them4 ,violent gales prevailed at this period1 8which repeatedly drove the #8,drake' from her moorings1 not without damage1 and at other times caused her to drift in such a manner that guns1 discovered by a diver late in a slack1 could not be found when the weather permitted his subsequent descent40 ,hence only five iron guns of this wreck were got up during the season1 with a piece of the keel and a floor timber4 ,these were all recovered by corporal ,jones1 who had also been engaged one tide in finding an anchor that had been lost4#ddc ,so anxious was he to add to the magnitude of his acquisition1 that on one occasion he remained below as long as four hours1 but his exertions were unattended with the hoped-for return4 ----- ,footnote #ddb3 ,this ill-fated ship1 built by ,bailey of ,bristol in #affh1 was wrecked by an explosion in #agaa1 and every soul on board perished4--#8,united ,service ,journal1' i41 #ahdd1 p4 #adf4 ,footnote #ddc3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' i41 #ahdd1 pp4 #ade1 #adf4 ----- ,an interesting fact with respect to the power of water to convey sound was ascertained on the #fth ,october4 ,a small waterproof bursting charge containing #ah lbs4 of gunpowder was fired at the bottom4 ,corporal ,jones who happened at the time to be working at the #8,edgar'--nearly half-a-mile distant--hearing a loud report like the explosion of a cannon1 imagined that a large charge had been fired over the #8,royal ,george4' ,to those on deck immediately over the place1 the report was scarcely perceptible4 ,private ,girvan relieved corporal ,jones at the #8,edgar' on the #afth ,october1 and got up the breech part of an iron #cb-pounder1 which had been cut in two a little in front of the trunnions4#ddd ----- ,footnote #ddd3 ,ibid41 p4 #adf4 ----- ,the only mishap this summer occurred to private ,girvan4 ,just as he appeared above the water the explosion of a charge took place1 from which he sustained a slight shock and a wrench in the back producing a sensation of pain4 ,though eager to go down again his wish was overruled1 and he remained on board for the day4 ,sergeant ,lindsay fired the charge1 and the accident was attributed to a nervous slip of his hand when ready to apply the wires to the battery4 ,on the #dth ,november the divers descended for the last time1 as the water had become so cold that their hands--the only part exposed--were completely benumbed1 so that they could no longer work to advantage2 and then1 the operations ceasing from necessity1 the detachment of the corps rejoined their companies at ,woolwich4 ,major-,general ,pasley in according his praises to the various individuals and parties employed at ,spithead1 spoke highly of sergeant ,george ,lindsay in subordinate charge1 and the whole detachment2 but more particularly of the intelligent and enterprising men to whom the important task of preparing all the charges fired by the voltaic battery was confided4 ,the charges were numerous and of various quantities1 amounting in all to #ai1aic lbs4 of powder1 or nearly #bad barrels4 ,the soldiers alluded to were lance-corporal ,john ,rae and private ,alexander ,cleghorn who were promoted for their services4 ,the still more arduous duty of diving gave the ,general every satisfaction4 ,frequently the duty was embarrassing and dangerous1 and carried on under circumstances calculated to test most severely their courage and resources2 and so indefatigable were their exertions1 and so successful their services1 that the military divers gained the character of being 8second to none in the world40#dde ,most of the party this season attempted to dive1 but1 from the oppression felt under water by some1 only two or three beyond the regular divers could persevere in the duty4 ----- ,footnote #dde3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii41 #ahdc1 p4 #ada4 ----- ,upon the report made by ,major-,general ,pasley of the conduct of the detachment engaged in the operations1 ,sir ,george ,murray1 the ,master-,general1 was pleased thus to remark3 8,it has given me no less pleasure to be made acquainted with the very commendable conduct of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the sappers and miners who have been employed under ,major-,general ,pasley1 and have rendered so much useful service in the important undertaking conducted under his management40 ,from ,june to ,september about eight men under ,lieutenant ,gosset1 ,r4,e41 assisted in the undertaking for determining the longitude of ,valentia by the transmission of chronometers4 ,thirty chronometers were conveyed in every transmission2 and to privates ,robert ,penton and ,john ,m#8,fadden was entrusted the service of bearing the chronometers1 and winding them up at stated times and places4 ,on receiving the chronometers from ,liverpool the reciprocations took place repeatedly between ,kingston and ,valentia ,island2 one private being responsible for their safe transit a portion of the route1 and the other for the remaining distance to and from the station at ,feagh ,main4 ,professor ,sheepshanks and ,lieutenant ,gosset carried out the scientific purposes of the service1 while the sappers not engaged with the chronometers attended to the duties of the camp and observatory at ,feagh ,main1 under the subordinate superintendence of corporal ,b4 ,keen ,spencer4 ,the professor instructed this non-commissioned officer in the mode of taking observations with the transit instrument2 and further1 in testimony of his satisfaction1 gave generous gratuities to privates ,penton and ,m#8,fadden4 ,professor ,airy1 in speaking of the former1 alludes to the perfect reliance he placed on his care1 8and in winding the chronometers10 adds1 8he has no doubt the service was most correctly performed40#ddf ,the duty was one in which extreme caution and care were required1 to prevent accident or derangement to the instruments4 ----- ,footnote #ddf3 ,airy's #8,longitude of ,valentia1' p4 xi4 ----- ,agitation for a repeal of the union1 headed by ,o',connell1 was now the great excitement of ,ireland1 and a rising of the masses to enforce it was daily expected4 ,with the reinforcement of troops sent there to preserve order was the first company of sappers1 which was despatched by rapid conveyances1 vi ,liverpool to ,dublin1 where it arrived on the #bfth ,july4 ,the company consisted of ninety men of all ranks1 and their duties embraced repairs to the barracks and the planting of stockades in the rear of the castle1 to prevent the ingress1 in case of revolt1 of the rebels4#ddg ,they also prepared several thousands of sand-bags for breastworks4 ,detachments of one sergeant and twenty rank and file were sent to ,limerick and ,athlone in ,november1 where they strengthened the barracks and loopholed the outside walls for musketry4 ,the store-rooms of the artillery barracks were also loopholed4 ,effectually1 however1 was the anticipated outbreak suppressed1 and1 under the authority of ,sir ,james ,graham1 the ,home ,secretary1 the company was recalled to ,england and arrived at ,woolwich on the #bbnd ,august1 #ahdd4 ----- ,footnote #ddg3 ,owing to a rumour that the castle at ,dublin could be entered by a subterranean passage or sewer from the ,liffey1 colour-sergeant ,lanyon was directed to explore it4 ,he did so1 and found that a strong iron grating existed in the passage1 which would effectually prevent the supposed entrance4 ,in this duty1 being much exposed to the influence of noxious vapours1 he soon afterwards was seized with fever and jaundice1 which shortened his days4 ----- ,the yellow fever broke out at ,bermuda in ,august1 and continued with unabated virulence and fatality until the middle of ,september4 ,in that brief period1 out of a strength of #afe men1 it carried off no less than thirty-three men of the eighth company and four men of the fourth1 besides ,captain ,robert ,fenwick1 ,r4,e41 in command of the latter1 and ,lieutenant ,james ,jenkin1 the ,adjutant4#ddh ,the two companies were distributed to ,st4 ,george's and ,ireland ,island2 at the former1 where the fever chiefly raged1 was the eighth company1 about ninety strong1 and at the latter the fourth4 ,eighty-eight men had been seized with the malady1 of whom twenty-four were admitted with relapses1 and four had suffered three seizures1 none of whom died4 ,dr4 ,hunter1 a civil physician1 attended the cases in the absence of a military medical officer4 ,with the civil population his practice was remarkably successful2 for out of #aja natives who took the fever only one died4 ,he therefore concluded that the artillery1 who lost nine men1 and the sappers thirty-seven1 fell easy victims to the epidemic from their intemperate habits4 ,no comparison1 however1 was justifiable between coloured people1 upon whom the fever had but little effect1 and ,europeans2 but an analysis of the cases1 as far as the sappers were concerned1 confirmed the doctor's views to the extent of sixteen men4 ,the remainder1 twenty-one1 were men of sobriety and general good conduct4 ----- ,footnote #ddh3 ,mr4 ,james ,dawson1 foreman of masons1 formerly colour-sergeant in the corps1 also died during the fever4 ,he was a clever tradesman and overseer1 and while in the sappers did good service at ,st4 ,helena1 ,corfu1 and ,bermuda4 ,he was succeeded as foreman by sergeant ,john ,mc,kean1 who was discharged in ,november1 #ahdc1 and still fills the appointment with ability and faithfulness4 ----- ,lance-corporal ,frederick ,hibling being the only non-commissioned officer not attacked1 performed the whole duties of the eighth company1 and for his exertions and exemplary conduct was promoted to the rank of second-corporal4 ,seven widows and twenty-two orphans were left destitute by this calamity1 among whom a subscription 7quickly made through the corps1 assisted by many officers of royal engineers1 nearly amounting to #bjjl47 was distributed1 in proportion to their necessities--one woman with six children receiving as much as #ccl4 ,the lowest gift was #adl4 to a widow without children4 ,a monument of chaste and beautiful design1 consisting of a fluted column surmounted by an exploded bomb1 resting on a neat and finely proportioned pedestal1 was erected in the military burial-ground at ,st4 ,george's1 in mournful commemoration of the victims4 ,on three panels of the pedestal were inscribed their names1 and on the fourth was sculptured the royal arms and supporters4 ,the work was executed by the surviving stonemasons of the company1 and the royal arms were cut by private ,walter ,aitchison4 ,on the #bfth ,august1 in the evening1 the #8,missouri1' ,united ,states' steamer1 ,captain ,newton1 took fire in the bay of ,gibraltar1 and a detachment of the corps at the ,rock was sent out by ,sir ,robert ,wilson1 the ,governor1 in charge of two engines under ,captain ,a4 ,gordon1 ,r4,e41 to assist in extinguishing the flames2 but all their diligence and intrepidity were unavailing1 for the vessel was soon afterwards burnt to the water's edge4 ,during the service the men were in much danger from falling masts and spars1 and from the explosion of a powder-magazine on board4 ,the ,governor1 in orders1 thanked ,captain ,gordon and other officers of royal engineers1 and the non-commissioned officers and privates of royal sappers and miners1 for the creditable and useful zeal displayed by them on the occasion2 and added1 8that the marines1 military1 and boatmen of ,gibraltar have the consoling reflection that nothing was left undone to save the vessel1 and that the gallant crew was preserved by their united labour and devotedness40 ,to each sapper employed at the fire was issued a pint of wine by his ,excellency's order4 ,one sergeant and thirty-three rank and file under ,lieutenant ,t4 ,b4 ,collinson1 ,r4,e41 sailed for ,china in the #8,mount ,stuart ,elphinstone1' and landed at ,hong ,kong the #gth ,october4 ,a party of variable strength had been stationed there1 employed superintending the ,chinese artificers in carrying on the public works until ,july1 #ahed1 when the sappers were recalled to ,england4 ,some of their first services embraced the construction of roads and sewers1 the erection of barracks for the troops and quarters for the officers1 with various military conveniences1 such as stores1 guard-houses1 c4 ,a residence was also built for the ,general in command1 and a sea-wall of granite to the cantonment on the north shore of the island4 ,they also directed the ,chinese in cutting away a mountain to a plateau1 of about eight acres1 for a parade-ground1 much of which was granite2 and the several explosions rendered necessary to dislodge the mass were fired solely by sergeant ,joseph ,blaik4 ,a company of ,madras sappers also assisted in the superintendence of the coolies1 who sometimes exceeded a thousand in number4 ,the working pay of the royal sappers and miners was #as4 #f;d4 a-day each until the removal of the ,east ,india ,company's establishment1 when the allowance was reduced to the ordinary payment of #as4 each4 ,before the party was quartered in barracks it was housed for a time in a bamboo hut and afterwards in a bungalow4 ,the smiths and plumbers were invariably employed at their trades1 as the ,chinese were very incompetent in these branches of handicraft4#ddi ----- ,footnote #ddi3 ,in ,may1 #ahea1 when the tour of service of the detachment had expired1 only six men were at the station to be relieved4 ,the remainder comprised one discharged in ,china1 who soon afterwards died1 twelve invalided to ,england1 and fifteen deaths4 ----- ,on the #ith ,october his ,imperial ,highness the ,grand ,duke ,michael of ,russia inspected the troops at ,woolwich1 on the common4 ,the royal sappers and miners at the station were also drawn up with them1 and marched past4 ,next day the ,grand ,duke1 accompanied by ,lord ,bloomfield1 visited the sappers' barracks1 walked through the rooms1 examined the carbine of the corps1 and then looked over1 with every mark of attention1 the small museum of the non-commissioned officers attached to the library4 ,on leaving1 he expressed his gratification at what he saw1 and of the efforts made by the soldiers to improve themselves4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,royal ,sappers ,miners4 ,plate ,,xv4 ,,uniform #ahdc4 ,printed by ,m ,n ,hanhart4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,the percussion carbine and sword-bayonet1 were generally adopted in the corps this year1 superseding the flint-lock musket and bayonet4#dej ,the length of the musket with bayonet fixed was six feet two inches1 but the carbine with sword was constructed an inch shorter4 ,the carbine itself was nine inches and a-half shorter than the musket1 but to make up for this reduction1 and to enable a soldier to take his place in a charge1 the sword-bayonet measured ten inches longer than the rapier-bayonet4#dea ----- ,footnote #dej3 ,arms of the percussion principle had been on trial in the corps since ,july1 #ahdj4 ,footnote #dea3 ,these figures would seem to make the carbine and sword #a inches longer than the old musket1 but the loss of the supposed additional length was occasioned by the greater depth of the socket required to give strength and stability to the weapon4 ,the comparative weight of the two arms gave a reduction in favour of the carbine of #b lbs4 #c ozs4 ----- ,the shoulder-belt for the bayonet for all ranks was at this time abolished1 and a waist-belt two inches broad1 with cap-bag and sliding frog1 substituted4 ,this new accoutrement is the same as the present one2 and the breast-plate then1 as now1 bore the royal arms without supporters1 within a union wreath1 based by the word 8,ubique10 and surmounted by a crown4 ,the sword-bayonet was this year worn vertically for the first time1 instead of obliquely as formerly4 ,the pouch-belt was not altered1 but the pouch1 the same as at present worn1 reduced in dimensions1 was made to contain thirty instead of sixty rounds of ball ammunition4 ,the brush and pricker were now abolished4 ,the sergeants' swords were also withdrawn1 and their arms and appointments made to correspond with the rank and file1 the only difference being the addition of ornaments on the pouch-belt1 which1 with the waist-plate1 were washed with gilt4 ,the ornaments comprised a grenade bearing on the swell of the bomb the royal arms and supporters2 detached from this1 underneath1 was a scroll inscribed 8,royal ,sappers and ,miners10 to which a ring was affixed sustaining a chain united to a whistle1 resembling an old round watch tower2 the whistle itself forming the battlemented crown1 inscribed with the motto 8,ubique40#deb ,these ornaments1 the suggestion of ,major--now ,colonel--,sandham1 are still worn by the sergeants4 ----- ,footnote #deb3 ,the idea for this ornament was taken from the martial custom among the ,romans of presenting a mural coronet of gold or silver to the undaunted soldier who should first scale the walls of a city and enter the place4 ,bailey in his ,dictionary of #agbg says1 8,it was given to the meanest soldier as well as the greatest commander40 ,as the assault of fortresses in sieges is the chief business of the sappers1 the round tower with its mural crown on the sergeant's appointments1 is an appropriate symbol for the corps4 ----- ,the buglers' short sword with three guards was replaced this year by one after the pattern of the ,ceylon rifles' band4 ,the hilt formed an ornamental ,maltese cross with fleury terminations1 and on the flat between the horizontal limbs1 above the blade1 was an exploded grenade4 ,the blade was straight1 two feet ten inches long1 and the mounting on the scabbard was chased and embellished4 ,the weapon is still worn by the buglers1 and is altogether neat1 pretty1 and convenient4--,see ,plate ,,xvii41 #ahed4 #ahdd4 ,remeasurement of ,la ,caille's arc at the ,cape--,reconnoitring excursion of sergeant ,hemming--,falkland ,islands--,draft to ,bermuda--,inspection at ,gibraltar by ,general ,sir ,robert ,wilson--,final operations against the #8,royal ,george'--and the #8,edgar'--,discovery of the amidships--incident connected with it--,combats with crustacea--,success of corporal ,jones--,injury to a diver--,private ,skelton drowned--,conduct of the detachment employed in the work--,submarine repairs to the #8,tay' steamer at ,bermuda by corporal ,harris--,widening and deepening the ship channel at ,st4 ,george's--,intrepidity of corporal ,harris--,accidents from mining experiments at ,chatham--,notice of corporal ,john ,wood--,inspection at ,hong-,kong by ,major-,general ,d',aguilar4 ,the detachment set apart to measure the base line on ,zwartland ,plain at the ,cape commenced the second season in ,september1 #ahda4 ,it opened under a somewhat different arrangement with respect to the issue of provisions4 ,captain ,henderson managed it in #ahdj1 ,mr4 ,maclear in #ahda1 and sergeant ,hemming was appointed to act as his quartermaster-sergeant4 ,captain ,henderson left the work in ,december and returned to ,england4 ,as soon as the base was measured1 the triangulation began1 and was carried on1 with the exception of the winter interval1 until ,january1 #ahdb4 ,then the work was completed to the north extremity of ,la ,caille's arc in the vicinity of ,st4 ,helena ,bay4 ,a few months were now spent in effecting the triangulation to the south as far as ,cape ,point1 and in ,december1 #ahdb1 the work was resumed to the northward4#dec ----- ,footnote #dec3 #8,professional ,papers1' ,n4 ,s41 i41 p4 #cb4 ----- ,in ,january1 #ahdc1 the triangulation commenced at a headland north of ,st4 ,helena ,bay1 latitude about #cb ,s41 and continued nearly parallel to the coast line1 and about thirty miles from it until it reached ,kamiesberg a little south of ,lat4 #cj4 ,here the arc was expected to terminate4 ,the difficulties encountered this season were of a formidable kind1 and the care required in the transport of ,bradley's zenith sector and a large theodolite1 occasioned much tedious anxiety for their preservation4 ,the party1 too1 was formed of different materials2 the infantry soldiers had quitted1 and the shipwrecked crew of the #8,abercrombie ,robinson' had been engaged in their stead4 ,most of these sailors were rough1 ill-behaved fellows1 and1 therefore1 the chief responsibility of the preparations and the conveyances devolved upon the sappers4 ,in addition to this1 the country passed over north of the ,oliphant river was a straggling desert1 and the points used were at high altitudes--one of which exceeded #g1jjj feet4#ded ----- ,footnote #ded3 #8,professional ,papers1' ,n4 ,s41 i41 p4 #cb4 ----- ,in its progress northward1 the party crossed the ,oliphant or ,elephant river on the #aeth ,june1 #ahdc1 and the day being ,sunday1 encamped on its north bank to spend the sabbath4 ,six days after the expedition arrived at the foot of the ,kamiesberg1 where fell heavy rain for three days and two nights2 and when the march was recommenced1 the ground was so saturated1 that the whole train had to be dug out of the mud repeatedly every day4 ,in three days only eighteen miles were accomplished and that with great exertion4 ,the oxen were now so knocked up that the farmers refused to go any further1 and a fresh supply was procured at a missionary establishment twelve miles distant4 ,when nearing that institution1 the provisions were very low1 and the difficulties of the expedition in this respect were greatly augmented by a heavy fall of snow4 ,for the whole day the party were without food1 nor could they make a fire to warm themselves4#dee ,they laboured1 however1 with excellent spirit1 and succeeded that night in bringing three of the waggons to the missionary station2 but the other two1 sticking fast in the deep ruts1 were not brought up till the next day4 ,the men were badly shod1 and suffered greatly4 ,about a week after1 the instruments were fixed and the observations commenced1 which continued until ,october #ahdc1 when the party returned to ,cape ,town1#def and afterwards marched up the country to join their company4 ----- ,footnote #dee3 ,about twelve miles from the sea ice was found three-eighths of an inch thick4 ,footnote #def3 #8,professional ,papers1' i41 ,n4 ,s41 p4 #cb4 ----- ,the objects used for reflecting or observing were heliostats about #g inches in diameter1 and were chiefly attended to by the sappers1 who were sometimes detached on this duty for several months at a time with a couple of natives under them to assist4 ,on account of the heat1 the observations were discontinued at #aa ,a4,m41 and not renewed until #c ,p4,m4 ,notwithstanding this intermission1 the signal duties were oppressive4 ,all supplies were got from a distance1 which fully occupied the two natives in procuring them4 ,the sappers were also intrusted with large sums of public money to pay all demands as the work progressed4 ,on the ,kamiesberg mountain they helped in the observatory in working the great sector to determine the position of some stars4 ,two stone-cutters of the number were detached from the ,kamiesberg to ,zwartland and ,groenekloof to cut and build a pillar of stone at each end of the line1 to mark the termini of the newly-measured base2 and all1 as the general service of the expedition permitted1 erected at every fixed point a strong pile twenty feet high1 secured to a base of twenty feet1 to indicate the sites of the several trigonometrical stations4 ,sergeant ,hemming1 before the close of the duty1 was sent by the colonial astronomer on a reconnoitring excursion to discover a track from the neighbourhood of ,st4 ,helena ,bay along the mountain range to the eastward1 to ,cape ,l',agulhas on the coast4 ,he was out fourteen days exploring the country1 but from its inaccessible nature returned not only disappointed and exhausted1 but unsuccessful4#deg ,in ,march1 #ahdd1 his connection with the astronomical department ceased4#deh ----- ,footnote #deg3 ,ibid41 p4 #cc4 ,footnote #deh3 ,these particulars are chiefly collected from a paper by sergeant ,hemming in the #8,royal ,engineer ,professional ,papers1' i41 pp4 #ca-ci4 ,this non-commissioned officer was pensioned at #as4 #h;d4 a-day1 in ,may1 #ahde4 ,of his survey services ,colonel ,portlock gives an interesting outline in his prefatory remarks to the sergeant's paper4 ,his duties appear to have been confined chiefly to the mountains of ,ireland1 where in winter he was exposed to fearful inclemency and subjected to much hardship4 8,on one occasion10 says the ,colonel1 8,i had to place a young gentleman1 who had graduated at ,cambridge1 under the sergeant for instruction1 to whose zeal1 intelligence1 and respectability the pupil warmly bore testimony4 ,before receiving his discharge1 he was appointed clerk and storekeeper to the road department in ,cape ,town1 and some idea of the responsibility of his office may be inferred from the fact that he expended in four years1 #ahdd-dh1 upwards of #cf1jjjl460 ----- ,the detachment at the ,falkland ,islands continued throughout the year to labour in the establishment of the new settlement at ,port ,william1 which was situated on the south side of ,jackson's ,harbour1 and sloped from the shore to a ridge of rocks about a quarter of a mile inland4 ,notwithstanding the stormy character of the seasons1 the detachment constructed three good jetties1 made roads and pathways1 and formed several ditches to drain the land and mark the different boundaries4 ,they also erected and finished with interior fitments1 the ,governor's house1 and besides building a temporary barracks for the party with workshops and other convenient premises attached1 small commodious cottages were run up for persons in official employment4 ,of the services and intelligence of sergeant ,hearnden the ,governor wrote in terms of unqualified praise4 ,both as a soldier and private individual1 the influence of his example was felt in the colony1 and he is stated to have been in an eminent degree faithful and successful in the discharge of his duty4 ,most of the men were also well spoken of for their excellent behaviour and zeal2 and amid the innumerable inconveniences of their situation and services1 they maintained their military character and discipline unimpaired4 ,this was the more commendable as the temptation to drunkenness--the prevailing vice in the colony--was1 from the absence of the common recreations so usual in ,england1 and the inclemency of the weather1 almost irresistible4 ,on the #afth ,february1 forty-four rank and file embarked for ,bermuda under the command of ,lieutenant ,c4 ,r4 ,binney1 ,r4,e41 to fill up the vacancies occasioned by the epidemic in the previous year1 and landed from the #8,prince ,george' transport on the #hth ,april4 ,corporal ,david ,harris1 the chief military diver1 under ,major-,general ,pasley at ,spithead1 was in subordinate charge of the party4 ,sir ,robert ,wilson1 the ,governor of ,gibraltar1 inspected the companies of the corps at the fortress in common with the other troops under his command1 in ,may and ,october1 and on each occasion made flattering allusion to their conduct and discipline4 ,on the #acth ,may1 after some general remarks of commendation1 ,sir ,robert ,wilson adds--8,all the corps and battalions merited unqualified approbation1 and the ,governor bestows it with pride and pleasure4 ,the royal sappers and miners1 however1 whose laborious daily duties occupy their whole time1 except the afternoons of alternate ,saturdays1 deserve1 without any invidious preference1 particular commendation for preserving a soldier-like mien1 and exercising as if they had been in the habit of daily practice40 ,and again1 on the #acth ,october1 he wrote3--8,the practice of the royal artillery yesterday was highly satisfactory and impressive1 and the royal sappers and miners1 including the detachment which arrived only the night before1 presented under arms an appearance and proficiency which corresponded with the character established by the capacity and assiduous labours that have distinguished this corps during its employment on the works of the fortifications since the ,governor has had the honour to command40 ,early in ,may1 ,major-,general ,pasley resumed1 for the sixth and last time1 his operations at ,spithead4 ,lieutenant ,h4 ,w4 ,barlow1 ,r4,e41 was the executive officer under whose charge were placed sergeant ,george ,lindsay and thirteen rank and file of the corps1 with an equal number of the ,east ,india ,company's sappers1 and a strong force of seamen1 riggers1 c4 ,the removal of the #8,royal ,george1' notwithstanding that there still remained nineteen guns of that wreck at the bottom1 was reported to be perfectly accomplished1 and the roadstead quite safe for the anchorage of shipping4 ,the ,major-,general1 therefore1 turned his attention to the recovery of the guns of the #8,edgar' man-of-war1 which was blown up at ,spithead in #agaa4 ,she had been armed with #gj guns1 technically termed demi-cannons1 sakers1 and falconets4 ,the first were #cb and #ab-pounders2 and the others respectively #i and #f-pounders4 ,the great mass of timber1 embedded in mud1 composing the centre of the hull of the wreck1 was discovered by corporal ,richard ,p4 ,jones on the #bcrd ,may4 ,the sweeps from the boat having been caught by an obstruction below1 ,jones descended by them till he found himself astride a #cb-pounder iron gun1 which was peeping through a port-hole on the lower deck4 ,it happened at the time to be unusually clear at the bottom1 and to his amazement there stood upright before him the midship portion of the vessel1 with an altitude above the general level of the ground1 of thirteen feet and a half4 ,from the open ports1 in two tiers1 yawned the mouths of about twelve pieces of ordnance1 grim and deformed with the incrustations of #acc years4 ,this part of the #8,edgar' was not much shaken by the explosions1 but when the fore and after magazines took fire1 the head and stern of the vessel were blown away from the body and scattered to distances exceeding three hundred fathoms4 ,so violent indeed had been one of the explosions1 that the best bower anchor was not only broken in fragments1 but its flukes and shank were separated from each other1 nearly half-a-mile4 ,the midships1 sharing but little in the convulsion1 went down like a colossal millstone1 scarcely heeling on her bottom2 and the armament of the decks remained as if ready for battle1 without a carriage unjerked from its platform1 or a gun from its carriage4 ,all the woodwork1 however1 was so completely decayed by the ravages of worms1 and the insidious action of the sea1 that when the guns were slung1 they were hauled through the decks1 as if no obstruction interposed4#dei ----- ,footnote #dei3 ,a few minutes elapsed before ,jones quitted the hobby-horse he was exultingly riding4 ,meanwhile curious to explore the gun1 he thrust his hand up the bore1 where a member of the crustacean family1 already in quiet possession of the apartment1 and not over-pleased with the unceremonious intrusion1 fiercely disputed the passage4 ,jones1 unwilling to yield1 did his best to capture the exasperated crab1 but its inveterate shears had so nipped and lacerated his hand1 he was forced1 at last1 to beat a retreat4 ,ever after1 the cruel wounds inflicted upon him by this peevish red-coat1 had the effect of fixing in ,jones's memory1 the date of his discovery of the #8,edgar4' ,it may strike the reader as remarkable that for the six summers of the operations at ,spithead the divers were seldom attacked by any of the finny tribe2 nor was it their privilege ever to meet in their subaqueous labours with any fishes larger than those ordinarily supplied for traffic in the markets4 ,a lobster1 a crab1 or a conger-eel would now and then exhibit a wish to break lances with the intruders1 but beyond these few instances of piscatorial interference1 the under-water men had little reason to complain of the ungenerous treatment of the inhabitants of the deep4 ,more than once ,jones was threatened or assaulted by crustacea4 ,as on one occasion he was traversing for guns1 a lobster1 measuring not less than sixteen inches in length1 approached him with so quick a motion1 it seemed as if a bird were hovering round him4 ,thus attracted1 he stood still to learn a fact or two in the history of its habits4 ,the lobster stared inquisitively at ,jones1 as if to discover what the strange phenomenon could be4 ,apparently dissatisfied with the extent of the information it had acquired1 it darted off like an arrow1 using its fanlike tail as a rudder to shape its course4 ,its movements were sharp and rapid--its track in circles1 each less than the other1 till poising for a while within a few feet of the diver1 it settled warily on the ground to resume observations4 ,startled by an action of the phenomenon1 the lobster sailed off again in concentric circles1 swishing the fan furiously to augment its speed2 then1 reaching the ground it spread out its feelers and claws and was soon engrossed in a brown study4 ,accepting the series of evolutions as a challenge1 ,jones prepared for the combat4 ,gently lifting his pricker1 so as not to excite the instinctive suspicions of the lobster1 he suddenly plunged it forward and pinned his antagonist to the earth4 ,instantly grasping it with his powerful hand behind the claws1 ,jones hurried on deck1 and its body1 weighing as much as a young goose1 furnished a luxurious banquet for the captor and his friends4 ,another lobster1 less inquisitive but more combatative1 advanced upon ,jones with true military boldness4 ,having performed the magic circles1 it was evident that the fish in armour had taken the measure of its opponent4 ,pushing out its claws in front like a couple of blunt spears1 the lobster furiously battered against ,jones's legs1 which1 being cased in flannel1 ,mackintosh cloth1 and impenetrable canvas1 were proof against scars and punctures4 ,thick and fast came the blows1 as from a ram or catapult2 and it occurring to ,jones that there was a chance of damage to his shins if the contest were prolonged1 he turned upon his intrepid enemy1 and with one kick from his leaden toe1 broke up its morion and cuirass and gained the victory4 ,at another time1 when ,jones was busy making fast to a gun1 a conger eel curled up in its muzzle forced out its slimy head to reconnoitre4 ,not relishing its savage attitude1 ,jones considered it best to make short work of the interview1 and striking it on the cranium1 the eel recoiled within its lurking place4 ,a tompion being handy1 ,jones took it up and plugged up the bore4 ,the gun in due time was hauled on deck1 and on removing the tompion1 the eel floundered out1 and though small for a conger--about four feet long--it fought desperately1 and was with great difficulty captured and decapitated4 ----- ,before the close of the season1 the whole of this mass was got up1 by the continual removal of pieces loosened by frequent small explosions4 ,almost the whole of the keel was likewise sent up1 with innumerable fragments of timber1 spars1 c41 and many guns1 eight of which had been recovered in one week4 ,the first was found by corporal ,jones4 ,a great number of sinkers or large stones1 by which the wreck buoys were moored1 and a number of small anchors were also recovered4 ,in the early part of ,august the operations were much retarded by some very violent gales1 preventing the divers working from time to time2 but as soon as the weather moderated1 corporal ,jones1 with his usual zeal1 taking down with him a large crate1 sent up at one haul1 besides a load of staves of casks1 c41 ninety-one shot of various sizes4 ,the guns of the #8,edgar' were much scattered at the bottom by the explosion of her magazines1 and the unexpected distances to which they were thrown1 rendered a more extended sphere of action necessary4 ,this was effected by a simple arrangement of ropes as guides1 upon which worked a transverse line just over the bed of the roadstead1 that caught in its track any object rearing itself above the general level4 ,in this way the entire area of the bottom1 supposed to conceal any of the fugitive cannons1 was traversed1 ,jones and ,sticklen being the operators2 and was attended with so much success1 that nearly the whole of the guns and wreck were sent up and deposited in the dockyard before the #cast ,october1 when the season closed4 ,the party rejoined the corps at ,woolwich on the #bnd ,november4#dfj ----- ,footnote #dfj3 ,the #8,times1' ,august #ai1 #ahdd4 ----- ,in addition to ,jones1 the divers were ,john ,girvan1 ,donald ,mc,farlane1 ,philip ,trevail1 and ,william ,frame1 besides four of the ,east ,india ,company and five others occasionally4#dfa ----- ,footnote #dfa3 ,these were sergeants ,reid and ,clarke1 and privates ,sticklen1 ,herbert1 ,mc,donald1 ,vallely1 ,canard1 ,robertson1 ,gillies1 ,mais1 and ,whelan4 ,clarke sent up two guns1 ,sticklen six1 ,herbert five and a half1 and ,mc,donald two4 ,sticklen1 the most successful diver of the batch1 met with an accident4 ,in pulling him up from the bottom1 he was drawn against some hard substance1 which broke one of the side eyes of his helmet4 ,his dress instantly filled1 and the water rushed into his mouth4 ,so quickly however was his removal to the deck accomplished1 that his struggles for relief were short1 and the injury he received was scarcely more than a temporary inconvenience4 ----- ,during the season corporal ,jones got up nineteen guns1 besides an immense pile of other articles in endless variety2 and when the rough and generally unfavourable state of the weather which prevailed is taken into account1 his activity and industry appear strikingly prominent4 8,whatever success10 writes ,general ,pasley1 8has attended our operations1 is chiefly to be attributed to the exertions of corporal ,jones1 of whom as a diver ,i cannot speak too highly40#dfb ----- ,footnote #dfb3 ,with the reputation of being the best diver in ,europe1 he sailed for ,china in ,february1 #ahde4 ,in ,april1 #ahdg1 he was present in the expedition to ,canton1 and took part in the capture of the ,bogue and other forts4 ,soon after he was reduced from sergeant1 but his energy of character and perseverance brought him again into favour1 and he is now a sergeant in the corps4 ,he was present during the summer of #ahed at the capture of the ,aland ,islands1 including the demolition of the forts of ,bomarsund4 ,after his return from the ,baltic he was placed at the disposal of ,mr4 ,goldsworthy ,gurney of the ,house of ,commons1 to learn the properties and management of a brilliant light that gentleman had discovered1 and which he proposed to use in the trenches before ,sebastopol to exhibit the enemy1 at night1 in their works4 ,the experiments were carried out under the auspices of ,lord ,panmure2 and the sergeant evinced so complete an acquaintance with its principles1 that the inventor determined to intrust him with its use in the field4 ,submitted1 however1 for trial with rival lights to a committee at ,woolwich1 it was soon seen that its results did not equal its pretensions1 inasmuch as the light at a distance was far less intense than in the vicinity of the operator4 ,in this way sergeant ,jones was relieved from a nightly exhibition1 which would have made him a certain mark for the enemy to shoot at4 ,on the occasion of the trial he also used the ,drummond light1 a twin invention with that of ,mr4 ,gurney4 ,the third light was an electric flame2 all of which were condemned for the sole and sufficient reason that our own workmen would have been more exposed by the illumination than those of the garrison4 ,sergeant ,jones served subsequently in the ,crimea4 ----- ,corporal ,girvan was also very successful as a diver while health permitted1 but he was prevented from rendering any particular assistance after the #bgth ,july1 from an accident occasioned by the air-pipe of his apparatus blowing off the pump on deck4 ,he was aware that something had gone wrong1 and making the signal1 was drawn up sensible1 but much injured about the throat and head1 and blood was flowing copiously from his mouth and ears4 ,the air rushed violently out of his helmet1 as if no safety valve had been attached to it4 ,this arose from the valve not having been taken to pieces since the commencement of the season1 and1 moreover1 being clogged with verdigris1 could not be properly shut1 and hence the air was enabled to escape4#dfc ----- ,footnote #dfc3 ,the #8,times1' ,august #ai1 #ahdd4 ----- ,private ,john ,skelton1 so frequently praised for his ingenuity as a workman and for his daring as a diver1 was during the operations drowned by accident off ,southsea ,castle4 ,the conduct and exertions of the whole detachment were flatteringly spoken of by ,major-,general ,pasley1 particularly sergeant ,lindsay1#dfd who1 next to the officer in command1 had the chief superintendence4 ,corporal ,john ,rae#dfe and private ,alexander ,cleghorn were also named for their intelligence and services in the management of the voltaic batteries and firing of the charges1 and their duties1 next to the divers1 were the most important4 ,the divers occasionally went down as many as twenty times in a tide1 and the remuneration of each was from #as4 #c;d4 to #bs4 a tide1 besides the usual working pay of #as4 a-day4 ,this enabled each first-class diver to realize between #es4 and #fs4 a-day1 exclusive of his regimental allowances4 ----- ,footnote #dfd3 ,discharged with a pension of #as4 #aj;d4 a-day1 in ,april1 #ahdh1 and obtained from the ,surveyor-,general of ,prisons the appointment of foreman over the contractors1 on the part of the ,government1 at #es4 a-day4 ,subsequently he was removed by promotion to be foreman of works in the convict establishment at ,woolwich1 which embrace the supervision of the convicts working both in the arsenal and dock-yard4 ,his salary1 with rent and rations1 exceeded #acjl4 a-year4 ,he now fills a similar situation at ,chatham1 with a more lucrative recompense4 ,footnote #dfe3 ,subsequently became a sergeant1 and was employed on special duty at ,round ,down ,cliff1 ,dover1 and in the drainage works at ,windsor4 ,after passing five terms at ,sandhurst1 he was rewarded for his intelligence and good service1 with a case of drawing instruments2 and in ,september1 #ahdh1 was promoted to the rank of staff-sergeant at the ,college4 ,several interesting models1 made by himself1 of military importance1 he presented to that institution4 ----- ,the royal mail steamer #8,tay1' on her passage to ,bermuda1 sustained some damage to her bottom by running a-shore on the ,cuban coast4 ,on her arrival at ,bermuda on the #afth ,august1 corporal ,harris was employed to examine her4 ,supplied with a diving-helmet and suit from the dockyard1 he went down and found part of her cutwater and keel and about twelve feet of planking on her starboard side carried away4 ,forty-one times he dived in repairing the injury1 and in three days so effectually finished his work that the vessel was enabled to return safely to ,england with the mails4 ,by an order from the ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies1 then ,lord ,stanley1 this non-commissioned officer was attached1 late in the year1 to the department of the ,naval ,inspector of ,works at ,bermuda1 for the purpose of removing1 by submarine mining1 coral reefs from the entrances of harbours1 so as to make them accessible to ordinary vessels4 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,reid1 ,r4,e41 the ,governor of the ,island1 carried on a correspondence which extended over a period of eighteen months1 to obtain the services of this diver4#dff ,the first work undertaken by him was widening and deepening the ship channel leading into the harbour of ,st4 ,george4 ,for three or four years he confined his exertions to this point1 and so well planned and skilfully executed were his operations that all natural impediments militating against the safety of the channel1 were at length completely removed by the explosions of innumerable charges of gunpowder1 fired through the agency of voltaic electricity4 ,under ,colonel ,barry1 the commanding royal engineer who had the superintendence of the service for most of the period1 the work was successfully prosecuted4 ,the spaciousness of the channel for the passage of steam-vessels of large tonnage and great draught of water1 was practically tested on the #bfth ,february1 #ahdh1 by ,her ,majesty's steamer #8,growler1' of #a1bjj tons1 ,captain ,hall4 ,the vessel steamed into the harbour against wind and tide1 drawing fifteen and one-third feet of water1 and effected the passage with ease and steadiness1 having beneath her keel when passing 8the bar10 the worst part of the channel1 at least five feet of water4#dfg ,these signally successful operations saved the ,government several thousands of pounds2 and in the event of ,hamilton losing its commercial importance1 the harbour of ,st4 ,george will1 no doubt1 be selected as the chief water for the passage of the mails and the trade and marine of the ,islands4 ----- ,footnote #dff3 #8,second ,report1 ,army and ,ordnance ,expenditure1' #ahdi1 p4 #fag4 ,footnote #dfg3 ,the #8,bermudian1' ,march1 #ahdh4 ----- ,at ,chatham1 late in the year1 some mining operations were carried on under ,colonel ,sir ,frederick ,smith1 the director of the royal engineer establishment4 ,the works were pushed under the glacis in front of the left face of the ravelin1 and the right face of the ,duke of ,cumberland's ,bastion4 ,all the corps at the station1 with the ,east ,india ,company's sappers1 were present1 working night and day in three reliefs of six hours each1 and the numerous explosions that took place1 and the attempts made to render abortive the schemes of opposing parties1 invested the operations with the character in many essential respects of subterranean warfare4 ,the exciting experiments1 however1 were not concluded without casualty1 for on one occasion from inhaling foul air1 a sapper of the ,east ,india ,company named ,james ,sullivan was killed1 and three of the royal sappers were drawn out in a state of dangerous insensibility4 ,these were privates ,john ,murphy1 ,john ,a4 ,harris1 and ,edward ,bailey4 ,lieutenant ,moggeridge1 ,r4,e41 who had charge of the party1 also fainted1 but he was saved from serious injury by colour-sergeant ,george ,shepherd rushing into the gallery and bringing him out4 ,at the time of the accident1 the miners were about one hundred and fifty feet from the mouth of the shaft2 and several who went in to rescue their comrades suffered more or less from the air4 ,singular1 however1 as it may appear1 lights were burning near the ground the whole time1 and instantly after the last man was carried out of the gallery1 it was traversed in its whole length by lance-corporal ,john ,wood1#dfh who carried a light in his hand and experienced no great difficulty in breathing4#dfi ----- ,footnote #dfh3 ,joined the corps from the military asylum at ,chelsea4 ,by his attainments and merits he was in time promoted to the rank of corporal4 ,his career1 however1 was marked by occasional intemperance1 which at length settled into confirmed drunkenness and mental eccentricity4 ,unable to control his propensity to intoxication1 he became a useless soldier1 and after twenty years' service was discharged without a pension4 ,he is now a vagrant and a beggar4 ,footnote #dfi3 #8,professional ,papers1' viii41 pp4 #aef-ahj1 in which will be found an interesting detail of the operations4 ----- ,the ,hong ,kong party under ,major ,aldrich1 ,r4,e41 was inspected in the autumn by ,major-,general ,d',aguilar1 ,c4,b41 in command of the troops in ,china2 and his ,excellency in his official report 8regretted that a detachment of so much importance1 and so well constituted1 should have been reduced by six deaths and three invalided during the half year1 and that the men present should1 in their appearance1 show the effects of climate40 ,in ,december following the detachment was ordered to be increased to a half company1 and the reinforcement of fifteen rank and file1 sailing from the ,west ,india ,docks in the #8,william ,shand' freight-ship1 in ,february1 #ahde1 landed at ,victoria on the #bhth ,june following4 ,in ,may1 #ahea1 the party returned to ,england1 but its strength was reduced by casualties to six men only4 ,of the remainder1 four were invalided1 three died1 one was drowned on passage from ,victoria to ,macao1 and one was killed by falling over a precipice4 #ahde4 ,sheerness--,increase to the corps at the ,cape--,survey of ,windsor--,skill of privates ,holland and ,hogan as draughtsmen--,etchings by the latter for the ,queen and ,prince ,albert--,unique idea of the use of a bullet--,inspection at ,gibraltar by ,sir ,robert ,wilson--,falkland ,islands--,discharges on the survey duty during the railway mania4 ,on the #aeth ,may twelve rank and file were detached to ,sheerness1 and1 with little variation in its strength1 continued to work there till ,april1 #ahdi4 ,the men were employed at their trades1 and assisted in carrying out some boring experiments to ascertain the nature of the strata4 ,corporal ,charles ,hawkins1 who discharged the duty of foreman of works1 was highly spoken of for his activity and ability1 and the men were praised for their good conduct and exertions4 ,a company was added to the strength of the corps at the ,cape of ,good ,hope by the arrival from ,woolwich of the ninth company under the command of ,captain ,r4 ,howorth1 ,r4,e41 on the #bjth ,august4 ,on landing at ,algoa ,bay1 the reinforcement was removed to the different military posts on the frontier4#dgj ,the two companies in the colony now reached a total of #agd of all ranks4 ,this addition to the command did not occasion an augmentation to the corps1 but reduced one company of the disposable force at home4 ----- ,footnote #dgj3 ,the voyage was full of incident4 ,on the freight-ship1 #8,gilbert ,henderson1' sailing from ,woolwich1 the crew mutinied and left her at the ,nore4 ,a fresh crew1 chiefly foreigners1 unable to speak ,english1 was engaged1 and soon after putting to sea1 the ship took fire1 but the exertions of the company soon extinguished it4 ,near ,dungeness she ran on a sand-bank1 but by working all night1 she was got off4 ,when about a fortnight's sail from ,port ,elizabeth1 she was overtaken by a heavy squall1 which carried away the greater part of her gear1 and her fore and main masts4 ,to complete the chapter of accidents1 the disembarkation took place in a heavy surf1 and as boats refused to venture out1 the men1 women1 and children were borne to land on the backs of nude blacks4 ----- ,the survey of ,windsor1 including the ,home ,park1 ,castle1 ,frogmore1 and the ,royal ,gardens1 undertaken by ,her ,majesty's command in #ahdc by a party of about twenty non-commissioned officers and men of the survey companies1 was completed in the summer of this year4 ,captain ,tucker1 ,r4,e41 had the direction of the work1 and colour-sergeant ,joseph ,smith the executive charge4 ,the drawings were accurately and very beautifully executed on a scale of five feet to a mile1 which admitted of the fretwork of the ceilings being penned in for each apartment of the castle4 ,so exquisitely was the work performed1 that the drawings by privates ,charles ,holland#dga and ,patrick ,s4 ,hogan#dgb were constantly mistaken for engravings2 and ,prince ,albert1 to mark his approbation of their merits1 presented each with a useful and elegant case of mathematical drawing instruments4 ,the plans were made to show the contour levels at every four vertical feet above and two vertical feet below the flood-line of #ahda4 ,several sectional plans were also executed by the party to assist ,sir ,henry de la ,beche in the drainage of the town and castle1 which1 at the time1 was considered very defective4 ,the plan for the office of ,woods and ,forests1 designed with a view to the improvement of the sewerage1 was drawn on a sheet eleven feet square2 and a reduced plan was also drawn for the library of the ,prince ,consort4 ,his ,royal ,highness and other distinguished personages frequently visited the office to view the progress of the work1 and never quitted without graciously commending the party for their zeal and proficiency4 ----- ,footnote #dga3 ,became second-corporal1 and after being pensioned in ,april1 #ahdg1 returned as a draughtsman to the ordnance map office at ,southampton4 ,he is1 perhaps1 the best man of his class in the department1 and his drawings are always executed with fidelity and beauty4 ,frequently their neatness1 and richness of colouring and ornament1 give them an effect truly artistic and pictorial4 ,footnote #dgb3 ,made an etching of the #8,adelaide ,oak1' in the ,home ,park1 which1 submitted by ,sir ,henry de la ,beche to ,lord ,liverpool1 obtained for him a complimentary introduction to ,prince ,albert4 ,his ,royal ,highness accepted the etching1 and expressed himself much pleased with the beauty and minuteness of the execution4--#8,morning ,post1' ,saturday1 ,august #ai1 #ahdc4 ,the tree had a pretty seat hut nearly half round the bottom of its trunk1 and in another part of it was a remarkable hollow occasioned by time4 ,her ,majesty the ,queen ,dowager had been known frequently to sit reading under its ample shade1 and on that account it was considered to be her favourite oak4 ,hogan afterwards presented1 through ,colonel ,wylde1 an etching of the #8,victoria ,oak1' in the ,green ,park1 to the ,prince2 and ,his ,royal ,highness1 in thanking the giver1 expressed the admiration he felt for his talents as an artist1 and rewarded him with the sum of #el4 ,these handsome pair of etchings are now the property of ,her ,majesty4 ,hogan never received promotion in the corps1 as he was unqualified for command2 and being discharged1 on the usual pension in ,january1 #ahde1 soon afterwards emigrated to ,south ,australia4 ,an anecdote1 which is unique in its way1 may be added of this good easy man4 ,at ,trinity ,college1 ,dublin1 he had gained prizes as an artist1 but when he enlisted1 was as ignorant of the use of fire-arms as a child4 ,having fired blank cartridge in the usual routine of drill1 he was considered to be ripe enough to enter upon the more advanced stage of firing ball4 ,accordingly1 with others of his company1 he was ordered to attend this instructional duty4 ,when directed to prime and load1 he was observed to separate the bullet from the cartridge and throw it away4 ,sergeant ,hilton1 who had charge of the party1 picked up the discarded bullet2 and on asking ,hogan his reason for biting it off1 he replied1 8,sure1 sir1 ,i didn't know that the knob was of any use60 ,sir ,robert ,wilson inspected the companies at ,gibraltar in ,october1 and when he concluded1 was pleased to convey the expression of his satisfaction in these words1 8that on parade1 they showed they had duly attended to their military acquirements whilst employed at work1 which10 he added1 8will be a lasting monument to their merits40 ,the ,falkland ,islands' detachment was still toiling in the formation of the colony1 subjected to all the inconveniences and vicissitudes of a bad and depressing climate4 ,their duties embraced every variety of hard and laborious service1 such as making excavations1 drains1 roads1 jetties1 building houses1 huts1 c4 ,carrying heavy burdens of stores1 and loading and unloading boats1 were among their roughest tasks1 accompanied as they were with the necessity of wading in the water on sharp stony beaches1 which destroyed in a week or two the strongest boots4 ,the wear and tear of clothes was almost ruinous2 and to make up for the expenses incurred in replacing them1 and in purchasing provisions which were dear1 working pay1 exclusive of regimental allowances1 was granted to the men from #as4 #f;d4 to #ds4 #f;d4 a-day4 ,the sergeant received the highest rate1 the privates the lowest4 ,in winter they lived mostly in tents1 with snow around and a humid soil beneath2 and being constantly at work out of doors1 they frequently returned at night1 wet through1 to a small cheerless fire1 never lending heat enough to dry their dripping clothes4 ,at times they were on short allowance2 and when flour was selling at #fl4 #ajs4 per barrel of #aib lbs41 the men were glad of the chance of buying a small handkerchief-full of damaged biscuit for #ds4 #d;d4 ,to the recklessness of a wretched and lawless community1 composed of men of the lowest class1 was opposed the five or six gentlemen in official appointments and the sappers4 ,the latter1 however1 from constantly working with them1 were incessantly exposed to every kind of evil influence2 and without amusement or subjects of interest to occupy their attention in the intervals of labour1 four of the party gradually yielded to the prevailing corruption and were removed from the settlement4 ,the residue were highly commended for their 8esprit de corps10 and sergeant ,hearnden in particular1 for his admirable conduct1 was specially noticed in the ,governor's despatches to the ,secretary of ,state for the ,colonies4 ,the sergeant's trials were very great1 his exertions unflagging1 and his unrestricted devotion of every hour to the public weal was frequently warmly acknowledged by the ,governor4 ,a mania for railways set in this year which caused an excessive demand for surveyors to trace and survey the lines4 ,this occasioned the withdrawal of more than #bjj civil assistants and about #fj labourers1 besides #a sergeant1 #a corporal1 #f second-corporals1 and #ai privates1 who were discharged from the survey companies at their own request4 ,many of those who quitted1 possessed superior abilities as surveyors and draughtsmen4 ,the offers made were too tempting to be resisted2 and some of the men secured employment1 which enabled them to realize an income of more than six guineas a-week4 ,to make up for the loss in the survey force1 ,colonel ,colby proposed the augmentation of another company for the duty2 but the measure was not acceded to till ,april1 #ahdh4 #ahdf4 ,boundary surveys in ,north ,america--,duties of the party engaged in it--,mode of ascertaining longitudes--,trials of the party2 ,owen ,lonergan--,the sixty-four mile line--,official recognition of its services--,sergeant ,james ,mulligan--,kaffir war--,corporal ,b4 ,castledine--,parties employed at the guns--,graham's ,town--,fort ,brown--,patrols--,bridge over the ,fish ,river--,field services with the second division--,dodo's kraal--,waterloo ,bay--,field services with the first division--,patrol under ,lieutenant ,bourchier--,mutiny of the ,swellandam native infantry--,conduct of corps in the campaign--,alterations in the dress--,drainage of ,windsor--,detachment to ,hudson's ,bay--,its organization--,journey to ,fort ,garry--,sergeant ,philip ,clark--,private ,r4 ,penton--,corporal ,t4 ,macpherson--,lower ,fort ,garry--,particular services--,return to ,england4 ,the survey of the boundary between the ,british possessions in ,north ,america and the ,united ,states1 as settled by the treaty of ,washington1 was completed this year4 ,six non-commissioned officers selected for the duty embarked at ,liverpool in ,april1 #ahdc1 and landing at ,boston1 thence re-embarked on board a coasting steamer1 and sailed to ,st4 ,john's1 ,new ,brunswick4 ,by boat they then passed on to ,fredericton1 and on the #ast ,june commenced operations at the ,grand ,falls4 ,all were dressed in plain clothes4 ,corporals ,james ,mulligan1 ,daniel ,rock1 and ,alfred ,garnham had been for three months at the ,royal ,observatory at ,greenwich1 and were instructed in the mode of making and computing such astronomical observations1 as were considered best suited to the service to be performed4#dgc ,very soon the detachment 8drew forth the praise and admiration of the ,american party4 ,the ,americans10 adds the despatch1 8had no persons to stand in the place of them40 ,so useful were they found in the service1 that1 in the second season1 when the work of the commission had to be extended1 the detachment was increased to twenty men of all ranks4#dgd ----- ,footnote #dgc3 #8,military ,annual1' #ahdd4 #8,corps ,papers1' i41 p4 #ajg4 ,footnote #dgd3 #8,corps ,papers1' i41 p4 #ajg4 ----- ,captains ,broughton1 ,robinson1 and ,pipon1 ,r4,e41 commanded the party under ,lieutenant-,colonel ,estcourt1 the chief commissioner2 and at the close of the second season1 the survey had so far progressed1 that nine men were removed from the duty1 and arrived at ,woolwich in ,january1 #ahde4 ,the services of three other men were dispensed with at the close of #ahde1 and reaching head-quarters in ,december1 they were followed1 on the #ith ,july1 #ahdf1 by four more4 ,three were discharged in ,canada1 and the twentieth man1 corporal ,garnham1 arrived in ,england #ajth ,september1 #ahdf4 ,a few details of this international service would seem to be required to explain the nature of the duties intrusted to the men4 ,having once entered the woods1 the survey was continued without interruption1 until the termination of the out-door operations of #ahde4 ,occasionally the men worked in concert with the officers of the ,united ,states' topographical engineers4 ,two non-commissioned officers were constantly employed under ,captains ,robinson and ,pipon1 in taking and calculating observations for latitudes and longitudes1 and for absolute longitudes by lunar transits and culminating stars1 to discover the azimuthal bearings of the line1 as pointed out by the treaty of ,washington4 ,they also ascertained the comparative heights of astronomical stations1 c41 at various points of the line from barometrical observations4 ,one non-commissioned officer for many months was attached to the ,american party to see that they effected their survey according to the treaty2 one carried the chronometers between the astronomical camps2 and the remainder were employed singly in charge of large parties of labourers and axemen1 carrying on the general business of marking out the boundary1 and of surveying and levelling it4 ,embraced in the operations also was the survey of the waters1 roads1 and other prominent objects in the vicinity of the line1 essential to the discovery of the boundary1 at any time1 by reference to the natural features of the country2 and when the survey closed in #ahde1 seven of the party were1 for more than eight months1 stationed with the commission at ,washington1 engaged in the duty of computing and registering astronomical observations1 also in laying down and plotting the work and finishing the plans of the line4 ,the process of surveying and levelling is too well known to need notice1 but it may be desirable to afford an idea of one description of work1 to show in what respect assistance was given to obtain the longitude of a particular place4 ,between the northwest branch-station and ,quebec1 it was required to ascertain the difference of longitude2 but as the usual method of finding it by the interchange of chronometers could not be resorted to1 a hill some twenty miles away from the branch station1 which could be seen from ,quebec1 was selected as the station for an observing party4 ,captain ,pipon1 therefore1 left the woods1 and established his transit instrument on the ,plains of ,abraham4 ,with a pocket chronometer1 tent1 provisions1 gunpowder1 c41 sergeant ,bernard ,m#8,guckin removed to a range of hills from the station above ,lake ,ishganalshegeck1 and encamped himself and his labourers on the highest point of the range1 which was covered to the top with dense wood4 ,climbing the height1 and finding he could see back to the ,lake ,hill and forward to ,quebec1 he set his labourers to clear away the summit1 except one high tree which he stript of all the leaves and branches likely to intercept the free range of the observations4 ,at the base of this tree he constructed a high platform1 and every evening for two hours1 at intervals of ten minutes1 the sergeant fired flashes of gunpowder1 by hoisting the charge1 with the assistance of a pulley1 to the top of the tree with a burning slow match attached4 ,the quantity of powder used for each flash varied from a quarter to half a pound4 ,some of the nights the wind blew strongly1 and the charge exploded before reaching the top of the tree4 ,on a clear night the flashes could be seen with the naked eye at the ,quebec observatory1 forty miles distant4 ,simultaneous observations were made on six different evenings1 and forty-six flashes were noted1 sufficient to give a good difference of longitude4 ,the result of the experiment was most successful4 ,an attempt was afterwards made to find the difference of longitude between the stations1 by the transmission of chronometers2 but the effect deduced was worthless compared with that obtained from the flashes4 ,these observations were a part of the scheme for tracing the straight sixty-four mile line of boundary from the outlet of ,lake ,pohenagamook to the hill station on ,lake ,ishganalshegeck4 ,when the observations were completed1 ,captain ,robinson left the woods and placed his chronometers in charge of a non-commissioned officer of sappers at ,montreal1 who wound them up and compared them during the winter4#dge ----- ,footnote #dge3 #8,corps ,papers1' i41 pp4 #abe1 #abf1 #aee4 ----- ,the accuracy of this means of observation was further tested on the western portion of the line ending at ,st4 ,regis by the operations of corporal ,bastard4 ,in ,august1 #ahde1 having selected the highest summit on ,mount ,rougement1 near ,chambly1 for a station1 he reciprocated flashes with ,major ,graham of the ,u4 ,s4 topographical engineers at ,rouse's ,point1 with great precision and success4#dgf ,the same was done by corporal ,thomas ,forbes from the top of ,jay's ,peak in ,vermont1 who flashed at ten-minute intervals from the surface of a piece of flat board4 ,in six fine nights eighty flashes were observed in common4 ,these series of observations connected the points of ,st4 ,regis and ,st4 ,helen's1 and the latter again with ,rouse's1 testing at the same time the difference of longitude between the several stations4#dgg ----- ,footnote #dgf3 ,ibid41 i41 p4 #aee4 ,footnote #dgg3 ,ibid41 i41 p4 #abh4 ----- ,when not in tents1 a sort of hut constructed on the spot was the only habitation of the surveyors1 and twigs of the spruce tree1 felled by the axemen1 formed their bed4 ,they had good blankets and warm clothing2 but such was the severity of the weather1 and such the inconvenience of their bivouac1 that frequently in the morning they arose for work either with stiffened limbs1 or soaked with melted snow4 ,for the most part1 however1 the detachment was free from sickness despite the intense cold in winter1 and the great heat in summer4 ,locked as they were in a thick forest1 covered by an impenetrable foliage1 the oppressive heat of midsummer was almost insupportable4 ,in the spring scurvy was common among them1 accompanied with sore gums1 loose teeth1 discoloured legs1 and emaciated frames1 but some well-known simple specifics soon restored them to health4#dgh ,only one man became an invalid on the duty1 arising from an injury he sustained by falling from a shelving bank1 on account of which he was sent home and discharged4 ----- ,footnote #dgh3 #8,corps ,papers1' i41 p4 #ajh1 #aji4 ----- ,the royal engineers with their sappers and assistants were the first to penetrate these wilds and the first to open a way through their mazes4 ,scrambling through an unbroken forest with snow-shoes on1 interrupted at every step by stunted underwood1 not a little augmented their fatigues4 ,often the snow was hip deep2 and when the melting commenced1 the obstacles and toils of travelling became greater4 ,the snow-shoes then became useless1 and yet without them the men sank above their knees in half-thawed snow1 and then had to wade through the swamp4 ,streams in those seasons became rivers1 and rivers deep torrents2 and such was the difficulty of pushing through the snow1 that one party was four days going ten miles4#dgi ,difficulties like these were more especially felt in the region embraced within the 8sixty-four mile line40 ,a vast prairie it was1 thickly overgrown with tangled bush1 undisturbed for centuries1 by the axe of industry4 ,the full influence of many a storm1 however1 had beaten down the forest and levelled trees too old to bear its blast4 ,these lay across the track intersected and confused1 just as the wind had blown them2 and the dense bush1 climbing over the aged trunks1 so matted the vegetation1 that the trials of travelling were only overshot by the general hardships of the enterprise4 ,there were perils too encountered of a serious character1 which only stout frames and sturdy hearts could have conquered4 ,on one occasion1 corporal ,owen ,lonergan was sent to measure three check lines2 it was biting cold at the time1 and the ground was covered with snow some two or three feet deep4 ,though encumbered with an instrument1 a greatcoat1 and heavy clothes1 he entered with spirit upon his work and rapidly completed two of the checks1 but on commencing the third he was obliged to relinquish it1 as his hands1 painfully benumbed1 had lost their power4 ,the snow by this time was very high1 and it was only by superhuman effort1 sustained for several hours1 that he succeeded in mastering the difficulties of his situation1 and regaining his hut before nightfall4 ----- ,footnote #dgi3 ,ibid41 i41 p4 #aad4 ----- ,the survey of the sixty-four mile line was important because of the necessity imposed by the treaty of making it rigidly strait4 ,a force of labourers1 guided in the duty by the most intelligent men with the commission1 first struck out the line as indicated by astronomical observation4 ,when this preliminary trace was effected1 other labourers1 in strong batches1 8directed by non-commissioned officers of the sappers and miners were sent to cut the whole line thirty feet wide1 clearing a way in the centre1 of about eight feet wide1 but leaving the other part with the stumps breast high and the trees as they had fallen4 ,these parties were guided in their cuttings by the marks which had been set up on the ridges at no very great distances apart from each other4 ,when the line had been thus cut out from end to end1 a transit instrument was sent through it1 adjusting correctly all the station poles1 and insuring the straightness of the line beyond all doubt40#dhj ----- ,footnote #dhj3 #8,corps ,papers1' i41 p4 #abd4 ----- ,at the termination of the survey1 ,lieutenant-,colonel ,estcourt thus wrote of the conduct and services of the detachment3 8,i beg to acknowledge the valuable assistance they have rendered4 ,the character of the duties intrusted to them has been such as must have been given to an officer had they not been attached to the commission1 entailing thereby a great additional expense1 not only on the score of wages1 but also of equipment and assistance2 and ,i doubt whether the work would have been better executed4 ,all that was expected1 therefore1 from their employment has been fully realized2 their efficiency in the field1 and their general good conduct and respectability1 have been very creditable to them and to their corps4 ,those who are now about to leave us1 and have been at ,washington during all our residence here1 deserve the highest commendation for their uniform good conduct4 ,in no single instance has there been the least occasion for complaint or even remark40 ,in his orders to the detachment at parting1 he reiterated the substance of the above tribute1 and spoke of the unmixed satisfaction he would look back upon the whole of his intercourse with the sappers4 ,the survey pay of the men1 in addition to their regimental pay1 ranged between #bs4 #aj;d4 and #cs4 #i;d4 a-day1 and free rations and hotel expenses were also allowed them4#dha ----- ,footnote #dha3 ,the senior non-commissioned officer1 sergeant ,james ,mulligan1 was much noticed for his attainments and exertions4 ,his duties with the commission were of a nature to require the exercise of patience and resolution1 and demanded always a scrupulous1 unremitting attention4 ,in this he was never found to fail1 but rendered valuable services1 8which10 adds ,colonel ,estcourt1 8few civilians could have undertaken1 or1 if capable1 would not have undertaken1 but for the highest salary40 ,mulligan's survey-pay was #cs4 #i;d4 a-day4 ,after his discharge1 in ,september1 #ahdf1 he was awarded1 for his high merit1 a silver medal1 and a special gratuity of #bel4 ,on leaving the corps he retired1 with ample pecuniary means1 to ,ireland4 ----- ,the war in ,kaffirland again broke out this year and afforded ample employment for the two companies of the corps1 which were scattered in sections to the several posts on the frontier4 ,a small detachment of sappers appears to have been the first troops to meet with hostile interruption in the prosecution of its duties1 and the circumstance is quaintly alluded to in the following free metrical effusion of a facetious alarmist3-- 8,there was a stir in ,kaffirland one morning1 ,a chief with ,government some ground disputed2 ,and then he very fairly sent us warning ,our plans and his were totally unsuited3 ,so ,colonel ,hare1 as did of old1 ,mahomet1 ,call'd for his boots1 and flar'd up like a comet4 8,meanwhile ,sandeli1 who's a lad of metal1 ,swore that the sappers should not light a fire ,to cook their dinners or to boil their kettle2 ,and so--denouncing on them vengeance dire1-- ,he bid them pack their tools and strike their tents1 ,and made believe to seize their instruments40#dhb ----- ,footnote #dhb3 8,the ,alarm10 in #8,united ,service ,magazine1' #ahdf1 ii41 p4 #chc4 ----- ,the nature of the service upon which the companies were employed precluded them from taking any very active or prominent share in the operations of the campaign1 or of their numbers being collected in any force to render their movements impressive and conspicuous2 nevertheless1 as opportunities offered of withdrawing them from their more pacific duties1 they were made to participate with the other troops in the harassing war which1 without intermission1 continued with vigour until the winter4 ,corporal ,benjamin ,castledine1 ordered to proceed from ,fort ,beaufort to ,post ,victoria1 started on the #bast ,march1 #ahdf1 with a gunner of the royal artillery who was armed with a sword only1 in charge of a waggon with twelve oxen and two natives--a driver and a leader--who had one musket between them4 ,in crossing a drift1 after marching seven miles1 the oxen were knocked up1 and the corporal sent the driver back for more cattle4 ,at night the corporal took turn as sentry with the artilleryman4 ,next morning at daylight1 the leader was ordered to collect the cattle then grazing about three hundred yards off2 but while away1 shots were heard in the direction he had taken4 ,the corporal1 leaving the waggon in charge of the artilleryman1 ran to the banks of the drift1 and before he had time to seek cover in the bush1 was met by a volley from several armed ,kaffirs1 who had already wounded the leader and taken his gun4 ,the corporal stood his ground1 and wounding two of their number by his correct firing1 the rest carried off the injured men and drove away the corporal's cattle4 ,luckily1 soon afterwards1 a patrol of one sergeant and seven men of the #gth dragoon guards came up1 and hearing what had happened1 they pursued the ,kaffirs and retook the oxen4 ,the corporal with his escort and cattle1 except two of the latter1 which were lost on the road from exhaustion1 resumed the route and reached ,post ,victoria on the #bbnd ,march4 ,colonel ,somerset1 then commanding the frontier1 hearing through ,lieutenant ,stokes1 ,r4,e41 of the affair1 gave corporal ,castledine much credit for his conduct4 ,this was the first skirmish in the war4 ,from the #afth to #ahth ,april three men served with a demibattery of artillery as gunners1 during ,colonel ,somerset's operations in the ,amatola mountains1 and retreat from ,burn's hill to ,block drift1 where they were present in a smart action4 ,ten men took part with the artillery at the guns1 from #bjth ,april to #bith ,september1 at ,victoria1 ,fort ,beaufort1 and ,block drift4 ,at these forts and at ,graham's ,town the men for weeks together lay down in their clothes and accoutrements ready to meet any sudden attack4 ,at ,beaufort1 four guns were manned by them1 two #i-pounders and two #e-;inch howitzers3 one of these had horses attached1 which were mounted by the sappers4 ,graham's ,town1 denuded of its garrison to scour the ,amatolas1 was left unprotected4 ,bodies of ,kaffirs pressed into the colony1 marking their track by murder and desolation4 ,tidings of their savage proceedings being brought in by mounted burghers1 breathless with the intelligence1 it was feared the town would be early attacked4 ,at once the engineer at the station set to work to fortify it1 and with the assistance of some ,fingoes and ,hottentots1 the few sappers that remained rapidly blockaded the streets and avenues leading into the town4 ,the return1 however1 of ,colonel ,somerset's division checked the enemy's advance on this1 the metropolis of the frontier4#dhc ----- ,footnote #dhc3 #8,united ,service ,journal1' iii41 #ahdf1 p4 #cbh4 ----- ,on the #bcrd ,april1 under ,lieutenant ,bourchier1 ,r4,e41 fifty-one non-commissioned officers and men repulsed an attack by the enemy on the ,farmer's camp near ,fort ,brown4 ,the action lasted about four hours1 and though the night was extremely dark1 the sappers1 serving both as infantry and artillery in charge of two field-pieces1 beat off the enemy with the loss1 as was afterwards acknowledged by the chief ,stock1 of thirty killed4 ,the sappers only were engaged in this affair1 and their spirited and gallant conduct was reported by ,lieutenant ,bourchier4 ,on the #agth and #cast ,may and #ast and #ahth ,june1 about forty non-commissioned officers and men1 sent from ,fort ,brown under ,lieutenant ,bourchier1 went in pursuit of marauding parties of the enemy4 ,from ,double drift under the same officer1 four other parties were despatched through the bush after the ,kaffirs on the #beth ,june1 #gth ,july1 and #gth and #ahth ,august4 ,sergeant ,thomas ,p4 ,cook and corporal ,john ,campbell were reported to have shown great determination and intelligence in following the enemy in their fastnesses4 ,the former accompanied six of the patrols and the latter seven4 ,near ,fort ,brown1 three ,kaffir spies1 discovered creeping up to the place to reconnoitre1 were shot2 two of these were brought down by privates ,alexander ,irvine and ,john ,patterson4 ,from #crd ,june to #acth ,july1 ten men with a company of the #ijth regiment1 fifty marines and some sailors1 under ,lieutenant ,owen1 ,r4,e41 constructed a flying bridge of boats1 c4 for crossing the ,fish river mouth1 and threw up a field-work on the right bank4 ,in this service private ,john ,vance1 a superior carpenter1 8showed remarkable zeal1 skill1 and intelligence40 ,the work was undertaken to establish an open line of communication to ,fort ,peddie4#dhd ,footnote #dhd3 ,vance is noticed in ,colonel ,pasley's ',practical ,operations for a ,siege' for his assistance in executing some of the wood engravings to the work4 ,he was an excellent carpenter and modeller1 but his efforts at engraving show but little refinement4 ,untaught in the art1 his attempts to supply the place of competent practitioners can only be regarded as the neat and more advanced stages of carpentering4 ,pity1 however1 that such a man1 so apt1 so ready--should have been enslaved by his vices4 ,a drunkard1 in the most degraded sense of the word1 no one regretted1 when his service expired1 to see him quit the corps4 ,under ,lieutenant ,stokes1 ,r4,e41 twelve men shared in the operations with the second division in the field and at the passage at the mouth of the ,keiskama river from the #fth to #afth ,july4 ,from the latter date to the #acth ,september1 under the same officer1 six other privates served with the second division during ,sir ,peregrine ,maitland's attack upon the ,amatola mountains1 and constructed a field-work for the protection of the camp at ,perie4 ,on the #aeth and #afth ,july1 sixteen non-commissioned officers and men under ,lieutenant ,bourchier were present in action with the enemy at ,dodo's kraal1 under the command of ,captain ,hogg1 #gth dragoon guards4 ,from the #afth ,july to #acth ,september1 twelve men constructed a field-work for the protection of the camp at ,waterloo ,bay under ,lieutenant ,owen1 ,r4,e4 ,from #bjth ,july to #abth ,september1 thirty-eight non-commissioned officers and men served in the field with the first division during ,sir ,peregrine ,maitland's attack on the ,amatola mountains2 and under the direction of ,captain ,howorth1 ,r4,e41 restored ,fort ,cox4 ,on the #bith ,july the camp on the ,amatola flats was attacked by the enemy1 and sergeant ,joseph ,barns of the corps was killed4 ,seven men under ,lieutenant ,bourchier were present1 from the #beth to #cjth ,august1 with ,colonel ,somerset's patrol between the ,fish river and the ,keiskama4 ,on #bdth ,october1 the ,swellandam native infantry at ,fort ,beaufort1 directed to escort waggons to ,waterloo ,bay1 marched from the parade1 contrary to the remonstrances of their officers towards ,graham's ,town4 ,there were about #cej of the levy present1 and the simultaneous and unhesitating movement of the mutineers1 gave reason to fear that the conspiracy was well organized4 ,captain ,ward1 of the #iast regiment1 the commandant1 at once ordered the two artillerymen and five sappers under corporal ,edward ,barnecoat to follow in pursuit with the three-pounder howitzer4 ,this was all the commandant's force4 ,the gun was up in a few minutes1 and bounding down the street1 reached the bridge1 where halting1 the captain ordered the howitzer to be put in action4 ,with only eight men ,captain ,ward thought it imprudent to proceed further4 ,trying the effect of firing three rounds of blank ammunition1 the mutineers pushed up the acclivity with increased speed at every discharge1 and reforming on its brow1 seemed disposed to hazard a fight4 ,at this moment a detachment of the #ijth regiment--which happened to be at the fort on escort duty--pressed up to the bridge4 ,immediately the gun was limbered up and when the little column was about to scale the height1 ,colonel ,richardson1 who had now arrived1 countermanded the order to advance4 ,with only a handful of men1 there was but a remote chance of success against #cej exasperated rebels all armed and posted on commanding ground2 and so swayed by merciful considerations the colonel employed two missionaries to parley with the misguided men1 who1 soon1 in great part1 returned to their allegiance4#dhe ----- ,footnote #dhe3 ,mrs4 ,ward's #8,cape and the ,kaffirs1' ,bohn's edit41 #ahea1 pp4 #ade-adg4 ----- ,these comprise the active services of the companies during the year1 in which1 though the parties do not appear to have gained any mention in dispatches or reports for their conduct and efficiency1 they always behaved like good soldiers1 and spared no exertion to accomplish the objects for which they were employed4 ,they were likewise much harassed on varied escort duty1 such as conveying from fort to fort waggons with ammunition1 provisions1 and wounded men1 and took part in all those multifarious services1 carried on at twenty different frontier posts and forts1 which the character of that desultory and peculiar warfare continually exacted4 ,in ,april1 the small blocked epaulettes were superseded by others with loose twisted cords of three inches long suspended from a raised corded crescent4 ,those for the sergeants and staff-sergeants were of the artillery pattern--long loose gold fringe and gilt crescent to correspond with the privates' epaulettes4 ,the shoulder-strap for the sergeants and other ranks was of blue cloth faced with gold lace4 ,the staff-sergeants' epaulettes continued boxed as before1 with a full laced gold strap edged with raised embroidered wire1 and a gilt crescent1 but the bullion was longer than formerly4 ,the collar of the coatee for all ranks1 which had a triangular-shaped piece of scarlet cloth at the back1 was this year entirely of blue cloth1 but laced as before1 with rectangular loops4 ,the alteration was made to give1 in appearance1 breadth and squareness to the men's shoulders4 ,corporal ,john ,rae1 second-corporal ,john ,mealey and eighteen men1 were employed from the #hth ,june to the #agth ,august1 in executing some underground works for the drainage of ,windsor4 ,these consisted of a tunnel or cutting from the entrance of the long walk to the north side of the quadrangle of the castle1 and also the excavation of a driftway under the north front1 moving east and west4 ,the tunnel was approached from several circular shafts #d feet #f inches in diameter1 of an average depth of about #be feet2 and the gallery--the height of which was six feet1 and width #d feet #f inches--was driven between #gej and #hjj feet through chalk1 flint1 made earth1 old moats1 and crumbling vaults and foundations2 and1 notwithstanding the difficulties of the work1 was prosecuted with such exactness1 that the line of driving between the shafts1 was rarely more than an inch or two out of its true level4 ,indeed1 it was remarked that the tunnel1 commenced at opposite sides of the castle1 was so correct in its progress1 that on reaching the centre1 there did not exist two inches of difference where the tunnels merged into one4#dhf ,in hazardous earth1 mining frames and sheeting were resorted to1 but even these expedients1 at times1 did not prevent the earth from falling and impeding the workmen4 ,thirty civil labourers worked the windlasses and drove the barrows for the party4 ,all hands worked from five in the morning until half-past six in the evening1 and made by their exertions1 seven days and a half a-week1 at #as4 #f;d4 each a-day4 ,captain ,vetch1 late of the corps1 was the engineer for the work1 and ,lieutenant the ,honourable ,h4 ,f4 ,keane1 commanded the detachment4 ,the ,board of ,woods and ,forests paid the expenses of the undertaking1 and praised the skill and energy with which the excavations had been conducted and completed4 ,the ,lords ,commissioners of ,her ,majesty's ,treasury also acknowledged the great advantage which resulted from the employment of the sappers on the occasion4 ----- ,footnote #dhf3 ,the #8,times1' ,august #ai1 #ahdf4 ----- ,sergeant ,philip ,clark and eleven rank and file embarked at ,deptford1 in the #8,blenheim1' on the #crd of ,june1 #ahdf1 for the territories of the ,hudson's ,bay ,company4 ,a detachment of artillery1 and three companies of the #fth foot1 under the command of ,lieutenant-,colonel ,crofton1 were also with the expedition4 ,the employment of this small force on the ,red ,river was occasioned by the menacing hauteur of the ,americans respecting the ,oregon territory1 which at this period was a momentous question between the two countries2 but fortunately1 the dispute terminated in a treaty which settled amicably the national differences4 ,the party was composed of excellent mechanics and well-conducted men1 two of whom were also good surveyors and draughtsmen4 ,three chronometers and barometers1 with measuring chains and surveying instruments1 were placed in charge of sergeant ,clark4 ,captain ,h4 ,c4 ,b4 ,moody1 ,r4,e41 took command of the party on its landing at ,york ,factory on the #adth of ,august1 and subsequently1 for about a year1 the command was held by ,captain ,beatty1 ,r4,e4 ,it was not intended to attach the sappers to the divisions of the troops in pushing up the country1 but to employ them on services for which they were more peculiarly adapted1 such as measuring the heights of the several falls in the course of the rivers that occasion the necessity for the portages1 and improving the latter whenever any short proceeding would give them facilities for doing it3 also cutting1 on prominent objects1 bench marks to show the height of the water for the information of travellers1 and embodying in memoranda a description of the nature of the ground traversed and the features of the country1 with suggestions for improving the passage4 ,owing1 however1 to the scarcity of officers1 the colonel in command could not permit the employment of the detachment in this manner4 ,accordingly1 eight men accompanied the first division of the force1 two the second1 and two1 with ,captain ,moody1 the third4 ,the first party took the barometers2 and the chronometers were taken by the two surveyors in the #crd brigade4 ,in concert with the troops1 they tracked1 hauled1 rowed1 and poled the boats the whole way to ,fort ,garry2 and1 notwithstanding the intensity of the cold1 such was the nature of the duty1 it required them in its execution1 to go barefooted with their trousers tied above the knee4 ,at night1 for a few hours only1 they slept under canvas frequently in wet clothes1 upon the damp snow-covered ground4 ,the distance traversed was about #djj miles1 through swamps and rapids1 over rocky islets1 and up and down steep and slippery banks and declivities2 and the operation1 one of immense difficulty and peril1 was not achieved without much labour and discomfort4 ,at each portage1 sergeant ,clark himself carried the chronometers1 and1 after examining them1 placed a sentry to watch them4 ,he also measured the heights of the falls and took the difference of the levels4 ,in shoal water1 or in running the several rapids1 the delicate instruments were invariably removed from the boats to save them from shocks by bumping against hidden rocks and impediments4 ,the chronometers were wound up every morning at nine o'clock1 and the results and comparative differences registered4 ,three times a day the indications of the barometers1 the changes in the atmosphere1 and the force and direction of the wind were registered1 and these observations were recorded until the expedition quitted the settlement4 ,sergeant ,clark and private ,robert ,penton showed great zeal and intelligence in the manner they carried out their scientific duties on the route1 and corporal ,thomas ,r4 ,macpherson1 who had charge of the party that accompanied the first brigade from ,york ,factory1 was commended for the notes he took of the route1 and for the report he framed thereon4 ,at ,lower ,fort ,garry1 the troops1 under the officers of engineers1 with the sappers as overseers1 made a trench round the fortress1 and cleared away the wood contiguous to it for #cjj yards in every direction4 ,a varying party was detached with corporal ,macpherson to ,upper ,fort ,garry2 and at both places1 the sappers carried out all those services which the nature of the settlement and the weather made indispensable for the health and accommodation of the troops4 ,while at work the detachment wore leather jackets and trousers4 ,in the second year of the station1 corporal ,macpherson with one sapper was sent to ,york ,factory1 and returned in charge of the magnetic and other instruments left there the year before4 ,although the intricacies of the passage were considerable1 increased by the necessity of personally carrying the cases over the portages1 he safely conveyed them to the fort without detriment or derangement4 ,some of the party were employed at intervals1 in the survey of portions of the ,assimboine1 ,saskatchewan and ,red ,rivers1 and corporal ,macpherson#dhg and second-corporal ,penton1 under ,captain ,moody1 examined and explored the country in the vicinity of the boundary line of the ,united ,states at ,pambina4 ----- ,footnote #dhg3 ,in the life of some men there happen singular incidents1 which give either a romantic or a strangely-degraded cast to their career4 ,in this category corporal ,macpherson may be fairly included4 ,he was a very talented and superior artificer1 and his general knowledge and experience made his services conspicuous4 ,at ,hythe he absented himself1 and leaving his clothes on the bank of the canal1 a belief prevailed that he was drowned2 he1 however1 turned up about a year afterwards1 and was convicted of the crime of desertion4 ,but soon gaining favour by his diligence and talents1 he rose rapidly to the rank of sergeant1 and was entrusted with responsible duties at ,gibraltar1 ,hudson's ,bay1 and finally in ,nova ,scotia4 ,at ,halifax he again deserted1 with #bjfl4 of the public money1 but a vigilant piquet being on his trail1 he was apprehended at ,annapolis1 fortunately for the captain of his company1 with the whole of the treasure in his pocket4 ,being tried and convicted he was sentenced to fourteen years' transportation4 ,a review of his useful services1 and the humane intercession of ,colonel ,savage1 ,r4,e41 his commanding officer1 obtained for him a full pardon--only to be followed by the basest ingratitude and crime4 ,a few months elapsed1 and the forgiven felon a third time deserted4 ,on the passage to the ,states he robbed a gentleman with whom he got into conversation1 but as the theft was discovered before the debarkation took place1 the gentleman repossessed his money1 and a gold watch supposed to be stolen4 ,on landing1 the gentleman took steps for the apprehension of the delinquent1 but1 by artful remonstrances1 he made the public believe that the reason of his arrest was not for theft as alleged1 but for desertion from the ,british service4 ,at once the mob sympathized with his fate1 rescued him from custody1 and he is now at large in the ,states4 ,the gold watch1 brought to ,halifax by the gentleman1 proved to be the property of a comrade4 ----- ,on the #crd of ,august1 #ahdh1 the sappers quitted ,fort ,garry under the command of ,captain ,blackwood ,price1 ,r4,a4--,captain ,moody having then returned to ,canada--and after completing the arduous and fatiguing descent to ,york ,factory1 they embarked there on the #bdth of ,august1 and landed at ,woolwich1 #ahth of ,october1 #ahdh4 ,both ,lieutenant-,colonel ,crofton1 and ,major ,griffiths1 his successor in command1 awarded an honourable meed of approbation to the detachment for its exemplary conduct and services2 but sergeant ,clark was particularly noticed by the former for his attainments and ready zeal4 8,his exertions10 adds the ,colonel1 8were never wanting1 even in matters not in immediate connexion with the corps1 and to him ,i owe the good arrangements made for the garrison library1 in aid of which1 his services as librarian were cheerfully given without gratuity40#dhh ,sergeant ,clark1 corporal ,macpherson and second-corporal ,penton1#dhi received promotion for their useful exertions on this expedition4 ----- ,footnote #dhh3 ,sergeant ,clark was brought up in the royal military asylum4 ,he was for some years on the survey of ,ireland1 and by subsequent application1 became a fair surveyor and draughtsman4 ,he served a station at ,corfu before going to ,hudson's ,bay1 and subsequently passed a few years as colour-sergeant of the #bjth company1 at ,freemantle1 ,western ,australia4 ,footnote #dhi3 ,an enterprising and superior surveyor4 ,he was importantly employed in #ahdc in the determination of the longitude of ,valentia1 and is now a sergeant at ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia1 whither he had been sent to superintend the laying of asphalte4 ----- #ahdf4 ,exploration survey for a railway in ,north ,america--,services of the party employed on it--,personal services of sergeant ,a4 ,calder--,augmentation to the corps--,reinforcement to ,china--,recall of a company from ,bermuda--,royal presents to the reading-room at ,southampton--,inspection at ,gibraltar by ,sir ,robert ,wilson--,third company placed at the disposal of the ,board of ,works in ,ireland--,sergeant ,j4 ,baston--,services of the company--,distinguished from the works controlled by the civilians--,gallantry of private ,g4 ,windsor--,coolness of private ,e4 ,west--,intrepid and useful services of private ,william ,baker--,survey of ,southampton1 and its incomparable map4 ,sergeant ,alexander ,calder and seven rank and file of the survey companies embarked at ,liverpool in the #8,britannia' steam-ship1 and landed at ,halifax1 #bnd ,july4 ,subsequently1 the party was increased by the arrival of four rank and file who had been employed on the boundary survey in the state of ,maine4 ,this detachment1 with two pensioner non-commissioned officers of the corps1 served under the direction of ,captain ,pipon1#dij and afterwards of ,lieutenant ,e4 ,y4 ,w4 ,henderson and ,major ,robinson1 ,r4,e41 in surveying the country between ,quebec and ,halifax1 to ascertain the best route for a railway to connect the provinces4 ,the party was dressed in plain clothes1 and for the service of the woods1 fur caps1 pea-coats1 and over-boots were added4 ----- ,footnote #dij3 ,accidentally drowned in the ,restigouche1 #bhth ,october1 #ahdf4 ,his body was identified by private ,john ,ashplant1 and taken charge of by him and sergeant ,calder until its removal from ,campbelltown to ,fredericton1 where it was interred in the public cemetery4 ----- ,five different routes1 the projects of rival interests1 were surveyed1 and the neighbouring forests and wilds1 abounding with wood and water1 explored4 ,the forests were in their primeval state--dense and rugged4 ,pine trees were the chief growth1 and the ground1 encumbered with sharp-pointed branches thrown down by time or the violence of winds1 formed a regular abattis1 and with a thick undergrowth of shrubs and bushes rendered the woods almost impervious4 ,parties exploring1 as soon as they left the rivers or beaten tracks1 had to cut their way before them4 ,the difficulties of carrying out the service were considerable4 ,the hills being as much covered with the forest as the plains and valleys1 views of the surrounding country could not easily be obtained4 ,generally this object was effected by climbing1 in which some of the sappers became very expert1 8and1 assisted by creepers--a contrivance of iron spikes buckled to the feet--could climb well40#dia ,to wander in the least degree from the path cut or marked was dangerous1 as the chances of being benighted or lost in the prairie were very great4#dib ----- ,footnote #dia3 #8,professional ,papers1' ,n4 ,s41 ii41 p4 #cf4 ,footnote #dib3 ,ibid41 p4 #ch4 ----- ,the detachment was divided into parties of two each as assistant-surveyors1 with ten or twelve labourers1 under a civil surveyor of the country4 8,each party had a particular line to explore4 ,the sappers carried either two or three barometers and detached thermometers with them2 also a #e-;inch theodolite1 a measuring chain1 pocket compasses1 c4 ,as the lines were cut out by the axemen and labourers1 the sappers measured them1 and took the angles for direction1 and also for elevation or depression4 ,the barometers were registered at the summits of ridges and bottoms of valleys4 ,somewhere1 at the most convenient spot1 in the neighbourhood of the exploring parties1 a sapper was stationed with a standard barometer1 who did not move from his post until ordered to do so4 ,his duty was to register his barometer and thermometers every hour during the day40#dic ----- ,footnote #dic3 ,ibid41 p4 #cg4 ----- ,the result of the surveys and investigations was an able report from ,major ,robinson1 describing a range of country through which a railway could beneficially pass1 extending in length to #fce miles1 from ,halifax to ,quebec4 ,the proposed route was determined with reference to the resources of the tract to be traversed1 its accessibility1 and facility of adaptation to the purpose1 as well as its military and general advantages4 ,after completing the plans and sections of the lines explored1 the party1 in ,september1 #ahdh1 returned to ,england and rejoined the survey department4 ,the personal services of sergeant ,calder on this duty are sufficiently interesting to receive notice in this place2 and1 with some little difference in points of duty and incident1 may be taken as an average type of the individual adventures of the rest of the party4 ,from ,halifax to ,folly ,village1 he surveyed a line of seventy-five miles with the barometer1 and from thence1 for twenty-five miles1 measured the roads from the high-water mark of the ,bay of ,fundy1 by taking the heights with the theodolite1 using the angle of elevation and depression1 and checking the same simultaneously1 by barometrical observation4 ,he afterwards traversed a varied country for about sixty miles to ,amherst1 from whence he carried on the survey1 barometrically1 to ,mirimichi4 ,the completion of another rough road of ten miles now took him fully into the wilderness1 where he continued his work till the winter set in4 ,during his labours in the woods he ran short of provisions4 ,he was then in charge of twelve men1 carrying with them #c lbs4 of pork1 #a lb4 of oatmeal1 and a small bag of ginger4 ,upon this scanty fare the party subsisted for three days2 and1 harassed as they were by hard travelling through a mountainous country1 entangled with a tissue of bush and branches covered with deep snow1 their fatigues and privations were considerably increased4 ,heavy loads also they carried1 and so closely were the trees packed together1 in the exuberant vegetation of the forest1 that the adventurers not only had to tear themselves through the thicket1 but were continually impeded by logs of fallen trees and tufts of stubborn underwood4 ,on the evening of the third day the hunger of the men began to show its effects in emaciation and despondency4 ,at this moment sergeant ,calder found it necessary to relieve the party of the stores and abandon them in the woods4 ,the theodolite and barometers he attached in a safe position to a tree4 ,he then directed the men to use their utmost exertions in tracking a spot where provisions could be found4 ,scrambling down the banks of a large river they hurried onwards some six miles1 when a newly-blazed tree was discovered1 indicating the proximity of a lumbering camp4 ,the blazed marks were followed further on for about five miles1 and then1 to the unbounded joy of the party1 a light seen through the chinks of a log-hut on the opposite shore drew the men in the dark on a fallen tree across the stream to the desired camp1 where their wants were appeased and their exhausted strength restored4 ,sergeant ,calder acted with coolness and kindness throughout1 and maintained the strictest discipline and order4 ,he afterwards recovered the instruments and stores left in the woods1 which his men1 from weakness and want1 had been unable to carry4 ,in the second season the sergeant returned to the ,cobiquid ,mountains1 the scene of his former exertions4 ,this range was the vertebr of the country1 and the hinging point of an important tract in the route of the proposed railway4 ,some doubts were entertained as to the practicability of accurately ascertaining the gradients of this dangerous and unknown district1 and had they not been determined1 the scheme must have proved abortive2 but sergeant ,calder undertook the service1 and accomplished it by means of rods and the spirit-level1 to the entire satisfaction of his officers1 verifying at the same time the correctness of his former investigations in connexion with the survey of the hills4 ,after this1 travelling #bjj miles to ,cape ,canso1 he surveyed a branch line along a rugged coast and through an intricate wilderness1 to within a few miles of ,pictou4 ,in conducting this work one of his labourers was seized with fever4 ,calder took especial care of the man's comforts1 which1 however1 from the necessity of crossing rivers and lakes of great breadth on catamarans1 or rafts of logs1 were unavoidably much restricted4 ,as he proceeded1 the trials of the sergeant and his men multiplied1 both from the fatigue of travelling and the want of provisions4 ,wild berries were eaten to supply the cravings of hunger2 but to assuage the more fastidious necessities of the sick man1 the berries were taken by him with a little sugar4 ,what was most distressing at this time was the absence of all shelter from the inclement weather1 and both hale and sick were therefore forced to stretch their limbs under the snow-laden boughs of some dwarf trees1 exposed to the keenness of the night frost4 ,at last the party arrived at a district known as the 8,garden of ,paradise0--a rugged and inhospitable region1 where the men were benevolently entertained by some wild ,highland settlers4 ,soon afterwards the sergeant journeyed to ,halifax1 where he completed the plans and sections of his surveys1 and returned to ,england after a service with the exploration expedition of two years and three months4#did ----- ,footnote #did3 ,this non-commissioned officer acquired1 in his early service1 a sound knowledge of surveying in all its branches4 ,for more than eighteen years he had charge of large parties of surveyors and draughtsmen1 and his systematic habits and intelligence rendered his assistance of great advantage4 ,well adapted for carrying out any arrangement connected with the survey1 and for conducting the beneficial employment of large parties over extensive districts1 he was1 in #ahdf1 selected for the exploration duty above referred to2 and his report on a portion of the line1 which embraced the intricate parts of the ,cobiquid ,mountains1 was considered of sufficient interest to receive a place in the #8,parliamentary ,blue ,book1' on the subject of that railway4 ,in ,april1 #ahec1 he was pensioned at #as4 #aa;d4 a-day1 and1 on quitting the corps1 bent his course westward and settled in ,canada4 ----- ,a large increase to the army and artillery led to a proportionate increase to the royal sappers and miners4 ,this was suggested by ,sir ,john ,burgoyne1 the inspector-general of fortifications1 to maintain a sufficient disposable force for employment in any military services rendered necessary by the exigencies of the times4 ,eight companies were ordered to be added to the corps1 but their formation was spread over three or four years4 ,the first addition gave1 on the #ast ,april1 #ahdf1 #a sergeant1 #a corporal1 #a second-corporal1 and #h privates to each of the #aj service companies2 and a company numbered the #abth1 of #ajj non-commissioned officers and men1 was formed at the same time4 ,the corps was thus raised in establishment from #a1bij to #a1ejj1 and on the #ast ,september it was further increased to #a1fjj1 by the formation of the #aeth company4 ,the ,corfu company remained at its original establishment of #fb sergeants and rank and file4 ,on the #bbnd ,july1 eighteen rank and file embarked for ,china1 and landed at ,hong ,kong on the #bfth ,december4 ,this was the third reinforcement to that command4 ,when relieved in ,november1 #aheb1 the party had dwindled away to #h men3 #g had died1 #b deserted1 and #a was invalided4 ,the total deaths in the three parties1 whose united strength was #fg1 amounted to #bg men4 ,the abandonment of the execution of some extensive works in ,bermuda permitted the recall to ,england of the eighth company1 which arrived at ,woolwich on the #eth ,august1 #ahdf4 ,the strength of the company on landing at ,bermuda was seventy-nine of all ranks4 ,of this number eight were invalided1 thirty-eight had died1 one was drowned1 one killed1 and one transported for desertion4 ,only thirty-one men1 therefore1 regained our shores4 ,a reading-room was established for the corps at ,southampton in the summer1 which obtained much attention from distinguished visitors4 ,the ,marquis of ,anglesey--then ,master-,general--presented an engraving of himself to the room1 and the ,queen also patronized it by presenting an engraving of his ,royal ,highness1 ,prince ,albert4#die ,in placing the gift in the room1 ,colonel ,colby thus recorded the fact in a general order to the companies under his command2--8,the valuable services of this distinguished corps1 having been brought under ,her ,most ,gracious ,majesty's notice by the ordnance surveys of ,great ,britain and ,ireland1 the demarcation of the boundary line between the ,british dominions and those of the ,united ,states in ,america1 and more especially by the survey of the royal domains at ,windsor and the duchy of ,lancaster1 ,her ,majesty has condescended to mark her gracious approval of these services1 by ordering the presentation of a portrait of the ,prince ,albert to be placed in the reading-room40 ----- ,footnote #die3 ,a companion plate to ,chalon's portrait of ,her ,majesty4 ----- ,twice this year the second and eleventh companies were inspected by ,general ,sir ,robert ,wilson1 the ,governor of ,gibraltar--on the #afth ,may and #agth ,october4 ,on both occasions they presented a very creditable appearance under arms4 8,the progress of the new work10 observes his ,excellency1 8attests their skill and indefatigable diligence1 and their merits become the reputation of the service to which they belong40 ,the third company of three sergeants and forty-five rank and file1 under ,captain ,wynne1 ,r4,e41 received orders at ten o'clock at night on the #bast ,september1 and in seven hours after was on route vi ,liverpool for ,dublin1 where it arrived on the #bdth4 ,placed at the disposal of the ,irish ,board of ,works to oversee the poor during the continuance of the famine1 which1 from the failure of the potato crop was now the scourge of ,ireland1 the company was instantly removed in small parties to ,limerick1 ,castlebar1 ,roscommon1 ,newcastle1 ,boyle1 and ,castlerea1 retaining at ,dublin as storekeeper and accountant for the ,board sergeant ,john ,baston4#dif ,from these several stations the men were again dispersed over districts of wild country1 where the poor1 clamorous for subsistence and life1 were in a state of revolt4 ,numbers of these turbulent but starving people were employed on the construction of public roads1 c42 and the sappers1 appointed their overseers1 not only laid out their work1 but instructed them in its performance4 ,to this general duty several of them united the office of steward and inspecting check clerk2 and besides controlling the check clerks1 superintended and examined the measurements of tasks1 and had a general supervision of all arrangements in the field4 ,more than six months they continued on this duty1 and returned to ,woolwich on the #hth ,april1 #ahdg1 with a high character4 ----- ,footnote #dif3 ,had charge of the implement store1 at #dh1 ,city-quay1 which embraced the receipts and issues of thousands of wheelbarrows and hand-carts1 and a great assortment of road and draining tools4 ,these sergeant ,baston was often employed to purchase1 and to obtain them he perambulated both town and country4 ,the duties entrusted to him were performed with promptitude1 accuracy1 and fidelity4 ,mr4 ,m#8,mahon1 the civil engineer1 found him an exceedingly useful and zealous assistant4 ,he is now colour-sergeant in the corps2 is a well-read and talented man1 and his qualifications as an artificer and overseer have rendered him capable of much higher employment4 ,he joined the corps a lad1 from the royal military asylum1 and his acquirements and usefulness have entirely arisen from his own application4 ,besides his home services1 he has passed with credit about seventeen years at ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia1 and ,corfu4 ----- ,the works superintended by them were always distinguished from other works by the superior order and discipline which they enforced1 not unfrequently in circumstances of great personal danger1 and during a winter of unusual severity4 ,in detecting frauds and correcting abuses they were found particularly valuable2 and their uniform zeal1 ability and good conduct1 met with the perfect satisfaction of the ,board of ,works and the ,lords of the ,treasury4 ,even ,daniel ,o',connell spoke favourably of their employment4#dig ,the working pay of the men while under the relief board ranged between #as4 and #bs4 #f;d4 a-day4 ----- ,footnote #dig3 ,the #8,times1' ,november #d1 #ahdf4 ----- ,while on this novel service1 private ,george ,windsor1 from the upright way in which he performed his duty1 made himself obnoxious to the peasantry in the lawless district of ,croom2 and but for the gallantry with which he defended himself1 would probably have lost his life4 ,on the #bfth ,december this private was employed in the barony of ,cashma on the ,pullough line of road1 and on passing down the line in advance of the check clerk and a number of labourers1 c41 was met by two persons dressed in women's clothes1 with veils hanging from their bonnets covering their faces4 ,one was armed with a gun1 the other with a pistol4 ,presenting their pieces1 they ordered him to kneel1 but this the private refused1 and though he was unarmed1 the ruffians at once closed upon him4 ,at this moment ,windsor seized the person armed with the pistol1 7dexterously thrusting his finger between the trigger and the guard17 and getting hold of his throat with the other hand1 they fell together1 fortunately in such a way that the desperado with the gun could not1 without injuring his accomplice1 shoot the sapper4 ,he1 therefore1 beat ,windsor with the butt-end of his piece4 ,several minutes the struggle was maintained strangely enough in the presence of a large number of stewards and labourers2 and had he met with the slightest assistance from any of them1 would have captured both the offenders2 but incredulous as it may appear1 it must be added to the disgrace of ,irishmen that1 just as he had overpowered the ruffian with the pistol1 a man named ,joseph ,lindsay#dih--;brother to the check clerk--came forward1 and dislodging ,windsor's grasp1 aided the parties to decamp6 ,for his spirited and manly conduct in the attack1 private ,windsor was promoted to be second-corporal4 ----- ,footnote #dih3 ,afterwards tried and convicted for the offence at the ,limerick ,spring ,assizes1 #ahdg4--#8,saunders's ,news-,letter1' ,march #i1 #ahdg4 ----- ,private ,edward ,west received three threatening notices through the post-office warning him not to appear at work again on pain of death1 adding that1 if he did1 he should 8drop into a bit of a hole already dug for his carcase40 ,unmoved by these missives1 the private was always the first on the line2 and when the labourers were collected1 he told them he had received the notices1 and then burning them in their presence1 observed in a loud voice1 8that would be the way his intended murderers would be served at another time40 ,once he was attacked by a party from behind a hedge with stones4 ,struck on the head1 he was stunned for a few moments1 and nearly fell4 ,on recovering1 he boldly dashed over the hedge to meet his assailants1 but the cowards made a precipitate retreat4 ,thirty men suspected of being concerned in the assault were at once dismissed from employment4 ,six other men were promoted for their coolness1 as well as tact and fidelity1 in carrying on their appointed services4 ,of these private ,william ,baker was perhaps the most conspicuous4 ,a brief detail of his services will show the nature of his duties and the difficulties he had to contend with4 ,detached to ,shonkeragh1 eight ,irish miles from ,roscommon1 he was placed over a number of labourers who were in the last stage of insubordination4 ,at first they took their own time of going to work and quitting it1 although the regulations required them to be present from #g ,a4,m4 till #e ,p4,m4 ,to train them to punctuality was not an easy matter1 but by checking them and carrying out a firm discipline he soon gained his point4 ,that there should be no excuse for absence1 he employed a strong boy to blow a tin horn on the top of the highest hill1 central among the cabins of the workmen1 to call them to work1 and at its sound the rapid gathering of the poor at the rendezvous1 on all occasions1 showed their willingness to be guided by any useful reform4 ,this command over a half-civilized class of men made his services very desirable in irregular districts2 and among several places where he was beneficially employed was ,drumshanaugh--a desolate spot where a knot of ,molly ,maguires held sway1 and obtained payment without work1 by intimidating the civil overseers1 who feared the consequences of not yielding to their exactions4 ,the farmers' sons and others who had plenty of cattle were receiving #d;d4 a day more than the people who really did work1 and #cjjl4 in this way were paid for bad labour not worth #ejl4 ,with these labourers he had a trying duty to perform2 but1 amid threats and insubordination1 he calmly effected his purpose1 and suppressed both the spirit of turbulence and the practice of fraud4 ,the labourers received from #d;d4 to #h;d4 and #i;d4 a day1 and the rough wall builders #as4 #f;d41 in strict proportion to the work executed4 ,when task-work was introduced1 it was difficult to remove the prejudices which set in against the change1 and quicken into zeal the indolence which followed4 ,to carry out the instructions of the ,board of ,works1 private ,baker selected some of the mildest men of his party to work at easy tasks1 by which they earned #aa;d4 a day--#c;d4 more than formerly4 ,at the end of the week the overseer made a point of this1 and paying his choice men first1 made suitable remarks as they received their money4 ,next came the day-men1 who being checked for wet days and lost time1 only averaged about #cs4 #b;d4 a week4 ,the disparity of the payments had a wonderful effect1 and ever afterwards the system of task labour was eagerly preferred by the peasantry4 ,deception1 however1 soon crept into the tasks1 which it required some tact and alertness to detect4 ,in excavations1 the labourers frequently came in contact with stone1 and for such quantities as they dug out and heaped up1 they were paid by the cubic yard2 but often these heaps were merely superficial4 ,in every such case private ,baker had the mass pulled down and solidly repiled4 ,acts of repetition were followed by the dismissal of the delinquents1 despite the danger it involved4 ,when this cheat failed they resorted to another1 by rolling large stones into the heaps from adjacent places2 but as these always bore unmistakeable evidence of exposure to rain and wear1 the private never omitted to reject them from the pile4 ,on several occasions when threatening notices of death were posted up prohibiting the civil overseers and check-clerks from returning to a particular line1 a car was despatched1 even at midnight1 to bring private ,baker to the excited district4 ,next morning1 appearing at his dangerous post1 unarmed1 he would pacify or humour the desperados into order and tranquillity4 ,when a pay-clerk was discharged1 the regular payments were for a time interrupted1 and the labourers would clamour for a settlement4 ,in ,baker's district there were four lines1 three of which were superintended by civilians3 the labourers on them were about #gjj4 ,these threatened daily to go in a body to ,boyle1 and1 should they fail to get their pay1 to take the lives of the engineer and his clerks1 and burn down the town4 ,baker represented the state of affairs to the authorities2 and on his own recommendation obtained permission from ,boyle to give checks for meal upon a tradesman in ,carrick-on-,shannon4 ,by this means he fed the people1 and kept their irritation in successful check4 ,these periods of disorder occurred two or three times1 till pay-clerks were appointed to succeed those who were discharged or had resigned4 ,the pay-clerks seldom paid without the protection of a sapper1 who frequently1 in instances of dispute1 took the bag with its responsibilities and perils1 and served out the wages himself4 ,so well did private ,baker manage the matter at a wild place in ,cashel1 that the labourers stood round like soldiers to receive their earnings2 and to prevent litigation or seizure1 the money was handed to the recipients through an aperture in the pay-hut4#dii ----- ,footnote #dii3 ,baker became a second-corporal1 and fell heroically at the first storming of the ,redan1 #ahth ,june1 #ahee4 ----- ,frauds were very common2 and when detected1 the offenders were dismissed4 ,several civil overseers were1 however1 afraid to place themselves in opposition to the populace2 and a sapper working on one line has in such instances been sent to another to perform the duty4 ,this1 of course1 produced much ill-feeling against the sappers2 but beyond a few threats and an occasional attack1 the sappers passed from the country without material hurt4 ,the survey of ,southampton was completed late this year for the ,southampton ,improvement ,board4 ,a detachment of the corps1 directed by ,captain ,yolland1 ,r4,e41 under the local superintendence of sergeant ,william ,campbell1 executed the work4 ,the map1 on a scale of #fj inches to a mile1 occupies thirty-five large sheets1 which have been magnificently bound in bureau folio1 and placed in the municipal archives of the town4 ,sergeant ,campbell attended at a meeting of the ,commissioners on the #cast ,march1 #ahdg1 and presented the map1 on the part of the ,ordnance to the ,corporation4 ,the work is one of extreme beauty4 ,a more artistical display of ornamental surveying does not exist4 ,the stonework of the pavement1 the styles of the public buildings1 the masonry of the graving-dock1 the undulation of the silt on the shores1 and small streams of water running into it from the coast1 the gardens of private houses1 and the trees and shrubberies of the common1 are all delineated with a minuteness of detail and beauty of colouring unexampled in any town map in ,england4 ,even the map of ,windsor1 which obtained the approbation of ,her ,majesty for its accuracy and exquisite finish1 is much inferior to the map of ,southampton4 ,the draughtsmen were second-corporals ,charles ,holland#ejj and ,george ,vincent1 with ,patrick ,hogan1#ejj late royal sappers and miners1 and ,mr4 ,maclachlan4#eja ,the ,commissioners of the town gave a unanimous vote of thanks to ,captain ,yolland1 the sappers1 and the assistants for the survey and map of the borough1 and also expressed 8the high sense they entertained of the great ability and unrivalled skill displayed in the execution of the work40 ,a committee was formed to take steps for rewarding ,captain ,yolland and sergeant ,campbell 8with an adequate testimonial of the ,commissioners' high approbation of the work20 but the intended honour1 on military grounds1 was declined4#ejb ----- ,footnote #ejj3 ,each received a case of instruments from ,prince ,albert for merit in the execution of a drawing of ,windsor4 ,footnote #eja3 #8,hampshire ,telegraph1' ,january #cjth1 #ahdg2 #8,hampshire ,advertiser1' ,april #c1 #ahdg4 ,footnote #ejb3 #8,hampshire ,advertiser1' ,april #c1 #ahdg4 ----- #ahdg4 ,detachments in ,south ,australia--,corporal ,w4 ,forrest--,augmentation to the corps--,destruction of the ,bogue and other forts--,services of the detachment at ,canton--,first detachment to ,new ,zealand--,survey of ,dover and ,winchelsea--,also of ,pembroke--,flattering allusion to the corps--,sir ,john ,richardson's expedition to the ,arctic regions--,cedar ,lake--,private ,geddes's encounter with the bear--,winter quarters at ,cumberland ,house--,roadmaking in ,zetland--,active services at the ,cape--,company to ,portsmouth4 ,the detachment in ,south ,australia was in ,july1 #ahde1 on the representation of his ,excellency ,lieutenant-,governor ,grey1 ordered to be reduced1 its employment being considered no longer necessary or advantageous to the province4 ,scarcely had steps been taken to effect its disbandment1 when ,governor ,grey1 removed to another settlement1 was succeeded by ,colonel ,robe1 who1 taking a different view of the services of the party1 submitted the desirableness of its immediate completion to the authorized establishment4 ,in this suggestion ,earl ,grey concurred1 regarding it of the greatest importance that the survey department in the province should not be permitted to fall into arrear in its work2 and under authority1 dated #bbnd ,october1 #ahdf1 a party of seven mechanics1 who were also surveyors and draughtsmen1 sailed for ,port ,adelaide in ,february and landed there the #cjth ,june4#ejc ----- ,footnote #ejc3 ,one of the party discharged under ,governor ,grey's order was corporal ,william ,forrest4 ,governor ,robe1 in a despatch to ,earl ,grey1 spoke of his entire approbation of the corporal's conduct1 both as a soldier and surveyor4 ,captain ,frome1 the surveyor-general1 attributed the rapid progress of the field surveys1 and the general correctness of the work1 to his steady zeal and talent4 ,at first he superintended four or five detached survey parties1 and laid out and corrected their work2 but when a sufficient quantity of land had been divided into sections1 corporal ,forrest was transferred to the triangulation of the known portions of the colony1 and connected all the detached surveys with the trigonometrical stations4 ,this service he conducted in a most satisfactory and creditable manner4 ,returning to ,england1 he was discharged in ,april1 #ahdh1 and is now living1 in ease and comfort1 at ,edinburgh on his pension and his savings4 ----- ,the corps was increased by #bjj men this year1 on account of the formation of a company on the #ast ,april1 and another on the #ast ,december4 ,these companies were numbered the seventeenth and eighteenth2 and the establishment now reached a total of #a1hjj officers and soldiers4 ,when the estimates for the year were under consideration in the ,house of ,commons1 ,colonel ,anson1 the surveyor-general of the ,ordnance1 in claiming an increased amount to cover the augmentation1 passed a high eulogium on the corps4 ,after speaking in flattering terms of the royal engineers1 the ,colonel added1 8,he might say as much for the sappers and miners4 ,this body was composed of most intelligent men1 who applied themselves most assiduously to the discharge of their duties1 and were equal to any services which they might be called upon to perform40#ejd ----- ,footnote #ejd3 ,debates in the #8,times1' ,march #f1 #ahdg ----- ,thirty-five non-commissioned officers and men accompanied the expedition from ,hong ,kong to ,canton1 under ,captain ,durnford and ,lieutenant ,da ,costa1 ,r4,e41 and were present at the capture of the ,bogue and other forts in the ,canton river on the #bnd and #crd ,april4 ,the forts taken were fourteen in number1 and #hfe heavy guns were rendered useless by spiking1 while a number of barbaric weapons were captured4#eje ----- ,footnote #eje3 ,about twenty of these curious arms1 all of the spear form1 but grotesquely varied1 are in the model-room of the royal engineer establishment at ,chatham4 ----- ,the sappers were in advance1 and opened the gates of the forts for the assaults1 and afterwards destroyed the magazines and assisted to spike the guns4 ,privates ,james ,cummins and ,james ,smith placed the powder-bags on the gates4#ejf ,corporal ,hugh ,smith#ejg laid the trains to two forts1 and was favourably mentioned by ,major ,aldrich1 ,r4,e41 to ,sir ,john ,davis1 the ,governor1 and ,major-,general ,d',aguilar4 ,sergeants ,joseph ,blaik#ejh and ,benjamin ,darley#eji conspicuously distinguished themselves3 the former blew in the gate of ,zigzag ,fort1 and the latter blew up the magazine at ,napier's ,fort4 ----- ,footnote #ejf3 ,both died in ,china2 the former on the #aeth ,august1 and the latter #aeth ,september1 #ahdg4 ,footnote #ejg3 ,discharged #hth ,october1 #ahej4 ,he was then a sergeant4 ,see ante1 ,syria1 #ahda4 ,footnote #ejh3 ,died at ,hong-,kong1 #aeth ,august1 #ahdh4 ,footnote #eji3 ,now colour-sergeant in the corps stationed at ,new ,zealand4 ----- ,at ,canton the sappers were employed in barricading streets1 making scaling-ladders1 c41 and pulling down houses1 walls1 and other obstructions required to be removed4 8,my own observations10 wrote ,colonel ,phillpotts1 the commanding royal engineer in ,china1 8of the cheerful and ready manner in which they at all times performed their various and arduous duties by day1 and often by night1 demands my most marked approbation40 ,the gallant conduct of sergeant ,blaik attracted the notice of ,major-,general ,d',aguilar1 for which he was promoted to the rank of colour-sergeant4 ,the whole detachment remained at ,canton until the #hth ,april2 but on the troops quitting for ,hong ,kong four of the sappers were left behind1 and assisted ,lieutenant ,da ,costa1 ,r4,e41 in making a survey of the ,european factories at that commercial emporium1 until the #adth ,may1 #ahdg1 when they rejoined the detachment at ,victoria4 ,on the #ajth ,april one sergeant and twelve rank and file embarked at ,deptford on board the #8,ramilies1' and landed at ,auckland1 ,new ,zealand1 on the #ith ,august4 ,this was the first party of the corps detached to that remote settlement4 ,from ,april to ,june one sergeant and twelve rank and file from ,chatham1 under ,captain ,mc,kerlie1 ,r4,e41 assisted in the survey and contouring of ,dover1 within a range of a thousand yards from the fortifications4 ,early in the previous year five non-commissioned officers and men were employed in a military survey of portions of ,winchelsea4 ,pembroke was also surveyed by a party of one sergeant and eight men from the survey companies1 between ,april and ,december1 under ,captain ,chaytor1 ,r4,e4 ,this survey included the docks1 dockyard1 and property in its immediate vicinity1 to enable measures to be taken for raising essential defensive works to protect the place4 ,the survey was well executed2 and private ,john ,wall1#eaj who remained at the duty until ,march #ahdh1 executed with neatness and accuracy1 the required plans4 ----- ,footnote #eaj3 ,discharged ,october1 #ahdh1 and is now employed with advantage as a draughtsman on the ,ordnance ,survey4 ----- ,about this period the survey operations of the corps1 both in the triangulation and the detail duty1 were very conspicuous1 and drew from the greatest of the daily ,london journals1 in a leader1 a high commendation for its services and trials4 ,the language of the article is too forcible and brilliant to justify abridgment1 and the complimentary passage is therefore given entire4--8,an ,englishman has a constitutional repugnance to the intrusion of soldiers into civil duties2 he would rather pay them to walk about than to work1 and he chooses to make a separate and private hiring of his own police4 ,ordinarily1 soldiers are unwelcome visitors to him1 seldom appearing but at the beck of some scared sheriff or meddling mayor1 to correct his refractory disposition4 ,but there is a corps which is often about him1 unseen and unsuspected1 and which is labouring as hard for him in peace as others do in war4 ,if he lives near a cathedral city1 he may perhaps have occasionally observed a small wooden cradle perched on the very summit of the spire or tower1 and he may have pitied1 perhaps1 the adventurous mason who had undertaken the job4 ,that cradle contained three sappers and miners1 stationed there for five or six weeks to make surveys1 and who only quitted their abode for another equally isolated and airy4 ,within these last five years1 a handful of these men1 with an engineer officer1 have been frozen upon the peak of a ,welsh mountain1 on an allowance of provisions fit for the sixth month of a siege1 and with no more possibility of communicating with the scanty natives of the place1 than if they had been shipwrecked on the ,sandwich ,islands40#eaa ----- ,footnote #eaa3 ,the #8,times1' #hth ,march1 #ahdg4 ----- ,a party of fifteen men1 selected from a number of volunteers by ,sir ,john ,richardson1 joined the expedition under his orders to the ,arctic seas in ,june4 ,the object of the mission was to search for ,sir ,john ,franklin and his crews1 by tracing the coast between the ,mackenzie and ,coppermine ,rivers1 and the shores also of ,victoria and ,wollaston lands1 lying opposite to ,cape ,krusenstern4 ,all the men were intelligent artizans1 accustomed to boat service and laborious employment4 ,they were1 moreover1 strongly built1 of good physical powers1 and1 with one exception1 bore excellent characters4 ,the defaulter was addicted to drinking1 but in other respects he was a good and active workman4 ,knowing that there would be no means of obtaining intoxicating drinks in ,rupert's ,land1 ,sir ,john ,richardson accepted his services1 and he turned out an invaluable man4 ,seven of the party were carpenters1 joiners1 and sawyers1 one was a miner1 one a painter1 and six were blacksmiths1 armourers1 and engineers1 who were found useful in repairing the boats1 working up iron1 constructing the domicile for the winter residence of the expedition1 and making the furniture required for its few and simple wants4#eab ,to suit the hard climate of the ,arctic zone1 each man was provided with a flannel jacket and trousers1 a stout blue ,guernsey frock1 a waterproof overcoat and cap1 and a pair of leggings4 ,they also wore mocassins and leather coats1 when the nature of the season and their employment rendered it necessary4#eac ----- ,footnote #eab3 ,sir ,john ,richardson's #8,journal of a ,boat ,voyage through ,rupert's ,land and the ,arctic1' edit4 #ahea1 p4 #dc4 ,footnote #eac3 ,ibid41 p4 #dd4 ----- ,on the #dth ,june the men were discharged from the corps1 and sailed on the #aeth from the ,thames in the #8,prince of ,wales1' and the #8,westminster4' ,delayed much by ice in ,hudson's ,straits1 they had a long passage1 and it was not until about the middle of ,september that the stores for the journey were wholly landed4#ead ,as soon as this service was effected1 the expedition1 with a number of hired men1 quitted ,norway ,house in five boats1 which1 from being 8often stranded and broken in the shallow waters1 caused frequent detention for repairs40 ,overtaken by winter in ,cedar ,lake1 ,mr4 ,bell1 who had charge of the expedition until ,sir ,john ,richardson arrived1 made this a dept1 where he stored the boats and goods in a suitable house constructed by the sappers4 ,several of the party were left here to take care of the matriel1 and also the women and children1 who were unequal to a long journey over the snow4 ----- ,footnote #ead3 ,ibid41 pp4 #df1 #dg4 ----- ,in ,october the bulk of the expedition started for ,cumberland ,house1 and reached it on the eighth day after leaving ,cedar ,lake4 ,on the first day's journey private ,hugh ,geddes and a half-caste ,indian were attacked by a bear on ,muddy ,lake4 ,the latter fired three times at the beast without bringing him down4 ,neither of them now had any ammunition2 but ,geddes1 who was incapable of much exertion from an axe wound in the foot1 anticipating the peril1 forgot his pains and felled two young birch trees1 one of which he handed to his companion3 with these formidable defensors both made a desperate onslaught on the raging bear1 but it was not until after much labour and hazard that they succeeded in slaying it4 ,in due time they sleighed his huge carcase to the rendezvous at ,cedar ,lake4 ,at ,cumberland ,house one of the divisions passed the winter1 and was kept in constant employment by attending to several seasonable occupations1 such as cutting firewood1 driving sledges with meat or fish1 and fulfilling a round of services no less laborious than necessary4 ,they also established a fishery on the ,beaver ,lake1 two days' march north of the dept4#eae ----- ,footnote #eae3 ,sir ,john ,richardson's #8,journal of a ,boat ,voyage through ,rupert's ,land and the ,arctic1' edit4 #ahea1 p4 #dg4 ----- ,from ,july to ,december three rank and file were employed under ,captain ,t4 ,webb1 ,r4,e41 in surveying and laying out roads in ,zetland1 in connection with the ,central ,board for the ,relief of ,destitution in the ,islands of ,scotland4 ,this service was ordered by the ,home ,government1 and the party returned to ,woolwich when the winter had fairly set in4 ,second-corporal ,harnett was well reported of for his intelligence and capabilities1 and the two privates for their industry and exertions4 ,at the ,cape of ,good ,hope the two companies were distributed to fifteen posts and forts on the frontier4 ,on the #bnd ,may the sapper force there was increased to #aih of all ranks by the arrival of thirty-five men1 under ,lieutenant ,jesse1 ,r4,e4 ,between the #adth ,september and #bcrd ,december one sergeant and sixteen rank and file were in the field1 under ,captain ,walpole1 ,r4,e4 ,they had with them an assortment of carpenters' and smiths' tools1 engineer stores1 and a quantity of intrenching tools1 besides a large five-oared cutter1 and the materials and gear to form a raft of casks4 ,from the #ast to #fth ,december1 eleven of these men were actively employed in transporting men and provisions to a large portion of the division on the left bank of the ,kei1 under ,lieutenant ,jervois1 ,r4,e41 at a time when the rise of the river prevented any intercourse by waggons4 ,during the six days1 the party exerted themselves in a most praiseworthy manner1 and sergeant ,alexander ,mc,leod was particularly active and zealous4 ,between the #bast ,november and #ast ,december1 three sappers1 with a party of the line1 under ,lieutenant ,stokes1 ,r4,e41 opened a road for waggons in the ,amatola mountains1 and constructed a temporary bridge across the ,keiskama4 ,before the execution of this service provisions were conveyed to the camp in the mountains on mules1 and hence the transit was slow and uncertain4 ,on the representation of ,colonel ,lewis1 ,r4,e41 a company of full strength was removed from ,chatham to ,portsmouth1 on the #bbnd ,december4 ,its employment was confined to the erection and repair of such works as could not be undertaken by contract1 such as strengthening the fortifications1 repairing gates1 laying platforms1 curbs1 c4 ,it was also considered indispensable to retain a company in that command1 to execute1 in the event of a war suddenly breaking out1 the numerous wants likely to occur in such an emergency4 ,,index ,,to ,,vol4 ,i4 ,aboukir1 #acf ,acre1 #cfd ,acting adjutants1 #big ,adam1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bba1 #bbi1 #bca1 #bch1 #bda ,adamson1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #baf1 #bai ,addiscombe1 #cja ,addison1 sergeant1 #bfg ,adour1 bridge of the1 #bac-bae ,africa1 #bfg1 #bhe ,airy1 ,professor1 #cia1 #dbe ,alba1 #aie ,albert1 ,prince1 #dde1 #ddf1 #dgj ,alderney1 #agc ,aldrich1 ,lieutenant1 #cfd1 #cfe2 ,major1 #ddb1 #dhj ,allan1 quartermaster1 #daf ----1 ,walter1 #abg ,allen1 ,francis1 quartermaster-sergeant1 #bij ,alexander1 ,andrew1 private1 #aie ----1 quartermaster1 ,r4,h4,a41 #ajf ----1 ,emperor of ,russia1 #bba ,alexandria1 #acf ,algiers1 #bdc ,allowances to officers commanding companies1 #dc1 #ff ,america1 disputed territory in1 #cdg1 #ceg1 #cgh ----1 tracing and surveying boundary line in1 #dae1 #ddh-ded ----1 exploration survey in1 for a railway1 #dfe-dfi ,anderson1 ,andrew1 #cfa ----1 ,james1 private1 #cgc ,andrews1 ,james1 private1 #beg1 #bhe ,anglesey1 ,marquis of1 #dgj ,anholt1 #aha ,aniers1 bridge over the ,seine at1 #bch ,anniversary of siege of ,gibraltar1 #db ,antigua1 #hb1 #bee1 #bgj ,antwerp1 #bah1 #bba ,arctic expedition1 #dha-dhc ,arethusa1 #bhd ,argenteuil1 bridge over the ,seine at1 #bch ,arms and accoutrements1 #aih1 #bdd1 #caj1 #dbh-dcj ,armstrong1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bca ,arnold1 ,lieutenant1 #ade ,arthur1 ,major-,general1 #cbd ,artificers1 formation of corps of1 #ec-ee1 #eh-fd ,artillery1 transfers to1 #aje2 mutiny in the1 #aab1 ,ascension1 island of1 #bgi1 #bhb ,ashplant1 ,john1 private1 #dfe ,auger1 ,richard1 #caj-cba1 #cbh-cdj ,augmentations1 #f1 #h1 #ag1 #hh1 #de1 #aeg1 #ahb1 #bfe1 #bff1 #bfg1 #bga1 #bgc1 #cdb1 #cdd1 #cef1 #cfh1 #cgi1 #dfi1 #dgi ,australia1 #caj-cba1 #cbh-cdj1 #cdb1 #dgh ,badajoz1 #agi1 #aia-aic ,bagshot camp1 #gh ,bailey1 bugle-major1 #bdg ----1 ,edward1 private1 #ddb ,bain1 corporal1 #aag ,baker1 ,william1 second-corporal1 #dgc-dge ,ballingall1 private1 #bej ,baltimore1 #bbc ,barbadoes1 #bdh1 #bed1 #bef1 #beh1 #bhc1 #bhd1 #bia ,barbara and ,st4 ,felipe1 forts of1 #agg ,barber1 ,john1 private1 #agg ,barlow1 ,lieutenant1 #dce ,barnecoat1 ,edward1 private1 #cic2 corporal1 #deh ,barns1 ,joseph1 sergeant1 #deh ,barrosa1 #aha ,barry1 ,colonel1 #dda ,bastard1 corporal1 #dea ,baston1 sergeant1 #dga ,bay of ,biscay ,o61 #gg ,bayonne1 #bae ,beal1 corporal1 #bgi1 #bhb ,beatty1 ,captain1 #dfa ,beauharnois1 #cbe ,beer1 ,william1 corporal1 #aaa ,bennett1 ,captain1 #aeg ----1 quartermaster-sergeant1 #beg ,bennie1 ,william1 private1 #dji ,berbice1 #adc1 #bgj ,bergenopzoom1 #bai ,bermuda1 #aif1 #aii1 #bed1 #bee1 #bef1 #bga1 #bia1 #cgi1 #dbf1 #dcd1 #ddj1 #dda1 #dgj ,berry1 ,william1 private1 #bfg ,berryhead1 #aje ,bethell1 private1 #cf ,biggs1 private1 #dae ,binney1 ,lieutenant1 #dcd ,birch1 ,captain1 #aeb1 #ahj ,black1 ,william1 sergeant1 #bii1 #cjj1 #cja1 #cfd1 #cfe1 #cfg ,blackadder1 corporal1 #aic ,bladensburg1 #bbc ,blaik1 ,joseph1 sergeant1 #cii1 #dbh1 #dhj ,blair1 corporal1 #e ,blanshard1 ,captain1 #bae1 #bbc2 ,major1 #bff1 #bhi1 #cjc ,blyth1 sergeant1 #ah ----1 ,sand1 submarine demolitions at1 #cii ,board of ,works1 ,ireland1 #dga-dgf ,bogue forts1 #dgi ,bombarde1 #ajc ,bonavia1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aee ,bond1 ,william1 private1 #aic ,booth1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aid1 #aif ,booth1 ,ensign1 #f ,boothby1 ,captain1 #agj ,borland1 private1 #bjd ,borthwick1 corporal1 #ahb ,boteler1 ,captain1 #bjg1 #bfg ,boundary survey4 ,see 8,america0 ,bourchier1 ,lieutenant1 #cii1 #def-deh ,bows1 private1 #ic ,boyer1 fort1 #bbe ,brabant1 private1 #cea ,braid1 private1 #bjg ,brand1 corporal1 #e2 sergeant1 #bj1 #cd2 ,lieutenant1 #cc-cf ,brandreth1 ,lieutenant1 #bgj1 #bgi1 #bhb ,brennan1 ,john1 private1 #bah1 #bai ,bridges1 ,lieutenant1 #hd2 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #ada ----1 sergeant-major1 #c1 #e ,brighton1 #hd ,bristo1 private1 #id1 #ie ,broughton1 ,captain1 #cef1 #cgh1 #ddi ,brown1 ,captain1 #bbg ----1 ,daniel1 corporal1 #adi1 #bge ----1 ,george1 private1 #ag1 #bh ----1 quartermaster-sergeant1 #cfd1 #cfg ----1 ,john1 sergeant1 #f ----1 ,thomas1 sergeant1 #bed ----1 widow1 ,sultana of ,morocco1 #g ,browne1 sergeant-major1 #aaa1 #acb ,browning1 private1 #cic ,brownrigg1 ,lieutenant1 #aag1 #aah ,bruges1 #aag ,brussels1 #bcj1 #bcd ,bruyeres1 ,captain1 #aje ,bryce1 ,captain1 #abi1 #acb1 #acg2 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #aga ,buchanan1 ,captain1 #agc1 #ahi ,buenos ,ayres1 #aec1 #afb ,bugles adopted1 #bdg ,bull-fight1 #dae ,bunn1 private1 #bad ,burgess1 sergeant1 #aaa ,burgos1 #aid ,burgoyne1 ,captain1 #afb1 #aff2 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #aid ,burke1 ,patrick1 private1 #aib1 #aie ,burmester1 ,lieutenant1 #cjf ,burrell1 ,william1 private1 #ib ,burridge1 private1 #che-chg ,by1 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #bhe ,byham1 ,r41 secretary to ,board of ,ordnance1 #fh ,cadiz1 #abi-acj1 #afe1 #agf1 #aha1 #ahd1 #aic1 #aie ,calder1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aha1 #bjj1 #baa1 #bbc1 #bdc ----1 sergeant1 #dfe-dfi ,calshot castle1 #ajd ,calvi1 #ic ,cameron1 ,john1 private1 #ajg ----1 ,john1 sergeant1 #aha ----1 ,john1 sergeant1 #chj ----1 ,roderick1 private1 #cgc1 #cgg1 #cic1 #cif ,campbell1 ,david1 private1 #bdc ----1 ,john1 sergeant1 #cfb1 #deg ----1 ,malcolm1 private1 #cib ----1 ,william1 sergeant1 #dgf ,cambo1 #bjf ,camps1 #gh1 #hd ,canada1 #hh1 #aii1 #bbb1 #bbf1 #bed1 #beg1 #bgb1 #bhe-bhg1 #cbd1 #dja ,canton1 #dgi1 #dhj ,cape ,breton1 #afg1 #agd1 #agg1 #ahe ,cape of ,good ,hope1 #aec1 #afg1 #agd1 #ahe1 #bed1 #bei1 #bgb1 #bia1 #bic1 #cfb1 #chd-chh1 #dca-dcc1 #ddd1 #ded-dei1 #dhc ,carey1 ,james1 corporal1 #bj ,caribbee islands1 #aja1 #aji1 #aah ,carlin1 sergeant1 #cgi1 #chj ,carlisle1 ,lord1 speech against formation of corps1 #fb ,carthagena1 #aie ,castelcicala1 ,prince di1 #fh ,castledine1 corporal1 #dee ,catalonia1 #bjj ,cathcart1 ,lord1 #fc ,catto1 sergeant1 #acb ,cave at ,gibraltar1 #ea ,ceuta1 #agg ,ceylon1 #ada1 #ahe ,chambers1 sergeant-major1 #bj ,chatham1 #fe1 #gc1 #acb1 #aeg1 #ahd1 #bdh1 #bed1 #bee1 #bef1 #bhc1 #bhi1 #bia1 #bib1 #cjh1 #dda ,chatou1 #bch ,chaytor1 ,captain1 #dhj ,chelmsford1 #aba1 #adi ,chesney1 ,colonel1 #big ,chilcot1 ,captain1 #ic ,china1 #dbg1 #ddb1 #dgj1 #dgi ,cholera1 #bib ,christie1 ,sir ,archibald1 #bhc ,clarence1 ,duke of1 #bee1 #bef ,clark1 ,george1 private1 #ajg ----1 ,john1 private1 #ib ----1 ,philip1 sergeant1 #dfj-dfd ,clarke1 ,samuel1 private1 #bjd ,cleghorn1 ,alexander1 private1 #cic1 #cif1 #dbj1 #dbd1 #ddj ,clinton1 ,lieutenant-,general1 #bba ,colby1 ,major1 #beg2 ,colonel1 #bfd1 #bgc1 #djc1 #djh1 #dgj ,cole1 ,lieutenant1 #bba ,coles1 ,john1 #caj-cba1 #cbh-cdj ,colleton1 ,sir ,james1 #bfa1 #bff1 #bgh ,collinson1 ,captain1 #dbg ,colquhoun1 ,colonel1 ,r4,a41 #cjf1 #cbb ,colville1 ,sir ,charles1 #bdc ,comfort1 private1 #abb ,commissions from the ranks into the ,engineers1 #ce1 #he ,congella1 action at1 #che ,connolly1 ,james1 private1 #ade ,connor1 ,owen1 private1 #bjd1 #bjf ,contract1 works to be executed by1 #bgh ,cook1 ,joshua1 private1 #hg ----1 ,thomas ,p41 sergeant1 #cei1 #cfa1 #deg ,coombs1 corporal1 #bci ,copenhagen1 #afc ,corfu1 #bbb1 #bdi1 #bed1 #bee1 #bei1 #bfe1 #bia ,cormack1 ,william1 private1 #bjd ,corsica1 #ic ,corua1 #afh ,cottey1 corporal1 #aaa ,cottingham1 sergeant1 #cee ,councill1 corporal1 #bjf1 #bch ,courtenay1 ,mr41 opposition of1 to formation of corps1 #fc ,cowan1 ,adam1 private1 #aai2 sergeant1 #afd ,cowes1 #if ,craig1 ,john1 private1 #cfi1 #cgj ,crawford1 ,william1 private1 #cfb ,creighton1 corporal1 #bbj ,crockett1 private1 #daj ,crowdy1 private1 #cic1 #cif ,crozier1 ,lieutenant1 #aja1 #ajb ,cuidad ,rodrigo1 #aij ,cummins1 ,james1 private1 #dgi ,dacosta1 ,lieutenant1 #dgi1 #dhj ,d',aguilar1 ,major-,general1 #ddb ,daniel1 sergeant1 #bj ,danish islands1 #acc1 #afd1 #afi1 #age ,d',arcy1 ,captain1 #abj1 #acb2 ,major1 #aeg2 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #afc1 #aga ,darley1 ,benjamin1 sergeant1 #dhj ,dalhousie1 ,lord1 #bge ,darbyshire1 sergeant1 #bia1 #bic ,dashwood1 ,lieutenant1 #big ,davie1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #agf1 #ahj ,davis1 ,john1 sergeant1 #bjc ,dawson1 ,mr4 ,james1 #dbf ,deane1 corporal1 #bhe ,deary1 ,noah1 #bie1 #chg ,debbieg1 ,colonel1 #ec1 #eg ,de ,butts1 ,lieutenant1 #hg ,delabeche1 ,sir ,henry1 #dde1 #ddf ,delacourt1 private1 #agj ,demerara1 #adc1 #bee ,demolitions1 submarine1 #cbe1 #cdh-cec1 #ceh-cfb1 #cgb-cgh1 #cib-cii1 #dai-dbd1 #dce-ddj1 #dda ,de ,salaberry1 ,lieutenant1 #ahj ,desertion1 efforts to prevent1 #aaa ,designation of corps1 #c1 #ahi1 #aig ,detachments for service1 #abj1 #abd ,develin1 corporal1 #aid ,dickens1 ,lieutenant1 #ej2 ,colonel1 #aed ----1 ,captain1 #bjf ,disaffection of corps1 #ha ,discipline of corps1 #ea1 #bde1 #bea ,diving4 ,see 8,demolitions0 ,dodds1 private1 #bjd ,donnelly1 ,henry1 corporal1 #bce ,doran1 private1 #aic ,douglas1 ,archibald1 private1 #id ----1 ,james1 private1 #aag1 #age corporal1 #aia ,doull1 ,alexander1 ,mr41 #cde1 #dje ,douro1 #bja ,dover1 #aje1 #acb1 #adi1 #aeg1 #ahd1 #bdh1 #dhj ----1 ,round ,down ,cliff at1 #dae ,dowling1 ,william1 private1 #bjg ,down1 ,john1 corporal1 #cbb ,dowse1 ,lieutenant1 #ib1 #ic ,dress1 #dg-ej1 #fi-ga1 #gi1 #ij1 #ii1 #aad1 #acc1 #adj1 #aig1 #bdg1 #bdi1 #beh1 #bfb1 #bfc1 #bgi-bha1 #bhg1 #bib1 #cje1 #cga1 #dei ,drew1 ,lieutenant1 #fh ----1 ,major1 ,r4,a41 #fh ,drummond1 ,william1 private1 #hf ----1 ,captain1 #bfh ,drums abolished1 #bdg ,drunkenness1 #if ,dublin1 #dbe1 #dga ,duncan1 ,andrew1 private1 #cei2 corporal1 #djh ,dundas's drill1 #hd ,dunkirk1 siege of1 #he ,dunn1 ,james1 private1 #bjd ,dunnett1 sergeant1 #bgb1 #bgf1 #bgg ,duplat1 ,captain1 #cjc ,duport1 ,captain1 ,r4,a41 #bdh ,durant1 private1 #aid ,durham1 ,lord1 #cbd ,durnford1 ,elias1 ,colonel1 #hf1 #ij1 #ic ----1 ,lieutenant1 #ia1 #ib2 ,colonel1 #bgf1 #bgh ----1 ,e4 ,w41 ,colonel1 #gc ----1 ,e4 ,w41 ,lieutenant1 #bfa ----1 ,captain1 #dgi ,dyson1 corporal1 #adc ,eastbourne1 #adi1 #agd1 #ahe ,east ,india ,company1 #cbb1 #cic1 #cid1 #cif1 #dai1 #dbh1 #dce-ddj1 #ddb ,eaves1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #acb1 #aff ,edgar1 wreck of1 #dbb1 #dce ,edmonds1 corporal1 #cfi-cga ,edrington1 private1 #cjj1 #cja ,egypt1 #acb1 #ace-ach1 #afb ,elba1 #id ,ellis1 ,mr4 ,george1 #cbi ,elphinstone1 ,captain1 #afe ,emmett1 ,captain1 #bbc2 ,major1 #bdb ,engineer establishment in ,france and ,netherlands1 #bcf1 #bci ,enlistment into corps1 opposition to1 #gc ,entwistle1 sergeant1 #cgi ,epidemics1 #aji1 #adf1 #aii1 #bee1 #bgi1 #dbf ,equilateral pontoons1 #daf ,erie1 fort1 #bbb ,esla1 bridge1 #bja ,essequibo1 #adc ,estcourt1 ,colonel1 #dae1 #ddi1 #dec ,establishment for field instruction1 ,chatham1 #ahh ,euphrates expedition1 #big-cja ,evans1 ,thomas1 corporal1 #bjd ----1 ,james1 draughtsman1 #ej ,evatt1 ,lieutenant1 #ic1 #ajd2 ,captain1 #aed1 #aeg2 ,colonel1 #agg ,evelegh1 ,lieutenant1 #d1 #f2 ,captain1 #dd2 ,colonel1 #ii1 #acb ,evelin1 ,john1 corporal1 #aaa ,exmouth1 ,lord1 #ai ,exploration survey for a railway in ,america1 #dfe-dfi ,eyre1 ,lieutenant1 #bag ,fairbairn1 ,john1 private1 #hf ,falconer1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #ahe ,falkland islands1 #chh-cia1 #dab-dae1 #dcd1 #ddf ,falmouth1 #aba ,faris1 ,lieutenant1 #bcb ,faro1 #bbb1 #bbh ,farrington1 ,colonel1 ,r4,a41 #aab ,featherstone1 ,joseph1 private1 #ajg ,featherstonhaugh1 ,mr41 #cdg1 #cef1 #cgh ,fenwick1 ,captain1 #acb ----1 ,robert1 ,captain1 #dbf ,fevers1 #hb1 #ic1 #ajc1 #aji1 #aah1 #abg1 #adf1 #agc1 #bee1 #bef1 #bgi1 #cfg1 #dbf ,feversham1 #beh ,fez1 #g ,finch1 ,thomas1 sergeant1 #bj ,fires1 #cg1 #bdf1 #cib ,fisher1 ,benjamin1 corporal1 #bii1 #cjj1 #cja ----1 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #acb ,fitzgerald1 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #bge ,fitzherbert1 ,mrs41 #he ,flanders1 #hc1 #he1 #hh1 #id1 #aag ,flannagan1 ,john1 private1 #bjd ,fleming1 ,william1 private1 #ib ,fletcher1 ,lieutenant1 #ia1 #ajb1 #abh2 ,captain1 #aeg1 #afc2 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #afi ,flushing1 #aga ,forbes1 ,joseph1 sergeant-major1 #aga ----1 ,james1 corporal1 #bgh1 #bgi2 sergeant-major1 #bif1 #big1 #daf-dai ----1 ,thomas1 corporal1 #dea ,ford1 ,lieutenant1 #ajg2 ,captain1 #acg1 #aeg ----1 ,charles1 corporal1 #bjd ,foremen of works1 #bid ,forrest1 ,william1 corporal1 #dgh ,fortifications1 ,duke of ,richmond's plan for the1 #ee-eg ,fortune1 sergeant-major1 #aag ,frame1 ,william1 private1 #dch ,france1 #bcg-bdb1 #bdc1 #bde-bdg1 #bdi-beb ,francia1 ,antonio1 corporal1 #ba ----1 ,francis1 consul at ,san ,roque1 #ba ,fraser1 ,john1 #ba ----1 ,peter1 corporal1 #e ----1 quartermaster-sergeant1 #cgi ----1 ,samuel1 private1 #ahe ,frederic fort1 ,holland1 #bag ,french1 ,henry1 ,mr41 #bid ,fyers1 ,william1 ,colonel1 #acb ----1 ,t41 ,captain1 #aeg2 ,colonel1 #aga1 #bhh ,galloway1 quartermaster1 #baj1 #bif ,garrison duty1 corps excused from1 #da1 #fh ,garnham1 ,alfred1 #ddh1 #ddi ,geddes1 ,hugh1 #dhc ,genoa1 #bbb1 #bbg ,gibb1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aia1 #aif1 #bbb1 #bdb1 #bee ----1 ,c4 ,j41 ,lieutenant1 #chd-chh ,gibraltar1 #a-i1 #acj1 #acb1 #ach1 #adf1 #aed1 #aeg1 #ahd1 #aii1 #bdb1 #bdh1 #bed1 #beh1 #bgi1 #bia1 #bib1 #djc1 #dbg1 #dce1 #ddf1 #dgj ----1 siege of1 #aj-bh2 galleries1 #ad-af1 #be1 #bi-cb2 ,st4 ,george's ,hall1 #af2 ,king's ,bastion1 #g1 #i2 model of1 #i2 ,orange ,bastion1 #be2 anniversary of siege1 #db2 privileges of corps at1 #ej2 cave under signal-house at1 #ea2 wish of the ,jews at1 #ga2 companies at1 incorporated with the corps1 #ajf2 naval tank at1 #abc4 ,see also 8,gibraltar0 ,gidens1 corporal1 #bih ,girvan1 ,john1 private1 #cic1 #cih1 #dai-dba1 #dbc1 #dci ,glacire ,bastion1 ,quebec1 #bge ,gleig1 the ,rev4 ,g4 ,r41 opinion of corps1 #chc ,glenie1 ,lieutenant1 #eg1 #fc ,glenmorgan schooner1 #cbe ,gold ,coast1 #bfg ,goldfinch1 ,captain1 #aie2 ,major1 #bja ,gordon1 ,captain1 7,malta7 #abg ----1 ,alexander1 ,captain1 #dbg ----1 ,james1 private 7,viscount ,kenmure7 #bef ,gorman1 ,james1 corporal1 #bad ,gosport1 #fe1 #gc1 #acb1 #aeg1 #ahd ,gosset1 ,lieutenant1 #dbd ,gossett1 ,lieutenant1 #bbb2 ,major1 #bdc ,gottenburg1 #aff ,gozo1 #aee ,graham1 ,andrew1 private1 #bej ,gratton1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aie1 #aif1 #bjj1 #bjb1 #baf1 #bca1 #bda ,gravatt1 ,lieutenant1 #aja1 #ajg ,gravesend1 #ie1 #aad ,gray1 sergeant-major1 #acb ,green ,island1 #aif ,green1 ,sir ,william1 #b1 #d1 #gb ,greenhill1 corporal1 #cjj1 #cja ,gregory1 ,lieutenant1 #bfi ,greig1 ,john1 private1 #cfd ,grenada1 #hb ,grewer1 ,thomas1 private1 #aie ,grey1 ,captain1 #caj-cba1 #cbh-cdj ,grierson1 ,captain1 #bhe1 #bhh ,grigor1 sergeant1 #ai ,guadeloupe1 #ib-ic1 #age1 #bbg ,guernsey1 #fe1 #gc1 #acb1 #aeg1 #ahd1 #bdh ,hague1 ,thomas1 private1 #cf ----1 ,samuel1 private1 #ajg ,haig1 sergeant-major1 #ih1 #acb ,halifax1 ,n4,s41 #ajd1 #abg1 #acb1 #aeg1 #afg1 #afi1 #ahd1 #bbg1 #bgi1 #bia1 #bib ,hall1 ,benjamin1 private1 #agf ----1 ,john1 sergeant1 #bei ,hambly1 ,roger1 private1 #ajd ,hamilton1 ,dougal1 private1 #ajd ----1 ,lieutenant1 #ii ,hanover1 #aeb ,harding1 ,g4 ,j41 ,lieutenant1 #afb2 ,captain1 #agg1 #bci ,hardinge1 ,sir ,henry1 #bge1 #bhf ,hare1 ,joseph1 sergeant1 #bgg ,harnett1 corporal1 #dhc ,harper1 ,captain1 #beh ,harrenden1 ,thomas1 #ba ,harris1 ,joseph1 sergeant1 #bhd ----1 ,david1 the diver1 #cej1 #cea1 #cec1 #ceh-cfa1 #cgc-cgg1 #cic1 #cif1 #dai1 #dba1 #dcd1 #ddj1 #dda ----1 ,john ,a41 private1 #ddb ,harrison1 ,john1 corporal1 #ba ,harry1 ,william1 private1 #aib ,hawkins1 ,charles1 corporal1 #ddd ,hay1 ,lieutenant1 #ba2 ,captain1 #ajb2 ,colonel1 #abc ----1 corporal1 #baa ----1 ,lord ,john1 #ced ,hayter1 ,captain1 #aeg ----1 ,lieutenant1 #beb ,hearnden1 sergeant1 #ceg1 #chh1 #cij1 #cia1 #dac1 #dad1 #dcd1 #ddf ,hearts o' pipe-clay1 #fi ,hegarty1 ,james1 #cfj1 #cfa ,hemming1 sergeant1 #cfb1 #dca1 #dcc ,henderson1 ,captain1 #bjg1 #bia1 #bic1 #cja1 #cjh1 #cbc1 #cfb1 #dca ----1 ,e4 ,y4 ,w41 ,lieutenant1 #dfe ,herkes1 ,john1 private1 #bhc ,hewitt1 ,james1 ,e4 ,i4 ,c4 ,sappers1 #cid1 #cif ,hibling1 corporal1 #dbf ,hicks1 ,james1 private1 #bjd ,hill1 ,lord1 #bhi1 #bib1 #cjh ,hilton1 ,james1 quartermaster1 #aeb1 #bcd1 #bif1 #dde ,hobbs1 ,lieutenant1 #afi1 #age2 ,captain1 #age ,hoey1 sergeant-major1 #ij1 #acb ,hogan1 ,patrick ,s41 #dde1 #dgf ,holland1 #hc1 #he1 #hh1 #id1 #abc1 #baf-bbb1 #bbh-bca ----1 ,charles1 #dde1 #dgf ,holloway1 ,captain1 #gg1 #ie1 #aab1 #aag1 #ahj1 #aib2 ,major1 #aba1 #abh1 #acb2 ,sir ,charles1 #adc1 #aeg ----1 ,colonel1 #bed ,hong ,kong1 see 8,china0 ,hopkins1 ,john1 corporal1 #bic1 #cdc2 clerk of works1 #bie ,horn1 ,george1 #id1 #ie ,horses in ,france1 c41 care of by the sappers1 #bci ,howatson1 private1 #chg ,howell1 ,thomas1 private1 #hf ,howorth1 ,captain1 #ddd1 #deh ,hudson's ,bay1 #dfj-dfd ,hughes1 ,thomas1 private1 #agg ,humfrey1 ,captain1 #acb1 #aeg ,hunter1 ,robert1 sergeant1 #bbg ,hurricane at ,barbadoes1 #bhc ,hurst ,castle1 #if1 #afg ,hutchinson1 ,lieutenant ,g4 ,r41 #cfb1 #cgb1 #cib1 #dae1 #dai ----1 corporal ,robert1 #aag ,hutton1 ,william1 corporal1 #aaa ,hythe1 #afd1 #agg1 #ahe1 #cbg ,ince1 ,henry1 sergeant1 #e2 sergeant-major1 #ad-af1 #ah1 #be1 #cj-cb ,inglis1 ,john1 private1 #adg ,inspections1 #bba1 #bdi1 #bee1 #bef1 #bgd1 #bhi1 #bib1 #cjh1 #cbd1 #cdc1 #cfh1 #dbh1 #dce1 #ddb1 #ddf1 #dgj ,ionian ,islands1 #aga1 #ahe ,ireland1 ,joseph1 private1 #cei1 #cfj ,irun1 #bje ,irvine1 ,alexander1 private1 #deg ,ischia1 #aga ,isle of ,wight1 #afg1 #agg ,italy1 #baf1 #bbb1 #bbg ,itzassu1 bridge over the ,nive at1 #baa ,jackson1 ,thomas1 sergeant1 #ai1 #bf ,jaffa1 #abh1 #acb1 #acc ,jago1 ,james1 private1 #cgc1 #cic1 #cif ----1 ,william1 #bie ,james1 ,thomas1 corporal1 #bdg ,jamieson1 ,alexander1 corporal1 #bjg ,jebb1 ,captain1 #bhc1 #cji ,jenkin1 ,lieutenant1 #dbf ,jersey1 #fe1 #gc1 #acb1 #adi1 #aeg1 #ahd ,jervois1 ,lieutenant1 #dhd ,jesse1 ,lieutenant1 #dhc ,jews' wish1 #ga ,johnson1 ,lieutenant1 #ac1 #ba2 ,captain1 #ie ----1 ,john1 ,ensign1 #he ----1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bjb1 #bbf1 #bca1 #bce1 #bda ,johnston1 ,colonel1 #aeg1 #age1 #bdh ,jones1 ,harry ,d41 ,lieutenant1 #aha1 #aid2 ,captain1 #bje1 #bbf1 #bdj1 #bdf1 #bdg ----1 ,jenkin1 sergeant-major1 #aeb1 #bff1 #cbe-cbg1 #cdh-cec1 #cgb1 #cii1 #daf ----1 ,rice1 ,captain1 #ahi2 ,brigade-,major1 #baj2 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #bhb ,jones1 ,richard ,p41 #cei1 #cgc-cgg1 #cic-cih1 #dai-dbc1 #dcf-dci ----1 ,sir ,john ,thomas1 #afa1 #agc1 #chb ,junk-ship night1 #db ,kaffir war1 #bed1 #bic1 #ded-dei1 #dhd ,keane1 ,lieutenant the ,hon4 ,h4 ,f41 #dfj ,kenmure1 ,viscount1 #bef ,kennett1 ,captain1 #aec ,kent1 ,duke of1 #cb1 #db1 #ajd1 #ach ,kerr1 ,james1 corporal1 #ia ----1 ,ninian1 corporal1 #abg ,kerstiman1 ,lieutenant1 #ej ,keville1 ,edward1 corporal1 #djg ,kinnaird1 ,hugh1 corporal1 #aag ,knapp1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bca ,koehler1 ,brigadier-,general1 #aba1 #abh ,labourers1 #de1 #ff1 #ajf ,la ,caille's arc of the meridian1 #cfb1 #dca-dcc ,lacy1 ,captain1 #abb1 #abh1 #acd ,landmann1 ,captain1 #aeg1 #afe ,lanyon1 ,hugh1 #cji1 #caj1 #djb1 #dbe ,laredo1 fort of1 #baa ,lawford1 ,james1 private1 #adh ,lawson1 ,lieutenant1 #ic ----1 ,andrew1 #bei ,lefance1 ,captain1 #d ,lefebure1 ,lieutenant1 #ajg1 #ajh2 ,captain1 #aeb1 #aed2 ,major1 #agf ,leghorn1 #bbb ,letts1 ,thomas1 private1 #agb ,levick1 sergeant1 #aag ,lewis1 ,g4 ,g41 ,captain1 #bjc2 ,colonel1 #dhd ,lewisham1 #agc ,lewsey1 private1 #abb1 #acd ,liddle1 ,william1 private1 #ah ,lindsay1 ,andrew1 private1 #id ----1 ,george1 sergeant1 #dbc1 #dce1 #ddj ,lisle1 ,peter1 alias ,mourad ,reis1 #ai ,lomas1 ,edward1 private1 #bbj ,london1 ,tower of1 #gg ,logan1 ,henry1 corporal1 #bjd ,lonergan1 corporal1 #deb ,longitudes1 #beg1 #dbd ,lough ,foyle ,base1 #bgc ,low ,countries4 ,see 8,holland0 ,lucca1 #bbb ,lushington1 ,lieutenant1 #caj-cba ,luttrell1 ,captain1 #ac1 #bh ,macauley1 ,captain1 #bgh ,maclean1 ,major-,general1 #cdc ,mackelcan1 ,colonel1 #acb1 #aeg ,mackenzie1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aeh1 #aii ----1 ,richard1 sergeant1 #bji ,maclear1 ,mr41 ,astronomer-,royal1 #cfb1 #dca ,macleod1 ,lieutenant1 #aed ,macpherson1 ,thomas ,r41 #dfb1 #dfc ,mc,alpine1 private1 #cgc ,mc,arthur1 ,john1 sergeant1 #acb ,mc,beath1 corporal1 #aaa ,mc,carthy1 ,james1 private1 #baj ,mc,donald1 ,archibald1 private1 #bii ----1 ,dr41 #bic ----1 ,edward1 sergeant1 #e1 #ah ----1 ,findlay1 corporal1 #bjd ----1 ,john1 private1 #ajc ,mc,fadden1 ,john1 private1 #dbd1 #dbe ,mc,farlane1 ,donald1 private1 #dch ,mc,gregor1 ,william1 corporal1 #cdg ,mc,guckin1 sergeant1 #dej ,mc,kay1 ,james1 private1 #bai2 quartermaster-sergeant1 #cde ----1 ,john1 sergeant1 #ahj ,mc,keer1 ,john1 private1 #bai ,mc,kerlie1 ,captain1 #dhj ,mc,kerras1 ,lieutenant1 #ba2 ,captain1 #ajc1 #aaj2 ,major1 #acf ,mc,knight1 ,john1 private1 #bad ,mc,laughlin1 ,hugh1 #ajd ,mc,laren1 ,james1 sergeant1 #bhc ,mc,lean1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bcg1 #bda ,mc,leod1 ,alexander ,m41 sergeant1 #dhd ,mc,naughton1 ,john1 #cf ,mc,queen1 ,john1 corporal1 #cdg1 #ceg1 #cgh ,madeira1 #afd1 #ahe ,madrid1 #aid ,maerk1 bridge over the1 #bag ,mahomed ,sidi1 ,sultan of ,morocco1 #f ,mahmoud ,,ii41 #cjd ,maida1 #aed ,maine1 expedition to ,state of1 #bbd ----1 disputed territory in the ,state of4 ,see 8,america0 ,makin1 sergeant-major1 #bj1 #acb ,malta1 #abg1 #aee ,maltese military artificers1 #aee1 #agj1 #aga1 #bbg1 #bbh2 sappers1 #bdc ,manchester1 ,duke of1 speech against formation of corps1 #fa ,mann ,gother1 ,captain1 #hc1 #ie ,march1 ,samuel1 sergeant1 #cgc ,markey1 ,nicholas1 #bid ,marques1 ,antonio1 #ce ,marseilles1 #bbh ,martinique1 #ia1 #afi1 #bbg ,matson1 ,lieutenant1 #aie1 #bjj1 #bja1 #bjc2 ,captain1 #bhc2 ,major1 #cga ,maule1 ,captain 7,lord ,panmure71 #bgf ,mauritius1 #bhg1 #bia-bic1 #cfb ,maxwell1 ,joseph1 private1 #dji ,mayhead1 ,abraham1 #ib ,mealey1 ,john1 corporal1 #dei ,melhuish1 ,lieutenant1 #ahj2 ,captain1 #bgf ,melville1 ,ninian1 sergeant1 #bac ,mercer1 ,colonel1 #gc2 ,major-,general1 #aab1 #acb ----1 ,cavalie1 ,captain1 #bee ,mercury1 brig1 wreck of the1 #df ,messina1 #aeb1 #afb1 #agj1 #bbb ,meyers1 ,joseph1 #ceh ,michael1 ,grand ,duke1 #dbh ,milan1 #bbh ,milburn1 ,thomas1 sergeant1 #bah ,millar1 ,john1 private1 #agb ----1 ,jonathan1 private1 #bjd ----1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bae1 #baf ,miller1 sergeant1 #aij ----1 ,robert1 corporal1 #aib ,militia-men1 #aea ,milman1 ,samuel1 private1 #abg ,milne1 ,alexander1 private1 #bej ----1 ,peter1 private1 #bjd ,minorca1 #aai1 #acb ,missouri1 steamer1 burning of1 #dbg ,mitchell1 ,george1 private1 #ade2 sergeant1 #afi ----1 ,henry1 corporal1 #cbf ,models1 #i1 #ce-ch1 #bed ,moffatt1 ,william1 private1 #cgj ,moggeridge1 ,lieutenant1 #ddb ,moir1 ,james1 sergeant1 #aaa ,moncrief1 ,colonel1 #fe1 #gc1 #gh1 #hc1 #hf ,montebello1 ,marquis ,di1 daughter of1 #fh ,montgomery1 ,walter1 #dg ,montmartre1 domiciliary visit to1 #bdj ,monument to ,wolfe1 #bgb ,moody1 ,governor1 #chh-cia1 #dab-dae1 #dcd1 #ddf ----1 ,h4 ,c4 ,b41 ,captain1 #dfa1 #dfc ,moore1 ,john1 corporal1 #cfd ,morocco1 ,sultan of1 #g ,morris1 ,james1 private1 #bjd ----1 ,john1 sergeant1 #ic ,morrison1 ,john1 corporal1 #ba ,morse1 ,colonel1 #fe1 #gc ,morshead1 ,captain1 #afd ,mortality1 #hb1 #ic1 #ajc1 #aji1 #aah1 #aai1 #abg1 #acc1 #adf1 #agc1 #aii1 #bee1 #bef1 #bgi1 #bib1 #cfg1 #dbf ,morton1 ,david1 private1 #id ,motto of corps1 #bib ,mudge1 ,colonel1 #cdg ,muir1 ,andrew1 corporal1 #bhd ,mulcaster1 ,f4 ,g41 ,colonel1 #fe1 #gc ----1 ,f4 ,w41 ,lieutenant1 #aje2 ,sir ,frederick1 #bib ,mulligan1 sergeant1 #ddh1 #ded ,munro1 ,hugh1 #bie ----1 ,james1 private1 #bai ----1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #ahe ,murphy1 ,john1 private1 #ddb ----1 ,lieutenant1 #bih ,mustard1 ,robert1 private1 #caa1 #cac1 #cad1 #cai1 #cbj1 #cbh ,mutinies1 #aaj1 #aab1 #aad1 #ach ,mutiny ,act1 corps first included in the1 #fa ,myers1 ,samuel1 private1 #hg ,nancarrow1 ,john1 private1 #aai ,napier1 ,james1 private1 #bja ,naples1 #aeb1 #aga1 #bbg ,natal1 #chd-chh ,needham1 ,samuel1 private1 #bac ,negroes1 enlistment of1 #aaj ,nepean1 ,captain1 #hg2 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #acb ,netherlands4 ,see 8,holland0 ----1 engineer establishment in the1 #bcf1 #bcg1 #bci ,new ,brunswick1 #ahe ,newell1 ,robert1 corporal1 #bj ,newfoundland1 #afc1 #aff1 #agd1 #ahd ,new ,holland1 #caj-cba1 #cbh-cdj ,newman1 ,george1 corporal1 #djg ,new ,orleans1 #bbc ,new ,zealand1 #dhj ,niblock1 corporal1 #bjd ,nicolay1 ,sir ,william1 #bic ,nicolls1 ,captain1 #bbd ,nieuport1 #hf ,niger expedition1 #cfh1 #cga1 #djc ,nive1 #bjf1 #bjg ,nivelle1 #bjf ,northfleet1 #aad1 #agg ,north ,pole expedition1 #dha-dhc ,nova ,scotia4 ,see 8,halifax40 ,nowlan1 ,john1 private1 #bjf ,o',connell1 ,daniel1 ,m4,p41 #dgb ,o',hara1 ,general1 #cf1 #ej ,o',kean1 ,patrick1 private1 #bej ,oldfield1 ,lieutenant1 #ii1 #aff2 ,captain1 #bba1 #bbi2 ,major1 #bce1 #bej2 ,colonel1 #djb ,olivenza1 #agh ,oporto1 #agj ,origin of corps1 #a ,orthes1 #bac ,ostend1 #aah ,oswego1 #bbb ,owen1 ,lieutenant1 #deg1 #deh ,page1 ,lieutenant1 #bhc ,painter1 ,william1 corporal1 #ahd ,palermo1 #bbb1 #bbh ,palmer1 sergeant-major1 #acb ,pampeluna1 #bja ,parsons1 ,adam1 private1 #bh ----1 ,joseph1 private1 #cc ,pasley1 ,major1 #ahg1 #ahh2 ,lieut4-colonel1 #bee1 #bfa1 #bfd1 #bff2 ,colonel1 #cjc1 #cbe1 #cdh-cec1 #ceh-cfb1 #cgb1 #chj2 ,major-,general1 #cib1 #dai-dbd1 #dce ,patterson1 ,john1 private1 #dg ----1 ,john1 private1 #deg ----1 ,philip1 private1 #abb ,patton1 ,captain1 #agi ,paul1 ,thomas1 #afg ,pay1 regimental1 #c1 #fd1 #aac1 #aef1 #aeg1 #bbh ----1 working1 #c1 #fd1 #aei1 #bfg1 #cde1 #cef ,payne1 ,captain1 #bbg ,pembroke1 #dhj ,pendennis ,castle1 #bhh1 #bij ,penhorwood1 private1 #bjd ,penman1 ,william1 private1 #cic1 #cih ,penton1 ,robert1 private1 #dbd1 #dbe1 #dfb-dfd ,perdita1 removal of1 by divers1 #cic ,perexil1 #afg ,peronne1 #bcg ,philipville1 #bci ,phillpotts1 ,lieutenant1 #aii1 #bbb2 ,major1 #cbd2 ,colonel1 #dhj ,phipps1 ,john1 ,captain1 #d2 ,colonel1 #fe1 #afa ,phipps1 ,w4 ,g41 ,lieutenant1 #gb ,picurina1 fort1 #aib ,pilkington1 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #agc2 ,major-,general1 #bij ,piper1 ,lieutenant1 #bje ,pipon1 ,lieutenant1 #cee1 #dae2 ,captain1 #ddi1 #dej1 #dfe ,pisa1 #bbb ,pitts1 ,captain1 #bjf ,plattsburg1 #bbb ,plymouth1 #fe1 #gc1 #acb1 #aeg1 #ahd1 #bed1 #beh1 #bgb1 #bhi ----1 riot at1 #gc-gf ,pollock1 ,david1 sergeant1 #ace ,pontoneers1 sappers recognized as1 #bca ,pontoon train1 #bcf1 #bcg ,pontoons1 #bfa1 #bff1 #bgh1 #bhi1 #cjc1 #cdc1 #daf1 #dah ,porchester1 ,lord1 speech of1 against formation of corps1 #fb ,porto ,rico1 #ajg ,portsmouth1 #fe1 #gc1 #ii1 #acb1 #aeg1 #ahd1 #bed1 #bij1 #bib1 #dhd ,powis1 sergeant1 #bjc ,power1 ,patrick1 corporal1 #bad ,pratts1 ,simon1 #bh ,precedence of corps1 #fe ,pringle1 ,captain1 #ej ,privileges of corps1 #ej ,procida1 #aga ,prussian tactics1 #gh ,puntal1 fort of1 #baa ,puntales1 #agf ,purcell1 ,john1 sergeant1 #bcj ,purfleet1 #bia ,pyrenees1 #bja1 #bje ,quebec1 #bgb1 #bge1 #bia1 #bib ,queue1 the1 #afg ,rabling1 private1 #cgj ,rae1 ,john1 corporal1 #cgc1 #cgg1 #cic1 #cih1 #dae1 #dbj1 #dbd1 #ddj1 #dei ,rawdon1 ,lord1 #fc ,read1 sergeant-major1 #cec1 #cfj ,reductions1 #bbh1 #bdc1 #bdg1 #bec1 #bhg1 #bij1 #cjf1 #cef1 #chb1 #djc ,reed1 ,john1 sergeant1 #bhg1 #bhh ,reid1 ,lieutenant1 #aid2 ,captain1 #bdc2 ,major1 #bfd1 #bfe1 #bhd2 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #dda ----1 ,william1 private1 #cej1 #cec ,reis1 ,mourad 7,peter ,lisle71 #ai ,relief works1 ,ireland1 #dga-dgf ,repeal1 #dbe ,reynolds1 ,william1 private1 #bic1 #cfb ,richardson1 ,sir ,john1 #dha-dhc ----1 ,william1 corporal1 #cjd1 #cij ,richmond1 ,duke of1 #bj1 #ee-fc1 #fg ,richmond1 ,john1 sergeant1 #f1 #bh ----1 ,thomas1 ,lieutenant1 #cc-cf ,rideau canal1 #bgb1 #bhe-bhg ,riot at ,plymouth1 #gc-gf ,ritchley1 ,william1 corporal1 #bic ,roberts1 ,benjamin1 corporal1 #aag ----1 ,evan1 private1 #abj1 #abg2 sergeant1 #afb1 #agj ----1 ,lieutenant1 #cbd1 #djb ,robinson1 ,lieutenant1 #cbc1 #cdc2 ,captain1 #dae1 #ddi1 #dea2 ,major1 #dfe1 #dff ----1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aga ----1 ,william1 corporal1 #aji ,rock1 ,daniel1 #bie1 #ddh ,rocroy1 #bci ,rogers1 ,lieutenant1 #bdh ----1 ,william1 private1 #aji ----1 ,william1 sergeant1 #agi ,rolia1 #aff ,roncesvalles1 stockades at1 #bja ,rooney1 corporal1 #aib ,ross1 ,lieutenant1 #he2 ,captain1 #afc1 #agh ----1 ,john1 sergeant1 #cbf ----1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bca ,round ,down cliff at ,dover1 #dae ,rowley1 ,lieutenant1 #ih2 ,major1 #afa ,royal ,engineers to command the corps1 #c1 #fe ---- ,george1 #cdh-cec1 #ceh-cfb1 #cgb-cgh1 #cib-cii1 #dai-dbd1 #dce-ddj ---- ,military ,artificers1 formation of1 #eh-fc1 #fd ---- staff corps1 #abd1 #cbg ,rutherford1 ,lieutenant1 #bee ,st4 ,domingo1 #aja1 #ajc1 #aaj1 #aai -- ,helena1 #bdb1 #bed1 #beg -- ,julian1 #ahj -- ,lucia1 #ib1 #ajb1 #adb1 #bdh1 #bee -- ,marcou1 #ajd1 #acc ,salamanca1 #aid ,sanders1 ,c4 ,k41 ,lieutenant1 #bcb ----1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bba1 #bca ,sandham1 ,captain1 #cji1 #cdh1 #cga ,sandhurst1 #bgi1 #cji1 #cdc1 #ceg1 #cgi ,san ,sebastian1 #bjb-bje1 #cjc ,santa ,maura1 #agg ,santona1 #baj ,sappers recognized as pontoneers1 #bca ,sapping and mining1 instructions in1 #ahg ,sargent1 ,william1 #bie ,savage1 ,captain1 #bgb2 ,colonel1 #dfc ,savona1 #bbb ,scoble1 ,james1 private1 #bej ,schools1 #bba1 #bde ,scrafield1 ,henry1 corporal1 #bbc ,scylla castle1 #aed ,second-corporals introduced1 #aeh ,seine1 bridges over the1 #bch ,serrada bridge1 #aid ,servants1 #agc ,sevenoaks1 #aba ,seville1 #aie ,shambrook1 ,charles1 private1 #bhd ,sharp1 ,adam1 private1 #bh ,sheerness1 #bfa1 #ddd ,shepherd1 ,robert1 #bh ----1 ,george1 sergeant1 #ddb ,sheridan1 ,mr41 #eh-ei1 #fc ,sherriff1 sergeant1 #df ,shetland islands1 #dhc ,shipley1 ,major1 #ajg2 ,colonel1 #acb1 #adb1 #add2 ,brigadier-,general1 #afi ,shipwrecks1 #df1 #gf1 #bji1 #bfi1 #bhh1 #bii ,shirres1 sergeant-major1 #ce1 #abj1 #acb1 #aci ,shornmead1 #if ,shorter1 quartermaster-sergeant1 #bfa ,shot and shell boys1 #cc-cf ,sicily1 #aed1 #afb1 #afg1 #ahe ,sierra ,leone1 #bfg ,sim1 sergeant1 #bgd1 #big1 #bih ,simpson1 ,william1 private1 #ia ,sinclair1 ,david1 private1 #ajh ----1 ,sir ,john1 #ahi ,sirrige1 ,hugh1 corporal1 #bj ,sirrell1 ,thomas1 corporal1 #bgj ,skelton1 ,john1 private1 #cea-cec2 corporal1 #cei1 #cgc1 #cge-cgg1 #ddj ,skene1 ,lieutenant1 #bef ,skinner1 ,ensign1 #f2 ,lieutenant1 #ac1 #ej ,lieutenant-colonel1 #aeg ----1 ,w4 ,c41 ,captain1 #ej ,slieve-snacht1 #bfh ,smart1 ,lieutenant1 #ej ----1 ,john1 private1 #id ,smith1 ,alexander1 private1 #bfi ----1 ,captain ,c4 ,f41 #aha2 ,sir ,charles ,f41 #bdd1 #cfc ----1 ,captain ,j4 ,c41 #aec ----1 ,captain ,w4 ,d41 #bbb1 #bee1 #bef ----1 ,edward1 sergeant1 #hf ----1 ,frederick1 ,mr41 #cbh1 #cca1 #cce1 #cci ----1 ,hugh1 corporal1 #cfe1 #dgi ----1 ,james1 sergeant1 #ai ----1 ,james1 sergeant-major1 #acb ----1 ,james1 private1 #dgi ----1 ,john1 sergeant-major1 #aga ----1 ,john1 corporal1 #bfj2 sergeant1 #bgf1 #bgg ----1 ,joseph1 sergeant1 #dde ----1 ,sir ,frederic1 #dda ----1 ,thomas1 private1 #cih1 #dae ,smyth1 ,j4 ,c41 ,captain1 #aff2 ,colonel1 #bcd1 #bce1 #bcf2 ,sir ,james1 #bde1 #bdh1 #bdi1 #bgd ----1 ,captain ,r4 ,n41 #ai ,southampton1 #id1 #cia1 #daa1 #dgj1 #dgf ,spain1 #cjb1 #cjf-cjh1 #cba-cbc1 #cda1 #ced ,spalding1 ,robert1 #djg ,sparks1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bca ,spence1 sergeant-major1 #fh1 #acb ,spencer1 ,b4 ,keen1 corporal1 #dbe ,spike island1 #adc1 #aeg1 #ahd1 #bdh ,spry1 ,colonel1 #fe1 #gc ----1 ,william1 #bid1 #cjd ,squire1 ,captain1 #afb1 #aff1 #aga1 #agh ,stack1 ,william1 corporal1 #aib ,staff corps4 ,see 8,royal ,staff ,corps0 ,stanway1 ,lieutenant1 #agh1 #aib2 ,captain1 #bje2 ,major1 #bha1 #bhc ,stapleton1 ,lieutenant1 #fjth rifles1 #cb ,state1 assistance to the1 #aag ,stephens1 ,thomas1 corporal1 #agc2 sergeant1 #bac ,stephenson1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aii ,stephens1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bah1 #bda ,stewart1 ,alexander1 private1 #id ----1 ,lieutenant1 #ajc ,sticklen1 private1 ,e4 ,i4 ,co41 #dch ,stokes1 ,lieutenant1 #dee1 #deg1 #dhd ,storie1 ,john1 private1 #aha ,stratton1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #bjb1 #bjf1 #bjg1 #bac1 #baf1 #bca1 #bcg ,streatfeild1 ,captain1 #bei ,sub-,lieutenants1 #aeh1 #afj1 #ahe1 #bbh1 #bdg ,sullivan1 private1 ,e4 ,i4 ,co41 #ddb ,surinam1 #aai1 #add ,survey1 #bfd-bfe1 #bfe-bff1 #bgc1 #bia1 #bic1 #cja1 #cjh1 #cbc1 #cdb1 #cdc1 #cdd1 #cdh1 #cee1 #cfb1 #djc-daa1 #dae1 #dde1 #ddg1 #dfe-dfi1 #dgf1 #dhj ,sutherland1 ,captain1 #hc ,symon1 ,charles1 private1 #cei ,symonds1 ,lieutenant1 #cdi1 #cej1 #cec1 #ceh1 #cfa1 #cfd1 #cfe ,syria1 #cfc-cfh ,tabb1 corporal1 #bh ,talavera1 #agj ,tarifa1 #agg1 #aha ,tarragona1 #aha1 #aic1 #aif ,tay steamer at ,bermuda1 #ddj ,taylor1 ,hugh1 sergeant1 #ajc ----1 ,thomas1 private1 #abh ,teaff1 ,stephen1 private1 #bjd ,thackeray1 ,major1 #aif ,thomas1 ,george1 private1 #afi ----1 ,lady1 #cch ,tholen1 #bag ,thompson1 ,alexander1 ,captain1 #bch ----1 ,james1 #bgb ----1 ,w41 ,corporal1 #cic1 #cih ,thomson1 ,daniel1 #dg ----1 ,r41 ,lieutenant1 #afi2 ,captain1 #baf1 #bba ,tibbs1 ,richard1 private1 #chf1 #chg ,tides1 observation of the1 #cia ,tilbury ,fort1 #if1 #aad 8,times1 ,the10 testimony to the corps of1 #dha ,tobago1 #adc1 #bee ,torres ,vedras1 #age1 #agh ,toro1 #bja2 bridge of1 #bja ,torrince1 ,robert1 private1 #ib ,tournai1 #bbb ,toulon1 #hf1 #ic ,toulouse1 #bac ,tower of ,london1 #gg1 #bhc-bhe ,townshend1 ,lieutenant and ,adjutant1 #bge ,transfers from the ,line1 #aea ---- to the ,artillery1 #aje ,trevail1 ,philip1 private1 #dba1 #dch ,trevethick1 ,william1 private1 #hb ,trinidad1 #ajg1 #bee ,tucker1 ,captain1 #dde ,turkey1 #aba-abc1 #abh1 #acc-ach1 #cjc ,turner1 ,samuel1 private1 #cgi1 #dad ----1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aie1 #aif1 #bja1 #bjb1 #bjd1 #bca1 #bcb ,tuscany1 #bbb ,twiss1 ,major-,general1 #adi ,tylden1 ,major1 #bcf1 #bdd ,ustaritz1 #bjf ,valenciennes1 #hc1 #bdc1 #bdf ,valentia1 longitude of1 #dbd ,vance1 ,john1 private1 #deg ,vera1 #bjf ,vetch1 ,captain1 #dfj ,vicars1 ,lieutenant1 #bfe1 #cjb1 #cjf1 #cjg1 #cbb1 #cbc1 #ced ,victor1 ,captain1 #bgb1 #bhf ,victoria1 ,her ,majesty the ,queen1 #dgj ,vimiera1 #aff ,vincent1 ,george1 corporal1 #dgf ,vittoria1 #bja ,vivian1 ,sir ,hussey1 #bid1 #cjh ,waddell1 ,david1 private1 #abb1 #acd ,wagg1 ,thomas1 private1 #ib ,wakeham1 ,robert1 sergeant1 #aaa ,walcheren1 #aga ,wall1 ,john1 #dha ,wallace1 ,john1 private1 #ada ----1 ,sub-,lieutenant1 #aia1 #aic1 #aif1 #bjj1 #bjb1 #bac1 #baf1 #bdb ,walpole1 ,captain1 #dhd ,walsh1 ,peter1 private1 #bjd ,ward1 ,captain1 #iast regiment1 #deh ,war of the ,revolution1 #ha ,warren1 ,john1 private1 #beg ,washington1 #bcc ,waterdown camp1 #hd ,waterproof composition1 #cdi ,waterloo1 #bcb-bcf ,watson1 ,edward1 sergeant1 #aag1 #aba1 #abc1 #abh1 #acb1 #ace ----1 ,john1 #gg ,watts1 corporal1 #dac ,webb1 ,lieutenant1 #djc2 ,captain1 #dhc ,webster1 ,anthony1 private1 #aga ,weir1 ,james1 private1 #adh ,welbank1 ,captain1 #cii ,wells1 ,captain1 #baj ----1 corporal1 #aaa ,west1 ,edward1 private1 #dgc ---- ,indies4 ,see different stations ---- ----1 companies formed for service in1 #hh ,west1 ,john1 sergeant1 #djd ----1 ,lieutenant1 #bjf ,westo1 ,john1 private1 #aai ,whitaker1 ,samuel1 private1 #bh ,white1 ,james1 corporal1 #bfg ----1 ,captain1 royal staff corps1 #bgh ,whitmore1 ,captain1 #adi2 ,lieutenant-,colonel1 #bef ----1 ,george1 ,lieutenant1 #bfj ,wild1 ,thomas1 private1 #agb ,wilson1 ,john1 private1 #hf ----1 ,sir ,robert1 #dbg1 #dce1 #ddf1 #dgj ----1 ,william1 corporal1 #age 8,williams0 brig1 #cbe ----1 ,john1 ,lieutenant1 #bhe ----1 ,john1 private1 #cgc1 #cgh1 #cic1 #cig ----1 ,m41 ,captain1 #cdh1 #cdi ,williamson1 ,alexander1 private1 #id ,winchelsea1 #dhj ,windham's ,act1 #aef ,windsor1 #dde1 #dei ----1 ,george1 private1 #dgb ,winter1 ,george1 private1 #ajg ,wolfe1 monument to1 #bgb ,women1 proportion permitted to embark with their husbands1 #de ,wood1 ,john1 #bid1 #ddb ,woodhead1 sergeant1 #bj1 #abc ,woolwich1 #fe1 #gc1 #ii1 #aab1 #aad1 #acb1 #adi1 #aeg1 #ahd1 #bdh1 #bed1 #bia1 #bib ,wright1 ,p41 ,lieutenant1 #agh1 #aic1 #bja ,wynne1 ,captain1 #dga ,yarmouth1 #if ,yates1 private1 #dae ,yecla bridge1 #aid ,yezeed ,mulai1 ,sultan of ,morocco1 #f ,yolland1 ,captain1 #dgf ,yorke1 ,lieutenant1 #cib ,young1 ,david1 sergeant1 #e1 #ah ----1 ,james1 sergeant1 #cbf1 #che-chh ----1 ,john1 corporal1 #aag ----1 sergeant1 #bgf ----1 ,william1 quartermaster1 #bff ,ypres1 #bbh1 #bcj ,yule1 ,captain1 #cbe ,yusuf ,sidi1 ,bashaw of ,tripoli1 #ai ,zamoro1 #bja ,zante1 #aga ,zetland1 #dhc ,,end ,,of ,,vol4 ,i4 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,,william ,,clowes ,,and ,,sons1 ,,stamford ,,street4 ,footnotes ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,transcriber's ,note ,hyphens appearing in compound words on a line or page break are retained or removed based on the preponderance of instances of the word elsewhere in the text4 ,on occasion1 tabular data which spanned pages repeated some headings4 ,these repetitive lines are moot in this format1 and have been removed4 ,on p4 #bca1 the footnote number1 now n#bbb1 was missing from the note1 and has been restored4 ,there is a minor inconsistency in placing a space before the abbreviation #8lbs4' ,in the several places that the space lacking1 one has been added4 ,the list of ,illustrations and the text refer to ,plates ,,xvi4 and ,,xvii41 which will appear in the #bnd volume of this work4 ,errors deemed most likely to be the printer's have been corrected1 and are noted here4 ,the corrections below refer to page and line in the original printed text4 ,the prefix #8n' refers to the note number as it is numbered in this text4 #d4ag artificers were1 with few exceptions1 ,added4 dismissed2 #dc4c ,recruiting1 reinforcements ,removed4 #ace4bb on board the #8,ajax'3_/1 ,replaced4 #acg4ai in the dgerms which contained the field a large equipment high-pooped ,nile boat #aei4c reached the sum of #de1ejjl1_/4 ,replaced4 #agi4aj present at the second sei_/iege of that ,transposed4 fortress n#bjc4a ,jones's #8,sieges1' ii41 p4 #ajg1 #bnd edit4 ,added4 #bae4ac commanding them in divivis_/sions ,replaced4 #bbg4ad on his way from ,sandwich to ,michili ,replaced4 ,m_/machinac #bce4a to recommend the officers u_/and men ,replaced4 #bdg4ch embraced the abolition of the rank ,restored4 n#bgd4a #8,graham's ,town ,journal1' ,added4 n#bhd4ad ,he became foremad_/n of works in ,november1 ,replaced #ahdd #cjc4bh the summer of every year had been past sic #cjh4g would have thrown tho_/em wholly into the ,replaced4 hands #ccb4bg sixty lbs4 of tolerably good flour40 ,added4 #ccg4cb a piece of torn and shredded blanket ,inserted4 #cfi4cd to allow two persons to pass each other4 ,added4 #cgb4bi and the detachment returned again to ,inserted4 ,chatham4 #cig4ca blood was flowing profusely ,inserted4 #djb4bb could they have done so40 ,added4 #dde4ab ,so exquisitiely was the work performed ,removed4 n#dhd4a #8,practical ,operations for a ,siege0_/' ,replaced4 #dfg4ad checking the same simultaneon_/usly ,replaced4 n#ejd4a ,debates in the #8,times1' ,march #f1 #adh_/hdg ,transposed4