"Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, "Commanding FIFTH FOOT." On the 16th of September, orders were received at Buttevant to hold the six service companies in readiness to embark for Gibraltar, and in consequence, the reserve, or depôt, was with great promptitude formed on the same day. On the 23rd the regiment was reviewed by Lieutenant-General Sir Hussey Vivian, K.C.B., Commander of the Forces in Ireland; and on the 29th it was inspected by Major-General Sir George Bingham, K.C.B., commanding the district, when both these distinguished officers expressed their unqualified approbation of its appearance, movements, and interior economy. [Sidenote: 1832] The reserve marched on the 7th of November to Fermoy, being destined to remain for the present in Ireland, which continued in a very disturbed state; and the service companies moved to Cork towards the end of the month, and there embarked under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, on the 29th of November and 5th and 6th of December, on board the "Marquis of Huntley," (head-quarters,) "William Harris," and "Sylvia," transports; sailed from Cove on the 26th of December, arrived in the bay of Gibraltar, after a very quick but boisterous passage, on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, and disembarked on the 9th, 10th, and 12th of January, 1832, to do duty in that far-famed fortress. Previous to the embarkation of the FIFTH from Ireland, the circumstance of the regiment having an "Order of Merit," a privilege established in this regiment in the year 1767 (as explained in page 37), attracted the attention, and elicited the representations, of the local military authorities. The commanding officer, after the arrival at Gibraltar, was in consequence called upon by the General Commanding-in-Chief, Lord Hill, to explain under what regulations and arrangements the Order was conferred, candidates selected, medals provided and distributed, and other particulars connected with this most laudable institution. The required information was promptly afforded, proved satisfactory, and the following gratifying letter was the result, viz.:-- "_Horse-Guards, 20th June, 1832._ "Sir, "I have had the honour to submit to the General Commanding-in-Chief, your letter of the 4th instant, with its enclosure, on the subject of the 'Order of Merit' existing in the FIFTH FOOT, and am directed to acquaint you, that the explanation afforded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, shows that the order in question is dispensed under the most laudable regulations, and has been productive of the best effects, during the long period since its original establishment in the regiment.