The advance of the British force in order of battle is thus described by Major-General Sir Henry Smith in his despatch containing an account of the action:—
“As I neared the enemy, the ground became most favourable for troops to manœuvre, being open and hard grass-land. I ordered the cavalry to take ground to the right and left by brigades, thus displaying the heads of the infantry columns, and as they reached the high ground, I directed them to deploy into line. After deployment I observed the enemy’s left to outflank me; I therefore broke into open columns and took ground to my right; when I had gained sufficient ground, the troops wheeled into line: there was no dust; the sun shone brightly. These manœuvres were performed with the celerity and precision of the most correct field-day; the glistening of the bayonets and the swords of this order of battle was most imposing, and the line advanced. Scarcely had it moved forward 150 paces, when at ten o’clock the enemy opened a fierce cannonade from his whole line. At first his balls fell short, but quickly reached us. Thus upon him, and capable of better ascertaining his position, I was compelled to halt the line, though under fire, for a few moments, until I ascertained that by bringing up my right, and carrying the village of Aliwal, I could with great effect precipitate myself on his left and centre; I therefore quickly brought up Brigadier Godby’s brigade, and, with it and the first brigade under Brigadier Hicks, made a rapid and noble charge, carried the village and two guns of large calibre. The line I ordered to advance. Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment and the Native regiments contending for the front, the battle became general. * * * The battle was won; our troops advancing with the most perfect order to the common focus, the passage of the river. The enemy, completely hemmed in, were flying from our fire, and precipitating themselves in disordered masses into the ford and boats, in the utmost confusion and consternation. * * *
“Thus ended the Battle of Aliwal, one of the most glorious victories ever achieved in India. By the united efforts of Her Majesty’s and the Honorable Company’s troops, every gun the enemy had, fell into our hands: fifty-two guns are now in the Ordnance, two sunk in the bed of the Sutlej, and two spiked on the opposite bank, making a total of fifty-six pieces of cannon captured or destroyed!
“Having thus done justice, and justice alone, to the gallant troops his Excellency trusted to my command, I would gladly, if the limits of a despatch permitted me, do that justice to individuals all deserve. This cannot be; therefore I must confine myself to mention those officers whose continued services, experience, and standing placed them in conspicuous commands.”
After lauding the gallant service performed by the artillery, Sir Henry Smith proceeds to state in his official despatch:—
“To Brigadiers MacDowell and Stedman, commanding their gallant, brigades of cavalry, the fortune of the day is greatly indebted, and to all commanding officers of cavalry and infantry my warmest thanks are due; to Major Smyth, commanding the sixteenth lancers; to Lieut.-Colonel Spence, commanding Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST foot; to Lieut.-Colonel Ryan, K.H., commanding Her Majesty’s fiftieth regiment; and to Lieut.-Colonel Phillips, commanding Her Majesty’s fifty-third foot.
“His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief having witnessed the glorious services of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST and fiftieth regiments, I have only to report upon Her Majesty’s fifty-third, a young regiment, but veterans in daring gallantry and regularity.
“To Captain Lugard (THIRTY-FIRST regiment) the Assistant-Adjutant-General of this force, I am deeply indebted, and the service still more so; a more cool, intrepid, and trustworthy officer cannot be brought forward.
“The brigadiers all speak in high terms of their majors of brigade, Captain O’Hanlan, of the second brigade, and Captain Garvock, of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST foot, of the first brigade.”
The loss of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment in this conflict was fortunately small: one officer, Lieut. Atty, slightly wounded, and fifteen men killed and wounded. The troops bivouacked for the night near the field of battle. The army remained at Aliwal five days, during which the following General Order was received from General Sir Hugh Gough, the Commander-in-Chief:—