3-034-582 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Encampment of the Portsmouth Garrison, 1871. Large numbers of British troops '...were removed to spots situate at a distance of a few miles and [put] under canvas, the rations, camp equipment, ambulances, and water carts being taken to the scenes of operations by the amalgamated corps of the Military Train, Commissariat, and Military Store Staff Corps, now known under the title of the Army Service Corps...the day's "picnic," as it must be called, from the fact that the troops had nothing else to do but to put up their tents, cook their food, eat it, and enjoy themselves, was got up avowedly for the purpose of giving the young soldiers experience in forming an encampment after and before a march, in rapidly loading, unloading, and packing tents, baggage, and general equipments, and in cooking in field ovens; but probably the real object...was to ascertain what the control department at Portsmouth could do towards moving and providing for the whole garrison if called upon on a sudden emergency...A spacious marquee for hospital purposes was erected in a spot sheltered from the sun, and was well supplied with medical comforts...A large marquee was erected at the south-eastern corner of the ground for the accommodation of the Commander-in-Chief'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.