84th Foot
Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Armies >> British Army >> 84th Foot
Origin and History
The regiment was raised in England by lieutenant-general Eyre Coote as per an ordinance of January 10 1759. It embarked for India soon afterward.
During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was under the command of:
- since April 23 1758: sir Eyre Coote
In December 1763, the regiment was disbanded.
Service during the War
As soon as created in January 1759, the regiment embarked aboard the vessels of Rear-Admiral Samuel Cornish, sent as reinforcements to the British army in the East Indies. On October 17, on his way to Bombay, Vice-Admiral George Pocock was joined by these reinforcements. He retained 5 companies of the regiment for service aboard the fleet and sent the rest (600 men) to Madras. On October 27, upon his arrival at Madras, lieutenant-General Coote took command of all British troops in India. Major-General Robert Clive was furious when he heard about it. Nevertheless, Coote immediately proceeded with his regiment. Between November 21 and 23, the regiment reached the British camp at Conjeeveram (present-day Kanchipuram). It then took part in the siege and capture of Wandiwash (present-day Vandavasi) which surrendered on November 29. Then from December 4 to 10, part of the regiment took part in the siege and capture of Carangooly. Coote, who had moved up to within a few km of Arcot, was compelled by lack of supplies and inclement weather to cross the Paliar and distribute his troops into cantonments.
On July 20, 1760, the French and Mysorean armies advanced along the bank of the river, threatening to raise the siege of Villenore. Coote immediately moved out with 2 battalions of the Madras European Regiment, the single company of the Bombay European Regiment, their guns, half the Sepoys and half the cavalry to meet them. The French and Mysoreans drew up in position but Draper's 79th Foot and Coote's 84th Foot having marched from the left and threatened their left flank and rear, they at once retired under the boundary hedge of Pondicherry. Around the end of July, 600 men arrived to replace vacancies in Draper's 79th Foot and the regiment.
To do: detail of the campaigns from 1761 to 1762
Uniform
Privates
no information found yet
Officers
no information found yet
Musicians
no information found yet
Colours
no information found yet
References
Fortescue, J. W., A History of the British Army Vol. II, MacMillan, London, 1899
N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
