After being detained a short period, the regiment was exchanged, and resumed its duties. [Sidenote: 1782] The flank companies were stationed at _St. Christopher's_, with the first battalion of the royals and a detachment of artillery, which constituted the military force of the island, under Brigadier-General Fraser, when a powerful French armament appeared off that place in the beginning of January, 1782. Eight thousand French troops landed, with a powerful train of artillery, under the Marquis of Bouillé; and the English troops, being unable to oppose so numerous a host on open ground, took possession of _Brimstone-hill_, a formidable post, but the fortifications were old and in a ruinous state, and the soldiers had no intrenching tools; a desperate defence was however determined on, in hopes of being relieved. Against this post the French batteries opened their fire, on the 19th of January, and from that day a storm of balls and bombs rattled round the hill with increasing fury, until the houses on the heights were battered to pieces, and the old works were nearly destroyed. During this period a British naval force approached the island, and a body of troops landed; but the enemy had so great a superiority of numbers, that no reasonable expectation could be entertained of being able to save the island, and the troops returned on board the fleet. In the meantime, the works on Brimstone-hill had been breached in several places, and the garrison was reduced to the last extremity; yet the troops continued to evince that valour and firmness for which British soldiers have been distinguished; and their conduct excited the admiration of their enemies. When all prospect of being able to resist many hours longer was gone, the garrison capitulated, and was permitted to march through the breach with the honours of war, and return to England, on condition of being considered as prisoners of war until exchanged. The conduct of the officers and soldiers who defended Brimstone-hill was highly commended in Brigadier-General Fraser's despatch; and has been held up as an example of British courage and resolution, by historians. The regiment returned to England, and many of the officers and men, who had been made prisoners, were lost on the voyage, in the _Ville de Paris_, a French ship, which had been captured by Admiral Rodney. This year the FIFTEENTH received the title of the EAST RIDING YORKSHIRE regiment, and was directed to cultivate a connexion with that part of the county, to facilitate the procuring of recruits. [Sidenote: 1783] [Sidenote: 1784] [Sidenote: 1785] During the year 1783, the regiment was stationed in Yorkshire, and rapidly increased in numbers; in the following year it proceeded to Ireland, and was employed on Dublin duty in 1785. [Sidenote: 1790] [Sidenote: 1791]