Читать книгу Norfolk Annals (Vol. 1&2) - Charles Mackie - Страница 40

1.—The first parade of the Norwich Regiment of Volunteer Infantry took place. Eight battalion companies, a light infantry company, and a grenadier company were formed, and “from five barrels of British brown stout they drank the King’s health and prosperity to their country and city, and success to the corps.”

7.—The brass ordnance belonging to the city were tested by some of the regular artillery stationed in Norwich. Four of the guns burst, and appended to the account delivered to the Corporation was the intimation:—“It is customary for the corporal to have the old metal when any of the pieces burst.” The official reply was to the effect that the Corporation were of opinion that the corporal “did not want brass.” The iron nine-pounders stood the test. The brass gun used by Kett in 1549 was preserved as a relic.

22.—The Norwich Volunteers, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Patteson, entered the Market Place, and after marching round the Hall and saluting the Corporation, had their colours presented to them by the Mayor. The men were afterwards regaled at Neeche’s Gardens, and the officers dined at the King’s Head.

24*—“Telegraphs, signal flags, or tar barrels are being stationed on all the churches and lofty edifices on the coast, in order to give in a chain of communication the earliest intelligence, either by night or day, of the event of the enemy’s landing.”

29.—A trial was made on the Castle ditches, Norwich, of carriages constructed for the conveyance of troops. A wooden frame, serving as a seat, was affixed to the skeleton of a four-wheel cart. A board for the feet was attached to it by ropes. The vehicle was capable of conveying 17 men.