DORSET VOLUNTEERS DURING THE FRENCH WARS. 2r> 



instance of such unofficial information comes from Beaminster. 

 I learn that a company was formed there in 1798, being 

 known as the Beaminster Loyal Town Volunteers. The officers 

 were Samuel Cox, jun., captain, Baruch Fox and John B. 

 Russell, lieutenants, Joseph Bishop, ensign. The total strength 

 was eighty-four, and the arms were swords, firelocks and 

 bayonets. The uniform was scarlet, with green facings and 

 silver buttons, (cf. Mr. R. Hine's History of Beaminster). 



For several years the company was the administrative unit; 

 but it appears that about 1803, when the Volunteers were 

 recalled after the failure of the Peace of Amiens, the scattered 

 units were organized as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd battalions of 

 Dorset Volunteer Infantry. The pay of a private was then, 

 as in the previous war, one shilling for each day of exercise ; 

 a captain received nine shillings and five pence, a lieutenant 

 four shillings and fourpence, and an ensign three shillings and 

 five pence. The uniform was presumably similar to that worn 

 by the Portland Legion in 1804, which may be seen, as far as 

 the size of the picture will allow, on plate xviii of old Portland 

 views in Proceedings, Vol. xxxvii., p. 252. 



The Dorset County Museum possesses a few relics of the 

 period under consideration (1) A drum bearing the words 

 " Evershot Volunteers," which can be attributed to the company 

 mentioned on p. 27. (2) A flag of green silk, with a small Union 

 Jack at the upper corner next to the staff; an inscription reads 

 "First Battalion Dorset Volunteers"; in the centre are the 

 Royal Arms with an escutcheon of pretence bearing Hanoverian 

 quarterings; below are the rose, thistle and shamrock. The 

 escutcheon was added by George III. to his armorial shield in 

 January, 1801, and consequently the flag was made after that 

 date, which confirms my opinion that the 1st battalion was 

 raised about 1803. (3) Several maps relating to the defence of 

 the county and showing, among other things, the places of 

 assembly of the troops. One of these maps, dated 1st August, 

 1804, is believed to have been drawn by Captain Jennings of 

 the Evershot company. 



I can trace only two papers on this subject. One is by 



