On 8 March 1826, the First Anglo-Burmese War having been concluded, the 89th Regiment began its journey down the River Irrawaddy, the first stage of its journey back to Madras in India. The tropical climate had taken a severe toll of all British expeditionary troops – of the original strength of 3,586 (a total of 5 Regiments), 3,115 had died mainly of disease. Between December 1823 and May 1826, the 89th lost 621 officers and men, and although the 87th were in Burma for a lesser period, their losses too were in the same proportion. As the 87th Regiment provided the rearguard for the departing British Force, it did not finally leave Burma until mid-October 1826.