Shortly after its arrival in England, the following complimentary letter was received by Lieut.-Colonel Spence, commanding the regiment, from that distinguished officer General Sir Colin Halkett, G.C.B., the Colonel of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment:-- “United Service Club, London, 22nd Dec., 1846. “MY DEAR COLONEL, “It is with the liveliest satisfaction that I avail myself of the arrival in England of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, under your command, to offer you, and the corps, my most sincere congratulations on your return to your native land, after your arduous and distinguished services in the East. Connected as I have the honor to be with the regiment, it was natural for me to take a deep interest in its welfare, and to follow its fate and fortunes with all the attention in my power; and as some professional experience enabled me to appreciate the toils you had to encounter, and the dangers you had to overcome, it was with highly gratified pride and most heartfelt delight, that I heard how nobly you had supported the first, and how gallantly you had vanquished the latter. “At the very outset of the voyage from England, the regiment was already called upon to give proofs of that high state of discipline, which is the soldier’s best shield in difficulties. On dark and distant seas, amid the flames of the unfortunate East India ship Kent, you remained firm and tranquil, obedient to orders issued by that meritorious soldier, your then commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Fearon (now Major-General), and thus ensured the safety of all when every semblance of hope seemed to have vanished, and when confusion must have led to inevitable destruction. “The promise, which such noble conduct gave, was fully justified by your subsequent behaviour. Called upon to aid in avenging disasters which the feebleness of allies had brought upon your country’s arms, you forced your way through the most difficult part of Central Asia, through mountain wildernesses unequalled on the face of the globe, and never traversed by disciplined troops since the days of the great Macedonian conqueror. Even the gallantry, which you displayed during this campaign, seems to be forgotten, when we reflect on the steady discipline, and dauntless energy, evinced in contending against the toils and difficulties which had to be overcome at every step of this memorable march, only eclipsed by the more brilliant actions you were soon afterwards called upon to perform.