VOLUNTEER ADJUTANCIES. 
157 
ranks being new to the work, the first regimental camp is a great 
undertaking. There is the difficulty of finding out how many men can 
get away from their ordinary employment and are willing to go into 
camp. This is done by appealing to the men on big parades, explain¬ 
ing to them, by printed circulars sent to each man, the nature of work, 
particulars of meals, the necessary kit, money allowance for extra 
messing or beer, the time men must stay in camp to obtain the Govern¬ 
ment grant for the corps, &c. A great amount of tact must be used, 
but in the end only approximate numbers will be known by the non¬ 
commissioned officers of the batteries, as many will be influenced by 
the weather on the day of leaving for camp. One of the first things a 
Regular officer will question is the kind and amount of baggage the 
men will bring with them, as they have no regular kit except their 
uniform and equipment. They are generally asked to bring a second 
pair of boots, a change of underclothing, towels, soap, brush and comb, 
and razor. This they can carry in their havresacks, but many men 
wish to bring more. I wondered what kind of parcel or box would be 
taken on first going to camp. The baggage had been ordered to be 
left in the railway station overnight, by each man taking more than his 
havresack would contain, so I went down late to see what it looked like 
and was surprised at the neatness of its appearance, as most of the 
baggage consisted of small tin boxes, which seemed very suitable. 
The box was, I believe, in most cases, the tin bonnet box of the family ! 
In such ready and convenient ways do the Volunteers ever solve the 
minor difficulties of rapidly turning themselves into soldiers, and evi¬ 
dently they are well backed by the fair sex. 
The Quarter-Master and Q.M.S., with some 15 men, proceed to the 
place of encampment, about four days before the rest of the corps, to 
receive the camp equipment, erect the camp, and complete the final 
arrangements. 
When in camp, great strictness is required to get the men to turn 
out punctually to parade, and some men may not appear at all unless 
looked after; so that it is a good rule to oblige everyone to appear at 
each parade, some in fatigue dress if necessary, and to dismiss the 
employed men at once on their being reported all present. 
The feeding is an important item, and it was found possible to give 
the men coffee and biscuit at 6 a.m.; breakfast, with ham or bacon or 
eggs, and bread and butter and tea at 8.15 a.m.; dinner at 1 p.m., 
and tea at 5, at the rate of Is. 4d, a head (over 1 lb. of meat per diem 
was allowed per man). Sixpence a day was allowed for extra messing 
or beer. The men did credit to the fare, all looking fatter and stronger 
at the end of camp. Our Drum-Major, a veritable giant, not unknown 
at Shoeburyness, assured me that he increased 7 lbs. in weight in the 
week he was in camp. Men coming from very hard work, in iron- 
works and shipbuilding yards, and camping out with ice in the tents 
every night, as we had last year, must have abundance of good warm 
food and plenty of blankets at night, or the sickness would be serious; 
as it was only two of our men caught bad colds. 
The amount of useful work which can be got through in the few days 
the camp lasts is very great, and officers, N.-C.O/s and men confess they 
