86th Regiment land in Cape of Good Hope

Following the decision by Flanders and Holland to ally with republican France, the British moved to seize the Dutch settlement of the Cape of Good Hope. The Dutch governor surrendered to General Sir Alured Clarke's force on 16 September, before the arrival of the 86th Regiment on 22 September 1796.

The Regiment remained in the Cape for over two years and continued to receive reinforcements until by January 1799, its strength was some 1,300 when it embarked bound for Madras in the East Indies (India).