‘Riflemen: I have had you out, and have given you some rough handling; but I find that I cannot take either Colonel Somerset or yourselves by surprise. I did this to see if the old stuff was still awake, for I saw that you could go steadily when you marched past in the square. This is the only Regiment or Battalion in which I took my place in the ranks. Your assistance at the Cape—in fact, in three quarters of the globe I have fought with you, and I always found you worthy of the green jacket. There is no one here who has soldiered so long as I have—fifty-three years. Your hardships (which I heard of) in the Crimea; your comrades now in India; your doings in the Peninsula, when you still wore the green jacket; and, since that, in all quarters where fighting was to be done; your officers—your everything, in fact—will never be forgotten.’ He then desired the men to let him get out of the square; observing that he well knew he never could get into it if they wished to prevent him.
The following letter was addressed to Sir Harry Smith by the Adjutant-General of the Forces:
‘Horse Guards, November 2, 1858.
‘Sir,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your highly favourable and creditable report for the second period of the current year upon the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade.
‘The General Commanding-in-Chief deems the absence of crime very remarkable; and desires me to express his satisfaction at your finding your old Corps so worthy of you; and further requests that you will assure Colonel Somerset and all the officers that they have merited His Royal Highness’ warmest commendation.
‘(Signed) W. F. Foster, D.A.G.
‘Lieutenant-General Sir H. Smith, Bart., G.C.B.,
‘Commanding Northern District.’
Colonel Somerset having been appointed to the Staff, Lord Alexander Russell became Lieutenant-Colonel, and assumed command of the Battalion on December 17.
During the stay of the Battalion at Newcastle, the officers and men received the Turkish War Medal for service in the Crimea.
The 4th Battalion at Chichester, having between January 1 and March 31 received 161 recruits, and 102 volunteers from the Militia, had attained a strength of 34 sergeants, 18 corporals, 15 buglers, and 649 privates. On April 19 they proceeded from Chichester to Shorncliffe, and were quartered in that camp.