“A correct copy of the testimonial of good conduct of a detachment of Eighty-Eighth Regiment, under the command of Captain Orr.
(Signed) “George Graham, Mayor.
“To Captain Orr, Commanding 88th Foot.”
“Harwich, 12th June, 1833.
“Sir,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, conveying the kind expression of the Mayor, Justices, and Inhabitants at large, on the conduct of the detachment under my command, and am much gratified that their constant good conduct should have called forth the approbation of those among whom they have so long been quartered, requesting you to accept my best thanks for the handsome manner you have communicated their sentiments to me.
“Believe me, Sir,
“Your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed) “Martin Orr, Capt. 88th regt.
“To B. Chapman, Esq., Town Clerk.”
In June, 1834, the depôt marched in two divisions from Sheerness, and returned to Chatham, where, soon after, one of those incidental riots took place between some soldiers and some of the seamen and labourers in the Dock-yard, which, as in most cases of the kind, originated from some trifling cause, and was in the first instance considered of no importance; but unhappily it shortly after assumed a more grave and serious form, as very frequent opportunities were taken to grossly insult and assault the soldiers, who, though fully impressed with that good sense of discipline which commands forbearance, were forced in self-defence to retaliate. Again, on the 21st August, after the races, an altercation took place between some soldiers and sailors, the origin of which could not be ascertained, but the sailors were joined by a vast rabble of the lowest kind, who aided in seriously maltreating the soldiers, whose numbers being comparatively few, acted alone in self-defence, until some of the well-disposed of the inhabitants ran to the barracks and gave notice to the guard of what was passing: when the soldiers in barracks were made aware of it, they rushed therefrom to the aid of their comrades, some of whom they met, in appearance frightfully maimed, the consequences of which might have been most serious, had not the Officers of the depôt hurried forward and arrested the advance of the soldiers, who in obedience to orders immediately returned to the barracks. In the course of this proceeding, no interference was made by the civil authorities, nor on the following day when a party of seamen in a state of intoxication, accompanied by a vast rabble armed with bludgeons, and preceded by persons with musical instruments, marched up to the barrack-gate and called for the soldiers of the Eighty-Eighth, to come out for fight, and decide the affray of the previous day, a challenge which no doubt would have been readily accepted, more especially as the men were termed cowards, &c. had not the serjeant of the barrack-guard and his men done their duty by keeping their comrades within the walls, until the Commanding Officer and Officers were made aware of what was passing, and ordered the barrack-gates to be closed, and thus terminated this threatened fight. A detailed report of these proceedings was made by the Officer commanding the depôt to the Commandant of Chatham, and a complaint against the military having been forwarded in the name of the inhabitants of that place, a Court of Enquiry of five Officers (Major Dubourdieu of the Provisional Battalion, President) was assembled on the 1st September for the investigation of the complaints, of which due notice was given to the complainants, with an invitation to attend and support the charges they had preferred: notwithstanding which, not one individual appeared before the court; and however blameable the civil authorities may be considered for their non-interference to check the scenes which took place, it may be justly inferred that no guilt could be established against the military, more especially, as such a report was made for the General Commanding-in-Chief’s information, as brought a letter from the Adjutant-General, expressive of Lord Hill’s satisfaction at the exertions of Major O’Hara and that of the Non-Commissioned Officers, in supporting his exertions to prevent and stop the irregular proceedings which took place, of which letter the following is a copy, viz.:—
“Horse-Guards, 20th September, 1834.
“Sir,—Having had the honour to submit to the General Commanding-in-Chief, your letter of the 5th inst., and that of Major O’Hara of the Eighty-Eighth Regiment therewith received, I have it in command to say, that Lord Hill learns with great satisfaction from the detailed explanation which the Major has submitted on the present occasion, that he did not fail to exert himself to the very utmost to prevent and put a stop to the irregular proceedings to which that explanation alludes; and that his Lordship’s satisfaction is greatly enhanced, from learning, also, that the Non-Commissioned Officers of the Eighty-Eighth did their duty in supporting their Commanding Officer’s exertions on that occasion, as the contrary line of conduct had been calumniously imputed to them.