SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF A VOLUNTEER CAMP.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1155, 25 October 1871, Page 2

SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF A VOLUNTEER CAMP.

A notice haying been issued by Lieut.-Colonel Earl Cowper, calling on. the 2nd Battalion of Herts "Volunteers to go into camp for a week in Pan? shauger Park, Captaiu Cass, of the 9th Herts (Ware) Corps, to give the men under his charge insight into oamp duties by holding an encampment for one night on the grounds surrounding his residence at Presdales, Ware. Accordingly, the Ware volunteers pitched their tents at the appointed spot, and after enjoying a good supper at the expense of their captain, sentries were posted, and everything being made ap= parently secure, those men not on. duty turned in to rest, and the officers, including Adjutant Qiffard, adjourned to Captain Cass's house, where they amused themselves at billiards. The Hertford volunteers, having heard of the encampment, determined, if to steal a march 011 their Ware brethren in arras by surprising and capturing them in the night. For this purpose they mustered between 10 and 11 o'clock, and, having been supplied with ten rounds of blank partridge, they proceeded on their expedition, about sixty strong, under the command of Captain Commandant Hawkes. Creeping through the grass and corn soaking wet with dew, and screened by every available bit of cover, the attacking force, divided in four detachments, approached the camp from different directions, and by the exercise of much, tact and skill, succeeded in eluding the. sentries, and getting within a few yards-, before their presence was discovered. A signal was then given to call out the. guard and the whole of the Ware : Volunteers, alarmed by the fire of theirenemies, were soon on the alert, and turned out in a body, but only to be completely surrounded en mass?, for (hey were unable to resist, not haying been supplied with ammunition. By this time the officers of the Ware corps, alarmed by the firing, came on to the ground in hot haste to see what it all meant, when tliey cop were quickly captured, and their swords demanded. A more complete surprise could not. be effected, aurj the dire amazement and chagrin of the Ware officers and men may be better imagined than described. However, all enjoyed the joke most heartily. The Hertford volunteers soon returned home, much pleased with their bloodless victory, and leaving their Ware brethren to keep a sharper look put for the rest of the night.