98 Transactions. 



In tlie Dumfries Weekly Journal of various dates about this 

 period there are records of enthusiastic meetings in the different 

 paiishes, at which the inhabitants cheei'fuUy offered to act as 

 Volunteers. On the 21st September, 1803, it was reported at 

 the meeting of Deputy-Lieutenants that 3480 men had offered to 

 serve as volunteers, or double the number limited by Government. 

 The meeting then fixed the estaMishment of volunteers at 1704, 

 as restricted by the official communication. This did not include 

 52 men from Eskdale, who offered to serve on liorseback ; the 

 110 men from Wanlockhead who were willing to serve as pioneers; 

 a company of artillery in Dumfries, which numVjered 50, and a 

 troop of Royal Dumfries Yeomanry, numbering 3 officers, 3 non- 

 commissioned officers, and 84 privates. Dumfries was to furnish 

 three companies, with 80 rank and file each. Annan two 

 companies of the same strength, and Kirkmahoe, Tinwald, and 

 Kirkmichael one also of 80 rank and file. Tlie following were to 

 have a company with 60 rank and file : — Johnstone and 

 Wamphray ; Hutton and Applegarth ; Lochmaben ; Dryfesdale 

 and St. Mungo ; Dunscore and Holywood ; Sanquhar ; Kirk- 

 connel ; Durisdeer and Penpont ; Glencairn ; Morton and Close- 

 burn ; Tynron and Keir; Caerlaverock and Ruthwell; Cummer- 

 trees and Dalton; Westerkirk, Ewes, and Eskdaiemuir ; Langholm 

 and Canonbie ; Graitney, Dornock, Kirkpatrick-Fleming, and 

 Half-Morton ; Torthorwald and Mouswald. The selection was 

 made beginning with the youngest men and men unmarried, or 

 men without children. Those whose service could not be accepted 

 owing to the Government limitation were to be allowed to serve 

 provided they furnished their own clothing and arms, and agreed 

 to serve without pay. The Volunteer Infantry was divided into 

 three battalions — the Dumfi'ies and Annan Battalion, commanded 

 by Col. De Peyster ; the Nithsdale Battalion, commanded by Col. 

 Wight ; and the Eskdale Battalion, commanded by Col. Douglas. 

 By an Act passed on 27th July, 1803, the Government had power 

 conferred on them to make a levy en masse of the male population 

 between 17 and 55 years of age, and for this purpose the Lords 

 Lieutenants were required to make out lists of the men in the 

 counties under three classes — (1) those who were 17 years of age 

 and under 30 who were unmarried or had no children under ten; 

 (2) those who were 30 years of age and under 50 who were 

 similarly situated as regards family circumstances; (3) those who 



