A gun-foundry existed at this time, for, in 1781, we find that “two 12–pounders and ten 6–pounders were ordered to be cast (if none available) for the use of the ship ‘Betsey,’ Captain Giddes, going with opium to China.” It was probably under the commissary of stores.
Powder-works also existed on the banks of the river, near Cossipoor. The gun-carriages were all constructed by the commissary of stores at Fort William.
On the reduction of the artillery brigade, Captain C. R. Deare, the major of brigade, was appointed regimental adjutant, but the brigade-majorship was restored in April, 1781, to be again, however, reduced to a regimental adjutant in 1785. Captain G. Deare resigned it in October, 1784, and Captain C. R. Deare was appointed.
In July, 1784, the adjutancy to the train in the field was abolished, but each company in the field appears to have had an adjutant and quarter-master attached to it.
In March, 1785, at the recommendation of Colonel Ironside, commanding at Caunpoor, tatties were first allowed to the European troops at Caunpoor.
Colonel Pearse at this time resumed command of the corps, Colonel Duff having temporarily held it while he was employed with the army on the coast; and earned the acknowledgments of the Council and General Orders, for the state of discipline it was in.
In this year many reductions were made in the army, by abolishing staff appointments, fixing the rate of pay and allowances to all classes, and laying the foundation of a code of regulations to guide all.
The commissaries of ordnance were reduced from five to two, and the deputies from eight to four; the brigade-majorship of artillery was altered to an adjutancy; the general command of artillery in the field was given to Lieutenant-Colonel Duff; his station was not fixed, but he was to move as his judgment prompted, was to inspect the field magazines and report on their state, but in these tours he was to exercise no command (though entitled by seniority) in the stations which he visited.
The following was the rate of pay allowed to all classes of the regiment:—
| Colonel Commdt. | Lieut.-Colonel | Major | Captain | Captain-Lieut. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Batta. | 750 | ||||
| Half Batta. | 300 | 225 | 90 | 90 | |
| Offreckonings. | 150 | 150 | 150 | 36 | 36 |
| Table Allowance. | 1,200 | ||||
| Writers, &c. | 645 | 105 | |||
| Pay. | 310 | 248 | 186 | 140 | 90[[26]] |
| House-Rent. | 120 | 120 | 120 | 90 | 90 |
| Total. | 3,175 | 923 | 681 | 356 | 306 |