From the banks of the Hyphasis, near the spot where Alexander the Great crossed that river when he invaded India, the regiment commenced its march for Bombay, where it arrived on the 29th of March, 1806, and embarking for Goa, landed on the rock of Aguada on the 3rd of April, after a most active and harassing service of more than five years, during which period it had sailed up the Red Sea, crossed the desert twice, served a campaign in Egypt, traversed the north and western provinces of India from Bombay to Bhurtpore, and received the thanks of Lord Lake on the banks of the Hyphasis; having sustained a loss of Lieut.-Colonel Robinson, Captains Maclaurin and Macquarrie, Lieutenants Harvey, Price, and Wilson, Ensigns Massey, Ellison, McKay, Leovick, and upwards of a thousand non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

In October of this year, Lieutenant-General Craig, K.B., was removed to the Twenty-second Foot, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the Eighty-sixth by Lieut.-General Sir Charles Ross, Baronet, from the Eighty-fifth regiment.

At Goa, the regiment was joined by a detachment, consisting of Lieutenant Michael Creagh, Ensigns Blackall, Hillhouse, Paymaster Cope, and thirty non-commissioned officers and soldiers. This detachment was employed under Major-General Sir David Baird, at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope, in January, 1806, when Lieutenant Creagh was wounded. The strength of the regiment was also augmented with two hundred and thirteen volunteers from the Seventy-seventh, on that corps embarking from England.

In this year, His Majesty was pleased to change the designation of the corps to the “Eighty-sixth, or Leinster Regiment of Foot.”

Lieut.-Colonel Hastings Fraser, having arrived in India, overland from Europe, assumed the command, and Major Cuyler embarked for England.

In February, 1808, Captain John Grant obtained permission to return to England, when it was stated in general orders,—“The Honourable the Governor in Council cannot allow Captain Grant to depart, without being accompanied by this testimonial to the credit which that meritorious officer has done to the British arms, during his service in India, at the siege of Baroda, the capture of the important fortress of Baroach and Powanghur, and particularly in the arduous and successful attack of the column which Captain Grant commanded on the 20th of February, 1805, at the siege of Bhurtpore, on which occasion, he most gallantly carried the enemy’s post, and captured the whole of their guns, being eleven in number, &c., &c., &c.”

Orders having been received for the removal of the Eighty-sixth, to form part of a field force to be assembled in the Presidency of Madras, the following declaration was issued by the Viceroy and Captain-General of the Portuguese possessions in Asia, dated Palace of Panjam, 16th August, 1809.

“On the departure of His Britannic Majesty’s Eighty-sixth regiment from Goa, His Excellency the Viceroy and Captain-General of the Portuguese possessions in Asia avails himself of the opportunity to express his sentiments of praise and admiration of the regular order and conduct which Lieut.-Colonel Fraser, the officers and soldiers of that corps, have so honourably observed during a period of three years, which they have been employed in the territories subject to his authority, so highly creditable to the discipline of that corps.

“His Excellency the Viceroy will never forget the invariable harmony which has always subsisted between the subjects of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Portugal and all ranks of His Britannic Majesty’s Eighty-sixth regiment, whose remembrance will be always grateful to him; and he doubts not they will continue to acquire, in whatever part of the world their services may be called for, glorious claims on the rewards of their Sovereign, and the admiration of their country.”

Leaving Goa, the regiment proceeded in boats up the river to Candiaparr, from whence it ascended the ghauts. The monsoon having set in, the men suffered much from the incessant rains and inundations, and after a long march through the Mahratta territories, arrived at Bellary, on the 15th of September. The second battalion of the First or the Royals, the Eighty-sixth, and two battalions of Sepoys formed the first brigade, under Lieut.-Colonel Fraser, to which Lieutenant Michael Creagh was appointed brigade-major. A large force assembled under Colonel Conran, of the Royals, but the native troops, against which it was prepared to act, returned to their duty; when the Eighty-sixth garrisoned Bellary and Gooty. Captain James Burke, and many non-commissioned officers and soldiers, died from the effects of the fatigues they had undergone. Soon afterwards, the regiment returned to Goa.

After a few weeks’ repose, the regiment was selected to form part of an expedition against the French island of Bourbon; it embarked on the 5th of March, 1810, and sailed on the following day. On entering Cannonore harbour, one transport struck on a rock, and was lost. After calling at Quillon and Point de Galle, for water and provisions, the fleet sailed for Madras, where the regiment landed on the 13th of April, and encamped at St. Thomas’ Mount. From Madras, the expedition sailed under the command of Colonel Fraser, consisting of the Sixty-ninth and Eighty-sixth Regiments, Sixth and Twelfth Madras Native Infantry, &c., &c., &c., and on arrival at the Island of Roderiguez, Lieut.-Colonel Keating, of the Fifty-sixth Regiment, assumed the command, having with him a detachment of the Fifty-sixth, and some Bombay Sepoys. The land force was divided into three brigades; the first brigade was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hastings Fraser, of the Eighty-sixth, with Lieutenant Michael Creagh, brigade-major; and the second brigade was under Lieut.-Colonel Drummond, of the same corps, with Lieutenant Richardson, brigade-major.

The van of the expedition, consisting of the Eighty-sixth Regiment, one hundred and eighty rank and file of the Sixth Madras Native Infantry, a small detachment of artillery, and fifty pioneers, under Lieut.-Colonel Fraser, of the Eighty-sixth, with difficulty effected a landing at Grand Chaloupe, about one o’clock on the 7th of July. On gaining the shore, the light company of the Eighty-sixth, under Lieutenant Archibald McLean, supported by the grenadiers under Captain Lanphier, dashed forward to drive back parties of the enemy’s riflemen, who kept up a harassing fire, and to secure possession of the heights; which service was performed with great gallantry. The other part of the regiment having landed, pressed forward to the heights above St. Denis, and, as the sun was setting, approached to within range of the enemy’s batteries. The violence of the surf had become so great that the other divisions could not land, and the Eighty-sixth, in consequence, fell back to the heights, where they were joined during the night, by the Sepoys, pioneers, and artillery, with one 4½ inch howitzer.

At four o’clock on the morning of the 8th of July, the Eighty-sixth commenced descending the mountain, leaving the Sepoys on the summit to defend the rear; their advance-guard was soon discovered by the enemy’s post, and at day-light the regiment was assailed by a heavy fire of cannon, mortars, and musketry; at the same time some of the enemy’s riflemen attempted to gain the road on its right. The light company, supported by the grenadiers, and followed by the regiment, descended the mountain at a running pace. Two columns of the enemy, having each a field-piece, and being supported by the heavy guns of the redoubt, opened a sharp fire of grape and musketry; but, as the Eighty-sixth arrived on the plain, they closed on their adversaries with the bayonet. This spirited conduct decided the contest; the opposing ranks, unable to withstand the shock of steel, faced about and fled. Their commandant, M. de St. Luzanne, escaped with difficulty, and their second in command was wounded and taken prisoner by Captain Lanphier.

The enemy attempted to re-form behind the parapet of the redoubt, but they were pressed so closely by the grenadiers, that they abandoned it, leaving a brass six-pounder behind, which was immediately turned against themselves. The haulyards of the flag-staff in the redoubt were shot away, but Corporal William Hall, of the Eighty-sixth, climbed the staff under an incessant fire of round-shot and musketry, and fixed the King’s colour of the regiment to it. The French soldiers viewed this daring feat with admiration, and as he descended the staff unhurt, they raised a loud shout; at the same time, the seamen of the fleet off the shore, who had witnessed the gallant charge, hailed the well-known flag of the regiment which waved on the redoubt by a loud huzza, which ran from ship to ship as they passed; at the same time the grenadiers of the regiment stormed two batteries, capturing nine twenty-four-pounders, a twelve-inch mortar, and a furnace of red-hot shot.

The position seized was held by the regiment, the guns of the captured redoubt answering the incessant fire of the enemy, until the arrival of additional troops. At four o’clock the enemy attempted to retake the redoubt, but were repulsed with the loss of their commanding officer, who was taken prisoner. About this time Lieut.-Colonel Drummond’s brigade arrived, and the enemy sent out a flag of truce; Lieut.-Colonel Keating having joined, the surrender of the island of Bourbon to the British arms was concluded by him.

Colonel Fraser stated in his despatch, “I cannot conclude without requesting permission to offer my humble tribute of praise to the noble spirit which animated every individual of my detachment; from Major Edwards,[7] who commanded the regiment, I received the greatest assistance; Captain Lanphier, Lieutenant Archibald McLean, and every officer and soldier of the corps, displayed the most ardent valour, which must have been conspicuous to the whole force off the coast, who witnessed their conduct.” “To Lieutenant Creagh, my brigade-major, I was highly indebted for his unremitted exertions and attention to the duties of his station, from the beginning of the service I was sent on, to the moment when he was struck by a cannon ball, while he was in the act of encouraging our artillerymen in the redoubt, which, I fear, will deprive his Sovereign and his country of the services of a most promising officer.”

The loss of the regiment on this occasion was Lieutenant John Graham Munro[8], of the grenadier company, killed during the charge; Major Edwards, (commanding the regiment,) Captain Lanphier, Lieutenants Michael Creagh, (brigade-major,) Archibald McLean, Blackhall, Webb, and White, wounded; also three serjeants, two drummers, and seventy-five rank and file killed and wounded.

The following statement appeared in regimental orders on the 9th of July:—“It affords Major Edwards great pleasure, in having received Lieut.-Colonel Fraser’s directions, to confirm the appointment of Captain Lanphier[9] to the grenadier company, a distinction to which that officer is well entitled for the gallant manner in which he led the brave grenadiers to the assault of the redoubt and batteries.

“The conduct of the light infantry under Lieutenant Archibald McLean, has on all occasions been equally distinguished, and Major Edwards sincerely laments the severe wound that gallant officer has received, but trusts he will soon be restored to the service.

“Major Edwards has great pleasure in confirming Lieutenant Blackhall’s appointment to the grenadiers; he regrets the wound received by that officer, but hopes it will not prevent his joining that company which he animated by his zeal and example.

“The conduct of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the Eighty-sixth Regiment, is above all praise; they have fought the enemy with every species of disadvantage and deprivation; they have borne the latter without a murmur, and their determined valour has achieved victory. In spite of every obstacle, they have nobly sustained the character of their country, and it will be gratifying to their feelings to know that their gallant exertions have been witnessed and applauded by the whole of the British force off the shore.

“Major Edwards cannot conclude without expressing his regret for the loss of Lieutenant Munro, of the grenadiers, and the brave men who have fallen on this occasion; their memory, however, will long survive, and be held dear in the recollection of the regiment. Most sincerely does he regret the severe wound received by Lieutenant Michael Creagh; but which, he hopes, will not deprive the service of that valuable and gallant officer; and he trusts the wounds received by Lieutenant White, will not long prevent him joining the corps.

“Corporal William Hall, who hoisted the King’s colour on the redoubt, is appointed serjeant for his gallant conduct, in the room of Serjeant Millan, killed.

“Private John Moore, of the light infantry, is appointed corporal, for his gallant behaviour on the 8th instant.”

The conduct of the regiment was highly commended in detachment orders by Lieut.-Colonel Keating.

On the morning of the 9th of July, the flank companies of the regiment marched into St. Denis, and entering the principal battery, struck the tricoloured flag of France, and hoisted the King’s colour of the Eighty-sixth; they were followed by the regiment, when the French garrison grounded their arms and embarked for the Cape of Good Hope.

Representation having been made of the gallant behaviour of the Eighty-sixth at the reduction of this island, the royal authority was given for their bearing the word “Bourbon” on their colours and appointments, as a mark of their Sovereign’s approbation, and to commemorate their gallantry on this occasion.

Bourbon and the Isle of France had been blockaded some time; the capture of the former emboldening the British navy, a small fleet ventured within the Isle de Passe, on the south-west side of the Isle of France, where one British ship was burnt and sunk, and several disabled, which gave the enemy a superiority at sea, when their frigates menaced the batteries of Bourbon. The “Africaine” frigate arriving from England short of hands, Lieutenant W. Home, a serjeant, and twenty-five men of the Eighty-sixth went on board, and this frigate, and the “Boadicea,” having put to sea under Commodore Rowley, came up with, and engaged, two French frigates. The “Boadicea” was becalmed astern, the “Africaine” fought the two French ships until Captain Corbett and one hundred and sixty of his crew were killed and wounded, when the frigate being a complete wreck, she struck her colours, but Commodore Rowley coming up with the “Boadicea,” the enemy made sail, and the shattered frigate was towed into St. Paul’s. Only three of the soldiers of the Eighty-sixth escaped; six having been killed, and Lieutenant Home and seventeen wounded.

In September, the “Ceylon” frigate, having Major-General Abercromby and staff, also Lieutenant Clarke and twenty-five men of the Eighty-sixth, on board, was captured by the “La Venus” French frigate, after a severe action, in which both ships were dismasted; but Commodore Rowley appeared in the “Boadicea,” re-captured the “Ceylon,” and took the “La Venus.”

General Sir Charles Ross having been removed to the Thirty-seventh Foot, was succeeded in the colonelcy of the Eighty-sixth by Major-General the Honourable Francis Needham, from the Fifth Royal Veteran Battalion.

Lieut.-Colonel Hastings Fraser was rewarded for his conduct before St. Denis on the 8th of July, with the dignity of Companion of the Bath, the officers of the Eighty-sixth regiment presented him with a sword, and those of his brigade, in the Company’s service, with a valuable piece of plate.

The Eighty-sixth were removed to the Isle of France in March, 1811, that island having also been captured, and were there joined by Ensigns J. Creagh and J. Grant, Assistant-Surgeon Bell, and a few recruits from Europe, being part of a detachment which had been sent to India.

Orders having been received for the return of the regiment to India, it sailed from Port Louis on the 9th of January, 1812, and landing at Madras on the 21st of February, encamped on the South Beach until the departure of the Thirty-third regiment for England, when it occupied Fort St. George where Captain Impey and sixty-eight recruits were awaiting its arrival.

The gallant behaviour of the regiment during the Mahratta war, and at the reduction of the island of Bourbon, had been represented to their Royal Highnesses the Prince Regent, and the Duke of York, then Commander-in-Chief, who never failed to reward merit in individuals or corps, was brought to their notice, and in May, 1812, the royal authority was given for this corps being styled the “Eighty-sixth, or Royal County Down Regiment of Foot;” at the same time the facing was changed from yellow to blue, the lace from silver to gold; the Irish “Harp and Crown” was placed on the buttons, and the “Harp” was added to the distinctions displayed on the regimental colours.

In January, 1813, the regiment commenced its march from Madras for Goa, but when ascending the Pada-naig-droog Ghauts, it received orders to proceed to Vellore, where Lieutenants Jacob and Kirkland, Ensigns Munro, McLean, McQuarrie, Kennedy, and McLoughlin, with two hundred and seventeen soldiers, joined from England.

Captain Impey, (brevet-major,) and Lieutenant White, died, in May, much regretted.

At the end of August the regiment left Vellore, and marched through the Calistry country, a distance of four hundred miles, to the fort of Masulipatam. It was overtaken by the monsoon when on the march, near the Kistna river, and for several days the soldiers had to wade through the cotton-grounds, which occasioned much illness in the regiment, and the loss of several men after arriving in garrison at Masulipatam in October.

In the mean time the war with France was being prosecuted in Europe with the utmost vigour, and the strength of the Eighty-sixth being considerably above the establishment, in consequence of receiving volunteers from the militia, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent was pleased to order a second battalion to be added to the regiment, in February, 1814, and to bear date from the 25th of December, 1813.

The second battalion was formed at Hythe, under the superintendence of Major Baird; it consisted of four companies of fine soldiers, and in March they proceeded to Colchester, under orders to embark for Holland; but the abdication of Bonaparte, and the restoration of peace, precluded the necessity of their quitting England. The battalion returned to Hythe in October, and afterwards proceeded to Deal, where it was disbanded, two hundred and sixty officers and soldiers embarking for India to join the first battalion.

Previous to this date, a detachment consisting of Captain Michael Creagh, Lieutenants Home and Perry, Ensigns Goold, Bradford, Caddell, Henry, and Moreton, had joined at Masulipatam, bringing the new regimental colours.

In January, 1815, the left wing marched, under the command of Captain Williams, for Hyderabad, to join the force subsidized by His Highness the Nizam, and arrived on the 2nd of February at the cantonment of Secunderabad.

On the 11th of September, Major Baird, Captain Edwards, Lieutenants McLaurin, Webb, Leche, and Hodson, Ensigns Stuart, Law, Russell, Holland and Home, with sixteen serjeants and two hundred and thirty rank and file, (the effectives of the late second battalion,) arrived at Masulipatam.

In January, 1816, the head-quarters were removed to Hyderabad, where they remained nine mouths, and afterwards returned to Masulipatam, where Captain Chadwick had arrived, with forty-six recruits, from England, in the preceding August.

During the period the regiment was stationed at Masulipatam and Hyderabad, it performed much severe duty in consequence of the numerous incursions into the British territories of the barbarous hordes of predatory horsemen, called Pindarees, whose plundering enterprises, executed on swift horses, were conducted so as to baffle the efforts of the troops sent to intercept them. In 1817, the right wing at Masulipatam furnished detachments in the field under Captains Williams, Morrice, and Creagh, in the Ganjam district, on the banks of the Kistna, and towards Vizagapatam; the left wing was also frequently called out; but the movements of the Pindarees were performed with so much celerity, that few of these plunderers were captured.

Two of the Nizam’s sons rebelled, put several of his adherents to death, and threatened to depose their father; when the left wing of the Eighty-sixth, a battalion of sepoys, and two guns, were ordered to enter the city of Hyderabad, preceded by two battalions of the Nizam’s regular infantry under European officers, with two six-pounders. The Nizam’s battalions were attacked by the insurgents in a narrow street, and overpowered, with the loss of fifty officers and soldiers and one gun. The light company of the Eighty-sixth, with sixty pioneers under Lieutenant James Creagh, being in advance recovered the gun, and covered the removal of the killed and wounded to a square, where the two native battalions had retreated and taken post. On the appearance of Europeans, the insurgents dispersed; the rebel Princes surrendered and were sent prisoners to the fort of Golconda, when order was restored.

The left wing marched for Masulipatam during the hot season, which occasioned several deaths. On one occasion, Lieutenant Taylor and two soldiers were interred with difficulty, from the decomposed state of their bodies, although they had been dead only a few hours. On another occasion the guides led the column by a wrong road, occasioning a long and harassing march, which proved fatal to several men.

The flank companies marched from Masulipatam in January, 1818, under Captain Michael Creagh, and with two troops of native cavalry and a company of sepoy grenadiers, proceeded to Datchapilly, on the borders of the Nizam’s dominions, to protect the frontiers from the depredations of the Pindarees.

Orders for the return of the regiment to England were issued in 1816, but countermanded in consequence of the hostile conduct of the Pindarees: they were repeated in April, 1818, when the regiment commenced its march for Madras, and when within one stage of that place, the route was changed to Wallaghabad. Previous to embarking the regiment was inspected by Major-General Brown, commanding the centre division, who expressed in orders,—“To Colonel Hastings Fraser, his greatest approbation of the good conduct and discipline of the regiment since it had been under his command in the centre division, in the attainment of which he had been so ably supported by the officers of the corps.”

While the regiment was waiting to embark, the “Orlando” frigate arrived at Madras, from Ceylon, with an application from the governor, General Sir Robert Brownrigg, for immediate aid to suppress the hostile aggressions of the Kandians inhabiting the interior of the island; the mortality among the European troops, employed in the interior, being so great, as to render further aid indispensable. The flank companies of the Eighty-sixth were completed to one hundred rank and file each, and embarked on board the frigate to proceed on this service[10]; they landed at Trincomalee on the 12th of September, and made preparations for penetrating the interior, during which time Major Marston was taken ill.

From Trincomalee the flank companies of the Eighty-sixth sailed, on the 18th of September, under Captain M. Creagh, and landing on the 21st, encamped near the fort of Batticoloe, where the sick men of the Nineteenth and Seventy-third Regiments, sent from the interior, were dying fast; a hundred had been buried close to the tents of the Eighty-sixth, and several deaths occurred daily.

On the 25th of September, the flank companies of the regiment again embarked in open boats, and proceeding during the night up the lake, landed on the following day at Mandoor, from whence they marched through thick jungle, thirteen miles up a gradual ascent, exposed to heavy rain, to the Mangalar river. On the 29th they traversed twelve miles of uncultivated ground, fording several streams, to the post of Chinna Kandy, commanded by Lieutenant Robinson, of the Nineteenth Regiment, whose detachment was suffering severely from ague and fever.

Fifteen miles of rugged country, covered with underwood destitute of roads, and infested with wild elephants, were traversed on the 1st of October, to the post of Kataboa, commanded by Captain Ritchie, of the Seventy-third Regiment, who had buried nearly a hundred men of his detachment at this place, and of the seventy Europeans left alive, the captain and assistant surgeon were the only persons free from fever. At this place the Eighty-sixth were joined by seventy rank and file of the Ceylon corps, under Lieutenant Noonan, who was to act as interpreter and guide.

The march was resumed on the 3rd of October, through a wild region, where elephants, buffaloes, hogs, and deer were seen in abundance, also pea and jungle fowl, but no human beings, and on the 6th the two companies arrived at Palwatee, together with Lieutenant Stuart, of the Ceylon corps, and a chieftain and his followers, who had joined on the preceding day.

Having arrived in the districts infested by the insurgent Kandians, parties of the Eighty-sixth, and Ceylon corps, were out day and night scouring the hills, and for three weeks the soldiers were actively employed in the mountains searching for the haunts of the rebel chiefs, and their followers,—pursuing them from place to place,—taking many prisoners,—also making seizures of muskets, bows, arrows, and other military stores. Private Stanton, of the light company, was seized by an elephant, which broke his musket, tore off his belts, and threw him some distance into the jungle, causing his death. During the absence of the parties, the camp was attacked, by a body of Kandians, in the night, but the skilful arrangements of the officers in charge preserved the soldiers from injury, and the fire of a cohorn put the insurgents to flight. Captain A. McLean died from fever, much regretted.

The health of the soldiers suffered from excessive fatigue, bad provisions, constant exposure to the sun, rain, and heavy dews, and their legs and feet were ulcerated with leech-bites,—every pool, stream, bush, and blade of grass being infested with leeches, which obliged the officers and soldiers to march barefoot, with their trousers cut off at the knee, that they might detect the leeches. Sickness increasing rapidly, and all the Coolies,—natives of India who accompanied the troops to carry provision, ammunition, &c.,—being attacked, Captain Creagh marched his men from the low country, to the hilly districts, taking post at Hotpeira, where Lieutenant Goold, with a small detachment, had erected a shed, and collected a supply of grain and cattle.

Lieutenant Goold proceeded with as many sick as means of conveyance could be procured for, to Badula, where the camp was frequently attacked in the night by the wild elephants, the tents, huts, and sheds destroyed, and several natives and followers killed; but the soldiers all escaped unhurt.

Detachments were constantly employed day and night searching out the haunts of the insurgent chiefs, and making many captures, including the crown, jewels, horse, and favourite elephant of the Kandian king.

Overthrown in every rencounter, and chased from place to place with diminished numbers, the Kandians lost all hope of success; the leaders in the insurrection tendered their submission, the lower orders followed their example, and tranquillity was at last restored.

In the mean time the eight battalion companies of the regiment had arrived at the island of Ceylon, but their services not being required, they returned to Madras, leaving one company at Trincomalee.

The services of the flank companies of the Eighty-sixth being no longer required, they were relieved by the Ceylon corps, and marched to Badula, where, in garrison orders, dated the 19th of November, the following order appeared:—“Colonel McDonell performs a pleasing duty in bearing his public testimony of his entire approbation of the good conduct and patience, which, (under so many trying difficulties,) have distinguished the detachment of the Eighty-sixth Regiment. He requests Captain Creagh will be pleased to convey to the officers and men, his unqualified thanks for their services, &c., &c.”

From Badula the two flank companies, reduced to five officers, two serjeants, two drummers, and sixty-six rank and file, commenced their march on the 20th of November; the periodical rains had set in, and the rivers were so full and rapid, that much difficulty was experienced. On arriving at Kataboa, Captain Ritchie’s detachment was found nearly annihilated. At this place an elephant was procured, to convey the stores and men across the rivers; and the march was continued to Chinna Kandy, where the military establishment was found in a state of ruin. Lieutenant Robinson had left the post sick,—the three serjeants had died,—the defences were destroyed by the wild elephants,—the building containing the provisions was washed away by the rains, and the few surviving men were unable to move: with much difficulty a small supply was recovered from the wreck, for the use of the detachment.

From these statements, some idea may be formed of the vicissitudes of actual service, the casualties of climate, the privations and sufferings which chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession, and the sacrifice of valuable life by which colonial possessions are acquired and retained, and many national benefits obtained and preserved[11].

After a march of ten days, exposed to almost incessant rain, the flank companies arrived at Mandoor, where they halted forty-eight hours to recover, and afterwards sailed down the lake to Batticoloe, from whence they were directed to march, through a low flat country almost covered with water, to Trincomalee, instead of proceeding thither by sea, as had been expected.

Two canoes and the elephant were sent forward; the men proceeded forty miles in boats along the coast, then landed and marched ten days, through a country almost covered with water, with scarcely sufficient ground to rest upon. The tents were destroyed by the wet, and abandoned; the elephant proceeded in advance, feeling for the rivers; the canoes, conveying the sick, were dragged by Coolies and soldiers wading in the water, and in this state the two companies reached Cottiar bay, on the 18th of December. Boats being in readiness, they embarked for Trincomalee, and with difficulty crossed the bar; soon afterwards the wind changed, the sea became rough, and it was found impracticable either to prosecute the voyage, or to return across the bar with leaky open boats. With much danger and difficulty they gained a rock in the bay, where the soldiers passed the night, huddled together, menaced with being swept off when the tide arose, and destitute of provisions and fresh water. The wind and rain abating, they again embarked on the following morning, and on arriving at the inner harbour, were met by the boats of the ships of war, which had been cruizing for them, but were unable, from the roughness of the weather, to rescue them from their perilous situation, on the preceding night. On passing the “Orlando” frigate, the seamen cheered, but the soldiers gave a feeble response. On landing, twelve men were sent to the hospital, four lieutenants, one serjeant, two drummers, and forty-seven rank and file, under Captain Creagh, in rags, their feet and legs bare, and ulcerated, emaciated and tottering from exhaustion and hunger, entered the fort; the pitiable remains of two hundred picked men, who marched out only three months before, forming two fine flank companies equal to any service.

On landing, Lieutenant William Home, found his brother, Ensign Home, dead in the hospital. Ensign Home belonged to a battalion company of the regiment, part of which was detached at Minnery,—a most unhealthy post, where nearly all the non-commissioned officers and soldiers had died.

Two days after the arrival of the flank companies of the Eighty-sixth, from the interior, a General Order was issued, in which the Commander of the Forces in Ceylon expressed his “acknowledgments to Major Marston, Captain Creagh, and to all the officers and soldiers of that distinguished corps, for the gallant and important services rendered by them in suppressing the Kandian rebellion, at the same time, he cannot conceal the deep regret he feels at the severe loss which has fallen on the detachment, and the death of a gallant officer, Captain Archibald McLean, and many brave soldiers.”

General Sir Robert Brownrigg also states, “Captain Creagh’s gallant and most useful services in the command of the flank companies of the Eighty-sixth Regiment, during the Kandian war, under very trying circumstances, was such, as to entitle him to the favourable notice of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, and to the best commendation I can bestow on him.”

On the 15th of January, 1819, the detachment embarked, and, after putting to sea, was driven back by contrary winds, but landed at Madras, on the 5th of February, and joined the regiment at Poonamalee, on the same evening. The health of the party was not re-established, and Lieutenant Caddell, Assistant-Surgeon Bell, and several soldiers, died after their arrival at Madras.

The period for the return of the regiment to Europe, having arrived, the following statement appeared in General Orders, dated Madras, 6th March, 1819,—“The Lieut.-General has traced with gratification, the well-earned tributes of applause, bestowed by successive governments, and commanders, in commendation of the numerous instances of gallantry and efficiency displayed during the active and varied service in which His Majesty’s Eighty-sixth, or Royal County Down Regiment of Foot, has been engaged since its arrival in the East Indies; and Colonel Fraser, the officers, and men, are requested to accept His Excellency’s thanks for the correct and orderly conduct of the corps.”

In general orders by government, dated the 20th of March, 1819, it was stated,—

“The meritorious conduct of His Majesty’s Twenty-fifth Light Dragoons, and Eighty-sixth Regiment of Foot, in every situation where they have been employed during the long period of their services in India, has been brought under the notice of government, in a particular manner, by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, as establishing for them strong claims to its consideration; and the honourable mention which has been made by his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, has been coupled with the expression of his Excellency’s wish, that their services may meet with the same acknowledgment, on their approaching departure, as, in general orders, dated 27th August, 1805, and 11th October, 1806, marked the close of the distinguished career of His Majesty’s Seventy-fourth Regiment, and Nineteenth Light Dragoons, then returning to England; concurring entirely in the commendations which His Majesty’s Twenty-fifth Light Dragoons, and Eighty-sixth Foot, have received from the Commander-in-Chief, and entertaining the same high sense of their merits and services, the Governor in Council is pleased to extend, to the officers of those corps, the indulgence recommended by his Excellency, and, accordingly, directs that a donation of three months’ full batta be passed to them on the occasion of their embarkation for Europe.”

Five hundred and sixty non-commissioned officers and soldiers having volunteered to remain in India, transferring their services to other corps, the remainder of the regiment sailed for England in April, and in October anchored off the Nore, where the ship was placed under quarantine, Lieutenant John Campbell and several soldiers having died during the voyage.

On the 23rd of October, the regiment landed at Gravesend, after an absence from England of twenty-three years and four months, bringing back only two individuals, Major D. Marston and Quarter-Master R. Gill, who embarked with it in June, 1796, the latter as a private.

The regiment joined the depôt companies at Canterbury, where Lieut.-Colonel John Johnson succeeded to the lieut.-colonelcy, on the promotion of Colonel Fraser, C.B., to the rank of major-general.

During the winter, the regiment marched to Chichester, sending two companies to Brighton, and in April, 1820, it was removed to Weedon and Northampton, where two hundred and fifty recruits joined from Ireland.

In February, 1821, the regiment proceeded to Chatham; in October it embarked at Bristol, for Ireland, and, after landing at Waterford, occupied quarters at that place, having nine detached parties, until April, 1822, when the head-quarters were removed to Naas, and in July, the regiment occupied Richmond barracks, Dublin.

From Dublin, the regiment proceeded, in May, 1823, to Athlone, and in October to Armagh, where the authority of His Majesty, King George IV., was received for bearing the word “India” on the colours and appointments, “in consideration of the distinguished conduct of the regiment during the period of its service in India, from the year 1799, to the year 1819.”

In March, 1824, the head-quarters were removed to Newry; in January, 1825, the regiment proceeded to Naas; in June it was removed to Clonmel[12], and in the spring of 1826, it marched to Buttevant,—furnishing numerous detached parties. On quitting the south-west district, Major-General Sir Charles Doyle expressed, in a letter to the commanding officer, his “entire satisfaction” at the conduct of the regiment, while under his orders.

Lieut.-Colonel Johnson retired on half-pay, and was succeeded as commanding officer, by Lieut.-Colonel Mallett, C.B., from the Eighty-ninth regiment.

In the autumn, the regiment was formed into six service, and four depôt companies, preparatory to its embarkation for the West Indies[13]. In October, the service companies proceeded to Cork, leaving the depôt under Captain Stuart, at Buttevant, and embarking on board the “Princess Royal,” “Waterloo,” and “Thetis,” transports, sailed for Barbadoes, from whence they were ordered to Trinidad and Tobago, to relieve the Ninth Regiment, which was about to return home. The retirement of Major Baird occasioned Major Michael Creagh to return from the West Indies, to take command of the depôt.

At Trinidad, the regiment occupied the Orange-Grove Barracks, until the completion of the new barracks at St. James’s. During the year 1827, Ensign Selway died at Tobago, and the loss by deaths, at the two islands of Trinidad and Tobago, amounted to three serjeants, forty rank and file, and eleven soldiers’ wives.

In January, 1828, the regiment was relieved by the first battalion of the Royal Regiment, and proceeded to the island of Barbadoes, where Adjutant Dolman, three serjeants, and fifty-six rank and file, died of fevers contracted at Trinidad and Tobago.

The regiment remained at Barbadoes during the year 1829; in January, 1830, it was removed to Antigua, St. Kitts, and Montserrat.

On the 2nd of December, Major W. Richardson died at Antigua, universally regretted by the officers and soldiers of the regiment, who testified their regard for his merits, by erecting a monument to his memory in the church of Newry, County Down. He was the last of the three brothers who served with distinction in the corps.

In March, 1831, the slaves of Antigua, being opposed to the abolition of the Sunday market, set fire to several plantations, when a strong detachment was sent to protect the town of St. John’s, where it remained until tranquillity was restored.

Colonel Mallet, C.B., after having assumed charge of the civil government at St. Lucia, died at that island, very much regretted by the regiment; and was succeeded, in February, 1832, by Lieut.-Colonel Michael Creagh, from the half-pay, whose services are recorded in the preceding pages.

In the spring of this year, His Majesty, King William IV., was graciously pleased to approve of the regiment bearing on its colours and appointments the Irish “Harp and Crown” and the motto “Quis Separabit?”. The harp and crown only was assumed when the corps obtained the title of Royal County Down Regiment.

During this year, detachments were employed in controlling the disposition to violence evinced by the slave-population at Tortola, Barbuda, and other places.

On the decease of General the Earl of Kilmorey, the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Major-General William George Lord Harris, K.C.B. by commission, dated 3rd December, 1832.