In 1804 the head-quarters were removed from Madras to Wallajabad, where they arrived on the 21st of August. In December a detachment returned to Madras, where it embarked for Vizagapatam, to protect the shipping.
In the mean time the menace of invading England, made by Napoleon Bonaparte, had been followed by a simultaneous appeal to arms throughout the United Kingdom, and an array of military power was manifested which proved the attachment of the British people to their sovereign and constitution. On this memorable occasion a second battalion was added to the Thirty-fourth Regiment, and was embodied at Ashford, in Kent. It was formed of volunteers from the First East York, Third West York, First Lancashire, South Lincoln, and East Essex Regiments of Militia, and was placed on the establishment of the army on the 25th of April, 1805.
Soon after its formation, the second battalion marched to Colchester.
1805
Bonaparte obtained the dignity of Emperor from the French nation, was crowned King of Italy, and added Genoa to his dominions; he afterwards marched his army from Boulogne to crush the coalition forming against his interests in Germany; at the same time the French troops were withdrawn from Hanover, which country they had seized soon after the resuming of hostilities in 1803. A body of troops was sent to Hanover under Lieutenant-General Lord Cathcart, to co-operate with the continental powers; and on the 28th of November the second battalion of the Thirty-fourth Regiment marched to Ramsgate for embarkation for Germany, under the orders of Major Broomhead. The battle of Austerlitz established the preponderance of French power; in a subsequent treaty it was stipulated that Hanover should be occupied by the Prussians, and the British troops, under Lord Cathcart, withdrew to the coast and embarked for England. On its return from this expedition, the battalion was quartered on the coast of Sussex.
In March of this year, the detachment of the first battalion was withdrawn from Ceylon, and joined the head-quarters at Wallajabad; and in April four companies proceeded to the fortress of Vellore, which had been chosen for the residence of the captive princes of the race of Hyder and Tippoo, with the two hostages given up to Lord Cornwallis. In October, the battalion was united at Bellary.
1806
During the year 1806, the first battalion was in garrison at the fortresses of Gooty and Bellary. Lieutenant-Colonel Fancourt of the Thirty-fourth Regiment was commandant of Vellore, and was killed in the mutiny which took place among the Sepoys and Moormen, on the morning of the 10th July, 1806.
1807
In April, the second battalion embarked for the island of Jersey, where it remained until May, 1807, when it was removed to the Isle of Wight, in order to its embarkation for the island of Ceylon; but while waiting for shipping, its destination was changed, and it proceeded to Cork, to join a secret expedition ordered to rendezvous at that place, under Brigadier-General Beresford. The expedition sailed to Madeira, and took possession of that island; but the Thirty-fourth landed in Ireland, were stationed at Bandon barracks, and placed under orders to proceed to India.