1696
The French monarch, finding his ambitious projects frustrated, attempted to excite a rebellion in England in favour of King James, who was residing at the French court, and prepared an armament to second the malcontents. At the same time a plot was formed to assassinate King William when on his return from hunting. On the discovery of these designs, this, with a number of other regiments, was ordered home. The Sixth embarked at Ostend in the early part of March, 1696, landed at Gravesend in the middle of that month, and went into quarters. The plot was discovered, the designs of the enemy were frustrated, and the King proceeded to the Netherlands to take the command of the army.
In June, 1696, the regiment was on duty at Windsor; and in July it was encamped in Windsor forest.
1697
1698
1699
1700
1701
After passing twelve months in England, the regiment received orders to return to the Netherlands: it landed at Williamstadt in the beginning of July, 1697, and joined the confederate army before Brussels, where it was reviewed by his Majesty: it remained before Brussels until hostilities were terminated by the treaty of Ryswick, when it was ordered to return to England. It landed at Gravesend in November, 1697, and marched to Huntingdon. It subsequently proceeded to Ireland, where it arrived in August, 1698, and remained until, another war breaking out in Europe, its services were again required abroad in the defence of the crown and kingdom against the projects of the court of France.
1702
The hope of continued tranquillity, with the prospect that this country would be enabled to develop its resources and make rapid advances in arts, manufactures, and commerce, under the auspices and benign influence of peace at home and abroad, soon passed away: a Bourbon prince ascended the Spanish throne, when preparations for war were made, and Colonel Columbine received orders to recruit his regiment to seven hundred rank and file. The decease of King William, and the accession of Queen Anne, on the 8th March, 1702, produced no alteration in the foreign policy of the British court; and in a few weeks after Her Majesty's accession the regiment proceeded to the Isle of Wight, where it pitched its tents preparatory to some expedition, the destination of which was kept secret. In the early part of June it was reviewed, with nine other battalions of infantry, and two hundred dragoons, by Prince George of Denmark, generalissimo of her Majesty's land and sea forces, and was complimented on its appearance and discipline. The Duke of Ormond assumed the command of the expedition, and the regiment embarked on board the St. George, Jacob, and Gosport transports[22], and put to sea. Arriving off the coast of Andalusia, in Spain, the troops ascertained they were destined to make an attempt on the strong fortress of Cadiz: a landing was effected in the middle of August, during a high wind, and about thirty boats, crowded with soldiers, were overturned by the surge. The town of Rota, on the north side of Cadiz bay, the town of Port St. Mary's, at the mouth of the river Guadalete, and Fort St. Catherine, were captured. The wealthy and flourishing town of Port St. Mary's was found deserted by the inhabitants; positive orders had been given against plundering; but the officers neglecting to enforce strict obedience occasioned the most unfortunate results. The hungry and thirsty soldiers forced open the houses in search of refreshment; finding abundance of excellent wine, they drank freely, and, under its influence, commenced plundering the town. An immense quantity of valuable merchandize and other property was removed on board the fleet, and some of the officers were guilty of securing for themselves many costly articles: thus, such of the inhabitants as were previously disposed to favour the allies became hostile, and the public cause suffered by the want of strict discipline. Cadiz was found better prepared for resistance than had been expected, and the expedition proved of insufficient strength for the capture of this fortress. The troops were re-embarked, and they subsequently proceeded to Vigo, where a valuable Spanish fleet had arrived from the West Indies, in charge of a French convoy. The grenadiers and eight battalions of infantry landed on the south side of the river, seven miles from the town: this regiment formed part of the first brigade, which landed under the Duke of Ormond and Brigadier-General Hamilton; a strong fort and a battery were carried by storm, the fleet forced an entrance, and the French and Spanish shipping were all taken and destroyed. Many Spanish seamen escaped on shore and took with them much valuable property: a soldier of Captain Brown's company of this regiment captured a Spanish mariner who was carrying off an immense silver dish of curious workmanship, which was delivered up to the proper authorities[23].
The expedition returned to England, where the regiment arrived in the early part of November, and was stationed at Canterbury; it received £561. 10s. prize-money. Queen Anne went in triumphal cavalcade to St. Paul's cathedral to return thanks for this success; and the troops received the thanks of parliament for their conduct.
1703
In a few weeks after its return from Vigo the regiment was ordered to hold itself in readiness to proceed to the West Indies; and in January, 1703, it marched to Portsmouth, where it embarked on board the fleet under Vice-Admiral Graydon. The object of the expedition was the capture of Placentia and Newfoundland; but the enemy's force was found too strong, and, after remaining a short time in the West Indies, the regiment returned to England. It landed in October following at Portsmouth, from whence it was removed into quarters at Southampton and other towns in that neighbourhood.