The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, having been selected to remain in the United Kingdom, was precluded from taking a part in The Seven Years’ War, the most memorable occurrences of which were, the battle of Plassey, gained in India by Colonel Clive, on the 23rd of June, 1757, which laid the foundation of the British dominion in India; in Germany, the battle of Minden, which was fought on the 1st of August, 1759; in North America, the capture of Cape Breton, in July, 1758; and the capture of Quebec, in September, 1759, which cost the life of the gallant General Wolfe, but which led to the conquest of Canada in the following year, when Montreal, with the whole of that country, surrendered to General Amherst, in September, 1760.
1760
In Germany several hard-fought but indecisive actions occurred: the battle of Warbourg, on the 31st of July, 1760; the action near the Convent of Campen, on the 16th of October following; and the battle of Kirch Denkern, or Fellinghausen, on the 15th and 16th of July, 1761. In the following year actions were fought at Wilhelmstahl and at Amonebourg; the former on the 24th of June, and the latter on the 21st of September.
1762
On the 4th of January, 1762, war was declared against Spain; and Martinique, Grenada, St. Vincent, and other West India islands surrendered to English valour. The important city of Havannah, in Cuba, also capitulated to the British arms.
These successes were followed by a Treaty of Peace, the preliminary articles of which were signed at Fontainebleau, by the Duke of Bedford, on the 3rd of November, 1762.
In June, 1762, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment proceeded from Scotland to England, where it was stationed during the two following years.
On the 20th of August, 1762, Colonel James Adolphus Oughton, from the fifty-fifth regiment, was appointed by His Majesty King George III. to the Colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in succession to Lieutenant-General Henry Holmes, deceased.
1763
The treaty of Fontainebleau was concluded at Paris on the 10th of February, the ratifications were exchanged on the 10th of March, and peace was proclaimed in London on the 22nd of that month.