In 1795 war was declared against Holland, and one company embarked as part of a volunteer battalion which proceed to Malacca.
1796.
In 1796 the Madras Army was reorganized, the Battalion becoming the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry.
1797.
The Battalion embarked in 1797 for an expedition against Manilla, but was recalled from Penang owing to instructions from England to abandon the expedition.
1798.
1799: Capture of Seringapatam.
Tippoo became restless and in 1798 an army was ordered to concentrate at Vellore under General Harris. The Battalion was in the 6th Brigade, Left Wing. The army advanced in February, 1799, and after some minor actions encamped two miles south-west of Seringapatam on April 5th. After much fighting against the enemy’s advanced posts, which were gradually captured, the breaching batteries were established by May 2nd. By May 4th a practicable breach had been made, and the assault was ordered for one o’clock that afternoon. The Battalion was on duty in the trenches on that day, the assaulting troops being formed of the flank companies of the battalions off duty. The troops in the trenches formed the “sustaining” corps. The assault was entirely successful after severe fighting. Tippoo himself was killed. The casualties were:—Europeans: Killed, 181; wounded, 622. Natives: Killed, 119; wounded, 420; missing, 100; of which total the Battalion sustained 11 killed and 33 wounded.
The battle honour of “Seringapatam” was subsequently granted to the Battalion for this campaign.