“I am further to express His Royal pleasure, that you do convey to the general officers under your command His Majesty’s full approbation of the zeal, ability, and valour they have displayed in their several departments; and your Lordship will make it known to the army, that the conduct of all his troops, both British and Hanoverian, who have so much distinguished themselves by their valour and good conduct, is highly acceptable to His Majesty.[12] “It is also a matter highly pleasing to His Majesty, that through the whole of this expedition, such a perfect harmony, and such a zealous spirit of co-operation, have pervaded all departments of the naval and military service.” Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart in communicating the above to the army under his command, on the 28th of September, 1807, added,— “The Commander of the Forces cannot make this communication, without renewing his thanks to the army, for the assistance he has received from the zeal, advice, and active services of the generals, staff, and commanding officers, and for the patience, discipline, and exertions of all regiments, corps, and departments, to which, under the blessing of Providence, he is indebted for the complete success of the expedition, and for the most gracious approbation, which His Majesty has been pleased to declare of the whole service.” On the 17th of October, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment embarked for England in the _Minotaur_, _Neptunis_, and _Iris_, ships of war, and sailed on the 21st. During the passage they encountered very boisterous weather, in which the ships parted company: unfortunately the _Neptunis_, of ninety-eight guns (one of the captured Danish ships), with six hundred of the NINETY-SECOND regiment on board, got aground, and was totally lost. The men were landed on the island of Hewan, where they remained for fourteen days, until vessels arrived for them from England. The men on board the head-quarter ship landed in England on the 12th of November; and on the arrival of the different detachments, orders were waiting for them to proceed to Weeley barracks. The effective strength of the first battalion at this period consisted of forty-nine serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and nine hundred and sixty-four rank and file. [Sidenote: 1808] The first battalion marched to Colchester barracks on the 23rd of March, 1808. Volunteers from the militia of the northern counties were, about this time, received, and taken on the strength of the second battalion, which continued in Ireland. On the 19th of April, the first battalion of the regiment was directed to be held in readiness for immediate embarkation for foreign service, and on the 29th of April, it marched from Colchester, and embarked in transports at Harwich, under Lieut.-Colonel Napier.