The British army is the only force in Europe that is composed of volunteers. The great military forces of the Continent depend almost wholly upon conscription; but in our service the ranks are filled by voluntary enlistment, and recruiting parties are stationed in all our large towns expressly for that purpose. The recruit receives a sum of money as bounty, and is provided with a kit of clothing and necessaries. When enlisted he is taken before a justice of the peace, who is directed by the Mutiny Act to put to him certain questions, to give him time to reflect upon what he has done, and to prevent hasty or incautious enlistment. If he should change his mind, he is dismissed upon paying a fine of twenty shillings, popularly called smart money; but if he does not, he is attested, and after that, should he abscond, he is considered and punished as a deserter. If his conduct be good, he may rise to be a non-commissioned, and even a commissioned officer. In the latter case, he is presented in the cavalry with 150%., and in the infantry with 100%., to purchase an outfit. The following is a table of the pay of non-commissioned officers and privates, from which is deducted a certain sum for their clothing and food :— Over and above all deductions, the private soldier of the Line has about threepence left to him to spend as he pleases. This may seem a small sum; but it must be remembered that his food and clothing are paid for, that he is provided with light, fire, and house-rent free, as well as medical attendance; and that, if he behaves himself well, he has good prospects of promotion, and the certainty of a pension for his latter days. The majority of men in the ranks of life from which he springs are certainly not so well off in many respects. The I will now return to the organization of the army. cavalry are termed either heavy or light, according to the nature ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY. 66 91 of their respective duties on service, and the manner in which they are mounted and armed. Our heavy cavalry, besides the three regiments of Household troops previously mentioned, consists of nine regiments, seven of which are known as "Dragoon Guards," and the other two as Dragoons."* We have at present nineteen regiments of light cavalry. Of these, five regiments are Lancers, so called from the weapon with which they are armed,—namely, the 5th, 9th, 12th, 16th, and 17th— and the remainder Hussars-with the exception of the 6th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Dragoons-which name is derived from the Hungarian words husz (twenty), and ar (pay), because every twenty houses had to provide one horse soldier. Hussar regiments are the 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st. The The Military Train is also a cavalry corps, its duties being to transport stores and munitions of war, to guard the baggage, &c. Each regiment is known by its number, and many have a distinguishing name besides. Thus, in the cavalry the 1st Dragoon Guards are called "the King's;" the 4th Dragoon Guards, "the Royal Irish;" the 6th Dragoon Guards, "the Carbineers," from the weapon they carry; the 1st Dragoons are called " Royals;" the 2nd Dragoons are the renowned "Scots Greys;" their old companions in glory, the 6th Dragoons, the " Inniskillings;" the 11th Light Dragoons are "Prince Albert's Own Hussars." In the infantry, which consists of 109 regiments, the 1st Foot, formerly known as "the Royal Scots," is now styled "Royals ;" the 3rd Foot, "the Buffs;" 4th Foot, "the King's Own;" 18th Foot, "the Royal Irish;" 23rd Foot, "the Welsh Fusileers;" 26th Foot, "the Cameronians;" 27th Foot, "Inniskillings;" 33rd Foot, "the Duke of Wellington's Own Regiment ;" the 88th, "the Connaught Rangers ;" the 100th Foot, "the Royal Canadian Regiment." There are seven Highland regiments-viz., the 42nd, 72nd, 74th, 78th, 79th, 92nd, and 93rd; five Fusileers, the 5th, 7th, 21st, 23rd, and 87th; the 101st, 102nd, 103rd, and 104th are Indian Fusileer regiments; and nine Light Infantry * The term "dragoon" is derived from the Roman draconarii, who bore lances ornamented with the figure of a dragon, and were trained to fight both on horseback and on foot. Of these, five regiments wear the kilt―viz., the 42nd, 78th, 79th, 92nd, and 93rd; the other two wear the trews, or tartan trousers. regiments-viz, the 13th, 32nd, 43rd, 51st, 52nd, 68th, 71st (Highland), 85th, and 90th. The 105th and 106th are Indian regiments of Light Infantry. The 60th Regiment, containing four battalions, is a Rifle corps; and there is also a distinct corps (not numbered) called the "Rifle Brigade,” likewise consisting of four battalions. The first twenty-five regiments of foot now have two battalions each. When any augmentation of the army is required on the breaking out of war, &c., it is customary to raise a second battalion to existing regiments rather than to create new ones. Every battalion of foot has two flags, the Queen's colour, or Union Jack, and the regimental colour, upon which is emblazoned the arms or crest of the corps, as well as the names of the victories to which it has contributed, inscribed under royal sanction. The standards of the cavalry bear similar honourable decorations. The Artillery has become in recent warfare the most important arm of the military service. The Royal Artillery is divided into brigades, which are again subdivided into batteries. It numbers about 800 officers, 1500 non-commissioned officers, trumpeters, and drummers, and 20,000 rank and file. In the brigade of Horse Artillery there are 77 officers, 120 noncommissioned officers, &c., and 1700 privates. The gunners of the Royal Artillery ride upon the tumbrils of the pieces; those of the Horse Artillery are mounted, and follow them. The Royal Engineers, the rank and file of which corps was formerly called the “Sappers and Miners,” is also a most distinguished and useful branch of the service. It is charged with the construction of fortifications and entrenchments for the army in the field, and to carry on mining operations. It also conducts siege operations, constructs bridges and pontoons for crossing rivers, and other necessary works. Commissions in the Artillery and Engineers—constituting the scientific corps of the army—are now thrown open for public competition; but candidates must be nominated by the commanderin-chief before they can present themselves for examination. This proviso, however, seems only made to ensure the previous character of the applicant being creditable. These two branches of the service were formerly under the authority of the Board of Ordnance, but are now merged into the general management of the army. The foregoing is an outline of the composition of the hard REGIMENTAL PRECEDENCE. 93 worked army of Great Britain, which in turn is sent all over the world to protect her rights and interests. The etiquette of the army as to regimental precedence observed when forming the line at reviews is as follows: 1. The Artillery usually occupies both right and left flanks. 2. The Cavalry is posted next to the Artillery on the right. 3. The Foot Guards next to the Cavalry on the right. 4. The Infantry of the Line on the left of the Guards, according to the respective numbers of their regiments. When the Royal Marines form part of the line, their place is next after the 50th Regiment. In addition to the regular army we maintain some local corps, which serve in the colonies and foreign stations. These consist of Three regiments of blacks, which are recruited and stationed in the West India islands and on the coast of Africa. Royal Malta Fencibles. The Gold Coast Corps. The Ceylon Rifles. Royal Newfoundland Veteran Companies. Offenders against military discipline are tried before courts martial composed of officers selected from the regiment or the garrison in which the prisoner serves. The Judge-Advocate General, who is a civilian nominated by Government, has the control of these tribunals. A Deputy Judge-Advocate, generally an officer, attends at every trial, and sees that it is conducted according to law. A member is appointed to preside, and the charge against the accused, which must be in proper form, is read over to him, and the evidence against and for him heard and reduced to writing. This done, the prisoner is ordered to withdraw, and the court deliberates upon its verdict, which, as well as the punishment to follow it, should it be one of " guilty," is decided by a majority. The "proceedings," comprising the charge and evidence, are then submitted to the general commanding the district, who either approves and confirms them," or sends them back for further consideration, or sets them aside altogether. The result of the trial is not allowed to transpire, even to the prisoner, until this officer's decision is made known. 66 |