The officers killed, were Captain J. E. Codd and Cornet H. Ellis; wounded, Colonel M. White, slightly: Major C. W. M. Balders, slightly: Lieutenants, H. C. Morgan, severely; J. G. A. Beeston, slightly: Cornets, W. H. Orme, severely; J. D. White and J. Rathwell, slightly.
The Commander-in-Chief, in his despatch of the 22nd December, 1845, observes as follows: 'Although I brought up Major-General Sir Harry Smith's division, and he captured and long retained another point of the position, and Her Majesty's Third Light Dragoons charged and took some of the most formidable batteries, yet the enemy remained in possession of a considerable portion of the great quadrangle, whilst our troops, intermingled with theirs, kept possession of the remainder, and finally bivouacked upon it, exhausted by their gallant efforts, greatly reduced in numbers, and suffering extremely from thirst, yet animated by an indomitable spirit. In this state of things, the long night wore away!'
The Right Honourable the Governor-General, (Lord Hardinge), who personally witnessed the prowess of the regiment on the battle-field, makes honorable mention thereof in his Orders, dated 30th December, 1845.
'The Governor-General offers his thanks more especially to Her Majesty's Third Light Dragoons, who, on all these occasions, sought opportunities of useful conflict with the enemy, and fought with that superiority over their opponents which skill and discipline impart to brave and determined men.'
The regiment was detached from the army at Sultan-Khan-Wallah, and sent to Ferozepore, where it arrived on the 31st December 1845.
1846
It remained at Ferozepore until the 18th January, 1846, and again proceeded to, and joined, the head quarters of the army at Jelliwallah, on the 20th of January.
The glorious action at Aliwal took place on the 28th of January, 'when the enemy's camp was carried by storm; the whole of his cannon and munitions of war were captured, and his army driven headlong across the Sutlej; even on the right bank of which he found no refuge from the fire of our artillery.'
The Third Light Dragoons were assembled on parade on the morning of the 29th of January to celebrate the victory of Aliwal, when the Right Honourable the Governor-General, in the presence of the whole army, was pleased to make use of the following words, most gratifying to the feelings of every soldier:—'Colonel White, your regiment is an honour to the British army; and I wish you to make known these my sentiments, as head of this Government, to your officers and men.'
On the 10th of February, 1846, the regiment had the proud satisfaction of sharing and taking a conspicuous part in that glorious and mighty combat, the Battle of Sobraon, when the Sikhs were driven from their stronghold, and precipitated in masses into the Sutlej, and those proud invaders were expelled the soil of British India.