“My dear old and valued Friend Payne,
“This day closes for the present our Military Career—but no change in our circumstances can effect any change in that Fraternal Love which has endeared us to each other for so many years. During the last five years, while my A.D.C., you have been of the greatest possible service to me in both your official and private capacity, my interests have been yours, and the frank confidence I have ever reposed in you has been observed with every regard for my honour.
“It may happen, even at my advanced age, I may be again employed—if so, I hope you would again join your General who so valued your services.
“Meanwhile, Payne, may every blessing attend you and yours, and may every Veteran General have such a Friend as yourself to confide in.
“Your old friend,
“H. G. Smith.
“Major Payne, A.D.C.”
There was one other loved friend from whom Sir Harry had now to part. His little Arab “Aliwal” had been ridden by him at Maharajpore and at all the battles of the Sutlej Campaign; it had come home with him to England in 1847, accompanied him to the Cape, returned with him in 1852, and had since served him faithfully in his commands at Devonport and Manchester. A lady, the daughter of Sir Harry’s aide-de-camp, Major Payne, writes—
“My sister and I have a vivid recollection of the lovely horse, and how, when we used to meet Sir Harry when we were out walking and he was riding, he would call out, ‘Stand still, children,’ and then come galloping up at full speed, and Aliwal would stop at our very feet;[233] and my mother used to tell us that on the anniversary of the Battle of Aliwal, when there was always a full-dress dinner at the General’s house, some one would propose Aliwal’s health, and Sir Harry would order him to be sent for. The groom would lead the beautiful creature all round the dinner-table, glittering with plate, lights, uniforms, and brilliant dresses, and he would be quite quiet, only giving a snort now and then, though, when his health had been drunk and the groom had led him out, you could hear him on the gravel outside, prancing and capering. The horse was now old, and Sir Harry, in his new house in London, would not be able to keep him; and though Sir Robert Gerard (now Lord Gerard) kindly offered him a home, Sir Harry feared that his old age would perhaps be an unhappy one, and he resolved to shoot him. My father and the faithful groom were with Sir Harry when he did so, and I believe they all shed tears.”