The regiment passed the winter in comfortable quarters in the city of Philadelphia, while the Americans lay in huts in the woods near Valley Forge. Immediately on the return of spring a succession of detachments ranged the country for many miles round Philadelphia and the province of Jersey, and opened communications for bringing in supplies of provision and forage.
Meanwhile the French monarch had acknowledged the independence of the revolted provinces, and had concluded a treaty with them; thus the nature of the contest was so completely changed, that Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton, who had succeeded to the command of the troops at Philadelphia, was ordered to vacate that city and retire to New York. The King's Own underwent with the remainder of the army the fatigues of this long and toilsome journey, crossing rivers, traversing a wild and woody country, overcoming numerous difficulties, and repulsing the enemy's attempts to interrupt the progress of the march, with signal gallantry, particularly on the 28th of June; and arrived at New York in the beginning of July.
The French monarch having sent a powerful armament to sea, some danger was apprehended to the West Indian colonies; a body of troops, of which the King's Own formed part, was sent from North America to the island of Barbadoes, under the command of Major-General Grant; and the land and sea commanders at that station being in a condition to act offensively, resolved to attack the French island of St. Lucie. The grenadiers of the King's Own, under the orders of Captain West, formed part of the grenadier battalion under the command of Major Harris of the fifth; and the light company under Captain Thorne was in the light infantry battalion commanded by Major Sir James Murray of the Fourth, and these battalions formed part of the reserve commanded by Brigadier-General Medows, which landed on the 13th of December, forced some heights with signal intrepidity, and captured a field-piece and a four-gun battery. The remainder of the troops having landed, the strong post of Morne Fortunè, with the governor's house, the hospital, barracks, stores and magazines were captured, and although the passes were remarkably strong and difficult of access, yet with such impetuosity did the troops advance, that the French governor was obliged to retire from post to post, after doing all in his power to defend them. Scarcely were the enemy's colours struck, and the British head-quarters established at the governor's house, when the approach of a powerful French fleet was descried. The soldiers, already fatigued with a hard day's service, immediately commenced strengthening the posts they had won, with cheerful alacrity; and the naval force was disposed in line of battle across the entrance of the Cul de Sac. The island of St. Lucie presents no regular face, but a succession of confused steep and abrupt hills scattered among greater mountains, everywhere intersected by narrow winding valleys, long defiles, and deep ravines; and by unremitting labour during one night the troops and shipping were placed in such admirable order as to be enabled to withstand the repeated attacks of a very superior force.
In a naval action fought on the 15th of December, which has been regarded as one of the most brilliant displays of British skill and valour on record, the enemy was twice repulsed with serious loss; and being unable to force the line of battle, nine thousand French troops, commanded by M. de Bouillé and Lavendahl, landed and attacked the post of La Vigie, where the grenadier and light companies of the King's Own were stationed. The attack was made with that impetuosity for which the French are distinguished; the British reserved their fire until their adversaries were mounting the trenches, when they threw in a volley, and instantly charging with the bayonet, the enemy was broken and driven back with a fearful slaughter. Three furious attacks having been repulsed, the enemy re-embarked and quitted the island, and the governor surrendered immediately afterwards.
1779
1780
Soon after the surrender of St. Lucie, the King's Own proceeded to the island of Antigua, where they remained during the succeeding year; and having become much reduced in numbers by their service in North America and the West Indies, they returned to England in 1780, and shortly afterwards proceeded to Ireland.
1782
General Hodgson having been removed in the summer of 1782 to the command of the fourth Irish horse, now seventh dragoon guards, the colonelcy of the King's Own was conferred on Lieut.-General John Burgoyne, his commission bearing date the 7th of June, 1782.
1787
The regiment remained in Ireland seven years, and on the 24th of May, 1787, embarked for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland; and served in various parts of these islands until the breaking out of the French revolutionary war.