_Port-au-Prince_, the capital of the French possessions in the island, was still in the power of the republicans, and the siege of this place was resolved upon. The flank companies of the battalion took part in this service, and the enemy evacuated the town on the 4th of June, and it was immediately occupied by the British troops. Unfortunately, a malignant fever broke out in the town, and the British lost 40 officers and 600 rank and file within two months after the surrender of the place. A detachment of the ROYALS, under Lieutenant Clunes, formed part of the garrison of 120 men at _Fort Bizzeton_, which was attacked on the 5th of December by 2000 of the enemy, who were repulsed with considerable loss. Major-General Sir Adam Williamson, speaking of this affair in his public despatch, stated,--"Captain Grant (13th) and his two Lieutenants, Clunes of the ROYALS and Hamilton of the 22nd Regiment, merit every attention that can be shown them. They were all three severely wounded early in the attack, but tied up their wounds and continued to defend their posts. It has been a very gallant defence, and does them great honour." The loss of this little garrison was, one serjeant and four rank and file killed; three officers, one serjeant, and thirteen rank and file, wounded. [Sidenote: 1795] A detachment of the battalion was engaged in the defence of an out-post at the commencement of the year 1795; and Lieutenant Spencer was wounded, and Lieutenant Watts killed, by the blowing up of a block-house. [Sidenote: 1796] [Sidenote: 2nd Batt.] The 2nd battalion had, in the mean time, remained in garrison at Calvi, in the island of Corsica; but the French having violated the neutrality of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and taken possession of the city of Leghorn, directed the cannon of the fortresses against the British shipping in the road, and seized on British property; it was believed they had the same design against Porto Ferrajo, in the island of Elba; and the ROYALS were withdrawn from Corsica in July, 1796, to take possession of this place. Meanwhile the success of the French arms in various parts of Europe, particularly the victorious career of General Bonaparte in Italy, had produced a revolution of feeling amongst the inhabitants of Corsica. Bonaparte was a native of the island, and the Corsicans gloried in him as a man who reflected honour on his country; this produced a feeling of regret that the island had become annexed to Great Britain, and they began to plot measures to effect its separation. It appearing evident that the cost of the defence would exceed the advantage derived from the possession of the island, it was evacuated in October, and the remainder of the troops proceeded to Elba, where the 2nd battalion of the ROYAL Regiment was stationed. [Sidenote: 1797] [Sidenote: 1st Batt.]