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APPENDIX TO THE HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE THIRD, OR THE KING'S OWN, REGIMENT OF LIGHT DRAGOONS
The following is a list of the Officers of the Third, or the King's Own, Light Dragoons, showing those who were engaged in the campaign on the Sutlej in the years 1845 and 1846.
Copies of Brigadier White's Reports, dated 19th and 25th December, 1845, are annexed, respecting the conduct of the Officers and Men at the memorable battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshah.
These testimonials are equally honourable to the Officers and Men, and to their Commander, Brigadier-General White, by whose talents, bravery and example, the excellent qualities of the regiment were drawn forth, which are attested in the strongest terms of commendation, by the Governor-General and by the Commander-in-Chief, in India, as detailed in the Historical Record of the services of the Regiment.
To these reports are added copies of the Votes of Thanks of the House of Lords, and of the House of Commons; Marks of Honour, which are conferred only for great and glorious actions, and for special public services.
Names and Distribution of the Officers of the Third, "King's Own" Light Dragoons, during the campaign on the Sutlej, in 1845 and 1846.
It is worthy of being recorded, that many of the Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, who were wounded in the different engagements, concealed the fact, that they might have an opportunity of sharing in any further Actions in which the regiment might be engaged. Amongst others, Troop Serjeant-major Walter Eldridge, who received a bayonet wound through the calf of his leg, in charging over the enemy's entrenched infantry on the evening of the 21st December, never reported the circumstance, until from lameness, caused by inflammation of the leg, the brave fellow could no longer conceal it. He was immediately conveyed to the Hospital, where he died in a few days afterwards.
Copy of a Despatch of Brigadier M. White, C.B., Commanding the Cavalry Division on the 18th December, 1845, to the Adjutant-General of the Army in India
Camp, Moodkee, 19th December, 1845.
Sir,
In forwarding the accompanying return of the casualties which occurred in the Cavalry Division under my command in the Action of yesterday, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, that the whole of the regiments engaged performed their duty to my entire satisfaction; but, consequent on the nature of the ground and the numerous bodies of both Cavalry and Infantry that were opposed to them, I regret to say the loss has been very heavy, more particularly in Her Majesty's 3rd Light Dragoons, who bore the brunt of the Action.
I further beg to bring to the notice of His Excellency, that Captain Tritton of Her Majesty's 3rd Light Dragoons, my Assistant Adjutant-General, captured one of the enemy's Standards with his own hands, which he has delivered over to me as Commanding the Cavalry Division.
It has also been reported to me by Lieutenant and Adjutant Sullivan of 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.)
