Mr. B. Genn of Ely, who served in India in the 15th Hussars in 1846 under Sir Harry, gives us the soldiers’ view of him. “He was about the most popular man in the army. He always had something jocose to say. He would gammon us by complimenting us in comparison with some other regiment—then we should hear from the men of the other regiment that he had complimented them in the same manner. He would stroll round the tents, and there would be a cry, ‘Sir Harry Smith’s coming!’ Then he would call out, ‘Trumpeter, order a round of grog; and not too much water: what I call “fixed bayonets”!’”
[[149]] The official dispatches not till March 26th.
[[150]] Kincaid, in his generous enthusiasm, wrote a letter signed “Veteran” to the Times of March 30th, to acquaint the public with his friend’s past services and military character. Speaking of Peninsular days, he writes, “Those only who have served under a good and an indifferent staff officer can estimate the immense value of the former, and Smith was one of the very best, for his heart and soul were in his duty. His light wiry frame rendered him insensible to fatigue, and, no matter what battle or march might have occupied the day or night, or what elementary war might be raging, Smith was never to be found off his horse, until he saw every man in his brigade housed, if cover could possibly be had. His devotion to their comforts was repaid by their affection.... No one who knew Harry Smith (his familiar name) in those days could doubt for a moment that whenever he acquired the rank, and the opportunity offered, he would show himself a General worthy of his illustrious preceptor.... The battle of Aliwal speaks for itself, as the dispatch of Sir H. Smith would alone proclaim that he had been trained under Sir John Moore and finished under the master-mind of Wellington.”
[[151]] Sir James, writing to Sir Harry Smith himself on 5th April, said, “I well knew that you only wanted an opportunity to display the great military qualities which I knew you possessed in no common degree.... Most nobly did you perform your part and show how a battle ought to be fought when the troops are commanded by a skilful and brave General who feels himself ‘at home’ in the thickest of the fight, and who knows how to handle them, and how to make use of each arm at the proper time as an auxiliary to the other. The Great Duke in his speech in the House of Lords makes you the Hero of the day.... On the day that thanks were voted to you in Parliament, I invited Barnard, Johnny Kincaid, Rowan, Alex. McDonald, and other of your old friends and comrades to dine with me, and we drank a bumper to your health and that of Lady Smith.”
[[152]] Compare an extract from the journal of Sir C. Napier (Life of Sir C. Napier, iii. p. 398): “[Hardinge’s] army is for discipline the worst I have seen.... There were no picquets or patrols, not even when close to and in sight of the enemy! I am told, however, that Harry Smith’s Division was an honourable exception.” And another from the same journal, dated “July 9” (p. 434): “Harry Smith is a good-hearted, brave fellow, and it gladdens me that he has been rewarded, for he was the only man that acted with any science and skill as a general officer.”
[[153]] Written, as Sir Edward Holdich tells me, on the battlefield on the night of the battle, and hardly altered afterwards.
[[154]] W. M. Thackeray, Book of Snobs: “Military Snobs.”
[[155]] Professor Sedgwick wrote similarly, “I do not believe the old Duke ever spoke so much praise in the course of his life before, and all he said was from the heart” (Life of Sedgwick, ii. p. 102).
[[157]] Sir Robert Peel, in a letter of 21st April, requesting Sir Harry’s acceptance of a copy of his speeches of April 2nd, added, “Sir Robert Peel trusts that the special reference in the Gazette and the Patent for conferring a Baronetcy on Sir Henry Smith to the name of Aliwal (unusual in the case of a Baronetcy) will be acceptable to the feelings of Sir Henry Smith.”