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ProvidenceChapel-thelastsurvivalofHorshamBarracks.

ByBenTownsend,HistoricalConsultant(www.historicalconsultant.com)

Prepared2016

Introduction.

WhenservinginBritain,theGeorgianarmyconformedtoasetofmovementpatternswhichhardlyvariedfromtheeighteenthtotheearlynineteenthcentury.Thedictatesofphysicalandsocialgeographygenerallyandpopulationdensitiesinthevariousregions,economicfluctuationsandtheiraccompanyingsocialunrest,anasyetunimprovedandarchaicroadnetwork,togetherwithagenerallackofquarterslargeenoughtohousegreatnumbersoftroops,andthevagariesofcrises,theinternationalwarsanddisputes,rebellion,localriotsanddisorders-thesewerethefactorsthatmostsignificantlyaffectedthepatternsoftroopmovementsandcamps.Whereasthegeographyprovidedtheframework-thepointsofembarkationaroundBritain’sshores,thecrossingsbetweenEngland,ScotlandandWales,themainmarchcorridorsthearmyusedinBritainandtosomeextentthedutyareasoccupied-itwascivileventsthatdictatedtherateofmovementandactivatedthemotormechanismsettingthearmyinmotion.Inthe1790s,themostimminentthreattoBritaincamefromtheforcesofrevolutionaryFrance,andsoHorshambecameanimportantstagingpostasitwassituatedatthecrossroadsoftwomilitarylogisticroutes:thatbetweenLondonandthesouthcoastembarkationpoints;andthatbetweenChathamandPortsmouthnavaldepots.Sussexhadtraditionallyquarteredaregimentofcavalryatanygiventime,dispersedinbilletsonanti-smugglingduties,anddetachmentsoperatedasfarnorthastheSurreybordertochokeoffinlandsmugglingarterialroutes,butitnowbegantoaccommodateevermoresoldiersastheyconcentratedtowardsthesouthcoast,bothindefenceandasapreliminarytotransportabroad.

TheroadsystemofeighteenthcenturyEnglandwascomplex,buttherewerealmostnolongsinglesurfacedhighways.Therewas,rather,anintricatewebofsmallerparishroads,withvillagesandtownsalongthemthathadforcenturiesservedashaltingplacesfortravellers.Althoughsmall,theytendedtobewellsuppliedwithinnsandstablesforthereliefoftravellers.DuringthecourseoftheseventeenthcenturyithadcometoberegardedasoneofthefundamentalrightsofanEnglishmanthattroops(lewdlicentiousunbridledfellowsbydefinition)couldnotbequartereduponprivatehouseholderswithouttheirpriorconsentandpermission.iBythebeginningoftheeighteenthcentury,thisrighthadbeenrecognisedinlaw,andanyinfringementwasregardedwithseverity.Inconsequence,sincebarrackswerevirtuallyunknown,andgreatnumbersoftroops(whatevertheircharacter)hadtobesheltered-theGovernmenthadtomakeshiftfortheirdangerouschargesbyvisitingthemupontheothercriminalclass-innkeepers.

Thetroopsthen,werequartered,or‘billeted’inpublichouses-specifically,‘inns,liverystables,alehouses,victuallinghouses,andallhousessellingbrandy,strongwaters,cyderormetheglinbyretailtobedrunkonthepremises,andinnoother’,astheMutinyacthadit.iiTheinnkeepers,however,raisedcontinualcomplaints,largelyoverthesmallsumsreceivedaspaymentfortheirunwantedguests;humblepetitionswerefrequentand,inpartsofSussexoffthebeatentrack,‘ithadbecomeapracticewiththepublicans,asaclass,totakedowntheirsign-boardsandthrowuptheirlicencesupontheapproachoftroops’.iii

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TheabsenceofanyextensiveoradequatebarrackfacilitiesgreatlyinfluencedthequarteringpatternoftheArmyinBritain.AsthearmygrewinsizethroughthecenturyafewnewbarrackswerebuiltandafewoldbuildingswereboughtforthepurposebytheBoardofOrdnance(whichbodywaschargedwiththeirerection,maintenanceandadministration,andwiththesupplyoffurniture,utensils,candlesandheating);butthebuildingofbarrackswasneverintendedtokeeppacewiththegrowthofthearmy,sincebuildingwasexpensiveand,asMarshalwadeputit,‘thepeopleofthiskingdomhavebeentaughttoassociatetheideaofBarracksandSlaverysocloselytogetherthat,likedarknessandtheDevil,thoughtherebenomannerofconnectionbetweenthem,yettheycannotseparatethem.’iv

Sowhatproducedthechangethatsawanexplosionofbarrackbuildinginthelastdecadeoftheeighteenthcentury?Between1789and1814,thearmygrewfrom40,000to225,000men,whilethemilitia-alocalforceforselfdefenceasembodiedin1793,numbered100,000by1797.Withtheadditionofotherauxiliaryforcessuchasthevolunteersandyeomanry,by1805itcouldbeclaimedthattherewere810,000menunderarmsintheBritishIsles.

TheBarrackmasterGeneralwasanewcreationof1793.Hehasbeencharacterisedasabuilderofpolicestations.FortheunrestcreatedbytheFrenchRevolution,byThomasPaine,andtheBritishJacobinsgreatlyincreasedmagistrates’demandfortroopsforpoliceduties;fearthattroopswouldbedisaffectedifallowedtomixtoofreelywiththehabituésofalehouseswheretheywerenormallybilleted,addedtotheclaimsofmagistrates,createdademandforbarracks.TheOrdnanceDepartment,whichhadhithertobuiltbarracks,couldnotkeeppacewiththedemand.Hencethecreationofanewdepartment.ThethoroughgoingbadmanagementoftheBarrackMasterGeneral,OliverDeLancey,hascausedthehistoryofthisofficetobeuncommonlywelldocumented,uptoapoint.Infact,itsnotoriouscorruptioncausedparliamenttoinstituteaseriesofenquiriesintoalldepartmentsofthearmyandnavy.TheCommissionersofMilitaryEnquiryuncoveredmuchfoolishexpenditure,muchbadbuilding,andmanybadcontracts.Buttheestablishmentofbarracks,althoughdoneinpiecemealfashionandwithoutplan,didgivetroopsahomeoftheirown,anditdidmakediscipline,easierandbetter.

Largebarrackswerebuiltin1796ontheHorsham-Worthingroad,buteventheircapacityof2000infantryprovedinsufficienttomeetdemand,andsomeregimentssoughtaccommodationincamponthecommontothenorthofthetown.

In1800,abodyofvolunteersfrom14otherregimentsmetatHorsham(latermovingtoBlatchinton)toformtheExperimentalRifleCorpsunderSirCooteManningham.Thisexperimentborefruitintheshapeofthefamous95thRifleregiment,latertheRifleBrigade,andtodayreincarnatedastheRifleRegiment,thelargestregimentintheBritisharmy.

HistoryoftheBarracks.

ThepreparationsagainstexpectedFrenchinvasionwerelargelyfocussedintheSouth-east,althoughintheevent,theonlyineffectualattemptsweremadeinIrelandandWalesin1798.Sussexbecamequiteheavilymilitarised,notjustbybarracks,butbystorehousesandarmouriesanddepotsformunitions.IncommonwithArundel,Bognor,Chichester,Petworth,Shoreham,Steyning,Aldwick,Worthing,Playden,Rye,Seaford,Littlehampton,Pevensey,Hastings,Winchelsea,Hailsham,Lewes,Brighton,Eastbourne,EastGrinsteadandotherplaces(twenty-threeintotal)inSussex,Horsham

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becamehometobarrackedsoldiers.From1796whenthebarrackswerebuilt,untilJuly1815,whentheywerepulleddown,Horshamwasneverwithoutagarrisonofsoldiers,exceptingtwoveryshortperiodswhenthebarrackswereoccupiedsolelybythebarrackmaster.

ThefollowingisalistofthenamesoftheRegimentsgiveninconsecutiveorderastheycametoHorshambarracks.

NameofRegiment.Dateoffirstentry.

DerbyshireMilitiaJanuary1797

WestEssexMilitiaMarch1797

BedfordshireMilitiaApril1797

55thRegimentOctober1797

DenbighshireMilitiaDecember1797

WestYorksMilitiaFeb1798

EastMiddlesexMilitiaApril1798

SouthMiddlesexMilitiaMay1798

MontgomeryMilitiaJuly1798

SouthGloucestershireMilitiaAugust1798

RoyalArtilleryAugust1798

3rdSurreyMilitiaDecember1798

25thregimentJuly1799

HerefordshireMilitiaJuly1799

52ndRegimentNovember1799

3rdNorfolkMilitiaNovember1799

16thregimentJanuary1800

56thregimentJanuary1800

9thRegimentApril1800

WestKentMilitiaJuly1800

64thRegimentOctober1800

1stBattalionRoyalsNovember1800

49thRegimentMay1801

4thRegimentOctober1801

WestminsterMilitiaMarch1802

48thregimentOctober1803

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57thRegimentJanuary1804

DorsetMilitiaJune1804

3rdLinebattalionKGLDecember1804

5thRegimentDecember1804

23rdRegimentNovember1805

3rdBattalionRoyalsOctober1806

90thRegimentDecember1806

RoyalBucksMilitiaDecember1807

LeicestershireMilitiaDecember1807

MonmouthshireMilitiaDecember1807

RoyalBucksMilitiaFebruary1808

SussexMilitiaApril1808

N.B.VolunteersJuly1808

26thregimentFebruary1809

76thRegimentFebruary1809

32ndRegimentFebruary1809

50thRegimentFebruary1809

23rdRegimentMarch1809

WestMiddlesexRegimentJune1809

51stRegimentSeptember1809

63rdRegimentOctober1809

36thregimentDecember1809

22ndRegimentJanuary1810

37thregimentJune1810

102ndRegimentDecember1810

75thRegimentJanuary1811

WarwickshireMilitiaJanuary1811

24thDragoonsJanuary1811

29thregimentNovember1811

89thRegimentNovember1811

45thregimentJanuary1812

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87thRegimentMarch1812

44thRegimentJuly1812

24thregimentJuly1812

61stregimentJuly1813

1stSurreyMilitiaOctober1813

20thLightDragoonsDecember1813

99thRegimentDecember1813

46thregimentFebruary1814

98thRegimentMarch1814

3rdVeteranbattalionJune1814

ThislistisfromtheHorshamParishregisters.Itdoesnotentirelycorrespondwiththerecordedmovementoftroops.v

Aboutsixty-nineregimentspassedthroughoverthenextnineteenyears.TherewerefrequentreviewsontheCommon,forinstance,

March11th1805,agrandreviewoftroopsincludingtheKing’sGermanLegionatHorshambytheDukeofCambridge.

23rdApril1808,theDukeofNorfolkinspectedtheSussexmilitiaonHorshamCommon.

Andtherewasoccasionaldrama,ason31stmarch,1810,whenalatenightmessagewasreceivedrelativetodisturbancesinLondoninconnectionwiththeimprisonmentintheTowerofSirFrancisBurdett,whowasengagedinradicalpolitics.AtmidnighttheHorshamregimentmarchedforLondontoassistthecivilpowerinsuppressingdisturbance.

Thebarrackswerekeptfullyoccupiedfromtheirinaugurationuntil1798.InMayofthatyeartheywereoccupiedbythe55thRegiment,theWestYorkshireMilitia,andtheMiddlesexsupplementarymilitia.ThetownhadbilletedonittwotroopsoftheOxfordLightDragoonsandtheresidueoftheDerbymilitia.

InFebruary1801thebarrackswereemptyexceptforthebarrackmasterandaskeletonstaff.Atthistimeanagriculturalcrisishadsentthepriceofprovisionshighandsuppressedwages.TheSussexWeeklyadvertisersaid,‘Thepoornolongerabletopurchasemeatarenowseendailyextremelygratefultobutcherswhowillindulgethemwiththepurchaseofafewsorrybonesthatwouldbluntthetoothofadogtopick’.viAriotappearedimminentatHorshamledbyacountrylabourercalledHodgewhocomplainedthathisweeklywageof8swasunequaltokeephiminflourat3s6dpergallon.Therebeingnotroopsatthebarracks,anurgentsummonswassenttoMidhurstforacompanyoftheSussexmilitiaandtoArundelfortwotroopsofcavalrytoquellthethreateneddisturbance.These,aftermarchingallnight,arrivedatHorshamonthemorningof28thFebruarytofindthecrowddispersed.ThebarrackswasswiftlyreoccupiedandbyMaywasbeingusedasdepottoreceivestoresoffood.NotforHodgeorhisstarvingfamily,butforthetroopstheretokeepaneyeonhim.

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InMarch1802thepeaceofAmiensbetweenFranceandBritainwasconcluded,andbytheendofthatyearthebarrackswasemptyforthesecondtime.ButinMayof1803thewarbrokeoutagainwithrenewedseverity,andHorshamwastobeinthethickoftroopmovementsuntiltheendofit.InDecember1804,theFirstConsulofFrance,GeneralBonaparte,becameEmperorNapoleon,andassembledanarmadatoinvadeEngland.OnthecoastofSussexhewasdailyexpectedtoland;Englishsoldiersweredrilleduptotheirwaistsintheseapreparingareceptionforhim,andallbranchesoftheService,cavalry,infantry,artillery,militiaandvolunteerswereunderarmsandorderedtoholdthemselvesinreadinessforactionatamoment’snotice.Beaconfiresweremadeandkeptreadyforkindling,includingoneatStLeonard’sforestnearHorsham.Farmersandcarrierswereallreadywiththeirhorsesandwaggonsforconveyingwomenandchildreninland,andonatleastoneoccasion,sokeenwasvisionrenderedbyfear,thatatChichestertheinvadingfleetwassaidtohavebeenseenatseaoffthecoast.Thewaggonsinconsequenceweredrawnupforservicenearthetown.ProvisionswerehandedoutandHorshampreparedforwaronitsdoorstep.

BeforetheBarracks.

Formanyyearsbeforethebarrackswerebuilt,Horshamhadbeenahaltingplace,andHorshamCommon,thenasquaremileoflandonthenorthandeastofthetownhadbeenacampinggroundfortroopswhenmarchingfromonestationtoanother.Sometimesthesecampslastedforthesummer,sometimestheywouldpitchtheirtentsforonenightandbeoffagaininthemorning,andsmallerbodieswouldbebilletedonpublichousesinthetown,especiallyinthewinterwhenitwasconsideredinjurioustothetroops’healthforthemtocamp.Theseinfrequentcampsaffordedsomeentertainmenttothetown,affordingapleasingchangetotheruralnatureoftheneighbourhoodinthemannerrecordedbyThomasHardythirtyyearslaterinTheTrumpetMajor.Regimentswerenotalwaysanuisance,andifawellbehavedregimenthappenedtobequarteredintownoverChristmas,acollectionwouldbemadeinthetownforthewivesandchildrenoftheregimenttocelebrate.

From1793andthecommencementofthewarswithrevolutionaryFrance,thefrequencyofthesecampsandtroopmovementsaccelerateddramatically.SomethingofthenatureofthesemovementscanbeseenintheaccountspresentedattheQuartersessionsatHorshaminJuly1795,fortheconveyanceofsoldiersfromcamptocamp,bycommandeeredwaggonsandcarts.vii

January14th.ForconveyingbaggagetotheOxfordMilitia,HorshamtoBrighton.CheshireMilitia,HorshamtoSteyning.Fourteenthregiment,HorshamtoPetworth.

April30th.Surreymilitia,HorshamtoDorking.

May16th.WiltshireMilitia,HorshamtoBrighton.

May18th.Dittotoditto.

May19th.WestEssexMilitia,HorshamtoBrighton.

May20th.HerefordMilitia,HorshamtoBrighton.

May23rd.Dorsetmilitia,HorshamtoBrighton.

May28th.FirstRegimentoffenciblecavalry,HorshamtoBrighton.

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June8th.Sussexfenciblecavalry,HorshamtoEastGrinstead.

June10thTenthLightDragoons,HorshamtoSteyning.TenthLightDragoons,waggonandfourhorses,HorshamtoHenfield.TenthLightDragoons,HorshamtoShoreham.

June11th.TenthLightDragoons,HorshamtoBrighton.

June13th.Firstregimentoffencibles,HorshamtoBrighton.OxfordMilitia,HorshamtoEastGrinstead.

June18th.WiltshireMilitia,HorshamtoDorking.

June19th.Dittotoditto.

July4thFourteenthregimentoffoot,HorshamtoPetsworth(allconveyedinawaggonwithfourhorses)(Twohorsestodrawacartat3d.)

TotalCostofabove£521s9d

AgainattheQuarterSession’saccountsatHorshaminJuly1796,thereappearthefollowingentries:

February17th.WestEssexMilitia,HorshamtoSteyning.EastMiddlesexMilitia,HorshamtoDorking.

April25th.SomersetfenciblestoDorking.FirstregimentoffenciblestoBrighton.

April26th.HuntingdonmilitiatoLindfield.

June10thHuntingdonMilitiatoShoreham.

June23rd.MontgomeryMilitiatoEastGrinstead.

July1stOxfordBluestoBrighton.

Total£22,15s3d.

OnallthelanesandroadsofSussex,theseteamsofhorsesandwaggonspliedtheirpartinthemovementofregimentswithalltheirparaphernaliaandbaggage.Thebands,campfollowersandwivesfrequentlyrodeonthewaggons.Theselastnamed,mostlyyoungwomen,wouldincreasetheirfamiliesinanaturalandunceremonialmanner.Takeninlabourastheregimentsmarchedalong,theywouldbeaccommodatedandcaredforbytheregimentalsurgeons.On20thJanuary1806,aregimentcametoHorsham,twosoldier’swivesweredeliveredeachofachild,oneonabaggagewaggonasitenteredthetown,andtheotheratanInnimmediatelyonherarrival.viii

WhenweretheBarracksbuilt?

ThebuildingworkcommencedinAugust1796.Stoneorbrickbuiltbarracksrequireda‘rest’beforebeingoccupied,butthewoodenbarrackscouldbeimmediatelyused,andtroopsseemtohavebeenatHorshambeforetheendoftheyear.Thefirstregimentmarchedintothenewbarrackson5thDecember1796.

Howweretheybuilt?

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ThebarrackserectedalloverSussexwerelargelybuildingsofatemporarynature,fortheaccommodationofregularsandmilitia.Volunteerswereusuallyexpectedtoliveathome,or,whenondutyincamps.TheSussexbarrackswereallsimilarinconstructionbutdifferedinsize.ThoseatHorsham,amongthelargest,consistedofeightrangesoftwostoreybuildings112’by33’each.Oneofficer’squartersof93’by33’,ahospitalaboutthesamesize,arangeofmessapartments,arangeofstables270’by26’,servantsbuildings,barrackmaster’sstores,canteen,guardhouse,kitchens,magazineandsoon.

Constructionofthebuildingswascarriedoutbyprivatecontractors,chosenmorewithaneyetospeedthaneconomy.TheBarrackMasterGeneralDeLanceyfeltthatpreparingplansandadvertisingforcompetitivebidderstooktoomuchtime.HehadapreferenceforLondonfirms,andfordealingwithonlyasinglegeneralcontractoroneachproject.Oncecompleted,thebuildingsofeachbarrackswereentrustedtobarracksMastersappointedbytheWarOffice.Theywereinchargeofmaintainingthem;furnishingthemwithbedding,utensils,coalandcandles;andprovidingthetroopswithbeerandthehorseswithfeedandforage.TheywerechargedbytheBarracksOfficewithsubmittingavarietyofweekly,monthlyandquarterlyreturnsabouttheirbuildings,contractsandtenants.ThesereturnsseemtohavebeenlostwiththerestoftheBarracksOfficepapers.

Whobuiltthem?

ThearchitectsforHorshamwereJamesJohnsonandJohnSanders.ix

ThebuilderemployedforHorshamBarrackswasJohnScobellx,additionsweremadebyRalphJonesandNicholasWhitmorexi.Scobellappearstohavesub-contractedtoanotherbecausethemaincontractorwasThomasTomlinswhoislistedinParliamentaryreportaserecting‘HorshamBarracksforinfantry’beginninginAugust1796.HechargedtheBarrackmaster’soffice£19,502andsubmittedhisaccounts23rdMay1802.xii

ChangesintheBarracksafterbuilding.

Thefirstregimentmarchedintothenewbarrackson5thDecember1796,afterbeingorderedthereinNovemberaspartof‘TheArmyoftheReserve’reinforcementof2000men.xiii

Someoftheinformationregardingcapacityofthebarracksaftertheinitialconstructioniscontradictory.ByMarch1798,therewasaccommodationforjust1740infantryinsteadofthe2000specifiedin1796.xivInFebruaryof1800,itisdescribedas‘temporarybarracksfor2400infantry’.xvFeb1803seesjustthebarrack-masterpresentwithhisfamily,andtheninJune1803,thecapacityisagainreckonedat2400.xvi

DismantlingtheBarracks.

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On27-28thJuly1815,immediatelyfollowingWaterloo,thebarracksstoresweresoldatauctionbyMessrsVerralofLewes,andsubsequentlythebuildingsfollowed.By29thOctober1816thegroundwascompletelyclear,andtheleaseofthelandwassurrenderedthreeyearsshortofitstermofexpiration.xvii

Therecordsofthesalehavenotbeenfound.Asimilarbarracks,butsmaller,atLewes,realised£3000.xviiiAnothersalebyVerralisadvertisedintheSussexAdvertiserof17thApril1815.

ThenewProvidencechapelwaserectedatCharlwood15thNovember1816.xix

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OthersurvivalsfromHorsham.

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Thethreeoctagonalcookhouseswereallrebuiltelsewhere.Twohavebeenidentifiedassurvivingtoday.OneasanentrancelodgeatLeonardslee,LowerBeeding,andanotherasacottageatOldParkFarm,Maplehurst.Thethirdwasrebuiltin1815asaCongregationalChapelatJengersMeadatBillinghurst.ItwaslocatedonlandbehindthepresentdayPostOfficeinJenger’sMeadandknownasJenger’sChapel.Itclosedin1889andhassincebeendemolished.xx

ThebuildingofthemilitarydepotontheCommonclosetotheroadnowknownasDepotRoad,wasbegunon6thAugust,1804,andwascompletedbythe25thMarch1805.Thesebuildings,unliketheHorshamBarrackswerebuiltbytheBoardofOrdnance,andwereofsubstantialconstruction,andintendedtobepermanent.Theyconsistedof:

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Onelargebuildingasarmouryfor10,000standofarms,furnishingroomandlobby.

Armourer’srooms.

Storekeeper’srooms.

Barracks.

Officer’squarters.

Storeroomsforpackingmaterials

Twoworkshopsforrepairswithforges.

Ammunitionmagazine.

Thebuildingsforquartersandbarrackshadundergroundkitchensandconveniences,andtheDepotwassurroundedbya9’6”brickwallsurmountedbyironspikes.Itwasabout3.5acresintotal.Thebuildingswereofbrickwithslateroofsandstonefoundations.xxi

ThesedepotbuildingssharedthefateoftheHorshambarracks.ThestoresandarmswereremovedinFebruary1819,andthepropertysoldbyauctioninApril1827.In1947theentrancegateandpillarsandtwolodgessurvivedonDepotRoad,buttheywerelaterdemolished.TwopicturesofthesesurvivalsareseeninAlbery.

TheArmouryhouses,onestoodeachsideofthegates.

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TheDepotentrancegates.

Detailsofconstruction.

FromhistoricEnglandListing:CHAPELROAD1.5387(north-westside)ProvidenceChapelTQ24415/6II*2.Erectedin1816as"CharlwoodUnionChapel"butwasbroughtfromHorshamandappearstodatefromcirca1800.Onestoreyweatherboardedonbrickbase.Hippedslateroofwithbrickchimney,theroofformingaverandatothesouth-eastelevationsupportedon8woodencolumns.Threeshutteredwindows.Leftside4panelleddoorandcentral6panelleddoor.CentralpathofCharlwoodstone.Theinteriorcontains2vestries.Theminister'svestryhasanearlyC19fireplacewithreededshelf.Theoctagonalpulpitatthenorth-eastwithpointedarchedbackboardandthetablepewwithsquaresplay-sidedtableandflankingboxpewsdatefromtheearlyC19.

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ThereexistsaveryfineplanofthebarrackspreservedinHorshamMuseum,anditispossibletodrawoffthescaleoftheGuardhousetoseewhetheritmatchesthatofProvidencechapel.Itistitled,‘AsurveyoftheBarracksatHorshamintheCountyofSussex,erectedSept1796ontheestateofNath.TredcroftEsq.,takendownSep1815,WJoaneSurveyor,Horsham.

Itisreproducedintheappendices,butherearetwodetailswithmeasure.

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ItappearsthattheGuardhousedoesnotmatchProvidenceChapel.Thechapelhasafloorspaceof1354squarefeet,whereasthatoftheguardhouseis1426squarefeetwithoutincludingtheveranda,and1860whenincludingit.However,ifonesubtractsthethree‘blackholes’,orcellsforsolitaryconfinement(4above)fromthetotal,thenonearrivesatafigureof1350squarefeet

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includingveranda.Anearexactmatchforthechapel.Ithereforeproposethatthecellsnolongerformpartofthebuilding,havingbeenrejectedatsomepoint.

‘Theywerebuiltentirelyoftimberexceptthefoundationswhichwereofbrick,andtheroofsofpantiles.Eachoftheeightmainbuildingscontainedeightrooms,fourupperandfourlower;theupperroomshadnoceilingsbutthepantileswerepointedwithmortartokeepouttheweather.Thebedsintheupperroomwereplacedlikehutchesintwotiers,oneabovetheother,oneachsideoftheroomfortwomenineachbed....Thewholeofthebarracksbuildingscost£60,000andcoveredabouttwelveacresofground,whichwereleasedtothegovernmentbyMrTredcroftforaperiodoftwenty-oneyears.Allthetimberarrivedinsectionsforputtingtogether;about300menwereengagedonthebuildings,andthewholeoftheworkwascompletedinaboutsixweeks.’xxii

OwingtothepaucityofinformationonHorshamspecificly,ithasbeennecessarytoapproachthedetailfromexaminationofothertemporarybarracks.ThebestresearchonconstructiondetailaspractisedtheBarracksOfficebyhasbeencompletedbyDrBreihaninhisworkonDorsetandDevonshirebarracks,andtoalesserextentbyDouetxxiii.Asalloftheseworksareveryhardtogetholdofnow,andexpensive,therelevantsectionshavebeencopiedandthesearereproducedasappendicesfortheuseofyourarchitect.Allrightsremainwiththeauthorsandthesecopiesarepurelyforresearchpurposes.ItisimportanttodistinguishbetweentheworkoftheOrdnanceOfficeonbarrackspre-1793andafterthatperiodfortheirownbuildingsandartillerybarracksasopposedtothatbytheBarracksOffice.Thetwomethodsofconstructionareusuallyconfused.

Recently,archaeologicalreportsintothetemporarybarracksatBerryHeadforthaverevealedsomeinterestingdetails.Therelevantreportshavebeenattachedinthreefurtherappendices.

Itwasalsopossibletoexaminesomeofthehandfulofothertemporarybarracksbuildingsurvivals.

Maidstone.

Intheearlypartofthewar,theBarracksDepartment’sarchitectsbuiltsixbarrackswhich,despitebeingoftimberratherthanstoneorbrick,werereferredtoasbeing‘established’,bywhichtheymeantpermanent.AsthefourthCommissionersofMilitaryEnquiry’sreportintotheBarrackmastergeneral’sofficeestablished,therewasnosignificantdistinctionbetweentemporaryandestablishedbarracks,exceptavagueundertakingtoconductimprovingworksonthelattertoupgradethemto‘permanent’atsomelaterunspecifieddate.ThefirstwereatChelmsfordandColchesterinEssex,in1794,followedbySunderland,RomfordandCroydonayearlater,andMaidstonein1797.xxivThelastthreewerecavalrystationsandquitesmall,buttheinfantrybarracksweresubstantialandcomparabletoHorsham.Sunderlandhadacapacityof1528men,probablyinnineteenlargebarracksroomshousingthirty-sixmeneachindoubleberths,andtwentyserjeants’roomseachsleepingfourmenintwo-levelbunks.ThereisevidenceoftheirconstructionatMaidstonewheretheofficers’quarterssurvive.Apartfromthebrickchimneysandslateroof,thebuildingwasentirelyofwood,withapineballoonframecladinwhiteweatherboarding.Flightsofstairsdivideditinternallyintothree,andtherewereservicewingstotherear.Theofficershadsmallplainroomswithafireplaceinonecornerandabuilt-incupboardintheother,andtheywereissuedwithbedding,atable,bellows,fireironsandachamberpot.Itisnoteworthythatthearchitectural

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distinctionsusedtodenotetheimportanceofofficers-thepedimentanddetailssuchasthefanlights-heldgoodevenforthehastilyconstructedtimberbarracks.xxv

Exeter

Exeter,higherbarracks,formerforagebarn.

Formerlyknownas:TownBarracksHOWELLROAD.Foragebarn,nowstore.1794,fortheBarrackDepartment.Brickwithweatherboardedfront,andaslatepyramidalroofSquare,single-depthplan.EXTERIOR:2storeys;1-windowfrontrange.Weatherboardedfrontandbricksides,C20centralvehicledoorsandsmallcasementwindowtorightofright-handdoor.Right-handreturnhasgroundandfirst-floorwindow,thelatterwithC19metalframe.INTERIOR:hasaheavyroofwithkingposttrussesandawideright-handsidestairwithuncutstring.HISTORY:Foragebarnswereimportantcomponentsofcavalrybarracks;theonlyotherknownexamples,morealteredthanatExeter,areatHounslowBarracks,GreaterLondon.Thisisararecomponentoftheleastalteredexampleofthecavalrybarracksbuiltaspartofthefirstarmybarrack-buildingcampaigninEngland,atthestartoftheRevolutionaryWarwithFrance.

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ABlindAlleyorDeadend.

ItwassuggestedtomethatsomepapersfoundatWO55/2317and2318describingasetofmilitarybuildingsatHorshamreferredtothebarracks.Onexaminationitwasfoundthatthesepapersformpartoftheordnanceseries,andassuchrefertothearmsdepotconstructedonHorshamCommonbytheRoyalOrdnance.TheyhavenorelevanceforHorshamBarracks,butIhavereproducedonepageheretoillustratefromwhencesomemisconceptionsofthebarrackshavearisen.

‘AGuardHousewith4singlebirths(sic),andaBlackHoleateachend,containingtogether.–Inlength25’5”,inwidth11’5”.

2ShedsinfrontforkeepingArmChestsetc.-Inlength41’,inwidth8’6”

2DittoinrearforDitto.-Inlength34’6”,inwidth8’6”

ThewholeoftheBuildingsarebuiltofBrickandMortar.

(signed)Buckell’xxvi

BarrackLife.

Lifeinbarrackscentredaroundthedailybugle,androll,callsatreveilleinthemorning,retreatinthelateafternoonandtattooatnight.Inbetweentherewerealternatingperiodsofdrill,idleness,and

20

forcavalrytroopers,thecareoftheirhorses.WehavebeenextraordinarilyluckyinfindingasurvivingsetofbarrackordersforHorshamwhicharereproducedasanappendix.Therearerepeatedprohibitionsofvariousactivities,whichindicatesthatthesoldierspersistedinthem.Drunkenness,casualurination,gambling,poaching,ball-paying,stealingvegetablesfromlocalgardens,andstayingoutaftertattoowereallsubjectsofconstantcensure.

Minorpunishmentssanctionedbyregulation.‘CommandingofficersdonotplaceasoldierintheCells,withorwithouthardlabour,solitaryorotherwise,foralongerperiodthanOneHundredandSixty-eight(168)hours,inadditiontoanyMinorPunishmenttheyareauthorisedtoaward.Solitaryconfinement,orconfinementtotheBlackHole,areasmuchaspossiblereservedforcasesofDrunkenness,Riot,Violence,orInsolencetoSuperiors.Otherpunishmentsare,ConfinementtoBarracks,extraDrills(ifwithknapsack,forfourteendaysonly)andDutiesofFatigueorDrudgery;itbeingunderstoodthatthewholeperiodofconfinementshallnotexceedonemonth.’xxvii

‘WhenamanisbroughtdrunktoaGuardroombyanon-commissionedofficer,thelatteristodirect,nottoact.HeisnottolayholdofthePrisoner,who,undertheinfluenceofliquor,mayuseabusivelanguage,orstrikehissuperior.TheEscortwill,ifnecessaryleadorcarrythePrisonertoconfinement,andifplacedinasolitarycell,heistobevisitedatleasteverytwohoursbytheNon-commissionedofficeroftheGuard.’xxviii

Regiments.

AlistoftheregimentsquarteredatHorshamisgivenabove.ItissometimesoverlookedthatthearmyinEnglandspentasmuchtimeoninternalrepressionastheydidonpreparingtofighttheFrench.Radicalpoliticswerearealthreattotheestablishedorder,andintheearly1790stherewaspopularenthusiasmfortheFrenchrevolutionaryideals.ThomasPaine,wellknowninSussexhadpublishedhisreplytoBurkein‘TheRightsofMan’andotherstirringworks.TheeffectsinHorshampersistedalongtime.AletterdatedHorsham3rdJuly1812fromayoungladytoherfather,speaksofatheatricalperformanceatwhich,‘TherewasagreatuproarwiththeOfficerspresentonaccountofthepeoplesnottakingtheirhatsoffwhenGodsavetheKingwassung:theydrewtheirswordsandagreatdisturbancetheymade.’xxixNoteveryoneinHorshamwasafan,andhiseffigywasparadedaroundHorshamonadonkeyandburnedontheCarfax.Thegovernmentwasrattled,andbetween1793and1797manyrepressivemeasuresweretaken,butthepropagationof‘liberty,fraternityandequality’andofRepublicanismwentoninEnglandandIreland.

ThespiritbecomesvisibleatHorshambarracksin1797forinJuneofthatyeartheDerbyshireMilitia,thenquarteredthere,issuedacircularofferingarewardfortheincrediblesumofseventyguineasfor,‘theapprehensionofanypersonorpersonsconcernedindistributingseditiouspublicationsorbyanyotherartfulmeanstendingtoexcitediscontentanddisaffectionintheregimenttotheprejudiceofgoodorderandmilitarydiscipline.Themoneywillbepaidonconvictionofthoseoffendingforwhichpurposethefollowingvoluntarysubscriptionisenteredinto,etc’.

21

Anecdotes.

TheHorshamMuseumcontainstheprivateanddomesticpapersofsometimeConstableJohnBrowneofHorsham,1821-1873,andincludedinthisaresometediousmoralisingsermonsthathavethistosayoftheeffectofthebarracksmoneyonthelocalsinhabitants,

‘They(thebarracks)producedastateofimmoralitybadenoughtobeincredible.Thestateofmentalitywasworsethanisconceivedof.Itproduceddishonestyineveryshapeamongmoneyedindividuals;doctorswithoutcharacter,lawyerswhowouldengageintrialswhichtheyknewwerecontrarytolawandjustice.Thisstateofthingswentdowntothelowestlabourers:hethatcouldcheatthegovernmentwasthemostlauded.C-,abutcher,made£80,000,leavinghisfourdaughters£20,000each,itnevermadeoneofthemrespectable.xxx

Theavariciousfeelingsofthelocalpublicanshadbeenexcited,butitisunlikelytheyweresharedbytheinhabitantsgenerally,fortheencampmentofsoldiersontheCommoninpre-barrackdayshadfrequentlydisturbedtheirpeace.Underdiscipline,intheirfineuniforms,ledbytheirprettybandsmen,theregimentsonarrivalaffordedspectacularsatisfaction,butwhentheysucceededthisbydisplayingthecunningskillsofthehighwaymanandburglar,usingtheirbayonetsasjemmiesandtostab,threatenandharassthelocalsinsteadoffightingtheFrench,thealluresoonworeoff.Themarchoutoftownwasevenmorepopularthanthemarchinhadbeen.

OneofthemostnotoriousregimentsthatvisitedHorshamwasthe52ndregimentoffoot,in1782.Someofitssoldiersindulgedinburglary,highwayrobberyandmuggings.Atnight-time,disguisedintheirgreatcoats,theywouldwaylayandrobthelocals,takingtheirpursesandclothes.TheirdepredationsmadeitimpossibletocrosstheCommonafterdark.TheGreenDragonInnwasbrokenintoandrobbedof£10,andfrombayonetmarksontheframes,itwasconcludedthatsoldiersweretoblame.Thecolonelcalledaparadeandoffereda£5awardtoanyinformer.Onemandulycameforwardtopeachonhiscomrades.He,andthey,weredrummedoutoftheregimentwithhaltersroundtheirneckandsenttothenavy.Theinformerreceivedhis£5rewardand150lashesintothebargain.Itisrecordedthatthedepartureofthisregimentwas‘exceedinglyagreeabletotheinhabitants.’xxxi

ThelongspellofhostilitiesthatBritainengagedinagainstrevolutionaryFranceandheralliesledtoshortagesinarmyandnavyrecruitment.Oneofthestopgapmeasuresresortedto,toraiserecruitsforthearmy,wasthesubstantialincreasein‘bounties’thepaymentstorecruits,whetherfromtheywerelabourersfromthefield,orenlistedintotheRegularsfromtheMilitia.Thisbribebecamemoresubstantialthefurtherthewarsprogressed,andsothenewrecruitfoundhimselfcashrich.Theoldsoldieralsoexperiencedfamineandfeastconditionsforhispocketbook.Whileabroadhispayhadatendencytoaccumulatetohiscreditandbepaidtohimuponhisreturn.TherewasnosavingsbankorpostofficeavailableatHorshamforthemtouse,andprivatebankswerenotmuchconcernedwithsoldiers.Therewereoccasionsthen,whenhundredsofmenwouldreceivetheirmoneyonthesamedayandthencontrivetogetridofitassoonaspossible.On21stNovember,1803,forexample,hundredsoftheLancashireMilitiavolunteeredintotheregulararmy,receivingacashbountyof£710s,andwereallowedaweekto‘enjoy’it.xxxiiAlltoooftentheseconditionsledtoanorgiasticspreeonarrivalinbarracksthathadusefulconsequencesforthelocallandlords,andlesssalubriousresultsforthelocalinhabitantswhowerenotinapositiontotakefinancialadvantageofthesoldiers.TheresultingscenesofdrunkennessandinsubordinationarebestdescribedbyWilliamAlberyinhisinfluentialhistoryofHorsham,wherehehasplunderedtheperiodnewspapers,Quarter

22

sessionaccounts,andthoseoftheassizeswithoutunfortunately,providingreferences.Thethoroughnessofhisapproachistoberecommended,andmyglancesattheQuartersessionpapersinChichesterconfirmthathehasmissedlittle,soIhavenocompunctioninleaningonhimheavilyinthissection.

‘BetweenthemBonifaceandTommyAtkinswereabletocreateandmaintainscenesofdrunkennessandinsubordinationwithwhichtheconstablesandheadboroughsofHorshamwerefrequentlyunabletodealandthemilitaryauthoritiesfoundhardtosubdue.Sometimesthetownspeoplewerecalledupontolendahand,andtheresultwasinsuchcasesageneralmeleeinsideandoutsidethepublichouse,inwhichperhapstwentyorthirtyasidewouldbebreaking,ortryingtobreakeachother’sheads.Thenatureandfrequencyoftheseaffairs,which,itissaid,usuallyendedinavictoryforthetownspeople,originatedtheelegantexpression‘HurrahforHellorHorsham’.Theseencountersandsimilaraffairsseemtohaveincreasedinseverityastimepassed,forinabriefPStoabusinessletterdated30thApril,1814,agentlemanwrites,‘Therehasbeensadworkbetweenthesoldiersandthetownspeople.About250oftheformerattackedthetownwithclubs,stones,etc.butwererepulsed.’

Someofthedrunkenfreaksandgallantriesofthesoldierswereofanentertainingifvulgarnature.Oneoftheirfavouriterefreshmentswasthatofginandbrandymixedwithgingerbreadandonepoundnotestowhich,withspoons,theyhelpedthemselvesinpublicfromadomesticvessel,moreappropriatetothebedroomthanthestreet.Othertimestheywouldenjoyanexpensivesmokebypurposelysettingfiretotheirpipeswithabanknote;atanothertimetheywouldfancyahighpricedfreaksandwich,eatingaonepoundnotebetweentwosliceofbreadandbutter.Oneofthesesoldierswasonedaytreatinghiscomradestodrinkwhenperceivingthatthenoteheprofferedthelandladyinpaymentforliquorwasdirty,hegallantlyburnedit,declaringthatitwasnotfittoofferaladyandselectedacleanoneinitsplace.

Drinking,smoking,andburningandeatingbanknoteswerenottheonlywaysknowntothesoldiersofgettingridoftheirmoney.Attheclocksmith’sshopofMichaelBromley,inWestStreet,theywouldsometimesbuyasilverwatchwithwhich,tiringquicklyofit,theymightsoonafterwardsplayinghopscotchonthebarrackground,orcookingitingreaseinafrying-panatoneofthecookhousesjustforalark.Apartyoffoursoldiers,inAugust,1799,wenttoPhillipstheprinter,inSouthStreet,andaskedwhathewouldchargetoprintsomemottoes.Hequoted6deach,buttheydemurredatthepriceandofferedhim4deach,swearingthathewastryingtoimposeuponthemknowingtheyhadplentyofmoney,andthatratherthanbesotreated,theywouldgotoLondonfortheirprinting.Accordinglytheypostedbycoach)offtoLondon,andafterapplyingatthreeorfourprintinghouseswheretheywereasked1seachforthework,theyreturnedandgavethejobtoPhillips,remarkingtohimthatthejourneyhadcostthemsixguineas,butthattheydidnotmindthatastheyhadsatisfiedthemselvesastotheallegedimposition.

InthesameyearanothersmallpartyofsoldiersoutforawalkcalledattheCrabtreeInn,LowerBeeding,andrequestedtohavesomethingnicetoeat;butthehousewasunprovidedwithasuitableluxury,orthelandladywasunwillingtoprovidesuchaccommodation.Theywereabouttogoawaywhentheirattentionwasattractedbythebeautifulsingingofafinecanarybirdinacage.Theyaskedtheladythepriceofit;sheatfirsthesitatedtosayprofessingahighregardforthelittlewarbler,butafterwardsnamedhalfaguinea.Oneofthesoldiersinstantlypaidherthemoney,snatchedthelittlecreaturefromitscage,wrungitsneckanddemandedofthelandladythatitshouldbepluckedandcookedforthem.Thiswasaccordinglydone,andthedaintymorselwasdividedbetweenthem.Suchtender-heartedgentlemencanhardlybecalledgormandizerson

23

accountofthisdelicatefeast,butgourmandizingaswellasdrunkennessfiguredintheirmanywaysofentertainingthemselves,andthepublic,whilstwaitingtomeettheFrench.

AtaboutthesametimeasanintoxicatedcorporaloftheHerefordshireRegimentfellfromtheBarrackupperwindowandbrokehisneck,aprivateintheEastKentregimentengagedforawagertoeattwenty-fourgooseberrytarts,eachweighingfiveounces-aboutequaltothreeloavesofbread-inhalfanhour:heateseventeenofthetartsintwenty-threeminuteswhenaviolentnosebleedandsicknesspreventedhiscontinuingandlosthimhisbet.

Atothertimesthereweremutiniesinthebarrackswhichtookuglyturns.On21stmay,1797,anoutbreakwasoccasionedbytheconfinementoftwoofthreemenfromtheDerbyshireregiment,whohadbeenforsomedaysateverymealcomplainingofthequalityoffoodservedtothem.SoonaftertheirconfinementthewholeofthemenoftheDerbyshireandBedfordshireregimentsclamouredforthereleaseoftheircomrades.Theirdemandnotbeingcompliedwiththeykeptthewholebarracksinanuproartil10o’clockatnightwhenanattackupontheguardhousewasplanned.Whenthemutineers,however,wenttocarryouttheirintentionofforciblyreleasingtheprisoners,theyfoundthewholepicketguardarmed;threecompaniesofinfantry,withbayonetsfixedandtwocannonloadedwithgrapeshotwithfusesburning,wereopposedtothem.Hostilitiesatthisstageweresuspended,andanordercamefromtheCommandingOfficerforthereleaseoftheprisoners.Thesoldiersthenreturnedtotheirquarters.Again,on27thJuly,1797,therewasamutinyinthebarracksupononemanbeingorderedtotheguardroom.AlargepartyoftheSurreyMilitia,wellprimedwithstrongdrink,resistedtheirsuperiorOfficers,andonthefollowingdayreneweddisturbanceshadtobequelledbyatroopofcavalry.

ShouldthereaderthinkthesehardlythekindofsoldierstohaveconqueredNapoleon’stroopshemightperhapsplacemoreconfidenceinLieutenantAikenandEnsignArmstrongoftheBedfordshireMilitiawho,afterquarrellingatthemess,foughtaterribleduelonHorshamCommon.Eachfiredapistolattheotherwithouthittinghimwhentheirseconds,Officersofthesameregiment,intervened,totheintensereliefoftheduellistsandthesatisfactionoftheiroutragedhonourwithoutthespillingofadropofblood.ThenthereisthecaseofEnsignBunnofthe64thRegimentalsostationedatHorsham.ThisgentlemansomehowgothisfamilyescutcheontarnishedbycontactwithatheatricalladyatHorshamdescribedas‘ofconsiderableattractions’.Heappearstohavethoughtthedisgracecouldbewipedoutonlybysomeone’sbloodandsodeterminedtoshoot,assoonaspossible,thelady’shusband,MrGeorgeStanton,describedas,‘acomediannowresidingatHorsham.’MeetinghiminaHorshamstreeton21stDecember1800,hepresentedaloadedpistolathimandpulledthetrigger.SomehowhemissedfireandthereresultedinsomethingofascrapforbothweresummonedtoappearattheQuartersessionsatChichesterinthefollowingJanuarytoexplaintheirproceedings.Bunn,whosworeachargeagainstStanton,‘forthathewasviolentlyassaulted,beatenandill-treatedbyhimatHorshamaforesaid,’didnotappear;hisbailof£40wasforfeitedandawarrantwasissuedforhisarrest.Atthattimehisregimentwasorderedunderforeignservice,andEnsignBunnpreferredthisordertotakinghistrialattheQuartersessions.On14thJanuary,therefore,hemarchedawayfromHorshamtoPortsmouthwithhisregimentaweekbeforethetrialwasdue.HereheevadedcaptureuntilthemiddleofFebruary,whenhewastakenbytwoconstableswhohadtracedhimaboardhisvessel.Hewasquicklyrescuedbyhiscomrades,whocompelledtheconstablestoquittheshipunderathreatofkeel-hauling.Theconstables,however,returned,bringingsufficientassistanceandauthority,andcapturedthegallantofficer,whomtheyfounddoubledupandconcealedinasmallholeinthecabin,whencehewasadmittedtothePetsworthhouseofcorrection.HewassubsequentlytriedattheQuarterSessionsandsentencedtoonemonth’simprisonment.ItisrefreshingtoreadthatonthedepartureofEnsign

24

Bunn’sregimenttogetherwiththe1stbattalionoftheRoyals‘FromHorshamtoPortsmouthtoembarkforserviceintheexpeditionnowfittingout..gooddisciplineandorderlybehaviourdistinguishedbothregiments…andtherecanbelittledoubtofbothbeinganhonourtotheircountryandaterrortotheirenemies.’

Furthervarietyisgivenintheconductoftwelvesoldiers,whoinJuly1798waylaidSadler,theHorsham-Worthingcarrier,ransackedhisvan,tookwhattheythoughttohave,andthenallowedhimtogohome.AndagaininsomefacetiousmembersofanIrishregiment,whoranaboutthebarracksquare,jabbingwiththeirbayonetssomecomradesofthe13thfoot,dancingthemroundinthemostlivelymanner,woundingseveral,andnearlykillingtwoorthree.Oragain,therewere500menwhoinAugust1807,volunteeredfromtheRoyalLancashireMilitiaintothelineregiments.Someofthese,comingfromChichester,literallyfoughttheirwayintoHorsham.HaltingatStophamBridgeonSunday23rd,theygotdrunk,abusiveandquarrelsome.Thelandlordofthepublichousetherecouldnotservethemfastenough,sotheyturnedhimoutandhelpedthemselves.Theyateanddrankofeverythingtheycouldfind,andthensackedtheplacecompletely,smashingeverything.TheconstableatPulboroughgotafewcountrymentogetherarmedwithagriculturalimplements,andaminiaturepitchedbattletookplaceinwhich,thoughnonewaskilled,severalwereinjured.These500menwerepaidtheirbountymoneyatHorsham,andthentherewasthedeviltopay.Someofthemtooktodrink,andatonepublichousealone,spent£200inthreedays.ThiswasmostprobablyattheCrownInn,whichhadnotlongsinceremovedtoitspresentpositionfromtheSouth-eastcornerofWeststreet;ortheLambinn,thencalledtheLambandShepherdess.WhichthenstoodonthesiteattheNorth-westcorneroftheCarfax-thesewerethetwofavouritepublichousesofthesoldiers.Well-primedwithtaproomcouragetheytooktosmashingupanythingthatcamehandy;someofthemattackedanddemolishedacarriageandtwocartsthatwerebeingdriventhroughthetown;theystoleandwantonlykilledgeeseandchicken;strippedorchards,smashedwindows,chairs,potsandglasses,wherevertheywent.TheOfficersofthatregimentsubscribed£10eachtowardsthedamage;halfofthetotalamountwasgiventothepoorandhalftothereplacementofthesmashedwindows,crockery-wareetc.Oneofthesoldiers,moreconscientiousthanhiscomradesafterhavinghadhisfillofthisamusement,wentuptothegaolandaskedtobehanged.WemayimaginethedeepregretwithwhichsoniceadisciplinarianandhumaneofficerasMrSmart,theGovernoroftheGaol,wasobligedtorefusesucharequest.Thissoldier’sdesirehavingreachedtheearsofhiscomrades,theyquicklyresolvedheshouldnotbedisappointed.Accordinglytheygotsomerope,andbroughthimoppositetotheLamb,andtheresurroundedbyhisappreciativecomrades,someofthemseatedontopofthesignpostabout16’high,drinkinghotbrandy,presumablyinhonouroftheevent,theystrunghimuptoatreefromwhichperilouspositionhewasrescued,blackintheface,onlyjustintimetosavehislife.

Otheraffairs,someevenworse,tookplaceatorintheneighbourhoodofthebarracks.OneinparticularisrecordedfortheirpartinwhichthreeIrishsoldiers,JohnCullen,PatrickSheaandMichaelDonellin,onAugust25th1800,aftertrialattheAssizes,werehangedtogetheronHorshamCommoninthepresenceofover1000people.Oneofthemencouragedthehangmaninhisjob,observingtohim,‘youaretremblingmorethanIam’.

Floggingsometimesveryseverefrom125to600lasheswereorderedbyCourtsmartialformilitarycrimes-forgingafurloughforleaveintheformercase,anddesertioninthelatter.Thesefloggingswereinflictedinthebarracksquareonthesoldiersinfullviewoftheircomrades.Somewouldreceivetheirpunishmentwithoutagroan,butthecriesofotherswereheardbypeoplelivingasfarawayasthecottagesonTowerhill.In1795thirteensoldiersoftheOxfordMilitiawereallcommittedtoHorshamGaolchargedwithriotousassemblyandwithstealingandcarryingaway

25

largequantitiesofwheat,flour,andothergoods.TriedataspecialAssizeatLewesonJune8th,threeweresentencedtobehangedandweredulyexecutedatHorsham,one,asemi-idiot,wasreprieved,anotherforgiven,andsixmorewereafterwardsflogged,eachwithfrom500to1,500lashes(avirtualdeathsentence),andtwowereshot.ThesemilitaryexecutionswerecarriedoutonJune12th,atGoldstoneBottom,Hove,whereahollowmilitarysquareofmenhalfamilelongwasformed.Thedoomedmenwiththeircoffinsweredriveninacarttothesquare,andaccompaniedbyaclergymanweremarchedfromoneendofthesquaretotheother,andthenbacktothecentrewhereeachkneltonhiscoffinandafterafewshortprayers,bothwereshot’.

Epidemics.

Mostsoldiersstayedintheirroomswhennotdrilling,preferringthewarmthofclosedwindowstothehealthfulventilationconstantlyorderedandurgedbytheirsuperiors.Thebarracksroomswereinfactaperfectbreedingplacefordisease.Horshamsufferedterriblyin1810and1812.Ihaveappendedareportonthe102ndRegimentofFoot,whoweredreadfullyaffectedduringtheirsojourninSussex.

RegulationstobeobservedbytroopsinBarracks.

‘HisMajesty’sWarrant,dated25thofDecember,1807,CopiesofwhichhavebeensuppliedtoeveryRegiment,containtheregulationforTroopsinBarracks,andmustinvariablyformpartoftheDocumentstobekeptforReferenceattheHeadquarters.

OftheseRegulationsthestrictestobservanceisrequired,anditispresumedthatajustConsiderationoftheLiberality,withwhichGovernmenthasprovidedfortheComfortandAccommodationoftheSoldiers,willexciteontheirpartaproperCareofthevariousArticles(thepropertyofthepublic)whicharefurnishedfortheirUseandConvenience,aswellasoftheBuildingsthemselvesandtheFixturescontainedinthem;andtotheseimportantObjectstheAttentionofOfficersinCommandismostearnestlyrequired.

TheconstantattentionofOfficersinCommandofBrigadesandRegimentsistobepaidtotheCleanlinessandStateofRepair,oftheBarracksoccupiedbytheTroopsundertheirCommand,andparticularlytotheQualityandConditionoftheBedding,acircumstanceoftheutmostimportancetotheComfortandHealthoftheSoldiers.

ItisincumbentontheseOfficersbytheirownpersonalInspection,aswellasbyreportsoftheirOrderlyofficers,tomakethemselvesperfectlyacquaintedwitheveryParticularrespectingtheArticlesofBarrackEquipment,deliveredfortheuseoftheirMen;andincaseofanydeficiency,itistheDutyoftheCommandingofficeroftheRegimenttomakeApplicationforthenecessarySupplythroughtheGeneralofficerCommanding;butthoughtaccordswiththeLiberalityofGovernment,andtheGraciousIntentionsofHisMajesty,thattheSoldiershouldbesuppliedwitheverythingthatisrequisite,itistheDutyofeveryIndividualtoguardmoststrictlyagainstunnecessaryExpenditure.Theseapplications,therefore,shouldnotbemadewithoutthemostminutepreviouspersonalinspection,and,inthecaseofaRequisitionfortheArticleofBedding,itwillbeproperthattheNecessityofit,andtheCausewhichproducesit,shouldbeespeciallyascertained,andcertifiedbytheCommandingofficeroftheregiment.

26

WheneveritmaybeConsideredexpedienttodestroyBedding,whichmayhavebeenusedbymenaffectedwithanycontagiousdisorder,theMedicalofficershallrepresenttheCircumstancetotheCommandingOfficeronthespot,whowillreporttotheGeneralOfficerCommanding,inorderthathemaycauseaBoardtoassembleforthepurposeofdeterminingtheProprietyofdestroyingtheArticles:-theBoardistoconsistofoneFieldOfficerandtwoMedicalofficers(oneofwhommustbeoftheMedicalStaff).

OntheInspectionbeingclosed,theresidentwillcausetheArticlescondemnedasunfitforfurtherusetobedestroyedinthePresenceoftheBoard;andwillannextotheproceedingsaCertificatetothateffect,settingforththeexactnumberoftheRespectiveArticles.ThePresidentwilldelivertheProceedingstotheBarrack-Masterashisvoucher,andreporttheresulttotheGeneralofficer.

ThegeneralPracticeofwashingtheFloorsofBarrack-roomshavingbeenfoundveryprejudicialtotheHealthoftheSoldiers,byexposingthemtoaDampAtmosphere,thisperniciouscustomistobediscontinued,andDryRubbingistobesubstitutedinitsplace.

Nowine,beer,orspirituousliquor,istobesoldwithintheBarrackstothenon-CommissionedOfficersorPrivatemenofanyregimentstationedtherein,exceptattheestablishedCanteen,wherearegularlylicencedSutlerisappointedbytheCommissionersfortheAffairsofBarracks,forthePurposeofsupplyingtheSoldiers,atfairandreasonableMarketPrices,withProvisions,Liquorsetc,whicharerequiredtobeofthebestquality.NoTipplingistobeallowedinanyoftheBarrack-roomsallottedfortheuseofNon-commissionedofficersandSoldiers.’xxxiii

Interior.

Againstexpectationithasbeenpossibletogleanmuchinformationontheinteriorofbarrackroomsandtheircontents.Someofthisinformationhasbeenattachedasappendices,includingsomereconstructivedrawings,andsomeWOpapersdealingwithsuppliesintendedforbarrackrooms.

Theguardhousewouldtypicallyhavebeenequippedpartiallyasabarrackroom,theexpectationbeingthatmostoftheguardwouldsleepatnight.Theguardbeingturnedoutwhennecessary.Separateroomswereavailablefortheofficer,andforarmsracks.TheHorshamguardroomhadthreeexteriorcellsaccessedfromtheoutside.MuchfurtherinformationcanbefoundinalivelyseriesofarticlesbyRobertHendersonwhich,whiledealingmainlywithCanadianbarracksofthesameperiod,containagreatdealonbarrackslifeandequipment.

HydeParkbarracksaskedthearchaeologistRobertVarmantopaintusapictureofhowtheguardhouseswerefurnishedandfittedout,basedonmarks,holesandgougesinthebrickwork.Robert’sdrawings,shownbelow,aresketchybutaccurateandgiveussomeideaofhowconvictguardsandlatercaretakersmadeuseofthiscrampedroom,byattachingshelves,cupboardsandfireplacefurnituretothebrickworkandleavingtell-taletraces.

27

Northguardhouseinteriorbefore1819

28

Northguardhouseinteriorafter1819

29

Northguardhouseinteriorafter1848

ThesedrawingsarereproducedfromRobertVarman’sBackgroundreporttowardaplanofmanagementwestcompoundwallandstructuresHydeParkBarracks/DrRobertVJVarmanfortheHydeParkBarracks1994(withlaterillustrations).ReportheldinHHT’sCarolineSimpsonReferenceLibrary.

NotesonSources:

WOPapers.

RecordsoftheBarrackOffice-nooriginalcorrespondencehassurvived,butthereisageneralseriesofout-letterbooks,1804-25inOrdnanceOffice,Outletters(WO46/111-134).ThesameclassincludesalsoentrybooksoflettersfromtheBarrackOfficetotheCommissionersofMilitaryEnquiry1807-10(WO46/154-55).LedgersoftheBarracksOffice1804-29,areintheclassOrdnanceOffice:Ledgers(WO48-325-338)andaccountsoftheBarrackmasterGeneral1794-1808,inOrdnanceOffice:Variousaccounts(WO49/245).Acollectionofstatisticsonthecostsofbarracks,1809,isinthesameclass(WO49/247).DailyorderbooksofColchesterbarracks1796-1809andthecashbookofthe

30

barrackmaster1788-1823,areintheclassVariousPrivateCollections(WO79/51-60).PapersrelatingtotheBarrackOfficewillbefoundintheclassesSelectedUnnumberedPapers(WO40)andSelectedVOSandOSpapers(WO43).PlansofbarracksaretobefoundintheclassesMapsandPlan:Misc(WORK38/1-6)andMapsandPlans:Armyestablishments(WORK43).

iP.164,REScouller,TheArmiesofQueenAnne,Oxford1966iiiiIbid.p.165iiiP.237Clode,voliivP.223Clode,voliivP.540AMilleniumofFactsintheHistoryofHorsham,Albery,1947viSussexWeeklyAdvertiser9thMarch1801.viiQuartersessionpapers,WestSussexArchives,Chichester.viiiP.516AMilleniumofFactsintheHistoryofHorsham,Albery,1947ixP.423CommissionersforMilitaryEnquiry,Fourthreport1806xP.417CommissionersforMilitaryEnquiry,Fourthreport1806xiP.421ibid.xiiP.431ibid.xiiiWO30/64xivWO30/58xvWO40/13xviWO30/57p145xviiP.528AMilleniumofFactsintheHistoryofHorsham,Albery,1947xviiiP.528AMilleniumofFactsintheHistoryofHorsham,Albery,1947xixHorshamMuseuminfographic.xxHorshamMuseum,infographic.xxiP.538AMilleniumofFactsintheHistoryofHorsham,Albery,1947xxiiP.516AMilleniumofFactsintheHistoryofHorsham,Albery,1947xxiiiBritishBarracks1600-1914,JamesDouet,EnglishHeritage,1998xxivP.283CommisssionofMilitaryEnquiry2ndreport.Appendix41A,xxvP.53QueensownGazette,March1933,PlanofMaidstoneBarracks.xxviWO55/2317-8xxviiPp.54-55ibid.xxviiiP.53ACatechismandHandBookonRegimentalStandingOrders,Walshe,1855xxixP519AMilleniumofFactsintheHistoryofHorsham,Albery,1947xxxManuscript808,HorshamMuseum,PrivateanddomesticpapersofJohnBrowne,1821-1873xxxiP.517AMilleniumofFactsintheHistoryofHorsham,Albery,1947xxxiiP.521AMilleniumofFactsintheHistoryofHorsham,Albery,1947xxxiiiPp.131-132RegulationsandordersfortheArmy,1811.

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