 It also took part in the expedition against the Black Mountain tribes in 1868 before returning to England in 1871.As part of the Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s, where single-battalion regiments were linked together to share a single depot and recruiting district in the United Kingdom, the 38th was linked with the 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers), and assigned to district no.19 at Whittington Barracks in Lichfield.