TELEGRAPHS ON THE TRACK 301 



Rifles, and under the leadership of Colonels du Plat 

 Taylor, C.B., and Eaffles Thompson, is annexed to 

 the Rifle Brigade. 



For a brief period in the sixties, I, too, who for years 

 had been an ardent volunteer, held a commission 

 in this distinguished regiment ; I wish I could add 

 that my services were distinguished also. I did, 

 however, once for the space of a few minutes com- 

 mand the corps, and on that occasion address it, in 

 Westminster Hall, in a speech which I flatter myself 

 surpassed even that of Single-speech Hamilton, at 

 least in brevity and point — to say nothing of the last 

 harangue at Fontainebleau. It consisted of only four 

 words: 'Battalion, stand at ease!' The order was 

 obeyed with all the alacrity and precision of veteran 

 troops, Her Majesty's servants — officers, sub-officers, 

 and soldiery, at once standing easy. 



This regiment contains within itself what really are 

 two important additions to the regular army : (1) The 

 Army Post-Office Corps, raised in 1882, consisting of 

 three officers and a hundred rank and file, properly 

 trained and equipped, and ready to undertake the 

 postal duties of an army corps in the field whenever 

 called up for service ; and (2) a picked detachment of 

 two companies of highly - trained and expert tele- 

 graphists, forming a reserve to the Telegraph Battalion 

 of the Royal Engineers. 



All the men of these three companies are medically 

 examined, and enlisted under the same conditions as 

 other army recruits. They are at once transferred to 



