[3][5] Having arrived at Jamaica as escort to an artillery train, the 88th joined the command of Major-General John Vaughan on 7 December.

[6][7] It was expected that Vaughan would attempt to attack Puerto Rico, or to retake Grenada, Dominica, or St Vincent.

[6] Leith died at Jamaica on 3 October 1780 whilst preparing to command an expedition to the Spanish Main and was replaced by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Phipps.

[8][9] Disease impacted all ranks of the regiment, and recruiting officers were sent to find more men, some of whom were taken from prison hulks stationed in North America.

[13] It is likely that the regulation uniform was modified when the regiment began to serve in the hotter clime of the West Indies.