First published in "The Australian News for Home Readers" January 25, 1864.
The military display at Emerald Hill, although appointed to commence at the unusually early hour of ten o'clock, attracted, as such spectacles usually do, a large concourse of spectators. Shortly after nine o'clock, crowds — brought by train and cars — began to assemble on the ground, and within an hour afterwards, there must have been about ten thousand persons present, who, owing to the deficiency of police assistance, were, with difficulty, restrained from intruding on the parade ground, which they almost wholly occupied before the close of the proceedings.
The volunteers began to arrive between eight and nine o'clock, and by ten o'clock were all drawn up in line. The staff officers present at this time were Colonel Anderson, Colonel-Commandant; Major Pitt, Major Hall, Major R. Green, and Captain Burton, cavalry; Captain Payne, Naval Brigade; Captain Snee, Artillery; Captain Hammond, Volunteer Rifles. There were also present with the staff officers, the Hon. Matthew Hervey, Commissioner of Public Works; the Hon. G. F. Verdon, Treasurer, and his Honor Sir Redmond Barry; Col. Anderson, K.C.B., was also on the ground in uniform. The whole of the volunteer force, consisting of twenty-three brigades, was well represented. The total number of men on the ground was 2549. About a third of these only were old members, the other two-thirds consisting of members who had joined since the 10th of October last, when the new regulations were enforced.
On this occasion none were allowed to be present who had not gone through the whole of the regulation drill. On former occasions, every one enrolled was permitted to appear at a review; but, notwithstanding this, the largest assemblage that ever previously took place, except at encampments, was about 2400. The muster on this occasion, therefore, was not only the largest that has ever taken place, but greatly exceeded any other in proportion to the, number enrolled.
His Excellency the Governor, from indisposition, was unable to be present, but Miss Darling and the juvenile members of the family, attended by Captain Tyler, aide-de-camp, and escorted by a company of light horse, arrived in his Excellency's carriage, shortly after ten o'clock. The inspection and review consequently devolved entirely upon Brigadier- General Chute, who, with his staff, Captain Hayward and Lieutenant Richardson, reached the ground about the same time.
The following is the order in which the brigade was drawn up, proceeding from right to left:—
- Williamstown and Sandridge Naval Volunteers, two corps, under Capt. Fullarton, 7 officers, 8 sergeants, 186 rank and file; band, 20; total, 221.
- Geelong, Williamstown and Emerald Hill Artillery, three corps, under Lieut.-Col. Redo, commanding, mounted officers, Major Dawson, 13 officers, 16 sergeants, 319 rank and file; total, 348.
- Metropolitan, East Melbourne, St. Kilda and Queenscliff Artillery, four corps, under Major Smith commanding, Capt. Bull, mounted officer, 10 officers, 26 sergeants, 288 rank and file; total, 324.
- Engineer Corps, Pentridge and East Collingwood Rifles, two corps, under Lieut.-Col. Champ commanding, Major Sturt and Capt the hon. Sir Francis Murphy, mounted officers, 10 officers, 18 sergeants, 240 rank and file, band 9, total, 277.
- Carlton, Prahran, and South Yarra, and Melbourne, and North Melbourne Rifles, three corps, under Major Moody, commanding, and Captain Radcliffe and Captain (Professor) Irving, mounted officers, 12 officers, 24 sergeants, 300 rank and file, band 23, total 359.
- Collingwood, Brighton and Richmond Rifles, three corps, under Lieutenant-Colonel Mair commanding, and Captain Sprent and Captain Martin, mounted officers, 12 officers, 24 sergeants, 255 rank and file, total 291.
- Castlemaine and Bendigo Rifles, three corps, under Lieutenant Colonel Bull, commanding, and Captain Couchman, mounted officer, 12 officers, 13 sergeants, 264 rank and file, 15 band, total, 304.
- Ballaarat (sic) Rifles, two corps, under Lieutenant-Colonel Wallace, commanding, 6 officers, 12 sergeants, 156 rank and file, 41 band, total 215.
After the salute, General Chute and staff inspected the ranks in front and rear, passing from right to left. This occupied some time, as the line extended nearly half a mile in length. The staff having resumed their position beside his Excellency's carriage, opposite the centre of the line, the ranks were closed and formed into columns at quarter distance in rear of the right companies of battalions, and took ground to the right by fours; and having formed in mass of columns on the saluting base, they opened out to wheeling distance from the front, and marched past in quick time. After passing the saluting point, each battalion took ground to the left in fours, and formed line of contiguous columns inverted. The brigade then changed front to the rear by a wheel of subdivisions round the centre of battalions, and again formed line of contiguous columns right in front. They next advanced in direct echelon of battalions at thirty paces distance, and formed squares on the leading companies, and prepared to receive cavalry. After this they again formed into column, and wheeled an eighth of a circle to the left, opened out to deploying distance, and deployed into line on the rear companies of battalions. They then changed front to left on the fifth and sixth battalions, the right being thrown forward, and again deployed into line. They afterwards formed quarter-distance columns, in rear of the right companies of battalions, and closed into line of contiguous columns on the sixth battalion. This was the finish of the manoeuvers, and the officers having been called to the front, the whole brigade again gave a general salute.
General Chute then ordered the commanding officers of battalions to the front, and requested them to explain to the several corps that the Governor much regretted his inability, on account of illness, to be present, and that he would assure his Excellency of his great satisfaction with the appearance of the entire brigade, and the manner in which they performed the several evolutions. He also expressed a hope that he would soon have an opportunity of taking personal command of the force at an encampment which, he understood, would be held at Sunbury. This terminated the proceedings on the ground. The corps then marched to their appointed places of rendezvous, and were dismissed, with the exception of those deputed to represent their respective companies at the luncheon at the Exhibition Building, all of whom marched into town to spirited martial music, played by the bands of the several corps.
About a thousand altogether sat down to luncheon. Brigadier-General Chute occupied the chair, and was supported on the right by Colonel Anderson, colonel-commandant; the hon. G. F. Verdon, the hon. Matthew Hervey, Lieutenant Colonel Rede, Captain Stewart, Captain Fullarton, Captain Snee; and on the left by Lieutenant-Colonel Wallace, Major Hall, Captain Irving, Captain Wilson, and Lieutenant-Colonel Ball.
General Chute, after luncheon, rose amidst cheers, and said he was sorry he could not remain any longer, as he was compelled by another engagement to leave. He hoped, however, they would all have the pleasure of meeting shortly again. (Cheers.) He wished them all a happy new year and many returns. In conclusion, he called on them to give three cheers for the Queen.
The call was responded to by prolonged cheering and applause.
Lieutenant-Colonel Rede shortly afterwards rose, and said that, on the part of the up-country corps, he had to return thanks to the metropolitans for the very handsome manner in which they had been treated. New Year's day was a very good occasion on which to perform an act of hospitality, and afterwards put themselves in a position for the defence of their country. (Applause.) There was one thing he noticed in the volunteer force of this colony — that there were no bitter jealousies between them, and that the up-country corps and the metropolitan corps could, in that respect, amalgamate as brothers in arms should (applause) — not only in showing hospitality and good feeling to one another, but also, he was satisfied, in backing up each other when the critical moment came. (Applause.) He desired to assure the metropolitans that the up-country corps felt great pleasure in the meeting of that day, and begged to return their most sincere thanks for the hospitality they had received; also to wish them all a happy new year, and many reunions like the present. (Cheers and applause.) The company shortly afterwards broke up.
Source: The Review on New Year's Day (1864, January 25). The Australian News for Home Readers (Vic. : 1864 - 1867), p. 2.
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