3-004-024 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Reinforcements for Canada: the Guards crossing Westminster-Bridge on their way to the South-Western Railway station, 1861. American Civil War: British troops on their way to protect the British colony of Canada from possible attack by America. 'On the morning of Thursday week a great number of persons assembled at an early hour at the Wellington Barracks, St. James's Park, on the occasion of the departure of...[British troops] for Canada...the entire battalion, each man carrying his rifle and a cooked ration, left quarters and started by railway to their destination within half an hour. The men were loudly cheered as they proceeded to the railway. The 2nd battalion of the Scots Fusiliers...commanded by Colonel William John Ridley...[marched] across Westminster-bridge...Each soldier destined for Canada, on stepping on board of his transport, finds ready for him two pairs of woollen drawers, one jersey, two merino under-vests, two pair of worsted stockings, one comforter, one chamois leather waistcoat, one sealskin cap with ear-mufflers, one pair of sealskin mits, one pair of Canadian boots, and one sheepskin coat'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.