2-996-015 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Volunteer Sham Fight in Camden Park - second position of the attacking force, 1860. Fake 'miniature' battle by British soldiers in Kent. 'The skirmishers of the defence crossed the stream rapidly, and the attacking fine pressed forward, keeping up a quick fire...This first appearance and advance of the attacking force was one of the best portions of the spectacle, particularly the dash out of the wood, which had concealed their forward movement by its "leafy screen"...The firing was heavy on both sides...Part of the attacking line crossed the stream, and took its brave defenders on the right flank; assailed on two sides by superior numbers, nothing could be done but retire. The defence...formed on the slope of the hill, the summit of which was crowded by spectators...The columns...descended the hill at the double, partially disordered. It looked so much like real running away that some of the uninstructed spectators hissed disapprobation, but were themselves discomfited by the burst of laughter that told them the true state of the case...It was a smart engagement of rather more than an hour. As the sun sank behind the hills the flashes of the rifles...deepened in the twilight, and darted out from the lines, red and angry'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.