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Michael Bowles of Ballickmoyler
Notes Illustrative of the History and Services of
the 85th Regiment of Foot
From: Colburn's United Service Magazine and Naval and Military
Journal, 1872, Part 1, January to April
Corporal, later Sergeant, Michael Bowles served on the 85th Foot
Regiment under the Earl of Harrington from 1779 to 1782.
During that time the regiment was devastated by disease in Jamaica
to the point where they had to be recalled only to have most of the
remaining soldiers wiped out by a hurricane off the coast of
Newfoundland on their way back to England. Michael was
fortunate to have returned home with his Colonel on a recruiting
party the summer before. The regiment was then disbanded with
most of the remnants of the 85th being drafted (transferred) to the
45th Foot and Harrington was given command of the 65th Foot Regiment
currently in Ireland. Oddly though, rather than going to the
45th Foot, Michael alone was transferred to the 65th Foot with
Harrington. When the 65th was ordered to America, Harrington
and a small recruiting party which included Michael returned to
England. When Harrington was then given command of the 29th
Foot in 1788, Michael was again transferred with Harrington.
He served as a recruiter with the 29th until his discharge in 1792.
See The Rosters of the Various
Regiments that Michael Bowles Served In Under The Earl of Harrington
Why a lowly Irish Corporal was retained by his Colonel through three
commands remains a mystery.
The story of the 85th's misfortunes is told in more detail in this
article. See also The Earl of
Harrington
    
References to the 85 Foot in the National Archives
These files may yet tell us more about the recruiting process during
the formation of the 85th and possibly more about Michael:
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