During the War of the American Revolution (1775-1783) the number of Foot regiments rose from 70 to to 105, a second batalion was raised for the 42nd and the 60th was increased to four battalions. After the war these, with the exception of the 2nd Bn, 42nd Foot and the 71st, 73rd and 78th Foot, were disbanded.
In 1786/87 the infantry was increased again. The 71st Foot was disbanded. The 73rd and 78th Foot were renumbered into 71st and 72nd Foot to fill in the gaps. The 2nd Bn, 42nd Foot became a regiment in it’s own right as the 73rd Foot. New 74th - 77th Foot were raised. And the 60th was once again increased to four battalions.