BF.LPER REGIMENT. 67 



called out, Belper will be considered the point of assembly for 

 the Belper, Penlrich, Codnor, Heanor, and Horsley corps. 



On August 7th, 1805, news reached Downing Street that there 

 were seven sail of the line and four frigates, besides transports, 

 ready for sea at the Helder ; that troops, horses, and artillery 

 were embarking every day ; and that they had six months pro- 

 visions on board. 



Secret intelligence also reported increased activity at Boulogne 

 and in the neighbourhood. The Inspecting Field Officers 

 were directed to forward this information to the Commandants 

 of the Volunteer Corps in order that they might be apprised 

 "of the possibility of their being speedily called upon for 

 Service, and that furloughs for working during the harvest should 

 be suspended until further orders." A spirited order was issued 

 to the Belper men, trusting that " each Volunteer, under existing 

 circumstances, will consider his military duty as taking the lead 

 of every other consideration." The Belper corps was ordered 

 to have their waggons ready, each one having three days' forage, 

 and to start instantly the order was given to Northampton, 

 through Loughborough, en route for the capital. Each man 

 was to carry with him only one additional flannel shirt, one pair of 

 worsted stockings, and one pair of shoes. Haversacks and 

 canteens were to be issued to the corps on its arrival at 

 Loughborough. But fortunately these steps were not necessary. 



In 1809, the Belper Volunteer Infantry, in common with 

 almost all the corps of the kingdom, were disbanded, becoming 

 merged in the local militia. A general meeting of the sub- 

 scribers was held at the Talbot, on April 29th, when it 

 was resolved that the balance of the account (;^s^4 13s. nd.), 

 and all the remaining stores, musical instruments,' etc., be 

 transferred to the Belper Regiment of the Local Militia. 



The Act of the 48 Geo. III., c. in, was passed for the 

 purpose of establishing another permanent force for the defence 

 of the realm, to be called the Local Militia ; the expediency 

 of which was caused by the then state of Europe, The men 

 were to be raised, if necessary, by ballot, but not to exceed 



