66 ardour in a determination never to relinquish them but Afterwards the corps presented arms, and the band playing God save the King, concluded the ceremony. The corps were then inspected by Lieutenant-Colonel Hardy, I. F. O., when they passed by in slow and quick time, went through the manual and platoon exercise, fired by subdivisions from right to left, also in volleys, and performed several evolutions, finishing with presented arms; at which the Colonel expressed his high approbation of their discipline and soldier-like appearance. The Colonel, with several field officers of volunteer corps, dined with the Captain. The men were regaled with beef and ale, and the evening closed with perfect hilarity. TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD TEIGNMOUTH, V. L., SURREY. MY LORD, Tooting Lodge, April 8, 1804. THE Loyal Tooting Volunteers are in number sixty-three rank and file; but owing to the admission of three recruits to supply the vacancies occasioned by resignation, I can only return to your lordship, as effective, sixty rank and file. The arms are equal in number to the men, and were supplied by the voluntary subscriptions of the officers and inhabitants of the parish. I have the honour to be, &c. B. O. TO LIEUT.-COL. MOORE, COMMANDING THE MITCHAM VOLUNTEERS. SIR, Tooting Lodge, May 9, 1805.. I TAKE leave to acquaint you that I have been under the necessity of bringing John Garston (a drummer in the corps I have the honour to command), to a Court of Inquiry, for disobedience and insolence to his commanding officer when on duty, and that I have discharged him, as unworthy and unfit to belong to an armed association. I presume to intimate thus much to you as a caution (in case he should make application to be admitted into your corps), not to receive a man whose poisonous example may be pernicious to the best establishment of the state. I have the honour to be, Sir, &c. B. O. SIR, TO LIEUT.-COL. JACKSON, I. F. O. Tooting Lodge, September 4, 1805. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the inspection return of the corps under my command, upon Clapham Common, on 28th ult. The return I shall forward to you upon the first of every succeeding month, agreeably to your request, paying attention to the establishment as you have directed. I take the liberty to remind you that I have not been favoured with a return of the L. T. V. for the 5th June last, at Epsom, nor any allowance for expenses attending the conveyance of the corps on that day. I have the honour to be, Sir, &c. B. O. TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD TEIGNMOUTH. MY LORD, Tooting Lodge, November 8, 1805. IT is with extreme reluctance I tender to your Lordship my resignation as Captain of the Loyal Tooting Volunteers; but the press of commercial pursuits, and their concomitant consequences, prevent my attention to that discipline which is essential to military duty. My regret at leaving the corps is much softened in the honour I have of introducing to your Lordship's notice a gentleman, qualified, in every sense of the word, to fill the situation I am about to leave. My Lieutenant, Mr. Lord, not only shares in my best affection and regard, but, by a steady observance of those rules according with the well-being and order of an armed association, will, I have no doubt, claim from your Lordship that respect and approbation, which you have on many occasions expressed for the corps. I cannot let this opportunity pass without expressing to your Lordship the perfect satisfaction I have in every instance experienced from Mr. Lord, as well as from my Ensign, Mr. Clarke: indeed, the eager zeal and glow of patriotism evinced in the exertions of these gentlemen, in enabling me to bring to a state of discipline the little gallant band I have had the honour to lead, is such, that I am deficient in expressions to mark their worth; nor can I forget my tribute of commendation to every private in the corps, for their attachment to their Sovereign, as well as the ready obedience they have at all times shown to the commands of their officers. It now remains to submit for your Lordship's approbation my nomination of officers; and, anticipating your ready compliance, I therefore propose Walter Lord, Esq. to be Captain-Commandant; and Robert Clarke, Gent. to be Lieutenant. There is still a blank to fill up, but which at present I am not prepared to do, not having intimated this change to any gentleman with whom I think it likely I may succeed, to occupy the place of Ensign Clarke. I now take leave of your Lordship in my military capacity, offering, for your acceptance, my warmest thanks for the countenance with which you have been pleased to honour me, as well as for the prompt attention you have, in every instance, shown to my requests. I have the honour to be, MY LORD, Your Lordship's most devoted Servant, BENJ. OAKLEY, Commanding L. Tooting Volunteers. GENERAL ORDERS. Tooting Lodge, 8th November, 1805. CAPTAIN OAKLEY cannot take leave of the Loyal Tooting Volunteers, whom he has had the pride, the satisfaction, and the honour to command, without expressing his perfect approbation of their soldier-like conduct, and attention at all times to his commands. |