ENGINEERS, TDB ROYAL CORPS OF, forms one component portion of the army of the British empire. A similar corps exists in all regular armies. It is the scientific and constructive branch, intrusted with the making and defending of all military Icor/es, and the attack and conquest of similar works belonging to an enemy. It is true that civilians are often employed to construct the buildings themselves, at a stated price; but the military engineers make the plans, and are responsible to the country for their effi ciency. At the present time, for instance, and for a number of years past, contractors are at work on fortifications at Portsmouth and in other parts of the kingdom, hut on plans and under orders for which the engineer department of the government is responsible.
The royal engineers of the United Kingdom form one regiment or corps. The offi cers, in time of peace, are scattered all over the world. There is no half-pay, except on permanent retirement; and no unemployed list. They have much wear and tear of body and mind, and are considered entitled to a competent retiring allowance at an earlier age than other officers. Their regular pay corresponds to the active pay of other officers of the same rank; but they exclusively receive in addition extra pay, amounting to one-half their ordinary pay when on duty at home, and equaling their ordinary pay when employed abroad or in the London district. There is an establishment of engi neers in each military command, to conduct and superintend all the military buildings and works. The entire force is under a particular department of the war-office, that of the inspector-gen. of fortifications. Until the year 1763, the duties of military engineers were discharged by officers taken from the regular army. In that year, however, the corps of engineers was formed, greatly to the advantage of the military service.
In 1783, it was made a royal corps, and a distinctive uniform adopted. Several com panies of artificers were, in 1812, converted into sappers and miners, and placed under the engineers.
The non-commissioned officers and privates of this valuable corps are all workmen who have learned some mechanical trade; hence their skill in all constructive opera tions. The ordnance survey has been intrusted to the corps. For many purposes, the men are lent, to attend to special and peculiar work; and at such times their emolument is al ways increased. They often buy their discharge, in order to go into civil employ ments, when the prospects are good. The men enlist for 12 years, with power to re-engage (if wanted) for nine more; but they can purchase their discharge at any time. They have to pay more for their discharge than other corps in the army, having received more instruction at the national expense. Officers intended for the engineers enter the royal military academy as cadets by open competition, and pass out from time to time for commissions. When in the corps, promotion is by seniority, the purchase system having never been introduced. The army estimates for 1878-79 provided for the following number of officers and men in the corps of royal engineers: Officers 393 Non-commissioned officers 662 • Rank and file.... ... 4,158 5,212 Horses 422 The sum set down for their pay for the year was £232,319, which, however, does not include any commissariat charges. The head-quarters are at Chatham, where there are engineer barracks. The corps is grouped into battalions and companies. In addition to the numbers shown above, there are 432 officers of royal engineers serving in India, their subordinates being natives.