They were employed as regimental drummers, a tradition that continued until 1843. Together with the 14th Regiment of Foot, the 29th was posted to Boston in 1768. On 5 March 1770, members of the Grenadier company under Captain Thomas Preston were involved in the Boston Massacre, when five colonists died during a riot in front of the Boston customs house. The 29th was later dubbed the "Vein Openers," for allegedly drawing first blood in the American Revolution. Those involved were tried for murder, defended by John Adams, a future President of the United States; two soldiers, Hugh Montgomery and Matthew Kilroy were found guilty of manslaughter and branded on the thumb. Preston and the others were found not guilty and following the trial, the regiment moved to British-controlled Florida in 1771, then to England in 1773. During the American Revolutionary War in 1775, the Americans tried to capture Quebec City; they were forced to retreat but the 29th arrived in Quebec in June 1776 to reinforce British forces in what is now modern Canada. The Light and Grenadier companies were detached to join the 1777 Saratoga campaign, and fought at the Battle of Hubbardton on 7 July under Brigadier Simon Fraser. Following defeat in the Battles of Saratoga, these companies surrendered with the rest of Burgoyne's force in October 1777. The other eight remained in Canada, fighting in a number of raids and small battles along the Vermont and New York state frontiers. On 31 August 1782, the unit was renamed the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot by a royal warrant giving county titles to all regiments that did not already have a special title. This was an attempt to improve recruitment, but no depot was established in the county and recruits were liable to serve in any regiment. The regiment returned to England after the Anglo-French War ended in 1783; in 1791, it was given the regimental march known as 'The Royal Windsor,' allegedly composed by Princess Augusta, with the help of Lord William Cathcart. The French Revolutionary Wars broke out in 1792 and in 1794, members of the 29th took part in the British naval victory known as the Glorious First of June, serving as marines on HMS "Brunswick" and "Ramillies". The regiment was awarded a naval crown for its participation in the battle, during which the "Brunswick" sank the French ship "Le Vengeur du Peuple" and disabled the "Achille".