The History of Wandsworth Common
WANDSWORTH COMMON
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1806 | 1808
Wandsworth Common
IN THE NEWS
1807
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Morning Post - Thursday 7 May 1807
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BUILDING LEASES - TO be LETT on Building Leases, on the corner of Wandsworth Common and Nightingale Lane, several PLOTS of RISING GROUND, commanding delightful and extensive views over the surrounding country. For particulars apply to Mr. C.A. Busby, Architect and Surveyor, 36 Queen Anne street, West, Cavendish-square; or at the Chapel Cottage, Balham.
[BNA: Link.]
[Chapel Cottage Balham -presumably the chapel marked on maps on the east of the Common, not ar from Wandsworth Lodge?]
Morning Advertiser - Friday 26 June 1807
Neat Furniture and Fffects, Kast Hill, Wandsworth Common. — By Mr. MUNN, on the Premises, on TUESDAY, the 50th iust. at E even, : remaining Part of the neat HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE aud Filects, consisting of bedsteads and cotton beds and bedding, a variety of cabinet articles, in double and single chests of drawers, dining, eard, and Pembroke tables, chairs, &e. and a good assortment of kitchen requisites. May be viewed the day precedmg the sale, and Catalogues had on the Premises; at the Spread Ragle, Wandsworth ; Plough, Clapham ; and of Mr. Munn, Walbrook.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001427/18070626/012/0004
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[NEEDS EDIT]
Morning Post, Sham Fight Wandsworth Common, 1 October 1807,
Volunteer sham fight
In recording the field operations of the different regiments engaged yesterday, in the manoeuvres of a sham fight, we feel no small degree of exaltation at being able to congratulate them and the country upon the higher state of discipline to which they have, by there and ceasing perseverance, at length arrived. Of course of a force, consisting of upwards of 3000 men, they were but you two had not subjective themselves to military exercise, for an uninterrupted period of nearly 30 days; it is, therefore, not a subject of surprise that they should have exhibited, as they unquestionably did, the appearance of a regular militia.
The Second Brigade, constituting the army to be attacked, mustered at an early hour; it was composed of the Camberwell, Clapham, Wandsworth, Battersea, a core of cavalry, and several other core in the vicinity. The whole marched and occupied a strong position on the top of East Hill, Wandsworth. The First Brigade, or attacking party, consisted of the Hon. Artillery company, with field pieces and sharpshooters, the first Surrey regiment and sharpshooters, and the Lambeth Regiment.
The Brigade assembled at Vauxhall Gardens about nine in the morning and the troops, after having been inspected by Colonel Addenbrooke, proceeded with colours flying, and the band is playing, towards the town, Where are the enemy were posted. They found the Second Brigade most advantageously situated on the top of East Hill, fronting Colonel Fleming's house. The sharpshooters were admitted into the gardens of the neighbouring farmers, and by that means we are enabled to conceal themselves and perceived, under hedges, and gull the enemy by a fire which could not will be returned upon them. The light infantry of the First Brigade advanced, and kept up a continued fire upon the light infantry of the Second Brigade. This skirmishing enabled the First Brigade to deploy into line, and present their entire front. The artillery then opened a tremendous fire with the far field pieces, and cannonaded the line of the Second Brigade for some time. The latter, after receiving and returning the attack was great spirit, retreated. The cannonading ceased, and attachments proceeded cautiously to the place which the Second Brigade had before occupied, and afterwards fell into the rear of the main body, which followed the Second Brigade in column of companies left in front out of the field.
The Second Brigade, thus harassed, retired behind the churchyard, and took a fresh position on Wandsworth Common, with the sand pits and ponds in front. The First Brigade detached the left wing of the first sorry, with one fieldpiece, round by an avenue leading to the plough. This wing advanced to the common, threatening the right flank of the Second Brigade in their new position. The light company and sharpshooters we are now very active in firing upon and harassing the enemy from various points, where they ambush him Ambushed themselves. This part of the attack, the most useful in modern tactics, was extremely well-managed. The rifleman particularly, by the direction of Colonel Addenbrooke, divested themselves of the caps and feathers, and crept along to the spot from which they were to fire. The main body of the First Brigade advanced to the attack in column of battalions, formed line, and fired by companies, half battalions, and battalions, to dislodge the Second Brigade.
The Second Brigade retired at Nightingale Lane took up a position in front of the bridge, and opposed the march of the First Brigade, which formed a line parallel to the Second Brigade. Here the cannonade on the cover he was so impetuous that they were entirely driven away, and forced to retreat full speed towards Clapham. The Second Brigade being overpowered by the fire of the guns, from the right of the line of the First Brigade, again retired through the lane towards Clapham Common, on which it took up a position in rear of the Mount. The First Brigade advanced in line, and both brigades commenced independent firing. Their fire, for about 10 minutes, was insistent, and was at length terminated by the Second Brigade beating are parley. The Second Brigade then advanced in line to within 20 paces, halted, and saluted; and the salute was immediately returned by the First Brigade.
The manoeuvres closed, and the different regiments after partaking of a military road past, returned to their respective places of parade, about 8 o'clock in the evening.
Every part of this sham fight was well ordered, and accurately executed. The unexpected favourable state of the weather add much to the splendour of the scene. The spectators were numerous and the troops, though they experienced a considerable degree of fatigue, if install that order and spirit which the country may expect from them, should the day of serious combat ever arriveEver arrive.
Oracle and the Daily Advertiser - Friday 02 October 1807
GRAND REVIEW AND SHAM FIGHT
Wednesday was a7pointed for a grand exercise and display of the abilities of the following Corps o' Volunteers:—. , The•Tlon: Artillery Corps, Clonel- Curtis. The Christ Church and Lambeth Loyal Volunteers, Colonel Slade. The St. John's Loyal Volunteers, Major King; and The Ist Surrey, Colonel Gaitskill. This Brigade supposed to be the English party; It was commanded by Colonel Cum-Ts,. under the direction of a•Colonel from Ills Majesty's Regular Forces. It was at first intended that they should go up by water in the :hoots of the River Fencibles, under the command Commodore LUCAS, in order to dislodge a party, which was, for .the day, denominatee French, who -had posted themselves on the banks of the Thames, near 'Wandsworth. The supposed French were commanded in chief by Colonel ;Mani, they consisted of the following corps : The Wandsworth L;ght Captain Tritton. The Clapham VOlunteers. Colonel Prescoa. The Camberwell, ditto. Colonel South. The Wandsworth,. Major Edwards. The Tooting, Ca pi aio - Lord. The Benwell and Weymouth, Captain Weymouth. The Battersea, CaFitam Horncastle: At a very early hour the last-mentioned Brigade.posted themselves in a . very strong position, near the spot which had been at' first determineclon, Odom l Cu aTts and the attacking army mustered at Cumberland Gardens. at ten o'clock,. from whence they proceeded to Wandsworth. At twelve, they fell in with the out-posts of the army, denominated French. They were soon dislodged from that position, as the other had not the difficulty of disembarking, as was at first proposed. In French Horn Fields, the victory appeared to be severely contested ; the riflemen of the Ist Surrey, and the sh_•rp-sho ,, ters attached to the Hon. Artillery, skir, mi,hed in must active and fatigtin st uggles 'vith the Clapham and Cambcrw,ll Light Infantry. The latter. h o wever, were rep ea t e dl y b eat b ack ; and the Main body, after varlous skirtings position by the echelon movemen t, retreated up bill, th r o ug h t h e church-yard and town of Wandsworth, the out-posts being closely engaged all the way. On Wandsworth Common Colonel Ilitittir' rallied his foie,'cind drew up in order Of battle'toL.meet his pursuers. advanced in three colutrine, and then 'formed them. selves ditierent lines, with the artillery field-pieces on their right. Colonel CniaTts sent forward the.cavalty, .which made an .exCellent . charge, with a view to turn the right wing of the advancing army, but was twice repulsed. There was something here that could not be said •very closely to resemble real action. The cavalry retreated in a moderate pace in front of the enemy, passing one end of the line to the ether,. so that if it bad been a real hostile force, the whole intirst have been cut pieces.— However, there was some excellent • manoeuvring between the main bodies; and the light troops on both sides displayed tide utmost promptitude in all their motions'. The retreating army, after some heavy firing, moved round into Nightingale-lane, and several inclosures round it. They made an excellent retreat under toyer of their light companies, who kept the nu .-posts of the advancing army constantly on the alert. hedges, ditches, and garden-fences of all descriptions, were made use of as the means of retreat amid cover. The Ist Surrey Rifle Corps was extremely active in the pursuit. A bridge in Nightingale-lane was warmly contested for by streetfiring from the two main bodies, and by the unceasing activity of the light troops, near the handsome cottage of Surgeon LYNN, and round several neighbouring gardens and demesnes. APer the supposed French were completely beaten out of the lane, they drew up on Clapham Common, where they sustained a most incredible continuance of round firing, in the manner of hedge-firing. At length their ammunition was suppoSed to be . expended, and they eras-, ed firing. The Brit sh force then beat a parley ; this was not answered from the other side. The Staff Officers then advanced, in order to have a conference with those of the other army, but the, whole line advanced, and the Officers were under the necessity of falling back on their own army. Aft , r some conference .netween the Generals on both sides, the conquered marched foiward with drums heating, colours flying, &c. The opposite force in retip'n Presented arms;' they both played national t& s, and then the paps that belonged to the neighbourhood marched to-a:heir quarters, whilst the Hon. Artillery and other corps that ; went from tow-a pirtook of a soldierly repast upon the tot f. The day was extremely fine, there was a grent number of people on the grouai but we did, not hear that any material accident occurred.
[BNA: Link.]
Hampshire Chronicle - Monday 21 December 1807Yesterday morning duel took place on Wandsworth Common, between a Gentleman in the neighbourhood of High-street, Lambeth, and his confidential Clerk. After an exchange of three shots, the latter unfortunately fell, and expired almost immediately.[BNA: Link.]
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