In the course of the month of June the regiment was removed from Arcot to Fort St. George at Madras, where it was joined by certain officers of the late second battalion. Lieut.-Colonel Dalrymple having returned to Great Britain, the regiment was commanded by Brevet Colonel the Honorable George Mackenzie.
The regiment continued in quarters during the remainder of the year at Fort St. George, and in the town at Madras.
1786.
In the year 1786 the numerical title of the regiment was changed from Seventy-third to Seventy-first; and new colours were received from England, bearing the number Seventy-first, which designation it has since retained.
The regiment changed its quarters, in March, to Wallajohabad and Chingleput, having nine companies cantoned at the former station, and one at the latter under Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton Maxwell.
1787.
On the 4th of June 1787, the commanding officer, Colonel the Honorable George Mackenzie, died, after a short illness. His body was sent to Madras, and there interred with the military honors due to his rank. The senior major, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel John Elphinston, succeeded to the lieutenant-colonelcy and to the command of the regiment. Captain David Baird was at the same time promoted to the rank of major. The commissions of these officers were dated 5th of June 1787.
During the year 1787 no change of quarters took place, and the regiment remained in cantonments at Wallajohabad and Chingleput.
1788.
In February 1788, in consequence of some disturbance or alarm at the Bombay Presidency, the Seventy-first marched to Madras, and immediately embarked on board the Company’s ships for Bombay. The regiment was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Elphinston, and was about eight hundred strong.