"In conclusion, Colonel Everett begs to thank the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the battalion for their uniform good behaviour, good discipline, and attention to his orders during the many years he has commanded them, and he hopes they will always endeavour by their good conduct and discipline to make themselves more efficient year by year, and to increase the already good reputation which they bear.
"By order.
"(Signed) J. Hume, Major and Adjutant
1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers."
Finis.
As this account of the raising of a battalion of infantry in the now well-known and fairly efficient body of men termed the Volunteer Force of Great Britain is sent to the printers, so once again comes the rumour of war and the possibility of our being invaded. We are stronger, better armed, and as a nation generally far better acquainted with the needs of warfare and how to meet them; but so are those who not improbably will be opposed to us. The past thirty years have been thirty wondrous years of increased knowledge in all that concerns war. Steam has in reality bridged the Channel, when vessels of ten thousand tons can steam more than twenty miles an hour; and these are both numerous and well adapted for troopers. Guns have been made far more destructive, and are effective at immense distances; and armies, which then were considered terrible in their numbers and might, are now increased fourfold; and no single thing left untried or unconsidered which might tend to their capabilities of offence or defence. We may be better prepared to resist invasion than we were in 1859, but are we so fully prepared, and are our forces so numerous, so armed, so fully equipped and so fully provided with guns, hospital comforts, carriage and commissariat, as would allow of our auxiliary forces being called upon suddenly to serve and, so serving, to hold their own and keep the field for a prolonged period?
It is no time to be careful as to what foreigners may impute, or to defer preparations in deference to their feelings. War in Europe is imminent, at the door, and war in Europe not improbably means some nation or nations at war with us. If this be so, we may rest assured that nothing less than our ruin as a naval and military power would be attempted.—R.D.G. 1888.
1ST CORPS (SALISBURY) WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
Among the first to stir in the matter of self-defence and raising a corps of rifle volunteers was the city of Salisbury—England's Venice. Indeed, a rifle corps, consisting of one company and a sub-division, with its officers and non-commissioned officers, drill and practice grounds, and systematic teachings, had been established and worked before many other towns and cities had done much more than think something really ought to be arranged—of course not by themselves, but by the Government. However all this may be, the old cathedral city of Salisbury, so early as May, 1859, had called a public meeting at the White Hart Hotel to consider the desirability of raising a body of riflemen from the city; and among those attending the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. After some preliminary conversation, Mr. J.H. Jacob, of the Close, was asked to take the chair, and business immediately commenced. Among those present were many of the leading county families, as also the principal tradesmen. Indeed the room was inconveniently filled, upwards of one hundred persons being there. Several gentlemen addressed the meeting, when T.W. Gilbert, Esq., moved, and J. Pinckney, Esq., seconded, a resolution to the following effect: "That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a rifle corps be established in this city, to be called the Salisbury Rifle Corps, and to be under the regulations received from the War Office."
This resolution was unanimously adopted, as also was a second, moved by A. Denis Hussey, Esq., and seconded by Mr. James Brown: "That a committee be formed for the purpose of establishing such, and that they be empowered to enrol members, receive subscriptions, frame rules and regulations, and to communicate with the Lord Lieutenant of the county thereon. That five be a quorum, and that such committee do consist of Messrs. J.H. Jacob, A.D. Hussey, T.W. Gilbert, J. Pinckney, James Brown, E.W. Brodie, E. Fisher, John Read, W. Pain, E. Sidford, W. Fawcett, jun., R. Cobb, N. Davis, with power to add to their number."