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The ordinary inspection by Brigadier-General Holdich took place on March 27th.
Head-quarters and the Right Wing, under Colonel G.V. Maxwell, left Shahjehanpore on November 2nd and arrived at [[Cawnpore]] on the 14th. The Left Wing, under Brevet-Major W.T. Betts, marching from Futtegurh on December 3rd rejoined Head-quarters on the 13th, after a separation of two years and nine months. A detachment of three companies (A, D and F), under Captain H. Baynes, was sent to [[Meerut ]] on November 30th to occupy the barracks there temporarily, pending the arrival of a regiment then en route. The detachment rejoined Head-quarters on January 20th following.
'''1864'''
The Connaught Rangers left Nowshera on January 31st to proceed by route-march to Colaba, Bombay, appointed for their last station in India. They picked up the two companies which had been on detachment at Fort Attock on February 1st. The destination of the regiment was however suddenly changed by a telegram, received on March 5th, which directed it to proceed to Agra in relief of the 77th, unexpectedly ordered home. Diverging from the Grand Trunk Road at Meean Meer and proceeding by way of Ferozepore the regiment reached Loodiana (370 miles from Nowshera) on March 10th. Thence the regiment travelled by rail to Agra, arriving in two detachments on the 12th and 13th. They were inspected by Major-General Troup on the 26th and his report was considered by the Home Authorities "most creditable and satisfactory."
Brevet-Colonel G.V. Maxwell, C.B., was placed on half-pay from April 1st 1870, thus ceasing to be borne on the rolls of the regiment. He was at the same time, being in command of a brigade, appointed a temporary Brigadier-General. At Agra, the Brigadier-General in local command having been sent home on sick leave, Colonel E.H. Maxwell took his place, as from May 4th. He continued to hold the command until he left Agra with the 88th in the November following. Colonel E.H. Maxwell for two months of this time also held command of the [[Meerut ]] Division, during the absence of Major-General Travers on leave. In the interim the acting regimental command devolved on Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel Mauleverer.
A General Order of the previous March, promulgated in India on June 3rd, reduced the number of service companies in battalions serving abroad from ten to eight; without however reducing the actual strength. Medical officers became at the same time departmental officers and ceased to form part of the regimental establishment. This reduction of captains, subalterns and medical officers brought down the establishment of officers from forty to thirty, that of the other ranks was slightly increased. Commanding officers were allowed to exercise their discretion as to the companies to be broken up in carrying out the order. In The Connaught Rangers D and G were selected and ceased to exist from July 1st. The officers, noncommissioned officers and men were distributed amongst the remaining companies, which were re-lettered from C to H. At the end of the year however, when the two depot companies L and M had to be amalgamated on the return of the battalion to England, these depot companies were named D and G and the remainder resumed their former designating letters.
