Captain Downing of the 55th was placed in charge of the light infantry battalion during the West Indies campaign. Following is an account of his capture:

"Captain Downing's conduct was remarkable. He nad his lieutenant, Mr. John Waring, and three men of the 55th light company, by names Rose, Duffy and Hargrove, defended a narrow path against the French for a considerable time, till most of the five [light] companies had made good their retreat. These officers and soldiers parried the bayonets of the French grenadiers for some time. Mr. Waring was at length run through the body; and Captain Downing would soon have shared the same fate, if a French officer had not advanced, and slightly touched. his sword, which Captain Downing instantly surrendered. He and his three faithful soldiers were immediately escorted prisoners to the old redoubt, where they found Count d'Estaing. Captain Downing here experienced most extraordinary treatment. The coat he happened to have on was not exactly new, nor was the appearance of it Probably the better for the soaking it had had for many days and nights. He wore no shoulder-knot, it being often the custom of our light-infantry officers to wear, instead of them, a sort of fringe called wings. In short they believed, or pretended to believe, that he was not an officer, and tied him back to back with one of his own [private] men. This gentleman has often, with much good humour, described his feelings in this ludicrous situation, and the distress of the poor fellow, who certainly never expected to have experienced so close an intimacy with his captain.
... "Captain Downing was unbound before the French retired, their civility having apparently been improved by their adventures. He was carried to Martinico, and some time afterwards received a visit from Mons. de Latterette, the French officer who saved his life. He expressed great satisfaction, and added, with elegance of manners, that he was certain, whenever the fortune of war enabled him, he would do the same by a French officer."