Lieutenant-General Jones[24] died on the 20th of November, 1793, and was succeeded in the Colonelcy of the regiment by Major-General Alexander Stewart.
The regiment continued to serve on board the fleet until the 24th of November, 1794, when, with the exception of two companies, it was re-landed, and, by the incorporation of some independent companies, augmented to twelve companies, of four serjeants, two drummers, and 100 rank and file each. Of these, the ten companies on shore were formed into a Second Battalion, as appears by the Adjutant-General's letter of the 29th of November. Some time, however, elapsed before the regiment had either two pair of colours, or the staff of two battalions; but the corps, thus formed, was designated the Second Battalion, while the two companies, which remained doing marine duty on board the fleet, continued the nucleus of the First Battalion, waiting an opportunity, when their services should be no longer required as marines, to be filled up, which took place in the following year.
On the 20th of December, 1794, Major-General James Coates was appointed Colonel, vice Major-General Alexander Stewart, deceased[25].
On the 25th of December the Second Battalion embarked, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel the Earl of Dalhousie, for the West Indies, and arrived in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, on the 29th of March, 1795.
1795
The year in which the regiment arrived in the West Indies was rendered remarkable by a series of brilliant achievements performed by the British forces serving in that part of his Majesty's dominions; and the valuable French possessions of Martinique and Guadaloupe were but a part of the captures made by the army and fleet under their respective commanders, General Sir Charles Grey and Admiral Sir John Jervis.
The National Convention, which at this period governed France, although busily and successfully employed in extending revolutionary power in Europe, was not indifferent to the events above alluded to; and an expedition to the West Indies was despatched from Brest, commanded by the famous Victor Hughes, a republican commissioner, for the purpose of recovering the conquered islands. A force of 2000 French troops arrived at Guadaloupe, and were quickly reinforced by a multitude of Mulattoes and Blacks, who were speedily clad in uniforms. Among this motley group, comprising slave and freeman, the doctrines of liberty and equality were disseminated, and led to a rapid overthrow of regular government, and to a frightful catalogue of outrages and disasters.