198 “The Wiltshire Regiment for Wiltshire.” 
Sent to the West Indies nearly all died there on service or 
by disease, and a scanty remnant returned home in 1798. During 
their absence an important matter had been carried out for their 
comfort and permanent establishment, rather however,for the moment 
at any rate, breaking up local connections. In 1792 it was de- 
termined to build regular quarters for the army in various parts of the 
country. Before that period soldiers had been quartered by billets—a 
practice which had caused much heart-burning and many Acts of 
Parliament. Indeed innkeepers were so overwhelmed by their 
military guests, that they often closed their houses and fled with 
their valuables. But from that year, dates the commencement of 
the great changes, in the position and welfare of the soldier, which 
barracks bring with them. 
The Wiltshire Springers recruited again on their return to England, 
chiefly in Devon and Cornwall. In the following year (1799) it 
was determined to add a second battalion to the regiment, and 
thirteen hundred men came to them from the militia whilst they 
were at Poole, Dorset. The two battalions thus obtained a strength 
of eight hundred each. Orders were received whilst there for them 
to go to Holland, but these were countermanded, and the regiment 
went to soothe Irish troubles. Subsequently it volunteered for Egypt, 
and received the thanks of His Royal Highness the Commander in 
Chief for so doing. Shortly after (such was the uncertainty of 
military existence) the second hatallion was reduced, but two years 
later was raised once more —at Devizes, in 1804—and hence comes 
another bond of union of the ‘ Wiltshire Regiment” with the 
county of Wilts. The first battalion of the reconstructed corps 
served in the Mediterranean and in Egypt, 1807—1812, with some 
success against Murat and others.’ (See Appendiz, Nos. 2, 3, and 4.) 
But the first honours of the regiment, now recognised on the 
colours, &c. (Nive), were reserved for the second battalion. On the 
6th October, 1813, the latter landed at Passage, in the north- 
west of Spain, and joining Lord Aylmer’s brigade of Guards * were 
1 It is impossible to follow the regiments in the despatches. 
2 Lord Aylmer’s brigade was originally intended to reduce Santona. 11 
Alison, 131, 
