1817
On the 14th of February, 1817, Lieut.-General Sir John Abercromby, G.C.B., died at Marseilles, in the south of France, at which place he had resided some time for the benefit of his health. The high military character and private virtues of this distinguished officer, with his attachment to, and the lively interest he took in every thing connected with, the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, occasioned his death to be much regretted. He was succeeded by Lieut.-General Rowland Lord Hill, G.C.B., from the ninety-fourth regiment.
Colonel Mawby commanded the regiment in cantonments at Trichinopoly; and in June the flank companies were detached, under the command of Major Giles, to join a flank battalion forming at Darwah, to serve with a division of the army under Colonel Pritzler, which was called to take the field in consequence of several native chiefs having prepared to wage war against the British power in India.
While the flank companies were in the field, the strength of the regiment was augmented by the detachment from the second battalion, and a number of volunteers from the eightieth regiment.
1818
In 1818 the regiment sustained great loss from the cholera.
1819
The flank companies were actively employed with the field force under Brigadier-General Pritzler, who reduced several fortified places to submission to the British authority, and among others the fort of Copaul Droog, the garrison of which place made a desperate defence. The excellent conduct of the troops employed in this service was made known in general orders dated the 22nd of June, 1819. The flank battalion led the assault of the place; and the conduct of Captain Cuppage, and Lieutenant Silver of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, was particularly noticed. Lieutenant Silver was wounded.
1820
Leaving Trichinopoly in January, 1820, the regiment commenced its march for Bellary, a distance of about three hundred and ninety miles, under the orders of Colonel Mawby. The cholera broke out in the regiment on the march, and it lost a highly esteemed officer, Lieut.-Colonel Fehrszen, who had distinguished himself while serving with the second battalion in Spain and the south of France; he was buried with military honours at Salem. Lieutenant George FitzGerald, who had also served with reputation in the Peninsular War, died a few days afterwards, and was buried at Nimdydroog. While passing through the Mysore, the cholera disappeared; and on the 25th of February the regiment arrived at Bellary; having lost two officers and eighteen soldiers on the march.