79th Regiment of Foot (Royal Liverpool Volunteers)
In common with other volunteer regiments formed elsewhere in Britain during the conflict,[1] the 79th was raised at the expense of the port of Liverpool, with the town's corporation contributing £2000.[4] In February 1780, the regiment took part in an expedition against the Spanish colony of Nicaragua, ferried by young Captain Horatio Nelson.[5] In 1781, Banastre Tarleton became the lieutenant-colonel of the Liverpool Volunteers, though remained in command of the 5th American Regiment (British Legion).An infamous cavalry officer during the American Revolution, Tarleton was the son of a former Mayor of Liverpool.[2] On 4 February 1784, a contingent of seven officers received the freedom of the borough while the regiment's colours were laid up at Liverpool Town Hall.