After a few weeks’ repose, the regiment was selected to form part of an expedition against the French island of Bourbon; it embarked on the 5th of March, 1810, and sailed on the following day. On entering Cannonore harbour, one transport struck on a rock, and was lost. After calling at Quillon and Point de Galle, for water and provisions, the fleet sailed for Madras, where the regiment landed on the 13th of April, and encamped at St. Thomas’ Mount. From Madras, the expedition sailed under the command of Colonel Fraser, consisting of the Sixty-ninth and Eighty-sixth Regiments, Sixth and Twelfth Madras Native Infantry, &c., &c., &c., and on arrival at the Island of Roderiguez, Lieut.-Colonel Keating, of the Fifty-sixth Regiment, assumed the command, having with him a detachment of the Fifty-sixth, and some Bombay Sepoys. The land force was divided into three brigades; the first brigade was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hastings Fraser, of the Eighty-sixth, with Lieutenant Michael Creagh, brigade-major; and the second brigade was under Lieut.-Colonel Drummond, of the same corps, with Lieutenant Richardson, brigade-major.
The van of the expedition, consisting of the Eighty-sixth Regiment, one hundred and eighty rank and file of the Sixth Madras Native Infantry, a small detachment of artillery, and fifty pioneers, under Lieut.-Colonel Fraser, of the Eighty-sixth, with difficulty effected a landing at Grand Chaloupe, about one o’clock on the 7th of July. On gaining the shore, the light company of the Eighty-sixth, under Lieutenant Archibald McLean, supported by the grenadiers under Captain Lanphier, dashed forward to drive back parties of the enemy’s riflemen, who kept up a harassing fire, and to secure possession of the heights; which service was performed with great gallantry. The other part of the regiment having landed, pressed forward to the heights above St. Denis, and, as the sun was setting, approached to within range of the enemy’s batteries. The violence of the surf had become so great that the other divisions could not land, and the Eighty-sixth, in consequence, fell back to the heights, where they were joined during the night, by the Sepoys, pioneers, and artillery, with one 4½ inch howitzer.
At four o’clock on the morning of the 8th of July, the Eighty-sixth commenced descending the mountain, leaving the Sepoys on the summit to defend the rear; their advance-guard was soon discovered by the enemy’s post, and at day-light the regiment was assailed by a heavy fire of cannon, mortars, and musketry; at the same time some of the enemy’s riflemen attempted to gain the road on its right. The light company, supported by the grenadiers, and followed by the regiment, descended the mountain at a running pace. Two columns of the enemy, having each a field-piece, and being supported by the heavy guns of the redoubt, opened a sharp fire of grape and musketry; but, as the Eighty-sixth arrived on the plain, they closed on their adversaries with the bayonet. This spirited conduct decided the contest; the opposing ranks, unable to withstand the shock of steel, faced about and fled. Their commandant, M. de St. Luzanne, escaped with difficulty, and their second in command was wounded and taken prisoner by Captain Lanphier.
The enemy attempted to re-form behind the parapet of the redoubt, but they were pressed so closely by the grenadiers, that they abandoned it, leaving a brass six-pounder behind, which was immediately turned against themselves. The haulyards of the flag-staff in the redoubt were shot away, but Corporal William Hall, of the Eighty-sixth, climbed the staff under an incessant fire of round-shot and musketry, and fixed the King’s colour of the regiment to it. The French soldiers viewed this daring feat with admiration, and as he descended the staff unhurt, they raised a loud shout; at the same time, the seamen of the fleet off the shore, who had witnessed the gallant charge, hailed the well-known flag of the regiment which waved on the redoubt by a loud huzza, which ran from ship to ship as they passed; at the same time the grenadiers of the regiment stormed two batteries, capturing nine twenty-four-pounders, a twelve-inch mortar, and a furnace of red-hot shot.
The position seized was held by the regiment, the guns of the captured redoubt answering the incessant fire of the enemy, until the arrival of additional troops. At four o’clock the enemy attempted to retake the redoubt, but were repulsed with the loss of their commanding officer, who was taken prisoner. About this time Lieut.-Colonel Drummond’s brigade arrived, and the enemy sent out a flag of truce; Lieut.-Colonel Keating having joined, the surrender of the island of Bourbon to the British arms was concluded by him.
Colonel Fraser stated in his despatch, “I cannot conclude without requesting permission to offer my humble tribute of praise to the noble spirit which animated every individual of my detachment; from Major Edwards,[7] who commanded the regiment, I received the greatest assistance; Captain Lanphier, Lieutenant Archibald McLean, and every officer and soldier of the corps, displayed the most ardent valour, which must have been conspicuous to the whole force off the coast, who witnessed their conduct.” “To Lieutenant Creagh, my brigade-major, I was highly indebted for his unremitted exertions and attention to the duties of his station, from the beginning of the service I was sent on, to the moment when he was struck by a cannon ball, while he was in the act of encouraging our artillerymen in the redoubt, which, I fear, will deprive his Sovereign and his country of the services of a most promising officer.”
The loss of the regiment on this occasion was Lieutenant John Graham Munro[8], of the grenadier company, killed during the charge; Major Edwards, (commanding the regiment,) Captain Lanphier, Lieutenants Michael Creagh, (brigade-major,) Archibald McLean, Blackhall, Webb, and White, wounded; also three serjeants, two drummers, and seventy-five rank and file killed and wounded.
The following statement appeared in regimental orders on the 9th of July:—“It affords Major Edwards great pleasure, in having received Lieut.-Colonel Fraser’s directions, to confirm the appointment of Captain Lanphier[9] to the grenadier company, a distinction to which that officer is well entitled for the gallant manner in which he led the brave grenadiers to the assault of the redoubt and batteries.
“The conduct of the light infantry under Lieutenant Archibald McLean, has on all occasions been equally distinguished, and Major Edwards sincerely laments the severe wound that gallant officer has received, but trusts he will soon be restored to the service.