1795
While the regiment was reposing in cantonments at Wallajabad, and the officers and soldiers were reflecting with exultation on the reputation they had acquired in the Mysore, circumstances occurred in Europe which occasioned them to be again called into active service. The Dutch people had imbibed the democratical doctrines of the French republic, and in the early part of 1795 Holland became united to France. When information of these events arrived in India, an expedition was immediately fitted out against the large and mountainous island of Ceylon, where the Dutch had several settlements, and the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders were selected to take part in the enterprise; the troops employed on this service were commanded by their Lieut.-Colonel, James Stuart, who was promoted to the rank of major-general at this period. The regiment embarked from Fort St. George on the 30th of July, and two days afterwards the fleet arrived on the coast of Ceylon; on the 3rd of August the troops landed four miles north of the fort of Trincomalee, and the siege of this place was commenced as soon as the artillery and stores could be landed and removed sufficiently near to the place. On the 26th of August a practicable breach was effected, and the garrison surrendered the place. The regiment had Ensign Benson, two serjeants, and seven rank and file wounded on this service.
The commanding officer of the regiment, Major Frazer, who was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy on the 1st of September, was detached against the fort of Batticaloe, which surrendered to him on the 18th of September. The two flank companies of the regiment were afterwards detached, with two companies of sepoys, under Captain Barbutt, against the fort and island of Manaar, which surrendered on the 5th of October.
1796
The regiment continued to be actively employed until the whole of the Dutch settlements in Ceylon were reduced, which was accomplished in February, 1796, when the governor, John Gerand Van Angelbeck, surrendered the fortress of Colombo to the British arms. The people in the interior of the island had not been deprived of their independence by the Dutch, and they were not interfered with by the British so long as they preserved a peaceful demeanour.
1797
As the island of Ceylon—which produces an astonishing diversity of vegetables, with the finest fruits—is celebrated for the number of cinnamon trees it produces—and abounds in most animals indigenous to the East, particularly in wild elephants—the SEVENTY-SECOND Highlanders remained until March, 1797, when they were removed to Pondicherry, preparatory to their return to England.
1798
The regiment transferred its men fit for service to the corps about to remain in India, and embarked at Madras in February, 1798. On arriving at Gravesend, it received orders to proceed to Perth, where it landed in August, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Hugh Frazer.
The services of the regiment in the East Indies were afterwards rewarded with the royal authority to bear the word “Hindoostan” on its colours.