The officers and men of the 34th Battalion Ontario Volunteers took up their quarters in Whitby on Monday morning last, (June 29) perform an eight-day drill prescribed by the Militia Act. Since then Whitby has had all the appearance of a garrison town in a state of preparation for hostilities. Everything, however is most orderly, and if orderly criterion be the criterion of good discipline, the Volunteers of the 34th can lay claim to their laurels, in this as well as in other respects. The Battalion as a whole presents a fine appearance, and “sobering” would almost appear to come natural to officers and men. Not the least observable feature of their appearance in Whitby is the increase to the female-no, we should say the lady –population of the town. And a good, pleasing and comfortable appearance they make-the wives, mothers, daughters and sweethearts of the 34th Battalion. Whitby was never so thronged. In fact, to use the words of our respected friend, Mr. Joseph Pierson, there appears to be a sort of “general jubilee.” And when the time of departure of the volunteers arrives we shall surely miss them, and the hustle and stir they have created. The strength of the Battalion, as accurately as we could ascertain it, is as follows:
No. 1. Whitby Rifles, Capt. Donovan, 3 officers and 37 men.
The 34th Battalion
No. 2. Oshawa Infantry, Capt. Burke, 3 officers and 55 men.
No. 3. Oshawa Rifles, Capt. Michael, 3 officers and 53 men.
No. 4. Whitby Infantry, Capt. Dartnell, 3 officers and 51 men.
No. 5. Prince Albert, Capt. Billings, 2 officers and 54 men.
No. 6. Greenwood, Capt. F. Gibbs, 3 officers and 42 men.
No. 7. Uxbridge, Capt. Spears, 3 officers and 39 men.
No. 8. Columbus, Capt. Farewell, 3 officers and 40 men.
No. 9. Brooklin, Capt. Hodgson, 2 officers and 36 men.
No. 10. Cannington, Capt. Cowan, 3 officers and 45 men.
There are also 24 members belonging to the Band, the whole force of the Battalion mustering – officers and men – 511.
