3-043-770 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Autumn Campaign: head-quarters camp of Southern Army, France Farm, Blandford, 1872. 'The Southern Army, part of which had been collected at Portsmouth, was assembled in full force at Blandford, under Sir John Michel, so early as Saturday week. The Northern Army did not move westward from Aldershott till last Monday...but the whole force was to be encamped at Pewsey by the end of this week. After resting on Sunday and Monday, the troops on both sides will begin next Tuesday the more active movements leading to a close encounter...Hitherto the operations of Sir John Michel's army at Blandford have attracted most attention. The Right Hon. Mr. Cardwell, Secretary of State for the War Department, with General Sir Henry Storks, of the War Office, has been staying at the house of Mr. Glyn, M.P., in that neighbourhood, and has been a daily visitor to the camp. One of our Illustrations, from a sketch by our Special Artist, gives a view of the headquarters of this force, at a farm called "France," two miles out of Blandford, between Lord Portman's seat, Bryanston Park, and the hamlet of Durweston, on the banks of the Stour. General Sir John Michel's tent is distinguished by the flag planted in front of it'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.