'I have the honour, &c.
'T. Robertson, J. P.'
A most handsome letter was likewise received from the Shipowner's Society, which, after particularizing the cool and steady conduct of the embarked party, proceeds to state that "they are confident that every other individual of the regiment would have acted in a similar manner." The thanks of the town are also offered to the non-commissioned officers and privates for their exemplary conduct during the time of their stay.
[43] Extract of an order, dated York, May 21st, 1830:—
'Major-General Sir H. Bouverie desires Major Stisted will express to the officers his unqualified approbation of the regiment in every respect. The appearance of the men, the high condition of the horses, and the field movements, performed with so much precision and celerity, reflect the highest credit on every individual. The regiment having scarcely had an opportunity of assembling for the last three years, and never having had any good drill-ground, the Major-General desires Major Stisted to say, that the regiment performed the manœuvres this day as steady, as correct, and as near perfection as cavalry can be brought, notwithstanding all the disadvantages it has laboured under for such a length of time.'
[44] On the "Army of the Indus" being assembled in 1838, for the purpose of reinstating Shah Shooja-ool-Moolk in the sovereignty of Cabool, Colonel Thackwell, K.H. (Lieutenant-Colonel of the Third light dragoons), was selected to command the cavalry division, with the local rank of Major-General, and Cornet Edmund Roche, of that regiment, was appointed his aide-de-camp. Both served the arduous Affghanistan campaign, and were present at the capture of the strong and important fortress of Ghuznee, on the 23rd July, 1839.
[45] Major-General Pollock's Despatch.
[46] Major-General Pollock's Despatch.
[47] Lt.-Colonel Richmond's Despatch.
[48] Despatch of Major-General McCaskill.
[49] In narrating the services of the regiments which composed the Army of the Sutlej in the years 1845 and 1846, it may be desirable that a brief account be given of the country of the Punjaub, particularly of the Sikhs, the most powerful of the population. The important results of the sanguinary and eventful conflicts in the Punjaub in 1846, following so rapidly on each other, excited the warmest interest throughout a great part of the world; and the heroic deeds of the several regiments employed, added another page to the records of the glorious achievements of the British Army.