News extracts: Dec. 23, 1823: The Army - Raising recruits
Alison Kilpatrick
Post newspaper, by permission of The British Library:
The Army.
(From the Courier.)
Our military force is to receive a further increase. Four, if not
five, additional regiments are to be raised. It is said, however, they
cannot be immediately embodies, because by so doing the army would
exceed the number voted by Parliament; but we understand the enlisting
will proceed forthwith, and the men will be kept at the different depots.
The new levies for the army will be carried into effect upon the
most economical plan. Independently of appointing the whole of the
officers from the half-pay list, the men will be raised without any
increase whatever of the usual levy money.
Men recruits, not under five feet six inches, will be taken to the
age of 30; and growing lads, not exceeding 18 years of age, will be
received at the standard of five feet five inches.
The Bounty to a Recruit, for Unlimited Service, will be �3 4s.; and,
for limited service, �2 12s. 6d. Four shillings has, by the new
regulation, been added to the bounty of the recruit, as an inducement to
enlist; which sum has been deducted from the allowances hitherto granted
to the recruiting officer and conducting serjeant--so as to keep the
total charge of levy money at the same amount as formerly.
Recruiting.--Nothing can speak more forcibly the want of employment
so much complained by the poorer classes, than the fact witnessed in
this town since last Thursday. On the morning of that day a recruiting
party commenced its operations, and before the close of Friday it had
obtained forty fine able bodies young men.--Carlow Morning Post.
Upwards of 200 young fellows have entered in Limerick, for the
intended Regiments, the 94th and 95th, since the orders was [sic]
received in that garrison on Saturday.
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