3-016-859 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Volunteer Review at Blackheath, near Guildford, on Easter Monday, 1864. View of '...the military evolutions of Easter Monday on Blackheath - an open piece of undulating ground, adjoining Farley Heath, about four miles to the south-east of Guildford, approached, on three different sides, by steep and narrow lanes, through which many thousands of spectators, in addition to 18,000 volunteer riflemen - some from Guildford and some from the Chilworth station of the South-Eastern Railway - had assembled in the course of the forenoon...the incident chosen by our Artist is the file-firing of the London Rifle Brigade, nine companies strong, which formed part of the attacking division, under Major-General Rumley, in the sham fight. The defending party, under Major-General Russell, had been outflanked on their right wing, and were being slowly driven in towards the Grand Stand at the moment when this sketch was taken. Lieutenant- Colonel Macdonald was in command of the brigade which is most conspicuous in our Engraving'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.