In the autumn of this year the first battalion was withdrawn from Bengal, to take part in the reduction of the _Isle of France_, or the _Mauritius_, an important island belonging to France, and situate in the Indian sea. The battalion sailed to Rodriguez, which was the appointed rendezvous of the expedition, and on the 28th of November the fleet came in sight of the Isle of France. The troops landed in the bay of Mapou, and advanced through a thick wood, skirmishing occasionally with the French. On diverging into the open country, the British marched direct upon Port Louis, but the soldiers suffering much from the want of water, the army halted at the streams at the powder mills, five miles from the town. Resuming the march on the following day, the troops were opposed by the enemy in force, when some sharp fighting occurred, in which the British soldiers were triumphant. The FOURTEENTH had one man killed, and two wounded, on this occasion. Having overcome all opposition, the British continued their march, and took post in front of the enemy's lines before the town. On the following morning the governor, General de Caen, agreed to surrender the place to the British troops, under Major-General John Abercromby. This valuable island was thus added to the possessions of the British crown, and the FOURTEENTH were thanked in orders for their conduct on this service. After the capture of the Isle of France, the first battalion of the FOURTEENTH Regiment proceeded to Madras, where it was stationed several weeks. [Sidenote: 1811] In January, 1811, the flank companies of the second battalion proceeded from Malta, to the island of Sicily, under the orders of Captain Ramsay and Captain Light, to serve under Major-General Lord William Bentinck.