“General Order by Government.
“The officers, non-commissioned officers, drummers, and privates of the Seventy-first Highlanders are under orders for Europe, to embark to-morrow morning at six. The President in Council has much satisfaction in expressing the great sense entertained by the Government of the active, zealous, and important services of the Seventy-first Highlanders during the eighteen years they have been stationed in India, by which they have contributed so largely to the reputation of the British Army, and so essentially promoted the interests of the East India Company.
“By order of the Right Honourable the President in Council.
(Signed) “S. Webbe,
“Secretary to the Government.”
This high testimonial of the approbation of the Civil Government was accompanied by the following mark of commendation from the Commander-in-Chief:—
“General Order by Lieut.-General Harris.
“The Commander-in-Chief cannot think of parting with a corps that has been so eminently distinguished as the Seventy-first Highlanders in India by a series of long, arduous, and spirited services, without requesting Lieut.-Colonel Baird, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and every man belonging to that regiment to accept of his warmest acknowledgments for conduct which has been equally honourable to them, and advantageous to their country. The alacrity with which Lieut.-Colonel Baird has arranged, at a short warning, everything relative to the drafting, confirms Lieutenant-General Harris in the favourable opinion he had formed of the internal order and discipline of that corps, and he trusts that the regularity and zeal of the men destined for the Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth Highlanders will be such as to maintain the high reputation they have so deservedly acquired.
(Signed) “J. Robertson,
“Deputy Adjutant-General.
“Head-Quarters, Choultry Plain,
“October 16th, 1797.”
1798.