Her Majesty's 3rd Light Dragoons, that Serjeant Hinds, and a party of
six or seven men of the regiment, succeeded in capturing two of the
enemy's Guns, after cutting down the whole of the armed party who were
with them. The Guns were marked by order of Lieutenant Sullivan, who
can identify them.
I have in conclusion to add, that the undermentioned Officers afforded
me every assistance, and conducted themselves throughout the Action to
my entire satisfaction, and I beg to bring them to His Excellency's
favourable notice:--
Brigadier Gough, C.B., Her Majesty's 3rd Light Dragoons.
Brigadier Mactier, 4th Native Cavalry (Lancers).
Major Balders, Commanding 3rd Light Dragoons.
Captain Dawkins, Commanding Governor-General's Body-Guard.
Major Alexander, Commanding 5th Light Cavalry.
Captain Nash, Commanding 4th Light Cavalry.
Captain Christie, Commanding 4th Irregular Cavalry.
Captain Tritton, Assistant Adjutant-General of Cavalry.
Captain Quin, Deputy Quarter Master-General of Cavalry.
Lieutenant Fisher, Brigade-Major.
Captain Harrington, Brigade Major.
Captain Wyld, Brigade Major.
I trust I may also be permitted to name Lieutenant and Adjutant
Sullivan, Her Majesty's 3rd Light Dragoons, who rendered me most
essential service, independent of his regimental duties, throughout the
action.
I have, &c.,
M. WHITE,
_Lieut.-Col. 3rd Light Dragoons,
Brigadier Commanding Cavalry Division,
Army of the Sutlej_.
_Copy of a Despatch from Brigadier M. White, C.B., Commanding the
Cavalry Division, to the Adjutant-General of the Army in India._
Camp, Ferozeshah, 25th December, 1845.
SIR,
In compliance with instructions contained in the General Order by His
Excellency the Commander-in-Chief of yesterday's date, I have the
honour to report on the operations of the Cavalry Division under my
command during the Actions of the 21st and 22nd instant, as far as came
under my personal observation, and have the gratification to state, for
His Excellency's information, that every Individual of Her Majesty's
3rd Light Dragoons, both Officers and Men, performed their duty with
the highest credit to themselves and their country. This I had an
opportunity of witnessing, having charged at the head of the regiment
myself through a battery of the enemy's guns which met us with a most
galling fire of grape, and over their infantry entrenched in front of
their camp. This charge was a most gallant and successful one, as we
succeeded in completely driving the enemy from their guns, though, I
regret to say, our loss on this occasion has been very severe, both in
Officers and Men, as will be seen by the Casualty Return of the Corps.
I beg to bring to his Excellency's favourable notice the merits of the
following Officers who gallantly led the regiment into action:--Major
Balders, Commanding; Captain Tritton, Assistant Adjutant-General;
Lieutenant Sullivan, Officiating Major of Brigade; Captain Havelock,
and Brigade Major Wyld of the 4th Lancers; the two latter Officers were
at the time acting under my orders, and charged with the regiment.
I beg to add, that Major Balders having been wounded in the charge,
the command devolved on Captain Hale, who brought the regiment out of
Action.
During the 22nd, the brigade immediately under my command was engaged
manœuvring during the whole of the day, sometimes for the protection
of our own Artillery, and at others, with a view of cutting off the
enemy's retreat, and capturing their few remaining guns; in the latter
we were not successful, as, with the exception of about a squadron of
Her Majesty's 3rd Light Dragoons and the 4th Regiment of Lancers, the
whole of the Cavalry had been withdrawn off the field. On this day
our loss was comparatively small, having lost a few Non-Commissioned
Officers and Men, and having two Officers' chargers killed by round
shot, one of which was Lieutenant Sullivan's, my officiating Major of
Brigade, being the third horse shot under him during the Actions of the
18th, 21st, and 22nd December.
I have, &c.,
M. WHITE,
_Lieut.-Col. 3rd Light Dragoons,
Brigadier Commanding Cavalry Division,
Army of the Sutlej_.
_Extracts from Minutes of Proceedings of the House of Lords.--2nd
March, 1846._
"Order of the day read, _Moved_ to resolve,--That the Thanks of this
House be given to the Right Honourable Lieutenant-General Sir Henry
Hardinge, Governor-General of India, Knight Grand Cross of the Order
of the Bath, for the energy and ability with which he directed the
military means at his disposal, to the repelling of the unprovoked
invasion by the Sikh Army, of the dominions of the British Government,
and of the Protected States upon the left bank of the Sutlej; and also
for the firmness and gallantry with which he directed the operations of
that portion of the Army under his immediate command, in the afternoon
and night of December 21st, 1845, and on the morning of the 22nd, upon
which occasion the enemy's defences were carried by storm, the greater
part of their Artillery captured, and their subsequent attempts to
regain what they had lost repeatedly defeated.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to General Sir Hugh Gough, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of the
Order of the Bath, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in the East Indies,
for the distinguished valour with which he directed and led the
several attacks upon the enemy, and for the eminent services rendered
by him in the Battles of the 18th, 21st, and 22nd of December, 1845;
displaying, as he did, in conjunction with the Governor-General, a
brilliant example to the Troops of perseverance and courage in critical
circumstances, and of irresistible ardour in the several attacks made
upon the enemy.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to Major-General Sir Henry George Smith, Knight Commander of the
Order of the Bath, to Major-General Walter Raleigh Gilbert, and to
Major-General Sir John Hunter Littler, Knight Commander of the Order
of the Bath, and to the several Officers, European and Native, under
their command, for the eminent services rendered by them in the recent
arduous and successful operations.
"On Question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to the Non-Commissioned Officers and Private Soldiers, European
and Native, for the perseverance and fortitude maintained by them at
Moodkee, on the 18th December, 1845, and for the daring valour with
which they forced the enemy's entrenchments at Ferozeshah on the 21st
and 22nd of December, captured most of his guns, and finally compelled
the Sikh Army, of greatly superior numbers, to retire within their
own frontier; and that this Resolution be signified to them by the
Commanders of the several Corps.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_,--That the said Resolutions be transmitted by
the Lord Chancellor to the Governor-General of India, and that he be
requested to communicate the same to the several Officers referred to
therein.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_."
_Extracts from Minutes of Proceedings of the House of Lords.--2nd
April, 1846._
"Order of the Day read, _moved_ to resolve,--That the Thanks of
this House be given to Major-General Sir Henry George Smith, Knight
Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, for his
skilful and meritorious conduct, when in command of the British Troops
employed against a large portion of the Sikh Army, of greatly superior
numbers; and for the signal valour and judgment displayed by him in
the battle of the 28th of January, 1846, when the enemy's force was
totally defeated, and a new lustre added to the reputation of the
British Arms.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to the several Officers, European and Native, under the command
of Sir Henry Smith, for the distinguished services rendered by them at
the battle of Aliwal.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That this House doth highly approve
of and commend the intrepidity and exemplary discipline displayed
by the Non-Commissioned Officers and Private Soldiers, European and
Native, on the 28th of January 1846, in their attack on the enemy's
position, by which the Sikhs were completely routed and driven in
confusion across the Sutlej, with the loss of all their Artillery and
Military Equipment; and that the same be signified to them by the
Commanders of the several Corps, who are desired to thank them for
their gallant behaviour.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That in requesting the
Governor-General of India to communicate these Resolutions to the
several Officers referred to therein, this House desires to acknowledge
the zeal and judgment evinced by the Right Honourable Lieut.-General
Sir Henry Hardinge, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath,
Governor-General of India, and also by General Sir Hugh Gough, Baronet,
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Commander-in-Chief of
the Forces in India, in supplying Major-General Sir Henry Smith with
such reinforcements and military means as enabled him, under Divine
Providence, to overcome all the obstacles thrown in his way by a brave
and determined enemy.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to the Right Honourable Lieut.-General Sir Henry Hardinge,
Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath,
Governor-General of India, for the judgment, energy, and ability with
which the resources of the British Empire in India have been applied in
repelling the unjust and unprovoked invasion of the British Territory
by the Sikh Nation; and for the valour and indefatigable exertions
which he displayed on the 10th of February, 1846, at the battle of
Sobraon, when, by the blessing of Almighty God, which we desire most
humbly to acknowledge, this hostile and treacherous invasion was
successfully defeated.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That the thanks of this House be
given to General Sir Hugh Gough, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of the
Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Commander-in-Chief of the
Forces in India, for the signal ability and valour with which, upon
the 10th of February, 1846, he directed and led the attack, when the
enemy's entrenchments were stormed, their Artillery captured, their
Army defeated and scattered, and the Punjaub laid open to the advance
of our victorious troops.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to Major-General Sir Henry George Smith, Knight Commander of
the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath; Major-General Walter
Raleigh Gilbert; and Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, Knight
Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath; and to the
other Officers, European and Native, for the distinguished services
rendered by them in the eminently successful operations at the Battle
of Sobraon.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_, _Nemine dissentiente_."
"Then it was _moved_ to resolve,--That this House doth highly approve
of and commend the invincible intrepidity, perseverance, and steady
discipline displayed by the Non-Commissioned Officers and Private
Soldiers, European and Native, on the 10th of February, 1846, by which
the glory of the British Arms has been successfully maintained against
a determined and greatly superior force: and that the same be signified
to them by the Commanders of the several Corps, who are desired to
thank them for their gallant behaviour.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_."
"Then it was _moved_,--That the said Resolutions be transmitted by
the Lord Chancellor to the Governor-General of India, and that he be
requested to communicate the same to the several Officers referred to
therein.
"On question, _Resolved_ in the _Affirmative_."
_Extracts from the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.--2nd
March, 1846._
MILITARY OPERATIONS ON THE SUTLEJ.
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to the Right Honourable Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Hardinge,
Governor-General of India, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath,
for the energy and ability with which he directed the military means at
his disposal, to the repelling of the unprovoked invasion by the Sikh
Army of the dominions of the British Government, and of the Protected
States upon the left bank of the Sutlej; and also for the firmness and
gallantry with which he directed the operations of that portion of the
army under his immediate command, in the afternoon and night of 21st
December, 1845, and on the morning of the 22nd, upon which occasion
the enemy's defences were carried by storm, the greater part of their
artillery captured, and their subsequent attempts to regain what they
had lost, repeatedly defeated."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That the Thanks of this House
be given to General Sir Hugh Gough, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of
the Order of the Bath, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in the East
Indies, for the distinguished valour with which he directed and led the
several attacks upon the enemy, and for the eminent services rendered
by him in the battles of the 18th, 21st, and 22nd of December, 1845,
displaying, as he did, in conjunction with the Governor-General, a
brilliant example to the Troops of perseverance and courage in critical
circumstances, and of irresistible ardour in the several attacks made
upon the enemy."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That the Thanks of this House
be given to Major-General Sir Henry George Smith, Knight Commander of
the Order of the Bath, to Major-General Walter Raleigh Gilbert, and to
Major-General Sir John Hunter Littler, Knight Commander of the Order
of the Bath, and to the several Officers, European and Native, under
their command, for the eminent services rendered by them in the recent
arduous and successful operations."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to the Non-Commissioned Officers and Private Soldiers, European
and Native, for the perseverance and fortitude maintained by them at
Moodkee, on the 18th of December, 1845, and for the daring valour with
which they forced the enemy's entrenchments at Ferozeshah on the 21st
and 22nd of December, captured most of his guns, and finally compelled
the Sikh Army, of greatly superior numbers, to retire within their own
frontier."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That this Resolution be signified
to them by the Commanders of the several Corps."
"_Ordered_,--That the said Resolutions be transmitted by Mr. Speaker to
the Governor-General of India, and that he be requested to communicate
the same to the several Officers referred to therein."
_Extracts from the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.--2nd
April, 1846._
BATTLE OF ALIWAL.
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That the Thanks of this House
be given to Major-General Sir Henry George Smith, Knight Commander of
the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, for his skilful and
meritorious conduct when in command of the British Troops employed
against a large portion of the Sikh Army, of greatly superior numbers;
and for the signal valour and judgment displayed by him in the battle
of Aliwal, on the 28th of January, 1846, when the enemy's force was
totally defeated, and new lustre added to the reputation of the British
Arms."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to the several Officers, European and Native, under the command
of Sir Henry Smith, for the distinguished services rendered by them at
the battle of Aliwal."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That this House doth highly
approve of, and commend, the intrepidity and exemplary discipline
displayed by the Non-commissioned Officers and Private Soldiers,
European and Native, in the battle of Aliwal, on the 28th of January,
1846, in their attack on the enemy's position, by which the Sikhs were
completely routed, and driven in confusion across the Sutlej; with the
loss of all their Artillery, and Military Equipment; and that the same
be signified to them by the Commanders of the several Corps, who are
desired to thank them for their gallant behaviour."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That, in requesting the
Governor-General of India to communicate these Resolutions to
the several Officers referred to therein, this House desires to
acknowledge the zeal and judgment evinced by the Right Honourable
Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Hardinge Knight Grand Cross of the Most
Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Governor-General of India; and
also by General Sir Hugh Gough, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of the
Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Commander-in-Chief of
the Forces in India, in supplying Major-General Sir Henry Smith with
such reinforcements and military means as enabled him, under Divine
Providence, to overcome all the obstacles thrown in his way by a brave
and determined enemy."
"_Ordered_,--That the said Resolutions be transmitted by Mr. Speaker to
the Governor-General of India, and that he be requested to communicate
the same to the several Officers referred to therein."--(_Sir Robert
Peel._)
BATTLE OF SOBRAON.
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to the Right Honourable Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Hardinge,
Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath,
Governor-General of India, for the judgment, energy, and ability,
with which the resources of the British Empire in India have been
applied, in repelling the unjust and unprovoked invasion of the British
Territory by the Sikh Nation; and for the valour and indefatigable
exertions which he displayed on the 10th of February, 1846, at the
battle of Sobraon, when, by the blessing of Almighty God, which we
desire most humbly to acknowledge, this hostile and treacherous
invasion was successfully defeated."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That the Thanks of this House be
given to General Sir Hugh Gough, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of the
Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Commander-in-Chief of the
Forces in India, for the signal ability and valour with which, in the
battle of Sobraon, upon the 10th of February, 1846, he directed and
led the attack, when the enemy's entrenchments were stormed, their
artillery captured, their army defeated and scattered, and the Punjaub
laid open to the advance of our victorious Troops."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That the Thanks of this House
be given to Major-General Sir Henry George Smith, Knight Commander
of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Major-General
Walter Raleigh Gilbert, and Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, Knight
Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath; and to the
other Officers, European and Native, for the distinguished services
rendered by them in the eminently successful operations at the battle
of Sobraon."
"_Resolved_, _Nemine contradicente_,--That this House doth highly
approve of, and commend, the invincible intrepidity, perseverance,
and steady discipline displayed by the Non-Commissioned Officers and
Private Soldiers, European and Native, in the battle of Sobraon, on
the 10th of February, 1846, by which the glory of the British Arms has
been successfully maintained against a determined and greatly superior
force; and that the same be signified to them by the Commanders of
the several Corps, who are desired to thank them for their gallant
behaviour."
"_Ordered_,--That the said Resolutions be transmitted by Mr. Speaker to
the Governor-General of India, and that he be requested to communicate
the same to the several Officers referred to therein."--(_Sir Robert
Peel._)
London:--Printed by WILLIAM CLOWES and SONS, Stamford Street,
For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
LONDON:--PRINTED BY W. CLOWES & SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical
errors.
Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.
Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.