Note 217 — Chapter XII · INTERNAL ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT: THE RANK AND FILE

To quote an interesting explanatory note from the autobiography of Morris of the 73rd. “The militia would be drawn up in line, and the officers for the regiments requiring volunteers would give a glowing description of their several corps, describing the victories they had gained, and the honours they had acquired, and conclude by offering the bounty. If these inducements were not effectual in getting men, coercive measures were adopted: the militia colonel would put on heavy and long drills and field exercises, which were so tedious and oppressive that many men would embrace the alternative, and volunteer for the regulars” (p. 13).