2nd bat.
The second battalion was removed from Ireland to Scotland in January, 1807, but returned to Ireland in June following.
1st bat.
In May, 1807, a further removal to the interior of the prisoners took place. The officers were collected at a college belonging to the Jesuits about forty leagues to the northward of Cordova, and entirely separated from their men. In this situation they remained until August following, when, just as they were ordered to prepare for a transfer to a station still more remote, the accounts of the convention entered into by Lieut.-General John Whitelocke were received, by which it was stipulated that the prisoners should be restored to liberty on condition that all the British forces should be withdrawn. It is scarcely necessary to remark that the prospect of being restored to liberty and friends was greatly damped by the military events which produced it, and which completely extinguished the ardent hopes of success that had been entertained from the arrival of the last British force in South America.
In September the whole of the officers and men were reconducted to Buenos Ayres, from whence they were conveyed in boats to Monte Video, and there embarked in transports with a view of returning to Europe.
It is a circumstance highly creditable to the character of the soldiers of the Seventy-first that, although so many powerful allurements were held out to induce them to remain in South America, but few individuals were found to swerve from their duty and allegiance to their King and country. The Spaniards were very fond of the Highlanders, particularly of those who were Catholics. One of these, named Donald Macdonald, overcome by solicitations, had almost agreed to remain at Buenos Ayres, but whilst wavering one of his companions sung to him “Lochaber no more;” the effect was irresistible; the tears started into poor Donald’s eyes, and wiping them away, he exclaimed, “Na, na! I canna stay, I’d maybe return to Lochaber nae mair.”
The fleet sailed immediately, and after a tedious and rough voyage of three months, the transports having the Seventy-first on board put into Cork Harbour in December, and on the 27th of that month the whole were landed, without uniform, clothing, arms, or accoutrements, and marched to Middleton under the command of Major Henry Tolley, Lieut.-Colonel Pack having previously returned to England from South America.
1808.
In March, 1808, the regiment proceeded from Middleton to Cork, where its equipment in every respect was completed.
2nd bat.