In 1817, a flank battalion of six hundred European soldiers was formed at Allahabad, where I then was with my regiment to escort the Governor- General the Marquess of Hastings.

With these six hundred soldiers there were thirty-two European officers.

The soldiers and non- commissioned officers were put into the barracks in the fort, where they had not sufficient room.

The commissioned officers resided in bungalows in the cantonments, or in tents on the open plain.

The men were effectually prevented from exposing themselves to the sun, and from indulging in any kind of intemperance, and every possible care was taken of them.