MILITARY BALLOONING AT WOOLWICH.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1809, 8 December 1879, Page 4

MILITARY BALLOONING AT WOOLWICH.

The Duke of Cambridge has reviewed the troops at Woolwich in the presence of many spectators. The troops were paraded on the Common fronting the barracks at half-past ten, and consisted of Royal Horse Artillery, Field Batteries, the sth (Royal Irish) Lancers, and the 23rd Regiment of Welsh Fusiliers, forming a varied and imposing force. The appearance of the troops and the precision of their marching was greatly commended by the Duke, the Welsh Fusiliers receiving Royal compliments of especial warmth. Subsequently this regiment performed the bayonet exercise in slow and quick time with striking effect, the flashing of their arms in the bright sunshine having the regularity of a machine. Even more picturesque was the drill of the Lancers, riding backwards and forwards across the field, practising the pursuing exercise first with lances and then with swords, and nothing better of the kind has ever been witnessed at Woolwich. A novelty never before attempted at a military display was promised by the membere of the military balloon committee, who, confident of their powers, had undertaken to ascend at the Royal Arsenal, and alight at twelve o’clock on Woolwich Common, where the Duke of Cambridge intimated that he would be pleased to meet them and inspect their equipment, if they gave him the opportunity. Tho aerial voyagenrs wore anxiously looked for, and when at a few minutes to noon one of the large balloons made for the Zulu expedition was seen sailing over the barracks towards the review ground, it was generally expected that they would succeed in their attempt. At this moment, however, a fresh breeze came from the south which diverted the balloon from her first course, and although the aeronauts ascended rapidly and to a great height in search of a more suitable current, they were carried away in a north-westerly direction, remaining, howover, for a considerable time in view. A special photographic apparatus was taken in the oar for the purpose of securing views from the clouds. The advent of the balloon being omitted from the programme, tho spectators were entertained with a brief but brilliant series of evolutions in the nature of a sham - fight. The-Horae Artillery guns were posted

on the brow of the common next Shooter’s Frill, and from their midst a squadron of Lancers scattered at a gallop down the hill and or or the plain, wheeling, doubling, and sweeping the whole surface. Uniting again they retired, while the guns opened a rapid fire upon the retreating enemy, advancing now and then to get within easy range, and finally drawing aside while the field batteries took up the affray, and carried on a spirited engagement with great rigor for several minutes. There were some cavalry charges at intervals to display the utility of the forco ca a defence of artillery, and at the conclusion the Duke called the officers together to congratulate them on the success of the whole affair.