The first battalion marched to Colchester barracks on the 23rd of March, 1808. Volunteers from the militia of the northern counties were, about this time, received, and taken on the strength of the second battalion, which continued in Ireland.
On the 19th of April, the first battalion of the regiment was directed to be held in readiness for immediate embarkation for foreign service, and on the 29th of April, it marched from Colchester, and embarked in transports at Harwich, under Lieut.-Colonel Napier.
The battalion sailed for Yarmouth on the 4th of May, and arrived there on the 6th, where an armament, under the command of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, was assembling, destined to proceed to Sweden.
The armament sailed from Yarmouth on the 10th of May, and anchored off Gottenburg on the 17th. The Swedes did not show any inclination to avail themselves of British assistance on shore, consequently the troops did not disembark, but during their stay were occasionally exercised in practising to land from launches and flat-bottomed boats.
The fleet sailed for England on the 3rd of July, with orders to rendezvous at Yarmouth. A vessel, with orders from England, however, changed the place of rendezvous to the Downs, where the fleet arrived on the 20th of July, and proceeded to Spithead. A draft of seventy rank and file was received from the second battalion.
Spain was at this period the centre of political interest. Portugal, deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the people of each rose in arms to recover the national independence. Dissensions had arisen in the royal family of Spain, occasioned by the sway of Emanuel Godoy, who bore the title of Prince of Peace. This minister was dismissed, but the Court was unable to restore tranquillity. In this emergency, the French Emperor was solicited to be umpire; and Napoleon ultimately seized the crown of Spain, which he placed on the head of his brother Joseph, who was transferred from the throne of Naples. Europe was indignant, and Spain furious, at this usurpation. The Spaniards flew to arms, and the British government resolved to aid the Spanish and Portuguese patriots; a British army accordingly proceeded to the Peninsula in June, 1808, the command of which was held by Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley.
On the 31st of July, having received on board a fresh supply of provisions and water, the first battalion sailed for Portugal, and on the 19th of August arrived in Mondego Bay. Marshal Junot and the French army having been defeated by the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, in the battles at Roliça on the 17th, and Vimiera on the 21st of August, sued for a cessation of hostilities.
The battalion landed at Maciera Bay on the 27th of August, and the convention of Cintra was signed on the 30th of that month, by which it was stipulated that the French should evacuate Portugal.
Portugal, being thus rescued from the presence of hostile troops, orders arrived from England for Lieut.-General Sir John Moore to take the chief command of a part of the army, which was to be employed in Spain; with a notification that a force from England, under the command of Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, was to land at Corunna, and co-operate with him. The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment was immediately put in motion towards the frontiers, and arrived at Portalegre on the 11th of October, 1808.
On the 26th of October, the first battalion, being placed in the division commanded by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, moved from Portalegre, and on the 2nd of November entered Spain, at Badajoz; marching by Merida, Truxillo, and Talavera, it arrived at the Escurial on the 22nd of November, and halted.