Historical records of the New Brunswick Regiment, Canadian Artillery

1N. B GARRISON ARTILLERY. 8period of inactivity; that on many public occasions they assistedin their capacity of an artillery force, and that, when vigorous recruitingbegan again in 1859, some of the old officers retainedcommand of their companies while the appointment of newofficers was, in many cases,, recognized in general orders asbeing in substitution for others who retired.One of the last incidents in which the St. John Artillerytook part, during the period with which this chapter deals, wasthe celebration on September ist^ 1858, consequent on thesuccessful laying of the Atlantic cable.After the Crimean war there was a very enthusiastic volunteermovement in England which has continued with increasingstrength to the present time, resulting in one of the finest forcesof modern times. The inception of the system seems to haveattracted the attention of Major-General SirFenwick Williams,who, on leaving England in 1859 to assume command of theforces in the North American provinces, suggested a schemeof defence for the colonies based on similar principles. TheDuke of New^castle, then Colonial Secretary, wrote to theLieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick expressing a desirethathe might confer with General Williams whose views had thesanction and concurrence of the home- government. In consequenceof this request it was intimated that the serviceswould be accepted of such companies as might volunteer, andin the summer of 1859 the work of instructing the militia wasrecommended, and has been continued to the present time.