The Dutch did not second the gallant exertions thus made to effect their deliverance from foreign domination, and the evacuation of Holland was resolved on. As late as the 12th of October, the Fifth Regiment was still in front of the enemy, and eventually occupied the works at the Helder, during the retreat and final embarkation of the army; being, according to Sir James Pulteney's letter of the 20th of November, among the last of the British troops who quitted Holland, and exhibiting to the end, persevering good conduct and unwearied courage, under hardships which his Royal Highness the Duke of York, in general orders, dated 8th of October, 1799, designated as "insupportable." On its arrival in England, the regiment was stationed at Silver Hill barracks, and the following year both battalions were ordered to Gibraltar.
1801
In August, 1801, Sir Alured Clarke was removed to the Colonelcy of the Seventh Foot, and the command of the Fifth was bestowed on the 20th of August, on Major-General Richard England, who, from the 14th of April, 1800, had been Colonel-Commandant of the second battalion.
1802
1803
1804
At Gibraltar the regiment continued till the peace of Amiens, when it returned to England. The second battalion was then disbanded at Winchester, and the first ordered to Guernsey, where it remained till 1804, when it returned to England, and was stationed first, for a short time, at Hilsea, and afterwards at Colchester. The war with France having been resumed, a second battalion was again raised, in 1804, and embodied at Horsham in Sussex.
1805
In 1805, the establishment of the first battalion was augmented to 1000 rank and file; and it was, with other regiments, reviewed in the autumn at Colchester, by his Royal Highness the Duke of York.
In the same year the second battalion was stationed at Chichester, and recruited successfully in Petworth, Steyning, Midhurst, Lewes, and Rye; in February, 1806, it was sent to Guernsey, and from thence in August following, it was removed to Alderney.
1806
In November, 1805, the first battalion embarked at Deal, with the forces under Lord Cathcart, destined for the defence of Hanover. During the voyage the "Helder" transport, containing the left wing of the battalion, was unfortunately wrecked off the Helder, and the officers and men were made prisoners by the Dutch. The right wing returned to England in 1806, and was stationed at Rye, in Sussex, where it was joined in September, by the left wing, which had been liberated by an exchange of prisoners.