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diff --git a/old/69670-0.txt b/old/69670-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6c385fb..0000000 --- a/old/69670-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12152 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of A voice from Waterloo, by Edward -Cotton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: A voice from Waterloo - A history of the battle fought on the 18th June, 1815 - -Author: Edward Cotton - -Release Date: December 31, 2022 [eBook #69670] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Brian Coe, John Campbell and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A VOICE FROM WATERLOO *** - - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been - placed at the end of each chapter. - - The tables in this book are best viewed using a monospace font. - - A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}, for example M^c. - - Many minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. - - - - - THE FIELD OF WATERLOO. - - HOTEL DU MUSÉE, - - AT THE FOOT OF THE LION MOUNT. - - -This Hotel, kept by a niece of the late Sergeant-Major Cotton, is -situated in the very centre of the field of Waterloo, and is strongly -recommended to visitors on account of its proximity to the scenes of -interest connected with the great battle, and also for the excellent -accomodation and comfort it offers at moderate charges.—_See -Bradshaw’s continental Guide._ - - - _Wines and Spirits of the best quality. Bass’s pale Ale; London - porter, etc._ - - -_N.B._—GUIDE BOOKS,—“The voice from Waterloo” by Sergeant Cotton, the -most correct and cheapest account of the battle published—Plans of -the field views and Photographs of all noted places always on sale at -the Hotel. - -A Museum of Relics shewn to visitors. - - - - - A VOICE - - FROM - - WATERLOO. - - - - - _Déposé selon la loi._ - - _Entered at Stationers’ Hall._ - - - BRUSSELS: - - J. H. Briard, Printer, 4, Rue aux Laines. - - - [Illustration: NAPOLEON. WELLINGTON.] - - - - - A VOICE FROM - - WATERLOO - - A HISTORY OF THE BATTLE - - FOUGHT ON THE 18TH JUNE 1815 - - WITH A SELECTION FROM THE WELLINGTON DISPATCHES, GENERAL ORDERS - AND LETTERS RELATING TO THE BATTLE. - ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS, PORTRAITS AND PLANS. - - BY - - SERGEANT-MAJOR EDWARD COTTON - - (LATE 7TH HUSSARS). - - - “Facts are stubborn things.” - - - SIXTH EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED. - - [Illustration: (decorative separator)] - - PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETOR, - MONT-ST.-JEAN, - SOLD ALSO BY THE PRINCIPAL BOOKSELLERS IN BELGIUM. - LONDON - B. GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW. - - 1862 - - - - - AS A TESTIMONY - - of the profound admiration entertained for His Lordship - by every British soldier, - - THIS WORK IS HUMBLY DEDICATED - - TO FIELD-MARSHAL THE MOST NOBLE - - THE MARQUIS OF ANGLESEY, K.G., G.C.B., G.C.H., - - _by His Lordship’s grateful servant_, - - E. COTTON, Sergeant-Major, - - LATE 7TH HUSSARS. - - - - - PREFACE - - TO THE SIXTH EDITION. - - -“A Voice from Waterloo” is the unassuming tale of an old soldier who -was an eyewitness of and actor in many of the scenes he attempts to -describe. - -My having resided more than fourteen years on the field, as Guide, -and Describer of the battle, may be considered as the parent of the -present memoirs. - -No one can be more convinced than I am, of my inability to do justice -to the subject: but I have had great advantages in communicating -personally on the spot with “Waterloo men” of every nation; all of -whom, from the general to the private, have evidently considered -it a duty and a pleasure to assist an old companion in arms. The -inquiries and comments made by those gallant men, have afforded me -opportunities of gleaning much information which no other person has -obtained, and has enabled me to give a fuller and truer history of -the battle, than a more talented man could have done, unless he had -enjoyed the same privilege. - -One of my objects in writing, is to correct opinions which have gone -forth, and which are greatly at variance with facts: opinions so -erroneous as to warrant the remark of general Jomini, that “Never was -a battle so confusedly described as that of Waterloo.” It is certain -that the hour of many occurrences on the field has been erroneously -stated: such as of the arrival, or rather becoming engaged, of the -different Prussian corps; the fall of La Haye-Sainte, defeat of the -Imperial guard, etc. - -After the publication of so many accounts of the battle of the -18th of June, it may be fairly asked on what grounds I expect to -awaken fresh interest in a subject so long before the public. Can -I reconcile the conflicting statements which have already appeared -in print? Can I add to the information which most of my countrymen -already possess concerning this memorable epoch? Or can I present -that information in a compendious and lucid form, such as the general -reader may still need? Something in all these ways, I hope I have -accomplished. - -Putting aside some of the French and English accounts as not -only irreconcilable with facts, but as self-refuted by their -inconsistencies and mutual contradictions,—using such of the French -narratives as agree with those of their opponents, which, as -Wellington observed of Napoleon’s bulletins, may be safely relied -upon as far as they tell against themselves,—I have cleared up a -great number of the points disputed by our own writers, who agree -in the main, but differ in some circumstances involving not merely -questions of time and locality of certain events, but even the -claims of individuals, regiments and brigades to the honour attached -to their deeds on that day. By my long residence at Mont-St.-Jean, -constant study of the surface of the battle field, knowledge of the -composition and even _dress_ of the different bodies of the French -troops which stood before us, and by paying close attention to the -remarks made by many a gallant comrade revisiting the spot, I have in -a great measure succeeded in reconciling discrepancies which perhaps -no other person could explain. - -I am also emboldened to think that my “VOICE FROM WATERLOO” presents -to the general reader all the leading facts of this eventful -struggle, in so concise a manner, and at so moderate a cost, as to -secure it a preference over every other narration of the battle. - -Although not strictly belonging to “A VOICE FROM WATERLOO,” I have -added, as a connecting link in the narrative, an outline map, and a -sketch of the military operations of the campaign of 1815. - -Most anxious to avoid the imputation of having employed the materials -of others without acknowledgment, I beg to state that, besides -various military periodicals, I have made use of captain Siborne’s -History of the War in France and Belgium: The Military Life of the -Duke of Wellington, by Major Basil Jackson and Captain Rochfort -Scott; The Wellington Dispatches and General Orders, by Colonel -Gurwood; Fall of Napoleon, by Colonel Mitchell; Political and -Military Life of Napoleon, and The Art of War, by General Jomini; -History of the King’s German Legion, by Major Beamish; Prussian -History of the Campaign of 1815, by General Grollman, etc., etc. - -As to the manner in which I have executed my task, I know I am open -to criticism. No doubt many of my remarks will be considered too -digressive. Some persons will think I am too hard upon Napoleon: my -authorities in this are more frequently French than English. Others -will judge me too partial to the immortal Wellington. - -Waterloo was termed by Napoleon, “a concurrence of unexempled -fatalities, a day not to be comprehended. Was there treason? or was -there only misfortune?” - -Wellington said, that “he had never before fought so hard a battle, -nor won so great a victory.” If the reader derive the same impression -from his attention to “A VOICE FROM WATERLOO,” I shall be satisfied, -because I shall have succeeded. - - EDWARD COTTON, - _Waterloo Guide, and Describer of the Battle_. - - MONT-ST.-JEAN, February, 1849. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - TO THE MARQUIS OF ANGLESEY _Page_ V - - PREFACE VII - - - CHAPTER I. - - Napoleon leaves Elba; lands in France.—Louis XVIII quits - Paris.—Napoleon, joined by the army, arrives in Paris.—Hostile - declaration of the great powers of Europe against Napoleon, - which he treats with contempt, and prepares for war.—France soon - appears one vast camp.—Allied armies assemble in Belgium.—The - duke of Wellington arrives and takes the command; adopts - precautionary measures.—In consequence of rumours, his Grace - issues a secret memorandum, and draws the army together.—Strength, - composition and distribution of the allied, Prussian, and French - armies.—Continued rumours; and certain intelligence of the enemy’s - advance.—Importance of holding Brussels.—Napoleon’s attempt to - surprise us frustrated.—Blücher concentrates his forces.—Napoleon - joins his army, and issues his order of the day; attacks the - Prussian outposts, and takes Charleroi.—Intelligence reaches the - Duke.—Distribution of the enemy.—The Duke orders the army to - prepare, and afterwards to march on Quatre-Bras.—The duchess of - Richmond’s ball.—The troops in motion at early dawn.—His Grace - proceeds by Waterloo to Quatre-Bras, and from thence to Ligny, - where he meets Blücher, whom he promises to support, and returns - to Quatre-Bras.—Picton’s division and the Brunswickers arrive at - Quatre-Bras, and are attacked by the French left column under Ney; - more of our troops arrive.—Outline of the battles of Quatre-Bras - and Ligny.—Observations. 1 - - - CHAPTER II. - - Colonel Gordon’s patrol discovers the Prussians are retreating - upon Wavre.—The allied army ordered to retire upon Waterloo.—The - Duke writes to Blücher.—Retreat commenced, followed by the - enemy.—Skirmishing.—Pressed by the lancers, who are charged by - the 7th hussars; the latter are repulsed.—The life-guards make a - successful charge.—Lord Anglesey’s letter, refuting a calumnious - report of his regiment.—Allied army arrives on the Waterloo - position.—The enemy arrive on the opposite heights, and salute - us with round-shot, to which we reply to their cost.—Piquets - thrown out on both sides.—Dismal bivac; a regular soaker.—The - Duke and Napoleon’s quarters.—His Grace receives an answer from - Blücher.—Probability of a quarrel on the morrow.—Orders sent to - general Colville.—Description of the field of Waterloo; Hougoumont - and La Haye-Sainte.—Disposition of the allied army, and the - advantages of our position.—Disposition of the enemy, and admirable - order of battle.—_The eve of Waterloo._—Morning of the 18th wet and - uncomfortable; our occupation.—The Duke arrives; his appearance, - dress, staff, etc.—Positions corrected.—French bands play, and - their troops appear; are marshalled by Napoleon, a magnificent - sight, worth ten years of peaceful life.—Why tarries Napoleon with - his grand martial display?—The Emperor passes along his lines; his - troops exhibit unbounded enthusiasm; his confidence of victory. 19 - - - CHAPTER III. - - The Duke at Hougoumont, makes a slight change, returns to the - ridge.—Battle commences at Hougoumont; Jérôme’s columns put in - motion, drew the fire of our batteries upon them, to which theirs - replied.—Close fighting at Hougoumont.—Our left menaced by the - enemy’s cavalry.—Howitzers open upon the enemy in the wood of - Hougoumont.—The enemy press on and approach the masked wall, - from whence the crashing fusillade astounds them.—Our troops - under lord Saltoun charge and rout the enemy; a portion of whom - pass Hougoumont on their right, and enter the gate; a desperate - struggle ensues.—Gallantry of colonel Macdonell, sergeant Graham, - and the Coldstream.—The enemy’s light troops drive off our - right battery.—Colonel Woodford, with a body of the Coldstream, - reinforces Hougoumont.—Sergeant Graham rescues his brother from the - flames.—Prussian cavalry observed.—Hougoumont a stumbling-block to - the enemy, who now prepare to attack our left.—Napoleon observes - apart of Bulow’s Prussian corps, and detaches cavalry to keep - them in check.—A Prussian hussar taken prisoner; his disclosures - to the enemy.—Soult writes a dispatch to Grouchy.—Oversight of - Napoleon, who orders Ney to attack our left.—D’Erlon’s columns - advance; terrific fire of artillery.—La Haye-Sainte and Papelotte - attacked.—Picton’s division, aided by Ponsonby’s cavalry, defeat - the enemy.—Shaw the life-guardsman killed.—Struggle for a colour.—A - female hussar killed.—Picton killed.—Scots Greys and Highlanders - charge together.—Two eagles captured, with a host of prisoners.—Our - heavy cavalry get out of hand.—Ponsonby killed.—12th dragoons - charge.—Our front troops drawn back.—Charge of Kellermann’s - cuirassiers, repulsed by Somerset’s household brigade, who - following up the enemy mix with Ponsonby’s dragoons on the French - position.—Captain Siborne’s narrative of the attack upon our left - and centre.—Heroism of lord Uxbridge. 47 - - - CHAPTER IV. - - Hougoumont reinforced, the enemy driven back.—The enemy’s - cavalry charge, and are driven off.—Struggle in the orchard - continued.—Advance of a column of French infantry, who suffer - and are checked by the terrific fire of our battery.—Napoleon - directs his howitzers upon Hougoumont, which is soon set on - fire; notwithstanding, the Duke ordered it to be held at any - cost.—La Haye-Sainte again assailed.—A _ruse_ of the enemy’s - lancers.—Fire of the enemy’s artillery increases.—Importance of - our advanced posts.—Ney’s grand cavalry attacks; destructive - fire of our guns upon them, and their gallantry.—After numerous - fruitless attempts against our squares, the enemy get mixed; are - broken, and driven back by our cavalry.—Their artillery again - open fire upon us.—Extraordinary scene of warfare.—An ammunition - waggon in a blaze.—The earth trembles with the concussion of the - artillery.—Ney, reinforced with cavalry, continues his aggressions, - and, as before, after repeated fruitless attacks, the assailants - are driven off.—Terrific fire of artillery.—Not so many saddles - emptied by our musketry as expected.—The enemy’s attacks less - frequent and animated.—Captain Siborne’s lively description of - Ney’s grand cavalry attack. 73 - - - CHAPTER V. - - Difficulties encountered by the Prussians on their march from - Wavre; a portion of them are about debouching.—Blücher encourages - them by his presence.—The Duke had been in constant communication - with the Prussians, who take advantage of Napoleon’s neglecting - to protect his right.—Two brigades of Bulow’s corps advance - upon the French right.—A Prussian battery opens fire.—Cavalry - demonstrations.—Napoleon orders De Lobau’s (sixth) corps to his - right, to oppose the Prussians, and brings the old and middle - guard forward.—Bulow extends his line and presses on.—De Lobau’s - guns exchange a brisk cannonade with the Prussian batteries.—La - Haye-Sainte again assailed and set on fire, which was got - under.—Loss of a colour.—Destructive fire of our battery upon the - French cavalry.—Our artillery suffer dreadfully from that of the - enemy.—Hanoverian cavalry quit the field.—A column of the enemy’s - infantry advances and is driven back.—Chassé’s division called - back from Braine-l’Alleud.—Lord Hill’s troops brought forward, a - sight quite reviving.—Struggle at Hougoumont continued.—Adam’s - brigade attacks, drives back the enemy, and takes up an advanced - position.—La Haye-Sainte taken by the French.—The 52d regiment in - line repulses a charge of cuirassiers.—General Foy’s eulogium on - our infantry.—Napoleon’s snappish reply to Ney’s demand. 85 - - - CHAPTER VI. - - La Haye-Sainte strengthened by the enemy, who drive our riflemen - from the knoll and sand-pit, and throw a crashing fire upon our - front troops, who return it with vigour.—The enemy push forward, - between La Haye-Sainte and our position, some guns that fire - grape, but are soon dislodged.—Destructive fire of our rifles upon - the cuirassiers.—Our guards and Halkett’s brigade assailed by - skirmishers, who are driven off.—Prussian force in the field.—The - Prussians approach Plancenoit.—De Lobau falls back.—Prussian - round-shot fall at La Belle-Alliance.—The young guard sent to - Plancenoit.—Blücher informed of Thielmann’s corps left at Wavre - being vigorously attacked.—Desperate struggle at Plancenoit, which - is reinforced by the enemy, when the whole Prussian force is driven - back.—Onset follows onset.—The Duke, by aid of his telescope, looks - for the Prussians.—Hougoumont continues a scene of carnage.—Our - centre suffers dreadfully from the crowds of skirmishers who now - press on in swarms.—French battery pushed forward, and dislodged by - one of ours.—The 30th and 73d colours sent to the rear.—The Duke - is coolness personified.—The troops murmur to be led on to try the - effect of cold steel.—The Prussians keep up a cannonade.—Our line - remains firm.—More Prussians swarming along.—Napoleon’s doom soon - to be sealed.—Imperial guard formed into columns of attack.—Many - of our guns rendered useless.—Disorder in our rear.—Our army much - reduced; those left are determined to conquer or perish.—Vivian - and Vandeleur’s brigades move from the left to the centre, which - gives confidence to the few brave fellows remaining.—His Grace - observes the enemy forming for attack, and makes preparations to - receive the coming storm.—Colonel Freemantle sent in search of - the Prussians.—Our centre continues a duelling ground.—Gallant - conduct of the prince of Orange, who is wounded.—The Nassau-men - and Brunswickers give way in confusion; Wellington gallops up, and - aided by Vivian, Kielmansegge and other officers, puts all right - again. 97 - - - CHAPTER VII. - - Napoleon advances his Imperial guard; gives it up to Ney.—The - Emperor addresses his men for the last time.—Blücher’s guns blazing - away, the enemy replies.—Napoleon circulates a false report.—The - French guards about to attack men who, like themselves, had - never been beaten.—Tremendous roar of artillery.—Vandersmissen’s - brigade of guns arrives.—The right or leading column of the - Imperial guard, on ascending the tongue of ground, suffers - dreadfully from our double-charged guns, which it appears to - disregard.—Ney’s horse killed.—The attacking column crowns the - ridge, well supported.—“_Up, guards, make ready!_”—The British - guards, Halkett’s brigade, with Bolton’s and Vandersmissen’s - batteries, open fire upon the head of the assailing column, which - it returns.—Gallantry of sir Colin Halkett.—The enemy in confusion, - charged by our guards and Halkett’s 30th and 73d regiments.—The - first French column, after displaying the most heroic courage, - gives way in disorder.—The second attacking column approaching, - suffers from our batteries.—Our guards, ordered to retire, get into - disorder, which soon sets to right again.—Halkett’s brigade in - great confusion, but soon recovers.—D’Aubremé’s Netherlanders in - the greatest disorder.—Our batteries, with the guards, open fire - upon the head of the left attacking column, whilst the 52d and - rifles assail its front and left flank; the French return the fire - with vigour.—The crisis.—The enemy in confusion, charged in flank, - gives way.—Pursued by Adam’s brigade.—Vivian’s hussars launched - forward upon the enemy’s reserves; their disposition.—General - disposition of the Prussian and French armies. 111 - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - As the Imperial guard retired in the greatest disorder, its retreat - caused a panic throughout the French army.—The Prussians being - relieved from the pressure of the enemy’s right _en potence_, - their operations begin to take effect.—Wellington observing the - state of things, determines to attack, and orders the advance of - his whole line.—His Grace in front, hat high in air.—Vivian’s - hussars get a message from the Duke; they form line, attack and - drive off the enemy.—Colonel Murray’s dangerous leap.—Vandeleur’s - brigade advanced.—Major Howard killed.—General Cambronne made - prisoner.—Adam’s brigade attacks and drives off the rallied - force of the Imperial guard.—Lord Uxbridge wounded; sir J. O. - Vandeleur commands the cavalry.—Sir Colin Campbell begs the Duke - not to remain under the heavy fire.—Adam’s brigade menaced by - cuirassiers.—His Grace with but one attendant.—Adam’s brigade - falls upon a broken column of the enemy.—Singular encounter - and act of bravery.—Repugnance to the shedding of human blood - unnecessarily.—Battery and prisoners captured.—Adam’s brigade - in the line of fire of a Prussian battery.—The 71st capture a - battery.—Prussian dispositions to attack Plancenoit and the French - right.—Operations of the allies during this period.—Plancenoit - the scene of a dreadful struggle.—Bravery of the young guard, who - save their eagle.—Humane conduct of their general Pelet.—Napoleon - in a square, much pressed.—Wellington and his advanced troops at - Rossomme, where the pursuit is relinquished by us, and continued by - the Prussians, who, busy in the work of death, press on and capture - sixty guns.—On returning towards Waterloo, the Duke meets Blücher, - who promises to keep the enemy moving.—His Grace is silent, sombre, - and dejected for the loss of his friends.—Bivac.—Observations. 123 - - - CHAPTER IX. - - Morning after the battle.—Extraordinary and distressing appearance - of the field.—Solicitude for the wounded.—The Duke goes back - to Brussels to consult the authorities and soothe the extreme - excitement.—Humane conduct of all classes towards the wounded.—The - allied army proceeds to Nivelles; joined by our detached - force.—His Grace issues a general order.—Overtakes the army. On - the 21st we cross the frontier into France.—Proclamation to the - French people.—Napoleon abdicates in favour of his son.—Cambray - and Péronne taken.—Narrow escape of the Duke.—Grouchy retreats - upon Paris, closely pursued by the Prussians.—The British and - Prussian armies arrive before Paris.—Combat of Issy.—Military - convention.—The allies enter the capital on the 7th of July.—Louis - XVIII enters next day.—Napoleon surrenders at sea, July 15th.—He is - exiled to St.-Helena, where he dies in 1821.—Reflections. 137 - - - CHAPTER X. - - English, Prussian and French official accounts of the - battle.—Marshal Grouchy’s report of the battle of Wavre.—Returns of - the different armies.—Position of the allied artillery.—Artillery, - etc., taken at Waterloo.—Questions connected with the campaign; - Wellington’s position at Waterloo.—Opinion of general - Jomini.—The Duke’s plans and expectations.—His letter to lord - Castlereagh.—Resolution of the allied powers, on receiving the - intelligence of Napoleon’s flight from Elba.—Wellington’s letter to - general Kleist.—The Duke’s decision.—His anticipations.—Obstacles - which his Grace met with.—Conduct of the Saxon troops.—Blücher - forced by them to quit Liège.—Wellington’s resolution concerning - these troops. 145 - - - CHAPTER XI. - - Napoleon’s plans of campaign.—His letter to Ney, and proclamation - to the Belgians.—His sanguine expectations, and utter - disappointment.—Opinions of French authors on the circumstance of - Napoleon’s not reaching Brussels.—Their inconsistencies.—Desire - of Napoleon to make his marshals responsible for errors he - committed.—Opinion of M. de Vaulabelle.—Napoleon’s charges against - Grouchy; impossibility of the latter’s preventing a portion - of the Prussians reaching the field of Waterloo—The Emperor’s - charges against Ney refuted.—Admirable conduct of Ney during the - campaign.—Mode of history-writing at St.-Helena.—The battle not - fought against the French nation.—Napoleon’s character.—Motley - composition and equivocal loyalty of part of the allied - army.—Refutation of the charge that the Duke was taken by surprise; - credulity of some English writers on this subject.—His Grace’s - admirable precaution.—Foreign statements, that the Prussians saved - us, examined.—The tardy cooperation of the Prussians produced, - not the defeat, but the total rout of the French.—Conversation of - Napoleon at St.-Helena.—Gourgaud’s account.—Opinions of the Duke - and lord Hill.—Ney’s testimony in the Chamber of Peers. 177 - - - APPENDIX. - - No. I. - - Wellington’s Secret Memorandum.—General orders for the movements of - the army. 209 - - - No. II. - - Letters from lord Wellington, connected with the campaign: To Sir - Charles Stuart, and the duc de Berry; dated three o’clock in the - morning, 18th June, 1815.—To the earl of Aberdeen, the duke of - Beaufort, and Marshal prince Schwarzenberg; expressing his grief - for the loss of some friends on the field.—To general Dumouriez, - the earl of Uxbridge, prince de Talleyrand, and lord Beresford; on - his conviction that Napoleon had received his death-blow.—To lord - Bathurst, saying that he would not be cajoled by the diplomatists, - to suspend hostilities until Napoleon was secured from exciting - fresh troubles.—The Duke informs the French commissioners, that - he cannot consent to any suspension of hostilities.—His Grace - insists upon sparing Napoleon’s life, prevents the bridge of Jena - being destroyed, and protects Paris from Prussian vengeance.—To - the French commissioners, stating his desire to save their - capital.—Continued mediation with Blücher, to spare the Parisians’ - pockets, and preserve them from humiliation; for which the French - were most ungrateful, as the subsequent letters show.—Memorandum - respecting marshal Ney.—Proclamation of Louis XVIII.—To Scott, - Esq., on the loss of La Haye-Sainte, recommending him to leave - the battle of Waterloo as it is.—To the duke of York, and lord - Bathurst, on the expediency of granting medals. 213 - - - No. III. - - Summary of Wellington’s career. 233 - - - No. IV. - - Returns of the strength and loss of the British army.—List of - British officers killed and wounded. 236 - - - No. V. - - Marshal Blücher to baron Müffling.—Note of general Gneisenau.—The - prince de la Moskowa to the duc d’Otrante. 252 - - - No. VI. - - Anecdotes relative to the Waterloo campaign. 258 - - - No. VII. - - List of officers who afforded the author information.—Testimonials - and presents he has received relating to the battle. 272 - - - - -LIST OF PLATES. - - - 1. Wellington and Napoleon _Frontispiece._ - - 2. Outline Map of the campaign _facing page_ 1 - - 3. Field of Waterloo 26 - - 4. Hougoumont 28 - - 5. Marshal Ney 52 - - 6. Sir Thomas Picton 58 - - 7. Lord Uxbridge 70 - - 8. Field-Marshal Blücher 86 - - 9. Lord Hill 93 - - 10. La Belle-Alliance 99 - - 11. Napoleon 190 - - 12. Plan of the Field of Waterloo, towards sun-set, - on June 18th _at the end._ - - -[Illustration: OUTLINE MAP OF THE WATERLOO CAMPAIGN. - -_Drawn for Cotton’s Voice from Waterloo._] - - - - - A VOICE - - FROM - - WATERLOO. - - - [Illustration: (decorative separator)] - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - Napoleon leaves Elba; lands in France.—Louis XVIII quits - Paris.—Napoleon, joined by the army, arrives in Paris.—Hostile - declaration of the great powers of Europe against Napoleon, - which he treats with contempt, and prepares for war.—France soon - appears one vast camp.—Allied armies assemble in Belgium.—The - duke of Wellington arrives and takes the command; adopts - precautionary measures.—In consequence of rumours, his Grace - issues a secret memorandum, and draws the army together.—Strength, - composition and distribution of the allied, Prussian, and French - armies.—Continued rumours; and certain intelligence of the enemy’s - advance.—Importance of holding Brussels.—Napoleon’s attempt to - surprise us frustrated.—Blücher concentrates his forces.—Napoleon - joins his army, and issues his order of the day; attacks the - Prussian outposts, and takes Charleroi.—Intelligence reaches the - Duke.—Distribution of the enemy.—The Duke orders the army to - prepare, and afterwards to march on Quatre-Bras.—The duchess of - Richmond’s ball.—The troops in motion at early dawn.—His Grace - proceeds by Waterloo to Quatre-Bras, and from thence to Ligny, - where he meets Blücher, whom he promises to support, and returns - to Quatre-Bras.—Picton’s division and the Brunswickers arrive at - Quatre-Bras, and are attacked by the French left column under Ney; - more of our troops arrive.—Outline of the battles of Quatre-Bras - and Ligny.—Observations. - - -On the 26th of February 1815, Napoleon, accompanied by about a -thousand of his guards, and all his civil and military officers, -secretly left the isle of Elba, and landed the 1st of March, near -Cannes, on the coast of Provence. The Emperor immediately marched -towards the French capital; and arrived in Paris on the evening of -the 20th; the same day that Louis XVIII set out for Ghent. - -Joined by all the troops which had been sent to oppose him, Napoleon -was enabled to re-establish his authority in France. Amongst those -who rejoined him, was marshal Ney, “_le Brave des Braves_;” he who -had so warmly expressed himself in favour of the restoration of the -Bourbons, and who, when appointed to the command of a body of troops -to oppose his former master, declared, whilst kissing the king’s -hand, that “he would bring back Napoleon _in an iron cage_.” Ney and -the iron cage was the chief topic of conversation in Paris, when the -news of his having joined Napoleon with his _corps d’armée_ reached -that capital[1]. - -The great powers of Europe, then assembled in congress at Vienna, -instantly declared, that Napoleon, by breaking the convention which -established him as an independent sovereign at Elba, had destroyed -the only legal title on which his political existence depended, -placed himself without the pale of the law, and proved to the world, -that there could neither be truce nor peace with him. The allied -powers, in consequence, denounced Napoleon as the enemy and disturber -of the tranquillity of Europe, and resolved immediately upon uniting -their forces against him and his faction, to preserve, if possible, -the general peace. - -Notwithstanding the hostile declaration of the allied sovereigns, -they were utterly unable to put their armies in motion without -that most powerful lever, _English gold_, the real sinews of war. -Britain’s expenditure in 1815, was no less than 110,000,000_l._ -sterling; out of which immense sum 11,000,000_l._ were distributed -as subsidies amongst the contracting powers: Austria received -1,796,220_l._; Russia, 3,241,919_l._; Prussia, 2,382,823_l._; and -Hanover, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands, with -the smaller German states, shared the remainder amongst them. - -Menacing as the position of the allies towards Napoleon appeared to -be, and imposing as were their armies assembling to oppose him, he -assumed a bold and resolute posture of defence. The general aspect -of France at that time was singularly warlike; nearly the whole -nation appeared to be electrified, and buckled on its armour to join -the messenger of war. The exaltation of Napoleon was soon however -sobered down by the arrival in Paris of the declaration of the allied -powers, which document was little calculated to produce a favourable -impression as to the ultimate success of the Emperor’s enterprise. -The war-cry of nearly every state in Europe was, _To arms! Draw the -sword, throw away the scabbard, until the usurper shall be entirely -subjugated and his adherents put down_. - -Napoleon, however, appeared undismayed, and endeavoured, by every -means, to conceal the determined resolution of Europe from the -French nation, who, for the most part, cheerfully responded to their -leader’s call. Troops were organized, as if by magic, all over the -country. The scarred veterans of a hundred battles, they who had -followed their “_petit caporal_” through many a gory fight, heard -with joy the voice of their idolized Emperor, summoning them again to -glorious war and the battle field. There was a generation of fierce, -daring, war-breathing men, ever ready to range themselves under the -Imperial banners. Davoust states that France, on Napoleon’s return, -was overrun with soldiers just released from the prisons of Europe, -most of whom counted as many battles as years, and who quickly -flocked round the Imperial eagles. Transports of artillery, arms, -ammunition waggons, with all the materials of war, were to be seen -moving from every point towards the frontiers. France, in a short -time, bore the appearance of one vast camp. - -To completely surround Paris with fortifications, as Louis-Philippe -has since done, was also the desire of Napoleon, who inquired of -Carnot, how much time and money it would require. “Three years and -two hundred millions,” replied the minister, “and when finished, -I would only ask for sixty thousand men and twenty-four hours to -demolish the whole.” - -Early in April 1815, the allied troops began to assemble in Belgium. -The Anglo-Hanoverian army, commanded by the prince of Orange, -(afterwards William II,) had occupied the Low-Countries for the -protection of Belgium and Holland, which had been constituted by the -congress of Vienna a new monarchy, under the name of the Kingdom -of the Netherlands. This army comprised about 28,000 men, 15,000 -being British and German troops; a part of these were the remains of -lord Lynedoch’s army, and the remainder young Hanoverians. 20,000 -Dutch-Belgians were raised to act in concert with these troops. -The general appearance of the army is thus described by sir Henry, -now lord Hardinge, in a letter to lord Stewart: “This army is not -unlike lord Randscliff’s description of a French pack of hounds: -pointers, poodles, turnspits, all mixed up together and running in -sad confusion.” - -The duke of Wellington arrived in Brussels from the congress of -Vienna on the night of April 4th, and took the command of the allied -army; but the Dutch-Belgian army had not been placed immediately -under the Duke’s command. His Grace being strongly convinced that -his power of regulating the movements of the Dutch-Belgian troops -ought not to be left open to any cavil or dispute, demanded the -most unequivocal statement upon this matter from the king of the -Netherlands. Nothing less than this measure could have made those -troops serviceable to the cause of their country; such was still the -fascinating power of Napoleon’s name over countries in which his rule -and conscriptions had subdued and enervated the minds of men. On the -4th of May, Wellington received copies of the king’s decrees, making -him field-marshal in his service, and placing the Dutch-Belgian army -entirely under his command[2]. The Duke immediately put matters in a -better condition, and instructed the prince of Orange how to keep up -the necessary communications[3]. He transferred prince Frederick’s -corps to lord Hill[4], warned the Prussian commandant at Charleroi, -the duke of Berry, and all others concerned, to be on the alert; he -also gave them exact accounts of the movements and strength of the -enemy between Valenciennes and Maubeuge. All this was accomplished by -the Duke before the 10th of May. On the 11th, he wrote to sir Henry -Hardinge, then attached to the Prussian head-quarters for the purpose -of communication, that he reckoned the enemy’s strength on the -frontiers at 110,000 men; and was glad that Blücher was drawing his -forces nearer to the British. His Grace adopted the most effective -measures for placing all the fortified towns and strong places in a -condition to embarrass the enemy; and notwithstanding the objections -made, by interested parties, to the necessary inundations, he was -firm in ordering them, wherever the general security required it. -The Duke sent able engineers to limit, as much as possible, the -injury arising from letting out the waters, and to inundate with -fresh instead of salt water, when practicable. For this timely care -of the general interests, and even, as far as it was possible, of -private property, the return he met with was unceasing complaints -from the authorities of the several towns, where these measures had -been applied. But the Duke did his duty firmly, and, after some -expostulation with unreasonable grumblers, compelled them to do -theirs. On the 7th of June, he issued his orders for the defence of -the towns of Antwerp, Ostend, Nieuport, Ypres, Tournay, Ath, Mons -and Ghent. The governors of these respective towns were required to -declare them in a state of siege, the moment the enemy should put -his foot on the Belgian territory: the towns were to be defended -to the utmost; and if any governor surrendered before sustaining -at least one assault, and without the consent of his council, he -should be deemed guilty, not only of military disobedience, but of -high treason. Such decisive measures were rendered necessary, in -consequence of the equivocal loyalty of many who held municipal and -military rank in the Netherlands. The king had prudently invested -Wellington with these important powers, and no man could have -exercised them more effectively. - -The French court (Louis XVIII and his suite) received advice how to -save themselves by retiring to Antwerp, in case the enemy should -succeed in turning the British right: they were desired to be in no -alarm, nor to be startled by mere rumours, but to await positive -information. Having thus provided for the military wants, and even -for the _fears_ of those behind him, the Duke devoted his whole -attention to the army; and in proportion as the storm approached, -repeated his warnings to the Prussians, by incessant dispatches to -sir Henry Hardinge. He also sent frequent instructions to his own -officers who were the nearest to the enemy, to keep on the alert. - -The regiment I belonged to disembarked at Ostend on the 21st of -April, and we soon found there was work in hand. Swords were to -be ground and well pointed, and the frequent inspections of arms, -ammunition, camp equipage, etc., plainly announced that we were -shortly about to take the field. The army, soon after our arrival, -had, in consequence of a _secret memorandum_[5] issued by the duke of -Wellington to the chief officers in command, drawn closer together, -in the probable expectation of an attack, and our great antagonist -was not the sort of man to send us word of the when and the where. -Louis XVIII, with his suite and a train of followers, being with us -at Ghent, we were not destitute of information. Napoleon was as well -informed of all that transpired in Belgium as if it had taken place -at the Tuileries. - -Things continued in this state until June, when, from various -rumours, we began to be more on the alert. - -At the commencement of operations, the duke of Wellington’s army -comprised about 105,000 men, including the troops in garrison, and -composed of about 35,000 British, 6,000 King’s German legion, 24,000 -Hanoverians, 7,000 Brunswickers, and 32,000 Dutch-Belgians and -Nassau-men, with a hundred and ninety-six guns. Many in the ranks -of the last-named troops had served under Napoleon, and there still -prevailed amongst them a most powerful prejudice in his favour; -it was natural, therefore, that we should not place too strong a -reliance upon them, whenever they might become opposed to their old -companions in arms. - -The Anglo-allied army was divided into two corps, of five divisions -each. The first was commanded by the prince of Orange; its -head-quarters being Braine-le-Comte. Those of the second corps, -under lord Hill, were at Grammont. The cavalry, divided into eleven -brigades, was commanded by the earl of Uxbridge, now marquis of -Anglesey; head-quarters Ninove. His Grace’s head-quarters were at -Brussels, in and around which place was our reserve of all arms, -ready to be thrown into whatever point of our line the enemy might -attack, so as to hold the ground until the rest of the army could be -united. - -The Prussian army, under the veteran prince Blücher, consisted of -about 115,000 men, divided into four corps, each composed of four -brigades. The head-quarters of the 1st, or Zieten’s corps, were -at Charleroi; the 2d, Pirch’s, at Namur, which was also Blücher’s -head-quarters; the 3d, Thielmann’s, at Ciney; and the 4th, Bulow’s, -at Liège. - -Each corps had a reserve cavalry attached, respectively commanded by -generals Röder, Jurgass, Hobe, and prince William. Their artillery -comprised three hundred and twelve guns. - -The Prussian army was posted on the frontier upon our left, from -Charleroi to Maestricht. Our left, communicating with Blücher’s -right, was at Binche; and our right stretched to the sea. - -A large proportion of the British troops was composed of weak second -and third battalions, made up of militia and recruits, who had never -been under fire[6]; most of our best-tried Spanish infantry, the -victors of many a hard-fought field, were on their way from America. -The foreign troops, with the exception of the old gallant Peninsular -German legion, were chiefly composed of new levies, hastily embodied, -and very imperfectly drilled; quite inexperienced in war, raw -militia-men in every sense of the word, and wholly strangers to the -British troops and to each other. Nor was the Prussian army what -it had been; it was no longer the old Silesian one: many soldiers -had just been embodied, and thousands had fought under the Imperial -eagles. - -The French army of the North, commanded by the Emperor in person, -and destined to act against Belgium, early in June, was divided into -six corps, and cantoned: the 1st, or D’Erlon’s, at Lille; the 2d, -or Reille’s, at Valenciennes; the 3d, or Vandamme’s, at Mézières; -the 4th, or Gérard’s, at Metz; and the 6th, or Lobau’s, at Laon. -The Imperial guard was in Paris. The reserve cavalry, commanded by -generals Pajol, Excelmans, Milhaut, and Kellermann, cantoned between -the Aisne, the Meuse and the Sambre. There were three hundred and -fifty pieces of artillery. - -On the 16th of May, we received intelligence of there being 110,000 -French troops in our front. On the 1st of June, it was rumoured that -we were to be attacked; Napoleon was to be at Laon on the 6th, and -extraordinary preparations were being made for the conveyance of -troops in carriages from Paris to the frontiers. Intelligence reached -the Duke, on the 10th of the same month, that Napoleon had arrived -at Maubeuge, and was passing along the frontier. On the 12th, it was -ascertained, for certain, that the French army had assembled and was -about to cross the frontiers[7]; but the Duke, for reasons we shall -hereafter give, did not think proper to move his troops until quite -satisfied as to the point where Napoleon would make his attack; that -point proved to be Charleroi, on the high-road to Brussels, on the -left of the allied and right of the Prussian armies, said to be the -most favourable for defeating the two armies, in detail; which I am -inclined to doubt. Situated as the allied and Prussian armies were, -Napoleon, by attempting to wedge his army in between the two, was -pretty certain of having both upon him: he could not aim a blow at -one enemy without being assailed in flank or rear by the other. - -Brussels, the capital of Belgium, lies in the very centre of that -country, which was declared by general Gneisenau, chief of the -Prussian staff, to be a formidable bastion, flanking efficaciously -any invasion meditated by France against Germany, and serving at the -same time as a _tête de pont_ to England. - -Napoleon had numerous partisans and friends in Belgium, who secretly -espoused his cause, and who, no doubt, would have seconded him in -his attempt to again annex that country to the French Empire. The -people also were by no means reconciled to the union forced upon them -by the congress of Vienna, a union with a country differing from -them in religion and customs; and the dense population and troops of -Belgium might probably have made a movement in favour of the French, -had Napoleon obtained possession of the capital. From the tenor of -Napoleon’s letter to Ney, and his proclamations to his army and to -the Belgians[8], it is quite evident that the Emperor expected a -manifestation of this kind. This would certainly have added to his -cause that moral force of which it stood so much in need, and have -induced thousands to rally round the Imperial eagles. - -Brussels was our main line of operations and the line of -communication with Ostend and Antwerp, the dépôts where our -reinforcements and supplies were landed. The Duke, in consequence, -saw clearly, it was of the utmost importance, both in a military and -political point of view, to preserve an uninterrupted communication -with those ports, and that the enemy should not, even for a moment, -obtain possession of Brussels[9]. - -By the Emperor’s masterly arrangements his army was assembled on the -frontiers with astonishing secrecy; but his intention of taking the -two armies by surprise was defeated, on the night of the 13th, by -the Prussian outposts, in advance of Charleroi, having observed the -horizon illumined by the reflection of numerous bivac fires in the -direction of Beaumont and Maubeuge, which announced that a numerous -enemy had assembled in their immediate front; this intelligence was -forthwith transmitted to both Wellington and Blücher. - -Zieten, the Prussian commander at Charleroi, received intelligence, -on the afternoon of the 14th, that the enemy’s columns were -assembling in his front, the certain prelude to an attack, probably -the next day. Blücher, apprized of this about ten o’clock the same -evening, immediately sent off orders for the concentration of the -Prussian army at Fleurus, a preconcerted plan between the two -commanders. When the order was first sent to Bulow at Liège, to move -to Hannut, had the most trifling hint been given him of the French -being about to attack, he would probably have been up in time to -share in the battle of Ligny, which might have changed the aspect of -affairs. - -After dispatching orders for the concentration of the Grand army, -Napoleon left Paris on the 12th, and, as he himself states, under a -great depression of spirits, aware he was leaving a host of enemies -behind, more formidable than those he was going to confront. He slept -at Laon, and arrived at Avesnes on the 13th, near which place he -found his army assembled, amounting, according to his own account, -to 122,400 men and three hundred and fifty guns. Their bivacs were -behind small hills, about a league from the frontier, situated so as -to be concealed, in a great measure, from the view of their opponents. - -The Emperor’s arrival amongst his devoted soldiers raised their -spirits to the highest degree of enthusiasm, and on the 14th he -issued the following order: - - “IMPERIAL HEAD-QUARTERS, 14th June, 1815. - - “Napoleon, by the grace of God and the constitution of the Empire, - Emperor of the French, etc. - - “Soldiers! this day is the anniversary of Marengo and of - Friedland, which twice decided the fate of Europe. Then, as after - Austerlitz, as after Wagram, we were too generous: we believed in - the protestations and in the oaths of princes, whom we left on - their thrones. Now, however, leagued together, they aim at the - independence and most sacred rights of France; they have commenced - the most unjust of aggressions. Let us then march to meet them: are - they, and we, no longer the same men? - - “Soldiers! at Jena, against those same Prussians, now so arrogant, - you were one to three, and at Montmirail one to six. Let those - amongst you, who have been captives to the English, describe the - nature of their prison ships, and the frightful miseries you - endured. - - “The Saxons, the Belgians, the Hanoverians, the soldiers of the - Confederation of the Rhine, lament that they are compelled to use - their arms in the cause of princes, the enemies of justice, and of - the rights of nations. They know that this coalition is insatiable: - after having devoured twelve millions of Italians, one million - of Saxons, and six millions of Belgians, it now wishes to devour - the states of the second rank in Germany. Madmen! one moment of - prosperity has bewildered them: the oppression and humiliation of - the French people are beyond their power: if they enter France, - they will find their grave. - - “Soldiers! we have forced marches to make, battles to fight, - dangers to encounter; but with firmness, victory will be ours. - - “The rights, the honour and the happiness of the country will be - recovered. - - “To every Frenchman who has a heart, the moment is now arrived to - conquer or to die[10].” - -About four o’clock in the morning of the 15th of June, Napoleon -attacked the Prussian outposts in front of Charleroi, at Thuin and -Lobbes[11]. The Prussians fell back, slowly and with great caution, -on their supports. By some unaccountable neglect Willington was not -informed of the attack until after three o’clock in the afternoon, -although the distance from Thuin and Lobbes to Brussels is but -forty-five miles[12]. Had a well arranged communication been kept up, -the Duke could have been informed of the first advance of the French -by ten o’clock A.M., and of the real line of attack by four P.M. - -The French were in possession of Charleroi by eleven o’clock. The -Prussians retired to a position between Ligny and St.-Amand, nearly -twenty miles from the outposts. At three o’clock in the afternoon, -the 2d Prussian corps had taken position not far from Ligny; Blücher -had established his head-quarters at Sombreffe. The advanced posts -of the French left column were at Frasnes, three miles beyond -Quatre-Bras, from which the advanced posts of the allies had been -driven. Ney’s head-quarters were at Gosselies, with a part of his -troops only, whilst D’Erlon’s corps and the cavalry of Kellermann -were on the Sambre. The centre column of the French army lay near -Fleurus, the right column near Châtelet, and the reserve, composed of -the Imperial guard and the 6th corps, between Charleroi and Fleurus. - -The duke of Wellington, although apprized of the advance of Napoleon -and his attack on the Prussian outposts, would make no movement to -leave Brussels uncovered, until certain of the real line of attack, -as such attacks are often made to mask the real direction of the main -body of the enemy. But orders were immediately transmitted to the -different divisions to assemble and hold themselves in readiness to -march, _some at a moment’s notice_, and _some at day-light in the -morning_[13]. - -Lord Uxbridge was ordered to get the cavalry together at the -head-quarters (Ninove) that night, leaving the 2d hussars of the -King’s German legion on the look-out between the Scheldt and the Lys. - -The troops in Brussels, composed of the 5th, or Picton’s division, -the 81st regiment, and the Hanoverian brigade of the 6th division, -called the reserve, were to be in readiness to march at a moment’s -notice. - -After the Duke had completed his arrangements for the concentration -of the army, his Grace, with many of our officers, went to the -celebrated ball, given, on the eve of the memorable engagement at -Quatre-Bras, by the duchess of Richmond, at her residence, now -_Nº 9, Rue des Cendres, Boulevard Botanique_, near the _Porte de -Cologne_. The saloons of the duchess were filled with a brilliant -company of distinguished guests. The officers in their magnificent -uniforms, threading the mazy dance with the most lovely and beautiful -women. The ball was at its height, when the duke of Wellington first -received _positive_ intelligence that Napoleon had crossed the -Sambre with his whole army and taken possession of Charleroi. The -excitement which ensued, on the company being made acquainted with -Napoleon’s advance, was most extraordinary. The countenances which, -a moment before, were lighted up with pleasure and gaiety, now wore -a most solemn aspect. The duke of Brunswick, sitting with a child -(the present prince de Ligne) on his knees, was so affected, that -in rising he let the prince fall on the floor. The guests little -imagined that the music which accompanied the gay and lively dances -at her Grace’s ball, would so shortly after play martial airs on the -battle field, or that some of the officers present at the _fête_ -would be seen fighting in their ball dresses, and, in that costume, -found amongst the slain. - -At about the same time, his Grace also received information from his -outposts in front of Mons, and from other sources, which proved that -the enemy’s movement upon Charleroi was the real point of attack, and -he immediately issued the following orders: - - “BRUSSELS, 15th June, 1815. - - “AFTER-ORDERS.—TEN O’CLOCK, P.M. - - “The 5th” (Picton’s) “division of infantry, to march on Waterloo at - two o’clock to-morrow morning. - - “The 3d” (Alten’s) “division of infantry, to continue its movement - from Braine-le-Comte upon Nivelles. - - “The 1st” (Cooke’s) “division of infantry, to move from Enghien - upon Braine-le-Comte. - - “The 2d” (Clinton’s) “and 4th” (Colville’s) “division of infantry, - to move from Ath and Grammont, also from Audenaerde, and to - continue their movements upon Enghien. - - “The cavalry, to continue its movement from Ninove upon Enghien. - - “The above movements to take place with as little delay as possible. - - “WELLINGTON.” - -Picton’s division and the Hanoverian brigade marched from Brussels -about two o’clock A.M., on the 16th, taking the road to Waterloo -by the forest of Soigne; near which they halted to refresh, and to -await orders, to march either on Nivelles or Quatre-Bras, (the roads -branching off at Mont-St.-Jean,) according as the Duke might direct, -upon his becoming acquainted with the real state of affairs in front. -Shortly after they were joined by the Brunswickers. - - “And Ardennes[14] waves above them her green leaves, - Dewy with nature’s tear-drops, as they pass, - Grieving, if aught, inanimate e’er grieves, - Over the unreturning brave,—alas! - Ere evening to be trodden like the grass - Which now beneath them, but above shall grow - In its next verdure, when this fiery mass - Of living valour, rolling on the foe - And burning with high hope, shall moulder cold and low.” - -While halting, the duke of Wellington, who had left Brussels between -seven and eight o’clock, passed with his staff, and gave strict -orders to keep the road clear of baggage, and everything that -might obstruct the movements of the troops. The duke of Brunswick -dismounted, and seated himself on a bank on the road side, in company -of his adjutant-general, colonel Olfermann. How little did those who -observed this incident, think, that in a few hours the illustrious -duke would, with many of themselves, be laid low in death! and -numbers truly there were amongst the slain ere the sun set. - -About twelve o’clock, orders arrived for the troops to proceed on -to Quatre-Bras, leaving the baggage behind; this looked rather -warlike, but as yet nothing was known for certain. The Duke galloped -on, and, after a hasty glance at the Waterloo position, rode to -Quatre-Bras, where he conversed with the prince of Orange respecting -the disposition of the troops as they arrived. His Grace well -reconnoitred the enemy’s position. Seeing the latter were not in -great force, he rode on to hold a conference with Blücher, whom he -found about half-past one o’clock P.M. at the wind-mill at Bussy, -between Ligny and Bry, where towards noon, by great activity and -exertion, three corps of the Prussian army, about 85,000 men, had -been put in position, but so disposed as to draw from the Duke his -disapprobation of the arrangements. His Grace saw that the enemy were -strong in Blücher’s front, and promising to support his gallant and -venerable colleague, shook hands and returned to Quatre-Bras, where -he arrived at about half-past two o’clock, soon after which time -Napoleon began his attack upon Blücher. - -Marshal Ney, who commanded the French troops at Quatre-Bras, -commenced his attack upon Perponcher’s Dutch-Belgian division under -the prince of Orange. About two o’clock, Picton’s division came up, -composed of Kempt’s brigade, the 28th, 32d, 79th Highlanders, and -1st battalion 95th rifles, and of Pack’s brigade, the 1st Royal, -44th, 42d and 92d Highlanders, with Best’s Hanoverian brigade; soon -after, the Brunswickers arrived incomplete, and some Nassau troops. -Towards six o’clock, sir Colin Halkett’s brigade, the 30th, 33d, -69th, and 73d regiments, also Kielmansegge’s Hanoverian brigade, -most opportunely reached the scene of action. Pack’s noble fellows -were by this time so hard pressed, so much exhausted, and their -ammunition was so nearly expended, that sir Denis Pack applied for -a fresh supply of cartridges, or assistance, to sir Colin Halkett, -who immediately ordered the 69th to push on and obey any orders -given by Pack; the latter then galloped forward to a commanding -point, and soon discovered the formation of a large force of -cuirassiers preparing for attack. He spurred off to his brigade -to prepare them for the coming storm, and in passing by the 69th, -ordered colonel Morice to form square, as the enemy’s cavalry was -at hand. The formation was nearly completed, when the prince of -Orange rode up, and, by a decided misconception, most indiscreetly -directed them to reform line, which they were in the act of doing, -when the rushing noise in the high corn announced the arrival of the -enemy’s cuirassiers, who charged them in flank, rode right along -them, regularly rolling them up. A cuirassier carried off the 69th’s -colour, in defence of which cadet Clarke, afterwards lieutenant in -the 42d, received twenty-three wounds, one of which deprived him of -the use of an arm for life. - -The duke of Wellington was nearly taken prisoner, and owed his escape -to an order which he promptly gave to a part of the 92d, who were -lining a ditch, to lie down whilst he galloped over them. - -A little before seven o’clock, sir G. Cooke’s division, composed of -the 1st brigade, under major-general Maitland, (the second and third -battalions of the 1st foot-guards,) and of the 2d brigade, under sir -J. Byng, (now lord Strafford,) composed of the 2d battalions of the -Coldstream and the 3d foot-guards, came up, and soon drove the enemy -back. Ney’s attacks were maintained with the greatest impetuosity -during the first hours, but they became fewer and feebler as our -reinforcements joined us, and towards the close of the day conducted -with greater caution. Soon after sun-set, Ney fell back upon Frasnes, -and the desperate struggle terminated. The duke of Wellington then -advanced his victorious troops to the foot of the French position, -when piquets for the night were thrown forward by both parties. Thus -ended the action of Quatre-Bras, during which our troops were fully -employed, and the Duke prevented from rendering his promised aid to -the Prussians. It was only through the greatest personal exertions -of our gallant chief and the most determined resistance on the part -of his troops, that the enemy’s attacks were repulsed, and our -communication with Blücher at Ligny by the Namur road kept open. -The Emperor’s instructions to Ney to drive back the English, whom -he supposed to be at that point in no great numbers, and afterwards -to turn round and envelop the Prussian right flank, were completely -frustrated. Our force in the field towards the close of the day was -about 29,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, and sixty-eight guns; that of -the enemy, about 16,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, with fifty guns. - -To the fortunate circumstance of the marching and countermarching -of D’Erlon’s corps (Ney’s reserve) between Frasnes, Ligny and -Quatre-Bras, without pulling a trigger, we may probably attribute our -success on the 16th. An additional force of 25,000 men, either at -Ligny or Quatre-Bras, might have gained Napoleon a decisive victory. - -The action at Quatre-Bras possessed its own peculiar and important -merits, which, with our masterly retreat to the Waterloo position, -would have been sounded by the trumpet of fame, but for the glorious -achievement that immediately followed on the field of Waterloo. - -In no battle did the British infantry display more valour or more -cool determined courage than at Quatre-Bras. Cavalry we had none -that could stand the shock of the French; the Brunswick and Belgian -cavalry, it is true, made an attempt, but were scattered like chaff -before the wind by the veteran cuirassiers, who, to render them the -more effective, had been mounted on horses taken from the gendarmes -throughout France. The British cavalry had had a long march, some -nearly forty miles, and consequently did not arrive until the battle -was over. The gallant Picton, seeing the cavalry driven back, led -on our infantry in squares into the centre of the enemy’s masses of -cavalry; faced with squares the charging squadrons, and in line, the -heavy columns of infantry. What may not be effected by such troops, -led by such a general? The duke of Brunswick fell, while rallying one -of his regiments that had given way. Colonel sir Robert Mac Ara of -the 42d, and colonel Cameron of the 92d, were also killed. - -During our struggle at Quatre-Bras, Napoleon had attacked the -Prussians at Ligny, and between nine and ten o’clock in the evening, -their centre was broken, and they began a retreat upon Wavre[15]. The -horse of marshal Blücher, a beautiful grey charger, presented to him -by our Prince Regent in 1814, was shot under him, and, while lying on -the ground, the field-marshal was twice charged over by the enemy’s -cavalry. Sir Henry Hardinge, attached to the Prussian head-quarters, -lost his left hand at Ligny; and about eight thousand Prussians -deserted, and returned home. - -The battle of Ligny may be considered as a series of village -fights, and had the impetuous old hussar, the gallant Blücher, then -seventy-three years of age, not drawn troops from his centre, to -strengthen his right, and to enable him to attack the enemy’s left, -he might probably have maintained his position; but immediately -Napoleon perceived that Blücher had withdrawn his troops from -his centre, he made a dash at it, forced it, and thus gained the -victory. Notwithstanding the Prussians were defeated, they highly -distinguished themselves by their audacity and valour. The battle of -Ligny was a fierce and sanguinary contest, and little or no quarter -given by either side. Both parties were excited by deadly animosity, -and the helpless wounded became the victims. The Prussian loss was -about fifteen thousand men and twenty-five guns, exclusive of the -eight thousand men that disbanded themselves. The French loss was -rather less. - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; image of a cannon)] - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - Colonel Gordon’s patrol discovers the Prussians are retreating - upon Wavre.—The allied army ordered to retire upon Waterloo.—The - Duke writes to Blücher.—Retreat commenced, followed by the - enemy.—Skirmishing.—Pressed by the lancers, who are charged by - the 7th hussars; the latter are repulsed.—The life-guards make a - successful charge.—Lord Anglesey’s letter, refuting a calumnious - report of his regiment.—Allied army arrives on the Waterloo - position.—The enemy arrive on the opposite heights, and salute - us with round-shot, to which we reply to their cost.—Piquets - thrown out on both sides.—Dismal bivac; a regular soaker.—The - Duke and Napoleon’s quarters.—His Grace receives an answer from - Blücher.—Probability of a quarrel on the morrow.—Orders sent to - general Colville.—Description of the field of Waterloo; Hougoumont - and La Haye-Sainte.—Disposition of the allied army, and the - advantages of our position.—Disposition of the enemy, and admirable - order of battle.—_The eve of Waterloo._—Morning of the 18th wet and - uncomfortable; our occupation.—The Duke arrives; his appearance, - dress, staff, etc.—Positions corrected.—French bands play, and - their troops appear; are marshalled by Napoleon, a magnificent - sight, worth ten years of peaceful life.—Why tarries Napoleon with - his grand martial display?—The Emperor passes along his lines; his - troops exhibit unbounded enthusiasm; his confidence of victory. - - -Our bivac was quiet during the night, except that the arrival of -cavalry and artillery caused an occasional movement. - -About two o’clock in the morning, a cavalry patrol got between the -piquets, and a rattling fire of musketry began, which brought some of -our generals to the spot; Picton was the first that arrived, when it -was found that no attempt to advance had been made, and all was soon -quiet again. After which the stillness of the enemy quite surprised -his Grace, and drew the remark, “They are possibly retreating.” - -The Duke, who had slept at Genappe, was early at Quatre-Bras. Up -to this time we had no satisfactory intelligence of the Prussians. -His Grace consequently sent a patrol along the Namur road to gain -intelligence; captain Grey’s troop of the 10th hussars was sent on -this duty, accompanied by lieutenant-colonel the Hon. sir Alexander -Gordon, one of the Duke’s aides-de-camp. Shortly afterwards, captain -Wood, of the 10th, who had been patrolling, informed the Duke that -the Prussians had retreated. Gordon’s patrol discovered, on the -right of the road, some of the enemy’s vedettes and a piquet; they -fell back hurriedly before the patrol, who turned off the high-road -to their left, about five miles from Quatre-Bras, and about an -hour afterwards came up with the Prussian rear. After obtaining -the required information, the patrol returned to head-quarters at -Quatre-Bras, where they arrived about seven o’clock A.M., reporting -that the Prussians were retreating upon Wavre[16]. - -The Duke immediately issued the following orders: - - - _To General Lord Hill, G.C.B._ - - “QUATRE-BRAS, 17th June, 1815. - - “The 2d division of British infantry, to march from Nivelles on - Waterloo, at ten o’clock. - - “The brigades of the 4th division, now at Nivelles, to march from - that place on Waterloo, at ten o’clock. Those brigades of the 4th - division at Braine-le-Comte, and on the road from Braine-le-Comte - to Nivelles, to collect and halt at Braine-le-Comte this day. - - “All the baggage on the road from Braine-le-Comte to Nivelles, to - return immediately to Braine-le-Comte, and to proceed immediately - from thence to Hal and Brussels. - - “The spare musket ammunition to be immediately parked behind - Genappe. - - “The corps under the command of prince Frederick of Orange will - move from Enghien this evening, and take up a position in front of - Hal, occupying Braine-le-Château with two battalions. - - “Colonel Erstorff will fall back with his brigade on Hal, and place - himself under the orders of prince Frederick.” - -An officer from the Prussian head-quarters, bearing dispatches, -written, no doubt, in secret characters, or the French would -have immediately discovered the direction in which the Prussians -retreated, had been waylaid and made prisoner in the night. But a -second officer afterwards arrived at our head-quarters, and confirmed -colonel Gordon’s statement that the Prussians had fallen back upon -Wavre. The Duke immediately wrote to Blücher, informing him of his -intention to retreat upon the position in front of Waterloo, and -proposing to accept battle on the following day, provided the Prince -would support him with two corps of his army. - -The first hint to Picton of the Duke’s intention to retreat, was an -order conveyed to him, to collect his wounded; when he growled out, -“Very well, sir,” in a tone that showed his reluctance to quit the -ground his troops had so bravely maintained the day before. - -The Duke commenced the retrograde movement, masked as much as -possible from the enemy, who followed us with a large force of -cavalry, shouting, _Vive l’Empereur!_ - -The first part of the day (the 17th) was sultry, not a breath of -air to be felt, and the sky covered with dark heavy clouds. Shortly -after the guns came into play, it began to thunder, lighten, and rain -in torrents. The ground very quickly became so soaked, that it was -difficult for the cavalry to move, except on the paved road: this, in -some measure, checked the advance of the French cavalry, who pressed -us very much. - -The regiment to which I belonged covered the retreat of the main -columns. As we neared Genappe, our right squadron, under major Hodge, -was skirmishing. By this time the ploughed fields were so completely -saturated with rain, that the horses sunk up to the knees, and at -times nearly up to the girths, which made this part of the service -very severe. Our other two squadrons cleared the town of Genappe, and -formed on the rising ground on the Brussels side. Shortly after, the -right squadron retired through the town, and drew up on the high-road -in column, when a few straggling French lancers, half tipsy, came up -and dashed into the head of the column; some were cut down, and some -made prisoners. The head of the French column now appeared debouching -from the town, and lord Uxbridge being present, he ordered the 7th -hussars to charge. - -The charge was gallantly led by the officers, and followed by the -men, who cut aside the lances, and did all in their power to break -the enemy: but our horses being jaded by skirmishing on heavy ground, -and the enemy being chiefly lancers, backed by cuirassiers, they were -rather awkward customers to deal with, particularly so, as it was -an arm with which we were quite unacquainted. When our charge first -commenced, their lances were erect, but upon our coming within two -or three horses’ length of them, they lowered the points and waved -the flags, which made some of our horses shy. Lord Uxbridge, seeing -we could make no impression on them, ordered us about: we retired, -pursued by the lancers and the cuirassiers intermixed. We rode away -from them, reformed, and again attacked them, but with little more -effect than at first. Upon this, lord Uxbridge brought forward -the 1st life-guards, who made a splendid charge, and drove the -cuirassiers and lancers pell-mell back into Genappe; the life-guards -charging down hill, with their weight of men and horses, literally -rode the enemy down, cutting and thrusting at them as they were -falling. In this affair my old regiment had to experience the loss -of major Hodge and lieutenant Myer, killed; captain Elphinstone[17], -lieutenant Gordon and Peters, wounded; and forty-two men, with -thirty-seven horses, killed and wounded. We were well nigh getting a -bad name into the bargain. - -Reports, as false as they were invidious, having been propagated by -some secret enemy of the 7th hussars, it may not be uninteresting to -the military world to be made acquainted with the opinion of their -colonel, the marquis of Anglesey[18], as conveyed in the following -letter: - - “BRUSSELS, 28th June 1815. - - “MY DEAR BROTHER OFFICERS, - - “It has been stated to me, that a report injurious to the reputation - of our regiment has gone abroad, and I do not therefore lose an - instant in addressing you on the subject. The report must take its - origin from the affair which took place with the advance-guard of - the French cavalry, near Genappe, on the 17th inst., when I ordered - the 7th to cover the retreat. As I was with you and saw the conduct - of every individual, there is no one more capable of speaking to - the fact than I am. As the lancers pressed us hard, I ordered you, - (upon a principle I ever did, and shall act upon,) not to wait to be - attacked, but to fall upon them. - - “The attack was most gallantly led by the officers, but it failed. It - failed because the lancers stood firm, had their flanks completely - secured, and were backed by a large mass of cavalry. - - “The regiment was repulsed, but it did not run away: no, it rallied - immediately. I renewed the attack; it again failed, from the same - cause. It retired in perfect order, although it had sustained - so severe a loss; but you had thrown the lancers into disorder, - who being in motion, I then made an attack upon them with the - 1st life-guards, who certainly made a very handsome charge, and - completely succeeded. This is the plain honest truth. However lightly - I think of lancers under ordinary circumstances, I think, posted - as they were, they had a decided advantage over the hussars. The - impetuosity however and weight of the life-guards carried all before - them, and whilst I exculpate my own regiment, I am delighted in being - able to bear testimony to the gallant conduct of the former. Be not - uneasy, my brother officers; you had ample opportunity, of which you - gallantly availed yourselves, of avenging yourselves on the 18th for - the failure on the 17th; and after all, what regiment, or which of - us, is certain of success? - - “Be assured that I am proud of being your colonel, and that you - possess my utmost confidence. - - “Your sincere friend, - “ANGLESEY, lieutenant-general.” - -The 23d light dragoons, supported by the life-guards, covered our -retreat, and we arrived at a position on which was exhibited as noble -a display of valour and discipline, as is to be found either in our -own military annals, or in those of any other nation. This position -was in front of and about two miles and a half from Waterloo, where -most of our army was then drawn up. - -The French advance-guard halted on the heights near La -Belle-Alliance, when Napoleon said, he wished he had the power of -Joshua to stop the sun, that he might attack us that day. - -They opened a cannonade upon our line, but principally upon our -centre behind the farm of La Haye-Sainte: our guns soon answered them -to their cost, and caused great havock amongst the enemy’s columns, -as they arrived on the opposite heights between La Belle-Alliance and -the orchard of La Haye-Sainte. It was now getting dusk, and orders -were given to throw out piquets along the front and flanks of the -army. - -Our left squadron, under captain Verner, was thrown into the valley -in front of the left wing; the rest of my regiment bivacked near -where Picton fell the next day. - -The spirit of mutual defiance was such, that in posting the piquets, -there were many little cavalry affairs, which, although of no useful -result to either side, were conducted with great bravery, and carried -to such a pitch, that restraint was absolutely necessary. Captain -Heyliger, of the 7th hussars, (part of our piquet,) with his troop, -made a spirited charge upon the enemy’s cavalry, and when the Duke -sent to check him, his Grace desired to be made acquainted with the -name of the officer who had shown so much gallantry. A better or -more gallant officer, than captain Heyliger, never drew a sword; but -he was truly unfortunate: if there was a ball flying about, he was -usually the target. I was three times engaged with the enemy, serving -with the captain, and he was wounded on each of those occasions: the -first time, foraging at Haspereen; next, at the battle of Orthez; and -thirdly, at Waterloo. The ball he received on the last occasion was -extracted at Bruges, in 1831. - -Our bivac was dismal in the extreme; what with the thunder, -lightning and rain, it was as bad a night as I ever witnessed, a -regular soaker: torrents burst forth from the well charged clouds -upon our comfortless bivacs, and the uproar of the elements, during -the night preceding Waterloo, seemed as the harbinger of the bloody -contest. We cloaked, throwing a part over the saddle, holding by -the stirrup leather, to steady us if sleepy: to lie down with water -running in streams under us, was not desirable, and to lie amongst -the horses not altogether safe. A comrade of mine, Robert Fisher, -a tailor by trade, proposed that one of us should go in search of -something to sit on. I moved off for that purpose, and obtained two -bundles of bean-stalks from a place that I now know as Mont-St.-Jean -farm. This put us, I may say, quite in clover. The poor tailor had -his thread of life snapped short on the following day. - -The duke of Wellington established his head-quarters opposite the -church at Waterloo, (now the post-house and post-office;) while his -Imperial antagonist, Napoleon, pitched his tent near the farm of -Caillou, about five miles from Waterloo, on the left of the Genappe -road, in the parish of Old-Genappe. The Imperial baggage was also at -this farm. - -Most of the houses in the villages adjacent Waterloo were occupied by -our generals, their staff, and the superior officers. Their names and -rank were chalked on the doors, and legible long after a soldier’s -death had snatched many of them from the field of their prowess and -glory. - -In the course of the evening the Duke received a dispatch from -Blücher, in answer to his letter sent from Quatre-Bras, requesting -the support of two corps of the Prussian army. The officer bearing -this dispatch was escorted from Smohain, to Waterloo, by a party of -the 1st King’s German hussars. Blücher’s reply was: - -“I shall not come with two corps only, but with my whole army, upon -this condition, that should the French not attack us on the 18th, we -shall attack them on the 19th.” - -The Duke therefore accepted battle only under these circumstances; -Napoleon’s lauded plan of operations enabling his Grace to ultimately -place the author of those brilliant conceptions between two fires. -Blücher appeared most anxious to fight side by side with the allies -and their chief, deeming an Anglo-Prussian army invincible; while -Wellington, after having defeated most of Napoleon’s best marshals, -was no doubt desirous of measuring swords with their mighty master -himself, the hero of a hundred battles. - -There is every reason to believe that the Duke was more apprehensive -of being turned by Hal on his right, and of Brussels being -consequently taken by a _coup de main_, than about any other part of -his position. This fact is confirmed by the following orders, dated - - “WATERLOO, 17th June, 1815. - - “The army retired this day from its position at Quatre-Bras, to its - present position in front of Waterloo. - - “The brigades of the 4th division at Braine-le-Comte are to retire - at day-light to-morrow morning upon Hal. - - “Major-general Colville must be guided by the intelligence he - receives of the enemy’s movements, in his march to Hal, whether he - moves by the direct route, or by Enghien. - - “Prince Frederick of Orange is to occupy with his corps the - position between Hal and Enghien[19], and is to defend it as long - as possible. - - “The army will probably continue in its position, in front of - Waterloo, to-morrow. - - “Lieutenant-colonel Torrens will inform lieutenant-general sir - Charles Colville of the position and situation of the armies.” - -[Illustration: FIELD OF WATERLOO, LA HAYE-SAINTE AND MONUMENTS.] - -The field of Waterloo is an open undulating plain; and, on the day of -the battle, was covered with splendid crops of rye, wheat, barley, -oats, beans, peas, potatoes, tares and clover; some of these were of -great height. There were a few patches of ploughed ground. The field -is intersected by two high-roads which branch off at Mont-St.-Jean; -these are very wide: the one on the right, leading to Nivelles and -Binche, since planted with trees, is straight as an arrow for miles; -that on the left, lying in the centre of both armies, leading -south to Genappe, Charleroi and Namur, is not so straight as the -former: about eleven hundred yards in advance of the junction, is a -gently elevated ridge which formed a good natural military position. - -Nearly a year before these events, the Duke had written to lord -Bathurst, enclosing “a Memorandum on the defence of the Netherlands,” -in which he says: - -“About Nivelles, and between that and Binche, there are many -advantageous positions; and the entrance of the _forêt de Soigne_, -by the high-road which leads to Brussels from Binche, Charleroi and -Namur, would, if worked upon, afford others[20].” - -The great advantage was that the troops could rest in rear of the -crest of the ridge, screened in a great measure from the enemy’s -artillery and observation, whilst our guns were placed at points, -from whence they could sweep (they are wonderful brooms) the slope -that descends to the valley in front. Upon the crest is a cross-road -running east and west, intersecting the Genappe road at right angles, -about two hundred and fifty yards on this side of the farm of La -Haye-Sainte. The cross-road marks the front of the allied position. -Near where the Lion now stands, the cross-road or line runs curving -forward a little for about six hundred yards, when it first gently -and then abruptly falls back into the Nivelles road, near the -termination of the ridge, where it takes a sweep to the rear. - -This point was at first our right centre, but became our right when -lord Hill’s troops were brought forward into the front line, between -four and five o’clock P.M. - -About four hundred and fifty yards south of this point, is the -important post of Hougoumont, destined to become so celebrated in the -annals of history, and which even now stands a noble monument of the -determined valour of both the assailed and assailants. - -It was then a gentleman’s seat, with farm, out-buildings, walled -garden, orchard and wood. The latter has been since cleared, in -consequence of the injury the trees sustained in the battle. The -buildings are more than two hundred years old, and were erected for -defence. Many of the stone loop-holes made in the garden walls when -first built, are still quite perfect, as are also those made by our -troops on the spur of the moment. The hedges were all banked up, and -with the ditches on the inner side formed excellent breastworks. - -A ravine or hollow-way, called by colonel Hepburn “our friendly -hollow-way,” runs along the northern boundary of the premises, which -during the battle frequently served as a covered communication with -the walled enclosures and buildings, as also for a rallying point and -cover. - -[Illustration: NORTH VIEW OF THE FARM OF HOUGOUMONT.] - -Hougoumont was formerly the property of Arrazola Deonate, who had -been viceroy of Naples. In 1815 it was in the occupation of M. de -Luneville, a descendant of the above family; it is now the property -of count Robiano. This post is situated about midway between the -positions of the two hostile armies. The château, farm, walls, etc., -were at the time of the battle of a substantial nature. The garden, -or park, was enclosed, on the east and south sides, by a wall, in -which our troops made additional loop-holes; they also cut down a -portion of the buttresses, on the inside of the south wall, for the -purpose of erecting a scaffolding which would enable them to fire -over the top of the wall, or to bayonet intruders. At the east wall, -an embankment, and the scaffolds erected with some farming utensils, -enabled the Coldstream to throw such a fire upon the enemy’s left -flank when in the large orchard, that colonel Hepburn, who commanded -there from about two o’clock, considered it (the east wall) as the -strength of his position. Loop-holes were also made in the stables -joining the south gate, and a scaffold was erected against the -wall on the west, that ran from the south stables to the barn. The -flooring over the south gateway was partly torn up, to enable our men -to fire down upon the enemy, should they force the gate which had -been blocked up, and was not opened during the action. The little -chapel and crucifix still remain; but the numerous autographs of -persons visiting the field since 1815, are all destroyed, the walls -having been lately fresh plastered. The most interesting objects now -at Hougoumont, for visitors to see, are the north gateway facing -our position, by which the enemy entered, its burnt beams, the -small barn where many of the wounded were burnt, the cannon-ball -hole in the east gable of the building attached to the present -farm-house[21], the well perforated top part of the south gate, -the battered front of the house, stables, and the loop-holed walls -with the banked-up hedges, hollow-way, and some perforated trees in -front of the walls. In the garden is a tomb, beneath which lie the -remains of captain Blackman of the Coldstream, (brother to sir George -Harnage,) who fell on that spot[22]. Hougoumont presents even at this -moment a scene of shattered ruins, which cannot be viewed without -exciting feelings of the deepest interest. - -On the troops being thrown into Hougoumont on the 17th, all means -were employed to strengthen it as much as possible, and there are -still to be seen many of the intended loop-holes in an incomplete -state, from which it may be inferred that the troops were called off -to defend the post, whilst in the act of making them. - -Hougoumont was first occupied on the afternoon of the 17th by the -light companies of the 1st division of British guards: the light -troops of the 1st regiment, under colonel lord Saltoun, held the -orchard and wood; those of the Coldstream and 3d guards, under -colonel Macdonell, held the buildings and garden. In the out-grounds -and wood there were also a battalion of Nassau troops, a company -of Hanoverian field riflemen, and a hundred men from the Luneburg -battalion. The supernumerary light companies of the guards were -thrown into the valley on our side of the enclosures, as a support, -and to keep up a communication with the main line. - -On the east side of the Genappe road, the cross-road was lined by -two broken banked-up hedges, extending about half a mile; near the -termination of which is a knoll, with a bit of copse or brushwood -on the rear slope: this mound, or knoll, overlooks the farms of -Papelotte, La Haye, Frischermont, and the hamlet of Smohain in the -valley. - -The undulation in rear of the ridge afforded excellent protection to -the second line, cavalry and reserves, which were quite concealed -from the enemy’s view. Beyond the right of the main ridge, on the -right of the Nivelles road, is a deep valley which runs round -Hougoumont in the direction of Merbe-Braine, and from the valley -cutting through the ridge to the little white chapel on the Nivelles -road, runs a deep ravine, which is the one mentioned by the Duke in -his dispatch, and intersects the second ridge or plateau, that was -occupied by part of the 2d corps, under lieutenant-general lord Hill, -who were to act as a right wing, _en potence_[23], or as a reserve, -as circumstances might require. - -The principal part of the troops occupying this plateau and valley, -belonged to the 2d British division under lieutenant-general sir -Henry Clinton: it was composed of the 3d light brigade, major-general -F. Adam; the 52d, colonel sir John Colborne (now lord Seaton); -the 71st, colonel T. Reynell; the 2d battalion 59th rifles[24], -colonel Norcott, with two companies of the 3d battalion 95th, under -lieutenant-colonel Ross, who were posted near Merbe-Braine. - -The 1st brigade, King’s German legion, under colonel Duplat, was -composed of the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th line battalions. The 3d, -Hanoverian brigade, under colonel Hugh Halkett, consisted of -the militia battalions, Osnabruck, Salzgitter, Bremeverden, and -Quakenbruck. - -The Brunswick corps, after their duke had fallen, were under colonel -Olfermann, also near Merbe-Braine. Along the Hougoumont avenue and -the road leading from it to Braine-l’Alleud, were some light troops, -who, in conjunction with the hussars posted on their right, had in -the morning, before the battle began, a sharp skirmish with the -enemy. They were part of the fourth brigade of the 4th division, -under colonel Mitchell, and attached to the 2d division, composed -of the 51st regiment, lieutenant-colonel Rice, the 15th regiment, -lieutenant-colonel Tidy, and of the 32d fuzileers, colonel sir H. -Ellis; the latter came into front line during the afternoon. - -On the right of the former, was a squadron of the 15th hussars, under -captain Wodehouse, who threw out vedettes and kept a look-out upon -our extreme right. Upon the Nivelles road, opposite the Hougoumont -avenue, was an _abattis_, or barricade. Near Mitchell’s brigade were -posted, about two o’clock, two companies of the Coldstream guards, -with their colours, in reserve. - -Upon the ridge above and overlooking, Hougoumont was posted the 1st -division of British guards, composed of the 2d battalion of the -Coldstream guards, colonel Woodford, who was a little in advance; the -2d battalion of the 3d guards, colonel Hepburn, posted a little in -rear of the crest of the ridge. The whole were in battalion columns, -with deploying intervals, and in chequer. - -On their left was the first brigade, composed of the 2d battalion of -the 1st guards[25], colonel Askew, and posted in rear; and of the 3d -battalion, colonel the Hon. W. Stuart, posted a little in advance of -the crest. - -On the left of Maitland, was the 3d division, under -lieutenant-general count Alten; the 5th British brigade, composed of -the 30th, colonel Hamilton, and the 73d, colonel G. Harris, posted in -advance; and of the 33d, colonel Elphinstone, with the 69th, colonel -Morice, posted upon the right rear of the 30th and 73d. The four -regiments formed and acted as two. - -On their left was the 1st Hanoverian brigade, under major-general -count Kielmansegge. The field battalions of Bremen, Verden, York, -Grubenhagen and Luneburg were posted three in front and two in second -line. - -On Kielmansegge’s left, was the 2d brigade of the King’s German -legion, under colonel Ompteda, which formed Alten’s left and rested -upon the Genappe high-road: it was composed of the 1st light -battalion, major Bussche, and the 2d, colonel Baring; of the 5th -line, colonel Linsingen, and the 8th, colonel Schröder: the 1st and -5th were a little in rear of the cross-road upon the ridge; the 8th -in reserve. - -The 2d light, under colonel Baring, held La Haye-Sainte, a post far -from being so commodious as Hougoumont, but considerably nearer our -position, consequently easier of access, although more exposed to -the enemy’s attacks and cannonade. It was a strong stone and brick -building, with a narrow orchard in front, and a small garden in the -rear, both of which were hedged round, except the east side of the -garden, on which there was a strong wall running along the high-road -side, then taking a western direction terminated upon the east end of -the barn; a large and small gate opened on the road; a yard and barn -door led to the orchard and fields which now face the Lion. At this -point was the chief tug of war. - -A passage led through the house from the farm-yard into the garden, -which lies on the north or allied side of the buildings, the door -of which was four feet wide; there were also on the same side -four windows and ten loop or air-holes, by which any quantity of -ammunition might have been thrown in; consequently, the oft-told -tale that a breach should have been made on that side but was -forgotten, falls to the ground, like many other false reports. A -dozen loop-holes in the west or Lion side of the buildings would have -added considerably to the strength of the post. Loop-holes were made -in the south and east walls as well as in the roofs, and the post -strengthened on being occupied by our troops. - -A barricade was thrown across the high-road, near the south-east -angle of the wall; but there were several drawbacks to the -strengthening of this post. The working tools had been lost, the -carpenters had been sent to assist at Hougoumont; half of the large -west barn door was wanting, and in addition, the post was exposed -to a line of batteries, that had been pushed forward upon the inner -ridge of the French right wing, at a range of from six to eight -hundred yards. - -In rear of the interval between Halkett’s and Kielmansegge’s brigades -stood the Nassau brigade, three battalions of the 1st regiment of -Nassau, under general Kruse. - -Upon the left of the Genappe road, in columns just under the crest -of the ridge, was the 5th division: the 8th brigade, composed of -the 28th, colonel sir P. Belson; the 32d, colonel Hicks; the 79th -Highlanders, colonel Douglas, and of the 1st battalion 95th rifles, -colonel Sir A. Barnard. In front of the right of the brigade, and -about a hundred and forty yards from the cross-road, stood a knoll, -in front of which was a sand-hole, (where the Hanoverian monument now -stands;) on our side of the knoll and parallel with our front, was a -hedge slightly studded with trees, about a hundred and forty yards -long. The whole of this ground was occupied by three companies of -riflemen, under major Leach, who made a barricade across the road: -more of the rifles lined the straggling hedge along the cross-road; -their reserve was at the junction of the roads. - -On their left was the 9th brigade, consisting of the 1st or Royal -Scots, colonel Campbell; the 42d Royal Highlanders, colonel sir R. -Mac Ara; the 44th, colonel Hamerton; and the 92d Highlanders, colonel -Cameron; their left near the brushwood, upon the rear face of the -knoll on our left. From this to Wavre, which is concealed by woods -and high ground, and from whence the Prussians had to march, the -distance is about twelve miles: consequently the Duke had good reason -for calculating on a much earlier support by Blücher. - -In Pack’s left front was the 4th Hanoverian brigade, under colonel -Best, composed of the militia battalions, Luneburg, Verden and -Osterode; the Munden in reserve. - -In Best’s left rear, and posted a little under the crest of the -ridge, was the 5th Hanoverian brigade, 5th division, under colonel -Vincke, in columns of battalions: namely, those of Hameln and -Hildesheim, Peine and Gifhorn. - -The hamlet of Smohain, with the farms of Papelotte and La Haye, and -the houses and enclosures in the valley, were occupied by the second -brigade of the 2d Dutch-Belgian division, under general Perponcher. -This brigade, under the duke of Saxe-Weimar, was composed of the two -battalions of Orange-Nassau, and the 2d and 3d battalions of the -regiment of Nassau, the 1st battalion of which was at Hougoumont. - -Upon our extreme left was the 6th cavalry brigade, under -major-general sir Hussey Vivian, composed of the 10th hussars, -colonel Quentin; the 18th hussars, colonel the Hon. H. Murray, and -of the 1st hussars of the German legion, colonel de Wissel. A piquet -of the 10th, under captain Taylor[26] was thrown into Smohain in the -valley; their vedettes were posted on the rising ground beyond. - -Before the battle began, a Prussian patrol arrived at this piquet, -and informed captain Taylor, that part of Bulow’s (4th) corps was at -St.-Lambert; this intelligence was immediately sent to the duke of -Wellington. - -On Vivian’s right was the 4th cavalry brigade, under major-general -sir J. O. Vandeleur, composed of the 11th light dragoons, colonel -Sleigh; the 12th, colonel the Hon. F. Ponsonby, and the 16th, colonel -J. Hay. In advance of the hedge, in front of the centre of the left -wing, was Byland’s brigade of the Netherlands, deployed in line, -composed of the 27th Dutch light infantry, the 5th, 7th, and 8th -Dutch militia, and the 7th of the Belgian line; the 5th Dutch was in -reserve. - -On the left of the Genappe road, in rear of Picton’s division, was -the 2d cavalry brigade, under major-general sir William Ponsonby, -composed of the 1st Royal dragoons, colonel Clifton; the 2d or Scots -Greys, colonel Hamilton, and the 6th, Inniskilling, colonel Muter. - -Near the farm of Mont-St.-Jean[27], was the 10th brigade of the 6th -division, which was to have been under lieutenant-general the Hon. -sir L. Cole, but he had not joined. Sir J. Lambert commanded this -brigade, which was composed of the 4th, colonel Brook; the 27th, -Inniskilling, major Hare, and the 40th, major Heyland; they had -just landed from America, and had made forced marches from Assche. -These were what the Duke termed Spanish, or old tried infantry, most -of whom being on their way from America did not arrive until the -battle was fought. Sir Harry Smith (the hero of Aliwal) was on sir J. -Lambert’s staff. - -In the hollow, on the right of the high-road in rear of Ompteda, -was the 1st or household brigade, under major-general lord Edward -Somerset, viz. the 1st life-guards, colonel Ferrior; the 2d ditto, -colonel the Hon. E. Lygon; the Royal horse-guards (Blues,) colonel R. -Hill; 1st dragoon guards, colonel Fuller. - -In rear of Alten’s centre were the 3d hussars of the King’s German -legion, under colonel sir F. Arentschild. Behind the centre was -the cavalry division of the Netherlands, under lieutenant-general -baron Collaert: the 1st brigade, major-general Tripp, the 1st and 3d -Dutch, and 2d Belgian carabineers. The second brigade, major-general -de Ghigny, consisted of the 4th Dutch light dragoons, and the 8th -Belgian hussars. The 3d brigade, major-general Merle, was composed of -the 5th Belgian light dragoons and the 6th Dutch hussars. - -On the right of the 3d German hussars were the Cumberland Hanoverian -hussars, under colonel Hake. - -In rear of Halkett’s right was the 3d cavalry brigade, under -major-general sir William Dornberg, consisting of the 23d light -dragoons, major Cutcliffe, and of the 1st and 2d light dragoons of -the King’s German legion. - -In rear of Byng was the 5th cavalry brigade, under major-general -sir Colquhoun Grant, composed of the 7th hussars, colonel Kerrison, -of the 15th hussars, colonel L. Dalrymple, and of the 13th light -dragoons, lieutenant-colonel Boyse. The 13th did not properly belong -to this brigade. - -The 3d division of the Netherlands, lieutenant-general Chassé, (who -so gallantly defended the citadel of Antwerp in 1832,) was under lord -Hill: its 1st brigade, under colonel Ditmers, was composed of the 33d -battalion of Belgian light infantry, and the 2d of the line, with the -4th, 6th, 17th, and 19th battalions of Dutch militia. It occupied the -town of Braine-l’Alleud; the 17th was posted a little nearer to the -2d British division, to keep up the communication. - -The 2d brigade, under major-general d’Aubremé, composed of the -36th Belgian light infantry, the 3d, the 12th, and the 13th line, -and the 10th militia, was at the farm of Vieux-Forêt, beyond -Braine-l’Alleud, for the security of our right flank, and to keep -open the communication with our detached forces at Hal, etc., for -the protection of our extreme right. The 6th British brigade thus -detached was composed of the 35th, 55th, 59th, and 91st regiments, -under major-general Johnstone, with the 6th Hanoverian brigade, -major-general sir James Lyon, and two regiments of Hanoverian -cavalry, under colonel Erstorff, and a division of Netherlanders, -under prince Frederick of Holland. These troops were thus posted for -the protection of Brussels against a _coup de main_ by any detached -force of the enemy[28]. - -The reader will observe that the principal advantages of the allied -position were. - -1º The junction of the two high-roads immediately in rear of our -centre, from which branched off the paved broad road to Brussels, -our main line of operation, and the paved road to the capital -by Braine-l’Alleud and Alsemberg. This added to the facility of -communication, and enabled us to move ammunition, guns, troops, -the wounded, etc., to or from any part of our main front line, as -circumstances demanded. - -2º The advanced posts of Hougoumont, La Haye-Sainte, Papelotte, and -La Haye farms, near which no enemy could pass without being assailed -in flank by musketry. - -3º The continuous ridge from flank to flank towards which no hostile -force could advance undiscovered, within range of our artillery -upon the crest. Behind this ridge our troops could manœuvre, or lie -concealed from the enemy’s view, while they were in great measure -protected from the fire of the hostile batteries. - -4º Our extreme left was strong by nature. The buildings, hollow-ways, -enclosures, trees and brushwood, along the valley from Papelotte to -Ohain, thickly peopled with light infantry, would have kept a strong -force long at bay. Our batteries on the left on the knoll commanded -the valley and the slopes. The ground from those batteries to Ohain, -which was occupied till near eight o’clock P.M. by Vandeleur’s and -Vivian’s brigades, was admirably adapted for cavalry. - -5º Our extreme right was secured by numerous patches of brushwood, -trees and ravines, and further protected by hamlets, and by lord -Hill’s troops _en potence_, part of which occupied Braine-l’Alleud -and the farm of Vieux-Forêt, on the height above that town. - -Between nine and ten o’clock, the French began to take up their -position in our front, on an opposite ridge running nearly parallel -to ours; their centre being near La Belle-Alliance, about fourteen -hundred yards from ours; their right running east along the ridge -towards Frischermont. At two hundred yards behind La Belle-Alliance -is a cross-road, leading from Plancenoit to the Nivelles road, -and intersecting the latter about midway between Hougoumont and -Mon-Plaisir, at which point there are now two small houses built, and -visible from the allied right wing. It was near this point that the -French left terminated. - -The French right wing was the 1st corps, under lieutenant-general -count d’Erlon, the same, (with the exception of Durutte’s infantry -and Jacquinot’s cavalry divisions, which were at Ligny,) that had -been marching and countermarching between Gosselies, Ligny and -Frasnes on the 16th, and which, up to this time, had not fired a shot -during the campaign. It was composed of four divisions of infantry, -and one of light cavalry. The 2d or left division, under general -Donzelot, had its left upon La Belle-Alliance. It consisted of the -13th light, and 17th, 19th, 51st of the line, and was drawn up, like -the whole of their front, in two lines about sixty yards apart. On -their right was the 1st division, under general Alix: the 28th, 54th, -55th, and 105th of the line. On their right was the 3d division, -under lieutenant-general Marcognet: the 21st, 25th, 45th, and 46th of -the line. On their right was the 4th division, under general Darutte: -the 8th, 29th, 85th, 95th of the line. The 1st division of cavalry, -under general Jacquinot, was on the right of this corps: it consisted -of the 3d and 7th light dragoons, and the 3d and 4th lancers, with -seven batteries to the corps. - -The left wing was the 2d corps, under lieutenant-general count -Reille, composed of three divisions of infantry and one of cavalry. -The right division, the 5th, under lieutenant-general Bachelu, rested -its right upon La Belle-Alliance, and its left in the valley that -runs round the south enclosures of Hougoumont: it comprised the 12th, -61st, 72d, and 108th line. Girard’s division was during the 16th and -17th at Ligny, where it was left on the 18th, it is said, by mistake. - -Upon their left, and facing the wood of Hougoumont, was the 9th -division, under lieutenant-general Foy; viz. the 4th light, the 92d, -93d, and 100th line. On the left of the 9th division, upon the ridge -facing the buildings of Hougoumont, was the 6th division, under -general prince Jérôme Napoleon, comprising the 1st and 2d light, -and 1st, 2d, and 3d line; the last three regiments were composed of -three battalions each. On the left of the corps was the 2d cavalry -division, under lieutenant-general Piré, being the 1st and 6th light -dragoons, and the 5th and 6th lancers; they crossed the Nivelles -road in lines, and threw forward piquets towards Braine-l’Alleud and -Uphain; thus keeping a look-out upon the extreme left of their army. -Their artillery, composed of five batteries, was ranged along the -front of the divisions. - -Behind their centre, close along their left of the Genappe road, -was the 6th corps, under lieutenant-general count de Lobau (George -Mouton). The 19th and 20th divisions only were present: they were -formed in close columns of battalions, by divisions. The 19th -division was about two hundred yards behind the right of the -2d corps; the 20th about two hundred yards in rear of the 19th -division. The former was under lieutenant-general Simmer, being the -5th, 11th, 27th, and 84th of the line. The 20th division, under -lieutenant-general Jeannin, was formed of the 5th light, and 10th, -47th, and 107th line. There were five batteries to this corps. The -21st, or Teste’s division, was with Grouchy. - -Upon the right of the 6th corps, separated only by the road, was the -3d cavalry division, under lieutenant-general Domont, being the 4th, -9th, and 12th light dragoons; and the 5th cavalry division, under -lieutenant-general Subervie, being the 1st and 2d lancers, and the -11th light dragoons. They were in close columns. Their two troops of -artillery were on their right. - -Behind the centre of the right wing was the 4th cavalry corps, under -lieutenant-general count Milhaut. - -The 13th cavalry division, under lieutenant-general Wattier, -comprised the 5th, 6th, 9th, and 10th cuirassiers; and the 14th -division, under lieutenant-general Delort, consisted of the 1st, 4th, -7th, and 12th cuirassiers. Their two troops of artillery were in the -centre. - -In rear of those divisions, in reserve, was the light cavalry of -the Imperial guard, composed of light dragoons and lancers, under -generals Lefebvre-Desnouettes and Colbert, like the rest, drawn up in -two lines; their artillery in the centre. - -In rear of the centre of the left wing was the 3d cavalry corps, -under lieutenant-general Kellermann. It comprised the 11th cavalry -division, the 2d and 7th dragoons, and 8th and 11th cuirassiers, -under lieutenant-general L’Héritier; and the 12th division, viz. -the 1st and 2d carabineers (brass-clad cuirassiers,) and 2d and 3d -cuirassiers, under lieutenant-general Roussel. Their two troops of -artillery were upon their flanks. - -In rear of those two divisions were the horse-grenadiers and dragoons -of the Imperial guard, in reserve, under the generals Guyot and -Hoffmeyer; their artillery was in their centre. - -In rear of the 6th corps and the 3d and 5th cavalry divisions, -near the farm of Rossomme, was the infantry of the Imperial guard, -in reserve, under lieutenant-general Drouot: it consisted of -four regiments of grenadiers, four regiments of chasseurs, two -regiments of tirailleurs and two of voltigeurs, of two battalions -each. The 1st and 2d regiments of grenadiers and chasseurs formed -the old guard, under lieutenant-general Friant; the 3d and 4th -regiments of grenadiers and chasseurs formed the middle guard, under -lieutenant-general count Morand; and the four regiments of voltigeurs -and tirailleurs formed the young guard, under lieutenant-general -Duhesme. They were drawn up in six lines of four battalions each; the -Genappe high-road divided them into two equal parts; their artillery -(six batteries) was on their flank. The reserve artillery of the -guard (twenty-four guns) was in their rear. - -Such was Napoleon’s disposition of his eager and gallant followers. - -“This admirable order of battle,” observes a distinguished military -writer, “at once grand, simple and imposing, and presenting to its -skilful designer the most ample means of sustaining, by an immediate -and efficient support, any attack from whatever point he might wish -to direct it, and of possessing everywhere a respectable force at -hand to oppose any attack made upon himself, from whatever quarter -it might be made, was no less remarkable for the regularity and -precision with which the several masses, constituting thirteen -distinct columns, advanced to their destined stations, than for the -unusual degree of warlike pomp and high martial bearing with which -the lines drew up in this mighty battle array.” (SIBORNE, vol. I.) - -Both positions, whatever some prejudiced French writers may assert, -offered everywhere fair fighting ground, on which all arms could act -without any disadvantage. - - -THE EVE OF WATERLOO. - - “Kneel, warrior, kneel: to-morrow’s sun - May see thy course of glory run; - And batter’d helm and shiver’d glave - May lie neglected near thy grave. - Kneel; for thy prayer in battle field - May sanctify thy sword and shield, - And help to guard, unstain’d and free, - Our altars, home and liberty. - - “Arm, warrior, arm: the hostile bands - Now grasp in haste their whetted brands, - And seek the vantage of the height, - Ere the first blush of morning light; - And hark! the trumpet’s stormy bray! - God speed thee, warrior, on thy way! - The stirring word of onset be, - Our altars, home and liberty! - - “Shout, warrior, shout: the field’s thine own, - The Emperor’s ranks are all o’erthrown; - His columns dense and squadrons vast - Were but as dust before the blast. - Shout, till the mountain voice replies - In thunder, as Napoleon flies; - And leaves again, unstain’d and free, - Our altars, home and liberty.” - -Sunday the 18th June 1815, which cast such a brilliant lustre on -the military annals of Britain, broke but slowly through the heavy -clouds. The rain descended in torrents, succeeded, as the morning -advanced, by a drizzling shower which gradually ceased. Soon after -break of day, all who were able were on the move. Many, from cold and -fatigue, could not stir for some time; fortunately, on most of us the -excitement was too powerful to allow this physical inconvenience to -be much felt; although, in after-years, many suffered most severely -from it. Some were cleaning arms; others fetching wood, water, straw, -etc., from Mont-St.-Jean, (my present place of abode;) some trying, -from the embers of our bivac, to light up fires, most of which had -been entirely put out by the heavy rain. At this time there was a -continual irregular popping along the line, not unlike a skirmish, -occasioned by those who were cleaning their fire-arms, discharging -them, when practicable; which was more expeditious and satisfactory -than drawing the charges. Our bivac had a most unsightly appearance: -both officers and men looked blue with cold; our long beards, and wet -and dirty clothing drying upon us, were anything but comfortable. As -morning advanced and all were in motion, one might imagine the whole -plain itself to be undergoing a movement. Imagine seventy thousand -men huddled together. The buzzing resembled the distant roar of the -sea against a rocky coast. - -Between nine and ten o’clock, the duke of Wellington, with his usual -firm countenance, passed along the line and was loudly cheered. His -Grace was dressed in his ordinary field costume, white buckskin -pantaloons, hessian boots and tassels, blue frock coat with a short -cloak of the same colour, white cravat, sword, a plain low cocked hat -without plume or ornament, except the large black cockade of Britain, -and three smaller ones of Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. In -his right hand he carried a long field telescope, drawn out, ready -for use. His Grace was mounted on his favourite chesnut charger, -Copenhagen. He was followed by a numerous staff, several foreign -officers, and the Russian, Austrian, Prussian and Spanish ministers, -count Pozzo di Borgo, baron Vincent, baron Müffling, and general -Alava. I observed several in his train dressed in plain clothes. -Their number was much diminished ere the day was over. - -The Duke generally rode alone, or rather without having any one by -his side, and rarely spoke, unless to send a message or to give -orders; sometimes he would suddenly turn round and glide past his -followers; halting occasionally, and apparently paying no attention -to his own troops, his Grace would observe through his telescope -those of the enemy, which the docile Copenhagen appeared perfectly to -understand, from his showing no impatience nor getting restive. - -The troops had been previously placed in their respective positions, -and afterwards the cavalry dismounted. - -About this time, the French bands struck up, so that we could -distinctly hear them. I have no doubt, this was the moment when -Napoleon assembled all his generals, and forming a circle, placed -himself in the centre, and gave his orders. This was in the hamlet of -La Maison-du-Roi, about a mile in the rear of his centre. - -Not long after, the enemy’s skirmishers, backed by their supports, -were thrown out; extending as they advanced, they spread over the -whole space before them. Now and then, they saluted our ears with -well-known music, the whistling of musket-balls. - -Their columns, preceded by mounted officers to take up the -alignments, soon began to appear; the bayonets flashing over dark -masses at different points, accompanied by the rattling of drums and -the clang of trumpets. - -Could any one behold so imposing a spectacle without awe, or without -extreme excitement? Could any one witness the commencement of the -battle with indifference? Can any one forget the impressions that -are made upon the mind at such a moment? What a magnificent sight! -Napoleon the Great, marshalling the chosen troops of France, against -those of Britain and her allies under the renowned Wellington! Here, -on one side, were the troops that had held nearly all Europe in -bonds, and by whom kings and princes had been humbled and deposed; -and although it was not the first time that many of us had faced -them, yet, on the present occasion, they were under the immediate -command of their idolized Napoleon. It was impossible to contemplate -so formidable a power in battle array, without a feeling of -admiration towards such noble antagonists. - -It presented altogether a sight that must be seen and felt to be duly -appreciated, a sight that “survivors recollect in after-years.” - -Such a scene fires the blood of the brave, and excites feelings and -hopes, compared with which, all other emotions are cold and powerless: - - “To him who’s born for battle’s strife, - Or bard of martial lay, - ’Twas worth ten years of peaceful life, - One glance at this array.” - -Picture their infantry in front, in two lines sixty yards apart, -flanked by lancers with their fluttering flags. In rear of the centre -of the infantry wings were the cuirassiers, also in two lines. In -rear of the cuirassiers, on the right, the lancers and chasseurs of -the Imperial guard, in their splendid but gaudy uniforms: the former -clad in scarlet; the latter like hussars, in rifle-green fur-trimmed -pelisse, gold lace, bear-skin cap. In rear of the cuirassiers on the -left, the horse-grenadiers and dragoons of the Imperial guard, with -their dazzling arms. - -Immediately in rear of the centre was the reserve, composed of the -6th corps, in columns; on the left, and on the right of the Genappe -road, were two divisions of light cavalry. - -In rear of the whole, was the infantry of the Imperial guard in -columns, a dense, dark mass, which, with the 6th corps and cavalry, -were flanked by their numerous artillery. Nearly seventy-two thousand -men, and two hundred and forty-six guns, ranged with matches lighted, -gave an awful presage of the approaching conflict. - -The enemy were quite in hand, all within call, there was nothing -to prevent a movement being made. Why tarries Napoleon, so often -termed “the thunderbolt of war?” Every minute’s delay is loss to -him, and gain to Wellington, whose game it was to stand fast until -the Prussians arrived. Was the Emperor tampering with a portion of -the allies who had formerly fought in his ranks, and who might again -rally round his eagles, (as he had been led to believe,) should a -favourable opportunity present itself? French writers reply, and -with some justice, that Napoleon waited for the partial drying of -the ground, which the night’s rain had rendered very unfavourable -for cavalry and artillery. The grand martial display was calculated -to heighten the enthusiasm of his legions, at the same time that it -gratified the Emperor’s unbounded ambition. - -The allied army, a motley group, of nearly sixty-eight thousand men -and a hundred and fifty-six guns, though almost as numerous as that -of the enemy, did not present so imposing a spectacle, being for the -most part drawn up in chequered columns of battalions at deploying -intervals, the cavalry being on the flanks and in the rear. According -to the nature of the ground, the guns were skilfully ranged at points -whence the melancholy work of destruction could be best effected; -yet, from its undulating form, it concealed from the enemy’s view a -great portion of our force. - -“Never,” said Napoleon, “had his troops been animated with such -spirit, nor taken up their ground with such precision. The earth -seemed proud of being trodden by such combatants.... Never yet, I -believe,” said he at St.-Helena, “has there been such devotion shown -by soldiers, as mine have manifested to me; never has man been served -more faithfully by his troops.” - -The two armies were now fairly in presence of each other. - -The French lines being completed, the Emperor passed along them, -attended by a brilliant and numerous staff: a forest of plumes waved -around him. The troops hailed him with repeated shouts of _Vive -l’Empereur!_ the infantry raising their caps upon their bayonets, and -the cavalry their casques or helmets upon their swords and lances. -The parade over, the whole instantly formed columns. - -With an army thus animated by one sentiment, and doubtless -calculating on being joined during the fray by more than a few of -the motley group who stood in his front, it may readily be conceived -that Napoleon fully participated in the general confidence of a -signal victory. - -“The force of the two armies,” said the Emperor just before the -battle began, “could not be estimated by a mere comparison of -numbers; because the allied army was composed of troops more or -less efficient: so that _one Englishman might be counted for one -Frenchman_; but two Netherlander, Prussians, Germans, or soldiers of -the Confederation, were required to make up one Frenchman.” - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; image of a sword)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] “I did in truth,” said Ney at his trial, “kiss the hand of the -king, his Majesty having presented it to me when he wished me a good -journey. I spoke of the descent of Napoleon with indignation, and -made use of the expression, _the iron cage_. During the night of the -13th of March, (down to which time I protest my fidelity,) I received -a proclamation from Napoleon, which I signed.” On the following day -he published the fatal proclamation to his troops, which afterwards -cost him his life. _See_ Appendix, No. II. - -[2] _See_ GURWOOD, _Dispatches_, vol. XII, pages 350, 356. - -[3] _Ibid._, page 363. - -[4] _See_ GURWOOD, _Dispatches_, vol. XII, page 365. - -[5] _See_ Appendix, No. I. - -[6] The 3d guards and 42d Highlanders had near eight hundred -militia-men in their ranks. The guards actually fought in their -Surrey militia jackets. - -[7] Colonel de Wissel, of the 1st German hussars, reported the fact -to general Vivian, who went to the outposts next day, and, finding -the enemy ready to attack, informed the Duke. - -[8] _See_ the following page, and the beginning of chap. XI. - -[9] _See_ GURWOOD, _Dispatches_, vol. XII, page 290. - -[10] One would say, after such language as this to his devoted -and enthusiastic followers, and maintaining as Napoleon did, that -Frederick the Great was right in carrying poison about his person to -put an end to his existence in case of a great reverse of fortune, -“He was right, he was right, it would have been dastardly indeed -to live like a wretch (_pleutre_) after having once attained to -the highest pinnacle of fame;” the Emperor would have brought his -actions more in unison with his words, if, when on finding the day of -Waterloo going against him, he had, in person, led his Imperial guard -to attack our position. - -[11] _See_ Outline map of the Waterloo campaign. - -[12] Had general Zieten been equally alert in making the duke of -Wellington acquainted with the attack of the French, as he was in -communicating the intelligence to Blücher, the battle of Ligny might -have either not been fought at all, or would have terminated less -disastrously to his countrymen. (GLEIG’S _Story of the Battle of -Waterloo_.) - -[13] _See_ Appendix, No. I. - -[14] A pity the poet did not put, _Soigné_. - -[15] What appears most astonishing is, that the real line of retreat -of the Prussian columns was not discovered by the victorious French -until the afternoon of the 17th. - -[16] The road by which the Prussians retreated upon Wavre, was -examined by lieutenant-colonel Jackson, of the Royal staff corps, -and a report thereof sent to the Prussian head-quarters, before the -campaign opened. - -[17] _See_ anecdote, Appendix, No. VI. - -[18] Lord Uxbridge was created Marquis of Anglesey, for his -distinguished conduct on the field of Waterloo. - -[19] _See_ Outline map of the Waterloo campaign. - -[20] _See_ GURWOOD, _Dispatches_, vol. XII, page 129. - -[21] The cannon-ball entered the west end of the large building still -in existence; consequently must have passed through four, if not five -walls, before it came out at the east end looking into the garden, or -park. - -[22] Sergeant-major Cotton, the author of this “VOICE FROM WATERLOO,” -also lies buried in the same garden, not far from captain Blackman’s -grave. He died at Mont-St.-Jean, the 24th June, 1849. (_Editor._) - -[23] _En potence_, is a military phrase which expresses a bending or -throwing back of either flank or wing of an army. - -[24] Now the Rifle brigade. - -[25] Since called Grenadier guards, on account of their gallant -conduct when opposed to the Imperial grenadiers of France, at the -close of the day of Waterloo. - -[26] Now Major-General Taylor and deputy governor of Sandhurst -college. - -[27] Every house in the neighbourhood was used for the wounded; the -farm of Mont-St.-Jean was the chief hospital, or the head-quarters -for the medical staff. - -[28] _See_ Outline map of the Waterloo campaign. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - The Duke at Hougoumont, makes a slight change, returns to the - ridge.—Battle commences at Hougoumont: Jérôme’s columns put in - motion, drew the fire of our battery upon them, to which theirs - replied.—Close fighting at Hougoumont.—Our left menaced by the - enemy’s cavalry.—Howitzers open upon the enemy in the wood of - Hougoumont.—The enemy press on and approach the masked wall, - from whence the crashing fusillade astounds them.—Our troops - under lord Saltoun charge and rout the enemy; a portion of whom - pass Hougoumont on their right, and enter the gate: a desperate - struggle ensues.—Gallantry of colonel Macdonell, sergeant Graham, - and the Coldstream.—The enemy’s light troops drive off our - right battery.—Colonel Woodford, with a body of the Coldstream, - reinforces Hougoumont.—Sergeant Graham rescues his brother from the - flames.—Prussian cavalry observed.—Hougoumont a stumbling-block to - the enemy, who now prepare to attack our left.—Napoleon observes - a part of Bulow’s Prussian corps, and detaches cavalry to keep - them in check.—A Prussian hussar taken prisoner; his disclosures - to the enemy.—Soult writes a dispatch to Grouchy.—Oversight of - Napoleon, who orders Ney to attack our left.—D’Erlon’s columns - advance; terrific fire of artillery.—La Haye-Sainte and Papelotte - attacked.—Picton’s division, aided by Ponsonby’s cavalry, defeat - the enemy.—Shaw the life-guardsman killed.—Struggle for a colour.—A - female hussar killed.—Picton killed.—Scots Greys and Highlanders - charge together.—Two eagles captured, with a host of prisoners.—Our - heavy cavalry get out of hand.—Ponsonby killed.—12th dragoons - charge.—Our front troops drawn back.—Charge of Kellermann’s - cuirassiers, repulsed by Somerset’s household brigade, who - following up the enemy mix with Ponsonby’s dragoons on the French - position.—Captain Siborne’s narrative of the attack upon our left - and centre.—Heroism of lord Uxbridge. - - -Just before the commencement of the battle, and after taking a -minute survey of his troops on the position, the Duke rode down to -Hougoumont, and following the footpath that traversed the wood, -halted at the eastern boundary, from whence he surveyed the enemy’s -masses in that vicinity. He afterwards returned to the buildings, -and, casting a hasty glance around, made a few observations to -colonel Macdonell, ordered a slight change to be made in the troops -holding the wood and out-grounds, and then rode away. - -At about half-past eleven o’clock, his Grace was near the bit of -hedge-row on the road side, midway between the Lion and Hougoumont, -in conversation with one of his staff, when a strong force of light -troops of prince Jérôme’s division commenced an attack in the wood -of Hougoumont upon our light troops, who, being under cover of the -hedge and trees, kept them at bay for some time: the French however -pressed on briskly into the wood, and drove our troops back towards -the buildings. The rattle of the musketry was kept up in the wood for -some time; and thus opened the memorable day of Waterloo. - -Upon Jérôme’s supporting columns being put in motion, (about ten -minutes to twelve, according to lord Edward Somerset and general Shaw -Kennedy’s watches[29],) captain Cleeve’s German battery first opened -upon them, and produced a most terrific effect, making a complete -road through the mass[30]: the leading column was broken, and fell -back behind the ridge; upon which our artillery more to the right -opened upon the French rear columns which had slightly changed their -position. Reille’s guns now opened, and a heavy cannonade was carried -on. Napoleon ordered Kellermann to push forward his horse batteries: -thus the fire augmented like thickening peals of thunder, and the -whole kept up a continual roar; - - “And from their deep throats - The shot and shells did pour.” - -Our Nassau and Hanoverian light troops being forced out of the wood -by the French, the light companies of the British guards advanced -on the right of the buildings, and also from the orchard into the -fields, driving the enemy before them. - -During the time the French occupied the wood, the Duke, after -explaining the danger attending the howitzers’ range, as, from the -proximity of the hostile forces, friends might be destroyed as well -as foes, ordered Bull’s howitzer battery to throw shells into it. A -shower of shells was soon sent flying into the wood, which forced -Jérôme’s light troops and their supports to retire. Up to this time, -except a little skirmishing, the battle was confined to Hougoumont. -The roar of artillery was increasing. At this period a body of the -enemy’s cavalry approached our left at a good pace; upon which, -Best’s Hanoverians formed square; but the French cavalry went about. -It was a reconnoitering party, to see whether we had thrown up any -field-works, as our position, when seen from the French right, had -all the appearance of being intrenched. Fresh columns of Jérôme’s -division, supported by Foy’s, were sent upon our post at Hougoumont; -they united, extended their front, and pressed through the wood and -open fields. - -The horse battery upon the French left opened upon our right, and -a sharp cannonade was kept up between the batteries. Our light -troops in the wood and orchard made a desperate resistance, but were -ultimately obliged to fall back upon the flanks of the buildings. As -the French approached the banked-up hedge that masked the loop-holed -wall, they pressed up to it, thinking our troops were behind it; -but they were suddenly brought to a stand, by an efficacious fire -through the loop-holes and from the scaffold over the top of the -wall: most of their advance were brought down, and those who followed -were staggered, without being able to make out whence the fire came -that caused such havock in their ranks; little thinking that a -masked battery of muskets was within forty yards of them. They at -length perceived whence this well-directed fire came; still they -returned with redoubled fury to the attack, in hopes of carrying -this important post. Not thinking it prudent to attempt an escalade, -they covered themselves, as best they could, by the banked-up hedge -and trees, and continued a dropping fire upon the wall, which was so -peppered as to lead one to suppose they had an idea of battering it -down with musketry, or mistook the red bricks for our red coats. At -length some of the more daring, and there were many in their ranks, -rushed over the hedge up to the wall, and seized the muskets which -protruded through the loop-holes. - -The enemy were making their way through a gap, out of the wood, into -the large orchard, when lord Saltoun charged them with his light -troops and drove them back. Our howitzers upon the right of the main -ridge began again plying with shells the enemy in the wood: they -falling back, and our men moving on slowly, the shells were thrown -in another direction, upon some supports. The enemy were again -reinforced, and pressed on in a most daring manner. - -Our guards on the right, under colonel Macdonell, fell back upon the -haystack (afterwards burnt) that stood between the buildings and the -wood, and upon the hedges and the right enclosures; while those on -the left or orchard side, under colonel lord Saltoun, fell back to -the south banked-up hedge of the orchard. Those on the right were -assisted by their comrades from the windows of the house, as well -as from the loop-holes of the south stables. They managed upon that -point to keep the enemy at bay for some time, but perceiving some -of Jérôme’s troops out-flanking them on the allied right of the -buildings, and thus exposing our men to the danger of being turned -on their right and cut off from retreat, they hastily fell back and -entered the buildings by the north gate, which they attempted to -block up: but the French were too close upon them, and forced an -entrance. Our men quickly taking the best cover they could find, -opened a rattling fire upon the intruders, then darted forward, and a -struggle ensued, distinguished by the most undaunted courage on both -sides. At length colonel Macdonell and his small force, amongst whom -was sergeant Graham, succeeded in overpowering the enemy and closing -the gate. All of the enemy who had entered were either killed or -severely wounded. Shortly after a French soldier climbed to the top -of the gateway, and sergeant Graham immediately shot him, by order of -captain Windham, who at the time was holding Graham’s musket, whilst -the latter was further securing the gate. - -At this moment the position was nearer falling into the hands of -the enemy, than at any other period during the day. A party of -French drove back our light companies, and passed the avenue hedge -which leads to the Nivelles road, turning the post on the allied -right. Being favoured by the brushwood and high crops, they got -close up under the ridge on the right of our main front line, and -destroyed some of our artillery-men and horses, causing Webber -Smith’s battery to be drawn back into the hollow road, where his guns -were refitted. Colonel Woodford, with the rest of the Coldstreams, -went down and drove the French before him; but, before his arrival, -such a numerous body of the enemy had congregated at the north gate -and wall of Hougoumont, that our artillery opened fire upon them. -Colonel Woodford’s advance caused it to cease, from the fear of -destroying our own men. Woodford cleared all before him, and leaving -a detachment to guard the avenue, he entered the building from the -lane by a small door of the barn (now bricked up). - -Sergeant Graham, some time after this, asked permission to fall out -for a few minutes: a request which surprised colonel Macdonell, and -induced him to inquire the motive. Graham replied, that his brother -was lying in the buildings wounded, and, as the flames were then fast -extending, he wished to remove him to a place of safety. The request -was granted, and Graham, having rescued his brother from the fate -which menaced him, speedily returned to his post. Graham died an -inmate of the Royal hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, in 1845. - -The French on our left of Hougoumont, pressed on, and turned lord -Saltoun’s troops on their left, driving them across the orchard to -the friendly hollow-way; but upon the enemy following through the -south hedge, all within musket range received, from the Coldstreams -stationed inside the east garden wall, such a severe fire upon -their left flank, as staggered and brought them up. Upon which lord -Saltoun, who had been reinforced upon his left by some of the 3d -guards from the main line, advanced, drove the enemy before him, -and again occupied the front hedge; than which there was not a more -secure position on the field, as long as the enemy did not outflank -it: but this the French frequently attempted to do by attacking, from -the open field beyond the east hedge of the enclosure, Saltoun’s -left, posted at the south-east angle of the orchard. - -The enemy now occupied the wood and open fields on both flanks. -Outside the left enclosures there was cavalry-skirmishing. About this -time small bodies of cavalry, supposed to be Prussians, were observed -on the heights on our left, near St.-Lambert. - -[Illustration: (Marshall Ney)] - -In consequence of the determined resistance the enemy met with at our -advanced post of Hougoumont, which proved a regular stumbling-block -to Napoleon, he resolved upon attacking the left of our main -line[31]. Marshal Ney had been making preparations for so doing, -by pushing forward part of his artillery to the intermediate ridge -of their right wing, placing his guns so that their range was not -beyond half a mile; they were to cover, as is usual, the advance of -their columns of attack, formed of the whole of d’Erlon’s corps, -supported by part of Reille’s. - -Napoleon’s aim was to turn our left, force the left centre, get -possession of the farms of La Haye-Sainte and Mont-St.-Jean, and -establish a force there, in order to cut off our communication -with Brussels, and to prevent our cooperation with the Prussians. -The French columns had been moved to the hollow, between the main -and inner ridges. All was ready for the grand attack, of which -Ney apprized Napoleon; who, before he gave the order to begin, -took a general survey upon his right, when, perceiving in the -direction of St.-Lambert what he thought to be troops, he asked his -adjutant-general (Soult[32],) what the cloud of troops were that -he saw in the distance? Soult replied, “I think I see five or six -thousand men: possibly part of Grouchy’s corps.” The telescopes were -all put in requisition; but the day being hazy, the opinions were -various and conflicting. Upon this, general Domont was sent for, and -ordered to proceed with two light cavalry divisions in the direction -of St.-Lambert, and ascertain what the supposed troops were. Domont -and Subervie, it is said, immediately moved to the right, and drew -up _en potence_ on the right of the French army, and facing the wood -of Paris. This must have occurred about one o’clock. Soon after, -an officer of the light cavalry brought in a Prussian hussar taken -prisoner, who had been charged with a letter for orders from Bulow -to Wellington. The Prussian was very communicative, and answered -all questions in a loud tone; he said, “his corps had been that -morning at Wavre, near which the other three Prussian corps had -encamped; that his regiment had sent out patrols for six miles in all -directions, but had not fallen in with any part of the French army, -consequently they had concluded that Grouchy had joined the Emperor -at Plancenoit; and that the column seen near St.-Lambert was the -advance-guard of Bulow’s (4th) corps, about 30,000 strong, that had -not been present at the battle of Ligny.” This intelligence obliged -Napoleon to hold a considerable force in hand, in order to defend his -right flank. It is therefore evident, that more caution and vigilance -should have been used by him, at an earlier period, in that direction. - -Soult, who was at this time writing a dispatch to Grouchy, informed -him that the Emperor wished him to manœuvre in the direction of the -main army; to find out the point where it was, to keep up a close -communication, and to be at hand to fall upon and destroy any enemy -that might attempt to disturb their right flank. - - “At this moment,” he continued, “we are engaged in battle on - the line of Waterloo. The centre of the English army is at - Mont-St.-Jean; so manœuvre to join our right without loss of time. - - “DUKE OF DALMATIA. - “One o’clock, 18th June.” - -It was sent off with the intercepted letter, but did not reach -Grouchy till after seven P.M. Domont soon after made the -communication, that he had fallen in with the enemy in the direction -of St.-Lambert; the Emperor might be assured that the troops he had -seen were enemies, and that he had sent out patrols to find out -Grouchy and to open a communication with him. - -Napoleon remarked to Soult, “This morning we had ninety chances -for us; the arrival of Bulow loses us thirty, but we have still -sixty against forty. If Grouchy repair the horrible fault which he -committed yesterday in amusing himself at Gembloux, and send his -detachment with rapidity, the victory will be more decisive, because -Bulow’s corps will be quite destroyed.” The Emperor still felt -sanguine as to the successful result of the battle, notwithstanding -he had received no intelligence from Grouchy, nor any information -which he considered satisfactory respecting the Prussians. It was -only by a gross oversight on the part of Napoleon, or some of his -officers, that Bulow was allowed to approach his right. Had he -detached six or eight thousand men of all arms on the 17th, or at an -early hour on the 18th, to command the entrance to the defiles of -the Lasne and St.-Lambert, through which Bulow had to pass, and not -above ten minutes’ gallop from the French right (consequently the -force could have been recalled at any moment,) Napoleon could have -kept Bulow’s corps, out of action until the arrival of Zieten’s (1st) -corps, at about eight o’clock, and before that hour he might with his -whole force have assailed Wellington’s position. - -The appearance of the Prussians at St.-Lambert was ominous for -Napoleon: it compelled him to alter his plan of battle, and tended to -paralyze part of his reserves. The Prussians were now in great force -between Grouchy’s corps and the French right. Grouchy might indeed -fall upon the Prussian rear; but he might also be retarded at the -passage of the Dyle, or by some other difficulty or misfortune. The -prospect was sufficiently gloomy to make Napoleon detach some cavalry -for the purpose of observing Bulow’s corps, and to keep a strong -force in hand ready to check the Prussians, should they attempt to -disturb his right. - -The Emperor now sent word to Ney to commence the attack. D’Erlon’s -four massive columns advanced, accompanied by Ney, who halted on -the high-road where it cuts through the bank, before reaching La -Haye-Sainte orchard. As soon as the columns reached the inner ridge, -and were passing between their batteries, our guns opened upon them; -they were scarcely down the slope so as to be under cover from their -own guns, when their batteries of between seventy and eighty pieces, -posted on their main and inner ridges, opened with a tremendous -roar upon our lines, causing dreadful havock in Picton’s division -and Byland’s brigade. The balls that went over fell with terrific -effect amongst our cavalry in the rear. The flank columns which were -detached to attack La Haye-Sainte, and Papelotte, La Haye and Smohain -on our left, soon became engaged. The German rifles from the orchard -of La Haye-Sainte opened first: then the Nassau on the left, with the -light troops in advance of the columns, and soon the skirmish became -general along the whole front of attack. Papelotte, la Haye and the -orchard of La Haye-Sainte were carried. - -As the columns approached the rise of our position, they appeared -_en échelons_ from their left. Byland’s brigade of the Netherlands -was overpowered and gave way before the overwhelming force which -advanced against it, but was rallied again in rear of the ridge, -where it remained for the rest of the day. Some of this brigade, -particularly the 5th militia, had behaved with great gallantry on -the 16th, at Quatre-Bras. The flanking fires from La Haye-Sainte -and the enclosures of Smohain induced the enemy’s flank columns -to swerve away towards the centre, before they dropped off their -supports: so much so, that their central columns had not sufficient -space to deploy. The left column got a strong fire from the walls of -La Haye-Sainte, which it had scarcely cleared, when our sand-hole -rifles began; this at first staggered the column, but still it -pressed on with deafening shouts of _Vive l’Empereur!_ and turned -our sand-larks, who fell back behind the knoll, and from thence upon -their battalion. - -The enemy had dislodged the green Germans from the orchard of La -Haye-Sainte, and were desperately disputing the buildings, a most -serious impediment to the French, whose attacking columns were -advancing towards the hedge. The French artillery now suspended their -fire, for fear of destroying friends as well as foes: whilst our -few but well-served batteries were carrying destruction through the -enemy’s columns, who, regardless of the iron hail, gallantly pressed -on until within forty yards of the hedge, when the undaunted Picton -ordered Kempt’s brigade to deploy into line. This brigade moved up -to the hedge, fired a volley into the enemy while deploying, which -dreadfully shattered their ranks and stemmed their further progress; -then with a loud Hurrah! rushed through the hedge and received a -murderous volley in return. This caused some disorder and delay, -particularly among the 79th regiment: but the delay was momentary; -our soldiers quickly rallied, and levelling their bayonets, presented -a line of British infantry at the charge. Picton’s gallant example at -Quatre-Bras had so inspired his troops, that nothing could now resist -the impetuosity of their attack. - -By the terrific fire of our infantry, a timely check was given to -the burning ardour of the assailing columns, which were soon turned -into a shapeless mass of men, destitute of order, although still -endeavouring to hold their ground; pouring out a straggling fire, -yet unable to withstand the storm about to burst upon their devoted -heads. During this time a portion of the first light battalion of -the German legion crossed the high-road to support our advancing -brigade. The French left attacking column became panic-stricken, -and, in utter confusion, fled precipitately down the slope. As -the British pressed forward, their front was crossed by a body of -cuirassiers hotly pursued by the 2d life-guards. The cuirassiers -dashed in amongst their own broken infantry, who flung themselves on -the ground to allow both cavalries to ride over them, they then rose -up and fired after the life-guards. The cuirassiers coming nearer to -their own position pulled up their steeds, and boldly faced their -pursuers, but in vain; after many an isolated and individual combat, -they were obliged again to turn and fly. It was here that Shaw, the -famous life-guardsman, fell in the _mêlée_, mortally wounded by a -carbine-ball, after having, it is said, killed nine of his steel-clad -opponents. - -During this same attack, a French officer, whose horse had been -shot under him, seized the regimental colour of the 32d, which was -carried at the moment by lieutenant Belcher: a struggle ensued; the -Frenchman was in the act of drawing his sword, when he received a -thrust in the breast from a sergeant’s halbert, and instantly after, -notwithstanding the major (Toole) called out, (alas! too late,) “Save -the brave fellow!” he was shot by a man named Lacey, and fell dead at -lieutenant Belcher’s feet. This officer and lieutenant-colonel Brown, -both of the 32d and actors in this scene, revisited the spot in 1845. -They related all that took place on this part of our line during -the day, and further told me, that in collecting their wounded on -the morning after the battle, they found, near where the Hanoverian -monument now stands, a most beautiful young lady who had been shot -dead in the costume of an officer of the French hussars[33]. - -[Illustration: (Sir Thomas Picton)] - -It was during this gallant and eminently successful repulse of the -enemy, that the brave Picton fell[34]: he was struck by a musket-ball -in the right temple, and died immediately. His last words were, -“Charge! charge! Hurrah!” His life had been spent in fighting the -battles of his country: his end was suited to his stormy career; and -although he had attained the meridian of military glory, no one of -the many that fell that day was so lamented, as no one had been so -admired and loved by the British army. His renown had attracted the -notice of Napoleon, who on the morning of the battle inquired, “Where -is Picton’s division?” His desire to know this might be attributed to -his thinking, that, as they had been so roughly handled and had lost -so many men at Quatre-Bras, their _morale_ was shaken and they might -be easily overpowered. - -It appears that Picton had been wounded on the 16th, at Quatre-Bras; -but it was not discovered till his body was laid out on the 19th, at -Brussels. - -He was succeeded in the command of the division by sir James Kempt; -colonel Belson, of the 28th, taking command of the brigade. - -The 95th rifles were soon in the midst of the broken French infantry, -over which the two cavalries had ridden; they took a vast number of -prisoners and sent them to the rear. The rifles then reoccupied the -knoll and sand-pit, and Baring’s gallant Germans the little garden -and orchard of La Haye-Sainte, from whence the enemy had been driven. - -Ponsonby’s brigade had advanced close up to the ridge, and was -waiting the proper moment to charge; for the French columns on -Kempt’s left, having had nothing in their front to check them after -Byland retreated, were making through the hedges that lined the -road. Part of the Royal dragoons dashed into the head of the enemy’s -column in their front, and at the same moment a portion of the 28th -regiment brought their right shoulders forward and fired a volley -into its left flank. At this time, part of Pack’s brigade, formed of -the redoubtable remains of the 92d Highlanders, was in rear of the -ridge, their left brought forward, resting in front of the brushwood -upon the knoll on our left. Part of another French column had passed -the straggling hedge, and were pressing on towards the position of -this brigade, bearing directly on its left. This handful of tried -soldiers, partially aided by the Royal Scots and 42d Highlanders, -immediately advanced in order to come to close quarters with the -enemy, whose fire they received without returning, until within -thirty yards; they then threw in a concentrated and destructive -volley, which completely staggered the French, who however soon -sufficiently recovered themselves to return the fire. At this moment, -the Scots Greys came up, and the Highlanders opened out to let them -pass. The wild shrill squeaking bagpipes, mixed with the shouting of -“Scotland for ever!” heightened the national enthusiasm, and many of -them, breaking from their ranks, caught hold of the Grey’s stirrups -to be able to keep up with them, and to take their part in completing -the destruction of the enemy. - - “Where stream’d fair Scotia’s banners high, - Or nodded where her bonnets blue, - Where peal’d the bagpipe’s deafening cry, - Or where the varied tartans flew: - There did the rush of battle burst, - Blazing the deadly fight begun; - There did the shouts of triumph first - Proclaim the Gallic host undone.” - -While we see in this fact ample proof of the ardour which fired the -breasts of our brave Scottish troops, yet we must allow that the -mingling of broken infantry with cavalry advancing to an attack, -must have materially impeded the impetus and efficiency of both. The -cavalry having the advantage of the descent, bore down all before -them. Unfortunately this splendid result was not enough for the -gallant spirits that achieved it. Wild with their success and carried -away by the ardour of the fight, they hurried in utter confusion up -the opposite slopes, sabring every living thing that came in their -way. This was not the only instance of our cavalry getting disordered -and out of hand by their own headlong rashness, and in consequence -causing most serious loss of life. - -The eagle and colour of the 45th regiment in the French column, -attracted the particular attention of sergeant Ewart of the Greys; he -gallantly rushed forward to secure the trophy. The following is his -account of the affair: “It was in the charge I took the eagle from -the enemy: he and I had a hard contest for it; he made a thrust at -my groin, I parried it off and cut him down through the head. After -this a lancer came at me; I threw the lance off by my right side, -and cut him through the chin and upwards through the teeth. Next, -a foot-soldier fired at me, and then charged me with his bayonet, -which I also had the good luck to parry, and then I cut him down -through the head; thus ended the contest. As I was about to follow my -regiment, the general said, ‘My brave fellow, take that to the rear; -you have done enough till you get quit of it.’ I took the eagle to -the ridge, and afterwards to Brussels[35].” - -The Greys, with the Highlanders, took and destroyed nearly the whole -of the front attacking column. Upon the right of the Greys were the -Inniskilling dragoons, who dashed through the straggling hedge[36] -down upon the supporting columns, and made fearful havock amongst -them; and although they had not the good fortune to capture an eagle, -their attack was as brilliant as that of the other regiments of -the brigade. On the right of the brigade were the Royal dragoons, -as before mentioned, who, like the Greys[37], met the head of the -enemy’s column on our side of the Wavre road and hedge; the column -threw out a straggling fire, and attempted to repass the hedge; -but the Royals were soon among them, cutting and slashing away, -and causing a panic, which, from the enemy’s situation, was not to -be wondered at. In the centre of this column was the eagle of the -105th regiment; this caught the eye of captain Clarke, of the Royal -dragoons. The following extract is from the records of the regiment, -page 105: “I was,” he said, “in command of the centre squadron of -the Royal dragoons in this charge; while following up the attack, I -perceived a little to my left, in the midst of a body of infantry, an -eagle and colour, which the bearer was making off with towards the -rear. I immediately gave the order to my squadron, ‘Right shoulders -forward!’ at the same time leading direct upon the eagle and calling -out to the men with me to secure the colour; the instant I got within -reach of the officer who carried the eagle, I ran my sword into -his right side, and he staggered and fell, but did not reach the -ground on account of the pressure of his companions: as the officer -was in the act of falling, I called out a second time to some men -close behind me, ‘Secure the colour, it belongs to me.’ The standard -coverer, corporal Styles[38], and several other men rushed up, and -the eagle fell across my horse’s head against that of corporal -Styles’s: as it was falling, I caught the fringe of the flag with my -left hand, but could not at first pull up the eagle: at the second -attempt however I succeeded. Being in the midst of French troops, I -attempted to separate the eagle from the staff, to put it into the -breast of my coatee, but it was too firmly fixed. Corporal Styles -said, ‘Sir, don’t break it;’ to which I replied, ‘Very well; carry -it off to the rear as fast as you can:’ he did so. Though wounded, -I preferred remaining on the field in command of my squadron, which -I did till near seven o’clock in the evening, when I was obliged to -withdraw; having had two horses killed under me, and having received -two wounds, which confined me to my quarters at Brussels for nearly -two months.” - -During this conflict, the valley and slopes of both positions -presented a sight indeed! they were covered with broken troops of -both armies: ours, both infantry and cavalry, bringing up prisoners -singly and in groups. Some few of our fellows, until driven back -by their officers, were helping themselves to any little valuable -article they could lay hand on. - -Many French officers were brought up prisoners; they delivered up -their swords to our officers. The enemy upon the opposite heights -were similarly employed in taking prisoners, and destroying such of -our cavalry as had ventured too far, particularly the Scots Greys, -who, by their ill-timed impetuosity, lost many men and horses. In -fact most of Ponsonby’s brigade, with a portion of the household -brigade, animated by their first success, pursued their advantage -too far; they crossed the valley in disorder, and galloped up to the -French position in two’s and three’s and groups, brandishing their -swords in defiance, riding along the ridge, sabring the gunners, -and rendering about thirty guns useless: the bugles, or trumpets, -sounding to rally, were unheeded. - -General Ponsonby rode forward to stop their wild career, but he -was intercepted in a ploughed field by the lancers, and killed. -The command of the brigade devolved on colonel Muter, of the -Inniskillings. The enemy’s cuirassiers, lancers and chasseurs, -perceiving the isolated and unsupported position of our broken -dragoons, rushed forward and made serious havock, pursuing them -down the slope into the valley. Those of our men whose horses where -blown and exhausted by their recent exertions, became an easy prey -to the enemy; but at length the 12th and 16th light dragoons, part -of Vandeleur’s brigade, came forward. The 12th, under colonel F. -Ponsonby, charged some unsteady infantry in the valley, and then -attacked the lancers, whom they overpowered, thus relieving our -broken cavalry. In advancing, the 12th suffered most severely from -the fire of some of Durutte’s division, who were concealed by a high -bank in the valley, in front of our left. - -The 16th light dragoons charged some of the enemy’s cavalry; part of -Merle’s Dutch-Belgian cavalry came up as a support; a portion went -down the slope. Vivian’s brigade moved from our extreme left towards -the scene of action, but like Merle’s it was not required. Both sides -were now employed in reforming upon their original positions, except -our two light cavalry brigades, which took position somewhat more to -their right. The skeleton remains of Ponsonby’s brigade, at a later -period of the day, crossed the Charleroi road, and joined lord Edward -Somerset’s. Meanwhile our rockets were playing with destructive -effect upon the enemy, who were rallying opposite to our left. - -After this sanguinary conflict, Napoleon rode along his right -wing, and as usual he was loudly cheered. Sir Hussey Vivian, who -at the time was in front of the knoll on our left, told me that he -distinctly saw the Emperor: he was galloping towards some of his -lancers that were reforming; upon the near approach of Napoleon -they waved their lance-flags and shouted, _Vive l’Empereur!_ -Shortly before this, Vivian ordered two of major Gardner’s guns -which were attached to his brigade, to open fire. Upon this the -French artillery opened, and a shot striking one of our ammunitions -tumbrels, it blew up, which called forth a shout from the French -gunners. - -We may remark upon this attack[39], which the Duke pronounced the -most serious that occurred during the day, that it was entirely -defeated; that it gave us a great many prisoners, led to our -disabling many of their guns, and that its failure frustrated -Napoleon’s entire plan. Nor can any doubt be entertained, that if -Wellington’s forces on this eventful day had been wholly composed of -his Peninsular soldiers, of whom he had said, “I always thought, I -could go anywhere and could do anything with that army!” we should -not have looked so anxiously for the arrival of the Prussians, nor -would they have been up in time to have taken any share in the -victory. - -Meanwhile the enemy’s attack upon La Haye-Sainte had been continued; -they had, as related, dislodged the German riflemen from the orchard -and garden, although a most determined resistance had been made by -major Baring. During the advance of d’Erlon’s columns, the Duke -observed the dreadful havock made by the enemy’s batteries in his -front troops posted between the two high-roads, and ordered them to -retire behind the crest of the ridge for shelter. This movement was -mistaken by Napoleon for one of retreat, and he immediately launched -forward Kellermann’s cuirassiers and carabineers to pick up our guns -and stragglers, and press our rear. Shortly before this, his Grace -advanced a reinforcement to La Haye-Sainte, having observed that the -enemy was about to make another attack. Upon the arrival of this -reinforcement, Baring tried to recover the orchard, as well as the -little garden on our side of the farm, which had fallen into the -hands of the French. The Germans were advancing, when they observed -some cuirassiers moving forward. Lord Edward Somerset, whose brigade -was now in line immediately in rear of this part of the position, -had placed two officers on the ridge, to give a signal of the -enemy’s advance, in order to time his charge. Upon the cuirassiers -approaching the line of skirmishers in front of our right of the -farm, these latter ran in upon Baring’s troops, who were near the -orchard, and threw them into confusion. They took to flight, but -were overtaken, ridden down and sabred. While the cuirassiers were -ascending the ridge, our artillery opened with grape and case-shot, -which laid many low, and disordered their ranks: they however pressed -forward most gallantly. Somerset’s line was now coming over the -ridge, led by Uxbridge, and, at the moment our front squares fired -into the cuirassiers, the two cavalries dashed into each other: -the shock was terrific; the swords clashing upon the casques and -cuirasses so that, as lord Edward Somerset humorously observed to me -when he visited the field in June 1842, “You might have fancied that -it was so many tinkers at work.” But it was of short duration. The -British household cavalry soon cleared the ridge of the cuirassiers, -although these made a most gallant resistance: they fled down the -slope on both sides of La Haye-Sainte, closely followed by the -brigade; those on the allied left of the farm, by the 2d life-guards. -It was in following up this charge, that part of this brigade mixed -with Ponsonby’s broken dragoons on the French position, and fell upon -and sabred some of the enemy’s infantry who had been assaulting La -Haye-Sainte. Part of the 1st life-guards pursued some cuirassiers, -till both became wedged in between the two high banks of the Genappe -road, beyond the orchard of La Haye-Sainte. Some of Reille’s troops, -who had advanced in support of d’Erlon’s attack, fired down from -these banks upon our life-guards, who had to get back to our line -as well as they could. Most of the King’s dragoon guards had dashed -over the road and were falling back to reform; but they lost many men -and some officers, by the enemy’s fire from the little garden of La -Haye-Sainte. - -In leading this charge, lord Edward Somerset lost his cocked hat, -and went to the charge bare-headed. On his return, whilst looking -for his hat, a cannon-ball took off the flap of his coat and killed -his horse. During the rest of the day he appeared in a life-guard’s -helmet. - -Lambert’s brigade was now brought forward to reinforce the remains of -Kempt’s division. - -Captain Siborne, in the following spirited manner, concludes his -narrative of the attack and defeat of the enemy, upon our left and -centre, between half-past one and three o’clock: - -“Thus terminated one of the grandest scenes which distinguished the -mighty drama, enacted on the ever-memorable plains of Waterloo: a -scene presenting in bold relief genuine British valour, crowned with -resplendent triumph; a scene which should be indelibly impressed upon -the minds as well of living British warriors, as of their successors -in ages yet unborn. - -“Britons, before other scenes are disclosed to your view, take one -retrospective glance at this glorious, this instructive spectacle. -Let your imagination carry you to the rear of that celebrated -position, and a little to the left of the Charleroi road. Behold, -in the foreground on the right, a British line of cavalry advancing -to the charge, exulting in the consciousness of its innate courage, -indomitable spirit, and strength of arm. Whilst you are admiring -the beautiful order and steadiness of their advance, your eyes -are suddenly attracted by the glittering of a line of horsemen in -burnished coats of mail, rising above the brow, and now crowning the -summit of the ridge. - -“They are the far-famed cuirassiers of France, led on by a -Kellermann: gallant spirits, that have hitherto overcome the finest -troops that could be brought against them, and have grown grey in -glory. Trumpets sound the charge; in the next instant your ears catch -the low thundering noises of their horses’ hoofs, and your breathless -excitement is wound to the highest pitch as the adverse lines dash -together with a shock, which at the moment you expect must end in -their mutual annihilation. Observe the British, how they seem to -doubt for a second in what manner to deal with their opponents. - -“Now they urge their powerful steeds into the intervals between -the necks of those of the cuirassiers. Swords brandished high in -air gleam fitfully in rapid succession throughout the lines, here -clashing together, there clanging against helmet and cuirass, which -ring under their redoubled strokes. See, the struggle is but a -moment doubtful: the cuirassiers, seemingly encumbered by their coats -of mail, are yielding to superior strength, dexterity and bravery -combined; men and horses reel and stagger to the earth: gaps open out -in their line; numbers are backing out, others are fairly turning -round; their whole line now bends and breaks asunder into fragments: -in the next moment they appear, as if by a miracle, to be swept from -off the crest of the position, and being closely and hotly pursued by -the victors, the whole rushing down the other side of the ridge, are -snatched from your view. Your attention is now irresistibly drawn to -that part of the foreground immediately facing you, where you have -barely time to catch sight of a line of British infantry just as it -forces its way through the hedge that runs along the crest of the -ridge, to charge a column advancing up the other side. - -“At the moment the shouts that proclaim its triumph reach your ear, -you are struck by the majestic advance, close to your left, of -another line of British horsemen. These halt just under the brow of -the ridge. In their left front your eye now also embraces a line of -British infantry moving quickly up the steep; whilst at the same -time you see the heads of two hostile columns issuing through the -hedge, and crowning the ridge amidst shouts of _Vive l’Empereur!_ The -one nearest to you, finding no immediate opposition to its farther -advance, is rapidly establishing itself on the height; the other -is met by the advancing line of infantry. A struggle ensues; the -farther column is concealed from your view by the smoke by which it -is suddenly enshrouded: but, at the very moment when doubts arise in -your mind as to the result, the cavalry rushes forward, and passing -through intervals opened out for it by the infantry, charges both -those heads of columns, cutting them up, as it were, root and branch; -and then bounding through the hedge, the whole disappears as if by -magic. - -“Now let your imagination, keeping pace with the intensity of feeling -excited by such a scene, carry you up to the summit of the ridge. -Behold, at once, the glorious spectacle spread out before you; the -furious impetuosity of their onslaught overcomes all resistance: -the terror-stricken masses, paralyzed by this sudden apparition -of cavalry amongst them, have neither time nor resolution to form -squares, and limit their defence to a feeble, hasty, straggling -fire from their ill-cemented edges: a flight, commencing from the -rearmost rank, is rapidly augmented by the outward scattering, -occasioned by the continually increasing pressure upon the front; -the entire slope is soon covered with the dispersed elements of the -previously attacking force: parties of infantry are hurrying over -the brow of the ridge to aid others of the cavalry in securing their -prisoners; three thousand of these are swept to the rear, and two -eagles are gloriously captured. From the momentary contemplation of -these trophies, your eyes instinctively revert to the course of the -victors, whom you now perceive in the middle distance of the view; a -broken line of daring horsemen rushing up the opposite height. - -“Their intoxicating triumph admits of no restraint. They heed not -the trumpet’s call to halt and rally; but, plunging wildly amidst -the formidable line of batteries ranged along the French position, -they commence sabring the gunners, stabbing the horses, and seem to -clear the ground of every living being. But physical efforts, however -powerfully developed and sustained, have their limit; exhausted -nature yields at length, and their fiery steeds, subdued not by -force but by exhaustion, retire with lagging, faltering pace. You -look in vain for a support; there is none: but your eye is suddenly -caught by the fluttering of lance-flags of a column of the enemy’s -cavalry approaching from the left, and you become nervously alive -to the danger that awaits the valiant band of heroes, who are only -now made sensible of the necessity of retiring to collect and rally -their scattered numbers. Seeing no support ready to receive them, and -becoming aware of the near approach of hostile cavalry, they make -a last and desperate effort. Those who are best mounted, and whose -horses are least blown, succeed in regaining the allied position -unmolested; but a very considerable number are overtaken by the -lancers, with whom they now contend under a fearful disadvantage in -point of speed and order. - -“But mark! a rescue is at hand: a gallant line of friendly cavalry -throws itself against the right flank of the lancers, the farther -portion or left of that line first dashing through and scattering -an unsteady mass of infantry, the sole remaining column out of the -entire attacking force that has yet kept together. The tide of -destruction now sets in strongly against the lancers: their pursuit -is checked; the heavy dragoons are relieved from the pressure. A -_mêlée_ ensues, but you are not kept long in suspense; for in another -moment this newly arrived force, making good its way, succeeds in -driving the lancers in confusion down to the foot of the valley. The -arena in your front is speedily cleared of both friends and foes; the -discharge of rockets which now attracts your attention appears like -a display of fireworks in celebration of the glorious triumph. The -affair has terminated. - -“But stay to witness the concluding part of the scene. Observe the -splendidly attired group entering upon the right, just above La -Haye-Sainte. - -“It is headed by one whom you cannot for a moment mistake, the -illustrious Wellington. Lord Uxbridge, returning from his brilliant -charge, now joins the Duke, while the whole _Corps diplomatique et -militaire_ express in the strongest terms their admiration of the -grand military spectacle of which they have been spectators. Among -them are representatives of nearly all the continental nations; so -that this glorious triumph of your valiant countrymen may be said -to have been achieved in the face of congregated Europe. Honour, -imperishable honour, to every British soldier engaged in that -never-to-be-forgotten fight. - -“When Britain again puts forth her strength in battle, may her -sovereign’s guards inherit the same heroic spirit which animated -those of George, Prince Regent, and inspire them with the desire to -maintain, in all their pristine purity and freshness, the laurels -transmitted to them from the field of Waterloo; and when the soldiers -of the three united kingdoms shall again be found fighting side by -side against the common enemy, may they prove to the world that they -have not degenerated from the men of the ‘Union brigade,’ who, by -their heroic deeds on that great day, so faithfully represented the -military virtues of the British empire.” - -[Illustration: (Lord Uxbridge)] - -Several instances of extraordinary heroism were displayed by lord -Uxbridge[40], especially when, between one and two o’clock, he was -leading on to the charge the admiring men of the two heavy cavalry -brigades. It was perhaps not less prudent than gallant to kindle a -daring spirit in our cavalry, and rouse them to the highest pitch -of emulation by the dashing valour of their chief. There was not a -man amongst us who did not feel certain that Uxbridge would have led -the charge, even if the whole French army had been moving in mass -against him; yet it is well known that there was one looking on, who -did not wear a black stock nor carry a musket[41], that would have -been better pleased if our chivalric leader had been a little more -cautious to support, and more successful in keeping the cavalry well -in hand. - - “But on the British heart were lost - The terrors of the charging host; - For not an eye, the storm that view’d, - Changed its proud glance of fortitude.” - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; image of a soldier)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[29] Both those officers told me this on the field, in 1842. - -[30] I was told by an officer who accompanied this column, that -seventeen men were killed by the first shot. - -[31] Why this attack was not made simultaneously with that upon -Hougoumont, and at the same time a demonstration upon the allied -centre, to prevent troops being drawn from it to support the points -assailed, I am at a loss to say. - -[32] Soult, Ney, Napoleon and Wellington were all born in 1769. - -[33] Many females were found amongst the slain, although not of the -same class as the heroine alluded to. As is common in the camp, the -female followers wore male attire, with nearly as martial a bearing -as the soldiers, and some even were mounted and rode astride. - -[34] Picton appears to have had a presentiment that this campaign -would close his glorious career. What a pity he did not survive to -see the effect of his charge! - -[35] Ewart got a commission the following year. Like Shaw, the -life-guardsman, he was a man of herculean strength, and of more than -ordinary stature, being six feet four inches, and of consummate -skill as a swordsman. He died in 1845, having attained the age of -seventy-seven. - -[36] It was here, and at this period, that a gentleman in plain -clothes called out to the dragoons, “Go along, my boys! now’s your -time!” It was the late duke of Richmond, come out merely as an -amateur, and to see how his ball-guests, and his sons, three of whom -were on the field, were faring. He was not attached to the staff -of this army: otherwise he would have been second in command, as, -besides being colonel of the 35th, he was full general. - -[37] The Greys and Royal dragoons having each captured an eagle at -Waterloo, they were both ordered to wear an eagle on their colours, -accoutrements and buttons. - -[38] Styles received a commission; and captain Clarke, now colonel -Kennedy, the order of the Bath and the Hanoverian Guelphic order. - -[39] I am quite at a loss to explain the most unaccountable -remissness of the enemy’s cavalry in not supporting this attack; -and why our light cavalry on the left, did not more promptly carry -out the orders given by lord Uxbridge before the battle began, to -vigorously support offensive operations in their front. - -[40] Personal intrepidity in a chief is no doubt important, and -those under him acquire courage at times from the example of their -leader. But be it said, without any disrespect to my high-spirited -old commander, discretion may sometimes be outstripped, when personal -intrepidity passes the bounds of prudence. - -[41] His Grace has said, he would rather carry a musket than be -attached to the emperor of Russia. (_Dispatches_, vol. XII, page 268.) - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - Hougoumont reinforced, the enemy driven back.—The enemy’s - cavalry charge, and are driven off.—Struggle in the orchard - continued.—Advance of a column of French infantry, who suffer - and are checked by the terrific fire of our battery.—Napoleon - directs his howitzers upon Hougoumont, which is soon set on - fire; notwithstanding, the Duke ordered it to be held at any - cost.—La Haye-Sainte again assailed.—A _ruse_ of the enemy’s - lancers.—Fire of the enemy’s artillery increases.—Importance of - our advanced posts.—Ney’s grand cavalry attacks; destructive - fire of our guns upon them, and their gallantry.—After numerous - fruitless attempts against our squares, the enemy get mixed; are - broken, and driven back by our cavalry.—Their artillery again - open fire upon us.—Extraordinary scene of warfare.—An ammunition - waggon in a blaze.—The earth trembles with the concussion of the - artillery.—Ney, reinforced with cavalry, continues his aggressions, - and, as before, after repeated fruitless attacks, the assailants - are driven off.—Terrific fire of artillery.—Not so many saddles - emptied by our musketry as expected.—The enemy’s attacks less - frequent and animated.—Captain Siborne’s lively description of - Ney’s grand cavalry attack. - - -Skirmishing continued along our whole front: the entire space between -La Haye-Sainte and Hougoumont was up to this time defended by Alten’s -skirmishers, commanded by colonel Vigouroux, (30th regiment). The -light companies of the guards were, as already stated, fully engaged -at Hougoumont, to which post, about two o’clock, sir J. Byng ordered -colonel Hepburn to advance, with the remaining companies of the 3d -guards. When they reached the first hedge of the orchard, in the -hollow-way, they met with lord Saltoun, who, in consequence of the -severe loss of his light troops, gave up the command to colonel -Hepburn, and returned to his own regiment, (the 1st guards,) posted -on the main ridge. - -General Cooke having lost an arm by a round-shot, the command of -the division devolved on general Byng, and the latter’s brigade on -colonel Hepburn, who soon after crossed the orchard, driving the -French before him, and occupied the south hedge; this he considered -his position. The French went through a gap at the south-west corner -of the orchard, into the wood, and, being huddled together, suffered -severely from the concentrated fire of their pursuers, as well as -from that of the Coldstream upon the scaffolds and through the -loop-holes of the wall. I have been told by a British staff officer, -who passed along the south hedges on the morning of the 19th, that, -notwithstanding he had been at most of the battles in the Peninsula, -he had never seen, except at a breach, dead and wounded men lie -thicker than along those hedges. - -About this time, the 7th hussars were in line, and near the right of -the main ridge. Our officers and men were falling fast from the fire -of musketry; at length it was discovered that a dropping fire came -from a spot covered with standing rye. Sergeant Montague and a few -hussars galloped to the place, and surprised a group of the enemy’s -skirmishers, all of whom they cut down. - -A strong line of the enemy’s cavalry passed Hougoumont on their -left, and ascended our position, apparently regardless of the fire -of our artillery, although it somewhat disordered their ranks. The -7th, with a portion of the 15th hussars, was led against them. After -a few cuts and points, the enemy went about, and rallied behind -another well-formed body of their cavalry; we rallied in rear of our -position. About the same time colonel Hepburn’s troops were warmly -attacked, out-flanked, and again obliged to retire to their friendly -hollow-way; but when the enemy passed the south hedge and entered -the large orchard, all within musket range got again such a severe -fire from the Coldstream at the east wall that they were staggered; -Hepburn again advanced, and recovered his position. - -About the time the 2d brigade of guards advanced to Hougoumont, the -Brunswickers came into line on the right. A column of French infantry -was now seen advancing towards Alten’s and the left of Cooke’s -divisions. Our skirmishers were pushed forward to feel them; upon -which they changed their direction towards the Hougoumont enclosures -through a winding valley, and got as it were under our position, so -that they could not be seen. The officer of artillery, who fired -the first shot, was posted near where the Lion now stands; judging -the course they were taking, he allowed them to proceed to a point -where he could best exercise his engines of destruction, and opened -upon the mass with fearful precision and awful effect. The whole -column was thrown into confusion, and moved to some lower ground for -protection; there it was reformed, and again put in motion towards -the enclosures of Hougoumont; the guns opened once more upon them -with similar results, which probably prevented a serious flank attack -on this post. - -Napoleon, finding his repeated attacks upon Hougoumont quite -unavailing, ordered general Haxo to establish a battery of howitzers -to set it on fire. The shells fell into the buildings, and flames -shortly burst forth: at about three o’clock, the whole of the -château and a portion of the out-offices were on fire. From the -right of the allied position the appearance was awfully grand. It -is surprising that the enemy, with so large a force of artillery, -chiefly twelve-pounders, did not level Hougoumont with the ground. -With his left batteries near the Nivelles road, from whence it was -completely commanded, he might have soon beaten it about the ears of -its defenders; he preferred however burning them out with shells. - -The Duke considered it of great importance to withhold this position -from the enemy, and directed that it should not be abandoned, whilst -there was a man left to defend it, although it was in flames. He -deemed the maintaining of the post essential to the success of the -day’s operations. Many of the wounded who were in the buildings -perished in the flames; those in the chapel escaped, as the flames -did not extend far beyond the entrance; and it is a remarkable fact, -that they ceased at the feet of the wooden image of our Saviour. - - “Yes! Agincourt may be forgot, - And Cressy be an unknown spot, - And Blenheim’s name be new; - But still in story and in song, - For many an age remember’d long, - Shall live the walls of Hougoumont - And field of Waterloo.” - -The Duke’s orders were carried down to Hougoumont by major Hamilton, -aide-de-camp to general Barnes, the adjutant-general of the forces, -and given to colonel Home, commanding some of the 3d guards on the -allied right of the building, near the wood. After delivering the -order, major Hamilton went away, but shortly returned and asked -colonel Home, if he perfectly understood his Grace’s instructions: -“I do,” replied the colonel, “and you can tell the Duke from me, -that, unless we are attacked more vigorously than we have hitherto -been, we shall maintain the post without difficulty.” Shortly -afterwards colonel Home entered the buildings, the greater part of -which, together with some stacks, were in a blaze; he found the -colonels Macdonell and Woodford in the walled garden, and gave them -the Duke’s orders. Colonel Woodford, at this time, commanded in the -interior of Hougoumont, and colonel Hepburn in the orchard. To have -allowed the enemy to establish himself in such a post, so near our -front and flank, might certainly have been followed by the most -serious consequences. But why our gallant assailants wasted so much -ammunition against brick and stone walls, that might elsewhere have -been used with effect against their enemy, is not easily answered. A -post of the description of Hougoumont never before sustained such a -succession of desperate attacks: the battle began with the struggle -for its possession, which struggle only terminated on the utter -defeat and rout of the enemy. - -The attack upon La Haye-Sainte[42] was repeated, notwithstanding the -punishment the enemy had received at the hands of the German rifles. -The French again pressed on to closer combat with determined bravery. -The principal attacks were directed to the west barn and yard doors -leading into the open fields towards the Lion. - -About four o’clock, the 13th light dragoons and 15th hussars (part -of the brigade in which I served,) were sent off in haste, under -general Grant[43], towards Braine-l’Alleud, to watch the movement of -a portion of the enemy’s lancers moving in that direction. The 2d -German dragoons also were ordered on the same service, to act as a -support, if needful. - -The fire of the enemy’s artillery had been continued with great -vigour; it was now increased upon that part of our position which was -between the two high-roads. Our squares, which were lying down behind -the crest of the ridge and could not be seen by the enemy, were, in -a great degree, protected from the round and grape-shot, but not -from the shells, which were bestowed upon them most liberally. They -sometimes fell amongst us with great effect. Those missiles may be -both seen and heard as they approach; so that by keeping a look-out -many lives were saved; the ground too was so saturated with rain that -the shells in some instances sunk beneath the surface, and bursting -threw up mud and sand, which were comparatively harmless. The oldest -soldier however had never witnessed so furious a cannonade. The Duke, -writing to lord Beresford, says, “I never saw such a pounding match.” -The havock was dreadful in the extreme, for some considerable time -before the impetuous Ney came on with his grand cavalry attack, made -by forty squadrons. On their right, close to La Haye-Sainte, were -the cuirassiers; then the lancers and chasseurs _à cheval_ of the -Imperial guard. They advanced in lines, _en échelons_, their left -reaching nearly to the east hedge of Hougoumont. - -As those on the right neared the ridge, their artillery discontinued -firing; and ours opened with grape, canister and Shrapnel shells, -which rattled like hail on the steel-clad warriors; but they still -pressed on, regardless of our fire, towards the guns, the horses -of which had been sent to the rear. Every discharge (the load was -usually double,) dreadfully shattered their ranks, and threw them -into great disorder; but excited by the trumpets sounding the charge, -they rode up to the cannons’ mouths, shouting, _Vive l’Empereur!_ - -Our gunners fled to the squares, which were all ranged in chequer; -the front ones had advanced again nearly close to the guns. The -French, not perceiving the advantage which the squares afforded the -gunners, and imagining that they had captured the guns, shouted out -in triumph, and then crossed over the ridge; here they were assailed -by a rolling fire from our squares, which were all prepared, the -front rank on the right knee, the next rank at the charge. - -When the cuirassiers had passed over the ridge, they were out of -sight of the lancers and chasseurs, who immediately pressed on to -share in the contest. Our artillery received them in a similar -manner; some of the men rushing back to their guns, and after -discharging them at the foe, taking shelter again within the squares, -or under the guns. The firing produced a much greater effect upon -such of the enemy’s cavalry as were not protected by the cuirass and -casque; consequently their ranks were much more disordered than were -the cuirassiers’; still they pursued their onward course, passed the -guns, raised a shout and swept round the squares. Some halted and -fired their pistols at the officers in the squares; others would ride -close up, and either cut at the bayonet or try to lance the outside -files. No sooner had the broken squadrons passed the guns, than the -gunners were again at their post, and the grape rattled upon the -retiring hosts; but frequently, before a succeeding round could be -discharged, the hostile cavalry were again upon them, and compelled -them to seek shelter. - -During the cavalry attacks, those of the enemy were at one time on -the allied position, riding about amongst our squares for three -quarters of an hour; all cannonading having ceased between the two -high-roads. - -When the enemy’s squadrons became broken and disordered, our cavalry, -who were kept in hand till the favourable moment, again attacked them -and drove them down the slope, often following too far, by which they -burned their fingers, and likewise prevented our gunners from keeping -up a constant fire. - -Our position was scarcely free from the enemy’s cavalry, before their -numerous artillery began to ply us again with shells and round-shot. -After the first cavalry charges, our infantry squares, finding the -odds in their favour, gained confidence, and it was soon evident -they considered the enemy’s cavalry attacks as a relief, and far -more agreeable than their furious cannonade, which was invariably -suspended on their attacking force crowning our ridge. I am confident -from what I saw and heard, as well during as after the battle, that -our British infantry would rather, when in squares, have the enemy’s -cavalry amongst them than remain exposed to the fire of artillery. -The 1st foot-guards had the enemy’s cavalry on every side of their -squares several times, and beat them off. Our squares often wheeled -up into line, to make their fire more destructive on the French -cavalry when retiring: on this, the cuirassiers would suddenly wheel -round to charge; but our infantry were instantly in square, and -literally indulged in laughter at the disappointment and discomfiture -of their gallant opponents. Throughout the day our squares presented -a serried line of bristling bayonets, through which our enemy’s -cavalry could not break. Had the French made their attacks throughout -with infantry and cavalry combined, the result must have been much -more destructive; for, although squares are the best possible -formation against cavalry, there can be nothing worse to oppose -infantry. I am not aware of any parallel to the extraordinary scene -of warfare which was now going forward: most of our infantry were in -squares, and the enemy’s cavalry of every description riding about -amongst them as if they had been our own; for which, but for their -armour and uniforms, they might have been mistaken. - -An ammunition waggon in a blaze passed about this time in full gallop -close to our rear, and one of our men, I think Fowler, afterwards -the sergeant saddler, drew his pistol and fired at the horses, but -without taking effect: the waggon shortly after blew up. - -The skirmishing at the farms of La Haye and Papelotte, which were -retaken, and in the hamlet of Smohain, went on with unabated fury: -the attacks upon La Haye-Sainte and Hougoumont were continued. The -artillery on both sides was now pealing forth its thunders: the earth -trembled with the repeated concussions. Ney and his Imperial master, -no doubt, expected to bear down all before them by the aid of the -thirty-seven additional squadrons they were about to bring forward; -whilst we could only command in addition two regiments, the 13th -light dragoons and the 15th hussars, under Grant, who, on discovering -that the _ruse_ of the enemy was to draw off a part of our cavalry -from the right of our main front line, had now returned and driven -some of the enemy’s cavalry down the slope. He was however obliged to -retire immediately, as their cavalry was collected in great force in -the valley, as also in the hollows near La Haye-Sainte. Being there -exposed to the fire of our batteries, the French horsemen would at -times call out aloud, “_En avant, en avant!_ (Forward, forward!) -here we are knocked to pieces;” upon which their chiefs would again -advance and assail our position. About this period our attention -was drawn to the firing of a battery in our rear; we all, to a man, -looked round, as if by word of command: but found it to be our own -guns, which, from the second ridge across the Nivelles road, were -firing upon some lancers that were attacking our Brunswick squares -upon the rear face of our right wing. They were twice driven off by -Bolton’s battery. - -The allied position was again cleared of the enemy, and skirmishers -were thrown forward along the valley; some were sent to cover the -front from the Hougoumont orchard as far as La Haye-Sainte. At this -point the attack had been carried on with great vigour: colonel -Baring had made another application for rifle ammunition, which, from -some cause or other, was not supplied. - -Ney’s cavalry attacks were now renewed, his force being nearly -doubled by the addition of a part of general Guyot’s heavy cavalry of -the guard, and Kellermann’s cuirassiers. - -With this additional force, Ney had a stupendous body of cavalry in -comparison with ours. The attack, like the previous ones, was covered -by a tremendous fire of artillery, which played on every part of -our right wing; the round-shot ploughing up the ground, or tearing -open the files of the close and serried ranks; shells exploding in -all directions; and at every moment the flashes of the guns, amidst -expanding volumes of dense smoke, challenging the attention of every -man to the sources of destruction, the well-worked batteries on both -sides. Nothing could be more imposing than the advance of Ney’s -cavalry, (flanked by infantry to assail our advanced posts,) as they -swept up the slope of the allied position under a murderous fire of -our double-shotted guns, of which they again succeeded in getting -temporary possession. Our devoted squares at times seemed lost amidst -the hostile squadrons, who, in vain, made repeated endeavours to -penetrate these impregnable barriers; as before, their squadrons -got mixed, broken, and their ardour sobered down, when a retrograde -movement was commenced, which soon became general. - -The allied cavalry, who had been kept in hand to act at the -favourable moment, now darted forward and completed the -disorganization of the French cavalry. Our undaunted artillery-men, -ever on the alert, were to be found at their guns, plying the -retiring hostile cavalry with grape, canister, or case-shot. - -But the enemy’s cavalry, which frequently reformed in the valley -just under our position, where their lances and the tops of their -caps might be seen, were soon again on the position and amongst the -squares. Some of the most daring would ride up to the squares and -cut aside the bayonets. Such parties seldom escaped unhurt: the man, -or horse, was almost sure to be brought down; but not near so many -saddles were emptied as might have been expected. - -During the attacks made by the French cavalry, not a single -individual set an example of soldier-like devotedness by rushing -upon the bristling bayonets: certainly no agreeable task, nor to -be attempted without imminent danger; but one, when required and -gallantly done, that raises men to military rank and renown, and that -may hasten the crisis and lead to victory. Of the fifteen thousand -French horsemen, it is doubtful whether any perished on a British -bayonet, or that any of our infantry in square fell by the French -cavalry’s sabres; few, comparatively, of the enemy’s cavalry were -destroyed, even by our musketry[44]. - -Many pretend that good infantry in square can resist the onset of -cavalry, however skilful, bold and determined: my opinion is the -reverse; much depends on circumstances. - -The menacing approach of the French cavalry, who rode amongst and -round our squares, was not quietly witnessed by our own horsemen: -we made many spirited charges between the allied squares, as well -as on every side of them. All the British, German, and Tripp’s -Dutch-Belgian cavalry, that were between the two high-roads, were -more or less engaged during these attacks. - -At times it was quite amusing to see some of the foreign troops -cut away from the angles of their squares, and our staff officers -galloping after them to intercept their flight. It was surprising to -see how readily they returned to their squares. - -The fire of volleys from our squares did no great damage; the -independent file-firing was the most destructive to the enemy’s -cavalry, to such particularly as were not clad in steel or brass. The -killed and wounded men and horses, the broken guns, etc., afforded -excellent cover to the skirmishers, whilst they impeded the movements -of the horsemen, and augmented their disorder and confusion. - -It is not difficult to conceive from the foregoing circumstances, -what was the rage, the ungovernable fury that animated those attacks; -and how, after unceasing combats for above two hours, in a limited -space, no result was obtained by the French but a most horrible and -bloody-carnage. It was one of the greatest of their errors, on that -eventful day, to get their cavalry into a labyrinth from which there -was no extricating it before the pride of their fifteen thousand -horsemen had been completely broken. It was now evident, from the -enemy’s attacks becoming less animated and frequent, that they began -to see the utter folly of their attempts against our invincible -infantry. It is, in my opinion, very doubtful, whether the enemy’s -cavalry ever came into actual collision with our squares[45]. - -It has been said by Napoleon, and it is also the remark of most the -French writers, that Guyot went into action without orders. Napoleon -dispatched general Bertrand to stop the heavy cavalry of the guard; -but they were so engaged that a retrograde movement would have then -been dangerous. “This,” Napoleon observed, “had deprived him of a -cavalry reserve at about five o’clock, because they went two hours -sooner than they should have gone into action, and that the same -troops well employed had many times gained him a victory.” - -I cannot reconcile myself to the idea that a division of cavalry -would go into action without orders; it is much more probable that -there was some mistake in the transmission of them: but why was not -the advance countermanded? Most of their cavalry movements were -so slow towards the end of the day, in consequence of the jaded -condition of their horses, and the saturated and encumbered state of -the ground, that an order sent on foot might have soon brought them -back. - -At one time during that memorable afternoon, the ridge and rear -slope of our position were literally covered with every description -of horsemen, lancers, cuirassiers, carabineers, horse-grenadiers, -light and heavy dragoons and hussars; during which our guns stood -in position, abandoned by the artillery-men, who took refuge in and -around the squares: when at length the enemy’s gallant but fruitless -efforts became exhausted, our cavalry appeared and cleared the allied -position. On one occasion a body of cuirassiers passed along the -Nivelles road, closely followed by a party of my regiment, under -captain Verner. Upon the high bank on the right of the Nivelles road, -a party of the 51st regiment, under lieutenant Kennedy, was firing -upon the enemy, and our advanced files narrowly escaped being shot. -As the cuirassiers neared the avenue between the Nivelles road and -Hougoumont, they came upon an _abattis_, or barricade, near which was -a party of the 51st, under captain Ross, who fired upon them; about a -hundred and fifty were killed, wounded or taken prisoners. - -Ney’s grand cavalry attack has called forth the following lively -description from the pen of captain Siborne: - -“When the tremendous cavalry force, which Ney had now assembled, -moved forward to the attack, the whole space between La Haye-Sainte -and Hougoumont appeared one moving, glittering mass; and as -it approached the Anglo-allied position, undulating with the -conformation of the ground, it resembled a sea in agitation. Upon -reaching the crest of the ridge, and regaining temporary possession -of the batteries, its very shouts sounded on the distant ear, like -the ominous roar of breakers thundering on the shore. Like waves -following in quick succession, the whole mass now appeared to roll -over the ridge; and as the light curling smoke arose from the fire -which was opened by the squares, and by which the latter sought -to stem the current of the advancing host, it resembled the foam -and spray thrown up by the mighty waters, as they dash on isolated -rocks and beetling crags: and as the mass separated and rushed in -every direction, completely covering the interior slope, it bore the -appearance of innumerable eddies and counter-currents, threatening -to overwhelm and ingulph the obstructions by which its onward course -had been opposed. The storm continued to rage with the greatest -violence, and the devoted squares seemed lost in the midst of the -tumultuous onset. In vain did the maddening mass chafe and fret away -its strength against these impregnable barriers, which, based upon -the sacred principles of honour, discipline and duty, and cemented -by the ties of patriotism, and the impulse of national glory, stood -proudly unmoved and inaccessible. Disorder and confusion, produced by -the commingling of corps and by the scattering fire from the faces -of the chequered squares, gradually led to the retreat of parties of -horsemen across the ridge: these were followed by broken squadrons, -and at length the retrograde movement became general. - -“Then the allied dragoons, who had been judiciously kept in readiness -to act at the favourable moment, darted forward to complete the -disorganization of the now receding waves of the French cavalry.” - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; decorative separator)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[42] Our advanced posts of Hougoumont, La Haye-Sainte, and Papelotte, -were of the utmost importance to us, more particularly the former. -An eminent military writer (Jomini) says, “Posts that can be readily -defended, are of greater value in battle than insurmountable -obstacles; since it is sufficient if such posts can be maintained -for a few hours by means of mere detachments. Hougoumont with its -enclosures, the farm of La Haye-Sainte and the rivulet of Papelotte, -presented more serious impediments to Ney, than did the celebrated -position of Elchingen.” - -[43] General Grant had three horses shot under him. - -[44] This might be attributed to many of our infantry, when hard -pressed, adopting the French skirmisher’s method of loading, viz. -after priming, shaking the rest of the powder into the barrel, -dropping the ball after it, and then giving the butt a rap or two -on the ground, which, from the rain, was quite soft. The ball, in -consequence, not being rammed down to confine the powder, came out at -times nearly harmless. - -[45] That his Grace ever threw himself into a square, is untrue; -but, from the commencement of the battle till the close, he was -more exposed than many of his troops: whenever there was a chance -of rendering service, let the danger be what it would, the Duke was -there, and, as on all occasions, showed the most perfect coolness and -self-possession. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - Difficulties encountered by the Prussians on their march from - Wavre; a portion of them are about debouching.—Blücher encourages - them by his presence.—The Duke had been in constant communication - with the Prussians, who take advantage of Napoleon’s neglecting - to protect his right.—Two brigades of Bulow’s corps advance - upon the French right.—A Prussian battery opens fire.—Cavalry - demonstrations.—Napoleon orders De Lobau’s (sixth) corps to his - right, to oppose the Prussians, and brings the old and middle - guard forward.—Bulow extends his line and presses on.—De Lobau’s - guns exchange a brisk cannonade with the Prussian batteries.—La - Haye-Sainte again assailed and set on fire, which was got - under.—Loss of a colour.—Destructive fire of our battery upon the - French cavalry.—Our artillery suffer dreadfully from that of the - enemy.—Hanoverian cavalry quit the field.—A column of the enemy’s - infantry advances and is driven back.—Chassé’s division called - back from Braine-l’Alleud.—Lord Hill’s troops brought forward, a - sight quite reviving.—Struggle at Hougoumont continued.—Adam’s - brigade attacks, drives back the enemy, and takes up an advanced - position.—La Haye-Sainte taken by the French.—The 52d regiment in - line repulses a charge of cuirassiers.—General Foy’s eulogium on - our infantry.—Napoleon’s snappish reply to Ney’s demand. - - -In consequence of the enemy’s not closely pursuing, between the -evenings of the 16th and 17th, the Prussians from Ligny to Wavre, -these, during their retreat, scoured with strong patrols the -whole country between their own left and the right of Napoleon’s -army, which was then advancing, by the Charleroi road, towards -Waterloo. The movements of both Grouchy and the Emperor were thus -closely observed, and correct information forwarded from time to -time to the Prussian head-quarters. The great vigilance exercised, -not only retarded the communication between the Emperor and his -detached marshal, by forcing the bearers of their dispatches to -take a circuitous route, but also enabled Blücher to perform the -contemplated and most important flank movement, without molestation, -in order to join us on the field of Waterloo. During the battle of -Ligny, some of the Prussian army had shown a bad spirit, and many -even had abandoned their colours and gone over to the enemy; while -eight thousand men belonging to the provinces newly incorporated with -Prussia, had returned home: still the _morale_ of the great mass of -the army remained firm and unshaken. On no occasion whatever did a -defeated army extricate itself with so much adroitness and order, or -retire from a hard-fought battle with so little diminution of its -moral force. The example of their venerable and heroic commander, -“Marshal _Vorwärts_,” as he was termed by his soldiers, no doubt -stimulated their courage. The Prince, notwithstanding his having been -severely shaken and bruised by his fall on the 16th, and his advanced -age and toil-worn frame, was, on the morning of the 18th, early on -horseback amongst those he termed his children. By an order of the -day his troops were thus addressed, “I shall immediately lead you -once more against the enemy; we shall beat him, because it is our -duty to do so.” - -[Illustration: (Field-Marshal Blücher)] - -The difficulties encountered by the Prussians on their march from -Wavre, by St.-Lambert, to the field of Waterloo, would have put the -endurance of any troops to the test. From the heavy rains, the roads -were ancle deep, and the defiles of St.-Lambert turned into a regular -swamp, almost impassable for men and horses; still worse for the guns -and tumbrels of ammunition. These were very numerous and far from -being well horsed, sinking at intervals up to the axle-trees. The -horses floundering caused a stoppage, and the most robust soldiers -in endeavouring to extricate the guns and ammunition waggons would -drop down, overcome by the fatigue of their exertions, and declare -“they could not get on.”—“But we _must_ get on,” replied their -veteran commander, who seemed to multiply himself, and might be seen -at different points along the line of march, exciting his men to -exertion by words of encouragement: “I have promised Wellington to -be up,” said Blücher “and up we _must_ get. Surely you will not make -me forfeit my word. Exert yourselves a little more, and victory is -certain.” - -The duke of Wellington was in constant communication throughout -the day with the Prussians, by means of general Müffling, who was -attached to our head-quarters’ staff, and by colonel Freemantle, -aide-de-camp, colonel Stavely, and captain (now lieutenant-colonel) -Basil Jackson of the Royal staff corps, and on the Duke’s staff. - -The four corps of Blücher’s army had been concentrated at and near -Wavre on the evening of the 17th. The guns of the three corps which -had fought at Ligny were refitted, and, as well as the troops, -supplied with a fresh provision of ammunition. - -The 4th (Bulow’s) corps, which, up to this time, had not fired a shot -in the campaign, set out at sunrise on the 18th towards the French -right flank, by way of St.-Lambert; they were preceded by strong -patrols to ascertain whether Napoleon had yet taken precautionary -measures to obstruct their junction with us, or to protect his own -right. It was soon discovered that this precaution, so essential to -the protection of his right, had been overlooked by the Emperor: -the Prussians immediately availed themselves of the advantage which -his neglect afforded, by throwing a force into the wood of Paris, -which commanded the defiles of the Lasne and St.-Lambert. Zieten’s, -or the first corps, was to march, by Fromont and Ohain, direct upon -our left; Pirch’s, or the second corps, was to follow Bulow’s: they -were delayed by a part of Wavre being on fire, and by the great -difficulty of making progress through the defiles of St.-Lambert. -They were expected, nevertheless, to be up by or before two o’clock. -It was near five o’clock when the first two brigades of Bulow’s corps -debouched from their covered position in the wood of Paris. - -The 15th brigade, under general Losthin, and the 16th under -colonel Hiller, with some cavalry, (altogether about 16,000 men -and forty-four guns,) drew up perpendicularly to the French right -flank; upon which Durutte’s division, which formed the right of the -French main front line, was thrown back _en potence_. The Prussian -commanders detached some battalions to Frischermont and Smohain to -secure their right flank, they also sent a few battalions to the -Lasne, the woods of Virère and Hubremont, to support their left. So -stealthily and cautiously did the Prussians approach Smohain, that -both the enemy and allies seemed astounded upon their debouching from -the enclosures. - -General Domont’s cavalry were still _en potence_, but at a -considerable distance from the Prussians, whose advanced batteries -opened upon the French cavalry, although at a long range; but this -was merely to acquaint Wellington and Napoleon of their arrival, -which doubtless alarmed the latter, whilst, by the former, it was -listened to with joy. - -Domont sent on part of his force to attack the Prussians, and moved -forward his line. Some Prussian cavalry passed through the infantry -to meet them, and drove back the French advance: the Prussian -cavalry were soon obliged to fall back; but, as their infantry were -advancing, and their artillery kept up a sharp fire, Domont did -not attack. The Prussian battalions, detached to Smohain, cleared -the enclosures, and drew up near the French right flank: they were -attacked and driven back by a part of Durutte’s division; but -upon the Prussians reaching the enclosures and hollow-ways, they -maintained their ground and kept up a rattling fire. This was after -six o’clock. Napoleon had ordered the 6th corps, under count de -Lobau, to move to the right, and take up a position, where, with six -to eight thousand men of all arms, and favoured by the strong ground -in front of Plancenoit, he could keep in check thirty thousand of his -enemies: at the same time the old and middle guard were advanced into -the plain, and occupied the ground vacated by the 6th corps. - -Durutte’s light troops had been previously reinforced, and made -a desperate effort to force back the Nassau-men at Papelotte and -Smohain, for the purpose of preventing the junction of Bulow’s corps -with the allied left; but, after a sharp and close skirmish, the -enemy’s intention was frustrated. The Prussian general, observing -De Lobau’s advance, extended his line; his right rested upon -Frischermont, and his left upon the wood of Virère. Part of prince -William’s cavalry was in reserve. De Lobau’s corps moved forward; -Domont’s and Subervie’s cavalry remained as a second line. De Lobau’s -guns soon opened a brisk cannonade upon Bulow’s corps, and were -answered with equal spirit. - -La Haye-Sainte[46] was again to be attacked, and the west gates soon -became the scene of a most dreadful struggle and carnage. Colonel -Baring had again applied for a reinforcement and ammunition: the -former was sent; but the latter, of which he stood so much in need, -was not supplied. The gallant defenders were now cautioned to be -sparing of the few cartridges left, and to take deliberate aim at the -assailants, who seemed to press on with renewed vigour. - -On this occasion, the enemy set fire to the barn, which caused -considerable alarm to those on the defensive; but, fortunately, -the reinforcement arrived. The Nassau-men, with their huge camp -kettles, which they used as buckets, arrived most opportunely, and -Baring, with his officers and men, soon extinguished the flames, -but not without the loss of many a brave fellow. At this time a -portion of the enemy again succeeded in getting into the little -garden, and made an effort to force an entrance by the back door. -Swarms of their skirmishers passed the buildings and established -themselves immediately under the crest of our position, where they -not only found cover from the fire above, but, as before, cut off the -communication between the farm and our main line. The 5th and 8th -line battalions of the German legion were led against the assailants; -they pressed on at a good pace, the enemy giving ground. A body of -cuirassiers was at hand and fell upon the 5th Germans; but these, -being supported by a portion of the remnant of lord Edward Somerset’s -brigade, suffered but little; the 8th however were dropped upon quite -unawares, and nearly all destroyed. Colonel Schröder was wounded -mortally; ensign Moreau, who carried the King’s colour, was severely -wounded, and the colour carried off by the enemy. - -Every arm on the right of our front line was much annoyed by some of -the French left batteries, which had been pushed forward. My horse -was killed by a round-shot from that direction; I was however soon -mounted again on a cuirassier’s horse. - -At length lieutenant Louis was ordered to turn two guns upon those on -the enemy’s left; he soon silenced them, and thus rendered essential -service, particularly to us, who being on the right, were completely -enfiladed by them. A battery was run up to the bank on the side of -the cross-road, about a hundred and fifty yards on the Lion side -of where the cross-road leads down towards the north-east angle -of the orchard of Hougoumont. The muzzles of the guns rested upon -the bank, on a level with the ridge in their front, which screened -the carriages and wheels from the enemy’s observation and fire. -Soon after, a strong body of the enemy’s cavalry advanced upon the -battery, which reserved its fire until they came within fifty yards, -when, with terrific effect, it opened, doubly charged with grape. -The space in front of the battery was quickly covered with killed -and wounded. The fire of our artillery during the action surpassed -everything of the kind ever before witnessed, frequently making wide -roads through the enemy’s masses. From our infantry being generally -kept recumbent behind the crest of our position and thus screened -from the enemy’s observation, our gunners suffered most dreadfully -from the constant exposure to the direct fire of the French -artillery, who at times saw nothing else at which to aim. - -From certain movements in the enemy’s line, there was reason to -expect an attack of infantry towards the right of Alten’s division. -Part of the King’s dragoon guards and Blues were moved towards that -point. The Cumberland Hanoverian hussars, posted some distance from -the front, were also moved close up to general Halkett’s squares; but -a few musket-balls whistling about them, and a shell falling into a -Nassau square close by, so alarmed them, that they took themselves -off. Upon seeing this, lord Uxbridge sent an aide-de-camp, captain -T. Wildman, to bring them back, but to no purpose, and Uxbridge, -deeming his absence long, sent a second messenger after them, captain -H. Seymour, who, finding that the colonel and his men were anxious -to quit the scene of action, took the former by the collar, and -nearly shook him out of his saddle; he then inquired for the next in -command, but it appeared there was no one; Seymour then laid hold of -the bridle of colonel Hake’s horse, to lead him back to his post, -hoping that the men would follow, but to no purpose: the colonel -and his regiment preferred going to Brussels in whole skins, to the -chance of having them perforated in the field. So strong was their -dislike to the smell of gunpowder, that they had no perception of -the honours that a gallant bearing might win. The cowards proceeded -forthwith to Brussels, spreading a false alarm throughout the -journey. The regiment was soon after disbanded, and the colonel -cashiered[47]. - -The expected attacking infantry were now seen in motion on the -heights in front of La Belle-Alliance; a body of cuirassiers from -the valley under our position near La Haye-Sainte joined them, -keeping a little on their right rear. As they neared the point about -where the Lion now stands, lord Edward Somerset led part of his -brigade down to meet them: he was received with a heavy fire; his -men however galloped down upon the head of the column, but, being -at this time very much reduced, they could not penetrate it; they -nevertheless checked the enemy. Lord Uxbridge rode up to Tripp’s -brigade, and after addressing a few words to them, turned round to -lead them on: he had scarcely crossed the ridge and begun to descend -the slope towards the enemy, when he found that he was alone, no one -following him; upon which he returned to Tripp, expressed himself in -severe terms, and rode off in anger. After this, one of the German -light cavalry regiments was led on, and it succeeded in stopping the -enemy, but it was much cut up. - -During this time, Wellington, observing that Napoleon’s attention -was directed towards the Prussians advancing upon his right, and -his Grace seeing there was no danger of his own extreme right being -disturbed, had ordered lord Hill to move Chassé’s Dutch-Belgian -division from Braine-l’Alleud towards the scene of action. Some short -time afterwards, the hero of Almaraz and Aroyo-de-Molinos brought -into front line Duplat’s German legion brigade, followed by general -Adam’s light brigade, which latter took position on the rear slope -of our right wing; those were followed shortly after by colonel -Hugh Halkett’s Hanoverians. Altogether these reinforcements, with -the batteries accompanying them, were a sight more reviving to our -part of the line than a double share of grog, though even that would -have been most welcome. Soon after the Germans had passed us, the -steel-jacket cavalry were at them while in motion; but the Germans, -several of whom in advance were riflemen, emptied many a saddle and -made many a horse rear, plunge and fall, and ultimately beat off the -cuirassiers. - -Lord Hill rendered himself most conspicuous by the energy and zeal he -displayed, and the efforts he used to support the gallant defenders -of Hougoumont, as also to repel the repeated desperate assaults upon -our right wing; thus vigorously assisting the chief, under whom he -had immortalized himself during the Peninsular campaign. - -[Illustration: (Lord Hill)] - -Our 23d fuzileers, who came into front line after Byng’s brigade was -advanced to Hougoumont, and suffered severely from the enemy’s fire, -received an unfriendly visit from some cavalry, whom they eventually -disposed of in most gallant style. - -At this time part of the Brunswick troops were with us on the right, -and Duplat’s Germans with part of Halkett’s Hanoverians were between -the right of the main line and Hougoumont orchard. These, with the -troops at the loop-holed wall and hedges on the right and along the -avenue, were kept wide awake, particularly those under Hepburn in and -about the orchard, which must have changed masters at least a dozen -times during the day. - -Adam was now in our left rear, and his men most anxious to have a -blow at their old acquaintances. Their wishes were soon gratified, -by orders from the Duke in person, to drive back some fellows, as -his Grace always called them, who had crept close up to our ridge, -near where the hedge-row is on the road side between the Lion and -Hougoumont; they were concealed by the smoke of the crashing fire -which they threw into our gunners and front squares. The order was -received with joy from the white cravat man whom they were wont to -follow, and acknowledged by a hearty cheer from the Lights, who felt -gratified that the old order of things was about being renewed, and -that they at Waterloo, as well as through the Peninsula, should take -an active part in the battle’s front. - -His Grace was here again exposed to a shower of leaden hailstones, -one of which severely wounded in the shoulder our fire-eating -adjutant-general, sir Edward Barnes, who sported a gold-embroidered -scarlet coat; most of our staff officers wore blue frock coats in the -field. - -Adam’s fine fellows were much excited, and forward they pressed -up the slope, in line, four deep; for some reason, their old -acquaintances, the French infantry, would not stay to receive them, -but made a retrograde movement down the outer slopes, followed by the -brigade, until its right, which was thrown rather forward, was near -the corner of the orchard of Hougoumont, and its left at the point -where the valley terminates, in right front of the Lion. The brigade -was formed of the 71st and two companies of the 95th on the right; -the 52d in squares of wings in the centre, and the second battalion -of the 95th on the left. Here, as if to fetch up for lost time, they -were continually pounded by the artillery, and charged by cavalry. - -Soon after five o’clock, La Haye-Sainte was taken by the enemy, -who, led by Ney, and perceiving that the fire of the defenders had -greatly slackened, made a rush at the open barn door, and broke open -the west yard-door: some climbed upon the wall and fired down upon -our poor fellows, who, for want of cartridges, could not return the -fire. After a desperate struggle at the western gate and barn door, -with the sword-bayonet, and butts of their rifles, they were obliged -to retreat to the house, where, in the passage through the house to -the garden, the remains of the gallant little garrison, with their -spirited commander, made a most determined resistance. They were -ultimately obliged to abandon the post altogether, and to fall back -upon the main position. This was what the French erroneously called -carrying the village of Mont-St.-Jean, (full three quarters of a mile -off). We can afford however to be good-tempered at their mistake; -for the taking of the _farm-house_, La Haye-Sainte, which was in our -front, (while Mont-St.-Jean was in our rear,) was the only advantage -they gained during the battle. It seems that the loss of this post -displeased the Duke[48]. Yet the place was most gallantly defended as -long as there was a round of ammunition to use. - -While Adam’s brigade was in its advanced position, it was frequently -charged, and, on one occasion, when in line; the 52d, directed by -the Duke in person, stood firm and received a charge from the French -cavalry, but without any effectual result to the enemy. Nor ought our -foes to have expected anything else[49], as they had not succeeded -against any of our skeletons of squares, when they themselves were -in their full strength and vigour. There is not a doubt that our -gallant enemy and admirer, general Foy, who commanded a division on -that great day, and was stationed in the field beyond the orchard of -Hougoumont, alludes to this brigade and Maitland’s 1st guards, with -Halkett’s, when he says: - -“We saw these sons of Albion formed upon the plain, between the wood -of Hougoumont and the village of Mont-St.-Jean. Death was before them -and in their ranks, disgrace in their rear,” (and I hope will ever -remain a long day’s march). “In this terrible situation, neither -the cannon-balls[50] of the Imperial guard, discharged almost at -point-blank, nor the _victorious_ cavalry of France, could make the -least impression on the immovable British infantry: one might have -been almost tempted to fancy that it had rooted itself in the ground, -but for the majestic movement[51] which its battalions commenced -some minutes after sun-set, when the approach of the Prussian army -announced to Wellington that he had just achieved the most decisive -victory of the age.” - -We may imagine that those steel-clad gentlemen had some particular -pique against the 1st foot-guards and Halkett’s brigade, from the -repeated visits they paid them. The lancers also did the same. -Whatever was the cause, not a brigade in the line was visited more by -the enemy’s cavalry than sir Colin Halkett’s[52]; and they were not -forgotten by the Duke, who frequently passed the brigade, it being -rather a central point. The Duke at one moment sent colonel Gordon -to Halkett, to inquire what square of his was so much in advance: it -was a mass of killed and wounded of the 30th and 73d, of his brigade, -huddled together, which his Grace, through the smoke, had mistaken -for a square. - -An incident occurred, as related by Siborne, worthy of notice: -“It was about six o’clock, that Napoleon replied to Ney’s demand -for fresh infantry, ‘_Où voulez-vous que j’en prenne? Voulez-vous -que j’en fasse?_’” (‘Where can I get them? Can I make them?’) an -expression, the force of which is rendered sufficiently obvious by -the critical circumstances of his position, and clearly proves that -his operations had taken an unfavourable turn. - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; decorative separator)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[46] The very dilapidated state of the buildings after the battle, -is proof, were any wanted, of the furious efforts made by the enemy -to obtain the post, and of the determined desperate courage of the -little garrison which defended it. The entire edifice was a scene -of ravage and devastation. One half of the little door of the barn, -taken away and preserved by the proprietor, was perforated by upwards -of eighty musket-balls. - -[47] In a work of the highest pretensions, I observe that these -dastardly hussars are called _Belgians_: let the saddle be put upon -the right horse: they were _the Duke of Cumberland’s Hanoverian -hussars_. - -[48] _See_ his letter of the 17th August 1815, in the Appendix, No. -II. - -[49] The brigade was above two thousand strong. - -[50] Although according to appearances, those gentry are quite -harmless, and might be stopped like a cricket-ball when bounding -along, one of them would take off a leg or an arm, in much less time -than the most skilful operator. - -[51] General Foy, no doubt, alludes to the right-shoulder-forward -movement of Adam’s brigade, together with the movements of Maitland’s -and Halkett’s brigades, towards the close of the day. Foy had also, -before the battle began, declared to the Emperor, that he had an -infantry opposed to him, which he (Foy) had never known to yield. - -[52] Halkett’s left, (30th and 73d regiments,) in square, was -attacked eleven times by the enemy’s cavalry. - -The late lord Harris, (then colonel of the 73d.) in a letter which I -have, alludes to the gallant conduct of these two regiments in the -following manner. “My impression is that the gallant and enduring -stand made by the 30th and 73d regiments against _thirteen_ charges -of cuirassiers and an unceasing discharge of artillery for seven -hours, besides the fact of successfully driving the French cavalry -away by a charge in square, has not been done sufficient justice to -by historians of the battle, with the exception of a French writer.” -Would that his Lordship had survived to have read my pages! - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - La Haye-Sainte strengthened by the enemy, who drive our riflemen - from the knoll and sand-pit, and throw a crashing fire upon our - front troops, who return it with vigour.—The enemy push forward, - between La Haye-Sainte and our position, some guns that fire - grape, but are soon dislodged.—Destructive fire of our rifles upon - the cuirassiers.—Our guards and Halkett’s brigade assailed by - skirmishers, who are driven off.—Prussian force in the field.—The - Prussians approach Plancenoit.—De Lobau falls back.—Prussian - round-shot fall at La Belle-Alliance.—The young guard sent to - Plancenoit.—Blücher informed of Thielmann’s corps left at Wavre - being vigorously attacked.—Desperate struggle at Plancenoit, which - is reinforced by the enemy, when the whole Prussian force is driven - back.—Onset follows onset.—The Duke, by aid of his telescope, looks - for the Prussians.—Hougoumont continues a scene of carnage.—Our - centre suffers dreadfully from the crowds of skirmishers who now - press on in swarms.—French battery pushed forward, and dislodged by - one of ours.—The 30th and 73d colours sent to the rear.—The Duke - is coolness personified.—The troops murmur to be led on to try the - effect of cold steel.—The Prussians keep up a cannonade.—Our line - remains firm.—More Prussians swarming along.—Napoleon’s doom soon - to be sealed.—Imperial guard formed into columns of attack.—Many - of our guns rendered useless.—Disorder in our rear.—Our army much - reduced; those left are determined to conquer or perish.—Vivian - and Vandeleur’s brigades move from the left to the centre, which - gives confidence to the few brave fellows remaining.—His Grace - observes the enemy forming for attack, and makes preparations to - receive the coming storm.—Colonel Freemantle sent in search of - the Prussians.—Our centre continues a duelling ground.—Gallant - conduct of the prince of Orange, who is wounded.—The Nassau-men - and Brunswickers give way in confusion; Wellington gallops up, and - aided by Vivian, Kielmansegge and other officers, puts all right - again. - - -La Haye-Sainte was no sooner in the power of the French troops, than -they received orders to press as much as possible that part of our -line, and clear the way for the Imperial guard. - -In order to avail themselves of the advantages of so valuable a -position, they loop-holed the gable-end of the house, erected a -scaffold along the garden wall, cut holes through the garden hedge, -resembling windows, and threw a force in advance of the garden, -which was protected from the fire above by the natural slope, in -addition to an artificial bank that abutted upon the natural one, -extending from the north-east corner of the garden wall along the -road side to where the monument to colonel Gordon is erected. -This breastwork enabled the enemy to throw a front fire into our -riflemen at the knoll and in the sand-hole, as well as an oblique -fire into Lambert’s and Kempt’s brigades along the Wavre road. Those -arrangements were scarcely completed, when a rattling fire was thrown -among our sand-larks, who, being unable from their position to return -it with any effect, took to flight towards their reserve, followed by -all our riflemen from the knoll. The enemy immediately sent a force -to the knoll and sand-hole, which severely annoyed our 27th; who, -until the advance of the whole line, were, with the other troops on -that part of the front, kept under a very galling fire; at times, -muzzle to muzzle. The French brought two guns round the garden hedge, -and, placing them between the north-east angle of the garden wall and -our position, threw grape-shot into the 1st, 4th, 27th, 28th, 40th, -79th, and 95th; but, before they had time to fire a second round, a -concentrated fire from our riflemen destroyed their gunners; they -then pushed on a crowd of skirmishers, who, protected from our fire, -crept along the banks, close in upon Alten’s, Lambert’s and Kempt’s -troops. As we could not get at them with powder and ball, it was -thought advisable to try the effect of steel: colonel Ompteda led on -the 5th German line; upon which they gave way, and took shelter, as -well as they could, round the garden hedge, when a line of cavalry -from the hollow rushed upon the Germans; and, as captain Kincaird -of the rifles observes, “Every man of them was put to death in a -short time, except an officer on a little black horse, who went off -to the rear like a shot out of a shovel.” Some of our light cavalry -attempted to rescue the Germans; and our 95th, who had previously -pointed their rifles at the cuirassiers, but had suspended their fire -through fear of destroying our own infantry, now let fly and entirely -cleared the whole front. Their skirmishers then moved to the left, -towards Halkett’s brigade and the 1st guards; the eagle eye of the -Duke saw it, and he ordered the guards to form line and drive the -enemy off, which they did, when some cuirassiers approached, but our -lads were in square again. The cuirassiers moved off, receiving the -fire from the squares of the guards, as well as from those of the 52d -and 95th. - -[Illustration: LA BELLE-ALLIANCE.] - -Some time after, the remaining two brigades of Bulow’s corps -debouched, and forming into columns sent their batteries to the -front, which made the Prussian artillery more formidable than that -of the French. Blücher’s left was making towards Plancenoit, in the -right rear of the enemy. At this time, seven o’clock, the Prussian -force in the field amounted to nearly 29,000 men and sixty-four guns. -Their guns commanded the whole of the French right _en potence_; -which, like the Prussian line, was parallel to the Genappe road, -and nearly at right angles to their former front. The undulating -ground over which the Prussians were advancing, rose like an -amphitheatre, and their guns, in consequence, could open from the -summit of numerous little heights; whilst at the intervals between -the batteries, their troops advanced into the plain. Nothing could be -more favourable for a force attacking an enemy’s flank. - -A Prussian battery dislodged a French one on the heights near -Chantilly, and taking up the abandoned position, it directed its fire -upon the enemy posted between Plancenoit and La Belle-Alliance. - -The Prussian left was now close approaching the village of -Plancenoit, which, up to the present period, had not been occupied. -The French force being less numerous than the Prussian, De Lobau fell -back towards the Genappe road, where the Prussian round-shot was now -thickly falling upon both sides of La Belle-Alliance; near which, -Napoleon had remained during the greater part of the day. The only -reserve he now had was the infantry of the Imperial guard, and the -pressure upon his right flank was so great, that he was obliged to -send the eight battalions of the young guard, with their divisional -and two twelve-pounder reserve batteries, under general Duhesme, -to the village of Plancenoit, as the only means of preventing the -Prussians from getting in the French rear. - -At this time Blücher received intelligence that his 3d corps, which -had been left at Wavre as a rear-guard to check the enemy’s corps -under Grouchy, had been attacked by a superior force and obliged -to retire[53]. Notwithstanding such intelligence might have shaken -the firmest nerves, nothing changed the purpose of the indomitable -veteran. Blücher saw clearly that the field upon which he was now -engaged was the spot where the fate of the campaign would be decided. -He therefore sent orders to Thielmann, to hold out as well as he -could; and ordered his left wing to move upon Plancenoit, and to get -possession of it, if possible. - -Duhesme, with the young guard, had arrived at the village and -made his dispositions. As the Prussians neared Plancenoit, they -were received with a stinging fire of musketry from the French -skirmishers, and some French guns opened upon the advancing columns, -but did not arrest their progress; they gallantly pressed on, -took three guns, and got possession of the churchyard, a strong -position, which shortly after they were compelled to abandon, though -not without making a most resolute defence. They rallied near the -village, and, being reinforced, advanced to make another assault: -this being observed by Napoleon, he sent general Morand with two -battalions of the old guard and two twelve-pounder batteries, and -shortly after general Pelet, with another battalion of the guard -and a reserve battery; this force, in conjunction with De Lobau’s -line on their left, attacked and routed the whole Prussian force, -pushing them back upon their first position on the opposite heights. -This convinced Napoleon that Blücher was not up in sufficient force -to make an effective effort against his right flank, and he could, -therefore, hold the Prussians in check without making any change in -his line of battle opposed to Wellington. - -Onset now followed onset in rapid succession, and before one assault -was met and repulsed, another was prepared and pressing on. - -His Grace, when he observed the diminished numbers of his brave -troops, presenting still the same fearless attitude, felt there must -be a limit to human endurance, and frequently turned his telescope -in the direction where he expected the Prussian reinforcements to -arrive, and who were to cooperate more immediately with his left. - -Hougoumont, as has been stated, had been repeatedly attacked: the -struggle for its possession was still most obstinate and sanguinary; -the large orchard and wood continued to be the scene of a dreadful -carnage. The enemy generally out-flanked our men upon their left; -and at times stealing along under the east hedge from the south-east -angle of the orchard, opened a flank fire upon them, when driven -through the north hedge near our friendly hollow-way; but whenever -our foes attempted to cross the orchard near the east garden wall, -the Coldstream sent a galling flank fire into them. Hougoumont had -been reinforced by the 2d line and light companies of Duplat’s -brigade, as well as by the advance-guard battalion of Brunswickers, -who, together with the guards and the remainder of the Nassau-men and -Hanoverian riflemen, drove the enemy out of the orchard into the wood. - -During the time Duplat’s brigade was in its advanced position, it -suffered from the French light troops: many of the officers were -killed or wounded; Duplat was killed. - -Skirmishing had gone on briskly at the farms of Papelotte, La -Haye, the hamlet of Smohain, and along our left, where the want of -ammunition was so great, that the enemy pressed close up to the -hedge, driving in our skirmishers[54]: but they were soon driven -back, when a fresh supply arrived. - -From the time that La Haye-Sainte had been taken by the enemy, -the attacks upon our centre were carried on with the greatest -desperation. The French crowded in swarms round the knoll and -sand-hole, and behind the artificial and road-side banks, which -formed excellent breastworks for the advanced skirmishers. These, by -laying their muskets on the bank at the level of the plain, could -sweep it in all directions. Our advance, at times, moved forward -and dislodged them; but they returned on the falling back of our -troops. This fire was vigorously replied to by Lambert’s and Kempt’s -brigades, and Pack’s Royals. Ompteda’s brigade was reduced to a -mere handful of men; Kielmansegge’s was in a similar condition: -in fact Alten’s division had dwindled away to a weak brigade. The -remains of Halkett’s brigade were from the first formed into two weak -squares. No portion of the line was more attacked both by infantry -and cavalry, or more cannonaded than Alten’s division. He himself -was severely wounded. The 73d, one of his regiments, was for a time -commanded by a subaltern, (lieutenant Stewart). Pack’s brigade was -reduced to a skeleton, and had, by forming column, wheeling into -line, and by edging and moving to its right, got from the left -close to the Genappe road, a little in rear of where stood the so -called “Wellington tree.” Adam’s brigade, since brought into action, -had been subjected to so furious a cannonade and repeated cavalry -attacks, that it was deemed necessary to draw it behind the position. -On one occasion a French horse battery was pushed forward near the -south-east angle of the orchard of Hougoumont, where it opened upon -the brigade: but our batteries on the ridge concentrated their fire -upon it, and drove it off. Our artillery-men cheered. It witnessed -the great effect produced by some rockets which were thrown from the -valley upon the French horse. Our batteries had been most successful -on this part of the line in checking and destroying the enemy’s -cavalry. - -It must have been evident to Napoleon, that, notwithstanding the -battle had been raging for more than seven hours, the victory which -he had calculated upon early in the morning was yet to be gained: -although the day was far advanced, he showed no despair, but -continued to feed the fight with fresh victims. The result of the -operations, up to this time, had been most destructive to both sides; -more particularly so to our gallant foes, who, from acting on the -offensive throughout, were frequently much exposed to the close and -direct fire of our batteries in advancing to the attack and retiring -to reform, after each successive repulse. Our troops everywhere -maintained a degree of cool forbearance and courage, which none but -British soldiers could show under such trying circumstances. About -half-past seven P.M. the colours of the 30th and 73d were sent to -the rear, to the satisfaction of many; the colonel of the latter -regiment, the late lord Harris, who was wounded soon after, taking -the 73d’s colour from the officer, gave it in charge of a sergeant, -to carry to the rear. - -The enemy’s cavalry, who were now nearly sobered, would come up -singly, and fire their carbines at the squares. Their horse artillery -often galloped up, unlimbered, when crash! crash! came the grape into -Halkett’s squares, making gaps which it was admirable to see the fine -fellows fill up, and that without orders. Whenever the Duke came, -which at this momentous period was often, there was a low whisper in -the ranks, “Here’s the Duke!” and all was steady as on parade. No -matter what the havock and destruction might be, the Duke was always -the coolest man there: in the words of an eyewitness of this bloody -scene, the Duke was coolness personified[55]. It really appeared that -the more desperate the fight, the more determined were the few brave -fellows that remained to hold their ground; yet often would a murmur -escape them, such as, “This is thundering murderous work! why don’t -we go into them?... Let us give them the cold steel,” etc., etc. -But such murmurs were soon hushed, and again were displayed those -traits of unyielding passive courage, the grandest, the most sublime -characteristics of the British soldier. The troops evinced in their -resignation a discipline unparalleled in European armies. Though -confident in their chiefs and themselves, their foes were not less -so: a French cuirassier officer, a prisoner in Halkett’s left square, -replied, in a surly and snappish tone, to an officer of the 30th who -asked him what force Bonaparte had, “You will see directly, sir.” - -It was now past seven o’clock. The Prussians kept up a distant -cannonade, and skirmished with the French right _en potence_, seeking -a favourable opportunity to make a more powerful attack with the -fresh troops that were then seen advancing. These war-breathing -bands, led by Blücher in person, full of determination, sure to -strike home with the whole force of their arm, were at length seen -streaming along in swarms, extending round Napoleon’s right wing, -and menacing his rear. The allied line stood firm and unbroken, the -day was fast waning, and Napoleon began to manifest impatience, and -felt much anxiety for the result of the battle, and he evidently -must have imagined that a desperate effort to break our centre could -alone prevent the defeat, which the arrival of the Prussians in such -force must render inevitable. Thus situated, he had no alternative -but to rush into destruction, or success. The political existence -and future destiny of this renowned chief were fast drawing to a -close; he could not reasonably anticipate assistance from Grouchy, -therefore he at once resolved, as a _last resource_, his unsuccessful -attempt to force the allied position with his devoted guards, that -immovable phalanx which, in the greatest emergencies, had invariably -stood as the rallying point and rampart of their army. Count Drouot -was ordered to move forward into the valley (in front of and between -La Belle-Alliance and Hougoumont enclosures,) the remaining twelve -battalions of the old and middle guard, and form them into two -columns of attack and a reserve. With these, Napoleon decided upon -making what proved his final struggle, directing their advance -between La Haye-Sainte and Hougoumont, upon the allied centre, -undoubtedly impressed with the idea, that an overwhelming mass of -fresh and chosen troops must succeed against an enemy shattered and -reduced by repeated and furious attacks, and a ravaging cannonade[56]. - -Four battalions of the middle guard, in mass of battalion columns -a favourite plan of the French, and formed left in front into one -column of attack, were to advance towards a point, about where the -Lion now stands, then occupied by Maitland’s brigade, the 2d and 3d -battalions of the 1st British foot-guards, and on their left by -Halkett’s British brigade whose right was the 69th and 33d, and his -left the 30th and 73d regiments. Four more battalions of the middle -guard with two of the old guard, (chiefly chasseurs,) _en échelons_, -upon their left rear, formed a second column of attack, lower down -the valley. The other two battalions of the old guard remained in -reserve nearly opposite La Belle-Alliance, right and left; and in -rear of them were drawn up in reserve the remains of the splendid -cavalry force with which the Emperor had been making such desperate -but fruitless attacks on our position. These constituted his last -reserve. The attacking columns were to be supported by the remains -of D’Erlon’s corps on their right, and Reille’s corps on the left. -Those movements along the French position indicated that a decisive -blow, which the situation of the battle now rendered inevitable, was -about to be directed against our centre; it was soon discovered, by -the well sustained order and compactness of the columns, and the dark -waving forest of bear’s-skin caps, that our prowess would be tested -by the redoubted Imperial guard. - -At this period of the action, many of our guns stood abandoned in -position: some rendered useless by the enemy’s fire, others had the -muzzles bent down from the excessive heat, some were left for want of -materials to load them; many touch-holes melted away, when officers -were seen applying paper with a small hole in which to place the -fuze, and thus prevent its dropping into the touch-hole: numerous -gunners were driven off by the enemy. Our confidence in the Duke -was unbounded, notwithstanding that our army was much exhausted and -reduced. Disorder and confusion continued in our rear: the roads -were crowded with broken carriages, baggage, wounded officers, -soldiers, dismounted dragoons, and trains of followers from the -combined army; more particularly the foreigners, many of whom gave -as a reason for abandoning the field, that Napoleon and his legions -were invincible, he would certainly be victorious, and that it was -quite absurd to contend against them. In fact, what with the killed, -wounded, those in attendance, and others who had gone to the rear -through fear, our fighting army, towards the close of the day, became -reduced to a handful of men, a mere wreck of its former self. It -is on record that upwards of twelve thousand had sought refuge in -the wood of Soigne, whose desertion imposed great hardships on those -who gallantly remained to achieve so glorious a victory. These were -resolved to conquer or to perish on this sanguinary field, and by -none was this feeling more powerfully manifested, than by the few -remaining in Sir Colin Halkett’s brigade. They were often heard to -exclaim, “This is thundering murderous work: we shall see which will -stand killing longest.” - -Vivian, who had been all day on the left of our line, observing the -advance, towards his position, of part of the Prussian cavalry of -general Röder, attached to the 1st corps under general Zieten, and -being aware that fresh cavalry was wanted on the right, put his -brigade in motion. He was soon met by lord Uxbridge, who felt pleased -that the Duke’s wishes had been anticipated. Vandeleur, who was also -on the left, was ordered to follow Vivian. The right regiment, the -10th hussars, was posted by lord Uxbridge about a hundred yards in -rear of the junction of the cross-roads, (near the Lion;) the 18th -hussars on their left stretching towards the Genappe road, behind -the remains of Alten’s division, and the 1st German hussars were in -second line. After posting Vivian, Uxbridge joined Vandeleur, whom he -posted parallel with the Nivelles road, the 11th on the right, the -16th next, and on the left the remains of the 12th light dragoons, in -rear of Adam’s, Maitland’s and Halkett’s brigades; he then returned -to Vivian. In order to draw his own conclusions, his Lordship -dismounted, and, unattended, advanced down the slope to try and get a -view of the enemy who were hidden by the smoke. Vivian rode after him -and begged him not to place himself in such imminent danger; on which -he returned, saying that he was of Vivian’s opinion, that it would be -best to wait an opportunity to attack. - -The opportune arrival of the fresh cavalry upon this part of our -line gave in no small degree confidence to the shattered remains of -brave fellows who were left to defend the front. The exceeding small -force which really defended the crest of our line on this terrible -day, is almost incredible, and their conduct beyond all praise. They -not only stood the brunt of the strife, but upon their steadiness -and determination depended entirely the holding of the position. -Uxbridge returned to the Duke, who was at a short distance to the -right, watching the formation of heavy columns on our right of La -Belle-Alliance; they were preparing the coming storm. - - “Twas now the chieftain’s soul was mighty proved, - That in the shock of charging hosts, unmoved, - Amidst confusion, horror, and despair, - Examined all the dreadful scenes of war; - In peaceful thought the field of death survey’d; - To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid; - Inspired repulsed battalions to engage, - And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.” - -His Grace dispatched colonel Freemantle in search of the Prussians, -who were expected to join the left of our line, and to request -Zieten, their chief, to send on a part of his force to strengthen -some weak parts of the front. Zieten did not feel himself authorized -to comply with the Duke’s request, but said that his whole force -would soon be up. - -Numerous applications reached the Duke for support and -reinforcements, or to be relieved by the second line, as divisions, -brigades and regiments had dwindled away to skeletons and handfuls -of men. The only reply was, “They must hold their ground to the last -man.” Sir Guy Campbell delivered that answer to the gallant remains -of Pack’s brigade, and the Duke told sir Colin Halkett, that there -must not be the least symptom of falling back, as everything depended -on the steadiness of the front troops. Frequently, as the Duke passed -the men, he heard murmurs, such as, “Are we to be massacred here? Let -us go at them, let us give them _Brumme-gum_!” _i. e._ the bayonet; -and he would calmly reply, “Wait a little longer, my lads; you shall -have at them presently.” - -The ammunition was nearly exhausted, when, fortunately, an artillery -cart galloped along, and dropped some casks into the squares: this -raised their spirits and made them feel more satisfied. - -The Duke, finding he must depend entirely on his own resources to -ward off the blow about to be struck by his antagonist, made such -dispositions as his means would allow. It was indeed high time to -strain every nerve, to strengthen and defend the point where the -fiercest storm of battle was about to burst, and repel the last -and most desperate struggle, now ready to be made. Maitland’s and -Halkett’s right was advanced: the Brunswick battalions on the right -were to move into the space between Halkett’s British and Kruse’s -Nassau brigades. Chassé’s Dutch-Belgian division was to cross the -Nivelles road, and form, D’Aubremé on the right, and Ditmers on -the left, in rear of Adam’s, Maitland’s and Halkett’s brigades. -The remains of the allied cavalry, except Merle’s brigade, were in -rear of the position on the right of the Genappe road, and most of -our infantry were deployed into four-deep lines, and for shelter -lay recumbent on the ground behind the crest of the ridge. About -this time a French officer of carabineers[57] rode into the right -of the 52d regiment as a deserter, and announced to major Blair[58] -and colonel sir A. Fraser, that Napoleon was about to attack us at -the head of his Imperial guard; this was made known to the Duke. -Napoleon, it appeared, was marshalling the Imperial guard for the -approaching attack: of this his Grace was well aware. - -The skirmishers in advance of their columns about La Haye-Sainte, -the knoll and sand-pit, and along the valley right and left, threw -out a rattling fire for the purpose of harassing and weakening our -line, in order to clear the way for the grand attack by the Imperial -guard; this fire was vigorously replied to by our troops, who were -partially covered from the enemy’s fire by the hedge-row and banks -on this part of the front. Our gallant 27th, upon the bank at the -junction of the roads, was still much exposed. Our 95th rifles and -the 4th foot were extended along the Wavre road. The 40th, 79th, -28th, and 1st Royals were in line behind the rear hedge. The fire -increased, and it appeared as if all would be borne down before it. -The banks on the road side, the garden wall, the knoll and sand-pit -swarmed with skirmishers, who seemed determined to keep down our fire -in front; those behind the artificial bank seemed more intent upon -destroying the 27th, who at this time, it may literally be said, were -lying dead in square, their loss after La Haye-Sainte had fallen was -awful, without the satisfaction of having scarcely fired a shot; many -of our troops in rear of the ridge were similarly situated. A British -officer, who was an eyewitness of the gallant conduct of the 27th, -says, “If ever the sovereign give them another motto, it should be, -_Muzzle to muzzle_; for so they fought at Waterloo.” - -Efficient artillery upon this part of the line we had none; thus the -enemy again brought up some guns near the corner of La Haye-Sainte -garden hedge, and placed them so that their muzzles were on a level -with our ridge, from whence they rapidly dealt out grape upon -Kielmansegge’s two squares, completely smashing them, until they, -like the rest, were reduced to a mere clump of men. The artillery -and musketry fire was increasing. The skirmishers pressing on, -and their drums beating, foretold the advance of columns to the -charge. Upon this, the prince of Orange ordered two battalions of -the Nassau brigade, under general Kruse, to advance, and gallantly -placed himself at their head: the Prince was struck by a musket-ball -in the left shoulder, and the command of this part of our line -devolved on count Kielmansegge. The Nassau-men were giving way, when -the five battalions of Brunswick infantry moved into the interval -between Halkett and Kruse; but, before they were in position, they -were received by such a stinging fire from the French skirmishers, -and crashing fire of grape from their artillery, and became so -enveloped in smoke, that they could not get into order until they -were in close contact with the enemy. This vigorous attack caused -the part of Alten’s division on Halkett’s left, with the Nassau-men -and Brunswickers, to give way, and fall back under the crest of the -ridge. Now came really the tug of war, the poise or balance of the -battle. - -At this critical moment Wellington galloped to the spot, and -addressing himself to the Brunswickers, succeeded, by the -electrifying influence of his voice and presence, in rallying the -discomfited columns. Lieutenant-colonel sir Alexander Gordon was -mortally wounded on this occasion. By the example and encouragement -of the commanding officers, the other brigades were also rallied and -formed. The Duke went off hastily to the right again. - -The battle had been now raging for nearly eight hours, and not a -square had been broken, nor had the enemy gained more than one -advantage, viz. the capture of La Haye-Sainte, which was through -one of those mischances in war which often mar the best planned -arrangements. But those continued furious attacks had not been met -and repulsed without a most severe loss to the troops who had stood -the brunt of the battle, and had been so long exposed to a murderous -cannonade. - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; image of a helmet)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[53] _See_ chapter X, Grouchy’s Report, and the English, Prussian, -and French official accounts. - -[54] It in not easy to give a satisfactory reason why the enemy’s -infantry skirmishers were allowed to press so closely up to our -position and inflict such severe losses upon our gunners and -infantry, when our cavalry could have driven them off or destroyed -them. - -[55] All those who were near his Grace, and had full opportunity of -observing him during the most critical and trying moments, agree in -asserting, that it was impossible to learn from his countenance, -voice or gesture, whether the affair in hand were trifling or -important, quite safe, or extremely dangerous. - -[56] It appeared throughout the day, that Napoleon was determined -to exhaust our troops, the expense of which was only, to him, a -_secondary_ consideration. - -[57] I met this French officer on the field in 1844: he was a captain -in the 2d carabineers, or brass-clad cuirassiers; the reason he -gave for not coming over to us till the eleventh hour, was, that he -expected a number of his regiment to desert with him. - -[58] _See_ colonel Hunter Blair’s letter, Appendix, No. VII. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - Napoleon advances his Imperial guard; gives it up to Ney.—The - Emperor addresses his men for the last time.—Blücher’s guns blazing - away, the enemy replies.—Napoleon circulates a false report.—The - French guards about to attack men who, like themselves, had - never been beaten.—Tremendous roar of artillery.—Vandersmissen’s - brigade of guns arrives.—The right or leading column of the - Imperial guard, on ascending the tongue of ground, suffers - dreadfully from our double-charged guns, which it appears to - disregard.—Ney’s horse killed.—The attacking column crowns the - ridge, well supported.—“_Up, guards, make ready!_”—The British - guards, Halkett’s brigade, with Bolton’s and Vandersmissen’s - batteries, open fire upon the head of the assailing column, which - it returns.—Gallantry of sir Colin Halkett.—The enemy in confusion, - charged by our guards and Halkett’s 30th and 73d regiments.—The - first French column, after displaying the most heroic courage, - gives way in disorder.—The second attacking column approaching, - suffers from our batteries.—Our guards, ordered to retire, get into - disorder, which soon sets to right again.—Halkett’s brigade in - great confusion, but soon recovers.—D’Aubremé’s Netherlanders in - the greatest disorder.—Our batteries, with the guards, open fire - upon the head of the left attacking column, whilst the 52d and - rifles assail its front and left flank; the French return the fire - with vigour.—The crisis.—The enemy in confusion, charged in flank, - gives way.—Pursued by Adam’s brigade.—Vivian’s hussars launched - forward upon the enemy’s reserves; their disposition.—General - disposition of the Prussian and French armies. - - -Vivian came to this part of the line about a quarter before eight -P.M. The enemy’s skirmishers in crowds had again pressed on to our -front, which, from its reduced state, was once more giving way. A -battalion of the Brunswickers was retiring, having expended all its -ammunition. The Nassau-men were falling back in mass upon the horses’ -heads of the 10th hussars, and, as sir Hussey Vivian has since -told me, had the 10th not been there, they would have retreated. -Captain Shakspeare of the 10th was with sir Hussey, and they both -did their utmost to encourage them. Vivian says that, in justice to -many of their officers, he must state, that these endeavoured to -stop the men; he saw one take a drummer by the collar, and make him -beat the rally. The left of the division now pressed on, led by -Kielmansegge. Those on the right took it up, as well as the Brunswick -and Nassau-men, their drums beating, Vivian, his aide-de-camp and -many of his officers cheering them on, whilst the hussars followed in -support; the French and their artillery falling back before them. - - “One crowded hour of glorious strife - Is worth an age of peaceful life; - ’Tis thus the soldier hastes along, - And faces death amidst the throng.” - -It was during this desperate effort of the enemy that the two -attacking columns of the Imperial guard[59], amongst whom the most -unbounded enthusiasm reigned, proudly led the van, and advanced _en -échelons_ right in front from the valley, between La Belle-Alliance -and the enclosures of Hougoumont. The first, or leading column, was -led by Napoleon in person, until the front files came abreast of -where the high-road is cut through the bank beyond the orchard of -La Haye-Sainte, a prominent point about two hundred yards to their -left of the Genappe road, which they left obliquely on their right; -here the Emperor gave them in charge of Ney. When the guards passed -before him, he, for the last time, addressed them a few words of -encouragement, but, from the noise, the words could not be heard, and -Napoleon, in a significant manner, pointed to our position, when the -shouts of “_Vive l’Empereur! Vive Napoléon! En avant!_” rent the air; -those war-cries excited a phrenzy of ardour as his devoted followers -pressed on to death and destruction. - -At this moment Blücher’s artillery was blazing away upon the French -right _en potence_, who returned the compliment, but not in full -value. The firing was distinctly heard by Napoleon and his troops; -and being apprehensive that it might damp their courage, he sent -general Labédoyère through the line, with the false report[60], that -it was Grouchy’s guns that had fallen upon the Prussian rear, and it -only required a little firmness to complete the victory to which they -were advancing. - -The sanguinary drama was now, with the long and trying day, fast -drawing to a close. The Emperor’s guards, their country’s pride, they -who had never turned their backs on foe or fled the battle field, -were, for the first time, about to attack men who, like themselves, -acknowledged no victor; the unconquered were to measure their prowess -with men who had never been vanquished, the world waiting with -anxious expectation the result of this memorable day. The Imperial -guard, led by the undaunted Ney, “_le Brave des Braves_,” advanced -towards a point occupied by the first brigade of British foot-guards, -and the 5th or Halkett’s British brigade. The guards were lying down, -for cover from the shower of round and grape-shot and shells thrown -amongst them by the French batteries. The enemy’s advance was, as -usual, preceded by skirmishers, and covered by a tremendous fire of -artillery, although, at this time, considerably diminished, many of -their guns having been rendered useless. The French guards were well -supported on their right by D’Erlon’s infantry columns, especially -by those of Donzelot’s division, who prolonged this attack to the -Genappe road against the Brunswickers, Nassau troops, and the rest -of Alten’s division. About this time, Vandersmissen’s Dutch-Belgian -brigade of guns most opportunely came in between the intervals of -Halkett’s brigade. Reille’s columns on the left pressed on towards -Hougoumont, which again became the scene of a severe struggle; -Bachelu’s division advanced on their right of its enclosures, and -D’Erlon’s columns _en échelons_ pushed forward on their right of La -Haye-Sainte. As the leading column of the Imperial guard began to -ascend the tongue of ground leading to the spot where the Lion now -stands, it suffered most severely from the destructive fire of our -right batteries, of which, from being ranged _en échelons_, every -efficient gun played into the exposed long flank of the Imperial -column with double charges of round, canister, case, or grape-shot. -By this murderous fire the French ranks were most awfully ravaged, -and they appeared to wave like high standing corn blown by sudden -gusts of wind, from the terrific effect of each discharge; while caps -and muskets might, at times, be seen flying in the air. Ney had his -horse killed under him, and gallantly led along on foot; at his side -general Friant was wounded severely, and general Michel mortally. To -men enthusiastic, who felt certain they were advancing to a glorious -victory, this was no check, and the Imperial guard pursued its onward -course with a firm step. The veterans of Jena, Wagram and Austerlitz -had, by their invincible prowess, decided many a battle, and their -progress could only be arrested by death or severe wounds. - -When the head of the column neared the line of the allies, it escaped -the terrific fire of our right batteries, while at the same moment -their own batteries ceased firing; a crowd of skirmishers rushed -on and opened a stinging fire upon our artillery-men, who soon -drove them back upon the columns by a discharge of grape, canister -and case-shot; double charges were poured into the head of the -enemy’s columns from Bolton’s guns, (now commanded by Napier,) and -Vandersmissen’s batteries: the front of the enemy appeared to stand -still, from the men being mowed down as they laboured up the slopes, -while their rear seemed pressing on. The Imperial guard at length -succeeded in crowning the ridge, upon which the French saw nothing -but the batteries; they descried through the smoke some cocked -hats, but little imagined that one of them covered the head of the -illustrious Duke, who was shortly to acquire a last and crowning -laurel, and that the sun of Napoleon was to set with the one just -retiring from their view on the field of Waterloo. - -The enemy pressed on until within about fifty yards of Halkett’s -brigade, and the British foot-guards, who were lying down, quietly -awaiting the band of veteran heroes. Wellington then gave the words, -“Up, guards, make ready[61]!” and ordered general Maitland to attack. -They rose in line four deep, and appeared to the French as if they -had sprung out of the earth; whilst the French grenadiers, with their -high bear’s-skin caps and red plumes, looked like giants bearing -down upon them. Our guards and Halkett’s right, the 69th and 33d, -the gallant Halkett waving the latter regiment’s colour in their -front, advanced a few paces and threw in a tremendous volley, that -was followed up by independent file-firing, rapidly and steadily -delivered. A stream of musketry and grape-shot was maintained with -such coolness and precision, that the whole front of the enemy’s -column was shaken: it was impossible to be otherwise; from four to -five hundred of them were killed or wounded. This most efficacious -fire dreadfully shattered the Imperial ranks, and stemmed their -farther progress, the dreadful carnage still continuing with unabated -fury. The French officers, waving their swords, and with shouts and -words of encouragement, attempted to deploy and extend their front. -But for this it was too late, the continued cross-fire which assailed -them drove the foremost of the enemy back on their mass. Many in the -midst of the column fired over the heads of their comrades, and their -confusion became greater every moment[62]. - -Our adversary’s desperate situation being instantly perceived by the -Duke, his Grace ordered the charge: lord Saltoun, who had joined from -Hougoumont, called out, “Now’s the time, my boys!” Our guards and -Halkett’s left advanced with a loud cheer to the charge, the latter -against a column which, on nearing our position, inclined to its -right from the rear of the leading column, and moved _en échelons_, -steady as on parade, through the hollow on its right of the tongue -of ground, where it was protected from the direct fire of our right -batteries. - -They gallantly advanced with a noble and admirable bearing; officers -in front, arms sloped, drums beating the _pas de charge_, and between -them and on their flanks their brass guns loaded with grape. When -within ninety yards of Halkett’s left, they halted, carried arms -as if to salute, and round wheeled their guns, down went their -port-fires, and crash came the grape, accompanied by a volley, into -the 30th and 73d regiments, who instantly returned the fire and came -to the charge. Before the sharp report had died away, Vandersmissen’s -brigade of guns, double-charged with grape, went Bang! bang! bang! -right through the Imperial column: this appeared to rend it asunder, -and it began to give way and disperse[63]. - -Our guards were pursuing the discomfited enemy into the valley, -when the left or second attacking column of the Imperial guard was -observed closely pressing on, undismayed by the defeat of their -first column. To avoid being taken in flank, orders were given to -the British guards to go about and resume their original position, -but the word was misunderstood, and they fell into confusion; -however notwithstanding the two battalions were mixed pell-mell -together, getting the command on recrossing the ridge, “Halt, front, -form!” they instantly fronted and formed four deep, and told off in -companies of forties. Halkett’s left, which had charged, on getting -clear of the smoke, saw the enemy broken and going off in disorder; -loud and deep were the execrations bestowed upon them for not waiting -to meet the retaliating vengeance, now ready to be inflicted for our -slaughtered comrades. After the charge, the whole brigade got mixed -together, and was for a few minutes in great confusion, occasioned -by a terrific fire of musketry and grape-shot, the murderous effects -of which so disordered Halkett’s right that they gave way, and thus -clashed with their left who were retiring; this caused confusion -which, fortunately however, speedily ceased, for a cry was heard, -“Form square to resist cavalry[64]!” and a cheer burst forth from -the 73d. Major Kelly, an officer of that regiment, but on the staff, -having perceived the confusion and consequent danger, resolved to -remain with his men, they having no officer of rank left to command -them. During this most desperate assault, D’Aubremé’s Netherlanders, -who formed three large squares in the immediate rear, also fell -into the greatest disorder; Vandeleur galloped forward, and with -some of his own officers, and those of the Dutch-Belgians, did all -in his power to restore order and encourage the men to hold their -position. Colonel Morice (69th regiment) was killed, and sir Colin -Halkett wounded, when the command of his brigade devolved on colonel -Elphinstone, who, when it had reformed, posted the left of the -brigade at the hedge-row, where the road curves forward, (near where -the Lion now stands;) and advanced the right anew[65] to protect the -left flank of our guards against an attack of Donzelot’s troops, who -were again pushing on. - -The left of our guards was brought slightly forward, to be parallel -with the left or second attacking column of the French guards[66], -who, passing the eastern boundary of Hougoumont obliquely on -their left, were saluted, _en passant_, by Hepburn’s skirmishers. -Notwithstanding this, they pursued their onward course with the -greatest sang-froid through the valley, towards the spot where their -first column was so severely engaged; our artillery on the ridge, -from the Nivelles road to the curve in our line, was in full play -upon them; the fire of our guns fell with ruinous precision upon -the dense mass, and made them suffer dreadfully: but the men who -had often, in a doubtful field, wrested victory from the obstinate -foe, advanced firmly, their front and flank, as usual, covered by -a numerous body of daring skirmishers, the smoke of whose rattling -fire concealed at times the advance of the column. The fire of our -guns was so severe that some cuirassiers were sent to charge the -batteries: this they did, and succeeded in driving the gunners away. -They also drove in the skirmishers of Adam’s brigade: upon which, a -squadron of the 23d light dragoons was sent down into the hollow near -the orchard of Hougoumont. The cuirassiers advancing again, the 23d, -under lieutenant Banner, charged them in flank, and drove them back -upon their infantry columns, whose fire turned our dragoons about. -They galloped back towards our lines, followed by some cuirassiers, -most of whom, as well as their other cavalry, had, upon the advance -of the Imperial guard, been drawn off and rallied on their own -position between La Belle-Alliance and Hougoumont. Our officers on -this part of the line were intently observing the movements of the -enemy’s column; and our few fine fellows at the guns, disregarding -the fire from the enemy, played incessantly with deadly aim into the -close deep masses of infantry: changing, as the distance diminished, -from round to grape and canister, and to double charges. - -As the column neared the ridge, the French became impatient under -this destructive cannonade; and their skirmishers rushed forward, -prolonging the attack to Donzelot’s division on their right, which, -in a line of battalion columns, with their guns between them and on -their flanks, and preceded by a crowd of daring skirmishers, were -again assaulting the remains of Alten’s division, as above related. -Our gunners, under this close and severely-telling fire, could not -long stand to their guns, but either lay down beneath them, or -dropped behind the ridge; an expedient to which our artillery-men had -frequent recourse during the day. Some brave fellows now and then -would hastily load and fire, and again seek shelter. D’Aubremé’s and -Vandeleur’s brigades sustained some casualties by this column’s fire. - -General Adam, and colonel Colborne of the 52d, (of the unmatched -Peninsular school,) had been watching the enemy’s columns, and the -latter, (a real fire-eater,) upon his own responsibility, brought -forward the right shoulder of his regiment, placing it across the -oft-mentioned bit of hedge-row, and nearly parallel to the left flank -of the attacking column. - -Thus was executed, with judgment, promptitude and spirit, worthy of -the high character of the corps and its commander, a movement, which -eventually enveloped the enemy’s column in an angle, at the apex of -which was a battery, whose double-charged guns soon carried death and -destruction through the mass, whilst a rapid and continued rolling -fire of musketry assailed its front and flanks. - -The Duke having seen the guards placed in their position, rode a -little to the right, and observing the 52d in a favourable situation, -sent to sir Henry Clinton to move forward the rest of Adam’s brigade -to charge the Imperial guard, that, with drums beating and deafening -shouts of _Vive l’Empereur!_ now crowned the summit of the position. -The fire of Napier’s and Vandersmissen’s batteries, and of the -British guards, opened on them, but still they gallantly pressed -forward, as did also the columns of Donzelot, upon Alten’s division; -and the rest of d’Erlon’s columns _en échelons_, on their right of -La Haye-Sainte, moved forward towards Lambert’s, Kempt’s and Best’s -brigades. The fate of the battle seemed to quiver on the beam, when -the 52d in its complete four-deep line, previously screened from -the enemy’s view by the crest of our ridge, moved down in the most -compact order upon the left flank of the Imperial column. The column -halted, formed front to its left, and opened, from its long flank, a -most galling fire upon the 52d. The latter also halted, and poured -a most deadly fire into their ranks: the finest infantry the world -produced, thus confronted each other. At this moment (about eight -o’clock,) the 2d battalion of the 95th rifles came up on the left, -and fired into the head of the column[67]. The 71st and the 3d -battalion of the 95th were also rapidly advancing. This terrific fire -told with most awful effect on the flank of the mass, already torn by -the close discharges of case and grape-shot from our guns. From whose -rapid fire, together with the musketry, a dense cloud of thick smoke -hung on the ridge, and completely enveloped the contending parties. -A still more rapid roll of musketry marked the highest efforts -of the conflict, when on a sudden it began to slacken. Sir John -Colborne gave the word to charge, which our men answered by three -hearty cheers and louder than the shouts of _Vive l’Empereur_[68]. -The French column now seemed to reel to and fro under the heavy -fire, and in truth it was unable to advance and unwilling to retire. -It was in a position too trying even for its experienced veterans, -notwithstanding they were animated by the best spirit. But the -most daring in its ranks, and there were many, made a determined -resistance, and seemed to linger on the spot; one of these, no doubt, -was Ney, who, upon the rout of the first column, joined the second -and led that also[69]. - -The confusion and disorder which had been increasing, at last became -uncontrollable. With the exception of the two rear battalions of the -old guard, under general Cambronne, which alone retained the least -semblance of order, the second attacking column of the Imperial -guard shared the fate of the first. They fled, and in their flight -carried with them most of Donzelot’s columns, which had prolonged the -attack to the Genappe road against Alten’s division, as previously -mentioned, and were now falling back into the valley, from whence -they had emerged to make the attack. Whilst the 52d and the second -battalion of the 95th were pressing forward in pursuit, over ground -literally covered with dead and dying, a body of broken horsemen -dashed through the smoke upon their front: they concentrated their -whole fire upon the new comers, until they discovered them to be -a part of the 23d light dragoons pursued by some cuirassiers; one -of whom breaking through the 52d was killed in the rear by the -sergeant-major; another was also cut down by an officer. - -The front was scarcely cleared of the cavalry, when three of the -enemy’s guns opened a fire of grape, at about four hundred yards in -prolongation of its right flank: colonel Colborne galloped to the -right of his regiment, and exclaimed “Those guns will destroy us!” -when instantly the right section, under lieutenant Gawler, wheeled up -and drove them off. The rest of the regiment continued the pursuit -of the broken columns. - -Colonel Hugh Halkett, on perceiving the forward movement of Adam’s -brigade, moved upon its right rear with the Osnabruck militia. -Vivian’s hussar brigade and the 2d German light dragoons were -immediately advanced to attack the French reserves, drawn up between -La Belle-Alliance and Hougoumont[70]. - -The feelings of our great antagonist on witnessing the total -overthrow of his devoted guards, his last hope, and the death-blow to -his political existence, may be imagined, but not described. - -At this time, (eight o’clock,) says captain Siborne, the general -disposition of the Prussian forces, relative to that of Wellington’s -army, was, that the advance-guard of Zieten’s (first) corps had -joined our left; part of Pirch’s (second) corps, with his reserve -cavalry, had joined Bulow, who was on the advance, his right to -attack Lobau, and his left to make a third attack upon Plancenoit. -The French opposed to them appeared determined to make a stand at all -points. - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; image of a sword)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[59] This force was never employed but in cases of great emergency. -Had it been brought forward earlier and before the Prussians arrived, -deployed into line out of range of our musketry, and supported by -cavalry before that arm was so much cut up, certainly Napoleon would -have stood a better chance. No doubt the attack ought to have been -made earlier, or not at all. - -The Duke says, “Had they forced our position, instead of taking -advantage of it and pressing on they must have turned round to face -the Prussians, who were at that time in great force pressing the -enemy’s right and rear.” - -Looking at the relative situations of Plancenoit, Mont-St.-Jean, and -the French army, reckless as Napoleon had doubtless then become, it -is still surprising he made the attack. - -[60] _See_ the prince de la Moskowa’s letter to the duc d’Otrante, -Appendix, No. V, p. 253. - -[61] “Up, guards, and at them!” or, “Up, guards, make ready!” what an -idea of mutual confidence between the general and his men, does that -simple order convey! - -No haranguing, which, if it excites the soldiers, also expresses -a doubt of their exertions; nothing of that kind was considered -necessary, but a command, which, from its very simplicity, shows the -entire conviction, in the mind of him who gave it, that it would be -most effectually obeyed. - -[62] A column or columns advancing to an attack, although steady -as on parade, on nearing the line of a cool determined enemy, must -be quickly shattered by the converging fire, which would drop -their leading and flank files, the only men that can really use -their muskets; confused by different words of command from various -officers, often enveloped in smoke and crowded together, the pressure -is such, that every movement augments disorder and confusion. The -imposing advance of large masses has often intimidated an enemy, -notwithstanding they are only really formidable in the imagination, -until deployed into line, during which evolution, a good volley, -resolutely followed up by the application of the cold steel, would -overthrow the best troops that ever pulled a trigger. - -The Duke says, “Napoleon did not manœuvre at all; he just moved -forward in the old style, in columns, and was driven off in the old -style.” (_Letter to Lord Beresford_, July 2d, 1815, in the Appendix, -No. II, p. 218.) - -I will not go so far as to say that moving forward in any other -formation would have gained them the battle, but I do think the old -style of advancing in columns did not give them a chance. - -[63] From the circumstance of the columns of the Imperial guard -making their attack at the point of our line which ran curving -forward, they must have become, on crowning the allied position, -exposed to a cross-fire of all arms, which may be thus described: - -Halkett’s left and Vandersmissen’s batteries formed the left of -the curve, whilst the immediate right of it consisted of Halkett’s -right, our guards and Napier’s battery, whose right was brought -rather forward; thus the fires were diagonal, that is, the two fires -evidently crossed. - -It is therefore not astonishing that the veterans of a hundred fights -gave way under this, to use their own words, _effroyable_ (dreadful) -cross-fire upon both front and flank. - -[64] Had the enemy’s cavalry really been at hand, the remaining -few fine fellows under Halkett must have been annihilated. This -confusion and giving way, together with that on the immediate left -of the brigade, as well as the disorder on its immediate right, at -about the same time, and at so critical a juncture, might have caused -the most serious consequences; but, thanks to the zeal and energy -of the superior officers, as well as to the coolness, alacrity and -discipline of our troops, they soon reformed with much steadiness and -regularity, and aided by Vandersmissen’s and Bolton’s iron hail from -their double-charged guns, the withering fire of Adam’s light-bobs -upon the enemy’s left flank, together with that of our guards upon -their front, our struggle terminated most satisfactorily. - -[65] Their advance proves that this momentary confusion but little -affected them. - -[66] A portion of this force might have been advantageously employed -against us with their cavalry. Husbanding them so long, was, I -suspect, an error of no small magnitude. - -[67] For positions of all the armies at this period, _see_ Plan. - -[68] Some French writers state that this hitherto victorious column -was seized with a panic. If so, it was not to be wondered at: a -crowd of men, heaped helplessly together, exposed to an incessant -cross-fire of musketry, round and grape-shot poured in like hail -upon both front and flank, and our lines converging to enclose and -bayonet them, was enough to occasion a panic. We may here observe, -that the attack of the Imperial column is almost incredible, -unaccompanied as it was and entirely unsupported by cavalry, with -the flanks perpetually exposed, and never attempting to deploy into -line, till fired into; halting to engage with musketry against troops -in line. They sealed their own doom; for while utterly incapable of -deploying or returning their enemy’s fire with any effect, they were -attacked by our infantry and turned by our cavalry. I must leave to -the talented military historians to prove that this attack displayed -Napoleon’s former genius. The cause of the interval of some minutes -between the two attacking columns, or why the attacks were not -simultaneous, I am at a loss to explain; but it certainly was the -cause of their being beaten in detail. - -[69] It is to be regretted that this gallant but inconstant soldier -did not meet death here. It would have been far preferable to the end -he afterwards found under the walls of the Luxemburg. - -[70] The French reserves were, for the most part, drawn up in -chequer, presenting an irregular front, from la Belle-Alliance to the -nearest enclosures of Hougoumont. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - As the Imperial guard retired in the greatest disorder, its retread - caused a panic throughout the French army.—The Prussians being - relieved from the pressure of the enemy’s right _en potence_, - their operations begin to take effect.—Wellington observing the - state of things, determines to attack, and orders the advance of - his whole line.—His Grace in front, hat high in air.—Vivian’s - hussars get a message from the Duke: they form line, attack and - drive off the enemy.—Colonel Murray’s dangerous leap.—Vandeleur’s - brigade advanced.—Major Howard killed.—General Cambronne made - prisoner.—Adam’s brigade attacks and drives off the rallied - force of the Imperial guard.—Lord Uxbridge wounded; sir J. O. - Vandeleur commands the cavalry.—Sir Colin Campbell begs the Duke - not to remain under the heavy fire.—Adam’s brigade menaced by - cuirassiers.—His Grace with but one attendant.—Adam’s brigade - falls upon a broken column of the enemy.—Singular encounter - and act of bravery.—Repugnance to the shedding of human blood - unnecessarily.—Battery and prisoners captured.—Adam’s brigade - in the line of fire of a Prussian battery.—The 71st capture a - battery.—Prussian dispositions to attack Plancenoit and the French - right.—Operations of the allies during this period.—Plancenoit - the scene of a dreadful struggle.—Bravery of the young guard, who - save their eagle.—Humane conduct of their general Pelet.—Napoleon - in a square, much pressed.—Wellington and his advanced troops at - Rossomme, where the pursuit is relinquished by us, and continued by - the Prussians, who, busy in the work of death, press on and capture - sixty guns.—On returning towards Waterloo, the Duke meets Blücher, - who promises to keep the enemy moving.—His Grace is silent, sombre, - and dejected for the loss of his friends.—Bivac.—Observations. - - -The enemy’s troops engaged in the last attack retired in the greatest -confusion, which caused an unsteadiness and panic throughout the -remainder of the French army. By this, the Prussians were relieved -from the determined pressure previously made on them by the French -right _en potence_; and it soon became evident that they were gaining -ground. Zieten’s (first) corps had just joined the left of our line -by Ohain; Adam’s brigade was most vigorously pursuing the fugitives, -and Vivian’s hussars were rapidly advancing on the enemy’s reserve: -all these things combined, convinced the Duke that the favourable -moment for making a general attack, was arrived. Closing his -telescope with an air of triumph, he ordered the advance of the whole -line. This order was received by the eager remains of the army with -loud and tremendous cheers. - - “Then, Wellington, thy piercing eye - The crisis caught of destiny. - The British host had stood - That morn, ’gainst charge of host and lance, - As their own ocean rocks hold stanch; - But when thy voice had said, Advance! - They were their ocean’s flood.” - -The Duke stood on the rise (immediately in front of the Lion,) -with his hat raised in the air, as a signal to advance. The last -parting rays of the beautiful setting sun at this moment (a quarter -after eight,) shone most resplendently, as if to enliven the scene -presented to our view on emerging from the smoke, which had long -rendered every object invisible except the flashes of the enemy’s -batteries. It was a spectacle never to be forgotten by those who -witnessed it. Were I to live to the age of Methuselah, never shall I -forget that evening. In front might be seen the retiring columns of -the enemy, broken and mingled with crowds of fugitives of all arms, -mounted and dismounted, mixed pell-mell together. In the right front -was a dense smoke, curling upwards, from the smouldering ruins of -Hougoumont. Far in the distance to the left front might also be dimly -seen the dark columns of the Prussians, many of whom had arrived just -in time to witness the overthrow of the French. - -During this time Vivian’s hussars had moved to the right, cleared -the front and advanced on the right of Maitland’s guards, who with -Vandeleur’s brigade cheered them on. On crossing the ridge the smoke -was thick, but in the valley it became clear; and several columns -of the enemy’s infantry and cavalry, with guns on their flanks and -between them, were visible in front. The Duke sent a message to -Vivian by colonel Campbell, not to attack till the infantry arrived, -unless he thought he could break the French squares. At this moment -several men and horses of the 10th were killed by grape from the -enemy’s guns. Vivian observed to sir Colin Campbell that, as our -infantry advancing might not be in good order, it would be dangerous -to allow the French cavalry to fall upon them, and that it would -be better for him to attack at once and drive the cavalry off[71], -leaving the enemy’s squares to be attacked by our infantry. To this -sir Colin agreed, and returned to the Duke. Vivian now formed the -10th and 18th hussars into one line, and the 1st German hussars in -second line. While forming, a broken body of the 23d light dragoons, -after being fired into by the 52d, galloped along his front; his -right was attacked by cuirassiers, and he lost many men, but he beat -off the enemy. Whilst the French were firing grape at the hussars, -our own guns were also plying them with shot and spherical case, our -gunners taking them for foes. Vivian sent an officer to correct the -error. - -The 10th hussars, on getting into line, charged and defeated the -cavalry in their front. The 2d Germans charged upon the right of the -10th. Vivian now rode to the 18th, who were near the two squares of -the old guard which had been left in reserve; they had cavalry and -guns on each flank and between them. - -The 18th was in line, and as steady as if exercising on Hounslow -heath. On reaching its front, Vivian said, “Eighteenth, you will -follow me;” on which the sergeant-major (Jeffs,) afterwards adjutant -of the 7th hussars, and many of the men, coarsely but fiercely -exclaimed with an oath, “Ay, general, anywhere you choose to lead -us.” The charge was ordered, and in an instant an attack was made on -the cavalry and guns. Colonel Murray, commanding the 18th, in making -this charge, leaped his horse over the traces between the wheelers -and leaders of a French gun which was dashing across his front in -order to escape. The hussars were upon the artillery, slaughtering -the drivers and gunners and securing the guns: these destructive -engines being silenced, and the sting taken out of their cavalry, our -infantry had full scope to act. - -In returning from this charge, Vivian found major Howard, with a -small body of the 10th, near a French square, from whose fire he was -rapidly losing his men. At this moment a fine and gallant soldier, -lieutenant Gunning, fell. Vivian observed to Howard, “We have one of -two things to do, either to retire a little out of the fire, or to -attack;” and seeing some red-coated infantry approaching, who threw -out a scattering fire upon the enemy’s square, almost as destructive -to friends as to foes, Vivian ordered the charge and accompanied -it. The men galloped up to the bayonets of the Imperial guard, and -a fierce and bloody conflict ensued. Major Howard was shot by a -musket-ball, and fell upon the enemy’s bayonets; - - “And he was of the bravest, and when shower’d - The death-bolts deadliest the thinn’d files along, - E’en where the thickest of war’s tempest lower’d, - They reach’d no nobler breast than thine, young gallant Howard!” - -The red-coated infantry were colonel Halkett’s Osnabruckers, who -shortly before had captured general Cambronne of the Imperial -guard[73], and a battery. Adam’s brigade had followed the broken -columns of the French guards and Donzelot’s into the valley in -advance of the orchard of La Haye-Sainte; but now there was something -of more importance on the right of the Genappe road that required -their attention; this was three squares of the enemy flanked on their -right by cuirassiers: they were the remains of the first attacking -column of the Imperial guard, who had been rallied by Napoleon and -posted here to cover the retreat. The Duke galloped into the valley -to Adam’s brigade, and ordered Sir John Colborne to attack the -rallied force of the Imperial guard, saying, “They won’t stand. Go -on, Colborne, go on.” - -Lord Uxbridge, after having displayed the most brilliant acts of -heroism during this sanguinary and arduous day, was about to join -Vivian’s hussars, when a grape-shot wounded his right leg, which -rendered amputation necessary: the command of the allied cavalry -consequently devolved on general Vandeleur, and that of his brigade -on colonel Sleigh, (11th light dragoons). - -Adam’s brigade pressed gallantly up the slope towards the three -squares and the cuirassiers; the former opened a heavy fire from both -front and flanks. The Duke was still in rear of the 52d. Sir Colin -Campbell, finding the shot fly thick about the Duke, said, “Your -Grace, this is no place for you; I wish you would move a little;” to -which the Duke replied “So I will, when those fellows are driven off.” - -As our line approached, the French squares went about by command; the -Duke then galloped forward on the right of Adam’s brigade, which was -now about to cross the Genappe road. The cuirassiers accompanying the -squares came down the road in a menacing attitude, as if to charge; -but as no time was to be lost, the brigade lowered their bayonets, -and in their four-deep line pressed on; but the cuirassiers declined -the combat. - -An incident occurred just at this time, relative to the Duke, which -deserves to be noticed, as showing the great watchfulness which he at -all times exercised. - -Adam, who was now in the valley between the two ridges of the -French position, and on the allied left of the Genappe road near La -Belle-Alliance, not being able to see at any distance to his right, -nor aware of Vivian’s advance, was apprehensive that an attack might -possibly be made upon his right flank, which by his movement had -become exposed: he therefore desired his brigade-major to proceed, -and ascertain whether there were any danger. In performing this -duty, the major fell in with the Duke, who was riding at a smart -pace, followed by only one individual, whom major Blair addressed -but he was immediately interrupted by the remark, “_Monsieur, je ne -parle pas un seul mot d’anglais_.” (“Sir, I cannot speak a word of -English.”) The major then stated to him in French the object he was -pursuing; and was answered, “_Le Duc lui-même a été voir, il n’y -a rien à craindre_.” (“The Duke has, himself, been to see, there -is nothing to fear.”) Upon this the major hastened back with the -satisfactory communication. - -About a hundred yards on the allied left of La Belle-Alliance, the -road running towards Plancenoit becomes a complete hollow-way, out of -which a broken column of French infantry was in the act of debouching -with some guns, and making a hasty retreat, when the 52d regiment -in its advance came right upon them. The infantry tried to escape, -and at the same time to defend themselves as best they could. The -artillery turned to their left and attempted to get up the bank, -but their horses were immediately shot down by the 52d. A young -officer of the battery surrendered; but the commander, a veteran who -wore upon his breast the decoration of the Legion of honour, stood, -sword in hand, in the midst of his guns, and in an attitude of bold -defiance. A soldier started from the 52d ranks and made a thrust at -him, which the officer parried; a scuffle ensued, the man closed with -him, threw him on the ground, and keeping him down with his foot, -reversed his musket to bayonet him. The repugnance to the shedding -of human blood unnecessarily[74], (a feeling which we may proudly -claim as belonging to British soldiers,) burst forth in a groan of -displeasure from his comrades. It came too late; the fatal thrust -had passed, and the life of the deserving member of the honoured -Legion was extinct. The battery and many prisoners were captured. The -brigade, pressing on in pursuit of the squares, got upon the highest -point of ground of the French position, and in the line of fire from -the Prussian batteries[75]: the Duke sent to Bulow to stop the fire. -The 71st, on the right, captured a battery, and one of the guns, -being loaded, was turned round and fired into the retreating foe by -captain Campbell of the 71st, aide-de-camp to general Adam. It is -supposed that this was the last French gun, fired on that memorable -day. Soon after, the squares, followed by Adam, halted near the farm -of Rossomme, threw away their knapsacks and accoutrements, the better -to expedite their flight, and being thus lightened, they disappeared -in the twilight. - -About the time that Howard was killed, Vandeleur’s brigade was -spanking along under the east hedge of Hougoumont; and overtaking -some of the flying enemy between the Hougoumont enclosures and -Rossomme, they made some charges and captured a great number of the -enemy. - -As soon as a part of Zieten’s corps had joined our left, Blücher -ordered the battery to open fire, the infantry to descend into the -valley of Smohain, and in conjunction with the troops of Nassau to -attack the French, who had been reinforced in order to prevent a -junction between Bulow’s corps and the allied left. - -Zieten’s advance infantry pushed down into the valley, where some -shots were exchanged by mistake between them and the Nassau troops: -the mistake was soon rectified, and both bodies united advanced, and -dislodged the French from the houses in the valley of Smohain, and -the farms of La Haye and Papelotte. It was about eight o’clock, when -Zieten’s advance cavalry drew up on our left, and an infantry brigade -and the reserve cavalry of general Pirch’s (second) corps joined -Bulow, and in conjunction made the following dispositions for the -third attack upon Plancenoit: - -General Ryssel’s and colonel Hiller’s infantry brigades of the 4th -corps under general count Bulow, and general Tippelskircher’s brigade -of general Pirch’s (second) corps, formed in columns of battalions; -on the left was a regiment of prince William’s reserve, and two -battalions of infantry with their skirmishers in front; and three -cavalry regiments, part of prince William’s, were in rear of the -above brigades. - -In rear of this cavalry was general Krafft’s infantry brigade of -the 2d corps in reserve; and on the right of the infantry brigades -were three lines of cavalry, under general Jurgass; and upon their -right, and advancing simultaneously with the attack upon Plancenoit, -were Hack’s and Losthin’s infantry brigades of the 4th corps; in -their rear were three battalions, part of Hack’s brigade. On the -right of those brigades was a small force of cavalry, part of prince -William’s, and upon their right were four battalion columns, part of -general Steinmetz’s brigade of general Zieten’s (first) corps. Upon -the ridge on the allied left, was part of general Röder’s cavalry -that had just reached the field, and whose battery opened fire in -place of one belonging to the allies that had expended all its -ammunition. A few battalions were detached to the left of Plancenoit, -to secure the flank, and, if possible, to turn the enemy’s right. The -whole Prussian force was preceded by skirmishers, and their batteries -were most advantageously placed upon the heights. - -A squadron of Prussian cavalry beat back a company of the Imperial -guard from the farm of Chantilly, above Plancenoit. The latter -retired upon the wood at the farm of Caillou, closely pursued by -the hostile cavalry, which was beaten off by the Imperial baggage -guard. The Prussian dragoons soon returned in such force, that the -Emperor’s suite, with bag and baggage, made a hasty flight towards -Genappe. - -Whilst Blücher’s army stood as stated, Wellington had defeated both -the attacking columns of the Imperial guard; and Adam’s brigade was -driving them and Donzelot’s division, that had broken and mixed -with them, across the field, toward the Genappe high-road. Vivian’s -brigade and the 2d German light dragoons were setting forward -at a long trot towards the French reserves, drawn up between La -Belle-Alliance and Hougoumont. - -The whole allied line was now advancing, flanked on the left by -Prussian cavalry. The enemy showed little resistance to any part of -it. As Hepburn issued from the orchard of Hougoumont into the open -fields, the enemy went off, scarcely firing a single shot. Those in -the wood made a little resistance, until they saw that all their -army was in full flight. The cavalry on the French left went off in -order, skirmishers out covering their retreat. Bachelu’s and Foy’s -divisions moved off, on witnessing the defeat of the second column of -the Imperial guard: on seeing this, the troops holding La Haye-Sainte -abandoned it. Alix’s, occupying the sand-pit and knoll, gave way on -the advance of Lambert; and Marcognet yielded and broke before the -advance of Pack and Kempt. Durutte’s division broke before Zieten’s -and the duke of Saxe-Weimar’s advance. De Lobau, on seeing the troops -on his left giving way, together with the flight of the Imperial -guard, followed by British troops whom he perceived in his rear, as -well as the now vigorous attack of Bulow, and the probability of his -being cut off from all retreat with his whole corps, rushed into the -stream of fugitives, that had set in towards Rossomme and Genappe. - -During this time Plancenoit had been the scene of a most dreadful -struggle: the French in the churchyard held out, and the Prussians, -finding it of no avail to continue the attack in front, turned the -village on both flanks, driving the Imperial guard before them; the -latter, finding that they should be cut off from all retreat, fell -into disorder, and mixed with the general mass of fugitives, who -were flying in all directions towards Rossomme and La Maison-du-Roi, -followed by the Prussians, who made a dash at the eagle of the -Imperial guard. General Pelet called out, “_A moi, chasseurs! sauvons -l’aigle, ou mourons autour d’elle!_” (“Rally round me, chasseurs! -let us save the eagle, or die protecting it!”) Upon this they formed -square, and saved the eagle and the honour of the regiment[76]. - -About nine o’clock, Napoleon threw himself, with a few of his staff, -into a square of the 2d chasseurs of the old guard, that had been -under Cambronne; but upon the approach of our cavalry he galloped -away. Wellington, with our advance brigades, reached the farm of -Rossomme, between which and La Belle-Alliance some Prussian cavalry -and our 18th exchanged blows, and some lives were lost. The 11th -light dragoons and 1st German hussars were also nearly coming in -contact with each other, owing to the dimness of the twilight. - -An arrangement had been previously made by Wellington and Blücher, -that the allied army should halt here, and that the Prussians should -pursue and harass the routed enemy. The Duke was now, with all his -advance, a little beyond Rossomme, upon a particular knoll with a gap -where the Charleroi road cuts through it, which can be distinctly -seen from most parts of the right of the allied position. - -As the Prussians passed us, (for I had the honour and good fortune to -be an actor in this scene,) I heard their bands play, “God save the -King!” which soul-stirring compliment we returned by hearty cheers. -In the pursuit of the enemy from Rossomme to Genappe, the Prussian -lance and sabre were busy in the work of death. Many a brave soldier, -that had escaped the bloody field, fell that night beneath the -deadly steel. In vain did the French make a feeble effort to check -the Prussians at Genappe, by barricading its long and narrow street -with their remaining guns and tumbrels. So entirely had their defeat -destroyed their discipline, that the Prussians, by the first sound -of the trumpet, beat of drum, or their wild hurrah, overcame every -obstacle, and, pressing on, they captured sixty pieces of cannon. - -The Duke, after clearing the high-road and its left of the allied -troops, in order to give full scope to the advancing Prussians, -to whom he relinquished the further pursuit of the flying enemy, -remained for some time with his advanced troops on the right of -Rossomme in conversation with general Vivian, colonel Colborne and -others; after which, promising to send the provisions up, his Grace -turned his horse round and rode away. On returning leisurely towards -Waterloo, about ten o’clock, at a short distance before reaching -La Belle-Alliance, he, aided by a clouded moon, descried a group -of mounted officers making towards the Genappe high-road from the -direction of Frischermont; the Duke turned off to meet them: it -proved to be Blücher and his staff; they most heartily congratulated -each other on the glorious result of the contest in which they had -been so intensely engaged. The conference lasted about ten minutes, -when the veteran Blücher, promising to leave his inveterate foe no -rallying time on this side of the frontier, shook hands with his -Grace and proceeded to Genappe, sending forward to general Gneisenau, -who led his advance-guard, orders to press and harass the enemy, and -not suffer the grass to grow under their feet, or even allow them -to take breath. Bulow’s corps, which led the pursuit, was supported -by Zieten’s. Pirch’s corps received orders to turn round and strike -across the country, and, if possible, to cut off marshal Grouchy’s -retreat. - -Our gallant chief returned over the field to Waterloo, and before -reaching La Haye-Sainte was obliged to quit the high-road, on account -of its being completely blocked up with guns and tumbrels, many of -which were upset and lying topsy turvy; whilst the frequent snort and -start of the horses told but too clearly that the ground they trod -was studded and strewed with the slain. His Grace, on regaining the -high-road, was so affected by the cries of the wounded and moans of -the dying, as to shed tears, and on his way did not exchange a word -with any of his suite, composed only of five persons, one of whom, -the late sir Colin Campbell, was armed with a cuirassier’s sword. -The Duke was sombre and dejected, as well he might be: grim Death -had been busy, and had had a regular gala-day amongst his Grace’s -old and well-tried friends, who had followed him in distant climes, -and through many an arduous and hard-fought field. The Duke, on this -occasion, might have exclaimed with Pyrrhus, “Such another victory, -and we are undone!” We may readily believe, that in writing the next -day to the duke of Beaufort and the earl of Aberdeen, his Grace only -yielded to the genuine dictates of his heart, when he expressed in -these, as well as other letters, “The losses I have sustained, have -quite broken me down; and I have no feeling for the advantages we -have acquired[77].” - -Napoleon, after quitting the square, which was about midway between -La Belle-Alliance and the farm of Rossomme, rode on our right of -the road for some distance, escorted by the gallant remains of the -horse-grenadiers of the guard, the only force in the whole French -army that now retained the least semblance of order. But finding the -ground very heavy, he crossed the road at La Maison-du-Roi, and rode -along a cross-road which was also in a very bad state: he then made -for the high-road again, passed Genappe, and arrived at Quatre-Bras -about eleven o’clock; thence he proceeded to Charleroi. - -The remains of the allied army bivacked on what had been the French -position. The 52d, 71st, and 2d and 3d battalions of the 95th, -halted on the ground that had been occupied by the Imperial guard in -reserve, near the farm of Rossomme. The remains of my regiment, with -Vivian’s brigade, went to the vicinity of the farm of Hulencourt: I -accompanied general Vivian and colonel sir E. Kerrison to the farm, -acting as orderly, and still mounted on the cuirassier’s horse. - -Thus closed upon us the glorious 18th of June. Fatigue and extreme -exhaustion, following such exertions and such excitement as had been -our lot that day, left us little power to reflect either upon the -completeness of our own triumph, or the extent of the disasters that -overtook the remains of our vanquished foes. These fled in utter and -hopeless disorder before the Prussians, who dashed into the pursuit, -and continued the work of slaughter with a ferocious and avenging -spirit, which the conduct of the French two days before had provoked. - -Had however the enemy’s cavalry been husbanded, the headlong rush of -the victors might have been sufficiently checked, to have allowed the -French army to retreat in something like order. But the wreck of that -fine army fled, or rather was driven from the long-disputed field, in -the wildest disorder and confusion. - -More important or decisive events than those which so quickly -succeeded each other from the 15th to the 18th of June, never before -graced the pages of history. Never did the events of a few days -produce such important consequences. - -We, the conquerors of Waterloo, and many of us certainly never -expected so glorious a termination to the battle, were glad to lie -down among the dead and dying, and snatch a few hours of necessary -repose: - - “Piled high as autumn shocks, there lay - The ghastly harvest of the fray, - The corpses of the slain.” - -The battle might be described as having been a succession of -assaults, sustained with unabated fury, and often with a boldness -and effect that much perplexed our troops and put their firmness to -the test. Every renewed attack diminished our numbers, and still the -survivors yielded not an inch of ground, and, even without orders, -made good the gaps. No other troops in the world would have endured, -for so long a period, so terrible a struggle. Our Imperial antagonist -admitted that we went through and stood to our work, unlike any -troops he had ever seen before and the fact is well authenticated, -that Napoleon repeatedly complimented us on our incomparable -steadiness and forbearance. But this is not to be wondered at, when -our chief, he who had so often directed our energy, affirmed that he -had “never seen the British infantry behave so well.” Our glorious -contest had been maintained against the most renowned legions of -Europe, who had never before shown such uninterrupted audacity -and intrepidity. They were led by generals of undoubted skill and -gallantry, who with their brave troops had won laurels in many a -hard-fought battle, and who believed themselves to be, what their -ambitious chief had so often declared, invincible, and as such they -were still regarded by most of the continental nations. At Waterloo -we had to contend against soldiers of undaunted spirit, full of -enthusiasm and careless of life. Never did these heroic men, grown -grey in victories, better sustain their reputation than on this -occasion. The French are a brave people, and no troops in the world -surpass, if any equal them, for impetuosity of attack; but many men -will stand fire and face distant danger, and yet shrink from the -struggle when closing in desperate grasp with an enemy. It is not -bravery alone which decides the battle, calmness is often absolutely -necessary, and in this, the most valiant are at times found wanting. -Never did a battle require more cool and determined courage than -that of Waterloo. Nothing can be more trying to troops than passive -endurance of offence; nothing so intolerable as to be incessantly -assailed, and not permitted in turn to become assailants. A desperate -struggle in a well-contested battle field, differs greatly from -acting on the defensive, from holding a position, or from being -attacked and not allowed to return the aggression of an enemy. -There is an excited feeling when assailing, which stimulates even -the weak-hearted, and drowns the thought of danger. The tumultuous -enthusiasm of the assault spreads from man to man, and timid spirits -catch a gallant frenzy from the brave. - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; decorative separator)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[71] My gallant friend and companion in arms the general[72] who, -on all occasions, from my attending him as orderly, at the close of -the day of Waterloo, until his death, so kindly took me by the hand, -thought that what had occurred at Marengo, (when Kellermann’s cavalry -charged the advancing columns of Austrian grenadiers, and Desaix -with a small force attacked their front and snatched a victory which -the Austrians considered they had previously gained,) might probably -take place at Waterloo, and was therefore most anxious to drive the -enemy’s cavalry off, and prevent a like occurrence. - -[72] _See_ general Vivian’s letter, Appendix, No. VII, p. 274. - -[73] It was Halkett himself who marked out Cambronne, and having -ridden forward at full gallop, was on the point of cutting down the -French general, when the latter cried out for quarter and received -it. This fact does not well agree with the words popularly ascribed -to Cambronne, “_La garde meurt, et ne se rend pas_.” After having -surrendered, Cambronne tried to escape from Halkett, whose horse -fell wounded to the ground. But in a few seconds Halkett overtook -his prisoner, and seizing him by the aiguillette, hurried him to the -Osnabruckers, and sent him in charge of a sergeant to the duke of -Wellington. Cambronne was subsequently sent to Ostend, with count de -Lobau and other prisoners. It was only the old guard that wore the -aiguillette. - -The words ascribed to Cambronne, “The guard dies, it never -surrenders,” of which we see such numbers of engraving, and which -illustrates so many pocket handkerchiefs, and ornaments so much of -their crockery, etc., have, notwithstanding they were never uttered, -made a fortune: all French historians repeat them. I am in possession -of a letter, written to me by a friend of Cambronne’s, and who asked -the general, whether it was true that he had uttered the words in -question; the reply was, I quote Mr. E. S. Dickson’s own words, -“_Monsieur, on m’a débité cette réponse_.” (“The answer has been -placed to my account.”) - -[74] It is notorious, that in the bosom of the truly brave, a spark -of humanity is always smouldering, even when the ferocity of war -rouses the savage passions to the greatest fury. The case above, -that of major Toole, 32d regiment, (page 57,) that of general Pelet, -(page 132, note,) together with the anecdote of the French skirmisher -with lieutenant-colonel F. Ponsomby, (Appendix, No. VI,) prove the -difficulty of making brave men hate each other. - -[75] Good proof, were it wanting, who first drove the French back, -and led the van in pursuit. - -[76] Let it be recorded to general Pelet’s credit, that he prevented -the butchery of some Prussian prisoners, whom their captors, in their -fruitless rage, were eager to sacrifice. - -[77] _See_ Appendix, No. II, p. 216; or _Dispatches_, vol. XII, p. -488-489. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - Morning after the battle.—Extraordinary and distressing appearance - of the field.—Solicitude for the wounded.—The Duke goes back - to Brussels to consult the authorities and soothe the extreme - excitement.—Humane conduct of all classes towards the wounded.—The - allied army proceeds to Nivelles; joined by our detached - force.—His Grace issues a general order.—Overtakes the army. On - the 21st we cross the frontier into France.—Proclamation to the - French people.—Napoleon abdicates in favour of his son.—Cambray - and Péronne taken.—Narrow escape of the Duke.—Grouchy retreats - upon Paris, closely pursued by the Prussians.—The British and - Prussian armies arrive before Paris.—Combat of Issy.—Military - convention.—The allies enter the capital on the 7th of July.—Louis - XVIII enters next day.—Napoleon surrenders at sea, July 15th.—He is - exiled to St.-Helena, where he dies in 1821.—Reflections. - - -On our awaking next morning, each of us must have experienced -something like astonishment, not unmingled, I hope, with feelings of -gratitude, that amidst such carnage as he had witnessed, his life -and strength were still spared, to fight again, if need should be, -the battles of his country. We knew we had beaten the French, and -that too, completely; for our last charge had succeeded at every -point. But they were not defeated because they were deficient either -in bravery or discipline. Their bearing throughout the day was that -of gallant soldiers: their attacks were conducted with a chivalric -impetuosity and admirably sustained vigour, which left no shadow of -doubt upon our minds of their entire devotedness to the cause of -Napoleon, of their expectation of victory, and the determination of -many of them not to survive defeat. The best and bravest of them -fell; but not till they had inflicted almost equal loss upon their -conquerors. To deny them the tribute of respect and admiration which -their bravery and misfortunes claim, would tarnish the lustre of our -martial glory. The British soldier is content with victory: he abhors -insult and cruelty; he has a pleasure in being just and generous -to a fallen foe. That the French in their flight from Waterloo -were unnecessarily butchered during many hours by the exasperated -Prussians, is a fact, which I can more easily explain than justify. - -The field of battle, after the victory, presented a frightful and -most distressing spectacle. It appeared as if the whole military -world had been collected together, and that something beyond human -strength and ingenuity had been employed to cause its destruction. -Solicitude for the wounded prompted the Duke to ride back to -Brussels immediately after the sanguinary contest. The assistance -of the town authorities was requested, in collecting and removing -the wounded from the field, burying the dead, etc., as well as to -restore confidence amongst the population, and allay the extreme -excitement which prevailed throughout Belgium. Right nobly did the -inhabitants of Brussels respond to his appeal. The clergy, as might -have been expected, were foremost in their exertions to relieve the -dreadful agonies of so many gallant and innocent sufferers: the -highest in rank rivalled the hardier classes in performing the most -trying offices for the mangled heroes that filled the hospitals, and -encumbered even many private dwellings. Ladies, of the honoured names -of Mérode and Robiano set an illustrious example, by their presence -on the field the morning after the battle; the scene of carnage, so -revolting to their delicate and tender nature, stimulating, instead -of preventing, their humane exertions. Many other ladies, like -ministering angels, shared in this work of mercy to the wounded, -of whatever nation they might be, or in whatever cause they had -fallen[78]. - -The allied army proceeded on the 19th to Nivelles, (a most wonderful -military exploit after such a desperate battle,) where it was joined -by the detached force under prince Frederick and general sir Charles -Colville. His Grace overtook us on the 21st, on which day we entered -France. On the day previous to the allied army entering the country, -the Duke issued the following - - GENERAL ORDER. - - “NIVELLES, June 20th, 1815. - - “1. As the army is about to enter the French territory, the - troops of the nations which are at present under the command of - field-marshal the duke of Wellington, are desired to recollect - that their respective sovereigns are the allies of his Majesty the - king of France, and that France ought, therefore, to be treated as - a friendly country. It is therefore required that nothing should - be taken either by officers or soldiers, for which payment be not - made.... - - “2. The Field-Marshal takes this opportunity of returning to the - army his thanks for their conduct in the glorious action fought - on the 18th inst., and he will not fail to report his sense of - their conduct, in the terms which it deserves, to their several - sovereigns. - - “WELLINGTON.” - -The Duke’s head-quarters on the 21st were at Malplaquet, the scene -of one of the great Marlborough’s victories, in 1709. He immediately -issued a proclamation to the French people, which exemplifies the -wisdom, firmness and moderation that ever marked the career of our -illustrious commander. He worthily represented a brave, victorious, -but humane people, the inhabitants of the British empire. - - PROCLAMATION. - - “Be it known to the French people, that I enter their country at - the head of a victorious army, not as an enemy, (excepting to the - usurper, the declared enemy of the human race, with whom we can - have neither peace nor truce,) but to assist them to throw off the - iron yoke by which thy have been borne down. - - “For this purpose I have issued the accompanying orders to my army; - let all who shall infringe those orders be reported to me. - - “The French people, however, must be aware that I have a right to - require them so to conduct themselves, that I may be warranted in - protecting them from all aggression. - - “They will therefore provide whatever shall be demanded of them by - persons duly authorized, receiving in exchange receipts in proper - form and order: they will remain peaceably in their dwellings, and - will hold no correspondence nor communication with the usurper or - his adherents. - - “All persons abandoning their homes after our entry into France, or - absenting themselves in order to serve the usurper, shall be looked - upon as his partisans and our enemies; and their property shall be - confiscated and applied to the maintenance of the troops[79]. - - “WELLINGTON. - “Given at head-quarters, MALPLAQUET, “June 22d, 1815.” - -Whilst the Duke was addressing this language to the French people, -the fallen usurper, having awakened from his short dream of empire -and spoliation, made a last but fruitless effort to continue -to delude his discomfited partisans. On the very same day that -Wellington’s proclamation went forth from Malplaquet, Napoleon issued -the following declaration: - - “PALACE OF THE ÉLYSÉE, - June 22d, 1815. - - “FRENCH PEOPLE! - - “In commencing hostilities to uphold your national independance, - I relied upon the combined efforts and good will of all classes, - as well as the cooperation of all official persons in the country. - Hence sprang my hopes of success, and willingness to set at - defiance all the proclamations of the powers against me. - - “Circumstances appear to me to be altered. I tender myself in - sacrifice to the hatred of the enemies of France. May they be - sincere in their declarations! May their hostility really aim at - nothing but me personally! - - “My political life is at an end; and I proclaim my son, under the - name of Napoleon the Second, Emperor of the French. - - “The present ministers will constitute provisionally the council of - state. - - “My interest in my son’s well-being leads me to invite the Chambers - to proceed without delay to provide a regency by an enactment for - this purpose. - - “Make united efforts to preserve the public peace and your national - independence. - - “NAPOLEON.” - -This production neither aroused the French to make fresh sacrifices -for his sake, nor stayed the victorious march of the allies upon -Paris. - -On the 24th of June we took Cambray, which was given up on the -following day to Louis XVIII. This was the last occasion on which I -saw a shot fired in a hostile manner. - -Our first brigade of guards took Péronne on the 26th. The Duke on -this occasion had a narrow escape. After directing his staff to get -under shelter in the ditch of an outwork, he posted himself in a -sally-port of the glacis. A staff officer, having a communication -to make to his Grace, came suddenly upon him and drew the attention -of the enemy, who treacherously discharged a howitzer loaded with -grape at the point; it shattered the wall against which the Duke was -standing, and made (to use the words of one who saw him immediately -afterwards,) “his blue coat completely _red_.” - -Meanwhile Grouchy, who was at Wavre, having heard of the utter -failure of his Imperial master at Waterloo, commenced a retreat on -Paris, vigorously followed by the two Prussian corps under Thielmann -and Pirch. During this retreat, Grouchy displayed more skill, energy -and decision, than in his pursuit of the Prussians, on the 17th and -18th. - -The Prussians, who were on our left, had several sharp engagements -with the enemy during their advance upon Paris; and both armies -reached the environs of the capital on the 1st of July. Hostilities -ceased, and a military convention was signed in the evening of the -3d. On the morning of this day Zieten’s corps had a sharp action, in -which they were victors, at Issy near Paris. - -The campaign thus, by a singular coincidence, was brought to a close -by the same troops that opened it. The allied and Prussian armies -entered Paris on the 7th of July, and were followed next day by Louis -XVIII. Before the end of the month, the armies of Europe congregated -in and round Paris, amounted nearly to the enormous number of a -million of men in arms. - -Napoleon, in the mean time, had left the capital. The Emperor -surrendered at sea, on the 15th of July[80], to captain Maitland, of -the Bellerophon. By a decree of the allied powers, he was sent to -St.-Helena, where he died May 5th, 1821. - -Since these events, more than thirty years have passed over us; and -peace between the two greatest nations of the globe, England and -France, has been uninterruptedly maintained. Long may it continue, -to the honour of those whose blood and valour purchased it, and to -the lasting happiness of the civilized world! It was the prospect of -securing this immense benefit to mankind that united all European -nations against the ambition of Napoleon, and that afforded the -best comfort under the distressing sacrifices made to ensure his -overthrow. Perhaps no people benefitted by his fall so much as the -French themselves: his triumphs (often great in a military point of -view,) left nothing in their hands, whilst they filled every family -in France with mourning. The conscription was a more searching -tyranny than civilized men had ever before endured; and all this -blood flowed in vain. Our Gallic neighbours have sometimes mistaken -the tone of triumph in which we speak of the downfall of Napoleon, -and have regarded it as insulting to them: nothing is farther from -the mind and heart of the British soldier, who is always ready to -acknowledge their military excellence. - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; image of a soldier)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[78] A number of poor fellows who were carried to the houses of the -neighbouring villages, met with the most humane treatment: many there -breathed their last, under circumstances somewhat less appalling than -on the battle field. There still lives at Waterloo a most respectable -old lady, at whose house several of our officers were quartered -before the battle. Madame Boucqueau (the lady in question) saw these -gallant men go forth in the morning; they did not all return at the -close of the day. She remembers well that an officer, who appeared -to her to hold superior rank, came back to her house in the evening, -and said to her exultingly, “_Me voici encore, madame; c’est fini: -ils sont à nous_.” (“Here I am again; it is over: we have won the -day.”) The worthy dame has in her possession a silver cup, presented -to her late husband by British gratitude. As it does honour to all -parties concerned, and is a sample, no doubt, of many an interchange -of kindly feelings amidst the horrors of war, I have great pleasure -in recording here the inscription which is on this cup: - -“A small mark of grateful respect from Colonel Sir W. Robe, of the -British Royal Artillery, knight commander of the Bath, and knight -of the Tower and Sword: To Sieur Maximilian Boucqueau, of Waterloo, -for kindness in the last moments, and attention to the remains of a -beloved son, Lieutenant W. L. Robe, of the British horse artillery, -who nobly fell at Waterloo.” - -[79] _See_ the original in French, in GURWOOD, vol. XII, p. 494-495. - -[80] Those curious of historical coincidences will observe that -Napoleon opened the campaign on the 15th of June. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - English, Prussian and French official accounts of the - battle.—Marshal Grouchy’s report of the battle of Wavre.—Returns of - the different armies.—Position of the allied artillery.—Artillery, - etc., taken at Waterloo.—Questions connected with the campaign: - Wellington’s position at Waterloo.—Opinion of general - Jomini.—The Duke’s plans and expectations.—His letter to lord - Castlereagh.—Resolution of the allied powers, on receiving the - intelligence of Napoleon’s flight from Elba.—Wellington’s letter to - general Kleist.—The Duke’s decision.—His anticipations.—Obstacles - which his Grace met with.—Conduct of the Saxon troops.—Blücher - forced by them to quit Liège.—Wellington’s resolution concerning - these troops. - - -OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. - -The dispatch of the duke of Wellington, written immediately after the -battle, cannot fail to interest every one. It is a document which has -fixed the attention of statesmen and soldiers, not more on account -of the importance of the event it describes, than for the noble -simplicity, perfect calmness and exemplary modesty which characterize -the great man who penned it: it stands in honourable contrast with -the hurried, inflated, untrue accounts of military achievements not -unfrequently given by commanders of no small renown. - - (_London Gazette extraordinary._) - - “DOWNING-STREET, June 22d, 1815. - - “Major the Hon. H. Percy arrived late last night with a dispatch - from field-marshal the duke of Wellington, K.G., to Earl Bathurst, - his Majesty’s principal secretary of state for the war department, - of which the following is a copy: - - _To Earl Bathurst._ - - “WATERLOO, June 19th, 1815. - - “MY LORD, - - “Bonaparte, having collected the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 6th corps - of the French army, and the Imperial guard, and nearly all the - cavalry, on the Sambre, and between that river and the Meuse, - between the 10th and 14th of the month, advanced on the 15th, and - attacked the Prussian posts at Thuin and Lobbes, on the Sambre, - at day-light in the morning. - - “I did not hear of these events till in the evening of the 15th; - and I immediately ordered the troops to prepare to march, and - afterwards to march to their left, as soon as I had intelligence - from other quarters to prove that the enemy’s movement upon - Charleroi was the real attack. - - “The enemy drove the Prussian posts from the Sambre on that - day; and general Zieten, who commanded the corps which had been - at Charleroi, retired upon Fleurus; and marshal prince Blücher - concentrated the Prussian army upon Sombreffe, holding the - villages in front of his position of St.-Amand and Ligny. - - “The enemy continued his march along the road from Charleroi - towards Brussels; and, on the same evening, the 15th, attacked - a brigade of the army of the Netherlands, under the Prince de - Weimar, posted at Frasnes, and forced it back to the farm-house, - on the same road, called les Quatre-Bras. - - “The prince of Orange immediately reinforced this brigade with - another of the same division, under general Perponcher, and, in - the morning early, regained part of the ground which had been - lost, so as to have the command of the communication leading from - Nivelles and Brussels with marshal Blücher’s position. - - “In the mean time, I had directed the whole army to march upon - les Quatre-Bras; and the 5th division, under lieutenant-general - sir Thomas Picton, arrived at about half-past two in the day, - followed by the corps of troops under the duke of Brunswick, and - afterwards by the contingent of Nassau. - - “At this time, the enemy commenced an attack upon Prince Blücher - with his whole force, excepting the 1st and 2d corps, and a corps - of cavalry under general Kellermann, with which he attacked our - post at Les Quatre-Bras. - - “The Prussian army maintained their position with their usual - gallantry and perseverance, against a great disparity of numbers, - as the 4th corps of their army, under general Bulow, had not - joined; and I was not able to assist them as I wished, as I was - attacked myself, and the troops, the cavalry in particular, which - had a long distance to march, had not arrived. - - “We maintained our position also, and completely defeated and - repulsed all the enemy’s attempts to get possession of it. The - enemy repeatedly attacked us with a large body of infantry and - cavalry, supported by a numerous and powerful artillery. He made - several charges with the cavalry upon our infantry, but all were - repulsed in the steadiest manner. - - “In this affair, his Royal Highness the prince of Orange, the - Duke of Brunswick, and lieutenant-general sir Thomas Picton, and - majors-generals sir James Kempt and sir Denis Pack, who were - engaged from the commencement of the enemy’s attack, highly - distinguished themselves, as well as lieutenant-general Charles - baron Alten, major-general sir Colin Halkett, lieutenant-general - Cooke, and major-generals Maitland and Byng, as they successively - arrived. The troops of the 5th division, and those of the - Brunswick corps, were long and severely engaged, and conducted - themselves with the utmost gallantry. I must particularly mention - the 28th, 42d, 79th, and 92d regiments, and the battalion of - Hanoverians. - - “Our loss was great, as your Lordship will perceive by the - enclosed return; and I have particularly to regret his Serene - Highness the duke of Brunswick, who fell fighting gallantly at - the head of his troops. - - “Although marshal Blücher had maintained his position at - Sombreffe, he still found himself much weakened by the severity - of the contest in which he had been engaged, and, as the 4th - corps had not arrived, he determined to fall back and to - concentrate his army upon Wavre; and he marched in the night, - after the action was over. - - “This movement of the marshal rendered necessary a corresponding - one upon my part; and I retired from the farm of Quatre-Bras upon - Genappe, and thence upon Waterloo, the next morning, the 17th, at - ten o’clock. - - “The enemy made no effort to pursue marshal Blücher. On the - contrary, a patrol which I sent to Sombreffe in the morning found - all quiet[81]; and the enemy’s vedettes fell back as the patrol - advanced. Neither did he attempt to molest our march to the rear, - although made in the middle of the day, excepting by following, - with a large body of cavalry brought from his right, the cavalry - under the earl of Uxbridge. - - “This gave lord Uxbridge an opportunity of charging them with - the 1st life-guards, upon their _débouché_ from the village of - Genappe; upon which occasion his Lordship has declared himself to - be well satisfied with that regiment. - - “The position which I took up in front of Waterloo crossed the - high-roads from Charleroi and Nivelles, and had its right thrown - back to a ravine near Merbe-Braine, which was occupied and its - left extended to a height above the hamlet Ter-la-Haye, which was - likewise occupied. In front of the right centre, and near the - Nivelles road, we occupied the house and gardens of Hougoumont, - which covered the return of that flank; and in front of the - left centre we occupied the farm of La Haye-Sainte. By our left - we communicated with marshal prince Blücher at Wavre, through - Ohain; and the marshal had promised me that, in case we should be - attacked, he would support me with one or more corps, as might be - necessary. - - “The enemy collected his army, with the exception of the 3d - corps, which had been sent to observe marshal Blücher, on a range - of heights in our front, in the course of the night of the 17th - and yesterday morning; and at about ten o’clock he commenced a - furious attack upon our post at Hougoumont. I had occupied that - post with a detachment from general Byng’s brigade of guards, - which was in position in its rear; and it was for some time under - the command of lieutenant-colonel Macdonell, and afterwards of - colonel Home; and I am happy to add, that it was maintained - throughout the day with the utmost gallantry by these brave - troops, notwithstanding the repeated efforts of large bodies of - the enemy to obtain possession of it. - - “The attack upon the right of our centre was accompanied by a - very heavy cannonade upon our whole line, which was destined - to support the repeated attacks of cavalry and infantry, - occasionally mixed, but sometimes separate, which were made - upon it. In one of these the enemy carried the farm-house of - La Haye-Sainte, as the detachment of the light battalion of - the German legion, which occupied it, had expended all its - ammunition; and the enemy occupied the only communication there - was with them. - - “The enemy repeatedly charged our infantry with his cavalry, but - these attacks were uniformly unsuccessful; and they afforded - opportunities to our cavalry to charge, in one of which lord - Edward Somerset’s brigade, consisting of the life-guards, the - Royal horse-guards and 1st dragoon guards, highly distinguished - themselves, as did that of major-general sir William Ponsonby, - having taken many prisoners and an eagle. - - “These attacks were repeated till about seven in the evening, - when the enemy made a desperate effort with cavalry and infantry, - supported by the fire of artillery, to force our left centre, - near the farm of La Haye-Sainte, which, after a severe contest, - was defeated; and, having observed that the troops retired - from this attack in great confusion, and that the march of - general Bulow’s corps, by Frischermont, upon Plancenoit and - La Belle-Alliance, had begun to take effect, and as I could - perceive the fire of his cannon, and as marshal prince Blücher - had joined in person with a corps of his army to the left of our - line by Ohain, I determined to attack the enemy, and immediately - advanced the whole line of infantry, supported by the cavalry and - artillery. The attack succeeded in every point: the enemy was - forced from his positions on the heights, and fled in the utmost - confusion, leaving behind him, as far as I could judge, a hundred - and fifty pieces of cannon, with their ammunition, which fell - into our hands. - - “I continued the pursuit till long after dark, and then - discontinued it only on account of the fatigue of our troops, - who had been engaged during twelve hours, and because I found - myself on the same road with marshal Blücher, who assured me - of his intention to follow the enemy throughout the night. He - has sent me word this morning that he had taken sixty pieces of - cannon belonging to the Imperial guard, and several carriages, - baggage, etc., belonging to Bonaparte, in Genappe. - - “I propose to move this morning upon Nivelles, and not to - discontinue my operations. - - “Your Lordship will observe that such a desperate action could - not be fought, and such advantages could not be gained, without - great loss; and I am sorry to add that ours has been immense. In - lieutenant-general sir Thomas Picton his Majesty has sustained - the loss of an officer who has frequently distinguished himself - in his service; and he fell gloriously leading his division to a - charge with bayonets, by which one of the most serious attacks - made by the enemy on our position was repulsed. The earl of - Uxbridge, after having successfully got through this arduous day, - received a wound by almost the last shot fired, which will, I am - afraid, deprive his Majesty for some time of his services. - - “His Royal Highness the prince of Orange distinguished himself - by his gallantry and conduct till he received a wound from a - musket-ball through the shoulder, which obliged him to quit the - field. - - “It gives me the greatest satisfaction to assure your Lordship - that the army never, upon any occasion, conducted itself better. - The division of guards, under lieutenant-general Cooke, who is - severely wounded, major-general Maitland, and major-general Byng, - set an example which was followed by all; and there is no officer - nor description of troops that did not behave well. - - “I must, however, particularly mention, for his Royal Highness’s - approbation, lieutenant-general sir Henry Clinton, major-general - Adam, lieutenant-general Charles baron Alten (severely wounded), - major-general sir Colin Halkett (severely wounded), colonel - Ompteda, colonel Mitchell (commanding a brigade of the 4th - division), major-generals sir James Kempt and sir Denis Pack, - major-general Lambert, major-general lord Edward Somerset, - major-general sir William Ponsonby, major-general sir Colquhoun - Grant, and major-general sir Hussey Vivian, major-general sir J. - O. Vandeleur, and major-general count Dornberg, - - “I am also particularly indebted to general lord Hill for his - assistance and conduct upon this, as upon all former occasions. - - “The artillery and engineer departments were conducted much to - my satisfaction, by colonel sir George Wood and colonel Smith; - and I had every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of the - adjutant-general, major-general Barnes, who was wounded, and of - the quarter-master-general colonel De Lancey, who was killed by - a cannon-shot in the middle of the action. This officer is a - serious loss to his Majesty’s service, and to me at this moment. - - “I was likewise much indebted to the assistance of - lieutenant-colonel lord Fitzroy Somerset, who was severely - wounded and of the officers composing my personal staff, who have - suffered severely in this action. Lieutenant-colonel the Hon. - sir Alexander Gordon, who has died of his wounds, was a most - promising officer, and is a serious loss to his Majesty’s service. - - “General Kruse, of the Nassau service, likewise conducted himself - much to my satisfaction; as did general Tripp, commanding the - heavy brigade of cavalry, and general Vanhope, commanding a - brigade of infantry in the service of the king of the Netherlands. - - “General Pozzo di Borgo, general baron Vincent, general Müffling, - and general Alava, were in the field during the action, and - rendered me every assistance in their power. Baron Vincent is - wounded, but I hope not severely; and general Pozzo di Borgo - received a contusion. - - “I should not do justice to my own feelings, or to marshal - Blücher and the Prussian army, if I did not attribute the - successful result of this arduous day to the cordial and timely - assistance I received from them. The operation of general Bulow - upon the enemy’s flank was a most decisive one; and, even if I - had not found myself in a situation to make the attack which - produced the final result, it would have forced the enemy to - retire if his attacks should have failed, and would have - prevented him from taking advantage of them if they should - unfortunately have succeeded. - - “Since writing the above, I have received a report that - major-general sir William Ponsonby is killed; and, in announcing - this intelligence to your Lordship, I have to add the expression - of my grief for the fate of an officer who had already rendered - very brilliant and important services, and was an ornament to his - profession. - - “I send with this dispatch two eagles, taken by the troops in - this action, which major Percy will have the honour of laying at - the feet of his Royal Highness. I beg leave to recommend him to - your Lordship’s protection. - - “I have the honour to be, etc. - “WELLINGTON.” - - - _To Earl Bathurst._ - - “BRUSSELS, June 19th, 1815. - - “MY LORD, - - “I have to inform your Lordship, in addition to my dispatch of this - morning, that we have already got here five thousand prisoners, - taken in the action of yesterday, and that there are above two - thousand more coming in to-morrow. There will probably be many more. - - “Amongst the prisoners are the comte de Lobau, who commanded the - 6th corps, and general Cambronne, who commanded a division of the - guard. - - “I propose to send the whole to England, by Ostend. - - “I have the honour to be, etc. - “WELLINGTON.” - - -MARSHAL BLUCHER’S OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE PRUSSIAN -ARMY OF THE LOWER RHINE. - - (The Marshal’s account of the battle of Ligny is omitted, as, - however interesting, it does not strictly belong to this work.) - - ... “On the 17th, in the evening, the Prussian army concentrated - itself in the environs of Wavre. Napoleon put himself in motion - against lord Wellington upon the great road leading from Charleroi - to Brussels. An English division maintained, on the same day, - (16th,) near Quatre-Bras, a very severe contest with the enemy. - Lord Wellington had taken a position on the road to Brussels, - having his right wing leaning upon Braine-l’Alleud, the centre - near Mont-St.-Jean, and the left wing against La Haye-Sainte. - Lord Wellington wrote to the Field-Marshal, that he was resolved - to accept the battle in this position, if the Field-Marshal would - support him with two corps of his army. The Field-Marshal promised - to come with his whole army; he even proposed, in case Napoleon - should not attack, that the allies themselves, with their whole - united force, should attack him the next day. This may serve - to show how little the battle of the 16th had disorganized the - Prussian army, or weakened its moral strength. Thus ended the day - of the 17th.” - - - BATTLE OF THE 18TH. - - “At break of day the Prussian army again began to move. The 4th - and 2d corps marched by St.-Lambert, where they were to take a - position, covered by the forest, (near Frischermont,) to take the - enemy in the rear, when the moment should appear favourable. The - first corps was to operate by Ohain, on the right flank of the - enemy. The third corps was to follow slowly, in order to afford - succour in case of need. The battle began about ten o’clock in the - morning. The English army occupied the heights of Mont-St.-Jean; - that of the French was on the heights before Plancenoit: the former - was about 80,000 strong; the enemy had above 130,000. In a short - time, the battle became general along the whole line. It seems that - Napoleon had the design to throw the left wing upon the centre, - and thus to effect the separation of the English army from the - Prussian, which he believed to be retreating upon Maestricht. For - this purpose, he had placed the greatest part of his reserve in the - centre, against his right wing, and upon this point he attacked - with fury. The English army fought with a valour which it is - impossible to surpass. The repeated charges of the old guard were - baffled by the intrepidity of the Scottish regiments; and at every - charge the French cavalry was overthrown by the English cavalry. - But the superiority of the enemy in numbers was too great: Napoleon - continually brought forward considerable masses; and, with whatever - firmness the English troops maintained themselves in their - position, it was not possible but that such heroic exertions must - have a limit. - - “It was half-past four o’clock. The excessive difficulties of the - passage by the defile of St.-Lambert had considerably retarded the - march of the Prussian columns, so that only two brigades of the - 4th corps had arrived at the covered position which was assigned - to them. The decisive moment was come; there was not an instant to - be lost. The generals did not suffer it to escape: they resolved - immediately to begin the attack with the troops which they had at - hand. General Bulow, therefore, with two brigades and a corps of - cavalry, advanced rapidly upon the rear of the enemy’s right wing. - The enemy did not lose his presence of mind; he instantly turned - his reserve against us, and a murderous conflict began on that - side. The combat remained long uncertain, while the battle with the - English army still continued with the same violence. - - “Towards six o’clock in the evening, we received the news that - general Thielmann, with the 3d corps, was attacked near Wavre by a - very considerable corps of the enemy, and that they were already - disputing the possession of the town. The Field-Marshal, however, - did not suffer himself to be disturbed by this news; it was on the - spot where he was, and nowhere else, that the affair was to be - decided. A conflict continually supported by the same obstinacy, - and kept up by fresh troops, could alone ensure the victory, and - if it were obtained here, any reverse sustained near Wavre was - of little consequence. The columns, therefore, continued their - movements. - - “It was half an hour past seven, and the issue of the battle was - still uncertain. The whole of the 4th corps, and a part of the 2d, - under general Pirch, had successively come up. The French troops - fought with desperate fury: however, some uncertainty was perceived - in their movements, and it was observed that some pieces of cannon - were retreating. At this moment, the first columns of the corps of - general Zieten arrived on the points of attack, near the village - of Smohain, on the enemy’s right flank, and instantly charged. - This movement decided the defeat of the enemy. His right wing was - broken in three places; he abandoned his positions. Our troops - rushed forward at the _pas de charge_, and attacked him on all - sides, while, at the same time, the whole English line advanced. - - “Circumstances were extremely favourable to the attack formed by - the Prussian army: the ground rose in an amphitheatre, so that our - artillery could freely open its fire from the summit of a great - many heights which rose gradually above each other, and in the - intervals of which the troops descended into the plain, formed - into brigades, and in the greatest order; while fresh columns - continually unfolded themselves, issuing from the forest on the - height behind us. The enemy, however, still preserved means to - retreat, till the village of Plancenoit, which he had on his rear, - and which was defended by the guard, was, after several bloody - attacks, carried by storm. - - “From that time the retreat became a rout, that soon spread - throughout the whole French army, which, in its dreadful confusion, - hurrying away everything that attempted to stop it, soon assumed - the appearance of the flight of an army of barbarians. It was - half-past nine. The Field-Marshal assembled all the superior - officers, and gave orders to send the last horse and the last man - in pursuit of the enemy. - - “The van of the army accelerated its march. The French, being - pursued without intermission, were absolutely disorganized. The - causeway presented the appearance of an immense shipwreck: it - was covered with an innumerable quantity of cannon, caissons, - carriages, baggage, arms, and wrecks of every kind. Those of the - enemy who had attempted to repose for a time, and had not expected - to be so quickly pursued, were driven from more than nine bivacs. - In some villages they attempted to maintain themselves; but as - soon as they heard the beating of our drums, or the sound of the - trumpet, they either fled, or threw themselves into the houses, - where they were cut down, or made prisoners. It was moonlight, - which greatly favoured the pursuit; for the whole march was but a - continued chase, either in the corn-fields, or the houses. - - “At Genappe, the enemy had intrenched himself with cannon and - overturned carriages: at our approach, we suddenly heard in the - town a great noise, and a motion of carriages; at the entrance - we were exposed to a brisk fire of musketry: we replied by some - cannon-shot, followed by a _hurrah!_ and an instant after, the - town was ours. It was here that, among many other equipages, the - carriage of Napoleon was taken: he had just left it to mount on - horseback, and, in his hurry, had forgotten in it his sword and - hat. Thus the affairs continued till break of day. About forty - thousand men, in the most complete disorder, the remains of the - whole army have saved themselves, retreating through Charleroi, - partly without arms, and carrying with them only twenty-seven - pieces of their numerous artillery. - - “The enemy, in his flight, had passed all his fortresses, the only - defence of his frontiers, which are now passed by our armies. - - “At three o’clock, Napoleon had dispatched, from the field of - battle, a courier to Paris, with the news that victory was no - longer doubtful: a few hours after, he had no longer any army - left. We have not yet an exact account of the enemy’s loss; it is - enough to know, that two thirds of the whole were killed, wounded, - or prisoners: among the latter are generals Mouton (de Lobau), - Duhesme, and Compans. Up to this time, about three hundred cannon, - and above five hundred caissons, are in our hands. - - “Few victories have been so complete; and there is certainly no - example that an army two days after losing a battle, engaged in - such an action, and so gloriously maintained it. Honour be to - troops capable of so much firmness and valour! - - “In the middle of the position occupied by the French army, and - exactly upon the height, is a farm called _La Belle-Alliance_. The - march of all the Prussian columns was directed towards this farm, - which was visible from every side. It was there that Napoleon was - during the battle; it was thence that he gave his orders, that - he flattered himself with the hopes of victory; and it was there - that his ruin was decided. There, too, it was, that, by a happy - chance, field-marshal Blücher and lord Wellington met in the dark, - and mutually saluted each other as victors. In commemoration of - the alliance which now subsists between the English and Prussian - nations, of the union of the two armies, and their reciprocal - confidence, the Field-Marshal desired, that this battle should - bear the name of _La Belle-Alliance_. - - “By order of field-marshal Blücher, - “General GNEISENAU.” - - -FRENCH OFFICIAL ACCOUNT. - - “PARIS, June 21st, 1815. - - “_Battle of Mont-St.-Jean._ - - “At nine in the morning, the rain having somewhat abated, the 1st - corps put itself in motion, and placed itself with the left, on the - road to Brussels, and opposite the village of Mont-St.-Jean, which - appeared the centre of the enemy’s position. The 2d corps leaned - its right upon the road to Brussels, and its left upon a small - wood, within cannon-shot of the English army. The cuirassiers were - in reserve behind, and the guard in reserve upon the heights. The - 6th corps, with the cavalry of general Domont, under the order of - count de Lobau, was destined to proceed in rear of our right to - oppose a Prussian corps, which appeared to have escaped marshal - Grouchy, and to intend to fall upon our right flank; an intention - which had been made known to us by our reports, and by the letter - of a Prussian general, enclosing an order of battle, and which was - taken by our light troops. - - “The troops were full of ardour. We estimated the force of the - English army at eighty thousand men. We supposed that the Prussian - corps, which might be in line towards the right, might be fifteen - thousand men. The enemy’s force, then, was upwards of ninety - thousand men; ours less numerous. - - “At noon, all the preparations being terminated, prince Jérôme, - commanding a division of the second corps, and destined to form - the extreme left of it, advanced upon the wood of which the enemy - occupied a part. The cannonade began. The enemy supported, with - thirty pieces of cannon, the troops he had sent to keep the wood. - We made also on our side dispositions of artillery. At one o’clock, - prince Jérôme was master of all the wood, and the whole English - army fell back behind a curtain. Count d’Erlon then attacked the - village of Mont-St.-Jean, and supported his attack with eighty - pieces of cannon, which must have occasioned great loss to the - English army. All the efforts were made towards the ridge. A - brigade of the 1st division of count d’Erlon took the village of - Mont-St.-Jean; a second brigade was charged by a corps of English - cavalry, which occasioned it much loss. At the same moment, a - division of English cavalry charged the battery of count d’Erlon - by its right, and disorganized several pieces; but the cuirassiers - of general Milhaut charged that division, three regiments of which - were broken and cut up. - - “It was three in the afternoon. The Emperor made the guard - advance, to place it in the plain upon the ground which the first - corps had occupied at the outset of the battle; this corps being - already in advance. The Prussian division, whose movement had been - foreseen, then engaged with the light troops of count de Lobau, - spreading its fire upon our whole right flank. It was expedient, - before undertaking anything elsewhere, to wait for the event of - his attack. Hence, all the means in reserve were ready to succour - count de Lobau, and overwhelm the Prussian corps when it should be - advanced. - - “This done, the Emperor had the design of leading an attack upon - the village of Mont-St.-Jean, from which we expected decisive - success; but, by a movement of impatience so frequent in our - military annals, and which has often been so fatal to us, the - cavalry of reserve having perceived a retrograde movement made by - the English to shelter themselves from our batteries, from which - they suffered so much, crowned the heights of Mont-St.-Jean, and - charged the infantry. This movement, which made in time, and - supported by the reserves, must have decided the day, made in an - isolated manner and before affairs on the right were terminated, - became fatal. - - “Having no means of countermanding it, the enemy showing many - masses of cavalry and infantry, and our two divisions of - cuirassiers being engaged, all our cavalry ran at the same moment - to support their comrades. There, for three hours, numerous charges - were made, which enabled us to penetrate several squares, and to - take six standards of the light infantry, an advantage out of - proportion with the loss which our cavalry experienced by the - grape-shot and musket-firing. It was impossible to dispose of our - reserves of infantry until we had repulsed the flank attack of the - Prussian corps. This attack always prolonged itself perpendicularly - upon our right flank. The Emperor sent thither general Duhesme - with the young guard, and several batteries of reserve. The enemy - was kept in check, repulsed, and fell back: he had exhausted his - forces, and we had nothing more to fear. It was this moment that - was indicated for an attack upon the centre of the enemy. As the - cuirassiers suffered by the grape-shot, we sent four battalions of - the middle guard to protect the cuirassiers, keep the position, - and, if possible, disengage and draw back into the plain a part of - our cavalry. - - “Two other battalions were sent to keep themselves _en potence_ - upon the extreme left of the division which had manœuvred upon our - flanks, in order not to have any uneasiness on that side; the rest - was disposed in reserve, part to occupy the _potence_ in rear of - Mont-St.-Jean, part upon the ridge in rear of the field of battle, - which formed our position of retreat. - - “In this state of affairs, the battle was gained; we occupied - all the positions which the enemy occupied at the outset of the - battle: our cavalry having been too soon and ill employed, we could - no longer hope for decisive success; but marshal Grouchy, having - learned the movement of the Prussian corps, marched upon the rear - of that corps, which ensured us a signal success for next day. - After eight hours’ fire and charges of infantry and cavalry, all - the army saw with joy the battle gained, and the field of battle in - our power. - - “At half after eight o’clock, the four battalions of the middle - guard, who had been sent to the ridge on the other side of - Mont-St.-Jean, in order to support the cuirassiers, being greatly - annoyed by the grape-shot, endeavoured to carry the batteries with - the bayonet. At the end of the day, a charge directed against - their flank, by several English squadrons, put them in disorder. - The fugitives recrossed the ravine. Several regiments, near at - hand, seeing some troops belonging to the guard in confusion, - believed it was the old guard, and in consequence were thrown into - disorder. Cries of ‘All is lost, the guard is driven back!’ were - heard on every side. The soldiers pretend even that on many points - ill-disposed persons cried out, ‘_Sauve qui peut!_’ However this - may be, a complete panic at once spread itself throughout the whole - field of battle, and they threw themselves in the greatest disorder - on the line of communication: soldiers, cannoneers, caissons, all - pressed to this point; the old guard, which was in reserve, was - infected, and was itself hurried along. - - “In an instant, the whole army was nothing but a mass of confusion; - all the soldiers, of all arms, were mixed pell-mell, and it - was utterly impossible to rally a single corps. The enemy, who - perceived this astonishing confusion, immediately attacked with - their cavalry, and increased the disorder, and such was the - confusion, owing to night coming on, that it was impossible to - rally the troops, and point out to them their error. Thus a battle - terminated, a day of false manœuvres rectified, the greatest - success ensured for the next day: all was lost by a moment of panic - terror. Even the squadrons of _service_, drawn up by the side of - the Emperor, were overthrown and disorganized by these tumultuous - waves, and there was then nothing else to be done but to follow the - torrent. The parks of reserve, the baggage which had not repassed - the Sambre, in short everything that was on the field of battle, - remained in the power of the enemy. It was impossible to wait for - the troops on our right; every one knows what the bravest army in - the world is when thus mixed and thrown into confusion, and when - its organization no longer exists. - - “The Emperor crossed the Sambre at Charleroi, at five o’clock in - the morning of the 19th. Philippeville and Avesnes have been given - as the points of reunion. Prince Jérôme, general Morand, and other - generals have there already rallied a part of the army. Marshal - Grouchy, with the corps on the right, is moving on the lower Sambre. - - “The loss of the enemy must have been very great, if we may judge - from the number of standards we have taken from him, and from the - retrograde movements which he made; ours cannot be calculated - till after troops shall have been collected. Before the disorder - broke out, we had already experienced a very considerable loss, - particularly in our cavalry, so fatally, though so bravely engaged. - Notwithstanding these losses, this brave cavalry constantly kept - the position it had taken from the English, and only abandoned it - when the tumult and disorder of the field of battle forced it. In - the midst of the night, and the obstacles which encumbered their - route, it could not preserve its own organization. - - “The artillery has, as usual, covered itself with glory. The - carriages belonging to the head-quarters remained in their ordinary - position; no retrograde movement being judged necessary. In the - course of the night they fell into the enemy’s hands. - - “Such has been the issue of the battle of Mont-St.-Jean, glorious - for the French armies, and yet so fatal.” - - -MARSHAL GROUCHY’S OFFICIAL REPORT TO NAPOLEON. - - “DINANT, June 20th, 1815. - - “It was not till after seven in the evening of the 18th of June, - that I received the letter of the duke of Dalmatia, (Soult,) - which directed me to march on St.-Lambert, and to attack general - Bulow. I fell in with the enemy as I was marching on Wavre. He - was immediately driven into Wavre, and general Vandamme’s corps - attacked that town, and was warmly engaged. The portion of Wavre, - on the right of the Dyle, was carried: but much difficulty was - experienced in debouching, on the other side; general Gérard was - wounded by a ball in the breast, whilst endeavouring to carry the - mill of Bierge, in order to pass the river, but where he did not - succeed; and lieutenant-general Aix had been killed in the attack - on the town. In this state of things, being impatient to cooperate - with your Majesty’s army on that important day, I detached several - corps to force the passage of the Dyle and march against Bulow. - The corps of Vandamme, in the mean time, maintained the attack on - Wavre, and on the mill, whence the enemy showed an intention to - debouch, but which I did not conceive he was capable of effecting. - I arrived at Limal, passed the river, and the heights were carried - by the division of Vichery and the cavalry. Night did not permit us - to advance farther, and I no longer heard the cannon on the side - where your Majesty was engaged. - - “I halted in this situation until day-light. Wavre and Bierge were - occupied by the Prussians, who, at three in the morning of the - 19th, attacked in their turn, wishing to take advantage of the - difficult position in which I was, and expecting to drive me into - the defile, and take the artillery which had debouched, and make me - repass the Dyle. Their efforts were fruitless. The Prussians were - repulsed, and the village of Bierge taken. The brave general Penne - was killed. - - “General Vandamme then passed one of his divisions by Bierge, - and carried with ease the heights of Wavre, and along the - whole of my line the success was complete. I was in front of - Rosières, preparing to march on Brussels, when I received the sad - intelligence of the loss of the battle of Waterloo. The officer - who brought it informed me, that your Majesty was retreating on - the Sambre, without being able to indicate any particular point - on which I should direct my march. I ceased to pursue, and began - my retrograde movement. The retreating enemy did not think of - following me. - - “Learning that the enemy had already passed the Sambre and was on - my flank, and not being sufficiently strong to make a diversion - in favour of your Majesty, without compromising the troops under - my command, I marched on Namur. At this moment, the rear of - the columns were attacked. That of the left made a retrograde - movement sooner than was expected, which endangered, for a moment, - the retreat of the left; but good dispositions soon repaired - everything, and two pieces which had been taken were recovered by - the brave 20th dragoons, who, besides, took a howitzer from the - enemy. We entered Namur without loss. The long defile which extends - from this place to Dinant, in which only a single column can - march, and the embarrassment arising from the numerous transports - of wounded, rendered it necessary to hold for a considerable time - the town, where I had not the means of blowing up the bridge. I - intrusted the defence of Namur to general Vandamme, who, with his - usual intrepidity, maintained himself there till eight in the - evening; so that nothing was left behind, and I occupied Dinant. - - “The enemy has lost some thousands of men in the attack on Namur, - where the contest was very obstinate; the troops have performed - their duty in a manner worthy of praise. - - “DE GROUCHY.” - - - +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ - | STRENGTH OF THE ALLIED ARMY AT WATERLOO, AND ITS LOSS. | - +--------------------+--------+-------+-------+--------+-----+--------+ - | | | | | TOTAL | |Killed, | - | | CAVALRY.| ARTIL-| under | |wounded | - | DESIGNATION. |INFANTRY. | LERY. | arms. |GUNS.| and | - | | | | | | |missing.| - +--------------------+--------+-------+-------+--------+-----+--------+ - |British | 15,181 | 5,843 | 2,967 | 23,991 | 78 | 6,932 | - |King’s German Legion| 3,301 | 1,967 | 526 | 5,824 | 18 | 589 | - |Hanoverians | 10,258 | 497 | 465 | 11,220 | 12 | 1,602 | - |Brunswickers | 4,586 | 866 | 510 | 5,962 | 16 | 660 | - |Nassauers | 2,880 | ” | ” | 2,880 | ” | 643 | - |Dutch-Belgians | 13,402 | 3,205 | 1,177 | 17,784 | 32 | 4,000 | - +--------------------+--------+-------+-------+--------+-----+--------+ - | Total | 49,608 |12,408 | 5,645 | 67,661 | 156 | 14,426 | - +--------------------+--------+-------+-------+--------+-----+--------+ - | | - | British, killed and wounded, on the 16th, at Quatre-Bras: 2,504. On | - | the 17th, in the retreat to the Waterloo position: 108. | - | | - | The greater number of the men (1,875) returned as missing, had gone | - | to the rear with wounded officers and soldiers, and joined | - | afterwards. The officers are supposed killed. | - | | - | The names of British officers, killed and wounded, may be seen in | - | the Appendix, No. IV. | - | | - +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ - - +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ - | PRUSSIAN FORCE AT WATERLOO, | - | A PORTION OF WHICH BECAME ENGAGED TOWARDS THE CLOSE OF THE DAY. | - +----------------------------------+---------+--------+-----------+ - | | | |ARTILLERY. | - | ARRIVED ON THE FIELD |INFANTRY.|CAVALRY.|-----------| - | | | |MEN. |GUNS.| - +----------------------------------+---------+--------+-----+-----+ - | About half-past five o’clock P.M.| 12,043 | 2,720 | 783| 40 | - | At three quarters after six | 13,338 | ” | 360| 24 | - | At a quarter before eight | 15,902 | 6,138 | 660| 40 | - | +---------+--------+-----+-----+ - | Total | 41,283 | 8,858 |1,803| 104 | - | | | | | | - | General total in the field 51,944 men. | 104 | - +-----------------------------------------------------------+-----+ - | | - | Loss at Waterloo, in killed, wounded and missing: 6,682 men. | - | | - +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ - - +---------------------------------------------------------------+ - | STRENGTH OF THE FRENCH ARMY IN THE FIELD AT WATERLOO. | - +------------------------------+---------+--------+-------------+ - | | | | ARTILLERY. | - | DESIGNATION. |INFANTRY.|CAVALRY.|-------------| - | | | | MEN. |GUNS.| - +------------------------------+---------+--------+-------+-----+ - | Imperial Guard | 12,000 | 4,000 | 2,400 | 96 | - | 1st Corps | 17,600 | 1,400 | 1,564 | 46 | - | 2d ” | 15,750 | 1,865 | 1,861 | 38 | - | 6th ” | 6,600 | ” | 1,007 | 30 | - | 3d Cavalry Corps | ” | 3,300 | 300 | 12 | - | 4th ” ” | ” | 3,300 | 300 | 12 | - | 3d Cavalry Division | ” | 1,400 | 150 | 6 | - | 5th ” ” | ” | 1,250 | 150 | 6 | - | +---------+--------+-------+-----+ - | Total | 51,950 | 16,515 | 7,732 | 246 | - | +---------+--------+-------+-----+ - | Deduct for previous losses| 3,000 | 750 | 500 | ” | - | +---------+--------+-------+-----+ - | Under arms | 48,950 | 15,765 | 7,232 | 246 | - | | | | | | - | General total in the field 71,947 men. | | - +---------------------------------------------------------+-----+ - -The French loss has been computed at nearly fifty thousand men during -the campaign. - -Of the French generals, De Lobau (Mouton), Compans, Duhesme and -Cambronne were made prisoners; and Girard, Devaux, Letort, Penne, -Michel, Aix and Baudouin killed. - -Perhaps we cannot arrive at a more accurate notion of the loss of -the enemy than that conveyed by Ney, in his speech in the Chamber of -Peers, four days after the battle, to which the reader’s notice is -drawn (page 207): “Not a man of the guard will ever rally more. I -myself witnessed their total extermination: they are annihilated.” -And everybody knows that Napoleon always husbanded the guard, at the -cost of all his other troops. “Their total extermination” implies -then that the whole army was utterly routed. - -The slaughter, in the absence of official reports, must be left to be -computed by the sober judgment of the reader. - -The French force detached under Grouchy to observe the Prussians -amounted to thirty-two thousand men, and a hundred and four guns. - - -POSITIONS OF THE ALLIED ARTILLERY TOWARDS THE CLOSE OF THE BATTLE. - -On the right, close to the Nivelles road, the Brunswick guns. -Stretching towards the left, major Bull’s (howitzers), captain N. -Ramsey’s, major Webber Smith’s, captain Mercer’s, major Symper’s -(German), captain Sandham’s, major Beane’s batteries; and captain -Bolton’s, at the angle between Adam’s left and Maitland’s right. -Captain Sinclair’s battery. Major Vandersmissen’s batteries, at the -interval between Halkett’s brigade. Major Lloyd’s, major sir H. -Ross’s batteries. Major sir R. Gardner’s battery, advancing. Major -Whinyate’s (rocket), major Braun’s (German), major Rogers’ batteries. -A Dutch-Belgian battery. Major Rettberg’s (German), just relieved -by a Prussian battery. A Dutch-Belgian battery. Major Kuhlman’s and -captain Cleeve’s (German) batteries, advancing on the high-road, -after refitting. Five Dutch-Belgian guns near Ditmers’ brigade. - - -ARTILLERY TAKEN BY THE ALLIED ARMY AT WATERLOO. - - 12-pounder guns 35 - 6 do. do. 57 - 6-inch howitzers 13 - 24-pounder do. 17 - --- - Total guns 122 - - 12-pounder spare gun-carriages 6 - 6 do. do. 8 - Howitzer do. 6 - 12-pounder waggons. 74 - 6 do. do. 71 - Howitzer do. 50 - Forge do. 20 - Imperial guard do. 52 - --- - General total 409 - --- - -Exclusive of those taken by the Prussians, on the field and in the -pursuit. - -Our readers will give us credit for having observed a strict -impartiality throughout our narrative of the battle; and in the same -spirit would we desire to discuss those questions relating to it, -which have given rise to so many false and exaggerated statements. - -The first subject of controversy we shall notice, is the strange, -but oft repeated charge, against Wellington’s military judgment, in -choosing his position in front of Mont-St.-Jean, with a forest in his -rear, _in case of defeat_. I must be excused if I show some little -indignation at the repetition of this charge; a British soldier must -be allowed to be as jealous of the fame of his illustrious commander, -as our gallant opponents were of that of their idolized Napoleon. -Well, what is the charge? That the Waterloo position was not well -chosen for a retreat, having defiles and a wood in its rear. - -We begin our examination of this point by remarking that Wellington -chose the position, not in a hurry, nor because he was forced -to do so, but most deliberately, and after having thoroughly -reconnoitred it. He chose it with the conviction that he could well -maintain it until the Prussians could form a junction with him; this -accomplished, he knew that the French would not have a single chance -left. He had but one apprehension; namely, that the enemy would push -on by Hal, and turn the allied right. But Napoleon’s holding us too -cheap, his impetuosity, or his desperation, brought him headlong -upon our chosen position: the very best for our purposes between -Charleroi and Brussels. Let the event assist the impartial reader -in deciding which commander showed the better judgment in selecting -his ground for action. But as far as the Duke is concerned, it is -quite unnecessary to say anything in his defence. Nor should we -have attempted to give a description of the Waterloo position, but -for the judgment of Napoleon, at least as coming to us through the -generals de Montholon, Gourgaud, de Las-Cases, Mr. O’Meara, etc., -being so directly at variance with that practicality shown by the -duke of Wellington, who, we supposed, had previously both taken up -and successfully defended too many positions, not to know the local -requisites of a good one, and particularly as opposed to a French -army. Waterloo was not fixed upon at the spur of the moment, as I -have elsewhere shown; in addition to which, the Duke, his staff, and -most of our generals were so often over the ground before the battle, -that the farmers complained of the damage done thereby to their -crops. It may be well to observe, for the information of those who -are unacquainted with the position and localities, that the main-road -from the field of Waterloo to Brussels is a very wide and well paved -one. The road to the capital by Braine-l’Alleud and Alsemberg is also -paved[82]. Several cross-roads, in rear of our position, likewise -traverse the forest of Soigne, and communicate with the high-road -between this and Brussels. The trees of the forest, and the hedges, -banks, and buildings on the sides of the roads, would have afforded -excellent protection to light troops covering a retreat, and have -materially aided to keep the pursuing enemy at bay. Close in rear -of the allied army and along the verge of the wood, was a most -advantageous ridge, which might have offered an excellent second -position, and from whence the guns could command everything within -their range. The forest of Soigne itself, composed of lofty trees, -afforded a shelter which resolute men could not be easily driven -from: being nearly free from underwood, it was everywhere passable -for broken infantry and cavalry, and from which no earthly force -could have dislodged us, unless we willed it. When the duke of -Wellington, some years after the battle, was asked what he would have -done, had he been driven from his position at Waterloo, his Grace -replied, “I should have gone into the wood.” The impartial opinion of -the celebrated and able military writer Jomini may with propriety be -here cited: - -“We have said that one of the essentials in a position is, that -it should offer the means of retreat; which brings us to the -consideration of a question created by the battle of Waterloo. -Supposing an army to be posted in front of a forest, having a -good road behind its centre and each of its wings; would it be -compromised, as Napoleon asserts, in the event of its losing the -battle? For my own part, I think, on the contrary, that such a -position would be more favourable for retreating, than if the country -were perfectly open; since a beaten army cannot traverse a plain -without being exposed to the utmost danger. Doubtless, if the retreat -should degenerate into a disorderly flight, a portion of the guns -remaining in battery in front of the forest would probably be lost; -but the infantry, the cavalry, and the rest of the artillery, would -be able to retire with as much facility as across a plain. But if, -on the contrary, the retreat takes place with order, nothing can -possibly protect it better than a forest: provided always, there -exist at least two good roads behind the lines; that the enemy be not -allowed to press too close, before the requisite measures preparatory -to retiring are thought of; and that no lateral movement shall enable -the enemy to anticipate the army at the outlets from the forest, as -happened at Hohenlinden. It would also greatly tend to secure the -retreat, if, as was the case at Waterloo, the forest should form a -concave line behind the centre; for such a bend would then become a -regular _place d’armes_, in which to collect the troops and afford -time to file them successively into the high-road[83]”. - -General Jomini’s doctrine, with the grounds on which it clearly -rests, will have more weight with the honest reader, (be he a -military man or a civilian, Frenchman or an Englishman,) than the -fond opinions of Napoleon’s admirers. - -Let us now turn to the Duke of Wellington’s plans and expectations, -and we shall have ample evidence of his quick perception, consummate -skill and unrivalled judgment. - -The Duke was at Vienna at the moment the news reached him of -Bonaparte’s escape from Elba, and of his landing in France. The -following letter records the first impressions made by this event -in the Austrian capital, and the full conviction which Wellington -immediately felt, that the enemy of Europe’s peace would be speedily -overthrown. - - _To Viscount Castlereagh, K. G._ - - “VIENNA, March 12th, 1815. - - “MY LORD, - - “I received here, on the 7th instant, a dispatch from lord - Burghersh, of the 1st, giving an account that Bonaparte had quitted - the island of Elba, with all his civil and military officers, and - about twelve hundred troops, on the 26th of February. I immediately - communicated this account to the emperors of Austria and Russia, to - the king of Prussia, and to the ministers of the different powers, - and I found among all one prevailing sentiment, of a determination - to unite their efforts to support the system established by the - peace of Paris. - - “As it was uncertain to what quarter Bonaparte had gone, whether - he would not return to Elba, or would even land on any part of the - continent, it was agreed that it was best to postpone the adoption - of any measure till his farther progress should be ascertained; and - we have since received accounts from Genoa, stating that he had - landed in France, near Cannes, on the 1st of March; had attempted - to get possession of Antibes, and had been repulsed, and that he - was on his march towards Grasse. - - “No accounts had been received at Paris as late as the middle of - the day of the 5th, of his having quitted Elba, nor any accounts, - from any quarter, of his farther progress. - - “In the mean time, the sovereigns, and all persons assembled - here, are impressed with the importance of the crisis which this - circumstance occasions in the affairs of the world. All are - desirous of bringing to an early conclusion the business of the - Congress, in order that the whole and undivided attention and - exertion of all may be directed against the common enemy; and I do - not entertain the smallest doubt that, even if Bonaparte should - be able to form a party for himself in France, capable of making - head against the legitimate government of that country, such a - force will be assembled by the powers of Europe, directed by such a - spirit in their councils, as must get the better of him. - - “The emperors of Austria and Russia and the king of Prussia have - dispatched letters to the king of France, to place at his Majesty’s - disposal all their respective forces; and Austrian and Prussian - officers are dispatched with the letters, with powers to order the - movement of the troops of their respective countries placed on the - French frontiers, at the suggestion of the king of France. - - “The plenipotentiaries of the eight powers who signed the treaty - of Paris, assembled this evening, and have resolved to publish a - declaration, in which they will, in the name of their sovereigns, - declare their firm resolution to maintain the peace and all its - articles, with all their force, if necessary. I enclose the draught - of what is proposed to be published, which, with the alteration of - some expressions and the omission of one or two paragraphs, will, I - believe, be adopted. - - “Upon the whole, I assure your Lordship that I am perfectly - satisfied with the spirit which prevails here upon this occasion; - and I do not entertain the smallest doubt that, if unfortunately it - should be possible for Bonaparte to hold at all against the king - of France, he must fall under the cordially united efforts of the - sovereigns of Europe. - - “I have the honour to be, etc. - “WELLINGTON.” - -The Duke, though strongly urged by the allied sovereigns of Austria, -Prussia and Russia to start for the Netherlands, remained in Vienna -until he had completed his duties at the Congress, and received -orders from England to take the command of the troops assembling in -the Low-Countries. He arrived at Brussels early in April. In less -than twenty-four hours, he was master of the state of things, and -immediately wrote the following dispatch - - _To General Kleist._ - - “BRUSSELS, April 5th, 1815. - - “GENERAL, - - “I arrived here during last night: I have spent the day in - endeavouring to make myself master of the state of affairs. - - “The reports respecting the situation, number and the intentions - of the enemy are always excessively vague: but it appears to me we - ought to be prepared against a surprise (_coup de main_) which he - might be tempted to try at any moment. - - “There can be no doubt that it would be an immense advantage to - him to make us retrograde with the troops which we have in front - of Brussels; to drive before him the king of France and the Royal - family, and to compel the king of the Netherlands, with his - establishments newly formed here, to make a retreat. This would - be a terrible blow in public opinion, both here and in France: - and, according to his usual management, (_allure_), the news of - his success would be known throughout France, whilst that of any - reverse that might happen to him would be concealed from everybody. - - “After having placed 13,400 men as garrisons in Mons, Tournay, - Ypres, Ostend, Nieuport and Antwerp, I can get together about - 23,000 good troops, English and Hanoverian; amongst them about - five thousand excellent cavalry. This number will be increased in - a few days, especially in cavalry and artillery. I can also bring - up 20,000 Dutch and Belgian troops, including two thousand cavalry; - the whole having about sixty pieces of cannon. - - “My opinion is, that we ought to take measures to unite the - whole Prussian army with this allied Anglo-Dutch army in front - of Brussels; and that, with this view, the troops under your - Excellency’s command should, without loss of time, march along the - Maese, and take up cantonments between Charleroi, Namur and Huy. - - “By this disposition, we shall be sure to save this country, so - interesting to the allied powers: we shall cover the concentration - of their forces on the Rhine; and we shall escape the evils which - would inevitably result from a sudden retreat in our actual - circumstances. At the same time, your Excellency would be just as - able as you are in your present position, to march your troops to - any point required by the service of the king; and we should have - for our numerous cavalry a field of battle as favourable as any in - the rear of Brussels. - - “I beg your Excellency to take these reasons into consideration, - and to let me know your determination; in order that I may decide - what measures I ought to take in case I should be attacked, if your - Excellency should judge more fit to remain where you are. - - “I ought to apprize your Excellency, that the king of the - Netherlands has given orders for providing your troops with all - they may want upon their advance into this country. - - “WELLINGTON.” - -Our readers will remark in this letter the Duke’s prompt decision on -the importance of an immediate junction of a large Prussian force -with the British allied army, and of protecting Brussels at all -hazards. We shall see how much stress Napoleon laid upon keeping the -British and the Prussians apart, and upon making a dash at Brussels. -These two great commanders then took the same view: but the Duke’s -vigilance and energy baffled all Napoleon’s exertions against the -English allied army and the city of Brussels: the Prussians would -have suffered less at Ligny, if the Duke’s earnest entreaty for the -earliest possible junction of the allies had been duly appreciated. -Wellington also correctly anticipated, from the first moment, that -Charleroi and its vicinity would probably be the point selected by -Napoleon for his irruption into the Netherlands. - -It seems from a letter dated 15th of April 1815, of the Duke to -Gneisenau, that he had ascertained that two corps of the enemy, -composed of 45,000 infantry and 7,200 cavalry, were in his front -between the Sambre and the sea: he immediately set off to reconnoitre -the whole frontier: this occupied him four days. - -By reference to the “SECRET MEMORANDUM” in the Appendix, No. 1, it -may be seen how prompt, energetic and comprehensive were the measures -resolved upon by the duke of Wellington. As early as the 30th of -April, he wrote to lord Uxbridge, “All the dispositions are so made -that the whole army can be collected in one short movement, with the -Prussians on our left.” - -One of Wellington’s difficulties in preparing for the contest, was -the motley character of some of the foreign troops placed, or offered -to be placed, under his command. Some Saxon troops in particular drew -from him very severe, but characteristic strictures and contempt, as -appears from the subjoined documents: - - _To the Earl of Clancarty, G. C. B._ - - “BRUSSELS, May 3d, 1815. - - “The Saxons mutinied last night at Liège, and obliged poor old - Blücher to quit the town; the cause of the mutiny was the order to - divide the corps, and that the Prussian part, in which the guards - were included, should take the oath of allegiance to the king of - Prussia. - - “We hear of Bonaparte’s quitting Paris, and of the march of troops - to this frontier, in order to attack us. I met Blücher at Tirlemont - this day, and received from him the most satisfactory assurances of - support. - - “For an action in Belgium I can now put seventy thousand men into - the field, and Blücher eighty thousand; so that, I hope, we should - give a good account even of Bonaparte. - - “I am not satisfied with our delays. - - “WELLINGTON.” - - - _To Prince Hardenberg._ - - “BRUSSELS, May 3d, 1815. - - “MY DEAR PRINCE, - - “I have received your letter of the 23d of April, and I regret - that there has been a difference of opinion about the troops to be - sent to this army. I am perfectly indifferent as to whether I have - many or few foreign soldiers under my orders, and as it appears - that prince Blücher and the Prussian officers are not disposed to - let me be beaten by superior numbers, I am satisfied. - - “As to the Saxons, your Highness will probably receive by this same - opportunity the reports of their conduct yesterday evening: and - as I have not enough of good troops to be able to detach any of - them to watch a body of men disposed to mutiny, I think I shall do - best in having nothing to do with such troops; and if they do not - get out of the affair of last evening in an honourable manner, and - consistently with the military character, in spite of my respect - for the powers who have placed them at my disposal, I shall beg to - decline taking them under my command. - - “WELLINGTON.” - -Writing to sir Henry Hardinge, two days afterwards, the Duke observes -that: - -“The Saxon troops, it is very obvious, will be of no use to anybody -during the war; and our object must be to prevent them from doing -mischief.... I do not think fourteen thousand men will have much -weight in deciding the fate of the war. But the most fatal of all -measures will be to have fourteen thousand men in the field who -cannot be trusted; and who will require nearly as many more good -troops to observe them.” - -These Saxon mutineers were, at the suggestion of the Duke, -immediately sent off as prisoners, through Holland and Hanover, into -Prussia, by the orders of marshal Blücher. But for this foresight and -determined maintenance of military discipline, much greater mischief -would have ensued amongst certain contingents of the allied troops, -who, as it was, by their doubtful attachment to the cause in which -they were enlisted and unsoldierlike behaviour in the field, provoked -many a hearty curse on the day of Waterloo. - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; decorative separator)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[81] Lieutenant-colonel the Hon. sir Alexander Gordon was sent, -escorted by captain John Grey’s troop of the 10th hussars, to -ascertain the real line of retreat of the Prussians, and to -communicate with their head-quarters, as to cooperation with the -British army, which was ordered to retire to the position in front of -Waterloo. - -[82] Most writers on Waterloo, particularly those from St.-Helena, -appear totally ignorant of the existence of this road. - -[83] _Art of War_, page 598. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - Napoleon’s plans of campaign.—His letter to Ney, and proclamation - to the Belgians.—His sanguine expectations, and utter - disappointment.—Opinions of French authors on the circumstance of - Napoleon’s not reaching Brussels.—Their inconsistencies.—Desire - of Napoleon to make his marshals responsible for errors he - committed.—Opinion of M. de Vaulabelle.—Napoleon’s charges against - Grouchy; impossibility of the latter’s preventing a portion of - the Prussians reaching the field of Waterloo.—The Emperor’s - charges against Ney refuted.—Admirable conduct of Ney during the - campaign.—Mode of history-writing at St.-Helena.—The battle not - fought against the French nation.—Napoleon’s character.—Motley - composition and equivocal loyalty of part of the allied - army.—Refutation of the charge that the Duke was taken by surprise; - credulity of some English writers on this subject.—His Grace’s - admirable precaution.—Foreign statements, that the Prussians saved - us, examined.—The tardy cooperation of the Prussians produced, - not the defeat, but the total rout of the French.—Conversation of - Napoleon at St.-Helena.—Gourgaud’s account.—Opinions of the Duke - and lord Hill.—Ney’s testimony in the Chamber of Peers. - - -What were Napoleon’s plans, and how sanguine were his expectations, -will be placed beyond all doubt by the following letter, written to -the prince de la Moskowa, the renowned Ney, who had joined the army -but the evening before, and by his proclamation addressed to the -Belgians. - - _To the Prince de la Moskowa._ - - “CHARLEROI, June 16th, 1815. - - “COUSIN, - - “I send you the present letter by my aide-de-camp, general Flahaut. - The Major-General (Soult) must have already dispatched orders to - you, but you will receive these sooner, because my officers are - faster than his. You will receive the general order of the day; but - I wish to write to you in detail, because it is of the very highest - importance. - - “I advance marshal Grouchy with the third and fourth corps of - infantry upon Sombreffe, and my guard upon Fleurus, where I shall - be in person before mid-day. If I find the enemy there, I shall - attack him, and drive everything before me as far as Gembloux. - There I shall decide, according to the events of the morning, - what is to be done. My decision will be made, perhaps at three - o’clock, perhaps in the evening. My intention is, that the moment - I have determined on my plan, you should be in readiness to march - on Brussels. I will support you with the guard, which will be - at Fleurus or at Sombreffe; and I should like to reach Brussels - to-morrow morning. You should set forward this evening, if I can - form my plan in time for you to hear from me to-day, and you should - march three or four leagues before night, and be in Brussels at - seven to-morrow morning. - - “You can dispose of your troops in the following manner: One - division two leagues in advance of Quatre-Bras, if there should - be no obstacle: Six divisions of infantry about Quatre-Bras, and - one division at Marbais, in order that I may have its assistance, - should I want it, at Sombreffe; but this is not to delay your - march: Count de Valmy’s corps, which contains three thousand - cuirassiers of _élite_, at the intersection of the Roman way with - the Brussels road, in case I should need it; as soon as ever I have - formed my plan, you will order this division to rejoin you. - - “I should like to have with me the division of the guard which - is commanded by general Lefebvre-Desnouettes, and I send you - in exchange the two divisions of count de Valmy’s corps. But, - according to my plans at this moment, I prefer posting count de - Valmy in such a manner as to have him within reach if I want - him, and to avoid causing general Lefebvre-Desnouettes any false - marches; for it is probable that I shall resolve upon marching with - the guard this evening upon Brussels. - - “Nevertheless, cover Lefebvre’s division by the two divisions of - cavalry belonging to D’Erlon and Reille, in order to spare the - guard; for if there should be any hot work with the English, it is - better that it should be with our line than the guard. - - “I have adopted as a general principle of this campaign, to divide - my army into two wings, and a reserve. - - “Your wing will consist of the four divisions of the first corps, - of the four divisions of the second corps, of two divisions of - light cavalry, and the two divisions of count de Valmy’s corps. - The number of these troops cannot be much less than forty-five - or fifty thousand men. Marshal Grouchy will have nearly an equal - number, and will command the right wing. The guard will form the - reserve, and I shall bring it up in support of the one wing or the - other, according to circumstances. The Major-General will issue the - most precise orders, in order to secure obedience to you, when you - have a separate command: whenever I am present, the commanders of - corps will receive orders directly from me. I shall draw troops, - according to circumstances, from either wing, to strengthen my - reserve. - - “You well understand the importance attached to _the taking of - Brussels_. It may also produce important results; for a movement - of such promptitude and daring will cut off the English troops at - Mons, Ostend, etc. - - “I wish your measures to be so taken, that, at the first order, - your eight divisions may be able to march rapidly on Brussels, - without any difficulty. - - “NAPOLEON.” - - -PROCLAMATION TO THE BELGIANS AND INHABITANTS OF THE LEFT BANK OF THE -RHINE[84]. - - ... “The ephemeral success of my enemies detached you for a - moment from my Empire: in my exile upon a rock in the sea, I - heard your complaints. The God of battle has decided the fate of - your beautiful provinces; Napoleon is among you. You are worthy - to be Frenchmen. Rise in mass, join my invincible phalanxes, to - exterminate the remainder of those barbarians, who are your enemies - and mine; they fly with rage and despair in their hearts. - - “(Signed) NAPOLEON. - - “By the Emperor: - “The major-general of the army, - “Count BERTRAND. - “At the Imperial Palace of Laeken.” - -Little comment need be made upon this letter and proclamation. They -are characteristic of Napoleon. A most able plan of operations is -developed with his usual recklessness of human life: we see him -prepared to sacrifice his troops of the line to save his guard; and -either wing, so that with the other he might make a dash at Brussels. - -His overweening confidence of being there even early on the 17th, and -his sanguine expectations that the population would support him, are -clearly shown by the above documents. - -Napoleon must evidently have miscalculated the degree of energy and -promptitude necessary to overcome two such generals as Wellington -and Blücher. He sadly underrated the gallant troops which he and his -marshal had to combat. And when adverse writers talk so much of the -calculating, cautious and methodical Wellington (as Napoleon was -pleased to call him,) being taken by surprise in this campaign, we -may venture to ask, was not the Emperor taken by surprise and thrown -out in all his calculations by the extreme vigilance and energy -which brought three corps of the Prussian army, above eighty-five -thousand men, into position at Ligny by mid-day on the 16th? and -but for an error in the transmission of orders, these troops would -also have been joined by Bulow’s corps; and had general Zieten -sent information to general Müffling or to the duke of Wellington -at Brussels, when the French army in three columns was first seen -in his front in advance of Charleroi, the whole allied army might -have been concentrated at Quatre-Bras during the night of the 15th. -Wellington in person was at Ligny on the 16th; observing Napoleon -preparing for battle, and after conferring with Blücher, he returned -to Quatre-Bras in time to give a most critical check to the gallant -Ney. Was it no surprise to Napoleon to find that Wellington, upon -hearing of Blücher’s retreat from Ligny, instead of falling back -to Ostend, etc., immediately retired with ominous steadiness upon -Mont-St.-Jean? and there arrested the ambition of his opponent, who, -instead of being at Brussels early on the 17th, as intimated to Ney, -was compelled to open his eyes, on the morning of the 18th, to the -fact that he was still above twelve miles from Brussels, and unable -to advance a step nearer without fighting a desperate battle, and -staking his empire on the result! He did fight: the stake was lost, -and, by the next morning, he found himself again at Charleroi, whence -he had dispatched his memorable letter to his “cousin” Ney but two -days before. He must have felt an agony of _surprise_ and something -more, as he fled on for his very life, to escape from his enraged -pursuers. - -M. de Vaulabelle indeed, in his “Campaign and Battle of Waterloo,” -published at Paris in 1845, attributes the non-arrival of Napoleon -at Brussels, to his having calculated that the Prussians would not -assemble in any great force until the 17th, (page 53;) and further on -(page 54,) the author says, “Napoleon’s plans and arrangements were -frustrated and his sanguine expectations disappointed, on finding a -barrier of ninety-five thousand Prussians assembled between him and -the Belgian capital.” The above author also informs us, (page 68,) -that a longer delay on the 16th, in executing his projected movements -at Ligny, would have compromised his success on that day; and (page -95,) that “on the 17th, fresh delays succeeded those of the two -preceding ones.” Ney’s troops, although the marshal, it is pretended, -received orders to renew the attack on Quatre-Bras at break of day, -were still in bivac at eleven o’clock. We are given to understand by -M. de Vaulabelle, that similar delays occurred to different corps -placed under the direct command of the Emperor and marshal Grouchy. -We are also told that “the soldiers grumbled at this inaction of -which they did not know the motives, questioned their officers, and -interrogated their generals;” in fact, to use the author’s words, -“_L’énergie et l’activité semblaient s’être réfugiées dans leurs -rangs_.” (“All energy and activity seemed to have taken refuge in -their ranks.”) The inhabitants of St.-Amand also affirm that, on a -group of generals passing through the village, the soldiers followed -them with their cries, “We made our soup at break of day in order to -be sooner at the ball, and we have been four hours doing nothing; why -don’t we fight? There is something underhand[85].” - -In face of all these discrepant statements, and upon calm reflection -and close examination of the history of the battle of Waterloo, -Napoleon’s disasters should not be attributed to the neglect -or disobedience of his generals, but, under Providence, to the -consummate bravery of the troops, and the skill of the generals -opposed to him. - -Napoleon, when at St.-Helena, admitted that the tactics of his army -in the Waterloo campaign had their defects; but on no occasion, to -my knowledge, did he admit that he himself had committed an error. -He invariably endeavoured to shift all blame, more especially the -irretrievable failure at Waterloo, to other shoulders than his -own, to those of his marshals. He accused Grouchy, the well-tried -soldier in many a hard-fought field, and who was banished for his -attachment to the Imperial cause, of having, by neglect, delay and -non-compliance with orders, occasioned his defeat at Waterloo; and -Grouchy’s alleged false movement is the basis of every argument -advanced by those who yet maintain the military infallibility -of their idolized Emperor. One would imagine, from the tenor of -Napoleon’s order of the day on the 14th of June, “Soldiers! we have -forced marches to make, battles to fight, dangers to encounter,” -that he would not have allowed the precious hours of the morning of -the 16th to be frittered away in inactivity, or have left his troops -until near eleven o’clock in the bivac of the night before, chiefly -where they crossed the Sambre, viz. at Charleroi, Châtelet and -Marchiennes, without making a movement to support his advanced troops -at Frasnes and Fleurus. No doubt the French were fatigued and wanted -rest; but, as the success of the campaign depended upon vigorously -pressing forward, and making the most of the first advantages, -there was no time for rest. Again, on the 17th, after the battles -of Quatre-Bras and Ligny, we find Napoleon lingering on the field -of Ligny, visiting the wounded, and expressing his satisfaction at -witnessing the gallantry of his troops; we find him discussing, with -Gérard and Grouchy, subjects in no way connected with the campaign -which should decree him Emperor or exile; we find it to be near -one o’clock P.M. (17th,) before he put his own force in motion to -join Ney in pursuit of us, or before he gave Grouchy his orders -to pursue the Prussians. Early in the morning, Pajol’s cavalry and -Teste’s infantry divisions were detached towards Namur, in pursuit -of the Prussians; and, strange to say, when, after capturing a -Prussian battery on the Namur road, and sending it to the Imperial -head-quarters, they found themselves completely baffled and at fault, -they returned to their bivac of the preceding night near Mazy, and -lay there till next morning, the 18th. - -The Prussians, after their line had been broken about nine o’clock -on the 16th at Ligny, were allowed to retreat upon Wavre unmolested; -nor did Grouchy, who was subsequently ordered by Napoleon “to follow -the Prussians and not to let them out of his sight, to complete their -defeat by attacking them and prevent their effecting a junction with -the allies,” know until the afternoon of the 17th by what route the -main Prussian army had retreated. Grouchy’s advance-guard did not -come up with the Prussian rear till half-past ten A.M. of the 18th, -when three out of the four Prussian corps were already on their march -to join us: of this Grouchy knew nothing; so far from it, he believed -he had the whole Prussian army before him. - -If it be objected to Grouchy, that he did not act up to the letter or -the spirit of his instructions, we affirm that it was impossible for -him to do so, the delay in giving him his orders having enabled the -Prussians to gain fourteen hours start of him. - -This fact the marshal communicated to the Emperor, who replied that -he, with the rest of his army, was about to follow the English and -give them battle, should they take position in front of the forest of -Soigne, directing Grouchy to communicate with him by the paved road -of Quatre-Bras[86]: but not a word about that general’s joining in -his attack on the English. Napoleon followed us by the paved road to -La Belle-Alliance: Grouchy followed the Prussians by cross-roads to -Gembloux, about six miles, where he halted for the night, and wrote -to Napoleon; receiving the following answer, dated - - “FARM OF CAILLOU, ten o’clock A.M. - June 18th, 1815. - - “I am directed,” says the Adjutant-General (Soult,) “by the - Emperor, to acquaint you that he is going to attack the English - who are in line of battle in front of Waterloo, near the forest of - Soigne. His Majesty directs you will move upon Wavre, to be nearer - to us, to report your operations, to keep up a communication, etc.” - -Again, not one word about marching to assist the Emperor: and here -we may observe that Wavre is not in the direction of Mont-St.-Jean. -When, however, at one o’clock, Napoleon found that Wellington was not -to be trifled with, and that a Prussian corps was hovering upon his -right flank, he dispatched another order, dated - - “FIELD OF BATTLE, WATERLOO, one o’clock P.M. - June 18th, 1815. - - “MONSIEUR LE MARÉCHAL, - - “You wrote from Gembloux this morning at two o’clock, informing the - Emperor, you were about to march to Sart-lez-Walhain. His Majesty - now directs you will manœuvre in _our_ direction; you must find - out the point, in order to keep up the communication, and be at - hand to fall upon and destroy any enemy that may attempt to attack - our right. At this moment we are engaged in battle on the line of - Waterloo, the enemy’s centre is Mont-St.-Jean; so manœuvre to join - our right without loss of time. - - “The adjutant-general, DUKE OF DALMATIA. - - “_P.S._—An intercepted letter informs us that the Prussian general - Bulow is about to attack our right flank; we think we see the corps - on the heights of St.-Lambert; so approach us without losing an - instant, and destroy Bulow, should you catch him in the fact.” - -The order was in itself no doubt sound and judicious; but the -original vice we have already alluded to, as characterizing the -movements of the French army after the passage of the Sambre, -rendered obedience impossible. The letter, written at one o’clock, -did not reach Grouchy until seven, about which time Napoleon’s right -had been attacked and driven back by Bulow’s advanced brigades. - -It was half-past seven o’clock A.M. on the 18th of June, when Grouchy -moved from his bivac at Gembloux, and, owing to the bad state of the -roads, nearly half-past eleven, before he reached Sart-lez-Walhain, -a distance of about six miles. At the latter place, the report of a -heavy cannonade was distinctly heard in the direction of Waterloo: -Grouchy was strongly urged by some of his generals to march towards -the firing; and for not doing so, he has been attacked at all points. -He declined the proposition of his generals, on the ground that he -did not consider it his duty to march towards the battle already -raging elsewhere, but to attack, according to his instructions, the -Prussians with whom he had just come up. Grouchy has since declared, -that he did not consider it his duty to follow the advice of Gérard -and the other generals, and that to have done so would have been -acting contrary to his orders. To have detached a portion of his -force towards the main French army would have separated his two corps -by the Dyle river, whose waters were much swollen by the heavy rains, -and whose banks were so swampy, that it would have been impossible -for his divisions to have mutually supported each other; consequently -he continued his march upon Wavre. - -For argument’s sake, we will suppose that Grouchy adopts the advice -of his generals, and commences his march at the time the firing was -first heard, about half-past twelve o’clock. On average roads in fair -condition, an army of thirty-two thousand men of all arms would take -seven hours to march fifteen miles; they had already marched about -six miles, as we have seen, over bad roads. From Sart-lez-Walhain to -Plancenoit, Napoleon’s right, the distance is about sixteen miles, -and over bad roads; how could they have come up in time, and that, -without taking into account the obstructions which they must have -encountered from the Prussian corps who were scouring the whole of -that part of the country? It was utterly impossible for Grouchy, -after breaking up his bivac at Gembloux so late as half-past seven -o’clock on the morning of the 18th, to prevent the three Prussian -corps, who well knew his movements, from forming a junction with -us, or from attacking the French right. Had Grouchy left Gembloux -at two o’clock A.M., and marched, unmolested by the Prussians, by -St.-Guibert and Moustier to St.-Lambert, and taken position near -the defiles of the Lasne and St.-Lambert, he might have kept Bulow -from attacking the French right, and Napoleon might, before eight -o’clock, about which time a brigade of Pirch’s and part of a brigade -of Zieten’s corps came up, have attacked Wellington with his whole -remaining force. - -After the unaccountable delay on the 17th, the division of his force -by Napoleon appears a false move; for a corps of cavalry would -have sufficed to watch the Prussians. Grouchy, unquestionably, was -dilatory, and wanting in his former energy and judgment; for though -he must have known that the Prussians, or a large portion of them, -would attempt their junction with us, he sent out no patrols to -ascertain whether the contemplated movement was in operation, and -neglected to keep up that which is always so essential, a close -communication with the main body of the French army. His whole -attention appears to have been directed to his right; the events on -his left he entirely neglected. - -We have stated Napoleon’s anxiety to impute the blame of the failure -exclusively to his two marshals. We have endeavoured, in the fair -and fearless spirit of military criticism, to examine how far such -inculpation is borne out by facts in the case of marshal Grouchy, -and we now, in the same impartial manner, propose to analyze the -accusation made against the gallant and daring Ney, “the bravest -of the brave.” The charges are twofold: delay at Quatre-Bras, and -rashness at Waterloo. - -Ney, as we have seen, had been ordered by Napoleon, on the morning -of the 16th, to seize Quatre-Bras, to occupy Genappe if practicable, -and to be ready to march on Brussels the same evening, (16th,) or on -the morning of the 17th at latest, as the seizure of the capital by a -_coup de main_ on the 17th was the Emperor’s grand object. For this -purpose Ney was, if possible, to press forward three or four leagues -at least, on the 16th, and to be supported by the light cavalry of -the Imperial guard. - -Now, Ney is blamed by Napoleon and other military writers (French,) -for not having gained possession of Quatre-Bras early on the 16th, -before our force came up. Certainly no British soldier underrates -the value of an early attack: (as Aroyo-de-Molinos can testify:) but -was Ney justified in attempting to obtain possession of Quatre-Bras? -We incline to think he was not. More than one half of his force was -still in the rear: D’Erlon’s corps was on the Sambre, or close to it, -Girard’s division of Reille’s corps was near Fleurus with Grouchy, -and Kellermann’s cavalry had not joined. No blame to him, the gallant -Ney, for _that_; he had joined the army but the evening before, (the -15th). Notwithstanding these untoward events, he ordered forward -Reille’s (second) corps; but finding that heavy masses of the enemy -were concentrating at St.-Amand on his right, and ignorant of the -force in his front, he judiciously declined to press on till D’Erlon -came up as a support. - -Napoleon, before he left Charleroi, sent another order to Ney to -unite his force, (Reille’s and D’Erlon’s corps, and Kellermann’s -cuirassiers who were about to join him,) remarking, “With this -force you ought to overwhelm any strength the enemy may oppose to -you.” When Ney commenced his attack on Quatre-Bras he was cautious. -Napoleon had now arrived at Fleurus, and sent word to Ney, that -Grouchy would attack the Prussians at half-past two o’clock; that he, -Ney, was to press vigorously upon any enemy in his front, and then -turn round and assist in crushing the Prussians at Ligny. About three -o’clock, Ney got another dispatch, informing him that the battle of -Ligny had already begun, directing him to manœuvre _immediately_, so -as to fall upon the Prussian rear with all his force, which would -be utterly destroyed if he acted with vigour, adding, in his own -emphatic language addressed to a heart so susceptible and patriotic -as Ney’s, “The fate of France is in your hands!” But that which -pre-eminently characterized Napoleon’s early career, that to which he -almost exclusively owed his brilliant victories, that in which all -men of all nations will admit his wonderful excellence,—rapidity in -executing his plans,—here again failed him. Lightning may slumber; -but _Time_ will ceaselessly march on, heedless of the errors of -heroes! The Emperor’s delay enabled our noble Picton, with his -gallant band, to come up from Brussels, closely followed by the -Brunswickers, headed by their cherished and chivalrous duke, who -found Quatre-Bras to be his last battle field. Such foes occupied -Ney: and Napoleon knew it not! - -Observe, Napoleon (who, according to French historians, could not -err,) intrusting the fate of France to a flank movement by Ney, who -was unable ultimately to hold his own position! He accuses Ney of -having kept Reille’s and D’Erlon’s corps detached, saying, “Had he -united them, not an Englishman would have escaped at Quatre-Bras;” -and yet it was by Napoleon’s _own_ order, (in a pencilled note,) -conveyed by colonel Laurent, that Ney was ordered to detach D’Erlon’s -corps to St.-Amand! Laurent, falling in with the head of the column -then marching on Frasnes, upon his own responsibility changed its -direction. On inquiring for count D’Erlon, he was informed that, as -was his habit, he had gone ahead to Frasnes, preceding his column. -On his arrival at the latter place, Laurent found the general, and -handed over to him the pencilled note, stating, at the same time, the -position in which he might find the head of his column. - -At this time general Delcambre, chief of the staff of the 1st -(D’Erlon’s) corps, went to acquaint the prince de la Moskowa of the -change in the line of march. Ney, who was himself then hard pressed -by Wellington, sent back Delcambre with peremptory orders to D’Erlon -to march on Quatre-Bras: but _ere the order could reach_ him, he -was close to St.-Amand, and consequently at too great a distance to -return in time to render assistance to Ney. - -Could Ney therefore be made responsible for the absence of D’Erlon’s -corps, its change of direction, or this assumed want of vigour -consequent on either? - -It is evident from the tenor of the dispatch from Napoleon at two -o’clock on the 16th, addressed to Ney at Gosselies, that Napoleon did -not imagine that the marshal had left Gosselies _at that hour_, much -less that he had attacked us. Where now was Ney’s delay when, with -a _fraction_ of his force, (three divisions of Reille’s corps and -Piré’s cavalry,) he attacked us at Quatre-Bras? - -This proves the fallacy of the assertions contained in the _Mémoires -historiques de Napoléon_, and something perhaps stronger than -fallacies in Gourgaud’s campaign of 1815. In these Ney is assailed -for not attacking us _early_ in the morning of the 16th. We will not -however leave the posthumous fame of the gallant Ney to be sacrificed -to Imperial infallibility. We assert that Ney, on the 16th, did all -at Quatre-Bras that circumstances warranted, and attempted more; -we assert that if he failed in his attempt, (viz. of occupying -Quatre-Bras,) his failure is to be, so far as Ney and his force are -concerned, ascribed to British bayonets, and not to any want of -skill, daring or rapidity on the part of Ney[87], or to any want of -gallantry, or deadly devotion on the part of the brave troops of -Reille, Piré and Kellermann. - -We arrive now at the different versions which have been published of -the battle of Waterloo, and which issued from St.-Helena. How much -credit should be attached to these accounts, may be judged by the -following extracts from the able work entitled “The Military life of -the Duke of Wellington:” - -“It may perhaps be remarked, that we have attached little authority -to the accounts of this campaign which emanated from St.-Helena. The -writer of this portion of the present work had the honour of being -intimately acquainted with some of the persons composing Napoleon’s -suite at Longwood; and although he has reason to believe the volumes -given to the world with the names of generals de Montholon and -Gourgaud perfixed to them to be genuine; that is, that they were -prepared from Napoleon’s notes and dictation; yet, he conceives, -he has equal reason for rejecting them as testimony. An officer of -Bonaparte’s establishment told him at Longwood, that the termination -of the battle of Waterloo had occasioned the utmost perplexity -amongst them; and that he himself, having been employed by the -ex-Emperor to write an account of the campaign, had presented no less -than _six_ distinct modes of ending the battle, all of which had been -rejected. - - “_Ab uno disce omnes._”[88] - -Various accounts of the battle that subsequently emanated from -St.-Helena, Grouchy characterizes as containing “supposed -instructions and orders, imaginary movements, etc., deductions -made after the event;” (“_des instructions et des ordres supposés, -des mouvements imaginatifs_, etc.; _des assertions erronées, des -hypothèses faites après coup_.”) I will not trouble my readers with -any further remarks upon accounts so destitute of truth. Gourgaud’s -account, dictated by Napoleon himself, is, for the most part, -indignantly and completely refuted by marshal Grouchy as a mere -“military romance.” - -From this trait of history-making, we may judge of the rest of the -accounts that were concocted in the ever fertile imagination of -Napoleon. His utter disregard of truth was part of his policy; and -if, for a time, it enabled him to deceive a high-minded and gallant -people, amongst whom the liberty of the press had been annihilated, -in the end it contributed to his ruin, nearly as much as did the -bravery and perseverance of his victorious opponents. Why did we meet -him at Waterloo? We were not at war with France, with its legitimate -sovereign, or with the French people. But we were at war with -Napoleon: he had been declared _hors la loi_ (outlawed) by civilized -Europe[89]; the idol indeed of a fine army, but a man devoid of -truth and principle, whom no treaties could bind, and whose restless -ambition was utterly incompatible with the peace of Europe. - -His chief aim was to obtain universal dominion, and his inordinate -love of glory made him conceive the chimera of a universal monarchy, -of which he was to be the chief. Few have denied him to have been an -able and daring commander, gifted with great military talents; and -the duke of Wellington never hesitated in affirming, that of all the -chiefs of armies in the world, the one in whose presence it was most -hazardous to make a false movement was Napoleon[90]. - -[Illustration: (Napoleon)] - - “The triumph and the vanity, - The rapture of the strife, - The earthquake voice of victory, - To him the breath of life; - The sword, the sceptre and the sway, - That men seem’d born but to obey.” - -It was against this man, and not against France, that Wellington -uniformly declared he was leading his troops: “France,” said the Duke -in a letter dated June 4th, 1815, “has no enemies, as far as I know: -I am sure that she does not deserve to have any. We are the enemies -of one man only, and of his partisans, of him who has misused his -influence over the French army, to overthrow the throne of the king, -in order to subjugate France, and then to bring back to all of us the -days of misery which we thought were gone by.... Our state then ought -not to be called one of war with France, but of war on the part of -all Europe, comprising therein France herself, against Napoleon and -against his army, whose bad conduct is the cause of all the evils -which are going to happen, and which we all deplore[91].” - -Lest our neighbours may think this view of Napoleon’s character drawn -by English prejudice, and as not affording sufficient reasons for the -determination of Wellington to aim solely at his destruction, and -with a steadiness of resolve not to be turned aside till complete -success attended the efforts of the allies, I beg to record the -following character of Napoleon, and his iron rule over the French -people. It will be observed that this character was drawn by the pen -of Frenchmen, proclaimed by French authorities, and placarded by them -on all the walls of Paris, whose inhabitants knew too well the facts -on which the proclamation was founded. The general and municipal -Council of Paris thus addressed the people, the year before the -battle of Waterloo: - -“You owe all the evils which overwhelm you to one man, to him who -every year, by the conscription, decimates your families. Who amongst -us has not lost a brother, a son, relatives, friends? And why have -all these brave men fallen? For him alone, and not for the country. -In what cause have they fallen? They have been immolated to the -mad ambition of leaving behind him the name of the most dreadful -oppressor that ever weighed on the human race.... It is he that -has closed against us the seas of the two worlds. To him we are -indebted for the hatred of the people of all nations, without having -deserved it; for, like them, we have been the unhappy victims as -well as the sad instruments of his madness. What matters it that he -has sacrificed but few to his private hatred, if he has sacrificed -France,—we should not say, France only, but all Europe, to his -boundless ambition? Look at the vast continent of Europe, everywhere -strewed with the mingled bones of Frenchmen, and people with whom we -had no disputes, no causes of mutual hatred, who were too distant -from us to have any cause of quarrel, but whom he precipitated into -all the horrors of war, solely that the earth might be filled with -the noise of his name. Why boast of his past victories? What good -have those dreadful triumphs brought us? The hatred of other nations, -the tears of our families, our daughters forced to remain unmarried, -our matrons plunged into premature widowhood, the despair of fathers -and mothers, to whom there remains, out of a numerous progeny, but -the hand of an infant to close their eyes: behold! these are the -results of all those victories, which have brought foreign armies -within our very walls.... In the name of our most sacred duties, we -abjure all obedience to the usurper; we return to our legitimate -rulers.” - -“How just,” adds a French historian, “are these accusations, -although they were made by men who a little before had been -prodigal of flattery and incense to the author of all these public -calamities[92]!” - -With such a man as Napoleon is here described, whose towering -military genius no one can call in question, and whose influence had -so long, and so fatally fascinated the gallant French people, whose -eyes were at length opened to the real character of his rule, it must -not be wondered at, that we went to war; nor should our triumph over -him ever be regarded as a triumph over the French nation: between -that high-minded people and the rest of the civilized world, may the -peace, which is already of unexampled duration, and which we bought -so dearly, continue forever! - -I may here present to the reader the sentiments of a noble and -distinguished writer, who had long been near Napoleon and had closely -watched his career. On hearing of his arrival at St.-Helena, this -French statesman and scholar gave the following commentary to the -world. No one who is acquainted with the writings of Chateaubriand -will suspect him of any bias towards the British character: yet he -wrote thus of our vanquished foe: - -“The bloody drama of Europe is concluded, and the great tragedian, -who for twenty years has made the earth his theatre, and set the -world in tears, has left the stage for ever! He lifted the curtain -with his sword, and filled the scenes with slaughter. His part -was invented by himself, and was terribly unique. Never was there -so ambitious, so restless a spirit; never so daring, so fortunate -a soldier. His aim was universal dominion, and he gazed at it -steadfastly with the eye of the eagle, and the appetite of the -vulture. - -“He combined within himself all the elements of terror, nerve, malice -and intellect; a heart that never trembled, a mind that never wavered -from its purpose. The greatness of his plans defied speculation, -and the rapidity of their execution outstripped prophecy. Civilized -nations were the victims of his arts, and savages could not withstand -his warfare. Sceptres crumbled in his grasp, and liberty withered -in his presence. The Almighty appeared to have intrusted to him the -destinies of the globe, and he used them to destroy. He shrouded the -sun with the clouds of battle, and unveiled the night with his fires. -His march reversed the course of nature: the flowers of the spring -perished, the fruits of autumn fell; for his track was cold, and -cheerless, and desolate, like the withering, wintry blast. Amid all -the physical, moral and political changes which he produced, he was -still the same. Always ambitious, always inexorable; no compassion -assuaged, no remorse deterred, no dangers alarmed him. Like the -barbarians, he conquered Italy, and rolling back to its source the -deluge that overwhelmed Rome, he proved himself the Attila of the -West. With Hannibal, he crossed the Alps in triumph; Africa beheld in -him a second Scipio, and standing on the Pyramids of Egypt, he looked -down on the fame of Alexander. He fought the Scythian in his cave, -and the unconquered Arab fled before him. He won, and divided, and -ruled nearly all modern Europe. It became a large French province, -where foreign kings still reigned by courtesy, or mourned in chains. -The Roman pontiff was his prisoner, and he claimed dominion over -the altar with the God of hosts. Even his name inspired universal -terror, and the obscurity of his designs rendered him awfully -mysterious. The navy of Great Britain watched him with the eye of -Argus, and her coast was lined with soldiers who slept on their arms. -He made war before he declared it; and peace was with him a signal -for hostilities. His friends were the first whom he assailed, and -his allies he selected to plunder. There was a singular opposition -between his alleged motives and his conduct. He would have enslaved -the land to make the ocean free, and he wanted only power to enslave -both. - -“If he was arrogant, his unparalleled successes must excuse him. Who -could endure the giddiness of such a mountain elevation? Who, that -amid the slaughter of millions had escaped unhurt, would not suppose, -that a deity had lent him armour, like Achilles? Who, that had risen -from such obscurity, overcame such mighty obstacles, vanquished so -many monarchs, won such extensive empires, and enjoyed so absolute -a sway? Who, in the fulness of unequalled power and in the pride of -exulting ambition, would not believe himself the favourite of Heaven? - -“He received the tribute of fear, and love, and admiration. The -weight of the chains which he imposed on France was forgotten in -their splendour: it was glorious to follow him, even as a conscript. -The arts became servile in his praise; and genius divided with him -her immortal honours. For it is mind alone that can triumph over -time. Letters, only, yield permanent renown. - -“This blood-stained soldier adorned his throne with the trophies of -art, and made Paris the seat of taste as well as of power. There, -the old and the new world met and conversed; there, Time was seen -robbed of his scythe, lingering among beauties which he could not -destroy; there, the heroes and sages of every age mingled in splendid -alliance, and joined in the march of fame. They will appeal to -posterity to mitigate the sentence which humanity claims against the -tyrant Bonaparte. Awful indeed will be that sentence; but when will -posterity be a disinterested tribunal? When will the time arrive that -Europe shall have put off mourning for his crimes? In what distant -recess of futurity will the memory of Moskow sleep? When will Jena, -Gerona, and Austerlitz, when will Jaffa, Corunna, and Waterloo be -named without tears of anguish and vows of retribution? Earth can -never forget, man can never forgive them. - -“Let him live, if he can endure life, divested of his crown, without -an army, and almost without a follower. Let him live, he who never -spared his friends, if he can withstand the humiliation of owing -his life to an enemy. Let him live, and listen to the voice of -conscience. He can no longer drown it in the clamorous report of war. -No cuirass guards his bosom from the arrows of remorse. Now that the -cares of state have ceased to distract his thoughts, let him reflect -on his miserable self; and, with the map before him, retrace his -bloody career. Alas! his life is a picture of ruin, and the light -that displays it is the funeral torch of nations. It exhibits one -mighty sepulchre, crowded with the mangled victims of murderous -ambition. Let him reflect on his enormous abuse of power, on his -violated faith, and shameless disregard of all law and justice. - -“Let him live, and repent; let him seek to atone in humility and -solitude for the sins of his political life, an example of the -catastrophe of the wicked, and the vanity of false greatness. Great -he unquestionably was, great in the resources of a misguided spirit, -great in the conception and execution of evil; great in mischief, -like the pestilence; great in desolation, like the whirlwind.” - -From the equivocal loyalty to the common cause of many of the troops -in the allied army, and the severity of the contest, we were not so -surprised as we were vexed, to see them skulk away, and make for -Brussels, or seek shelter in the woods. Our numbers were greatly -reduced by this sort of defection, long before the close of the -battle. General Müffling estimates the runaways at ten thousand, -(far below the real number). Of course, such heroes would invent -narratives and retail them in their dishonourable flight, in order to -cover themselves from the reproaches and contempt richly merited by -such unsoldierly behaviour. A gallant officer records a fact in point: - -“Having been sent before day-light, on the morning after the battle,” -says lieutenant-colonel Basil Jackson, “to communicate the Duke’s -orders for his array to move on Nivelles, ... I had an opportunity -of witnessing how disgraceful had been the conduct of many of the -foreign troops. I saw thousands making their way to the front, who -had quitted their colours during the battle and fled to the forest. -The commanding officer of a cavalry regiment showed me a hundred and -forty men, stating that his loss in the battle had reduced it to that -number. I believe this regiment was not engaged; for very nearly the -original complement of eight hundred men were forthcoming a few days -after! The Duke degraded it, by turning it over to the commissariat -to furnish escorts[93].” - -Some there were who wore the British uniform, who took advantage of -the duty of carrying the wounded to the rear, and did not return -to their duty on the field. This circumstance has been pitiably -exaggerated, and even distorted into a tale that the British -generally were flying off to Brussels when the Prussians came up. - -The duke of Wellington, in his general order, issued at Nivelles, -two days after the battle, thus noticed the conduct of those who had -improperly absented themselves from their colours: - -... “3. The Field-Marshal has observed that several soldiers, and -even officers, have quitted their ranks without leave, and have gone -to Brussels, and even some to Antwerp; where, and in the country -through which they have passed, they have spread a false alarm, in a -manner highly unmilitary, and derogatory to the character of soldiers. - -“4. The Field-Marshal requests the general officers commanding -divisions in the British army, and the general officers commanding -the corps of each nation of which the army is composed, to report to -him in writing what officers and men,—the former by name,—are now, or -have been, absent without leave since the 16th[94].” - -It may not be out of place to offer a few general remarks on some -points in which the public have felt much interest, and upon which -opinions have greatly differed. - -It is certain that the duke of Wellington would not have accepted -battle at Waterloo, had he not been sure of the cooperation of the -Prussians; and the loss which they sustained during the short time -they were engaged, proves the value of that cooperation. - -The diversion of the Prussians diminished the French force against -us, by count de Lobau’s corps, eleven battalions of the Imperial -guard, and eighteen squadrons of cavalry, amounting to above fifteen -thousand men and sixty-six guns. It is evident that the blow, which -decided the fate of the day, was given by the Duke when he defeated -the Imperial guard, attacked the French reserves, and forced their -centre: by this, D’Erlon’s columns were turned on their left, and -Reille’s on their right: then followed the general advance of -Wellington’s whole line. - -With the splendid light cavalry force Napoleon had at his command, -and Grouchy, detached with thirty-two thousand men of all arms -to watch the Prussians, it is most extraordinary that the first -intimation the Emperor had of their advance upon his right, was -about one o’clock on the 18th, when, from his position above La -Belle-Alliance, he himself saw them at St.-Lambert. - -Notwithstanding the numerous charges made by the French cavalry, not -one was made upon our left wing; nor was their cavalry of the right -wing put in motion, till the ardour of our heavy cavalry carried -them upon the French position, when their lancers, cuirassiers and -dragoons were let loose upon our broken and disordered cavalry, who -suffered severely. - -D’Erlon’s infantry columns, and the last two attacking columns of the -Imperial guard were entirely unsupported by cavalry, or they never -could have been so closely pursued, and so roughly handled. - -The French army under Napoleon was composed almost exclusively of -veterans; many of whom, the year before, had been liberated from -the English, Russian and Austrian prisons: men whose trade was -war, and who were well inured to it; whose battles equalled their -years in number; all of one nation, devoted to their leader and his -cause, most enthusiastic, and well equipped: in fact the finest -army Napoleon ever brought into the field. One more gallant, or more -complete in every respect, never stood before us. - -We, on the contrary, were of different nations. Our foreign -auxiliaries, who constituted more than half our numerical strength, -with some exceptions, were little better that raw militia-men. - -It would not perhaps be out of place if we now notice an assertion -of French, and even of English writers; namely, that the duke -of Wellington was taken by surprise at the commencement of this -campaign. Surely the French must laugh in their sleeves when they -find English writers credulous enough to print statements which -have originated in the lively imaginations of our neighbours, and -to support the assertion that the Duke depended upon such a man as -Fouché, for information of Napoleon’s arrival in Belgium, and of his -plan of operations. We find a very late writer even quoting Fouché, -to prove what he advances. One would imagine that such authors were -perfectly ignorant of the contents of the Duke’s twelfth volume of -the Dispatches, or of Fouché’s reputation. They deny his Grace the -possession of common prudence, if they believe he would intrust -the safety of his army, and thereby the interests of Europe, to -an ignoble police-spy, whose memory is justly despised by every -Frenchman. - -In reply to the unfounded statement that Wellington relied on any -information from that archtraitor and lump of duplicity, it is -sufficient to give the following extract from a letter in the Duke’s -Dispatches, (vol. XII, page 649,) addressed to Dumouriez: “_Avant mon -arrivée à Paris, au mois de juillet, je n’avais jamais vu Fouché, -ni eu avec lui communication quelconque, ni avec aucun de ceux qui -sont liés avec lui_.” (“Before my arrival in Paris, in July, I had -never seen Fouché, nor had had any communication with him, nor with -any one connected with him.”) Of the French movements the Duke had -timely information from a very different source. I was told by sir -Hussey Vivian, (when he visited the field in 1839,) that he was aware -on the 13th of June; of the French being concentrated and ready to -attack; and that he reported the circumstance to the Duke: this is -corroborated in Siborne’s history, at page 49, vol. I: these are -undoubted authorities. - -Those who have attentively followed the Duke in his operations during -this campaign, or referred to his correspondence, will have found -that, for weeks before, his Grace had foreseen Napoleon’s intentions -and had made deliberate arrangements to render them unavailing. The -allied army was so cantoned by Wellington, that its divisions could -be promptly united when the plans of Napoleon should be sufficiently -developed. The admirable organization of the allied army, effected -by the Duke so shortly after he took the command, must have struck -our readers: it is evident he was at once the main-spring, directing -head, and very soul of the grand European coalition; and it could -only be a just confidence in the admirable plan he had drawn up for -the conduct of the allied troops, that dictated the letter addressed -to sir Henry Wellesley, June 2d, 1815, and which expresses the -following very remarkable anticipation of coming events: - -... “We have as yet done nothing here.... Towards the 16th, I hope -we shall begin. I shall enter France with between seventy and eighty -thousand men; the Prussians near me, with twice as many[95].” - -This document was penned a fortnight before the action at -Quatre-Bras, where we began work in earnest, as the Duke had -anticipated, exactly on the 16th. This fact, of itself, should -suffice to stop the mouths of those who delight in telling us that -Wellington was taken by surprise. There were moments indeed, when he -thought that Napoleon’s ambition might be so far controlled by common -prudence, as to be content with remaining within the boundaries of -France, and leaving the odium of acting aggressively to the allied -powers; and in such moments, the Duke spoke and wrote of awaiting -for the combined movements of the Austrians and Russians. But not -for a single instant did he lose sight of the possibility, nay -probability, that Bonaparte would rush across the borders, begin -offensive operations, and make a dash to seize the person of Louis -XVIII, or to get possession of the city of Brussels. Against these -contingencies, how early and how ably our great chieftain provided, -let facts, and not the dreams of mortified narrators, inform the -world. - -On the 6th, 7th, and 10th of June, the Duke dispatched letters to the -Prussians’ head-quarters], informing them that the enemy was in great -strength about Maubeuge, where Bonaparte was said to be on the 9th, -and thence to have gone along the frontiers towards Lille; and that -an attack was to be forthwith expected[96]. - -With this intelligence received by Wellington, and actively -circulated by him among all who were exposed to be attacked by the -French, how was it possible that he should be taken by _surprise_? -Every movement of the enemy was quickly known to him; and his -characteristic vigilance, and matured judgment, enabled him to -foretell the very time and place of the grand attack. All that -depended on him was in perfect readiness, several days before -fighting began. If the Prussians were unaccountably remiss in not -forwarding to his Grace earlier intelligence of the descent of the -enemy into Belgium, it was not for want of watchfulness on the -part of the Duke; _he_ was quite awake. Let the reader turn to the -Appendix of this work, (No. I,) for proof that Wellington was not -easily to be surprised, but that he had all his forces so well in -hand on the 30th of April, that they could march at a moment’s -notice, and unite at any point really attacked. - -In reply to the assertion made by French, and even by Prussian -official writers, “that Blücher and his troops saved the allied -army,” it may be observed, the battle of Waterloo must be always -considered as a battle fought by the right wing of an army, for the -purpose of maintaining a position until the arrival of the Prussians, -its left wing, should render victory certain. The safest tactics, in -the Duke’s opinion, were to act entirely on the defensive, and he -had, in consequence, thoroughly matured his arrangements with Blücher -for mutual support. The Duke, therefore, was not only justified -in receiving battle, but had every reason to expect to have been -reinforced several hours before the Prussians came up. Waterloo might -have terminated with much less sacrifice of life, and as decisively -at three, as it afterwards did at eight o’clock. But even admitting, -for a moment, that the arrival of the Prussians saved us at Waterloo, -we undoubtedly saved them by holding our position until they came up. -Had we given way before they cleared the defiles of St.-Lambert, they -would have been annihilated; of this they were aware, as our readers -will be convinced on reference to the letters from the Prussian to -the allied head-quarters[97]. - -But facts are stubborn things, and it is doubtful whether Napoleon -could have driven the British from the ground, even if the Prussians -had not arrived. The English troops had maintained their position -for eight hours against the most experienced army and the ablest -general ever France sent into the field; not a British regiment was -broken, nor the allied army in a panic, nor, at any time, in serious -danger of being penetrated. Further, even if the Prussians had not -arrived, we are inclined to think that Napoleon could not, in the -exhausted and dispirited condition of his troops, and the lateness of -the hour, have driven the British from their ground. His cavalry was -nearly annihilated: while three brigades of British infantry, one of -the King’s German legion, and two brigades of British cavalry[98], -had, except in the loss sustained by the 27th regiment, and 12th -dragoons, suffered but comparatively little; many of the foreign -troops had not fired a shot: and after the arrival of Vivian and -Vandeleur, the _British cavalry_ were, as our readers have seen, -masters of the field. The junction of the Prussians was a part of -Wellington’s combinations for the battle. Their flank movement at -Waterloo was similar to Desaix’s from Novi to Marengo; with this -no small difference, that upon Bulow’s troops joining, they found -the allied army firm and unbroken, and rather in advance of their -position of the morning[99]: when Desaix joined Bonaparte, he was in -full retreat, one wing of his army destroyed, and obliged to change -his whole front to save the rest from destruction; this eventually -gave him the victory. We are not astonished that the French should -employ this argument as a balm to their disappointment, but it comes -with a peculiar bad grace from the Prussians. Surely, in thus taking -the lion’s share in this glorious victory, they do not think to cover -their defeat at Ligny, or their unaccountable delay in arriving on -the field of Waterloo. - -“The roads were very bad, and the Prussians had a numerous artillery, -not over-well horsed. Yet supposing them to have been put in motion -at eight o’clock in the morning, (their official account says _break -of day_,) they were ten or eleven hours in marching little more -than a like number of miles! May we not therefore be allowed to -conjecture, that there was some hesitation on the part of Blücher in -marching upon Waterloo, until he could feel assured of his army being -in little danger from Grouchy?” (JACKSOS and SCOTT’S _Life of the -Duke of Wellington_.)[100]. - -And if true, as the Prussian official report represents, that Blücher -had such a large force on the field to act, previous to, or during -Napoleon’s last attack upon us, why did not Blücher, to use the -language of two excellent military writers, roll up the French army -as Pakenham’s division did at Salamanca? I have often thought that -if lord Hill could, by any means, have been transferred across the -field to where Bulow debouched, with the same force of British troops -under his command as Bulow had of Prussian, (30,000,) our illustrious -Chief’s table that night might have been honoured by the presence of -Napoleon and his chief officers, and most of the French army favoured -with a free passage to England. - -Lieutenant-colonel B. Jackson, in his _Military life of Wellington_, -(vol. II, page 806,) says, “There can exist no doubt whatever that, -paradoxical as it may at first sight appear, the cooperation, thought -somewhat tardy, of the Prussians, produced, _not the defeat_, but the -total rout of Bonaparte’s army: for the duke of Wellington could not, -weakened as his force was at the close of the day, have hazarded an -attack with his whole army, had Blücher not been at hand to support -the movement. The service rendered by our brave allies was therefore -most opportune, and of the highest value.... An error of half an -hour—and men do not consult their watches during the excitement of -battle—made either by the Prussians or ourselves, is sufficient to -account for much of the discrepance existing between their statements -and our own.” - -That English and Prussian writers should altogether agree as to the -apportionment of the glory of the day, was not to be expected. It is -clear, to the lasting honour of the two allied nations, that whatever -feelings may have since grown up on this subject, none interfered -at the time with the cordiality of their combined operations. The -following lines, from a Prussian pen, will show that just national -pride is not inconsistent with candour: - -“Upon the question, who really fought and won the battle of the -18th, no discussion, much less contention, ought to have arisen. -Without in the slightest degree impeaching the just share of Prussia -in the victory, or losing sight for a moment of the fact that she -bore a great share of the danger, and drew much of it from her -allies and upon herself at a decisive moment, no unprejudiced person -can conceal from himself that the honour of the day is due to the -Anglo-Netherlandish army, and to the measures of its great leader. -The struggle of Mont-St.-Jean was conducted with an obstinacy, -ability, and foresight of which history affords few examples. The -great loss of the English also speaks the merit of their services. -More than seven hundred officers, among them the first of their army, -whether in rank or merit, and upwards of ten thousand soldiers, fell, -or retired wounded from the field[101].” - -No one unacquainted with war can form the most distant idea of the -weak state and disorganization to which even a victorious army is -reduced by a long, trying, severe day’s battle. The number of men -absent from the ranks is incredible, and long continued excitement -nearly exhausts the rest. - -Although we place little reliance on statements which have originated -from St.-Helena, yet we must be excused if we quote O’Meara, whose -conversations with the Emperor have been faithfully given to the -world. They contain several allusions to the battle of Waterloo, and -attest the Emperor’s conviction of the completeness of our victory -over him, and the hopelessness of all his plans, as well as his utter -despair before he quitted the field. - -What other honest interpretation can be given to these words, “I -ought to have died at Waterloo; but, as ill luck will have it, when -you seek death you cannot meet with it. There were numbers killed -close to me, before, behind, on every side of me; but there was no -bullet for me!” Why should a man desire to be struck down, if, as -the fond tale goes amongst some of his indiscriminate admirers, he -had thrice won the battle of Waterloo? He desired death, because -he saw that all his resources were gone, and that the British, -notwithstanding the day’s dreadful carnage, were about to deal the -decisive blow with irresistible force. - -The same author relates several facts connected with the battle of -Waterloo, communicated to him by general Gourgaud, under Napoleon’s -roof. These are the general’s words, as written down at the time, -(August 23d, 1817:) - -“At the close of the battle of Waterloo, and after the unsuccessful -charge of the French, the English cavalry which charged in return, -approached within two or three hundred yards of the spot where -Napoleon was, with none about him but Soult, Drouot, Bertrand, and -Gourgaud himself. At a short distance from them was a small French -battalion, that had formed square. Napoleon directed general Gourgaud -to order two or three field-pieces belonging to this battalion to be -fired, in order to arrest the cavalry which was coming on. The order -was executed, and one of the balls wounded lord Uxbridge in the leg. -Napoleon put himself at the head of the column, exclaiming, ‘Here we -must die! we must die on the field of battle!’” - -Let us observe, that Napoleon must, at this moment, have felt himself -beaten, and that his conquerors were the British, to whom, as the -most noble of his enemies, he paid the compliment, wishing to die by -our hands rather than by those of the Prussians, who were advancing -on his right, ready enough to gratify his wish. But, to continue -general Gourgaud’s account: - -“At the very instant that Napoleon was desirous of making a charge -with the handful of men left about him, the English light infantry -was gaining ground. Labédoyère galloped round them, sword in hand, -seeming to court a glorious death on the field of honour. We -prevented Napoleon from rushing into the midst of the enemy. It was -Soult who seized his horse by the bridle, and said, ‘They will not -kill you: you will be taken prisoner;’ and that general, with the -assistance of a few others who gathered round, prevailed on Napoleon -to fly from the field of battle.” - -We have often, throughout this discussion, quoted several of our -opponents: let us now give two great authorities on every question -connected with the field of Waterloo, viz. the duke of Wellington and -lord Hill. It is also a conversation, but related by B. R. Haydon -Esq., (_United Service Magazine_, February 1844, page 281:) - -“When sir Walter Scott was at Paris in 1815, he was permitted to -ask, and he did put the following questions, at his Grace’s table, -relating to Waterloo, and I repeat them as sir Walter detailed -them to me at my own: ‘Suppose, your Grace, Blücher had not come -up.’ The Duke replied, ‘I could have kept my ground till next -morning.’—‘Suppose Grouchy had come first.’—‘Blücher would have been -close behind him.’—‘But let us suppose, your Grace had been compelled -to retreat.’—‘I could have taken position in the forest of Soigne, -and defied all till the allies joined.’—‘Was there any part of the -day when your Grace despaired?’—‘Never,’ was the reply. - -“This was the reply of the first in command. In 1833, the writer of -this letter dined at lord Palmerston’s; on his right sat lord Hill. -As his Lordship lived near the author, he offered to set him down. -When alone in the carriage with lord Hill, remembering what sir -Walter had affirmed of the Duke’s confidence, he said, ‘Was there any -part of the day at Waterloo, my lord, you ever desponded as to the -result?’—‘Desponded!’ replied lord Hill, ‘never: there never was the -least panic; we had gained rather than lost ground, by the evening. -No, there was not a moment I had the least doubt of the result.’” - -In conclusion, and as a final answer to the depreciators of British -valour, we offer them the speech of the celebrated Ney, uttered -in the Chamber of Peers four days after the battle, and which is, -perhaps, of the French accounts the most worthy of attention, and too -remarkable to be omitted on the present occasion. - -When the peers were assembled, Carnot gave them a flaming account of -Grouchy’s admirable retreat from Wavre, at the head, the minister -said, of sixty thousand men; of Soult’s success in collecting -together twenty thousand of the old guard; of new levies from the -interior, with two hundred pieces of cannon. Ney, highly incensed at -these mischievous untruths, and keenly suffering from the injustice -done to him in Napoleon’s bulletins, started up, and declared -Carnot’s statement to be utterly false: - -“Will they dare to assert,” exclaimed the exasperated marshal, -“before eyewitnesses of the disastrous day of the 18th, that we have -yet sixty thousand soldiers embodied? Grouchy cannot have under him -above twenty or five-and-twenty thousand soldiers, at the utmost. -Had he possessed a greater force, he might have covered the retreat, -and the Emperor would still have been in command of an army on the -frontiers. Not a man of the guard will ever rally more. I myself -commanded them; I myself witnessed their total extermination, ere -I left the field of battle: they are annihilated. The enemy are at -Nivelles with eighty thousand men; they may, if they please, be at -Paris in six days. There is no safety for France, but in instant -propositions for peace[102].” - -This speech opened the eyes of all Paris to the facts, and prepared -the entry of the allies into France, almost without striking a blow. -It was truly, like my pages, A VOICE FROM WATERLOO and is the last -testimony we shall present to the reader, in refutation of the tale, -that we were beaten before the arrival of the Prussians. It was not -against the latter that the devoted Ney led the Imperial guard, nor -were they by the Prussians annihilated; they were defeated on no -other spot but the allied position on the field of Waterloo. - - -[Illustration: (end of chapter; image of a cannon)] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[84] A large quantity of these proclamations was found amongst the -Imperial baggage. - -[85] _Campagne et Bataille de Waterloo_, par ACHILLE DE VAULABELLE, -p. 95-96. Paris, 1845. - -[86] A positive proof that Napoleon was of opinion that the Prussians -were retiring upon Namur and the Meuse; or why did he direct the -communication to be kept up by the paved road of Quatre-Bras? - -[87] It is notorious that Ney was one amongst the last who quitted -the scene of carnage; it is also certain, we had our hands full to -wrest victory from the French. Had all Napoleon’s generals acted with -the same energy, gallantry and constant audacity as Ney did on his -last field, our day’s work would have been more troublesome, and not -so many of us left to tell the tale. As a soldier, I am sorry that -both Ney and the Emperor did not die a soldier’s death at Waterloo. - -[88] _Military life of the Duke of Wellington_, by major BASIL -JACKSON and captain ROCHFORT SCOTT; page 609, vol. II. - -[89] _See_ GURWOOD, vol. XII, p. 352. - -[90] _Quarterly Review_, No. LXX, page 478. - -[91] _See_ GURWOOD, vol. XII, page 441. - -[92] _Histoire de Napoléon_, par A. GABOURD, p. 345-346. - -[93] _Military life of the Duke of Wellington_, by major BASIL -JACKSON and captain ROCHFORT SCOTT; vol. II, page 604. - -[94] See _General orders_, in GURWOOD’S _Selections from Dispatches_, -page 865. - -[95] _See_ GURWOOD, _Dispatches_, vol. XII, page 438. - -[96] _See_ GURWOOD, _Dispatches_, vol. XII, p. 449, 453, 457. - -[97] _See_ Appendix, No. V. - -[98] 4th, 27th, 40th, (Lambert’s); 52d, 71st, 95th, (Adam’s); 14th, -23d, 51st, (Mitchell’s); 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th line of the German -legion, (Duplat’s); with Vivian’s 10th and 18th British, and 1st -German hussars, and Vandeleur’s 11th, 12th, and 16th light dragoons. - -[99] At the time the Prussians first became engaged, Duplat’s -Germans, a part of Halkett’s Hanoverians, with Adam’s brigade, -altogether above five thousand bayonets, stood in their advanced -position, between the north-east angle of the orchard of Hougoumont -and a little to the right of where the Lion now stands. - -[100] _See_ Appendix, No. V, page 252. - -[101] _Geschichte des Preussischen Staates_, 1763-1815; Frankfort, -1820; vol. III, page 371. - -[102] _See_ Ney’s letter, Appendix, No. V, page 253. - - - - -APPENDIX. - - -[Illustration: (decorative separator)] - - - - -No. I. - -SECRET MEMORANDUM. - -_for H. R. H. the prince of Orange, the Earl of Uxbridge, Lord Hill, -and the Quarter-Master-General._ - - “BRUSSELS, April 29th, 1815. - -“1. Having received reports that the Imperial guard had moved -from Paris upon Beauvais, and a report having been for some -days prevalent in the country that Bonaparte was about to visit -the northern frontier, I deem it expedient to concentrate the -cantonments of the troops, with a view to their early junction in -case this country should be attacked, for which concentration the -Quarter-Master-General now sends orders. - -“2. In this case, the enemy’s line of attack will be either between -the Lys and the Scheldt, or between the Sambre and the Scheldt, or by -both lines. - -“3. In the first case, I should wish the troops of the 4th division -to take up the bridge on the Scheldt, near Avelghem, and with the -regiment of cavalry at Courtray, to fall back upon Audenarde, -which post they are to occupy, and to inundate the country in the -neighbourhood. - -“4. The garrison of Ghent are to inundate the country in the -neighbourhood likewise, and that point is to be held at all events. - -“5. The cavalry in observation between Menin and Furnes are to fall -back upon Ostend, those between Menin and Tournay upon Tournay, and -thence to join their regiments. - -“6. The 1st, 2d, and 3d divisions of infantry are to be collected -at the head-quarters of the divisions, and the cavalry at the -head-quarters of their several brigades, and the whole to be in -readiness to march at a moment’s notice. - -“7. The troops of the Netherlands to be collected at Soignies and -Nivelles. - -“8. In case the attack should be made between the Sambre and the -Scheldt, I propose to collect the British and Hanoverians at and in -the neighbourhood of Enghien, and the army of the Low-Countries at -and in the neighbourhood of Soignies and Braine-le-Comte. - -“9. In this case, the 2d and 3d divisions will collect at their -respective head-quarters, and gradually fall back towards Enghien, -with the cavalry of colonel Arentschild, and the Hanoverian brigade. - -“10. The garrisons of Mons and Tournay will stand fast; but that of -Ath will be withdrawn, with the 2d division, if the works should not -have been sufficiently advanced to render the place tenable against a -_coup de main_. - -“11. General sir William Ponsonby’s, sir J. O. Vandeleur’s, and sir -Hussey Vivian’s brigades of cavalry, will march upon Hal. - -“12. The troops of the Low-Countries will collect upon Soignies and -Braine-le-Comte. - -“13. The troops of the 4th division, and the 2d hussars, after taking -up the bridge at Avelghem, will fall back upon Audenarde, and there -wait for further orders. - -“14. In case of the attack being directed by both lines supposed, -the troops of the 4th. division, and 2d hussars, and the garrison -of Ghent, will act as directed in Nos. 3 and 4 of this Memorandum; -and the 2d and 3d divisions, and the cavalry, and the troops of the -Low-Countries, as directed in Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 337-8.) - - -MEMORANDUM - -_for Colonel Sir William de Lancey, Deputy Quarter-Master-General._ - -MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMY. - - “BRUSSELS, June 15th, 1815. - -“General Dornberg’s brigade of cavalry, and the Cumberland hussars, -to march this night upon Vilvorde, and to bivac on the high-road near -to that town. - -“The earl of Uxbridge will be pleased to collect the cavalry this -night at Ninove, leaving the 2d hussars looking out between the -Scheldt and the Lys. - -“The 1st division of infantry to collect this night at Ath and -adjacent, and to be in readiness to move at a moment’s notice. - -“The 3d division to collect this night at Braine-le-Comte, and to be -in readiness to move at the shortest notice. - -“The 4th division to be collected this night at Grammont, with the -exception of the troops beyond the Scheldt, which are to be moved to -Audenarde. - -“The 5th division, the 81st regiment and the Hanoverian brigade of -the 6th division, to be in readiness to march from Brussels at a -moment’s notice. - -“The duke of Brunswick’s corps to collect this night on the high-road -between Brussels and Vilvorde. - -“The Nassau troops to collect at day-light to-morrow morning on the -Louvain road, and to be in readiness to move at a moment’s notice. - -“The Hanoverian brigade of the 5th division to collect this night at -Hal, and to be in readiness at day-light to-morrow morning to move -towards Brussels, and to halt on the high-road between Alost and -Assche for further orders. - -“The prince of Orange is requested to collect at Nivelles the 2d and -3d divisions of the army of the Low-Countries; and, should that point -have been attacked this day, to move the 3d division of British -infantry upon Nivelles, as soon as collected. - -“This movement is not to take place until it is quite certain that -the enemy’s attack is upon the right of the Prussian army, and the -left of the British army. - -“Lord Hill will be so good as to order prince Frederick of Orange -to occupy Audenarde with five hundred men, and to collect the 1st -division of the army of the Low-Countries, and the Indian brigade, at -Sotteghem, so as to be ready to march in the morning at day-light. - -“The reserve artillery to be in readiness to move at day-light. - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol XII, p. 472-3.) - - -INSTRUCTIONS - -FOR THE MOVEMENT OF THE ARMY ON JUNE 16TH. - -_Signed by Colonel Sir William De Lancey, Deputy -Quarter-Master-General._ - -_To General Lord Hill._ - - “June 16th, 1815. - -“The duke of Wellington requests that you will move the 2d division -of infantry upon Braine-le-Comte immediately. His Grace is going to -Waterloo.” - - -_To the same._ - - “June 16th, 1815. - -“Your Lordship is requested to order prince Frederick of Orange to -move, immediately upon the receipt of this order, the 1st division -of the army of the Low-Countries, and the Indian brigade, from -Sotteghem to Enghien, leaving five hundred men, as before directed, -in Audenarde.” - - -_To the same._ - - “GENAPPE, June 16th, 1815. - -“The 2d division of infantry to move to-morrow morning at day-break -from Nivelles to Quatre-Bras. - -“The 4th division of infantry to move at day-break to-morrow morning -to Nivelles.” - - “June 16th, 1815. - -“The reserve artillery to move at day-break to-morrow morning, the -17th, to Quatre-Bras, where it will receive further orders.” - - -_To Major-General Sir J. Lambert._ - - “June 16th, 1815. - -“The brigade of infantry under the command of major-general sir J. -Lambert, to march from Assche at day-break to-morrow morning, the -17th inst., to Genappe, on the Namur road, and to remain there until -further orders.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 274-5.) - - -[Illustration: (end of Note; decorative separator)] - - - - -No. II. - -The reader will observe that the letters from which I make the -following extracts, were written at three o’clock in the morning of -the battle. - - -_To Sir Charles Stuart._ - - “WATERLOO, June 18th, 1815, - three o’clock A.M. - - “MY DEAR STUART, - -... “You will see in the letter to the duc de Berry the real state of -our case, and the only risk we run. The Prussians will be ready again -in the morning for anything. - -“Pray keep the English (in Brussels,) quiet, if you can. Let them all -prepare to move, but neither be in a hurry nor a fright, as all will -yet turn out well. - -“I have given the directions to the governor of Antwerp, to meet the -_crotchets_ which I find in the heads of the king’s governors upon -every turn.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 476.) - - -_To His Royal Highness the Duc de Berry._ - - “WATERLOO, June 18th, 1815, - three o’clock in the morning. - - “SIR, - -“I have not written to your Royal Highness since Thursday, as I had -nothing to communicate ... and I have had a great deal to do. - -“We had a very sanguinary battle on Friday last: near the farm of -Quatre-Bras; the Prussians, about Sombreffe. I had very few troops -with me, and no cavalry: I however drove the enemy back, and had -considerable success. The Prussians suffered a good deal, and -retreated during the night; and in consequence I retired also during -the day. I saw very little yesterday of the enemy, who followed us -very gently, and the Prussians not at all. The Prussians have been -joined by their fourth corps, more than thirty thousand strong, and I -have also nearly all my men together. - -“It may happen that the enemy will turn us by Hal, although the -weather is terrible and the roads are in a shocking state, and -although I have posted prince Frederick’s corps between Hal and -Enghien. If this should happen, I beg your Royal Highness to march on -Antwerp ... and to inform his Majesty (Louis XVIII,) that I beg him -to leave Ghent for Antwerp by the left of the Scheldt. He will find -no difficulty in crossing at the _Tête de Flandre_. - -... “I hope, and I have every reason to believe, that all will turn -out well; but we must take every possible precaution, and avoid -great losses. It is with this view, that I beg your Royal Highness -to follow the directions here given, and his Majesty to make for -Antwerp, not upon false reports, but upon certain information that -the enemy has got into Brussels, in spite of me, in turning me by -Hal.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 476-7.) - - -The following letters, written just after the battle, will show how -deeply the duke felt the loss of his companions in arms: the renown -his success would ensure was no consolation to him for the loss of -friends and heroes: patriotism, and the confident expectation that an -effectual stop was at length put to the horrors which had desolated -Europe for more than twenty years, were the sources of such comfort -as he could feel himself, or offer to others, for the expenditure of -so many valuable lives. - - -_To the Earl of Aberdeen, K. T._ - - “BRUSSELS, June 19th, 1815. - - “MY DEAR LORD, - -“You will readily give credit to the existence of the extreme grief -with which I announce to you the death of your gallant brother, -(colonel Gordon,) in consequence of a wound received in our great -battle of yesterday. - -“He had served me most zealously and usefully for many years, and on -many trying occasions; but he had never rendered himself more useful, -and had never distinguished himself more, than in our late actions. - -“He received the wound which occasioned his death, when rallying -one of the Brunswick battalions which was shaking a little; and he -lived long enough to be informed by myself of the glorious result of -our actions, to which he had so much contributed by his active and -zealous assistance. - -“I cannot express to you the regret and sorrow with which I -look round me, and contemplate the loss which I have sustained, -particularly in your brother. The glory resulting from such actions, -so dearly bought, is no consolation to me, and I cannot suggest it -as any to you and his friends; but I hope that it may be expected -that this last one has been so decisive, as that no doubt remains -that our exertions and our individual losses will be rewarded by the -early attainment of our just object. It is then that the glory of the -actions in which our friends and relations have fallen, will be some -consolation for their loss. - - “Believe me, etc. - “WELLINGTON.” - -“Your brother had a black horse, given to him, I believe, by lord -Ashburnham, which I will keep till I hear from you what you wish -should be done with it.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 488-9.) - - -_To the Duke of Beaufort, K. G._ - - “BRUSSELS, June 19th, 1815. - - “MY DEAR LORD, - -“I am very sorry to have to acquaint you that your brother Fitzroy -is very severely wounded, and has lost his right arm. I have just -seen him, and he is perfectly free from fever, and as well as -anybody could be under such circumstances. You are aware how useful -he has always been to me, and how much I shall feel the want of his -assistance, and what a regard and affection I feel for him; and you -will readily believe how much concerned I am for his misfortune. -Indeed, the losses I have sustained, have quite broken me down; and I -have no feeling for the advantages we have acquired. I hope, however, -that your brother will soon be able to join me again; and that he -will long live to be, as he is likely to become, an honour to his -country, as he is a satisfaction to his family and friends. - - “Believe me, etc. - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 489.) - - -_To Marshal Prince Schwarzenberg._ - - “JONCOURT, June 26th, 1815. - -... “Our battle on the 18th was one of giants; and our success was -most complete, as you perceive. God grant I may never see another! -for I am overwhelmed with grief at the loss of my old friends and -comrades. - -“My neighbour and fellow-labourer (Blücher) is in good health, though -he suffers a little from the fall of a horse, wounded under him in -the battle of the 16th.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 510.) - - -The following extracts will prove the early and complete conviction -of the Duke, that all had been decided at Waterloo. - - -_To General Dumouriez._ - - “NIVELLES, June 20th, 1815. - -... “You must have heard what I have done; and I hope you are -satisfied. I never saw such a battle as the one the day before -yesterday; and never before did I gain such a victory. I trust it is -all over with Bonaparte. We are in hot pursuit of him.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (Gurwood, vol. XII, page 490.) - - -_To General the Earl of Uxbridge._ - - “LE CATEAU, June 23d, 1815. - -... “My opinion is that we have given Napoleon his death-blow.... He -can make no head against us ... _il n’a qu’à se pendre_,” (he has -only to hang himself).... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 499-500.) - - -_To the Prince de Talleyrand._ - - “LE CATEAU, June 24th, 1815. - -... “It was I who recommended to the king (Louis XVIII,) to enter -France at present, because I was aware of the extent of our success -in the battle of the 18th.... - -“I enclose you, in confirmation of my opinion of the extent of our -success, the _Journal de l’Empire_ of the 22d, in which you will find -Bonaparte’s account of the action, the truth of which, as far as it -goes against himself, cannot be doubted.... - -“I conclude that you can have no scruple about joining the king -forthwith, a measure which I earnestly entreat you and the other -members of the king’s council to adopt without loss of time. - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 502-3.) - - -I may here remark, that in political foresight, the Duke was in -advance of Talleyrand himself, as the letter above demonstrates. - - -_To Marshal Lord Beresford._ - - “GONESSE, July 2d, 1815. - -“You will have heard of our battle of the 18th. Never did I see such -a pounding match. Both were what the boxers call gluttons. Napoleon -did not manœuvre at all. He just moved forward in the old style, in -columns, and was driven off in the old style.... - -“I had the infantry for some time in squares; and we had the French -cavalry walking about us as if they had been our own. I never saw the -British infantry behave so well.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 529.) - - -The subjoined extracts show how steadily Wellington kept in view the -sole object of the war; and that he was not to be cajoled by any -diplomatic chicanery, and what pains he took to keep statesmen to the -point. - - -_To Earl Bathurst._ - - “JONCOURT, June 25th, 1815. - -“To advanced posts ... yesterday received a proposition to suspend -hostilities, as it was stated that Bonaparte had abdicated in favour -of his son, and has appointed a provisional government, consisting -of Fouché, Carnot, Caulincourt, general Grenier, and Quinette; that -these persons had sent ministers to the allied powers to treat for -peace. - -“It appeared both to prince Blücher and to me, that these measures -were a trick.... - -“The object of the alliance of the powers of Europe is declared by -the first article of the treaty of the 25th of March, to be to force -Napoleon Bonaparte to desist from his projects, and to place him in a -situation in which he will no longer have it in his power to disturb -the peace of the world; and, by the third article, the powers of -Europe have agreed not to lay down their arms till ... it shall have -been rendered impossible for Bonaparte to excite fresh troubles.... - -“I could not consider his abdication of a usurped power in favour of -his son, and his handing over the government provisionally to five -persons named by himself, to be that description of security which -the allies had in view, which should induce them to lay down their -arms; and therefore I continue my operations.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 508.) - - -_To the French Commissioners._ - - “HEAD-QUARTERS, June 26th, 1815. - -... “Since the 15th instant, when Napoleon Bonaparte, at the head -of the French armies, invaded the dominions of the king of the -Netherlands, and attacked the Prussian army the Field-Marshal has -considered his sovereign, and those powers whose armies he commands, -in a state of war with the government of France; and he does not -consider the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte of his usurped -authority, under all the circumstances which have preceded and -attended that measure, as the attainment of the object held out in -the declarations and treaties of the allies, which should induce them -to lay down their arms. - -“The Field-Marshal cannot consent therefore to any suspension of -hostilities, however desirous he is of preventing the farther -effusion of blood. - -“Their Excellencies ... will probably consider any interview with him -a useless waste of their time.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 512.) - - -It will appear, by the subjoined documents, that Wellington was -tender of the life of Napoleon, who had not spared that of the duc -d’Enghien, and who had declared that he would treat in the same way, -that is, put to death, any Bourbon prince he should catch within -the boundaries of his empire. Blücher was eager to put Bonaparte to -death, as the guilty author of so much rapine and bloodshed; and -to punish the Parisians by fines, the destruction of the bridge of -Jena, and of their city itself, if they proved refractory. From this -dreadful retaliation, it required all the influence of the Duke over -Blücher to preserve them. Posterity should know, if the French will -not pay attention to the fact, through whose intervention Napoleon’s -life was spared, and Paris saved from dishonour, if not pillage and -utter destruction. - - -_To Sir Charles Stuart, G.C.B._ - - “ORVILLÉ, June 28th, 1815. - - “MY DEAR STUART, - -“I send you my dispatches, which will make you acquainted with the -state of affairs. You may show them to Talleyrand if you choose. - -“General —— has been here this day to negotiate for Napoleon’s -passing to America, to which proposition I have answered that I have -no authority. The Prussians think the Jacobins wish to give him over -to me, believing that I will save his life. Blücher wishes to kill -him; but I have told him that I shall remonstrate, and shall insist -upon his being disposed of by common accord. I have likewise said -that, as a private friend, I advised him to have nothing to do with -so foul a transaction; that he and I had acted too distinguished -parts in these transactions to become executioners; and that I was -determined, that if the sovereigns wished to put him to death, they -should appoint an executioner, which should not be me.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 516.) - - -_To Marshal Prince Blücher._ - - “GONESSE, July 2d, 1815. - - “SIR, - -“I requested general Müffling to write to your Highness yesterday, -upon the subject of the propositions which had been made to me by the -French commissioners for a suspension of hostilities, upon which I -have not yet had a positive answer from your Highness.... - -“If we choose it, we can settle all our matters now, by agreeing to -the proposed armistice.... - -“By adopting this measure, we provide for the quiet restoration of -his Majesty to his throne; which is that result of the war which the -sovereigns of all of us have always considered the most beneficial -for us all, and the most likely to lead to permanent peace in Europe. - -“It is true we shall not have the vain triumph of entering Paris at -the head of our victorious troops; but ... I doubt our having the -means at present of succeeding in an attack upon Paris; and, if we -are to wait till the arrival of marshal prince Wrede to make the -attack, I think we shall find the sovereigns disposed, as they were -last year, to spare the capital of their ally, and either not to -enter the town at all, or enter it under an armistice, such as it is -in your power and mine to sign this day. - -“I earnestly urge your Highness ... to let me have your decision -whether you will agree to any armistice, or not.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 526-7.) - - -_To the French Commissioners._ - - “GONESSE, July 2d, 1815. - -“It is my duty to apprize your Excellencies, that I have just -received a letter from marshal prince Blücher, who expresses the -greatest aversion to granting an armistice.... I have written to him -once more, having the greatest desire to save your capital from the -danger which menaces it; and I expect his answer to-night.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol XII, page 528.) - - -_To Marshal Prince Blücher._ - - “PARIS, July 8th, 1815, midnight. - - “MEIN LIEBER FÜRST, - -“Several reports have been brought to me during the evening and -night, and some from the government, in consequence of the work -carrying on by your Highness on one of the bridges over the Seine, -which it is supposed to be your intention to destroy. - -“As this measure will certainly create a good deal of disturbance in -the town, and as the sovereigns, when they were here before, left all -these bridges, etc., standing, I take the liberty of suggesting to -you to delay the destruction of the bridge, at least till they shall -arrive; or, at all events, till I can have the pleasure of seeing you -to-morrow morning. - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 549.) - - -The duke of Wellington was obliged to continue his mediation with -Blücher, to prevent the exasperated veteran from punishing the -pockets and humbling the pride of the Parisians; and for this his -generous and enlightened intervention the Duke did not receive the -gratitude that was due to him, as must appear from the following -letters: - - -_To Marshal Prince Blücher._ - - “PARIS, July 9th, 1815. - -“The subjects on which lord Castlereagh and I conversed with -your Highness and general comte Gneisenau this morning, viz. the -destruction of the bridge of Jena and the levy of the contribution -of one hundred millions of francs upon the city of Paris, appear to -me to be so important to the allies in general, that I cannot allow -myself to omit to draw your Highness’s attention to them again in -this shape. - -“The destruction of the bridge of Jena is highly disagreeable to the -king and to the people, and may occasion disturbance in the city. -It is not merely a military measure, but is one likely to attach to -the character of our operations, and is of political importance. It -is adopted solely because the bridge is considered a monument of the -battle of Jena, notwithstanding that the government are willing to -change the name of the bridge. - -“Considering the bridge as a monument, I beg leave to observe that -its immediate destruction is inconsistent with the promise made -to the commissioners on the part of the French army, during the -negotiation of the convention; viz. that the monuments, museums, -etc., should be reserved for the decision of the allied sovereigns. - -“All that I ask is, that the execution of the orders given for the -destruction of the bridge may be suspended till the sovereigns shall -arrive here, when, if it should be agreed by common accord that the -bridge ought to be destroyed, I shall have no objection.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 552-3.) - - -_To Monsieur_ ——. - - “PARIS, July 13th, 1815. - -“I have received your letter of the 10th. Perhaps if you had taken -the trouble to inform yourself respecting the works of the Prussian -army at the bridge of Jena, and the part I have acted in this affair, -you would think that I do not merit the reproaches which you with -your signature, and others anonymously, have made me on this subject. - -“But I ascribe them to the levity with which impressions are received -and are allowed to influence the actions of men, and the most -important measures, in this country; and if the injustice you have -done me in your letter lead you to inquire and reflect before you -ever again bring a charge against a public man, I pardon you. - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 555-6.) - - -The pains which the Duke took to preserve the strictest discipline -amongst the troops under his command, and which far surpassed the -care taken by other commanders in similar circumstances, entitled him -to the gratitude of the Parisians, but did not always exempt him from -ill-timed and unreasonable demands. The following severe but just -reply was provoked by general comte de Vaubois, who seems to have -importuned the Duke for compensation for damages said to be done by -the British troops to the French people: - - -_To General Comte de Vaubois._ - - “PARIS, November 10th, 1815. - - “MONSIEUR, - -“You, who have served, must be well aware that it is not possible to -give compensation to the full amount for all the damages arising -from the presence of an army in a country, or the irregularities -of individual soldiers, or the inevitable consequences of military -occupation. It is quite true that I usually require reparation to be -made for damages caused to the inhabitants by any irregularities of -the troops, especially of English troops. But it is more as a means -of discipline than as a full compensation to the inhabitants; and I -cannot adopt in every case the same means with foreign troops, who -are not so well, nor so regularly paid. - -“The fact is, _M. le général_, that France, in carrying her arms -into other countries, caused misery, devastation and ruin: I myself -have been eyewitness of the destruction of property throughout whole -provinces, that refused to submit to the yoke of the tyrant, and that -were in consequence entirely depopulated. - -“Although private revenge ought never to be the motive of a man, and -most assuredly it is not that of the allied sovereigns, we can hardly -expect that soldiers, men taken from the poorest and most hardy ranks -of society, after having seen their properties, or those of their -relatives, burned, sacked, destroyed by the French, should have any -very great respect for French property, when, by the fortune of war, -they find themselves in France. - -“It is our duty, it is the interest of all of us, more even, I -think, than that it is the duty of the French government, to prevent -those acts of devastation; and I believe that there is no one who -has endeavoured to do this duty so much as I have. But, _M. le -général_, you know what armies are; and I appeal to your judgment: -is it possible entirely to prevent such occurences in such an army -as is under my command; particularly when the soldier is excited by -the remembrance of the evils which he and his relatives have had to -endure at the hands of French troops?... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 685-6.) - - -_To H.R.H. Prince Frederick of Orange._ - - “PARIS, November 10th, 1815. - -“I send you a letter I have just received from general comte -de Vaubois, concerning the damages done by the soldiers of the -Netherlands. - -“You will see that their officers were not present at their bivac ... -and that the damage done by them amounts to 30,000 francs, a sum ten -times greater perhaps than the general will have to pay, as his part -of the contribution to the allies, in five years. It is clearly of -great importance that the allies prevent these irregularities. - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 686.) - - -Many have been pleased to say that the duke of Wellington both -could and ought to have interposed to save marshal Ney from being -ignominiously executed. Without entering into the question, whether -Ney was a perjured traitor to Louis XVIII, and if so, what was the -meetest punishment for his treason, it may be confidently averred -that Napoleon would have spared no man under similar circumstances. -The following documents are worthy of attention: - - -MEMORANDUM - -RESPECTING MARSHAL NEY. - - “PARIS, November 19th, 1815. - -“It is extraordinary that Madame la maréchale Ney should have thought -proper to publish in print parts of a conversation which she is -supposed to have had with the duke of Wellington; and that she has -omitted to publish that which is a much better record of the Duke’s -opinion on the subject to which the conversation related; viz. the -Duke’s letter to the maréchal prince de la Moskowa, in answer to the -maréchal’s note to his Grace. That letter was as follows: - - “November, 14th, 1815. - - “I have had the honour of receiving the note which you addressed - to me on the 13th November, relating to the operation of the - capitulation of Paris on your case. The capitulation of Paris of - the 3d July was made between the commanders in chief of the allied - British and Prussian armies on the one part, and the prince - d’Eckmühl, commander in chief of the French army, on the other; and - related exclusively to the military occupation of Paris. - - “The object of the 12th article was to prevent the adoption of any - measures of severity, under the military authority of those who - made it, towards any persons in Paris on account of the offices - which they had filled, or their conduct, or their political - opinions. But it was never intended, and could not be intended, - to prevent either the existing French government, under whose - authority the French commander in chief must have acted, or any - French government which should succeed to it, from acting in this - respect as it might deem fit.” - -“It is obvious from this letter that the duke of Wellington, one -of the parties to the capitulation of Paris, considers that that -instrument contains nothing which can prevent the king from bringing -marshal Ney to trial in such manner as his Majesty may think -proper[103]. - -“The contents of the capitulation fully confirm the justice of the -Duke’s opinion. It is made between the commanders in chief of the -contending armies respectively; and the first nine articles relate -solely to the mode and time of the evacuation of Paris by the French -army, and of the occupation by the British and Prussian armies. - -“The 10th article provides that the existing authorities shall be -respected by the two commanders in chief of the allies; the 11th, -that public property shall be respected, and that the allies shall -not interfere _en aucune manière dans leur administration et dans -leur gestion_; (in any manner, either in their administration or in -their management;) and the 12th article states, _Seront pareillement -respectées les personnes et les propriétés particulières: les -habitants, et, en général, tous les individus qui se trouvent dans -la capitale, continueront à jouir de leurs droits et libertés, sans -pouvoir être inquiétés, ni recherchés en rien relativement aux -fonctions qu’il occupent, ou auraient occupées, à leur conduite, et -à leurs opinions politiques_. (The persons as well as the property -of individuals, shall be equally respected; the inhabitants, and in -general every individual residing in the capital, shall continue in -full possession of their rights and liberties, without being molested -in any manner, on account of the functions which they may have -filled, their conduct, or their political opinions.) - -“By whom were these private properties and persons to be respected? -By the allied generals and their troops mentioned in the 10th and -11th articles; and not by other parties to whom the convention did -not relate in any manner. - -“The 13th article provides that _les troupes étrangères_, (the -foreign troops) shall not obstruct the carriage of provisions by land -or water to the capital. - -“Thus it appears that every article in the convention relates -exclusively to the operations of the different armies, or to the -conduct of the allies and that of their generals, when they should -enter Paris; and, as the duke of Wellington states in his dispatch of -the 4th of July, with which he transmitted the convention to England, -it ‘decided all the military points then existing at Paris, and -touched nothing political[104].’ - -“But it appears clearly that, not only was this the Duke’s opinion of -the convention at the time it was signed, but likewise the opinion of -Carnot, of marshal Ney, and of every other person who had an interest -in considering the subject. - -“Carnot says, in the _Exposé de la conduite politique de M. Carnot_, -(page 43,) _Il fut résolu d’envoyer aux généraux anglais et prussiens -une commission spéciale chargée de leur proposer une convention -purement militaire, pour la remise de la ville de Paris entre leurs -mains, en écartant toute question politique, puisqu’on ne pouvait -préjuger quelles seraient les intentions des alliés, lorsqu’ils -seraient réunis_. (It was decided to forward to the English and -Prussian generals a special commission, to the purport of proposing -to them a convention, purely military, for the surrender of the city -of Paris into their hands, setting aside all political questions, -since it was impossible to foresee what might be the ultimate -intentions of the allies, when they should be assembled.) - -“It appears that marshal Ney fled from Paris in disguise, with a -passport given to him by the duc d’Otrante, under a feigned name, -on the 6th of July. He could not be supposed to be ignorant of the -tenor of the 12th article of the convention; and he must then have -known whether it was the intention of the parties who made it, that -it should protect him from the measures which the king, then at -St.-Denis, should think proper to adopt against him. - -“But if marshal Ney could be supposed ignorant of the intention of -the 12th article, the duc d’Otrante, could not, as he was at the -head of the provisional government, under whose authority the prince -d’Eckmühl must have acted when he signed the convention[105]. - -“Would the duc d’Otrante have given a passport under a feigned name -to marshal Ney, if he had understood the 12th article as giving the -marshal any protection, excepting against measures of severity by the -two commanders in chief? - -“Another proof of what was the opinion of the duc d’Otrante, of -the king’s ministers, and of all the persons most interested is -establishing the meaning now attempted to be given to the 12th -article of the convention of the 3d July, is the king’s proclamation -of the 24th July, by which nineteen persons are ordered for trial, -and thirty-eight persons are ordered to quit Paris, and to reside in -particular parts of France, under the observation and superintendence -of the police, till the Chambers should decide upon their fate[106]. - -“Did the duc d’Otrante, did any of the persons who are the objects of -this proclamation, did any person on their behalf, ever then, or now, -claim for them the protection of the 12th article of the convention? -Certainly the convention was then understood, as it ought to be -understood now, viz. that it was exclusively military and was never -intended to bind the then existing government of France, or any -government which should succeed it. - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, p. 694-6.) - - -EXTRACT FROM THE PROCLAMATION OF LOUIS XVIII. - - “CAMBRAY, June 28th, 1815. - -... “In the plot which they contrived, I perceive many of my subjects -to have been misled, and some guilty. I promise—I who never promised -in vain, as all Europe can witness,—to pardon to misled Frenchmen -all that has transpired since the day I quitted Lille amidst so -many tears, up to the day I re-entered Cambray, amidst so many -acclamations. But the blood of my people has flowed in consequence of -a treason unprecedented in the annals of the world. That treason has -summoned foreigners into the heart of France; every day reveals to -me a new disaster. I owe it, therefore, to the dignity of my crown, -to the interest of my people, and to the repose of Europe, to except -from pardon the instigators and authors of this horrible plot. They -shall be delivered over to the vindication of the laws by the two -Chambers, which I propose forthwith to assemble.... - - “LOUIS.” - - -_To ——[107], Esq._ - - “PARIS, August 8th, 1815. - - “MY DEAR SIR, - -“I have received your letter of the 2d, regarding the battle of -Waterloo. The object which you propose to yourself is very difficult -of attainment, and, if really attained, is not a little invidious. -The history of a battle is not unlike the history of a ball. Some -individuals may recollect all the little events, of which the great -result is the battle won or lost; but no individual can recollect the -order in which, or the exact moment at which they occurred, which -makes all the difference as to their value or importance. - -“Then the faults or the misbehaviour of some gave occasion for the -distinction of others, and perhaps were the cause of material losses; -and you cannot write a true history of a battle without including the -faults and misbehaviour of part at least of those engaged. - -“Believe me that every man you see in a military uniform is not a -hero; and that, although in the account given of a general action, -such as that of Waterloo, many instances of individual heroism must -be passed over unrelated, it is better for the general interests to -leave those parts of the story untold, than to tell the whole truth. - -“If, however, you should still think it right to turn your attention -to this subject, I am most ready to give you every assistance and -information in my power. - - “Believe me, etc. - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 590.) - - -_To the same._ - - “PARIS, August 17th, 1815. - - “MY DEAR SIR, - -“I have received your letter of the 11th, and I regret much that I -have not been able to prevail upon you to relinquish your plan. - -“You may depend upon it, you will never make it a satisfactory work. - -“I will get you the list of the French army, generals, etc. - -“Just to show you how little reliance can be placed, even on what are -supposed the best accounts of a battle, I mention that there are some -circumstances mentioned in general Müffling’s account which did not -occur as he relates them. - -“He was not on the field during the whole battle, particularly not -during the latter part of it. - -“The battle began, I believe, at eleven. - -“It is impossible so say when each important occurrence took place, -nor in what order. We were attacked first with infantry only; then, -with cavalry only; lastly, and principally, with cavalry and infantry -mixed. - -“No houses were possessed by the enemy in Mont-St.-Jean, excepting -the farm in front of the left of our centre[108], on the road to -Genappe, can be called one. This they got, I think, at about two -o’clock, and got it from a circumstance which is to be attributed to -the neglect of the officer commanding on the spot. - -“The French cavalry were on the plateau in the centre between the two -high-roads for nearly three quarters of an hour, riding about among -our squares of infantry, all firing having ceased on both sides. I -moved our squares forward to the guns; and our cavalry, which had -been detached by lord Uxbridge to the flanks, was brought back to -the centre. The French cavalry were then driven off. After that -circumstance, repeated attacks were made along the whole front of the -centre of the position, by cavalry and infantry, till seven at night. -How many I cannot tell. - -“When the enemy attacked sir Thomas Picton I was there, and they got -as far as the hedge on the cross-road, behind which the —— had been -formed. The latter had run away, and our troops were on our side of -the hedge. The French were driven off with immense loss. This was -the first principal attack. At about two in the afternoon, as I have -above said, they got possession of the farm-house on the high-road, -which defended this part of the position; and they then took -possession of a small mound on the left of the high-road going from -Brussels, immediately opposite the gate of the farm; and they were -never removed from thence till I commenced the attack in the evening: -but they never advanced farther on that side. - -“These are answers to all your queries; but remember, I recommend to -you to leave the battle of Waterloo as it is. - - “Believe me, etc. - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, p. 609-610.) - - -The fair inference is, that the Duke, on seeing the orchard and -garden of La Haye-Sainte in possession of the enemy about two o’clock -P.M., thought the farm was also in their hands, which certainly was -not the case till about five o’clock. - -The farm-house in question, La Haye-Sainte, was lost from a -deficiency of _proper_ ammunition; its gallant defenders were -riflemen. Who was to be blamed for that deficiency, it is difficult -now to ascertain: the Duke, it appears, thought the officer -commanding on the spot was censurable on this account. Let me be -allowed to record my regret, that on this and many other occasions, -valuable lives and important posts were often lost, owing to our -having three different sizes for ball cartridges. If there were -but one size, as I think there might be, for cavalry, infantry -and rifles, the mutual supply of ammunition would be at all times -practicable, and, in critical moments, of the utmost value. - - -_To His Royal Highness the Duke of York._ - - “ORVILLÉ, June 28th, 1815. - -... “I would beg leave to suggest to your Royal Highness the -expediency of giving to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers -engaged in the battle of Waterloo, a medal[109]. I am convinced it -would have the best effect in the army; and, if the battle should -settle our concerns, they will well deserve it.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - (_Gurwood_, vol. XII, page 520.) - - -_To Earl Bathurst._ - - “PARIS, September 17th, 1815. - - “MY DEAR LORD, - -“I have long intended to write to you about the medal for Waterloo. -I recommend that the men should all have the same medal, hung on the -same ribbon as that now used with the medals.... - - “WELLINGTON.” - - -[Illustration: (end of Note; decorative separator)] - - - - -No. III. - -SUMMARY - - OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF FIELD-MARSHAL THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON, - WITH THE PUBLIC HONOURS AND EMOLUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN CONFERRED - UPON HIM. - - - Born 1st May, 1769. - Ensign 7th March, 1787. - Lieutenant 25th December, 1787. - Captain 30th June, 1791. - Major 30th April, 1793. - Lieutenant-Colonel 30th September, 1793. - Colonel 3d May, 1796. - Major-General 29th April, 1802. - Lieutenant-General 25th April, 1808. - General, in Spain and Portugal 31st July, 1811. - Field-Marshal 21st June, 1813. - - Governor of Seringapatam 6th May, 1799. - The inhabitants of Calcutta vote a - sword of the value of 1,000_l._ to - Major-General Wellesley 21st February, 1804. - The officers of his division vote to - Major-General Wellesley a gold - vase, which is afterwards changed - to a service of plate embossed with - “Assye.” 26th February, 1804. - Appointed a Knight Companion of - the Bath 1st September, 1804. - Thanked by parliament 8th March, 1805. - Returned to serve in parliament 12th April, 1806. - Sworn a Privy Counsellor 8th April, 1807. - Secretary to Ireland 19th April, 1807. - Negotiates capitulation at Copenhagen 5th September, 1807. - Thanked in parliament for the same. 1st February, 1808. - A piece of plate, commemorating the - battle of Vimeiro, voted to Lieutenant-General - Sir Arthur Wellesley - by the general and field-officers - who served at it 22d August, 1808. - Thanked in parliament for Vimeiro 27th January, 1809. - Appointed to command the army in - Portugal 2d April, 1809. - Appointed Marshal-General of the - Portuguese army 6th July, 1809. - Created Baron Douro of Wellesley - and Viscount Wellington of Talavera 26th August, 1809. - Thanks of parliament voted for Talavera 1st February, 1810. - Pension of 2,000_l._ per annum, voted - to him and his two succeeding - heirs male 16th February, 1810. - Thanks of parliament for the liberation - of Portugal 26th April, 1811. - License granted in the name of the - King by the Prince Regent, to - accept the title of Conde do Vimeiro, - and the insignia of Knight - Grand-Cross of the Tower and - Sword from the prince regent of - Portugal 26th October, 1811. - Created by the regency of Spain a - Grandé, with the title of Duque - de Ciudad-Rodrigo January, 1812. - Thanks of parliament for Ciudad-Rodrigo 10th February, 1812. - Advanced in the British peerage by - the title of Earl Wellington 18th February, 1812. - Voted 2,000_l._ per annum in addition 21st February, 1812. - Thanks of parliament for Badajoz 27th April, 1812. - The order of the Golden Fleece conferred - by the regency of Spain July, 1812. - Appointed Generalissimo of the - Spanish armies 12th August, 1812. - Advanced in the British peerage by - the title of Marquis of Wellington. 18th August, 1812. - Advanced by the regent of Portugal - to the title of Marquez de - Torres-Vedras 12th September, 1812. - Thanks of parliament for Salamanca. 3d December, 1812. - A grant of 100,000_l._ from parliament, - to be laid out in the purchase of - lands as a reward for his services. 7th December, 1812. - Advanced by the regent of Portugal - to the title of Duque da Victoria. 18th December, 1812. - Elected a Knight of the Garter 4th March, 1813. - Thanks of parliament for the battle - of Vittoria 8th July, 1813. - The regency of Spain, on the proposition - of the Cortes, offers to - bestow on the Duque de Ciudad-Rodrigo - the estate of Soto-de-Roma, - in Granada 22d July, 1813. - Thanks of parliament for San-Sebastian - and the operations subsequent - to Vittoria 8th October, 1813. - The prince Regent grants permission - to the Marquis of Wellington to - accept and wear the insignia of - Grand-Cross of the following orders: - Imperial and Royal Austrian - Military order of Maria-Theresa; - Imperial Russian Military order of - St.-George; - Royal Prussian Military order - of the Black Eagle; - Royal Swedish Military order - of the Sword 4th March, 1814. - - Thanks of the Prince Regent and the - parliament for Orthez 24th March, 1814. - Advanced in the British peerage by - the titles of Marquis of Douro and - Duke of Wellington 3d May, 1814. - A grant of 400,000_l._ voted by parliament, - in addition to the former - grants 24th June, 1814. - Ambassador to France 5th July, 1814. - Assists at Congress at Vienna January, 1815. - Takes command of the British forces - on the continent 11th April, 1815. - Battle of Waterloo 18th June, 1815. - Thanks of the Prince Regent and - parliament for Waterloo 22d June, 1815. - A grant of 200,000_l._ voted by parliament, - in addition to the former - grants 6th July, 1815. - Created Prince of Waterloo by the - king of the Netherlands 18th July, 1815. - Commander in chief of the allied - armies of occupation 22d October, 1815. - Appointed Field-Marshal in the Austrian, - Russian and Prussian armies 15th November, 1818. - Visits Waterloo with George IV 1st October, 1821. - Commander in Chief 22d January, 1827. - First Lord of the Treasury 13th February, 1828. - Appointed Lord Warden of the - Cinque Ports 20th January, 1829. - Elected Chancellor of the University - of Oxford 29th January, 1834. - - -[Illustration: (end of Note; decorative separator)] - - - - -No. IV. - -The reader should be aware, that in military returns, the figures -which represent the strength of regiments often greatly exceed the -actual number of effective men _present_. There are always numerous -casualties, not accounted for in returns, particularly before a -battle. The _missing_ are not all eventually _loss_; for, if not -taken prisoners most of them join after the strife. The strength of -the British was of course greater on the 16th, before the action at -Quatre-Bras, where the loss was particularly severe, as may be seen -in the subjoined tables, in the 1st foot-guards, 1st Royal Scots, -32d, 33d, 42d, 44th, 69th, 79th, and 92d regiments. - -The officers who afterwards died of their wounds, are here returned -_killed_. - - -RETURNS - - _of the strength (officers, non-commissionned officers, drummers, - trumpeters, rank and file) of the British army, on the morning of - the 18th of June 1815; and of the total loss, in killed, wounded - and missing, on the three days: 16th, 17th, and 18th._ - - -STAFF. - -KILLED.—The duke of Brunswick, sir Thomas Picton, sir William -Ponsonby. _Colonel_ sir William De Lancey. _Lieutenant-colonel_ -Currie. _Captains_: W. Crofton (54th Reg.), T. Smith (93d Reg.). - -WOUNDED.—H.R.H. the prince of Orange. _Lieutenant-general_ sir G. -Cooke. _Major-generals_: Sir E. Barnes, sir James Kempt, sir Colin -Halkett, sir Denis Pack, sir Colquhoun Grant, sir W. Dornberg, sir -F. Adam. _Lieutenant-colonels_: Waters, sir G. Berkeley (35th Reg.). -_Majors_: A. Hamilton, Hunter Blair, Hon. G. Dawson. _Captains_: Hon. -E. S. Erskine, E. Fitzgerald (25th Reg.), W. Murray, H. Seymour, T. -Wright, H. M^cLeod, J. Mitchell (25th Reg.), J. Tyler, A. Langton, H. -Dumaresque. _Lieutenants_: W. Havelock (43d Reg.), J. Hamilton (46th -Reg.), J. Rooke, D. Hall. - -Officers who were killed or wounded, serving on the staff but -belonging to regiments which were on the field, are here included in -the returns of their respective regiments. - -By adding together the figures in the first two columns opposite to -any regiment, the reader may obtain its total effective strength, at -the opening of the campaign. - - (page 238) - +------------+--------+-----------+-------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS KILLED. | - | | 18th. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 1st Life- | 245 | 18 | 65 |_Lieutenant-colonel_ Ferrior. | - | Guards. | | | |_Captain_ Lind. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 2d Life- | 235 | ” | 155 |_Lieutenant-colonel_ Fitzgerald. | - | Guards. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - |Royal Horse-| | | | | - | Guards. | 246 | 8 | 98 |_Major_ R. Packe. | - | (Blues.) | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ Fuller. | - | 1st Dragoon| 571 | ” | 246 |_Majors_: Graham, Bringhurst. | - | Guards. | | | |_Captain_ Battersby. _Lieutenant_: | - | | | | |Brooke. Schelver, _adjutant_. | - | | | | |_Cornet_ Hon. B. Bernard. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Captains_: E. Windsor, C. Foster. | - | 1st Royal | 428 | ” | 196 |_Lieutenant_ R. Magniac. _Cornet_ | - | Dragoons. | | | | J. Sykes. Shepley, _adjutant_. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ J. Hamilton. | - | 2d Royal | | | |_Captain_ T. Reignolds. _Cornets_: | - | Dragoons. | 442 | ” | 199 |E. Westby, H. C. Kinchant, | - | (Scots | | | |L. Barnard, T. Trotter, L. Shuldham. | - | Greys.) | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 6th (Innis-| | | | | - | killing) | 445 | ” | 217 |_Lieutenant_ P. Ruffe. | - | Dragoons. | | | |M^cCluskey, _adjutant_. | - - (page 239) - +------------+--------+-----------+---------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS WOUNDED. | - | | 18th. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 1st Life- | 245 | 18 | 65 |_Captains_: J. Whale, E. Kelly, | - | Guards. | | | |S. Richardson, S. Cox. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 2d Life- | 235 | ” | 155 |_Lieutenant_ Waymouth. | - | Guards. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - |Royal Horse-| | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: Sir J. Elley, | - | Guards. | 246 | 8 | 98 |sir R. C. Hill, C. Hill. _Lieutenants_:| - | (Blues.) | | | |C. Shawe, E. W. Bouverie. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | | | - | 1st Dragoon| 571 | ” | 246 |_Captains_: M. Turner, P. Sweny, | - | Guards. | | | |J. Naylor, _Lieutenant_ D. Irvine. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Major_ C. Radclyffe. _Captain_ | - | 1st Royal | 428 | ” | 196 |A. Clark. _Lieutenants_: G. Gunning, | - | Dragoons. | | | |T. Keily, S. Trafford, C. Ommaney, | - | | | | |C. Blois, S. Goodenough, S. Wyndowe. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: J. B. Clarke, | - | 2d Royal | | | |T. P. Hankin. _Major_ R. Vernon. | - | Dragoons. | 442 | ” | 199 |_Captain_ J. Poole. _Lieutenants_: | - | (Scots | | | |J. Mills, F. Stupart, J. Carruthers, | - | Greys.) | | | |C. Wyndham. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 6th (Innis-| | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: J. Muter, | - | killing) | 445 | ” | 217 |F. S. Miller, W. F. Browne. | - | Dragoons. | | | |_Captain_ Hon. S. Douglas. | - | | | | |_Lieutenant_ A. Hassard. | - - (page 240) - +------------+--------+-----------+-------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS KILLED. | - | | 18th. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 7th | 362 | 46 | 150 |_Major_ E Hodge. _Lieutenant_ | - | Hussars. | | | |A. Meyers. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 10th | 452 | ” | 94 |_Major_ Hon. F. Howard. | - | Hussars. | | | |_Lieutenant_ G. Gunning. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 11th Light | 435 | 3 | 73 |_Lieutenant_ E. Phelips. | - | Dragoons. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 12th Light | 427 | ” | 111 |_Captain_ E. Sandys. _Lieutenant_ | - | Dragoons. | | | |L. J. Bertie. _Cornet_ E. Lockhart. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 13th Light | 448 | 1 | 105 |_Captain_ J. Gubbins. | - | Dragoons. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 15th | 417 | ” | 70 |_Major_ E. Griffith. | - | Hussars. | | | |_Lieutenants_: J. Sherwood, | - | | | | |H. Buckley. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 13th Light | 434 | ” | 32 |_Captain_ J. Buchanan. | - | Dragoons. | | | |_Cornet_ A. Hay. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 18th | 442 | 2 | 102 | ” | - | Hussars. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 23rd Light | | | | | - | Dragoons. | 341 | 6 | 72 |_Lieutenant_ S. Coxen. | - - (page 241) - +------------+--------+-----------+---------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS WOUNDED. | - | | 18th. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-general_ the earl of | - | | | | |Uxbridge. _Major_ W. Thornhill. | - | 7th | 362 | 46 | 150 |_Captains_: W. Verner, T. W. | - | Hussars. | | | |Robbins, P. A. Heyliger, T. Wildman, | - | | | | |J. J. Frazer, J. D. Elphistone. | - | | | | |_Lieutenants_: R. Douglas, J. R. | - | | | | |Gordon, E. J. Peters, F. Beatty. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ G. Quentin. | - | 10th | 452 | ” | 94 |_Captains_: J. Grey, Gurwood, C. Wood. | - | Hussars. | | | |_Lieutenants_: H. Arnold, A. Bacon. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 11th Light | 435 | 3 | 73 |_Lieutenants_: F. Wood, R. Coles, | - | Dragoons. | | | |J. T. Moore, R. Milligan. _Cornet_ | - | | | | |J. A. Schreiber. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 12th Light | 427 | ” | 111 |_Lieutenant-colonel_ Hon. F. Ponsonby. | - | Dragoons. | | | |_Lieutenant_ W. H. Dowbiggen. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ Boyse. _Captain_ | - | 13th Light | 448 | 1 | 105 |J. Doherty. _Lieutenant_: G. Doherty, | - | Dragoons. | | | |C. R. Bowers, J. Geale, G. Pym, | - | | | | |J. Mill, G. H. Packe, J. E. Irving. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ L. Dalrymple. | - | 15th | 417 | ” | 70 |_Captains_: J. Thuckwell, J. Whiteford,| - | Hussars. | | | |J. Buckley._Lieutenants_: W. Byam, | - | | | | |E. Byam, G. F. Dawkens, R. Mansfield. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 18th Light | 434 | ” | 32 |_Lieutenant-colonel_ J. Hay. _Captain_ | - | Dragoons. | | | |R. Weyland. _Lieutenants_: W. Osten, | - | | | | |N. D. Crichton. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 18th | 442 | 2 | 102 |_Lieutenant_ C. Hesse. | - | Hussars. | | | |H. Duperier, _adjutant_. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 23rd Light | | | |_Major_ J. M. Cutcliffe. _Captains_: | - | Dragoons. | 341 | 6 | 72 |C. W. Dance, T. Gerrard. | - | | | | |_Lieutenants_: T. B. Wall, B. Disney. | - - (page 242) - +------------+--------+-----------+-------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS KILLED. | - | | 18th. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: Sir | - | 1st Foot- | | | |F. D’Oyley, W. H. Milnes, Thomas | - | Guards, | 781 | 285 | 153 |Miller. _Captains_: T. Brown, Robert | - | 2d Bat. | | | |Adair. _Lieutenant_ Hon. | - | | | | |T. Barrington. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 1st Foot- | | | |_Colonels_: E. Stables, C. Thomas. | - | Guards, | 860 | 262 | 342 |_Captains_: E. Grose, N. Chambers. | - | 3d Bat. | | | |_Ensigns_: E. Pardoe, James, | - | | | | |Lord Hay. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | Coldstream | | | |_Captains_: J. L. Blackman, | - | Guards, | 1,045 | ” | 308 |E. Sumner, G. R. Buckley, | - | 2d Bat. | | | |G. H. Percival. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: Hon. Sir | - | 3d Foot- | 1,056 | 7 | 239 |Alexander Gordon, C. F. Canning. | - | Guards | | | |_Captains_: S. W. Stothert, | - | 2d Bat. | | | |T. Crawford, J. Ashton, Hon. H. | - | | | | |Forbes. _Ensign_ C. Simpson. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Captain_ W. Buckley. _Lieutenants_: | - | 1st Royal | | | |J. Armstrong, J. E. O’Neill, | - | Scots, | 453 | 218 | 144 |W. Young. _Ensigns_: Robertson, | - | 3d Bat. | | | |Kennedy, Anderson. | - - (page 243) - +------------+--------+-----------+---------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS WOUNDED. | - | | 18th. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Colonels_: Askew, R. H. Cooke. | - | 1st Foot- | | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: Sir H. Bradford,| - | Guards, | 781 | 285 | 153 |sir Henry Hardinge*, sir T. N. Hill, | - | 2d Bat. | | | |lord Fitzroy Somerset. _Captains_: | - | | | | |Hon. O. Bridgeman, J. Simpson, | - | | | | |S. Burgess. _Lieutenants_: G. Fludyer, | - | | | | |T. C. Croft, F. Luttrell, C. P. Ellis,| - | | | | |Hon. H. Lascelles. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 1st Foot- | | | |_Colonels_: Hon. W. Stewart, Hon. H. | - | Guards, | 860 | 262 | 342 |Townshend, H. D’Oyley, G. Fead. | - | 3d Bat. | | | |_Captains_: R. Adair, T. Streatfield, | - | | | | |Hon. R. Clements. _Lieutenants_: | - | | | | |R. Batty, R.Bruce, W. Barton. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | Coldstream | | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: J. M^cDonell, | - | Guards, | 1,045 | ” | 308 |D. M^cKinnon, Hon. A. Abercromby, C. H.| - | 2d Bat. | | | |Wyndham. _Captains_: Hon. R. Moore, | - | | | | |Hon. E. Lascelles. _Lieutenants_: | - | | | | |H. Griffiths, J. Montague, H. Vane. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: C. Dashwood, | - | 3d Foot- | 1,056 | 7 | 239 |E. Bowater, C. West. _Captains_: R. B. | - | Guards | | | |Hesketh, G. Evelyn, H. Montgomery. | - | 2d Bat. | | | |_Lieutenants_: C. Lake, D. Baird. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_: C. Campbell. | - | | | | |_Majors_: L. Arguimbau, R. M^cDonald, | - | 1st Royal | | | |H. Massey. _Captain_ R. Dudgeon. | - | Scots, | 453 | 218 | 144 |_Lieutenants_: A. Morrison, W. J. Rea, | - | 3d Bat. | | | |J. Ingram, W. Clarke, A. Cameron, | - | | | | |_adjutant_; J. Stoyte, R. Scott, | - | | | | |G. Lane, J. Symes, J. Alstone, J. Mann,| - | | | | |W. Dobbs, J. F. W. Millar, G. Stewart, | - | | | | |J. L. Black. _Ensigns_: C. Graham, | - | | | | |T. Stephens, J. M^cKay, L. M. Cooper. | - | | | | |_Quarter-master_ T. Griffiths. | - - * Wounded at Ligny. - - (page 244) - +------------+--------+-----------+-------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS KILLED. | - | | 18th. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 4th Reg. | | | | | - | Foot, | 670 | ” | 134 |_Lieutenant_ W. Squire. | - | 1st Bat. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 14th Reg. | | | | | - | Foot, | 630 | ” | 36 | ” | - | 3d Bat. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ sir H. W. Ellis.| - | 23d Royal | 741 | ” | 478 |_Captains_: Hawtyn, C. Jolliffe, | - | Welsh | | | |T. Farmer. _Lieutenants_: | - | Fuzileers | | | |G. Fensham, J. Clyde, | - | 1st Bat. | | | |W. Leebody (24th). | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - |27th (Innis-| | | | | - | killing) | 750 | ” | 104 |_Captain_ G. Holmes. _Ensign_ | - | Reg. Foot. | | | |J. Ireland. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 28th Reg. | 556 | 75 | 177 |_Major_ W. P. Meacham. | - | Foot. | | | |_Lieutenants_: J. Clarke, C. Ingram. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Major_ T. Chambers. _Captain_ | - | 30th Reg. | | | |A. M. Nabb. _Lieutenants_: H. Beere, | - | Foot. | 635 | 51 | 228 |E. Prendergast. _Ensigns_: J. James, | - | | | | |J. Bullen. | - - (page 245) - +------------+--------+-----------+---------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS WOUNDED. | - | | 18th. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 4th Reg. | | | |_Captains_: G. D. Wilson, C. J. Edgell.| - | Foot, | 670 | ” | 134 |_Lieutenants_: J. Browne, G. Smith, | - | 1st Bat. | | | |H. Boyd, A. Gerard. _Ensigns_: W. M. | - | | | | |Mathews, B. Collins, G. Richardson. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 14th Reg. | | | | | - | Foot, | 630 | ” | 36 |_Ensigns_: A. Cooper, A. Ormsby (24th).| - | 3d Bat. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 23d Royal | 741 | ” | 478 |_Captains_: H. Johnson, J. H. Hill. | - | Welsh | | | |_Lieutenants_: A. Griffiths, Fielding. | - | Fuzileers | | | | _Quarter-master_ A. Sidley. | - | 1st Bat. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - |27th (Innis-| | | |_Captains_: J. Hare, J. Tucker, | - | killing) | 750 | ” | 104 |_Lieutenants_: G. M^cDonnell, | - | Reg. Foot. | | | |W. Henderson, R. Handcock, E. Drewe, | - | | | | |W. Fortescue, J. Millar, C. Manley, | - | | | | |T. Craddock. _Ensigns_: T. Handcock, | - | | | | | T. Smith, J. Ditmas. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ Nixon. _Captains_:| - | 28th Reg. | 556 | 75 | 177 |R. Llewellyn, R. Kelly, J. Bowles, | - | Foot. | | | |T. English, C. Teulon. _Lieutenants_: | - | | | | |J. Wilkinson, R. Gilbert, R. P. Eason, | - | | | | |W. Irwin, H. Hilliard, J. Coen, | - | | | | |C. Carrothers, J. Shelton, J. Deares. | - | | | | |_Ensign_: Mountsteven, H. Bridgeland, | - | | | | |_adjutant_. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ Hamilton._Majors_:| - | 30th Reg. | | | |W. Bailey, C. A. Vigoureux. _Captain_ | - | Foot. | 635 | 51 | 228 |A. Gore. _Lieutenants_: R. C. Elliott, | - | | | | |J. Rumley, R. Daniell, J. Roe, R. | - | | | | |Hugues, P. Lockwood, J. Pratt, | - | | | | |W. O. Warren, T. Monypenny. M. Andrews,| - | | | | |_adjutant_. | - - (page 246) - +------------+--------+-----------+-------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS KILLED. | - | | 18TH. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 32d Reg. | 503 | 196 | 174 |_Captains_: J. Boyce, T. Cassan, | - | Foot. | | | |E. Whitty. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 33d Reg. | 576 | 106 | 185 |_Captains_: J. Haigh, H. R. Buck. | - | Foot, | | | |_Lieutenants_: J. Boyce, A. Gore, | - | 2d Bat. | | | |T. D. Haigh, J. Cameron, J. Hart. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 40th Reg. | 862 | ” | 219 |_Major_ R. Heyland. _Captain_ | - | Foot. | | | |W. Fisher. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 42d | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ sir R. M^c Ara. | - |Highlanders,| 329 | 288 | 49 |_Captain_ G. Davidson. | - | 2d Bat. | | | |_Lieutenant_ R. Gordon. | - | | | | |_Ensign_ G. Gerard. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 44th Reg. | | | |_Lieutenant_ W. Tomkins. | - | Foot, | 480 | 138 | 64 |_Ensign_ P. Cooke. | - | 2d Bat. | | | | | - - (page 247) - +------------+--------+-----------+---------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS WOUNDED. | - | | 18TH. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Captains_: W. H. Toole, J. Crowe, | - | | | | |H. Harrison, C. Wallett. _Lieutenants_:| - | 32d Reg. | 503 | 196 | 174 |H. W. Brookes, G. Barr, M. Meighan, D. | - | Foot. | | | |Davies, _adjutant_; J Boase, T. R. | - | | | | |Lewin, H. Butterworth, J. Colthurst, | - | | | | |J. Robinson, J. Fitzgerald, T. Horan, | - | | | | |E. Stephen, H. Quill, J. Jagoe, S. H. | - | | | | |Lawrence. _Ensigns_: H. Metcalfe, | - | | | | |J. Birtwhistle, A. Stewart, W. Bennett,| - | | | | |C. Dallas, J. M. Conchy. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 33d Reg. | 576 | 106 | 185 |_Major_ E. Parkinson. _Captains_: M^c | - | Foot, | | | |Intyre, C. Knight, Harty._Lieutenants_:| - | 2d Bat. | | | |T. Reid, J. Murkland, R. Westmore, J. | - | | | | |Ogle, S. Pagan, J. Furlong. _Ensigns_: | - | | | | |H. Bain, J. Alderson, J. A. Howard, | - | | | | |G. Drury. W. Thain, _adjutant_. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Captains_: C. Ellis, J. Barnett. | - | 40th Reg. | 862 | ” | 219 |_Lieutenants_: R. Moore, J. Anthony, | - | Foot. | | | |J. Mill, T. Campbell, Hon. H. Browne. | - | | | | |_Ensigns_: J. Robb, F. Ford, A. Clerke.| - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ R. Dick. _Major_ | - | 42d | | | |A. Menzies. _Captains_: M. M^c Pherson,| - |Highlanders,| 329 | 288 | 49 |D. M^c Donald, D. M^c Intosh, R. Boyle.| - | 2d Bat. | | | |_Lieutenants_: D. Chisholm, D. Stewart,| - | | | | |D. M^c Kenzie, H. A. Fraser, J. | - | | | | |Malcolm, A. Dunbar, J. Brander, J. Orr,| - | | | | |G. G. Munro. _Ensigns_: W. Fraser, | - | | | | |A. L. Fraser. J. Young, _adjutant_. | - | | | | |_Quarter-master_ M^cIntosh. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: Hamerton, G. | - | 44th Reg. | | | |O’Malley. _Captains_: A. Brugh, D. | - | Foot, | | | |Power, W. Burney, M. Fane, J. Jessop. | - | 2d Bat. | 480 | 138 | 64 |_Lieutenants_: R. Russell, R. Grier, | - | | | | |W. B. Strong, J. Campbell, J Burke, | - | | | | |W. Hern. _Ensigns_: C. Christie, B. | - | | | | |Whitney, T. M^cCann. _adjutants_: J. C.| - | | | | |Webster, A. Wilson. | - - (page 248) - +------------+--------+-----------+-------------------------------------+- - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS KILLED. | - | | 18TH. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 51st Light | | | | | - | Infantry. | 619 | ” | 42 | ” | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 52d Light | 1,148 | ” | 199 |_Ensign_ W. Nettles. | - | Infantry. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 69th Reg. | | | | _Colonel_ C. Morice. _Captains_: | - | Foot, | 541 | 155 | 85 | B. Hobhouse, Hon. W. Curzon, | - | 2d Bat. | | | | P. Blackwood. _Lieutenant_ | - | | | | | M. Wightwick. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | 71st | | | | | - | (Highland) | | | |_Captain_ E. L’Estrange. | - | Light | 929 | ” | 202 |_Lieutenants_: J. R. Elwes, J. Todd. | - | Infantry. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Captains_: A. Robertson, | - | 73d Reg. | | | |J. M. Kennedy. _Lieutenants_: | - | Foot, | 498 | 56 | 280 |J. Strachan, W. Hollis, J. Acres, | - | 2d Bat. | | | |Brown. _Ensigns_: W. S. Lowe, | - | | | | |C. Page. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Captains_: M^cKay, M^cRa, Neil | - | | | | |Campbell, J. Cameron, J. Sinclair. | - | 79th | 440 | 304 | 175 |_Lieutenants_: D. Cameron, | - |Highlanders.| | | |D. M^cPherson, E. Kennedy, | - | | | | |J. Kynock. _adjutant_, J. Rowling. | - - (page 249) - +------------+--------+-----------+---------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS WOUNDED. | - | | 18TH. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 51st Light | | | |_Captain_ S. Beardsley. _Lieutenant_ | - | Infantry. | 619 | ” | 42 |C. W. Tyndale. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ J. Rowan. | - | 52d Light | 1,148 | ” | 199 |_Captains_: W. Rowan, J. F. Love, C. | - | Infantry. | | | |Diggle. _Lieutenants_: C. Dawson, M. | - | | | | |Anderson, G. Campbell, F. Cottingham. | - | | | | |J. Winterbottom, _adjutant_. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 69th Reg. | | | |_Captains_: J. L. Watson, H. Lindsay. | - | Foot, | 541 | 155 | 85 |_Lieutenants_: H. Anderson, J. Stewart,| - | 2d Bat. | | | |B. Pigot, C. Busteed. _Ensign_ E. | - | | | | |Hodder. _Volunteer_ Clarke. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | 71st | | | |_Colonel_ T. Reyneel. _Major_ A. Jones.| - | (Highland) | | | |_Captains_: D. Campbell, A. Grant, J. | - | Light | 929 | ” | 202 |Henderson, C. Johnstone. _Lieutenants_:| - | Infantry. | | | |J. Barralier, R. Lind, J. Roberts, C. | - | | | | |Lewin, R. Law, J. Coote, W. Hanson. | - | | | | |W. Anderson, _adjutant_. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Colonel_ G. Harris. _Major_ A. J. | - | 73d Reg. | | | |M^cLean. _Captains_: A. Coane, E. T. | - | Foot, | 498 | 56 | 280 |Pirch, W. Wharton, J. Garland. | - | 2d Bat. | | | |_Lieutenants_: J. M^cConnell, T. | - | | | | |Reynolds, D. Browne, J. Lloyd. | - | | | | |_Ensigns_: R. Hesilrige, T. Deacon, | - | | | | |W. M^cBean, C. B. Eastwood, G. D. | - | | | | |Bridge. P. Hay, _adjutant_. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonels_: N. Douglas, | - | | | | |A. Brown, D. Cameron. _Captains_: | - | | | | |T. Mylne, J. Campbell, N. Campbell, | - | 79th | 440 | 304 | 175 |W. Marshall, M. Fraser, W. Bruce. _ | - |Highlanders.| | | |Lieutenants_: A. Cameron, T. Brown, | - | | | | |W. Maddocks, W. Leaper, J. Fraser, | - | | | | |D. M^cPhee, E. Cameron, A. Forbes, | - | | | | |C. M^cArthur, J. Powling, W. A. Riach. | - | | | | |_Ensigns_: J. Nash, J. Robertson, | - | | | | |A. S. Crawford. _Volunteer_ Cameron. | - - (page 250) - +------------+--------+-----------+-------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS KILLED. | - | | 18TH. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ Cameron. | - | 92d | | | |_Captains_: W. C. Grant, gu. Little. | - |Highlanders.| 422 | 286 | 116 |_Lieutenants_: J. Chisholm, | - | | | | |G. Mackie, _Ensigns_: A. Beecher, | - | | | | |R. M^cPherson. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - |95th Rifles,| 418 | 64 | 156 |_Majors_: C. Smith, C. Ecles. | - | 1st Bat. | | | |_Lieutenants_: J. Stilwell, | - | | | | |E. D. Johnston. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - |95th Rifles,| 655 | ” | 246 |_Lieutenant_ Backhouse. | - | 2d Bat. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - |95th Rifles,| | | | | - |two companies| 202 | ” | 50 |_Lieutenant_ W. Lister. | - | 3d Bat. | | | | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - | Royal | 4,944 | 28 | 476 |_Majors_: Lloyd, N. Ramsay, | - | Artillery. | | | |Cairnes, Beane, Bolton. | - | | | | |_Lieutenants_: W. L. Robe, | - | | | | |M. Cromie, C. Spearman, | - | | | | |F. Manners, F. Troughton. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+-------------------------------------+ - - (page 251) - +------------+--------+-----------+---------------------------------------+ - | | |LOSS ON THE| | - | |STRENGTH|-----+-----| | - | REGIMENTS. | on the |16th | | OFFICERS WOUNDED. | - | | 18TH. | and |18th.| | - | | |17th.| | | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Colonel_ J. Mitchell. _Captains_: | - | 92d | | | |G. W. Holmes, D. Campbell, P. Wilkie, | - |Highlanders.| 422 | 286 | 116 |A. Ferrier. _Lieutenants_: R. | - | | | | |Winchester, T. Hobbs, T. M^cIntosh, D. | - | | | | |M^cDonald, J. Ross, R. M^cDonald, H. | - | | | | |Innes, G. Logan, J. M^cInlay, A. | - | | | | |M^cPherson, J. Hope. _Ensigns_: J. | - | | | | |Branwell, R. Logan, A. M^cDonald, R. | - | | | | |Hewit._Assistant surgeon_ J. Stewart. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Lieutenant-colonel_ sir A. Barnard. | - |95th Rifles,| 418 | 64 | 156 |_Majors_: A. Cameron, Beckwith. | - | 1st Bat. | | | |_Captains_: E. Chawner, W. Johnston. | - | | | | |_Lieutenants_: J. P. Gardner, J. | - | | | | |Fitzmaurice, W. Shenley, J. Molloy, | - | | | | |J. Gardner, G. Simmons, A. Stewart, | - | | | | |J. Wright, J. Church. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Majors_: A. Norcott, G. Wilkins. | - |95th Rifles,| 655 | ” | 246 |_Captains_: G. Miller,J. G. M^cCulloch.| - | 2d Bat. | | | |_Lieutenants_: Humbley, D. Cameron, E. | - | | | | |Coxon, R. Cochran, J. Fry, J. Ridgeway,| - | | | | |J. Lynam, R. Eyre, J. Walsh, P. Webb. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - |95th Rifles,| | | |_Major_ J. Ross. Captain J. Fullerton. | - |two companies| 202 | ” | 50 |_Lieutenants_: T. Worsley, | - | 3d Bat. | | | | G. W. Shenly. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - | | | | |_Captains_: Napier, J. Parker, Bull, | - | Royal | 4,944 | 28 | 476 |Winyates, Dansey, R. M^cDonald, Webber,| - | Artillery. | | | |W. Strangeway, D. Crawford, A. | - | | | | |M^cDonald. _Lieutenants_: W. Brereton, | - | | | | |W. Smith, Barnes, Bloomfield, Barton, | - | | | | |Forbes, W. Harvey, Foster, D. Crawford,| - | | | | |J. Day, W. Poole, C. H. Baines, T. | - | | | | |Harvey, J. W. Pringle. _Captain_ Robt. | - | | | | |Thomson, _Royal Engineers_. | - +------------+--------+-----+-----+---------------------------------------+ - - -[Illustration: (end of Note; decorative separator)] - - - - -No. V. - -LETTERS - -CONCERNING THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. - - -_Marshal Blücher to Baron Müffling._ - - “WAVRE, June 18th, 1815. - -“Your Excellency will assure the duke of Wellington from me, that, -ill as I am, I shall place myself at the head of my troops, and -attack the right of the French, in case they undertake anything -against his Grace. If, on the other hand, the day should pass over -without their making any attack, it is then my opinion that we should -jointly attack them to-morrow. - -“I beg your Excellency to convey to the Duke my full and firm -conviction, that this is the best measure to be adopted in our -present situation. - - “BLÜCHER.” - - -General count Gneisenau, the chief of the staff, felt alarmed at the -tenor of the above letter, which told plainly the decided manner it -was to be carried out. Fearing the Prussian army might be placed in -a dangerous situation, should the allies be forced to retire before -they could arrive, he wrote the following note: - -“General count Gneisenau concurs with the views expressed in the -enclosed letter, but entreats your Excellency to ascertain most -particularly, whether the duke of Wellington _has really adopted the -decided resolution of fighting in his present position_; or whether -he only intends some demonstration, which might become very dangerous -to our army. - -“Your Excellency will be so good as to acquaint us with the result of -your observations on this point, as it is of the greatest consequence -that we should be informed of the Duke’s real intention.” - - -_The Prince de la Moskowa to the Duc d’Otrante._ - - “MONSIEUR LE DUC, - -“The most false and defamatory reports have been spreading for some -days over the public mind, upon the conduct which I have pursued -during this short and unfortunate campaign. The newspapers have -reported those odious calumnies, and appear to lend them credit. -After having fought for twenty-five years for my country, after -having shed my blood for its glory and independence, an attempt is -made to accuse me of treason; an attempt is made to mark me out to -the people, and to the army itself, as the author of the disaster it -has just experienced. - -“Forced to break silence, while it is always painful to speak of -one’s self, and, above all, to answer calumnies, I address myself to -you, sir, as the President of the Provisional Government, for the -purpose of laying before you a faithful statement of the events I -have witnessed. - -“On the 11th of June, I received an order from the minister of -war to repair to the Imperial presence. I had no command, and no -information upon the composition and strength of the army. Neither -the Emperor nor his minister had given me any previous hint, from -which I could anticipate that I should be employed in the present -campaign; I was consequently taken by surprise, without horses, -without accoutrements, and without money, and I was obliged to -borrow the necessary expenses of my journey. Having arrived on the -12th at Laon, on the 13th at Avesnes, and on the 14th at Beaumont, -I purchased, in this last town, two horses from the duc de Trévise, -with which I repaired, on the 15th, to Charleroi, accompanied by my -first aide-de-camp, the only officer who attended me. I arrived at -the moment when the enemy, attacked by our troops, was retreating -upon Fleurus and Gosselies. - -“The Emperor ordered me immediately to put myself at the head of -the 1st and 2d corps of infantry, commanded by lieutenant-generals -d’Erlon and Reille, of the division of light cavalry of -lieutenant-general Piré, of the division of light cavalry of the -guard under the command of lieutenant-general Lefebvre-Desnouettes -and Colbert, and of two divisions of cavalry of count de Valmy; -forming, in all, eight divisions of infantry, and four of cavalry. -With these troops, a part of which only I had as yet under my -immediate command, I pursued the enemy, and forced him to evacuate -Gosselies, Frasnes, Mellet, Heppignies. There they took up a position -for the night, with the exception of the first corps, which was still -at Marchiennes, and which did not join me till the following day. - -“On the 16th, I received orders to attack the English in their -position at Quatre-Bras. We advanced towards the enemy with -an enthusiasm difficult to be described. Nothing resisted our -impetuosity. The battle became general, and victory was no longer -doubtful, when, at the moment that I intended to order up the first -corps of infantry, which had been left by me in reserve at Frasnes, I -learned that the Emperor had disposed of it without adverting me of -the circumstance, as well as of the division of Girard of the second -corps, on purpose to direct them upon St.-Amand, and to strengthen -his left wing, which was vigorously engaged with the Prussians. -The shock which this intelligence gave me, confounded me. Having -no longer under me more than three divisions, instead of the eight -upon which I calculated, I was obliged to renounce the hopes of -victory; and, in spite of all my efforts, in spite of the intrepidity -and devotion of my troops, my utmost efforts after that could only -maintain me in my position till the close of the day. About nine -o’clock, the first corps was sent me by the Emperor, to whom it had -been of no service. Thus twenty-five or thirty thousand men were, I -may say, paralyzed, and were idly paraded during the whole of the -battle from the right to the left, and the left to the right, without -firing a shot. - -“It is impossible for me, sir, not to arrest your attention for a -moment upon these details, in order to bring before your view all -the consequences of this false movement, and, in general, of the -bad arrangements during the whole of the day. By what fatality, -for example, did the Emperor, instead of leading all his forces -against lord Wellington, who would have been attacked unawares, -and could not have resisted, consider this attack as secondary? -How did the Emperor, after the passage of the Sambre, conceive it -possible to fight two battles on the same day? It was to oppose -forces double ours, and to do what military men who were witnesses -of it can scarcely yet comprehend. Instead of this, had he left a -corps of observation to watch the Prussians, and marched with his -most powerful masses to support me, the English army had undoubtedly -been destroyed between Quatre-Bras and Genappe; and this position, -which separated the two allied armies, being once in our power, would -have opened for the Emperor an opportunity of advancing to the right -of the Prussians, and of crushing them in their turn. The general -opinion in France, and especially in the army, was, that the Emperor -would have bent his whole efforts to annihilate first the English -army; and circumstances were favourable for the accomplishment of -such a project: but fate ordered otherwise. - -“On the 17th, the army marched in the direction of Mont-St.-Jean. - -“On the 18th, the battle began at one o’clock, and though -the bulletin, which details it, makes no mention of me, it -is not necessary for me to mention that I was engaged in it. -Lieutenant-general count Drouot has already spoken of that battle, -in the House of Peers. His narration is accurate, with the exception -of some important facts which he has passed over in silence, or of -which he was ignorant, and which it is now my duty to declare. About -seven o’clock in the evening, after the most frightful carnage which -I have ever witnessed, general Labédoyère came to me with a message -from the Emperor, that marshal Grouchy had arrived on our right, and -attacked the left of the English and Prussians united. This general -officer, in riding along the lines, spread this intelligence among -the soldiers, whose courage and devotion remained unshaken, and who -gave new proofs of them at that moment, in spite of the fatigue -which they experienced. Immediately after, what was my astonishment, -I should rather say indignation, when I learned, that so far from -marshal Grouchy having arrived to support us, as the whole army had -been assured, between forty and fifty thousand Prussians attacked -our extreme right, and forced it to retire! - -“Whether the Emperor was deceived with regard to the time when the -marshal could support him, or whether the march of the marshal was -retarded by the efforts of the enemy longer than was calculated upon, -the fact is, that at the moment when his arrival was announced to us, -he was only at Wavre upon the Dyle, which to us was the same as if he -had been a hundred leagues from the field of battle. - -“A short time afterwards, I saw four regiments of the middle guard, -conducted by the Emperor, arriving. With these troops, he wished -to renew the attack, and to penetrate the centre of the enemy. He -ordered me to lead them on: generals, officers, and soldiers, all -displayed the greatest intrepidity; but this body of troops was too -weak to resist, for a long time, the forces opposed to it by the -enemy, and it was soon necessary to renounce the hope which this -attack had, for a few moments, inspired. General Friant had been -struck with a ball by my side; and I myself had my horse killed, -and fell under it. The brave men who will return from this terrible -battle will, I hope, do me the justice to say, that they saw me on -foot with sword in hand during the whole of the evening, and that I -only quitted the scene of carnage among the last, and at the moment -when retreat could no longer be prevented. At the same time, the -Prussians continued their offensive movements, and our right sensibly -retired; the English advanced in their turn. There remained to us -still four squares of the old guard to protect the retreat. These -brave grenadiers, the choice of the army, forced successively to -retire, yielded ground foot by foot, till, overwhelmed by numbers, -they were almost entirely annihilated. From that moment, a retrograde -movement was declared, and the army formed nothing but a confused -mass. There was not, however, a total rout, nor the cry of _Sauve -qui peut_, as has been calumniously stated in the bulletin. As for -myself, constantly in the rear-guard, which I followed on foot, -having all my horses killed, worn out with fatigue, covered with -contusions, and having no longer strength to march, I owe my life -to a corporal who supported me on the road, and did not abandon me -during the retreat. At eleven at night, I found lieutenant-general -Lefebvre-Desnouettes; and one of his officers, major Schmidt, had -the generosity to give me the only horse that remained to him. In -this manner I arrived at Marchiennes-au-Pont at four o’clock in the -morning, alone, without any officers of my staff, ignorant of what -had become of the Emperor, who, before the end of the battle, had -entirely disappeared, and who, I was allowed to believe, might be -either killed or taken prisoner. General Pamphile Lacroix, chief of -the staff of the second corps, whom I found in this town, having told -me that the Emperor was at Charleroi, I was led to suppose that his -Majesty was going to put himself at the head of marshal Grouchy’s -corps, to cover the Sambre, and to facilitate to the troops the means -of rallying towards Avesnes, and, with this persuasion, I went to -Beaumont; but parties of cavalry following on too near, and having -already intercepted the roads of Maubeuge and Philippeville, I became -sensible of the total impossibility of arresting a single soldier -on that point, to oppose the progress of the victorious enemy. I -continued my march upon Avesnes, where I could obtain no intelligence -of what had become of the Emperor. - -“In this state of matters, having no knowledge of his Majesty nor -of the Major-General, confusion increasing every moment, and, with -the exception of some fragments of regiments of the guard and of -the line, every one following his own inclination, I determined -immediately to go to Paris by St.-Quentin, to disclose, as quickly as -possible, the true state of affairs to the minister of war, that he -might send to the army some fresh troops, and take the measures which -circumstances rendered necessary. At my arrival at Bourget, (two -leagues from Paris,) I learned that the Emperor had passed there at -nine o’clock in the morning. - -“Such, _M. le duc_, is the history of this calamitous campaign. - -“Now I ask those who have survived this fine and numerous army, how I -can be accused of the disasters of which it has been the victim, and -of which our military annals furnish no example. I have, it is said, -betrayed my country, I who, to serve it, have shown a zeal which I -perhaps have carried to an extravagant height: but this calumny is -supported by no fact, by no circumstance. But how can these odious -reports, which spread with frightful rapidity, be arrested? If, in -the researches which I could make on this subject, I did not fear -almost as much to discover as to be ignorant of the truth, I would -say, that all was a tendency to convince that I have been unworthily -deceived, and that it is attempted to cover, with the pretence of -treason, the faults and extravagancies of this campaign; faults which -have not been avowed in the bulletins that have appeared, and against -which I in vain raised that voice of truth which I will yet cause to -resound in the House of Peers. - -“I expect, from the candour of your Excellency, and from your -indulgence to me, that you will cause this letter to be inserted in -the _Journal_, and give it the greatest possible publicity. - - “MARSHAL PRINCE DE LA MOSKOWA. - - “PARIS, June 26th, 1815.” - - -[Illustration: (end of Note; decorative separator)] - - - - -No. VI. - -ANECDOTES - -RELATIVE TO THE CAMPAIGN OF WATERLOO. - - -At a period of the battle, when the Duke was surrounded by his staff, -it was evident they had become the object of the fire from a French -battery. The shot fell fast around them. Their horses became restive, -and Copenhagen himself (the Duke’s horse,) so fidgety, that the Duke -became impatient, and having reasons for remaining on the spot, said, -“Gentlemen, we are rather too close together: better divide a little.” - - -On one occasion Wellington rode up to Picton’s division, just as a -hot fire of musketry opened upon the 92d. The staff expected every -instant to see him drop, as he sat coolly watching the effect of the -enemy’s fire: but he remained untouched; as did also lord Arthur -Hill, who was the only officer that had accompanied him to the crest -of the ground. - - -During the battle, a British artillery officer rode up to the duke of -Wellington and said, “Your Grace, I have a distinct view of Napoleon, -attended by his staff: my guns are well pointed in that direction, -shall I open fire?” The Duke replied, “Certainly not, I will not -allow it; it is not the business of commanders to fire upon each -other.” - -From this it is evident that circumstances alter cases, as may be -seen by the following expression of the Duke: “I cannot discover the -policy of not hitting one’s enemy as hard as one can, and in the most -vulnerable place.” (_Dispatches_, vol. XI, page 547.) - - -Whilst the Duke was occupied intently in observing with his telescope -a movement in the enemy’s line, some of their skirmishers were -pressing on, and the musket-balls began to whistle round his Grace in -such profusion, that colonel Gordon was induced to take the bridle of -the Duke’s charger, and lead him forward to a hollow, where he was in -shelter; and so intent was his Grace in observing the enemy, that it -was accomplished without his noticing it. Throughout this long and -trying day, the Duke was always to be seen where danger threatened, -or difficulties arose, fearlessly passing from point to point, and -constantly exposed to the fire of the enemy, protected doubtlessly by -a merciful and all-wise Providence, to add still further lustre to -his name by his continued services to his country. - - -During the heat of the battle, the Duke was about to pass in front of -a Nassau square, the troops composing which had served Napoleon, when -several of his staff requested his Grace to pass by its rear: had he -rode along the front, the simple process of pulling a single trigger -might have blasted all our expectations, and injured the cause of -Europe more than did the whole efforts of Napoleon and his army. - -The arms, clothing, and general bearing of the Nassau-men were truly -French: their splendid rifle-green uniform, broad buff cross-belts, -handsome white cased cap and tall black plume, produced a martial and -imposing appearance. - - -A hussar and a cuirassier had got entangled in the _mêlée_, and met -in the plain, in full view of our line; the hussar was without a -cap, and bleeding from a wound in the head, but that did not hinder -him from attacking his steel-clad adversary. He soon proved that the -strength of cavalry consist in good horsemanship, and the skilful use -of the sword, and not in being clad in heavy defensive armour. The -superiority of the hussar was visible the moment the swords crossed: -after a few wheels a tremendous facer made the Frenchman reel in his -saddle, and all his attempts to escape his more active foe became -unavailing; a second blow stretched him on the ground, amidst the -cheers of the light horseman’s comrades, the 3d German hussars, who -were ardent spectators of the combat. - - -During the cavalry charges, a man, named Gilmore, of captain -Elphinstone’s troop, and belonging to my regiment, was lying under -his wounded grey horse, about two hundred yards in our front. The -cuirassiers were advancing; and as I was aware they spared none who -fell into their hands, I sprang from my saddle, soon reached the -spot, and seizing the bridle raised the horse’s head; when the animal -making a struggle, Gilmore was enabled to extricate himself, and to -reach our line just before the enemy’s cavalry came up. The pleasure -I felt on this occasion will be understood by any one who has had the -opportunity of saving life.—Two other human beings, one, a lad, David -Bale, at Clapham, in Surrey; another, a boy, named Tannis, in the -village of Mont-St.-Jean, I was providentially enabled to rescue from -drowning. - - -I witnessed an encounter during the battle, between an artillery-man -and a cuirassier: the former was under his gun; the latter dodging -round, endeavouring to run his sword through him. At length the -cuirassier’s horse was shot, and the gunner, getting from his place -of shelter, dealt a blow with his ramrod upon the head of his -antagonist, which felled him to the ground: he then seized upon the -cuirassier’s sword, and collaring him, proceeded towards the rear. -On passing us, the gunner gave his prisoner a kick on the hind part -of his person, saying, “Be off to the rear.” - - -On the morning of the 18th, colonel Ellis, of the 23d Royal Welsh -fuzileers, issued an order that no man was to fall out of the ranks -to assist the wounded. Upon the colonel being severely wounded, -captain Brown ordered two men to follow and assist him to the rear; -but the gallant colonel declined their services, observing, “There -are not too many bayonets in the Royal Welsh, return to your post.” -This strict adherence to discipline, and disinterestedness, no doubt -cost him his life, and deprived the service of one of its brightest -ornaments. (See _Dispatches_, vol. XII, p. 610-611.) - - -The day before the battle of Waterloo, captain Elphinstone, of the -7th hussars, was grievously wounded and taken prisoner. His condition -was noticed by Napoleon, who immediately sent one of his surgeons -to dress his wounds; and perceiving that, from loss of blood, -Elphinstone had swooned away, he sent a silver goblet full of wine -from his own store. On the arrival of the Bellerophon in England, -lord Keith presented his grateful thanks to Napoleon, for having -saved the life of his nephew. - - -On the 29th of May, (prior to the battle,) we had a grand review -of the cavalry and horse artillery. After the review most of the -superior officers breakfasted with lord Uxbridge, at Ninove. Old -Blücher was amongst them, and openly declared, he had not given the -world credit for containing so many fine men as he had seen that day. -Our infantry, although not such fine-looking fellows, still bore away -the foremost laurels of the day of battle. On parting, Blücher wished -all a good day, exclaiming, “We shall soon meet again in Paris.” - - -In 1818, Blücher was one of a large party at Berlin, where much -merriment and jesting went on from the proposal and solution of -enigmas. Blücher at once absorbed the attention of all the guests, -by saying, “I will do what none of you can, I will kiss my own head;” -and while all were wondering how that was to be done, the old man -added with the utmost assurance, “This is the way;” when rising, he -approached his friend Gneisenau, whom he kissed and embraced most -heartily. - - -Blücher, when at dinner with the ministers of several different -states of Europe, gave as a toast, “May the diplomatists not again -spoil with their pens, that which the armies have with so much cost -won with their swords!” - -Happening to meet the Prussian minister, prince Hardenberg, he thus -boldly addressed him, “I only wish I had you gentlemen of the pen, -exposed for once to a pretty smart skirmishing fire, that you might -learn what it is when the soldier is obliged to repair with his -life’s blood the errors which you so thoughtlessly commit on paper.” - -The following fact shows that no personal considerations restrained -him from indulging in his splenetic humour against the great -diplomatist of the day: - -Nearly everybody knows that, immediately after the convention of -Paris, Blücher was desirous to destroy the bridge of Jena, and that -he would undoubtedly have carried his intentions into effect, had it -not been for the urgent representations of the duke of Wellington. - -On that occasion, count von der Golz, formerly his aide-de-camp, and -then Prussian ambassador in Paris, made a written application to -him in behalf and in the name of prince Talleyrand, beseeching the -preservation of the bridge. Blücher replied in his own hand-writing, -“I have resolved upon blowing up the bridge, and I cannot conceal -from your Excellency how much pleasure it would afford me, if -Monsieur de Talleyrand would previously station himself upon it; and -I beg you will make my wish known to him.” - - -When Blücher was at Oxford, in 1814, with the emperors and kings, the -Prince Regent and the duke of Wellington, he received an intimation -that the heads of the University intended to confer upon him the -dignity of a Doctor. Blücher, who never dreamed of becoming one -of the learned, could not refrain from laughter, and jocularly -remarked, “Well, if I am to be a doctor, they cannot do less than -make Gneisenau an apothecary: for we both work together; and it -is he who has to make up the pills, which I am in the habit of -administering[110].” - - -On the 15th of June, 1815, the French general Bourmont, colonels -Clouet and Villoutreys, with three captains, deserted Napoleon, and -came over to the Prussians. When Bourmont was presented to Blücher, -the latter could not refrain from evincing his contempt for the -faithless soldier. Some officers tried to impress him more favourably -towards the general, by directing his attention to the white -cockade which he wore in a conspicuous fashion: the Prince bluntly -remarked, “It matters not what a man sticks in his hat for a mark; a -mean-spirited scoundrel always remains the same.” - - -In a private letter from Blücher to sir Hudson Lowe, written many -months anterior to Bonaparte’s quitting Elba, after disavowing all -desire for future triumphs, he expressed a hope, that if again called -upon to act, it might be in conjunction with the general and army -that had immortalized themselves in the Peninsula, when Wellington -and himself would go hand in hand to victory. It was truly a -prophetic epistle. - - -“It has always occurred to me, however,” says the Duke, (upon the -battle of Leipsick,) “that if Bonaparte had not placed himself in a -position that every other officer would have avoided[111], and had -not remained in it longer than was consistent with any notions of -prudence, he would have retired in such a state, that the allies -could not have ventured to approach the Rhine.” (_Dispatches_, vol. -XI, page 435.) - - -It is always interesting to know what estimate great commanders -have formed of one another. During the Peninsular campaign, marshal -Marmont, with about sixty thousand men, approached Wellington’s -position at Fuente-Guinaldo, when the iron Duke’s force did not -exceed two thousand five hundred horse, and two weak divisions of -infantry. Still he exhibited the same coolness and imperturbable -self-possession, which, in emergency, invariably marked his -distinguished and successful career. On this occasion, the Spanish -general Alava, whose enlightened patriotism and high military -qualities had endeared him to the Duke, thus accosted him, “Here you -are with a couple of weak divisions in front of the whole French -army; and you seem quite at your ease! Why, it is enough to put -any man in a fever!”—“I have done according to the very best of my -judgment all that can be done,” was the characteristic reply of the -British commander, “and therefore I care not either for the enemy in -front, or for anything which they may say at home.” - -Upon Marmont’s being informed, that, for thirty-six hours, -Wellington, with about fourteen thousand men, had lain within cannon -range of him, his astonishment was unbounded; and he is said to have -exclaimed, that, “Brilliant as was Napoleon’s star, Wellington’s was -more brilliant still.” Marshal Marmont’s discrimination was amply -proved at Waterloo. - - -Lieutenant-colonel Ponsonby, of the 12th light dragoons, gives the -following account of himself on being wounded. He says, - -“In the _mêlée_ (thick of the fight) I was almost instantly disabled -in both my arms, losing first my sword, and then my rein; and, -followed by a few of my men who were presently cut down, no quarter -being asked or given, I was carried along by my horse, till, -receiving a blow from a sabre, I fell senseless on my face to the -ground. Recovering, I raised myself a little to look round, being -at that time in a condition to get up and run away, when a lancer -passing by, cried out, ‘_Tu n’es pas mort, coquin!_’ and struck his -lance through my back. My head dropped, the blood gushed into my -mouth, a difficulty of breathing came on, and I thought all was over. -Not long after, a skirmisher stopped to plunder me, threatening my -life: I directed him to a small side-pocket, in which he found three -dollars, all I had; but he continued to threaten, tearing open my -waistcoat, and leaving me in a very uneasy posture. - -“But he was no sooner gone, than an officer bringing up some troops, -and happening to halt where I lay, stooped down, and addressing me, -said, he feared I was badly wounded. I answered that I was, and -expressed a wish to be moved to the rear. He said it was against -orders, to remove even their own men; but that, if they gained the -day, (and he understood that the duke of Wellington was killed, and -that six of our battalions had surrendered,) every attention in his -power should be shown me. I complained of thirst, and he held his -brandy bottle to my lips, directing one of his soldiers to lay me -straight on my side, and place a knapsack under my head: they then -passed on into action, soon perhaps to want, though not to receive, -the same assistance; and I shall never know to whose generosity I was -indebted, as I believe, for my life. - -“By and by, another skirmisher came up, a fine young man, full of -ardour, loading and firing: he knelt down and fired over me many -times, conversing with me very gaily all the while: at last he ran -off, saying, ‘_Vous serez bien aise d’apprendre que nous allons nous -retirer. Bonjour, mon ami._’ (‘You will be pleased to learn that we -are going to fall back. Good day, my friend.’) It was dusk, when -two squadrons of Prussian cavalry crossed the valley in full trot, -lifting me from the ground, and tumbling me about cruelly. - -“The battle was now over, and the groans of the wounded all around -me, became more and more audible: I thought the night never would -end. About this time, I found a soldier lying across my legs, and -his weight, his convulsive motions, his noises, and the air issuing -through a wound in his side, distressed me greatly; the last -circumstance most of all, as I had a wound of the same nature myself. -It was not a dark night, and the Prussians were wandering about to -plunder: many of them stopped to look at me as they passed; at last -one of them stopped to examine me: I told him that I was a British -officer, and had been already plundered. He did not however desist, -and pulled me about roughly. - -“An hour before midnight, I saw a man in an English uniform, coming -towards me; he was, I suspected, on the same errand. I spoke -instantly, telling him who I was: he belonged to the 40th, and had -missed his regiment. He released me from the dying soldier, took up a -sword, and stood over me as sentinel. Day broke, and at six o’clock -in the morning a messenger was sent to Hervé: a cart came for me, and -I was conveyed to the village of Waterloo, and laid in the bed, as -I afterwards understood, from which Gordon had but just before been -carried out. I had received seven wounds; a surgeon slept in my room, -and I was saved by excessive bleeding.” - - -_Related by an officer._ - -... “Early on the following morning, the survivors arose and hurried -out to seek, amidst the dying and the dead, those comrades and -friends of whose fate they were as yet ignorant[112]. But even -earlier still had the wretches who hang on the skirts of every army, -for the purpose of rifling the new-made corpse, been at work: the -watches and purses of many were already gone; while many a brave -heart, still throbbing, had received its _coup de grâce_ from the -hands of these merciless plunderers. - -“Waterloo was won; the sun set upon a scene of slaughter, and the -stillness of death succeeded the roar of battle. The thunder of -five hundred cannons, the roll of musketry, the shock of mail-clad -horsemen, the Highland slogan, the Irish huzza, were heard no more; -and the moon gleamed coldly on a field of death, whose silence was -only broken by the groans of the wounded, as they lay in helpless -wretchedness beside their dead companions. - -“While many a sufferer listened to every sound in anxious expectation -of relief, a dropping fire was occasionally heard in the direction -of Genappe, announcing that the broken army of Napoleon was fiercely -followed by its conquerors. - -“Wearied by the unparalleled exertions of the tremendous day of -Waterloo, the British pursuit gradually relaxed, and the light -cavalry halted on the right of the road to Quatre-Bras; but the -Prussians, less fatigued, continued to harass the flying enemy, -and the mingled mass of fugitives were forced from every village -where they had attempted to form bivacs. A barrier was hastily -thrown across the entrance of Genappe, to arrest the progress of the -_jägers_ and hussars that hung upon the rear of the guard; but it was -blown down by a few discharges of a howitzer, and the French were -driven from the town. Throughout the disastrous night not a moment of -repose was granted to the terror-stricken. To attempt anything like -serious resistance to their pursuers, where all were inextricably -confused, was absurd. Officers and soldiers were mobbed together; -discipline had ended: none attempted to direct, where none were found -to obey; and with unrelenting fury the Prussian cavalry sabred the -exhausted fugitives, till, after passing Gosselies and Charleroi, the -wreck of Napoleon’s army found a temporary shelter beneath the walls -of Philippeville. - -“That night, the British bivac was on the same ridge which their -beaten enemy had occupied on the preceding one; and as I lay upon -the ground, I heard at times, and at no great distance from me, the -voices of my more fortunate companions who had escaped from the -slaughter, and some were roaming over the field in search of plunder. -Momentarily, I expected that a friendly straggler would pass by. I -must have been for a considerable period insensible; for the place -where I fell, although the theatre of the final struggle between -the relics of Ney’s columns and the British guards, was now totally -deserted by the living, and cumbered only with the dying and the dead. - -“I seemed as if awakening from a dream: a difficulty of respiration -painfully annoyed me, and I endeavoured to rise; but a weight, -too mighty to be removed, pressed me to the earth. My sight was -imperfect, my eyelids felt closed. I disengaged my left hand, and -raising it to my face, found that a mask of congealed blood covered -it. I rubbed it away, and, prepared as I was for a sanguinary -spectacle by the continuous moanings of wounded men and dying horses, -I closed my eyes in horror, when the clear cold moonlight revealed -the sickening scene. - -“Directly over me, and in the very attitude in which he had groaned -his last, an officer of the old guard was stretched: our faces were -nearly touching, and his open eyes had fixed their glassy stare on -mine. A sword-cut had divided his upper lip, and, exposing the teeth, -gave to the dead man’s countenance a grin so horrible and ghastly, -that I who had witnessed death in every form, was glad to avert my -eyes. I made a desperate effort to shake him off; but a horse’s neck -rested on my legs, and my feeble exertions were quite unequal to rid -me of this double load. - -“While suffering great inconvenience of position, I felt the cold -intense, and thirst intolerable. No relief was attainable; the groans -of the dying were unheard, and I sullenly submitted to my fate. But -morning must soon break, and then probably I should be succoured. -Could I but disengage myself from the dead man who pressed me almost -to suffocation, I might endure pain, cold, and thirst. I made another -effort, it failed; and, in despair, I laid my head upon the ground, -moistened with my own blood and that of my departed enemy. Just then -a voice immediately beside me, uttered a feeble supplication for -some water. I turned my head, and saw a young ensign, whose leg had -been shattered by the wheels of a gun, raise himself upon his elbow, -and look across the field, in hope of discovering some one who would -relieve him. Nor were his cries unheard: a man dressed in the dark -uniform of a Prussian _jäger_, and armed with the short sword which -rifle-troops carry, approached the sufferer; but, alas! he was not on -the errand of mercy. Seizing the wounded man rudely, and deaf to his -entreaties, he commenced his work of plunder. I heard the chinking -of a purse, and a trinket, a watch, or locket, glittered in the -moonlight, as he tore it from the bosom of the prostrate ensign. - -“Oh! no, no, I cannot, will not part with that!” a low weak voice -muttered; “it was my mother’s dying gift: I will never part with it!” -A struggle ensued, but it was a short one: the ruffian, irritated -at resistance, raised himself, and with a home-thrust silenced the -poor youth for ever. Great God! that such a scene of death should be -increased by the hand of murder! - -“I grew sick; I feared to breathe: my death was to be the next, -for he had quickly plundered the body of his victim, and turned to -the dead guardsman who lay across my breast. Suddenly he stopped, -listened, and gazed suspiciously around; then sank down behind, and -stretched himself upon the field. - -“My heart beat again. Two men came forward, and they too were -plundering. But surely, all could not be so ruthless as the crouching -wretch beside me! Nearer and nearer they approached; and, sounds of -joy! they conversed in my native tongue. I listened with exquisite -delight, and never did human voices appear so sweet as theirs. They -were grenadiers of the line, and one of them wore a sergeant’s -stripes. Without a moment’s hesitation I addressed them; and an -appeal in their native language was not disregarded, I was promptly -answered in kindly tones; and while one caught the defunct Frenchman -by the collar and flung him aside, his comrade extricated my legs -from the dead charger, and assisted me to rise up. - -“I found myself in the centre of a heap of corpses; to take a second -step without treading on a body was impossible; yet I scarce regarded -the scene of slaughter: my eyes were riveted upon one corpse, that of -the poor lad whom the crouching _jäger_ had so brutally murdered. - -“I stood up with difficulty; a faintness overpowered me: I -staggered, and would have fallen, but the sergeant supported me, -while his comrade held a canteen to my mouth. It contained brandy -diluted with water, and, to one parched as I was, the draught was -exquisitely grateful. My deliverers appeared anxious to move off, -either to obtain fresh plunder, or secure that already acquired; and -which, to judge from the size of their havresacs, must have been -considerable. I begged them to assist me from the field; but they -declined it, alleging that they must rejoin their regiment before -day-break. At this moment my eyes encountered those of the _jäger_, -who lay as motionless behind the dead horse as any of the corpses -that surrounded him. If I remained, (and I could not walk without -support,) the chances were immense that the villain would speedily -remove one who had witnessed a deed of robbery and murder, and I made -a fresh appeal to my worthy countrymen: - -“Sergeant, I will reward you handsomely: do not desert me.” - -“I cannot remain longer, sir: morning is breaking, and you will soon -have relief enough,” was the reply. - -“It will never reach me: there is one within three paces, who will -not permit me to look upon another sun.” - -“Both soldiers started. - -“What do you mean?” exclaimed the sergeant eagerly. - -“Mark you that Prussian sharp-shooter who skulks behind the horse?” - -“What of him?” asked the grenadier. - -“Yonder dead officer supplicated assistance from that scoundrel, and -he answered him with curses, and commenced plundering him directly. I -saw him take a purse, and tear away his epaulette. Some other article -the poor fellow feebly attempted to retain; and the villain, before -my eyes, stabbed him to the heart. Hearing your approach, he hid -himself behind that charger: need I add, that there he lies until you -leave this spot, and that I shall most probably be his next victim?” - -“You shall not, by Heaven!” exclaimed the sergeant, as he drew his -sword and stepped over the dead horse. The Prussian, who had no -doubt watched the conference attentively, sprang upon his feet on -the first movement of the grenadier; but his fate was sealed: before -the sergeant’s comrade could unsheath his bayonet, the _jäger_ was -cut down, and the murderer rolled in the agonies of death beside the -unfortunate youth whom but a few minutes before he had so ruthlessly -slaughtered. - -“The corpse was speedily plundered by the grenadiers, and the spoil -of the rifleman, when united to their booty, made, as I suspect, a -valuable addition. - -“The moonlight was now yielding to the grey tint of early day, and -the chief cause of my apprehensions being removed by the _jäger’s_ -death, I found leisure to scrutinize my deliverers. - -“The first was a very powerful and athletic man, whose years might -be set down at forty: his vigorous frame was perfectly unbroken, -and his look bespoke a daring and unhesitating resolution. Indeed, -his whole appearance was much above his rank; he seemed a war-worn, -dissipated soldier: to him a field of battle was no novelty; and the -perfect _nonchalance_ with which he dispatched the Prussian, betrayed -a recklessness regarding human life, rather befitting a bandit than a -soldier. - -“His companion, a very young man, was a fine strapping flanker, -and in everything appeared to be wholly governed by the will of -his comrade. He touched the dead, I thought, with some repugnance, -and seemed of gentler heart and milkier disposition than might be -expected in a midnight plunderer upon a battle field. - -“See, the dawn breaks rapidly,” said the non-commissioned officer to -the young grenadier: “we must be off, Macmanus.... We leave you safe, -sir; yonder black sharp-shooter will never draw another trigger. Pick -up a musket for the gentleman; we must not leave him without the -means of keeping stragglers at a distance, should any come prowling -here, before the fatigue-parties arrive to carry off the wounded. -Here, sir, take another pull at the brandy-flask; nothing keeps up a -sinking heart so well.” - -“Thanks, my kind fellow, I owe you my life. Had you left me to yon -black scoundrel, he would have served me as he did our comrade there. -What are your names, your regiment? I shall take care to report your -timely services to....” - -The elder of the grenadiers laughed: “You are but a young soldier, -sir, and this, as I suspect, your first field. I know you mean us -kindly, but silence is the best service you can render us. We should -have been with the advance near Genappe, instead of collecting lost -property upon the plains of Waterloo. Well, we fought hard enough -yesterday to allow us a right to share what no one claims, before -the Flemish clowns come here by cock-crow. Adieu!” As he spoke, his -companion handed me a musket, after trying the barrel with a ramrod, -and ascertaining from flint and pan that it was both loaded and -serviceable. - -“Enough; I ask no questions. But here are a few guineas.” - -“Which we do not require,” said the sergeant. “We have made a good -night’s work, and your money, young sir, we neither want, nor take. -If we have rendered you service, it was for the sake of the old -country. It is hard to shut one’s ears, when the first language that -we lisped in from the cradle asks pity in the field. Farewell, sir; -morning a comes on apace.” - -“And yet,” I replied, “I might perhaps at some time serve you. You -know the fable: the Mouse once cut a net, and saved a Lion. I am -indeed but a young soldier: but should I be able to be serviceable at -any future period, ask for J—— B——, and he will remember the night of -Waterloo.” - -“Of all the fields that ever were seen, Waterloo presented perhaps -the most bloody. The small space over which the action had been -fought, rendered the scene indeed appalling: masses of dead appearing -as it were piled on each other.” - - -The field of Waterloo is twelve miles and a quarter from -Brussels; Quatre-Bras, twenty-one; and Ligny, twenty-eight miles: -notwithstanding the great difference in the distances of those -places, the firing at Ligny and Quatre-Bras was more distinctly heard -at Brussels on the 16th, than that of Waterloo on the 18th. - -Our detached force at Hall, which is about nine miles from Waterloo, -heard nothing of the firing, nor did they know until the following -morning, (the 19th,) how busily we had been engaged. - - -[Illustration: (end of Note; decorative separator)] - - - - -No. VII. - - -As a tribute of the Author’s respectful gratitude for the information -he has obtained from many officers who have visited the field, -and, with all the advantages of being on the spot, have discussed -the leading questions which have been raised in the United Service -Journal, and so many other publications, respecting the details of -the battle, their names are subjoined: - - -GENERALS. - - Lord John Hay. - Sir Hussey Vivian. - Sir A. Barnard. - Sir H. Ross. - Sir Colin Campbell. - Sir Guy Campbell. - Sir F. Adam. - Alexander Macdonald. - J. B. Parker. - D. Mercer. - W. Mayne. - T. Reynell. - H. Murray. - Thomas Hunter Blair. - T. W. Robbins. - J. S. Kennedy. - - -COLONELS. - - Hon. Keppell. - Sir W. Verner, Bart. - Sir Henry Floyd, Bart. - Sir G. Hoste. - G. Gurwood. - T. Wildman. - Bussche. - Vigouroux. - Forbes. - N. Norcliffe. - Gilbourne. - Lord Douro. - Grey. - Calvert. - Tinling. - Parkinson. - Wallace. - Grove. - Bruce. - Kuhlman. - Lord Grosvenor. - Lord Wellesley. - Hon. G. Cathcart. - Brown. - - -MAJORS. - - Turner. - Tindale. - Browne. - Dawson. - Jackson. - Edward Macready. - Belcher. - Fowler. - Cox. - Rice. - Lloyd. - Maddox. - Ainsley. - Hawley. - -Two other officers of high rank, who served on the Duke’s staff, -have given me information respecting some of the most important -occurrences of the day, but not permission to publish their names, -as they had previously refused this favour to several writers of -distinction. - -The following letters are submitted to the reader as offering -satisfactory evidence of the Author’s competency to attempt a -narration of the battle, and to act as guide to the visitors to the -field, as well as of the authenticity of the spoils and relics, which -any one may inspect at his residence, Mont-St.-Jean: - - - “EMS, July 23d, 1839. - - “SERGEANT-MAJOR COTTON, - -“I promised to write to you, but I have not had time to do so till -now, since I saw you at Waterloo. You were desirous of having my -testimony of the authenticity of the different articles collected -from the field, that I saw in your house. I can have no hesitation in -giving it generally. Many of the things I saw, I could speak to as -having belonged to regiments of my own brigade. - -“It is but just also to you to say, that the account you gave me of -the various occurrences of the day, was, as far as I knew, extremely -correct, and by no means exaggerated, and I give you full credit -for the pains you have taken to collect the details. I sincerely -hope, that from the occupation you have undertaken, you will derive -the means of passing the remainder of your days in competence and -comfort; and thus reap the reward of your intelligence, on a field -where you had previously proved your courage. - - “Your friend, - “HUSSEY VIVIAN, lieutenant-general.” - - -“I have seen at various times, Sergeant-Major Cotton’s collection of -spoils of the campaign of 1815, and I am of opinion that they are -genuine relics, and such as may be relied on. - - “HENRY FLOYD, Bart., colonel unattached, - captain 10th hussars at Waterloo. - - “BRUSSELS, 1848.” - - - “BRUSSELS, October 2d, 1845. - - “SERGEANT-MAJOR COTTON, - -“I received so much satisfaction from our walk over the field -of Waterloo yesterday, that I am induced to leave with you the -expression of it. - -“Being anxious to satisfy myself regarding certain operations of -the day, particularly the movements of the light brigade, (52d, -71st, 95th,) to which I belonged, I found your exact knowledge of -the ground, and the numerous details you have collected, highly -instructive and interesting. - -“I am glad to learn that you intend publishing a memoir of the -battle, and will not fail to become a purchaser as soon as it appears. - - “Your sincere well-wisher, - “THOMAS HUNTER BLAIR, colonel.” - - - “NAMUR, June 29th, 1846. - - “SERGEANT-MAJOR COTTON, - -“I have read your book ... with very great interest.... Thinking from -our conversation on the field respecting the present condition of the -ground on which Halkett’s brigade acted, that you would be pleased -to know the opinion of even so undistinguished a member of that body -as myself, respecting your explanation of the events of the battle -thereabouts, ... I hesitate not to say that I was at once surprised -and gratified to hear from you ... the best and most correct detail -of the proceedings ... that I have either heard or read.... Further -... you made me far better acquainted with the details of what -occurred at Hougoumont, and to its right, than I ever was before. - -“Hoping you may long enjoy health to pursue the interesting -occupation for which your soldierly qualities and intelligence so -well fit you, I remain, etc. - - “EDWARD MACREADY, major unattached; - of the 30th, at Waterloo.” - - -The following document is to the Author, and probably it will be to -not a few of his readers, deeply interesting: it is from the late -lamented colonel Gurwood, whose labour in collecting and publishing -the Wellington Dispatches, whilst it rendered an invaluable, perhaps -an unrequited service to his country and to civilization, broke his -health, and bore down his gallant spirit: - - - “70, LOWNDES-SQUARE, LONDON, June 18th, 1843. - - “SERGEANT-MAJOR COTTON, - -“I have had a set of the _Dispatches of the Duke of Wellington_ -packed up to be forwarded to you, which I shall endeavour to send you -on the return of king Leopold to Brussels, to the care of sir G. H. -Seymour, her Majesty’s minister, to whom I shall write to inform you -when they arrive. - -“The marquis of Anglesey has much enhanced the value of my present -to you, in writing his name in the title page at my request, and he -appeared much pleased at gratifying an old soldier of his regiment. - - “Very faithfully yours, - “J. GURWOOD.” - - -A RELIC. - -On the 15th of May 1846, colonel Macdonald, of the Royal artillery, -visited the Author’s interesting collection at Mont-St.-Jean, of -arms, etc., spoils of the Waterloo campaign. The gallant veteran -recognized his own sword of a curious workmanship, that had been lost -on the field, when he was wounded. - -This precious relic the colonel left with the Author, giving him the -following certificate: - - “This sword I wore at the battle of Waterloo, and after I was - wounded my servant left it on the field. - - “ALEXANDER MACDONALD, colonel, - “Royal horse artillery[113]. - - “WATERLOO, May 15th, 1846.” - - -Amongst the kind presents which the Author has received from his -countrymen, for his Waterloo Museum and library, at Mont-St.-Jean, he -gratefully mentions the following: - - -“_Selections from Dispatches, etc., of the Duke of Wellington, by -colonel Gurwood_; - -“Presented by Lieutenant-Colonel N. Norcliffe, K. H., of -Langton-Hall, Yorkshire, to his fellow soldier, Sergeant-Major -Cotton, late of the 7th hussars. - - “July 25th, 1842.” - - - “BLACKHEATH, July 30th, 1846. - - “SERGEANT-MAJOR COTTON, - -“Alderman Moon rejoiced in being able to gratify the patriotic -feelings of an old Waterloo hero, and at once offered to present you -with a copy of his celebrated engraving of the Waterloo Banquet, -which he trusts you will frame and place in your Museum. - - “FRANCIS BENNOCK.” - - -“Mr. Billen has much pleasure ... in sending Sergeant-Major Cotton -an engraved portrait of the brave general Sir James Kempt, and -further promises, should he have the honour to engrave any other -officers who took part in that eventful day, to send an impression to -Sergeant-Major Cotton. - - “23, HIGH-STREET, CAMDEN-TOWN, 6th September, 1842.” - - -Of the _first edition_ of this work, the following notice appeared in -a London journal: - -“The author of the unpretending little volume before us is principal -guide to the field of battle. This duty he is well qualified to -perform from his intimate knowledge of the ground, near which he -has resided during eleven years, and from his zealous endeavours -to render himself master of facts, by studious research, and by -communicating on the spot with military men of all ranks and nations. - -“The qualifications that recommend sergeant-major Cotton as guide, -have facilitated his efforts to put in print those events which he -is daily required to narrate verbally; and it is but justice to say -that he has accomplished his task lucidly, impartially, and in plain, -straight-forward language, becoming his position and antecedents. - -“He states in sober and graphic terms, how the tempest first gathered -and suddenly burst forth in advance of Charleroi, next upon our -allies at Ligny, and our own advance corps at Quatre-Bras; he informs -us of the principal incidents that led to the grand crisis, as well -as of the measures adopted by the British commander to stem the -torrent. The author likewise gives an intelligible sketch of the -limited tactical movements executed during the battle. - -“Sergeant-major Cotton shows us how the lion-hearted Glengary, -with Hepburn, Saltoun, and their indomitable brother guardsmen, -immortalized Hougoumont. He carries us with Hamilton and his Grey -squadrons into the thick of the onslaught, where the Household -cavalry and Union brigades, the pride of English chivalry, hurled -themselves upon their brave antagonists. He does not forget the ‘Up, -guards, and make ready!’ or the resistless charge that followed; -nor does he pass over in silence the unflinching valour with which -Baring’s Hanoverians so long maintained their dangerous post. The -author points out where the ardent Irish, thigh by thigh with -heroic Highlanders, or knee by knee with stalworth English, bore -down compactly upon advancing infantry, or with admirable coolness -threw themselves into those impenetrable squares, wherein our -devoted gunners found momentary shelter, when the field was swept -by cuirassed hosts, more impetuous and daring than successful. We -could willingly quote several interesting and graphic passages from -sergeant-major Cotton’s clear and well-written narrative, from which -we have risen with a more distinct acquaintance with the subject and -scene, than we had hitherto derived from works of higher pretensions. -But, as the whole volume merits perusal, we will content ourselves -with expressing hopes that this VOICE FROM WATERLOO may find an echo -in public favour, and that our veteran hussar’s pen may gain for him -laurels more substantial than those already earned by his well-tried -sabre.” (_Morning Chronicle_, 22d January, 1846.) - - -_Extract from the Brussels Herald._ - -We have much pleasure in reprinting, from the _Literary Gazette_ of -last Saturday, the following notice of sergeant-major Cotton’s new -work, A VOICE FROM WATERLOO: - -“The author was in the fight in the 7th hussars. He has since resided -for years at Mont-St.-Jean, where this volume is published; and he -acts as a guide to visitors when they desire to inspect this famous -battle field. - -“Sergeant-major Cotton says, (page 201,) ‘Facts are stubborn things;’ -and with the qualifications we have noticed, he is the very man to -tell us all about it. And he has told us in a very circumstantial -manner, separating details from masses, and altogether afforded us -a better idea of this dreadful encounter than we have gathered from -any other quarter. We had, by a curious coincidence, just arrived at -this conclusion on reading his book, when we had an opportunity, in -common with a number of leading artists and connoisseurs, of seeing -Mr. Sidney Cooper’s Battle of Waterloo, painted for the approaching -exhibition in Westminster-Hall. We were at once wonderfully struck -with the apparent realization of the accounts which had just made -such an impression on our minds. It seemed as if the artist had -been present with the writer, and transferred in the most graphic -and spirited manner to the canvass what he had committed with such -particular effect to the paper. The chivalrous encounters, the almost -single combats, the groups of cavalry slaughterings, the flight, the -rally, the rush of riderless horses, the dying and the dead scattered -among the trampled corn: all told the terrible tale of the last -charge and effort of the French to retrieve the discomfiture of the -day. Of these Mr. Cooper has made a stirring and splendid use. It is -indeed a battle-piece, and upon the largest scale, such as never has -been produced before by English painter, if by the greatest foreign -master, in this style of art. The artist is sublime in the mysteries -of moving human columns under the canopy of smoke, through which the -spectator may easily imagine he hears the cannon boom. The whole is -real, yet imaginative; and inspires at the same moment feelings of -intense individual interest, and general awe. With regard to the -author we need not add any other comment. Though he mentions that the -Duke and Blücher met at La Belle-Alliance after the battle, we think -he shows that this could not have been the case; and we have reason -to believe that no such meeting ever took place[114].” - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[103] _See_, page 229, the proclamation of Louis XVIII to the French -people, dated Cambray, the 28th June, 1815. - -[104] _See_ lord Bathurst’s dispatch of the 7th July, and the Duke’s -answer of the 13th, GURWOOD, vol. XII, page 557. - -[105] _See_ the duke of Wellington’s dispatch to lord Bathurst of the -8th July. (GURWOOD, vol. XII, page 549,) detailing a conversation -which took place with the duc d’Otrante at Neuilly, on the night of -the 5th July; the whole of which turned upon a recommendation given -by the duc d’Otrante, that the king should give a _general amnesty_. - -[106] “As well as the duke of Wellington recollects, there is in -the war department a letter from the prince d’Eckmühl to marshal -St.-Cyr on this subject, in which he urges every argument against -the proclamation of the 25th July, excepting the 12th article of the -convention of Paris.” - -[107] _Scott._ - -[108] La Haye-Sainte. - -[109] _See_ the covering of this book. - -[110] Gneisenau was the chief of the Prussian staff. He was at once -the life and soul, main-spring and working head of their army. - -[111] At Leipsick, Napoleon selected his own position, and there he -chose a field with a defile over a morass, a mile and a half broad, -which probably was the principal cause of his defeat. - -[112] Several ladies were on the field on the morning of the 19th, -going about like ministering angels tending the wounded. How truly in -this instance do Scott’s lines picture the soft sex! - - “O woman! In our hours of ease, - Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, - And variable as the shade - By the light quivering aspen made; - When pain and anguish wring the brow, - A ministering angel thou!” - -[113] Brother to sir John Macdonald, the adjutant-general at the -Horse-Guards. - -[114] I wish I were as positive of every part of my narrative. E.C. - - -THE END - - - - -SERGEANT-MAJOR COTTON’S - -WATERLOO CABINET. - -[Illustration: (decorative separator)] - -THIS INTERESTING MUSEUM CONTAINS - -1. The following highly finished engravings: Napoleon, Wellington, -Blücher; Wellington and Napoleon at Waterloo; the Waterloo Banquet; -Sir James Kempt; Battle of Waterloo; Capture of an Eagle; the Prince -of Orange wounded. - -2. Medallion portraits of Napoleon, Wellington, Blücher, King of the -Netherlands, Lords Hill and Anglesey, Sir Thomas Picton, Count Alten, -Marshals Ney and Soult; General Cambronne, or “_La garde meurt et ne -se rend pas_.” - -3. General view of the Field, (oil;) View of Hougoumont. - -4. Plans showing different periods of the Battles of Ligny, -Quatre-Bras, Waterloo and Wavre; Map on which is indicated the -distribution of the respective armies at the commencement of -hostilities. - -5. Autographs of the following Waterloo Commanders and Officers: -Napoleon, Wellington, Field-Marshal the Marquis of Anglesey, Lord -Somerset, Lord Love, Sir Edward Somerset, Major General Sir William -Gomme, Marshal Grouchy; Generals Vivian, Harris, Sir E. Kerrison, -Hunter Blair, and Macdonald; Colonels Sir Henry Floyd, Bart., -Gurwood, Hon. G. Cathcart, and Muttlebury; Majors Kennedy, Macready, -and Lindam, Captain J. Braman, etc. - -6. The London Gazette of Thursday 22d June 1815, and the Times of the -same date. - -7. An interesting collection of RELICS, warranted spoils of the -Waterloo campaign, a part of which are labelled for sale at moderate -prices, although not so cheap as the spurious articles with which the -neighbourhood abounds. - -The collection of relics is composed of arms, cuirasses, casques, -caps, clothing, accoutrements, various military ornaments, trappings, -gold and silver Crosses of the Legion of honour, Prussian Crosses and -Medals, etc., etc. - -_The most interesting relic is the Sword, of General Alexander -Macdonald, which he left on the field of battle when wounded, and -recognized amongst the relics of the Waterloo Cabinet on revisiting -the field in May 1846. The General’s certificate is attached to the -Sword._ - -A pair of Napoleon’s silver spurs. - -Several pieces of Napoleon’s kitchen utensils, marked with the -Imperial crown, letter _N_, and “_Tuileries_,” or “_Voyage_.” - -A Dragoon’s saddle-bags, with the stains of blood still visible, -etc., etc., etc. - -[Illustration: (end of section separator)] - - - - -SERGEANT-MAJOR COTTON. - -_The celebrated Waterloo Guide and author of the sketch of the battle -entitled: “A voice from Waterloo.”_ - - - Pause, stranger as you pass this hallowed spot, - Where guardian angels hover round unseen! - Reposing here brave Cotton sleeps, whose lot - On earth has one of dauntless valour been. - - At Hugoument his bleaching ashes lie, - And mingle with the dust beneath his grave; - Whilst seraphs waft his loosened soul on high, - To life eternal which awaits the brave. - - Bold, as a soldier, faithful, as a friend, - To enemies forgiving and humane, - He strove through life his country to defend, - With character unsullied by a stain. - - When War’s rude thunders rent the loaded air, - And clashing arms bespoke the dread dispute, - When Heroes pressed the cannon’s front to dare, - Each heart for Glory in the wild pursuit. - - Amongst them Cotton fought; and lived to tell - To countless eager ears the mighty fray, - In which his comrades and opponents fell, - When victory to Britons gave the day. - - His mortal course he thus pursued by choice, - And thus performed the labour from him due; - ’Till lo! as recompense, from Heaven a voice - Has called to bliss, the “Voice from Waterloo.” - - -[Illustration: FIELD OF WATERLOO - -TOWARDS SUNSET, ON JUNE 13TH, 1815.] - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Footnote [72] is referenced from Footnote [71], not from the - main text. - - The seven wide tables on pages 238 to 251 of the original book - have each been split into two parts. The first four columns - have been duplicated in each part for readability. - - Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been - corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within - the text and consultation of external sources. - - Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added, - when a predominant preference was found in the original book. - - Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, - and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. - - Pg viii: ‘many occurences’ replaced by ‘many occurrences’. - Pg viii: ‘only irreconcileable’ replaced by ‘only irreconcilable’. - Pg ix: ‘discrepances which’ replaced by ‘discrepancies which’. - Pg xi: ‘Prussian ontposts’ replaced by ‘Prussian outposts’. - Pg xi: ‘CHATER II’ replaced by ‘CHAPTER II’. - Pg xv: ‘its retread’ replaced by ‘its retreat’. - Pg xvii: ‘Waterloo at it is’ replaced by ‘Waterloo as it is’. - Pg 2: ‘allied sovereings’ replaced by ‘allied sovereigns’. - Pg 2 FN [1]: ‘a good jonrney’ replaced by ‘a good journey’. - Pg 2 FN [1]: ‘from Napoleau’ replaced by ‘from Napoleon’. - Pg 4: ‘Napoleons’s name’ replaced by ‘Napoleon’s name’. - Pg 5: ‘strengh of the enemy’ replaced by ‘strength of the enemy’. - Pg 6: ‘were to be groud’ replaced by ‘were to be ground’. - Pg 6: ‘in the propable’ replaced by ‘in the probable’. - Pg 8 FN [7]: ‘of tha 1st German’ replaced by ‘of the 1st German’. - Pg 10: ‘of the Prussiam’ replaced by ‘of the Prussian’. - Pg 10: ‘as ta be concealed’ replaced by ‘as to be concealed’. - Pg 11: ‘at the independance’ replaced by ‘at the independence’. - Pg 11: ‘of agressions’ replaced by ‘of aggressions’. - Pg 12: ‘The centre colum’ replaced by ‘The centre column’. - Pg 18: ‘Nothwithstanding the’ replaced by ‘Notwithstanding the’. - Pg 19: ‘Description o the’ replaced by ‘Description of the’. - Pg 20: ‘aids-de-camp. Shortly’ replaced by ‘aides-de-camp. Shortly’. - Pg 20: ‘marche from Nivelles’ replaced by ‘march from Nivelles’. - Pg 21: ‘in somme measure’ replaced by ‘in some measure’. - Pg 32: ‘but was forgotton’ replaced by ‘but was forgotten’. - Pg 38: ‘lieutenand-general’ replaced by ‘lieutenant-general’. - Pg 39: ‘dragoons and lanccrs’ replaced by ‘dragoons and lancers’. - Pg 40: ‘immediate and efficent’ replaced by ‘immediate and efficient’. - Pg 41: ‘them, when praticable’ replaced by ‘them, when practicable’. - Pg 42: ‘und forming a circle’ replaced by ‘and forming a circle’. - Pg 42: ‘up the alignements’ replaced by ‘up the alignments’. - Pg 44: ‘the enemy, dit not’ replaced by ‘the enemy, did not’. - Pg 44: ‘chequered colums’ replaced by ‘chequered columns’. - Pg 49: ‘at a goad pace’ replaced by ‘at a good pace’. - Pg 54: ‘which he commited’ replaced by ‘which he committed’. - Pg 55: ‘galop from the French’ replaced by ‘gallop from the French’. - Pg 55: ‘of la La Haye-Sainte’ replaced by ‘of La Haye-Sainte’. - Pg 57: ‘nowithstanding the major’ replaced by ‘notwithstanding - the major’. - Pg 59: ‘the position ot this’ replaced by ‘the position of this’. - Pg 59: ‘staggered the Freneh’ replaced by ‘staggered the French’. - Pg 60: ‘be gallantly’ replaced by ‘he gallantly’. - Pg 61: ‘to be wondered as’ replaced by ‘to be wondered at’. - Pg 62: ‘he hid so’ replaced by ‘he did so’. - Pg 62: ‘lay and on’ replaced by ‘lay hand on’. - Pg 64: ‘disloged the German’ replaced by ‘dislodged the German’. - Pg 65: ‘his coat ant killed’ replaced by ‘his coat and killed’. - Pg 67: ‘time so catch’ replaced by ‘time to catch’. - Pg 75: ‘au unknown spot’ replaced by ‘an unknown spot’. - Pg 76: ‘Hamilton, aid-de-camp’ replaced by ‘Hamilton, aide-de-camp’. - Pg 76 FN [42]: ‘maintened fop a few’ replaced by ‘maintained for a few’. - Pg 79: ‘the sergeant sadler’ replaced by ‘the sergeant saddler’. - Pg 86: ‘home: stil the’ replaced by ‘home: still the’. - Pg 86: ‘Prince, notwihstanding’ replaced by ‘Prince, notwithstanding’. - Pg 87: ‘Freemantle, aid-de-camp’ replaced by ‘Freemantle, aide-de-camp’. - Pg 89: ‘ther huge camp’ replaced by ‘their huge camp’. - Pg 91: ‘Alten’s divison’ replaced by ‘Alten’s division’. - Pg 91: ‘sent an aid-de-camp’ replaced by ‘sent an aide-de-camp’. - Pg 91: ‘ther dislike to’ replaced by ‘their dislike to’. - Pg 92: ‘his men howerer’ replaced by ‘his men however’. - Pg 100: ‘were the fate’ replaced by ‘where the fate’. - Pg 100: ‘as well as be could’ replaced by ‘as well as he could’. - Pg 107: ‘smyptom of falling’ replaced by ‘symptom of falling’. - Pg 109: ‘having sarcely fired’ replaced by ‘having scarcely fired’. - Pg 112: ‘aid-de-camp and many’ replaced by ‘aide-de-camp and many’. - Pg 113: ‘who prolonghed this’ replaced by ‘who prolonged this’. - Pg 115: ‘the dreadful carnarge’ replaced by ‘the dreadful carnage’. - Pg 117: ‘to be inflictied’ replaced by ‘to be inflicted’. - Pg 117: ‘his own officiers’ replaced by ‘his own officers’. - Pg 117 FN [64]: ‘by Vandersmiesen’s’ replaced by ‘by Vandersmissen’s’. - Pg 118: ‘lientenant Banner’ replaced by ‘lieutenant Banner’. - Pg 119: ‘in a angle’ replaced by ‘in an angle’. - Pg 125: ‘alongh is front’ replaced by ‘along his front’. - Pg 126: ‘lieutement Gunning’ replaced by ‘lieutenant Gunning’. - Pg 129: ‘the Erench position’ replaced by ‘the French position’. - Pg 129: ‘aid-de-camp to general’ replaced by ‘aide-de-camp to general’. - Pg 130: ‘The Prussian dragroons’ replaced by ‘The Prussian dragoons’. - Pg 131: ‘most dreaful struggle’ replaced by ‘most dreadful struggle’. - Pg 135: ‘connduct of the French’ replaced by ‘conduct of the French’. - Pg 135: ‘so long a perriod’ replaced by ‘so long a period’. - Pg 136: ‘full of enthusiam’ replaced by ‘full of enthusiasm’. - Pg 137: ‘is life and strength’ replaced by ‘his life and strength’. - Pg 137: ‘he abbors insult and’ replaced by ‘he abhors insult and’. - Pg 138: ‘ministering angles’ replaced by ‘ministering angels’. - Pg 140: ‘commencing hostilites’ replaced by ‘commencing hostilities’. - Pg 141: ‘Ny interest in’ replaced by ‘My interest in’. - Pg 141: ‘the follewing day’ replaced by ‘the following day’. - Pg 143: ‘downfal of Napoleon’ replaced by ‘downfall of Napoleon’. - Pg 147: ‘and majors-generals’ replaced by ‘and major-generals’. - Pg 147: ‘the battalton of’ replaced by ‘the battalion of’. - Pg 148: ‘Neitheir did he attempt’ replaced by ‘Neither did he attempt’. - Pg 150: ‘Higness’s approbation’ replaced by ‘Highness’s approbation’. - Pg 151: ‘the adjudant-general’ replaced by ‘the adjutant-general’. - Pg 154: ‘excesive difficulties’ replaced by ‘excessive difficulties’. - Pg 158: ‘three in the afternon’ replaced by ‘three in the afternoon’. - Pg 160: ‘the wole army’ replaced by ‘the whole army’. - Pg 162: ‘attaked in their turn’ replaced by ‘attacked in their turn’. - Pg 162: ‘embarrassement arising’ replaced by ‘embarrassment arising’. - Pg 167: ‘throughout our narritive’ replaced by ‘throughout - our narrative’. - Pg 168: ‘that pratically shown’ replaced by ‘that practicality shown’. - Pg 175: ‘your Highnees will’ replaced by ‘your Highness will’. - Pg 177: ‘by my aid-de-camp’ replaced by ‘by my aide-de-camp’. - Pg 179: ‘fitfty thousand men’ replaced by ‘fifty thousand men’. - Pg 180: ‘nessary to overcome’ replaced by ‘necessary to overcome’. - Pg 184: ‘Yon wrote from Gembloux’ replaced by ‘You wrote from Gembloux’. - Pg 186: ‘attaking the French’ replaced by ‘attacking the French’. - Pg 191: ‘wits great military’ replaced by ‘with great military’. - Pg 192: ‘everthrow the throne’ replaced by ‘overthrow the throne’. - Pg 192: ‘cause have the fallen’ replaced by ‘cause have they fallen’. - Pg 193: ‘hehold! these are’ replaced by ‘behold! these are’. - Pg 196: ‘gaeat in desolation’ replaced by ‘great in desolation’. - Pg 196: ‘dishonourable fligt’ replaced by ‘dishonourable flight’. - Pg 199: ‘it they believe’ replaced by ‘if they believe’. - Pg 200: ‘render them unavailling’ replaced by ‘render them unavailing’. - Pg 201: ‘Prussians head-quaters’ replaced by ‘Prussians’ head-quarters’. - Pg 214: ‘and the roards are’ replaced by ‘and the roads are’. - Pg 216: ‘and honour to’ replaced by ‘an honour to’. - Pg 219: ‘The Field-Marshall cannot’ replaced by ‘The Field-Marshal - cannot’. - Pg 222: ‘At this measure’ replaced by ‘As this measure’. - Pg 223: ‘the greatitude of’ replaced by ‘the gratitude of’. - Pg 224: ‘I send yon a letter’ replaced by ‘I send you a letter’. - Pg 225: ‘have throught proper’ replaced by ‘have thought proper’. - Pg 225: ‘adressed to me’ replaced by ‘addressed to me’. - Pg 227: ‘as the proprety of’ replaced by ‘as the property of’. - Pg 227: ‘By whom weere these’ replaced by ‘By whom were these’. - Pg 227: ‘who had ad interest’ replaced by ‘who had an interest’. - Pg 227: ‘anglais el prussiens’ replaced by ‘anglais et prussiens’. - Pg 230: ‘at which, they occured’ replaced by ‘at which they occurred’. - Pg 232: ‘throught the farm’ replaced by ‘thought the farm’. - Pg 234: ‘Douro of Wellesly’ replaced by ‘Douro of Wellesley’. - Pg 253: ‘presenc I had’ replaced by ‘presence. I had’. - Pg 253: ‘my first aid-de-camp’ replaced by ‘my first aide-de-camp’. - Pg 261: ‘frem loss of blood’ replaced by ‘from loss of blood’. - Pg 262: ‘his aid-de-camp, and’ replaced by ‘his aide-de-camp, and’. - Pg 264: ‘best of my judment’ replaced by ‘best of my judgment’. - Pg 268: ‘almost to snffocation’ replaced by ‘almost to suffocation’. - Pg 271: ‘your timely serviees’ replaced by ‘your timely services’. - Pg 275: ‘highly instruetive’ replaced by ‘highly instructive’. - Pg 276: ‘invaluable, perharps’ replaced by ‘invaluable, perhaps’. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A VOICE FROM WATERLOO *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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