The privilege which the corps for a long series of years enjoyed, of wearing a distinguishing feather, was this year confirmed to it by a letter from the Adjutant-General of the army, of which the following is a copy.
"Horse-Guards, 2nd July, 1824.
"Sir,
"I have had the honour to receive and submit to the Commander-in-Chief, your letter of 28th ultimo, and enclosure, and in reply am directed to signify to you, that under the circumstances therein stated, His Royal Highness has been pleased to approve of the White Feather, which for a long series of years has been worn as a mark of distinction by the Fifth Regiment of Foot, being continued to be used by that corps.
"I have, &c.
(Signed) "H. Torrens, Adj.-Gen.
"Colonel Sir C. Pratt, K.C.B.,
"5th Foot."
1825
On the 25th March, 1825, the regiment was augmented from eight to ten companies.
In May, 1825, Colonels the Honourable Henry King, C.B., and Sir Charles Pratt, K.C.B., who during the Peninsular war had led the corps in so many days of glory and of victory, were promoted to the rank of Major-Generals in the army: Sir Charles Pratt had been at the head of one or other of the battalions since 1808, and was succeeded in the command of the regiment by Lieutenant-Colonel William Sutherland, from the second West-India Regiment.