Colonel Sir John Burgoyne, Bart, of Sutton Park in Bedfordshire, was an officer who had served in several Regiments, the 7th Royal Fusiliers, the 52nd Foot, the 58th Foot, and was Lieutenant Colonel of the 14th Light Dragoons at the time of his appointment as Colonel of the 23rd Light Dragoons. He also held the offices of Comptroller of the Port of Chester, and Muster Master of foreign troops serving in North America. On being appointed to serve in India, he was granted local rank as Major General in the East Indies from 1st June 1781, and was subsequently made Major General in the Army, 20th November 1782.[4] It is probable that the regiment was largely composed of drafts from the regiments that furnished it with officers, viz.: the 8th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 20th, and 21st Light Dragoons. The Regiment was first brought together in the vicinity of his home, and, under order dated 28th December, marched from Bedford to Portsmouth to embark for India. The following orders and instructions had previously been issued, and subsequent events were to show how much the admonition as to disputes with the officers of the East India Company were needed. _Orders and Instructions to Sir John Burgoyne Colonel of the 23rd Regiment of (Light) Dragoons for the Conduct of his Regiment on their passage to the East Indies dated 29th November 1781._ George R. You will before embarking call together the Officers of the Regiment under Your Command, and recommend to them in a particular manner the avoiding all manner of disputes with the Officers of the East India Company, and that they use their utmost Endeavours to live with them in the greatest harmony, as the contrary behaviour will be very displeasing unto Us, as well as detrimental to the Service they are jointly to be employed in;--the respective Officers of Companies are to recommend the same to the Non Commissioned Officers and Soldiers under their Command; The Officers of the East India Company having the same orders, as to their behaviour to Our Land Forces. You will give the strictest orders for keeping up good discipline and regularity both whilst the Troops are on board the East India Companie’s Ships, and on Shore, and if any Commissioned, Non Commissioned Officer or Soldier shall be guilty of any Crime or disorder whilst on board the said Ships, he shall be immediately confined, and you will order Courts Martial to be held and the delinquent to be punished there. The Officers of our said Forces on board the said Ships, shall give the necessary orders for the Men under their Command, consulting with the Commanders of the said Ships, in every thing relating to their Service on board, dividing the Men into Watches, with a proportionable Number of Commissioned and Non Commissioned Officers.