“The Major-General cannot contemplate his separation from a corps, endeared to him by all those sacred ties which bind the members of a family together, and which have, in their fullest sense, existed between him and the regiment for a period of nearly twenty-five years, that he has almost uninterruptedly commanded it in so many parts of His Majesty’s dominions, at home and abroad, without experiencing sensations which he would find it impossible to describe here, but which he feels most acutely. He will content himself with requesting the officers of the regiment, generally, to accept his most sincere thanks for the kindness that he experienced from them, and for the uniform, undeviating attention they have paid to his orders, and to his suggestions for the good of the regiment; where every officer merited his approbation, the Major-General cannot particularise individuals, but he feels himself called on by a sense of justice, as well as of duty, and he certainly has great pleasure in obeying that call, to offer to his friend Lieutenant and Adjutant Russell his most particular thanks for the zealous and effectual aid he has ever received from him in the discharge of every duty, and to declare, that to the exertions and abilities of this meritorious officer he is mainly indebted for the high state of discipline which has characterised the SEVENTY-THIRD regiment, in every garrison where it has been stationed.
“To the non-commissioned officers and men, he begs to express his thanks for, and his approbation of, their uniform good conduct, which he exhorts them to persevere in, as the surest means of insuring to themselves the approbation of their superiors, exemptions from punishment, and of preparing them for acquiring honor and glory, when called to meet the enemies of their country in the field.
“The Major-General will conclude by assuring both officers and men, that their happiness and glory will be for ever dear to him, and that to the latest day of his life he will consider the SEVENTY-THIRD regiment as part of his family, whose interests are inseparably interwoven with his own. Should any fortunate event ever enable him to promote the general welfare of the regiment, or the individual interest of any of its members, whether officers, non-commissioned officers, or privates, he hopes it is needless for him to declare with what pleasure he shall avail himself of the opportunity.
“He now, with sincerest good wishes for the health, happiness, and glory of the whole, bids them adieu.”[13]
1831
In October, 1831, the depôt companies proceeded to Jersey.
1834
On the 12th of April, 1834, the service companies embarked at Malta for the Ionian islands.
1835
In September, 1835, the depôt companies embarked at Portsmouth for Cork.