3-008-623 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Panshanger House, Hertfordshire, the seat of Earl Cowper, 1862. 'Large numbers assembled at Panshanger Park, near Hertford, on Monday week, to witness a volunteer field-day and sham fight by the Hertfordshire and some of the principal Middlesex corps...Panshanger is a noble domain, well wooded and intersected in all directions with beautiful glades; while a stream which runs through the park, bordered on each side by rising ground, seemed expressly provided to test the tactical skill of the commanders and the steadiness of the men. This stream was the key of the mimic contest which took place, the idea being the defence of the south bank against an enemy in force marching from Hertford in the direction of the London road...The inspection terminated before six o'clock, and the gallant volunteers proceeded to avail themselves of the kind consideration of Earl Cowper, who had placed in various parts of the park sundry barrels, the contents of which were appreciated by the thirsty warriors who for three hours had been marching and manoeuvring under a hot sun, and inhaling volumes of sulphurous vapour'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.