‘The Royal Court of this island have desired me, as their president, to express the high regard which they in common with its inhabitants entertain for the officers of His Majesty’s Thirteenth regiment of foot; as well as their approbation and admiration of the general good conduct of the men of that corps, while quartered among us; and I feel much pleasure, in being thus enabled to assure you, Sir, that from all classes I have heard no other sentiments but those of regret, at the approaching departure of the Thirteenth regiment, which under your command, and that of Lieut.-Col. Sir William Williams, has shown itself throughout so orderly, and worthy of the esteem of this and the neighbouring islands; and the officers in particular, by their gentlemanly and social manners, have so thoroughly gained the good will of those who had the pleasure of their acquaintance, that one and all unite in the best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the whole corps, in which none is more sincere than he who has the honour to be,
‘Sir, yours, &c.,
‘Peter De Havilland,
‘Bailiff of Guernsey.’
In acknowledging the receipt of this letter, Lieut.-Colonel R. B. Hancock, stated,—‘It will, no doubt, be extremely gratifying to Sir William Williams, as it is to all ranks of the regiment now here, to find that their conduct has been thought deserving of so great an honour. Penetrated by the repeated proofs of esteem and affection, which they have received from the inhabitants of Guernsey, the officers request me to offer their sincere wishes for the general prosperity of the island, and for the individual happiness and welfare of those friends to whose polite and marked attention they are so deeply indebted.’
In September the regiment embarked for Scotland, and landing at Leith, proceeded from thence to Stirling castle, with detachments to Dumbarton castle, Paisley, Callender, and Buchlivie.
1820
The regiment marched to Edinburgh castle in September, 1820: towards the end of October it proceeded to Port Patrick, where it embarked for Ireland, landing at Donaghadee, marched from thence to Dublin, with detachments to Stranorlane, Carndonagh, Greencastle, Buncrana, Rethinilton, and Letterkenny.
1821
After occupying these stations ten months, the regiment called in its detachments, and marched to Richmond barracks, Dublin, where it arrived on the 21st of September, 1821.
1822
From Dublin the regiment embarked, on the 18th of July, 1822, for England, and two days after landing at Liverpool, orders were received from the Horse Guards for the regiment to embark for Greenock, proceed from thence to Edinburgh, and do duty there during the visit of His Majesty King George IV. to that city.