Historical record of the 71st Regiment Highland Light Infantry /

by Henry John Thoroton Hildyard

In May the regiment proceeded from Loughrea to the county of Limerick; the head-quarters being stationed at Rathkeale, one detachment at Newcastle, another at Tarbert, and a third at Askeaton.

2nd bat.

While the regiment was stationed in Ireland, war had recommenced with France, and Bonaparte having made preparations for invading Great Britain, additional measures of defence to those of the former year were adopted by the Government; and under the “Additional Force Act,” passed on the 10th of July, 1804, a second battalion was added to the Seventy-first Regiment, which was to consist of men to be raised for limited service in certain counties of North Britain. The second battalion was formed at Dumbarton in October, to the command of which Lieut.-Colonel Lord George Beresford was appointed. Its establishment was fixed at 23 sergeants, 22 drummers, 20 corporals, 1,380 privates.

1805.

1st bat.

In March, 1805, the first battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Pack, proceeded to Bandon, in the county of Cork, and was stationed at that place until July, when it marched to Cork, and immediately afterwards to Monkstown, where it embarked in transports, having been selected to form part of a secret expedition under its former commander, Major-General Sir David Baird.

In the beginning of August the embarkation was completed, and on the 5th of that month the fleet sailed, convoyed by three 64-gun ships, two frigates and gun brigs, under the orders of Commodore Sir Home Popham; and on the 28th of September the fleet, after a very boisterous passage, arrived at Madeira.

On the 3rd of October the fleet left Madeira, and on the 12th of November arrived at St. Salvador, in the Brazils, where an opportunity was afforded of refreshing the men, landing the sick, and procuring some horses for the cavalry.

The fleet again put to sea on the 28th of November, and directed its course towards the Dutch Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, then in possession of the Batavian Government, which was united with France in hostility to Great Britain.

1806.