During the voyage each man was supplied with warm clothing.
On December 14 the lamented death of Field Marshal His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, Colonel-in-Chief, took place at Windsor Castle. He was succeeded by Field Marshal Lord Seaton; who, though not a Rifleman, had as colonel of their old comrades of the Light Division, the 52nd, and as commanding a brigade in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, fought beside the Riflemen in many actions.
The 2nd Battalion returned to Subathoo, marching from Umballa on March 11 and arriving at Subathoo on the 16th.
The 3rd Battalion marched from Agra on March 6 for Bareilly, where they arrived on the 21st and occupied quarters.
The 4th Battalion continued at Malta, changing their quarters from Fort Ricasoli to Fort Manoel, Valetta, on March 27.
By order dated Horse Guards, January 22, 1862, it was intimated that the Queen “desiring to perpetuate the remembrance of her beloved Husband’s connection with the Rifle Brigade, and feeling sure that it will be gratifying to the Corps to have the name of one who, as its Colonel-in-Chief, took such deep and constant interest in its welfare, had been pleased to command that it should in future bear the designation of ‘The Prince Consort’s Own Rifle Brigade.’”
The 1st Battalion did not disembark at Halifax, and after remaining there a week in order to coal the ship, left it in the ‘Australasian,’ on January 1, 1862; and, after encountering another severe gale and snowstorm in the Bay of Fundy, reached St. John’s, New Brunswick, on the 3rd at two P.M. and immediately landed, and occupied quarters in the permanent barracks. The heavy baggage was left in store at St. John’s; but the Battalion proceeded in detachments of five officers and about 100 men daily from the 6th to the 14th. They were conveyed in sleighs: one for the officers, one for every eight men, and two for rations, ammunition and baggage. The men received a field ration. Previous to starting they had breakfast and half their meat; at the midday halt a pint of tea and half the ration of grog; the remainder of their ration on their arrival at the halting place for the night. They were dressed in great-coats, fur caps and mocassins, with the accoutrements outside the coat: the pouch being in front for the convenience of sitting in the sleighs; the cape of the great coat being turned up, and tied with a woollen comforter outside. Over all a blanket with a hole cut for the head as a ‘poncho.’
The first day’s journey was from St. John’s to Fredericton, 60 miles.
The second, Fredericton to Tilley’s Hotel, Dumfries, 29 miles.
The third, Tilley’s to Woodstock, 32 miles.
The fourth, Woodstock to Florenceville, 23 miles.
The fifth, Florenceville to Tobique, 23 miles.
The sixth, Tobique to Grand-Falls, 24 miles.
The seventh, Grand-Falls to Little-Falls, 36 miles.
The eighth, Little-Falls to Fort Ingall, 37 miles.
The ninth, Fort Ingall to Rivière-du-Loup, 42 miles.
The men were placed at night in such rooms or shelter as the halting places afforded, lying down on pine branches. Very great hospitality was manifested by the scattered inhabitants. Owing to the precautions taken no casualty occurred, save a few slight cases of frost-bite. One being that of Captain Playne, who, as well as two other officers who had recently joined from the Battalions in India, specially felt the extreme cold.