3-046-944 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Autumn Campaign: the March Past at Beacon Hill, Amesbury, 1872. Mock battles by the British Army in Wiltshire. '...thousands of people assembled to enjoy the grand spectacle...of the marching of the whole united army past the Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal the Duke or Cambridge [and] the other Princes...Forming a large cavalcade, and dressed in a variety of splendid uniforms, they rode along the whole line of troops, inspecting the ranks...The troops [numbered] altogether 30,000 men...The marching past their Royal Highnesses was performed in beautiful order...The commanding officers of each regiment saluted by lowering their drawn swords; the bands halted, in turn, to play a few strains of martial music. The cavalry of this division consisted of the 7th and 10th Hussars, and the 12th Lancers, followed by the Horse Artillery, the Guards, and other infantry, which included some militia and London volunteer corps...The cavalry of the northern division, having formed in line..., trotted forwards at the bugle call; but, presently, upon a fresh signal changed its pace to a gallop, and charged up to within a hundred yards of the ropes...When the cavalry retired, the entire line of infantry was displayed, extending far across the grassy plain'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.