CHAPTER XLVI.
(Supplementary.)
HONOURS AND REWARDS, AND KNITTING OF OLD FRIENDSHIPS.
The news of the victory of Aliwal reached London on 23rd March.[149] It brought a sense of immense relief to the public mind, which had been as much disturbed as elated by the costly struggles of Moodkee and Ferozeshah. The relief was the greater inasmuch as exaggerated reports had already been received of Sir Harry Smith’s rencontre with the Sikhs at Budhowal and the loss of part of his baggage. It was at once decided that the thanks of Parliament should be offered to the victorious General and his gallant army—and although a few days later came the news of the crowning victory of Sobraon, it was not allowed to affect the determination which had been arrived at. The victors of Aliwal were still to receive a special vote of their own.
None were so delighted at the news of Harry Smith’s victory as the old Peninsular friends who had watched his career from the beginning, and while they loved the man, marked in him that military genius and gallantry which must bring him to the front if only fortune gave him his chance. At last the chance had come, and he had seized it according to their utmost hopes.
Captain Kincaid wrote on the 24th March to Mrs. Sargant—
“I congratulate you most heartily on the brilliant success of your gallant brother, who has nobly vindicated the opinion entertained of him by every one who has had the opportunity of judging of his rare professional qualities, for he is one of Nature’s generals. History will no doubt do justice to his merits. The previous battles were won by the bulldog courage of the soldier, with the consequent unnecessary sacrifice of human life; here is a great victory, gained over superior numbers with comparatively little loss—the judicious proceedings throughout stamping it as a general’s, and not a soldier’s, victory.”[150]
Sir James Kempt, the revered friend with whom Harry Smith had kept up a monthly correspondence from India, wrote in similar terms—
“You may well be proud, my dear Mrs. Sargant, of having such a brother as Harry Smith.... I have read many details of battles with real pleasure, but I felt something more than pleasure, I felt the highest gratification and delight in reading Harry’s admirable dispatch. It is spoken of by every one whom I have seen in terms of the highest praise.”[151]
The Times of 25th March, after speaking of Sir Harry’s avoiding battle at Budhowal, continues—
“The judgment and caution of General Smith on this occasion may be advantageously contrasted with the headlong and indiscriminating valour which hurried our troops into the frightful conflicts of Moodkee and Ferozeshah. In these actions it may literally be affirmed that Sir Hugh Gough had never seen the enemy until he was in the heat of action. The Sikh position had not been reconnoitred; the strength of the Sikh army was unknown.[152]... Sir H. Smith’s action at Ulleewal is exposed to none of these animadversions.”