3-017-294 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Review and Sham Fight of the Dover and Shorncliffe Garrisons at Round Down, Folkestone, 1865. 'The troops were formed into two divisions...the infantry brigade occupying the hill on the cliff side...composed of the Scots Fusilier Guards, the Royal Engineers, the 48th and the 89th Regiments; that on the northern hill...consisting of the Dover brigade of Royal Engineers, 60th Rifles, and the 89th Regiment. Two squadrons of the 1st Royal Dragoons and a battery of the Royal Horse Artillery were posted on each hill...the entire force [numbered] about 7000 men... heavy firing by artillery and infantry ensued...The heat of the contest appeared to be round about Hougham Court Farm, from which the defenders eventually made a capital retreat for a short distance behind some copses, where they re-formed, and both divisions again threw out skirmishers, and afterwards poured a volley or two into the teeth of the enemy, who, however, continued to advance to the Downs, where a third line of defence...was formed, and heavy volleys continued to fire simultaneously with the discharge of the field-pieces along the valley, until the four squadrons of cavalry combined and made a dashing charge in line, which discomfited the enemy and ended the sham fight'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.