The regiment, which, upon its arrival at Albany Barracks eleven months previously, had only two hundred and eighty rank and file present, was now within thirty-four of its establishment (seven hundred and forty), the recruits having been chiefly enlisted in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Galway.
The regiment quitted Albany Barracks on the 7th of July, where it had been stationed one year, and marched by Portsmouth and Maidstone to Chatham, which it reached on the 15th of that month.
On the 24th July, a route was received directing the regiment to march immediately for London, thence to proceed by the Paddington Canal to such destination as might be ordered. It was mustered, and marched in three hours after the receipt of the route, and arrived in Lambeth on the third day.
The regiment was reviewed on the 28th of July by General Sir John Doyle, Bart., attended by Major-General Sir Henry Torrens, K.C.B., Adjutant-General of the forces, and numerous other officers, when its appearance elicited unqualified approbation.
On the 29th of July the regiment embarked in seventeen boats on the Paddington Canal, landed at Northwich and Middlewich on the 2nd, and marched into Chester Castle on the 4th of August.
Towards the end of September two alarming fires broke out in the city of Chester: the very serious consequences that threatened were chiefly counteracted by the bold and active intrepidity displayed by the soldiers of the regiment in extinguishing the conflagration, and by the exertions of the officers to secure the property of the inhabitants.
These services were acknowledged in a vote of thanks from the Commissioners of Police to Lieut.-Colonel Blair, the officers, and soldiers of the regiment.
Various letters of thanks to the regiment also appeared in the Chester newspapers, from those inhabitants whose property was chiefly endangered.
On the 11th of October the regiment was inspected by Major-General Sir Henry Bouverie, K.C.B., who was pleased to express himself much pleased with its appearance, movements, and interior economy.
A circular from the Horse Guards, dated the 5th of December, was received, which directed regiments not to recruit beyond six hundred and ninety rank and file, being fifty short of the nominal establishment of seven hundred and forty rank and file.