He was promoted first lieutenant on 19 November 1796, and in May 1797 he embarked with two companies of Royal Sappers and Miners for Santo Domingo, West Indies.
When the British left the island of Hispaniola in 1798 he was attached to the staff of Sir Thomas Maitland, who became a lifelong.
[1] Promoted captain 1 March 1805, Anderson in that year he assumed by royal license the additional surname of Morshead.
In July 1807 he was sent to Dublin, and three months later was appointed commanding Royal Engineer of the Madeira expedition under Brigadier-general William Beresford.
[1] Morshead remained in Madeira until 1812, and on his return to England in November of that year was posted to the Plymouth division.
There he remained for many years, and carried out major works for the ordnance and naval services in consultation with the Duke of Wellington and Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville.