150 ; REPORT—1863. 
The Volunteer Force ; its Comparative Cost, Development, present State and 
Prospects. By Lieut.-Colonel Henry C. ALLHUSEN. 
Scarcely four years have elapsed since certain political causes induced the people 
of this country to arm in its defence, and to originate that movement which so 
soon resulted in the organization and establishment of the present volunteer army. 
The first steps were taken under Lord Derby’s administration by General Peel, the 
Secretary of State for War, who accepted the services of several corps in the spring 
of 1859, and afforded them every facility within his power. When the present 
Government came into office thirteen corps were established, and although at that 
time every expense had to be borne by volunteers, the force increased with extra- 
ordinary rapidity, its enrolled strength rising to 150,000 men in June 1861, and 
attaining the maximum (163,000) in April 1862. It was, however, shortly found 
that the pecuniary sacrifice entailed by this voluntary enlistment was so great as 
to necessitate assistance on the part of the State, and the first contribution was 
granted by Lord Herbert, who supplied 25 per cent. of the arms and ammunition ; 
ut uniformity in equipment being subsequently deemed essential, it was deter- 
mined to issue the full quantity. This was followed by the appointment of ad- 
jutants and drill instructors, and lastly by the adoption of the capitation grant, 
recommended last year by the Royal Commission. In consideration of this sup- 
por, and to ensure its proper application, the Act of George III. has been repealed 
y the Volunteer Act introduced this Session by the Marquis of Hartington, the 
Under Secretary of State for War. It possesses the advantage of placing a limit 
to inefficiency by clearly defining the terms on which a volunteer is to be con- 
sidered effective ; and with reference to the provisions regarding discipline, the 
voluntary nature of the service virtually annuls the power any of these clauses 
might seem to confer on commanding officers. In this force control must mainly 
depend on example, and can be exercised with good effect only when supported 
by reciprocal esteem and confidence ; in fact, a successful combination of discipline 
and efficiency cannot be attained unless moderation, good feeling, and a proper 
spirit of emulation animate all the members in the discharge of their respective 
uties. Although undoubtedly much has been done to consolidate this great in- 
stitution through the countenance of public opinion, the support of Her Majesty’s 
Government, and the well-known favour and consideration with which the present 
ee of State, Lord de Grey, has invariably regarded the volunteer force, yet 
it is probable that further measures will be found indispensable to ensure the per- 
manence of its basis. The number of drill instructors is inadequate, and their 
qualifications below the requisite standard ; the capitation grant should be raised to 
40s. for garrison artillery, engineers, and rifles, and to 50s. for light horse and in- 
land artillery corps possessing guns on travelling carriages; and, finally, a force of 
field artillery should be organized by issuing light field guns to such of the inland 
corps as may make application for them. The adoption of these suggestions 
would have the effect of reducing the cost entailed by serving in the volunteer 
force, which 30s. per man cannot entirely cover; would rescue inland artillery 
corps from their present anomalous position, and would improve the mobility of 
the volunteer army, and the self-supporting power of its several branches. 
The total enrolled strength is now 159,000 men of all ranks, of whom 1800 are 
cavalry, 23,000 artillery, 2500 engineers, and 132,200 rifle volunteers. After 
comparing the cost of the several branches of Her Majesty’s land service and its 
strength with that of the continental armies, the author concluded as follows :— 
“The people of this country, from their natural industry and energy, pay almost 
undivided attention to the pursuits of the day that interest them most; hence 
a long-continued peace produces apathy, and almost a dislike for all military 
exercises. Thus it is that, after Marlborough, the renown of the British arms 
seems gradually to have receded, until the glorious campaigns of Wellington again 
raised them to admiration; and although after forty years’ peace the battles in the 
Crimea were fought with the utmost bravery, and under severe privations, yet on 
the Continent the prestige of our arms most certainly suffered, eae our mili- 
tary organization was considered far from what it ought to have been. This, how- 
ever, produced reforms which have placed the army in the highest state of effi- 
ciency, and now that the militia is well organized, the yeomanry regularly trained, 
