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They knew how to make their own entertainment in those days...!


Bayleaf

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Programme of the Sham Fight and Review, at Rivelin, on the 10th April 1876.

A battle is supposed to have been fought near Doncaster, and the defeated army is endeavouring to reach Manchester. It has been divided into two columns, one going by way of Hathersage, and the other along the road to Glossop, the intention being to effect a junction at Ashopton. Whilst in the Rivelin Valley, that portion of the Army receives intelligence that the enemy is in pursuit and becoming aware that they have chosen the direct road to Manchester, their object is to impede their progress and thus give time to the Army on the Hathersage road to reach Manchester. The miniature Army on its way to Manchester will consist of the Artillery Volunteers who will be under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Creswick. They will take up a strong position at Rivelin, and defend it with three field pieces and a forty-pounder.

The attacking Army of which Colonel Deane of the 19th Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) will be acting Brigadier General, will consist of the Yeomanry Cavalry, numbering 91 under Captain Jeffcock; one battery of the Royal Artillery, under Colonel Vibart, the strength of which will be 75 of all ranks; with 6 guns, 62 draught horses. and 15 riding horses; the 1st West Yorkshire Engineer Volunteers, undr Major Lomas numbering 330; the 19th Regiment numbering 430 under Major Vigors, and the Hallamshire Rifles under Colonel Vickers, also numbering about 400.

The fight will commence by the Cavalry riding up to a wood off the Manchester Road, in which the Artillery Volunteers are posted. Here they will be fired upon by the Artillery, and will retire with the report that they have found the enemy. Infantry skirmishers will then be sent into the wood, whilst another portion of the pursuing Army will endeavour to gain a position of importance commanding the wood. This having been affected, the Artillery Volunteers will be compelled to retreat upon a strong position which they have already secured, and the attacking Army will deploy upon the slope leading up to that position. Here there will be sharp fighting, but in the end the guns of the Volunteer Artillery will be silenced and Colonel Creswick and his men will retreat into the Racecourse. Here the two Armies will fraternise over dinner, and then there will be a review. This will be commenced by the troops forming in line, in the following order:- First. On the right the Yeomanry Cavalry, the Royal Artillery, next the 19th Regiment, the Sheffield Artillery (acting as infantry). The Hallamshire Rifles, and the Engineers. The bands of all regiments will be massed, and they will play for their respective regiments as they they march along the base. The men will be formed in quarter column and will march past in column by Battalions. The Yeomanry and Royal Artillery will continue round the enclosure whilst the Infantry Regiments will march back along the base in quarter columns. The Mounted Troops having arrived at the beginning of the base will trot past.

The whole body will then counter march and form in quarter columns upon the original lines. At a signal they will advance in review order, to the strains of the band of the 19th Regiment, and give a general salute.

The Staff Officers of Colonel Deane will be Lieutenant and Adjutant patterson, acting brigade Major, and Lieutenant C> Barton, aide-de-camp.

It is stated that the best view will be obtained from the Manchester Road between Rivelin Road and the Norfolk Arms. Spectators should secure their position before eleven in the morning.

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