3-065-925 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Banquet to Sir Garnet Wolseley at Portsmouth, 1874. 'The festivities at Portsmouth upon the return of the troops from the Ashantee war ended with a banquet to Sir Garnet Wolseley and a hundred officers of all branches of the service engaged in the expedition. On arriving in the town, Sir Garnet was received at the railway station by General Sir Hastings Doyle, the Mayor of Portsmouth, and others. A crowd had assembled, and the General was loudly cheered. Outside the Assembly Rooms, in the evening, there was a crowd again to see the arrival of the guests. The large room was decorated with flowers, mirrors, and plate; the names of the battles of the campaign were inscribed on the walls. The gallery was filled with ladies. The guests were conducted to the dining-room, the Mayoress taking the arm of Sir Garnet Wolseley. Amongst the guests on the right and left of the Mayor were Captain Sir John Commerell, Captain Sir John Glover, Colonel Sir F. W. Festing, Colonel Sir John M'Leod, Admiral Sir Rodney Mundy, General Lord Templetown, General Sir Hastings Doyle, and Captain Fremantle. After dinner, the proper toasts for such an occasion were duly honoured. Sir Garnet Wolseley, Sir John Glover, and Sir Francis Festing made suitable speeches'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.