On the 21st of April, 1758, the SECOND BATTALION of the King's Own was constituted the Sixty-second Regiment, under the command of Colonel William Strode.

The war with France being continued, an armament was fitted out in the autumn of 1758 for the attack of the French settlements in the West Indies; the King's Own were selected to take part in this service, and embarked nine hundred strong under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Crump, an officer of distinguished merit, whose services proved of great value to his king and country: the land forces were under the orders of Major-General Hopson, and the navy under Captain Hughes.

This expedition sailed from England in November, and arrived at Carlisle bay in the island of Barbadoes in the beginning of the following year.

In the middle of January, 1759, the fleet arrived off the French island of Martinico, and a landing was effected between the bay of Cas des Navieres and Point Negro; but numerous difficulties were experienced; the enemy had ten thousand men, including the militia, to oppose an invading army of about four thousand five hundred men, and the nature of the ground facilitated the defence.

On the 17th of January, the grenadiers, under the command of Colonel Crump of the King's Own, attacked a large body of the enemy, who retired into a thick wood, from whence the colonel could not force them. The sixty-first regiment (late second battalion of the third foot) advanced to support the grenadiers; but the trees and bushes afforded such excellent cover, that after repeated attempts, it was found impracticable to dislodge the enemy.

The numerous obstructions occasioned the King's Own and other corps to be re-embarked; and the fleet subsequently bent its course to Guadaloupe, one of the Caribbee or Leeward islands, settled by the French in 1635. Basse Terre, the capital of the island, with the batteries near the shore, having been destroyed by the fleet, the King's Own and other troops landed on the 24th of January: the French governor, M. Nadan D'Etreil, abandoned the citadel, and trusting to the natural strength of the country and the unwholesomeness of the climate, retired to the mountains, and summoned the militia of the island, with all the settlers and their armed negroes, to join him. An irregular warfare of detachments followed, in which the British troops were usually victorious; but they purchased every advantage at an immense sacrifice of life. At length Major-General Hopson died, and the command devolved on Major-General Barrington, who embarked the troops on board of transports, (excepting the sixty-third regiment, late second battalion of the eighth foot, and a detachment of artillery left in garrison,) to attack other parts of the island.

Colonel Crump of the King's Own landed, and took St. Anne and St. François, and reduced both towns to ashes; and the strong post of Gosier was carried by another part of the army.

The King's Own having afterwards re-embarked, were detached, with other forces, under the command of Brigadier-Generals Clavering and Crump, to a bay near Arnonville, where they landed without opposition; the enemy retiring to a very strong position behind the river Le Corn. This post covered the whole country to Bay Mahaut, where provisions were landed for the inhabitants from St. Eustatia, and it was strengthened by every means the enemy could devise, though its situation was such as to require little assistance from art. The river, on account of a morass covered with mangroves, was only accessible at two narrow passes, and those places were occupied with a redoubt, and well-pallisaded entrenchments, defended with cannon, and all the militia of that part of the island.

The King's Own, and a battalion of Highlanders, advanced to attack this difficult post with coolness and resolution, and the intrepid bearing of the two corps intimidated the enemy, who abandoned the first entrenchment after a few vollies; the Highlanders and part of the King's Own rushed forward and chased their adversaries into the redoubt, and the post was eventually carried.

The King's Own, and Highlanders, afterwards advanced against another fortified post at Petit Bourg; the enemy kept about two hundred yards in front, and setting fire to the sugar canes, obliged the troops occasionally to leave the road to avoid accidents to their ammunition. Arriving at the river Lezard, the enemy was found strongly entrenched behind the ford; but the troops having procured two canoes, a body of men passed the river in the night, and advanced at daybreak to attack the enemy in flank, while the remainder prepared to attack the front, and the enemy instantly fled in dismay.

Pursuing their adversaries to Petit Bourg, the King's Own there encountered fortified lines, and a redoubt filled with cannon; but the regiment diverging to the right and left to gain the heights round the lines, the enemy fled from the post.

Two days afterwards the lieut.-colonel of the King's Own was detached with seven hundred men against Bay Mahaut, and he took the batteries and town, which he reduced to ashes, and rejoined the division on the following day.

From Petit Bourg the King's Own advanced with their division against St. Maries, where the enemy had collected their whole force, and had thrown up entrenchments and constructed barricades on the road; but from these works the British troops forced their opponents to retire, and also from the town; and the army entered a part of the island said to be the most rich and beautiful of any part of the West Indies.

The inhabitants, being convinced of the superior bravery and discipline of the British troops, and seeing the best part of their country on the point of being given up to fire and sword, capitulated, and their possessions, with their civil and religious privileges, were granted them.

Thus this valuable island came into the possession of the British crown in May, 1759; and throughout these arduous and trying services the King's Own and other corps forming the expedition, evinced all the qualities of good soldiers. The commanding officer of the King's Own signalized himself on various occasions, and was appointed governor of the island; his conduct, which reflected honour on his corps, is thus spoken of by Major-General Barrymore in his public despatch.

"I have appointed Colonel Crump to the government, who, since governor Haldane left us, I have made act as a brigadier; his merit is very great, both as a soldier and a man of judgment; he is of this part of the world; understands the trade, customs, and genius of the people; and as he thinks nobly and disinterestedly, he would not have accepted of the government, but in hopes of advancing himself in the army by that means. I cannot express how very useful he has proved, and how much our successes are owing to his good conduct and great zeal."

After the reduction of Guadaloupe the regiment was stationed at that island; and in 1761 a detachment was employed under Colonel Lord Rollo in the capture of Dominico. The troops landed on the 6th of June on the beach near Roseau, under cover of the guns of the fleet, and while part of the army took possession of the town, the grenadier companies of the King's Own and twenty-second regiments seized a flanking battery and part of an adjoining entrenchment. During the night the grenadiers, supported by the battalion companies, stormed and carried with the bayonet the entrenchments on the heights above the town, and took the governor and several of the principal inhabitants prisoners. The whole island immediately submitted; and Captain Robert Douglas of the King's Own was the bearer of the news of this conquest to England. The detachment of this regiment afterwards returned to Guadaloupe.

The British government having resolved to make a powerful attack upon such of the West India islands as still remained subject to the French monarch, four companies of the King's Own were selected to take part in the enterprise, and proceeded for this purpose from Guadaloupe to the general rendezvous of the expedition at Barbadoes; where the several corps were assembled under the orders of Major-General Monckton. The armament sailed from Carlisle bay on the 5th of January, 1762, and another attack was made on Martinico, which place was settled by the French about the year 1635. This island is extremely mountainous in the centre, from whence issue numerous streams of water, which, in the hurricane months, are swelled to violent torrents; these have, in their way to the sea, worn deep channels, so that the country is intersected with a great number of deep ravines, with steep rocky sides, having water running at the bottom; and these ravines are rendered difficult to pass from the number of stones which the torrents have rolled from the sides of the mountains. Thus, in attacking the island, difficulties almost insurmountable are met with in transporting cannon, ammunition, and stores across the country. With these obstructions the army had to contend; but they were overcome by British skill, discipline and valour.

After several attempts on other parts of the island, a landing was effected on the 16th of January in Cas des Navieres bay, and the troops pitched their tents on the heights above the landing place. Advancing from thence through a country fortified by nature, an attack was made on the heights of Morne Tortenson on the 24th of January, and the four companies of the King's Own had the glory of taking part in the capture of these formidable works; also in the capture of Morne Garnier on the 27th of that month; and in the reduction of the citadel of Fort Royal, which surrendered on the 4th of February: these captures were followed by the surrender of the opulent city of St. Pierre, and the submission of the whole island to the British crown.

The capture of Martinico was succeeded by that of Grenada, St. Lucie, and St. Vincent; and the acquisition of these islands gave additional honour to the expedition of which the four companies of the King's Own formed part.

These achievements were followed by another enterprize of a most important character, in which a detachment of the King's Own had the honour to share; namely, the reduction of the Havannah, a wealthy and important city in the island of Cuba.

The island of Cuba was first discovered by the celebrated Columbus, but was not conquered by the Spaniards until the early part of the sixteenth century, from which period it had continued rising in wealth and importance. St. Jago was the capital; but the city of Havannah held the first place in point of wealth and commerce. During the early part of this war, Spain had continued neutral; but in 1762 His Catholic Majesty united his interests with France, and war was declared between Great Britain and Spain. This was immediately followed by a resolution of the British government to attack the important city of Havannah, and an expedition was prepared for this purpose under the orders of General the Earl of Albemarle.

On this occasion the King's Own were left in garrison at Guadaloupe, excepting a detachment of two hundred and twenty-five men under the command of Captain Kennedy, which joined the expedition at Martinico, and formed part of Brigadier-General Grant's brigade. In the landing five leagues eastward of the Havannah on the 6th of June, in the advance upon the city, in the siege and capture of the Moro Fort, and in the other operations by which the final reduction of this wealthy settlement was accomplished, and twelve men-of-war captured in the harbour, the detachment of the King's Own had the honour to take part. The loss of the detachment on this service, including the killed and those who died from fatigue and the effects of climate, was two officers and twenty-four men.

After the completion of this conquest, the detachment returned to Guadaloupe, and the regiment remained in the Leeward Islands until the peace of Fontainbleau, when these acquisitions were restored to the French and Spanish monarchs.

In the spring of 1764 the regiment quitted the West Indies, arrived in England in July of that year, and commenced recruiting its diminished numbers.

After the decease of Lieut.-General Duroure, King George III. conferred, on the 23d of January, 1765, the colonelcy of the regiment on the Hon. Robert Brudenell, from the sixteenth foot; who was succeeded, on the 7th of November, 1768, by Lieut.-General Studholme Hodgson, from the fifth foot.

In 1768, the King's Own proceeded to Scotland, where they were stationed during the four succeeding years, but returned to England in the spring of 1773, and remained on home service until the following year, when they were again ordered to hold themselves in readiness to proceed abroad.

The war in which the regiment was about to engage was of a most important character, involving the destinies of millions, and was followed by the construction of a new and powerful state in the world. As the population of the British North American colonies increased, and the inhabitants beheld their own rising power and importance, the idea of their country eventually becoming a great and independent empire would doubtless frequently occur; and while contemplating such an event, men would naturally become impatient of their condition: hence the delight produced by the anticipation of future greatness would prepare the minds of men for a change. That these states should become independent so early as the eighteenth century could, however, scarcely have been expected; but this event was hastened by the system of policy pursued towards the colonies by the British government, which alienated the affections of the inhabitants from the mother country. The disputes which resulted from these proceedings, and the spirit which the colonists evinced to resist the acts of the British parliament for raising a revenue in their country, took a most serious turn in the years 1773 and 1774; a body of troops was in consequence sent to Boston, the place which had been the scene of the greatest outrages, and the King's Own, being one of the corps selected to proceed to North America, embarked for that service on the 17th of April, 1774.

After landing at Boston the King's Own were encamped for some time near the town; and the violent revolutionary spirit which many of the colonists displayed, occasioned a detachment of the regiment to be sent during the winter to Marshfield, for the protection of a number of the friends of the government in that town and neighbourhood.

The hostile feelings to the British government previously evinced by the Americans appeared to increase during the winter and succeeding spring; and the preparations which they made for open resistance indicated a design to make a speedy appeal to arms. General Gage, who commanded the troops at Boston, sent the flank companies of the King's Own, and other regiments under his orders, up the country to Concord, to destroy a quantity of military stores which the inhabitants were collecting at that place. This circumstance occasioned the first blood to be shed in the contest.

The flank companies were placed under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Francis Smith, of the tenth foot, and having embarked on the night of the 18th of April, in the boats of the men-of-war in the harbour, proceeded to the entrance of the Cambridge River, where they landed, and afterwards advanced up the country. While on the march, the troops heard the ringing of bells, firing of guns, and other sounds of alarm spreading over the country; and when the light companies, which were in advance, arrived at the village of Lexington, they descried a body of provincials formed upon the green. These men fired several shots at the soldiers, who immediately retaliated, and the Americans were dispersed with the loss of about ten men killed, and several wounded.

The troops continued their march to Concord, and while the search for military stores was taking place, the light companies of the King's Own and tenth regiment were posted on some heights in the vicinity of a bridge beyond the town. Meanwhile armed countrymen were assembling in crowds on the high grounds near the town, and a large body proceeding towards the bridge, the light companies of the King's Own and tenth regiment descended from the heights and joined the troops posted at the bridge. The provincials advanced in great numbers, and firing on the troops, killed three men, and wounded several others; the fire was returned, and the detached companies joined the main body in the town.

After destroying three pieces of ordnance, burning a number of carriage-wheels, and throwing a quantity of gunpowder and musket-balls into the river, the troops commenced their march back to Boston. On emerging from the town, the soldiers were fired upon from the walls, fences, trees, barns, &c., on both sides of the road; the country appeared swarming with armed men, and the troops were engaged fighting and retreating until they were exhausted, and had expended nearly all their ammunition; at the same time the numbers of their antagonists were constantly increasing. Fortunately, they were met at Lexington by the battalion companies of the King's Own, twenty-third and forty-ninth regiments, with a party of marines and two field-pieces, under the command of Colonel Earl Percy of the fifth foot. The fire of the field-pieces checked the Americans; Earl Percy formed his brigade into a square, with the exhausted flank companies in the centre, and after the men had rested a short time, commenced his march for Boston. The Americans hung upon his rear in crowds, and kept up a constant fire; but the troops continued their march in excellent order to Charlestown, from whence they crossed the river in boats to Boston, under the cover of the guns of a man-of-war stationed near the ferry. The loss of the King's Own on this occasion was Lieutenant Knight and seven private men killed; Lieutenant Gould wounded and taken prisoner; three serjeants, one drummer, and twenty-one private men wounded; and eight men missing.

This was the commencement of open hostilities; the whole country round Boston was in the utmost agitation, and multitudes of countrymen equipped for battle repaired to Cambridge and Roxburg, and there threw up entrenchments. All intercourse between the garrison of Boston and the adjacent country was cut off, and the town was completely blocked up on the land side.

Soon after this event the party of the King's Own stationed at Marshfield was withdrawn, and rejoined the regiment at Boston.

The rapid and judicious movements of the Americans appeared to be the result of a preconcerted plan, and having a very great superiority of numbers, they meditated driving the King's troops out of Boston. During the night of the 16th of June an immense body of provincials proceeded to the heights on the peninsula of Charlestown called Bunker's Hill, and commenced throwing up entrenchments with great diligence. General Gage resolved to dislodge the enemy from this post immediately, and a body of troops, of which the grenadier and light companies of the King's Own formed part, was embarked in boats for this purpose about mid-day on the 17th of June.

About three o'clock in the afternoon the attack commenced, and in this contest British valour and discipline were eminently displayed. The Americans were in great force, strongly posted, and entrenched up to the teeth. The King's troops had to advance in a hot summer's day, in the face of a sharp and well-directed fire, and to ascend a steep hill covered with grass reaching to their knees, and intersected with walls and fences of various enclosures: twice they were stopped, and twice they returned to the charge, and by their undaunted resolution and steady perseverance they eventually triumphed over thrice their own numbers, and carried the heights at the point of the bayonet. This proved one of the most sanguinary battles on record, and the superiority of the British troops was pre-eminently displayed. The two flank companies of the King's Own had one serjeant and thirteen rank and file killed; Captains Balfour and West, Lieutenants Baron and Brown, one serjeant, one drummer, and twenty-nine rank and file wounded.

Although the valour and discipline of the small British force in North America were so conspicuous as to excite the admiration and applause of their country, yet the circumstances in which the army at Boston was eventually placed rendered it impossible for these excellent qualities to be exercised with the prospect of ultimate success. The immense superiority of numbers of the enemy, the great strength of the works thrown up on Phipp's farm, Dorchester heights, and other places, with the want of provisions, induced the commander of the troops, Lieut.-General Sir William Howe, to vacate the town, and proceed with the army to Halifax, in Nova Scotia. This resolution was carried into effect in the middle of March, 1776; and on their arrival at Halifax several regiments were landed.

A reinforcement being expected from England, and the general being anxious to commence operations against the revolted Americans as early as possible, the fleet sailed from Halifax on the 12th of June, arrived at Sandy Hook on the 29th of that month, and on the 3d of July landed on Staten Island, near New York. Here the troops were disposed in cantonments for refreshment, and the head-quarters were established at Richmond.

Additional troops having arrived, a landing was effected at Utrecht, on Long Island, on the 22d of August; and after dusk on the evening of the 26th, the King's Own, commanded by Major James Ogilvie, forming part of the first brigade under Major-General Pigot, moved across the country to seize a pass in the heights extending from east to west along the middle of the island, to turn the enemy's left flank at Flat Bush. This pass was taken possession of on the following morning; the main body of the army advanced, and the Americans were driven from their position with considerable loss. In this day's skirmish the battalion companies of the regiment did not sustain any loss; but the flank companies, being formed in grenadier and light infantry battalions, had several men killed and wounded.

The Americans retreated to their lines at Brooklyn; but, fearing the consequences of an attack, they quitted their post during the night of the 28th of August, and crossed the East River in boats to New York; thus the reduction of Long Island was effected in a few days with trifling loss.

After this success the army was embarked in flat-bottomed boats, and crossed the East River to York Island, and the King's Own were engaged in the movements by which General Washington was forced to abandon New York; which city was immediately taken possession of by the British.

General Washington having taken up a position in another part of the country, the British troops were again embarked in flat-bottomed boats and landed near West-Chester; thence re-embarking on the 18th of October, passed Frogs-neck and landed at Pell's-point, at the mouth of Hutchinson's river. Advancing from thence, the troops encountered a detachment of provincials; a sharp skirmish ensued, in which several men were killed and wounded; and the King's Own lost a most valuable and gallant officer, Captain W. Granville Evelyn, who was mortally wounded, and whose fall was much regretted.

In the subsequent operations of the army, by which the Americans were forced to evacuate their lines on White Plains, the King's Own took part, but did not sustain any loss; they were also present at the siege and capture of Fort Washington, in which service they lost only one man: and they passed the succeeding winter in quarters in the city of New York.

During the winter the Americans were engaged in collecting stores and forming magazines for the ensuing campaign, which they were careful to place as far as possible out of the reach of His Majesty's land and sea forces. Extensive depôts had been established at the town of Danbury, and other places on the borders of Connecticut, contiguous to Courland Manor; and the King's Own were withdrawn from the city of New York to form part of a detachment under the command of Major-General Tyron, for the destruction of these stores.

The detachment sailed from New York in transports, passed through the Sound, and on the evening of the 25th of April, 1777, arrived off Norwalk, a town in the province of Connecticut, about twenty miles south of Danbury. As the troops were quite unexpected, they landed without opposition, and by ten o'clock that night began their march for Danbury, where they arrived about two in the afternoon of the following day; on their approach the American troops fled, and gave the alarm to the country people, who took arms, and made preparations to cut off the retreat of the British detachment.

As no carriages could be procured to bring off any part of the magazines, Major-General Tyron was under the necessity of setting them on fire, and in the progress of the flames the town was unavoidably burnt. The magazines having been all destroyed, the detachment commenced its march back early on the morning of the 27th of April; a body of Americans under General Wooster hung upon its rear, and at every eminence a corps of militia was found ready to oppose its march; but the British troops attacked and routed their adversaries, and in one of these skirmishes General Wooster was killed.

Arriving at Ridgefield, a strong force under General Arnold was found posted at that place, and busily employed in throwing up entrenchments; these were instantly attacked by the artillery, and the British troops rushing forward to the charge with their native valour and intrepidity, the Americans were driven from their ground.

The British halted at Ridgefield during the night, and resumed their march on the following day. The enemy having collected additional forces and some field-pieces, harassed the detachment exceedingly during its march, which brought on several skirmishes. Arriving at the Hill of Compo, contiguous to the place of embarkation, the Americans renewed their attack with greater determination and spirit than ever; the British troops, facing about, fired a volley, and then charged with the bayonet with such impetuosity and courage, that the enemy, unable to withstand the shock, retreated. The detachment afterwards embarked without molestation, and returned to New York.

The King's Own lost two men in this enterprise; and had Captain Thorne, one serjeant, and fifteen rank and file wounded.

The regiment afterwards formed part of the army assembled in the Jerseys, and was engaged in the movements designed to bring on a general engagement; but the enemy keeping close in his strong position in the mountains, an expedition against the populous and wealthy city of Philadelphia was resolved upon. The King's Own were employed in this enterprise, and formed, with the twenty-third, twenty-eighth, and forty-ninth regiments, the first brigade of the army.

Having embarked from Sandy Hook, the troops sailed to Chesapeake Bay, and landed on the 25th of August on the northern shore of the Elk River; from whence they advanced on the 28th, in two columns, to Elk Head. The enemy having taken up a position at Brandywine, the royal army advanced on the 11th of September to give their opponents battle, and the King's Own formed part of the force selected to attack the American troops posted at Chad's Ford. After a sharp cannonade the troops advanced to the charge; the King's Own commanded by Lieut.-Colonel James Ogilvie, and supported by the fifth foot, led the attack in gallant style, and rushing through the stream with fixed bayonets, overpowered all opposition and captured three brass field-pieces, and a five and a half inch howitzer.[27] The regiment pressed upon the retiring enemy, but darkness coming on before the troops could reach the heights, the action ceased. The loss of the regiment on this occasion was two rank and file killed; and Captain Rawdon and twenty rank and file wounded.

The victory at Brandywine was followed by the flight of the American troops from Philadelphia, which city was taken possession of by a British force of which the grenadier company of the King's Own formed part. The remainder of the army took up a position at Germantown, and the King's Own were encamped on the right flank. The Americans attacked this post on the morning of the 4th of October, and drove in the piquets of the right wing. The Fourth were moved forward to support the light infantry, and the assault was sustained with such determined bravery, that the enemy could make no impression at this point of attack. After the Americans had been repulsed at other parts of the field, Major-General Grant moved the forty-ninth regiment, and four pieces of cannon, to the left of the King's Own, and then advancing with the right wing, forced the enemy's left to give way. The Americans were afterwards pursued four or five miles through a woody country of difficult access. The light company of the regiment, forming part of the first light infantry battalion, highly distinguished itself on this occasion, and had Lieutenant Champaigne wounded; also several private men killed and wounded. The battalion companies also acquired new laurels; and had one serjeant and eight rank and file killed; Captain Thorne, Lieutenants Arbuthnot and Kemble, Ensigns Dickson, Shoen, Hadden, and Blemen, with Adjutant Hunt, two serjeants, and forty-six rank and file wounded; also three rank and file missing. When the action commenced, the grenadier company marched, with the remainder of its battalion, out of Philadelphia with all possible expedition, and arrived at the scene of contest at the moment when the enemy was giving way, and consequently was not engaged. Lieut.-General Sir William Howe, speaking of these actions in his public despatch, observes,—"In the several engagements, the successes attending them are far better vouchers than any words can convey, of the good conduct of the general officers, and the bravery of the other officers and soldiers. The fatigues of a march exceeding one hundred miles, supported with the utmost cheerfulness by all ranks, without tents, and with very little baggage, will, I hope, be esteemed as convincing proofs of the noble spirit and emulation prevailing in the army to promote His Majesty's service."[28]

While the army commanded by Sir William Howe was victorious in Pennsylvania, another British force under the orders of Lieut.-General Burgoyne penetrated the United States from the frontiers of Canada; but the difficulties encountered by this army were so great, that its commander concluded a convention with the American General Gates, who was thus enabled to detach a body of troops to reinforce General Washington. On the arrival of these forces the American army advanced nearer Philadelphia, and encamped at White Marsh. The British general moved forward, and took post on the morning of the 5th of December on Chestnut Hill, with the view of inducing the enemy to offer battle, or of finding a vulnerable part in their fortified camp. A sharp skirmish occurred on the same day, between two British battalions and a thousand Americans, who were routed in a short time. On the 7th of December another action occurred on Edgehill, a mile from the enemy's left, on which occasion the native intrepidity and firmness of the British were conspicuous. Several other skirmishes also took place; and in every instance the Americans were defeated; but their position was found so strong with entrenchments, abbatis de bois, and other defences, that the army returned to Philadelphia on the 8th of December, without venturing to attack it. The King's Own lost in these skirmishes, two men killed; and Lieutenant West, three serjeants, and nine rank and file wounded.

The regiment passed the winter in comfortable quarters in the city of Philadelphia, while the Americans lay in huts in the woods near Valley Forge. Immediately on the return of spring a succession of detachments ranged the country for many miles round Philadelphia and the province of Jersey, and opened communications for bringing in supplies of provision and forage.

Meanwhile the French monarch had acknowledged the independence of the revolted provinces, and had concluded a treaty with them; thus the nature of the contest was so completely changed, that Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton, who had succeeded to the command of the troops at Philadelphia, was ordered to vacate that city and retire to New York. The King's Own underwent with the remainder of the army the fatigues of this long and toilsome journey, crossing rivers, traversing a wild and woody country, overcoming numerous difficulties, and repulsing the enemy's attempts to interrupt the progress of the march, with signal gallantry, particularly on the 28th of June; and arrived at New York in the beginning of July.

The French monarch having sent a powerful armament to sea, some danger was apprehended to the West Indian colonies; a body of troops, of which the King's Own formed part, was sent from North America to the island of Barbadoes, under the command of Major-General Grant; and the land and sea commanders at that station being in a condition to act offensively, resolved to attack the French island of St. Lucie. The grenadiers of the King's Own, under the orders of Captain West, formed part of the grenadier battalion under the command of Major Harris of the fifth; and the light company under Captain Thorne was in the light infantry battalion commanded by Major Sir James Murray of the Fourth, and these battalions formed part of the reserve commanded by Brigadier-General Medows, which landed on the 13th of December, forced some heights with signal intrepidity, and captured a field-piece and a four-gun battery. The remainder of the troops having landed, the strong post of Morne Fortunè, with the governor's house, the hospital, barracks, stores and magazines were captured, and although the passes were remarkably strong and difficult of access, yet with such impetuosity did the troops advance, that the French governor was obliged to retire from post to post, after doing all in his power to defend them. Scarcely were the enemy's colours struck, and the British head-quarters established at the governor's house, when the approach of a powerful French fleet was descried. The soldiers, already fatigued with a hard day's service, immediately commenced strengthening the posts they had won, with cheerful alacrity; and the naval force was disposed in line of battle across the entrance of the Cul de Sac. The island of St. Lucie presents no regular face, but a succession of confused steep and abrupt hills scattered among greater mountains, everywhere intersected by narrow winding valleys, long defiles, and deep ravines; and by unremitting labour during one night the troops and shipping were placed in such admirable order as to be enabled to withstand the repeated attacks of a very superior force.

In a naval action fought on the 15th of December, which has been regarded as one of the most brilliant displays of British skill and valour on record, the enemy was twice repulsed with serious loss; and being unable to force the line of battle, nine thousand French troops, commanded by M. de Bouillé and Lavendahl, landed and attacked the post of La Vigie, where the grenadier and light companies of the King's Own were stationed. The attack was made with that impetuosity for which the French are distinguished; the British reserved their fire until their adversaries were mounting the trenches, when they threw in a volley, and instantly charging with the bayonet, the enemy was broken and driven back with a fearful slaughter. Three furious attacks having been repulsed, the enemy re-embarked and quitted the island, and the governor surrendered immediately afterwards.

Soon after the surrender of St. Lucie, the King's Own proceeded to the island of Antigua, where they remained during the succeeding year; and having become much reduced in numbers by their service in North America and the West Indies, they returned to England in 1780, and shortly afterwards proceeded to Ireland.

General Hodgson having been removed in the summer of 1782 to the command of the fourth Irish horse, now seventh dragoon guards, the colonelcy of the King's Own was conferred on Lieut.-General John Burgoyne, his commission bearing date the 7th of June, 1782.

The regiment remained in Ireland seven years, and on the 24th of May, 1787, embarked for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland; and served in various parts of these islands until the breaking out of the French revolutionary war.

In 1792 General Burgoyne died, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment on the 8th of August, 1792, by Lieut.-General Morrison.

The violent spirit of republicanism which was exhibited in France at this period, having led to confusion, anarchy, and a dreadful catalogue of crimes of the most cruel and inhuman character, including the murder of the King, which was followed by that of the queen, war was declared against the regicide government of that country; and the capture of Miquelon and St. Pierre, two islands in the Atlantic Ocean near the south coast of Newfoundland, used by the French as stations for curing and drying fish, was resolved upon. A detachment of the royal artillery and three hundred and ten rank and file of the Fourth and sixty-fifth regiments, commanded by Brigadier-General Ogilvie, sailed on this enterprise on the 7th of May, 1793, from Newfoundland, and having landed on the 14th of that month in the Ance-à-Savoyard, advanced upon the principal town, when the governor immediately surrendered at discretion. Although no opportunity occurred for the troops to distinguish themselves in action, their conduct elicited the commendations of the commander of the expedition in his public despatch, and to their great credit not one act of depredation was committed on the inhabitants. Major Peregrine Francis Thorne of the King's Own was appointed commandant of the two islands, but the detachment of the regiment returned to its former stations.

From Nova Scotia and Newfoundland the regiment was removed in 1794 to Canada, and was stationed in garrison at Quebec; in the early part of 1796 it proceeded up the country and occupied St. John's, Chambly, and Isle-aux-Noix, and in November it was ordered to Montreal, in which garrison it passed the succeeding winter: in June, 1797, it proceeded down the river to Quebec. The regiments in Canada being very weak in numbers, the Fourth, fifth, and first battalion of the sixtieth, were ordered to transfer their serviceable men to the twenty-fourth, twenty-sixth, and second battalion of the sixtieth regiments. The men of the King's Own were transferred to the twenty-sixth; and the officers, serjeants, and drummers, embarked at Quebec on the 24th of September, and sailed on the following day for England. When near the land's end the transport having on board twelve officers, including the commanding officer, (Lieut.-Colonel Hodgson,) the staff, colours, serjeants, and drummers, was chased by a French privateer (La Vengeance); several officers and men were wounded in endeavouring to defend the ship, and when from the superior metal and power of the enemy, no hope of escape remained, the regimental colours were sunk in the sea, and the transport surrendered. This portion of the regiment was afterwards conveyed to France, and detained in that country above a year before it was exchanged.

In May, 1798, such of the officers of the regiment as had arrived safe in England, received at Chatham barracks a draft of between three and four hundred Irish youths, and in July following proceeded to Botley; where they were joined in the beginning of the succeeding year by the officers, serjeants, and drummers from France.

Leaving Botley in April, 1799, the regiment proceeded to Worcester, and from thence to Horsham barracks in July; in the following month it marched to the camp on Barham downs.

The militia being permitted this year to transfer their services to the regular regiments, two thousand seven hundred men volunteered to the King's Own, in consequence of which the regiment was formed into three battalions; Major-General the Earl of Chatham was appointed colonel commandant of the second battalion, and Major-General Lord Charles Somerset colonel commandant of the third battalion.

On the 3d of September the Prince of Wales was pleased to present a pair of new colours to the first battalion on Barham downs; the regiment was formed in a square, and His Royal Highness addressed the officers and men as follows:—

"It affords me the highest satisfaction to have the honour of presenting this gallant and distinguished corps with their colours. Nothing but a blameless accident could have deprived you of those you possessed before, and I now replace them, under the firmest conviction that there is not a regiment in His Majesty's service that will ever support and defend its colours with more valour and gallantry than the Fourth, or the King's Own. It considerably enhances the pleasure I feel on this occasion that the ceremony has happened on a day when every British heart must be filled with gladness at the tidings which have just been received of the heroic actions our brave countrymen have achieved in endeavouring to rescue Holland from the detestable tyranny of France, and I perceive with true pride that every countenance I now behold partakes of this noble ardour, and that every heart is panting to share in their laurels and glory."

In a few days after the presentation of the new colours the regiment was ordered to proceed on foreign service: it embarked at Deal, and after landing in Holland joined the Anglo-Russian army commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of York: when the three battalions of the King's Own, and the thirty-first regiment, were formed in brigade under the orders of Major-General the Earl of Chatham.

This brigade formed part of the column under Lieut.-General Dundas, in the attack of the enemy's position near Bergen and Egmont-op-zee, on the 2d of October. The King's Own were engaged among the sand-hills, and evinced the same intrepidity and firmness for which the regiment had been distinguished on former occasions; the enemy was driven from his positions, and the troops received the thanks and approbation of the commander-in-chief. The regiment had three men killed; Ensign Carruthers, one serjeant, and eight private men wounded; one serjeant and six men missing.

In the attack of the enemy's position between Beverwyck, and Wyck-op-zee, on the 6th of October, the three battalions of the King's Own were sharply engaged; the action was most severe, and was continued with sanguinary obstinacy until night, when the enemy retreated leaving the allies masters of the field. The King's Own had Lieut.-Colonel Dickson, Lieutenant Forster, and twenty-five men killed; Major-General the Earl of Chatham, Lieut.-Colonel Hodgson, Captain Palmer, Ensigns Johnston, Carruthers, Nichols, Highmore, and Archibald, with four serjeants, and one hundred and eight rank and file wounded; Majors Wynch and Horndon, Captain Gillmour, Lieutenants Deare and Wilson, wounded and taken prisoners; Lieut.-Colonel Cholmondeley, Major Pringle, Captains Archdall, Brodie, and Chaplain, Lieutenants Gazeley and Wilbraham, Ensigns Browne, Ellis, Hill, Anderson, M'Pherson, and Tyron, with twelve serjeants, one drummer, and five hundred and two rank and file prisoners of war and missing.

Several circumstances having occurred to render further operations in Holland unadvisable, the army re-embarked and returned to England. The three battalions of the King's Own landed at Yarmouth and marched to Ipswich, where they passed the winter.

After the decease of General Morrison, the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Major-General the Earl of Chatham, by commission dated the 5th of December, 1799.