[Sidenote: 1808] The first battalion occupied quarters in Sicily during the year 1808. [Sidenote: 1809] In June, 1809, Lieut.-General Sir John Stuart, commanding in chief in the Mediterranean, resolved to menace the capital and kingdom of Naples, as a diversion in favour of the Austrians, who were contending against numerous difficulties in their war with France. The flank companies of the TWENTY-FIRST were employed on this service; and after menacing a considerable extent of coast, which produced much alarm, the romantic and fruitful island of _Ischia_, celebrated for the beauty of its scenery, and situate in the Bay of Naples, about six miles from the coast, was attacked. A landing was effected in the face of a formidable line of batteries, from which the enemy was speedily driven; Lieut. Cameron of the TWENTY-FIRST, who was attached to the British flotilla, attacked the enemy's gun-boats with great gallantry, and captured twenty-four of their number; but was mortally wounded at the moment of victory. The siege of the castle was undertaken, and in a few days the garrison was forced to surrender. The island of _Procida_ surrendered on being summoned. Two valuable islands were thus rescued from the power of General Murat, whom the Emperor Napoleon had nominated King of Naples, in succession to Joseph Bonaparte, upon whom the Emperor had conferred the crown of Spain; and one thousand five hundred regular troops, with one hundred pieces of ordnance, were captured. An attempt was, at this period, made to reduce the castle of _Scylla_; but the large force, which the enemy possessed in Calabria, rendered this impracticable. The battalion companies of the regiment were employed in this service, and had Captain Hunter killed, eight rank and file killed and wounded. A detachment of the regiment was sent, at the request of the inhabitants, to the town of Valmi, for the protection of the place; but was intercepted by the enemy, and Captains Mackay and Conran, Lieutenants M'Nab and Mackay, four serjeants, two drummers, and seventy-six rank and file, were made prisoners. [Sidenote: 1810]