On the 2nd of April the Thanks of the House of Lords were proposed by the Earl of Ripon, and carried unanimously.
Extracts from Minutes of Proceedings of the House of Lords.—2nd April, 1846.
“That the Thanks of this House be given to Major-General Sir Henry George Smith, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable 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.
“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.
“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.
“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 Honorable 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.
“That the Thanks of this House be given to the Right Honorable Lieut.-General Sir Henry Hardinge, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable 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.
“That the Thanks of this House be given to General Sir Hugh Gough, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable 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 intrenchments were stormed, their artillery captured, their army defeated and scattered, and the Punjaub laid open to the advance of our victorious troops.
“That the Thanks of this House be given to Major-General Sir Henry George Smith, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; Major-General Walter Raleigh Gilbert; and Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable 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.
“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.