On the 9th the battalion was inspected in camp by Colonel Peel, who, as before, expressed himself satisfied with the progress all were making in drill, and attributed the proficiency shown in acquiring the new system of drill to the battalion being altogether in a camp, and to the zeal of individual members.
As before, a luncheon was given by the officers to the county; and next day having struck tents, packed stores, &c., the battalion was marched to Salisbury, and was dismissed to its various head quarters.
This year, Mr. Poynder, of Hardropp Park, Chippenham, in addition to numberless other prizes given to The County Rifle Association for the annual competition, offered the sum of £10 to the best drilling and really efficient company of each battalion: No. 1 Company and No. 10 Company alone entering for competition in this battalion, Major Hallowes and Captain Collis of the 25th King's Own Borderers acting as umpires. After a prolonged competition in drill, in which both acquitted themselves wonderfully accurately and evenly, it was decided in favour of the 10th Company, Warminster, that company having a larger number on the parade ground.
| The Expenses of the Camp were | £399. |
| Subscriptions | £253. |
| Camp Allowance | £93. |
Leaving a large deficit to be met by the travelling allowance. By the resignation of the commission of junior major, held by Major Penruddocke, Captain W. Pinckney was promoted to the rank of field officer, and W.H. Laverton, Esq., was appointed captain in the 13th Corps at Westbury.
There was a battalion parade held at Warminster on the 1st April, 1872, and the officers dined together at the mess afterwards, when it was agreed that the battalion should join the autumn manœuvres, to be held in the county and in Dorsetshire in August. It was plain that a short space of time spent in camp with regulars would be of great benefit to all, and the system of punctuality and implicit obedience to orders demanded in such a camp would produce corresponding results hereafter. There were very many arrangements to be made, as the assistance from Government, beyond promising rations such as were served out to all the troops, was nothing at all. Some old great-coats were to be lent, but little else. A committee, working under the lieutenant-colonel commanding, and having the advice and assistance of one of the most energetic and far-seeing of men, in Quartermaster Wm. Fawcett, brother of the late Mr. Fawcett, M.P., left nothing undone, and on the departure of the battalion from Salisbury for Blandford, where they detrained and marched into camp, there was not found to be anything omitted.
Early in the year the vacancy in the command of the 14th or Wilton corps was filled up by the appointment of the Earl of Pembroke as captain; and as that officer immediately attached himself to the Guards, and afterwards to a regiment of the Line, so as to learn his duties, the addition of his lordship to the officers of the battalion was a very great advantage.
The battalion mustered at Blandford nearly 400 of all ranks, without the band (this luxury not being brought), and they were met a short distance away from their camp by the band of the 50th Foot, brigaded with them; the men of which regiment had previously pitched the battalion camp. Thus by their forethought, and desire to be friendly and helpful, relieved an inexperienced lot from what would have been an irksome job, and most probably not done at all according to regulation or to the satisfaction of the authorities.
Whether the exigencies of the service required it, or whether the marching in of the battalion from Blandford, the attendance at church parade next day, or the smartness of guards and pickets, satisfied the officers in command, is unknown; but without any test as to knowledge or fitness, the regiment joined in a field day early on Monday, the 2nd September, under the command of Colonel the Honble. Arthur Hardinge, C.B., commanding the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division; to which brigade the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers was attached. In the afternoon the whole southern army marched past the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, and next day the battalion, as forming part of the brigade commanded by Colonel Hardinge, took part in the defence of a position at Critchell attacked by a much larger force. The victory was unmistakeably gained by Colonel Hardinge, and apparently was obtained by the simple expedient of allowing himself to be attacked in front, the only vulnerable point; his flanks being protected by rising ground and dense woods, previously considered to be impassable by either party. After some hours of skirmishing, short advances in line, and refusing tempting opportunities, the attack was brought to an end, and umpires declared the victory to have been gained by the officer commanding the 2nd Brigade.
Not improbably, if the services of the volunteers were hastily required, whole battalions would be at once called into action, and there would be as little testing of their knowledge of manœuvring, or even of the use of the rifle, as in these instances. A fortnight of these divisional and brigade drills might make such men handy and tolerable skirmishers, but nothing more. The steadiness required in a retreat, deployments under heavy fire, or when suddenly attacked by cavalry, would be wanting, and a victorious army on the slightest check become thoroughly disorganized. Instructions as to any drills, more especially in those touching upon the defence of positions, guard duties, pickets, and individual action could not be given on service; and the absence of a fair knowledge of such matters might entail ruin on the whole force employed. One thing it most certainly would do—bring a great diminution of strength in battalions. The very bravery, contempt or ignorance of danger, and incapability of self-defence, would decimate the half-taught volunteer battalions.