106 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Colonial Building, where a numerous and brilliant party had assembled. Toasts were drank and responded to in heart- stirring speeches, but the toast of the evening was that of “ the Hero of Kars;” to this the veteran oflicer replied in a graceful manner. After a few pleasant hours, this distinguished guest, His Excellency the Governor and lady retired. After their departure quite a number remained, being mindful that the heathen gods should not descend and swallow in copious draughts of the sweet nectar, with which the tables were laden, enjoying themselves for a while longer, when all departed from the joyous scene.

During the summer the Artillery became considerably aug- merited; two additional oflicers being gazetted, namely, E. B. Love, gent, and Simon Davies, gent. The corps establishment now numbered one Captain, three Lieutenants and sixty rank and file. The first target practice with guns, which of late years has compared so favourably with the artillery of the Dominion, took place in September, and was honored with the presence of the Commander-in-chief, who eulogised the corps on the good shooting they had made, the guns being loaded and laid with precision.

Having sketched the first enrollment and early progress, we arrive at an epoch when the response to the call for a greater defensive force became general throughout the land. A thou- sand stand of Enfield rifles, equipments, and an immense supply of ammunition having arrived from England during October, steps were taken to organize a corps of riflemen in various sections of the country. Here, in the city, under the leadership of Captain Neil Rankin, Lieutenants John Lea and W. E. Dawson, some sixty young men were enrolled, which corps was subsequently known as the “ Prince of Wales Rifles.” A company of Rifles was next organized at South- port by Henry Beer, Esq., Captain, Frances Stanley and George Stanley, Lieutenants, known as “Dundas Volunteers,” and was speedily followed by other enrollments. In Summer- side Captain J. C. Pope organized an Artillery and Rifle Corps, and in Charlottetown a second Rifle Company was added to its former enrollment under the command of Captain John Murphy, Lieutenants Richard Reddin and Owen Winters, unfurling its banner under the proud appellation of “The Irish Volunteers.”