In the early part of 1776 the Sixth dragoons commenced their march for Scotland; from whence they returned in the beginning of 1777, and were cantoned in Warwickshire and Staffordshire, the head-quarters being at Coventry.
1778
The colonelcy having become vacant by the decease of General Harvey, it was conferred on Lieutenant-General James Johnston, from the first Irish horse, now fourth dragoon guards, by commission dated the 2nd of April, 1778.
Meanwhile the American war had commenced, and the French monarch having agreed to aid the revolted colonies, war was declared against France. The British army was augmented, and one hundred men and horses were added to the Inniskilling dragoons; but the scene of conflict was so little adapted for cavalry, that the heavy dragoon regiments were not called upon to quit the United Kingdom.
The head-quarters were removed to Salisbury in May, 1778; and a further augmentation of forty-eight men, who were to be mounted on small horses and equipped as light dragoons, was added to the regiment.
1779
In April, 1779, the men equipped as light cavalry were incorporated, with the men of the third dragoon guards, and first and eleventh dragoons, into a regiment, which was numbered the twentieth light dragoons. During the following summer, the Sixth, and five other regiments of cavalry, were encamped on Salisbury Plain, under Lieutenant-General Johnston.
1780
1781
1782
1783
In the two following years the regiment occupied quarters in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire; in 1782 it was stationed in Dorsetshire, with the head-quarters at Dorchester; and in 1783 it was removed into Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.
The American war had, in the mean time, terminated, and the establishment was reduced to two hundred and thirty-two officers and men.