The following extract from Battalion Orders, dated 21st September, 1872, is given:—
"Lieut.-Colonel Everett has much pleasure in notifying to the battalion under his command, that he has received a letter from Major-General the Hon. A.E. Hardinge, C.B., lately commanding the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division Southern Army, in which he desires the Lieut.-Colonel 'to express to the regiment his entire approval of its discipline, and his appreciation of the zeal and efficiency shown by all ranks during the time they were under his command at the late autumn manœuvres.'"
Thus ended the one week attached to the regular army, and more good was obtained from it by the battalion than might have been expected. In no regimental camp can the same strict obedience to any order be insisted on or carried out. The absolute and complete silence in camp after "lights out," and that lights are out, is a great point gained; the clipping of the wings of those rejoicing in proclaiming dawn, and forcing such early birds to remain all still within their tents, until the bugle note gives freedom; the punctuality on parade, fitness of arms and uniform, respectful salute, and self-respect, are among the many things acquired by being brigaded with regulars.
There was a regimental camp held the next year, 1873, on Warminster Down, at which the attendance was not so large and continuous as could be desired. It commenced on Monday, 4th August, breaking up early on Saturday, the 9th, but much was against work and discipline. The first two days were bitterly cold and wet, preventing parades, and either detaining the men in their tents or filling the canteen marquee. A moment's cessation of the downpour and the bugle summoned a parade, but there it ended, and once again tents and canteen were occupied. These two days' wet undid much of the good received from the camp with the regulars, of the previous year.
On Friday the 8th, the battalion was inspected by Colonel Parish, C.B., commanding the 38th Depôt at Devizes, who expressed himself as satisfied; and after the usual luncheon given by the officers to the county and visitors, the prizes won at the Wilts County Rifle Association were given away by Lady Folkestone on behalf of the Earl of Pembroke, who was president of the association for the year. The field state at inspection only showed a total of 484, but the reason for this falling off is not difficult to discover. One company situated at Mere, on the borders of Dorsetshire, had great expenses entailed upon them in attending camps or battalion drills, and were to a great extent dependent on one large landholder for support, and as expenses increased and supplies decreased, so was it with numbers and efficiency, and twenty-five, all told, was now the strength of the 8th Corps. No. 6 Corps, a body of men second to none for regular attendance, fair knowledge of drill, discipline, and general set up, were also conspicuous by their absence. They were almost entirely composed of tenants on the estate of the Duke of Somerset at Maiden Bradley, having been raised and commanded by the eldest son of his Grace, and on his resignation, again were commanded by another son, Lord St. Maur; whose untimely death, near Bombay, in an encounter with a wounded bear, created a vacancy, which vacancy was filled up by the promotion of Lieutenant H.B. Festing, agent to the Duke of Somerset. The influence of this officer latterly was not favourable to the support of the corps; and being agent to the Duke, gave him both influence and power. Gradually the attendance at squad and adjutant's drills diminished, and on this occasion of a camp and inspection, none put in an appearance, consequently the corps was ineffective, and ceased to exist, not only to the regret of the officers and men of the battalion generally, but to many of the company.
| The Expenses of the Camp were | £190 |
| Subscriptions | £120 |
The Army List, for 1874, was thus:—
The Marquis of Bath, Honorary Colonel.
J.F. Everett, Lieut.-Colonel.
T. Clark and W. Pinckney, Majors.
R.D. Gibney, Adjutant.
W. Fawcett, Quartermaster.
C.J. Bleeck, Surgeon.
L.L. Seale, Assist. Surgeon.
1st Corps, Salisbury.