2nd Batt.
1831
The 2nd battalion remained at Bangalore until July, 1830, when it was ordered to Arnee, as a preparatory measure previous to its embarkation for Europe[143]. From Arnee the battalion proceeded to Marmalong Bridge, about seven miles from Madras, where it was encamped for several weeks; and while at this station the following order was issued:—
"Fort St. George, 25th February, 1831.
"GENERAL ORDER BY GOVERNMENT.
"The Right Honourable the Governor in Council cannot permit His Majesty's Royal Regiment to quit India, after forming a part of the army of this presidency for 23 years, without publicly recording his high sense of its distinguished merits.
"During the Mahratta war the Royal Regiment was more than three years in the field.
"It nobly maintained the character of British soldiers at the battle of Maheidpoor; and, after gallantly sharing in other conflicts of that eventful period in the peninsula, it embarked for Rangoon, and assisted in maintaining the honour of the British arms, and in establishing peace with the Ava dynasty.
"The Right Honourable the Governor in Council has only further to add, that the conduct of the officers and men of His Majesty's Royal Regiment, when in garrison, has been such as to meet with the entire approbation of Government, and that his best wishes for their continued welfare and fame will accompany them in whatever part of the world the national interest and honour may call for their services."
The first division of the battalion embarked for England on the 29th of January 1831; the remainder proceeded on the 21st of March to Fort St. George, and the second division embarked at Madras on the same day. The other divisions embarked on the 3rd and 16th of June, 9th of July, and 5th of September.