At the outbreak of the French Revolution the 35th regiment of Foot was stationed at edinburgh Castle and stayed in Scotland until 1792 when it was sent to Ireland. However 1793 saw British activities once again beginning to centre on the French held West Indies. By January 1794 the 35th Regiment of Foot once more back in Barbados preparing to attack Martinique. On 20th of February after much heavy fighting all Fortresses on the island were once more in British hands. (The 35th Regiment of Foot having been involved in the capture of the island in 1762.)

    Following the fall of Martinique the 35th Regiment of Foot was again to repeat history, this time with the capture of St Lucia. From this island they were transported for an attack on Guadeloupe where the northern portion of the island group and its Fortresses was at the point of the bayonet quickly secured. Two days later the southern island fell into British hands, the third time in successive wars.

    The flank companies then found themselves bound for St Domingo, however by their arrival fighting had ceased, but this did not prevent loss. During the passage disease had broken out and the Grenadier battalion which included the 35th Regiment's, practically ceased to exist. Meanwhile things began to go badly for the centre companies.

    The French having recovered from their initial island loss, set about recovering their former possessions and soon recaptured part of Guadeloupe. The forces gathered to repel the French, including the centre companies of the 35th Regiment, were soon in trouble. On the 2nd of July most of the 35th Regiment of Foot was involved in an abortive attack on the town of Point-a-Petre and had to retreat to Berville. By the 1st of September, thanks once again to disease the companies of 35th Regiment at Berville are reported to have only had 47 men fit for duty, these men were part of the forces forced to capitulate to the French on the 6th of October.

    The fall of the main body left a small garrison, including several companies of the 35th regiment of Foot, in possession of the only fortress on Guadeloupe in British hands, FORT MATILDA. Here the small garrison managed to hold out, enduring great hardships, until December 10th. The surviving members of the 35th Regiment of Foot were transported to Martinique from there, by early 1795, they were on their way to Gibraltar via England, where the Regiment stayed until late 1796.

    From 1797 until 1799 the 35th Regiment of Foot was back in mainland Britain stationing various parts of the United Kingdom. However, 1799 saw the Regiment take part in the Duke of York's army co-operating with Russian allies in an attack on the Dutch Republic (Batavian).

    Although this campaign needs further research the following can be stated on the 19th of August 1797 both battalions 35th Regiment were involved in heavy fighting through the village of Schorl, fighting shoulder to shoulder with two battalions of Russians and a brigade of British  Guards. However even this exhalted company had to retire due to lack of ammunition (in the case of the Russians) and as exhaustion (in the case of the British) set in. At the end of this days battle (some 14 hours) the 1st Battalion had over 350 men killed, wounded or missing. Probably because of the losses, for the rest of the campaign the centre companies of both battalions were given the duty of prisoner escort. The flank companies however were not so lucky and were involved in heavy fighting on the 2nd of October around Egmont and on the 6th of October around Baccum.

    By late October the Dutch campaign of the Duke of York was obviously not going to achieve either the repulsion of  French troops or Dutch defection and by November all British troops were on board transports, heading home.

    1800 saw the first battalion in action during the taking of Malta from the French (captured during Napoleon Bonaparte's progress to Egypt) again this needs further research but what can be said is that " the first British standard flown over Valetta was that of the Kings colour of the 35th Regiment of Foot" (from Historic Memoir's of the 35th Regiment of Foot by Richard Trimen). That year like most of the British army the 35th Regiment of Foot underwent radical changes in dress equipment and drill.

    Between 1800 and 1805 the Regiment saw no action, the first battalion being on the island of Malta while the second remain in the U.K. However during this period two notable things occurred, first the Regiment's Colonel, General Henry Fletcher died on the 17th March 1803.  This old soldier had spent no less than 48 years in the Regiment and had risen to command after the death of Colonel Monro.

GENERAL HENRY FLETCHER

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FLETCHER FAMILY
FOR THE USE OF THIS IMAGE

General Henry Fletcher's passing meant  that from is founding in 1700 to 1803 the Regiment had had just four commanders (It would be interesting to research how this compares with other Regiments, perhaps visitors to this site might be able to contribute something here). The second occurrence was that in 1805 having originally been titled "The Dorsetshire Regiment" the 35th Regiment of Foot, thanks to the efforts, (in both recruitment in Sussex and his lobbying the King) of the Colonel of the 35th Regiment of Foot-- Lieutenant-General Charles Lennox (later the fourth Duke of Richmond -----29th December 1806)  was renamed "The Sussex"

 

Recently a letter arrived from a visitor Steve Williams to this site containing the following information/request for help. Since it adds a different aspect to "the period" and might prove interesting to research further I enclose it----
    I am researching my family tree and have found that one ancestor was in the 2nd Battalion 35th Regiment of Foot. His name was John Williams who was born 1787 at Brenock, Wales. John Williams joined the 35th Regiment and deserted three times (This may have been because of the Welsh dislike of the English ? ) for which he was sentenced to 14 years servitude and sent to Australia.
    I have a copy of his army record which is about all I have and am trying to establish the location of the 2nd Battalion-35th regiment of Foot at the time of his desertion. Between 6th of March and 16th of March the 35th Regiment had been shipped from Sicily to Alexandria and it was on 10th of March John Williams deserted from Captain Slessors company but where ?. (At his trial he was accompanied by another deserter Samuel Webb .)

All entries under Captain Slessors Company (WO-12-5019 War Office-Reg't pay list)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
NAME                            PERIOD OF PAY            NO OF DAYS    AMOUNT          REMARKS _____________________________________________________________________________________________
John Williams          25th Nov-2ND Dec               8                -/8/-            Deserted
John Williams          21st Dec- 24th Dec               4                -/4/-            Joined from desertion
John Williams          25th Dec-10th March           76             3/16/-            Deserted                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Balance of effects and credit debts of N.C.O's Drummers,Pipers and Privates of 2nd Battalion- 35th Regiment of Foot, who have died or deserted, from the 25th December 1805 to the 24th March 1806. Both days inclusive.

COMPANY                 NAME               DESERTED               CREDIT              DEBITS
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Capt. Slessors          John Williams            10th March                 &3/16/-                 Nil

Account of expenses incurred by Samuel Webb and John williams, deserted, bought back to the regiment, 31st March 1806.

                            Pay from 23rd March-30th March    8 days @ 6d each £-/8/-
                       Acts from 27th March-30th March   4 days @ 3d each  £-/2/-
                       One pair of handcuffs                                                 £-/2/-
                                                                                              Total  £-/12/6

THIS ALL ADDS A DIFFERENT  VIEW ON THIS PERIOD --STEVE WILLIAMS REQUESTS ASSISTANCE FOR MORE RESEARCH--SHOULD ANYONE COME ACROSS ANYTHING RELEVANT I'M SURE STEVE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU