Previous to the Battalion quitting this Station the following General Order was issued.
‘General Order, No. 238.
‘Head Quarters, Graham’s-town.
‘October 10, 1853.
‘1. The Rifle Brigade, having been ordered to return to England, will march to Port Elizabeth for embarkation on board H.M. Steam Troop-ship ‘Simoom,’ under such arrangement as will be made by the Deputy Quarter-Master General.
‘2. The departure of this distinguished Corps from the command after their valuable services which contributed so materially to the successful termination of the recent war, calls forth the Commander of the forces’ warmest acknowledgments. The uniform excellent conduct and high discipline of the Corps in quarters have been only equalled by their gallantry in the field.
‘3. To Colonel Buller, C.B., who relinquishes the command of the 1st Division, and his appointment of Colonel on the Staff, in order to proceed with his Corps, His Excellency is much indebted for the able, zealous, and soldier-like manner in which he has conducted the command held by him.
‘(Signed) A. J. Cloete.
‘Colonel, Deputy Quarter-Master General.’
Accompanied by a large assemblage of the inhabitants of Fort Beaufort, and amidst the expression of their best wishes, the Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford, started on the 20th and encamped the same day at the Koonap river. On the 21st they forded the Koonap, and proceeded to Fingoe Pole. The next day they encamped on Graham’s-town Flats within about three miles of that place. On the 22nd they halted, it being Sunday. The day following, passing through Graham’s-town they encamped on the Karrega river. On the 24th, passing Sidbury they reached Quagga Flats. The next day, as it had been raining all night, they pushed on to cross the Sunday river. It was much swollen, the water being up to the men’s waists, and rising fast. On the 26th, still pushing on they encamped near the Swart Kop river. Having halted during the 27th, they reached Salt Lake on the day following. The 29th being Sunday they again halted, and on the 30th reached Port Elizabeth; and, the ‘Simoom’ not having arrived, remained encamped on the heights. Colonel Buller having resumed command, the Battalion embarked on the 10th, and sailed from Algoa bay on November 12, arriving at Table bay on the 15th, and finally starting for England on the 16th.
The Depôt companies continued at Walmer till August 20, 1853, when they removed to Dover.
The 2nd Battalion proceeded by railroad to Guildford on June 13, and marched from thence to Chobham, where they encamped and formed part of the brigade under the command of Major-General Sir De Lacy Evans. They continued to take part in the evolutions of this camp of instruction till July 14. On which day they marched from Chobham to Woking; and proceeded thence by rail to Portsmouth, where they occupied quarters in Clarence barracks.