In May 1776 the regiment arrived in Quebec for service in the American War of Independence. It saw action at the Siege of Fort Ticonderoga in July 1777 but many of its men were taken prisoner at the Battles of Saratoga in September 1777. In 1782 all regiments of the line without a royal title were given a county designation and the regiment became the 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot. Following the ending of that war the regiment formed part of the garrison of Quebec before returning to England in November 1787. The regiment was involved in suppressing the Priestley Riots in Birmingham in July 1791.