YEAR BOOK :5

MILITARY MOVEMENTS IN P. E. ISLAND

As early as 1777 a company of soldiers was raised for the de- fence of Prince Edward Island. A militia law passed in 1780 re— quired every man in the Island between the ages of sixteen and sixty years to be mustered and subjected to military authority. In 1794 two companies of infantry, known as the Prince Edward Island Fencibles, were organized. The Island was then believed to be safe from attack. Charlottetown was at that time protected by two batteries. That on the west side was mounted with eleven heavy guns so disposed as to command every part of the harbor. That on the south was mounted with four guns. The entrance of the harbor was defended by a blockhouse mounting four guns, in front of which was a battery mounting five guns. A detachment of regular soldiers, relieved from time to time, occupied barracks on the point now known as The Esplanade.

The Militia Act was amended in the year [833, and the militia formed into battalions, regiments and companies. Clerks were appointed for each company, and once in each year a list of all persons liable to be enrolled in the militia, living within the com- panys’ bounds, was made out and furnished the captain. The time and place appointed for the marching of the militia was advertised by the clerk in three of the most public places. If a commanding officer neglected to muster his men he was liable to a fine of fifty shillings and to dismissal ; and every non-commissioned ofiicer and man in the list who neglected to attend the muster was liable to a fine of five shillings.

In 1859 the infantry corps of volunteers, under Captain Neil Rankin, known as the City Guards, was disbanded, an Act of the Legislature having been passed in 1852 providing that the militia should no longer be liable to be called out for muster or training, ex- cept in times of war or civil commotion. But afterwards, in the same )ear, volunteer corps were hastily raised, armed and drilled to meet a threatened invasion. The martial spirit was again kin- dled throughout the Island. Before the end of the year [860, no less than twenty companies were enrolled and officered, each com- pany being furnished with arms and subjected to regular training by competent drill sergeants. Encouragement was also given to- wards efiiciency in the use of the rifle by the donation of generous prizes to the best marksmen. A thousand stand of arms with