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HISTOKY

WAR IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM,

IN 1815.
CONTAINING MINUTE DETAILS

OF THE

BATTLES OE QUATEE-BEAS, LIGNY, WAVEE,

WATEELOO.

CAPTAIN W, SIBOENE,

SECRETARY AND ADJUTANT OF THE ROYAL MILITARY ASYLUM j
CONSTRUCTOR OF THE " WATERLOO MODEL."

SECOND EDITION.

VOL. II.

LONDON :
T. AND W. BOONE, NEW BOND STREET.

MDGCCXHV.

\ -

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XL

Commencement of the grand attack upon the left wing and centre of the
Anglo-allied army On the right of the attack the French gain possession
of the farm of Papelotte, which, however, is soon retaken by the 3rd
battalion of the 2nd regiment of Nassau Retreat of Bylandt's Dutch-
Belgian infantry-brigade Picton's dispositions Attack by the French left
central column Gallant charge by Kempt's brigade Death of Picton
Contest between cuirassiers and the 2nd life guards in front of the right
of Kempt's brigade Attack upon La Haye Sainte by the left brigade of
Donzelot's division Advance of Roussel's cavalry-brigade by the French
left of La Haye Sainte Uxbridge decides upon charging the enemy's at-
tacking force with Somerset's and Ponsonby's cavalry-brigades Charge by
the French cuirassiers and carabiniers It is met by that of Somerset's
cavalry-brigade Advance of Ponsonby's cavalry-brigade Advance of
Alix's and Marcognet's French infantry-divisions They reach the crest of
the Anglo-allied position Advance of Pack's brigade Its attack upon the
head of Marcognet's column Charge by Ponsonby's cavalry-brigade
Complete overthrow of the French columns The Greys capture the eagle
of the 45th French regiment They also charge and defeat a supporting
column of Marcognet's attacking force The Royals capture the eagle of
the 105th French regiment The Inniskillings defeat and disperse the
columns to which they are opposed Continuation of the charge by Somer-
set's brigade Disordered state of the two British cavalry-brigades They
crown the enemy's position, and cut down the gunners and horses of the
French batteries At length they retire The left of their line suffers
severely from a charge by Jaquinot's light cavalry-brigade Vandeleur's
light cavalry advances in support upon the left Charge by the 12th end
16th British light dragoons The French cavalry is driven back Vivian
moves his brigade to the right, and opens a fire from two guns of his horse-
artillery The British cavalry engaged in this affair sustains a heavy loss
Disposition of the troops on the Anglo-allied left and centre Tableau of
the battle at this period. page 2

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII.

Continuation of the contest at Hougomont Attempted flank attack upon this
post completely defeated by Captain Cleeves's foot-battery of the King's
German legion The principal buildings of Hougomont, including the
chateau, set on fire by the French Napoleon prepares a grand cavalry-
attack upon Wellington's right wing Renewed attack upon La Haye
Sainte Tremendous cannonade along the French heights French grand
cavalry-attack Its failure Its renewal Second failure Ney, on being
reinforced by Kellermann's corps of heavy cavalry, and Guyot's heavy
cavalry-division of the guard, renews his attack This is most successfully
resisted Ney directs another attack upon La Haye Sainte, and advances a
heavy column of Bachelu's infantry against the centre of the Anglo-allied
right wing Wellington draws Chasse's Dutch-Belgian division from
Braine-la-leud towards the principal scene of action, and moves Clinton's
division into the front line Contest at La Haye Sainte The 5th and 8th
line-battalions of the King's German legion, on advancing to charge French
infantry in rear of La Haye Sainte, are suddenly assailed in flank by French
cavalry, and the 8th battalion is almost entirely destroyed Artillery in the
Anglo-allied front line reinforced Attack by a column of French heavy
cavalry upon the Anglo-allied right completely defeated by Major Mercer's
battery of British horse-artillery A strong column of French infantry,
supported by cavalry, advances against the centre of the Anglo-allied right
wing It is charged by Somerset's heavy cavalry-brigade Conduct of
Trip's Dutch-Belgian carabinier-brigade Gallant charge by the 3rd hussars
of the King's German legion Renewed attack by the column of French
heavy cavalry in front of Major Mercer's horse-battery It is repulsed as
before Wellington reinforces the right of his front line by du Plat's in-
fantry-brigade of the King's German legion, accompanied by Captain
Sympber's horse-battery of the same service It is attacked by French
cuirassiers These are driven off by the battalions of du Plat's brigade
Renewed charge by the cuirassiers equally unsuccessful Failure of French
cavalry attack upon the right centre of the Anglo-allied line Adam's
British light infantry-brigade advances into the front line, on the right of
Maitland's brigade; crosses the ridge, and takes up a position on the ex-
terior slope Here it is repeatedly attacked by French cavalry Advance
of Halkett's Hanoverian brigade The French assail the post of La Haye
Sainte with the utmost vigour It falls into their possession Napoleon
directs Ney to follow up this advantage with a vigorous attack upon the
centre of the Anglo-allied line, and at the same time to renew the assault
upon Hougomont Ney's views and dispositions Attack upon Allen's
division The 5th line-battalion of the King's German legion, led by
Ompteda, gallantly charges French infantry, but is furiously assailed in
flank by a regiment of cuirassiers, and nearly destroyed : Ompteda is killed

CONTENTS. T

Gallant repulse of an attack made upon portions of Maitland's and
Adam's brigades Renewed but unsuccessful attack upon Hougomont
Adam's brigade withdrawn to the reverse slope of the main position
General view of the Anglo-allied liue. . . . page 55

CHAPTER XIII.

Advance of the Prussians towards the field of Waterloo Difficulties and
impediments attending their march The 15th and 16th Prussian brigades
reach the wood of Paris At half-past four o'clock, Bliicher decides upon
attacking the right flank of the French army with these brigades, without
waiting for the arrival of more of his troops Prussian cavalry driven back
by Dornont Three Prussian battalions attack the extreme right of the
French general front line, near Smohain, but are compelled to retire into the
village Napoleon detaches Lobau's corps in support of Domont Bliicher's
dispositions The French regiments of the old and middle guard take up the
position, in reserve, on the heights of La Belle Alliance, vacated by Lobau's
corps Lobau becomes engaged with Billow The remainder of Billow's
corps reaches the field Bliicher's dispositions Relative strength of
Bulow's and Lobau's forces Napoleon detaches the young guard to
Planchenoit, in support of Lobau's right At about six o'clock, Bliicher
is informed that Thielemann is attacked by a superior force at Wavre He
does not allow this circumstance to deter him from his present purpose
Billow attacks Planchenoit Contest in the village The Prussian troops
driven out Having rallied, they renew their attack Napoleon detaches
two battalions of the old guard to Planchenoit The Prussians are again
driven out of the village, and pursued as far as their main position French
and Prussian cavalry become engaged Napoleon, perceiving preparations
on the part of the Prussians for renewing the attack upon Planchenoit, de-
taches General Pelet with another battalion of the old guard to that village
Critical situation of Napoleon He resolves on making a renewed and
formidable attack upon Wellington's line Wellington despatches Lieut.
Colonel Fremantle to the left, to seek for the Prussian forces expected on
that flank Situation of the Duke, and state of the Anglo-allied troops
Napoleon's dispositions for the attack The advanced guard of Zieten's
corps approaches the extreme left of the Anglo-allied line Vivian's and
Vandeleur's light cavalry -brigades are removed from that flank to the centre
Wellington's dispositions Centre of the Duke's line vigorously assailed
by the French troops collected in and about La Haye Sainte Sudden and
destructive fire opened upon Kielmansegge's brigade from French guns
brought up to the very crest of the Allied position The Prince of Orange
is wounded whilst leading forward the Nassau troops to repel the French
attack upon that part of the liue Wellington reinforces the latter with five
battalions of Brunswick infantry These, together with Kielmansegge's,
Ompteda's, and Kruse's brigades, are compelled to fall back a short distance
The Duke rallies the Brunswickers, who maintain their ground, as do

vi CONTENTS.

also the before mentioned brigades Vivian's hussar-brigade draws up in
rear of these troops Kielmansegge, on whom the command of the 3rd
division has devolved, succeeds in establishing the latter upon its former
position. . ..... page 125

CHAPTER XIV.

Commencement of Napoleon's last grand attack upon Wellington's line
Napoleon stations himself so that the guard may pass by him as it advances
to the attack Disposition of d'Erlon's and Reille's corps The leading
column of the imperial guard suffers severely from the fire of the Allied
artillery, as it approaches the Duke's line Contest between the leading
column of the French imperial guards and Maitland's brigade of British
guards The former completely defeated and dispersed Conduct of
d'Aubreme's Dutch-Belgian brigade Advance of the second attacking
column of the imperial guard Charge upon French cuirassiers by a squad-
ron of the 23rd light dragoons The second column of the imperial guard
charged in flank by Adam's brigade Its defeat and dispersion by this
charge Adam's brigade continues its forward movement, supported on its
right by a battalion of Lieut. Colonel Halkett's Hanoverian brigade State
of d'Aubreme's Dutch-Belgian brigade Upon the extreme left of the
Anglo-allied line, the skirmishers of Durutte's division endeavour to
establish themselves in the houses and inclosures in the valley, on that flank,
and become engaged with the Prussians in and about Smohain Blucher's
dispositions Formation and advance of Billow's left wing for the third
attack upon Planchenoit, and of his right wing for a simultaneous attack
upon Lobau Junction of the advanced guard of Zieten's corps with the
troops constituting the extreme left of the Anglo-allied army General
view of the disposition of the Prussian forces relatively with that of the
Anglo-allied troops General view of the state of the Anglo-allied army
at the period of the attack and defeat of the French imperial guard Prompt
decision and admirable skill evinced by Wellington in seizing upon the
advantage presented by the discomfiture of the French guards Advance of
Vivian's hussar-brigade to the attack of Napoleon's reserves near La Belle
Alliance Disposition of these reserves Brilliant charge by the 10th
British hussars Charge by the 2nd light dragoons of the King's German
legion Adam's brigade, continuing its advance, reaches the nearest French
height, intersected by the Charleroi road, and on which three squares of the
imperial guard are posted General advance of the Anglo-allied line The
Duke orders Adam to attack the squares of the imperial guard The Earl of
Uxbridge falls, severely wounded The imperial guard retires from the
charge by Adam's brigade Gallant charge by the 18th British hussars near
La Belle Alliance Charge by a party of the 10th British hussars upon a
square of the grenadiers of the old guard ; which retires, and eventually
disperses The right, and part of the centre, squadron of the 10th hussars,
continuing their pursuit, after the first charge, make another charge upon

CONTENTS. vii

both infantry and cavalry, on the right, and beyond La Belle Alliance A
party of the 18th hussars makes a dashing but ineffectual charge upon a
square, still further in advance Gallant charges by the 2nd light dragoons
of the King's German legion Lieut. Colonel Halkett, with the Osnabriick
landwehr-battalion, pursues a column of the old guard, and captures General
Cambronne Singular situation of the Duke of Wellington. page 162

CHAPTER XV.

Advance of Vandeleur's light cavalry -brigade It charges and disperses a
large column of French infantry, and captures a battery Adam's brigade
continues driving the enemy before it along the left side of the Charleroi
road Effect produced upon the right wing of the French army by the ad-
vance of Adam's, Vivian's, and Vandeleur's brigades Its effects also upon
the French left wing Napoleon takes shelter within a square of the imperial
guard Continuation of the advance of the Anglo-allied army In the
centre, La Haye Sainte is re-taken : on the right, Hougomont is cleared of
the enemy : on the left, Durutte's division, forming the right of the French
front line, takes to flight The left wing captures the opposite line of
batteries Disorder and flight of the whole of d'Erlon's corps along the
rear of Lobau's corps, which, being at the same time assailed by part of
Billow's corps, partakes of the panic, and mingles with the fugitives The
British troops near La Belle Alliance fall into the line of fire from a Prus-
sian battery, to which Wellington sends directions to cease firing French
infantry dispersed, and a battery captured, by the 52nd British regiment
Capture of a battery by the 71st British regiment Last French gun fired
by Adam's aide-de-camp A battery captured by the Osnabriick Hano-
verian battalion, under Halkett The British advanced cavalry is in the
midst of crowds of defeated French soldiers Remarkable steadiness of the
French grenadiers-a-cheval Contest in Planchenoit Gallant conduct of
Pelet and a portion of the chasseurs of the guard The French troops that
have been engaged at Planchenoit, retire in disorder and confusion towards
the high road between Rossomme and Maison du Roi, the former of which
points the British advanced brigades have already reached Partial colli-
sion between the 18th British hussars and a Prussian regiment of cavalry
The 1st hussars of the King's German legion narrowly escape coming
into serious collision with the llth and 16th British light dragoons Wel-
lington halts the main body of his army upon the original French position
Bliicher undertakes the pursuit Wellington having satisfied himself, by
his observations from the high ground beyond Rossomme, that the victory
is secured beyond a doubt, returns towards Waterloo On reaching La
Belle Alliance, he meets Bliicher Dispositions made by the latter for
effecting a vigorous pursuit The Prussian troops headed in advance by
Gneisenau, reach Genappe, where they capture a quantity of baggage, in-
cluding Napoleon's travelling-carriage Napoleon at Quatre-Bras Direc-
tion of the retreat of the French troops Napoleon proceeds to Charleroi

Tiii CONTENTS.

whence he despatches Jerome with orders to rally the troops between
Avesne and Maubeuge Gneisenau continues the pursuit, passing through
Quatre-Bras, and not resting until he arrives beyond the heights of Frasne
Losses sustained by the respective armies Remarks upon the battle
Relative numerical strength of the combatants Relative proportions in
which the troops of the Anglo-allied army were actively engaged Conduct
of these troops Extent of the actual share taken in the battle by the
Prussians. ...... page 225

CHAPTER XVI.

Upon the appearance of Vandamme's corps in front of Wavre, Thielemann
decides on maintaining the position at that point instead of following the
remainder of the Prussian army towards the field of Waterloo The field
of Wavre Disposition of the different brigades of Thielemann's corps
Disposition of Grouchy's forces The light troops of Vandamme's corps
gain possession of that part of the town of Wavre which lies on the right
bank of the Dyle Gerard makes an unsuccessful attack upon the mill of
Bierge Vandamme fails in his efforts to carry the bridge of Wavre
Grouchy, in person, leads another attack upon the bridge of Bierge, which
proves as fruitless as the former attempt, and on which occasion Gerard
falls severely wounded Pajol gains possession of the bridge of Limale by
a cavalry-attack Grouchy, having pushed a portion of Gerard's corps
across the Dyle, by Limale, disposes these troops so as to turn the right
of Thielemann's corps They are attacked by the Prussians, who are de-
feated, and forced to fall back upon the wood near Point du Jour The
contest for the possession of the bridges and town of Wavre is continued
until late in the night, the Prussians sustaining and repelling thirteen
assaults Disposition of the contending forces on the morning of the 19th
of June Contest between Thielemann's right, and Grouchy's left, wing,
during which the French gain possession of part of the wood of Rixansart
Teste's division makes another attack upon Bierge Thielemann takes
up a second position About eight o'clock he hears of the overthrow of
Napoleon's army at Waterloo He renews the attack, which is attended
with complete success, and re-takes the wood of Rixansart The wood
again falls into the possession of the French The latter capture the village
of Bierge Thielemann decides upon effecting a retreat The Prussians
abandon the town of Wavre. The French cross the Dyle, both at Wavre
and at Bierge The retreat is covered by cavalry under Colonel von der
Marwitz Proceedings of General von Borcke, who had marched his
brigade on the previous evening to St. Lambert Thielemann retires along
the road to Louvain, and takes up a position at St. Achtenrode Losses
sustained by the Prussians and French Remarks upon the battle and its
results Grouchy decides on retiring upon Namur. . page 274

CONTENTS. ix

CHAPTER XVII.

Retreat of the French army from the field of Waterloo On the 19th of June
the Prussian army pursues in the direction of Charleroi, Avesnes, and
Laon ; the Anglo-allied army, in that of Nivelles, Binch, and Peronne -
Billow's corps reaches Fontaine 1'Eveque ; and Zieten's corps halts for the
night at Charleroi Thielemann continues during the night of the 19th at
St. Achtenrode Pirch's corps proceeds, on the evening of the 18th, in the
direction of Namur, for the purpose of intercepting Grouchy 's retreat On
the 19th, it halts at Mellery The Anglo-allied army occupies Nivelles
and its vicinity during the night of the 19th Napoleon's flight through
Charleroi He desires Soultto collect the troops and march them to Laon
Grouchy retires upon Namur Disposition of the respective armies on the
evening of the 19th The Duke of Wellington's views on entering the
French territory ; and his general order to the troops on the 20th of June
The Saxon corps d'armee is placed under his Grace's command The Anglo-
allied army reaches Binch and Mons Grouchy's retreat to Namur He is
pursued by Thielemann and Pirch Contest at Namur The Prussians gain
possession of this place Remarks upon Thielemann's and Pirch's proceed-
ings in connexion with Grouchy's retreat to Namur and Dinant Disposi-
tion of the respective armies on the evening of the 20th Wellington crosses
the French frontier on the 20th Bliicher places Pirch's corps under Prince
Augustus of Prussia, to be employed in besieging the fortresses left in rear
of the main army Avesnes captured by Zieten's corps Bliicher's fare-
well address to the Belgians Disposition of the respective armies on the
evening of the 21st Wellington's proclamation to the French people
Contrast between the conduct of the Prussian troops and that of the Anglo-
allied army towards the inhabitants of the country through which they
pass : attributable to the dissimilarity of views entertained by their chiefs
Influence of Wellington's measures upon the cause of Louis XVIII.

page 306

CHAPTER XVIII.

x CONTENTS.

a halt Force detached under Colville to attack Cambray The Allied com-
manders have an interview at Catillon, and arrange their plan of advance
upon Paris On the 24th, Wellington reinforces the troops under Colville
Capture of Cambray Proposals are made at the outposts of the Allied
armies for a suspension of hostilities These are rejected Louis XVIII.
arrives at Le Cateau Guise surrenders to Zieten's corps The Prussians
are one day's march in advance of the Anglo-allied army Disposition of
the respective armies on the evening of the 24th Proclamation issued by
the Provisional Government in Paris Surrender of the citadel of Cambray
On the 25th, the Anglo-allied army reaches Joncour The fortress of La
Fere on the Oise invested by part of Zieten's corps The advanced guard
and cavalry of the right Prussian column reach Montescourt The main
body of Billow's corps arrives at Essigny le grand Bliicher's reply to an
application by the commissioners from the French chambers for a suspension
of hostilities The French troops collected at Laon march to Soissons,
towards which point Grouchy's force is also approaching Soult, finding
himself superseded in the command, quits the army Disposition of the
respective armies on the evening of the 25th Napoleon quits Paris His
address to the army. ..... page 347

CHAPTER XIX.

On the 26th, the main body of the Anglo-allied army moves to Vermand
Capture of Peronne Colville's division rejoins the main army Welling-
ton's reply to the French commissioners La Fere holds out against the
Prussians The 1st and 4th Prussian corps advance by forced marches to-
wards Compiegne and Pont St. Maxence Disposition of the respective
armies on the evening of the 26th Early on the morning of the 27th the
advanced guard of Zieten's corps secures the bridge and town of Compiegne,
when the French, under d'Erlon, are within half an hour's march of that
point The latter, after an unsuccessful attempt to take the place, retire
upon Soissons Movements of Zieten's and Thielemann's corps upon
Soissons, Villers-Cotterets, and Crespy Biilow secures the bridge over the
Oise at Creil Affair at Senlis Bliicher succeeds in securing the line of the
Oise Grouchy endeavours to effect his retreat to Paris by forced marches
The main body of Wellington's army crosses the Somme and marches to
Roye The Duke's anger and indignation excited by the conduct of the
Dutch-Belgian troops on the march Disposition of the respective armies
on the evening of the 27th Affair at Yillers-Cotterets between the ad-
vanced guard of Zieten's corps and the French troops under Grouchy and
Vandamme Affair at Nanteuil between part of Zieten's corps and Reille's
corps Reille succeeds in effecting a junction with d'Erlon Direction of
the retreat of the imperial guard and 6th corps ; also of the 3rd and 4th
French corps The advanced guard and the reserve-cavalry of Zieten's
corps, under Prince William of Prussia, fall upon Reille's troops in full
retreat, attack them, and make 2,000 prisoners The main body of Thiele-
mann's corps moves on to Crespy in support of Zieten The Prussian ope-

CONTENTS. xi

rations Lave the effect of cutting off the retreat of the French troops to
Paris by the great Soissons and Senlis roads The French Provisional
Government sends another deputation to request the Allied commanders to
agree to a suspension of hostilities Disposition of the respective armies on
the evening of the 28th On the 29th, Bulow's and Zieten's corps take up a
position in front of Paris The remains of the French grand army of the
north retire within the lines of the capital The Anglo-allied army reaches
different points between Gournay and Pont St. Maxence Positions of
the respective armies on the evening of the 29th Composition of the
garrison of Paris Its means of defence Policy of the Provisional Govern-
ment Napoleon quits Paris for Rochefort His narrow escape from falling
into the hands of the Prussians New commissioners appointed by the
government to wait upon the Duke of Wellington for the purpose of nego-
tiating a suspension of hostilities Sound judgment and extraordinary fore-
sight evinced in his Grace's reply to their proposals. . page 387

CHAPTER XX.

Bliicher directs Biilow to make an attack upon Aubervilliers in the night of
the 29th He is joined by Wellington in person, when the two commanders
agree not to suspend their operations so long as Napoleon remains in Paris
The Prussians carry the village of Aubervilliers, and drive the French
back upon the canal of St. Denis The Allied commanders decide upon
masking the fortified lines of St. Denis and Montmartre with one army,
whilst the other should move to the right, and cross to the opposite bank of
the Seine Projected plan of operations On the 30th, Zieten's and Thiele-
mann's corps, move off to the right, while Bulow's continues in its position
Disposition of the respective armies on the evening of the 30th Policy
of Fouche Letter from Davoust (Prince of Eckmuhl) to Wellington and
Bliicher, demanding a suspension of hostilities Wellington's reply
Bliicher's reply Address to the Chamber of Deputies from Davoust and
other generals of the army Proclamation issued by the Chambers On the
morning of the 1st of July, Bulow's corps moves off to the right, towards
Argenteuil The Anglo-allied army reaches le Bourget, and takes up the
position vacated by the Prussians The French attack Aubervilliers, and
gain possession of half the village The British light troops of Colville's
division re-take the greater part of Aubervilliers Lieut. Colonel von Sohr's
Prussian light cavalry-brigade reaches Versailles He is attacked by the

. French cavalry, under Excelmans Affairs at Rocquencourt, Versailles, and
Lechesnay Remarks upon the detaching of Sohr's brigade Positions of
the respective armies on the evening of the 1st of July On the 2nd of
July, the Prussian army moves towards the heights of Meudon and Chatillon,
on the south side of Paris Affairs at Sevres, Moulineaux, and Issy The
Anglo-allied army continues in position in front of St. Denis Wellington
establishes a bridge at Argenteuil, and keeps open the communication with
the Prussian army Critical situation of the French army The Provisional
Government directs the Commissioners to wait again upon the Duke of

xii CONTENTS.

Wellington His Grace's reply to their request Positions of the respective
armies during the night of the 2nd of July Affair at Issy on the morning
of the 3rd of July Cessation of hostilities Convention of Paris
Conclusion. -.... page 431

SUPPLEMENT page 481

APPENDIX.

I. List of officers of the King's German Legion, who were present at the
defence of La Haye Sainte. II. Effective strength of the Prussian
troops on the field of Waterloo. III. Lines descriptive of the part taken
in the Battle of Waterloo by the 6th brigade of British cavalry, upon the
repulse of the last attack by the French ; with the death of Major the Hon.
Frederick Howard. IV. List of British Officers who were present at the
Defence of Hougomont. V. Return of killed, wounded, and missing, of
the British troops at the Battle of Waterloo. VI. Return of killed,
wounded, and missing, of the King's German Legion at the Battle of
Waterloo. VII. Return of killed, wounded, and missing, of the Hano-
verian troops on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of June, 1815. VIII. Return of
killed, wounded, and missing, of the Brunswick troops at the Battle of
Waterloo. IX. Return of killed, wounded, and missing, of the troops
of the Nassau contingent (1st Regiment) at the Battle of Waterloo.

X. List of officers of the British army who were present in the actions on
the 16th, 17th, and 18th of June, 1815, including those posted near Hal on
the 18tb, and distinguishing such as were killed, wounded, or missing.

XI. List of the officers of the King's German Legion, killed, wounded,
and missing, in the actions on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of June, 1815.

XII. List of the officers of the Hanoverian troops, killed, wounded, and
missing, in the actions on the, 16th, 17th, and 18th of June, 1815.

XIII. List of officers of the Brunswick troops, killed in the actions of
the 16th, and 18th, of June, 1815. XIV. Return of killed, wounded,
and missing, of the Dutch-Belgian troops, on the 16th, 17th, and 18th, of
June, 1815. XV. Return of killed, wounded, and missing, of the Prus-
sian troops, at the Battle of Waterloo. XVI. List of the officers of the
Prussian army, killed, wounded, and missing, at the Battle of Waterloo.
X V II. Proclamation of Louis XVIII. to the French people, pages 497523

HISTORY

WAR IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM

1815.

CHAPTER XI.

Commencement of the grand attack upon the left wing and centre of the
Anglo-allied army On the right of the attack the French gain possession
of the farm of Papelotte, which, however, is soon retaken by the 3d
battalion of the 2d regiment of Nassau Retreat of Bylandt's Dutch-
Belgian infantry-brigade Picton's dispositions Attack by the French left
central column Gallant charge by Kempt's brigade Death of Picton
Contest between cuirassiers and the 2d life guards in front of the right
of Kempt's brigade Attack upon La Haye Sainte by the left brigade of
Donzelot's division Advance of Roussel's cavalry-brigade by the French
left of La Haye Sainte Uxbridge decides upon charging the enemy's at-
tacking force with Somerset's and Ponsonby's cavalry -brigades Charge by
the French cuirassiers and carabiniers It is met by that of Somerset's
cavalry-brigade Advance of Ponsonby's cavalry-brigade Advance of
Alix's and Marcognet's French infantrj'-divisions They reach the crest of
the Anglo-allied position Advance of Pack's brigadeIts attack upon the
head of Marcognet's column Charge by Ponsonby's cavalry-brigade
Complete overthrow of the French columns The Greys capture the eagle
of the 45th French regiment They also charge and defeat a supporting
column of Marcognet's attacking force The Royals capture the eagle of
the 105th French regiment The Inniskillings defeat and disperse the
columns to which they are opposed Continuation of the charge by Somer-
set's brigade Disordered state of the two British cavalry-brigades They

VOL. II. B

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

crown the enemy's position, and cut down the gunners and horses of the
French batteries At length they retire The left of their line suffers
severely from a charge by Jaquinot's light cavalry-brigade Vandeleur's
light cavalry advances in support upon the left Charge by the 12th and
16th British light dragoons The French cavalry is driven back Vivian
moves his brigade to the right, and opens a fire from two guns of his horse-
artillery The British cavalry engaged in this affair sustains a heavy loss
Disposition of the troops on the Anglo-allied left and centre Tableau of
the battle at this period.

isth of NAPOLEON, having taken the precaution of posting

a cavalry corps of observation upon his right flank,

no longer delayed sending the order to Ney for
the commencement of the grand attack upon the
centre and left wing of the Anglo-allied army.
About the same time, Wellington, considering that
some of the battalions along the right wing of his
front line were too much exposed to the enemy's
cannonade, which had from the commencement
been principally directed against them, and which
was now conducted with increased vigour, withdrew
them more under shelter of the crest of the ridge.
f It might then be about half-past one, or perhaps a
/ /quarter before two o'clock. The simultaneous ad-
^ vance of d'Er4pji^sfour^lmsJ^nj_p^^fantry, amount-
ing to nearly 18,000 men, was grand and imposing.
As the heads of the columns cleared their own line
of batteries ranged along the crest of the interven-
ing ridge, and as the points on which they were
directed for attack opened out to their view, loud
and reiterated shouts arose from their ranks of
" Vive lEmpereur /" which, as the masses began
to descend the exterior slope of their position, were

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 3

suddenly drowned in the roar produced by the dis- isthof

charge of seventy-four pieces of French cannon '__

over their heads. The effects of the latter upon
Picton's division, and upon Bylandt's Dutch-Bel-
gian brigade, which, as before stated, was deployed
upon the exterior slope of the Anglo-allied position,
were severely felt. Light troops now issued forth
from each column, and soon spread out into a line
of skirmishers extending the whole length of the
valley. As Donzekit's division, which was on the
left, approached La Have Sainte, one of its bri-
gades moved out to attack that farm, while the
other continued its advance on the~right of the
Charleroi road ; and it was not long before a sharp
fire of musketry along and around the hedges of
the orchard of La Haye Sainte announced the first
resistance to d'Erlon's formidable advance. Shortly
afterwards a dropping fire commenced among the
hedges and inclosures of Papelotte, La Haye, and
Smohain, which were occupied by the Nassau bat-
talions under Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar.
The right brigade of Durutte's division was thrown
out against the troops defending these inclosures,
while the left brigade continued to advance across
the valley, so as to form a support to Marcognet's
division on its left, and, at the same time, to con-
nect this attack with the advance of the latter
against the main front line of the Allied right wing.
Durutte's skirmishers pressed boldly forward
against those of Prince Bernhard's brigade ; and it

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of was not long before they succeeded in gaining pos-
_____ session of the farm-house of Papelotte, driving- out
the light company of the 3d battalion of the 2d
regiment of Nassau, commanded by Captain von
Rettberg ; but the latter, on being reinforced with
four additional companies, resumed the offensive,
and gallantly retook the farm. The contest in this
quarter was now limited to a persistent skirmish,
which extended itself along La Haye and Smo-
hain, occupied by the regiment of Orange-Nassau.
With this tiraillade on either flank of d'Erlon's
corps, the central columns pursued their onward
course, and began to ascend the exterior slope of
the Allied position.

Immediately on the departure of d'Erlon's corps
from the French position, Bachelu's infantry-di-
vision, which constituted the right of Reille's corps,
was moved forward to the immediate height be-
tween La Belle Alliance and La Haye Sainte,
(where it is intersected by the hollow-way formed
by the Charleroi road,) in order to maintain that
point, to be at hand as a reserve to the attacking
force, and to keep up the connection between the
right and left wings of the front line of the French
army.

The three central columns continued their ad-
vance up the exterior slope of the Allied position.
The nature of the ground still admitted of the play
of the French batteries over their heads, and great
was the havoc produced by this fire in Picton's

FRAXCE AXD BELGIUM IX 1815. 5

devoted ranks. As the heads of the columns isthof
neared the deployed line of Bylandt's brigade, the _

shouts of " Vive VEmpereur !" were renewed.
The skirmishers in advance were on the point of
opening their fire upon the brigade, in order to
prepare for, and give increased effect to, the suc-
ceeding charge of the columns, when the Dutch-
Belgians, who had already evinced a considerable
degree of unsteadiness, commenced a hurried re-
treat, not partially and promiscuously, but collec-
tively and simultaneously so much so, that the
movement carried with it the appearance of its
having resulted from a word of command. The
disorder of these troops rapidly augmented ; but,
on their reaching the straggling hedge along the
crest of the position, an endeavour was made to
rally them upon the 5th battalion of Dutch militia.
This attempt, however, notwithstanding the most
strenuous exertions on the part of the officers, com-
pletely failed. The reserve battalion and the artil-
lerymen of Captain ByleyelpVs battery, though they
seemed to stem the torrent for a moment, were
quickly swept away by its accumulating force.
As they rushed past the British columns, hissings,
hootings, and execrations, were indignantly heaped
upon them ; and one portion, in its eagerness
to get away, nearly ran over the grenadier com-
pany of the 28th British regiment, the men of
which were so enraged, that it was with diffi-
culty they could be prevented from firing upon

J HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of the fugitives. Some of the men of the 1st, or

June.

Royal Scots, were also desirous of shooting them.

Nothing seemed to restrain their flight, which
ceased only when they found themselves completely
across and covered by the main ridge along which
the Anglo-allied army was drawn up. Here they
continued, comparatively under shelter, during the
remainder of the battle, in which they took no
further part, and to assist in gaining which their
services were, from that moment, neither afforded
nor required.

Picton, who had been calmly watching the
French movements, and whose quick and practised
eye detected the increasing unsteadiness and waver-
ing disposition of the Dutch-Belgians, appeared to
expect but a feeble resistance on their part ; and
upon his aide-de-camp, Captain Tyler,* remarking
to him that he was sure they would run, he said,
" Never mind]; they shall have a taste of it, at all
events." He had certainly not anticipated the
possibility of their running off in the manner they
did, the moment the French came within musket-
range of their ranks.

Now, however, that these troops had completely
cleared away to the rear, and left him no other
means wherewith to brave the coming storm than

cauld be afforded by the shattered remnants of
\Kempt's and Pack's brigades which had survived

* Lieut. Colonel John Tyler, K.H., died on the 4th June, 1842.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

the sanguinary fight of Quatre-Bras, Picton imme- wth of

. . June.

diately deployed his force, and assumed an attitude,
of patient but determined resistance. When the
disparity in relative numbers of the assailants
and defenders is considered, the attempt to make
head, with such odds, against the advancing masses
of an enemy elated by his triumphant progress,
was, it must be admitted, a daring and critical un-
dertaking. Each brigade presented a thin twjizdegp
line. Their united strength did not amount to
more than about 3,000 men j whilst of the French
force, the central attacking columns alone, which
were now advancing directly upon these two bri-
gades, consisted of nearly 13,000 men. Picton
had, moreover, no infantry-reserve whatever, from
which he could obtain support in case of success, or
upon which he could fall back in case of disaster.
He was not, however, one to be daunted Jby the
approach of heavy columns, formidable as they
might appear in point of numbers, when he could
meet them with a well- trained British line, though
it should be but two deep, and present but a fourth
of the numerical force of its opponents. It is true,
that nearly all the regiments in Kempt's and Pack's
brigades had lost half their numbers in the battle of
the 16th ; but Picton well knew that they had not
lost that indomitable spirit, which, under his guid-
ance, had immortalized them on that memorable
field of battle. There, he had triumphantly led
them both in line against heavy columns of in-

J HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

1 june f f an t rv > an ^ * n squares against charging squadrons

of cavalry. What, then, might not be achieved by

such innate valour by such consummate disci-
pline ? The entire confidence which he reposed in
his men was warmly reciprocated on their part.
With such a chief to lead them, they would have
bravely confronted the whole French army, had it
been moving in mass against them. The flight of
the panic-stricken Dutch-Belgians produced no
effect upon them beyond that of exciting their
derision and contempt.

The 28th, 32d, and 79th regiments of Kempt's
brigade, when deployed, occupied a line parallel to,
and about fifty yards distant from, the hedge along
the Wavre road, its right resting on a high bank
lining the Charleroi road, and its left terminating
at a point in rear of that part of the AVavre road
which begins to incline for a short distance towards
the left rear. In their right front, immediately
overlooking the intersection of the Charleroi and
Wavre roads, stood (as before stated)* the reserve
of the 1st battalion 95th rifles ; they had two com-
panies, under Major Leach, t posted in the sand-pit
adjoining the left of the Charleroi road ; and one
company, under Captain Johnston, J at the hedge on
the knoll in rear of the sand-pit. Their commanding
officer, Colonel Sir Andrew Barnard, and Lieut.

* See page 334, vol. i.

t Now Lieut. Colonel Jonathan Leach, C.B.

J Major William Johnston died in April, 1836.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 9

Colonel Cameron,* were with these advanced com- isthof

i- June.

panics, watching the enemy s movements. Pack s

line was in left rear of Kcmpt's brigade, and about
150 yards distant from the Wavre road. Its left
rested upon the knoll between the Wavre road and
a small coppice on the reverse slope of the position ;
but the centre and right extended across a consider-
able hollow which occurs on the right of that cop-
pice. The front of the interval between the two
brigades became, after the retreat of the Dutch-
Belgians, completely exposed and uncovered.

The French left central attacking column had
continued its advance in a direction contiguous to,
and parallel with, the high road, until the skir-
mishers in its front were suddenly checked by the
companies of the 95th British rifles posted in the
sand-pit, which obstacle had hitherto been in a
great measure concealed from their view by the
particular formation of the ground, combined with
the height of the intervening corn. Influenced by
the discovery of this impediment, and by the ap-
pearance of the abatis upon the high road, the
column inclined to the right so as to clear the
sand-pit ; and, as their skirmishers were pressing
on in that direction, the companies of the 95th be-
came turned, and were forced to fall back upon the
other company stationed along the little hedge
in rear of the pit. So vigorous and effective was

* Now Major General Sir Alexander Cameron, K.C.B.

]0 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of the fire maintained from this hedge hy the British

riflemen, both upon the skirmishers and upon the

column itself, that the latter was induced to swerve
still further to the right, out of its original direction.
The retreat of Bylandt's brigade having removed
all impediment to the advance of the central at-
tacking columns, the three companies of the 95th
soon found themselves outflanked by the French
skirmishers, and gradually retired upon their re-
serve. The light companies of the other regiments
of Kempt' s brigade, which had moved out to skir-
mish, fell back in like manner, accordingly as the
French columns advanced. With a view to secure
the left flank of the attacking force, and at the
same time to connect the movements with those on
the opposite side of the high road, the French pre-
sented a strong line, or rather a mass, of skirmishers,
in the interval between that road and the left cen-
tral column.

As the columns now rapidly approached the
crest of the Anglo-allied position, the greater part
of the batteries along the French ridge that is, all
those which had been cannonading that portion of
the line embraced by the attack gradually sus-
pended their fire. The partial cessation of their
thunder was immediately succeeded by loud and
reiterated shouts from the columns of " Vive VEm-
pereur /" whilst at short intervals were heard the
cheering exhortations of ' * En avant ! en avant !"
mingled with the continued roll of drums beating

FRANCE A\D BELGIUM IN 1815.

the " pas de charge." The left central column was 18th <
. . . . Jane -

advancing in a direction which would have brought

o o

it in immediate contact with the right of the 28th
British regiment and the left of the 79th High-
landers, and had arrived within about forty yards
of the hedge lining the Wavre road, when Picton
moved forward Keinpfs brigade close to the hedge,
where it was joined by its light companies, who
came running in, followed by some of the most
daring of the French skirmishers, who, however,
were quickly driven back. Suddenly the column
halted, and commenced a deployment to its right,
the rear battalions moving out rapidly to disengage
their front. Picton, seizing upon the favourable
moment, ordered the brigade to fire a volley into
the deploying mass, and its brief but full and con-
densed report had scarcely died away, when his
voice was heard loudly calling " Charge ! charge !
Hurrah !" Answering with a tremendous shout,
his devoted followers burst through the nearest of
the two hedges that lined the Wavre road. In

doing this, their order was in some degree broken ;
and, when making their way through the further
hedge, a fire was poured into them by such of their
opponents as had their front uncovered. The
enemy's skirmishers that had previously fallen back
upon the flanks of the column instantly darted for-
ward, and by their rapid and close-telling fire as-
sisted in the endeavour to augment the apparent
disorder of Kempt's line. The 79th Highlanders

) HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of suffered greatly, and experienced some delay in
_ clearing the hedges. The Ensign (Birt whistle*)
carrying the regimental colour of the 32d, was
severely wounded. Lieutenant Belcher, f who com-
manded the left centre subdivision, took the colour
from him. In the next moment it was seized by a
French officer whose horse had just been shot
under him. A struggle ensued between him and
Lieutenant Belcher ; but, while the former was at-
tempting to draw his sword, the covering colour-
serjeant (named Switzer) gave him a thrust in the
breast with his halbert, and the right-hand man of
the subdivision (named Lacy) shot him, just as
Brevet Major Toole,t commanding the right centre
subdivision, called out, though too late, (for the
French officer fell dead at Lieutenant Belcher's
feet,) " Save the brave fellow !" The delay in
crossing the hedges was but momentary ; order
was speedily restored ; and then, levelling their
bayonets, the brigade disclosed to view the glorious
sight of a British line of infantry at the charge.

It was during this brief struggle that a severe
and irreparable blow was inflicted upon the entire
British army, and a whole nation plunged into grief
and mourning for the loss of a chief, the brilliancy of
whose career had so excited her admiration, and the

* Now Major John Birtwhistle, Unatt.

t Captain Robert Tresillian Belcher retired from the service on the 13th
May, 1821.

$ Major William H. Toole died on the 17th of August, 1831.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. ]3

fame of whose exploits had so exalted her pride.* i8tb of

The truly brave and noble Picton was struck by a '_

musket-ball on the right temple. His death, which
was instantaneous, was first observed by the Earl
of Uxbridge's aide-de-camp, Captain Horace Sey-
mour,f whom he was, at the moment, desiring to
rally the Highlanders. Captain Seymour, whose
horse was just then falling, immediately called
the attention of Picton's aide-de-camp, Captain
Tvler, to the fact of the general having: been

/ O

wounded, and, in the next moment, the hero's life-
less corpse was, with the assistance of a private
soldier of the nearest regiment, borne from off his
charger by that officer. Thus fell the gallant
soldier, who, as the leader of the 3d or " fighting
division" in the Peninsular war, had already ac-
quired an imperishable renown in the history of
the British army. As his life was spent in fighting
the battles of his country, his death was an end
suited to his stirring career. His brave spirit passed
away amidst the roar arid din of the bloody con-
flict, and his eyes closed on his last of fields in the
very moment of the advance of his troops to
victory 4

* It is said that one of Napoleon's first inquiries, on the morning of this
clay, wns, " Quest hi division de Picton?''

t Now Colonel Sir Horace B. Seymour, K.C.H.

t What nobler instance of patriotism could be afforded than the fact,
that in order to secure his being present at the great battle which he fore-
saw would take place, he concealed from everyone the circumstance of bis
having been wounded at Quatre-Bras. This was not discovered until his

4 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of The French column, surprised in the midst of
_ its attempted deployment, and appalled by the bold
and determined onset of Kempt's line, appeared as
if struck by a panic, fell into irremediable con-
fusion, and fled with precipitation from its pursuers.
Just as the British brigade bore down the slope, its
front was partially crossed from the right by French
cuirassiers, followed by the 2d-I&itish life guards ;
the former, dashing in amongst their own thickly-
scattered infantry-skirmishers, who threw them-
selves down to allow both fugitives and pursuers to
ride over them, and then, in many instances, rose
up and fired after the latter. But although the
greater part of the cuirassiers turned about and
boldly faced their opponents, whereby several iso-
lated individual contests occurred, the 2d life
guards soon obtained the mastery, and compelled
them to resume their flight, whilst the 95th rifles
speedily closed upon the disordered mass of infantry
through which this portion of the cavalry had
passed, and amongst which the greatest confusion
and consternation prevailed. Many flew wildly

corpse was laid out at Brussels, shortly after the action. It then appeared
that the skin, on one side, just above the hip, was raised into a very large
bladder, and distended with a mass of coagulated blood, unaccompanied by
any abrasion. It had evidently been occasioned by the action of a round
shot, causing extensive contusion, and its very dark colour showed that the
wound must have occurred previously to the 18th of June. Such was
Picton; such his stern sense of duty ; such his boundless zeal for the honour
of his profession ; such his complete devotion to the cause of his sovereign
and country !

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 15

they scarcely knew whither : others delivered them- 18th f

J J . June.

selves up j and several were seized as prisoners.

On its right, the brigade was supported in the
charge by the 1st light battalion of the King's Ger-v/
man legion, which crossed over for that purpose
from the opposite side of the high road.

Immediately after passing through the hedge, the
extreme left of the 28th regiment had unexpectedly
found itself almost in contact with a well-formed
French column still advancing against the Allied
position. The right wing of the regiment was too
deeply engaged with the column directly before it
to admit of its attention being drawn off to any
other quarter ; but the left wing, having a clearer
front, boldly brought forward its right shoulders,
thus detaching itself from the right wing, and fired
into the left flank of the advancing column at the
very moment when the head of the latter was
charged by the right regiment (the Royals) of Pon-
sonby's brigade of heavy cavalry. Kempt, be- \f
coming aware of the prolongation of the French
attack along the line to his left, and of the conse-
quently exposed state of this flank, and possessing
no infantry-support or reserve of any kind, felt
himself under the necessity of restraining his men
from further pursuit, and ordered the brigade to
halt and re-form. The left wing of the 28th, how-
ever, having its whole attention fixed upon the
column charged by the Royals, followed these dra-
goons some distance down the slope, and assisted

Q HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of them in securing a great number of prisoners, after

which it fell back, and rejoined the right wing of

the regiment. The 95th rifles continued advancing,
and driving the French skirmishers before them,
beyond the knoll by the sand-pit.

From this extremely gallant and most decisive
attack by Kempt's brigade, we must proceed to
describe the no less brilliant charges performed by
* both Somerset's and Ponsonby's cavalry-brigades ;
but to afford a more ready comprehension of this
period of the action, it will be necessary, in the
first instance, to revert to the attack and defence of
La Haye Sainte.

The French skirmishers thrown out by the left
brigade of Donzelot's division advanced boldly and
resolutely against the orchard of La Haye Sainte.
The first shot tore away the bridle of Major
Baring's horse close to his hand, and the second
killed Major Bb'sewiel, the next in command. The
three companies of the 2d light battalion of the
King's German legion, which, as before stated,
were posted in the orchard, together with two com-
panies of the 1st light battalion of the King's Ger-
man legion under Captains Wynecken* and von
Goeben,t and a company of Hanoverian riflemen
under Major von Spbrken, which were extended on
the right of the farm, presented a gallant resistance

* Now Lieut. Colonel Christian Wynecken, K.H. in the Hanoverian
service.

t Captain Augustus Alexander von Goeben was killed in this battle.

FRANCE AXD BELGIUM IN 1815. J

to the enemy ; but the latter continued to press isth of

June.

forward with superior force, and the main body of
the French brigade having formed two columns of
attack, which were rapidly advancing, one into the
orchard, and the other towards the buildings, Major
Baring fell back with his men upon the barn. At
this moment, Colonel von Klencke reached the farm
with the Liineburg field-battalion, which Wellington,
on observing the French advance, had detached
from the left of Kielmansegge's brigade as a re-
inforcement to the troops at La Haye Sainte.
Baring immediately endeavoured to recover the
orchard, and had already made the enemy give
way, when he perceived a strong line of cuirassiers
forming in right front of the inclosure. At the
same time, Lieutenant Meyer* came to report to
him that the enemy had surrounded the garden in
which his company was posted, and that it had
become no longer tenable. Baring ordered him to
fall back into the buildings, and to assist in their
defence. The skirmishers upon the right, on the
sudden appearance of the cavalry, ran in upon the
orchard to collect together, but coming in contact
with the newly-arrived Hanoverians, the latter got
into disorder j and the effect produced by the sight
of the advancing line of cuirassiers in then* front,
as also by the shouts of the French infantry gaining
possession of the garden in their rear, was such, that

* Xow Captain Charles Meyer, in the Hanoverian service.
VOL. II. C

g HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of notwithstanding all Baring's exertions to halt and

collect his men, the whole of these troops hetook

themselves to an indiscriminate flight towards the
main position of the Allied army, a course which
they seemed to imagine constituted their only
chance of safety. They were speedily undeceived.
The cavalry overtook them in the midst of their
confused retreat, rode over, sabred, and still further
dispersed them ; whilst, to add to the severity of
their loss, they became exposed, after the cavalry
had passed on, to a flank fire from the enemy's in-
fantry lining the hedge of the garden. A portion
of them succeeded in gaining the main position,
whilst the remainder, securing themselves in the
buildings, augmented the little garrison under
Lieutenants Carey* and Grseme,t and Ensign
Frank, J who bravely and successfully maintained
possession in defiance of the vigorous attacks on
the part of the French light troops. The Ltine-
burg Hanoverian battalion, however, suffered most
severely : many were killed and wounded ; among
the latter was the commanding officer, Lieut. Co-
lonel von Klencke, and among the prisoners taken
was Major von Dachenhausen, Some on the left
saved themselves by a precipitate retreat into the

* Now Captain Thomas Carey, K.H.,onthe retired list of the Hanoverian
service.

t Now Major George Drummond Graeme, K.H., in the Hanoverian
service.

t Now Captain George Frank, K.H., on the retired list of the Hanoverian
service.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

high road. The few that were collected together ISA of
again during the remainder of the day constituted L

but a very insignificant portion of the original
strength of the battalion.

The Earl of Uxbridge, on perceiving the advance
of the French cavalry by La Haye Sainte, on the
British right of the Charleroi road, (the same alluded
to as having dispersed the Hanoverian Liineburg
battalion and Baring's skirmishers of the legion,)
as also the approach of the infantry-columns which
constituted the attack upon the Allied left wing on
the opposite side of that road, decided upon a si-
multaneous charge by the heavy cavalry-brigades
of Lord Edward Somerset and Sir William Pon- /
sonby ; the former against the enemy's cavalry, the
latter against his masses of infantry. The reso-
lution was scarcely formed when he proceeded to
carry it into instant execution. Riding up to Lord
Edward Somerset, he ordered him to prepare to
form line, keeping the Blues in support ; and gal-
loping on to Ponsonby's brigade on the opposite
side of the high road, he ordered that officer to
wheel into line as soon as he saw the other brigade
do so, and to hold the Scots Greys in support. He
then returned to the household-brigade, and imme-
diately put the whole in motion.

As this was the first grand attack made by the
French on that day in fair open field, Lord Ux-
bridge felt very desirous, in meeting it, to establish,
if possible, the superior prowess of the British

20 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of cavalry, and thus to inspire it with confidence, and

June.

cause it to be held in respect by its opponents.

He, therefore, with a view to excite the courage

and heighten the enthusiasm of his followers, led

the advance in person, placing 1 himself in front of
the left of Somerset's brigade, so as to be at about
the centre of the line when the brigades should
unite, on the continuation of the advance, in
front of the Allied position. Nobly and faithfully
did these brave dragoons fulfil his anxious expec-
tations.

For the purpose of ensuring efficient support to
his cavalry attacks, Lord Uxbridge had, before the
commencement of the battle, intimated to the
generals of brigade that as he could not be present
everywhere to give orders, he expected they would
always take upon themselves to conform to, and
support, offensive movements in their front ; and
having on this occasion light cavalry-brigades on
either flank of the charging force, he felt in a great
degree justified in placing himself in front line,
particularly as he had assigned to each of the
advancing brigades its own immediate support.
Though greatly palliated by the adoption of these
precautionary measures, this was perhaps not alto-
gether a prudent act on the part of the commander
of the entire cavalry of an army ; since, in the
charge of an extended line of cavalry against an
enemy close at hand, the carriere once begun, the
leader becomes so completely identified and mixed

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. g]

up with that line itself, that his virtual command isth of
is rapidly limited to that of a squadron-officer ;
whereas, when accompanying a second line, he is
enabled to draw off, or reinforce, as circumstances
may render expedient. His eager desire, however,
to render this first charge a brilliant affair, com-
bined with his own chivalric nature, led him to
assume the post of honour and of danger, in order
to animate by his example as a bold and deter-
mined soldier. At the same time, he trusted to the
dispositions he had already made, and to the alert-
ness of his brigadiers, for due support to his attack,
but which, from fortuitous circumstances, as will
be seen by the sequel, was not forthcoming at the
moment it was most urgently required.

The French line of cavalry, as it advanced, pre-
sented an imposing appearance. These veteran
warriors bore with them an air of confident supe-
riority and anticipated triumph, joined with a sort
of gaiete de cceur, inspired no doubt by the reflec-
tion that they were about to encounter and over-
throw their most implacable enemies, the British.
Their advance, like that of the infantry on their
right, had been to a certain extent triumphant ;
and as the flight of the Dutch-Belgians had led
that infantry to imagine that victory was already
within its grasp, so the dispersion of the Hanove-
rians was hailed by these dragoons as a happy pre-
lude to their grand attack. They had now as-
cended the brow of the ridge on which the Anglo-

22 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of allied infantry was posted, prepared for their re-
ception : a vigorous fire was opened upon them by

four guns of Ross's British horse-battery on the
t of the high road, as also by Lloyd's British
foot-battery still further to the right ; but a few
seconds sufficed to restore the order of their ad-
vance : in the next moment their trumpets sounded
the charge ; when, amidst shouts of " Vive VEm-
pereur!" this gallant line, glittering in all the
splendour reflected from burnished helmet and
cuirass, rushed on to the attack. On the other
hand, the British household-brigade, presenting a
beautiful line, and animated by an equal degree of
enthusiasm, had already been put into charging
speed; and just as the cuirassiers came close upon
the squares, and received a fire from their front
faces, the two lines dashed into each other with
indescribable impetuosity. The shock was terrific.
The British, in order to close as much as possible
upon the cuirassiers, whose swords were much
longer, and whose bodies were encased in steel,
whilst their own were without such defence, seemed
for a moment striving to wedge themselves in be-
tween the horses of their infuriated antagonists.
Swords gleamed high in air with the suddenness
and rapidity of the lightning-flash, now clashing
violently together, and now clanging heavily upon
resisting armour ; whilst with the din of the battle-
shock were mingled the shouts and yells of the
combatants. Riders vainly struggling for mastery

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

quickly fell under the deadly thrust or the well- IB* of
delivered cut. Horses, plunging and rearing, .
staggered to the earth, or broke wildly from their
ranks. But desperate and bloody as was the strug-
gle, it was of brief duration. The physical supe-
riority of the British, aided by transcendant valour,

was speedily made manifest ; and the cuirassiers,
notwithstanding their most gallant and resolute
resistance, were driven down from off the ridge,
which they had ascended only a few minutes be-
fore with all the pride and confidence of men
accustomed and determined to overcome every
obstacle. This first collision at the charge did not
occur, however, throughout the entire extent of the
opposing lines. Somerset's line was not parallel
to that of the cuirassiers, and as its right was
thrown somewhat forward, this came first in con-
tact with the enemy, and the collision, in conse-
quence of the rapidity of the charge on both sides,
followed in instantaneous succession in the direction
of the Allied left until intercepted in its further
progress by a natural obstruction consisting of the
hollow-way through which the cross-road leads
into the Charleroi road. The cuirassiers on the
right of the French line were suddenly thrown out
of their speed by coming unexpectedly on this
hollow-way, into which they consequently descended
abruptly and confusedly ; and as they began to
urge their horses up the opposite bank, they beheld
the 2d British life guards, which formed the left

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of of Somerset's brigade, in full speed towards them.

June.

, All idea of resistance, in such a situation, was

abandoned as hopeless. They immediately filed
away down this hollow-way to their right, and
struck across the Charleroi road into the field in
front of the 95th British rifles, followed by the 2d
life guards, who were in equal disorder from having
to pick their way as they best could down the steep
banks adjoining the intersection of the two roads.
These cuirassiers, after having rushed in upon the
French infantry- skirmishers, thickly and confusedly
congregated in that quarter, reined in their steeds,
and fronting their pursuers, engaged them indi-
vidually in hand to hand combat.* They were
soon, however, made sensible of their inferiority in
this species of contest, and either submitted to the
victors, or fled with precipitation ; whilst at the
same time, Kempt's brigade was charging gloriously
down the exterior slope of the Allied position, and
closing upon the infantry with which these horse-

* Among the combatants on this part of the field was one whose prowess
acquired for him considerable reputation. This was Corporal Shaw, of the
2d life guards, a noted pugilist, possessing great physical strength, com-
bined with the most resolute courage. When in the midst of the cuirassiers,
he rendered himself conspicuous by the bold and dexterous manner in which
he encountered all who came in his way. Rapid and deadly were the
blows which he dealt around him, and it is said that no less than nine of his
opponents were laid prostrate within an incredibly short space of time. His
career, however, was suddenly cut short. A cuirassier, who had proceeded
some little distance, so as to clear the left of the 2d life guards, turned
round, and taking a very deliberate aim with his carbine, deprived Shaw of
that life which his powerful arm and gallant daring had made proof against
the swords of all who ventured to approach him.

FRANCE AXD BELGIUM IN 1815.

men had become intermingled, in the manner pre- isth O f

viously described.* '__

No sooner did Ponsonby perceive the household-
cavalry in motion, than, in pursuance of the orders
he had received, he led on his own brigade ; but
not being sufficiently aware of the state of affairs
on the opposite side of the Wavre road, and not
wishing to launch his line against the enemy's
masses until the favourable moment had arrived,
he commanded a temporary halt, and rode up to
the hedge, in order that he might, by personal
observation, ensure the correct timing of the
charge. He was accompanied by Colonel Muter,
commanding the Inniskilling dragoons, whom he
desired to return, and place himself in front of the
centre squadron, and to order and conduct the
movement, the moment he should observe him hold
up his cocked-hat as a signal. It is necessary to *
remark that the Scots Greys, who stood in support
some short time previously to this advance, just
where the enemy's round shot, after passing over
the ridge in front, descended in quick succession
and occasioned some losses in their ranks, were
ordered to some lower ground in left rear of the
other two regiments, which new position they had
scarcely reached when the latter were advanced,
as above, and the Greys immediately conformed
to this movement.

* See page 14.

>6 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of During the advance of Alix's French division,

June.

(the 1st,) its rear brigade, which consisted of the

54th and 55th regiments, inclined to its right,
moved out of the mass, and formed two columns
of two battalions each, in support, en echelon to
the leading brigade, consisting of the 28th and
105th regiments. In like manner, the rear brigade
of Marcognet's division, (the 3d,) consisting of
the 21st and 46th regiments, broke into two
columns of two battalions each, in support, en
echelon to, but more immediately in rear of, the
leading brigade, consisting of the 25th and 45th
regiments.

Y While Kempt's brigade was bravely charging
down the slope on the right, the heads of the
leading brigades of Alix's and Marcognet's divi-
sions, with conspicuous gallantry, and amidst
shouts of triumph, crowned the crest of the Allied
position on the left, crossing the Wavre road and
the straggling hedge, by which their order had
been in some degree disturbed. Alix's leading
brigade, having passed clear of Kempt's left, found
itself unopposed by infantry in its front, but the
head of Marcognet's column, after passing close
->* by the right of Captain von Rettberg's Hanoverian
foot-battery, from which it had received a very
destructive fire during its advance, beheld Pack's
brigade approaching to meet it. The three Scotch
regiments, the 1st Royals, the 42d and 92d
Highlanders, under the animating sounds of their

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

native pibroch, moved steadily on with the noble
mien and gallant bearing of men bent upon
upholding, at any sacrifice, the honour and glory
of their country. The 44th regiment, which
formed the left of the brigade, having its front
covered by Best's Hanoverians, remained in sup-
port upon the summit or knoll immediately above,
and on the left of, the hollow in which the rest
of the brigade had been posted. That portion
of the French column which had by this time
crossed the hedge was in perfect order, and pre-
sented a bold and determined front. It was op-
posed to the 42d and 92d Highlanders, but
principally to the latter regiment. As the brigade
approached the column, it received from it a fire,
which, however, it did not return, but continued to
advance steadily until it had arrived within twenty
or thirty yards distance, when the 92d and 42d
Highlanders, who were more directly in front of
the column, threw into the mass a concentrated
fire, most destructive in his effects. The French
were staggered by the shock, but speedily reco-
vering themselves, began to reply with great
spirit to the fire of their opponents, when the latter
received the order to charge ; but at this very
moment Ponsonby's brigade came up. Colonel
Muter had just before perceived the raised cocked-
hat,* when he instantly ordered and conducted the

* This signal tvas not made by Sir William Ponsonby himself, but by his
aide-de-camp Captain Evans, (now Colonel Sir De Lacy Evans, K.C.B. ;

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

l * advance of the brigade. It will be recollected
that the Scots Greys had been ordered to support
the Royals and Inniskillings ; but having, as was
before explained, moved down into lower ground
on the left, to get more under cover from the
enemy's cannonade, and subsequently advanced in
left rear of those two regiments, they beheld in
their direct front the head of Marcognet's division
establishing itself on the height. Their course

o o

from that moment was obvious. They soon got up
into line, or nearly so with the remainder of the
brigade, and joined in the general charge. Upon
Ponsonby's brigade coming up with the infantry,
it passed through the latter as well and as quickly
as it could : in some instances intervals were made
for the dragoons by the wheeling of companies ; in
others, by that of subdivisons or of sections ; but
generally the passage was effected in rather an
irregular manner ; and, under the circumstances,
this was unavoidable.

V As the Scots Greys passed through, and min-
gled with the Highlanders, the enthusiasm of both
corps was extraordinary. They mutually cheered.
" Scotland for ever !" was their war-shout. The
smoke in which the head of the French column was

Lieut. General in the Spanish service.) The former was mounted on a secon-
dary untrained horse, which became restive, and startled by the fire and noise
that prevailed at the very moment the general had decided upon advancing
the brigade. His cloak being loose, flew off; and he dismounted for an
instant for the purpose of restoring it to its place, and it was while he was
thus engaged that he directed Captain Evans to make the signal in question.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 29

enshrouded had not cleared away, when the Greys & ( - f

J J June.

dashed into the mass. So eager was the desire,

so strong the determination, of the Highlanders
to aid their compatriots in completing the work so
gloriously begun, that many were seen holding on
by the stirrups of the horsemen, while all rushed
forward, leaving none but the disabled in their
rear. The leading portion of the column soon
yielded to this infuriated onset ; the remainder,
which was yet in the act of ascending the exterior
slope, appalled by the sudden appearance of cavalry
at a moment when, judging by the sound of mus-
ketry-fire in front, they had naturally concluded
that it was with infantry alone they had to contend,
were hurled back in confusion by the impetus of
the shock. The dragoons, having the advantage
of the descent, appeared to mow down the mass,
which, bending under the pressure, quickly spread
itself outwards in all directions. Yet, in that mass
were many gallant spirits, who could not be brought
to yield without a struggle ; and these fought
hravely to the death ; not that they served to im-
pede, but only to mark more strongly the course of
the impetuous torrent as it swept wildly past them,
presenting to the eye of the artistic observer those
streaks which, arising incidentally from such partial
and individual contests, invariably characterize the
track of a charge of cavalry. Within that mass
too, was borne the imperial eagle of the 45th regi-
ment, proudly displaying on its banner the names

30 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of of Jena, Austerlitz, Waeram, Eylau, and Fried-

June. ^

land fields in which this regiment had covered

itself with glory, and acquired the distinguished
fe title of "The Invincibles."* A devoted band en-
circled the sacred standard, which attracted the
observation, and excited the ambition, of a daring
and adventurous soldier, named Ewart, a serjeant
of the Greys. After a desperate struggle, evincing
on his part great physical strength combined with
extraordinary dexterity, he succeeded in capturing
the cherished trophy. The gallant fellow was di-
rected to proceed with it to Brussels, where he was
received with acclamations by thousands who came
forward to welcome and congratulate him.f
k Without pausing for a moment to re-form, those
of the Greys who had forced their way through, or
on either flank of, the mass, rushed boldly onward
against the leading supporting column of Mar-
gnet's right brigade. This body of men, lost in
amazement at the suddenness, the wildness, of the
charge, and its terrific effect upon their country-
men on the higher ground in front, had either not
taken advantage of the very few moments that
intervened, by preparing an effectual resistance to
cavalry, or, if they attempted the necessary forma-
tion, did so when there was no longer time for its
completion. Their outer files certainly opened a

* This eagle now adorns the chapel of Chelsea Hospital,
t Early in the following year, Serjeant Ewart was appointed to an
Ensigncy in the 3rd Royal Veteran battalion.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

fire which proved very destructive to their assail- lath of

ants ; but to such a degree had the impetus of the |__

charge been augmented by the rapidly increasing
descent of the slope, that these brave dragoons pos-
sessed as little of the power as of the will to check
their speed, and they plunged down into the mass
with a force that was truly irresistible. Its foremost
ranks driven back with irrepressible violence, the
entire column tottered for a moment, and then
sank under the overpowering wave. Hundreds
were crushed to rise no more ; and hundreds
rose again but to surrender to the victors ; who
speedily swept their prisoners to the rear, while
the Highlanders secured those taken from the
leading column.

Along the remainder of the line, the charge of
the " Union brigade" was equally brilliant and suc-
cessful. On the right, the Royal dragoons, by in- \f
clining somewhat to their left, during the advance,
brought their centre squadron to bear upon the
head of the leading column of Alix's division, which */"
had crossed the hedges lining the Wavre road, and
being unchecked, was rapidly advancing across the
crest of the ridge. Suddenly its loud shouts of
triumph ceased as it perceived the close approach
of cavalry up the interior slope of the Anglo-allied
position. Whether it was actuated by a conscious-
ness of danger from the disorder necessarily occa-
sioned in its rear by the passage through the
banked-up hedges, by a dread of being caught in

32 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of the midst of any attempt to assume a formation

'__ better adapted for effective resistance, or of being

entirely cut off from all support, it is difficult to
decide, but tbe head of this column certainly ap-
peared to be seized with a panic. Having thrown
out an irregular and scattering fire, which served
only to bring down about twenty of the dragoons,
it instantly faced about, and endeavoured to regain
the opposite side of the hedges. The Royals, how-
ever, were slashing in amongst them before this
object could be effected. The rear ranks of the
column, still pressing forward, and unconscious of
the obstruction in front, now met those that were
hurled back upon them, down the exterior slope,
by the charge of the Royals, who continued press-
ing forward against both front and flanks of the
mass. The whole was in a moment so jammed
together as to have become perfectly helpless.
Men tried in vain to use their muskets, which were
either jerked out of their hands, or discharged at
random, in the attempt. Gradually, a scattering
flight from the rear loosened the unmanageable
mass, which now rolled back helplessly along its
downward course. Many brave spirits, hitherto
pent up in the midst of the throng, appeared dis-
posed to hazard a defiance ; and amongst these the
swords of the Royals dealt fearful havoc : many
threw down their arms, and gave themselves up in
despair, and these were hurried off by the con-
querors to the rear of the British line.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. A go

The 28th French regiment,* which formed aV isthof
direct support to the 105th regiment,* comprising ^
the column thus attacked, though astounded hy
the scene before it, and almost driven back by the
panic-stricken^fugitives, still retained a considerable
semblance of order. Amidst the crowd that was
now precipitating itself on this supporting column,
to seek its shelter and protection, was an officer,
the bearer of the eagle of the 105th regiment.
This standard, which had been presented to the
corps by the Empress Maria Louisa, was accom-
panied at the moment by a party apparently form-
ing a guard for its defence. Captain Clark,f
commanding the centre squadron of the Royals,
on discovering the group, instantly gave the order,
" Right shoulders forward attack the colour !"
and led directly upon the eagle himself. On
reaching it, he ran his sword through the body of
the standard-bearer, who immediately fell, and the
eagle dropped across the head of Captain Clarke's
horse. He endeavoured to catch it with his left
hand, but could only touch the fringe of the colour,
and it would probably have fallen to the ground,
and have been lost in the confusion of the moment,
had it not been saved by Corporal Stiles, who,
having been standard-coverer, and therefore posted

* These two regiments, consisting of two battalions each, constituted the
left brigade of Alix's division, commanded by General Quiot.

t Now Colonel Alexander Kennedy Clark Kennedy, C.B., K.H., Unatt.

VOL. II.

4 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of immediately in rear of the squadron-leader, came
up at the instant, on Captain Clark's left, and
caught the colour as it struck, in falling, against

his own horse's neck.*

So great were the confusion and dismay created
in the second column hy the rush towards it of the
disorganized remnant of the leading body, mixed
up as it was with the dragoons, still pressing ea-
gerly forward, as also by the signal overthrow of
the columns on their right by the Inniskillings,
that the entire mass speedily yielded to the pres-
sure, and commenced a disorderly flight, pursued
by the Royals to the foot of the valley by which
the two positions were divided.

The Inniskillings, forming the centre regiment
of the brigade, did not come quite so soon into
contact with the French infantry as did the flank
regiments. The columns in their immediate front
were the two formed by the 54th and 55th French
V regiments, of two battalions each, which, as previ-
ously explained, advanced in support, and in right
rear, of Alix's leading brigade. Only the left, and

* As a reward for this distinguished service, Lieut. Colonel Clark has
since been appointed a companion of the order of the Bath. Upon receiv-
ing the eagle from Corporal Stiles, he vainly endeavoured to break it off
from the pole, with the intention of placing it in the breast of his coat, in
order to secure it, whilst in the midst of the enemy's troops. Seeing this,
Corporal Stiles remarked, " Pray, sir, do not break it ;" whereupon Colonel
Clark said, " Very well, carry it to the rear as fast as you can it belongs to
me." This eagle has also been deposited in Chelsea Hospital.

Corporal Stiles was appointed, in the following year, to an Ensigncy in the
6th West India regiment.

FRANCE AXD BELGIUM IN 1815. 35

part of the centre, squadron of the Inniskillins IB* of

June.

had to pass through British infantry as they ad-

vanced ; the front of the right squadron was clear.
The Irish " hurrah /" loud, wild, and shrill, rent
the air, as the Inniskillings, bursting 1 through the

o * o o

hedge and bounding over the road, dashed boldly
down the slope towards the French columns, which
were about a hundred yards distant ; an interval
that imparted an additional impetus to their charge^
and assisted in securing for it a result equally bril-
liant with that obtained by the other two regiments.
The right and centre squadrons bore down upon
the 55th French regiment ; while the left squadron
alone charged the 54th regiment. These columns,
like those on their right and left, were not allowed
time to recover from their astonishment at the un-
expected, sudden, and vehement charge of cavalry
launched against them. A feeble and irregular
fire was the only attempt they made to avert the
impending danger. In the next instant, the dra-
goons were amongst them, plying their swords
with fearful swiftness and dexterity, and cleaving
their way into the midst of the masses, which,
rolling back, and scattering outwards, presented
an extraordinary scene of confusion. In addition
to the destruction effected by this regiment, the
number of prisoners which it secured was im-
mense.*

* Just as the Inniskillings were on the point of advancing across the
Wavre road to charge, an individual in plain clothes, on their left, called

36 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of The household-brigade continued its charge

June.

down the slope on the right, and partly on the left,

of La Haye Sainte, with the most distinguished
gallantry and success ; and bringing their right
shoulders forward, the 1st life-guards pressed se-
verely on the rear of the cuirassiers, as a very
considerable portion of them rushed tumultuously
towards that part of the high road beyond the or-
chard of La Haye Sainte which lies between high
banks, and which was thus completely choked up
with the fugitives. Many of those who found their
retreat so seriously impeded, again faced their
opponents, and a desperate hand-to-hand contest
ensued, which, however, was suddenly terminated
by a destructive fire, poured down upon the 1st
life-guards from the top of the banks, by the light
troops of Bachlii!a__4ivision, that crowned the
heights through which the road has been excavated.

out, '' Now's your time !'' This was the late Duke of Richmond, who was
induced by his intimacy with the Duke of Wellington, and the interest
which he naturally felt in the progress of the campaign, to repair to the
field of battle ; not in a military capacity, for he held no rank in the army,
but merely en amateur. He was accompanied by his son, the present Lord
William Lennox, then a Cornet in the Blues, and extra aide-de-camp to
Major General Maitland. The latter had, a few days before the battle, met
with a violent accident, by a fall from his horse in the park of Eughien :
his right arm was severely fractured, the sight of his right eye destroyed,
and his life despaired of ; but hearing, when on the sick list at Brussels,
that his brother aide-de-camp, Captain Lord James Hay, had been killed
at Quatre-Bras, he decided on accompanying his father to the field on the
18th. Here he presented himself to General Maitland, who, however,
would not permit his lordship to remain with him, deeming a boy of fifteen,
with a maimed arm, bandaged eye, and weak frame of body, but ill calcu-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

The King's dragoon guards, leaving this struggle isth of
on their right, and rattling across the pave, boldly _
ascended the enemy's position. They were joined
on their left, by the 2d life-guards, whose course
had been by the left of La Haye Sainte. With <
these were now mingled Royals and Inniskillings,
while further to the left were the Greys the whole
line, without even any semblance of regularity,
madly pursuing their wild career, as if intoxicated
with the excess of triumph. Then it was that
Lord Uxbridge, who had so gallantly led the
charge in person, and incited all by his example,
eagerly sought for the support on which he had
confidently calculated, when, to his great surprise
and mortification, he discovered that there was
none at hand. Ponsonby's own immediate support, <
which Lord Uxbridge himself had ordered to be
formed by the Greys, had necessarily been em-
ployed in front line, on the left, in the manner
described ; a fact of which, from his own position

lated to prove an efficient aide-de-camp. Lord William then accompanied
his father, who rode about the field, unmindful of the frequently heavy fire
to which he became exposed, conversing with his friends, and passing his
remarks as if on actual service. After witnessing the brilliant cavalry-
charge on the left, his Grace proceeded towards the right, but finding the
fire had become very heavy, and the ground strewed with the slain, he and
his son returned leisurely to Brussels. Two other members of the noble
house of Lennox were present on the field, and distinguished themselves
by their zeal and efficiency as staff-officers Captain the Earl of March,
(the present Duke of Richmond,) who was extra aide-de-camp to his Royal
Highness the Prince of Orange, and Lieutenant Lord George Lennox,
who was aide-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington (retired from the ser-
vice, as Lieut. Colonel, in July, 1832;.

3Q HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of as leader of that line, he had been quite unaware.
The direct support of Somerset's brigade, con-
sisting of the JBlues, had, during the charge, come
up with, and joined, the front line. The regiment
was kept well in hand; and, by its comparatively
good order, facilitated the drawing off of the re-
mainder of that brigade from further pursuit. But
it was on the left of the high road, in rear of
Ponsonby's line, that support was most needed.
His Lordship could not account for the circum-
stance of neither of the light cavalry-brigades,
posted on the extreme left, having come up in sup-
port of Ponsonby's advance, in conformity with
the general instructions conveyed to his brigadiers
on the subject of affording mutual support. The
fact is, that Vandeleur's brigade, which was the
nearest, was then in motion for the purpose of
affording its aid, but its progress was unfortunately
impeded by its having previously to make a retro-
grade movement in order to pass a hollow-way
which separated it from the troops on its right. In
vain did Lord Uxbridge sound to halt and rally
neither voice nor trumpet, was heeded. In a few
seconds more, the advanced line was seen crowning
the enemy's position. The King^s__dragoon guards
were suddenly exposed to a severe fire from the
batteries and from Bachelu's columns of infantry
on their right ; and perceiving a strong and well
formed body of cuirassiers on the point of ad-
vancing from the hollow beyond the ridge they

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 39

had so rashly ascended, they, with such of the isthof
Royals and Inniskillings as had joined them, at 1_

length commenced a hasty retreat. The Greys,
along with many of the Royals and Inniskillings,
dashed in amongst the batteries, and then, wheel-
ing sharply to their left, rode along the line of
cannon in that direction, sabring the gunners and
stabbing the horses, until they became sensible of
the approach of a body of French lancers moving
down obliquely from the left upon the arena of this
memorable conflict. They now fell back, but, with
their horses blown and exhausted, it was not long
before they were overtaken by the lancers. These
formed the advance of Jaquinot's light cavalry- \s
brigade, which had been unaccountably i*emiss in
not having afforded a prompt and close support to
the attacking columns of infantry.

Both' the British heavy cavalry-brigades were
now in full retreat. Somerset's regained the po-
sition without any serious molestation, but Pon-
sonby's dragoons, particularly the Greys, who were *
upon the extreme left, suffered severely from Ja-
quinot's lancers and chasseurs, the greater part of
them being in a state of the utmost confusion and
exhaustion, whilst the latter were infinitely supe-
rior in numerical force, were in good order, and
mounted on horses perfectly fresh. On their right
the lancers charged in open column ; the remainder,
extending in open lancer-order towards their left,
rapidly spread over the plain, darting upon the

^Q HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of stragglers and wounded of the British cavalry who
came within their reach ; and, at the same time,
giving confidence to such of their own scattered
infantry as were still retreating in disorder and
confusion.

At length, the support so imminently needed by
Ponsonby's brigade arrived upon its left flank.
\XVandeleur, having passed the hollow-way and ra-
vine which intercepted his progress towards the
scene of action, had reached that part of the crest
of the position occupied by Best's Hanoverian bri-
gade, through which it now advanced to the front
in open column of divisions. The 12t.h light dra-
goons, being the leading regiment, moved quickly
down the slope : the 16th regiment remained higher
up the acclivity ; while the llth were drawn up in
reserve upon the brow of the hill. The 12th and
16th wheeled into line to their right. Lieut. Co-
lonel the Hon. Frederick Ponsonby, who com-
manded the 12th, perceiving the confusion that
prevailed amidst the French infantry in the valley,
as also the extremely critical situation of a great
number of scattered red-coated dragoons nearly on
the crest of the French position, instantly charged
amass of unsteady infantry whch intervened be-
tween him and these dragoons. This infantry
comprised the rearmost supporting column~~5f~-Mar-
cognet's division, and was~the only one of the
attacking columns yet intact. It was now destined
to share their fate. Already alarmed by the dis-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

order into which the entire of the infantry on its
left had heen thrown, and now attacked so sud-

denly and unexpectedly on its right, it was pene-
trated by the charge of the 12th. These dragoons
having forced their way through the column,
whereby their order was naturally much broken,
came upon the right flank of the lancers who
were in pursuit of Ponsonby's brigade. Quick-
ening their speed, they dashed in amongst the
French cavalry, and acting almost perpendicularly
upon their flank, they ' rolled up' such as were
immediately in their front. The 16th light dra-
goons, with Vandeleur at their head, very gal-
lantly charged obliquely upon the front of the
lancers, whose further advance was completely
checked by this double attack. On their extreme
right, the 16th rather clashed with some of the
retiring dragoons, but the two regiments, carrying
every thing before them, succeeded in driving the
French light cavalry down again to the foot of
the valley, which they had been ordered, previ-
ously to their charge, not to pass. Some few of
both the 12th and 16th did, nevertheless, madly
rush up the opposite height, where, by this time,
fresh troops had arrived, who made them suffer
for their temerity.

Merle's Dutch-Belgian light cavalry-brigade
had, in the mean time, come up to the brow of the
main position, on the left of Vandeleur's brigade,
but only a small portion of it went down the slope,

42 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of following the 12th light dragoons. It did not ap-
"__ pear to take any active part in the attack. Pro-
bably it was deterred by the brisk fire kept up by
Durutte's skirmishers from behind a bank and
hedge, low down the slope, and from which the
12th light dragoons had previously suffered.

Vivian, who had come forward in person from
the extreme left, and proceeded some way down
the slope for the purpose of making his observa-
tions, upon perceiving Ponsonby's brigade charging
in disorder up the French heights, immediately
sent back word for the 10th an.d 18th British hus-
sars to move through the hollow -way to their right,
leaving the remaining regiment of his brigade, the
^ 1st hussars of the King's German legion, to keep
a look-out to the left. Very shortly afterwards,
two guns detached in advance from his horse-bat-
tery, drew up on the brow of the main ridge, but
had scarcely opened a fire when a well-directed
shot from one of the French batteries passed
throuo-h the ammunition-boxes of one of the Km-

bers, causing an explosion, which drew forth a
shout of triumph on the part of the French artil-
lerymen. The charge of Vandeleur's brigade
having succeeded, without the active aid of even
its own immediate support, the llth light dragoons,
the advance of the 10th and 18th hussars was not
required, but they continued in their new position,
on the right of the lane leading to Verd-cocou,
and the two guns rejoined their battery.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

Major Whinyates's rocket-troop, having been isth of
brought up to the crest of the main ridge, from its
previous position in reserve near Mont St. Jean,
its rocket-sections were moved down to the foot of
the exterior slope, whence they discharged several
rockets at the French troops then formed,
or in the act of re-forming, upon the opposite
heights. Immediately after the execution of this
service, which was gallantly and skilfully con-
ducted, the troop rejoined its guns on the crest of
the position.

In the general melee which resulted from the \
charge of the British heavy dragoons, and the
overthrow of such masses of infantry, augmented
as it was by the subsequent charges of, firstly, the
French lancers, and, then, the two regiments of
British light cavalry, severe losses were sustained
on both sides ; and the British army was deprived
of some of its brightest ornaments. The gallant
leader of the " Union brigade," when endeavouring
to return to the Allied position, after using the
most strenuous but fruitless exertions to restrain
his men in their wild pursuit, and to withdraw
them from a contest in which they had already
gained undying fame, became a sacrifice to his
chivalrous and patriotic zeal. Intercepted by a
party of the lancers in the soft ground of a newly
ploughed field, out of which his exhausted steed had
not the power to extricate itself, he fell beneath
their deadly thrusts. Sir William Ponsonby had

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of highly distinguished himself as a cavalry officer in
June ' Spain ; and, independently of his merits as a sol-
dier, which were justly appreciated by the whole
service, his amiable disposition and private virtues
endeared him to all his brother officers. His
equally gallant namesake, Colonel the Hon. Fre-
derick Ponsonby, immediately after his brilliant
charge with the 12th light dragoons, first through
a column of infantry, and then upon the right
flank of the lancers, was endeavouring to withdraw
his regiment from further pursuit, when he was
disabled in both arms, and carried by his horse up
to the crest of the French position, where, re-
ceiving a sabre cut, he was struck senseless to the
ground ; and it was very generally supposed at the
time that he had been left dead on the field.*

* Upon recovering, some time after his fall, and raising himself up a
little to look around him, he was observed by a lancer passing by, who, in a
savage and cowardly manner, struck his lance through his back, exclaiming
"Ah! coquin, tu n'es\ pas mart!" Not long afterwards he was plundered
by a tirailleur ; but the latter was no sooner gone than he was accosted by
a French officer, who had just brought up and halted some troops near the
spot. He experienced great kindness from this individual, who, upon his
complaining of thirst, held his brandy-bottle to his lips, directing one of
his men'to lay him straight on his side and place a knapsack under his
head. He then passed on into the action, and Sir Frederick Ponsonby
never knew to whom he was indebted, as he believed, for his life. Late in
the day he was passed over by two squadrons of Prussian cavalry, in full
trot, whereby his sufferings were much increased. On the following morn-
ing he was discovered by some English, and removed to the village of Wa-
terloo. To the inexpressible delight of his corps, and of all who enjoyed
his acquaintance and friendship, he gradually recovered from his dreadfully
severe wounds, notwithstanding their great number, as well as their ex-
tremely critical and almost hopeless nature.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

Lieut. Colonel Hay, who commanded the 16th
light dragoons, was desperately and dangerously
wounded. Colonel Hamilton, the commanding
officer of the Scots Greys, after gallantly leading
his regiment through the enemy's columns, across
the valley, and up the opposite heights, was last
seen far in advance, where it is presumed, from his
never having again appeared, he fell in the midst
of the French lines, a sacrifice to his distinguished
but indiscreet valour. Colonel Fuller, who com-
manded the 1st, or King's, dragoon guards, was
killed when pursuing the cuirassiers, he boldly led
his regiment up the French height immediately
upon the Allied left of the Charleroi road. In
addition to the above mentioned, the British ca-
valry engaged in this affair sustained a very heavy
loss in both officers and men.

With the exception of the bodies of the slain, of
such of the wounded as were too far from their
respective lines to be removed, of loose horses,
some wildly careering about, others quietly grazing,
and many staggering, plunging, or convulsively
pawing the ground around them, from the agony
of their wounds, the arena of this terrible conflict,
which had ceased but a few minutes before, was
now perfectly clear. The retiring crowds of French
infantry had disappeared behind the foremost ridge
of their position, to collect and re-form their scat-
tered remnants. The British cavalry were simi-
larly employed Somerset's brigade on the right

^ of

June,

18th of of the Charleroi road, near the orchard of the
l_farm of Mont St. Jean; Ponsonby^s on the oppo-
site side of the road, in rear of a coppice bordering
the hollow below that farm; and Vandeleur's on
the interior slope of the position, more to the right
than where it had been posted during the earlier
part of the day. Pack's and Best's brigades closed
to their right upon Kempt, so as to fill up the in-
terval occasioned by the retreat of Bylandt's Dutch-
Belgian brigade ; and the knoll in front of Kempt's
brigade was again occupied by three companies of
the 95th regiment ; as was also the farm of La
Haye Sainte by the 2d light Jbattalion_JLing > s
German legion, reinforced by two companies of
the TsTTight battalion of that corps. Major Ge-
V neral Sir_John_Lambert's infantry-brigade, which
had been kept in reserve near Mont St. Jean, was
put in motion at the time Ponsonby^ dragoons
advanced to the charge7~an3~TTwas now placed
on the left of the Charleroi road, in column, at
quarter distance, in rear and in support of the 5th
division.

The importance of the result of this signal
defeat of the French attack was fully commen-
surate with the glory by which its achievement was
distinguished. The object of that attack, which
was to force the centre and left wing of the Anglo-
allied army, and to establish a very considerable
body of troops in the vicinity of Mont St. Jean,
was completely frustrated : 3,000 prisoners were

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. ' 47

taken ; 2 eagles were captured : and between 30 18th of

June.

and 40 pieces of cannon were put hors de combat

for the greater part of the remainder of the day.

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 succes-
sors in ages yet unborn. Britons I before other
scenes are disclosed to your view, take one retro-
spective 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 fore-
ground, on the right, a British line of cavalry
advancing to the charge, exulting in the consci-
ousness of its innate courage, indomitable spirit,
and strength of arm. Whilst you are admiring
the beautiful order and perfect steadiness of their
advance, your eyes are suddenly attracted by the
glittering splendour of a line of horsemen in bur-
nished 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

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of your ears catch the low thundering noise of their
' horses' hoofs, and your breathless excitement is
wound to the highest pitch as the adverse lines
clash 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 oppo-
nents. 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 hel-
met 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 fore-
ground immediately facing you ; where you have
barely time to catch sight of a line of British in-
fantry just as it forces its way through the hedge

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 49

that runs along the crest of the ridge, to charge a 18th f

column advancing up the other side. At the mo-

ment 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 horse-
men. These halt just under the brow of the
ridge. In their left front your eye now also em-
braces 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 VEmpereur !" The one nearest to you,
finding no immediate opposition to its further ad-
vance, is rapidly establishing itself on the height :
the other is met by the advancing line of infantry.
A struggle ensues ; the furthest column is con-
cealed from your view by the smoke in 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 these heads of columns, cutting them up, as it
were, root and branch ; and then bounding through
the hedge, the whole disappear 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 dragoons are in the midst of the enemy's
columns the furious impetuosity of their on-

VOL II. E

5Q HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of slaught overcomes all resistance the terror-
' stricken masses, paralyzed by this sudden appa-
rition of cavalry amongst them, have neither time
nor resolution to form squares, and limit their de-
fence to a feeble, hasty, straggling fire from their
ill-cemented edges a flight, commencing from the
rearmost ranks, is rapidly augmented by the out-
ward scattering occasioned bv the continuallv in-

./ .

creasing pressure upon the front the entire slope
is soon covered with the dispersed elements of the
previously attacking force parties of infantry are
hurrvinor over the brow of the ridge to aid others

of the cavalry in securing the prisoners 3,000 of
these are swept to the rear, and 2 eagles are glo-
riously captured. From the momentary contem-
plation 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 heights. Their intoxicating triumph ad-
mits of no restraint. They heed not the trum]
call to halt and rally, but plunging wildly amidst
the formidable line of batteries ranged along the
French position, they commence sabreing the gun-
ners, stabbing the horses, and seem to clear the
ground of every living being. But physical ef-
forts, however powerfully developed and sustained,
have their limit : exhausted nature vields at length ;

and their fiery steeds, subdued, not by force but
by exhaustion, retire with lagging, faltering pace.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

You look in vain for a support there is none isth of
but your eye is suddenly caught by the fluttering u " e '
lance-flags of a column of the enemy's cavalry,
approaching from the left, and you become ner-
vously 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 re-
gaining the Allied position unmolested ; but a very
considerable number are overtaken by the lancers,
with whom they now contend under a fearful dis-
advantage in point of speed and order. But mark !
a rescue is at hand a gallant line of friendly ca-
valry throws itself against the right flank of the
lancers, the further 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 toge-
ther. The tide of destruction now sets in strongly
against the lancers. Their pursuit is checked. The
heavy dragoons are relieved from the pressure.
A melee ensues : but you are not kept long in sus-
pense ; 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.

52 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

lath of 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 fire -works 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 illus-
trious Wellington. Lord Uxbridge, returning
from his brilliant charge, now joins the Duke,
while the whole corps diplomatique et militaire ex-
press 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 glo-
rious triumph of your valiant countrymen may be
said to have been achieved in the face of congre-
gated 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,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 53

may they prove to the world that they have not isth of
degenerated from the men of the " Union brigade," *

o o * _______

who by their heroic deeds on that great day, so

/ / '

faithfully represented the military virtues of the
British empire !

* Sir William Ponsonby's brigade was thus designated from the circum- )f
stance of its having consisted of an English regiment the Royals, a Scotch
regiment the Greys, and an Irish regiment the Inniskillings.

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

CHAPTER XII.

Continuation of the contest at Hougomont Attempted flank attack upon this
post completely defeated by Captain Cleeves's foot-battery of the King's
German legion The principal buildings of Hougomont, including the
chateau, set on fire by the French Napoleon prepares a grand cavalry-
attack upon Wellington's right wing Renewed attack upon La Haye
Sainte Tremendous cannonade along the French heights French grand
cavalry-attack Its failure Its renewal Second failure Ney, on being
reinforced by Kellermann's corps of heavy cavalry, and Guyot's heavy
cavalry-division of the guard, renews his attack This is most successfully
resisted Ney directs another attack upon La Haye Sainte, and advances a
heavy column of Bachelu's infantry against the centre of the Anglo-allied
right wing Wellington draws Chasse's Dutch-Belgian division from
Braine-la-leud towards the principal scene of action, and moves Clinton's
division into the front line Contest at La Haye Sainte The 5th and 8th
line-battalions of the King's German legion, on advancing to charge French
infantry in rear of La Haye Sainte, are suddenly assailed in flank by French
cavalry, and the 8th battalion is almost entirely destroyed Artillery in the
Anglo-allied front line reinforced Attack by a column of French heavy
cavalry upon the Anglo-allied right completely defeated by Major Mercer's
battery of British horse-artillery A strong column of French infantry,
supported by cavalry, advances against the centre of the Anglo-allied right
wing It is charged by Somerset's heavy cavalry-brigade Conduct of
Trip's Dutch-Belgian carabinier-brigade Gallant charge by the 3d hussars
of the King's German legion Renewed attack by the column of French
heavy cavalry in front of Major Mercer's horse-battery It is repulsed as
before Wellington reinforces the right of his front line by du Plat's in-
fantry-brigade of the King's German legion, accompanied by Captain
Sympber's horse-battery of the same service It is attacked by French
cuirassiers These are driven off" by the battalions of du Plat's brigade
Renewed charge by the cuirassiers equally unsuccessful Failure of French
cavalry attack upon the right centre of the Anglo-allied line Adam's
British light infantry-brigade advances into the front line, on the right of
Maitland's brigade ; crosses the ridge, and takes up a position on the ex-
terior slope Here it is repeatedly attacked by French cavalry Advance
of Halkett's Hanoverian brigade The French assail the post of La Haye
Sainte with the utmost vigour It falls into their possession Napoleon

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 55

directs Ney to follow up this advantage with a vigorous attack upon the
centre of the Anglo-allied line, and at the same time to renew the assault
upon Hougomont Ney's views and dispositions Attack upon Allen's
division The 5th line-battalion of the King's German legion, led by
Ompteda, gallantly charges French infantry, but is furiously assailed in
flank by a regiment of cuirassiers, and nearly destroyed : Ompteda is killed
Gallant repulse of an attack made upon portions of Maitland's and
Adam's brigades Renewed but unsuccessful attack upon Hougomont
Adam's brigade withdrawn to the reverse slope of the main position
General view of the Anglo-allied line.

MUCH as the attention of both commanders had
been absorbed by the contest described in the last
chapter, the attack and defence of Hougomont had
nevertheless been renewed and maintained with
unabated vigour. The assailants, who continued
in possession of the wood, having been strength-
ened by powerful reinforcements from both Jerome's
and Foy's divisions, now opened so rapid and in-
discriminate a fire upon the garden wall that it
might almost be supposed they entertained the hope
of battering it down with their shower of bullets.
They failed to make any impression upon the little
garrison , though they obtained partial successes
on the flanks, which again were counteracted on
the part of the defenders by the aid of detachments
from the main body of Byng^s_brigadeof guards,
as also by the natural advantages of thelocalities.
Thus, upon the right, a retreat of the guards from
the hedge which lines the avenue and road leading
to the chateau, if followed up by the French, would
draw upon the latter a murderous fire from the
banks, brushwood, and other cover, in rear of the

isth of avenue, together with a flank fire from behind the
'_ buildings ; and, upon the left, if the enemy suc-
ceeded in forcing back the defenders from the front
to the rear hedge of the orchard, his left flank must
be exposed to a severe fire from the troops lining
the eastern garden-wall, while they suffered at the
same time from the new fire directed against their
front by the retreating party, formed under cover
of the hollow-way by which that rear hedge is
bounded.

It was abou^two o'clock^hen Byng, perceiving
the increased pressure upon the troops in the or-
chard, and the great diminution which had taken
place in their numbers, desired Coloneljlepburn,*
who commanded the 2d battalion of the 3d foot
grjards, to move down thlTslope with the remainder
of his men as a reinforcement. Colonel Hepburn
on reaching the hollow-way found it occupied by
Lord Saltoun with a very small force, and his
Lordship having scarcely a man remaining of his
own battalion, gave over to the Colonel the com-
mand of that part of Hougomont, and rejoined
K Maitland's brigade. After a short time, Hepburn
and his battalion made a sudden and vigorous rush
into the great orchard from the hollow-way in its
rear. The French skirmishers gave way ; and, as
they crowded together while retreating through the
gap that leads into the wood, they suffered severely

* Major General Hepburn, C.B., died in June, 1835.

FRANCE AXD BELGIUM IN 1815.

from the concentrated fire poured upon them by 18th f

the guards ; who quickly established themselves

the front hedge of the orchard.

This happened nearly at the same time in which \/,
the French were repulsed in their grand attack/'
upon the centre and left of the Duke of Wel-
lington's line. It jmight be about half-past Jwo ,-''
o'clock. The battle was then limited to a general
cannonade, the roar of which was incessant, and
its effects, now that the range on both sides had
been very accurately obtained, were most galling
and destructive to the troops posted along the in-
terior slope of either position. Alten's light troops
again spread themselves out to the front as soon as
Kellermann's cuirassiers had been swept from off
the exterior slope of the Anglo-allied position.
They had not been out long before their attention
was directed to a heavy column of infantry, appa-
rently advancing from the vicinity of La Belle
Alliance towards La Haye Sainte. It was Ba-
chelu's division, which had fallen back a little after
the failure of d'Erlon's attack, to which it had
acted as a reserve. Lieut. Colonel Vigoureux,* V
of the 30th British regiment, who commanded
these light troops of Alten's division, immediately
threw them forward to meet the column. They
poured a well concentrated and most galling fire
upon the mass, which immediately brought its right

* Colonel Charles A. Vigoureux, C.B., died on the 25th of February, 1841.

' HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of shoulders forward, and took the direction of Hou-
' gomont, either in consequence of that fire, or in
accordance with orders previously given. The
ground over which it wound its course descended
sufficiently to render the movement indistinct to
the British batteries on the position ; but the cir-
cumstance having been communicated to Captain
Cleeves, whose foot-battery of the King's German
legion was posted on the most commanding point
of the ridge, on the right of the Charleroi road,
this officer lost not a moment in making his ar-
rangements. He permitted the column to continue
its march unmolested until it reached a point im-
mediately in his front, on which he had directed
his guns so as to concentrate upon the mass, at the
proper moment, the whole fire of his battery. The
column continued its march, and had cleared more
than two thirds of the distance between La Belle
Alliance and Hougomont, when, having well en-
tered within Captain Cleeves's line of fire, three
rounds from each gun were thrown into it with
astonishing rapidity, and awful effect. In a mo-
ment the greater portion of the column appeared
to be dispersed, and flying back in confusion to-
wards the lower ground for shelter ; leaving an
immense number of dead and dying to attest the
fatal accuracy of the fire from the battery. As no
hostile force of either cavalry or infantry appeared
in its immediate vicinity, Bachelu soon succeeded in
rallying his division, and renewing the advance.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 59

A similar result followed ; whereupon all further ieth of

attempt to effect the contemplated movement was '_

abandoned ; and thus a most serious flank attack ^^^
upon Hougomont was completely frustrated by the
skilfully managed fire of a single battery. Bachelu
now took post again, upon the right of Foy, leaving
a considerable interval between his division and yz
the Charleroi road.

Foiled in his varied and repeated attacks upon
Hougomont, Napoleon had now recourse to incen-
diary projectiles. For this purposejhe,iiad~ordered
a battery of howitzers to be formed, from which
shells were thrown so as to descend into the build-
ings. The great barn, the outhouses on the north
side of the chateau, the farmer's house, and finally
the chateau itself, were speedily set on fire. Dense
volumes of smoke, enveloping the whole post and
its defenders, were wafted slowly towards the
Anglo-allied line ; the roofs of the buildings soon
fell in ; and, shortly before three o'clock, the flames
burst forth with great brilliancy. Many of the
wounded had been carried, or had crawled, into the
buildings ; but although their comrades entertained
the most distressing apprehensions for their safety,
the stern sense of duty and of honour prescribed
that of the post itself as paramount to every other
consideration. Invested as the place was by an
enemy so overwhelmingly superior in numbers,
and so unceasingly on the alert to seize upon any
advantage that might offer, not a man could be

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of spared to assist in extricating the sufferers from

their perilous situation. Obedience to the natural

dictates of humanity was necessarily sacrificed to
that which was due to the severe demands of dis-
cipline. Thus several perished in the flames.
Others, who had contrived to crawl into the open
courts, could scarcely breathe in the scorching and
suffocating atmosphere. Many who had sought
shelter, or had been laid in the chapel, and whose
terrors were excited as they heard the crashing fall
of burning timbers, or the frequent explosion of
shells around them, at length beheld the flames pe-
netrating the door of the sanctuary. The prayers
that had been fervently, though silently, offered up
from that holy place, had surely been accepted
the fire, reaching the feet of the wooden image
of the Saviour of mankind, that stood above the
entrance, seemed to feel the sacred presence ; for
here its progress terminated ; and this, without the
aid of human efforts.*

The conflagration did not occasion a moment's
relaxation in the heroic exertions of the brave de-
fenders of Hougomont. The courage and devo-
tedness of the men kept pace with the zeal and
intelligence of their officers ; and no sooner did
new difficulties arise than they were met and over-
come by the most judicious arrangements, com-
bined with the most consummate gallantry.

* See note at page 344, vol. i.

FRANCE A*D BELGIUM IN 1815.

It was now about half-past three o'clock. The isthof
Anglo-allied line continued compact and unshaken _
in its original position. Its advanced posts of La
Haye Sainte and Hougomont had successfully
resisted the most formidable assaults. The left
wing had sustained considerable loss in meeting
and repelling the attack by the French right wing,
but the losses endured by the latter in that attack
were infinitely more severe : whole columns of in-
fantry had been completely overthrown and dis-
persed ; squadrons of the most splendid and most
devoted cavalry, had shared a similar fate ; whilst
from thirty to forty pieces of cannon had been
rendered useless for nearly the remainder of the
day. Hence, the French Emperor did not deem
it advisable to renew, at least so soon, an attack
upon the left of the Anglo-allied army. He de-
cided on forming a grand attack upon its right and
centre ; and since Reille's infantry had already
suffered very considerably in its assaults upon
Hougomont, he determined upon employing his
cavalry for that purpose; more especially as the
ground in front of that part of the Allied line
appeared well adapted for the movements of this
description of force. To gain possession of La
Have Sainte and Hougomont, as a preliminary
step, was undoubtedly the most judicious course;
but hitherto his endeavours to obtain that vantage-
ground had altogether failed, and he was now com-
pelled to limit his plan, combining with the pro-

62 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of jected attack, renewed assaults against those posts,

June.

- which, even if again unsuccessful, would at least
serve to divert, in some degree, the enemy's atten-
tion. Napoleon also contemplated a more im-
portant diversion, by causing a demonstration to
be made with Fire's light cavalry against Welling-
ton's right flank.

In pursuance of this plan, renewed efforts were
made by the attacking force against Hougomont ;
and two

scended upon La Haye Sainte.

Meanwhile, Major Baring having applied for a
reinforcement, two companies were detached to his
v post from the 1st light battalion of the King's
German legion. To these and a part of his own
battalion, he intrusted the defence of the garden ;
and, abandoning altogether the orchard, he placed
the remainder of his force in the buildings, distri-
buting their defence among the three officers who
had so courageously maintained them during the
previous attack. The French columns advanced
against this post with the most undaunted resolution
and the most conspicuous gallantry. The well-
aimed bullets of the German rifles, though they
told quickly and fearfully amidst their masses, ar-
rested not their progress for a moment. They
rushed close up to the walls, and, seizing the rifles
as they protruded through the loop-holes, endea-
voured to wrest them from the hands of the de-
fenders. They also made a most furious assault

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 53

against the gates and doors, in the defence of ISA of

June.

which many lives were sacrificed. The greatest

struggle was at the western opening to the large
barn, the door of which was wanting. The French,
determined to make good an entrance, encountered
the brave Germans, equally resolute to prevent
them. The foremost Frenchmen, dashing boldly
on to force their way, were struck down by the
deliberate fire from the rifles the instant they
reached the threshold, and seventeen of their dead
bodies already formed a rampart for those who
continued to press forward to carry on the struggle.
It was nearly four o'clock when certain move-
ments made by the lancers on the French extreme
left, led the Duke to suspect an attack from that
quarter ; and which, considering the almost isolated
position of his detached forces at Braine-la-leud
and Vieux Foriez, might, if successful, be attended
with very serious consequences to himself. He y
drew Lord Uxbridge's attention to that point ; and'
the latter immediately despatched Grant, with the
13th light dragoons and the 15th hussars of his

it O - - -

brigade, to attack the feeders ; detaching, at the
same time, the 2d light dragoons of the King's ^^
German legion, from Db'rnberg's brigade, towards
Braine-la-leud, for the purpose both of facilitating
the attack, by manoeuvring on the left of the
lancers, and of watching the enemy's dispositions
in that direction.

The fire of artillery along both lines had been

4 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of maintained with the utmost vigour. At this ruo-
_ ment, however, a most furious cannonade was di-
>\ rected against that part of the Anglo-allied line
which was situated between the two high roads.
While some of the French light batteries took post
in advance, others, of the imperial guard, com-
prising 12-pounclers, opened a firejromjhejieights
in^e^r^I^nTnhnve, T.a^Bellg^Ailknce ; and as
the batteries upon the main French line were
ranged along the arc of the chord formed by the
f Allied line, the French artillery was enabled, by
y / its very great numerical superiority in guns, to
concentrate an overwhelming fire upon any part of
\ the Duke's position. The Allied infantry posted
' in columns along the interior slope of the ridge,
were entirely screened from the observation of the
French, who could not distinguish any portion of
their enemies beyond the devoted British and Ger-
man artillerymen at their guns, which, despite the
severity of the fire from their opponents, were
worked with the most admirable coolness and in-
trepidity, and with a precision beyond all praise.

The thunder of the artillery continued pealing
forth in an uninterrupted roll, and the scene be-
came awfully grand. The guns having once ob-
tained the required range, were fired without inter-
mission. Instantaneous flashes met the eye, all
along the heights, succeeded by volumes of smoke
bounding forth along the ground in front, and en-
veloping the batteries in clouds. The earth trem-

FRANCE A\D BELGIUM IN 1815.

bled beneath the dread concussion. The oldest > i3th of
soldiers had never witnessed a cannonade con-
ducted with such fury, with such desperation. The
Allied columns of infantry were lying down upon
the ground to shelter themselves as much as pos-
sible from the iron shower that fell fast and hea-
vilyround shot, tearing frightful rents directly
through their masses, or ploughing up the earth
beside them ; shells, bursting in the midst of the
serried columns, and scattering destruction in their
fall, or previously burying themselves in the soft
loose soil to be again forced upwards in eruptions
of iron, mud, and stones, that fell amongst them
like volcanic fragments.

During this terrible conflict of artillery, Ney
was making his preparatory dispositions with the
cavalry which Napoleon had desired him to launch
against the Anglo-allied right wing. He first
formed for attack, Milhaud's ^corps of cuirassiers,
consisting of 21 squadron?

light cavalry-division of the guard,
comprising 7 squadrons^oJLlailfierg^and 12 squadrons
to follow and support in all 40

squadrons constituting a magnificent array of
gallant horsemen. As they began to advance, the
first line, of cuirassiers, shone in burnished steel,
relieved by black horse-hair-crested helmets ; next
canie__the red lancers of the guard, in their gaudy
uniform, and mounted on richly caparisoned steeds,
their fluttering lance-flags heightening the bril-

VOL. II. F

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of liancy of their display ; whilst the thi^d line, com-

prising the chasseurs of the guard, in Ineir rich

costume of green and gold, with fur-trimmed pe-
lisses ti la hussard, and black bear-skin shakos,
completed the gorgeous, yet harmonious, colouring
of this military spectacle. Though formed in
Successive lines of columns, in the hollow space on
the immediate left of La Have Sainte, where they
were sheltered in some degree from the cannonade
that raged so furiously above them, the rear lines
obliqued to their left, on the advance, and became
echelonned to the first line, so as to present a ge-
neral front, extending from the Charleroi road on
their right, to the Hougomont inclosures on their
left. As they ascended the ridge, the French
artillery suspended their fire, and the Allied bat-
teries commenced pouring a destructive shower of
grape-shot amidst their devoted ranks. Fiercely
and fatally did this iron hail rattle against the
helmed and steel-clad cuirassiers, here glancing off,
there penetrating the armour, wounding or laying
prostrate many a gallant warrior, at the very mo-
ment when the brightest visions of glory had
opened on his ardent imagination. This iron sleet,
however, caused no perceptible check to their pro-
gress ; and, with shouts of "Vine VEmpercur!"
they accelerated their pace until, having arrived
within about forty yards of the guns, they received
the last and well-prepared discharge. Its effects
were terrific : but though their order was somewhat

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. g-j

broken, their courage was not shaken. The charge i8th of

was sounded ; a cheer followed ; and, in the next '_

instant, they rushed up to the very cannon's
mouth. In accordance with previous instructions
given by the Duke of Wellington himself, the
artillerymen withdrew, upon the close approach of .
the cavalry, and sought shelter either beside, or in
rear of the infantry-squares ; or, where occasion
required, they threw themselves under the pro-
jecting bayonets of the outer kneeling ranks for
protection. The cuirassiers, on crowning the crest
of the ridge, and finding themselves so unex-
pectedly in possession of a line of batteries, shouted
loudly forth their triumph ; and then, renewing
their onward charge, were, in a moment, lost to
the view of the lancers and chasseurs of the guard.
These troops, carried away by the enthusiasm of
the moment, and the eager desire to share in the
fancied victory, advanced with the same fiery im-
petuosity, and the whole force was now fairly ^
across the ridge. The Allied infantry, distributed ? J
in chequered squares along the interior slope, were
fully prepared to meet the attack. Some little
apprehension had been entertained for the safety
of the right of the front line, where the Bruns-
wickers, who, as before remarked, were mostly
young, raw troops, had taken up the ground pre-
viously occupied by Byngrs^brigade of guards,
which had^been entirely absorbed by the defence
of Hougomont^ ^tIT~the~ exception of two corn-

gg HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of panics which, with the colours, had been with-

June. . .

drawn, as a reserve, to a more sheltered position

on the right of the Nivelles road. As the French

'^cavalry advanced, the 23d British regiment of
infantry was led up to the front line, and into an
interval between the Brunswick squares. This
regiment had nearly reached the brow of the ridge
when it was suddenly ordered to halt and prepare
to receive cavalry ; and the chasseurs of the guard
appearing the next moment in its front, a fire from
this face was opened so hastily that scarcely a shot
could have told upon the enemy. It instantly
recovered this somewhat nervous precipitation, and
presented a bold and determined stand, as did also
the Brunswickers, who acted on this occasion in a
manner that would have reflected credit on the
most experienced veterans.

The cannonade had necessarily ceased along the
right wing of the Anglo-allied front line, and along
the French batteries to which it was opposed.
Hence the vehement cheering on the part of the
French cavalry became the more distinctly audible
and the more highly exciting. A sullen silence
was maintained throughout the Allied squares,
which were all at the " prepare," front ranks
kneeling, and the second at the charge, thus
forming a chevaux-de-frise, over which the rear
ranks were ready to fire, as occasion might de-
mand. As the cavalry now rushed down upon the
squares, the front faces of the latter opened their

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IX 1815.

fire when the former had approached within about th of
thirty paces of them. The effect of this fire was
to create disorder and confusion in the leading-

squadron or half squadron (as the case might be),
which would then open out from the centre, and,
obliquing to the right and left respectively, pass on
by the flanks of the square attacked, to the fire
from which it would consequently become com"
pletely exposed. The succeeding, repeated the
manoeuvre of the leading, divisions ; and their dis-
order became greater and greater as the conti-
nually augmenting obstacles in their front, the
upset riders and horses, increased in multitude.
Here, as at Quatre-Bras, the French cavalry did
not rush to the shock against a single British
square. The horsemen of the leading divisions
who escaped the opposing fire, failed to maintain
the direction of their speed with unabated vigour,
and to dash against the square, heedless of per-
sonal danger, and intent only upon securing the
sole chance that offered for the success of their
immediate followers. That portion of the cavalry
which passed through the intervals between the
foremost squares, directed their advance upon those
that were in rear, and the squares being generally
en tchiquier, the opening out and dividing of the
attacking squadrons in the manner described, soon
commingled the horsemen of different regiments,
and added considerably to the disorder already
caused by the dropping fire which assailed them in

70 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of all directions. The Anglo-allied cavalry, having

'__ the advantage of perfect order, now advanced to

the charge, and, after encountering some little re-
sistance on different points, speedily succeeded in
relieving the squares from the presence of the
enemy, whom they pursued over the crest of the
ridge and down the exterior slope. No sooner
was Ney's cavalry driven from the position, than
the Allied artillerymen flew from their shelter to
their guns, and the French batteries recommenced
their fire. The former dealt destruction amidst
the retiring masses, as soon as, and wherever, they
were uncovered by the Allied cavalry ; but some
of the British regiments, giving too much rein to
their ardour, carried their pursuit rather too far,
v ^A/particularly the 23d British light dragoons, which,
crossing the hollow on the right of La Have Sainte,
drove back the cuirassiers and lancers on their own
batteries upon the heights beyond, and thus created
confusion amongst the French gunners ; who, how-
ever, made them pay for their temerity as they
withdrew again towards their own position.

1 Towards the Allied right, the lancers, pursued
}y the 1st light dragoons of the King's German
legion, instantly re-formed, and, resuming their
charge, became themselves the pursuers ; but on
advancing over the ridge, they were not only ex-
posed again to the fire from the squares, but were
at the same time most unexpectedly assailed by a
brisk discharge of round-shot from Captain Bol-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. / 7J

ton's British foot-batterv, which had iust beeri/ isthof

J V June.

rapidly advanced to its left front, and very judi-

ciously posted on some favourable ground close to,
and on the right of, the Nivelles road, and in direct
rear of the main ridge. Its fire was directed with
great precision at the French cavalry in the inter-
vals between the squares in its front, and by its
valuable assistance the enemy was soon compelled
to retire again across the ridge. It will be readily
conceived that such assistance was most essential,
when it is recollected that, at this time, the 7thA
hussars, the 1st light dragoons of the King's Ger-/ )
man legion, the Brunswick hussars, and the squa-l/
dron of Brunswick lancers, were the only cavalry-
regiments posted in rear of that portion of the
front line extending from the Nivelles road on the
right, to the position of Halkett's British infantry
brigade on the left, in rear of which latter stood
the 23d light dragoons. The manner in which
those regiments charged and repelled the French
cavalry opposed to them, merits the highest com-
mendation.

The French cavalry evinced the greatest alacrity,
nay, impatience, in again getting into order actu-
ated, no doubt, by a sense of shame and indig-
nation at finding its efforts frustrated, and its valour
fruitless, although in possession of the enemy's
guns, and at liberty to act at its own discretion
against his squares. The advance was speedily
renewed, but evidently conducted with more cau-

72 HISTORY OF THE WAR IX

isth of tion, though not with less enthusiasm. Again did

this brilliant array of horsemen boldly face the

iron shower of grape, and gallantly crown the crest
of the Anglo-allied right wing. But now, instead
of attacking indiscriminately, as before, one portion
was allotted to that service, whilst the remainder
was kept in more compact order to stem the onset
of the Allied cavalry, by which, on the former
occasion, they had been so signally repulsed. The
charges were repeated against the squares, in the
same style, and upon the same system, as before,
and with an equally fruitless result. This portion
of the attacking force became gradually exhausted
and out of order, but the remainder appeared well
formed up, and moving forward to charge the
second line, comprising Allied cavalry, which,
however, did not wait for the attack, but instantly
advanced to meet it. The latter consisted of
V/Somerset's brigad^on the left, (greatly diminished
by the effects of its former charge, on the occasion
of the French attack of the Allied- left and centre,)
of the 23d British lioht dragoons, in rear of

Halkett's British infantry-brigade, of Trip's Dutch-
Belgiancarabirner-brigade, in rear of the 23d, of
the Brunswick hussars and lancers, more to the
right, of the 1st light dragoons of the King's
German legion, close tcfftle Nivelles road, and of
the 7th JLw4isli_Jiussars, on the interior slope of
that portion of the ridge which was immediately in
left rear of Hougomont a force scarcely amount-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 73

ing to half the number of squadrons with which iflthof

the French cavalry had commenced this attack.

The charge was executed under great excitement,
and with the utmost steadiness and gallantry. The
struggle was desperate and sanguinary, but the
French cavalry, assailed in front, by the same de-
scription of force, and on their flanks, by the fire
from the squares, at length went about, and were
followed, as before, over the ridge and down the
exterior slope. In rear of the right of the Anglo-
allied line, where, as previously observed, the ca-
valry was then so very weak in numbers, the 1st
light dragoons of the King's German legion had
deployed into line, in order to occupy more ground
and show a greater front. As the French lancers
were attacking the squares, and advancing through
the intervals between them, notwithstanding the
renewed fire from Bolton's battery, the regiment
hastened forward to charge them. The Germans
had not proceeded far when it was discovered that
a body of the enemy's cavalry had penetrated to
the open space on their left. With great presence
of mind and admirable promptitude, Major von
Reizenstein,* who perceived the danger to which
the regiment was exposed by the already meditated
attack upon its left flank, drew off a great part of
it, and, with a right-shoulder-forward movement,

* Colonel Augustus von Reizenstein, C.B., K.C.H., of the Hanoverian
service, died on the Gtli of November, 1830.

74 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of advanced to meet these new assailants, who were
now coming on at full speed. The mutual impe-
tuosity of the charge, and violence of the shock,
were terrific. The two lines dashed at and through
each other, and those of the horsemen that were
yet firm in their saddles, wheeling sharply round,
again rushed to the fierce encounter with the most
resolute bravery ; and the dispersed riders, after
rapidly exchanging cuts and thrusts, en passant,
sought out their respective corps.

As the cavalry retired, the infantry that had
attacked La Have Sainte desisted from their fruit-
less endeavours to force the gallant little garrison.
Not long afterwards, Major Baring, on finding that
the ammunition of his men had, by the constant
firing, been reduced to less than one-half, became
apprehensive of its speedy exhaustion ; and des-
patched an officer to request a supply, which was
promised to him. In the mean time, the Germans
set about diligently repairing the injuries they had
sustained, and making the best preparation in their
power to meet the next attack.

Upon the first advance of the French cavalry,
by the Allied left of Hougomont, a body of in-
fantry skirmishers crept along the boundary hedge
of the great orchard on that side, and by thus
turning the flank of the 3rd guards, who were at
the same time assailed with renewed vigour in
front, compelled them to retire into the hollow-way
in rear of the inclosure ; but, as the cavalry with-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 75

drew, so did the light troops on the left of the istt of

orchard, and Lieut. Colonel Hepburn, advancing '__

his men from their cover, drove back the French
skirmishers in the orchard, and again occupied its
front hedge.

The contest at this time, between the Allied
left, and the French right, wing, was limited to a ./
continued cannonade, with light troops skirmishing
in the valley which separated the two positions.
The Nassau troops, under Prince Bernhard of
Saxe- Weimar, maintained their ground with great
spirit along the villages and inclosures upon the
extreme left of the Anglo-allied army.

Grant, who, it will be recollected, had been de-
tached with the 13th light dragoons and the 15th
hussars, to attack the 5th and 6th French lancers,
upon the extreme left of the French line, in con-
sequence of certain menacing dispositions on their
part, was first made aware that these had been
merely a diversion, to draw off a portion of the
Allied cavalry from the real point of attack, by
the shouts which suddenly proceeded from their
ranks, when, on turning round to ascertain the
cause, he perceived the French in possession of
the batteries along the crest of the position, and
charging the squares posted on the interior slope.
Observing a repetition of the attack, and the want
of cavalry on that part of the position which he
had quitted, he most judiciously took upon himself
to return to it with both regiments ; and, as will

76 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of appear in the sequel, he arrived there at a most
critical moment, when his absence might have pro-
duced the most fatal consequences. As a precau-
tionary measure, the right squadron of the 15th
hussars, under Captain Wodehouse, was left in its
original position, to observe the extreme left of the
^ French line ; and the 2d light dragoons of the
King's German legion continued to keep a look-
out between that point and Braine-la-leud.

Napoleon, perceiving the necessity of affording
an immediate support to Ney's attack sent an
\f order to KeUermann to advance for that purpose,
with his corps of heavy cavalry, consisting of the
two divisions commanded by I/Hfiritier and Rous-
sel-d'Urbal, and comprising (at the commencement
of the battle) 7 squadrons of_dragoons, 11 squa-
drons of cuirassiers, and 6 squadrons of _cara-
4>iniers. In the mean time, Ney, with a similar
object in view, had ordered forward Guyot's heavy
cavalry-division of the guard, comprising 6 squa-
drons oT^horse_grenadiers, andJLiquadrons of dra-
goons. These 37 squadrons, combined with the
force which had already attacked, and which had
originally consisted of 40 squadrons,* constituted
a stupendous array of cavalry, in comparison with
that which was then posted in rear of the right
wing of the Anglo-allied army, and which re-
ceived no accession beyond the j5_ squadrons that

* See page 65.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IX 1815. 77

Grant was in the act of withdrawing, as hefore ISA of

explained, from the extreme right. Guyot's divi-

sion of the guard having been placed by Napoleon
at Ney's disposal, when he first desired him to
form the grand cavalry-attack, the Marshal was
entitled to employ it if he thought proper ; but it
is doubtful whether Napoleon, after having sent
forward Kellermann's corps, was desirous that the
combined force should be thus prematurely en-
gaged, and himself deprived of his only cavalry-
reserve. Still, when we consider the limited ex-
tent of the field of battle, and the consequent faci-
lity with which he might have either suspended the
employment of the heavy cavalry of the guard, or
countermanded Kellermann's advance, it is rea-
sonable to infer that the French Emperor was not
altogether displeased with the grand experiment
which was about to be made, and which encouraged ^
the most sanguine expectations of a glorious
triumph.

The coming attack was, like the former one,
preceded by a violent cannonade. As before, the
French batteries concentrated their fire upon the
Allied artillery and squares. The entire space
immediately in rear of the crest of the ridge that
marked the front line of the Duke's right wing,
was again assailed with a tempest of shot and shell.
Again were whole files torn away, and compact
sections rent asunder. But the extraordinary skill
and the untiring energies of the British and Ger-

78 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of man gunners, combined with the heroic forbearance
' and the admirable steadiness of the squares, fully
impressed upon the mind of Wellington the con-
viction that, however formidable and dispropor-
tionate the force which his powerful adversary
could wield against him, it might yet be made to
suffer an exhaustion, moral as well as physical,
that would render it totally unavailable and help-
less at the moment when its extremest tension and
fullest application would be so urgently required
to extricate the Emperor from that perilous crisis
which, by his Grace's masterly arrangements, was
gradually approaching its consummation. To act
exclusively on the defensive, to maintain his
ground in defiance of every assault and every stra-
tagem, and yet to harass and weaken his enemy to
the extent of his power, constituted the grand
point on which hinged the practical development
of those arrangements. A defeat and dispersion
of his army before the arrival of the Prussian
troops, would lead to new measures, to additional
sacrifices perhaps to irretrievable disasters. But
his resolve was fixed and irrevocable ; for he knew
that he could fearlessly rely upon the devotion, the
endurance, and the valour, of his British and Ger-
man soldiers. And this implicit confidence was
nobly reciprocated ; for, as the troops remarked
the serenity of his countenance and demeanour
when rectifying any confusion or disorder, or felt
as if spell-bound by the magic influence of a few

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 79

simple and homely words from his lips, they enter- isth of

tained no doubt as to the result of their glorious

exertions.

When the tremendous cavalry force which Ney
had thus assembled, moved forward to the attack,
the whole space between La Have Sainte and
Hougomont 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 pos-
session 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 en-
gulph 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

80 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of 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 and over-
throw of the now receding waves of the French
cavalry.

The Allied artillery had barely time to fire a
few rounds into the retiring masses, when the
enemy's formidable support rapidly advanced to
renew the attack ; and, as if it had been made
aware that the right of the Anglo-allied line was
the weakest part, from the want of a sufficient
cavalry-support, its efforts appeared particularly
directed to that point. A body of heavy dragoons
was drawn up in line, and advanced up the ridge
leaving the Hougomont inclosures immediately on
its left. At this moment, however, Grant had
most opportunely returned with the 13th light dra-
goons and 15th hussars from the extreme right ;
and instantly forming the 13th, which was the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. Q-I

leading regiment, in line to the front, moved it up isthof
to the crest of the ridge, over which it gallantly _
charged and routed the French dragoons, driving
them about three hundred yards down to the low
ground near the north-east angle of the great
orchard of Hougomont. The 15th hussars were
also formed to the front, on the left of the 13th
light dragoons, and charged a mass of cuirassiers,
which was driven back a like distance, upon large
bodies of cavalry. As these were observed com-
mencing offensive operations, both in front and on
the flank, the two regiments, first the 13th, and
then the 15th, were compelled to retreat to the
main position, and take post in rear of the squares ;
but this they did with so much order and regularity
that their presence and example imparted new life
and confidence to the young Brunswickers, whose
steadiness, on the right of the line, had been se-
verely tested in the course of the grand cavalry-
attack. Notwithstanding these reverses, and the
decided failure of their former attempts, the French
horsemen most gallantly and resolutely renewed
their advance, and again plunged, in masses, amidst
the Allied squares. Failing in their direct attack,
they rode through the intervals between the squares
in all directions, exhibiting extraordinary coolness
and intrepidity. Some of the most daring ap-
proached close up to the ranks, to draw forth the
fire from a square, and thus secure a better chance
of success for the squadron prepared to seize the

VOL. II. G

82 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of advantage and to charge. Small parties of despe-

June.

rate fellows would endeavour to force an opening

at some weak point, by cutting aside the bayonets
and firing at the defenders with their pistols. But
/ ' the squares were proof against every assault and
\_every stratagem. More cavalry crossed over the
summit of the ridge ; and the greater part of the
interior slope occupied by the Allied right wing
seemed covered with horsemen of all kinds cui-
rassiers, lancers, carabiniers, chasseurs, dragoons,
and horse-grenadiers. The French, enraged at
their want of success, brandishing their swords,
and exciting one another by shouts of " Vive
VEmpereur!" reiterated their attacks with redou-
bled but fruitless vigour. Like the majestic oaks
of the forest, which are poetically said to strike
their roots deeper and more tenaciously into the
earth, as the fury of the storm increases, so stood
the Anglo-allied squares, grand in the imposing
attitude of their strength, and bidding defiance to
the tempestuous elements by which they were as-
sailed on every side. At length the attack evinced
symptoms of exhaustion : the charges became less
frequent and less vigorous ; disorder and confusion
were rapidly augmenting ; the spirit of enthusiasm
and the confidence of superiority, were quickly
yielding to the feeling of despondency, and the
sense of hopelessness. The Anglo-allied cavalry
again advanced, and once more swept the mingled
host, comprising every description of mounted

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. gg

troops, from off the ground on which they had so 18th o
fruitlessly frittered away their strength.

On this occasion, a hody of cuirassiers, having
been intercepted in its direct line of retreat by a
party of British light dragoons, was induced to
surrender ; but taking advantage of the weakness
of their escort, they suddenly broke away, and
galloped down the Nivelles road, by which they
hoped to return to the French lines. They were
fatally deceived. As they passed the high bank,
covered with brush-wood, on the right of the road,
where a detachment of the ^st j*egiment was sta-
tioned as one of the supports to the light troops
extended in front of the extreme right, they were
fired upon, though but partially, in consequence of
their close pursuit by the light dragoons. This
attracted the attention of Captain Ross* of that
regiment, who was posted with his company more
in advance, and close to the abatis which had been
thrown across the road near the head of the avenue
leading to Hougomont. Captain Ross, being thus
prepared, also fired upon the cuirassiers, where-
upon their commanding officer, finding all further
retreat effectually cut off by the abatis, surrendered
to Captain Ross, declaring that he would not give
himself up to the dragoons. At this spot eighty
of the cuirassiers and twelve of their horses were

Now Lieut. Colonel John Rosa, Unatt.

Q4 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of killed ; and the remainder, about sixty, were dis-

June.

mounted, taken, or dispersed.

Shortly before this, Ney, perceiving the ill suc-
cess of his cavalry attacks, determined on com-
bining them with such infantry as he had at his
disposal. Between d'Erlon's and Reille's corps
there was now a great interval, and the only troops
of which he could make use for the above object,
consisted of Bachelii!s_division, on the right of the
latter, as Donzelot's division, on the left of the
former, was still required for the attack upon La
Haye Sainte, and which he now ordered to be
vigorously renewed, whilst he advanced a heavy
column of Bachelu's infantry towards the centre
of the Allied right wing. Wellington, who had,
from the first, anticipated that the attacks of ca-
valry would be followed up by others, in which that
arm would he combined with infantry, was fully
prepared to meet this contingency, having, as soon
as he had ascertained that the enemy was not dis-
osed to attempt any serious movement against his
right flank, despatched an Qrder__tp_Chasse to eva-
cuate Braine-la-leud and its vicinity, and to proceed,
with his Dutch-Belgian division, towards the prin-
cipal scene of action, along the low ground through
Merbe-braine. By this means, his Grace, who
contemplated reinforcing his first line with troops
from his second, would be enabled to supply their
place in the latter with others of equal strength.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IX 1815.

Chasse's movement, executed with much judgment, ISA of

. ' ' i i June.

was in a great measure, if not entirely, concealed

from the enemy's observation, and was very skil-
fully covered by the 2d light dragoons of the
King's German legion, who continued hovering
near the left flank of the French army.

In the mean time, the attack upon La Haye
Sainte had been renewed with the same fury as
before. Major Baring, on perceiving the advance
of the enemy's columns, sent an officer to the po-
sition with this intelligence, and repeated his re-
quest for ammunition. The light company of the
5th line-battalion of the King's German legion was
sent to his assistance, but the supply of ammu-
nition, of which he stood so much in need, was not
forthcoming ; and he therefore, after waiting half
an hour longer, during which the contest was un-
interrupted, despatched another officer on the same
errand. This application proved equally unsuc-
cessful. He received, however, a reinforcement of
two flank companies from the 1st regiment of
Nassau. The great struggle was again at the open
entrance to the barn, and the French, finding all
their efforts to force an entrance so obstinately and
successfully frustrated, had recourse to the expe-
dient of setting the place on fire. A thick smoke
was soon observed issuing from the barn. The
greatest consternation pervaded the little garrison,
for although there was a pond in the yard, there
were no means at hand for conveying the water to

gg HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

the point of danger. Major Baring, whose anxiety

. 11

was extreme, glancing his eye at the large camp-
kettles home by the recently-arrived Nassauers,
instantly pulled one from off a man's back : several
officers followed his example, and filling the kettles
with water, carried them, in the face of almost
certain death, to the fire. The men hesitated not
a moment. Every kettle was instantly applied to
the same good office, and the fire was fortunately
extinguished, though at the sacrifice of many a
brave soldier. Several of the men, although co-
vered with wounds, rejected all persuasion to retire.
Their constant reply was, " So long as our officers
fight, and we can stand, we will not stir from the
spot."* At length the enemy, wearied out by this
most resolute and gallant defence, once more with-
drew.

At the commencement of this attack, while one
portion of the enemy's force was principally di-
rected against the western entrance of the great
barn, the other, leaving the buildings on its right,
advanced higher up the slope, as if intending either

* One of the men, named Frederick Lindau, bleeding from two wounds
in his head, and carrying in his pocket a large bag full of gold, which he
had taken from a French officer, stood at the small barn-door facing the yard,
defending from thence the open western entrance. Major Baring, observing
that the cloth bound round his head did not suffice to stop the strong flow
of blood, called out to him to withdraw ; but the latter, as heedless of his
wounds as of his gold, replied, " None but a scoundrel would desert you so
long as his head remains upon his shoulders !" This brave fellow was after-
wards taken prisoner, and lost his treasure.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

to penetrate the farm by the garden, or to cut off ieth of

. .. . . .. June.

its communication with the main position. The

Prince of Orange, conceiving this to be a favour-
able opportunity for attacking the French co-
lumn, ordered thejiih___and 8th line battalions of
Ompteda's brigade of the King s ijerman legion
to deploy and advance. The line was quickly
formed, and the battalions, bounding across the
narrow sunken road, rushed forward at a charging
pace, driving the enemy before them. But a body
of cuirassiers, that had unsuccessfully charged the
left squares of Kielmansegge's Hanoverian brigade,
whilst those battalions were advancing, came upon
the right flank of the latter, unexpectedly for both
parties. The 5th line battalion, which was on the ^ /
right, having been supported in sufficient time by A
Somersefs_heavy cavalry -brigade, suffered little
loss ; but the 8tl\Jme_battalion being on the left,
and more in advance, in the act of charging when
the cuirassiers appeared was completely surprised,
and almost entirely destroyed. The commanding
officer of the battalion, Colonel von Schroder, was
mortally wounded : several other officers fell :
Ensign de Moreau,* who carried and defended the
King's colour, having been severely wounded, as
also the Serjeant who afterwards held it, the enemy
succeeded in carrying off the prize. Major von

* Now Captain William de Moreau, K.H., on the retired list of the
Hanoverian army.

88 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of Petersdorff,* the next in command, collected the

June. . i

scattered remnant of the battalion, and posted it in

rear of the hollow- way.

The moment the Anglo-allied right wing became
cleared of the presence of the French cavalry, it
was again exposed to a furious cannonade. Se-
veral of the guns along the main ridge were by
this time disabled. Major Bull, who had been
obliged at an earlier period to withdraw his how-
itzer-battery to the second line, for the purpose of
repairing casualties and completing ammunition,
advanced again to his former post in the front line,
along with Major Ramsay's horse-battery, during
'/ the second general charge of the French cavalry.
These batteries suffered severely from Fire's guns,
stationed on the extreme left of the French line.
Bull directed Lieutenant Louis f to turn his two
right guns towards them, and it was not long before
this officer succeeded in silencing them ; a service
which, as they enfiladed the Allied right flank, was
of considerable advantage, during the remainder
of the battle, to all the batteries and troops in this
part of the field. A reinforcement of artillery
was particularly required in front of Cooke's divi-
sion and the Brunswick infantry, against which the
enemy was evidently preparing fresh attacks :

* Lieut. Colonel Charles von Petersdorff, C.B., K.C.H., in the Hanove-
rian service, died on the 13th March, 1834.

t Now Lieut. Colonel Matthew Louis, Royal Artillery.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

Lieut. Colonel Dickson's Britisli__JiQrse=hai.tery, isthof
commanded by Major Mercer, and Major Sym- _ '_

pher's Jiorse-battery^jpf the King's German legion,
were therefore ordered up into the front line j the
former, to the left of Lieut. Colonel Smith's horse-
battery, in front of the Brunsvvickers, and the
latter, further to the left. Major Mercer's battery
had barely time to get into action T^wften a heavy
column of cavalry, composed of horse-grenadiers
and cuirassiers, were seen ascending the ridge, and
advancing at a rapid rate directly towards the spot
upon which it had taken post. The guns, which
were 9-pounders, were each loaded with a round ^
and a case shot ; and were run close up to a bank
of two or three feet in height, which descended
from the narrow cross-road along the ridge, and
which thus formed a sort of genouillere to the bat-
tery. In front, the summit of the ridge consisted
of a flat surface, of forty or fifty yards in width,
whence the ground descended rapidly towards the
plain that divided the two armies. The column
continued to advance until it came quite close upon
these guns, the muzzles of which were nearly on a
level with the cross-road, when it suddenly recoiled
from the very destructive fire with which it was
received. The horsemen of the leading squadrons
faced about, and endeavoured to force their way to
the rear ; confusion ensued, and the whole mass

broke into a disorderly crowd. Several minutes

elapsed ere they succeeded in quitting the summit

90 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

of the ridge, during which the fire from the battery

_ was incessant ; and, from the shortness of the dis-

tance, the size of the objects, and the elevation of
the ground on which they stood, the consequent
carnage was truly frightful. Many, instead of
seeking safety in retreat, dashed through the in-
tervals between the guns, and surrendered ; but
the greater part, rendered desperate at finding
themselves held, as it were, in front of the battery,
actually fought their way through their own ranks ;
and, in the struggle, blows were exchanged on all
sides. At length, the wreck of this formidable
column gained shelter under the slope of the ridge,
leaving the summit encumbered with its killed and
wounded.

About the same time, a strong column of French
infantry, supported by cavalry, was advancing
/ against the centre of the Anglo-allied right wing.
Whilst the opposed batteries were concentrating
upon it a vigorous fire, Lord Uxbridge brought
forward Somerset's heavy cavalry-brigade from its
position on the right of the Charleroi road, for the
purpose of attacking this column, and also ordered
up, in support, TripV- Dutch- Belgian carabinier-
brigade. The attack was made with great gal-
lantry by the household cavalry, which succeeded
in checking the advance of the enemy ; but, having
been so much reduced in numbers, it was unable to
penetrate the column, which received it with a
heavy fire. As Somerset retired, the French ca-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 91

valry by which the column had been supported, 18th of
prepared to advance, Trip's Dutch-Belgian ca- /
valry was now at hand. Uxbridge, pleased with
their fine appearance, and desirous of exciting in
them a courageous enthusiasm, placed himself con-
spicuously in their front, and ordering the "charge,"
led them towards the enemy. He had proceeded
but a very short distance, when his aide-de-camp,
Captain Horace Seymour, galloped close up to him,
and made him aware that not a single man of them
was following him. Turning round his horse, he
instantly rode up to Trip, and addressed himself
to this officer with great warmth. Then, appealing
to the brigade in terms the most exhorting and en-
couraging, and inciting them by gestures the most
animated and significant, he repeated the order to
charge, and again led the way in person. But this
attempt was equally abortive ; and Uxbridge, ex-
asperated and indignant, rode away from the bri-
gade, leaving it to adopt any course which its com-
mander might think proper ; and as the French
cavalry, to which this hesitation was but too mani-
fest, was now advancing rapidly to the attack, the
Dutch-Belgians went about, and retired in such
haste and disorder that the two right squadrons of
the 3d hussars of the King's German legion ex-
perienced the greatest difficulty in maintaining
their ground, and avoiding being carried along to
the rear by these horsemen in the wildness of their
flight. The 3d hussars had just moved up into </

92 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

second line, in rear of Kruse's Nassau brigade,

June.

- when this occurred, and the left squadron, being
free from any interruption of the kind, gallantly
charged and completely overthrew that portion of
the cuirassiers which was in its immediate front.
As soon as the other twg^guadrons had recovered
their order, which had been so unexpectedly dis-
turbed by the fugitive Dutch-Belgians, the whole
regiment advanced to the crest of the position,
where it received from Lord Uxbridge, in person,
the order to charge a line of French cavalry, dis-
tant about a hundred and fifty yards, and con-
sisting of about three squadrons of cuirassiers and
threesquadrons of heavy~clragoons. Commencing
the charge with a steady trot, and then plunging
into a gallop, they broke through the enemy's line,
which was advancing at a short trot, or almost
at a walk, but became so completely turned and
hemmed in upon their flanks and rear, that a vast
proportion of them was cut off. The remainder,
dispersed, and pursued by the French cavalry,
rode back to the infantry-squares, in rear of which
the regiment re-formed. Here the great loss which
it had suffered in these two attacks became mani-
fest. It was reduced to between sixty and seventy
files, which were formed into two squadrons, and
posted in rear of Kielmansegge's Hanoverian
brigade.

About this time, the Earl of Uxbridge, on ex-
amining the state of his cavalry, perceived the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

Cumberland regiment of Hanoverian hussars

. i T\ i -,

some distance m the rear, on the Brussels road.
He immediately ordered them forward, and on
their coming up, he posted them where they were
by no means much exposed, but where they would
at least appear to fill a gap occasioned by the se-
vere losses experienced by Somerset's and Pon-
sonby's brigades, for the manner of their com-
manding officer, whilst being thus posted, rendered
his Lordship doubtful of their continuing there if
attacked. That he had reason to apprehend some-
thing of this kind, was subsequently proved, for
Colonel Hake, on finding the shot flying about
him a little, took himself and his regiment out of
the field ; on discovering which, Lord Uxbridge
despatched his aide-de-camp, Captain Horace Sey-
mour, with an order for his return. When Captain
Seymour delivered this order, the Colonel remarked
that he had no confidence in his men, that they
were volunteers, and that their horses were their
own property. The regiment continued moving
to the rear, notwithstanding Captain Seymour's
repeating the order to halt, and asking the second
in command to save the honour and character of
the corps, by placing himself at its head and
fronting the men. Finding his remonstrances pro-
duced no effect, he laid hold of the bridle of the
Colonel's horse, and commented upon his conduct
in terms such as no man of honour could have
been expected to listen to unmoved. This officer,

94 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of however, appeared perfectly callous to any sense

June.

of shame, and far more disposed to submit to these

attacks upon his honour than he had been to re-
ceive those of the enemy upon his person and his
regiment. Upon rejoining the Earl of Uxbridge
and relating what had passed, Captain Seymour
was again directed to proceed to the commanding
officer, and to desire that, if he persevered in re-
fusing to resume his position in the line, he would,
at least, form the regiment across the high road,
out of fire. But even this order was disregarded,
and the corps went altogether to the rear, spread-
ing alarm and confusion all the way to Brussels.*

In front of the right of the Anglo-allied line,
the French column of horse-grenadiers and cui-
rassiers which had met with so disastrous a repulse
from Major Mercer's horse-battery, was re-formed
for another attack, to meet which the British gun-
ners were fully prepared, for the French horsemen
had not retired so far down the hill but that the
high caps of the horse-grenadiers of the leading
squadrons, were visible above the brow of the ex-
terior slope. The second attempt was preluded by
a cloud of skirmishers, who, advancing to within a
very short distance of the front of the battery, did
considerable mischief to the gunners with their

* As might have been expected, Colonel Hake was tried by a General
Court Martial for this conduct, and sentenced to be dismissed from the
profession of arms, of which he had proved himself so unworthy a member.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 9

carbines and pistols : but tbeir intention being evi- isth of

June.

dently to draw forth their fire, no notice was taken
of them. Then the column again ascended the
ridge, and advanced to attack the battery ; but on
this occasion their pace scarcely exceeded a walk,
or at most a gentle trot, too many obstacles lying
in their way to admit of more rapid movement
without confusion. Experience having shown the
gunners the destructive effects of a close fire, they
allowed the leading squadrons to attain about half
the distance between the brow of the slope and the
narrow road in their front before they commenced.
The result, as may be readily imagined, was pre-
cisely similar to that of the former attack, which
has already been detailed. Again the French
horsemen fell into confusion, and again for several
minutes were they exposed to a deliberate and an
unerring fire of case-shot, within a distance of not
more than twenty yards, so that the pile of killed
and wounded, left on the ground immediately in
front of J;he battery, before great, was now enor
mous.

Other batteries along this part of the position
were equally successful in repelling the attacks 01
the enemy's cuirassiers, who were assembling in
considerable numbers at the foot of the exterior
slope, close to the Hougomont inclosures, appa-
rently with the object of cutting off the direct
communication with that post, and forcing the
right of the Allied front line. The moment seemed

/ HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of favourable for such a project. Several of the Allied
June ' guns had by this time become completely disabled ;
e 2d battalion of the 3d British guards, awfully
reduced, had been driven into the hollow-way in
rear of the orchards of Hougomont ; the young
Brunswick infantry had suffered severe losses ; and
the supporting cavalry had become greatly ex-
hausted by its repeated charges. But Wellington,
foreseeing the probability of a serious attempt upon
this weakened point of his line, and perceiving the
approach of Chasse's division, (see page 84,) sup-
plied the required remedy by desiring Lord Hill to
bring forward troops from the second line. The
zeal, intelligence, and activity which had ever cha-
racterized the hero of Almaraz and Arroyo del
Molino when carrying out the designs of the
Chief under whom he had acquired a lasting fame,
seemed but to await this summons to the more im-
mediate scene of action, to appear again in all their
accustomed vigour. He immediately put in motion
du Plat's infantry-brigade of the King's German
leo-ion! As the latter advanced across the Nivelles

road, from its left, the 2d^ line battalion became
the leading column. It was followed by the 4tb,
then by the 3d, and lastly by the 1st line battalion.
As the 2d approached the crest of the ridge, se-
veral gunners ran in upon it for shelter from the
enemy's cuirassiers, whose main body was now ad-
vancing directly against this battalion. The four
light companies of the brigade, however, had just

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 97

posted themselves close to the three small trees near i 8th of

June.

this part of the crest of the ridge, and being armed

with rifles, they delivered so destructive a fire into
the cavalry as to compel it to withdraw. Some of
the Allied cavalry then moved forward in pursuit,
and du Plat's brigade continued its advance until
the 2d line battalion had approached close to the
hedge of the great orchard of Hougomont, whence
a dropping fire was opened upon the Germans by
the French skirmishers. The dragoons made a
sudden and rapid retreat through the intervals of
the columns, in left front of which a fresh line of
hostile cavalry now presented itself. Captain
Sympher, who, with his horse-battery of the legion,
haoa"ccmnpanied du Plat's advance, instantly un-
limbered, and poured round shot through the in-
tervals of the columns, the latter maintaining, at
the same time, a very effective independent file-
fire. The cuirassiers gallantly advanced, notwith-
standing this formidable resistance. They first
became exposed to a flank fire from the left face of
the 4th line battalion-square, and then again to
that from the left face of the 3d line battalion :
nevertheless, they resolutely attacked the battery,
the gunners of which either flew to the last men-
tioned square for protection, or sought shelter under
the carriages. At length, after having suffered
severe losses by the unremitting fire from the
nearest squares, the French cavalry retired in dis-
order, receiving a renewed discharge from the

VOL. II. H

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of ^battery, which was again in full play. When du
Plat's brigade moved down the slope, the 2d and
3d light, and 2d line, battalions of the Bruns-
wickers, advanced a short distance over the crest
of the ridge, in left rear of the former. Here
they became exposed to a destructive fire of both
artillery and musketry, the latter from the French
skirmishers that had crept from along the eastern
hedge of Hougomont, close under the brow of that
part of the Anglo-allied position. They withstood
this heavy fire, as also the subsequent charges of
cavalry, with great steadiness and courage ; but as
soon as the French horsemen were driven back by
a portion of the Allied cavalry, consisting of the
23d British light dragoons, the 1st light dragoons
of the King's German legion, and the Brunswick
hussars and lancers, the above-mentioned battalions
withdrew from their exposed situation to the inte-
rior slope.

The French skirmishers, who had, during this
last attack by their cavalry, pushed forward a very
considerable force through the great orchard of
Hougomont, and along its eastern boundary, now
concentrated a most galling fire upon the squares
of the legionary brigade, whose commander, du
N Plat, was mortally wounded : several officers fell,
and all those that were mounted had their horses
shot under them. The fire ceased ; and in the
next moment the cuirassiers, having rallied, re-
newed their charge, but with no greater success

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. go,

than before ; and a third charge proved equally isth of
ineffectual against the determined bravery and
patient endurance of the soldiers of the legion.

About the time that du Plat's brigade moved
into the first line, a considerable body of French
cuirassiers, which still remained in the hollow
westward of La Haye Sainte, exposed to a fire
from one or two of the Allied batteries, advanced
at a walk, to make another effort to break the right
centre of Wellington's line. This proved as un-
successful as the previous attacks. The squares,
reserving their fire until the close approach of the
hostile cavalry, and then directing it against the latter
in the most cool and deliberate manner, which
the absence of all impetus in an attack at a walk
enabled them to do with unerring effect, soon
compelled the shattered squadrons once more to
withdraw from a contest which the unexampled
steadiness of the Allied infantry had rendered
almost hopeless on their part.

The French cavalry that attacked the squares of
du Plat's brigade, immediately in rear of Hougo-
mont, had no sooner been driven off by the gallant
resistance of the Germans, than the skirmishers,
who, as before observed, had advanced in such
numbers along the eastern inclosures of that post,
crept close up under the brow of that part of the
ridge on the interior slope of which was posted the
main body of the Brunswick infantry. At this
time, however, Lord Hill was bringing forward

1QO HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i sth of\ Adam's British light infantry-brigade, having di-
' rected it to cross the Nivelles road, and to advance
in columns up the slope, in rear of the Bruns-
wickers. (The brigade had, some time before,
been moved from the plateau on the right, close to
the edge of the Nivelles road, in which position it
had continued in immediate reserve.) Suddenly
the summit in its front was crowded with the
French skirmishers, who were almost as quickly
concealed by the smoke from the rattling fire which
they opened upon the Allied artillery and the
squares. The gunners, whose numbers were fear-
fully diminished, were speedily driven back from
their crippled batteries upon the nearest infantry,
upon which the concentration of this galling fire
threatened the most serious consequences. But
succour was at hand. Wellington, in the midst of
he shower of bullets, had galloped to the front of
Adam's brigade, ordered it to form line, four deep,
and then, pointing to the daring skirmishers on the
height, called out, with perfect coolness and un-
affected assurance, " Drive those fellows away !"
With loud cheers, the brigade moved rapidly up
the slope, eager to obey the Duke's commands.
From the want of sufficient space, the 52d regi-
ment was not formed in line with, but in rear of,
the 71st, and 2d battalion of the 95th, regiment,
to whicli it consequently served as aTsupport. The
French skirmishers began to give way as the firm
and intrepid front of the brigade presented itself

KRAXCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

101

to their view. Adam continued his advance, isth of

June.

driving the French infantry before him. On

crossing the ridge, the brigade brought forward its
right shoulders, and, when halted, it stood in a
slight hollow, which, commencing in front of the
right of the position occupied by Maitland's bri-
gade of guards, descends towards the north-east
angle of the great orchard of Hougomont. At the
former point the 2d battalion of the 95th regiment
formed the left, and at the latter, the 71st regiment
with the two companies of the 3d battalion of the 95th
regiment formed the right, of this line. The enemy's
cavalry having been perceived preparing for attack,
the battalions of the brigade formed squares ; and "X
as the interval between the 71st and the 2d batta-
lion 95th regiment, in this new position, was larger
than was desirable, Colonel Sir John Colborne
moved down the 52d regiment, in squares of wings
of battalions, to fill up the space, which he reached
just in time to throw a most effective oblique fire
upon the cavalry which was in the act of attacking
the 71st regiment.

The French carabiniers and horse-grenadiers of j
the guard made some gallant attacks upon the bri-
gade. They generally advanced by their right of
the Hougomont inclosures, then fell upon the 71st
regiment, by which their charge was invariably
broken, when such portions of them as continued
in any degree of order, rushed onward in apparent
infatuation upon the right wing square of the 52d

]Q2 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of regiment ; from the front and right faces of which

they received a close, well-directed fire, which

completed their disorder and confusion. In one of
these attacks, Major Eeles,* whose company of the
3d battalion 95th rifles was attached to the 71st
regiment, upon observing the approach of the ca-
rabiniers towards the right angle of the front face of
the square, moved his company to the right, in line
with the rear face, and, placing himself in its front,
prevented his men from firing until the carabiniers
approached within thirty or forty yards of the
square, when he ordered a volley, which, combined
with the cross-fire from the 71st, brought down so
many horses and men to the ground, at the same
moment, that the further progress of the charge
was most effectually frustrated. In an instant, one
half of the attacking force was on the ground ;
some few men and horses were killed ; more were
wounded ; but by far the greater part were thrown
down over the dead, the dying, and the wounded.
These, after a short interval, began to extricate
themselves from the mass, and made the best of
their way back to their supports, some on horse-
back, but most of them on foot.

Adam's brigade, by means of the advanced po-
sition which it thus occupied, along the space be-
tween the Hougomont inclosures and the right

* Colonel William Eeles, K.H., of the Rifle Brigade, died on the llth of
October, 1837.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. ] Q3

front of Maitland's brigade, presented an effectual ISA of
barrier to the advance of French cavalry against _
that portion of the Allied front line which was
situated upon the right of the latter point. In the
intervals between the charges of cavalry, it suf-
fered severely from the enemy's artillery, more
particularly the 71st regiment, and 2d battalion
95th rifles, the position of these regiments being
somewhat more exposed than that of the 52d.

Halkett's Hanoverian jtrjoade had moved from
its previous position, near Merbe-braine, into the
space within the angle formed by the Nivelles road
and the hollow way which leads from the right of
the front line down into the low ground below
Hougomont ; and it was shortly after Adam had
moved into his forward position, that Halkett ad-
vanced, with the landvvehr-battalions Osnabriick v /
and Salzgitter, and took post on the exterior slope
of the main ridge, in rear of du Plat's brigade.

It was now about six o'clock. The formidable
attacks made by the French, along the entire line
of the Anglo-allied army, had been productive of
no positive advantage : the advanced posts of
Hougomont and La Haye Sainte had successfully
resisted the furious assaults which had hitherto
been directed against them ; and the forward posi-
tion taken up by Adam's British brigade, made it
manifest to the French Emperor that, notwith-
standing the gallantry, enthusiasm, and devotion
displayed in those attacks, by the finest troops he

104 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of had ever assembled together, headed, too, by ge-

June. 3

_ nerals of the highest celebrity, still greater efforts,

and still greater sacrifices must be made, if he
hoped to drive the British lion from the position
which it yet proudly retained with so firm a footing,
before the Prussian eagle, which, for some time
past, had hovered over, and was at this moment
darting at his extreme right, should alight, in the
plenitude of its force, to satiate its thirst for ven-
geance in the fierce and sanguinary struggle.

Napoleon sent an order to Ney, to renew the
attack upon the centre. To execute this with
effect, however, fresh infantry was requisite, and
the Marshal had none at his disposal. He there-
fore despatched his first aide-de-camp, Colonel
Heymes, to represent to the Emperor the ex-
hausted condition of his troops, half of which were
placed hors de combat, and the other half overcome
by fatigue, and failing in ammunition ; and to re-
quest he would send him reinforcements. At this
moment, however, Lobau's corps and the young
guard were required for the security of the French
right flank against the offensive operations of the
Prussians ; consequently, the battalions of the old
guard, which constituted the only remaining re-
serve of infantry, could not be spared. To Ney's
demand for fresh troops, Napoleon therefore re-
plied, " Ou voulez-vous que fen prenne ? Voulez-
vous que fen fasse ?" Ney, on being made ac-
quainted with the manner in which his request had

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 1Q5

been received, saw very plainly that the battle was isthof
far from being gained ; and darted off to animate,
by his presence, the attack which was now renewed
upon La Haye Sainte, and which was covered by
a vigorous tire from the French artillery against
that portion of the Anglo-allied line immediately
in rear of this post, in order to disturb any attempt
to relieve or assist its defenders. The united
remains of Somerset's and Ponsonby's brigades,
which were on the reverse slope, behind Ompteda's
brigade of the King's German legion, and which
were extended in single file for the purpose of
making a show of force, suffered much from this
cannonade. On perceiving its effects, Lord Ux-
bridge sent an aide-de-camp to recommend Lord
Edward Somerset to withdraw his men from the
range of the enemy's guns. The latter sent back
word that, were he to do so, the Dutch- Belgian
cavalry, who were in support, would immediately
move off the field ! Somerset retained his position
until the end of the battle.

Shortly before the columns from Donzelot's
division advanced to this attack of La Haye Sainte,
a party of horse-artillery, which had been detached
from Whinyates's rocket-battery, proceeded, under
Captain Dansey,* along the Charleroi road, to the
front of the centre of the Anglo-allied line, and
came into action with rockets, near that farm,

* Now Lieut. Colonel Charles C. Dansey, Royal Artillerr.

10(J HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of leaving its two guns in the rear, under Lieutenant

June.

Wright.* Captain Dansey very soon received a
severe wound, which obliged him to retire ; and
the party, after firing a few rockets, fell hack a
little, to where its horses were standing. It was
then commanded by a Serjeant, (Daniel Dunnett,)
who, on perceiving the advance of the nearest
French column towards the farm, dismounted his
men as coolly and deliberately as if exercising on
Woolwich Common, though without any support
whatever ; laid rockets on the ground, and dis-
charged them in succession into the mass every
one of them appearing to take effect. The advance
of the column was checked, and was not resumed
until Serjeant Dunnett, having expended all his
rockets, retired with his party to rejoin the guns
in rear.

Major Baring's detachment, after its extraordi-
nary and successful exertions in repelling the pre-
vious assaults, was fearfully reduced in numbers j
but its excellent spirit and conspicuous bravery
remained unshaken. One circumstance, however,
could not fail to render unavailing all their efforts,
their courage, and their endurance. Notwith-
standing Major Baring's urgently repeated appli-
cations for a supply of ammunition, his men were
still left without the means of adequately defending

* Major Amherst Wright, Royal Artillery, died on the 27th September,
1840.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IX 1815.

107

their post against the host of enemies by which 1 8th of
they were successively assailed.* They cheerfully
repaired, as far as practicable, the gaps made in the
walls by the French artillery, and betrayed no
despondency as they looked upon the sad and
numerous proofs that lay around them of the im-
mense sacrifices they had already made. But
when, upon counting the cartridges, they disco-
vered that they had not, upon an average, more
than from three to four each, their consciousness of
the desperate situation to which they were reduced,
and of the impossibility of holding out under such
circumstances, led to remonstrances, which their
gallant commander could not but admit to be rea-
sonable. Yet no sooner did the latter, upon per-
ceiving two French columns again advancing to-
wards the farm, exhort them to renewed courage,
and also to a careful economy of the ammunition,

* Two different causes have been assigned for the non-compliance with
Major Baring's requisitions for ammunition ; namely, the interception of
the communication between the post and the main line, and the difficulty in
procuring rifle ammunition. The first appears scarcely tenable; for, al-
though the communication was frequently cut off by the French, as they
passed by the farm when attacking the main position, it was as frequently
open and available. This is sufficiently proved by the different reinforce-
ments that were sent into the farm : ammunition might have been escorted
thither with equal facility ; and yet Baring had made three distinct appli-
cations for a supply before the Nassau detachment was added to his force.
The difficulty of procuring rifle ammunition certainly appears a more pro-
bable cause ; but, even in this case, it is impossible to overlook the circum-
stance that, the post in question was immediately in front of the brigade to
which its defenders belonged, and of which two out of the four battalions
composing it were armed with rifles.

108 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of than he received the unanimous reply, " No man

June. . . . .

will desert you, we will fight and die with you !"

The French, exasperated by the protracted
resistance of this handful of brave defenders, now
came on with redoubled fury. The open end of
the great barn was first assailed. Again they
succeeded in setting the building on fire ; but the
Germans, having recourse to the same expedient
as on the previous occasion, again contrived to
extinguish the flames. Baring's anxiety and un-
easiness increased with every shot that was fired
by his men ; and he again sent to the rear for
ammunition, coupling his demand with a distinct
report, that he must and would abandon the place
should no supply be forthcoming. This message,
however, proved equally ineffectual. The fire of
the garrison was gradually diminishing : perplexity
was depicted in every countenance : many of the
men now called out urgently for ammunition,
adding, " We will readily stand by you, but we
must have the means of defending ourselves !"
Even their officers, who, during the whole day had
displayed the greatest courage, represented to their
commander the impossibility of retaining the post
under such circumstances. The French, who
failed not to observe the distressing situation to
which the defenders were reduced, now boldly
broke in the door at that end of the long western
building which is nearest to the entrance of the
great barn, already so frequently assailed. The

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IX 1815.

passage from the door through the building into isthof

the farm-yard having been barricaded, but few of .

the enemy could enter at a time. These were
instantly bayoneted, and the rear hesitated to
follow. They now climbed up the outer wall of
the long building, and mounted the roof, from
which they easily picked off the defenders, who,
not possessing the means of retaliation, were com-
pletely at their mercy. At the same time, they
pressed in through the open barn, which it was
impossible to defend any longer. Baring was now
reduced to the painful necessity of abandoning the
place, and gave the order to retire through the
dwelling-house into the garden. Many of the
men were overtaken in the narrow passage through
the house by the victors, who vented their fury
upon them in the lowest abuse and most brutal
treatment.*

* The passage through the farm-house to the garden in the rear was
narrow, and here the officers endeavoured to halt the men, and make one
more charge, but as the French had already commenced firing down the
passage, this was found impracticable. Ensign Frank, on perceiving a
French soldier levelling his musket at Lieutenant Graeme, called out to the
latter to take care; but, as he was still trying to rally his men, he replied,
t( Never mind, let the rascal fire !" At this instant the piece was levelled,
but it fell to the ground with its owner, whom Ensign Frank had stabbed
in time to save his friend. The French were now rushing into the house,
and the foremost of them having fired at Ensign Frank, his arm was shat-
tered by the bullet. Nevertheless he contrived to obtain shelter in a bed-
chamber, and succeeded in concealing himself under the bed. Two of the
men also took refuge in the same room ; but the French followed close at
their heels, crying, " Pas de pardon a ces coquins verds !" and shot them
dead close to Ensign Frank, who had the well-merited good fortune of
remaining undiscovered until the house again fell into the hands of the

110

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of Baring having satisfied himself that the pos-
session of the dwelling-house by the enemy must
render the garden quite untenable, and finding
that his officers fully agreed with him on this point,
he made the men retire, singly, to the main posi-
tion. The greater part of them, accompanied by
their brave but disconsolate commander, descended
into the high road by an opening in the bank ad-
joining the north east angle of the garden, and
retired along the opposite side of the chaussee.
Baring sent back to their respective regiments the
remains of the reinforcements he had received,
and, with the few men that were left of his own
battalion, he attached himself to two companies of
the 1st light battalion of the King's German legion,
which were then posted in the hollow-way close to
the right of the high road.

The surrender of La Haye Sainte, under the
circumstances which have been described, was as
purely honourable, as its defence against an over-
whelming and furious host had been heroically
brave. A thorough conviction that further resist-
ance must have been marked by the sacrifice of
the entire remnant of his courageous band, at once

Allies. Lieutenant Graeme, who had continued in tbe passage, was suddenly
seized by the collar by a French officer, who exclaimed to his men, "C'est
ce coquin !" Their bayonets were immediately thrust at him, but lie
managed to parry them with his sword, and as the officer for a moment
relinquished his grasp, Graeme darted along the passage, the French firing
two shots after him, and calling out, ''Coquin!" but they did not follow
him, and he succeeded in rejoining the remnant of his battalion.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. j j i

suggested to the mind of a commander like Baring, 18th of
gifted with the requisite discernment and fore-_
thought of a true soldier, the reservation of such
gallant spirits for some other part of the great
contest, in which they might yet face their enemies,
if not on equal terms, at least in a manner that
would render their bravery and devotion not alto-
gether unavailable in the general struggle for
victory.*

Loud and reiterated shouts of triumph having
announced to the French Emperor the capture of
La Have Sainte, he immediately ordered it to be
followed up by a vigorous attack upon the centre
of the Anglo-allied line, and by a simultaneous
renewal of the assault upon Hougomont.

It was quite evident to Ney, that without an ad-
ditional force of infantry, it would be impossible-
for him to follow up, with effect, the advantage
which he anticipated from the capture of La Haye
Sainte. The cavalry which Napoleon had placed
at his disposal, had been nearly annihilated in the J
course of its numerous attacks upon the Anglo-
allied line, attacks executed throughout with the
greatest gallantry, but unproductive of any solid or
decisive result upon a single point of that line. If
this arm, comprising the flower of the chivalric
cavalry of France, had failed him when it sallied

* For a nominal list of the officers who were present at La Haye Sainte,
in the glorious defence of that farm on the 18th of June, see Appendix 1.

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of forth, gaily exulting in the freshness of its vigour,
proudly conscious of the imposing attitude of its
masses, and unrestrainedly impatient for the on-
slaught which was to exalt still more its already
high renown, how could he calculate upon its
efficacy, now that it was comparatively paralyzed?
The state to which his infantry was reduced pre-
sented a prospect almost as cheerless. D'Erlon's
corps, severely crippled by its signally unsuccessful
attack upon the Anglo-allied left wing and centre,
had still further exhausted its force by repeated
assaults against La Haye Sainte, on its left ; and,
since the arrival of Billow, it had been compelled
to resort to active precautionary measures on its
right. On the other hand, Reille's corps had suf-
fered immense losses in its incessant, yet una-
vailing efforts to gain possession of the important
post of Hougomont. But Ney, " le plus brave des
braves," in whose character, resolution and perse-
verance were pre-eminent, was not to be deterred
by this discouraging aspect, from fulfilling, to the
best of his abilities, the task imposed upon him by
his imperial master. There can be but little doubt
that at the time he made his urgent demand upon
the Emperor for a fresh supply of infantry, he had
projected an assault upon the Anglo-allied right
wing, in accordance with that prominent feature
in the tactics of the empire, the column of attack
in mass of battalions to be supported by his
cavalry, whilst this arm still continued vigorous

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. |J

and effective. Now, however, his exhausted means isth of
precluded the execution of such a plan of attack,
and he therefore had recourse, as far as was prac-
ticable with his reduced extent of force, to another
system, which had been attended with so much
success in the time of the republic, and which had
always found great favour with the French sol-
diery the grand attack en tirailleurs. In this way
he would be better enabled to conceal the weakened
condition of his troops, and he might also succeed
in making such an impression upon some important
point of the Allied line, as would induce the Em-
peror to seize upon the advantage gained, and,
launching forth his reserve, strike the decisive
blow.

The whole of Donzelot's division, supported by
a part of Ajix's^jrvisinn, as also a considerable /
body of cuirassiers, forming the gallant remnants
of entire regiments, were put in motion against the
centre of the Anglo-allied line ; whilst fresh, rein-
forcements were poured down from Reille's corps
into the Hougomont inclosures.

The first disposition made by the captors of La
Haye Sainte was to avail themselves of the advan-
tage which the possession of the farmhouse, the
garden, and the adjacent high bank afforded them
for pouring a commanding fire upon the two com-
panies of the 95th British rifles, which occupied
the knoll by the sandpit, on the opposite side of
the road ; when these, being at the same time

VOL. II. I

|]4 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of pressed in front, finding their post no longer ten-

June. . _ . . TTT

_ able, retreated upon their mam body in the Wavre
road. The French at the same time contrived to
push two guns round by the garden-hedge to the
bank of the high road, and immediately opened a

x /fire of grape upon Kempt's brigade, posted along,
and in rear of, the Wavre road, on the opposite
side of the chaussee ; but this was speedily silenced
by the 1st battalion of the 95th British rifles, who,
taking a deliberate aim at the artillery-men, de-
stroyed them before they could discharge a second
round. There then issued from under cover of
the farm, a large body of infantry, which, as it
ascended the main ridge, spread out into a v ery
close line of skirmishers, who pressed boldly for-
v ward against the left of Alten's division.

Their concentrated fire was telling fearfully
upon the devoted squares. Alten sent an order to
s/Ompteda to deploy one of his battalions, if prac-
ticable, and advance against the enemy. Ompteda,
as brave and high-minded a soldier as ever graced
the profession of arms, was quite prepared to exe-
cute the order, but being fully aware, from pre-
vious observation, that in the hollow behind the
curtain formed by the tirailleurs there lay in wait
a body of the enemy's cavalry, he felt it his duty
to represent the imminent risk which was likely to
attend such a movement. At this moment of he-
sitation, the Prince of Orange rode up to Ompteda
and ordered him to deploy. The latter respectfully

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

submitted the same opinion he had before expressed ISA of
to Alten's messenger ; whereupon his Royal High- _
ness became impatient, repeated the order, and
forbad further reply. Ompteda, with the true
spirit of a soldier, instantly deployed the 5th line v
battalion, placed himself at its head, and gallantly
led it against the mass of tirailleurs, who had con-
tinued to crowd forward, and under whose teazing
fire the Germans displayed the greatest steadiness
and bravery. The French gave way as the line
advanced at the charge ; and as it approached the
garden of La Haye Sainte, they suddenly and
rapidly sought shelter along the hedges. In the
next moment, the battalion was furiously assailed /"
by a regim^nJ^^iLiuiirassiers, who, taking the line
in its right flank, fairly rolled it up. This cavalry-
charge, pre-concerted with great skill, and executed
with amazing rapidity, proved awfully destructive
to the courageous but unfortunate Germans ; and
fully, and fatally, confirmed the truth of the un-
heeded prediction of their intrepid commander.
So severe was the loss sustained, that out of the
whole battalion, not more than about 30 men with
a few officers were gradually collected in the
hollow- way that lay along the front of the left of
the brigade. Amongst the slain was Ompteda
himself, who, with his followers, thus fell a sacrifice
to the absence of that precaution, the necessity for
which he had vainly endeavoured to impress upon
his superior officer.

116

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of Whilst the French cuirassiers were cutting and
Ie ' stabbing in all directions, and completing their
work of destruction amidst the unfortunate Ger-
mans, the 95thJBritish rifles, who, from the other
side of the high road, had been attentive observers
of the scene, had already taken aim at the cui-
rassiers, but had refrained from firing, fearing to
injure their friends, at length poured in amongst
them a terrific volley, just at the very moment

when the 3rd hussars of the King's German legion

advanced to the rescueoF their compatriots, which
sent both sides flying, and completely cleared the
front of Ompteda's brigade. Shortly afterwards
the 3rd hussars again advanced, but the support of
the cuirassiers having, in the mean time, ascended
the slope, the former, so inferior in numbers, were
brought to a stand, and, after a brief struggle, were
compelled to withdraw.

A mass of tirailleurs now ascended by their left,

from the hollow westward of La Have Sainte, and

*\ / '

vpushed forward with great boldness against the

advanced square "^[[MaMElid!s_-British brigade,
formed by the 3rd battalion of the 1st foot guards.
Their fire, concentratect upon the square, and
maintained with astonishing rapidity and vigour,
was most galling to the British guards. Also upon
their left another portion of their numbers poured
a destructive fire upon the left square of Adam's
^/ brigade, formed by the 2nd battalion of the 95th
rifles. The exposed situation of the 3rd battalion

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 117

of guards, the fire from which in square was ne-
cessarily so vastly disproportioned to that by which -
it was assailed, caught the eye of the Duke of
Wellington, who immediately rode up to the bat-
talion, and ordered it to form line and drive the
skirmishers down the slope. Its commander, Lieut.
Colonel D'Oyley instantly wheeled up the right
and left faces of the square, the right half of the
rear face accompanying the former, and the other
half the left face, into line with the front face,
and charged the enemy down the hill. A body of
French cavalry was now observed approaching,
but the battalion re-formed square with great ra-
pidity and regularity. The cavalry refused the
squai'e, but receiving its fire, and then dashing
along the front of the 52nd regiment, it exposed
itself to another vigorous fire by which it was
nearly destroyed ; whilst the 3rd battalion of the
guards retired, in perfect order, to its original
position.

The reinforcements from Reille's corps having
moved to Hougomont, the skirmishers in and
around this post were relieved upon all points.
The wood, as also the fences on either flank, soon
swarmed with tirailleurs ; and the brisk rattle of
musketry that followed, intermingled with shouts
of " En avantr* seemed to betoken a determi-
nation on the part of the French that the capture
of La Haye Sainte should not be their only tri-
umph achieved in front of the Anglo-allied army.

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth cf Everywhere the assault was bravely met by the
gallant defenders of the post. The flank com-
panies of the guards, within the walls and build-
ings, held at defiance every attempt of their assail-
ants to dislodge them from their cover. By this
time, all the outhouses were on fire, with the ex-
ception of those that fronted the wood. The roof
and upper story of the chateau had fallen in, and
flames continued bursting forth on all sides with
the greatest fury. The heat had become so intense
as to produce upon the men whose duty brought
them within its influence, a feeling of suffocation ;
while the frequently emitted volumes of thick
smoke gave an indistinctness to every object
around them. Yet so admirable was the system of
defence, so perfect were the discipline and the
order, maintained throughout this trying scene, by
the devoted garrison, that the enemy completely
failed in forcing an opening at any one point. The
well maintained fire from the walls was such as to
deter the French from attempting an escalade.
Whilst the central portion of the tirailleurs kept
up an incessant fire from behind the hedge and
trees facing the south buildings and the gardens,
the remainder pressed on in crowds against the in-
closures by which the post was flanked. On the
right, the 2nd battalion of the Coldatr^am guards,
lining the hedge that bordered the main approach
to the chateau, successfully withstood this furious
onset. On the left, the 2nd battalion of the 3rd

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. H<

guards, in the orchard, having suffered such fright- 18th ot '

ful losses, found it impossible to stem the over-

whelming torrent, and speedily fell back upon
its friendly hollow-way. The French tirailleurs,
pushing forward in pursuit, were staggered by the
sudden and vigorous fire opened upon them by the
troops within the eastern garden-wall ; and the 3rd
guards having, in the mean time, been reinforced
by the 2nd line battalion and the light companies
of du Plat's brigade, drove the enemy back to the
front hedge of the orchard ; whence, however, they
were shortly, in their turn, compelled to retire.
Again the flank fire from the eastern garden-wall,
combined with that in front from the defenders of
the orchard, as they reached the rear hedge, com-
pelled the enemy to fall back. The 3r4__guards
once more lined the front hedge, and also, in con-
junction with the light troops of du Plat's brigade,
and the remains of both the Brunswick advanced-
guard-battalion, and the 1st battalion of the 2nd
regiment of Nassau, forced the entrance into the
wood near the south-east angle of the garden -wall,
and firmly established themselves in that quarter.

At the commencement of this last mentioned M
attack upon Hougomont, the right of Adam's
brigade was considered too near the inclosures of
that post, and exposed to be taken from thence in
flank. It was therefore withdrawn further up the
slope, towards the crest of the main position ; and
after a brief interval, it retired to the reverse slope

120

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of in order to be covered from the enemy's cannonade

'__ which had been directed against it.

It was now nearly s^jtee elcjock. The troops
defending Hougomont and its inclosures had suc-
ceeded in repelling the last assault, and the contest
in and around this post again degenerated into a
tiraillade, kept up with more or less vigour on all
points. Along the front of the extreme right of
the Anglo-allied line, the skirmishers from Mit-
chelTs^British infantry-brigade maintained their
ground with great steadiness and gallantry. The
main bp^.y_o^_JlieJirunswick infantry stood on the
interior slope, in rear of AdanVs brigade ; and
Chasse's Dutch-Belgian infantry-division, which
had arrived from Brame-la-leud, was deployed
along, and in rear xjf, the Nivelles road, its centre
intersected by the narrow road leading from the
chaussee to the village of Merbe-braine, which
position it had taken up on the advance of Adam's
brigade to the general front line. In frontTof~lhe
Anglo- allied left, the skirmishers of both armies
^were continually engaged ; and upon the extreme
left the troops in Smohain, La Have, Papelotte,
and adjacent inclosures, successfully resisted all
attempts of the enemy to dislodge them. The
attack upon the centre of the Anglo-allied line
had been incessant from the moment La Haye
Sainte fell into the possession of the French. On
their left of the Charleroi road, they debouched
from that farm, and ascended the position in clouds

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

of skirmishers. One portion of them crowded 18th f

June.

upon the artificial mound which abutted upon the
high bank of the road, and was situated about
sixty yards only in front of the hollow-way occu-
pied by Ompteda's brigade. On the opposite side
of the Charleroi road, the fire from the French
troops on the knoll above the sand-pit was main-
tained with remarkable rapidity and perseverance.
They continued, as before, to conceal themselves
as much as possible under the brow of the knoll,
exposing only so much of their bodies as was ne-
cessary to enable them to fire over its crest, in a
kneeling position. This fire was replied to with
the greatest spirit and determination on the part
of Kemplls and Lambert's brigades. On the
Allied right of the high road, the exhausted rem-
nant of Ompteda's brigade was no longer a match
for the daring tirailleurs that crowded together in

CJ O

its front. Its stock of ammunition had begun to
fail : many who had not a cartridge left fell to the
rear, and more than the usual number assisted the
wounded out of action.

Exposed as Alton's division had been to the
most furious assaults of artillery, cavalry, and in-
fantry, the British and German brigades of which
it was composed had become awfully diminished ;
and the facility which the possession of La Haye
Sainte now afforded the French for continuing
their desperate endeavours to force that part of
the Allied line, rendered the situation of these

122 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of troops extremely critical. Alten, who had through-
June.

out the day displayed that same coolness, intre-
pidity, and skill, which had characterized his
career in the Peninsular war, and who, by his
presence and example, had so powerfully sustained
the energies of his men, was not permitted to wit-
ness the closing scene of their glorious exertions ;
for about this time he was wounded, and compelled
to quit the field, leaving the command of the divi-
sion to his gallant countryman, Kielmansegge.

At a short distance in rear of Lambert's brigade
stood that of Pack* (with the exception of the 1st
Royjil__Scpts, then in front line,) in contiguous
columns at quarter distance, its right resting on
the high road, while further to the rear, as a re-
serve, was posted Vinke^s_Hanoyerian brigade,
having twjj-of its battalions, Hameln and Gifhorn,
in contiguous close columns on the left of the road,
and the other battalions, Peine^and HiLdesheim, in
a similar formation, on the right of the road, near
the farm of Mont St. Jean.

The pertinacity and zeal displayed by the
French in their attacks upon the centre of the
Anglo-allied line, and the indications now mani-
fested of following them up with increased force,
were in accordance with Napoleon's great object
of breaking that centre, and overthrowing the right
wing, of the Duke's army ; and for the execution
of this latter part of his plan, he was preparing to
strike another formidable blow, even now that the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 123

Prussians were fairly aux prises with the troops ISA of

constituting the extreme right of his army in and

around Planchenoit. But previously to entering
into the subject of the concluding scene of the
struggle between the Anglo-allied and French -
armies, it will be necessary to revert to the opera- ^y
tions of the Prussian forces, in order to arrive at a
full and comprehensive development and due inter-
connection of all the leading features and various
bearings of the great battle, the result of which
was to determine the issue of the campaign in
Belgium.

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

CHAPTER XIII.

Advance of the Prussians towards the field of Waterloo Difficulties and
impediments attending their march The 15th and 16th Prussian brigades
reach the wood of Paris At half-past four o'clock, Bliicher decides upon
attacking the right flank of the French army with these brigades, without
waiting for the arrival of more of his troops Prussian cavalry driven back
by Doniont Three Prussian battalions attack the extreme right of the
French general front line, near Smohain, but are compelled to retire into the
village Napoleon detaches Lobau's corps in support of Doniont Bliicher's
dispositions The French regiments of the old and middle guard take up the
position, in reserve, on the heights of La Belle Alliance, vacated by Lobau's
corps Lobau becomes engaged with Billow The remainder of Biilow's
corps reaches the field Bliicher's dispositions Relative strength of
Billow's and Lobau's forces Napoleon detaches the young guard to
Planchenoit, in support of Lobau's right At about six o'clock, Bliicher
is informed that Thielemann is attacked by a superior force at Wavre He
does not allow this circumstance to deter him from his present purpose
Billow attacks Planchenoit Contest in the village The Prussian troops
driven out Having rallied, they renew their attack Napoleon detaches
two battalions of the old guard to Planchenoit The Prussians are again
driven out of the village, and pursued as far as their main position French
and Prussian cavalry become engaged Napoleon, perceiving preparations
on the part of the Prussians for renewing the attack upon Planchenoit, de-
taches General Pelet with another battalion of the old guard to that village
Critical situation of Napoleon He resolves on making a renewed and
formidable attack upon Wellington's line Wellington despatches Lieut.
Colonel Fremantle to the left, to seek for the Prussian forces expected on
that flank Situation of the Duke, and state of the Anglo-allied troops
Napoleon's dispositions for the attack The advanced guard of Zieten's
corps approaches the extreme left of the Anglo-allied line Vivian's and
Vandeleur's light cavalry -brigades are removed from that flank to the centre
Wellington's dispositions Centre of the Duke's line vigorously assailed
by the French troops collected in and about La Haye Sainte Sudden and
destructive fire opened upon Kielmansegge's brigade from French guns
brought up to the very crest of the Allied position The Prince of Orange
is wounded whilst leading forward the Nassau troops to repel the French

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

attack upon that part of the line Wellington reinforces the latter with five
battalions of Brunswick infantry These, together with Kielmansegge's,
Ompteda's, and Kruse's brigades, are compelled to fall back a short distance
The Duke rallies the Bruns wickers, who maintain their ground, as do
also the before mentioned brigades Vivian's hussar-brigade draws up in
rear of these troops Kielmansegge, on whom the command of the 3rd
division has devolved, succeeds in establishing the latter upon its former
position.

BLUCHER'S dispositions for the grand flank move- isthof

June.

ment of his army towards the field on which Wel-
lington had announced to him his intention of
accepting battle from Napoleon, provided he might
calculate on the Marshal's assistance, were fully
described in Chapter VIII. Reconnoitring parties
and patroles had been pushed forward, early in the
day, to feel for the left of the Anglo-allied army,
the communication with which was successfully
established. It then became desirable to explore
the ground that lay more to the right front of the
Prussians, in the direction of the right flank of the
main French army, in order to ascertain the nature
of any precautionary measures adopted by Napo-
leon to impede the junction of the Allied com-
manders. Major van_^Liitzow, of the Staff, was
sent upon this duty, with a detachment of the 2nd
Silesian hussars ; and on reaching the wood of
Paris, he not only found this unoccupied, but dis-
covered that no steps whatever had been taken by
the French to cover and secure their right flank.
A Prussian troop of hussars advanced beyond the
wood of Paris, to a point near Frischermont,

126

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of whence it had a good view of both the French and

'__ Allied dispositions and movements ; and where it

was not even menaced by the approach of any
hostile party.

As Major von Liitzow, fully alive to the im-
portance of speedily occupying the wood of Paris,
was returning to communicate the above intelli-

gence to the Prince, he met General von Grolman,
the quarter master general of the army, to whom
he immediately represented how matters stood ;
when this officer directly pushed forward the Sile-
sjan hussars and two battalioj^__^fjnfantry from
Billow's advanced guard, to take possession of the
wood, these troops having fortunately just crossed
the defile of St. Lambert. Grolman at the same
time sent a message to the Prince, suggesting that
the 15tk and 16th brigades should be ordered to
follow the advanced guard, as soon as they should
be collected on the French side of the defile.

Great as had been the difficulties hitherto en-
countered along the Prussian line of march, the
passage of the defile of St. Lambert seemed to
present an almost insurmountable obstacle. The
rain which had set in during the afternoon of the
17th, and had continued without cessation the
entire night, had transformed the valley of the
Lasne into a perfect swamp. The miry and
watery state of the roads between Wavre and St.
Lambert, had caused so many stoppages and
breaks in the columns that they were frequently

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 127

lengthened out for miles. Bliicher showed himself ISA of

on every point of the line of march, encouraging .

his exhausted soldiers, and inciting them to re-
newed efforts. The troops, after a short halt to
collect their scattered ranks, entered the defile.
As the ground yielded to their pressure, both
cavalry and infantry became dispirited j and when
the artillery were fairly checked, by the guns
sinking axle-deep ; and the men, already worn
down by fatigue, were required to work them out,
their murmurs broke forth in exclamations of
" We cannot get on." " But we must get on,'* \f
was old Bliicher's reply ; "I have given my word
to Wellington, and you will surely not make me
break it : only exert yourselves a few hours longer,
children, and certain victory is ours." This
appeal from their venerated chief was not made in
vain : it served to revive the drooping energies of
the wearied, and to stimulate still further to suc-
cessful exertion the more robust and able-bodied.

At length, after considerable delay and cdhstant .
difficulty, the passage of the 15th and 16th bri- VJ
gadcs, as also of the reserve .ojllujih cavalry and
artillery was accomplished, and by four o'clock,
these troops had ascended the opposite slope of
the valley, and reached the plateau of the ridge
which, constituting the narrow interval between
the Lasne and the Smohain, with a rapid fall on
either side towards those streams, presented a
comparatively dry and firm soil, favourable for the

128 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of farther operations of the Prussian forces in this
_ direction.

As the troops reached the wood of Paris, they
were disposed, with a considerable front, and in a
close compact order, on each side of the road
leading: from Lasne towards Planchenoit. The

artillery kept the road itself ; and the cavalry was
drawn up in rear of the wood, ready to follow the
infantry.

The 13th and 14th brigades were expected to
join in a short time ; and Pirch's corps was fol-
lowing along the same line. It had been Bliicher's
intention to await the arrival of these troops, and
then to debouch with the assembled force ; but
having watched the progress of the battle, he be-
came apprehensive, on perceiving the tremendous
cannonade, and the renewed attack after four
o'clock, that the enemy might direct a still greater
force against Wellington's line, and succeed in
breaking the latter before he commenced the attack
on his side of the field. He could clearly distin-
guish Napoleon's reserves, in rear of La Belle
Alliance, evidently prepared for being launched
against the Anglo-allied line, which had already
sustained the most desperate attacks. The fre-
quent and pressing communications he had re-
ceived from the Duke, also showed how anxiously
the latter relied on his support. These consi-
derations satisfied the Prince, that the moment had
arrived in which his appearance on the field would

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 129

be productive of consequences the most favourable
to the views of his ally, and the most influential
on the development of their combined exertions ;
and he now gave the order for the attack to com-
mence, even with the small amount of force then
at his disposal, as also for the hastening of the
march of the troops still in the rear.

It was half-past four o'clock when the 15th and
16th brigades debouched from the wood of Paris;
the former on the right, the latter on the left ; and
each in the usual brigade-formation for advance
peculiar to Prussian tactics. The direction of the
attack was perpendicular to the right flank of the
French army, and consequently, also, to the
Charleroi road, which constituted the French main
line of operation.

In order to cover the left flank, Colonel^von
Hiller, commanding the 16th brigade, detached
both the 3rd battalions of the 15th regiment
and the 1st Silesian landwehr, under Major von
Keller, to keep a look-out in that direction" as far
as the rivulet of the Lasne ; beyond which, Major
von Falkenhausen was scouring the country with
100 horsemen of the 3rd regiment of Silesiar^/
landwehr-cavalry. General von Losthin, com-
manding the 15th brigade, detached three batta-
lions towards Frischermont and Smohain, to cover
the right flank. They were the 2nd ^battalion of
the 18th regiment, and the 3rd battalion of the

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of 3rd Silesian landwehr, followed by the 1st battalion

June. c .

of the former regiment.

DojaonJ^ cavalry continued drawn up en po-
tence, and was at a considerable distance from the
Prussian advance, when Bliicher ordered a can-
nonade to open upon it, more with a view to make
known his arrival to the Anglo-allied army, and
to induce the French to withhold the employment
of a still greater force against the latter, than from
any motive affecting his own immediate operations
at the moment.

Domont now sent forward a regiment jgfjshas-
seurs a cheval to attack the Prussian column,
whilst he followed with his whole line. Hereupon
the 2nd SiUsian. hussars, and the 2nd Neumark
landwehr-cavalry, moved through the intervals~~bf
the infantry, and formed up in front, the hussars
to the left, and the landwehr to the right. They
then advanced, followed by the 3rd Silesian land-
wehr-cavalry in support, and drove back the
French chasseurs ; but becoming menaced in flank,
and observing Domont's whole line advancing,
they were, in their turn, compelled to retire. This
movement was covered by the horse-battery No.
11, and more particularly by Captain Schmidt's
foot-battgry^of the 15th brigade, which drew up to
oppose the pursuit of the French cavalry. The
vigorous fire which continued to be maintained by
both these batteries, combined with the advance of

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

the Prussian infantry-columns, induced Domont to isth of

June.

decline following up his attack at the moment.

O L

The three battalions already mentioned as
having been detached to the right, had, by this
time, reached Smohain. Their advance in that
direction had been conducted with so much cau-
tion, that they debouched from the south-eastern
inclosures of the village most unexpectedly for
both the Allied troops in that vicinity, and the
infantry forming the extreme right of the French
front line. The Prussians continued to advance ;
crossed the principal fence which separated them
from the French extreme right, and drew up in
line almost at right angles with the direction of
the enemy's front two battalions in line, with the
third in support. It was half-past five o'clock
when this took place. The French at once ad-
vanced against them, whereupon the Prussians
retired, and after regaining the hedges in the val-
ley, lined the latter as skirmishers, and maintained
a vigorous and successful tiraillade with their
opponents.

In the mean time Napoleon, judging from the
boldness of the Prussian advance, that consi-
derable support was at hand, and apprehensive, no
doubt, of the evil consequence likely to arise from
that advance, if not promptly and effectually
checked, had ordered the 6th corps, under Count
Lobau, to move forthwith to the right from its

132

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of reserve-station, in rear of La Belle Alliance, and,

une ' in conjunction with Domont'^^avalry, take up a

position favourable for repelling the attack by

which he was menaced on that side of the field.

Bliicher, observing this disposition, the execution

of which was effected with great rapidity and in

good order, proceeded to give a broader and more

imposing front to his own troops. He extended

his right flank to the wooded heights of Frischer-

mont, and rested his left upon a ravine descending

to the Lasne, close to the wood of Virere. The

^/reserve-cavalry, under Prince William of Prussia,

was put in motion, in two columns, towards the

left flank, on which it was subsequently formed up.

When Lobau's corps moved off to the right, the

/ regiments of the old and middle guard advanced

and took up the position, in reserve, which it had

\ occupied on the heights in rear of La Belle

Alliance.

As Lobau's corps advanced and passed Domont's
cavalry, the latter was disposed as a support.
Having crossed the valley which, commencing
from the ridge above Planchenoit, on the north
side of the village, descends towards Smohain, he
opened a brisk fire from his guns upon Biilow's
line. A spirited cannonade ensued, in the course
of which the Prussian foot- battery No. 14 had
three guns disabled. It was not long, however,
before the remaining brigades of Biilow's corps,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 133

the 13th and 14th, came up. Their batteries has- \^ of

v June.

tened to the front, and materially increased the

force of the Prussian fire.

Bliicher, who had now the whole of Billow's
corps at his disposal, was bent upon following up
his original intention of directing his attack
against the enemy's rear. With this view he made
the 16th brigade take ground to its left, and
brought up the 14th brigade in its rear, as a sup-
port ; whilst at the same time he supplied the place
of the former in the line by posting the 13th bri- v
gade on the left of the 15th. General von Hacke,
who commanded the 13th brigade, detached the
1st and 3rd battalions of the 2nd Neumark land-^-
wehr to the right, in support of the troops in Smo-
hain. A portion of this detachment occupied
Frischermont, thus obtaining an appui for the
Prussian right flank, and securing the communi-
cation with the Prince^of Saxe-Wei mar's brigade,
posted among the inclosures in front of the ex-
treme left of the Anglo-allied army. This flank
was also covered by the West Prussian uhlans and
the 2nd^innarkjandwehi!rcavalry. that had been
detached from the reserve-cavalry of the 4ih_jci}rps,
under Prince WiUiam__of_^russia, which was fol-
lowing, as a support, the left wing of Billow's line,
now advancing in the direction of Planchenoit.
The artillery along the Prussian line had by this
time assumed a formidable appearance, the follow-
ing batteries of the corps having come successively

134 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of into action, the 12-pounder batteries Nos. 3 and

June.

6-pounder batteries Nos. 2, 13, 13, and 21,
and the horse-Balteries^ Nos.~TT~and 12 com-
prising altogether 6jLgiins.

The ground over which Billow's corps was now
in the act of advancing, was highly favourable for
the development of a force destined to attack the
flank of an army, the front of which was so com-
pletely aux prises with the enemy as was that of
the French at this moment. Nearly at all points
it commanded the position occupied by the French
right en potence ; the line was remarkably well
appuid on the flanks ; and its front was parallel
with the enemy's main line of operation.

The force which Lobau had at his disposal was
greatly inferior to that of the corps he was sent to
oppose. The former amounted to LS_battalions,
18 squadrons, and 42 guns the latter (exclusive of
the six battalions and eight squadrons detached to
the right) consisted of JO battalions, 27 squadrons,
and (M_guns. He could not present a front suffi-
ciently extensive and compact that would secure
him from being turned in either flank. Hence,
when he perceived that the principal force in this
well-planned attack was advancing from the Prus-
sian left, in the direction of Planchenoit, which
then lay in his right rear, unoccupied by any
French troops, he felt the necessity of retiring
towards the Charleroi road, which he did by with-
drawing his brigades en echiquier.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. joc

It was not long before several round shot from isthof

June.

the Prussian batteries reached the Charleroi road ;

some of them falling both in front and in rear of
La Belle Alliance, where Napoleon was then sta-
tioned. It was evident to the latter that, unless
reinforcements were despatched in support of
Lobau, his right flank, already so seriously me-
naced, would speedily be turned. His trusty
guard, with which, in former campaigns, he had so
frequently succeeded in stemming the current that
had suddenly set in against him from some previ-
ously hidden source, and threatened to overwhelm
him, constituted the sole reserve at his disposal.
Engaged during so many hours in carrying on a
desperate attack along his whole front, without
having as yet secured one single point of vantage
ground, he clearly foresaw that without some vigo-
rous effort, by aid of a powerful reserve, no ray of
victory would ever gleam upon his arms on that
side of the field. But now that he was also en-
gaged in defensive operations, along his right,
against another enemy, by whom even his rear,
and the main line of his retreat became endan-
gered, the necessity of employing a portion of this
reserve in a direction different from that which he
had contemplated, was alike obvious and urgent.
The appearance of Billow's left bearing down upon
Planchenoit, turning Lobau's right, and the power-
ful batteries along the Prussian front, admirably
disposed in accordance with the favourable nature

136 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of of the ground, over which the whole line was gra-
dually approaching, distinctly indicated the imme-
diate possession of that village in force, as the true
and only measure that could be adopted for avert-
ing the impending danger. The two^diyisions of
the young guard, posted on the plateau on the
right of the chaussee close to Rosomme, and con-
sisting of four^_batalions of voltigeurs, and four
battalions of tirailleurs, were the nearest at hand
for the occupation of Planchenoit, and Napoleon
accordingly desired GenejiaLJ>hesme instantly to
march thither with that force, accompanied by_24^
pieces of cannon of the guard, and place himself
on the right of Lobau's corps.

It was about this time (six o'clock) that Napoleon
replied to Ney's demand for fresh infantry, "Ou
voulez-vous que fen prenne ? Voulez-vous que
fen fasse ?"* an expression, the force of which is
rendered sufficiently obvious by the critical circum-
stances of his position.

It was also at this period that Bliicher received
intelligence that Thielemann was attacked, by a
superior force at Wavre, and that it was doubtful
whether he would be able to maintain his ground.
But the determination of the Prince to carry out
his present plan of attack was fixed and irrevocable.
He saw clearly that it was on the field where he
himself stood, that the fate of the campaign must

* See page 104.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

137

be decided ; and that by giving the fullest effect in ieth of

his power to the combined operation which he

had pre-concerted with Wellington, and which was
already developing itself with so fair a prospect of
success, he was pursuing the right, and the only
course, by which the main army of Napoleon could
be overthrown a course founded upon the lead-
ing principle of all strategy, that of bringing the
greatest mass to bear upon the decisive point. He
immediately gave orders that Thielemann should
be directed to hold out as well as he could, and to
dispute every inch of ground with his opponents.
At the same time he desired Biilow to continue
pressing forward with his left, and to gain posses-
sion of the village of Planchenoit.

Colonel von Hiller, who commanded the 16th bri- ^
gade, formed the la^tter into three columnj_of attack.
Two battalions of the 15th regiment, under Major
von Wittig, marched on the right against the
village ; two battalions of the 1st Sileaian landwehr,
under Major von Fischer, in the centre ; and two
battalions--of the 2nd Silejian landwehr, under
Lieut. Colonel von Blandowsky, formed the left
column. The 14th JbrigadfiJEollowed as a reserve,
sending forward the 1st -battalions of the llth regi-
ment and 1st Pomeranian landwehr, as a support
to the columns of attack.

In the mean time the troops of the young guard .
had occupied Planchenoit, and made their disposi-
tions for its defence. As the skirmishers that pre-

138

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of ceded the Prussian columns approached the eastern
'__ inclosures of the village, they were received with a

most destructive fire by the French tirailleurs.
Some pieces of artillery were also brought to bear
directly upon the columns, which, nevertheless,
advanced with great bravery and steadiness, cap-
\ tured a howitzer and two guns, and gained posses-
sion of the churchyard. The occupation of this
spot, which is naturally strong, being inclosed
within a low stone wall, strengthened nearly all
round by a steep outer bank, and commanding by
its elevated position a very considerable portion of
the village, appeared to offer great security to the
Prussian troops, but the young guard, evidently
prepared for this contingency, flew to the surround-
ing houses and gardens, whence they opened a
concentrated fire upon the possessors of the church-
yard. To this the latter replied with great spirit,
and as the distance by which the hostile parties
were separated was extremely limited, numbers fell
in rapid succession on both sides. At length the
French supports having come up and joined in this
contest, and one of the columns having shown itself
in rear of the Prussians, the latter were compelled
to abandon the advantages they had acquired, and
to withdraw altogether from the village. They
were followed by some of Lobau's cavalry, which,
however, having fallen into the line of fire of the
Prussian battery, No. 2, was forced to retire.

The Prussian troops that had been driven out of

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. J3Q

Planchenoit immediately rallied and re-formed, isthof

J June.

The 2nd battalions of the llth regiment, and 1st \ f
Pomeranian landwehr now joined their respec- V
tive 1st battalions, which had previously acted in
support of the attacking columns, and advanced to
a second assault, followed by the 15th regiment.

Napoleon, perceiving the determination of the
Prussian commander to persevere in his attack
upon Planchenoit, as also his dispositions for com-
pletely turning the French right, ordered General
Morand. colonel-in~chief of the chasseurs a pied of
the old guard to march to the village with a bat-
talion from each of the second regiments of grena-
diers and chasseurs. These battalions reached the
scene of action just as the Prussians had re-entered
the village ; and taking the lead in the contest, t\f
succeeded in driving them out of the place, pur-
suing them as far as their main position on the
opposite heights. Here the French skirmishers
penetrated amongst the Prussian batteries, but
were overthrown and cut up by the 4th squadron
of the 2d Silesian hussars. The French cavalry
now showeoa disposition to advance, and it was
not long before a regimjmt_o__lancers, which took
the lead, was attacked and defeated by the 8th
Prussian hussars. In following up the pursuit,
however, after their charge, the hussars were sud-
denly involved in the fire from a battalion of
French infantry, and were forced to fall back. On
the other hand, a regiment of French chasseurs a

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of cheval was driven off in a similar manner bv a

June.

Prussian battalion.

By the advance of the ICth^and, 14th brigades
against Planchenoit, a vacant space had been
created in the Prussian line between those troops
and the 13th ajid4^thJbrigades, which still main-
tained their ground with great gallantry, in the
open field on the right. This vacant space was
now covered by the main body of the reserve-
cavalry _of_SiilQw's corps, commanded by Prince
William of Prussia, which by its perfect steadiness
and good countenance, not only induced the enemy
to confine himself to the defensive, but advanced
in support of the Prussian infantry, even into the
midst of the opposing musketry fire, and here
occupied the place which, had the line been com-
plete, would have been held by infantry. On this
occasion, the loss of the Prussian cavalry was con-
siderable. The brigadiers, Colonel Count Schwerin,
and Lieut. Colonel von Watzdorf, were killed.
The latter, although previously wounded, would
not quit the field, and was soon afterwards struck
by a shot which deprived the Prussian army of a
very distinguished officer.

Napoleon, observing preparatory dispositions
for a renewal of the attack on Planchenoit by
Billow, who was only waiting for the co-operation
and support of Pirch^s__cprps which was now
rapidly approaching, deemed it advisable to send a
further reinforcement to the troops in the village.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

This consisted of the 1st battalion of the 2nd regi- isthof

j-^^^ " ~ June.

ment of the chasseur-s-o-_te guard, under General
Pelet, to whom he represented the great importance
of maintaining possession of Planchenoit. At the
same time orders were sent to the 1st battalion of
the 1st regiment of chasseurs of the guard, which
was with the Emperor's baggage at Caillou, to
march to the wood of Chantelet, for the purpose of
covering the right of Planchenoit, and securing the
village from being turned.

The situation of Napoleon had become critical
in the extreme. The Prussian attack seemed to be
checked for the moment, and the occupation of
Planchenoit in sufficient force held out the prospect
of a protracted, if not a successful, struggle in that
quarter, should the attack be renewed. Still it
must have appeared sufficiently evident to the
Emperor that Bliicher was but awaiting either the
arrival of an additional portion of his army, or the
favourable moment when he might combine his
attack with a simultaneous one by Wellington.
Should the Prussian general succeed in defeating
the troops comprising the French right en potence,
Napoleon's line of retreat by the Charleroi road
would be completely intercepted, and his main
front line being thus taken in flank and rear, would
become an easy prey to the Anglo-allied army. He
might yet attempt a skilful retreat upon Nivelles,
but with an army so exhausted by its repeated and
ineffectual attacks upon Wellington's unshaken

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

of line, this would have been a hazardous operation.
It is, moreover, very questionable whether the idea
of retreat ever entered into his views ; for a retreat,
after such sacrifices had been made, harassed and
interrupted as it undoubtedly would be by the two
hostile armies, which had succeeded in effecting a
junction, must prove no less disastrous than a
signal defeat, and equally involve the downfall
of his military and political power. Hence his
desperate resolve to peril the fate of his brave
army and of his resuscitated empire upon another
and a final struggle for victory over Wellington,
whose troops had with such truly heroic courage,
and such inflexible endurance, successfully with-
stood the most furious attacks which he had re-
peatedly launched against them during the whole
day. By a victory alone, no matter how dearly
purchased, could he hope to keep alive the national
enthusiasm which he had again awakened, but
which would assuredly relapse into irrecoverable
apathy, should the prestige of returning glory be
torn from the idol of the military portion of his
subjects, and the empire become again exposed to
be overrun by those foreign legions that had once
more taken up arms, with a firm resolve finally to
crush a power, the existence of which was incom-
patible with the security and independence of the
states of Europe.

As the prospect of the consequences of failure
thus flashed across his mind, Napoleon, like a des-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 143

perate gambler, driven to his last stake, deter- isthof

mined to risk his all upon another venture. The .

meditated blow was to be struck against his bold
antagonist, Wellington, whose line was to be at-
tacked along its entire front by a simultaneous
effort, while its right and centre were to be forced
at all hazards. He immediately ordered General
I^rucrt to collect all the battalions of the guard that f
were still in reserve, in front of La Belle Alliance.
These were accordingly moved forward from their
position near the house of De Coster ; and the two
battalions of the 1st regiment_of^grenadiers, which
had previously been stationed on the height in rear
of La Belle Alliance, were now destined to form
a reserve to the attacking columns. D'Erlon and
Reille were at the same time ordered to advance
the whole of the remaining disposable force against
the enemy, with a view to second the main attack.
The centre of the Anglo-allied line, immediately
in rear of La Haye Sainte was not to be allowed
a moment's respite from the attacks which con-
tinued to be made against it by the troops occupy-
ing, and debouching from, that farm. These were
also to carry the centre by assault, as soon as the
guard should reach the height.

Wellington, who seemed to have acquired a
thorough insight into his opponent's designs, having
satisfied himself that his position was destined
shortly to be again assailed by a formidable force,
became anxious for the arrival of the Prussian

144 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of troops expected on his extreme left. He desired

his aide-de-camp, Lieut. Colonel Fremantle,* to

proceed immediately in that direction, to hasten
the advance of any corps he might fall in with,
and to represent to its commander that if he would
supply him with the means of strengthening those
points along his line which had been so seriously
weakened by repeated attacks, he entertained no
doubt of not only maintaining his ground, but of
also gaining the victory.

Although the Duke was fully aware that Biilow's
corps was in active operation against the extreme
right of the French army, the ground upon which
that operation was mainly carried on was too
remote from his own immediate sphere of action
to admit of his calculating upon support from
it, beyond that of a diversion of the enemy's
forces ; and it was only from the high ground on
which the extreme left of the Anglo-allied line
rested, that a general view could be obtained of
the Prussian movements. As regards, however,
the village of Planchenoit itself, the spire of the
church was all that could be seen even from the
point alluded to, so that it was scarcely possible
to distinguish which was the successful party in
that quarter. Napoleon might (as he really did)
present an efficient check to the Prussian attack,
and, at the same time, retain sufficient force where-

* Now Major General Fremantle, C.B.

FRANCE AXD BELGIUM IN 1815.

with he mi^ht make another vigorous assault upon isth O f

1 June.

the Anglo-allied army. When, therefore, the Duke
hehelcl his line so fearfully reduced in numbers,
which he had no means of replacing, and which
the indomitable courage of his British and German
troops alone had hitherto been able to supply, it
is not surprising that he should have manifested
some little impatience for the arrival of that por-
tion of the Prussian forces which was to co-
operate more immediately with his own army.
The latter, with the exception of the Dutch-
Belgian troops, which still continued in reserve,
for it was useless to place them where they would
be exposed to the brunt of the battle-shock, pre-
sented but a mere wreck of that proud array
which it had displayed in the morning. But, if
the vain confidence of strength had departed, the
more noble pride of unflinching bravery still re-
mained unshaken. Exposed, however, as they
had been for so many hours to a tremendous can-
nonade, which only ceased at times but to give
place to attacks of cavalry and musketry, their
exemplary passive forbearance seemed, in some
instances, to be approaching its utmost limits.
Frequent messages reached the Duke from com-
manding officers, soliciting reinforcements and
support, since their corps were reduced to skele-
tons ; but the only reply they received was, that
no reinforcements could be granted, and that they
must hold their ground to the last man. Occasion-

VOL. II. L

146 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of ally too, as he rode along the line, a murmur
" ne ' would reach his ear, indicative of impatience to
he led against the enemy. This would draw from
him some encouraging appeal, such as " Wait a
little longer, my lads, and your wishes shall be
gratified."

In all three arms of the service the losses had
been awfully severe. Battalions, dwindled to mere
handfuls of men, were commanded by either
captains or subalterns. A vast number of guns
along the whole extent of the line had been dis~
abled. The British and German cavalry-brigades,
with the exception of Vivjan's and Vandeleur's
on the left, were reduced to less than the ordinary
strength of regiments Somerset's and Ponsonby's
brigades united did not comprise two squadrons.
Many, it is true, had quitted the ranks to assist
the wounded ; but if among these were to be found
the weak- and faint-hearted, the brave spirits that
remained nobly represented the valour and devo-
tion which, under the guidance of a master-hand,
were destined to be crowned with lasting triumph.
Familiarized as the men had become with scenes,
in rapid succession, of violent death, under almost
every variety of aspect, from the sudden gush of
life to the slow and lingering anguish from the
calm and tranquil sleep " that knows no waking,"
to the ghastly writhings of convulsive death -
throes, the short and frequent command of " Close
up ! " as their comrades fell around them, was as

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 147

mechanically obeyed as would have been any com- isth of
mon parade-order in a barrack-square.

Such was the situation of the troops against
which Napoleon was meditating an assault with
all the force he could collect, in the hope his
last and only hope of seeing his eagles soaring
in triumph over those heights upon which the
British standard continued to wave in proud
defiance.

The battalions of the imperial guard which had -*/"
been collected in front of La Belle Alliance, and
which were to constitute the leading feature in the
general attack upon the Anglo-allied line, consisted
of teji battalions, exclusive of the two battalions of the
1st regiment of grenadiers, destined, as previously
observed, to remain as a reserve. These ten bat-
talions were formed into tw^columnsjpf attack. The
first comprised fnnr haila.1inns nf thft nvuldlf^ guard.,
namely, the 1st and 2nd ba,ttaljofl&_j3f the Srdjegi-
ment of grorinrliorfi) nnd thn l^t and 9nri battalions
of the 3rd regiment of_chasseurs. It was formed
in mass ofHSattalions, and destined to advance
against the centre of the right wing of the Anglo-
allied army. The second_olumn of attack con-
sisted of the our__ remaining battalions of the
middle guard namely, the 1st and 2nd battalions
of the 4thjegiment of grenadiers, and the 1st and
2ndjbattalions of the 4th regimenj^of chasseurs
and of two battalions of the old guard, namely, the
1st and ^m^Jjaitalions of the 1st regiment of

148 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

ioth of chasseurs. These six battalions were moved down

'_ into the hollow adjoining the south-eastern angle of

the inclosures of Hougomont, and there formed
into a column in mass, which was to support the
first column, and to direct its advance somewhat
more to the left.*

In rear, and on the right and left, of these
columns, stood the remains of that splendid cavalry,
with which Wellington's line had beenlsiTfunously
and so perseveringly assailed, occupying the inter-
val that had been continually augmenting between
d'Erlon's and Reille's corps. They formed the
last and only cavalry-reserve remaining at Napo-
leon's disposal, for following up the attack by the
guard, should the latter prove successful, or for
covering its retreat, in the event of failure.

It was shortlv before the columns of attack were

put in motion that Vivian, whose hussar-brigade
it will be recollected, was posted upon the extreme
left of the Anglo-allied line, was informed by
patroles which he had detached to look out to his
left for the expected arrival of the Prussians, that
the latter were advancing in force along the road

* At this time a French officer of cuirassiers galloped up to the Allied
line, as a deserter, and joining Lieut. Colonel Sir Augustus Fraser, (com-
manding the British horse artillery,) and Major Blair, (brigade major to
Major General Adam's brigade,) who were together in rear of the 52d
regiment, he announced to them that the line would be attacked, within
half an hour, by Napoleon with the imperial guard. Sir Augustus, after
having requested Major Blair to look to the deserter, rode off to communi-
cate this information to the Duke. Blair sent the French officer to the rear,
in charge of a Serjeant of the 52nd regiment.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

from Ohain. Having satisfied himself as to the isth of

... . June-

fact, and perceiving their advanced cavalry coming
on, Vivian felt that there could be no longer any
apprehension of the left of the army being turned ;
and, having previously understood from Sir William
Delancey* and other staff officers, that fresh cavalry
was much wanted in the centre, he proposed to
Vandeleur, who was on his right, and who was his
senior officer, that the two brigades should move
towards the centre, where they might be of service.
Vandeleur declined to act without orders ; where-
upon Vivian put his own brigade in motion, passing
along the rear of Vandeleur's, and soon after hav-
ing commenced his march he met Lord Uxbridge,
who was much pleased to find that the Duke's
wishes had thus been anticipated, and sent orders
to Vandeleur to follow, accompanying the former
brigade himself towards the centre, passing along
the foot of the slope in rear of the position of the
left wing of the Anglo-allied line.

The Prussian troops, whose approach had thus
iduced Vivian to quit the extreme left, were the
advanced guard of Zieten's_ corps, and consisted of
a part of the 1st infantryjjirigade, namely, the 3rd.
battalion_i2i]i_cegimeiit, the 1st and 2nd .battalions
24th_Ifigiment, the 3rd

landwehr, and the lst_an^_3rd_Silfi5iaii_jd5e com-
panies ; as also of a part of the reserve-cavalry,

* Colonel Sir William Delancey, K.C.B.,Deputy Quarter Master General,
was mortally wounded in this battle.

150 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of namely, the 1st Sileflian hussars, the Brandenburg

June.

uhlans, the Brandenburg_dragoons, and the 2nd

Kurmark Jgrnlwehr-ravalry. They had already
been joined by Lieut. Colonel Fremantle, who
delivered to Zieten the Duke's message,* in reply
to which that general remarked that he did not feel
himself authorized to detach his corps in the manner
proposed, adding, however, that the great mass of
the Prussian army was arriving upon the field.
/ The remainder of the reserve-cavalry which was
commanded by Lieut. General von Roder, together
with the main body of the corps, were still con-
siderably in the rear. They were met by Captain
Jacksoirf of the British staff-corps, who had been
sent to look for them. These troops did not reach
the field of battle until after the victory had been
decided.^

Wellington, finding that there was no chance of
his shattered line being strengthened by the arrival,
in sufficient time, of a Prussian force from his
left, to support his weak points of defence, and
that he must therefore depend solely on his own
resources for the means of warding off the despe-
rate blow which Napoleon was about to strike,
immediately made such dispositions as the circum-
stances of the moment appeared to him to demand.

* See page 144.

t Now Major Basil Jackson, h.p. Royal Staff corps.

t The effective strength of the Prussian troops on the field of Waterloo,
is given in Appendix II.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

The incessant attacks made by the French light-

June.

troops debouching from La Haye Sainte, from the
moment that farm fell into their possession, had
caused great havoc in the centre of his line, where
the want of reinforcement became most apparent.
To meet this deficiency, he ordered the Brunswick
battalions, which stood at this time in rear of
Maitland's and Adam's brigades namely, the 2nd
and 3rd light, and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd line, bat-
talions, to move by their left into the interval
between Halkett's British, and Kruse's Nassau,
brigades. To occupy the ground thus vacated by
the Bruns wickers, he put in motion d'Aubrgme's
Dutch-Belgian infantry-brigade from its recently-
assumed position in rear of the Mvelles road;
whence the other brigade of Chasse's Dutch-
Belgian division, under Major GepefaL^Ditmer,
was shortly afterwards ordered to move in the
direction of the left of Maitland's British brigade.
The remains of his cavalry stood in rear of the
centre, towards which Vivian's and Vandeleur's
brigades were now moving from the left, as pre-
viously explained.*

* It was about this time that the Duke, having observed six guns on the
right of Captain Bolton's battery, abandoned by the Belgians, desired
Colonel Sir George Wood (who commanded the artillery) to have them
withdrawn from the front line to the rear, a duty which was immediately
assigned to, and executed by, Lieutenant Anderson, 1 and a party of the before-
mentioned battery, with the exception of one gun, which being more in
advance, and the French columns approaching, covered by their skirmishers,
could not be removed with safety.

1 Now Major William C. Anderson, Royal Artillery.

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of Whilst the imperial guard was forming for at-
tack, the French troops in possession of La Haye
Sainte and its inclosures, now consisting of the
entire of Donzelot's division, from the left of
d'Erlon's corps, renewed, with redouhled vigour,
their assault upon the centre of the Allied line ; the
object being evidently either to force that point pre-
viously to the arrival of the guard on its left, and
thus facilitate the assault to he made by the latter,
or to harass it in such a manner that, should the
effort of the guard prove successful, they would be
enabled completely to overthrow the Allied centre.
The fire from the skirmishers that had located
themselves between the farm and the position, and
from those on the knoll by the sandpit, on the op-
posite side of the high road, had been incessant
since the capture of that post. Ompteda's brigade
of the King's German legion, which had hitherto
occupied the hollow-way that descends into the
chaussee, was reduced to a mere handful of men :
the two squares in which Kielmansegge's Hano.
verian brigade, the next on the (Allied) right, had
stood its ground so many hours, were fearfully di-
minished j Kruse's Nassau brigade, still further to
the right, formed in three contiguous columns, (two
in front and one in rear,) began to evince symp-
toms of hesitation ; and the interval between this and
Halkett's British brigade had become much greater
than was consistent with the due security of this
part of the line. So weakened indeed was the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. ^53

latter at this period, that, to remedy the evil, in istbof

June.

some degree, it had been deemed advisable, with a

view rather of giving it the appearance of greater
strength than of affording any very active support,
to draw close up in its rear, the skeleton remains
of the Scots Greys and of the 3rd hussars of the^
King's German legion. On the Allied left of the
high road, an unremitting fire was maintained
against their opponents by the 95th and 4th Bri-
tish regiments in extended order along the front
hedge of the Wavre road, commencing from the
Charleroi chaussee, as also from the 40th, 79th,
1st, and 28th British regiments, deployed behind
the embanked hedge on the rear side of that road.
The 27th British regiment had been brought up
by Lambert, and posted in square, in the angle
formed by the junction of the above roads, having
one face parallel with, and close to, the chaussee,
for the purpose either of throwing a flank fire
upon the French troops on the opposite side,
should these succeed, as appeared very probable,
in compelling Ompteda's and Kielmansegge's bri-
gades to retire, or, of pouring a close, deadly
volley upon any column endeavouring to penetrate
along the high road itself. The artillery on the *
Allied right of the high road, in front of these
brigades, was at this moment completely disabled.
Two British artillerymen were observed vainly en-
deavouring to serve a couple of guns, but were

154 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of compelled to desist from the want of all material
for loading.

Such was the state of things in the centre of the
Anglo-allied army, when the continued popping
fire from the French skirmishers suddenly quick-
ened into a fierce tiraillade, which threatened to
hear down every thing opposed to it. The bank
along the high road, beyond the garden of La
Haye Sainte, and the mound adjoining it, which
latter was quite close to the Allied position, be-
came all at once thickly crowded with skirmishers.
Those that lined the bank seemed intent upon
keeping down the fire from the British regiments
of Kempt's and Lambert's brigades, along the
Wavre road, while those under cover of the little
mound in advance, as if aware of the object of the
formation of the 27th British regiment, and sen-
sible of the necessity of securing their right flank
in their meditated forcing of the position, opened
such a close, sharp, fire upon that regiment, that,
within the brief space of a few minutes, it lost
more than half of its numbers. At the same time,
taking advantage of the crippled state of the
Allied artillery in this quarter, the French brought
up two guns in advance of the north-western angle
of the garden of La Haye Sainte, in which posi-
tion they were covered from any fire from the
opposite side of the high road, by the skirrtiishers
occupying the bank and the mound. From these

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

155

guns a smart fire of grape was opened, and main- ifith of

June.

tamed without intermission, upon the left square of

Kielmansegge's brigade, (consisting of the field- I
battalions Grubenhagen and York,) at the short
distance of 150, and afterwards of scarcely 100,
paces. The square manifested the most exemplary
submission and forbearance, notwithstanding the
ravages that continued to be made in its ranks ;
not venturing to reply to the fire, by the appre-
hension of cavalry being under the brow of the
position, prepared to take instant advantage of any
favourable opportunity for a charge. The right
square (consisting of the field-battalions Bremen
and Verden) also suffered most severely. Some
other guns, which had accompanied the columns
in rear of the French skirmishers, were suddenly
brought forward, and opened so destructive a dis-
charge of grape upon this latter square, that one
of its sides was literally completely blown away ;
the remainder being left standing in the form of a
triangle. The commander, and many other offi-
cers, were wounded. The ammunition was failing
rapidly. The combined fire of grape and mus-
ketry continued to increase in violence ; and the
square finally dwindled into a mere clump of men.
The French tirailleurs continued pressing forward
in a very compact line, whilst the sound of drums
beating the pas de charge announced the advance
of the columns immediately in their rear. The
Prince of Orange, perceiving the probability of

156 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of the centre of the Allied line being forced, unless
some great effort were made to check the enemy's
advance, ordered the 1st and 2nd Nassau batta-
lions of Kruse's brigade to charge, gallantly plac-
ing himself at their head. His Royal Highness
was soon struck by a bullet in the left shoulder ;
the attack failed ; and the Nassauers were falling
back, when the reinforcement which Wellington
had provided for this part of the line,* consisting
of five battalions of Brunswick infantry, moved
rapidly Into The interval between Kruse's Nassau,
and Halkett's British, brigades. But so unex-
pectedly did the Brunswickers find themselves
placed under a most destructive fire, and so sud-
denly were the heads of their columns assailed,
that they were unable, in the midst of the thick
smoke in which they became involved, to recover
from the partial irregularities by which, under
such circumstances, their advance was accompa-
nied, and to form up in sufficient order, before
they came in close contact with the enemy, whose
vigorous attack compelled them, as also Kruse's,
Kielmansegge's, and Ompteda's brigades, to fall
back about a hundred paces.

At this critical moment, Wellington hastened to
the spot in person, to avert so alarming a catas-
trophe as that of having his centre broken, at a
time, too, when he was preparing to receive a for-

* See page 151.

FRANCE AXD BELGIUM IN 1815.

157

midable attack, directed against another point of 18tb of

' , June.

his line, situated at but a short distance on the

right of that centre. He addressed himself to the
Brunswickers, and succeeded, by the electrifying
influence of his voice, gesture, and presence, in
rallying the discomfited columns. The 3rd line- ^
battalion, under Major von Normann, was the first
to re-form in good order : it then boldly stood its
ground ; and, when the enemy's infantry ap-
proached, received it with so destructive a fire as
completely to check its further advance.

By dint of example and encouragement on the
part of all the commanding officers, the brigades
on the left of the Brunswickers were also rallied
and formed up : upon seeing which, the Duke gal-
loped off to the right.

Just at this time, Vivian'_hussar-brigade drew
up immediately in rear of these troops relieving
the exhausted remains of the Scots Greys and 3rd
hussars of the King's German legion the 10th

o o ^

and 18th British hussars in front, and the 1st hus-
sars of the King's German legion in second, line.
The presence and appearance of this fresh cavalry
tended very considerably to restore confidence to
that part of the line. The brigade had previously,
in consequence of a mistake in the transmission of
orders, been halted on the left of the high road
about midway between the front line and the farm
of Mont St. Jean ; whence, however, it was

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of speedily brought forward, and posted as above by

June.

Lord Uxbridge.*

The Prince of Orange, Alten, Halkett, and al-
most all the superior officers of the 3rd division

* To the troops comprising Vivian's and Vandeleur's brigades, as they
arrived quite fresh from the extreme left, the air of ruin and destruction
which met their view in rear of the centre of the line the desperate
struggle which appeared to be carried on upon the crest of the main ridge
by a single line of infantry, evidently exhausted by the continuous fight
the almost total absence of British cavalry in support of that line the
numbers of wounded retiring both singly and in groups the whole scene
was calculated to inspire them with thoughts by no means akin to anticipa-
tions of victory. They quickly partook of the feeling of extreme doubt
and uncertainty which pervaded the rest of the army as to the result of the
contest, and many imbibed the idea that they had been brought from the
left for the purpose of covering a contemplated retreat. " Where is your
brigade ?" said Sir Hussey Vivian to Lord Edward Somerset. '* Here !''
replied his lordship, as pointing firstly to a small band of horsemen .amount-
ing to little more than a squadron, and then to the ground covered with
dead and dying, clad in red, and with mutilated horses, wandering or turning
in circles, he displayed to him the wreck of what had been the household
and union brigades of cavalry combined a force amounting at the com-
mencement of the action, to upwards of 2000 dragoons. Sir Denis Pack,
whose brigade consisted altogether of a mere handful of men, posted with
its right resting on the Charleroi road, rode up to Sir John Vandeleur, and
having told him he had received orders to hold his ground to the last,
consulted him as to the most advisable course to be pursued in case of a
retreat. But, notwithstanding the gloomy appearance which affairs had
assumed, no despondency was perceptible on the part of that portion of the
army whose fate it was to bear the whole brunt of the battle ; and which,
firmly relying on its own indomitable courage, and on the oft-proved skill
of its chief, still cherished the hope that by persevering a little longer in
those mighty efforts by which the enemy had, during so many hours, been
kept at bay, such heroic exertions, though unaided by those on whose effec-
tive support they had calculated, would yet be crowned with success. This
feeling was aptly expressed by Colonel Sir Felton Harvey, of the Duke's
staff, who having ridden to the 18th British hussars, to change his wounded
charger, exclaimed as he was in the act of mounting a troop-horse belong-
ing to that regiment " The Duke of Wellington has won the battle if we
could but get the d d ~ to advance."

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

had been wounded. But Kielmansegge, who now isth of

commanded in this part of the field, was fully alive L_

to the critical circumstances under which the 3rd
division was placed, and exhibited great ability,
coolness, and determination, by the manner in
which he succeeded in restoring it to order. Still,
the persevering and incessant tiraillade kept up
against these troops by the French was such, that
the fire thrown out from their shattered and en-
feebled ranks was quite inadequate to repress it.
The French skirmishers again crowded close up to
the line ; maintaining a most rapid and destructive
fire. The Allied infantry was once more on the
point of giving way. One battalion of the Bruns- "'
wickers was retiring in close column, but in good
order, having totally exhausted its ammunition.
The Nassauers were falling back en masse against ^
the horses' heads of the 10th hussars, who, keeping
their files closed, prevented further retreat. Vivian
and Captain Shakespeare* of the 10th, (acting as
his extra aide-de-camp,) rendered themselves con-
spicuous at this moment by their endeavours to
halt and encourage the Nassauers. The Hano-
verians and the German legion on the left, led by
Kielmansegge, now resolutely dashed forward, at
the double quick their drums rolling. The
enemy fell back. The Brunswickers took up the

* Captain Arthur Shakespeare, of the 10th hussars, afterwards on half-
pay of the 99th regiment, retired from the service on the llth July, 1826.

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of movement, as then did also the Nassauers Vivian

L and his aide-de-camp cheering them on ; whilst the

hussars followed in close support. In this manner,

Kielmanseg-ge succeeded in leading back the shat-

oo o

tered remnants of the division to the place they
had so long and so honourably occupied on the
ridge.

Vivian's brigade, by its proximity to these
troops, against which so close and unremitting a
fire of musketry was maintained, was placed in a
very trying situation for cavalry, and suffered
much in consequence. As soon, however, as the
infantry had rallied and resumed their former posi-
tion in the line, Vivian withdrew his brigade under
the crest of the ridge, a distance of not more than
thirty yards, to place his men a little out of tire ;
and when thus posted, he was better prepared to
make an attack if required.

The fire from the enemy's infantry in front of
this part of the line suddenly slackened ; and it
was soon manifest that they were falling back : the
change arose out of occurrences on their left, which
will be explained in the next chapter.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

CHAPTER XIV.

Commencement of Napoleon's last grand attack upon Wellington's line
Napoleon stations himself so that the guard may pass by him as it advances
to the attack Disposition of d'Erlon's and Reille's corps The leading
column of the imperial guard suffers severely from the tire of the Allied
artillery, as it approaches the Duke's line Contest between the leading
column of the French imperial guards and Maitland's brigade of British
guards The former completely defeated and dispersed Conduct of
d'Aubreme's Dutch-Belgian brigade Advance of the second attacking
column of the imperial guard Charge upon French cuirassiers by a squad-
ron of tlie 23rd light dragoons The second column of the imperial guard
charged in flank by Adam's brigade Its defeat and dispersion by this
charge Adam's brigade continues its forward movement, supported on its
right by a battalion of Lieut. Colonel Halkett's Hanoverian brigade State
of d'Aubreme's Dutch-Belgian brigade Upon the extreme left of the
Anglo-allied line, the skirmishers of Durutte's division endeavour to
establish themselves in the houses and inclosures in the valley, on that flank,
and become engaged with the Prussians in and about Smohain Bliicher's
dispositions Formation and advance of Billow's left wing for the third
attack upon Planchenoit, and of his right wing for a simultaneous attack
upon Lobau Junction of the advanced guard of Zieten's corps with the
troops constituting the extreme left of the Anglo-allied army General
view of the disposition of the Prussian forces relatively with that of the
Anglo-allied troops General view of the state of the Anglo-allied army
at the period of the attack and defeat of the French imperial guard Prompt
decision and admirable skill evinced by Wellington in seizing upon the
advantage presented by the discomfiture of the French guards Advance of
Vivian's hussar-brigade to the attack of Napoleon's reserves near La Belle
Alliance Disposition of these reserves Brilliant charge by the 10th
British hussars Charge by the 2nd light dragoons of the King's German
legion Adam's brigade, continuing its advance, readies the nearest French
height, intersected by the Charleroi road, and on which three squares of the
imperial guard are posted General advance of the Anglo-allied line The
Duke orders Adam to attack the squares of the imperial guard The Earl of
Uxbridge - falls, severely wounded The imperial guard retires from the

VOL. II. M

162 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

charge by Adam's brigade Gallant charge by the 18th British hussars near
La Belle Alliance Charge by a party of the 10th British hussars upon a
square of the grenadiers of the old guard ; which retires, and eventually
disperses The right, and part of the centre, squadron of the 10th hussars,
continuing their pursuit, after the first charge, make another charge upon
both infantry and cavalry, on the right, and beyond La Belle Alliance A
party of the 18th hussars makes a dashing but ineffectual charge upon a
square, still further in advance Gallant charges by the 2nd light dragoons
of the King's German legion Lieut. Colonel Halkett, with the Osnabriick
landwehr-battalion, pursues a column of the old guard, and captures General
Cambronne Singular situation of the Duke of Wellington.

18th of I T vvas during the fierce and desperate conflict just

described as having taken place in the centre of

the Anglo-allied line, that the French imperial
guard moved forward to the attack ; and this was
the signal for the simultaneous advance of all the
disposable battalions of d'Erlon's and Reille's
corps. In the preliminary pause which occurred
in the fire from the French batteries, from the first
moment of the advance until the columns had suf-
ficiently descended from the heights to be below
the range of their guns, the thunder of Billow's
artillery upon the French extreme right, and of
the guns brought to bear against it, was so dis-
tinctly audible that Napoleon, apprehending its
evil effects upon the troops, on whose bravery, dis-
cipline, and devotion, his fate now hung, des-
patched aides-de-camp along the line, to spread
the false intelligence of the arrival of Grouchy,
and to declare that it now required but a little
firmness to secure the victory to which they were
advancing. The loud shouts with which this an-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

nouncement was received by the troops, who had isthof

then descended below the range of the guns, were

speedily, drowned in the roar that burst forth from
the entire line of the French batteries. The
effects of this terrific cannonade upon the skeleton
ranks of the Allied front line, combined with the
aspect of the advancing hosts, tended not in the
slightest degree to shake that noble and unequalled
courage with which the British and German troops
had hitherto sustained every assault. The scene
of havoc and devastation which met their view as
they looked around them, the constant ravages
which they had been destined passively to endure
for so many hours, their ranks repeatedly torn
open, and their files scattered asunder, as shot and
shell plunged in amongst them, all conduced to
excite in the breasts of men of such impenetrable
mould, a feeling of exultation and relief, as they
observed the approach of the enemy's infantry,
and panted for the long-wished-for moment when
they might grapple with their deadly foe at close
quarters, in a hand-to-hand encounter. Most fully
did they realize the expectations entertained of
them by their enemy, but admirer, the brave Ge-
neral Foy, who had felt it his duty, prior to the
commencement of the battle, to declare to the
Enajieror, that his Majesty had an infantry opposed
to him which he had never known to yield.

The French troops, perceiving their whole front
line in motion, felt conscious that the final struggle

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of was at hand, and assured that the varied fortunes
of the day were to be wound up by some splendid
triumph. The guard proudly took the lead in this
grand attack that sacred cohort, whose glory had
ever shone conspicuously when a great crisis sum-
moned forth those energies by which its valour and
its prowess had acquired for it imperishable re-
nown. The greatest enthusiasm reigned amidst
the devoted defenders of the imperial diadem,
which was now to be strengthened by the fame of
their renewed successes, and adorned with fresh
wreaths of never-fading laurels.

Napoleon, nervously anxious to strain to its ut-
most tension, the daring spirit and high resolve
which animated his troops, galloped forward to the
inner gentle slope of the eminence on the left of
the Charleroi road, which, overlooking the farm of
La Haye Sainte, formed the most prominent point
of his whole line, and by which was to pass the
leading column of the guard, there to strengthen,
by the magic spell of his immediate presence, the
link which bound their fortunes to his own fate,
and to the destiny of the empire. As they ap-
proached, he pointed significantly to the Allied
position ; a gesture which drew forth renewed
shouts of u Vive VEmpereur!'' The fond regards
which he seemed to cast upon these, his old and
tried campaigners, and the air of confidence he
assumed, as he contemplated their advance,
riveted upon him the affectionate gaze of the de-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

165

voted band, to hundreds of whom it proved the isth of
last look upon the idol for whom they were to
sacrifice their lives.

At this time, d'Eiion's corps presented an ad-
vance of columns in echelon between the Char-
leroi road and its right flank, which was engaged
with the Prussians ; whilst Reille's corps, descend-
ing in columns, some into the wood, others into
the inclosures on the right, and some also, still
more to the right, outside of Hougomont, and close
upon the centre of the line, seemed bent upon
carrying that post by main force, and upon second-
ing, with one mighty effort, the main attack by the
imperial guard. This general advance of columns
was preceded by a host of skirmishers, whose line
spreading along the valley in front of d'Erlon's
corps, gradually became engaged with the light
troops of the left wing of the Anglo-allied army,
and the sudden impulse given to the rattle of
musketry in the wood of Hougomont, betokened
that the brave defenders of this post were already
engaged in a renewed and desperate struggle for
the maintenance of its possession. The French
skirmishers between the wood of Hougomont and

the extreme left of their army, continued to main-
tain a desultory warfare with the Allied light
troops in their front, consisting of the 3rd regi-
ment of British guards, the light companies of
the 14th and 23rd British regiments, and six com-
panies of the 51st British regiment. Fire's light

166 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of cavalry-brigade was still in the position it had

'___ occupied upon the extreme left of the French

front line, having a few vedettes thrown out, which
were narrowly watched by those belonging to
Captain Wodehouse's squadron of the 15th British
hussars.*

As the leading column of the imperial guard
began to ascend the slightly inclined tongue of
ground that projects from that part of the ridge
of the Duke's position in rear of the crest of
which Maitland's brigade of guards was lying
down at the time, it became very much exposed
to the concentrated fire from nearly all the bat-
teries of the Anglo-allied right wing, by which the
most frightful havoc was dealt amidst its devoted
ranks. The line of skirmishers which preceded
it, now pushed rapidly and boldly forward up to
the very summit of the Duke's position, for the
purpose both of concealing by their veil of smoke
the precise direction of the advance of the columns,
and also of driving away the artillerymen from
the guns, by the fire of which the guard was suf-
fering so severely.

Notwithstanding the terrible havoc made in the
ranks of the leading column of the imperial guard,
it continued its advance in admirable order, and
with the greatest enthusiasm. Several of its
superior officers placed themselves at its head.

* See page 76.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

Nev's horse having been shot under him, he drew

June.

his sword, and chivalrously led the way on foot,
sustaining to the last his appropriate and well-
earned nom de guerre " le plus brave des braves"
GeneoL-Enaul;, who commanded the grenadiers,
fell severely wounded. General Michel, colonel
en second of the chasseurs, was killed a few
moments afterwards. The fall of the latter oc-
casioned some hesitation the 1st battalion of
the 3rd regiment of grenadiers halted ; but at
the call of GeneraJ u _PQret_dg_^Morvan, who com-
manded it, it renewed its advance at the pas de
charge, amidst loud shouts of " Vive I'JEmpereur /"
As the column neared the rise of ground which
constituted the highest point of the ridge occupied
by the right wing of the Duke's line, it gradually
passed the line of fire hitherto directed upon it
by the greater portion of the batteries on the
British right of that point. Wellington rode up
to the British foot-battery posted on the immediate
right of Maitland's brigade of guards, with its
own right thrown somewhat forward, and address-
ing himself to an artillery officer, (Lieutenant
Sharpin,*) hastily asked who commanded it. The
latter replied that Captain Bolton, having just been
killed, it was now underthe command of Captain
Napier. The Duke then said, " Tell him to keep
a look-out to his left, for the French will soon be

* Now Lieutenant William Sharpin, h. p. Royal Artillery.

168

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of with him." The message had scarcely heen com-
' ne ' municated when the bear-skin caps of the leading
divisions of the column of the imperial guard ap-
peared just above the summit of the hill. The
cannonade hitherto directed upon this point from
the distant French batteries, now ceased, but a
swarm of skirmishers opened a sharp and teasing
fire among the British gunners. In the next mo-
ment, however, they were scattered and driven
back upon the main body by a sudden shower of
canister, grape, and schrapnel shells, poured forth
from Napier's guns, which now kept up a terrific
fire upon the column, within a distance of forty
or fifty yards. Nevertheless the French guards
continued to advance. They had now topped the
summit. To the astonishment of the officers who
were at their head, there appeared in their imme-
diate front no direct impediment to their further
advance. They could only distinguish dimly
through the smoke extending from Napier's bat-
tery, the cocked hats of a few mounted officers,
little imagining, probably, that the most prominent
of these was the great Duke himself. Pressing
boldly forward, they had arrived within fifty paces
of the spot on which the British guards were lying-
down, when Wellington gave the talismanic call
" Up, guards ; make ready !" and ordered Mait-
land to attack. It was a moment of thrilling ex-
citement. The British guards springing up so
suddenly in a most compact four-deep line, ap-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

peared to the French as if starting out of the 1 18th of
ground. The latter, with their high honnets, as ______

they crowned the summit of the ridge, appeared
to the British, through the smoky haze, like a
corps of giants bearing down upon them. The
British guards instantly opened their fire with a
tremendous volley, thrown in with so much cool-
ness, deliberation, and precision, that the head
of the column became, as it were, convulsed by
the shock, and nearly the entire mass staggered
under the effect. In less than a single minute
more than three hundred of these brave old war-
riors fell, to rise no more. But the high spirit
and innate valour which actuated the mass were
not to be subdued by a first repulse. Its officers,
placing themselves conspicuously in its front and
on its flanks, called aloud, waved their swords,
and, by encouraging words and gestures, com-
menced a deployment in order to acquire a more
extended front. But the head of the column beimj

continually shattered and driven back upon the
mass, by the well-sustained and rapidly destructive
fire by which it was assailed within so extremely
limited a space, this attempt altogether failed.
The front of the column was becoming momen-
tarily more disordered and broken up ; men were
turning round and disappearing by the flanks,
whilst others in the rear began firing over the
heads of those before them. The confusion into
which the French guards had now been thrown

170 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of became manifest. The Duke ordered Maitland

June.

. to charge ; whilst, at the same instant, the gallant

Lord Saltoun, equally alive to the real situation
of the column, called out, " Now's the time, my
boys !" The brigade sprang forward, with a loud
cheer, to the charge. Numbers of the French
guards nearest to the British, threw down their
arms and knapsacks, and dispersed. The flanks
began rapidly to spread out ; and then the
mass partaking more generally of the panic,
appeared as if rent asunder by some invisible
power. At the same time, Halkett, notwithstand-
ing the fierce conflict in which Alten's division was
then engaged, most judiciously pushed forward
his two right regiments, the 33rd and 69th, a short
distance, to cover, if possible^ Maitland's brigade
from any flank attack that might be attempted
by a part of Donzelot's troops, and such ad-
vanced position offered considerable security to
' the brigade of guards as it subsequently retired
to re-form.

The British guards had continued their charge
some distance down the slope of the hill, when
Maitland perceived the second attacking column
of the imperial guard advancing on his right, and
exposing his brigade to the imminent risk of being
turned on that flank. He accordingly gave the
order to face about and retire ; but amidst their
victorious shouts, and the noise of the firing of
cannon and other arms, the command was imper-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

fectlv understood, and the first sense of danger iath"of

June.

led to a cry of " Form square" being passed along
their line, it being naturally assumed that the
enemy's cavalry would take advantage of their
isolated position ; which, however, was not the
case. The flanks of battalions gave way as if to
form square. Saltoun conspicuously exerted him-
self in endeavouring to rectify the mistake, but
in vain ; and the whole went to the rear. The
confusion in which they retired was unavoidable ;
but it was not the confusion consequent upon either
defeat or panic : it resulted simply from a mis-
understanding of the command ; and no greater
or more distinguished proof could be afforded of
the excellent order, cool self-possession, and ad-
mirable discipline of these troops, than the steadi-
ness, alacrity, and intelligence with which, upon
regaining the crest of the ridge, they obeyed the
command then given of " Halt, front, form up ;"
mechanically resuming their four-deep line, which
having its left thrown somewhat forward, now
became parallel with the front of the advancing
second attacking column of the imperial guard.*

* The desperate attack at this critical moment made by Donzelot's
columns, with artillery in their intervals, against Alten's division, as pre-
viously described (see page 159), was extremely galling to Halkett's
brigade, in consequence of its more advanced position, particularly since
Halkett had pushed forward his two right regiments in support of the
charge by Maitland's brigade ; and so great was the pressure upon it, in
this exposed situation, that it fell into some confusion. The Duke observ-
ing this, said to some of his staff, " See what's wrong there." Major

172 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

ISA of How marked a contrast did such conduct on

June.

the part of the British guards, who thus, in the

battle's front, so gloriously upheld their country's
honour, offer to that of a considerable body of
the Allied troops then posted in second line as
their support ! D'Aubreme's infantry-brigade of
Chasse's Dutch-Belgian division, which, as before
stated, had been moved into the space in rear of
Maitland's brigade, previously occupied by the
Bruns wickers, was now formed into three large
squares, of two battalions each. These troops,

Dawson Kelly, 1 of the quarter-master-general's department, immediately
rode up to the brigade, and while addressing himself to Sir Colin Halkett,
the latter, at the instant, received a wound in the face, a ball passing
through his mouth, and he was consequently obliged to retire to the rear.
Lieut. Colonel Elphinstone, commanding the 33rd regiment, then ran up,
and asked Major Kelly if he had any orders. The latter replied, " None,
beyond inquiring into the cause of the confusion." Lieut. Colonel Elphin-
stone then stated that they were much pressed, and the men exhausted ;
that Colonel Harris of the 73rd had been severely wounded, and that the
command of the brigade had devolved upon him. At this period, the
attacking column was again retiring, and Major Kelly, having observed
that the different battalions of the brigade had got intermixed, from the
frequent formations of squares, he advised Lieut. Colonel Elphinstone to
direct both officers and men to resume their respective stations, and get
into order, covering themselves as well as they could by lying down, and
prepare to meet the next attack. At the same moment, one or two ser-
jeants of the 73rd came up and told Major Kelly that they had no one to
command them, their officers being all killed or wounded. It being his
own regiment, he considered it his duty to remain with them, and upon his
saying so, they cheered, and instantly got into order. This was scarcely
done when Donzelot's columns again pressed boldly forward, and renewed
their assault, as the second attacking column of the imperial guard
approached the Allied line.

1 Colonel Dawson Kelly, C.B., on half pay of the 73rd regiment, died in
March, 1837.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 173

on hearin" 1 the loud shouts of the second advancing istb of

June

column of the French imperial guard of that very ____
column which had been moving in rear of the
British guards while the latter were retiring from
their triumphant charge towards their original
position became so unsteady, and evinced so
decided a disposition to quit their ranks, that
Vandeleur, whose brigade of British light dragoons /
was at this time drawn up in their rear, deemed
it advisable to close his squadron-intervals, the
better to impede their contemplated retreat ; and
was induced, along with several of his officers, on
perceiving that the squares were on the point of
giving way, to dart forward and endeavour, partly
by menaces, and partly by exhortations, to induce
them to maintain their ground. The Dutch-
Belgian officers exerted themselves in restoring
order and confidence, but their men were evidently
bent upon abandoning their position in this part
of the field. Between them and the attacking
column intervened the crest of the main ridge,
occupied by the Duke's first line ; the latter
holding out to them a bright example of perfect
discipline, of unflinching steadiness, and patient
endurance. Of the attacking column itself they
could see absolutely nothing ; but its shouts alone
seemed sufficient to scare them off the ground !
Besides, they had but just entered the immediate
field of action, and had not hitherto been engaged
with the enemy, whereas the British brigade of

174 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of guards had been exposed during eight hours to
' an incessant cannonade, and to numerous and
desperate attacks of both cavalry and infantry.
Of such materials was composed the Duke's second
line in rear of the main point of attack by the
French army at this, the most critical moment of
the whole battle !

The second attacking column of the French
imperial guard, which, as before explained, had
been formed in the hollow adjacent to the south-
east angle of the Hougomont inclosures, advanced
in a line parallel with, and at a very short distance
from, the hedge forming the eastern boundary.
On reaching the foot of the British position, how-
ever, the column diverged a little to its right,
either to take advantage of a slight undulation of
the ground which seemed to offer a partial cover
from the tremendous fire of artillery that continued
to pour upon it, or solely for the purpose of
directing its advance upon the point at which it
perceived the first attacking column was engaged,
and at which it might be better enabled to follow
up any success that column might obtain. Between
the heads of the two attacking columns there was
a distance, during their advance, of from ten to
twelve minutes' march. Whether this difference
in the time of their movement was intentional,
or arose from a misunderstanding in the con-
veyance of orders, or from any other accident,
is uncertain, but it is quite evident that by forming

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. J75

two separate attacks, they subjected themselves to ISA of

the imminent risk of being defeated in detail a

risk which, as will be presently shown, was speedily
converted into a reality.

The second, like the first, column of attack,
advanced with great boldness, and in excellent
order, and appeared animated by the best possible
spirit. Its left front was covered by a cloud of
skirmishers, in order to conceal its movement as
much as possible from the view of the British line.
The battalions of Adam^-brigade threw out each
a company for the purpose of checking them.
During the advance of the column, and more
especially as it descended the gentle declivity
eastward of the great orchard of Hougomont, it
suffered severely from the British cannonade. So

destructive indeed had been the fire from some of
the British batteries on the right of Maitland's
brigade, from the commencement of the advance
of the imperial guard, that the French were at
length induced suddenly to push forward a body
of cuirassiers to endeavour to silence these guns.
In this they partially succeeded ; the cuirassiers
having gallantly charged one of the batteries, and
forced the gunners to seek shelter in the rear of
the infantry driving in, at the same time, the

skirmishers of the 2nd battalion of the 95th regi- /

ment, and those of the 52nd regiment. They were
checked, however, by the to them sudden and
unexpected appearance of Adam's brigade, which

176

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of had just been moved, in its four-deep line, close

'___ up to the narrow road that runs along the summit

of the ridge. The 52nd regiment, which was more
directly opposed to them, came down to the
" Prepare for cavalry !" As a renewal of the
attack seemed probable, a squadron of the 23rd
Britisli__Jight dragoons, under Captain Cox,*
was detached across the ridge, down the outer
slope, towards the great orchard ; from the rear
of which it charged the cuirassiers as they advanced
again towards the guns, overcame them, and pur-
sued them across the plain, far in rear of the
second attacking column of the imperial guard,
until it fell into a fire thrown out upon it from
the head of a French column of infantry, by which
its files were scattered, and the whole compelled
to make a hasty retreat towards the Allied posi-
tion.f

Had the second column of attack continued in
the original direction of its advance, it would

* Captain Philip Zachariah Cox, 23rd Light Dragoons, retired from the
Service on the 24th January, 1818.

t This isolated charge, carried into the rear of the attacking columns o
the imperial guard, and continued until checked by the French reserves,
was gallantly executed under Lieutenant Banner, 1 the squadron having
scarcely crossed the ridge when Captain Cox was obliged to leave tbt
field from the effects of a severe stun in a previous charge, occasioned by
his horse falling upon him. At the time the squadron was detached on
this duty, the remainder of the 23rd light dragoons proceeded to the
centre, where it was attached to the remnant of the household brigade oi
cavalry.

1 Major John Banner, 93rd Highlanders, died on the 24th December,
1837.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

177

have come upon the centre of Adam's brigade, istb of
but having, as it began to ascend the exterior _
slope of the main ridge of the Allied position,
slightly diverged to its right, as before observed,
by following the direction of a very gentle hollow,
constituting the re-entering angle formed by the
tongue of ground that projected from the front of
Maitland's brigade, and that part of the ridge
occupied by Adam's brigade, it, in some degree,
lent its left flank to the latter. This circumstance
was not only observed, but had been in a great
measure anticipated by Lieut. Colonel Sir John

Colborne, commanding the 52nd regiment, an

officer of great repute in the British army. He
had been watching with intense anxiety, the
progress of the enemy's column, and, seizing
the most favourable moment, he, without orders,
and upon his own responsibility, wheeled the left
company of the 52nd to the left, and then formed
the remainder of the regiment upon that company,
for the purpose of bringing its front nearly parallel
with the flank of the French column. At this
moment Adam rode up, and asked Colborne what
he was going to do, to which the latter replied,
" to make that column feel our fire." Adam,
approving of this, ordered Colborne to move on,
and galloped off to bring up his right regiment,
the 71st. The Duke, who had just seen Mait-
landVbrigade re-formed and posted in the best
order, parallel with the front of the attacking

VOL. II. N

178

HISTORY OF THE WAR 1\

i8th of column, was at this moment stationed on the right

June.

_ of Napier's battery. He despatched an aide-de-
camp (Major the Hon. Henry Percy*) to direct
Sir Henry Clinton to advance and attack the
imperial guard ; but a single glance at Colborne's
forward movement satisfied him that his intention
had been anticipated ; and he immediately pushed
forward the 2nd battalion 95th regiment to the
left of the 52nd. The head of~tn~e French column
had by this time nearly reached the brow of the
ridge, its front covering almost the whole of
Napier's battery, and a portion of the extreme
right of Maitland's brigade. It was still gallantly
pressing forward, in defiance of the most galling
fire poured into its front by the battery and by
the British guards, when the sudden and imposing
appearance of the four-deep line of the 52nd
regiment bearing directly towards its left flank,
in the most admirable and compact order imagi-
nable, caused it to halt. In the next instant,
wheeling up its left sections, it opened a rapid
and destructive fire from the entire length of its
left flank against the 52nd regiment. Colborne,
having brought his line parallel to the flank of
the imperial guard, also halted, and poured a
deadly fire into the mass ; and almost at the
same moment the rifles of the 2nd battalion 95th

* Lieut. Colonel tie Hon. Henry Percy, C.B., retired from the service in
September, 1821.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

regiment, then coming up on the left, were ISA of
levelled and discharged with unerring aim into '
the more advanced portion of the column. The
71st regiment was, at this time, rapidly advancing,
on the right, to complete the brigade-movement.
Colborne, eager fully to carry out his projected
flank attack upon the enemy's column, caused
his men to cease firing, and then gave the com-
mand, "Charge! charge!" It was answered by
three hearty British cheers that rose distinctly
above the shouts of " Vive VEmpereur ! " and the
now straggling and unsteady fire from the column.
The 2nd battalion 95th regiment hastened to
join in the charge on the left. The movement
was remarkable for the order, the steadiness, the
resoluteness, and the daring, by which it was cha-
racterized. The column of the imperial guard,
which already seemed to reel to and fro under
the effect of the front and flank fire which had
been so successfully brought to bear upon it, was
evidently in consternation as it beheld the close
advance of Adam's brigade. Some daring spirits
and it contained many within its ranks still
endeavoured to make at least a show of resistance ;
but the disorder, which had been rapidly increasing,
now became uncontrollable ; and this second column
of the imperial guard, breaking into the wildest
confusion, shared the fate of the first ; with this
difference, however, that in consequence of the
combined front and flank fire in which it had

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of been so fatally involved, and of the unrestrained

June.

_ pursuit which deprived it of the power of rallying

its component parts, it became so thoroughly dis
jointed and dispersed, that with the exception oi
the two rear battalions, which constituted the Isl
regiment of chasseurs (old guard), it is extremel}
doubtful whether any portion of it ever re-unitec
as a regularly formed military body, during th<
brief remaining period of the battle certainly noi
on the Allied side of La Belle Alliance, towards
which point it directed its retreat. It is necessan
to remark that this regiment of the old guard
which was commanded by General Cambronne
formed a separate column of support in ccheloi
to, and immediate left rear of, the four battalion:
of the middle guard ; but so close to each othei
were the two columns, that although an interva
was observed between them by Adam's brigade
when the latter stood in the general front line
of the Allied position, they appeared to it bu'
as one column when charged in flank, and may
to all intents and purposes, be considered as having
formed one general column of attack. Cam
bronnc's battalions, however, forming the rear o
the column, did not become exposed to the fin
from Adam's brigade, inasmuch as neither th(
71st regiment nor the 3rd battalion 95th regiment
could complete the brigade flank movement ir
time to open a fire upon the mass before th(
actual charge was commenced. Hence, althougl

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. jg

thev turned, along 1 with the rest of the column, istiof

Jute.

yet, unlike the latter, they retained a considerable

degree of order.

Troops could scarcely be placed in a more criti-
cal situation than was this second attacking column
of the imperial guard from the moment it came to
a halt. With its front immediately facing a battery
within sixty or seventy yards' distance, the double-
shotted guns of which continued ploughing through
the mass, and tearing up its ranks ; with its left
flank faced outwards to repel a formidable attack
on that side, and its right flank at the same time
exposed to the oblique fire from the greater portion
of the line of British guards ; the interior of the
mass, enveloped in smoke, feeling a pressure from
both front and flank, and yet perceiving no indica-
tion of the means of extricating itself from so
perilous a position, it was truly a most trying
moment even to such veteran warriors as those
which constituted the renowned imperial guard of
France. Any attempt at deployment to its right,
while thus attacked on its left, was of course out of
the question. Had it continued to advance until
Adam's brigade had approached quite close to its
left flank, the charge of the latter must have
brought it to a stand, and rendered the efforts of
the head of the column abortive. If, on the other
hand, after having faced altogether to the left, and
converted that flank into a compact line, it had
advanced to meet the 52nd regiment when it first

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of became aware of this attack, it would still have

June.

been exposed on the right (its previous front) to

the havoc created by Napier's guns, as also to a
charge by Maitland's brigade, which, by bringing
forward its left shoulders, might have rendered the
situation of the column so hopeless, as probably to
have led to its immediate and unqualified surrender
on the spot. The dilemma into which these vete-
rans were thus thrown was mainly attributable to the
^ fatal neglect of not accompanying the column with
V an effective support of cavalry. A strong body of
the latter on each flank, or in its immediate rear,
would have secured the column from any such
flank attack as that which so successfully arrested
its progress, and so completely effected its dis-
persion.

The direction given to Adam's line by its " right-
shoulder-forward" movement having brought it
perpendicular to the general front of the French
position, that officer became naturally anxious for
support upon his right flank, to secure the latter
from the enemy's cavalry, which, it was to be pre-
sumed, would now be brought forward from his
reserve, since none of it had been employed in im-
mediate support of the last attack. He urgently
requested for this purpose, the aid of troops from
the other part of Clinton's division, and Lieut.
Colonel Halkett, seeing what was required, imme-
diately advanced with the nearest battalion of his
Hanoverian^brigade, the Osnabriick landwehr, in

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

column at quarter distance, and close up in right

rear of the 71st regiment.* Thus Adam's bri-

gade, maintaining its four-deep line, and being
flanked by the Hanoverian battalion which could
form square at any moment, was sufficiently secured
against cavalry.

The confused and disordered mass of the impe-
rial guard, from the first impulse given to it by the
flank charge, hastened a short distance in a direc-
tion parallel with that of the Anglo-allied line, and
then, naturally inclining towards the French posi-
tion, it fell into nearly the same track as that pur-
sued by the first attacking column, namely, towards
the first rise of ground intersected by the Charleroi
road, a little beyond the southern extremity of the
orchard of La Haye Sainte. As it approached the
rear of those columns of d'Erlon's corps which had
been so desperately opposing Alten's division, it
became infected with the panic, and commingled
with the flying guard. Adam's brigade continued
its triumphant advance, at first parallel, for a short
distance, to the Allied line, and then, bringing for-
ward its left shoulders, swept proudly onward in
the direction of the French height before-men-
tioned ; crowds of fugitives hurrying along and
striving to escape from the pursuing wave that

* During the advance, Halkett sent his brigade-major, Captain von
Saffe, to bring up the two battalions of his brigade that were posted in rear
of Hougomont ; but that officer having been killed on his way, the message
was not delivered, and the Osnabriick battalion continued to be separated
from the rest of the brigade during the remainder of the battle.

184 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i sth of seemed every instant on the point of engulphing

June.

_____ them.

During its advance, the front of Adam's brigade
was partially crossed by the squadron of the 23rd
light dragoons, under Lieutenant Banner, retiring
in disorder from its charge.* Mistaken for hostile
cavalry, these dragoons were unfortunately fired
upon by the 52nd regiment, and it was not until
the foremost of them had fallen close upon the
bayonets, that the error was discovered. Imme-
diately after this incident, a fire of grape was
opened upon the 52nd by three French field pieces
in the prolongation of its right flank. This enfi-
lading of the regiment in its four -deep line was a
judicious measure on the part of the French artil-
lery, and well calculated to derange the advance of
Adam's brigade. It was, however, very gallantly
and speedily checked by the wheeling up and
advance of the right section of the 52nd, under
Lieutenant Gawler,| who succeeded in driving off
the guns, whilst the rest of the regiment continued
its pursuit.

Wellington, as soon as he saw that the success
of the charge by Adam's brigade was so decisive,
requested Uxbridge immediately to launch forward
some fresh cavalry to check the probable advance
of that of the enemy, and to second the efforts of
the infantry in front, by boldly attacking the

* Sec note at page 176,

t Now Lieut. Colonel George Gawler, K.H., Unatt.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN T 1815.

185

French reserves, which appeared collected in front of lath of

La Belle Alliance, the critical point of Napoleon's L

line. Lieut. Colonel Lord Greenock,* Assistant
Quarter Master General of the cavalry, was de-
spatched to Vivian with orders for him to move
his hussar-brigade to its right from its position in
rear of Alten's division, so as to get clear of the
infantry, and then to advance directly to the front
by the right of Maitland's brigade of guards. At
the same time, the Duke turned round to order up
the nearest supports to the space which had been
vacated in his front line by the advance of Adam's
brigade. But what a spectacle met his view !
The three Dutch- Belgian squares, into which
d'Aubreme's brigade had been formed, and whose
unsteadiness, previously described, had greatly
augmented as the firing and shouting on the exte-
rior slope of the ridge, of which they could see
nothing, became more continuous and intense,
were now in a state bordering on dissolution. The
faces of the squares were already broken at in-
tervals by groups in the act of abandoning their
ranks ; whilst several officers of Vandeleur's bri-
gade, which, as before observed, was drawn up in
their rear, were zealously exerting themselves in
endeavouring to induce these troops to stand fast.
The Duke, observing this, called out, " That's
right ; tell them the French are retiring." This

* Now Lieut. General Earl Cathcart, K.C.B.

186 HISTORY OF THE WAR IX

intelligence, quickly caught up and spread through
their ranks, had the desired effect of restoring
them to order. They shortly afterwards formed
into columns, and advanced to the front line.

In order to preserve a distinct and connected
view of the combined operations against Napoleon,
it will be necessary, previously to describing the
general advance of the Allied line, consequent
upon the failure of the attack by the French im-
perial guard, to revert to the movements of the
Prussians.

It will be recollected that Vivian's, and subse-
quently, Vandeleur's brigade, quitted the left of
the Anglo -allied line, on the approach of the ad-
vanced guard of Zieten's corps towards that point.
Shortly before the arrival of these troops, the
French skirmishers in front of Durutte's division,
which constituted the angle of the potence on
which stood the extreme right of Napoleon's army,
having been considerably reinforced, were pushed
forward for the purpose of establishing themselves
in the houses and inclosures in the valley below
them, and of impeding, by this means, the con-
nection between Billow's corps and the Anglo-
allied left. The Xassauers, of Prince Bernhard
of Saxe-Weimar's brigade, fell back from the
houses of the hamlet of Papelotte, but firmly
maintained their ground on the Allied side of the
valley, retaining possession of the farms of Pape-
lotte and La Haye. The French skirmishers,

FRANCE A1S 7 D BELGIUM IN 1815. (187}

passing further to their right, pressed on to the istifo?

village of Smohain, where they became warmly

. engaged with the Prussian troops that had been so
judiciously posted in that quarter. Bliicher, per-
ceiving the infantry of the advanced guard of
Zieten's corps upon the height above Smohain,
sent an order for its moving by the shortest way to
engage the enemy in the valley. The Prussian
General von Muffling, attached to the head-
quarters staff of the Duke of Wellington, was at
that moment in this vicinity, and gave the requisite
instructions to the staff officer sent forward from
Zieten's corps.

About this time, the 5j;h_and 6thjnfantry-bri-
gades, as also the reserve- cavalry of Pirch's corps,
reached the field, in rear of Biilow. Pirch, placing
himself at the head of his leading brigade (the
5th), immediately conducted it in the direction
of Planchenoit ; and, on coming up with the JLAlh
and IQth brigades, he began, in conjunction with
Colonel Hiller, to make the necessary dispositions
for the third attack upon that village. The_6th
brigade was ordered to follow as a reserve ; and
the attack was to be supported by a simultaneous
advance of the right wing of Billow's corps against
Lobau's line, which was exceedingly well drawn
up, and exhibited every indication of making a
determined stand. Bliicher had despatched an
order to the TihJjrjgade (of Pirch's corps) to move
together with the 4th_Jurmark land wehr- cavalry,

188 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of upon Maransart, on the south side of the Lasne,
_for the purpose of covering his left flank. The
remaining brigade (the 8th) of Pirch's corps,
which had been detained in consequence of the
rear-guard affair near Wavre, received orders
from Pirch to quicken its advance. The reserve-
v cavalry of Pirch 's corps was deployed in three
4 lines on the right of the cavalry of the 4ih_jcorps.
The first line consisted of the Pomeranian hussars
and the Brandenburg^hussars ; the second, of the
Silesian uhlans, two squadrons of the 6th Neumark
dragoons, and the Queen's jlragoons ; and the
third, of the 5th -Xurmark and Elbe landwehr-
cavalry. These lines of cavalry thus occupied the
interval between the wings of Billow's corps, and,
at the same time, served to impose, by their display
of force, upon the French cavalry, under Domont,
which was then in reserve.

Bliicher, judging the re-capture of Planchenoit
to be a most essential aid in the general operations
against the French, as affording the means not
only of turning the right of Lobau's corps, but
also of molesting the rear of the French army,
and of endangering its main line of retreat, ordered
the immediate advance of the troops destined for
the third attack upon that village. They were
formed in the following order : The second and
third battalions of the 2nd regiment (5th brigade)
made the attack in the direction of the church;
the first and_sfiojid_battalions of the 5th West-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. ] gg

phalian landwehr, formed into one, were directed isth of
upon the French left of the village ; the first -
battalion of the 2nd regiment followed in rear
of the central space between these two columns ;
Major von_Witzleben led the third battalion of
the 25th regiment (5th brigade) towarckflh"e heights
on the (French) right of the village ; and the
remainder of this regiment, which had occupied ,
the outer hedge of the wood of Virere on the left,
also advanced. The llth regiment and the 2nd
Pomeranian Jandwehr, belonging to the 14th bri-
gade, and the first and second battalions of the
15thjM3giment, with the first and second battalions
of the 1st Silesian landwehr, belonging to the ltk-
brigade. followecTlif support of this attack. The
whole force was disposed in chequered columns,
preceded by a strong line of skirmishers, and
covered by the Prussian batteries on the heights
in rear. The horse-battery, No. 6, posted on the
high ground upon the rightoftHe" wood of Virere,
was principally occupied in diverting the fire from
a horse-battery of the reserve -artillery of the French
imperial guard, which had one half of its guns
above the hollow-way formed by the road leading
down into Planchenoit from La maison du Roi,
and the other half detached to an elevated spot
in the south part of the village, whence it had a
commanding view of a considerable portion of the
advancing columns.

Simultaneously with this third attack upon Plan-

190 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of clienoit, the 1.3th and loth brigades, which

June. ; : .

constituted Billow's right wing, advanced against

Lobau's line, covered by a force of artillery much
superior to that which the French could bring to
bear against, them. They were disposed in che-
quered columns of battalions, in the following
manner : In front line were the second battalion
of the 18th_regiment and the third .battalion of the
3rd Silesian_landwehr ; in the second line were
the first and thirdjbattalions of the 18th regiment,
the first and second battalions of the 3rd Silesian
landvvehrTand the IsFbattalion of the fOth regi-
ment ; in the third Jinejvere the three battalions
of the 4th Silesian landwehr, and the secp_ncLbatta-
lion of the 10th regiment. The three battalions
of the 3rd Neumark landwehr followecTm reserve,
The right of this advance was supported by the
West Prussian uhlans and the 2nd Neumark land-
wehr-cavalry.

In the meantime, the first_Jnfontryj-brigade of
Zieten^scorps, having continued its descent into
the valley, passing Hacke's infantry in and about
Smohain on its left, advanced upon La Haye and
Papelotte, and mistaking the Nassauers for French,
through the similarity of uniform, opened a sharp
fire upon them, and drove them from their post.
The latter at first replied to this fire, which was
kept up for some minutes, killing and wounding on
both sides, until the error was discovered, These
troops then began pressing forward, conjointly

FRANCE AND HELGIUM IN 1815.

with those from Smohain, against the French skir- isth of

. June.

mishers. _____

The advanced cavalry of Zieten's corps which
had been seen approaching the left of Wellington's
line, had now joined. The Brandenburg dragoons
and Brandenburg uhlans, drew up in line in rear
of the Wavre road, and on the immediate left of
Best's Hanoverian infantry brigade. The ^Ist
Silesian hussars formed upon the outer slope of
the ridge, in rear of the lane leading from tjie
Wavre road down to Papelotte. The 2nd Kur-
mark JajidiEahr- cavalry drew up in the hollow in
rear of the interval between the land wehr- battalions
Osterode and Verden_-o-Best's brigade. It was

on the ground immediately in front of this interval
that Captain von Rettberg's Hanoverian foot-bat-
tery had been posted throughout the day, and as
the latter had expended the whole of its ammuni-
tion, it withdrew to the rear as the Prussian horse-
battery, No. 7, came up, by which it was then
relieved, and the Prussians opened a cannonade
from this point upon the opposite heights.* The

* Captain von Rettberg was occupied with his ammunition-waggons im-
mediately in rear of the knoll on which his battery was posted, and on the
right of a patch of brushwood, when his attention was arrested by trumpet
sounds with which his ear was unacquainted, and he perceived the advance
of the Prussian cavalry. Lieut. General von Zieten was at the head of the
latter, and asked Captain von Rettberg the shortest way to the high road
that passes by La Haye Sainte ; whereupon Captain von Rettberg con-
ducted him to the point at which that road is intersected by the one from
Wavre. It was shortly after this that the general advance of the Allied
line took place.

192

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of Prussian foot-battery, No. 7, quitting the Wavre

June.

road proceeded some way down the outer slope oi
the ridge to seek a favourable point whence il
could by its fire cover the advance of the infantn
in the valley.

Such was the general disposition of Bliicher's
forces relatively with that of Wellington's arm\
at the time when the latter had defeated the attack-
ing columns of the French imperial guard j and
was following up its triumph by boldly assailing the
very centre of Napoleon's position, at which point
the latter had collected his sole remaining reserves.

Perhaps a more comprehensive view of this relative
disposition of the Prussian troops may be afforded
by simply stating, by way of a summary, that the
advanced portion of Zieten's corps had joined the
left of the Allied line, that part of Pirch's corps
(including his reserve cavalry,) had joined Billow ;
and that the latter was on the advance his right
to attack Lobau, and his left to make a third
assault upon Planchenoit the French opposed to
them evincing, at all points, every indication of
making a firm and determined stand.

We must now resume the detail of the brilliant
and decisive dispositions of the Duke of Wel-
lington, whom we left triumphantly defeating the
French imperial guard, and requesting the Earl of
Uxbridge to bring forward fresh cavalry, to aid
the advancing infantry in taking immediate advan-
tage of the disorder and confusion into which the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1&15.

enemy had been thrown by the failure of his last isth of

; June.

grand attack. _

There is not, perhaps, an instance in modern
history, in which the threatening tide of battle,
has, through the lightning-light promptitude of
decision, and the energetic application of yet re-
maining resources, been so suddenly and power-
fully controlled, and so majestically and irresistibly
hurled back, overwhelming all and every thing
that, in the previous plenitude of its force, it had
borne aloft, with buoyant hopes, and carried along
exultingly in its course, as it was by the immortal
Wellington in this his last, his crowning victory.
Never did a battle-field present so complete, so
magical a transition of scene as that which suc-
ceeded the defeat of the imperial guards of France
by the guards of the sovereign of England and
the British light infantry-brigade. The state of
the Duke's army at the time of Napoleon's last
grand attack has already been adverted to, but let
us glance again, for a moment, at the awfully di-
minished numbers, and almost exhausted energies,
of those heroic bands which, in front line, had
been exposed to the incessant and concentrated
cannonade from a range of batteries forming al-
most the entire arc of which that line was the
chord ; subjected to repeated and vigorous attacks
of all arms during so many hours ; and now called
upon to resist " to the death" another assault more
fierce and determined than any they had yet en-

VOL. II. O

194 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of countered look at the rear of that line, and ob-
' serve the palpable defection in the ranks of an
ally, whose contingent, whilst it constituted so
great a proportion of the Duke's entire force, had
already afforded too evident proofs that in a cal-
culation of available resources, its services must be
thrown entirely out of the scale see, too, at
increased intervals, the wrecks of the British and
German cavalry, with, however, the fortunate ex-
ception of the two light brigades so opportunely
brought from the extreme left to the rear of the
menaced point of attack how discouraging an
aspect, when compared with that of the French
army advancing to its last grand attack ! Is it to
be wondered that at that moment, doubts as to the
issue of the great contest should have prevailed in
the minds even of those who were prepared to
support their noble chief to the last drop of their
blood ? And yet, with such apparently inefficient
elements, the bare contemplation of which might
have both weighed down the energies, and altered
the purpose, of another general, did the British
chief not only successfully defeat this most formi-
dable assault, but finally gain a signal and resplen-
dent victory. It would, however, be unjust to the
abilities, and to the fame of the Duke, to ascribe
such victory solely to his defeat of the attacking
columns of the imperial guard upon his own posi-
tion ; though such, no doubt, was the foundation
upon which he erected the structure of his final

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

triumph. The ten^ battalions of the guard, of
which the attacking columns had been composed,
were defeated ; but these, it must be borne in
mind, constituted but the van of the attacking
force, which comprised no less than the whole
front line of the French army. D'Erlon's corps
from the right, and Reille's corps from the left,
were pouring forth their numerous columns, the
principal portion of which had already reached
more than midway towards the Allied position,
and presented a formidable array, whilst from the
heights which they had quitted, their artillery
thundered forth as vigorously over their heads,
upon the exhausted line of the Allies, as at any
previous period of the battle. The four battalions
of the first attacking column of the guard had
been rallied with great rapidity by Napoleon, and
posted on a commanding eminence, intersected by V
the Charleroi road in front of his centre. Near
La Belle Alliance, reserves had been collected,
principally of cavalry ; and though the latter con-
sisted entirely of the remains of corps that had
previously suffered great losses, they might have
been wielded with powerful effect against any point
at which the advancing infantry should succeed in
making an impression. Besides these, there stood
on the French extreme left, a brigade of light c
valry, which had not been engaged during any
part of the day, and had never yet moved out of
its position. On the other hand, too, however

196

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

of glorious the result of the struggle with the imperial

!_ guard, it could not but tend to cripple still further

the slender physical means which the Duke yet
retained at his disposal. Victory, hovering over
the brave conquerors of the imperial guard, alight-
ed for a moment at the feet of Wellington, and
ere the goddess could be scared away by the still
threatening countenance of the enemy, Britain's
hero secured her favour by the display of that
extraordinary foresight, prompt decision, and un-
flinching determination, which, though at all times
his distinguishing characteristics, now shone forth
with more than ordinary brilliancy. His perfect
knowledge of the character and composition of the
French army plainly told him that a signal defeat
of the imperial guard, a force employed only or
occasions of great and critical emergency, wouk
be certain to exercise a powerful influence upon
the morale of the enemy's troops ; but it also tok
him that, unless instant advantage were taken o
that defeat, unless it were followed up in such '<
manner as to render the incipient panic which i
had created, general and uncontrollable, that sam<
army might, through the powerful influence an<
indefatigable exertions of such men as Napoleoi
and Ney, rapidly recover the shock ; d'Erlon's an<
Reille's columns, although faltering for a moment
might pursue their advance with determined effort
to regain the footing which the guard had lost
the veterans composing the latter force, resolve<

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

to avenge their defeat, might speedily rally, and, isthof
with desperate resolution, renew their attack, aided
by a more direct and effective support by the ca-
valry-reserves collected in front of La Belle Alli-
ance. This view had scarcely passed across the
mind of the Duke, when his decision was fully
made. With those critically slender means, to
which allusion has more than once been made, and
which in the hands of many a commander would
have been deemed totally inadequate for even the
maintenance of the position, at such fearful odds,
Wellington determined to compensate for the aw-
fully reduced and exhausted state of the fighting
portion of his troops, and the utter want of confi-
dence in the remainder, by one of those bold and
daring acts, which, when hazarded at the right
moment, carry with them the prestige of con-
scious superiority, and allow an enemy no time to
discover deficiencies, or to calculate mischances.
No sooner was the second attacking column of the
imperial guard defeated and dispersed, than he or-
dered it to be vigorously pursued, and the rallied
force of the first column to be attacked, by Adam'
brigade ; whilst at the same moment he launched
forth Vivian^ hussar-brigade against the cavalry-
reserves near La Belle Alliance, before these had
made their dispositions for attack, and even before
they had recovered from the surprise and hesita-
tion which prevailed amongst them on witnessing
the discomfiture of the guard.

198

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of Vivian, the moment he received the order to

advance, wheeled his brigade, half-scjuadrons to the

right. Thus the 10th hussars became the leading
regiment, the 1 8 thTussars__follo wed, and the 1st
hussars of the German legion, which had stood in
secondTTmeT moved off, as soon as its front was
clear, in rear of the latter corps. The brigade
proceeded, at a trot, a short distance in rear of the
infantry, and parallel to the crest of the position ;
and, as it approached the right of Maitland's bri-
gade of guards, Vivian, ordering the leading half-
squadron to wheel to the left, through Napier's
battery, led it perpendicularly to the front.* As
the column thus advanced across the ridge, in left
front of Vandeleur's light cavalry-brigade, it was
saluted by the latter with cheers of encourage-
ment ; and in a similar manner by Maitland's bri-
gade of guards as it passed their flank. The

* On this occasion, the officer commanding the leading half-squadron,
not correctly catching the word of command, in consequence, prohably, of
the noise created by the fire from Napier's battery, which it had closely
approached, as also by the shouts from Adam's brigade, which was following
up its triumph, wheeled to the right instead of to the left ; a mistake which,
considering the wavering disposition of the Dutch-Belgian troops posted in
rear of that point, might have caused great confusion, had it not been for
the alacrity and promptitude with which it was rectified by Vivian in person,
who immediately galloped to the flank of the second half-squadron, and,
with a considerable degree of emphasis (and, it must be admitted, with a
good hearty d n), called out that it was towards and not from the enemy
they were to wheel. He took the flank officer's place, and led the column
down the hill in the direction he wished to move, until the proper leading
. half-squadron was brought up into its place, when he proceeded to the
flank of the latter, and continued for some time longer at the head of his
brigade.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

smoke lay heavily along the entire position, and ieth of
especially, at this moment, over that part of the _
exterior slope of the ridge on which the struggle
with the French imperial guard had taken place,
and across which Vivian was now leading his bri-
gade. On advancing further, and getting clear of
the smoke, he obtained a more distinct view of the
dispositions of the enemy's forces in his direct
front. A very considerable portion appeared in
great confusion ; disordered columns of infantry
were hurrying back to the main position, up the
slope, on which were numerous stragglers of all
arms, and in various uniforms, mixed together and
retiring in crowds. Guns were firing from dif-
ferent points to cover the retreat, and the dis-
charge of musketry in and about Hougomont con-
tinued very brisk. On arriving about midway
towards the enemy's position, well formed bodies
of troops were observed on the French left of La
Belle Alliance, posted as if fully prepared to resist
the threatened attack. They consisted of two v
squares of infantry, with cavalry and guns formed
on the flanks and between them. The cavalry on
their left was somewhat advanced, comprising sepa-
rate bodies, partially covering one another, but pre-
senting a general front, and posted on some rising
ground about 200 yards on the Allied left of the
south-east angle of the Hougomont inclosures. The ,
two squares here alluded to were the twobatialions "
of the grenadjer^-of the old guard, which had been

200

HISPORY OF THE WAR IN

of placed in reserve of the main attack by that force
' as previously explained.* The cavalry on the left
was thus disposed first, on the slope of the little
eminence, a portion of the lancers of the imperial
guard ; then, in right rear of thlTlatter, were two
squadrpjia,of the dragoons of the guard ; in right
rear of these again, and on the summit of the emi-
nence, stood the brigade_^ofj3arabiniers. In rear
of these, and of the squares themselves, as also on
the right of the latter, were collected the remain-
der of that portion of the French cavalry which
had made such repeated attacks upon the Duke's
line during the day. All these different bodies of
cavalry were but mere wrecks of their former
selves regiments, and, in many instances, entire
brigades, were diminished to less than squadrons.
In the morning, as they came fresh into the field,
they constituted the flower of the French cavalry ;
now, so severe had been their losses, they presented
a meVe phantom of their former splendour.

Vivian, as soon as he perceived this disposition
of the enemy's forces in his immediate front, de-
cided upon forming a front line with the 10th. and
18th British_liussars, and upon holding the 1st
v hussars of the German legion in second line, in
support. For this purpose, and also with a view
to oppose, and, if possible, to turn, the left of the
enemy's cavalry, he made the leading regiment,

* See page 147.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 201

the 10th hussars, incline to its right. Shortly 18th f

J June.

afterwards, Vivian was joined by Colonel Sir Colin

Campbell* of the staff, who brought him an order
from the Duke that he was not to attack before
the infantry came up, unless he felt confident of
success. Vivian remarked that as the Allied
infantry in its anxiety to get on, was probably not
in compact order, its safety might be seriously
endangered should it be exposed to a cavalry-
attack ; and that, in his opinion, it would be better
that not a moment should be lost on his part in
driving off the cavalry which appeared in his front.
Sir Colin Campbell coincided in this opinion, and
returned to the Duke. After the very short pause
at the head of the column, consequent upon this
little discussion, Vivian, continuing the advance,
ordered the 10th hussars to form line on the front
half-squadron, and, at the same time, sent orders
to his two other regiments also to form line on
their leading half-squadrons respectively, but then
to remain in support. Just at this moment the
right half-squadron of the 10th was attacked by x'
a squadron of the cuirassiers, which, however, it
immediately beat back. The rapid pace which
had been maintained by the head of the column,
and the incline to the right which had been given
to it, required great activity on the part of the
left half-squadrons to get up into line ; and as

* Now Lieut. General Sir Colin Campbell, K.C.B.

202 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of Vivian ordered the charge as soon as the first

June.

squadron was formed, it was executed not in line

but rather in echelon of squadrons, which, under
the circumstances of the moment, as will presently
be seen, was the preferable and more desirable
formation. Just as the charge was ordered, the
\S 2jnLJight dragoons of the King's German legion,
in a column of squadrons, which had been detached
from the main position, almost simultaneously with
the advance of Vivian's brigade, came up on the
right of the 10th hussars, and in a direction rather
crossing the front of the latter regiment, which had
its left thrown somewhat forward whilst the Ger-
mans were moving straight to their front. The lan-
cers, before mentioned as the nearest French cavalry
on the gentle eminence, perceiving the advance
of the 2nd light dragoons directly towards them,
immediately prepared to attack. They couched
their lances, and made a very gallant charge down
the hill towards the Germans, but just as they
were on the point of closing with the latter, the
right squadron of the 10th hussars came upon
them, taking them in flank, and fairly driving them
off. The French heavy dragoons next appeared,
charging down in support of the lancers, but they
were met and attacked by the centre squadron
of the 10th; which cut in amongst them, and
entirely dispersed them. The left squadron of the
10th had scarcely closed with the enemy, before
the whole of the cavalry on the (French) left of the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 203

squares of the guard, was in full flight. Vivian, 18th f

. . June.

perceiving the complete success of this brilliant

charge, ordered a halt ; and then returned as
quickly as possible to the 18th hussars.* But pre-
viously to describing his subsequent proceedings
it is necessary to revert to other matters in order
to connect them with the general disposition of the
main army.

Adam's light infantry-brigade had, in the mean */
time, been steadily advancing from the moment
of its charge upon the left flank of the second
attacking column of the French imperial guard,
sweeping along the front of the right centre of the
Anglo-allied position, and bringing forward its left
shoulders as it neared the Charleroi road, so that
its left skirted the orchard of La Haye Sainte.
It had now reached the hollow immediately under
the nearest French height which was intersected
by that road, and upon which the troops that had
composed the first attacking column of the guard
had been rallied by Napoleon, and formed into
three squares. The 2nd regiment of chasseurs X
of the old guard having formed the extreme left
of the attacking force had been closely observed
by Lieut. Colonel Halkett, who continued to fol-

* On bis way to the 18th hussars, Vivian was attacked by a cuirassier.
His right hand was in a sling, in consequence of a wound received at
Croix d'Orade, near Toulouse. Taking the reins in this hand, which was
barely capable of holding them, he contrived to give the cuirassier a thrust
in the neck with his left hand, whilst at the same moment he was joined by
his German orderly, who cut the Frenchman off his horse.

204

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

low it very steadily with the Osnabriick landwehr-

battalion as it retired towaroS~tEe high road,

inclining to La Belle Alliance.

Wellington, perceiving the confusion in which
the columns of the French imperial guard fell
back after the decided failure of their attack a
confusion which was evidently extending itself with
wonderful rapidity to a vast portion of the troops
in their vicinity who witnessed their discomfiture ;
remarking also the beautiful advance of Vivian's
hussar-brigade against the French reserves posted
close to La Belle Alliance, and in the very heart
of Napoleon's position ; as well as the steady
and triumphant march of Adam's brigade, which,
driving a host of fugitives before it, had now
closely approached the nearest rise of the French
position contiguous to the Charleroi road ; finally,
observing that Billow's movement upon Planche-
noit had begun to take effect, perceiving the fire
of his cannon, and being also aware that part of
a Prussian corps had joined his own left by Ohain,
he ordered a general advance of the whole of
his line of infantry, supported by the cavalry and
artillery.

As this long wished-for command rapidly passed
along the line, loud and joyous were the shouts
with which it was received. The passive endur-
ance, not unaccompanied by murmurs, with which
the Allied troops had, during so many hours, with-
stood the incessant attacks of cavalry, infantry,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 205

and artillery, to which so' vast, so awful a proper- lethof

tion of their comrades had fallen a sacrifice, now '.

gave place to feelings of intense exultation, of
intoxicating triumph. At the same time, when
they saw that the advance was general, that the
enemy had retired in confusion from his last grand
attack, and that the brigades detached to the front
were boldly assailing his reserves, the conviction
flashed across their minds that if the Duke had
hitherto resisted their demands to be led to the
attack, his consummate and unerring judgment,
had caused him to defer the advance until that
attack could be undertaken with every probability
of success.

Just at this decisive moment, the faint rays of
the setting sun shone forth, and as they struggled
to penetrate the almost universal haze created by
the hitherto unremitting volumes of smoke which
a close, dense atmosphere appeared incapable of
altogether dissipating, they cast upon the varied
and multitudinous objects on the field, a lurid
light, imparting to them a colouring so strikingly
impressive, as can never be effaced from the
memories of those who witnessed that magnificent
battle-scene. In front of the line, on the rise
occupied by Maitland's brigade of guards, stood
prominently in view, the great and noble Duke
himself, his hat raised high in air, as the signal
for the commencement of the general advance ;
leaders in front of their divisions and brigades,

06 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of appearing, by their animated gestures, to take the

tone from their great chieftain ; unfurled colours

raised aloft, proudly displaying their shattered
remnants ; drums, hugles, trumpets, sending forth
their warlike sounds to commingle with the enthu-
siastic and tumultuous cheering of the troops ; artil-
lerymen occupied in working out their guns from
the soft soil in which they had become so deeply
imbedded ; squadrons and supports pressing forward
to gain the ridge, as this became vacated by the
first line, to behold, and participate in, the glorious
triumph ; numerous isolated soldiers, hurrying on,
wherever they could be spared from attending the
wounded, to join their ranks, and share in the in-
spiring excitement of such a moment ; in the dis-
tance, in front, the retiring masses of the French,
intermingled with crowds of fugitives of all arms,
mounted and dismounted ; far away to the left,
the dark columns of the Prussians, and the smoke
ascending from their batteries ; on tbe right, and
somewhat in advance, the dense vapour still slowly
circling upwards from the glowing embers of Hou-
gomont, assuming a reddish glare as it floated over
the heads of the brave defenders of that post of
honour ; all appeared to the eyes of the beholder
illumined, as it were, by a light partaking rather
of the supernatural, than of the ordinary effects
of sunshine. It was of brief duration. The sun
sank rapidly below the horizon, and if the gor-
geous colouring which departed with it had been

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 207

congenial to the exhilarated feelings of the victors, 18th of

,. June.

so, in an equal degree, must the succeeding twi-

light, rendered still more gloomy by a clouded sky,
have toned in with the dejected and gloomy spirits
of the vanquished. With these there prevailed
no other sentiments than those of a vexed and
mortified perplexity, or an extreme dismay. The
panic which had set in was extending itself widely
and speedily throughout the line, and despondency
was depicted in every countenance.

The Duke galloped off to Adam's brigade, which
was then in the valley immediately below the height
on which the three squares of the French guard
were posted ; and as these appeared inclined to
make a stand, he ordered Adam to attack them.
The latter, however, suggested to his Grace that as
the brigade, in consequence of its rapid advance
over the heavy soil in the valley, encumbered too
as the latter was with dead and dying men and
horses, both singly and in heaps, had become some-
what loose in its formation, it might be advisable
to halt it, to allow the files to close in. This was
accordingly done. But after a few moments only
had elapsed, the Duke said, " They won't stand
better attack them ;" and being at the time close
to the colours of the centre regiment, (the 52nd,)
he called out, " Go on, Colborne, go on !"

Colonel Sir Colin Campbell now rejoined the
Duke, and explained the grounds upon which
Vivian had decided upon attacking the French ca-

208 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

ISA of valry-reserves ; on learning which Lord Uxbridge,

June.

who was present,* determined upon personally

leading the attack with the hussars, and participat-
ing in the final and decisive triumph of the British
cavalry ; and was on the point of darting off to
that part of the field, when his intentions were
suddenly frustrated by a grape-shot from the bat-
tery on the height above him striking and severely
wounding his right leg. Reluctantly compelled to
desist from further exertion, this gallant and noble
warrior, who had so bravely, so chivalrously, so
skilfully, and so successfully, led the British cavalry
throughout the day, had still the satisfaction of
feeling and knowing that although not permitted
to witness the closing triumph of that branch of
the service of which he was at once the chief, the
ornament, and pride, he had well and truly per-
formed his duty to his sovereign and his country.
He was supported for some moments by Sir Colin
Campbell, and was shortly afterwards, with the
assistance of a party of the 23rd light dragoons,
carried into the high road, along which he was
borne to Waterloo ; and, when subsequently under-

* Previously to this, and at the time when his lordship ordered forward
Sir Hussey Vivian's brigade, he rode up to Major Lautour, 1 then command-
ing the 23rd light dragoons, on the left of the household cavalry, and asked
him for a troop-horse, his own charger being tired or wounded. Major
Lautour immediately dismounted Serjeant Major Stride, and gave his mare
to Lord Uxbridge, who proceeded to the front, and rejoined the Duke.

1 Now Colonel Peter Augustus Lautour, C.B., K.H. ; h.p. 23rd light
dragoons.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 209

going, at that village, the necessary operation of

amputation, so great were the satisfaction and con-
tentment which had been wrought in his mind as
he calmly reflected on the brilliant exploits that
had marked the arduous and varied struggle, that
observing the anxious and compassionate looks of
his friends around his couch, he exclaimed, " Who
would not lose a leg for such a victory ?" Seldom
indeed has a cavalry-chief more distinguished him-
self in the field than did the Earl of Uxbridge on
this great day. As he flew from one point to
another, now boldly rushing into the fight at the
head of a glorious charge, then skilfully covering
a retreat under the pressure of overpowering num-
bers ; here zealously endeavouring by his own
personal example to stimulate and rouse into action
the lukewarm energies of the cavalry of an ally,
there collecting and rallying, for further high em-
prize, the remnants of the devoted bands of his
own nation ; restlessly vigilant in watching and
preparing for the manoeuvres of a renowned
and powerful cavalry, admirably appointed and
equipped, and led by a Kellermann, a Guyot, and a
Lefebvre-Desnouettes ; evincing the most cool and
resolute confidence in the prowess of his followers,
as he dashed forward either to break asunder the
combined advance of the enemy's masses, or to
follow up the advantage already gained by the
Allied infantry he seemed to blend and embody
in his own character, in a pre-eminent degree, the
VOL. IT. p

21Q HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of heroic valour of ancient chivalry, with the skilled
address of modern cavalry tacticians.*

As Adam's brigade ascended the hill, in com-
pliance with Wellington's orders, to charge the
French squares, it was received with a heavy
fire from their front and flanks. The Duke,
being at this time close to the centre of the ad-
vancing line, against which point this fire was
principally directed, incurred great personal risk ;
and as the shot flew fast and thick about him,
Sir Colin Campbell said to him, " This is no place
for you you had better move." To this the
Duke replied, " I will when I see those fellows off.'*
On the near and imposing approach of the brigade,
in the attitude of charging, the imperial guard
ceased firing, faced to the rear, and commenced
a retreat by word of command. As they with-
drew, his Grace rode up the valley in the direction
of his right front, and came upon the plain, on
which Vivian was successfully attacking the French
reserves.

The gallant charge made by the 10th hussars
upon the French cavalry posted in its right front,
has already been described. After ordering the
halt and rally, Vivian galloped towards the 18th
hussars, which regiment he found well formed in
line, and in perfect order. In its front stood the

* In consideration of his distinguished services, the Prince Regent was
pleased to grant him the dignity of a Marque.s?, by the name, style, and title
of " Marquess of Anglesey."

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 211

two squares of the grenadiers of the old guard ; in isth of

its left front, and much nearer to it, were posted

artillery and cavalry, in advance of the proper
right of the squares. This cavalry consisted prin-
cipally of cuirassiers the wrecks of entire bri-
gades. Nearer to, and partly in rear of, the
squares, stood the chasseurs, and grenadiers a
cheval, of the imperial guard, greatly diminished
in numbers. It was immediately evident to Vivian
that the attack must in the first instance be directed
against the advanced cavalry and artillery ; and
having put the line in motion, he placed himself
in front of the centre, beside Lieut. Colonel the
Honorable Henry Murray, the commanding officer,
for the purpose of putting the regiment into the
required direction. This having been effected,
he ordered the charge ; when the hussars dashed
forward with the greatest impetuosity, and, at the
same time, with as much steadiness and regularity
as if they had been at field-day exercise on Houns-
low heath. Thus, the direction of the charge by the
18th diverged as much to the left, as that by the
10th had inclined to the right. Just as the charge
commenced, some French artillery coming from
their right, and slanting towards the right of the
18th, made a bold push to cross the front of the
latter at a gallop. But the attempt failed, and
the hussars were instantly among them, cutting
down the artillerymen and drivers, and securing
the guns. In the next moment they fell upon the

212 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

istij of advanced cavalry, which they completely dispersed,
_and then, bringing forward their left shoulders,
they attacked the cavalry and guns that stood more
to the right front, and near to the right square,
which was now retiring. This cavalry appeared,
at first, determined upon making a stand ; and an
officer in its front dashed forward, and fired at
Lieut. Colonel Murray ; but, in another moment,
the 18th were fiercely and dexterously plying their
swords amongst them. They were forced to give
way, the artillerymen were driven from their guns,
and the whole fled in disorder. The charge then
ceased to be compact, for the assailants and the
flying were intermingled pell-mell ; all riding as
fast as the confusion of the melee would permit ;
a part of them along the high road, but the prin-
cipal portion on the Allied right of the latter ;
the whole, however, passing by La Belle Alliance,
and leaving the two squares of the guard on their
right.

Vivian, satisfied with the complete success of
the charge, ordered the regiment to halt and re-
form ; whilst he proceeded himself to bring up
the 1st hussars of the legion, which corps he had
left in reserve. On his way, he found Major the
Honorable Frederick Howard, with a small body
of the 10th hussars, which he had collected from
among those of the regiment that had not joined
in the pursuit of the French cavalry more to the
right, carried on by Lieut. Colonel Lord Robert

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

213

Manners,* then commanding the 10th. This small isth of

, , . . June.

body, by no means amounting to a squadron, stood

forward within a short distance of the left square
of the grenadiers of the guard, from the fire of
which it was losing men fast. Vivian doubted for
a moment how far it might be advisable to attack
the square, but perceiving an infantry-regiment
in red advancing on his left, and calculating on its
immediately charging the face and angle of the
square next to it, he ordered Major Howard to
charge the face and angle to which he was opposed.
This was executed with the greatest gallantry
and determination. Vivian himself joined in the
charge, on the right of the squadron. The hussars
charged home to the bayonets of the French guard,
and a fierce conflict ensued. Major Howard was
killed at the head of his men. He was shot in
the mouth, and fell senseless to the ground, when
one of the imperial guard stepped out of the
ranks, and brutally beat his head with the butt-
end of his musket.f Two other officers, Lieu-

* Major General Lord Robert Manners, C.B., died on tbe 15th Nov. 1835.

t Tliis officer was highly esteemed, not only by his own regiment, but
by all who knew him. One of my informants, who was a brother- officer
of his, says " I never knew Howard do or say a thing one could wish
otherwise. He was an excellent officer too ; and, 1 know, a sincerely
attached husband." Byron's lines are as just to the memory of the chival-
rous soldier, as they are honourable to the feelings of the noble bard :

" And his was of the bravest, and when showerM

The death-bolts deadliest the thinn'd files along,
Even where the thickest of war's tempest lower'd,
They reach'd no nobler breast than thine, young, gallant Howard."

The same brother-officer, above mentioned, has favoured me with some

214 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

j 8th of tenants, Arnold* and Bacon,t were wounded.

June.

Lieutenant Gunning was killed immediately pre-
vious to the attack. The regiment of infantry,
however, did not charge, as Vivian had expected,
but continued pursuing a separate column in its
own immediate front on the high road.

Although the square, a very strong one, cannot
be said to have been broken by the shock, for the
veteran soldiers of whom it was composed knew
too well their power of resistance against such a
handful of horsemen, still the manner in which the
latter, notwithstanding the rapid diminution of
their number, continued cutting at the ranks,
parrying bayonet- thrusts, and pertinaciously press-
ing on, reflects the highest credit upon the 10th
British hussars. The men fought with despe-
ration ; maddened probably by the fall of their
officers. The square, yielding to the pressure,
continued to fall back until it reached the hollow-
way formed by the narrow road that leads from
the chaussee in rear of La Belle Alliance, towards
the left of the French position. Into this the

lines which he wrote, in 1822, upon his friend's death, when in a transport
(not, as he humorously related to me, a poetical one, but a troop-ship,)
crossing to Ireland with the regiment. This effusion, whilst it breathes
the outpourings of a generous heart and noble mind, presents so truly
graphic a description of that part of the closing scene of Waterloo, con-
nected with the proceedings of Vivian's hussar-brigade, that I have been
induced to append it to this work. See Appendix III.

* Lieut. Colonel Robert Arnold died, whilst in command of the 16th
lancers, on the 20th August, 1839.

t Mow General Bacon in the Portuguese service.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 215

guard hastily descended in confusion, and escaping

by either outlet, mingled with the host of fugitives
hurrying along the general line of retreat of the
French army.

In the mean time, the remainder of the 10th
hussars, consisting of the right, and part of the
centre, squadron, that had, in the course of the
first charge, crossed over to the right of the rise
of ground on which the reserve-cavalry had been
posted, had continued its course, under Lord
Robert Manners, down into the valley, south-east
of the Hougomont inclosures. The routed cavalry
spread out in the utmost confusion cuirassiers, of
an almost gigantic size, galloped as hard as they
could ; and numbers tumbled off their horses to
save themselves. The hussars now came upon
retiring infantry, that appeared seized with a panic
as their routed cavalry dashed past them the
large bear-skin caps, worn by several of them,
betokened a portion of the imperial guard they
commenced throwing down their arms, numbers
of them loudly calling out " Pardoji !" Then,
crossing the same narrow road, before mentioned
as leading from La Belle Alliance to the left of
the French position (but on the Allied right of the
hollow-way by which the square of the guard
effected its escape), the hussars brought up their
right shoulders, and ascended the height in rear
of the hollow-road. Upon the slope of the hill,

216 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of a j) OU t half a battalion of the French guard had

June.

rallied and formed, with some cavalry close behind

them, and opened a sharp fire upon the 10th.
Part of the 18th hussars, at this time, reached
the hollow-way, an obstacle, however, which ren-
dered their attack wholly impracticable. Lord
Robert Manners halted for a minute, when within
about forty paces from them, to allow his men to
form up. He then gave a cheer and charged ;
when the imperial guard and the cavalry instantly
turned and fled ; the greater portion of the former
throwing themselves down, and many of the latter
tumbling off their horses. The hussars pursued
up to the brow of the hill ; on the further or south
side of which was a deep hollow, and beyond this
a knoll, (on the Allied right of the Charleroi road
and nearly opposite De Coster's house,) upon
which another square of infantry had formed, and
appeared very steady. At this time a party of
the 18th hussars not more than from 30 to 35
men continuing the charge, before described,
close along the right of La Belle Alliance and
Trimotion, and crossing the narrow road near its
junction with the Charleroi road, dashed down the
hollow, and ascending the height above mentioned,
charged the square in most gallant style ; but, as
might have been expected, was checked and turned
by the latter. Lord Robert Manners and Captain
Taylor had rallied a party of the 10th hussars,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 217

with a view to support the 18th, should these be isth of

June.

charged in their turn, which, however, did not

occur.

The 2nd light dragoons of the King's German
legion having, after the check given by the first
charge of the 10th hussars to that of the French
lancers which bore down towards them, brought
up their left shoulders, and moved down into the
valley in their right front, charged a body of cui-
rassiers. These at first appeared disposed to resist
the Germans, and received them with a tolerably
effective carbine-fire from their rear ranks, but the
former charged home, cut down several of the
enemy's horsemen, and made some prisoners. In
following up the charge, however, the regiment
exposed its right flank to another body of cuiras-
siers, by which it was thrown into disorder. Lieut.
Colonel de Jonquieres, the commanding officer,
ordered the halt and rally to be sounded, but in
the next moment he was wounded, as was also
Lieut. Colonel von Maydell.* Major Friedrichs,f
who was next in command, highly distinguished
himself on this occasion by the spirited manner
in which he rallied several of his men together ;
and as those that had been dispersed, rapidly

* Lieut. Colonel Charles von Maydell retired from the King's German
legion in 1826.

t Now Colonel Augustus Friedrichs, C.B., K.H., on the Hanoverian
retired list.

218 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of placed themselves on his flanks, and thus extended

June.

his new line, he made another charge, which sent

the enemy's cavalry about, and put it to flight.
The regiment then continued moving forward,
with proper caution, along the base of the higher
ground on the left, over which the 10th and 18th
British hussars were also charging and advancing.

The two last-mentioned regiments had, by this
time, been thrown so much into disorder by their
charges, that it became necessary to check their
further advance, in order to gain time for col-
lecting and re-forming their ranks. Although this
measure was supported by the coming up of the
1st hussars of the legion to take post in front of
the brigade, and was also rendered secure by the
advance, on the right, of Vandeleur's brigade,
(which had come up on Vivian's right, and between
him and the inclosures of Hougomont, in column
of squadrons, at the moment he was preparing
to charge the square of the imperial guard with
the party of the 10th hussars under Major Howard,)
still the rallying and re-forming of those two regi-
ments was attended with considerable difficulty,
inasmuch as they had become completely inter-
mingled with the fugitives.

It is now necessary to recur to Adam's brigade,
which we left advancing, and driving before it,
near the Charleroi road, the three squares of the
guard that had retired as it approached to charge

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 219

them. It will be recollected that upon the brigade isthof

first advancing from the Allied position, Lieut.

Colonel Halkett followed it in immediate rear of
its right flank, with the Osnabriick battalion of
Hanoverian landwehr. When Adam reached the
three squares above mentioned, Halkett, having
the shortest space of ground to move over, soon
came up in line with the brigade, still pursuing the
column formed by the two battalions of chasseurs
of the old guard. The Osnabriickers having then
become much annoyed by a fire that opened upon
them obliquely from a French battery within a
very short distance of their right, their 1st com-
pany broke into subdivisions and, supported by
the sharpshooters of the battalion, made a dash at
the artillery, and captured six guns. During the
greater part of the advance, they had been in
almost close contact with the column formed by
the two battalions of chasseurs of the old guard ;
and Halkett frequently called out to them to sur-
render. Having for some short time fixed his eye
upon an individual whom he took to be the ge-
neral-officer in command of the guard, from his
being in full uniform, and from the animation he
displayed in his endeavours to induce his men to
stand their ground, and observing that the column,
after receiving the fire of the Osnabriickers, left
the general with two officers in its rear, he ordered
the sharpshooters to dash on, whilst he, at the

220 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of same time, darted forward at full gallop to attack

June. ' ^

the general. "When he had come up with him, and
was about to cut him down, the latter called out
that he would surrender. Cambronne, for he it
was, then preceded Halkett as he returned to the
Hanoverian battalion, but had not gone many
paces before Halkett's horse was wounded, and fell
to the ground. In a few seconds, however, Halkett
succeeded in getting him on his legs again, when
he found that his prisoner was escaping in the di-
rection of the French column ; he instantly over-
took him, seized him by the aiguilette, brought
him to the battalion, and gave him in charge to a
Serjeant of the Osnabriickers who was to deliver
him to the Duke.*

Adam's brigade had by this time crossed to the
opposite side of the Charleroi road, and, bringing
forward its left shoulders, was continuing its ad-

* I have entered somewhat into detail concerning the capture of General
Cambronne, in consequence of the statements put forth by several French
writers that, when the imperial guard was called upon to surrender, this
officer replied, " La garde meurt et ne se rend pas," an expression which the
author of " Uhhtoire de I'ex-garde," who insists upon its veracity, has
affixed as a motto to his work. But even this writer is compelled to admit
the difference of opinion that exists as to whether Cambronne really uttered
the words imputed to him. Doubts are also entertained on this point by
the authors of the '' Victoires, conquetes et dsastres des Francais," and no
mention is made of the matter in the " Memoires historiques de Napoleon,
Livre IX." There can be no doubt as to the identity of the French gene-
ral, as Cambronne declared himself to Lieut. Colonel Halkett, his captor,
and was afterwards, along with Count de Lobau and other prisoners, sent to
Ostend.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

vance, in pursuit of the defeated squares, in a di- leti.o
rection parallel with that road ; whilst Halkett, by
continuing on the inner flank, and following the
battalions of the chasseurs of the old guard, had
got somewhat in advance, or rather, in right front
of that brigade ; and had, shortly before, reached
the immediate vicinity of that part of the field on
which Vivian was in the act of preparing to charge
the square of the grenadiers of the old guard with
the party of the 10th hussars under Major Howard.
The Osnabriickers will here be recognised as the
regiment of Allied infantry already alluded to in
the description given of that charge.

Adam, after his repulse of the three squares of
the imperial guard, perceiving that he was so much
in front of the main line of the Anglo-allied army,
and not being aware of Vivian's advance, had
become apprehensive of an attack upon his right
flank ; and he therefore desired his brigade-major,
Major Blair,* to proceed in the prolongation of
his right flank, and observe whether there was any
threatening appearance of the enemy's cavalry in
that quarter. The latter, pursuing his errand,
met the Duke of Wellington moving at a quick
pace, followed by a single individual, to whom
Major Blair addressed himself, but who immedi-
ately checked him by remarking, " Monsieur, je

* Now Colonel Hunter Blair, C.B., Unatt.

222 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of ne parle pas un seul mot d? anglais /" Major
Blair then explained to him, in French, the order
he had received, to which he replied, " Le Due
lui-meme a ete voir; il n'y a rien a craindre ;'
whereupon the former returned to Adam, with this
satisfactory information.

Here, then, was the great chieftain himself, still
in the battle's front, vigilantly watching, and ea-
gerly seizing advantage of, the course of events ;
braving every peril, and acting solely upon his
own personal observation ; his staff, and even or-
derlies, almost all killed or wounded ; the very
few that remained untouched, carrying messages ;
his only attendant, a foreigner, (Major Count de
Sales,* a Sardinian officer,) attached to his suite!
It is impossible not to recognise in the extraordi-
nary degree of security with which this great man
so fearlessly exposed himself throughout the entire
day, the protecting interposition of an all-wise and
merciful Providence. At this moment, too, he
was not only upon the track of his great antago-
nist, but, in all probability, within the shortest dis-
tance that ever separated these wonderful men
from each other ; the one, alone, and in front of
his advancing line, borne forward on the wings of
victory, and upheld by the knowledge of his might

* Now His Excellency Lieut. General Count Paul Francois de Sales, lli<
Sardinian A mbussador in Paris.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 223

and the fulness of his glory j the other, seeking isth of
shelter amidst his devoted, yet broken and dispi-
rited cohorts, abandoning himself to despair, and
flying from the fatal field on which the sceptre he
had usurped was signally and irrecoverably struck
from his iron grasp.

224

HISTORY OF THE WAR IX

CHAPTER XV.

Advance of Vandeleur's light cavalry -brigade It charges and disperses a
large column of French infantry, and captures a battery Adam's brigade
continues driving the enemy before it along the left side of the Charleroi
road Effect produced upon the right wing of the French army by the ad-
vance of Adam's, Vivian's, and Vandeleur's brigades Its effects also upon
the French left wing Napoleon takes shelter within a square of the imperial
guard Continuation of the advance of the Anglo-allied army In the
centre, La Haye Sainte is re-taken : on the right, Hougomont is cleared of
the enemy : on the left, Durutte's division, forming the right of the French
front line, takes to flight The left wing captures the opposite line of
batteries Disorder and flight of the whole of d'Erlon's corps along the
rear of Lobau's corps, which, being at the same time assailed by part of
Biilow's corps, partakes of the panic, and mingles with the fugitives The
British troops near La Belle Alliance fall into the line of fire from a Prus-
sian battery, to which Wellington sends directions to cease firing French
infantry dispersed, and a battery captured, by the 52nd British regiment-
Capture of a battery by the 71st British regiment Last French gun fired
by Adam's aide-de-camp A battery captured by the Osnabriick Hano-
verian battalion, under Halkett The British advanced cavalry is in the
midst of crowds of defeated French soldiers Remarkable steadiness of the
French grenadiers-a-cheval Contest in Planchenoit Gallant conduct of
Pelet and a portion of the chasseurs of the guard The French troops that
have been engaged at Planchenoit, retire in disorder and confusion towards
the high road between Rossomme and Maison du Roi, the former of which
points the British advanced brigades have already reached Partial colli-
sion between the 18th British hussars and a Prussian regiment of cavalry
The 1st hussars of the King's German legion narrowly escape coming
into serious collision witli the llth and 16th British light dragoons Wel-
lington halts the main body of his army upon the original French position
Bliicher undertakes the pursuit Wellington having satisfied himself, by
his observations from the high ground beyond Rossomme, that the victory
is secured beyond a doubt, returns towards Waterloo On reaching La
Belle Alliance, he meets Bliicher Dispositions made by the latter for

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 225

effecting a vigorous pursuit The Prussian troops in advance, headed by
Gneisenau, reach Genappe, where they capture a quantity of baggage, in-
cluding Napoleon's travelling-carriage Napoleon at Quatre-Bras Direc-
tion of the retreat of the French troops Napoleon proceeds to Charleroi
whence he despatches Jerome with, orders to rally the troops between
Avesne and Maubeuge Gneisenau continues the pursuit, passing through
Quatre-Bras, and not resting until he arrives beyond the heights of Frasne
Losses sustained by the respective armies Remarks upon the battle
Relative numerical strength of the combatants Relative proportions in
which the troops of the Anglo-allied army were actively engaged Conduct
of these troops Extent of the actual share tak> n in the battle by the
Prussians.

THE very forward movement of Vivian's brigade, isthof
and the vigorous attack which it made against the
centre of the French position, having rendered
obvious the necessity of an immediate support,
Vandeleur's brigade was despatched across the
ridge in column of half squadrons, right in front,
at the moment of the general advance of the line.
It proceeded at a smart trot along the east side of
the Hougomont inclosures, and then descended
into the valley in rear of the latter, passing
Vivian's brigade on its left. Here it fell in with
disordered columns of the French infantry in full
retreat, as also cavalry of all kinds mixed together,
the cuirassiers throwing off their armour to facili-
tate their flight. In the midst of this confusion,
however, there stood higher up the valley a large
column on the opposite side of the road which
connects the centre with the left of the French
position, forming square, and seemingly determined
to oppose the further advance of the brigade. The
latter, receiving the fire from the column, charged,

VOL. II. Q

226 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i8th of and the French giving way, the whole of them

'_ were taken or destroyed. In this charge the llth

light dragoons, forming the right of the brigade,
captured a battery on the height to which the
before-mentioned road ascends. It was the last
which had maintained the cannonade from the
French left wing. Vandeleur's brigade continued
to press forward, driving a host of fugitives before
it. It was by this time in advance, and rather in
right front, of Vivian. Colonel Sir Felton Harvey,
of the staff, came up to its then commander, Lieut.
Colonel Sleigh, of the llth light dragoons, Van-
deleur having taken the command of the cavalry
upon the fall of Lord Uxbridge, and informed
him that a French cavalry-brigade was moving
along the heights on the right (or western) side of
the valley. This cavalry did not, however, venture
to descend into the lower ground, where it might
have fallen upon Sleigh's right flank, but continued
its course along the high ground towards some
point on the Charleroi road, quite in rear of the
main French army, apparently with the intention
of protecting the retreat and rallying the fugitives.
It was Fire's light cavalry-brigade, that had been
stationed throughout the day on the extreme left of
the French line.

In this manner, Vivian's brigade, which had not
only broken, but completely pierced, the centre of
the French position, had its right effectually pro-
tected, and due advantage was promptly taken of

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IX 1815. 227

the disorder into which its bold and successful isthof

June.

advance had thrown those French troops that had

been moving in that quarter. At the same time,
Vivian's left was secured by the advance of Adam's
brigade, which continued to drive before it, along
the left side of the Charleroi road, the squares of
the guard, as also the cuirassiers by whom they
were supported. These cuirassiers, it should be
observed, had fronted, and evinced a disposition
to charge as the brigade crossed the high road.
Adam, however, feeling secure in his four-deep
formation, continued pressing towards them ; and
when, along that part of his line against which the
attack was threatened, the British bayonets were
lowered, the cuirassiers declined the contest.

Having thus detailed the brilliant successes of
these three British brigades, with which Welling-
ton had so boldly assailed the centre, and effec-
tually destroyed the last reserves, of the enemy,
it is now time to consider their important conse-
quences in conjunction with the general advance
of the Anglo-allied army ; and for this purpose it
will be necessary to take a more extended view
of the prominent features which the field of battle
presented at this period of the day.

On no part of the French army, beyond the
immediate sphere of action of the above brigades,
did the advance of the latter, exercise so powerful
an influence as on d'Erlon's corps, which con-
stituted its right wing. The defeat of the second

<r).>8 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of attacking column of the imperial guard, it will be
recollected, involved in it the retreat of Donzelot's
division of that corps, which, from the cover
afforded it by the possession of La Haye Sainte,
and from the hollow on its left of that farm, had
so furiously assailed the central portion of the
Duke's line, occupied by Alten's division. On
the opposite side of the Charleroi road, from the
knoll above the sand-pit, part of Alix's division
was still maintaining a most destructive fire upon
the remains of Picton's division and of Lambert's
brigade posted along the Wavre road. The re-
mainder of this division, as well as that under
Marcognet, were advancing across the valley which
separated the Anglo-allied left, from the French
right, wing, and presented an array of columns
between the knoll on the left of La Haye Sainte
and the left of Durutte's division, which latter was
now operating in concert with Lobau's corps in
maintaining a defensive position against the ad-
vance of the Prussians. When, therefore, Wel-
lington so suddenly launched forth Vivian's hussar-
brigade against Napoleon's reserves, then posted
close to La Belle Alliance, in the very centre of
the French army, and also pushed forward Adam's
light infantry-brigade past the farm and orchard
of La Haye Sainte towards the eminence on which
stood the three rallied squares of the imperial
guard, he completely turned the left of d'Erlon's
corps, and by means of the brilliant success which

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 229

attended these movements, he gradually established isth of
himself in rear both of d'Erlon and of Lobau ;
the latter of whom was still defending himself
against Bliicher's advance. In like manner, the
columns of Reille's corps, comprising the left wing
of the French army, and which were advancing
through, and contiguously to, the Hougomont in-
closures, were turned in their right flank.

Thus, by this bold and masterly manoeuvre, the
whole front line of the French army, which, a
short time before, had presented so menacing an
an appearance, was thrown into disorder and con-
fusion ; and supported as that manoeuvre was by
the advance, at the right moment, of the Duke's
entire line, any attempt, on the part of the French,
to rally and resume the offensive, was entirely
frustrated. The firm, decided, and determined
attitude which Wellington had assumed, had, in
fact, struck terror and dismay into the ranks of
his opponent, who, perceiving the hasty and con-
fused retreat of his troops, as also the extreme
pressure upon his right by the formidable and now
more general attack on the part of Bliicher, be-
came completely paralyzed ; and conscious of the
utter futility of attempting to stem the torrent, he
threw himself for temporary shelter into the square
of the second battalion of the 2nd regiment of
chasseurs of the guard.

The Anglo-allied line continued its magnificent
advance, which was in truth a march of triumph,

230 HISTORY OF THE WAR IX

isth of not of attack, since all fled before its approach.

'__ In the centre, Lambert's division, together with

the 1st or royal Scots, crossed to the Charleroi
road, and took possession of La Haye Sainte,
which was found entirely abandoned to the
wounded and the dying, who constituted its sole
but numerous occupants. The troops that had
stood in rear of Hougomont, now poured into
its inclosures, aiding and supporting those who
had so bravely maintained that important post,*
in completely clearing it of its assailants, as many
of the latter, in the wood, ignorant of what was
passing in the open field, still endeavoured to hold
their ground. The light troops on the right of
Hougomont crossed the Nivelles road without
opposition, not only the infantry in their front
having retired, but Fire's light cavalry-brigade,
which had formed the extreme left of the French
army during the whole day, having been ordered
to proceed to the rear of the centre to cover the
general retreat. The extreme left of the line was
flanked by the Prussian regiments of cavalry, be-
longing to Zieten's corps, previously mentioned
as having joined shortly before the general ad-
vance ; and the battalions of the first Prussian
infantry-brigade, together with the Nassau brigade
under Prince Bernhard of Saxe- Weimar, were

* A list of the British officers who were present at the defence of
Hougomont is given in Appendix IV,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 231

pressing up the heights against the left of Durutte's isth of
division, posted at the apex of the angle of potenceon _
which stood the extreme right of the French army.
As the Allied left descended the outer slope of the
position, those columns of d'Erlon's corps which
had advanced to attack it, were hastily retiring ;
part of them, indeed, along and near the Char-
leroi road, had already fallen back in disorder
the moment they became aware of the defeat of
the troops on the other side of that road, and of
the advance of Adam's brigade, by which their
left flank was completely turned, and their rear
most seriously endangered. Durutte's division,
forming, as before observed, the right of d'Erlon's
corps, and posted in the angle of potence, perceiving
in its direct rear, the retreat of the imperial guard,
followed by British infantry, as also that of the
columns of its own corps on its left, followed by
the Anglo-allied line, besides the attack of the
Prussians in its front and on its right, and which
was increasing every moment in vigour and effect,
at once saw the certainty of its being cut off if it
remained in its present attitude, and, hence, aware
of its own helplessness, it took to flight.

In the next moment the renewed cheering along
the Anglo-allied left wing, announced that it had
reached and captured the strong line of batteries, by
the fire of which, maintained during the entire day,
its ranks had been so awfully diminished. Zieten's
battalions took possession, also, of the batteries

232 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of which had protected the apex of the angle of potence,

June.

and which had been covered by Durutte's division.
Notwithstanding the confused retreat of the flank
columns of d'Erlon's corps, those which constituted
the central portion of his line had hitherto retired
in some little degree of order, but now they began
rapidly to dissolve as the Allied line approached,
and, soon spreading out, they broke forth into one
general crowd of fugitives. The flight of these
troops immediately along the rear of Lobau's line,
at the very moment of its being most vigorously
assailed by the 13th and 15th infantry brigades of
Billow's corps, covered by an overpowering can-
nonade, involved its ranks in the general panic
which had become uncontrollable. The whole
corps rushed wildly into the stream of fugitives
which, with overwhelming force, had set in towards
Rossomme and Maison du Roi, on the Charleroi
road, the direct line of retreat.

By this time, (about a quarter past eight o'clock,)
Adam's brigade, pursuing its course on the left
side of the high road, was ascending the higher
ground in rear of La Belle Alliance. Here it fell
into the line of fire of one of Billow's batteries,
which had immediately followed up the retreat of
Lobau's corps, and opened a cannonade from the
previous position of the latter, at a distance of *
about 700 yards. Wellington, perceiving that this
fire might occasion serious injury to his advancing
troops, directed Count de Sales (who was still his

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 233

sole attendant*) to proceed to the Prussian bat-
tery, and cause it to cease firing, its commanding
officer not being aware tbat its shot were falling
amongst British troops. Billow, on becoming
acquainted with this circumstance, immediately
checked the fire of his artillery, and, at the same
time, ordered the infantry of his right to refrain
from firing during its forward movement.

The road which leads from the chaussee across
the height in rear of La Belle Alliance, towards
Planchenoit, becomes, after a distance of about a
hundred yards, a complete hollow- way. As it was
approached by Adam's brigade, a column of artil-
lery and infantry, from the French right, was
hastily retreating up that part of it which was in
front of the 52nd regiment, quite unaware of its
having fallen into the immediate vicinity of British
infantry. Astonished by the sudden appearance
of the latter along the bank, the column hesitated
for a moment what course to adopt. The infantry
at first presented some little show of defence, but
soon threw down their arms, dispersed and es-
caped as best they could. The artillery made a
dash at the opposite bank, but some of the horses
of each gun were instantly brought down by a fire
from the British, and the attempt failed. The
commanding officer of the battery, as if in a fit of
desperation, standing in the centre of his guns,

* See page 222.

234 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of waved his sword above his head in defiance. A

June.

soldier from the 52nd regiment sprung forward,

parried his thrust, closed with him, threw him on
the ground, and bayoneted him. The guns were
immediately abandoned. On the right of the
brigade, the 71st regiment having gained the height
on which a reserve-battery of the imperial guard
had been posted the entire day, and had just made
an attempt to draw off into the high road, was
captured by that corps ; when some men of the
right flank company of the latter (Captain Reed's),*
under Lieutenant Torriano,t immediately turned
round one of the guns, which was then discharged
into the retiring columns of the imperial guard by
Captain Campbell, aide-de-camp to Major General
Adam, and was, there is reason to believe, the last
French gun fired on that day.

Lieut. Colonel Halkett, who, with the Hano-
verian battalion Osnabriick, had entered the Char-
leroi road, near La Belle Alliance, continued to
press before him the two battalions of the chas-
seurs of the old guard, under the protection of
which, Napoleon with several of his principal staff
officers were retiring from the field. Halkett soon
found himself in the midst of a great but disor-
dered mass of the enemy's cavalry, which menaced

* Lieut. Colonel Samuel Reed, h.p. 71st regiment, died on the 18th of
July, 1842.

t Lieutenant William Torriano, 71st regiment, retired from the service
in May, 1824.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

235

the battalion in a most vociferous manner, but, isthof
after receiving the fire from the latter, it went off _
in all directions. Further on, perceiving several
guns in full retreat, he sent the sharpshooters of
the battalion, supported by a company, amongst
them, who, by their fire, increased the confusion,
and then made many prisoners, and cut the traces
of the horses from the leading guns.

The regiments of Prussian cavalry belonging to
Zieten's corps, before mentioned as having joined
the left of the Anglo-allied army, after crossing
the valley and ascending the French position, had
got somewhat in advance of the left of the Anglo-
allied infantry, taking the direction of Rossomme,
but they soon found their progress most seriously
obstructed and retarded by the vast crowds of
fugitives of all arms intermingled in the wildest
confusion. Such was also the case with the much
more advanced British light cavalry-brigades under
Vandeleur and Vivian on the right of the Charleroi
road. In fact, the cavalry thus situated in the van
of the Duke's victorious army, had now become
almost helpless : it seemed as if carried aloft on
the billows of the agitated sea, yielding rather to
its impulses than controlling the angry element.
As might have been expected, there were innu-
merable instances in which the rage and disap-
pointment of the conquered foe gave rise to covert
assaults, which, however, were speedily repressed,
more especially by the Prussians against whom a

236 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

word or look sufficed to draw down their ven-

' geance upon an enemy whom they held in detes-
tation. The 10th and 18th British hussars of
Vivian's brigade, whilst endeavouring to re-form
between La Belle Alliance and Rossomme, found
themselves in the midst of an immense crowd,
composed partly of defeated soldiers of the imperial
guard, who could but ill conceal their mortifica-
tion, and who seized every opportunity that offered
to gratify their hatred and revenge. Lieut. Colo-
nel the Hon. Henry Murray, commanding the
18th was very nearly bayoneted by one of them;
and his orderly was compelled, for the security of
his master, to cut down five or six in rapid suc-
cession.

A remarkable exception to the general disor-
ganization of the French army was manifested
about this time in front of Vandeleur's brigade,
which was the furthest in advance of any of the
Allied troops. In the midst of the crowd of fugi-
tives which impeded the progress of the brigade,
there appeared a regiment of cavalry, moving at a
walk, in close column, and in perfect order, as if
disdaining to allow itself to be contaminated by the
confusion that prevailed around it. It was the
" grenadiers & cheval." The 12th British light
dragoons were the nearest to it, having got in
advance of the rest of the brigade, and were oppo-
site the right flank of the column, whence a few
pistol or carbine shots were fired at them. The

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 237

12th made a partial attack, but they were so much isihof
inferior in numbers, (being very weak at this '
period,) and were so greatly obstructed in their
movements by the crowd, that they were unable to
produce any impression upon so compact and
steady a body of cavalry ; which literally walked
from the field in the most orderly manner, moving
majestically along the stream, the surface of which
was covered with the innumerable wrecks into
which the rest of the French army had been scat-
tered. As Napoleon and his staff were at this
time retiring along the high road, on the right flank
of this cavalry of the guard, it is reasonable to
infer that the latter was therefore induced to main-
tain the admirable order in which it was thus seen,
to secure the Emperor's retreat.

Whilst the great mass of the French army, in a
state of thorough disorganization, was thus driven
by Wellington's victorious troops across the whole
extent of ground which had constituted its general
position, as also, on its right, by that portion of
the Prussian troops consisting of part of Zieten's,
and of the right wing of Billow's, corps, the bat-
talions of the French imperial guard in Planchenoit
were maintaining a most desperate and obstinate
contest with Billow's left wing, aided by a part of
Pirch's corps, to which the attack of the village
had been confided. The principal force of the
imperial guard having taken post within the central
portion of the village, and strongly occupied the

238 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of church-yard, the headmost columns of this third

June. *

- Prussian attack met with a most, destructive fire as
they pressed forward through the lanes that led
towards the eastern side of the church. The sup-
porting columns now came up, and joined in the
fusillade that was maintained with the French in
the church-yard, the stone wall encircling which,
lined with troops, gave to it the appearance of
a little fortress. The Prussians extending their
front so as to envelope a considerable portion of
the church-yard, and taking advantage of the houses
and inclosures which they had reached on their
own side, maintained a terrific fire upon their oppo-
nents, and as the latter appeared resolved to keep
them at bay to the last, a great loss of life occurred
on both sides. The soldiers of the imperial guard
fought desperately, and so greatly was their ani-
mosity excited, that some officers of the 15th Prus-
sian regiment, and of the Silesian landwehr, who
had been made prisoners in the previous attack,
were with difficulty saved by General Pelet's per-
sonal exertions from becoming a sacrifice to their
fury. Reinforcements were moved into the church-
yard from the reserves on its western side, and the
pertinacity with which the attacks upon it were
repelled showed very plainly that other means than
that of a front assault must be resorted to for
forcing the French from a post which afforded them
such superior advantages in the defence of the vil-
lage. If the Prussians attempted to outflank the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

239

church-yard by advancing along the low open space isth of
on its right, they became exposed to the command-
ing fire from its wall, to that from the opposite
houses, and in front, to the reserves. If they ven-
tured to pass close by its left they had but a narrow
road open to them, bounded by the church-yard
wall on one side, strongly lined by the defenders,
and by houses on the other, which the enemy still
occupied, and presenting also at its further ex-
tremity a farm house and its offices in flames,
situated so close to the church-yard as to conceal
by its smoke any column of reserve that might be
posted in that quarter. Hence it was determined
to act upon a broader extent of front, and to turn
the entire village on both flanks, so as either to
force or to intercept the retreat of the enemy
from his stronghold in the church-yard. On the
Prussian left, Major von Witzleben, with the
fusilier-battalion of the 25th regiment, had already
crossed the rivulet which divides the village into
two nearly equal parts, and was attacking that
portion of the French guard which was posted
upon the narrow ridge which lies between that
rivulet and the Lasne. His skirmishers were
joined upon their left by those that had preceded
the 1st and 2nd battalions of this regiment, and

O 7

which latter having pushed through the wood of
Virere, were now following close up in support
of the attack on this part of Planchenoit. These
skirmishers were also connected on their left with

240 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of those of the fusilier-battalions of both the 15th

June.

regiment and the 1st Silesian landwehr, under

Major von Keller, who was advancing along the
right bank of the Lasne. Along the crest of this
ridge runs a narrow road, with several cottages
on either side of the latter ; the ground is through-
out intersected with hedges, and studded with
trees ; and altogether admirably adapted for a
protracted defence by light troops. Every house,
every lane, and every hedge was gallantly con-
tested. The Prussians not only boldly attacking
in front, but skilfully and gradually turning the
ridge on both sides, at length gained possession of
all this portion of the village, and thus outflanked
the troops in the church-yard, who maintained to
the last the most desperate defence. In the mean-
time, the houses and inclosures on the left of the
church had also been turned on that side by the
right of the Prussian attack, and principally by
the 5th Westphalian landwehr, the skirmishers of
which had beaten back their opponents close under
the walls of the burning buildings ; the bright
flames from which, gleaming upon the combatants,
who rent the air with their shouts, gave a peculiar
wildness to this scene of mortal strife. But still
more wild and awful must have been the scene
within the church, as the red flood of light which
they poured through the windows of the aisles,
fell upon the agonized and distorted features of
the wounded and the dying, with which that sacred

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IX 1815. 241

edifice was at this moment filled. The Prussians istt of

June.

continued pressing forward along both flanks of

the village, driving the imperial guard from house
to house, from hedge to hedge, and from tree to
tree, until at length it became obvious to the
French that their rear would soon be intercepted.
The latter were also by this time fully aware of
the deroute of the main army, and, giving up all
for lost, as they fell back upon the western portion
of the village, they made a hasty and disorderly
retreat towards Maison du Roi. The chasseurs of
the old guard were the last to quit the church-
yard, and suffered severely as they retired. Their
numbers were awfully diminished, and Pelet, col-
lecting together about 250 of them, found himself
vigorously assailed by the Prussian cavalry from
the moment he quitted the confines of Planchenoit
and entered upon the plain between the latter and
the high road. At one time, his ranks having opened
out too much, in the hurry of their retreat, some of
the Prussian troops in pursuit, both cavalry and
infantry, endeavoured to capture the eagle, which,
covered with black crape, was carried in the midst
of this devoted little band of veterans. Pelet,
taking advantage of a spot of ground which
afforded them some degree of cover against the

o o

fire of grape by which they were constantly as-
sailed, halted the standard-bearer, and called out,
" A moi, chasseurs ! sauvons Vaigle ou mourons
autour d'elle /" The chasseurs immediately pressed

VOL. II. R

242 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of around him, forming what is usually termed the

June. J

rallying square, and, lowering their bayonets, suc-
ceeded in repulsing the charge of cavalry. Some
guns were then brought to bear upon them, and
subsequently a brisk fire of .musketry, but notwith-
standing the awful sacrifice which was thus offered
up in defence of their precious charge, they suc-
ceeded in reaching the main line of retreat,
favoured by the universal confusion, as also by the
general obscurity which now prevailed ; and thus
saved alike the eagle and the honour of the regi-
ment.

The reserve-cavalry of the 2nd and 4th Prussian
corps received orders to pass to the front through
the infantry : that of the 4th corps, under Prince
William of Prussia, moved by the right of Plan-
chenoit, as also through the village itself; but its
progress was greatly impeded by the fugitives that
crowded towards Maison du Roi.

In the mean time, the Prussian battalions that
had been detached for the protection of the left of
the attack upon Planchenoit, namely the fusilier-
battalion of the 15th regiment, and that of the 1st
Silesian landwehr, under Major von Keller, as also
that of the 25th regiment, under Major von Witz-
leben, had turned the village, and followed the
enemy nearly in the direction of Maison du lloi.
They met with some resistance on the part of the
battalion of the grenadiers of the imperial guard,
which had advanced from Caillou, in pursuance of

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 243

the orders it had received, into the wood of Chan-

June.

telet ; but they soon forced their way to the high ____
road, and by their presence added greatly to the
disorder in which the enemy was flying from the
field. Major von Falkenhausen, having remarked
the retreat of the French, as he stood on the height
of Seroulx, to which he had been detached with
100 horsemen of the 3rd Silesian landwehr-cavalry,
also moved down upon the high road, and charging
the flank of the flying foe, tended still further to
augment the alarm and confusion that prevailed.

When the French imperial guard was falling

back from Planchenoit in disorder and confusion,

towards the high road between Rossomme and

Maison du Roi, Wellington's advanced brigades

had reached the former place. It was about half-

past eight o'clock perhaps somewhat later and

the darkness, which had been rapidly setting in,

had become so great as to render it difficult to dis-

tinguish one particular body of troops from ano

ther. Some little time before this, one of the

Prussian advanced regiments of cavalry, suddenly

entering the high road between La Belle Alliance

and Rossomme, came into partial collision with the

18th British hussars, who, not anticipating the pre-

sence of any other foreign troops in that vicinity

than those of the French army, commenced an at-

tack upon them : cuts were exchanged, and some

few lives lost, before the error was corrected. The

1st hussars of the German legion, while advancing

944 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

along the right of the high road, came upon the

____ rear of Vandelcur's brigade, and were all but in

o '

collision with the llth and 16th British light dra-
goons, which regiments, having previously ascer-
tained that a brigade of French cavalry (Fire's)
was on their right, and perceiving, though but
dimly, in the dark, the approach of a strong body
of horsemen towards their rear, concluded that an
attempt was made to intercept their retreat. They
immediately went " threes about," and struck into
a charge. On the other hand, the 1st German
hussars, not being aware that any British cavalry
was in their front, and misled in a great measure
by the sudden clamour of French voices proceeding
from the numerous fugitives who, taking the alarm,
were endeavouring to get out of the way, prepared
to charge, and gave a loud cheer. This cheer was
fortunately recognized by the British dragoons,
when in the act of charging, as that of the 1st
German hussars, and was thus the means of pre-
venting a rencontre that might have been pro-
ductive of the most fatal consequences to the par-
ties concerned.

Wellington had, previously to this, given orders
that the main body of his army should halt upon
what had been the French position, in the line of
La Belle Alliance ; having arranged, by commu-
nication with Bliicher, that the latter, whose troops
were comparatively fresh, should take up the pur-
suit : and, as the Prussians continued moving for-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 245

ward in great force towards the high road, he isth of
directed his own troops to proceed to the right of
the latter, so as to leave it clear for their advance.
The Prussian regiments, on passing the British,
caused their bands to play the national anthem,
" God save the King/' a compliment which was
greeted, on the part of the latter, by hearty and

friendlv cheers.

* *

The Duke now stood with his advance of both
infantry and cavalry, on the elevated ground be-
yond Rossomme, overlooking Maison du Roi. The
moon had risen, and by the light it gradually
spread over the field, as also by the objects set fire
to at intervals along the high road, the retreating
line of his vanquished foe became sufficiently per-
ceptible to satisfy him that the brilliant victory he
had gained was rendered secure beyond a doubt.
Having ordered his advanced brigades to take up
their bivouacs for the night, he returned from this
distant part of the field, and proceeded leisurely
along the Charleroi road back towards Waterloo.
Adam's brigade bivouacked on the spot it had
reached ;* Vandeleur's, on the right, near the

* Lieut. Colonel Halkett, with the Hanoverian battalion of Osnabriick
landwehr, having continued in advance of Adam's brigade, along the high
road, and having received no order to halt, moved on with the Prussians,
until he reached some houses on the left of the chaussee, near Genappe ;
when, finding his men fatigued, and perceiving no British troops in his rear,
he halted, and occupied those houses during the night, after having de-
tached the Major of the battalion with a company into Genappe, to see what
was going on in that place.

246 HISTORY OF THE WAR L\

isth of wood of Callois, in which stood the observatory ;
__ while Vivian, inclining somewhat to his right, led
his hussars much further in advance of the army,
on the French side of the observatory, and esta-
blished his bivouac close to the hamlet of Hilain-
court. On approaching La Belle Alliance, Wel-
lington ordered the whole of his army to bivouac
on the field of battle. On reaching that point, he
met Bliicher, and mutual congratulations took
place between them on the splendid victory
achieved. The latter, taking advantage of the
designation of the house as felicitously applicable
to the meeting of the two commanders, and consi-
dering also that it had constituted the direction-
point for the advance of the main portion of his
troops, styled this glorious contest, the Battle of
La Belle Alliance. With the promise of vigo-
rously following up the pursuit, and allowing the
enemy no opportunity of rallying within a march
from the field, he took his leave of the Duke ; who
then continued to ride leisurely towards Waterloo,
where he passed the night. The circumstance of
the Duke having established his head-quarters in
this village, and the name of the latter being more
consonant to English pronunciation than that of
any other place nearer to the field, acquired for
this ever-memorable struggle, the designation, by
the British, of the BATTLE OF WATERLOO.

Bliicher, determined to allow no breathing-time
to the flying enemy, and to deprive him of all

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

247

power of rallying, at least on this side of the 18th of
French frontier, gave orders that Billow's corps _
should undertake the pursuit along the Charleroi
road ; that Zieten's corps should follow in support
of Billow ; and that Pirch's corps should march
by Aywiers, and cross the Dyle, for the purpose of
intercepting Grouchy's troops, which, it was pre-
sumed, would soon be retreating from Wavre
towards the Sambre.

The Prussian battalions, already mentioned as
having turned the village of Planchenoit, and
entered the high road near Maison du Roi, accom-
panied by only three squadrons of uhlans, formed
the advance of the pursuing army. Gneisenau,
placing himself at their head, proceeded to carry
into effect the commands of his veteran chief and
friend. The cavalry, under Prince William, fol-
lowed ; and then the infantry of the two corps.

At Genappe, the first important defile through
which the main French army retired, an immense
number of carriages and waggons of all kinds had
been collected together some having been with-
drawn from the field, and others, such as those
of the commissariat or ordnance departments,
having come up to join, or to follow in the track
of the French army. By judicious management,
these materials, combined with a suitable defence,
would have afforded the means of seriously im-
peding the further pursuit by the victors. Some
intention of this kind appeared to have been

248

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of entertained, as several waggons had been upset,

so as to obstruct the crossing of the bridge, a

narrow passage only being left to admit stragglers.
But no sooner did the Prussian advance appear,
in the moonlight, descending from the heights
overlooking Genappe, with drums beating and
bugles sounding, than the rearmost of the French
troops, (for rear-guard there was none to an army
from which all semblance of order and regularity
had vanished,) immediately after firing a few shots,
fled from the place. This was at about eleven
o'clock. The quantity of baggage that was col-
lected here presented a rich booty to the Prussians ;
but the most valuable and most interesting object
consisted of Napoleon's travelling carriage, which
with all its contents, fell into the hands of the fusi-
lier-battalion of the 15th regiment. The infantry
of Billow's and Zieten's corps halted at Genappe,
but as soon as the Prussian advance, including the
cavalry under Prince William, had succeeded in
forcing its way through the immense mass of wag-
gons and carriages of all kinds with which this
defile had been blocked up, Gneisenau, moving
the infantry along the road, and flanking it on
each side by the cavalry, continued the pursuit.
He succeeded in driving the French from not less
than seven bivouacs, which they had taken up in
succession, but each of which they abandoned the
moment they heard the sounds of the Prussian
drums or busies.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 240

It was an hour after midnight when Napoleon ieth of

reached Quatre-Bras, whence he despatched several

officers to make known to Grouchy the loss of the
battle, and to order him to retire upon Namur.
The officers whom he had previously detached
from Genappe to Ligny, for the purpose of moving
Girard's division, which had been left there, into
position at Quatre-Bras, now brought him word
that they had not succeeded in finding it. There
appeared to be no possibility of presenting, at this
point, any effectual check to the Prussian pursuit.
General Negre of the artillery was here with the
parks of reserve, but accompanied by a very feeble
escort. The soldiers of the 1st and 2nd corps,
who, during the advance of the loth, had crossed
the Sambre by the bridge of Marchiennes, had
quitted the high road, both at Quatre-Bras and at
Gosselies, to proceed in the direction of that point,
and with so much precipitation that they could not
be halted for the purpose of forming something
like a rear guard. The 6th corps, the imperial
guard and part of the cavalry, retreated upon
Charleroi, whither Napoleon himself proceeded,
after having sent his brother Jerome to Marchi-
ennes, with orders to rally the troops between
Avesne and Maubeuge.

In the mean time, Gneisenau continued his wild
nocturnal chase, which was truly " Lutzow's wilde
vencegene Jagd." His followers, however, having

250 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

istb of been on the march or in action, since daybreak,

June- . n i p i

were becoming weary, especially the miantry ; be-
sides which, several, impelled by hunger, stopped
on the way to plunder provision- waggons ; so that
their numbers had greatly diminished. But Gnei-
senau, who was the life and soul of the pursuit,
and who seemed bent on pushing forward whilst
a man and horse remained, now r had recourse to a
stratagem, which, as regarded its effect upon the
enemy, fully compensated for the exhaustion of
his infantry. Observing that the fugitives always
took alarm at the sound of the drum, which an-
nounced the presence of even infantry, thus far in
pursuit, and close upon their rear, ordered the last
remaining drummer, who was unable to proceed
further on foot, to mount one of the horses that
had been disengaged from Napoleon's travelling-
carriage, and then to keep up with the cavalry,
and beat the drum without intermission. In this
manner Gneisenau passed through Quatre-Bras,
which had been abandoned on his approach ; and
even the heights of Frasne were left free to him ;
whilst the affrighted foe, completely scattered and
dispersed, endeavoured to escape by Gosselies,
Marchiennes, and Charleroi. Upon reaching the
inn of " a I'Empereur" on the high road, beyond
Frasne, this favoured companion of Bliicher halted
his followers, who then consisted but of a few
squadrons, and a party of the 15th regiment, and

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 251

allowed them to take rest, satisfied with having l j^ f
thus, by mere beat of drum and shouts of triumph, -
succeeded in scaring the remnant of the French
army across the Sambre.

Such was the termination of this ever-memorable
battle a battle, remarkable for the spectacle it
afforded, on the one hand, of a bravery the most
noble and undaunted ; of a passive endurance, the
most calm, dignified, and sublime ; of a loyalty
and patriotism, the most stern and inflexible : and,
on the other, of a gallantry in assault the most
daring and reckless ; of a devotion to their chief,
the most zealous and unbounded ; and, lastly, of a
physical overthrow and moral annihilation unex-
ampled in the history of modern warfare. Such
was the consummation of a victory, the most bril-
liant in its development, the most decisive in
its operation, and the most comprehensive in its
result, of any that had occurred since the com-
mencement of that revolution which it was thus
the instrument of bringing to the termination so
long and so ardently desired by the suffering and
indignant nations of Europe.

From the contemplation of the triumph, the
glory, and the result, of such a battle, we are
impelled to turn our thoughts upon the melan-
choly spectacle of the awfully severe losses sus-
tained by both the victors and the vanquished ;
whose heroic exertions and noble endurance could
not but be attended with immense sacrifice.

252

18th of
June.

HISTORY OF Tin: WAR IN

The following table shows the losses sustained
by the troops composing the Anglo-allied array :

KILLED.

WOUNDED.

MI--ING.

-~ - .

i = i

Z 'i

|||

ill

C fci "

$ *"

2-2

> -C

O ^i-

s --~

6 S-3

ii-a

| f. S

iE -

vl -

= ^i r

III

P E a

* British

1334

1319

365

4560

719

582

708

*King's German Legion
*Hanoverians .

27
18

335
276

194

77
63

932
1035

144

217
207

*Bruuswickers

147

430

m 9

*Nassauers

249

370

.. ..

Total

142

2341

1590

550

7327 863 14

1056

762

If to this loss be added that of the Dutch-Bel-
gian troops about 4000t the total number of
non-commissioned officers, trumpeters, drummers,
and privates, killed, wounded, and missing, amount-
ed to 14,728.

* For detailed returns of the losses of these troops, see Appendix V., VI.,
VII., VIII., and IX. The Hanoverian return, in Appendiy VII, has been
furnished by Major Benne, K.H., of the Hanoverian staff, (see p. 29, vol. I.)
It embraces the casualties from the 16th to the 18th of June, inclusive .
but in order to obtain the numbers in the above table, the Hanoverian
losses incurred on the 16th, as stated in the '' London Gazette" of the
8th July, 1815, have been deducted. A List of all British officers who
were present in the actions of the 16th, 17th, or 18th of June, distinguish-
ing those who were killed, wounded, or missing, is given in Appendix X.
Lists of the King's German legion, Hanoverian, and Brunswick officers,
killed, wounded, and missiug, are given in Appendix XL, XII. , and XIII.

t A detailed return of the losses of the Dutch- Belgian troops on the 16th,
17th, and 18th of June, will be found in Appendix XIV.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

The losses of the Prussian army in the battle
were as follows :

253

KILLED.

WOUNDED.

MISSING.

-5

" ? rt

c g

2 ? a

So -c

o Q --

S a -^

E .,-

-S

S ^^

ff^B

SE
o

t, C

||1

S .

IS.

2 f

c S <""

= s

& 3 g

& ll

S 3 S;
HS

Zieten's corps

164

111

Pirch's do.

3 192

Billow's do. .

1133 259

15L 3869

328

1143

Total

1203

286

162

4225

356 39

1347

100

Total under-officers, trumpeters, drummers, and
privates, killed, wounded, and missing, 6,775.*

In the absence of all returns it is difficult to
estimate the losses of the French army. They
were, however, immense ; besides which, the whole
of their artillery, ammunition-waggons, and bag-
gage, fell into the possession of the victors. Of the
French generals, Friant was killed, Prince Jerome'
and several others were wounded ; and Lobau,
Compans, Duhesme, and Cambronne, were taken
prisoners.

The minuteness of detail with which the fore-

* A detailed return of the losses of the Prussian troops at the battle
of Waterloo is given in Appendix XV. ; and a list of the Prussian o Seers
killed, wounded, and missing, at this battle, in Appendix XVI.

June.

254 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of going history of the battle of Waterloo has been
ne ' written, the gradual development which has been
presented of the motives and dispositions of the
commanders, and the circumstantial description
which has been afforded of the movements of the
troops engaged of the working, as it were, of the
machinery in the hands of the three most re-
nowned captains of the age obviate the necessity
of further comment upon those points ; but it
would be unjust to the honour, the fame, and the
glory, of the actors in that memorable scene, to
omit putting forth certain important considerations
which are essential to enable an impartial public,
and an unprejudiced posterity, to arrive at correct
and satisfactory conclusions upon other points,
hitherto involved in doubt and obscurity.

These refer chiefly to the relative numerical
strength of the combatants, the relative propor-
tions in which the troops of the Anglo-allied army
were actively engaged with the enemy, the conduct
of these troops respectively, while so engaged, and,
lastly, the extent of the actual share taken in the
battle by the Prussians.

The most simple, and at the same time the most
rational, mode of computing the relative strength
of armies is by placing in juxta-position their
respective numbers of battalions, squadrons, and
guns. According to this rule, the Anglo-allied
and French armies, as they stood in front of each

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 255

other at the commencement of the battle, were 1 8th of

June.

constituted as follows :

Battalions. Squadrons. Guns.

Anglo-allied army . 73 . 98 . 140
French 104 121 246

Napoleon having, about one o'clock, detached
the light cavalry-divisions of Domont and Su-
bervie, as a corps of observation upon his right
flank, the opposed forces, from that hour until
about six o'clock, stood as follows :

Battalions. Squadrons. Guns.

Anglo-allied army . 73 . 98 . 140
French 104 103 234

During this period of the battle, the Anglo-
allied army was thus composed :

Battalions. Squadrons. Guns.

British . . .26 . 49 . 78

King's German Legion . 8 . 16 . 18

Hanoverians 18 * . 12

Brunswickers . . 8 . 5 . 16
Nassauers 3 ...

Dutch-Belgians . .10 . 28 . 16

Total 73 98 140

Almost all these battalions were at one time or
another in the front line, and all conducted them-

* The Cumberland hussars not having been engaged, but, on the con-
trary, withdrawn from the field by their commanding officer who was sub-
sequently cashiered and degraded for such conduct, are not included in the
above table.

256

isth of selves in the most courageous and exemplary man-
ner, with the exception of five of the Dutch -
Belgian battalions, which hastilv retreated as the

French approached, when making their first grand
attack upon the Anglo-allied centre and left wing,
and took no further active part in the battle. The
remainder of the above 10 battalions in the service
of the King of the Netherlands, were three batta-
lions forming the 2nd regiment of the Nassau con-
tingent, and two battalions of Orange Nassau,
under Prince Bernhard of Saxe- Weimar, and oc-
cupied the houses and inclosures in the valley in
front of the extreme left of the Allied line.* These
troops behaved very well.

Of the squadrons above mentioned, a large pro-
portion, nearly one third, consisted of the Dutch -
Belgian cavalry ; but although their numbers serve
to augment the amount of the Anglo-allied ca-
valry, on paper, the actual value of their services
in the battle was by no means commensurate with
their display of strength, and hence it was that the
brunt of the cavalry contest devolved almost ex-
clusively upon the British and German dragoons.
The same observation applies in an equal degree
to the artillery.

About six o'clock the relative strength of the
contending forces was altered, on the part of the
French army, by the detaching of Lobau's corps

* Excepting the 1st butt. 2ndregt. of \asau, which \\-as at Hougomont.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 257

and the young guard to oppose the Prussians, and isth of

June.

on that of the Anglo-allied army, though some-

what later, by the bringing into the field of
Chasse's Dutch-Belgian division ; so that they
stood about that time as follows :

Battalions. Squadrons. Guns.

Anglo-allied army . 85 . 98 . 156
French army 76 . 103 186

Of the assistance derived by the Duke of Wel-
lington from this augmentation of the 12 Dutch-
Belgian battalions, a sufficient estimate may be
deduced from the foregoing history of the battle
one half of them were with great difficulty pre-
vented from abandoning the field, although, at the
moment, they were not in contact with, nor did
they even see, the enemy ; and the other half only
joined the front line (on the left of Maitland's
brigade) at the time of the general advance.

Whatever may have been the cause of the com-
parative supineness of the Dutch-Belgian troops ;
whether produced by dislike entertained towards
recent political arrangements, which alienated each
party from 'its native country, without securing to
either its national independence, or, by predilec-
tions imbibed for the chief against whose arms
they were now opposed, and in whose ranks they
had formerly served ; the fact of such supineness
is too well attested to admit of any doubt res-
pecting the value to be attached to their co-opera-

VOL. II. S

258 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of tion in the great struggle, so courageously and re-
solutely sustained by the remainder of the Anglo-
allied army ; and becomes a most important point
for consideration in any calculation of the relative
strength of the combatants, when taken in con-
junction with the actual proportion of the entire
Dutch-Belgian force brought into the field to that
of each of the Allies, as appears by the following
table :

Amount of the effective Strength of the Anglo-allied Army at the Battle of

Waterloo.

Infantry.

Cavalry.

Artillery.

Total Men.

(Jim-.

British

15,181

5,843

2,967

23,991

King's German Legion

3,301 : 1,997

526

5,824

Hanoverians

10,258

497

465

11,220

Brunswickers

4,586

866

510

5,962

.Nassauers . . .

2,880

. .

2,880

Dutch-Belgians . .

13,402

3,205

1,177

17,784

Total

49,608

1-2,402

5,645

67,661

156

Hence it appears that the Dutch-Belgian con-
tingent, compared with the British troops alone,
consisted, in infantry, as 13,402 to 15,181 ; in ca-
valry, as 3,205 to 5,843 ; and, in guns, as 32 to
78. It is needless now to speculate upon what
might have been the result, had this large pro-
portion of force been replaced by a corresponding
number of either British or German troops. The

* See Appendix XXX. vol i.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 259

fact testifies abundantly, in addition to what has 18th f

June.

been already related, as to the heroic firmness and

enduring courage with which the brave British and
Germans stood the brunt of that remarkable con-
test ; and this, too, be it remembered, with unques-
tionably the finest army which even Napoleon had
ever collected together, formed exclusively of one
nation of that nation whose legions had at one
time subjugated nearly the whole of Europe im-
bued with inveterate hatred against its foes, che-
rishing the most enthusiastic devotion to its chief,
and filled with the ardent desire of restoring the
fallen glory of the Empire.*

* As in no former history of the battle, the conduct of the Dutch Bel-
gian troops has been so fully developed, my remarks may by some be con-
sidered unduly severe ; but I have advanced nothing beyond the limits of
the most ample testimony, which has been afforded me by eye-witnesses :
and, in a work designed to furnish the fullest details respecting all the dis-
positions and movements that were made by the respective chiefs, it would
have been utterly impossible for me to have fulfilled my task, without
entering into the explanation which that conduct rendered requisite for
such a purpose I have suggested as the probable cause of this compara-
tive apathy, the dislike which they entertained towards those political
arrangements by which Holland and Belgium had been incorporated in a
Kingdom of the Netherlands; but it is not for me to inquire more particu-
larly into the cause, whatever it may have been ; it is with facts which I
have to deal, and considering the important proportion which the number
of these troops bore to the amount of the remainder of the Duke of Wel-
lington's forces, I could not have omitted facts such as have been detailed,
without inflicting a gross injustice both upon the merits of the other troops
engaged, and upon the skill of him who fought the battle under so great a
disadvantage. ' Magna est veritas et prevalebit ;' and a period of twenty-
eight years may surely be considered a lapse of time sufficient for the sub-
sidence of private feelings, in favour of historical truth. One great step
has already been taken towards this desideratum by the gallant compiler of
the Duke of Wellington's despatches, in the last volume of which we learn

260 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

f the conduct of tne British infantry, of its
heroic valour, its indomitable resistance, its proud
defiance, and its admirable discipline, the history
of the battle affords abundant testimony : further
comment is superfluous. The superior prowess of
the British cavalry also shone most conspicuously
on this great day. The combined charge of the
two heavy brigades against the French cavalry
and infantry which attacked the centre and left
wing of the Anglo-allied army, between one and
two o'clock, whether we regard the brilliancy of

that the Duke, with unexampled modesty and forbearance, endeavoured to
dissuade a certain literary gentleman from writing a history of the battle,
evidently from a feeling that the real history could not be told without an
exposure of the want of due zeal displayed on the part of a portion of his
troops, as may be seen by the following remarks :

" Then the faults or the misbehaviour of some gave occasion for the dis-
tinction of others, and perhaps were the cause of material losses ; and you
cannot write a true history of the battle without including the faults and
misbehaviour of part at least of those engaged." 1 Again, the following
significant postscript is appended to the Duke of Wellington's letter, trans-
mitting to the King of the Netherlands his Grace's report of the battle;

" P.S- J'ai marque au crayon des paragraphes dans mon rapport que je
prie votre Majeste de ne pas laisser publier." 2

That there were many honourable exceptions to the general lukewarm-
ness on the part of these troops is perfectly true. Their officers appeared,
for the most part, well disposed, and were frequently seen endeavouring to
rouse into action the apparently dormant energies of the men ; and the cir-
cumstance of a Dutch major, with a squadron of hussars, having volun-
tarily followed Vivian's brigade when it advanced to attack the centre of
the enemy's position, shows that the Dutch-Belgian army contained within
its ranks those who were willing and even eager to prove themselves brave
and gallant soldiers.

1 Despatches, &c., vol. xii, page 590.
a Despatches, &c., vol. xii. page 501.

FRAXCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 261

its execution, or the magnitude of its success, is isth of
perhaps without a parallel in the last war ; and _
when we consider the preponderance of the enemy
in this arm, the frequency of his charges, and the
masses with which he advanced, it is impossible to
advert to the heroism of Britain's cavalry, without
at the same time according the praise so pre-
eminently due to the skill of the noble and gallant
chief who was the life and soul of its movements
throughout the arduous and desperate struggle,
and who so judiciously economized its strength,
that when at the critical moment its services were
required for securing the victory, he was en-
abled to bring forward two fresh brigades,
which fulfilled those services in a style the most
brilliant that can be conceived, and with a success
which commanded the admiration of all who wit-
nessed it.* The British artillery, which had to
contend against an immense preponderance of
metal, evinced, during the whole day, a degree of
bravery, zeal, activity, and intelligence, which can
never be surpassed, and nobly sustained its long
and honourably acquired pre-eminence.

Of the troops of the King's German legion,
whether cavalry, infantry, or artillery, it is impos-
sible to speak in terms of too high praise j suffice

* The French historians invariably attribute the final d^route of their
army to the charges made by the British light cavalry launched against it
immediately after the attack by the imperial guard.

262

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of it to remark that their conduct was, in every re-
' spect, on a par with that of the British.

Of the four Hanoverian infantry-brigades, that *
of Kielmansegge, and a part of Halkett's, were the
most actively engaged : Best's stood almost the
entire day on the extreme left of the front line of
the Anglo-allied infantry ; and Vincke's, in reserve^
in front of Mont St. Jean. They had been but
recently and hastily raised ; and yet the manner
in which such raw soldiers withstood, as Kielman-
segge's brigade did, for so great a length of time,
the most furious assaults made by the gallant and
well-disciplined troops of France, would have con-
ferred honour on long-tried veterans.

The Brunswickers, who were also composed of
young soldiers, performed a glorious part in the
battle, and amply avenged the death of their
Prince. Some of their battalions were much
shaken at the moment Alten's division was driven
back a short distance, but they speedily rallied,
and resumed their lost ground. Altogether, their
bravery, which was frequently called into action,
and their endurance, which was severely tested,
merited the strongest commendation.

The troops constituting the Nassau brigade un-
der Kruse, (or more properly the 1st regiment of
the Nassau contingent,) were attached to Alten's
division. They were, consequently, often in the
thick of the fight ; and though, on the occasion
above alluded to, they were thrown into disorder

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

263

and driven in by a furious onset of the enemy, isth of
they conducted themselves generally throughout _ _1_
"the day with great steadiness.

It is impossible to allude in terms of adequate
praise to the services of that most important branch
of the army, the general staff; the officers of

which distinguished themselves no less bv the zeal,

the daring, and the activity, with which they
carried into execution the commands of their re-
spective chiefs, than by the alacrity and intelli-
gence which they evinced in catching and imparting
the true spirit of their instructions. The constant
exposure to which their peculiar duties necessarily
subjected them could not but entail upon them se-
vere losses.* Few indeed were those who escaped
unhurt throughout this arduous conflict, f

* As far as the French accounts would lead us to infer, it appears that
the losses among Napoleon's staff were comparatively trifling. On this
subject, perhaps the marked contrast afforded by the following anecdotes,
which have been related to me on excellent authority, may tend to throw
some light. At one period of the battle, when the Duke was surrounded
by several of his staff, it was very evident that the group had become the
object of the fire of a French battery. The shot fell fast about them,
generally striking and turning up the ground on which they stood. Their
horses became restive, and '' Copenhagen " himself so fidgety that the
Duke, getting impatient, and having reasons for remaining on this spot,
said to those about him, ' Gentlemen, we are rather too close together
better to divide a little." Subsequently, at another point of the line, an
officer of artillery came up to the Duke, and stated that he had a distinct
view of Xapoleon, attended by his staff; that he had the guns of his bat-
tery well pointed in that direction, and was prepared to fire. His Grace
instantly and emphatically exclaimed, '* No ! no ! I'll not allow it. It is
not the business of commanders to be firing upon each other."

t The Duke's feelings on the loss of so many friends, to whom he was
warmly attached, as also on that sustained by his gallant troops, by whose

2(34 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of The co-operation of the Prussians in this battle

June.

has been gradually developed and fully detailed.

heroic exertions his plans were carried out with such signal success, are
beautifully expressed in the following letters :

To the Earl of Aberdeen, K.T.

Bruxelles, 19th June, 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, 1 in con-
sequence 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 ami 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, &c.

' WELLINGTON.'

To the Duke of Beaufort, K.G.

' Bruxelles, 19th June, 1815.
' MY DEAR LORD,

' I am very sorry to have to acquaint you that your brother Fitzroy 2
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 any body 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

1 Lieut. Colonel the Honourable Sir Alexander Gordon.

2 Aow Lieut. General Lord Fitzroy Somerset. K.C.B.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 265

That the communications which Wellington re- i8th of
ceived from Bliicher led him to expect that co- '

operation at a much earlier period, is beyond a
doubt ; but setting aside all consideration of the
causes of the delay which attended the arrival of
the Prussian forces, it is equally doubtless that the
tardiness of that co-operation had a more decided
influence on the general result of the battle than
if they had reached the field at an earlier period.
For, supposing the Prussians to have arrived in
f?'ce before the French had become so seriously
and desperately engaged with the Anglo-allied
army, Napoleon was too much a master of his art
to have risked a decisive battle with the combined
forces of his antagonists. In this case, he would,
in all probability, have fallen back upon his fron-
tier, have called in all available reserves from the
interior, and by means of his triple line of for-
tresses, as well as by skilful manoeuvring, have
endeavoured to separate once more the opposing
armies, and to obtain another chance of beating
them in detail. As it happened, however, he was
too deeply involved in the contest with Welling-
ton, he had suffered too severely in his repeated

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 he 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, &c.

' \YF.I.I.INGTON.'

266

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of attacks, to admit of a retreat, under such circum-

June.

stances, being looked upon, even by bis friends in

Paris, in any other light than that of a defeat ;
and he knew too well that with a defeat, however
it might be produced, would vanish the only tie
which yet bound him to the nation the implied
belief in his invincibility, and the firm reliance on
his ability to re-establish and maintain the military
glory of France. It is to this conviction alone
that we can attribute the desperate resolve with
which he risked the fate of the empire and his own
political existence, upon the issue of his final attack
upon Wellington's line, at a moment when the
armies opposed to him had effected their junction ;
and which, by calling the whole of his force into
requisition, deprived him of an adequate reserve, by
aid of which he might have succeeded in effecting
an orderly and honourable retreat.

Had the Prussians succeeded in driving the
French out of Planchenoit half an hour earlier,
such a circumstance, combined with the general
advance of the Anglo-allied line, would no doubt
have caused the whole of Lobau's corps, and per-
haps also d'Erlon's, to lay down their arms and
surrender at discretion, since their retreat towards
Maison du Roi would thus have been cut off,
whilst the British advance would have frustrated
any attempt to retire across the Charleroi road.
On the other hand, a similar result might have
ensued, at least as regards Lobau's corps, had that

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 267

general advance occurred half an hour earlier, 18th of
while the French right was engaged with the _
Prussians at a greater distance from the Char-
leroi road. In the former case, however, the final
attack was judiciously delayed until, by the arrival
of the additional force which was fast approaching,
such a simultaneous attack could be made along
the whole of the French right as would insure
most decided success : and in the latter case, the
final attack could not have been made at a more
opportune moment, and with a greater prospect of
success, than immediately after the signal defeat
of the French imperial guard upon the Anglo-
allied position. Indeed, contingencies of this kind
might be brought forward with reference to any
battle whatever, and when it is considered that
there exists no example in modern warfare of so
complete a victory, the result must appear as
glorious as decisive, and as comprehensive as the
most stern and rigid calculator of the chances of
battle could have desired.

As regards the actual share which the Prussians
had in the battle, it may be truly affirmed that the
contest maintained between Billow's corps and Lo-
bau's troops in conjunction with a portion of the
imperial guard, was most obstinate and sanguinary.
In the three successive struggles for the possession
of Planchenoit, especially, the deadly animosity
mutually cherished by the troops of both nations,
was fearfully exemplified, and the losses sustained

268

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of by the Prussians in the comparatively brief period
during which they were engaged, afforded ample
proof of the value of their co-operation. It is
undeniably true that the blow which decided the
victory was that given by Wellington, when, after
having completely defeated the grand attack by
the French imperial guard, he instantly followed
up that defeat by boldly attacking and penetrating
the centre of the enemy's lines, and sustaining this
movement by the general advance of his whole
army ; but it is, at the same time, equally true, that
the powerful diversion effected by the Prussians
diminished the strength of those French lines by
the corps of Lobau, which had not hitherto fired a
single shot in this campaign, by twelve battalions
of the imperial guard, which had suffered scarcely
any loss at Ligny, and, finally, by eighteen squa-
drons of cavalry. The vigorous attack which was
made by Biilow upon Lobau's line simultaneously
with the last assault upon Planchenoit, contributed
most materially to the general and fatal panic
which seized upon the whole of the French army.
The Prussians too, by the energetic pursuit which
they kept up during the night, under the guidance
of the indefatigable Gneisenau, rendered the vic-
tory still more complete and decisive, and effec-
tually deprived the enemy of every opportunity of
recovering himself on the Belgian side of the fron-
tier. In short, both armies admirably and honour-
ably performed the parts respectively assigned to

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN J815. 269

them the one, holding its defensive position with isth of
unparalleled bravery, and unmitigated perseve- _
ranee, until the moment when its chief, having
defeated the last desperate attempt of his oppo-
nent to force his line, leads it on to victory ; the
other, operating a powerful diversion by which
the effect of that advance is made still more deci-
sive, and rendering the victory complete by a
harassing and vigorous pursuit and thus was con-
summated the tactical solution of the plan which
had been, with so much skill and foresight, strate-
gically preconcerted by the Allied commanders.

The Duke, when writing his despatch descrip-
tive of the battle, in which he stated that his own
army "never, upon any occasion, conducted itself
better," was not unmindful of the important aid
he had derived from the Prussians. " I should
not," he said, " do justice to my own feelings, or
to Marshal Bliicher and the Prussian army, if I
did not attribute the successful result of this ar-
duous day to the cordial and timely assistance I
received from them. The operation of General
Biilow upon the enemy's flank was a most deci-
sive 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."

On the other hand, the Prince, although, as is

270 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of manifest upon a perusal of a similar despatch on

June. . PI*

his part, was not aware ot the circumstances under

which Wellington had attacked the very centre of
the French lines, and had pushed his advanced
brigades along the rear of those troops to which
he himself had been exposed, nevertheless did
ample justice to the bravery of the British army,
which, he remarked, " fought with a valour which
it is impossible to surpass.''*

* The description given, in the present work, of the distribution of the
Prussian troops at the moment of the defeat of the attacking columns of
the French imperial guard by Maitland's and Adam's British brigades,
being at variance with the representation of those troops upon the Model
of the Battle of Waterloo when the latter was first submitted to the public,
some explanation of the grounds upon which this deviation from my original
arrangement is founded, appears to be requisite.

Having applied to the Prussian government for the information 1 re-
quired concerning the disposition of their troops at that particular moment
represented on the model, it was most readily and liberally supplied to me
by the officers of the head-quarters staff in Berlin, at the instance of the
Prussian minister of war. This information, which was given with minute
detail, was rendered more complete by the distribution of the troops having
been laid down upon a plan, drawn on a large scale. On comparing these
data with the evidence I had collected from officers of rank and intelligence,
posted, some throughout the greater part of the battle, and others, during
the whole day, on the left of the Anglo-allied line, whence the Prussian
movements could be distinguished, I felt perfectly satisfied that there could
be no doubt as to their accuracy on certain points, whilst upon others, this
evidence was of too vague a nature, as regarded time and situation, to
enable me either to corroborate or to rectify the details with which I had
been furnished by the Prussian authorities. Thus, for instance, the junc-
tion of the leading column of Zieten's corps with the left of the Anglo-
allied line, the forming up of the cavalry of that column on the flank, and
in the rear, of Best's Hanoverian brigade, the relief of a Hanoverian bat-
tery by a Prussian battery upon the summit or knoll on which the Anglo-
allied left rested, as also the previous conflicts in and about both Planchenoit
and Smohain, upon the extreme right of the French army, are facts satis-
factorily confirmed by corroborative evidence. But, as regards the dis-
position of the Prussian troops between the extreme left of the Anglo-allied

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 271

Long may Great Britain and Prussia cherish isthof

June.

that mutual amity which was engendered by the

line and the immediate vicinity of Planchenoit, I feel equally satisfied,
after a most careful and diligent investigation of the whole question of the
Prussian co-operation, in all its bearings, that, according to the original
arrangement of the figures upon the model, the Prussian troops distributed
along that intervening space, immediately in front of Lobau's corps, were
represented in too forward a position. It was only subsequently, when col-
lecting that further information which has enabled me in the present work
to describe with such minuteness of detail those brilliant dispositions of the
Duke of Wellington, by which he not only defeated the French imperial
guard upon his own position, but secured the victory, that 1 discovered the
error into which the Prussian authorities had been unconsciously but
naturally led, when laying down for me the distribution of their troops
along that part of the field to which I have particularly adverted, and
which distribution gave tbe appearance of a much greater pressure upon
the French right flank than could have occurred at the moment represented
on the model. The cause of this error is very simple, and is easily ex-
plained. All the Prussian accounts of the battle, more especially those
two which have appeared " under authority," I allude to that published
in 1 825, by Colonel Wagner, of the Prussian staff, and to the more recently
published history by Major von Damitz of the same staff, founded upon mate-
rials furnished by General von Grolman, who was employed in the capacity of
quarter-master-general of the Prussian army during the campaign of 1815
concur in representing the Duke of Wellington's defeat of the attacking
columns of the imperial guard, and the advance of his whole line, as
happening at one and the same moment ; whereas, in reality, there was an
interval of at least twelve minutes between these two incidents. The
Prussian authorities have not hitherto been cognizant of the fact that
when the British line advanced, Vivian's light cavalry-brigade was attack-
ing and dispersing Napoleon's last reserves of both cavalry and infantry
posted on the French left of La Belle Alliance, the very centre of the
enemy's lines ; that Adam's light infantry-brigade was attacking and de-
feating the rallied force of the first attacking column of the imperial guard
upon the height situated midway between La Belle Alliance and La Haye
Saiute ; and that Vaiideleur's light cavalry-brigade was pushed forward in
support of Vivian. These attacks, planned with consummate judgment
and electric decision, and carried into execution with perfect order and
unequalled gallantry, could not, from the configuration of the ground, be
observed by the Prussian army ; to which circumstance may be attributed
the origin of that miscalculation concerning the actual disposition of the
Duke of Wellington's forces at the moment of the general advance of
his line, which induced the Prussian authorities to confound that advance

272 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of zealous and successful co-operation of the armies
in !__ Q j, tnege two g rea t nations in bringing to so prompt

and satisfactory a termination a war, which origi-
nating in the re-assumption of the throne of
France by that ambitious soldier and extraordi-
nary man, who had once already overrun the

with the defeat of the attacking columns of the imperial guard. When,
therefore, those authorities, with a liberality and good feeling for which I
can never feel sufficiently grateful, furnished me with the information I
solicited relative to the distribution of the troops " at the moment of the
defeat of the imperial guard upon the crest of the British position," they
did so under the impression that that event and the general advance of
the Anglo-allied line were coincident. Hence the fact of the Prussian
troops, along the central portion of their line, having continued advancing
against the French right up to the moment of the general forward move-
ment of the Anglo-allied line, has rendered it necessary, in order to afford
a more correct representation, to make such alteration upon the model in
the dispositions and movements of those troops as shall accord in point
of time with the defeat of the attacking columns of the imperial guard,
instead of their being made to conform, as they previously did, with the
moment of the general advance of the Duke of Wellington's army ; which
advance, it should be remembered, was made by his Grace to follow up a
victory he had already secured, and, in conjunction with the Prussian
attack, to render the overthrow of the enemy complete in every respect.
This arrangement, which has been observed upon the illustrative plan
accompanying the present work, will, I feel persuaded, present the nearest
attainable approximation to truth, and I trust, at the same time, prove
satisfactory, by means of the foregoing explanation, to those of either
nation who have shared in, or studied, the memorable events of the glorious
18th of June.

I may take this opportunity of remarking that notwithstanding the
complicated details which must necessarily be comprised in a 'modelled
representation of a battle, like that of Waterloo, at so late a period of the
action, only one single instance of inaccuracy has been pointed out to me
as occurring in the distribution of the Anglo allied troops namely, the
posting of the 3rd battalion of the 1st or royal Scots, in, second, instead
of front, line an error which will be duly corrected. Such a result has
indeed exceeded my most sanguine expectations, and I shall feel great con-
fidence in submitting my amended arrangement of the model, as offering a
true and faithful representation of the battle at the most critical moment
of the day.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 273

continent with his legions, subjugating emperors isthof

June.

and kings to the influence of his mighty will, .

threatened once more to involve the nations in
all the calamities and horrors which before had
followed in the train of his triumphant but deso-
lating career. The general peace, which was the
ultimate result of their united efforts, still happily
continues, and on every successive anniversary do
the British and German troops commemorate their
glorious and crowning victory ; and Europe, grate-
ful for the lasting and inestimable blessings con-
ferred upon her, emblazons forth in the pages of
her history, the heroic deeds of the defenders of
her liberty and independence.

-" tbou fatal Waterloo !

Millions of tongues record thee, and anew
Their children's lips shall echo them, and say

Here where the sword united nations drew,
Our countrymen were warring on that day !
And this is much, and all which will not pass away."

VOL. II.

274 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

CHAPTER XVI.

Upon the appearance of Vandamme's corps in front of Wavre, Thielemann
decides on maintaining the position at that point instead of following the
remainder of the Prussian array towards the field of Waterloo The field
of Wavre Disposition of the different brigades of Thielemann's corps
Disposition of Grouchy's forces The light troops of Vandamme's corps
gain possession of that part of the town of Wavre which lies on the right
bank of the Dyle Gerard makes an unsuccessful attack upon the mill of
Bierge Vandamme fails in his efforts to carry the bridge of Wavre
Grouchy, in person, leads another attack upon the bridge of Bierge, which
proves as fruitless as the former attempt, and on which occasion Gerard
falls severely wounded Pajol gains possession of the bridge of Limaleby
a cavalry-attack Grouchy, having pushed a portion of Gerard's corps
across the Dyle, by Limale, disposes these troops so as to turn the right
of Thielemann's corps They are attacked by the Prussians, who are de-
feated, and forced to fall back upon the wood near Point du Jour The
contest for the possession of the bridges and town of Wavre is continued
until late in the night, the Prussians sustaining and repelling thirteen as-
saults Disposition of the contending forces on the morning of the 19th
of June Contest between Thielemann's right, and Grouchy's left, wing,
during which the French gain possession of part of the wood of Rixansart
Teste's division makes another attack upon Bierge Thielemann takes
up a second position About eight o'clock he hears of the overthrow of
Napoleon's army at Waterloo He renews the attack, which is attended
with complete success, and re-takes the wood of Rixansart The wood
again falls into the possession of the French The latter capture the village
of Bierge Thielemann decides upon effecting a retreat The Prussians
abandon the town of Wavre The French cross the Dyle, both at Wavre
and at Bierge The retreat is covered by cavalry under Colonel von der
Marwitz Proceedings of General von Borcke, who had marched his
brigade on the previous evening to St. Lambert Thielemann retires along
the road to Louvain, and takes up a position at St. Acbtenrode Losses
sustained by the Prussians and French Remarks upon the battle and its
results Grouchy decides on retiring upon Namur.

i8th of IT was explained at the conclusion of the eighth
_ chapter that Thielemann, who had been ordered

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

275

by Bliicher to defend the position of Wavre in the 18 h of

r June.

event of the enemy advancing in force, or, if other- ,

wise, to follow the main army in the direction of
Couture, was on the point of fulfilling the instruc-
tions appertaining to the latter contingency, when
Vandamme's corps arrived in front of that position,
about four o'clock in the afternoon, and its artil-
lery immediately opened a cannonade upon the
Prussian troops.

All the brigades (the 9th, 10th, llth, and 12th)
of Thielemann's corps had, at that time, received
the order to commence the general movement to
the right. A detachment of only two battalions,
(the fusilier-battalions of the 30th regiment and
of the 1st Kurmark landwehr,) under Colonel von
Zepelin, from the 9th brigade, which had not yet
crossed the Dyle, was to be left in occupation of
Wavre. The 12th brigade was already in full
line of march, and the llth had been just put in
motion.

When General von Borcke, who commanded
the 9th brigade, fell back upon Wavre, for the
purpose of carrying out his instructions, he found
the bridge already barricaded, and therefore pro-
ceeded with his brigade to Bas Wavre ; and having
crossed the Dyle at this point, left a detachment
there, consisting of the sharpshooters of the fusi-
lier-battalion of the 8th regiment, and of those of
the 1st battalion of the 30th regiment, under Major
von Ditfurth, whom he directed to destroy the

276 HISTORY OF THE WAR IX

isth of bridge immediately. He then detached the 2nd bat-
_ talion of the 30th regiment and his two squadrons of
the 3rd Kurmark landwehr-cavalry, as a reinforce-
ment to Colonel von Zepelin at Wavre ; and, with
the remainder of his brigade, continued his march.
In the mean time, French tirailleurs were ob-
served extending along the opposite heights, and,
in their rear, considerable masses of the enemy's
troops appeared advancing. It soon became ma-
nifest that they contemplated forcing the passage
of the river. Thielemann, judging by the want
of vigour displayed in the French pursuit, and
by the enemy not having attempted to secure
the passages of the Dyle at Moustier, Limelette,
and Limale, that it was only a weak detachment
of the enemy that was advancing upon Wavre,
confining itself to the design of creating some
little uneasiness by its movement along this road
to Brussels, had hitherto been of opinion that the
occupation of Wavre by a few battalions, as di-
rected by Bliicher, would be quite sufficient ; but
he now plainly saw that the moment had arrived
which required him, in pursuance of his instruc-
tions, to maintain the position at Wavre, and he
accordingly ordered the halt of his whole corps
for this purpose.

The town of Wavre is situated on the left bank
of the Dyle ; having a suburb on the opposite
side of the river, with which it is connected by
two stone bridges, the principal one leading towards

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

'277

the middle, and a small one towards the upper 18th of

L * June.

end, of the town. Higher up the stream, at the . .
mill of Bierge, at Limale, and at Limelette, as also
below the town, at Bas Wavre, there are wooden
bridges. The river is not deep, but at the period
of the battle it was swollen by the recent heavy
rain. The low range of heights on either side of
the valley is covered in many places with wood.
The heights on the right bank are generally more
elevated, but those on the left have steeper declivi-
ties, and offer a greater command of the river and
its passages. The shortest road from Namur to
Brussels passes through the town, besides which
there are numerous cross roads practicable for the
movements of all arms. The great number of
hollow-ways forms a prominent feature in the
vicinity, and these, being in a miry state from
the rain, were unfavourable to the progress of
troops passing through them.

The position was thus occupied : the 12th bri-
gade, (Colonel von Stiilpnagel,) with the horse-
battery No. 20, was posted on the height in rear
of Bierge. The bridge in front of this village was
barricaded, and the mill occupied for the defence
of the bridge. The 10th brigade (Colonel von
Kampfen) stood upon the height in rear of Wavre,
its right resting on a wood which lay between it
and the 12th brigade. The llth brigade (Colonel
von Luck) was formed across the Brussels road.
The reserve-cavalry was drawn up, near La Ba-

278

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of vette, in columns of squadrons. The artillery was

distributed along the heights. The horse-battery

No. 18 remained in reserve. That part of the
town of Wavre which lies on the right bank, or,
more properly, the suburb, was occupied by light
troops only. The great bridge was barricaded
as well as time and circumstances would ad-
mit. The houses adjoining the left bank of the
river were hastily loop-holed. The smaller bridge
was left perfectly open. A detachment of two
companies of light infantry, under Major von
Bornstadt was detached to reinforce the troops at
the bridge of Bas Wavre.

Thielemann intended that the 9th brigade should
be posted in rear of this general disposition of his
troops, so that its services might be made available
according as circumstances might require ; but
through some misunderstanding in the transmission
of the order, General von Borcke was induced,
after having moved along the Brussels road until
near La Bavette, thence to turn off to his left,
and continue his march, according to his original
instructions, in the direction of Fromont, Bour-
geois, and St. Lambert, towards Couture ; being
under the impression that the whole corps had
already commenced this march, in pursuance
of the general plan, and that his brigade
was destined to cover the movement. The de-
parture of the brigade was not immediately dis-
covered, and thus, by this misunderstanding,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 279

Thielemann's force suffered an unexpected reduc- i8th of
tion of six battalions and the foot-battery No. 18 ; _
and consisted, therefore, of only 15,200 men, with
which number he had now to contend against
Marshal Grouchy 's force, amounting altogether to
32,000 men.

Thielemann's position was certainly a very
favourable one, and the occupation of it was ar-
ranged with great skill. As it was impossible to
foresee in what manner the attack upon it would
be conducted ; whether it would be directed against
one particular bridge, or against all the bridges,
with the design of carrying the whole line by
storm, Thielemann limited the occupation of the
town and of the line of the river, to the number
of light troops which might be sufficient for sus-
taining any sudden assault ; taking care to have
supports close at hand for that purpose, but dis-
posing his reserves, which comprised his main
force, so that they might become available at any
point which might be pressed, or, should the enemy
develope greatly superior numbers, as was sub-
sequently the case, serve to guard against any
flank attack.

As before explained, it was Vandamme's corps
which arrived in front of Wavre between three
and four o'clock. Two batteries, of which one
consisted of 12-pounders, were drawn up on the
right of the road overlooking the valley, and
opened the cannonade. These were subsequently

280

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of reinforced bv a third battery, posted on the left of

June. '

the road, hxcelmans cavalry-corps was posted m

right rear of Vandamme. Gerard, with the 4th
French corps, was still in the rear on the march ;
and Pajol, with his light cavalry, had only just
passed through Tourrines, situated scarcely half-
way between Gembloux and Wavre. Marshal
Grouchy sent word to both these officers to acce-
lerate their march.

Whilst the French skirmishers were gradually
forcing back the Prussian light troops into the
valley, Grouchy, hearing a powerful cannonade in
the distance to his left, rode off a little way in
that direction, and concluding that Napoleon was
closely engaged with Wellington, conceived that as
he had now reached the Prussians, he would best
fulfil his instructions by vigorously attacking them,
so as to prevent their detaching reinforcements to
the Anglo-allied army. He was quite ignorant as
to the strength of the enemy in his front, and was
in doubt whether the whole Prussian army was be-
fore him, or merely a strong detachment. Of the
fact that three Prussian corps were on the march
to co-operate with Wellington's forces, he of course
knew nothing. In this state of uncertainty, and
with his troops aux prises with the Prussians, he
was fearful of detaching to his left, since by so
doing, he would expose himself to the risk of his
main force becoming overpowered by superior
numbers, and his detachment cut off.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 281

Independently of other considerations which
might have assisted in dissuading Grouchy from
detaching a portion of his force at this period,
such as the length of time his troops had been
upon the march, along bad and miry roads, he was
perfectly justified, under all the circumstances of
his then position, in adopting this course of pro-
ceeding. And even if he had been fully cognizant
of the actual disposition of the Prussian army, he
could at this time have rendered no essential ser-
vice to Napoleon ; the opportunity for doing so
had been suffered to pass by, as was fully explained
in Chapter VIII. His total ignorance, however,
of Bliicher's proceedings, and of all that was then
taking place between Wavre and the field of Wa-
terloo, afforded undeniable proof of his having
completely failed in acting up to the spirit of the
instructions he had received, not to lose sight of
the Prussians, and in exercising that degree of
enterprise, energy, and decision, which Napoleon
had so naturally anticipated from a general of
Grouchy's note and experience, especially when
intrusted with so important a command, under
such highly critical circumstances.

A message having reached Grouchy from Pajol,
communicating his having fallen into the Marshal's
line of operation, he directed that general to move
upon Limale. His right flank, however, continued
to be protected by the 17th dragoons, detached
from General Berton's cavalry-brigade (of Excel-

282 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of mans' corps) en reconnaissance, towards the road

June.

. leading from Namur to Louvain.

In the mean time, a vigorous cannonade was
maintained between Vandamme's and the Prussian
batteries across that part of the valley in which
lay the town of Wavre. Under cover of the
French guns, the skirmishers pressed down upon
that portion of the town situated upon the right
bank of the river, and of which they soon gained
possession, the Prussians having previously decided
upon not making any effort to retain it. On reach-
ing the river, however, they were met by a most
destructive tire of musketry from the opposite
houses and the bridge. The contest now became
desperate, and the defence of the passage of the
Dyle was obstinately maintained by the Prussians.
The skirmishers rapidly extended on either flank
along both banks of the river from Bier ore as far

o c>

as Bas Wavre. All the Prussian brigades pushed
forward their sharpshooters. Those of the 4th
Kurmark landwehr took up the line between the
town and Bas Wavre, those of the 3rd Kurmark
landwehr took post in the town, between the two
bridges ; on the right of the latter stood the sharp-
shooters of the 10th brigade ; and those of the
12th brigade formed the right wing of the whole
line at Bierge.

This tiraillade had continued about an hour,
when General Hulot's division of Gerard's corps
d'armee reached the field, and received orders to

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 283

take possession of the mill of Bierge, and to cross ISA of

June.

the Dyle at that point. A battalion of Vandamme's

corps was at the time vainly attempting to effect
a passage. Upon the height opposite Bierge
were several guns of the 3rd corps, endeavouring
to keep down the fire from the Prussian batteries
on the other side of the valley. Grouchy desired
Gerard to relieve the battalion attacking the mill
of Bierge by one from his own corps, whereupon
the latter directed General Hulot to push forward
with a battalion of the 9th light infantry for that
purpose. The battalion descended into the valley,
covered by the fire from the guns on the height.
Its advance was much impeded by the swampy na-
ture of the ground at the foot of the declivity, and
by the numerous broad and deep drains by which
the valley is intersected ; and its order was still
further deranged by the fire from the artillery on
the opposite heights, as also by that of the Prussian
skirmishers posted along the left bank of the river,
and strongly occupying the mill. The banks of
the river at this part, more particularly the left
bank, are mostly lined with trees, which tended
still further to increase the means of resistance on
the part of the Prussians to the advance of the
French troops. The latter on reaching the mill,
and relieving Vandamme's troops, made an attack,
but without success.

Grouchy was on the point of ordering this at-
tack to be renewed, when he received, between six

284

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

lath of and seven o'clock, Soult's despatch, addressed to

! him from the field of Waterloo at one o'clock in

the afternoon ;* and desiring him to manoeuvre
always in that direction, to maintain a close com-
munication with the main army, and to lose not
a moment in joining the latter, and attacking
Billow's corps d'armee, which, it added, could then
be seen upon the heights of St. Lambert.

The circumstances in which Grouchy found
himself at the time this despatch reached him, held
out no prospect of his being able to fulfil, even
partially, the instructions which it contained.
Vandamme's efforts to force the bridges of Wavre,
and to capture the town were completely frustrated
by the most gallant defence maintained on the part
of the Prussians. The issue of the attack upon the
mill of Bierge appeared very doubtful. Neither
the main body of Gerard's corps, nor General
Teste's division of the 6th corps, nor even Pajol's
light cavalry had as yet arrived. Grouchy, be-
coming impatient, rode hastily towards la Baraque,
accompanied by Gerard, to meet the first men-
tioned force ; and on coming up with the columns,
directed their march upon Limale, his object now
being to turn the right of Thielemann's position,
and to prevent the retreat of the latter upon Brus-
sels, and at the same time open his direct road to
St. Lambert. This he might succeed in effecting,

* See page 400, vol. i.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 285

but it is sufficiently evident from the above view of 18th f

June.

his position, at so late an hour of the day, that any

important diversion on his part in favour of Napo-
leon, was quite out of the question.

On returning with Gerard to Wavre, Grouchy
found that notwithstanding the furious assaults that
were made in rapid succession upon the bridges,
supported by the vigorous cannonade from the
heights, and the incessant fusillade along the banks
of the river, no further progress was effected. As
if determined that the passage should be forced,
he dismounted from his horse, and placing himself
at the head of a battalion, led on another attack
upon the mill of Bierge. But the bravery of the
troops, though so strongly excited by the noble
example of the Marshal, could avail nothing
against the indomitable resistance of the Prussian
defenders of this important post. Gerard, who
had accompanied the Marshal in this attack, fell
severely wounded by a shot which struck him in
the breast.

Grouchy now decided upon leaving Vandamme's
corps and Excelmans' cavalry in front of Wavre
and Bierge, and proceeding himself with that por-
tion of Gerard's troops which was at hand, along
the right bank of the Dyle, towards Limale, and
uniting them to the remainder of the corps which
had been ordered to march in the direction of that
point from la Baraque. This movement occupied
considerable time, in consequence of the diffi-

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of culties opposed to the march of troops along the

side of the river. At length, having arrived in

front of Limale, and formed a junction with PajoFs
cavalry, preparations were made for an attack.

Limale was at that time occupied hy Lieut.
Colonel von Stengel with the three battalions of
the 19th Prussian regiment, two squadrons of the
6th uhlans, and one squadron of the Westphalian
landwehr-cavalry. It was the detachment left by
Zieten for the purpose of covering the right flank
of the 3rd corps d'armee. It had unaccountably
neglected to adopt any measures for barricading
the bridge, the defence of which, if conducted with
the same energy and resolution by which that of
the bridges lower down the stream had been dis-
tinguished, might have been the means of pre-
venting the French from crossing the Dyle at all
on that day.

Pajol, having reconnoitred the place and disco-
vered this neglect, succeeded in gaining possession
of the bridge by means of a brisk cavalry-attack.
Hulot's infantry-division of Gerard's corps reached
it shortly afterwards, and it was soon made mani-
fest to Lieut. Colonel von Stengel that he was
attacked by a force much superior to his own.
Nevertheless he continued to fall gradually back,
in good order, until Thielemann pushed forward
the 12th brigade to his support. Three battalions
of the 10th brigade moved into the position thus
vacated by the 12th ; and a general movement was

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 287

made to the right bv all the troops that could be isth of

r . June.

spared from the defence of Wavre and Bierge.

The 4th Kurmark landwehr, belonging to the llth
brigade, crossed the Brussels road. The reserve-

O 7

cavalry was ordered to move upon Limale, in sup-
port of the 12th brigade.

When Colonel von Stiilpnagel was ordered to
move his brigade (the 12th) upon Limale, he left
three battalions for the defence of the bridge of
Bierge. With the remaining six battalions he came
up close to the enemy, who was posted on a height
in advance of Limale, his left thrown considerably
forward and covered by his cavalry, and his right
resting upon some houses, which he had occupied
with infantry. This line, which was perpendicular
to the direction of the original position of the
Prussians, had been taken up with great skill by
Grouchy, notwithstanding the difficulties with
which the movement had been attended. His
troops had to ascend the heights during the
obscurity of the night, in rear of Limale, by a
narrow, rugged road, in the immediate proximity
of the Prussians, whose fire reached the head of
the defile, and he was fully occupied until a
very late hour, in posting the battalions in their
proper places, as they filed out of the road, on
reaching the height ; whilst, in the mean time,
Pajol's light cavalry pushed rapidly round by the
left.

28Q HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

isth of Colonel von Stiilpnagel posted the fusilier-bat-

'__ talion of the 5th Kill-mark landvvehr, and his

battery, in reserve, in rear of the small wood on
the right of Bierge, and advanced to the attack,
late as it was, with his five remaining battalions,
having Lieut. Colonel von Stengel with his detach-
ment on the right. The darkness of the night
prevented the Prussians from correctly ascertain-
ing the position and strength of the French, but
nevertheless it was decided that an attempt should
be made to regain Limale, and drive back the
enemy across the Dyle. The attack was thus
formed. Two battalions in front, closely followed
by the remaining three battalions. Both the bri-
gade-squadrons joined the three squadrons under
Lieut. Colonel von Stengel ; and the whole of the
reserve- cavalry formed in support. In this move-
ment, however, the mutual connection of the ad-
vancing troops was greatly impeded by the dark-
ness of the night. The two battalions in front line
were on the point of passing a hollow-way when
they received a volley from two French battalions
on the opposite side, by which their further ad-
vance was checked. The three battalions of the
second line had inclined too much to the left,
where they became engaged with French tirailleurs.
Lieut. Colonel von Stengel's detachment, in at-
tempting to push forward, was checked by the
French cavalry, and as the latter made a dispo-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

289

sition which menaced his right flank, that officer isthof

fell back with his detachment as far as the wood 1

near Point du Jour.

The decided failure of the attack induced Co-
lonel von Stiilpnagel to withdraw all his troops to
the wood, leaving only the first battalion of the
6th Kurmark landwehr in support of the chain of
advanced posts. The reserve-cavalry bivouacked
in rear of the wood. Thus ended the contest on
this part of the field. The Prussian and French
picquets were so close to one another during the
night, that the patroles were constantly clashing,
and the whole line kept upon the qui vive.

Upon the Prussian left, the conflict for the pos-
session of the town and bridges of Wavre conti-
nued to be carried on with unabated fury on both
sides until late in the night. Vandamme devoted
the whole of his corps to the attack ; constantly
pushing forward fresh troops to relieve those who
had failed in their attempts to dislodge the Prus^
sians. The latter, who exhibited on this occasion
an extraordinary degree of bravery and resolution,
succeeded in repelling no less than thirteen dif-
ferent assaults, and even dislodged, in five in-
stances, the French from the houses they occupied,
from the commencement, on the right bank of the
Dyle. At one time the French had already gained
possession of the great bridge and some houses on
the left bank, when they were driven back again
to their own side of the river by the Prussian

VOL. II. U

290 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of reserves these having advanced to the relief of

June.

their comrades. The struggle was desperate, and

apparently interminable. When the French at-
tacked the houses nearest the bridge, they suc-
ceeded in bursting open the doors, and, by supe-
riority of numbers, in possessing themselves of the
ground floors. But even this did not induce the
heroic defenders to relax their exertions ; on the
contrary, with increased fury, they defended the
upper stories of the houses, and held out most gal-
lantly until relieved by the arrival of their
supports.

This brilliant defence of Wavre was distin-
guished, on the part of the Prussians, not only by
the unflinching bravery of the troops, but also by
the judicious disposal of the reserves, by means of
which the enemy was foiled in every attempt to
gain a permanent footing in the town. While the
skirmishers and their supports were posted along
the Dyle and the adjacent houses, the reserves
were concealed in the nearest streets, that lay in a
direction parallel with that of the river; and at
the moment the French columns of attack, already
crippled by the fire concentrated from the skir-
mishers, endeavoured to force the bridge, these re-
serves rushed forward from their cover in the side
streets, and presenting themselves in mass before
the enemy, invariably drove them back with great
slaughter. It was in this manner that the fusilier-
battalion of the 30th regiment, under Major von

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 291

Sprenger, and the third battalion of the 1st Kur- isthof

mark landwehr, under Major von Bornstadt, con- '_

stantly repulsed, with admirable bravery, the
attacks made with such superior numbers during
the earlier part of the contest. One of these
attacks having been attended with a somewhat
favourable result, the second battalion of the 30th
regiment, under Major von Beaufort, was brought
forward ; and, at a similarly critical moment, the
first battalion of the 4th Kurmark landwehr, under
Major von Grolman, came up, when both batta-
lions succeeded in compelling the enemy to retire.
These battalions then took post in the streets lying
parallel with the river, in the manner before ex-
plained, and, with heroic courage, overcame every
renewed attempt on the part of the French to es-
tablish themselves in the town. When, finally, it is
considered that from four o'clock until night, four
Prussian battalions successfully maintained their
ground against a whole corps d'armee, with which
they were constantly and desperately engaged during
the whole of that period, the merits of Colonel von
Zepelin and his brave troops are beyond all praise,
and present one of the brightest examples of the
defence of a town and of the passage of a river,
recorded in military history.

Both the bridges of Wavre remained in the pos-
session of the Prussians, and the smaller one was
barricaded during the night. At a late hour, as
the fire on both sides began to slacken, the com-

92 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

19th of batants bivouacked on their respective sides of the
river. Upon the Prussian extreme left, at Bas
Wavre, the French had only shown one battalion.
This occupied an isolated building, and was sup-
ported by two squadrons and a piece of artillery.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made to gain
the bridge, which, at nightfall, continued in the
possession of the Prussians.

Grouchy was occupied late in the night in
making his preparations for renewing the attack
on the following morning. General Teste's divi-
sion of the 6th corps having at length arrived,
his left wing, which was thus considerably rein-
forced, bivouacked upon the height westward of
Bierge, separated by this village and the Dyle
from his right wing which lay in Iront of Wavre.
He had not yet received any intelligence of Na-
poleon's signal defeat at Waterloo, and was there-
fore resolved upon following up, at daybreak, the
advantages he had already gained, by forcing back
the Prussian right flank. Thielemann, on the con-
trary, having despatched an officer of Marwitz's
cavalry-brigade en reconnaissance to the right,
ascertained through this means that the Allied
armies had gained a complete victory, and he
therefore fully expected that Grouchy would be
compelled to effect an immediate retreat.

With the first dawn of the 19th of June, Colonel
von Stengel, whose detachment was posted on the
extreme right of Thielemann's corps, took upon

FRAXCK .AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 993

himself to march off by St. Lambert, to join his
corps d'armee (the 1st), the grounds for which -
proceeding remain to the present time as unac-
countable as his neglect on the previous day to
secure the bridge of Li male. In consequence of
this movement, the 12th brigade was necessitated
to extend its line too much to the right, and to
retain a reserve of only three weak battalions upon
the road leading through the wood to Point du
Jour. The wood to the right was occupied by a
battalion and two companies from each of the
remaining regiments of the 12th brigade. The
left wing of this line, which rested upon Bierge,
was formed by six battalions of the 10th brigade.

Colonel von Luck, commanding the llth bri-
gade, was directed to support this position, which
was much too weak, with the three battalions of
the 3rd Kurmark landwehr ; but to leave the two
battalions of the 4th Kurmark landwehr, as also
the brigade-squadrons, in rear of Wavre, in a
hollow near the windmill, where they served to
cover the 12-pounder battery No. 7.

The mill of Bierge was occupied by two batta-
lions of the 12th brigade: Wavre and Bas Wavre
were held by the same troops which defended those
points on the previous day. The barricades and
preparations for defence were rendered more com-
plete.

Lieut. Colonel von Ledebur. whose detachment,
consisting of the 10th hussars, a squadron of land-

294 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

19th of wehr-cavalry. and two guns from the horse-batterv

June. J ' "

_ No. 12, had formed on the 18th the advance of

the rear-guard which Thielemann's corps was con-
sidered to constitute, having reached St. Lambert
before Grouchy's attack became so decided, re-
mained there during the night. Early on the 19th,
Grouchy sent off three cavalry-regiments to his
left to watch these troops. They showed no indi-
cation of an intention to attack, and when, later
in the day, they retired and disappeared from
Ledebur's view, the latter passed the defile, for the
purpose of proceeding to join his corps d'armee
(the 4th), which, however, he did not reach before
the 20th.

This, as well as Colonel von Stengel's detach-
ment, thus withdrew from the field, without any
apparent necessity, reducing Thielemann's num-
bers, already too weak, and taking up a line of
march, along which their services were compara-
tively useless.

Thielemann, concluding from the account he
had received of the defeat of Napoleon, that the
French would commence a retreat, renewed the
combat at daybreak by an attack with his cavalry.
Colonel von Marwitz was sent forward with the
8th uhlans and two squadrons of the 6th Kurmark
land wehr-cavalry, towards the plateau above
Limale, occupied by Grouchy's left wing ; whilsi
General von Kobe followed this movement with
the 5th and 7th uhlans, and formed up on the left

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

of the advanced cavalry. The 5th uhlans were
immediately afterwards advantageously posted in a
hollow in support of Colonel von Marwitz.

The horse-battery No. 20, subsequently rein-
forced by the foot battery No. 18, opened a can-
nonade upon the enemy's columns at the plateau,
which displayed a great superiority of numbers,
and were supported by a considerable force of
cavalry. The preponderating number of guns in
the enemy's line aswered the fire of the Prussians
with great vigour, and as the intervening space was
very limited, the numbers of killed and wounded
were very great. The Prussian artillery lost five
guns on this occasion.

Grouchy delayed not a moment in making his
disposition for an attack on his part. His force
on this side of the field consisted of the three
divisions of Gerard's corps, and of Teste's division
of the 6th corps. The latter and two of the for-
mer were posted in front line ; the remaining di-
vision, in reserve. He formed three columns of
attack. That on the right consisted of Teste's
division, and was directed upon Bierge ; the cen-
tral column was put in motion against the Prussian
centre ; and that on the left against the right of
the Prussian formation.

The head of each column was accompanied by
a battery, and preceded by a swarm of skirmishers.
At the same time, Pajol put his cavalry in motion,
and threatened to turn the Prussian right.

296 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

19th of Thielemann resolved upon not only offering to
June. , . . .

the enemy a vigorous opposition, but also upon

assuming the offensive himself, and immediately
gave the necessary orders for that purpose. He
also reinforced his right with two more companies,
and his left with an additional battalion. It was
soon made manifest, however, that this attack failed
to check the forward movement of the enemy.
The ten Prussian battalions were forced to give
way to the advance of twenty-two French batta-
lions, which were followed by six more in support.
The French gained possession of that part of the
wood of Rixansart which was on the right of
the Prussian position, and drove back the 12th
brigade. The battalions of the latter collected
again immediately in rear of the wood, under the
protection of the three beforementioned batta-
lions of the llth brigade and of a battery of fifteen
guns.

General Teste's division had in the mean time
attacked Bierge, which was bravely defended by
the two battalions of the Kurmark landwehr.
Whilst the engagement continued at this point,
Thielemann took up a second position in rear of
the first, with four battalions of the 10th brigade,
and occupied the small wood in rear of Bierge.
The Prussian cavalry -brigade, under Colonels von
Marwitz and Count Lottum, comprising twelve
squadrons, secured the right towards Chambre.

About eight o'clock, just at this position had

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 297

been taken up, Thielemann received, through Ge- 1 9th of

. . . June.

neral von Pirch, the decisive and authentic intelli-
gence that a great victory had been gained by the
Allies on the previous day, as also a communica-
tion of the fact of the 2nd Prussian corps d'armee
having marched to intercept Grouchy's retreat
upon the Sambre. Advantage was immediately
taken of these joyful tidings to raise the spirits of
the troops, and to excite them to a renewed attack.
With loud cheers the Prussian batteries advanced
to the attack, which was attended with complete
success, and even the wood of Rixansart was again
taken.

The enemy appeared irresolute, and as if im-
pressed with the idea that Thielemann had received
reinforcements ; but observing that no further pro-
gress was made, he renewed the attack, on his part,
and re-took the wood of Rixansart.

It was not until about this time towards nine
o'clock that Teste's division gained possession of
the village of Bierge, on which occasion General
Penne, an officer of considerable distinction in the
French army, was killed. The French were pre-
vented for some time from debouching from the
place, by the determined opposition of the tirail-
leurs of the 31st Prussian regiment, under Major
von Natzmer.

Thielemann had now done all which could pos-
sibly have been expected from any general under
similar circumstances with a force not equal to

0,8 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

igth of one half of that of the enemy, he had endeavoured,

June. . " . _

whenever an opportunity offered, and in defiance

of superior numbers, to force back the French left
wing upon the Dyle ; but now that he had failed
in effecting this object, and that Bierge, the key of
his position, had been taken from him, whilst the
French left was pressing forward with increased
numbers, to gain the Brussels road, he saw very
plainly that to attempt to maintain his ground any
longer would be, to expose himself to the imminent
risk of total overthrow, and that no other course
was left for him but to order a general retreat.

It was about ten o'clock in the morning when
the Prussian troops began to retire from the field.
The town of Wavre had not been attacked on the
19th, and Colonel von Zepelin abandoned it with-
out being much pressed upon his line of retreat.
Colonel von Marwitz was ordered to form the
rear-guard, which was furnished from the 7th and
8th uhlans, and the 3rd and 6th Kurmark land-
wehr-cavalry. It was accompanied by three bat-
teries of horse, and one of foot, artillery. With
these troops Colonel von Marwitz took post, at
first, in front of the Brussels road ; placing three
batteries on his left, and the remaining one in
reserve. Thielemann gave the rear-guard an ex-
press order not to march off until Wavre had
become completely evacuated.

In the mean time, Gerard's corps d'armee had
crossed the Dyle both at Bierge and at Wavre.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

299

The two battalions of the 4th Kurraark landwehr 19th of

June.

which had been posted in the hollow in rear of the

town, for the protection of the 12-pounder battery,
became closely pressed in consequence of this
movement. One of the battalions, under Major
von Schmade, had advanced against an enemy's
column near the Brussels road, when it unexpect-
edly received the fire of three French battalions,
which were pushing forward under cover of an
eminence, and followed by some cavalry. The
battalion succeeded in reaching the small wood
near la Bavette, and as the enemy attempted to
turn the latter, it suddenly attacked and drove him
back, after which it came up with the rear-guard.
The other battalion, commanded by Major von
Schwerin, attacked a French battalion which was
advancing against it, threw it back in confusion,
and then continued its retreat. The gallantry and
steadiness displayed in this affair by the Kurmark
landwehr, acquired for the latter great and well-
merited renown.

The French cavalry debouched from the wood
of Rixansart and drew up, with its left resting
upon Chambre. Vandamme now advanced the
columns of his corps towards the heights of la Ba-
vette, and pushed forward some cavalry along the
high road. The latter, however, was driven back
by Colonel von Marwitz.

It has been explained that General von Borcke,

300 HISTORY OF THE WAR J\

i9th of instead of posting his remaining six battalions in

__ rear of the position at Wavre, as intended by

Thielemann, proceeded on his march to Couture,
by St. Lambert. This place he reached about
nightfall, when he despatched an officer to Bliicher
to report his arrival. The latter, in reply, desired
him to bivouac on the spot where he was, and to
await further orders on the following morning.
The brigade was still in its bivouac at seven o'clock
the next morning, when Colonel von Stengel passed
through St. Lambert with his detachment.* The
latter informed General von Borcke that he had
defended the bridge of Limale, and had been fol-
lowed by the enemy's troops. Borcke, on hearing
this, immediately broke up his bivouac, and de-
cided upon securing the wood which extends from
St. Robert as far as Rixansart. He deployed two
battalions of the 8th regiment along the edge of
the wood, and held the remaining four battalions
of his brigade, then with him, in reserve. Per-
ceiving the French cavalry, at the time of their
first attack, marching into the wood of Rixansart
for the purpose of advancing through it upon
Chambre, he opened a fire upon them' from his
battery, with the hope of checking their move-
ment. The only effect it produced was that of
their detaching three regiments of cavalry towards

* See page 292.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

301

his brigade. These, however, contented them- i9th of

. i , . , . T . June.

selves with watching his movements. It is curious

that the 9th brigade, as if bent upon continuing
the blunder committed the previous day of de-
taching itself from its corps, should not have
attempted, with its six battalions, to effect a more
important diversion upon the enemy's extreme left,
from which it was not more than 3,000 paces dis-
tant. It was then eight o'clock, and the battle was
maintained until about eleven, and yet General
von Borcke allowed the three cavalry -regiments to
move off and join the remainder of the French
cavalry, towards ten o'clock, at Chambre, without
even attempting to molest their movement.

Thielemann effected his retreat, in several co-
lumns, by Ottenburg and St. Achtenrode, at which
latter place (about half-way to Louvain) he took
up a position. The French cavalry followed as
far as the Brussels road, and the infantry occupied
the heights of la Bavette.

Between Wavre and Louvain the country as-
sumes a new character, being covered with hedges,
hollow-ways, ditches, and gardens, and is altogether
much intersected. From Ottenburg as far as St.
Achtenrode, there is almost one continued defile.
In this cavalry cannot act with advantage, and it
was therefore fortunate for the Prussian cavalry
that it was followed but slowly by the French.

The loss experienced by Thielemann's corps
d'armee in this battle of the 18th and 19th of

302 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i9th of June, amounted to 2,476 men.* No returns what-

June.

ever of the losses sustained by Grouchy*s army are

forthcoming, but they could not have been less
than those of the Prussians.

Such was the battle of Wavre ; a battle the
result of which was of no advantage to Napoleon
on the 18th, and of positive disadvantage to him
on the 19th. On the former day it did not pre-
vent the march of the great mass of the Prussian
army towards the field of Waterloo, and, on the
19th, the continuance of the contest, while Napo-
leon was in full flight, exposed this, the only
remaining intact portion of the French army, to
the imminent risk of being completely cut off from
all retreat. Nor can this defeat of Thielemann be
looked upon as having shed additional lustre upon
the French arms, when it is considered how long

and successfully the Prussians battled against them
with less than half their strength. The errors
which led to the circumstance of the force under
Grouchy constituting, as Napoleon himself has
been pleased to term it, the right wing of the
French army becoming exclusively occupied in
attacking a single corps of the Prussian army,
whilst the remaining three corps of the latter were
wending their way unmolested towards the decisive
field of battle, have already been sufficiently dis-
cussed ; and now 7 that their result has been fully

* There does not appear to be any detailed returns extant of these losses.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 303

exhibited, it is scarcely necessary to draw attention ith of
to the proof -which the latter affords of the entire __
ignorance of each other's proceedings which cha-
racterised the conduct of Napoleon and Grouchy,
great generals as they were, in this memorable
campaign. The former received intelligence, be-
fore he began the battle with Wellington, that the
right wing was to follow the Prussians to Wavre,
and to act in such a manner as to prevent these
from detaching towards the Anglo-allied army,
and therefore felt satisfied that his general plan of
operations was in successful progress. But in less
than two hours from the commencement of the
battle, the fatal consequence of both generals
having unaccountably neglected to maintain a vi-
gilant reconnoissance and an uninterrupted com-
munication, was made manifest, and the first inti-
mation Napoleon received of the advance of the
Prussians towards La Belle Alliance was the dis-
tant view which he himself had, from his own
field, of Billow's corps descending the heights of
St. Lambert, at about one o'clock.

The leading principle of the French Emperor's
plan was to endeavour, by all means in his power,
to beat the armies opposed to him in detail. It
was therefore incumbent on him, in order to insure
the success of that plan, to adopt such precau-
tionary measures as should procure for him the
earliest and the clearest information concerning
the movements of his enemies. If he found it

3Q4 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

18th of necessary temporarily to divide his force, and act

June. 01 MI

upon two lines, those measures became still more

indispensable, and at the same time admitted the
greater facility of execution. Several reconnoi-
tring parties, both upon the flanks of the army and
in front of the interval between the two lines of
operation, under the guidance of experienced,
active, and intelligent officers, would have obtained
for both generals that insight into the movements
and designs of their opponents which was so es-
sential for the attainment of their common object,
whilst parties detached from each wing, for the
sole purpose of maintaining a close and direct
communication between them, would have afforded
the ready means of regulating each other's pro-
ceedings according to the circumstances under
which they might have found themselves respec-
tively placed. That there should have been so
total a disregard of any measure of the kind,
appears almost incredible ; yet such was the fact ;
and hence it came to pass that the despatch sent to
Grouchy, at one o'clock, from the heights in rear
of La Belle Alliance did not reach him until seven
in the evening, at which time, as before explained,
it was too late to admit of the instructions it con-
veyed being fulfilled ; and hence, also, Grouchy
was left battling with his entire force not less
than a third of the whole French army against a
single incomplete Prussian corps, under Thiele-
mann, from daybreak until about eleven o'clock in

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

305

the forenoon of the 19th, when he was first made i9th of

acquainted with the fact that during the whole of

that time the army under Napoleon, having been
most signally defeated and completely scattered on
the preceding evening, was flying across the fron-
tier in the wildest confusion.

On receiving this latter intelligence, Grouchy 's
first idea was to march against the rear of the
main body of the Prussian army ; but, calculating
that his force was not adequate for such an enter-
prise, that the victorious Allies might detach to
intercept his retreat, and that he should be closely
followed by that portion of the Prussians which he
had just defeated, he decided on retiring upon
Namur, where he would regulate his further ope-
rations according to the intelligence he might gain
in that quarter concerning the real state of affairs.

VOL. II.

306 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

CHAPTER XVII.

Retreat of the French army from the field of Waterloo On the 19th of June
the Prussian army pursues in the direction of Charleroi, Avesnes, and
Laon ; the Anglo-allied army, in that of Nivelles, Binch, and Peronne
Billow's corps reaches Fontaine 1'Evdque ; and Zieten's corps halts for the
night at Charleroi Thielemann continues during the night of the 1 9th at
St. Achtenrode Pirch's corps proceeds, on the evening of the 18th, in the
direction of Namur, for the purpose of intercepting Grouchy's retreat On
the 19th, it halts at Mellery The Anglo-allied army occupies Nivelles
and its vicinity during the night of the 19th Napoleon's flight through
Charleroi He desires Soultto collect the troops and march them to Laon >
Grouchy retires upon Namur Disposition of the respective armies on the
evening of the 19th The Duke of Wellington's views on entering the
French territory ; and his general order to the troops on the 20th of June
The Saxon corps d'arm6e is placed under his Grace's command The Anglo-
allied army reaches Binch and Mons Grouchy's retreat to Namur He is
pursued by Thielemann and Pirch Contest at Namur The Prussians gain
possession of this place Remarks upon Thielemann's and Pirch's proceed-
ings in connexion with Grouchy's retreat to Namur and Dinant Disposi-
tion of the respective armies on the evening of the 20th Wellington crosses
the French frontier on the 20th Bliicher places Pirch's corps under Prince
Augustus of Prussia, to he employed in besieging the fortresses left in rear
of the main army Avesnes captured by Zieten's corps Bliicher's fare-
well address to the Belgians Disposition of the respective armies on the
evening of the 21st Wellington's proclamation to the French people
Contrast between the conduct of the Prussian troops and that of the Anglo-
allied army towards the inhabitants of the country through which they
pass : attributable to the dissimilarity of views entertained by their chiefs
Influence of Wellington's measures upon the cause of Louis XVIII.

19th of IT would be difficult to discover, in the whole his-

June. f , ft-

tory or the wars of modern times, an instance in

which so fine, so splendid, an army as that of Na-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 3Q7

poleon, one composed almost exclusively of vete- i9th of

rans, all men of one nation, entirely devoted to

their chief, and most enthusiastic in his cause,
became so suddenly panic-stricken, so completely
disorganized, and so thoroughly scattered, as was
the French army when it lost the battle of Wa-
terloo. A defeated army usually covers its retreat
by a rear-guard, but here there was nothing of the
kind ; and hence that army cannot be said to have
retreated, but truly to have fled from the field of
battle. No attempt to rally was made on the Bel-
gian soil, and it was not until some of the scattered
fragments of the immense wreck had been borne
across the French frontier that their partial junc-
tion on different points indicated the revival of at
least some portion of that mighty mass of warriors
who, but three days before, had marched across
this same frontier in all the pride of strength, and
in all the assurance of victory.

The rearmost of the fugitives having reached
the Sambre, at Charleroi, Marchienne, and Cha-
telet, by daybreak of the 19th, indulged themselves
with the hope that they might then enjoy a short
rest from the fatigues which the relentless pursuit
by the Prussians had entailed upon them during
the night ; but their fancied security was quickly
disturbed by the appearance of a few Prussian
cavalry, judiciously thrown forward towards the
Sambre from the advanced guard at Gosselies :

308

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i9th of they resumed their flight, taking the direction of

June. J .

- Beaumont and Philippeville.

It had been arranged by Wellington and Bliicher,
on the field of Waterloo, that the Prussian army,
not having been so much crippled and exhausted
by the battle, should undertake the further pursuit,
and proceed by Charleroi towards Avesnes and
Laon, whilst the Anglo-allied army, after remain-
ing during the night on the field, should advance
by Nivelles and Binch towards Peronne. On the
following morning, the pursuing cavalry belonging
to the 1st, 4th, and partly to the 2nd Prussian
corps d'armee, reached the vicinity of Frasne and
Mellet. The 4th corps marched at daybreak from
Genappe, where it collected together the brigades
which had been so much broken up by the conti-
nued pursuit. The 8th Prussian hussars, under
Major von Colomb, were detached from this corps
towards Wavre, to observe Marshal Grouchy.
They were supported by the 1st Pomeranian land-
wehr-cavalry, and, shortly afterwards, the 2nd
Silesian landwehr-cavalry, under Lieut. Colonel
von Schill, also followed in the same direction.

After some hours' rest, the 4th corps d'armee
marched to Fontaine 1'Eveque, where it bivou-
acked. It had received orders to communicate
from this place with Mons. The advanced guard,
under General von Sydow, was pushed forward, as
far as Lermes, on the road to Thuin, it being in-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

309

tended that this corps should proceed by the road isth of
to Maubeuge, along the Sambre.

. The 1st corps d'armee, which had from the be-
ginning followed the 4th as a reserve, now ad-
vanced in pursuit of the enemy by the direct road
to Charleroi. The light cavalry at the head of the
column reached the passages of the Sambre at
Chatelet, Charleroi, and Marchienne, without
meeting any sort of opposition or impediment ;
nor did it perceive any thing of the enemy on the
other side of the river. The corps halted for the
night at Charleroi ; having its advanced guard at
Marchienne, and its outposts occupying the line
from Montigny by Louverval, as far as Chatelet.
Detachments from the reserve-cavalry were sent
in the direction of Fleurus, to secure the corps
from any molestation on the part of Grouchy, of
whose proceedings nothing positive was then
known at the Prussian head quarters.

It was not until nearly five o'clock in the even-
ing of the 19th, that General von Borcke, whose
brigade, the 9th, was still in the vicinity of St.
Lambert, discovered the retreat of Grouchy's
troops. He immediately communicated the fact to
General von Thielemann, who ordered him to
cross the Dyle the next day (the 20th) and march
upon Namur. The French rear-guard of Gerard's
corps d'armee continued to occupy Limale until
nightfall. Thielemann remained posted, during

310

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

i9th of the night of the 19th, at St. Achtenrode, having
_ his advanced guard at Ottenburg.

On the evening of the 18th, Pirch received or-
ders to march from the field of Waterloo with his
corps d'armee, (the 2nd,) in the direction of
Namur, for the purpose of turning Marshal
Grouchy's left flank and intercepting his retreat
upon the Sambre. Pirch made this movement
during the night, passing through Maransart,
where he was joined by his 7th brigade, and
crossing the Genappe rivulet at Bousseval, as also,
subsequently, the Dyle, on his way to Mellery,
which place he reached at eleven o'clock in the
forenoon of the following day. His corps was
much divided on this occasion. He had with him
the 6th, 7th, and 8th, infantry-brigades, and 24
squadrons of cavalry ; but the 5th infantry-bri-
gade, and the remaining 14 squadrons, were with
that portion of the Prussian army which was pur-
suing the enemy along the high road to Charleroi.
The corps being greatly fatigued by the night-
march and its exertions on the previous day, Pirch
ordered the troops to bivouac and to betake them-
selves to rest.

During this march, Lieut. Colonel von Sohr had
pushed on with his cavalry-brigade, as an advanced
guard ; and now he was required to gain intelli-
gence concerning the enemy's movements, and to
seek a communication with Thielemann. He

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. gjj

found the defile of Mont St. Guibert strongly 19th of

J June.

occupied by the enemy, but could obtain no infor-

mation respecting Thielemann's corps.

When it is considered how very near to Mel-
lery Gerard's corps d'armee must have passed,
in order to fall into the Namur road at Sombref,
it seems extraordinary that Pirch, who reached
that place at eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the
19th, the same hour at which Grouchy, then
beyond Wavre, received the first intimation of the
defeat of Napoleon, should have permitted
Gerard to continue his retreat unmolested. His
troops required rest, it is true, but had he main-
tained a good look-out in the direction of Gem-
bloux, he would, in all probability, after the lapse
of a few hours, have been enabled to fulfil his in-
structions so far as to have completely intercepted
the retreat of a considerable portion of Grouchy's
army. That part of the enemy's force which
Lieut. Colonel von Sohr observed at Mont St.
Guibert, was probably the advanced guard only of
Gerard's corps d'armee, since its rear-guard re-
mained at the bridge of Limale until nightfall.
Taking all the circumstances into consideration,
more especially the express object of the detached
movement of the 2nd Prussian corps d'armee, it
must be admitted that, on this occasion, there was
a want of due vigilance on the part of General
von Pirch.

312 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

19th of It was on the 19th, also, that Prince Bliicher

June.

issued, whilst at Genappe, a proclamation to his

army, in which he thanked the troops for their
conduct during the recent struggle.

At daybreak of the 19th, that portion of the
Duke of Wellington's army which had fought the
battle of Waterloo, broke up from its bivouac, and
began to move along the high road to Nivelles.
Those troops which had been posted in front of
Hal during the 18th, consisting of Stedmann's
Duch-Belgian division, Anthing's Dutch-Belgian
Indian brigade, and Colonel Estorff's Hanoverian
cavalry-brigade, under Prince Frederick of the
Netherlands, as also of Johnstone's British infantry
brigade, and Lyon's Hanoverian infantry-brigade,
under Lieut. General Sir Charles Colville, were
likewise directed to march upon Nivelles. The
army occupied Nivelles and the surrounding vil-
lages during the night of the 19th, in the course
of which the Duke arrived from Brussels, and
established his head-quarters in the town.

An hour's rest was all that the harassing pursuit
by the Prussians permitted Napoleon to enjoy at
Charleroi ; and he was compelled to fly across
the Sambre, without the slightest chance of being
enabled to check that pursuit on the Belgian side of
the frontier.

The following inscription, which has been cut
over the centre of the archvvav of the Charleroi

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

gate, is singularly appropriate to the flight of Na- i9th of
poleon on this memorable occasion :

' ABUT EXCESSIT EVASIT ERVPIT.'

The circumstances, however, under which the
flight of Cataline, here described, and that of
Napoleon, took place, form a strange contrast.
The former, subdued in the senate by the indig-
nant philippics and burning eloquence of Cicero,
escaped from Rome to the rebel camp of Manlius,
to take up arms against his native city for the pur-
pose of satisfying the cravings of his profligate
ambition ; and the latter, defeated in the battle-
field, fled to the capital, in the vain hope of obtain-
ing from the senate of his country further means
of waging war against the legitimate sovereign.

From Charleroi, Napoleon proceeded to Philippe-
ville, whence he hoped to be able to communicate
more readily with Grouchy. He continued here
four hours, which he employed in expediting orders
to Generals Rapp, Lecourbe, and Lamarque, to
advance with their respective corps d'armee by
forced marches to Paris ; and also to the command-
ants of fortresses, to defend themselves to the last
extremity. He desired Soult to collect together
all the troops that might arrive at this point, and
conduct them to Laon, for which place he him-
self started with post-horses, at two o'clock in the
afternoon.

314 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

19th of The general disposition of the respective armies
on the evening of the 19th, was as follows :

The Anglo-allied army, which constituted the right wing of
the advancing forces, was at Nivelles and in its vicinity.'

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were at Nivelles.

Of the Prussian army, which formed the left wing, its 1 st corps
d'armee was at Charleroi ;

2nd corps on the march to Mellery ;

3rd corps at St. Achtenrode ;

4th corps at Fontaine 1'Eveque ;

5th brigade of the 2nd corps at Anderlues, near Fontaine
1'Eveque.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at Gosselies.

The disorganized force of the main French army was in the
vicinity of Beaumont, Philippeville, and Avesnes.

Napoleon was posting towards Laon.

The detached portion of the French army under Grouchy was
on the march to Namur.

The Duke of Wellington, in whose character
the highest military talents of the warrior, were so
intimately hlended with the most comprehensive
views of the statesman, did not allow the dazzling
allurements which beset the path of a conqueror,
to divert him for a single moment from that fixed-
ness of purpose, or to dim that penetrating fore-
sight, which so peculiarly distinguished his pro-
ceedings on all great occasions of a similar nature,
involving the peace, the honour, and the security
of not only his own sovereign and country, but
also of all the Allied powers, in whose interests ho

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

315

was so actively engaged. He did not view the i9th of
great battle he had gained in the light of an event _
to be followed up by an irruption into the enemy's
country, conducted in such a manner as to humble
to the dust the national pride of the French people,
and to impose upon them the whole weight and
burthen of the oppressions, ravages, and horrors
which generally follow in the train of a victorious
and lawless soldiery over the face of an enemy's
country. His sole aim was directed to the carrying
out of the great object of the war, which com-
prised not only the annihilation of the power of
Napoleon and of the adherents to his cause, but
also the restoration of the legitimate sovereign to
the throne of France. With the latter sovereign
he had been in constant communication, devising
means for his protection during his temporary exile
in the Netherlands, and now that the armies were
on the point of crossing the frontier, counselling
him to hasten forward and show himself in the
midst of his people, in order that by identifying
his cause with the common object of the Allied
powers he might avail himself of all the influence
and advantages to be derived from the recent vic-
tory, and become, as it were, a participator in the
brilliant successes which attended their arms on
the glorious 18th of June. In proof of the sin-
cerity of his intentions, and as a first step towards
securing the good will, if not the friendly dispo-

316

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

20th of sition, of the French people, more especially of

the legitimists and the well and peaceably disposed,

the Duke issued the following general order to the
whole of the troops under his command :

Nivelles, 20th June, 1815.
General Order.

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 recol-
lect 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. The commissaries of the army will pro-
vide for the wants of the troops in the usual manner, and it is
not permitted either to soldiers or officers to extort contributions.
The commissaries will be authorized either by the Field Marshal
or by the generals who command the troops of the respective
nations, in cases where their provisions are not supplied by an
English commissary, to make the proper requisitions for which
regular receipts will be given ; and it must be strictly understood
that they will themselves be held responsible for whatever they
obtain in way of requisition from the inhabitants of France, in
the same manner in which they would be esteemed accountable
for purchases made for their own government in the several
dominions to which they belong.

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 instant, and he will not fail to report his
sense of their conduct in the terms which it deserves to their
several sovereigns.

WELLINGTON.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 3J7

On the same day, the Duke, in consequence of 20th of
a report received by him from Lieut. General _
Lecoq, and of a previous communication made to
him hy the King of Saxony, consented to take
command of the Saxon corps d'armee, amounting
to nearly 17,000 men. He directed the above
general to march these troops to Antwerp, and
there await further orders.

The Anglo-allied army marched this day to
Binch and Mons. The British cavalry moved into
villages between Roeulx and Mons. Vivian's hus-
sar-brigade took the outpost duties on the Sambre.
The Hanoverian cavalry furnished outposts to-
wards Maubeuge. The Duke fixed his head-quar-
ters at Binch.

Bliicher, having secured the passage of the
Sambre in the neighbourhood of Charleroi, con-
tinued his pursuit of the enemy, and crossed the
French frontier on the 20th. He directed Zieten
to march the 1st corps d'armee from Charleroi
to Beaumont, to throw forward his advanced
guard as far as Solre le Chateau, to detach a
party of observation to the left, towards Florenne,
and to watch the road from Philippeville to
Beaumont.

As the 1st corps d'armee advanced, it discovered
at every step fresh proofs of the extreme disorder
in which the French army had retreated, and found
twelve pieces of artillery which they had hitherto

313 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

20th of contrived to save from the great wreck at Waterloo,
' but had now abandoned to their pursuers. On
arriving at Beaumont, the corps took up a bivouac.
Its advanced guard, under General von Jagow,
consisting of the 3rd infantry -brigade, the 1st
Silesian hussars, and a horse-battery, reached Solre
le Chateau upon the road to Avesnes.

The Prince, at the same time, ordered Billow to
move the 4th corps d'armee as far as Colleret,
where the road to Thuin intersects the high road
from Beaumont to Maubeuge, and to push on the
advanced guard to Beaufort. Billow accordingly
directed General von Sydow to proceed with an
advanced guard, consisting of a cavalry -brigade,
a horse-battery, and two battalions of infantry,
which had the dav before reached Lermes on the

road to Thuin, and to ascertain very particularly
whether the French had established themselves on
the Sambre, to secure the bridges both here and
at Lobbes, and further, to restore these passages,
should they have been destroyed by the enemy.
Another detachment, under Colonel von Eicke,
consisting of two fusilier-battalions, the two squa-
drons attached to the 13th brigade, and of the 2nd
Silesian hussars, was sent forward to take posses-
sion, in the first instance, of the passages of the
Sambre, and then to join General von Sydow,
who, proceeding by Colleret towards Beaufort, was
to form both detachments into an advanced guard

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 3JQ

on reaching the latter place. In the mean time, 20th of
the mass of the 4th corps, headed by the reserve- _
cavalry under Prince William of Prussia, followed
in one column.

The progress made by this portion of the Prus-
sian army on the 20th, was not so rapid as was
desirable. Considerable delay arose in consequence
of the degree of caution imparted to the move-
ments, by the impression which Biilow entertained
that the enemy would defend the passages, and
endeavour to maintain himself along the opposite
side of the river. Hence the advanced guard of
the corps only reached Ferriere la petite ; part
of the main body proceeded as far as Montignies,
and the remainder, with the reserve-artillery,
did not get farther than the bridges across the
Sambre.

The 5th brigade (belonging to the 2nd corps
d'armee) had started at daybreak from its bivouac
at Anderlues, near Fontaine 1'Eveque, and directed
its march, by Binch, upon Villers, towards Mau-
beuge. The brigade was reinforced by 100 dra-
goons under Major von Busch, and half a horse-
battery, which detachment arrived at Villers at
five o'clock in the afternoon. This cavalry was
employed in observing the fortress of Maubeuge,
from the Mons road, as far as the Sambre, and the
brigade bivouacked at Villers. A Hanoverian
regiment of hussars also observed the fortress on

320 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

20th of the right of the Prussian cavalry upon the Bavay

June.

road.

The left wing of the Prussian army, comprising
the 3rd, and part of the 2nd, corps d'armee, came
into collision with the enemy, this day, when pur-
suing that part of the French army which was
under Grouchy. Thielemann, having learned that
the latter had commenced his retreat upon Gem-
bloux, marched at five o'clock in the morning from
St. Achtenrode to Wavre, where he further ascer-
tained that already on the afternoon of the 19th,
the French had effected their retreat across the
Dyle, leaving only a rear guard on the left bank of
the river.

Grouchy, when he decided on retiring upon
Namur, ordered General Bonnemains to move on
rapidly, by Gembloux, with the 4th and 12th dra-
goons, as an advanced guard, and to reach that town
as soon as possible, and secure the passage of the
Sambre. They were followed by the remainder of Ex-
celmans' cavalry, and the reserve-artillery, together
with the wounded. The infantry was put in motion
in two columns ; the one, consisting of the 3rd corps
d'armee, proceeding by Gembloux, and the other,
comprising the 4th corps, passing more to the right,
and falling into the Namur road in rear of Som-
bref. The light cavalry was principally with the
rear guard. To deceive Thielemann, Grouchy
left his rear guard in Wavre and Limale, with

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

321

cavalry picquets thrown out towards the Prussians, 20th of

until near evening, when it followed the main body '_

to Namur.

Thielemann, having placed the whole of his
cavalry, with eight pieces of horse-artillery, at the
head of his column, now ordered them to move
on at a trot, for the purpose of overtaking the
enemy ; but it was not until they had passed Gem-
bloux that they discovered the rear of Grouchy's
force, consisting of a few regiments of cavalry.
These, however, now made so rapid a retreat, that
it was impossible to bring them to action. At
length, on arriving near the village of Fallize,
within about three miles from Namur, the Prussians
found Vandamme's rear guard posted on the brow
of the declivity at the foot of which lay the town,
in the valley of the Meuse. It presented about
two battalions of infantry, three regiments of ca-
valry, and four guns, and was formed to cover the
retreat of the French troops.

The Prussian battery immediately opened a fire,
during which Colonel von Marwitz moving out to
the right, with the 1st cavalry-brigade, and Count
Lottum to the left, with the 2nd, turned the enemy
in both flanks. The latter brought forward a re-
serve of cavalry, when the 8th Prussian uhlans,
under Colonel Count Dohna, at the head of
the column that turned the enemy's left, made
a most gallant attack upon the French dragoons,
who met it with a volley from their carbines,

VOL. II. Y

322

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

20th of but were overthrown. The 7th uhlans and a squa-

^_dron of the 12th hussars also charged on this

occasion, and captured three pieces of French
horse-artillery, which were in the act of moving
off, as also fifty cavalry-horses. The enemy's in-
fantry now threw itself into the adjacent wood,
with which the declivities that here lead down into
the valley of the Meuse are covered, and thus suc-
ceeded in preventing the Prussians from following
up their success.

At this moment, intelligence was received that
General von Pirch was pursuing the enemy with the
2nd corps d'armee upon the high road leading from
Sombref to Namur, whereupon the cavalry of the
3rd corps was moved into this direction. A French
column, consisting of about 12 battalions and 2
batteries, but without any cavalry, was perceived
marching along that road. They belonged to Ge-
rard's corps d'armee, which had effected its retreat
by Limale, through Mont St. Guibert. Upon the
height on which the chateau of Flavinnes is situ-
ated, was posted a detachment from Vandamme's
corps, consisting of from 4 to 5 battalions with a
battery, and a regiment of cavalry, for the purpose
of receiving Gerard's column as it fell back, and
of protecting its retreat. As the enemy continued
its retrograde march in close column and in good
order, it was not deemed advisable to undertake an
attack with the two Prussian cavalry-brigades of
the 3rd corps, which were much fatigued ; but

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 333

the horse-battery was drawn up, and discharged 20* of

June.

several rounds of shell and grape at the French

troops during their retreat upon the town. The
latter, therefore, quitted the high road, and moved
along the adjacent heights until they reached the
battalions which had been drawn up in support,
and which now opposed the further advance of
Pirch's corps d'armee. At this time, Thielemann's
cavalry withdrew, leaving the further pursuit of
the enemy to the latter corps to the movements of
which it is now necessary to recur.

It was not until five o'clock in the morning of
the 20th that Pirch received intelligence that the
enemy was retiring by Gembloux upon Namur.
Lieut. Colonel von Sohr was immediately detached,
in all haste, to Gembloux with his cavalry -brigade,
a battery of horse-artillery, and the fusilier-batta-
lions of the 9th, 14th, and 23rd regiments, as an
advanced guard. On approaching that town,
Lieut. Colonel von Sohr ascertained that Thiele-
mann's cavalry was pursuing the enemy along the
high road from Gembloux to Namur. He there-
fore decided upon marching by the narrow road
on the right of the chaussee leading from Sombref,
in full trot, covered by the wood, to overtake the
French troops in retreat. At Temploux, the latter
presented a force of two battalions, some cavalry,
and four pieces of artillery, in position, prepared
to cover the retreating column. Lieut. Colonel
von Sohr immediately attacked with both the

324 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2oth of regiments of hussars, supported by the battery of
___ horse-artillery, and defeated this portion of the
enemy's forces. It was at this moment, too, that
a cannonade was opened upon the latter by the
horse -battery, before mentioned, of Thielemann's
corps, whereupon it fell back upon the favourable
position taken up near Flavinnes, and in which the
enemy appeared determined to make a stand.

Pirch immediately ordered the attack, and di-
rected that it should be supported by Major Gene-
ral von Krafft with the 6th brigade, which had
closely followed the advanced guard, and had come
up with the latter at four o'clock in the afternoon.
Three columns of attack were formed. The first
consisted of the 1st battalion of the 9th regiment,
the fusilier-battalion of the 26th regiment, and the
1st battalion of the 1st Elbe landwehr. It was
under the command of Major von Schmidt, and
detached to the left of the road, to drive back the
enemy's troops posted in the wood and upon the
heights. The second consisted of the 1st and 2nd
battalions of the 26th regiment and the 1st batta-
lion of the 9th regiment, under Colonel von Reuss,
and of the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the Elbe
landwehr, under Colonel von Bismark. This
column, which advanced partly on the right, and
partly on the left, of the road, was supported by
the battery No. 5, and led by Major General
Krafft in person. The third column comprised
the fusilier-battalions which had constituted the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 335

infantry of the advanced guard, and was detached 20th of

June.

more to the right, towards the Sambre, to support

the general advance upon Namur.

General von Krafft, after having kept up a fire,
for a short time, upon the enemy with his artillery,
ordered the attack with his infantry. Colonel
von Reuss threw out his skirmishers, who were
quickly followed by the columns of attack. The
enemy, after some little resistance, was fairly
driven into Namur by a charge with bayonets, and
suffered much loss.

In the mean time, Major von Schmidt, with his
column of three battalions, had turned the enemy's
right flank on the Louvain road ; and the French
were now limited to the defence of the suburb,
which, however, was maintained with great obsti-
nacy. The Prussian columns of attack, advancing
at the pas de charge, drove the enemy out of the
suburb, and endeavoured to gain possession of the
gates of the town. Colonel von Zastrow, the
second in command of the 6th brigade, wished to
burst open the gate which leads to the Louvain
road, but was repulsed by a most murderous fire
of musketry and grape, directed upon the assail-
ants from the walls of the town. On repeating
the attempt, the Prussian battalions fought with
distinguished bravery, but with a great sacrifice of
life. Colonel von Zastrow was killed at their head ;,
Colonel von Bismark also fell ; Colonel von Reuss

32Q HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

20th of was wounded ; and the 6th brigade alone lost 44

June.

officers, and 1274 under-officers and privates.

The main hody of Grouchy's army was at this
time in full retreat upon Dinant, along the defile
of the Meuse. The troops left in Namur to keep
the Prussians at bay as long as possible, consisted
of General Teste's division. They carefully bar-
ricaded all the gates, lined the walls facing the
Prussians, and made a most gallant resistance.
The officers, finding that their men continued so
perfectly steady as not to require their attention,
armed themselves with the muskets of the wound-
ed, and assisted in maintaining the fire from the
walls. The greatest order prevailed in the town.
The wounded, the provisions, and ammunition, had
already been removed, and were on the line of
march.

General von Pirch was well aware that the
French defended the town solely for the purpose
of covering their retreat, and had therefore no in-
tention of undertaking any serious attack ; he
wished simply to possess himself of the suburbs,
and to hold the enemy in check by detaching
troops to the Porte de Fer and the St. Nicholas
gate. He thought that a demonstration against
the latter gate would raise apprehensions in the
minds of the French, respecting the security of
the bridge over the Sambre. With this view, he
ordered General von Brause to relieve, with the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 327

7th brigade, the troops then engaged, and together 20tb of

June.

with the advanced guard under Lieut. Colonel

von Sohr, to blockade the town. At the same
time he directed the remainder of the corps to
bivouac near Temploux.

General von Brause proceeded to post the
fusilier-battalion of the 22nd regiment in the
direction of the Porte de Fer, and the fusilier-
battalion of the 2nd Elbe land web r towards the
Brussels gate. The main body of the 7th brigade,
under Colonel von Schon, was stationed in rear of
the suburb. The first mentioned battalion stood,
under cover, at 400 paces distance from the Porte
de Fer, having its tirailleurs in the avenue near
the gate. Just as General von Brause rode up to
examine its formation, an alarm was spread in
front that the enemy was making a sortie. The
general desired the commanding officer, Major
Jochens, to lead his battalion quickly against the
defenders, to overthrow them, and then, if possible,
to penetrate into the town along with the retreat-
ing troops. As Major Jochens approached the
gate, he found in its immediate vicinity the tirail-
leurs of the 6th brigade, still maintaining the con-
test in that quarter. The attacking column and
the tirailleurs now rushed towards the gate and
the walls, which the French, probably not deeming
themselves strong enough to resist this pressure,
abandoned in the greatest haste. General Teste
had, in fact, prepared every thing for his retreat,

308 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

20th oi and had so well calculated the time which the

enemy would require in forcing an entrance by the

Porte de Fer, that he succeeded in filing his bat-
talions along the parapets of the bridge, which had
been barricaded, and thus withdrew them to the
south bank of the Sambre. The Prussians found
it impossible to force open the gate. The win-
dows of the adjoining house of the douaniers were
therefore driven in, and a small iron door which
led from the interior of the house into the town
was opened, and, in this manner, an entrance was
effected for the assailants, who were conducted by
Major Jochens, of the 2*2nd, and Major von
Luckowitz, of the 9th regiment, across the market-
place, and as far as the bridge over the Sambre,
which the French had barricaded, as before stated,
and behind which they had again established them-
selves. These troops were closely followed by
Major von Schmidt, with the 9th regiment, and
lastly by the 2nd Elbe landwehr, in close column,
under Majors von Mirbach and von Lindern.

The Prussians immediately occupied the cap-
tured portion of the town ; posted a column of
reserve on the marketplace, and, with loud cheers,
made themselves masters of the bridge over the
Sambre. An attempt had been made to gain the
enemy's rear, by means of a ford in this river, but
it proved unsuccessful. The French were driven
with so much impetuosity towards the gate leading
out to Dinant, that there appeared every proba-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 339

bility of a considerable number of them falling 20thof
into the hands of the Prussians. The former, _
however, had heaped up large bundles of wood,
intermingled with straw and pitch, against the gate,
and set them on fire on the approach of the Prus-
sian troops. The gate and the street were soon in
flames, and the pursuit was thus obstructed ; but
even had this not occurred, the great fatigue of the
troops, who during the previous sixteen hours, had
been either marching or fighting, was sufficient to
deprive them of the power of following the re-
treating enemy with any degree of vigour.

After nine o'clock in the evening, the town was
in the possession of the Prussians. Major von
Schmidt took the command at the Dinant gate and
Major Jochens at the bridge over the Sambre.
The remaining troops of the 7th, and some batta-
lions of the 6th, brigade, were posted by General
von Brause upon the market-place. The fusilier
battalions of the advanced guard, which had sup-
ported the attack, more to the right, had also ad-
vanced into the town, towards the bridge over the
Sambre. They had been sharply cannonaded by
the enemy from the right bank of the Sambre. A
small party of cavalry, under Captain von Thiele-
mann, of the Pomeranian hussars, was sent for-
ward a short distance on the road to Dinant, to
form the advance of the troops destined to pursue
the enemy at daybreak.

General Teste's division retired slowlv, and in

330 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

20th of good order, by the Dinant road, as far as Profonde-
ville. where it took up a position during three
hours. At midnight it resumed its march, and
arrived at Dinant at four o'clock on the following
morning.

This retreat of Grouchy by Namur upon Dinant
was executed in a skilful and masterly manner ;
and the gallant defence of the former town by
General Teste's division, unaided by artillery,
merits the highest commendation.

In this action the Prussians suffered a loss, in-
cluding that already mentioned as having occurred
to the 6th brigade, of 1,500 men j and the French
are supposed to have lost about the same number.
In the last attack, the latter abandoned 150 pri-
soners they had previously taken from the
Prussians.

The 2nd Prussian corps d'armee occupied
Namur during the night. The cavalry of the
3rd corps bivouacked at Temploux ; the infantry
of the latter, (which had been rejoined on the
march from Wavre by the 9th brigade,) near the
town of Gembloux.

The circumstances under which the French
army, generally, was placed on the 19th of June
rendered it sufficiently obvious that Grouchy would
be compelled to effect his retreat by Namur, and
further, that whatever show of resistance he might
offer on that point would be solely intended to
gain time for the security of his troops whilst

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 33}

retiring in one column only, by the long and nar- 20thof

row defile of the Meuse which leads to Dinant.

Aware that Napoleon's defeated army was retiring
along the direct line of operation, the Charleroi
road, he immediately saw the imminent risk of his
own retreat becoming intercepted, and the conse-
quent necessity of his effecting the latter in a
parallel direction, with a view to his rejoining the
main army as soon as practicable. To retire,
therefore, by Gembloux upon Namur, and thence
along the line of the Meuse, by Dinant and Givet,
naturally presented itself as the true and proper
course to be pursued. To generals in command
of corps d'armee, such as Thielemann and Pirch,
a little reflection upon Grouchy 's critical position
must have led to a similar conclusion. The inac-
tivity of the former, during the afternoon and
evening of the 19th, is probably to be explained
by his having satisfied himself that the longer
Grouchy continued in the vicinity of Wavre, the
greater became the chance of his retreat being cut
off by a portion of the Allied armies, which, in
their advance, would reach the Sambre much
sooner than it would be in the power of the French
marshal to do, and that, therefore, it would be in-
judicious on his part to attempt to force the latter
from the position which appearances induced him
to believe he still occupied with his entire force,
on the Dyle. He may also have been strength-
ened in this opinion by the circumstance of his

332 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

20th of not having received any positive instructions as to

June. . 3 . . .

his future dispositions, or any reinforcements to

secure for him a preponderance over Grouchy.
With Pirch, however, the case was very different.
He received distinct orders, on the evening of the
18th, to march at once from the field of Waterloo,
and continue his movement during that night, so
as to cut off Grouchy's retreat upon the Sambre.
It has already been explained, that on reaching
Mellery, at eleven o'clock on the following
morning, he halted to give his troops rest ; that he
subsequently ascertained, through Lieut. Colonel
von Sohr, who had been despatched, during the
march, with his cavalry-brigade to reconnoitre on
the left, that the French occupied the defile of
Mont St. Guibert in force. This intelligence
might have satisfied him that Grouchy had not yet
reached Namur ; but, if he entertained any doubts
on that point, these could easily have been settled
by means of a reconnoitring party, detached from
Mellery, by Gentinne, and St. Gery, to Gem-
bloux, a distance of seven miles. He would
then have learned, that no portion whatever of
Grouchy's force had hitherto crossed this line, in
retreat ; that he had, consequently, gained consi-
derably on his rear, aud had it in his power, after
allowing a few hours rest to his troops, to march
them by the road which leads directly from Mel-
lery into the high road near Sombref, and to
anticipate Grouchy in the possession of Namur.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 333

In this case, Grouchy, on approaching the latter sothof

place, and finding it occupied by Pirch, would, in

all prohahility, have hesitated to risk the loss of so
much time as an attempt to force the town and the
Pont de Sambre would necessarily incur, and have
preferred endeavouring to pass his troops across
the Sambre by some of the bridges and fords be-
tween Charleroi and Namur, and retire upon
either Philippeville or Dinant ; but, with a Prus-
sian corps d'armee at each of those points, and
another in his rear, this would have been, to say
the least of it, a most hazardous undertaking ; and
if he attempted to cross the Meuse below Namur,
his chance of regaining Napoleon's army would
have been still more remote.

But setting aside the circumstance of Pirch's
not having, in this manner, taken due advantage
of the position in which he stood relatively with
Grouchy during the 19th, and passing to the fact,
that he first learned, at five o'clock on the morning
of the 20th, whilst still at Mellery, that the
enemy was retiring along the high road from
Gembloux to Namur, pursued by Thielemann's
cavalry, it seems strange that, inferring, as he
must naturally have done, that Grouchy would
only endeavour to hold out long enough at Namur
to effect his passage by the Pont de Sambre, and
to cover his retreat to Dinant, he did not immedi-
ately move off by his right, and push his troops
across the Sambre by some of the bridges and

HISTORY OF THE WAR IX

20th of fords higher up the stream, and then, marching in

the direction of Profondeville, under cover of the

wood of Villers within the angle formed by the
confluence of the Samhre and the Meuse, intercept
Grouchy's retreat through the long and narrow
defile in which the road to Dinant winds by the
side of the last mentioned river. The situation in
which Grouchy would have been placed by a
movement of this kind his troops in a long, nar-
row, precipitous, defile, obstructed in front by
Pirch, and attacked in rear by Thielemann would
have been perilous in the extreme. Pirch pro-
bably felt that his corps d'armee, part of which
was then attached to the army pressing the enemy
by the Charleroi road, was not equal to cope with
Grouchy's troops ; but in the case here supposed, by
judiciously disposing his force then present so as to
command the defile at some favourable point in its
course, he would have secured for himself an ad-
vantage which, under such circumstances, would
have fully compensated for his deficiency in regard
to numbers.

The scattered remnants of the main French
army continued to be hurried forward in wild con-
fusion across the frontier. Some of the fugitives
hastened towards Avesnes, others to Philippeville,
whilst a very great proportion of them sought no
temporary rest of this kind, but, throwing away
their arms, fled into the interior, to return to their
homes j the cavalry, in many instances, disposing

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

335

of their horses to the country people. Several of 20tb of

the superior officers hastily collected such of the '_

troops as appeared better disposed, and conducted
them in the direction of Laon. Napoleon reached
the latter town in the afternoon of the 20th. After
conferring with the prefet, he desired M. de Bussy,
one of his aides-de-camp, to superintend the de-
fence of this important place, and despatched
General Dejean to Avesnes, and General Flahaut
to Guise. In the mean time, a body of troops had
been discerned in the distance, moving towards
the town. Napoleon sent an aide-de-camp to re-
connoitre it ; when it proved to be a column of
about 3,000 men, which Soult, Jerome, Morand,
Colbert, Petit, and Pelet, had succeeded in rally-
ing and preserving in order. Napoleon now ap-
peared intent upon remaining at Laon until the
remainder of the army had re-assembled ; but he
subsequently yielded to the force of the arguments
expressed in opposition to this determination, by
the Duke of Bassano and others who were pre-
sent ; and took his departure for Paris, purposing
at the same time, to return to Laon on the 25th or
26th of the month.

The following was the general disposition of the
respective armies on the evening of the 20th :

The Anglo-allied army had its right at Mons, and its left
at Binch.

The British cavalry was cantoned in the villages of Strepy,
Thieu, Boussoit-sur-Haine, andVille-sur-Haine: Vivian's brigade

336

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2 1st of in those of Merbes-Ste. Marie, Bienne-le-Hapart, and Mont:
June- and the Hanoverian cavalry in those of Givry and Croix. The
reserve was at Soignies.

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were at Binch.

The Prussian army had its 1st corps d'armee at Beaumont :
4th corps at Collerets : 2nd corps at Namur, with the exception
of the 5th brigade, which was on the march to blockade Mau-
beuge, and bivouacked at Villers : 3rd corps was at Gembloux,
with its cavalry bivouacked at Temploux.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at Merbes le Chateau.

The French army under Napoleon was completely dispersed.
A few of the troops took refuge in Avesnes, others in Guise, and
the principal body of them, evincing any kind of order, but not
exceeding 3000 men, reached Laon.

The French forces under Grouchy were at Dinant. Napoleon
quitted Laon for Paris.

On the 21st, the Duke of Wellington crossed
the French frontier, moving the principal portion
of his army to Bavay, and the remainder from
Mons upon Valenciennes, which fortress was im-
mediately blockaded, and established his head-
quarters at Malplaquet, celebrated as the scene of
the glorious victory gained by the Duke of Marl-
borough and Prince Eugene over the French under
Marshals Villars and Boufflers, on the llth of Sep-
tember, 1709. Both the Allied commanders had
now reached the triple line of fortresses, which,
until the campaign of 1814 proved the contrary,
had been considered by so many military men as
presenting an insurmountable barrier to the ad-
vance of hostile armies into France by its north-
eastern frontier. It was most essential that some

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 337

of the principal fortresses should be secured, and 2istof

made to constitute a new basis whence to direct

the operations now contemplated against the inte-
rior. The following, which first presented them-
selves on the respective lines of advance of the
two commanders, were destined to be immediately
blockaded : Valenciennes, Lequesnoy, and Cam-
bray, by the Anglo-allied army; and Maubeuge,
Landrecy, Avesnes, and Rocroi, by the Prussians-
The general arrangements for the besieging of the
fortresses, and the planning of the further opera-
tions, above alluded to, were to form the subject of
a conference to be held very shortly between the
chiefs.

Prince Bliicher having, on this day, received
reports from Pirch and Thielemann, detailing
their proceedings during the two previous days,
and "showing that Grouchv had succeeded in ef-

i V

fecting his escape by Dinant, immediately ordered
that the 2nd corps d'armee should move upon
Thuin, and place itself under the orders of Prince
Augustus of Prussia, who was to undertake the
besieging of the fortresses to be left in rear of the
Prussian army ; and that the 3rd corps should
march by Charleroi, and follow the 1st and 4th
corps as a reserve.

It will be recollected that Captain von Thiele-
mann was sent forward, from Namur, with a party
of the Pomeranian hussars, on the night of the
20th, a short distance along the road to Dinant.
VOL. n. z

338

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2i8tof He was joined at daybreak of the 21st bv Lieut.

TV* *

' Colonel von Sobr, with the fusilier-battalions of
the 14th and 23rd regiments, the Brandenburg
and Pomeranian hussars, and five pieces of horse-
artillery ; when the whole force followed the enemy
towards Dinant. The latter had, during his re-
treat, seized every favourable opportunity in nar-
row and rocky parts of the defile, to barricade the
road, and offer every obstruction to the pursuit ;
by means of which precaution, and the previous
night-march, the French contrived to gain so con-
siderably in advance, that Lieut. Colonel von Sohr
deemed it prudent when near Dinant, to forego all
further pursuit, and to endeavour to effect a junc-
tion with the main body of the Prussian army, by
moving upon Florennes and Walcour. At the
former place he halted his detachment during the
night of the 21st, and, in this manner, covered the
left flank of the main army.

Anxious to gain intelligence concerning the as-
sembling and marching of the French troops on
the left of the Allied armies, Prince Blucher des-
patched Major von Falkenhausen, with the 3rd
regiment of Silesian landwehr-cavalry, to scour
the country in the vicinity of the road by Rettel
to Laon. A detachment of 50 dragoons was
posted at Bossule le Valcourt, in observation of
Philippeville.

The 4th corps d'armee was ordered by the
Prince to advance, this day, as far as Maroilles,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

339

upon the road from Maubeuge to Landrecies. Its 2istof
advanced guard, under General von Sydow, was
directed to proceed still further, and to blockade
the latter fortress.

Zieten, in pursuance of orders which he had
received the night before, marched with the 1st
corps d'armee upon Avesnes ; which fortress the
advanced guard, under General von Jagow, was
directed to blockade on both banks of the Helpe.
The march of the corps was made in two columns :
the right, consisting of the 1st and 2nd brigades,
proceeded by Semonsies, and halted at the junction
of the road from Maubeuge with that from Beau-
mont to Avesnes ; the left, comprising the 4th
brigade, the reserve-cavalry, and reserve-artillery,
marched by Solre le Chateau towards Avesnes,
and bivouacked near the 1st and 2nd brigades.
Two companies of the 4th brigade, with 20 dra-
goons, were left to garrison Beaumont ; but after
the capture of Avesnes, they were ordered to move
on to the latter place.

It was between three and four o'clock when the
advanced guard of the 3rd brigade, consisting of
the 1st Silesian hussars, two rifle companies, and a
fusilier battalion, arrived in front of the fortress of
Avesnes. The commandant having rejected Zieten's
summons to surrender, the latter ordered the bom-
bardment to be commenced forthwith. Ten howit-
zers, of which six were 10-pounders, and four 7-
pounders, drew up on the flank of the cavalry, and

340

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2 ist of fired upon the town. The houses of the latter being
" ne all strongly built, the shells failed in setting any
part on fire; and a 12-pounder battery produced
no great effect upon the firm masonry of the works.
At nightfall the bombardment was suspended, with
the intention, however, of resuming it at midnight.
When it ceased, a sortie was made by the French
tirailleurs ; but these were immediately encoun-
tered and gallantly driven in by the Silesian rifles,
who lost ten men on this occasion. Immediately
after midnight the Prussian batteries re-commenced
their fire. At the fourteenth round, a 10-pounder
shell struck the principal powder-magazine, when
a tremendous explosion ensued, by which forty
houses were involved in one common ruin ; but it
occasioned no damage whatever to the fortifica-
tions. The panic, however, which it created amidst
the garrison was such as to induce the latter to
express its desire to capitulate. Such a desire
could only have proceeded from the want of suf-
ficient energy on the part of the commandant, or
from a bad disposition evinced by the garrison, for
when the Prussians subsequently entered the place,
they found in it 15,000 cartridges for cannon, and
a million musket-ball cartridges. There were also
in the fortress 47 pieces of artillery, mostly of
heavy calibre, which were now made available in
the besieging of the remaining fortresses. The
garrison, comprising three battalions of national
guards, and 200 veterans, were made prisoners of

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 34 1

war. The national guards were disarmed, and 2istof

i i 11 June.

sent on to their respective homes ; but the veterans .

were conducted to Cologne.

The possession of Avesnes, gained too with so
little sacrifice of life, and with none of time, was
of essential importance to the Prussians ; offering
as it did a secure depot for their material and sup-
plies, upon their new line of operation. It also
served for the reception of their sick, and all who
had been rendered .incapable of keeping up with
the army.

On the 21st, the French army continued collect-
ing its scattered remnants between Avesnes and
Laon.

The following was the general disposition of the
respective armies on the evening of the 21st :

The Anglo-allied army had its principal force at Bavay, and
its right at Valenciennes, which it blockaded.

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were at Malplaquet.

The Prussian army had its 1st corps d'armee near Avesnes.

The 4th corps at Maroilles ; its reserve-cavalry blockading
Landrecy.

The 2nd corps at Thuin, except the 5th brigade which block-
aded Maubeuge.

The 3rd corps at Charleroi.

Prince Blucher's head-quarters were at Noyelles sur Sambre.

The defeated portion of the French army lay between Avesnes
and Laon.

Grouchy 's force was at Philippe ville.

The Duke of Wellington, steadfastly pursuing
that line of policy which led him to constitute as

342 HISTORY OF THE WAR l.\

22nd of an important feature of his plan, the practical
_. assurance to the French people, that, although
entering their country as a conqueror, he did so
in hostility to none, save the usurper and his ad-
herents, issued the following proclamation, pre-
viously to his quitting Malplaquet :

PROCLAMATION.

' Je fais savoir aux Frangais que j'entre dans leur pays a la tete
(Tune armee deja victorieuse, non en ennemi (excepte de 1'usur-
pateur, prononce 1'ennemi du genre humain, avec lequel on ne
peut avoir ni paix ni treve), mais pour les aider a secouer le joug
defer par lequel ils sont opprimes.

' En consequence j'ai donne les ordres ci-joints* a mon armee,
et je demande qu'on me fasse connaitre tout infracteur.

' Les Francois savent cependant que j'ai le droit d'exiger
qu'ils se conduisent de maniere que je puisse les proteger centre
ceux qni voudraient leur faire du mal.

' 11 faut done qu'ilsfournisseut aux requisitions qui leur seront
faites de la part des personnes autorisees a les faire, en echange
pour des re? us en forme et ordre ; et qu'ils se tiennent chez eux
paisiblement, et qu'ils n'aient aucune correspondence ou commu-
nication avec 1'usurpateur ennemi, ni avec ses adherens.

' Tous ceux qui s'absenteront de leur domicile apres 1'entree
en France, et tous ceux qui se trouveront absens au service de
I'usurpateur, seront consideres comme ses adherens et comme
ennemis ; et lews proprietes seront affectees a la subsistance de
1'armee.

' Donne au Quartier General a Malplaquet, ce 22 de juin, 1815.

' WELLINGTON.'

No proclamation of a similar nature was issued
hy Prince Bliicher, nor were any direct orders

* The orders in question are given in p. 316.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

343

given by the latter to remind his troops that France 22nd of
was "to be treated as a friendly country," or to
forbid them taking any thing " for which payment
be not made."* Hence, in the advance to Paris a
marked contrast was observed between the con-
duct of the Prussian, and that of the Anglo-allied,
army : the troops of the former committing great
excesses and imposing severe exactions along their
whole line of march ; whilst the British and Ger-
man troops under the Duke of Wellington acquired
from the outset the good will and kindly disposition
of the inhabitants of the country through which
they passed. The Anglo-allied troops inspired the
people with confidence : the Prussians awed them
into subjection. Much of the cause of all this
may be traced to the different views entertained
by the two great commanders. Bliicher's extreme
hatred of the French would not allow him to
modify, still less to abandon, the opinion which he
had imbibed from the first moment he heard of the
escape of Napoleon from Elba, that they ought
not only to be thoroughly humbled, but also se-
verely punished. Neither he nor his soldiers could
ever forget the monstrous cruelties and grinding
extortions which their own country had been com-
pelled to endure when overrun by the French ;
and now that they were once more brought into
the land of their bitterest enemies, and another

* See General Order, p. 316.

344

HISTORY OF THE WAR

22nd of period of retribution had arrived, but one senti-
ment pervaded tbe whole Prussian army that
those who had not scrupled to inflict the scourge
of war throughout the whole continent, should, in
their turn, be made duly sensible of its evils. A
contrary train of ideas, or a different course of
proceeding, on the part of the Prussians, was
scarcely to be expected. Hence the value of the
excellent and orderly conduct of the British troops
operating as a salutary counterpoise to the domi-
neering and revengeful spirit which actuated the
Prussians. Bliicher felt equally with Wellington
that the advance upon Paris before the approach
of the Allied armies, which were then only crossing
the Rhine, was a departure from strictly military
principles, and that this could only be justified
by the extraordinary moral effect which would be
produced by the signal defeat of Napoleon. But
his views were limited to the military part of the
plan, which was to make a dash at the capital, and,
if possible, to intercept Grouchy whilst endeavour-
ing to rejoin the routed force under Soult. Wel-
lington's admirable policy embraced a wider field.
He invariably kept in view the great object for
which the war had been undertaken. The infor-
mation which he contrived to obtain relative to the
effect which Napoleon's disaster produced upon
the minds of the leading men of the great political
parties by which France was then agitated, and
upon the members of the two chambers of par-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 345

liament generally, combined with the knowledge he 22adof
had already acquired of the disposition of the
inhabitants of the department of the North, which,
in fact, had not evinced that enthusiasm attendant
upon the return of Napoleon from Elba that was
manifested throughout the greater part of the
nation, convinced him that by adopting measures
calculated to impress upon the French people that
the Allies were friendly towards them, though in-
veterately hostile to Napoleon, and by seizing
every advantage afforded by the presence and the
influence of their legitimate monarch, he was, by
such means, insuring the security of the operations
upon Paris more effectually than could have been
accomplished by additional military force applied
under different circumstances.

The aid which such a line of conduct, on the part
of the Duke, gave to the cause of Louis XVIII.
was immense. The people of the northern de-
partments, who, in general, were wearied by the
continuance of wars undertaken for the sole pur-
pose of aggrandizing and upholding the power of
Napoleon, and who now longed to enjoy the bless-
ings of peace, saw in the friendly disposition of
the Allies, and the support which these yielded
to the King's authority, a pledge of their determi-
nation to crush the war-party, and, at the same
time, to cement their alliance with the legitimate
sovereign. The white flag was soon seen to wave
from countless steeples. The tide of royalty,

346 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

22nd of favoured in no small degree by the versatile nature

June. *

of the French character, was already setting in

fast, and as it rolled steadily on towards the capital,
the Duke's customary foresight and good tact gave
it an impulse, which not only bore him along with
it in easy triumph, but, when it subsequently
reached the goal, swept away every vestige of
the government usurped by Napoleon and his
adherents.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 347

CHAPTER XVIII.

On the 22nd of June, the Anglo-allied army reaches Le Cateau The corps
under Prince Frederick of the Netherlands is destined to be employed in
besieging the fortresses Bliicher, in order to bring his 1st, 4th, and 3rd
corps into closer communication, moves the two former only half a march
on the 22nd : the latter reaches Beaumont Disposition of the 2nd corps
Decline of the political influence of Napoleon His arrival in Paris on the
21st His consultation with his ministers Policy of Fouch6 Debates in
the chamber of deputies Speech of La Fayette Resolutions adopted by the
chambers Their effect upon Napoleon His message to the chambers
Renewed debates A commission appointed Its report Sensation pro-
duced by the speeches of M. Duchesne and General Solignac Napoleon
abdicates the throne in favour of his son Independent character of the
French parliament On the 23rd, Wellington and Bliicher give their troops
a halt Force detached under Colville to attack Cambray The Allied com-
manders have an interview at Catillon, and arrange their plan of advance
upon Paris On the 24th, Wellington reinforces the troops under Colville
Capture of Cambray Proposals are made at the outposts of the Allied
armies for a suspension of hostilities These are rejected Louis XVIII-
arrives at Le Cateau Guise surrenders to Zieten's corps The Prussians
are one day's march in advance of the Anglo-allied army Disposition of
the respective armies on the evening of the 24th Proclamation issued by
the Provisional Government in Paris Surrender of the citadel of Cambray
On the 25th, the Anglo-allied army reaches Joncour The fortress of La
Fere on the Oise invested by part of Zieten's corps The advanced guard
and cavalry of the right Prussian column reach Montescourt The main
body of Billow's corps arrives at Essignyle grand Bliicher's reply to an
application by the commissioners from the French chambers for a suspension
of hostilities The French troops collected at Laon march to Soissons*
towards which point Grouchy's force is also approaching Soult, finding
himself superseded in the command, quits the army Disposition of the
respective armies on the evening of the 25th Napoleon quits Paris His
address to the army.

ON the 22nd of June, the 2nd arid 4th British 22ndof

... June.

divisions, as also the cavalry, of the Anglo-allied

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2 june Cf arm y marc bed to Le Cateau and its vicinity.

The 1st and 3rd British divisions, the divisions of

Dutch-Belgian infantry attached to the 1st corps,
the Nassau troops, and the Dutch-Belgian cavalry
were encamped near Gommignies. The 5th and
6th British divisions, the Brunswick corps, and
the reserve-artillery, were encamped about Bavay.
The advanced guard (Vivian's brigade) was at
St. Benin. Troops of the corps under Prince
Frederick of the Netherlands blockaded Valen-
ciennes and Le Quesnoy.

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were
at Le Cateau.

Prince Bliicher being desirous of bringing his
different corps d'armee into closer connection,
moved the 1st and 4th only half a march this day.
The former proceeded from Avesnes to Etroeung,
sending forward its advanced guard to La Capelle,
and patroles as far as the Oise : the latter marched
along the road leading from Landrecy towards
Guise, as far as Fesmy ; pushing forward its ad-
vanced guard to Henappe, and detachments to
Guise. Scouring parties of cavalry were also de-
tached from the 1st corps, in the direction of
Rocroi.

The 3rd Prussian corps d'armee advanced from
Charleroi to Beaumont, detaching towards Phi-
lippeville and Chimay, for the security of its left
flank.

The 2nd Prussian corps, which was destined to

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 349

operate against the fortresses, moved from Thuin. 22nd of

It was disposed in the following manner: The

5th and 7th brigades, with the cavalry, blockaded
Maubeuge ; the 6th brigade was on the march to
Landrecy ; and the 8th brigade was moving upon
Philippeville and Givet.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at Catillon
sur Sambre.

Grouchy's troops, on this day, reached Rocroi.

The remains of the vanquished portion of the
French army continued retiring upon Laon, and
collecting in its vicinity. Soult had established
the head-quarters at this place. The men and
horses of the artillery-train were moved on to La
Fere, to be supplied with new ordnance ; and
every means was adopted to replace this branch of
the service on an efficient footing. Grouchy was
effecting his retreat upon Soissons, by the line of
Rocroi, Rethel, and Rheims ; and it was consi-
dered, that as soon as the latter should be able to
unite his force to the remains of the army col-
lecting under Soult, it would yet be found prac-
ticable, with the additional aid of reserves, to stem
the advance of the Allies. But where was the
chief whose presence had heretofore been the spell
by which a turbulent and restless soldiery was
wont, when subdued by the fortune de la guerre,
to be restored to its former self, and to be imbued
with new life and renovated strength by the pros-
pect of acquiring fresh glory in retrieving a great

350 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2ist of national disaster ? Had he flown towards the

^nearest corps d'armee of Rapp and Lecourbe, to

lead them, along with all the reserves that he could
possibly collect together, including the regimental
depots, the gensd'armerie, and even the douanerie,
against the flank of the victorious armies of Wel-
lington and Bliicher, during their hazardous ad-
vance upon the capital, and, in combination with
Soult and Grouchy, to effect their separation, per-
haps, their destruction ? No ! The sword by
which the empire had been raised and held in
subjection, by which Europe itself had been en-
thralled and all but conquered, had fallen power-
less from his grasp. In him were no longer
centred the might and the will of imperial France.
These had been delegated through the constitution,
to the organs of the nation, the elected representa-
tives of the people. He no longer possessed, in
his own person, the administrative and the execu-
tive ; but was under the control of that power
which, as before observed, when he quitted Paris
to join the army, he dreaded more than the enemv
he was going to confront the power of public
opinion legitimately expressed. If he had so
keenly felt its force before his downfall on the
battle-field, how great, nay, how hopeless, must
have appeared to him the task of endeavouring to
soothe its excitement, and to obtain its sanction to
renewed sacrifices, when suddenly appearing in
Paris on the afternoon of the 21st of June but

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 351

one short week from the time of his assuming the 2ls * of

command of his army himself to announce the

disastrous result of his enterprise. The impe-
rialists in the capital, who had indulged in the
most extravagant hopes, engendered by the news
of the victory at Ligny, had scarcely manifested
their exultation, when sinister rumours began to
spread of some sudden reverses which had befallen
the cause of Napoleon ; and presently all doubts
and suspense were removed by the unexpected ap-
pearance of the Emperor himself, which gave rise
to the most gloomy anticipations.

Napoleon immediately summoned a cabinet
council. He frankly explained to his ministers
the critical state of affairs ; but, at the same time,
with his usual confidence in his own resources,
declared his conviction, that if the nation were
called upon to rise en masse, the annihilation of
the enemy would follow ; but that if, instead of
ordering new levies and adopting extraordinary
measures, the chambers were to allow themselves
to be drawn into debates, and to waste their time
in disputation, all would be lost. " Now that the
enemy is in France,'' he added, " it is necessary
that I should be invested with extraordinary
power, that of a temporary dictatorship. As a
measure of safety for the country, I might assume
this power, but it would be better and more na-
tional that it should be conferred upon me by the
chambers." The ministers were too well ac-

352

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2ist of quainted with the general views and disposition of
the chamber of representatives to pronounce a
direct approval of this step ; but Napoleon, per-
ceiving their hesitation, called upon them to ex-
press their opinion upon the measures of public
safety required by existing circumstances. Carnot,
the minister of the interior, conceived it to be
essential that the country should be declared in
danger ; that the federes and national guards

O / /

should be called to arms ; that Paris should be
placed in a state of siege, and measures adopted
for its defence ; that at the last extremity the
armed force should retire behind the Loire, and
take up an intrenched position ; that the army of
La Vendee, where the civil war had nearly termi-
nated, as also the corps of observation in the
south, should be recalled, and the enemy checked
until sufficient force could be united and organised
for the assumption of a vigorous offensive, by
which he should be driven out of France. Decres,
the minister of the marine, and Regnault de Saint-
Jean- d'Angely, the secretary of state, supported
this opinion ; but Fouche, the minister of police,
and the remaining ministers, remarked that the
safety of the state did not depend upon any parti-
cular measure which might thus be proposed, but
upon the chambers, and upon their uniting with
the head of the government j and that by mani-
festing towards them confidence and good faith,
they would be induced to declare it to be their

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 353

duty to unite with Napoleon in the adoption of aiatof

" . June.

energetic measures for securing the honour and .

independence of the nation.

This advice on the part of Fouche was an artful
piece of dissimulation. No man in France pos-
sessed so intimate a knowledge of the secret work-
ings of the public mind; he knew precisely the
dispositions and views of the different factions, as
also the character and temperament of their
leaders. He knew also that the great parties in
the chambers, with the exception of the impe-
rialists, who were in the minority, but whom he
secretly flattered with the prospect of a Napoleon
II., were fully prepared to depose the Emperor, in
favour of full constitutional freedom, and liberal
institutions. This knowledge, obtained with an
adroitness and precision quite peculiar to this cele-
brated minister of police, he made completely sub-
servient to his own personal views. These had
been, from the commencement of Napoleon's
second reign, to coquet with the factions in such a
manner as to induce each to consider him an in-
dispensable instrument in the realization of its
hopes, and to exert this extraordinary influence
either to support or to undermine the power of
Napoleon, according as the fortunes of the latter
might be in the ascendant or on the decline. The
resolute attitude assumed by the Allies soon satis-
fied him that, although the Emperor might once
more dazzle the world with some brilliant feat of

VOL. II. 2 A

354

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2ist of arms, he must eventually succumb to the fixed de-
June. . . 11- i
. termination of the sovereigns to crush his usurped

authority, and to the overwhelming masses with
which Europe was preparing to subjugate the
country. He had been, and was still, in secret
communication with the ministers and advisers of
Louis XVIII. and was consequently in full pos-
session of the general plans and intentions of the
Allies. When, therefore, Napoleon's enterprise
had so signally failed, and the re-occupation of
Paris appeared to be its necessary consequence,
Fouche foresaw clearly, that were the proposed
dictatorship to be assumed by means of a sudden
and forced dissolution of the chambers, implying
that the recent reverses had been produced by
treachery on the part of the representatives, and
were new levies to be raised en masse, in support
of the force that yet remained available, the result
would inevitably be anarchy and confusion in the
capital, disorder and excesses throughout the whole
country, renewed disasters to the nation, together
with an awful and useless sacrifice of life. To
prevent such a catastrophe, it was necessary to
lull Napoleon's suspicions of the intentions of the
chambers, with which, at the same time, Fouche
was fully acquainted. Hence it was, that to gain
sufficient time for the development of these inten-
tions, Fouche gave to the council the advice be-
fore mentioned. He strongly expressed his disap-
proval of the projected dissolution of the cham-

FRANCE AXD BELGIUM IN 1815.

355

bers, and assumption of the dictatorship, declaring 2istof
that any measures of that kind would only tend to _
create distrust, and, not improbably, a general
revolt. But, at the same time, his agents were
making known throughout Paris the fullest extent
of the disasters that had befallen Napoleon, and
which had caused his sudden and unexpected re-
turn ; and the deputies were assembling in all
haste, and in great numbers, to take a bold and
decided step in this great national crisis.

In thus dissembling from his master the real
disposition of the great political parties, and the
true state of the public mind, Fouche, no doubt,
betrayed the trust reposed in him ; but, setting
aside the question whether he was really influ-
enced by patriotic motives, or merely acting upon
a system of deep duplicity and time-serving expe-
diency, there can also be no doubt that, by pur-
suing the line of conduct which he did on this
important occasion, he became the means of pre-
serving his country from the infliction of a still
further accumulation of evils.

The cabinet council continued in discussion ;
some supporting, and others disapproving, the
propositions of Napoleon, who, at length, yielding
to the arguments of Fouche and Carnot, declared
he would submit himself to the loyalty of the
chambers, and confer with them as to the measures
which the critical position of the country might
render necessary. In the mean time, the deputies

356 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2ist of h a( ] me t; anc j commenced their deliberations on

June.

the existing state of affairs. M. de la Fayette, the

acknowledged leader of the liberal party, having
received intelligence of the subject of discussion
in the council, and aware that not a moment was
to be lost in averting the blow with which their
liberties were menaced, ascended the tribune, and
thus addressed the chamber, amidst the most pro-
found silence, and breathless suspense :

' Representatives ! For the first time during many years you
hear a voice, which the old friends of liberty will yet recognize.
I rise to address you concerning the dangers to which the country
is exposed. The sinister reports which have been circulated
during the last two days, are unhappily confirmed. This is the
moment to rally round the national colours the tri-coloured
standard of 1 789 the standard of liberty, equality, and public
order. It is you alone who can now protect the country from
foreign attacks and internal dissensions. It is you alone who can
secure the independence and the honour of France. Permit a
veteran in the sacred cause of liberty, in all times a stranger to
the spirit of faction, to submit to you some resolutions which
appear to him to be demanded by a sense of the public danger,
and by the love of our country. They are such as, I feel per-
suaded, you will see the necessity of adopting :

' I. The chamber of deputies declares that the independence of
the nation is menaced.

' II. The chamber declares its sittings permanent. Any at-
-tempt to dissolve it, shall be considered high treason. Whosoever
shall render himself culpable of such an attempt, shall be con-
sidered a traitor to his country, and immediately treated as such.

' III. The army of the line, and the national guards, who have
fought, and still fight, for the liberty, the independence, and the
territory of France, have merited well of the country.

' IV. The minister of the interior is invited to assemble the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

357

principal officers of the Parisian national guard, in order to con- 21st of
suit on the means of providing it with arms, and of completing
this corps of citizens, whose tried patriotism and zeal offer a sure
guarantee for the liberty, prosperity, and tranquillity of the
capital, and for the inviolability of the national representatives.

'V. The ministers of war, of foreign affairs, of police, and
of the interior, are invited to repair immediately to the sittings of
the chamber.'

No one ventured to oppose these bold reso-
lutions, and, after a brief discussion, in wbich their
instant adoption was urged in the strongest man-
ner, they were carried by acclamation, with the
exception of the fourth, which was suspended on
account of the invidious distinction which it ap-
peared to convey between the troops of the line
and the national guards. They were then trans-
mitted to the chamber of peers, where, after a
short discussion, they were adopted without
amendment.

The message from the chambers, conveying
these resolutions, reached the council in the midst
of its deliberations. Napoleon was staggered by
an act which he looked upon as an usurpation of
the sovereign authority. To him, who had so long
exercised an almost unlimited control in the state,
who had led mighty armies to victory, and who
had subjected powerful nations to his despotic
sway, this sudden and energetic voice of the peo-
ple, conveyed through the medium of their repre-
sentatives, aroused him to a full sense of the won-
derful change which had been effected in the public

358 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2ist of mind, and in his own individual position, through

June. . . . .. TT ,.,

the intervention ot a constitution. He was alike

indignant at what he conceived to be a daring
presumption, and mortified at his own miscalcu-
lation in having convoked the chambers. " J'avais
bien pense," he remarked, " que j'aurais du conge-
dier ces gens-la avant mon depart." After some
reflection, he determined, if possible, to temporize
with the chambers. He sent Regnault de Saint-
Jean-d'Angely to the chamber of deputies, in his
capacity of member, to soothe the irritation that
prevailed, to relate that the army had been upon
the point of gaining a great victory, when disaf-
fected individuals created a panic ; that the troops
had since rallied, and that the Emperor had has-
tened to Paris to concert, with the ministers and
the chambers, such measures for the public safety
as circumstances seemed to require. Carnot was
directed to make a similar communication to the
chamber of peers. Regnault vainly endeavoured
to fulfil his mission : the deputies had lost all pa-
tience, and insisted upon the ministers presenting
themselves at the bar of the house. The latter at
length obeyed the summons, Napoleon having con-
sented, though with great reluctance, to their com-
pliance with the mandate. He required them,
however, to be accompanied by his brother Lucien,
as an extraordinary commissioner, appointed to
reply to the interrogatories of the chamber.

At six o'clock in the evening, Lucien Buonaparte

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 359

and the ministers made their appearance in the 2ist of

June.

chamber of deputies. Lucien announced that he

had been sent there by Napoleon as a commis-
sioner extraordinary, to concert with the assembly
measures of safety. He then placed in the hands
of the president the message of which he was the
bearer from his brother. It contained a succinct
recital of the disasters experienced at Mont St.
Jean ; and recommended the representatives to
unite with the head of the state in preserving the
country from the fate of Poland, and from the re-
imposition of the yoke which it had thrown off.
It stated, also, that it was desirable that the two
chambers should appoint a commission of five
members, to concert with the ministers the mea-
sures to be adopted for the public safety, and the
means of treating for peace with the Allied powers.
This message was far from being favourably re-
ceived. A stormy discussion ensued, in the course
of which it was soon made manifest that the depu-
ties required a more explicit declaration of Napo-
leon's opinions and designs ; one, in fact, more in
accordance with the views which the majority of
them evidently entertained, and was apparently
determined to enforce. One of their number sig-
nificantly remarked, as he addressed himself to the
ministers, " You know as well as we do, that it is
against Napoleon alone that Europe has declared
war. From this moment, separate the cause of

360 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2ist of Napoleon from that of the nation. In my opinion,

there exists but one individual who stands in the

way between us and peace. Let him pronounce
the word and the country will be saved I" Several
of the members spoke in a similar strain, and the
debate was kept up with great animation, until at
length it was agreed, that in conformity with the
terms of the imperial message, a commission of
five members should be appointed, consisting of
the president and vice-presidents of the chamber,
to collect, in concert with the cabinet and with a
committee from the house of peers, the fullest
information upon the state of France, and to pro-
pose suitable measures of safety. The committee
consisted of Messrs. Lanjuinais, La Fayette, Dupont
de 1'Eure, Flangergues, and Grenier.

Lucien now presented himself in the same capa-
city of commissioner extraordinary, to the cham-
ber of peers. After hearing the message, the
latter also appointed a committee, which consisted
of Generals Drouot, Dejean, Andreossy, and
Messrs. Boissy d'Anglas and Thibaudeau.

Napoleon, being fully informed of the proceed-
ings of the chamber of deputies, and of the
general tenor of the debates, hesitated a long time
whether to dissolve the assembly, or to abdicate
the imperial crown. Some of his ministers, on
perceiving the direction of his views, assured him
that the chamber had acquired too firm a hold of

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 35 J

the public opinion to submit to any violent coup 22nd of
d'etat, and expressed tbeir opinion, that by with-
holding the act of abdication, he might eventually
deprive himself of the power of vacating the
throne in favour of his son. Nevertheless he ap-
peared determined to defer this step to the very
last moment, trusting in the mean time some fa-
vourable event might occur, tending to modify the
present disposition of the chamber.

The deputies again met, at an early hour on the
following morning. The utmost impatience was
manifested for the report of the committee. Two
hours having elapsed, the members became greatly
excited. Some of them proposed that the exigen-
cies of the state were such 1 that it was their duty
to adopt immediate and decisive measures, without
waiting for the report. At length, in the midst of
the agitation and tumult which prevailed, General
Grenier, the reporter of the committee, suddenly
made his appearance. He stated that, after a
deliberation of five hours, the committee had
resolved :

' That the safety of the country required that the Emperor
should consent to the nomination, by the two chambers, of a com-
mission, charged to negotiate directly with the coalesced powers ;
stipulating only that they should respect the national indepen-
dence, the territorial integrity, and the right which belongs to
every people, of adopting such constitutions as it may think
proper ; and that these negotiations should be supported by the
prompt development of the national force.'

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

22nd of This statement excited general murmurs of dis-

June.

approbation. But the reporter, aware of the ex-
pectations of the'chamber, proceeded :

' This article, gentlemen, appears to me insufficient. It does
not fulfil the object which the chamber proposes to itself, because
it is possible that your deputation may not be admitted. I would
not, therefore, urge the adoption of this measure, had I not
reason to believe that you will soon receive a message, in which
the Emperor will declare his wish, that the effect of this should
first be tried, and that, should he then prove an insuperable
obstacle to the nation being permitted to treat for its indepen-
dence, he will be ready to make whatever sacrifice may be de-
manded of him.'
i

This produced an extraordinary sensation in the
assembly. It was looked upon as an artful design
upon the part of Napoleon to create delay by pro-
posing to the chambers a proceeding which he was
well aware would prove unsuccessful, and to seize
the first favourable opportunity of destroying their
independence, and re-establishing his despotism
to re-enact, in short, the eighteenth of Brumaire.
The tumult had reached a fearful height. Many
members exclaimed vehemently against the report.
At length, one of them, M. Duchesne, ascended
the tribune, and spoke in the following energetic
and decided manner :

' I do not believe that the project proposed by the committee
is capable of attaining the desired end. The greatness of our
disasters cannot be denied : they are sufficiently proved by the
presence of the chief of our armies in the capital. If there are
no bounds to the energies of the nation, there are limits to its

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 353

means. The chambers cannot offer negotiations to the Allied 2 ^ nd of

powers. The documents which have been communicated to us

demonstrate that they have uniformly refused all the overtures
which have been made to them ; and they have declared that
they will not treat with the French as long as they shall have the
Emperor at their head.'

The speaker was here interrupted by the pre-
sident, who announced that the message to which
the reporter had referred would speedily be re-
ceived. The interruption, however, at this most
important point of the debate, renewed the tumult
in the chamber. Some exclaimed, " It is a con-
certed plan to make us lose time." Others cried
out, " Some plot is concerting ;" and the majority
vociferated, " Proceed, proceed ; there is no middle
course."

Duchesne continued :

' It is necessary that we should be certain of finding in the
development of the national force, a defence sufficient to support
our negotiations, and to enable us to treat with success, concern-
ing our honour and independence. Can that force be developed
with sufficient rapidity ? May not circumstances again lead vic-
torious armies to the capital ? Then, and under their auspices,
will re-appear the ancient family.' (" Never ! never !" exclaimed
several voices.) ' I freely express my opinion. What may be
the consequences of these events ? We have only one certain
means left, which is, to engage the Emperor, in the name of the
safety of the state, in the sacred name of a suffering country, to
declare his abdication.'

No sooner was this word pronounced than the
entire assembly rose ; and amidst the clamour that

364 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

22nd of ensued were heard a hundred voices exclaiming,

June.

"Seconded ! seconded!" When, at length, the

president succeeded in restoring some degree of
order, he said

' I cannot hope to arrive at any result, unless the agitation of
the assembly be repressed. The safety of the country depends
on the decision of this day. I entreat the chamber to wait for
the Emperor's message."

The proposition of Duchesne was instantly sup-
ported by General Solignac, an officer who, during
the last five years, had been made to suffer the
severest mortifications, arising from the hatred en-
tertained towards him by Napoleon, in consequence
of his refusal to be the servile instrument of his
ambition ; and, therefore, the curiosity of the cham-
ber was naturally excited to hear what course he
was about to adopt.

' And I also,' said the general ; ' I share in the uneasiness of
him who has preceded me at this tribune. Yes ! we ought to
consider the safety of the empire, and the maintenance of our
liberal institutions ; and, while the government is inclined to pre-
sent to you such measures as tend to this end, it appears impor-
tant to preserve to the chamber the honour of not having pro-
posed an object which ought to be the free concession of the
monarch. I move that a deputation of five members shall be
appointed to proceed to the Emperor, which deputation shall
express to His Majesty the urgency of his decision. Their report
will, I trust, satisfy at once the wish of the assembly, and that
of the nation.'

This proposition was most favourably received,
and the president was on the point of putting it to

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

the vote, when Solignac again appeared in the 22nd of

., June.

tribune.

C I wish,' said he, 'to propose an amendment to my motion.
Several persons have intimated to me that we shall soon be in-
formed of His Majesty's determination. I consequently think it
necessary that we should wait for one hour, to receive the message,
which it seems is to be addressed to the chambers. I therefore
move that we adjourn for that time.' (This part of his speech was
met with great disapprobation on the part of the chamber.)
' Gentlemen!' continued the general, ' we all wish to save the
country ; but can we not reconcile this unanimous sentiment with
the laudable desire that the chamber should preserve the honour
of the chief of the state ?' (Cries of "Yes! yes!") ' If I re-
quested that we should wait until this evening or to-morrow, some
considerations might be opposed but, one hour' ("Yes! yes!
To the vote!" was the general exclamation ; and the chamber
adjourned.)

In the mean time, Napoleon had been made
acquainted with the disposition of the chamber of
representatives, by Regnault de Saint-Jean-d'An-
gely, who hastened to warn him that if he did not
immediately abdicate, his deposition would, in all
probability, be declared. He was enraged at the
idea of this contemplated violence. " Since that
is the case," he said, "I will not abdicate at all.
The chamber is composed of a set of jacobins,
impracticables, and intriguers, who are seeking for
disorder, or for place. I ought to have denounced
them to the nation, and given them their dismissal.
The time that has been lost may yet be recovered."
Regnault, however, urged him in the strongest

3(56 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

22nd of manner to yield to imperious circumstances, and

to renew the noble and generous sacrifice he made

in 1814. He assured him that if he did not take
this step, he would be accused by the chamber, and
even by the whole nation, of having, out of per-
sonal considerations alone, prevented the possibility
of obtaining peace. Solignac and other deputies
were then announced. They boldly declared to
him that he had no other course open to him but
that of submission to the desire entertained by the
representatives of the nation. Solignac described
to him the scene in the chamber of deputies, and
the difficulty he had experienced in inducing the
latter to suspend, even for one hour, their decision,
which, if not anticipated by a voluntary abdication,
would entail upon him the disgrace of forfeiture.
Even his brothers, Lucien and Joseph, now gave
their opinion that the moment for resistance had
passed. When the paroxysm of rage, to which
these representations gave rise, had subsided, Na-
poleon announced his determination to abdicate
in favour of his son ; and, desiring his brother
Lucien to take a pen, he dictated to him the fol-
lowing declaration :

'Frenchmen! In commencing the war for maintaining the
national independence, I relied on the union of all efforts, of all
desires, and the concurrence of all the national authorities.
I had reason to hope for success, and I braved all the declara-
tions of the powers allied against me.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

' Circumstances appear to be changed. I offer myself a sacri- 22nd of
fice to the hatred of the enemies of France. May they prove une *
sincere in their declarations, and have really directed them solely
against my power. My political life is terminated ; and I pro-
claim my son, under the title of NAPOLEON II., Emperor of the
French.

' The present ministers will form provisionally the council of
the government. The interest which I take in my son induces
me to invite the chamber to form the regency by a law without
delay.

* Unite all for the public safety, in order to remain an inde-
pendent nation.

'NAPOLEON.'

This was the last great act of his political life.
Defeated and humbled by foreign enemies, subdued
and controlled by the representatives of the nation,
he was forced to descend from a throne whence he
had at one time swayed the destinies of sovereigns
rendered dependent on his mighty will. Almost
all the previous changes and gradations in his ex-
traordinary career had been preluded or accompa-
nied by some magnificent scene of dramatic effect,
or a violent coup d'etat ; but, in this instance, the
transition was attended by no circumstance more
remarkable than the quietude with which it was
effected. The cessation of the political existence
of such a man would have been most naturally
looked for as an event coincident only with the ter-
mination of a life which, if not closed upon the
pinnacle of glory, would be sought for amidst the
shock of battle, or in the vortex of a state-convul-

368 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

22nd of sion. That he meditated a second 18th of Bru-

maire, there can be no doubt ; but the decided tone

of the debates in the national assembly, the solici-
tations of his friends, and the hope of securing
the throne to his family, induced him to abandon
all idea of such a project. It is, besides, more than
probable that, aware as he was of the bad feeling
that existed, to a great extent, both in the cham-
bers and in the country, towards the Bourbons, as
also of the conflicting principles of the different
factions, he calculated upon the chances of a revo-
lution, productive of anarchy and confusion, which
he might yet be called upon to reduce to order and
submission.

When it is considered that the great mass of the
army of the line was devoted to Napoleon, that
the rallied army of the North was falling back
upon Paris, where it would concentrate its strength
and be reinforced from the regimental depots, and,
further, that the armies on the Eastern frontier
were still holding their respective positions, and
that even in La Vendee the imperial troops had
succeeded in quelling the insurrection, when, in
addition to all this, it is considered how great, how
extraordinary, was the influence induced by the
prestige of Napoleon with the majority of the
nation, dazzled as the latter had been by countless
victories, that outweighed, in its estimation, those
fatal disasters which it ascribed solely to the united
power of the great European league established

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

against France, it is impossible not to be struck 23rd of

June.

by the firm, bold, and determined attitude assumed
by the French parliament. France, on this critical
occasion, displayed one of the brightest examples
the world has yet beheld of the force of consti-
tutional legislation. Under all the attendant cir-
cumstances, it was a remarkable triumph of free
institutions over monarchical despotism.

It is now necessary to revert to the operations of
the Allied armies.

On the 23rd of June, Wellington and Bliicher
gave to the great mass of their troops a halt, not
merely for the sake of affording them rest, but also
for the purpose of collecting the stragglers, and
bringing up the ammunition and the baggage.

The only movement made on the part of the
Anglo-allied army, on this day, was that by Major
General Lyon's 6th Hanoverian brigade, which,
together with Grant's hussar-brigade, Lieut. Co-
lonel Webber Smith's horse -battery, Major Unett's
and Major Brome's foot-batteries, marched, under
the personal command of Sir Charles Colville, to
attack Cambray, the garrison of which, the Duke
had been led to believe, had abandoned the place,
leaving in it at most 300 or 400 men. Colville
was furnished with a letter from the Duke to the
governor, summoning him to surrender, as also
with some copies of his Grace's Proclamation of
the 22nd to the French. The 1st Brunswick light
battalion was sent forward from the reserve at
VOL. n. 2 B

370 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

23rd of Bavay, to watch Le Quesnoy, which fortress was

June.

still occupied by the enemy.

The 3rd Prussian corps d'armee was pushed
forward to Avesnes, by which means the three
corps destined to advance upon Paris were so
placed that they could form a junction, with only
half an ordinary march, and this relative position
was maintained throughout the remainder of the
line of advance.

The Allied Commanders had an interview on
this day at Catillon, for the purpose of arranging
their plan of combined operations. The intel-
ligence they had procured having satisfied them
that the enemy was collecting his forces at Laon
and Soissons, they decided upon not pursuing him
along that line, since their progress towards the
capital might, in that case, be impeded by affairs
of advanced and rear-guards, but upon moving by
the right bank of the Oise, and crossing this river
at either Compiegne or Pont St. Maxence. By
thus turning the French left, they hoped to interr
cept the enemy's retreat, or at all events to reach
Paris before him ; and in order to deceive him as
to these intentions, he was to be followed by Prus-
sian cavalry, assuming to be the advanced guard
of the Allied armies. It was also settled, that as
they might find it necessary to throw bridges
across the Oise, the British General should bring
forward his pontoon-train, that possessed by the
Prussians being inadequate for the purpose. In

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

371

June.

order to secure a good base whence to conduct 23rd of
these operations, it was further arranged that the _
corps under Prince Frederick of the Netherlands
should remain, for the purpose of besieging the
fortresses situated on the Scheldt, and between
that river and the Sambre ; and that the following
corps should undertake the besieging of the for-
tresses on the Sambre, and between this last river
and the Moselle, namely, the 2nd Prussian corps
d'armee, commanded by General von Pirch, the
corps d'armee of North Germany,* commanded
at first by General Count Kleist von Nollendorf,
and subsequently by Lieut. General von Hacke,
as also a portion of the garrison-troops of Lux-
emburg, commanded by Lieut. General Prince
Louis of Hesse Homburg, the whole of these
German forces being placed under the chief com-
mand of Prince Augustus of Prussia.

This plan of operations was such as might have
been expected from the combined councils of such
leaders as Wellington and Bliicher, and was un-
doubtedly the one best calculated to attain the
object they had in view ; and it was carried into
effect with all that mutual cordiality and good

* Tliis corps had crossed the Rhine at Coblence and Neuwied on the 12th
of March, and taken up a position on the Moselle and the Sarre ; in which
it remained until the 16th of June, when, in consequence of the repulse of
the army under Bliicher, it received orders to fall back upon St. Vith. From
this point it was now pushed forward across the French frontier by Bastogne
and Neufchateau, to attack Bouillon and Sedan.

372 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

24th of fellowship which had invariably characterized their

proceedings.

On the morning of the 24th, the Duke of Wel-
lington, in consequence of a report which he had
received from Sir Charles Colville, directed Lord
Hill to march the two brigades of the 4th division
then at Le Cateau, towards Cambray, where they
would join the other brigade of the division, and
also to send with them a 9-pounder battery.

On the arrival of these troops, Colville made
his preparations for the attack, which took place
in the evening, in the following manner. Three
columns of attack were formed. One commanded
by Lieut. Colonel Sir Neil Campbell, (Major in
the 54th regiment,) escaladed at the angle formed
by the Valenciennes gateway and the curtain of
the body of the place. A second, commanded by
Colonel Sir William Douglas, of the 91st regi-
ment, and directed by Lieutenant Gilbert of the
royal engineers, escaladed at a large ravelin near
the Amiens road. A third, consisting of Colonel
Mitchell's brigade, and directed by Captain
Thompson of the royal engineers, after having
forced the outer gate of the Couvre Port, in the
hornwork, and passed both ditches, by means of
the rails of the drawbridges, attempted to force
the main Paris gate, but not succeeding in this, it
escaladed by a breach on that side, which was in a
state of reparation. The three batteries of Lieut.
Colonel Webber Smith, and Majors Unett and

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 073

Brome, under the direction of Lieut. Colonel 24th of

Hawker, rendered the most essential service in ^

covering these attacks, which having succeeded,
the town speedily fell into the hands of the assail-
ants. The citadel continued to hold out, but the
governor solicited a suspension of hostilities which,
however, could not be granted.*

Of the Anglo-allied army, the 1st and 3rd
British divisions, the Dutch-Belgian infantry at-
tached to the 1st corps, and the Dutch-Belgian
cavalry, were moved this day from Gommignies to
Forest, upon the road to Le Gateau, and then en-
camped between the villages of Croix and Bousies.

The 2nd British division continued atLe Cateau.

The Duke made no movement in advance, having
found it necessary to afford additional time for the
coming up of the pontoons and supplies. The re-
serve, consisting of the 5th and 6th divisions, of

* The facility with which the noted fortress of Cambray was captured, is
tbus commented upon by the late Major General Sir James Carmicbael
Smyth, Bart., (then Commanding Officer of Engineers in the Duke of
Wellington's .Army,) in his instructive account (published in 1817) of the
Attacks upon the Fortresses by the British and Prussian Armies in the Cam-
paigns of 1814 and 1815: 'The easy capture of Cambray affords another
lesson to statesmen and military men, (in addition to the many with which both
ancient and modern history abounds,) not to suffer the fortresses of a state
to be neglected or to fall into disrepair. The boar in the fable is repre-
sented as whetting his tusks, although no enemy was in sight ; well knowing
that he would have no time to spare, when he might require them. Had
the escarp of Cambray been in order, or the ditch near the Paris gate been
kept clear of mud and reeds, the place could not have been carried by
assault in the easy manner it was. The escarp of Cambray is from 40 to
70 feet high, where the ditch is dry ; and from 30 to 40 where the ditch is
wet. Such an escarp, if in order, it is evident is not to be despised.'

374 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

24th of tli e Brunswick corps, and the reserve-artillery, was

June. * '

moved nearer to the main body, and cantoned and

encamped in and about the villages of Engle-
Fontaine, Rancour, and Preau au Bois.

On this day proposals were made to the ad-
vanced posts of this corps under Prince Frederick
of the Netherlands, near Valenciennes, as also
to those of the 1st Prussian corps d'armee, for a
suspension of hostilities, upon the grounds that
Napoleon had abdicated in favour of his son, that
a provisional government had been appointed,
consisting of Fouche, Caulincourt, Grenier, and
Quinette, and that these persons had sent minis-
ters to the Allied powers to treat for peace. Both
Wellington and Bliicher considered that they
would not be acting in accordance with the spirit
and intentions of the alliance of the powers of
Europe were they to listen to such proposals, and
therefore peremptorily refused to discontinue their
operations. Those which were addressed to the
Prussian commander emanated from General
Count Morand, who commanded the rear-guard
of the French army at Laon, and to whom Bliicher
replied, that no armistice could be entered into,
except in the case of Napoleon being delivered up,
and the fortresses in rear of the armies being
abandoned, and conceded as guarantees for its
fulfilment.

Louis XVIII., acting on the advice so urgently
tendered to him bv the Duke of Wellington, ar-

* D *

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 375

rived at Le Cateau late in the evening, followed 24th of

June.

by a numerous train; and only awaited the sur-

render of the citadel of Carabray to fix his tem-
porary residence in the latter town.

The Prussian army renewed its operations on
the 24th, according to the plan agreed upon the
day before by the Allied commanders. At break
of day, Lieut. Colonel von Schmiedeberg was des-
patched with the Silesian regiment of uhlans, and
some horse-artillery, towards Laon, for the pur-
pose, in conjunction with the detachments already
sent from the 1st corps d'armee, of watching and
deceiving the enemy. Bliicher disposed his three
corps d'armee in two columns. The left column,
which was the one nearest to the enemy, consisted
of the 1st and 3rd corps, and was to move close
along the Oise the 3rd corps remaining half a
march in rear of the 1st. The right column,
formed by the 4th corps d'armee, was to advance
along a parallel road, keeping on a line with the
former, and at the distance of about half a march.
The left column moved upon Compiegne, the right
upon Pont St. Maxence.

At nine o'clock, the 1st corps d'armee (Zieten's)
commenced its march from Etroeung towards
Guise. The advanced guard, under Major Ge-
neral von Jagow, to which were attached the 8th
foot-battery, and two 10-pounder howitzers, halted
when opposite to St. Laurent, a suburb of Guise,
in order to observe the fortress on this side j whilst

376 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

24th of Zieten sent an infantry-brigade, a regiment of ca-

valry, together with a horse, and a foot, battery, by

St. Germain and La Bussiere, across the Oise, to
menace the place from the other side.

The enemy, on finding himself completely in-
vested, withdrew his troops into the citadel, where-
upon preparations were immediately made by the
Prussians to open their batteries against that part,
but previously to giving the order to commence
the cannonade, Zieten sent a summons to the com-
mandant to surrender ; with which the latter did
not hesitate to comply. The garrison, consisting
of 18 officers and 350 men, laid down their arms
on the glacis, and were made . prisoners of war.
The Prussians found in the place, 14 pieces of
cannon, 3,000 muskets, 2,000,000 musket-ball
cartridges, a quantity of ammunition, and consi-
derable magazines ; and gained, what was of more
importance, another strong point in their new base
of operations, without having fired a single cannon-
shot. Major Mu'ller, with the two weak fusilier-
battalions of the 28th regiment, and of the 2nd
Westphalian landwehr, remained to garrison the
place.

As soon as the remainder of Zieten's corps ar-
rived near Guise, which was before the place sur-
rendered, the advanced guard, consisting of the
3rd brigade, moved on, but did not reach Origny
before nine o'clock in the evening. The 1st re<n-
ment of Silesian hussars pushed on as far as Ribe-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 377

mont. Parties were also detached from the reserve- 24th of

June.

cavalry towards Crecy, Pont a Bussy, and La
Fere, to observe the Serre.

Thielemann, with the 3rd corps d'armee, moved
from Avesnes upon Nouvion, which he reached
about four o'clock in the afternoon. The detach-
ments of observation which had been previously
sent out to the left from this corps, to endeavour
to gain intelligence concerning Grouchy's army,
reached Hirson and Vervin in the evening. Scour-
ing parties were also sent towards the road leading
from Mezieres bv Montcornet towards Laon.

Biilow, with the 4th corps d'armee, which formed
the right Prussian column, marched from Ferny to
Aisonville and Bernonville. Parties of cavalry,
detached from the corps, reached Chatillon sur
Oise, and found St. Quentin unoccupied. This
circumstance having been made known to General
von Sydow, upon his arrival at Fontaine notre
Dame, with the advanced guard, he pushed on,
and took possession of that important town. A
detachment of from 500 to 600 French cavalry
had marched from this place on the previous day
towards Laon. The troops which had been em-
ployed in the investment of Landrecies rejoined
the 4th corps on this day.

By means of these movements, and of the halt
of the Duke of Wellington at Le Cateau, the
Prussians were a day's march in advance of the
Anglo-allied army.

0170 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

24th of Grouchy 's troops this day reached Rethel.

The positions of the respective armies on the
evening of the 24th were as follows :

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd divisions of the Anglo-allied army were
in and around Le Gateau Cambresis : the 4th division at Cam-
bray; the 5th and 6th divisions, the Brunswick corps, and
reserve-artillery, at, and in the vicinity of, Engle-Foutaine.

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were at Le Gateau
Cambresis.

The 1st Prussian corps d'armee was at Guise, the 3rd at
Muvion, and the 4th at Aisonville and Bernonville.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at Henappe.

The French troops under Soult were at Laon ; those under
Grouchy at Rethel.

On the 24th, the Provisional Government in
Paris, which had been appointed on the previous
day, after a stormy discussion in both chambers on
the subject of the recognition of Napoleon II.,
and which consisted of the Duke of Otranto
(Fouche), minister of the police ; the Duke of
Vicenza (Caulincourt), minister for foreign affairs ;
Carnot, minister of the interior ; General Gre-
nier ; and M. Quinette ; issued the following
proclamation :

* Frenchmen !

' Within the period of a few days, brilliant successes and
dreadful reverses have marked your destinies.

' A great sacrifice appeared necessary to your peace and that of
the world ; and Napoleon abdicated the imperial throne. His
abdication forms the termination of his political life. His son
is proclaimed.

* Your new constitution, which possesses as yet only good

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

principles, is about to undergo its application, and even those 24th of
principles are to be purified and extended. une '

1 There no longer exist powers jealous of one another. The
space is free to the enlightened patriotism of your representatives;
and the peers feel, think, and vote, as they are directed by the
public opinion.

* After twenty-five years of political tempests, the moment has
arrived when every thing wise and sublime that has been con-
ceived respecting social institutions may be perfected in yours.
Let reason and genius speak, and from whatever side their Voices
may proceed, they shall be heard.

' Plenipotentiaries have been despatched, in order to treat in
the name of the nation, and to negotiate with the powers of
Europe that peace which they have promised on one condition,
which is now fulfilled.

' The whole world will, like you, be attentive to their reply.
Their answer will make known whether justice and promises are
accounted any thing on earth.

' Frenchmen ! be united ! Let all rally under circumstances of
such vast importance. Let civil discords be appeased. Let dis-
sensions be silent at this period, in which the great interests of
nations are to be discussed. From the northern frontier to the
Pyrenees, and from La Vendee to Marseilles, let all France be
united.

' Who is the man, that, born on the soil of France, whatever may
be his party or political opinions, will not range himself under
the national standard, to defend the independence of the country ?

' Armies may in part be destroyed, but the experience of all
ages, and of all nations, proves that a brave people, combating
for justice and liberty, cannot be vanquished.

' The Emperor, in abdicating, has offered himself a sacrifice.
The members of the government devote themselves to the due
execution of the authority with which they have been invested by
your representatives.

' THE DUKE OF OTRANTO,
' T. BERLIER, Secretary.

' June 24, 1815.'

380 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

25th of On the 25th, Louis XVIII., at the suggestion

'__ of the Duke of Wellington, despatched an officer,

Le Comte d'Audenarde, with a summons, in His
Majesty's name, for the governor, Baron Roos, to
surrender the citadel of Cambray. The summons
was obeyed, and the garrison capitulated ; when the
Duke immediately gave over the fortress entirely to
His Majesty.

The main body of the Anglo-allied army ad-
vanced this day to Joncour. The 4th division
continued at Cambrav. The reserve moved on to

Marets.

The 1st Prussian corps d'armee marched this
day from Guise to Cerisy, on the road from St.
Quentin to La Fere: its advanced guard pushed
on to Fargnieres, near the latter place. An officer
and thirty dragoons were detached across the Oise,
to cut off the communication between this fortress
and Laon, by which means the investment of the
place was effected. Along the right bank of the
Oise, La Fere was protected by inundations, and
no favourable points presented themselves for the
establishment of batteries. On this account, pre-
parations were made in the night to cross the river
below the place, and gain the heights which com-
mand the fortress on the Laon side.

During the march of the advanced guard, Major
General von Jagow, who commanded it, sent a
detachment of the 1st Silesian hussars to Chauny,
which communicated by its left, through St. Gobain,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1615. 3g J

with Captain von Goschitzky in Crespy, and by 25th of
its left, with the outpost at Jussy, of the advanced _
guard of the 4th corps. The parties detached on
the previous day to Crecy, Pont a Bussy, and
along the Serre, were now called in.

The 3rd Prussian corps d'armee marched from
Nouvion to Homblieres and its vicinity. Two of
its brigades occupied passages across the Oise,
namely, the 9th at Origny, and the 12th at Neu-
villette. The llth brigade bivouacked at Marey,
and the 10th at Homblieres and Menil St. Lau-
rent. The detachments sent out from this corps
on the previous day towards the road leading from
Mezieres to Laon, brought in word that at eleven
o'clock on the forenoon of the 24th, the French
troops had abandoned Aubenton, and marched off
to Monternet ; also that Grouchy's army had
reached Rocroi on the 23rd, and Rethel on the
24th ; and it was presumed that his next march
was to be on Soissons. On the receipt of this in-
telligence, these detachments were drawn back,
and their observation limited to the ground nearest
to the left bank of the Oise.

The advanced guard of the 4th Prussian corps
d'armee was closely followed by the reserve-cavalry,
and all these troops were placed under the com-
mand of Prince William of Prussia. The cavalry
marched along the road leading to Chauny, as far
as Montescourt, where it bivouacked. The main
body of the corps reached Essigny le grand.

382 HISTORY OF THE WAR IX

25th of At St. Quentin, Prince Bliicher received a letter
from Laon, addressed to the Allied commanders
by the commissioners sent from the two chambers
of the French parliament ; in which they commu-
nicated the fact of Napoleon's abdication, and
of the elevation of his son to the throne, and
stated that they had been deputed by the pro-
visional government to negotiate an armistice. To
this the Prince replied verbally, by an aide-de-
camp, that he would suspend hostilities on arriving
at Paris, provided Buonaparte was given up to him,
and several fortresses on the frontiers delivered
up as sureties ; and provided, also, that the Duke of
Wellington should agree to what might be proposed.
According to the accounts which were this day
received from Lieut. Colonel von Schmiedeberg, it
was presumed that the enemy was still at Laon.
The reports from the detachments of the 3rd corps
d'armee also confirmed this view, and intimated
that Grouchy 's troops were yet two marches distant
from Laon. This intelligence, combined with the
attempts made by the French to induce the Allies
to enter into negotiations, clearly showed the im-
portance of endeavouring, by means of a forced
march, to gain the passages of the Oise, and then
to intercept the enemy's line of retreat by Soissons
upon Paris. In the night of the 25th, however,
decided information was received that the French
army had marched from Laon to Soissons, a fact
from which it was naturally concluded that the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

enemy was no longer deceived as to the advance of 25th of
the Prussians towards Laon, and that he was there- _
fore hent upon effecting his further retreat, or,
perhaps, even of anticipating their movements
towards the Oise, and detaching towards Com-
piegne. Hence, not a moment was now to be lost
in securing the points of passage, particularly that
at Compiegne, to which Prince Bliicher attached
so much more importance from the circumstance
that his army had no pontoons ; and that the
British pontoon-train was still far hehind, and
not to be calculated upon. The Prince decided
upon moving his left column (the 1st and 3rd
corps) on Compiegne, and his right column (the
4th corps) upon Pont St. Maxence ; the latter to
secure the passage both at this place and at Creil,
lower down the Oise.

Soult, who had been indefatigable in collecting
at Laon the remains of the defeated portion of the
French army, marched the latter, on the 25th, to
Soissons, where it was to be joined by the force
under Grouchy, who, having preceded his troops
which were yet a march and a half distant, had
arrived in that town, to take the command of the
whole army, according to instructions conveyed to
him from the Provisional Government. Soult, as
soon as he found himself thus superseded in the
command, quitted the army, and repaired to Paris,
disgusted with the abrupt and uncourteous manner
in which he had been treated.

384 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

25th of The positions of the respective armies, on the

June.

. evening of the 25th, were as follows :

Of the Anglo-allied army, the advanced guard (Vivian's bri-
gade) was at Crisour, near St. Quentin.

The 2nd division, the Nassau troops, and the British cavalry,
were encamped in the vicinity of Joncour.

The 1st and 3rd divisions, the Dutch-Belgian infantry attached
to the 1 st corps, and the Dutch-Belgian cavalry, were encamped
near Serain and Fremont.

The 4th division, with Grant's light-cavalry brigade, was at
Cambray.

The 5th and 6th divisions, the Brunswick infantry and cavalry,
and the reserve artillery, were encamped at, and in the vicinity
of, Marets.

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were at Joncour.

The 1st Prussian corps d'armee was at Cerisy ; the 3rd at
Homblieres ; and the 4th at Essigny le grand.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at St. Quentin.

The right wing of the French army, led by Vandamme, was at
Rheims ; the left, with Grouchy, at Soissons.

On the 25th, Napoleon withdrew from the capital
to the country palace of Malmaison, whence he
issued the following address to the army : .

' SOLDIERS !

' While obeying the necessity which removes me from the
French army, I carry with me the happy assurance that it will
justify, by the eminent services which the country expects from
it, the praises which our enemies themselves have not been able
to refuse it.

' Soldiers ! I shall follow your steps, though absent. I know
all the corps ; and not one of them will obtain a single advantage
over the enemy, but I shall give it credit for the courage it may
have displayed. Both you and I have been caluminated. Men,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

very unfit to appreciate your labours, have seen in the marks of 25th of
attachment which you have given me, a zeal of which I was the e '

sole object. Let your future successes convince them that it was
the country, above all things, which you served in obeying me ;
and that if I had any share in your affection, I owe it to my
ardent love for France our common mother.

' Soldiers ! Some efforts more, and the coalition will be dis-
solved. Napoleon will recognise you by the blows which you are
about to strike. Save the honour, the independence, of France !
Be, unto the last, the same men which I have known you for
these twenty years, and you will be invincible.

' NAPOLEON.'
' Dela Malmaison, Ie25juin, 1815.'

VOL. II. 2 C

386 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

CHAPTER XIX.

On the 26th, the main body of the Anglo-allied army moves to Vermand
Capture of Peronne Colville's division rejoins the main army Welling-
ton's reply to the French commissioners La Fere holds out against the
Prussians The 1st and 4th Prussian corps advance by forced marches to-
wards Compiegne and Pont St. Maxence Disposition of the respective
armies on the evening of the 26th Early on the morning of the 27th the
advanced guard of Zieten's corps secures the bridge and town of Compiegne,
when the French, under d'Erlon, are within half an hour's march of that
point The latter, after an unsuccessful attempt to take the place, retire
upon Soissons Movements of Zieten's and Thielemann's corps upon
Soissons, Villers-Cotterets, and Crespy Biilow secures the bridge over the
Oise at Creil Affair at Senlis Blucher succeeds in securing the line of the
Oise Grouchy endeavours to effect his retreat to Paris by forced marches
The main body of Wellington's army crosses the Somme and marches to
Roye The Duke's anger and indignation excited by the conduct of the
Dutch-Belgian troops on the march Disposition of the respective armies
on the evening of the 27th Affair at Villers-Cotterets between the ad-
vanced guard of Zieten's corps and the French troops under Grouchy and
Vandamme Affair at Nanteuil between part of Zieten's corps and Reille's
corps Reille succeeds in effecting a junction with d'Erlon Eirection of
the retreat of the imperial guard and 6th corps ; also of the 3rd and 4th
French corps The advanced guard and the reserve-cavalry of Zieten's
corps, under Prince William of Prussia, fall upon Reille's troops in full
retreat, attack them, and make 2,000 prisoners The main body of Thiele-
mann's corps moves on to Crespy in support of Zieten The Prussian ope-
rations have the effect of cutting off the retreat of the French troops to
Paris by the great Soissons and Senlis roads The French Provisional
Government sends another deputation to request the Allied commanders to
agree to a suspension of hostilities Disposition of the respective armies on
the evening of the 28th On the 29th, Billow's and Zieten's corps take up a
position in front of Paris The remains of the French grand army of the
north retire within the lines of the capital The Anglo-allied army reaches
different points between Gournay and Pont St. Maxence Positions of
the respective armies on the evening of the 29th Composition of the
garrison of Paris Its means of defence Policy of the Provisional Govern-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 007

ment Napoleon quits Paris for Rochefort His narrow escape from falling
into the hands of the Prussians New commissioners appointed by the
goverament to wait upon the Duke of Wellington for the purpose of nego-
tiating a suspension of hostilities Sound judgment and extraordinary fore-
sight evinced in his Grace's reply to their proposals.

ON the 26th, the Duke of Wellington marched the 26th of
main body of his army to Vermand, and its vicinity. _ UPe '
Major General Sir John Byng, who was now in
command of the 1st corps, having heard, on passing
that village, that the Duke himself was there,
immediately waited upon His Grace for any orders
he might wish to give him. The Duke, on seeing
him, said, " You are the very person I wish to see
I want you to take Peronne. You may as well
take with you a brigade of guards, and a Dutch-
Belgian brigade. I shall be there almost as soon as
yourself." Byng having given the necessary orders
for Maitland's brigade, and a Dutch- Belgian bri-
gade of Chasse's division attached to his corps, to
proceed on this duty, the former was immediately
put in motion. The Duke, on reaching Peronne
just as these troops arrived there, summoned the
garrison, and then proceeded, in person, to recon-
noitre that fortress ; and perceiving the possibility
of taking it by storm, gave orders to prepare for an
assault. His Grace then directed the attack to be
made upon the horn-work which covers the suburb
on the left of the Somme. Lieut. Colonel Lord
Saltoun immediately led on the light troops of
Maitland's brigade, stormed, and carried the out-

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

26th of work, with but little loss ; on observing which, the
'__ Duke, being satisfied the place would prove an easy
capture, returned to Vermand. Some pieces of
Dutch artillery were now brought into the horn-
work, and a cannonade was opened upon the town,
but the fire kept up on both sides was trifling, and
of short duration, for Byng having sent forward his
acting Assistant Quarter Master General, Lieut.
Colonel the Hon. J. Stanhope,* with a white flag,
the civil authorities interfered, and urged the
garrison to capitulate ; whereupon the maiden
fortress of Peronne surrendered, on condition that
its defenders should lay down their arms, and be
allowed to repair to their homes. Byng,f on re-
turning to Vermand, to report the capture of the
fortress to the Duke, met the Dutch-Belgian
brigade, which had been ordered to move to
Peronne at the same time as the guards, about half
way towards that place !

Colville's division rejoined the main body of the
army from Cambray, which place was handed over

* Lieut. Colonel the Hon. J. Stanhope, h.p., Portuguese service, died in
March, 1825.

t In the course of the battle on the 18th, this officer, (the present Lord
Strafford,) experienced a hair-breadth escape, of a very singular nature. It
was with him a habit, when tired with long sitting on horseback, to raise and
extend an arm by way of temporary relief. He had just raised his right arm
in this manner, when a round shot, grazing his right breast, entered the folds
of his cloak, immediately under the shoulder of that arm, and tore its way
through the cloak, behind his back, towards his left. The gallant general was
thrown from his horse by the concussion, and remained insensible for a short
time ; after which he re-mounted, and continued at the head of his division.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 339

to the troops of the King of France, under the 26th of
Duke of Berry,

The reserve moved on to Bellicourt and Belle
Englise.

Upon returning in the night to his head-quarters
at Vermand, the Duke of Wellington found a note
from Prince Bliichcr, forwarding to him the letter
from the French commissioners, before referred
to,* and to which his Grace immediately replied,
as follows :

' Head Quarters, 26th June, 1815. 10 P.M.

'As Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington has only at this
moment returned to his quarters, he has only now received from
Marshal Prince Bliicher the letter of their Excellencies, and
which their Excellencies had sent to the Prussian outposts.

' When the Field Marshal last heard from the head-quarters of
the Allied Sovereigns, the 21st instant, their Majesties were at
Heidelberg, and they must still be in that direction. It must
be obvious to their Excellencies that the Field Marshal can
neither prevent nor aid their Excellencies in reaching their
Majesties ; but if he has it in his power, or if their Excellencies
think proper to pass through the countries in which the troops
are under his command, the Field Marshal begs they will let him
know in what manner he can facilitate their journey.

' The Field Marshal was not aware that any officer commanding
an advanced post had agreed verbally, or in any other manner,
to a suspension of hostilities.

' Since the loth instant, when Napoleon Buonaparte, 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

* See page 382.

390 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

26th of armies he commands, in a state of war with the Government of
June. France ; and he does not consider the abdication of Napoleon
Buonaparte of his usurped authority, under all the circumstances
which have preceded and attended that measure, as the attain-
ment 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 further
effusion of blood.

' As the only object on which their Excellencies desired to
converse with the Field Marshal was the proposed suspension
of hostilities, they will, probably, after the perusal of his senti-
ments and intentions, as above declared, consider any interview
with him an useless waste of their time ; but, if their Excellen-
cies should still do him the honour to desire to have an interview
with him, the Field Marshal will be ready to meet them at the
time and place they shall appoint.

' The Field Marshal begs their Excellencies will receive the
assurance of his high consideration.

' WELLINGTON.'*

From the moment that Prince Bliicher had be-
come aware of the retirement of the French troops
from Laon upon Soissons, he was most anxious
to secure the passage across the Oise at Com-
piegne, Verberie, Pont St. Maxence, and Creil.
In the middle of the night of the 25th, he there-
fore sent an order for the advanced guard of the
1st Prussian corps d'armee to proceed on the fol-
lowing day, from Fargnieres, by forced march, as
far as the first named place. In the afternoon of
the 26th, it reached Noyon, where it halted for a

* Despatches, vol. zii. p. 512.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

391

rest, having marched five leagues, and having nearly 26t h of
an equal distance before it to Compiegne. The 12- _
pounder battery and the four 10-pounder howitzers
which had been attached to this advanced guard
(the 3rd brigade under Major General von Jagow)
were, by Zieten's order, left under the protection
of a battalion, to be employed with the 1st brigade,
which was directed to make an attempt upon the
fortress of La Fere. The advanced guard, after
having sent on a squadron of the 1st Silesian hus-
sars, under Major von Hertel, to Compiegne, with
orders to push forward a detachment thence upon
the road to Soissons, resumed its march in the
evening. It was still in movement about midnight,
when Major General von Jagow received a com-
munication from the front that Major von Hertel
had, with his squadron, entered Compiegne at eight
o'clock, in the evening, and had learned from the
mayor that a French corps was on the march from
Soissons to that town, in which it had already be-
spoken 10,000 rations. Von Jagow immediately
communicated this important circumstance to Zie-
ten, and ordered his troops, after another short
but indispensable halt, to continue their toilsome
march.

On the morning of this day, the 1st brigade of
Zieten's corps d'armee completed the investment
of La Fere. The troops that had been previously
detached to this point by General von Jagow were
moved off to follow this officer's brigade on the

392

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

26th of road to Compiegne. Notwithstanding the vigo-
une ' rous bombardment which the Prussians maintained
against the fortress until noon, and by which several
buildings were set on fire, they failed to induce the
garrison to surrender. As it was not intended,
however, to attempt any more serious attack, the
brigade, after leaving the fusilier-battalion of the
12th regiment and a squadron of the Branden-
burg uhlans to watch the fortress, followed the
corps d'armee, which had marched to Noyon, but
it did not even reach Chauny, scarcely seven miles
from La Fere.

Zieten, on arriving at Chauny at eight o'clock
in the evening, with the remainder of his corps
the 2nd and 4th brigades, the reserve- artillery, and
a reserve cavalry-brigade considered his troops
too much fatigued to fulfil Bliicher's intentions that
they should march as far as Noyon, and he there-
fore ordered them to bivouac at Chauny.

The 3rd Prussian corps d'armee marched from
the vicinity of Homblieres to that of Guiscard ;
partly by Jussy, and partly by St. Quentin and
Ham. It was only the llth brigade, with the
greater portion of the reserve-cavalry and artillery
that took the latter road. These troops on reach-
ing the fortified town of Ham, found it occupied
by the enemy, who seemed prepared to oppose their
passing through the place. General von Hobe,
who commanded them, summoned the commander
of the garrison to open the gates and allow the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

393

troops to march through, and on perceiving that 26th of

this summons was disobeyed, he tried the effect of

a few cannon-shot, which quickly procured a free
passage for his force. No further notice was
taken, and no further use was made by the Prus-
sians of this otherwise insignificant place. A
detachment of the reserve-cavalry of this corps
was sent to Chauny, from which it pushed forward
a small party along the road towards Soissons,
which the latter pursued until on arriving at about
a league beyond Coucy, it came upon an enemy's
outpost, consisting of a regiment of dragoons and
a battalion of infantry.

The 4th corps d'armee was also required to make
a forced march on this day namely, from Essigny
le grand as far as Lassigny, and its advanced
guard was to reach Gournay, and thence push for-
ward detachments to Clermont, Creil, and Pont St.
Maxence, for the purpose of securing and examin-
ing the bridges across the Oise, and of preparing
all that was requisite for effecting a passage for the
troops. Biilow, in his brigade-orders, drew the
attention of his troops to the necessity which had
arisen for those forced marches on the part of the
Prussian army with a view to obtain a decisive
result. The advanced guard started at four o'clock
in the morning from Jussy, and proceeded by Las-
signy to Gournay, situated upon the road from
Pennine to Pont St. Maxence ; but the detach-
ments which it sent thence towards Clermont, Creil,

394 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

26th of p on t gfc Maxence, and Verberie, did not reach

June.

those places until the following day. The reserve-
artillery of the 4th corps commenced its march at
five o'clock in the morning, following the advanced
guard, and reached Ressons late in the evening ;
where it bivouacked, as did also, subsequently, the
main body of the corps, after a march of about
twentv-five miles.

Whilst the Prussians were thus, on the 26th,
hastening towards Compiegne, the French general,
Count d'Erlon, was, on this very day, also march-
ing upon that point from Soissons, with the remains
of his corps d'armee about 4,000 men having
succeeded, through his urgent representations of
the expediency of such a movement, in obtaining
Grouchy 's assent to its execution.

The troops of the 3rd and 4th French corps
d'armee moved this day from Rheims towards Sois-
sons, a distance which they could not, however,
accomplish in one day's march.

The positions of the respective armies on the
evening of the 26th, were as follows :

Of the Anglo-allied army, the advanced guard (Vivian's hus-
sar brigade) was at Mattiguies, near the Soinme, having its pic-
quets on that river.*

* Vivian had on this day sent forward Lieutenant Slayter Smith, 1 of the
10th hussars, en recontiaissance, as far as Nesle, with directions to proceed,
if practicable, to Roye, and gain information concerning the movements
of the French army. Lieutenant Smith, having reached the latter place,

1 Now Captain William Slayter Smith, h.p. 72nd regiment.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 395

The 2nd division, the Nassau troops, and the British cavalry, 26th of
were encamped near Beauvois and Lanchy.

The 1st and 3rd divisions, the Dutch-Belgian infantry attached
to the 1st corps, and the Dutch-Belgian cavalry, were encamped
near Caulaincourt and Martin de Des Pres.

The 4th division was encamped at Gouay.

The 1st British brigade of guards was at Peronne.

The reserve, consisting of the 5th and 6th divisions, the Bruns-

ascertained that French troops had left the town the night before, and that
a body of Gensd'armerie had marched out at one end of the town whilst he
and his party had entered by the other. On returning from Nesle, he had
proceeded but a short distance, when he perceived a carriage moving 1
rapidly, and coming from a cross road. He ordered the driver to halt,
and found in the carriage a military-looking man, who, after some evasive
answers to his questions, acknowledged himself to be General Lauriston,
aide-de-camp to Napoleon; and stated that he was going, in the first
instance, to his country-seat at Vceux, near Le Cateau, and then to join
the King, Louis XVIII. He added that he had gone to Paris to raise a
party for His Majesty, that he had not only failed in the attempt, but had
narrowly escaped being arrested. Having given this explanation, he entreated
Lieutenant Smith to allow him to continue his route, but the latter, con-
sidering it his duty to make him a prisoner, took him that night to Sir
Hussey Vivian, who then desired Lieutenant Smith to proceed with the
general to the Duke of Wellington. On reaching his Grace's quarters at
one o'clock in the morning, and intimating his errand, a curious incident
occurred. There was no guard at the house, not even a sentry, and Smith
had some difficulty in rousing a sleepy servant from amongst his fellows,
to announce him. The Duke was engaged in conversation with a French-
man. On a table in the room appeared the debris of a repast. Having
explained to the Duke the name and rank of the individual he had brought
with him, his Grace said, " Bring him in." On hearing the name of Lau-
riston, the Frenchman before mentioned, who had been sent to the Duke
by Fouche, to treat for a cessation of hostilities, became greatly alarmed,
and begged to know how he might escape without being recognised. His
Grace remarked, '' There is but one door and one window take your
choice." He preferred the door, and escaped by passing behind the Duke's
back as Lauriston entered. An animated conversation ensued between the
two generals, and an hour had elapsed in this way, when the Duke gave his
orders to Lieutenant Smith for the disposal of the General ; whom he sub-
sequently sent to the King, much to his annoyance, since he was thus
obliged to appear before His Majesty as a prisoner instead of a volunteer.

396

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

27th of wick troops, and the reserve-artillery was encamped near Nourois,
June. Magny, and Bellenglise.

The pontoon-train was at Estrees.

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were at Vermand.

The 2nd and 4th brigades of the 1st Prussian corps d'armee
were at Chauny, not far from which was also the 1st brigade.
The 3rd brigade, forming the advanced guard, was on the march
to Compiegne.

The 3rd corps was at Guiscard.

The 4th corps was at Ressons.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at Genvry, near Noyon.

The French troops under d'Erlou were not far from Compiegne,
on the read from Soissons. Those of the 3rd and 4th corps,
under Vandamme, were at some point between Rheims and
Soissons.

Grouchy's head-quarters were at Soissons.

It was half-past four o'clock in the morning of
the 27th, when the advanced guard of the 1st
Prussian corps d'armee, (the 3rd brigade,) after a
forced march of about 25 miles, reached Com-
piegne. General von Jagovv immediately posted
his troops, in the most advantageous manner, in
and about the town, so as to be prepared to meet
any attack that the enemy might make, and de-
tached three squadrons of the 1st Silesian hussars
upon the Soissons road, and the remaining squa-
dron upon the Paris road, in observation. About
five o'clock, by which time he had scarcely com-
pleted his arrangements, information reached him
from the hussars on the Soissons road that the
enemy was advancing. This was, as before re-
marked, Count d'Erlon, with the remains of his

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 397

corps d'armee, from which circumstance it will be 27th of
seen that if Zieten's advanced guard had arrived _
but a single half hour later, the French would have
anticipated the Prussians in securing the bridge of
Compiegne.

From along the edge of the extensive wood
which adjoins this town, a fire was quickly opened
by the French skirmishers against the Prussian
picquets. Very shortly afterwards a column of
infantry appeared advancing from their rear. A
half-battery of Prussian horse- artillery, which had
been posted on the Soissons road, in front of the
gate on that side of the town, having allowed the
column to approach within a suitable range, di-
rected a fire upon it with such vigour and precision,
that in a few moments more the mass rushed for
shelter into the wood. Four French guns were
now brought forward, and these replied to the
Prussian artillery ; during which the enemy moved
through the wood to his left. The Prussians con-
cluded from this movement that he contemplated
abandoning the attack in this quarter, for the pur-
pose of assailing the lower and weaker side of the
town, by the Crespy and Paris roads ; but on re-
newing his advance, he soon showed that he was
only masking his retreat ; whereupon the 1st Si-
lesian hussars advanced along the road to Soissons
in pursuit.

By the result of this affair, which lasted an hour
and a half, but was limited to a cannonade and

398 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

27th of mutual tiraillade, the French were foiled in their

June - i i /-<
attempt to cover their retreat by securing Com-

piegne, and checking the advance of the Prussians
along the Oise. The 3rd Prussian brigade, how-
ever, which had continually formed the advanced
guard of the 1st corps d'armee since the battle of
Waterloo, was too much exhausted by its efforts
during the previous day and night, to attempt
seriously to molest the enemy during his retreat ;
a circumstance of which the latter failed not to
take advantage. Zieten decided upon relieving
these troops from the duties of an advanced guard
by the 2nd brigade, which, however, had not yet
come up : and hence the French gained some
valuable time.

The main body of Zieten 's corps did not reach
Compiegne until mid-day. Bliicher, who had
already arrived there, ordered that the advanced
guard (now consisting of the 2nd brigade) and the
reserve-cavalry, preceded by 100 riflemen, should
march through the wood, towards Villers-Cotterets,
followed by the main body of the corps, it having
been his intention to throw these troops upon the
enemy's line of retreat, in the event of the ad-
vanced guard falling in with French troops at or
near that point. This order, however, was not
strictly followed by Zieten, who marched the main
body of his corps, including the reserve-cavalry,
and the reserve-artillery, through the wood of
Compiegne, to Gillicourt, detaching only his 2nd

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 399

brigade, reinforced by the Brandenburg dragoons 27th of

June.

and five pieces of horse artillery, towards Villers-

Cotterets. The 1st Silesian hussars were pushed
forward upon the road from Compiegne to Sois-
sons, to cover the left flank during this movement.
The reserve -cavalry, in front of the column of the
main body, reached Gillicourt just as the enemy
(under Count d'Erlon) had crossed the defile
formed by a tributary stream of the Oise, in which
that place is situated. The 1st West Prussian
dragoons and the Brandenburg uhlans, together
with a horse-battery, went on in pursuit ; and the
3rd brigade was ordered to follow the latter in
support. The 4th brigade was directed to main-
tain the defile of Gillicourt.

The enemy's rear-guard was overtaken on this
side of Crespy by the two regiments of cavalry,
which threw it back in disorder upon that town.
The French quickly retired from the place, where-
upon the 3rd brigade, with a cavalry-brigade, bi-
vouacked there, throwing out parties of dragoons
in the direction of the enemy's retreat.

The 4th brigade, the other cavalry-brigade, and
the reserve-artillery, bivouacked at Gillicourt.
The 2nd brigade, with the additional force attached
to it, as before mentioned, reached Longpre, not
far from Villers-Cotterets, in the middle of the
night. The long march which the troops of the
1st corps d'armee made this day from Noyon, and
the probability of their coming into collision with

400 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

27th of the enemy on the following day, rendered a few

June. 111

hours rest absolutely necessary.

Separated from one another as Zieten's brigades
thus were, a strong support was essentially requi-
site, and this was supplied in good time by the 3rd
Prussian corps d'armee, which marched on this
day from Guiscard to Compiegne. Prince Bliicher
directed its commander, Thielemann, to detach
strongly towards Soissons, for the purpose of ob-
serving the enemy, and of molesting him should
he be retiring. The cavalry thus detached pre-
senting the means of covering Zieten's left flank,
the 1st Silesian hussars, which had been previously
posted on the Soissons road, were directed to re-
join their own corps. The 3rd corps bivouacked
on the left bank of the Oise, with the exception of
the 12th brigade, which remained on the right
bank, at Venette.

On the same day, the 4th Prussian corps d'ar-
mee, forming the right column, marched from
Ressons and its vicinity, with orders to cross the
Oise lower down the stream, at Verberie, Pont St.
Maxence, or Creil. Bulow formed his advanced
guard with the 3rd Neumark landvvehr, a battalion
of the 1st Silesian landwehr, the 8th hussars, the
1st Pomeranian landwehr-cavalry, and half the
horse-battery No. 12, and desired General von
Sydow, who commanded the advanced guard, to
move off with & detachment, at the first break of
day, and secure the bridge over the Oise at Creil.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IX 1815. 40 1

This general, aware of the importance of attaining 27th of

the object in view, proceeded, himself, at the head

of a squadron of the 8th hussars, and of 100 in-
fantry, the latter being transported in carts, and
reached Creil with this small detachment just as
the French were on the point of entering the
place. The latter were immediately attacked and
repulsed, and the Prussian infantry occupied the
bridge, which, on the arrival of the advanced
guard, was given over to the 1st Silesian landwehr,
whilst the remainder of the troops, after a short
halt, commenced their march upon Senlis.

Another striking instance was thus again afforded
of the vast importance of a correct calculation of
time in military operations. The Prussians, on
this morning, reached the bridge of Compiegne
only half an hour before the French approached it,
and had they arrived at Creil but a few minutes
later, they would have found the French in pos-
session of the bridge at this point.

Major von Blankenburg was detached in advance,
with the 1st Pomeranian landwchr-cavalry, from
Creil towards Senlis. They had but just reached
this town, and had begun to bivouac on the great
market-place, when, towards nine o'clock in the
evening, Kellermann, with the 1st cuirassier-bri-
gade of French cavalry, approached on the oppo-
site side, and made a dash at the very spot occupied
by the Prussians. Major von Blankenburg had
barely time to mount : nevertheless, with such of
VOL. n. 2 D

402 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

27th of his men as were accoutred and prepared, he at-

June.

tacked the French horsemen, and drove them back

to the gates of the town. The latter, however,
collecting their strength, renewed their attack,
overpowered the Prussians, and forced them to
retire along the road to Pont St. Maxence. Kel-
lermann's brigade then resumed its march along
the prescribed line of retreat. In the mean time,
his 2nd cuirassier-brigade, and d'Erlon's French
corps d'armee, were retiring along the same road
towards Senlis. Upon this point also General von
Sydow was moving from Creil, with the advanced
guard of the 4th Prussian corps, following, as it
was supposed, the detached 1st Pomeranian land-
wehr-cavalry. On reaching Senlis at ten o'clock
in the evening, with the head of the column, con-
sisting of the 8th hussars and the 3rd battalion of
the 3rd Neumark landwehr, and finding the place
unoccupied, he took possession of it. The French
troops had already approached close to the town,
from the side of Crespy. The Prussian infantry
were immediately posted in the houses nearest to
the gate, and as soon as the enemy's cavalry came
fully within the effective range of musketry, they
suddenly opened upon the latter a sharp fire, which
compelled it to go about. The head of d'Erlon's
corps now came up, but was forced, along with the
cavalry, to take another direction. Sydow, having
collected the whole of the advanced guard, fol-
lowed the French some little distance, and bivou-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

acked, about midnight, somewhat in advance of 27th f
Senlis. The latter, however, reached, next morn-

ing, the road leading through Gonesse to Paris.

During the operation of the advanced guard of
the 4th Prussian corps d'armee, another detach-
ment of the latter was sent to occupy Pont St.
Maxence and Verberie. The French having par-
tially destroyed the bridge at the former point, the
2nd Pomeranian landwehr-cavalry were ferried to
the opposite bank of the river, and detachments
were immediately pushed on to Verberie and
Senlis. The 14th brigade followed the cavalry,
and was passed over the river in a similar manner,
after which it occupied the heights on both sides
of the great Paris road. These troops bivouacked
for the night on their position ; whilst the main
body of the corps, on reaching Pont St. Maxence,
remained on the right bank of the river. The
greatest activity was used in repairing the bridge
sufficiently for the passage of artillery.

In this manner Bliicher had effectually secured
the line of the Oise, and by pushing forward his
advanced troops as far as Villers-Cotterets, had
closed so much upon the flank of the retiring
enemy, that he had every reasonable expectation of
succeeding in cutting off the line of retreat of the
latter upon the capital.

Grouchy, on discovering that the detachments
he had thrown out to gain the passages of the
Oise, on his left, had been thwarted by the rapi-

404

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

27th of ditv of the Prussian movement, and had been

y j

compelled to fall back, now employed them in

covering his retreat by means of partial combats.
Hence arose the engagements at Compiegne,
Crespy, and Senlis ; but such was the feebleness
of the French resistance, and so frequent were the
desertions of the soldiers, who threw away their
arms, and fled to their homes, that it was evident
the re-organization of the army, and the re-
animation of its former spirit, were far from having
been thoroughly effected. It has been said, that a
cry of alarm spread through its ranks of, " Our
retreat is cut off!" as soon as it was known that
the Prussians were upon its left flank. At all
events it appears tolerably certain that the army
was not in that state which would have warranted
Grouchy in risking any serious stand against the
Prussians. To -succeed in reaching the capital, by
means of forced marches, and to secure his troops,
, as far as practicable, from molestation, was all that
he could hope to accomplish.

On the 27th, the main body of the Anglo-allied
army, crossing the Somme at Willecourt, marched
through Nesle upon Roye.

The 4th division marched through Peronne, to-
wards Roye.

Two battalions of the Dutch- Belgian brigade at
Peronne were ordered to remain in occupation of
that place : the remainder of the brigade, and the
brigade of guards at Peronne, marched through

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 405

Nesle to the village of Crescv, and joined the 1st 2 ^hof

' J June.

corps.

The 5th division, the Brunswick cavalry, and
the reserve-brigade of howitzers, moved upon
Ham.

The 6th division, the Brunswick infantry, and
the reserve artillery, encamped between the villages
of Douilly and Villers.

Notwithstanding the precautions which the Duke
of Wellington had taken to ensure the orderly
conduct of his troops, and to conciliate in their
favour the good disposition of the inhabitants
along the line of march, it being his anxious desire
that they should be considered as being on a
friendly footing, and as acting on behalf of the
legitimate sovereign, there was one portion of his
army which committed the greatest excesses :
these were the Dutch- Belgian troops, who set his
orders on this head completely at defiance. They
pillaged wherever they went, not even excepting
the head-quarters, the house which he himself
occupied : they forced the safeguards, and rescued,
at the point of the bayonet, the prisoners from the
gensd'armerie which the Duke had formed for the
police of the army. Two of the officers had just
rendered themselves conspicuous by participating
in, and actually encouraging, these disorders, which
had arisen to such a height as to arouse his Grace's
just indignation and severe censure. He desired
the general officer then in command of that part

406 HISTORY OF THE WAR; IN

27th of of the army to put in full force his general order
of the 26th of June, to cause a roll-call of com-
panies to be made every hour, and to see that
every officer and soldier was present. He also
directed him to place the two officers before alluded
to in arrest, and to send them to the Hague, to be
disposed of by the King of the Netherlands, to
whom he forwarded a copy of the letter containing
these instructions. This letter, which strongly
evidenced the feelings of annoyance under which
the Duke wrote it, concluded with the following-

* O

cutting reproof: " Je ne veux pas commander de
tels officiers. Je suis assez longtemps soldat pour
savoir que les pillards, et ceux qui les encouragent,
ne valent rien devant 1'ennemi ; et je n'en veux
pas."

The following were the positions of the respec-
tive armies on the evening of the 27th :

The 1st Prussian corps d'armee had its main body at Gilli-
court ; its 2nd brigade at Longpre, about half a league from
Villers-Cotterets ; and its 3rd brigade at Crespy.

The main body of the 3rd Prussian corps d'armee was at Com-
piegne : it had strong detachments in the direction of Soissons.

The main body of the 4th Prussian corps was at Pont St.
Maxence : it had its advanced guard at Senlis, and detachments
at Creil and Verberie.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at Compiegne.

Of the Anglo-allied army, the 2nd division, the Nassau troops,
and the British and Hanoverian cavalry, were in the vicinity of
Roye.

The 3rd division, one brigade of the 1st division, the Dutch-
Belgian infantry attached to the 1st corps, and the Dutch-Belgian

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

cavalry were encamped near the villages of Crescy, Billencourt, 28th of
and Bereuil. June -

The 4th division was at the village of Puzeaux, on the road to ~~
Roye.

The brigade of guards was at Crescy.

The 5th division and the Brunswick cavalry were at Ham.

The 6th division, the Brunswick infantry, and the reserve-
artillery, were between the villages of Douilly and Villers.

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were at Nesle.

The remains of the 1st and 2nd French corps d'armee, detach-
ments from which had this day been defeated at Compiegne,
Crespy, Creil, and Senlis, were in full retreat, partly upon the
Senlis, and partly upon the Soissons, road.

The imperial guards and the 6th corps were at Villers-Cotterets.

The 3rd and 4th corps were at Soissons.

Grouchy's head-quarters were at Villers-Cotterets.

General von Pirch II. having learned, upon his
arrival at one o'clock of the morning of the 28th,
with the advanced guard of the 1st Prussian corps
d'armee, at Longpre, near Villers-Cotterets, that
the latter place was not occupied by the enemy in
any force, determined to capture the place forth-
with by a surprise. The troops detached to the
front on this service (the fusilier-battalion of the
6th regiment and the Brandenburg dragoons) fa-
voured by the darkness, which as yet was scarcely
relieved by the approaching dawn, as also by the
wood through which they advanced, fell upon a
detachment that was moving by a by-road through
the wood, consisting of a French horse-battery of
14 guns, 20 ammunition-waggons, and an escort
of 150 men. The whole vicinity of Villers-Cot-

408 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

28th of terets was, in fact, filled with French troops, thus

Jane.

dispersed, that they might sooner obtain refresh-
ment after the long march, and be prepared
to start again at two o'clock in the morning.
Thus they were all in motion at the time of this
capture. General von Pirch now pushed on to
Villers-Cotterets, where the Prussians made many
prisoners. Grouchy himself narrowly escaped
being taken as he was mounting his horse and
hastening out of the opposite side of the town.
On reaching the windmill height, upon the road to
Nanteuil, he succeeded in collecting together and
forming his troops. Pirch, after detaching cavalry
in pursuit of the enemy, as also towards Longpre
to cover his right, and towards Soissons to protect
his left, took up a defensive position. He deployed
his infantry, with the foot-battery, upon the height
at the garden of the chateau, posted two battalions
at the point of a wood that jutted out on his right,
and was still occupied in making his arrangements,
when a cavalry-detachment, on the Soissons road,
sent in word that a hostile corps was to be seen
approaching from Soissons. Another report was
received immediately afterwards, that the enemy
showed much cavalry on that side, and was already
detaching two regiments of the latter arm towards
the Prussian left flank, as also another cavalry-
force, along with from 20 to 25 pieces of artillery,
against the right flank. In the mean time, the
French Marshal had collected about 9,000 men on

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 4QQ

the height before mentioned, near the road to 28th of

June.

Nanteuil, one third of whom had already consti-

tuted the rear-guard, and the remainder was com-
posed of troops that had halted during the night
in the vicinity, as at Vauciennes, Coyolles, and
Pisseleux. With these troops, Grouchy showed
every disposition to accept an engagement.

General von Pirch II., finding himself thus cri-
tically situated between two separate and over-
powering hostile forces, prepared to effect his
retreat. .This was facilitated in a peculiar manner.
The troops of Vandamme's corps, perceiving the
Prussians thus posted on the high road to Paris,
and imagining their force to be greater than it
really \vas, fell into the greatest disorder, and with
loud cries of " Into the woods on the left, towards
La Ferte Milon we are cut off from Paris !" they
all rushed in that direction, with the exception of
2,000 men and some guns conducted by Van-
damme himself by the way of Pisseleux, leaving
Villers-Cotterets on their right, and masking the
movement by a vigorous attack upon this place.
The 6th Prussian regiment was driven back by the
enemy's superior numbers, and Pirch, after having
kept up a brisk cannonade, gradually withdrew
the regiment from Villers-Cotterets, for the pur-
pose of moving upon Crespy, the direction pre-
viously laid down for him, with a view to the
concentration of the corps. As Grouchy was
moving by the Soissons road towards Nanteuil,

41Q HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

28th o
June.

8th of was desirous of proceeding in a parallel

. direction, through Longpre, but he was subse-
quently induced, on consideration of the defiles in
that direction, and which he did not deem it pru-
dent to pass so near to the enemy, to prefer retiring
along the Compiegne road, as far as where it is
joined by the one leading from Viviers, and where,
for the covering of the left flank and rear, a
squadron of the Brandenburg dragoons had already
been posted. From this point he struck into the
road leading by Buts, and reached, towards mid-
day, Frenois la Riviere, where he gave his troops
a few hours' rest, and then proceeded by Crespy
to Nanteuil, which place he reached about nine
o'clock in the evening, having marched 21 leagues
within the last 38 hours, during 6 of which he
had also been engaged with the enemy. He had
succeeded in creating confusion in one portion of
the retiring French force, and in impeding the
retreat of that which was with Grouchy himself
sufficiently long to enable Zieten to anticipate the
latter in his arrival at Nanteuil.

It has already been explained, when describing
the proceedings of the 27th, how much separated
the brigades of the 1st Prussian corps d'armee
were from one another. The 1st was still on the
march from La Fere (it rejoined on the afternoon
of this day) ; the 2nd, with the Brandenburg dra-
goons, was near Villers-Cotterets ; the 3rd, with a
cavalry-brigade, was at Crespy ; and the 4th, with

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

the other cavalry brigade was at Gillicourt. 28th of

Hence Zieten was desirous, on the morning of the

28th, to concentrate his corps at Crespy, leaving
only a strong cavalry detachment at Villers-
Cotterets. But whilst despatching the order to
Pirch II. to move upon Crespy, he received a
report from this general, that he had fallen upon
the French troops retreating through Villers-
Cotterets, and was upon the point of being driven
back by superior numbers. Zieten, considering
that the Prussian troops at Crespy, the nearest to
Villers-Cotterets, were nearly three leagues distant
from the latter point, decided upon not attempting
to give any direct support to Pirch, but to advance
with the 3rd brigade, together with the reserve-
cavalry and artillery, towards Levignon, on the
great Paris road, between Villers-Cotterets and
Nanteuil, and, if possible, occupy that point before
the French could reach it. He found the latter in
the act of marching through the village, and im-
mediately ordered a howitzer-battery to be drawn
up, which commenced throwing shells into the
place. He also ordered the 1st West Prussian
dragoons, and the 1st Silesian hussars, with a
horse-battery, to attack the enemy. The French,
however, retired in such haste, that they were not
overtaken until about midway between Levignon
and Nanteuil, when they halted their rear-guard,
which made front against the Prussians. They
comprised the 2nd corps d'armee, under Reille,

412 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

28th of who had with him several regiments of cavalry,

June.

and continued their march, supporting, however,

the rear-guard. On coming up with the latter,
two squadrons of the 2nd West Prussian dragoons
charged ; but they were repulsed, and attacked in
flank bv a French regiment of lancers. The

enemy now advanced, with the hope of completely
routing the Prussian cavalry. This attempt failed
in consequence of a most successful attack by the
1st Silesian hussars, by which the French were put
to flight, and two of their guns captured. The
horse-battery drew up, at the same time, on the
left of the high road, and, by its effective fire,
committed great havoc amidst the flying enemy,
who was pursued by the Prussian cavalry even
beyond Nanteuil. During the movement upon
Levignon, General von Hobe came up with a
cavalry-brigade from the 3rd corps d'armee. It
advanced by the right, along the road from Crespy
to Nanteuil, with the design of intercepting a por-
tion of the enemy's retreating columns ; but the
French, in the mean time, fled in such haste, that
only a few prisoners were made.

Notwithstanding the pressure thus made upon
the French line of retreat, Count Reille succeeded
in uniting the remains of his corps d'armee with
those of Count d'Erlon's corps, which had escaped
through Crespy and by the left of Senlis.

The French imperial guards, and the 6th corps
d'armee, which were under the more immediate

FRANCE AXD BELGIUM IN 1815.

413

orders of Grouchy, and had formed the column 28th of
that retired through Villers-Cotterets in the morn- _
ing, reached Levignon after Zieten had passed
through it in pursuit of Reille's tioops to Nan-
teuil ; and becoming acquainted with the danger
of their proceeding further on that road, thev
turned off to their left, to make their retreat
through Assy, Meaux, Claye, and Vincennes.

General Vandamme, who, with the 3rd and 4th
French corps d'armee was most in the rear, and
had withdrawn from the high road at Villers-
Cotterets on perceiving the Prussian brigade in
possession of that place, took the direction of La
Ferte Milon, Meaux, crossing the Marne to
L'Agny, to Paris.

Biilow, who had been directed to move the 4th
corps d'armee from Pont St. Maxence to Marly la
Ville, on the 28th, deemed it advisable to augment
his advanced guard, and therefore added to it the
14th brigade and the reserve-cavalry, and placed
the whole under the command of Prince William
of Prussia. In the afternoon, Prince William fell
upon detachments of d'Erlon's, and also upon
Reille's corps d'armee, which latter was retreating
from Nanteuil. He immediately attacked the
enemy, dispersed a great number of his troops,
and took more than 2,000 prisoners. It was
evening before the advanced guard reached Gon-
esse, where it bivouacked. Detachments were
pushed on to the front as far as le Bourget and

414

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

28th of Stains, which points were occupied by the enemy.

The main body of the corps arrived at Marly la

Ville in the evening, and halted there for the
night.

Thielemann, having been directed to proceed
with the 3rd corps d'armee from Compiegne to
Senlis, should its support not be required by
the 1st corps, marched his infantry and artillery
upon Crespy, and sent the reserve-cavalry by
Verberie ; but on hearing that the 1st corps was
engaged with the enemy, he drew in his cavalry
towards Crespy, from Verberie, as soon as it ar-
rived there. The 1st cavalry-brigade, with six
pieces of horse-artillery, was pushed on from
Crespy, along the road to Nanteuil, where it
joined the reserve-cavalry of the 1st corps d'armee,
but not in time to take any active part in the en-
gagement at that place. The 2nd cavalry-brigade
was detached towards Villers-Cotterets. The
main body of the 3rd corps d'armee bivouacked
for the night at Crespy and its vicinity.

Prince Bliicher deemed it advisable to send, on
this day, a strong detachment of cavalry, con-
sisting of the Queen's dragoons, under Lieut.
Colonel von Kamecke, beyond the left of the 1st
Prussian corps, towards the Marne, for the purpose
of gaining intelligence of the enemy's movements
in that direction. Lieut. Colonel von Kamecke
was instructed to act discretionally ; and to pro-
ceed, subsequently, by Meaux, or Chateau Thierry,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 415

and endeavour to open a communication with the 28th of

June.

advance of the Bavarian army.

Thus it will be seen that, on the 28th, the Prus-
sian army succeeded in cutting off the line of
retreat of the French troops by the Soissons high
road, compelling the greater portion of them to
seek, along cross-roads, the line of the Marne, by
Meaux and L'Agny. It had, since it crossed the
Oise, created great disorder and confusion in the
French ranks, captured 16 pieces of cannon, and
made, altogether, 4,000 prisoners. The Prussians
now occupied both the high roads leading from
Senlis and Soissons, and had their advanced posts
(those of the 4th corps d'armee) within five miles
of Paris. The sound of their cannon was already
heard in the capital, where the greatest conster-
nation prevailed amongst the citizens, whose fears
had been previously excited by the most exag-
gerated reports brought in by fugitives from the
retreating army, The fortified works that had
been thrown up on the north side, appeared suffi-
cient to check the progress of the Allied armies,
and to secure Paris from a coup de main ; but time
was essential for the organization of the defence,
for the recovery of the exhausted remains of the
army of the north, expected to arrive on the
morrow, and for the collection of every available
defensive means. It was only by the assumption
of a sufficiently respectable, if not an imposing,
attitude, that they could hope to succeed in nego-

416

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

28th of tiating for the preservation of the capital and the
establishment of their own prescribed form of
government perhaps, by some extraordinary ef-
fort, to disconcert the plans of their enemies, and
obtain a triumph under the walls of Paris. Actu-
ated by these considerations, the provisional go-
vernment was desirous of inducing the victorious
commanders of the Allied armies to enter into
negotiations. Another commission was appointed,
the members of which were Messrs. Andreossy,
Valence, Boissy d'Anglas, Flangergues, and la
Benardiere. They were directed to proceed to the
head-quarters of the Allied field marshals, again
to solicit a suspension of hostilities, and to nego-
tiate an armistice.

During these proceedings in Paris, a renewed
application had been received by Prince Bliicher,
on the 27th, and by the Duke of Wellington, on
the 28th, from the first named commissioners, for
a suspension of hostilities, as also a request that a
passport and assurances of safety might be ac-
corded to Napoleon and his family, to enable them
to pass to the United States of America, the pro-
visional government having previously succeeded,
through the medium of representations made to
the ex-Emperor by some of his friends, in per-
suading the latter to consent to this step. Prince
Bliicher declined taking any notice of the appli-
cation, conceiving his former verbal reply quite
sufficient. The Duke of Wellington referred the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

417

commissioners to his note of the 26th, on the pro- 28thof
posed suspension of hostilities, and stated that, _
with regard to the passport for Napoleon, he had
no authority from his government, or from the
Allies, to give any answer to such demand.

The Anglo-allied army advanced this day from
Nesle, so as to bring its right in rear of St. Just,
and its left in rear of La Taulle, where the high
road from Compiegne joins the high road from
Roye to Paris.

The 2nd corps, under Lord Hill, as also the
British and Hanoverian cavalry, marched by
Montdidier to Petit Creveco3ur.

The 1st corps, under Sir John Byng, marched
upon Couchy.

The reserve, under Sir James Kempt, marched
upon Rove.

The following were the positions of the respec-
tive armies on the evening of the 28th :

The 4th Prussian corps d'armee, which was the nearest to Paris,
was posted at Marly la Ville ; having detachments pushed forward
close to le Bourget and Stains.

The 1st Prussian corps d'armee stood in rear of Nanteuil ;
having its advanced guard at le Plessis, Belleville, and Dammartin.

The 3rd corps d'armee was at Crespy and in its vicinity.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at Senlis.

The Anglo-allied army had its right behind St. Just and its left
behind La Taulle.

Its reserve was at Roye.

The advanced guard (Vivian's hussar-brigade) was at Antheuil.

The 2nd and 4th divisions, the Nassau troops, and the Hano-
VOL. II. 2 E

4J8 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

29th of verian cavalry, were encamped at Petit Crevecceur, on the road
June - to St. Just.

The British cavalry was encamped near La Taulle and
Ressons.

The 1st and 3rd divisions, and the Dutch-Belgian troops, were
encamped near Couchy.

The 5th and 6th divisions, the Brunswick troops, and reserve-
artillery, were encamped near Roye.

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were at Orville.

The remains of the 1st and 2nd French corps d'armee, after
forming a junction at Gonesse, where the high roads from Nan-
teuil and Senlis unite, reached the suburbs of Paris. The im-
perial guard and the 6th corps, immediately under Grouchy, were
in full retreat from Meaux by Claie and Vincennes. The 3rd and
4th corps, under Vandamme, having crossed the Marne at Meaux,
were retreating by Lagny and Vincennes.

Bliicher having issued orders, during the night
of the 28th, for the continuation of the advance
upon Paris, the advanced guard of the 4th Prus-
sian corps d'armee moved, on the morning of the
29th, from Gonesse to le Bourget, which place it
found abandoned by the enemy, who, however,
was strongly posted at St. Denis, towards which
point, therefore, some battalions were pushed for-
ward, in observation. The enemy having been
driven out of Stains, this post was occupied by
two fusilier-battalions and a regiment of cavalrv.

O r .*

under Lieut. Colonel von Schill, for the purpose
of securing the right flank of the corps. La
Cour neuve, between St. Denis and le Bourget,
was also occupied. The main body of the corps
broke up from Marly la Ville at seven o'clock in

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

the morning, and on reaching le Bourget, bivou- 29th of

.... June.

acted in its vicinity.

The advanced guard of the 1st Prussian corps
d'armee pushed on, at day-break, from Dammartin
to Blanc-Mesnil, whence, immediately on its ar-
rival, it sent detachments beyond the wood of
Bondy, to reconnoitre the enemy's preparations of
defence. The main body of this corps took up a
position, having its right resting on Blanc-Mesnil,
and its left on Aulnay. It sent out infantry detach-
ments towards Livry, and along the Ourcq canal,
towards Bondy and Pantin, and cavalry parties to-
wards Grande- Drancey and Baubigny. Zieten
also occupied Nonneville with the 7th regiment
of infantry ; and the 6th uhlans furnished outposts
at the Ourcq canal, communicating with those of
the 4th corps.

The 3rd Prussian corps d'armee marched from
Crespy as far as Dammartin, in the vicinity of
which it was bivouacked. The reserve-cavalry was
sent forward as far as Tremblay, in direct support
of the 1st corps d'armee.

The 1st and 2nd French corps d'armee had
reached the suburbs of Paris on the Gonesse road,
during the night, and held possession of le Bourget
until the morning of the 29th. The imperial
guard and the 6th corps, as also the reinforcements
that had arrived from the interior, were, during
the forenoon of the 29th, on the high road by
Claie and Pantin, under the command of Grouchy,

420

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

29th of and were directed to occupy several defensive

points on that side. The 3rd and 4th corps

d'armee, under Vandamme, reached Paris at noon
on the 29th, by the Lagny road : they passed
through the capital, and occupied the heights of
Montrouge on the south side.

The Anglo-allied army arrived, on the 29th, at
different points on the road between Gournay and
Pont St. Maxence.

The advanced guard, consisting of Vivian's
light cavalry-brigade, supported by that of Arent-
schild, crossed the Oise at Pont St. Maxence, and
reached Senlis.

The British cavalry moved from La Taulle to
Pont St. Maxence.

The 2nd corps, under Lord Hill, moved from
Petit Crevecoeur to Clermont.

The 1st corps, under Sir John Byng, moved
from its camp, near Couchy, by Estree St. Denis,
along the high road to St. Martin Longeau.

The reserve, under Sir James Kempt, moved
from its camp, near Rove, to Gournay, on the
road to Pont St. Maxence.

The following were the positions of the respec-
tive armies on the evening of the 29th :

The 1st Prussian corps d'armee bad its advanced guard and
reserve -cavalry at Aulnay and Savegny ; with detachments of
the latter at Serran, Livry, Bondy, and Baubigny. The fusilier-
battalion of the 7th regiment stood at Nonneville. The 6th
uhlans and the 1st Silesian hussars, with two horse-batteries,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

421

were posted along the Ourcq canal. The corps itself rested its 29th of
right on Blanc-Mesnil, and its left on Aulnay. June.

The 3rd corps d'armee was at Dammartin and in its vicinity.
Its reserve-cavalry stood at Tremblay, in support of Zieten.

The 4th corps had its advanced guard between le Bourget and
St. Denis, which it invested. Lieut. Colonel vo Schill, with the
1st Silesian land wehr- cavalry and two battalions of infantry, was
posted at Stains. The corps itself was at le Bourget.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at Gonesse.

The advanced guard of the Anglo-allied army was at Senlis.

The British cavalry was at Pont St. Maxence.

The 2nd and 4th divisions, the Nassau troops, and EstorfFs
light cavalry, were at Clerrnout.

The 1st and 3rd divisions, and the Dutch-Belgian troops, were
at St. Martin Longeau.

The 5th and 6th divisions, the Brunswick troops, and the
reserve-artillery, were at Gournay.

The pontoon-train and hawser-bridges were atEstree St. Denis.

The Duke of "Wellington's head-quarters were at Le Plessis
Longeau.

The French troops comprising the army of the North had
entered the capital.

The French force in the capital, after the
arrival of the army that had been defeated in
Belgium, consisted as follows : The troops under
Grouchy, including the depots that had come up
from the district of the Loire, and from other
parts of the interior, amounted to 60 or 70,000
men. They were reinforced, also, by a very con-
siderable amount of field-artillery. One portion of
these troops was posted at Montmartre, at St. Denis,
and in rear of the Ourcq caual : the remainder,
under Vandamme, occupied the heights of Mont-

422 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

29tb of rouge, on the opposite side, with the exception of

June.

the cavalry, which lay in the wood of Boulogne.

The national guards amounted to about 30,000
men ; their disposition, however, was very doubtful,
and, in general, they were considered as but little
disposed to offer any resistance to the Allied
armies. There was another description of force,
called the federal tirailleurs, raised in the suburbs,
and consisting chiefly of veterans : they amounted
to 17,000 men, Hence, setting aside the national
guard, there remained, for the defence of Paris, a
disposable force of about 80, or 90,000 men, be-
sides a numerous artillery. Marshal Davoust,
Prince of Eckmiihl, was appointed to the chief
command of the French army, and his head-
quarters were fixed at la Villette.

The measures which had been adopted for taking
advantage of the local capabilities of defence which
the capital afforded, consisted in the intrenchments
that had been raised around the heights of Mont-
martre, Montfau^on, and Belleville. An advanced
line of defence was presented by the Ourcq canal,
which, proceeding through the wood of Bondy and
contiguously to the high road from Meaux, has an
arm that branches off from Pantin towards St.
Denis. This canal, which was 30 feet wide but
not entirely completed, had been filled with water.
Along its inner bank ran a high dam, forming
an excellent parapet, in which embrasures were
cut to admit heavy ordnance ; and St. Denis,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

423

which formed the point dappui of this line of de- 29th of

fence on the Seine, was strongly fortified. The

ground on the north side of this town, too, had
been inundated by means of the little rivers Rou-
illon and la Vieille Mer. The village of Auber-
villiers, which formed an advanced post at musket-
shot distance from the line, was occupied : and in
rear of it the canal was covered by a sort of tete
de pont, which secured the communication between
both banks. The barriers to the several approaches
to Paris were covered by works with strong bat-
teries. Vincennes had been strengthened, and
covered by the works which defended la Pissotte.
A strong tete de pont was also constructed upon
the left bank of the Marne, to cover the bridge of
Charenton. All ferries and boats upon the Seine
and the Marne were transported to the left bank.
The bridge of Neuilly had been partially destroyed,
and the wooden bridge at Bessons, over the Seine,
had been burned. Several villages, parks, and
gardens, on the right bank of the Seine and the
Marne, were rendered defensible by the walls being
crenelated, the approaches barricaded, and the gates
blocked up. Upon the left bank of the Seine, on
the south side of the capital, preparations for de-
fence were comparatively neglected ; they were
limited to the heights of Montrouge.

For the defence of the principal works, 300 guns
of large calibre were supplied, and for the manning
of these, 20 companies of marine artillery which

424 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

29th of had been brought into the capital. The line be-

tween St. Denis and Vincennes was defended by

the 1st, 2nd, and 6th corps d'armee. The imperial
guard formed the reserve, and was posted at Menil
montant. The cavalry was stationed in the Bois
de Boulogne. The 3rd and 4th corps d'armee,
under Vandamme, defended the south side of Paris,
and occupied Montrouge.

In the midst of all these preparations, the Pro-
visional Government, the majority of which, under
the influence of Fouche, was most desirous of
effecting a cessation of hostilities, though acting
ostensibly upon the grounds of a necessity of gain-
ing time for the completion of the measures of
defence, and of securing the capital from an assault,
could not be otherwise than convinced, from the
tenor of the replies made by the Allied command-
ers to all its propositions, that the presence of
Napoleon in Paris was the chief obstacle to any
satisfactory arrangement. General Becker had
been appointed to attend the latter at Malmai-
son, to watch over his safety, to insure him that
respect to which he was so eminently entitled, and
to prevent the ill-disposed from making use of
his name for purposes of excitement and tumult.
Symptoms of a rising among the Buonapartists in
Paris had been manifested on the 28th, a circum-
stance naturally consequent upon the re-union in
the capital, of so many regiments of the line, as
also of the imperial guard, whose excitement, de-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 425

votion, and enthusiasm, had Napoleon placed him- 29t jj e of

self once more at their head, might have been

such as to have brought them into hostile and fierce
collision with the other great parties of the state,
and thus have led to scenes of the wildest anarchy
and confusion within the walls, whilst the enemy
was thundering at the gates from without. Hence
every effort was employed to induce the ex-Empe-
ror to quit the capital. The fact of the arrival of
the Prussians in front of St. Denis, and the possi-
bility of an attempt being made to carry him off
from Malmaison, were explained to him with much
earnestness. He immediately referred to the map,
and on perceiving the practicability of this coup
de main, he adopted precautionary measures of
defence. He also offered to the government his
services in the capacity of General only, remarking,
that he was prepared to march against the enemy,
and frustrate his bold and hazardous attempt upon
the capital. This proposal was sternly rejected.
Fouche declared that to accede to it would be to
remove every chance of arrangement with the
Allied powers, to create fresh troubles and dis-
orders throughout the country, and, though a tem-
porary success might be gained, to bring down
eventually the concentrated force of the immense
European armament upon the devoted capital.
The commissioners appointed by the government
to communicate its wishes to Napoleon, no longer
hesitated in arranging his departure. The minister

426 HisroRY OF THE WAR IN

29th of of the marine, and Count Boulay, repaired to his

residence, and explained to him that the Duke of

Wellington and Prince Blucher had refused to give
him any safeguard or passport, and that he had
now only to take his immediate departure. Napo-
leon at length yielded to what he considered to he
his destiny, and the preparations for travelling
having been completed, he entered his carriage
about five o'clock in the afternoon of the 29th,
accompanied by Generals Bertrand, Gourgaud, and
other devoted friends, and took the road to Roche-
fort, whither two frigates had been ordered for the
embarkation of himself and suite for America.

Napoleon narrowly escaped falling into the hands
of the Prussians, whilst at Malmaison. Blucher,
hearing that he was living there in retirement, had
despatched Major von Colomb, on the 28th, with
the 8th hussars and two battalions of infantry to
secure the bridge of Chatou, lower down the Seine,
leading directly to the house. Fortunately, how-
ever, for Napoleon, the Prince of Eckmiihl, when
he ascertained that the Prussians were nearing the

capital, had desired General Becker to cause this
bridge to be destroyed. Hence Major von Colomb
was much disappointed at finding there was no
passage at this point, which in fact was not more
than 800 yards distant from the palace, in which
Napoleon was yet remaining at the time of the
arrival of the Prussians.

On the 29th, the new commissioners appointed

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 427

by the French government waited upon the Duke 29th f
of Wellington at Etrees, for the purpose of nego- _
tiating a suspension of hostilities. In the course
of the discussion which took place on this occasion,
the Duke declared that he had nothing to add to
the communication he had made to the former
commissioners, that he could not but consider the
abdication as a deception, and would not feel him-
self justified in suspending his operations on such
a pretext, which was by no means calculated to
fulfil the object the Allies had in view. He
explained that, besides Napoleon, there were his
adherents, who were the declared enemies of the
Allies, and stated that before he could agree to any
suspension he " must see some steps taken to re-
establish a government in France which should
afford the Allies some chance of peace." Upon
this point his Grace was pressed to give some
explanation as to what would satisfy the Allies.
He replied that he had no authority from his own
government, much less from the Allies, to enter
upon the subject, and that all he could do was to
give them his private opinion, which he should
certainly urge upon the Allies with all the influence
he might be supposed to possess, unless otherwise
instructed by his own government.

This opinion was a remarkable illustration of the
sound judgment, straight-forward policy, and un-
erring foresight, which are so pre-eminently charac-
teristic of the career of this great man. Subsequent
events proved its correctness to the letter. It was

428 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

29th of in strict accordance with the design traced out and

June.

enforced by the united diplomacy of Europe. It is

best expressed in the Duke's own words :

' I then told them that I conceived thehest security for Europe
was the restoration of the King, and that the establishment of
any other governmeut than the King's in France must inevita-
bly lead to new and endless wars; that Buonaparte and the army
having overturned the King's government, the natural and simple
measure, after Buonaparte was prisoner or out of the way, and
the army defeated, was to recall the King to his authority, and
that it was a much more dignified proceeding to recall him with-
out conditions, and to trust to the energy of their constitution for
any reforms they wished to make either in the government or the
constitution, than now to make conditions with their Sovereign ;
and that, above all, it was important that they should recall the
King without loss of time, as it would not then appear that the
measure had been forced upon them by the Allies.

' The Commissioners professed, individually and collectively,
their earnest desire to see the King restored in the manner I had
mentioned, which they said was likewise the desire of the Pro-
visional Government. was, however, of opinion that

the two chambers could not be brought to recall the King without
conditions ; and he mentioned, as those upon which they would
probably insist, and upon which it was desirable the King should
give way, the responsibility of the administration and the altera-
tion of the constitution, so far as that the initiative in making
the laws should be vested in the assemblies, and not in the King.

' I told them, regarding the first point, that I had every reason
to believe that the King had determined to form a ministry which
should be individually and collectively responsible for all the acts
of the government; and that I did not doubt that His Majesty
would not oppose himself to the wishes of the French people, if
it was desired that the initiative in framing the laws should be
vested in the assemblies : that, however, I had no authority to speak
on this subject, and recommended to them not to look after little
points of difference, and if they really wished to restore the govern-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 429

ment of their King, to do it at once and without any con- 29th of
ditions. June '

' In the course of this conversation they stated that the assem-
blies had proclaimed Napoleon II. as emperor, only to conciliate
the officers and soldiers of the army, who had come into Paris in
such numbers after the battle, that they had been apprehensive
of a civil war in Paris if this measure had not been adopted.

'While we were discussing the conditions to be proposed to
the King, and the evils and inconveniences which the mode of
making the laws, and the want of responsibility and power in the
ministers had occasioned, I received from Sir Charles Stuart,
the King's declaration of the 28th, countersigned by M. de Tal-
leyrand, which I immediately communicated to the French Com-
missioners, and pointed out to them the King's promise, to make
the alteration in his administration, which they had proposed to
be made in the constitution.

' They objected to certain paragraphs in the declaration refer-
able to the exclusion of certain persons from the King's presence,
to the intention announced to punish some of those concerned in
the plot which had brought back Buonaparte, and to that of call-
ing together the old houses of the legislature, upon which, at
their desire, I wrote to M. de Talleyrand, a letter, of which Sir
Charles Stuart will probably have sent to England a copy, which
I communicated to the Commissioners before I sent it.

' I then told them that I could not talk more upon the suspen-
sion of our operations, which they urged in the most earnest
manner, in order to give them time to take their measures to
recall the King, until I should see Marshal Bliicher, to whose
head-quarters I promised to go that evening.

' Before I set off, the Commissioners asked me whether the
appointment of a regency to conduct the affairs of the govern-
ment in the name of Napoleon II. was likely to satisfy the Allies,
and would be such an arrangement as would induce me to stop
my operations. I answered, certainly not ; that I conceived the
Allies, after their declaration, would never treat with Napoleon
or any of his family; that the appointment of Napoleon II. was
to be attributed to Napoleon I., and the acknowledgment of him

430 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

29th of to t ]j e d es i re t o conciliate the array, and that I should not stop

June.

my operations in consequence of such an arrangement.

' They then asked me what would be the case if any other
prince of a royal house were called to the throne of France ? To
which I said it was impossible for me to answer such loose
questions; that, as an individual, I had made them acquainted
with my opinion of what it was best for them to do, and it rested
with them either to follow this opinion or not.

' One of the Commissioners, before I went away, took occasion
to tell me that he wished I had given a more positive answer to
this last question, and I determined to take another opportunity
of doing so before the Commissioners should report this conver-
sation to Paris.

' I left them at Etrees, and went to the head-quarters at Le
Plessis, to give the orders for the movement of the troops in the
morning, and I overtook them again in the night at Louvres. I
then told them I had considered their last question since I had
seen them, and that I felt no objection to give them my opinion
on it as an individual ; that, in my opinion, Europe had no hope
of peace if any person excepting the King were called to the
throne of France ; that any person so called must be considered
an usurper, whatever his rank and quality; that he must act as
an usurper, and must endeavour to turn the attention of the
country from the defects of his title towards war and foreign con-
quests ; that the powers of Europe must, in such a case, guard
themselves against this evil ; and that I could only assure them
that, unless otherwise ordered by my government, I would exert
any influence I might possess over the Allied Sovereigns to
induce them to insist upon securities for the preservation of
peace, besides the treaty itself, if such an arrangement as they
had stated were adopted.

' The Commissioners replied that they perfectly understood
me, and some of them added "Et vous avez raison." '*

* Despatches of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, compiled by
Colonel Gurwood, C.B. vol. xii. p. 534.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 431

CHAPTER XX.

Bliicher directs Billow to make an attack upon Aubervilliers in the night of
the 29th He is joined by Wellington in person, when the two commanders
agree not to suspend their operations so long as Napoleon remains in Paris
The Prussians carry the village of Aubervilliers, and drive the French
back upon the canal of St. Denis The Allied commanders decide upon
masking the fortified lines of St. Denis and Montmartre with one army,
whilst the other should move to the right, and cross to the opposite bank of
the Seine Projected plan of operations On the 30th, Zieten's and Thiele-
mann's corps, move off to the right, while Blilow's continues in its position
Disposition of the respective armies on the evening of the 30th Policy
of Fouche Letter from Davoust (Prince of Eckmiihl) to Wellington and
Bliicher, demanding a suspension of hostilities Wellington's reply
Bliicher's reply Address to the Chamber of Deputies from Davoust and
other generals of the army Proclamation issued by the Chambers On the
morning of the 1st of July, Billow's corps moves off to the right, towards
Argenteuil The Anglo-allied army reaches le Bourget, and takes up the
position vacated by the Prussians The French attack Aubervilliers, and
gain possession of half the village The British light troops of Colville's
division re-take the greater part of Aubervilliers Lieut. Colonel von Sobr's
Prussian light cavalry-brigade reaches Versailles He is attacked by the
French cavalry, under Excelmans Affairs at Rocquencourt, Versailles, and
Lechesnay Remarks upon the detaching of Sohr's brigade Positions of
the respective armies on the evening of the 1st of July On the 2nd of
July, the Prussian army moves towards the heights of Meudon and Chatillon,
on the south side of Paris Affairs at Sevres, Moulineaux, and Issy The
Anglo-allied army continues in position in front of St. Denis Wellington
establishes a bridge at Argenteuil, and keeps open the communication with
the Prussian army Critical situation of the French army The Provisional
Government directs the Commissioners to wait again upon the Duke of
Wellington His Grace's reply to their request Positions of the respective
armies during the night of the 2nd of July Affair at Issy on the morning
of the 3rd of July Cessation of hostilities Convention of Paris
Conclusion.

PRINCE Bliicher had satisfied himself, by means of 2 ? tb of

* June.

the reconnaissances made during the 29th, that _

432 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

29th of ver y considerable pains had been taken by the
- enemy to oppose a serious obstruction to the fur-
ther advance of troops marching against the north
side of Paris. He was now desirous of ascer-
taining whether the disposition and spirit of the
enemy's troops were at all commensurate with the
extent of the works which he saw before him ;
and, with this view, he directed Biilow to make an
attack, in the night of the 29th, with part of his
corps d'armee, upon Aubervilliers. He also de-
sired Zieten to support this attack, by raising as
much alarm as possible in the villages of Bondy
and Pantin.

Before the attack commenced, Bliicher was
joined by Wellington, in person, who communi-
cated to him the proposals which had been made
by the French commissioners. Being already en-
gaged in an important operation, he could not
consent to suspend hostilities ; and the two com-
manders agreed in opinion that, as long as Napo-
leon remained in Paris they could not arrest their
operations without insisting upon his being deli-
vered up to them. Accordingly the Duke wrote
a letter immediately to the commissioners to this
effect.

Biilow confided the attack upon Aubervilliers to
General von Sydow, with the 13th brigade (9 bat-
talions), together with one battalion of the 14th
brigade, and two regiments of cavalry. The re-
mainder of the 4th corps d'armee was held under

FRANCE AND BELGIUM I\ 1815.

433

arms, in readiness to follow up any acquired ad- 30thof

June.

vantage. Four battalions advanced in column,

under Colonel von Lettovv, supported by the re-
maining five battalions. The arrangements, being
made during the night, occupied some little time,
so that twilight had set in when the attack com-
menced. Colonel von Lettow penetrated the ex-
tensive village on three sides, forced the barriers,
and carried every thing before him with the
bayonet. The place had been occupied by 1,000
of the enemy's best troops, of whom 200 were
made prisoners, and the remainder pursued as far
as the canal of St. Denis.

General von Sydow, accompanied by Major von
Liitzow, of the staff, immediately made a recon-
naissance of the canal, and soon discovered that
its opposite bank was lined with infantry in great
force, and that the different points of passage were
defended by batteries. Nevertheless he made the
attempt to advance ; but the troops were received
with a vigorous fire of both artillery and mus-
ketry ; and it soon became evident, that the
enemy's fortified position could not be taken except
at a great sacrifice of both time and men. Von
Sydow, therefore, limited his operations to the
occupation of the captured village.

A simultaneous advance towards the canal was
made, on the left of Aubervilliers, by the 3rd bat-
talion of the 1st Pomeranian landwehr, and the
10th regiment of hussars, which maintained the

VOL. II. 2 F

434 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

soth of communication with the 1st corps. A sharp

June.

tiraillade took place, which terminated in the with-
drawal of these troops to their former position.

By means of this reconnaissance it was made
sufficiently manifest that the line of the canal of
St. Denis could not be carried without a serious
assault, preluded by a heavy cannonade. It then
became a question with the Allied commanders,
who had thus, most fortunately, the opportunity of
concerting measures in person, whether it would
not be advisable to endeavour to turn the enemy's
strongly fortified lines of St. Denis and Mont-
martre, by masking those lines with one army,
whilst the other should move off to the right, and
cross to the left bank of the Seine, lower down the
stream. Although this movement would have the
effect of extending and dividing the Allied forces,
and consequently of augmenting the chances of
success on the part of the enemy, should the latter
possess the disposition and the means, not only of
acting determinedly on the defensive, but also of
assuming the offensive, accordingly as his circum-
stances might favour the attempt, still any defeat
of this kind was fully counterbalanced by the ad-
vantages which the plan presented. It cut off the
entire communication with Normandy, from which
Paris derived its chief supplies ; whilst the ap-
proach of the Bavarian army towards the opposite
side was gradually limiting the resources of the
capital in that quarter. It enabled the com-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 435

manders to present their forces simultaneously at sotb of
different points, and thus, by continuing that dis- _
play of vigour which had characterized their
advance, they were far more likely to impose upon
the morale of both the defeated army and the
citizens, than by limiting their combined opera-
tions to the attack of the stronghold presented by
the lines of St. Denis ; for to do this, would, in all
probability, require time, and it was evident from
the repeated proposals made by the French go-
vernment for a suspension of hostilities, that time
was their great object, whether for the purpose of
facilitating the collection and organization of their
resources, or in the hope of obtaining more fa-
vourable terms from the Allies. It had also been
tolerably well ascertained that, although fortified
works had been thrown up on the right bank of
the Seine, the defence of the left bank had been
comparatively neglected. A further inducement
towards the adoption of this plan arose from a
report which was now received from Major von
Colomb, stating that although he had found the
bridge of Chatou, leading to Malmaison, de-
stroyed, he had hastened to that of St. Germain,
on hearing that it had not been injured, and suc-
ceeded in gaining possession of it, at the very
moment the French were on the point of effecting
its destruction. The bridge of Maisons, still
lower down the stream, was also taken and oc-
cupied.

436 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

. aoth of No time was lost by the Prussian commander in

L_ taking advantage of the captured bridges across

the Seine. Lieut. Colonel von Sohr received an
order that night to move, with his cavalry-brigade
(the Brandenburg and Pomeranian hussars), from
the vicinity of Louvres, and to regulate his march
so that he might cross the Seine at St. Germain
on the following morning. Thence he was to pro-
ceed so as to appear, with his brigade, on the 1st of
July, upon the Orleans road from Paris, where he
was to interrupt this communication, and increase
the confusion already produced in that quarter by
the fugitives from the capital. Altogether, he was to
act independently and discretionally, and, as far
as practicable, to impede the supplies of provisions
from the western and southern provinces.

It was arranged that the Prussian army should
move to its right, for the purpose of crossing the
Seine, and, in order to mask the operation as
much as possible, the advanced posts of the 1st
and 4th corps d'armee were to remain in their
present position until the arrival of the Anglo-
allied army, which was expected to take place on
the evening of the 30th. The 3rd corps was di-
rected to resume, at five o'clock in the morning
of the 30th, its march upon Gonesse : and thence
to proceed to St. Germain, but in such a manner
as to conceal its movements by means of the valley
of Montmorency, and not to reach the more open
ground about Argenteuil until darkness should

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 437

have completely set in. From the latter point it 30th of

would then complete its march to St. Germain.

The 1st corps was ordered to break up from its
bivouac at ten o'clock in the evening, and march
southward of Gonesse, by Montmorency, Fran-
conville, Cormeille, and Maisons, at which latter
point it was to cross the Seine, and immediately
open a communication with the 3rd corps. The
4th corps d'armee was directed to move, at day-
break of the 1st of July, by the right of St. Denis,
and to bombard this place during its march to Ar-
genteuil, in which direction it was to effect a junc-
tion with the 1st and 3rd corps. The advanced
posts of the 1st and 4th corps were to remain until
relieved by the British troops, and then, in like
manner, to follow the rest of the army.

These movements were punctually directed in
the manner prescribed. As the 1st and 3rd corps
d'armee moved off to the right, Count Biilow con-
sidered it necessary to strengthen the outposts of
the 4th corps, so as to be prepared to meet the
enemy should the latter debouch from St. Denis.
He therefore ordered Colonel von Hiller to take
post in observation of this point, with six bat-
talions, a regiment of cavalry, half of a 6-pounder
battery, and two pieces of horse-artillery.

About three o'clock in the afternoon, the Prus-
sian outposts reported that French columns were
advancing from St. Denis, and that the vedettes
were already driven in. Colonel von Hiller im-

438 HISTORY OP THE WAR IN

30th of mediately pushed forward the sharpshooters of two
battalions, as also two squadrons of cavalry, with
two pieces of horse-artillery. At the same time,
the troops at Stains got under arms, and were pre-
pared to support. A very brisk tiraillade ensued,
although there was no cover for the skirmishers
on the plain, except the trees along the great road,
and the high corn, which served to conceal their
approach. The enemy had also sent detachments
towards Epinay and Pierrefitte, but at these points,
as also in advance of Stains, the French were
compelled to give way and to retire, without
having succeeded in their object of forcing back
the Prussian outposts.

The main body of the 4th corps d'armee re-
mained, during the 30th, in its position at le
Bourget ; its advanced guard, under General von
Sydow, was detached to the right, towards Ar-
genteuil, to communicate with the 3rd corps
d'armee. As the former was to move off on the
following morning, it became necessary to hold
the outposts strictly on the defensive. Auber-
villiers was the most open to attack. Two com-
panies were posted at the outlets, towards the
French side : and in rear of these, two other
companies were formed in support. Still further
to the rear was the main position, on which these
troops, if overpowered, were to fall back. It lay
along the villages of Chantourterelle, Courneuve,
and Merville, connected together by a watercourse

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 430,

lined with bushes, and consisting of separate 30th of
country-houses and chateaux, mo'stly within walls,
which had been loopholed for tirailleurs. Six bat-
talions, chiefly extended in skirmishing order, were
considered sufficient to occupy the whole of this
line, as far as the high road from le Bourget.
Partial skirmishing, at a distance, was kept up ;
though, on the side of the Prussians, it was more
for the purpose of diverting the attention of the
enemy, and concealing from him the general
movement to the right. Bivouac-fires were main-
tained during the night on the ground vacated by
the different corps, in order to deceive the enemy
by their apparent indication of the continued pre-
sence of the Prussian army in front of the lines of
St. Denis.

On this day, the advanced guard of the Anglo-
allied army (Vivian's hussar-brigade) reached
Vauderlan. The British cavalry moved to
Louvres.

Estorff's cavalry, attached to the 2nd corps,
crossed the Oise at Creil, and proceeded by Chan-
tilly to Luzarches. The infantry of this corps
marched from Clermont to Chantilly.

The 1st corps moved from its camp near St.
Martin Longeau, crossed the Oise at Pont St.
Maxence, and advanced until the head of the
column reached La Capelle, and its rear rested
upon Senlis.

The reserve moved from its camp, near Gour-

440 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

aoth of nay, by Pont St. Maxence, the head of the column
reaching Fleurines, on the road to Senlis, and the
rear resting upon Pont St. Maxence.

The following were the positions of the respective
armies on the evening of the 30th :

The 1st Prussian corps d'armee commenced its march, at half-
past ten o'clock in the evening, from Blancmesnil and Aulnay
towards St. Germain, passing, during the night, through Gonesse,
Montmorency, and le Mesnil, to Carriere au Mont, near St. Ger-
main leaving its outposts in the position they had hitherto
occupied.

The 3rd corps d'armee marched, during the night, from Dam-
martin to St. Germain, by Gonesse and Argenteuil, at which
latter place, however, its reserve -cavalry was halted.

The 4th corps d'armee remained in its position at le Boarget,
to cover the march of the rest of the army. Its outposts con-
tinued at Stains, St. Denis, and Aubervilliers. Lieut. Colonel
von Sohr, with the Brandenburg and Pomeranian hussars,
crossed the Seine at St. Germain, and was advancing towards
Versailles.

Major von Colomb, with the 8th hussars, occupied the bridge
of St. Germain.

The head-quarters of Prince Bliicher continued at Gonesse.

The advanced guard of the Anglo-aUied army was at Vauderlan.

The British cavalry was encamped on the plain about Louvres.

The Hanoverian .cavalry was at Luzarches.

Tlie 2nd and 4th divisions, and the Nassau troops, were upon
the high road between La Capelle and Senlis.

The 5th and 6th divisions, the Brunswick troops, and the
reserve-artillery, were upon the high road between Fleurines and
Pont St. Maxence.

The pontoon-train and hawser-bridges were at Senlis.

The Duke of Wellington's head-quarters were at Louvres.

The French army remained within the lines of Paris.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 44 J

Since the departure of Napoleon both the army sotii of

- June.

and the citizens looked upon the parliament as the

sole directing power ; and, in full reliance upon its
integrity, appeared willingly submissive to its dic-
tates. Fouche, who had been in secret communi-
cation with the Allies, decided upon exercising, in
accordance with their views, the great influence he
had succeeded in acquiring over a very considera-
ble portion of the deputies. It was mainly by
means of this influence that he contrived to remove
the principal obstacle in the way of all negotiation
the presence of Napoleon. His next step was
to prepare the chamber for the return to power of
the legitimate monarch, a measure which he could
only hope to accomplish by holding it forth as the
sole alternative to the destruction of Paris by the
vast and overwhelming force of the Allied armies
marching towards the capital from the north and
east frontiers, and by combining with it the adop-
tion of such modifications of the charter as should
satisfy the desires of the constitutionalists and the
moderately disposed of all parties. Aware that
the army w r a,s animated with a spirit of determined
resistance towards the Allies, he plainly saw that
unless conciliated, the turbulent Buonapartists,
with whom its ranks were filled, might speedily
frustrate the accomplishment of his plans by which
the peace of the capital was to be preserved, and
ultimately prevent the attainment of that extended
constitutional power for which the deputies were

442 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

soth of contending. He, therefore, with his usual adroit-

June.

_ ness, addressed himself to its chief, Marshal Da-
voust, Prince of Eckmiihl ; and by his skilful
exposition of the political posture of affairs, he
succeeded in gaining over the Marshal to his views.
The latter wrote to him on the evening of the
29th that he had overcome his prejudices, and had
arrived at the conclusion that the only safe course
to he pursued, consisted in entering into an armis-
tice, and proclaiming Louis XVIII. On the 30th,
the Prince, as the head of the French army, ad-
dressed the following letter to both Wellington and
Bliicher :

' Head-Quarters, La Villette, June 30, 1815.

' MY LORD,

' Your hostile movements continue, although, according to
the declarations of the Allied Sovereigns, the motives of the war
which they make upon us no longer exist, since the Emperor
Napoleon has abdicated.

' At the moment when blood is again on the point of flowing,
I receive from Marshal the Duke of Albufera a telegraphic des-
patch, of which I transmit you a copy. My Lord, I guarantee
this armistice on my honour. All the reasons you might have
had to continue hostilities are destroyed, because you can have
no other instruction from your government, than that which the
Austrian generals had from theirs.

' I make the formal demand to your Excellency of ceasing all
hostilities, and of our proceeding to agree to an armistice, accord-
ing to the decision of congress. I cannot believe, my Lord, that
my request will be ineffectual ; you will take upon yourself a great
responsibility in the eyes of your fellow-countrymen.

' No other motive but that of putting an end to the effusion

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

443

of blood, and the interests of my country, has dictated this j s t O f
letter. Julv -

'If I present myself on the field of battle, with the idea of
your talents, I shall carry the conviction of there combating for
the most sacred of causes - that of the defence and independence
of my country ; and, whatever may be the result, I shall merit
your esteem.

' Accept, &c.

' THE MAUSHAL PRINCE OF ECKMUHL,

' Minister at War.'

To this the Duke of Wellington replied in the
following terms :

' Head-Quarters, July 1, 181510 A.M.

' MONSIEUR LE MAR&CHAL,

' I have just received your Excellency's letter of the 30th
June, in which your Excellency communicates to me the intelli-
gence you have received of an armistice having been concluded
by General Frimont with Marshal the Duke of Albufera.

' I have already made known, in writing, to the French com-
misioners sent to the Allied powers, and verbally, to the commis-
sioners sent to me, the reasons which have prevented me from
suspending my operations; which reasons, I have cause to believe
are fully adopted by the Allies of my Sovereign, and of those
whose armies I have the honour of commanding.

' I have every wish to prevent the further effusion of the blood
of the brave troops under my command ; but it must be upon
the conditions which shall secure the re- establishment and the
stability of the general peace.

' I have the honour to be, &c.
'WELLINGTON.'

Prince Bliicher, who entertained a great con-

444 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

1st of tempt for diplomacy,* attributing as he did the
_ cause of the renewal of the war to the ill-con-
cocted schemes to which that war had given birth,
had hitherto refrained from either receiving in

person, or noticing in writing, any communica-
tions addressed to him by the French authorities.
He applied himself solely to the military solution
of the great problem, on which depended the peace
of Europe. Upon this occasion, however, tempted
probably by the opportunity which was offered to
him of sharply retorting upon the Marshal, under

* On this point he always expressed himself openly and without reserve.
A memorable instance occurred subsequently to the convention of Paris, at
a large dinner party given by the Duke of Wellington, when, rising from
his seat between the latter and the British minister, Viscount Castlereagh, he
gave the following toast : " May the diplomatists not again spoil with their
pens, that which the armies have at so much cost won with their swords !"
Not long after this, when the terms of the peace were under discussion, Blii-
cher, conceiving that these would again be made too favourable to France,
evinced the greatest mistrust, amounting almost to hatred, of the diploma-
tists. 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 diplomatists of the day. It is well known that
immediately after the convention of Paris, he was extremely desirous of
destroying 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, for-
merly his aide-de-camp, and then Prussian ambassador in Paris, made a
written application to him, in behalf, and in the name, of Prince Talley-
rand ; beseeching the preservation of the bridge. Bliicher 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 31. Talleyrand would previously station himself upon it ; and I beg you
will make my wish known to him."

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

445

whose government of Hamburg the greatest ex- l8tof
cesses had been committed upon his countrymen, _
he was induced to pen the following reply, couched
in his rough native German, as if to evince both
his disdain of the usual diplomatic mode of com-
munication, and his dislike of even the very lan-
guage of the country he so thoroughly detested:

' To the French General Davoust.*

' Head- Quarters, July 1, 1815.
' MARSHAL,

' It is not conformable to truth that, because Napoleon
has abdicated the throne, there exists no further motive for war
between the Allied powers and France. His abdication is con-
ditional ; that is, in favour of his son : but a decree of the
Allied powers excludes not only Xapoleon, but every member of
his family, from the throne.

' If General Frimont has considered himself authorised to con-
clude an armistice with your general opposed to him, that is no
motive for us to do the same. We shall pursue our victory.
God has given us strength and resolution to do so. Beware,
Marshal, of what you do ; and forbear devoting another city to

* An den Franzotischen General Daroutt.

Mein Herr Marschall !

Es ist irrig dass zwischen den verbiindeten Machten und Frank-
reich alle Ursachen zum Kriege aufgehbrt haben, weil Napoleon dem
Throne entsagt babe ; dieser hat nur bedingungsweise entsagt, namlich
zu Gunsten seines Sohnes, und der Bescbluss der vereinigten Alachte
schliesst nicht allein Napoleon, sondern alle Mitglieder seiner Familie vom
Throne aus.

Wenn der General Frimont sich berechtigt geglaubt hat, einen Waffen-
stillstand mit dem ihm gegeniiberstehenden feindlichen General zu schlies-
sen, so ist dies kein Motiv fur uns, ein Gleiches zu thun. Wir verfolgen
unsern Sieg, und Gott hat uns Mittel und Willen dazu verlieheji.

Sehen Sie zu, Herr Marschall, was Sie thun, und stiirzen Sie nicht aber-

446

HISTORY OF THE WAR

1st of destruction ; for you know what liberties the exasperated soldiers
*' would take, should your capital be carried by storm. Do you
solicit the maledictions of Paris, in addition to those of Ham-
burg ?

' We shall enter Paris to protect the respectable inhabitants
against the mob, by whom they are threatened with pillage. An
armistice can be made with security nowhere but in Paris.
This, our relative position towards your nation, be pleased,
Marshal, not to mistake !

1 Let me finally observe to you, Marshal, if you mean to nego-
tiate with us, it is matter of surprise that, in defiance of the law
of nations, you detain our officers despatched with letters and
orders.

' In the usual form of conventional civility, I have the honour
to be,

' Marshal,

' Your obedient servant,

' BLUCHER.'

Whilst thus endeavouring to draw the Allied
generals into negotiation, Fouche and Davoust felt

mals eine Stadt ins Yerderben ; denn Sie wissen, was der erbitterte Soldat
sich erlauben wiirde, wenn Ihre Hauptstadt mit Sturm genommen wtirde.

Wollen Sie die Verwiinscbungen von Paris eben so wie die von Ham-
burg auf sicb laden ?

Wir wollen in Paris einrucken, um die rechtlielien Leute in Schutz zu
nehmen gegen die Pliinderung, die ihnen von Seiten des Pb'bels drobt.
Nur in Paris kann ein zuverlassiger Waffenstillstand Statt haben. Sie
wollen, Herr Marschall, dieses unser Yerbaltniss zu Ihrer Nation nicht
verkennen.

Ich macbe Ihnen, Herr Marschall, iibrigens bemerklich, dass, wenn Sie
mit uns unterhandeln wollen, es sonderbar ist, dass Sie unsere mit Briefen
und Auftragen gesendeten Offiziere gegen das Yolkerrecht zuriickhalten.

In den gewohnlichen Formen conventioneller Hoflichkeit habe ich die
Ehre mich zu nennen,

Herr Marschall,

Ihren
dienstvdlligen,

Bliicher.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

447

the necessity of carrying out their plans with the 30th of

greatest caution, and in such a manner as to pre-

vent any unfavourable construction being put upon
their motives by the army. On the evening of
the 30th of June there was an assemblage of
general officers at the head-quarters in Villette, at
which it was proposed to send up an address to
the chamber of representatives, expressive of the
determined spirit of resistance which animated the
troops, and of their hostility to the Bourbons. It
was adopted by the majority, and Davoust, though
secretly working with Fouche for the restoration
of Louis XVI 1 1., did not hesitate to attach to it
his signature. It was couched in the following
terms :

' Camp at Villette, 30th June.
' REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE !

' We are in presence of our enemies. We swear before
you and the world, to defend, to our last breath, the cause of
our independence and the national honour.

' It is wished to impose the Bourbons upon us, but these
princes are rejected by the immense majority of Frenchmen. If
their return could be agreed to, recollect, representatives, that
you would sign the annihilation of the army, which for twenty
yea has been the palladium of French honour. There are in
war, especially when it has been long conducted, successes and
reverses. In our successes, we have appeared great and generous.
If it is wished to humble us in our reverses, we shall know how
to die.

' The Bourbons present no guarantee to the nation. We
received them with sentiments of the most generous confidence:
we forgot all the calamities they had caused us in their rage to

448 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

30th of deprive us of our most sacred rights. Well! what return did
June ' they make for this confidence ? They treated us as rebels and
as vanquished. Representatives ! these reflections are terrible,
because they are true. History will one day relate what the
Bourbons have done to replace themselves on the throne of
France ; it will also narrate the conduct of the army ; of that
army essentially national ; and posterity will judge which best
deserved the esteem of the world.

' The Marshal Prince of ECKMUHL,
' Minister at War,

' Count PAJOL, commanding the first
' corps of cavalry,

'Count D'ERLON, commanding the
' right wing,

' Count VANDAMME, General in chief.'
(And fifteen other generals.)

The chambers being thus appealed to, felt it
incumbent on them to issue a proclamation ex-
planatory of the political situation of France, and
of their own intentions under all the critical cir-
cumstances in which it presented itself to their
view. This document, cautiously drawn up by the
constitutionalists, who formed the preponderating
party in the state, and strongly marked by the
policy which was pursued throughout by Fouche,
was framed with great tact. Although it acknow-
ledged the nomination of Napoleon's son to the
empire, it manifested no hostility to the Bourbons ;
it expressed a desire to secure a monarchical and
representative government, but, at the same time,
declared that the head of the government, whoever

FRANCE AND BELOIUM IN 1815. 449

he might be, must enter into a solemn compact istof
and abide by tbe constitutional charter. In short,
its general tone was sufficiently independent to
secure for it, if not the approbation, at least the
acquiescence, of both the liberals and the Buona-
partists ; whilst, on the other hand, it significantly
indicated the terms upon which a Bourbon might
re-ascend the throne, and rally round him the
friends of constitutional order and civil rights.
With but few exceptions it admitted of being re-
conciled with the proclamation published on the
28th of June by Louis XVIII.* It ran thus :

' FRENCHMEN !

' The foreign powers proclaimed, in the face of Europe,
that they were only armed against Napoleon, and that they wished
to respect our independence, and the right which belongs to every
nation to choose a government suitable to its habits and its
interests.

' Napoleon is no longer the chief of the state. He has re-
nounced the throne, and his abdication has been accepted by
your representatives. He is removed from us. His son is called
to the empire by the constitution of the state. The coalesced
sovereigns are informed of this ; and the war ought to be termi-
nated, if the promises of kings have any foundation in truth.

' While plenipotentiaries have been sent to the Allied powers
to treat for peace in the name of France, the generals of two of
those powers have refused any suspension of arms. Their troops
have accelerated their marches under favour of a moment of
hesitation and trouble. They are now at the very gates of the
capital, and no communication has stated for what object the war

* Appendix XVII.
VOL. II. 2 G

450 HISTORY OF THE WAR IX

1st of is continued. Our plenipotentiaries will soon declare whether we
u y- must renounce peace. In the mean time, resistance is not only
legitimate, but necessary ; and humanity, in requiring an account
of the blood uselessly shed, will not accuse those brave men who
only combat to repel from their houses the scourges of war,
murder, and pillage, and to defend with their lives the cause
of liberty, and of that independence the imprescriptible right
of which has been guaranteed to them even by the manifestoes of
their enemies.

'Amidst these circumstances, your representatives cannot
forget that they were not chosen to stipulate for the interests
of any individual party, but for the whole nation. Every act of
weakness will dishonour them, and will only tend to endanger the
future tranquillity of France. While the government is employ-
ing all the means in its power to obtain a solid peace, or, should
that not be obtained without compromising our honour, to repel
the battalions of foreigners, what more advantages to the nation
can be done than to collect and establish the fundamental rules of
a monarchical and representative government, destined to secure
to all citizens the free enjoyment of those sacred rights, which
sacrifices so numerous and so great have purchased ; and to rally
for ever, under the national colours, that great body of French-
men who have no other interest, and no other wish, than an
honourable repose and a just independence.

' Meanwhile the chambers conceive that their duty and their
dignity require them to declare that they will never acknowledge,
as legitimate chief of the state, him who on ascending the throne,
shall refuse to acknowledge the rights of the nation, and to con-
secrate them by a solemn compact. The constitutional charter is
drawn up ; and if the force of arms should succeed in tempora-
rily imposing upon us a master if the destinies of a great
nation are again to be delivered up to the caprice and arbitrary
will of a small number of privileged persons then, in yielding
to force, the national representation will protest in the face of the
whole world against the oppression of the French people.

' Your representatives will appeal to the energy of the present

FRAi\ 7 CE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

451

and future generations to renew their claim both to national inde- 1st of
pendence, and the rights of civil and religious liberty. For these
rights they now appeal to the reason and the justice of all civilized
nations.'

Notwithstanding the continued endeavours on
the part of the French commissioners appointed
by the chambers, to induce the Allied generals to
enter upon an armistice, the military operations
were not for a moment interrupted.

On the morning of the 1st of July, Billow's
corps d'armee (the 4th) moved off to its right,
towards Argenteuil. During the movement, how-
ever, the enemy, as if at length aware, or desirous
of ascertaining the nature, of Bliicher's operations,
attacked the village of Aubervilliers in front, from
the canal of St. Denis, and penetrated as far as
the church situated in the centre of the place.
The French were here met by the Prussian sup-
port, and two battalions from the main position
arriving immediately afterwards, they were pre-
vented from making any further progress. Never-
theless, a prolonged tiraillade, as well as a how-
itzer-fire, on the part of the French, were main-
tained, during which the march of Biilow's corps
continued in operation, the 14th brigade being left
in support to the advanced posts until the arrival
of the Anglo-allied troops.

In the afternoon, the Duke of Wellington's
army reached le Bourget, and took up the position
vacated by Prince Bliicher, whose advanced posts

452 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

1st of it immediately relieved. Three companies of light

infantry from Colville's division were thrown into

Auhervilliers. The Prussians who had hitherto
been stationed for the purpose of masking as much
as possible the general movement of their army to
the right, had kept up a distant and desultory fire
from that portion of the village which was in their
possession, abstaining from making any direct
attack, since this might have led to the advance of
the French in great force at the moment the former
were no longer supported by the main army, and
before the Anglo-allied troops had arrived.

The British light companies, mentioned as
having been thrown into Aubervilliers, were under
no restraint of this kind, and Lieut. Colonel Sir
Neil Campbell, who commanded them, determined
to push forward, and possess himself, if possible,
of the entire village. Having first gained two or
three of the highest houses, he broke from the top
of these into some that were lower, and thence
forcing his way through the partition walls of
others, without much firing, since the French did
not appear disposed to make an obstinate resis-
tance, (being by that time probably aware of the
Prussian movement to the right, and of the arrival
of the Anglo-allied army,) he succeeded in ob-
taining possession of one side of a whole street,
and of the greater portion of the village. The
French officer in command then proposed a truce,
which was accepted, since the post he occupied lay

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

between the British and a battery upon the canal. i s t of
The remaining outposts were taken up from the July '
Prussians without any molestation on the part of
the enemy, and the main Anglo-allied army occu-
pied a position, having its right upon the height of
Richebourg, and its left upon the wood of Bondy.

It will be recollected that Lieut. Colonel von
Sohr, of the Prussian light cavalry, was directed
to pass the bridge of St. Germain, on the morning
of the 30th of June, and to show himself on the
Orleans road upon the 1st of July. Starting at
daybreak of the 30th, the brigade passed through
Montmorency and Argenteuil, towards St. Ger-
main, where it fell in with Major von Colomb's
detachment, consisting of the 8th hussars and two
battalions of infantry. It then moved on about a
league further, to Marly, upon the Versailles road,
which it reached at nightfall, and where it bivou-
acked. On the morning of the 1st of July, Lieut.
Colonel von Sohr resumed his march, and took the
direction of Versailles, which place, however, he
did not reach until noon, much delay having
occurred whilst passing through the intersected
ground in that quarter, and in awaiting the reports
from the detachments sent out in different direc-
tions to gain^intelligence of the enemy.

This bold and hazardous movement of Lieut.
Colonel von Sohr's brigade, which was acting in-
dependently as a free corps for the time, did not
escape the enemy's observation. General Excel-

454 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

1st of m ans, who commanded the French cavalry on the

July. *

south side of Paris, on receiving information that

two regiments of Prussian hussars were advancing
by Marly upon Versailles, resolved to attack them.
For this purpose he proceeded himself with the
5th, 15th, and 20th dragoons, and the 6th hussars,
comprising a force of 3,000 men, along the road
from Montrouge towards Plessis-Piquet, against
the front of the Prussian brigade. At the same
time, the light cavalry-division of General Pire,
together with the 33rd regiment of infantry, con-
sisting of three battalions, were detached against
the flank and rear of the Prussian brigade. The
5th and 6th lancers marched by the Sevres road
upon Viroflay ; the 6th chasseurs proceeded to
occupy the cross-roads connecting Sevres with the
northern portion of Versailles ; the 1st chasseurs
moved by Sevres towards Rocquencourt, about
three miles from Versailles, on the road to St.
Germain ; in which direction the 33rd infantry
followed. Both the latter regiments were destined
to cut off the retreat of the Prussian cavalry,
should it be driven back by Excelmans. An ex-
ceedingly well planned ambush was now laid in
and about Rocquencourt, and every precaution
taken by the detaching of small parties on the
look-out.

It was late in the afternoon when Lieut. Colonel
von Sohr received intelligence that the enemy's
cavalry was approaching, and that his advanced

FRA.XCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 455

guard was attacked. He immediately advanced, lst *'

July.

with both his hussar-regiments, and drove back

the enemy upon Villa-Coublai, in the defile of
which village a sharp engagement ensued. In this
attack the ranks of the Prussian hussars had be-
come disordered, and, as the latter retired, they
were fallen upon by the 5th and 6th French
lancers, of Fire's light cavalry-brigade, before
alluded to as having been posted in ambush. They
then fell back upon Versailles, pursued by the
French, who vainly endeavoured to force an en-
trance into the town, at the gate of which a gallant
resistance was made by the Prussians. The short
time that was gained by this resistance sufficed for
collecting the main body of the brigade on the
open space at the outlet leading to St. Germain,
towards which point it might have retreated
through the park, but, having received information
of the advance of Thielemann's corps, and ex-
pecting every moment to derive from it a support,
Lieut, Colonel von Sohr retired by the more
direct road through Rocquencourt. About seven
o'clock in the evening, at which time the hussars
had collected their scattered force together, and
were on the point of commencing their further
retreat upon St. Germain, Sohr received intel-
ligence, upon which he could rely, that he had
been turned by both cavalry and infantry, and
that his line of retreat had been intercepted. His
decision was instantly formed. He knew his men,

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

1st of their devotion, and their courage, and resolved

upon cutting his way through the enemy with the

sword.

On quitting Versailles the Prussian hussars
were fired upon by the national guard from the
barrier. They had not proceeded far when word
was brought in, that Prussian and English cavalry
were approaching from the side of St. Germain,
but they were speedily undeceived. It was the
1st regiment of French chasseurs. In the next

moment they were formed for attack, and ad.
vanced at a gallop. The chasseurs came on in
the same style, but they were completely over-
thrown, and their commanding officer lay stretched
upon the ground by a pistol-shot. As they were
pursued by the hussars, a fire was unexpectedly
opened upon the latter by two companies of the
3rd battalion of the 33rd French regiment, posted
behind some hedges, near Lechesnay ; whereupon
Sohr, with the greater part of his hussars, struck
into a field-road to the right, in order to turn this
village, which was occupied by the enemy. This,
however, led them to a bridge, with adjacent
houses, occupied by two more companies of the
above battalion, from which they also received a
sharp fire. Meeting with this new obstacle, and
aware of the proximity of the great mass of ca-
valry under Excelmans, in their rear, the dimi-
nished and disordered remnant of the two Prussian
regiments, about 150 hussars, rallying upon their

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 45*7

chief, dashed across a meadow, with a determi- 1st of

July.

nation to force a passage through the village of Le- _
chesnay. Here the chasseurs again opposed them,
but were once more overthrown, and the Prussians
now followed a road which conducted them
through the village, but which unfortunately led
into a large court whence there was no other out-
let. Not only was their further progress thus
checked, but their whole body was suddenly as-
sailed by a fire from infantry, already posted in
this quarter, whilst the pursuing cavalry prevented
every chance of escape. Their situation had be-
come truly desperate, but their bravery, instead of
succumbing, appeared incited to the highest pitch
by the heroic example of Lieut. Colonel von Sohr,
who rejected the offer of quarter, and fell, severely
wounded by a pistol-shot. Victory favoured the
strongest ; but it was a victory gained by immea-
surably superior numbers over the dead and dying
of a gallant band of warriors, who fought to the
last, and did all that the most inflexible bravery
could accomplish.

The losses incurred by this brigade during the
short campaign had already reduced it, previously
to this affair, to between 600 and 700 men ; and
on the present occasion it suffered a still further
loss of 10 officers and from 400 to 500 men.

The detaching of these two regiments so much
in advance of the Prussian general movement to
the right, and the orders given to Lieut. Colonel

458 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

1st of von Sohr, to cross the Seine on the morning of the

'__ 30th of June, appear a questionable measure. It

is true that this officer was desired to consider
himself as acting independently, and without refe-
rence to the troops that were to follow in the same
direction ; but then it must be recollected that he
had to proceed along a very considerable portion
of the circumference of a circle, from the centre
of which the enemy could detach superior force
along radii far shorter than the distance between
the Prussian brigade and the main army : so that,
with a vigilant look-out, the French possessed
every facility of cutting off his retreat. His or-
ders were, to interrupt the communication with
Paris by the Orleans road, and to spread alarm
and confusion on that side of the capital, but in
issuing them the effect likely to be produced upon
the morale of the citizens could have alone been
contemplated ; and, in all probability, it was at the
same time conceived that, as no fortified works
had been thrown up on the south side, the French
troops intended to direct their attention mainly, if
not wholly, towards the armies in front of the
northern portion of the capital. The effect thus
sought to be produced might have been obtained
in the case of a weak garrison, but that of Paris,
comprising as it did about 50,000 troops of the
line, besides the national guards, was not to be so
lightly treated. In carrying into execution the
order to create alarm and confusion on the south

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 459

side of Paris, these two regiments of hussars lst f

would naturally draw in that direction the atten-

tion of the French commanders, and thus lead, as
the result proved, not only to the cutting off of so
comparatively weak a force, but also to the posting
of a respectable body of troops at the threatened
point, in anticipation of the enemy's following up
the attack in greater force. Even previously to
obtaining the insight thus afforded into a part of
the plan of the invaders, the movements of the
latter had been more narrowlv watched than was

supposed, as may be readily inferred from the fact
of Excelmans having been detached, on the 1st,
towards Versailles, with a body of cavalry, and of
the position at Montrouge having been occupied in
considerable force. All circumstances considered,
the preferable course would have been, to have
employed Sohr's brigade as an advanced guard only,
having immediate support from the main columns
in its rear.

It so happened that the advanced guard of
Thielemann's corps, consisting of the 9th infantry-
brigade, under General von Borcke, was on the
march from St. Germain (which it had left about
seven o'clock in the evening) to take post at
Marly, when it received intelligence of the two
cavalry-regiments, under Lieut. Colonel von Sohr,
having been completely defeated. Borcke has-
tened forward, and it was not long before his ad-
vance became engaged with the French tirailleurs

460 HISTORY OF THE WAR IX

1st of proceeding from Versailles. The enemy was im-

mediately attacked, and driven back upon Roc-

quencourt. As darkness was setting in, Borcke
drew up his force with caution. He pushed for-
ward the fusilier-battalion of the 8th regiment,
supported by the 1st battalion of the 30th regiment,
and held the remainder in battalion-columns on
the right and left of the road. The vigour of the
attack made by the first named battalion was such,
that the enemy retired in all haste upon the
nearest suburb of Paris, whilst Borcke bivouacked
at Rocquencourt.

Besides the cavalry under Excelmans, the re-
mains of the 3rd and 4th French corps d'armee
were detached to the south of Paris, on which side
Vandamme, who commanded, took up a position,
having his right upon the Seine, his left by Mont-
rouge, and his centre in rear of Issy. He placed
a portion of his troops in the villages of Vanves
and Issy, the houses and walls of which appeared
to offer great advantages for defence. His ad-
vanced guard occupied Chatillon, Clamord, Meu-
don, Sevres, and St. Cloud. In the evening he
was joined by the imperial guard, which he posted
in support.

The following were the positions of the respec-
tive armies on the evening of the 1st of July :

The 2nd corps of the Anglo-allied army, under Lord Hill,
comprising the 2nd and 4th divisions, the Nassau troops, and
Estorff's Hanoverian cavalry-brigade, was in the position pre-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

viously occupied by the 4th Prussian corps ; having its right upon 2nd of
the great road about Pierrefitte, its left upon the great road of July "
Senlis, and its advanced posts at Aubervilliers and in front of
St. Denis.

The 1st corps, under Sir John Byng, comprising the 1st and
3rd divisions, and the Dutch-Belgian troops, were in the position
previously occupied by the 1st Prussian corps ; having its right
upon the great road behind le Bourget, its left upon the forest of
Bondy, and its advanced posts along the Ourcq canal.

The reserve, under Sir James Kempt, was encamped between
Louvres and Vauderlan.

The cavalry was encamped and cantoned about the villages of
Groussainville, Vauderlan, and Roissy.

The pontoon-train and the hawser bridges were at Sarcelles, on
the Chantilly road to Paris.

The head-quarters of the Duke of Wellington were at Gonesse.

The 1st Prussian corps d'armee was encamped between the
villages of le Mesnil and Carriere au Mont, on the left bank of
the Seine, not far from St. Germain.

The 3rd corps was also on the left bank of the Seine, in the
valley, and near St. Germain. Its advanced guard (the 9th
brigade) was at Rocquencourt.

The 4th corps was upon the march to St. Germain.

Prince Bliicher's head-quarters were at St. Germain,

The 3rd and 4th French corps d'armee and the imperial guard
were on the south side of Paris, their right upon the Seine, their
left by Montrouge ; with the advanced guard at Chatillon, Cla-
mord, Meudon, Sevres, and St. Cloud.

The remainder of the French army continued within the
capital.

The Prince of Eckmuhl's head-quarters were at Villette.

At daybreak of the 2nd of July, Bliicher put
the whole Prussian army in motion towards the
south side of Paris, where he purposed taking pos-

462 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2nd of session of the advantageous position comprising
__ the heights of Meudon and Chatillon, and their
immediate vicinity. Thielemann's advanced guard
(the 9th brigade) immediately proceeded to occupy
Versailles. The corps itself halted two hours at
Rocquencourt to wait for the arrival of Zieten's
corps. As the latter corps advanced, it threw out
a detachment to its left, consisting of the 1st bat.
talion of the 1st West Prussian regiment, two pieces
of horse-artillery, and a squadron of cavalry, under
Captain von Krensky, who was directed to proceed
by Malmaison towards St. Cloud, communicating
with Major von Colomb, who had already been
detached, with the force before mentioned as being
under his command, towards the bridge of Neuilly,
and to keep a look-out to the left of the direct
road to Paris. On Zieten's advanced guard reach-
ing Villedavray, whence it drove off a French
picquet, information was obtained that the enemy
was restoring the bridge of St. Cloud, which he
had previously destroyed, and that he occupied
the Bois de Boulogne in considerable force. The
3rd brigade was therefore ordered to proceed
by its left towards St. Cloud, and to oppose any
movement which might be attempted against that
flank.

It was three o'clock in the afternoon when
Zieten's 1st brigade, under Steinmetz, reached
Sevres. Here the French were strongly posted,
occupying the place itself, the heights of Bellevue,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

463

and having their light troops well disposed amongst 2nd of

the adjacent gardens and vineyards. The 1st

Prussian brigade was followed in support by the
2nd and 4th brigades ; and, notwithstanding the
very gallant defence that was made, these troops
succeeded in forcing the French to abandon their
stronghold, and fall back upon Moulineau. Here
the French made another stand, but were again
defeated by Steinmetz, who had closely pursued
them. Whilst the 1st brigade was thus gaining
ground, the 2nd, together with the reserve-artil-
lery, advanced towards the heights of Meudon.
The reserve-cavalry of the corps followed the 1st
brigade, in support. The 4th brigade occupied
Sevres. Major General von Jagow, who had been
detached to the left, with the 3rd brigade, having
ascertained that the enemy was not likely to un-
dertake any movement from the Bois de Boulogne,
and that Captain von Krensky's detachment was
on the look-out in that direction, proceeded to
rejoin the corps, and on reaching Sevres, towards
evening, he was directed by Zieten to take up a
position, with his brigade, to the right, on the
heights of Meudon.

In the evening, the French, after having re-
formed, and collected their defeated force at Issy,
made an attempt to regain possession of Mouli-
neau, but the attack failed, and they were driven
back upon Issy. Here they were reinforced : 15
battalions were posted in and about Issy, supported

464

HISTORY OF THK WAR IX

2nd of by numerous guns and cavalry: their light in-

Jnly. " e e . J 9 m

fantry occupying- the vineyards in front of the

village. About half-past ten o'clock in the night,
however, the Prussians, who kept a sharp look-out,
heard these troops marching off, and perceived
that their departure was conducted in rather a dis-
orderly manner. Instant advantage was taken of
this circumstance, and a part of the 1st and 2nd
Prussian brigades attacked the French, who fled
back upon the suburb of Vaugirard in such con-
fusion, that Paris might have been entered at this
moment, if more force had been at hand.

During the night, Zieten posted his corps in the
following manner : his right upon the height of
Clamord, his centre upon that of Meudon, and his
left in Moulineau ; Sevres still occupied ; the ad-
vanced-guard in Issy, in rear of which village was
the reserve-cavalry, in support.

Whilst Zieten's corps had been thus successfully
effecting its movement against the south side of
the capital, Thielemann's, which formed the right
column, proceeded towards Plessis-Piquet, and
pushed forward its advanced guard to the heights
of Chatillon, which it reached late in the evening.
Biilow's corps, acting as a reserve, occupied Ver-
sailles and its vicinity during the night.

During the whole of this day, the troops of the
Anglo-allied army continued in position in front
of the fortified lines on the north side of Paris.
The Duke having established a bridge at Argen-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 465

teuil, detachments were sent across the Seine ; and
these, having secured the villages of Anieres,
Courbevoie, and Suresnes, on the left bank of
the Seine, opened a communication with the
Prussians.

The Allied commanders had thus succeeded in
shutting up the French forces within their lines.
Wellington was perfectly prepared to attack the
north side of Paris, if circumstances should render
such a step necessary, or if a favourable opportu-
nity should present itself ; whilst Bliicher, having
secured a strong position in front of the south side,
which was mostly open and defenceless, was equally
ready to storm the capital with his collected force.
The effect of this well-conceived and successfully-
executed plan of operation was to divide the
enemy's attention between two opposite points of
the town. Should he attempt to assail the one
army with his principal force, he would immediately
find himself attacked by the other army, without
possessing the means wherewith to carry on the
contest with both simultaneously. On the other
hand, should a general and formidable assault be
made by those armies, on the opposite points, at
the same time, the necessary division of his forces,
in arranging his plan of defence, would render his
situation still more desperate.

The provisional government, fully alive to this
state of things, and duly aware of the approach
of the Bavarian, Russian, and Austrian, armies,

VOL. II. 2 H

466 ' HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

2nd of clearly saw the inutility of further resistance to

the Allies, and instructed the commissioners to wait

upon the Duke of Wellington, and report to his
Grace the fact of Napoleon having quitted Paris
on the 29th, to embark for the United States, and
to press the point of a suspension of hostilities.
To this representation the Duke replied that the
great obstacle to the armistice having 'thus been
removed, there remained only the question as to
the terms, which he thought should be, the halting
of the Anglo- allied and Prussian armies in their
present positions, the withdrawal of the French
army from Paris across the Loire, and the placing
of the capital in the keeping of the national guards
until the King should order otherwise. He offered,
if they agreed to these terms, to endeavour to pre-
vail on Prince Bliicher to halt his troops and send
an officer to settle the details ; but, at the same
time, he told tKem distinctly that he would not
consent to suspend hostilities so long as a French
soldier remained in Paris. Having received this
explicit declaration on the part of his Grace the
commissioners withdrew.

The following were the positions of the respective
armies during the night of the 2nd of July :-

The troops of the Anglo-allied army continued in position in
front of the lines of St. Denis. Detachments were at Anieres,
Courbevoie, and Suresnes, on the left bank of the Seine.

The 1st Prussian corps d'armee had its right on the height of
Clamard, its centre on that of Meudon, its left at Moulineau,

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IX 1815. 457

and its advanced guard at Issy : in rear of which point was the 3rd of
reserve-cavalry of the corps.

Of the 3rd corps, the 9th brigade was at Chatillon, the 10th
and llth brigades were in front of Velisy, the 12th brigade was
at Chatenay and Sceaux. The reserve-cavalry of the corps
bivouacked about Plessis-Picquet.

Of the 4th corps, the 16th brigade was at Montreuil, in
advance of Versailles ; the 13th brigade bivouacked near Viro-
flay ; the 14th brigade bivouacked at Lechesnay bel Air, not far
from Rocquencourt. The reserve-cavalry of the corps was partly
in front of Versailles, and partly on the left of Montreuil.

The troops composing the right wing of the French army
occupied the lines on the right bank of the Seine, whence they
were watching the British. Some troops were posted in the
Bois de Boulogne, and several posts were established along both
banks of the river.

The left wing extended from the Seine as far as the Orleans
road. It held Vaugirard strongly occupied, the main body was
posted between the barrieres de PEcole militaire and de 1'Enfer.

At three o'clock on the morning of the 3rd of
July, Vandamme advanced in two columns from
Vaugirard to the attack of Issy. Between Vau-
girard and the Seine, he had a considerable force
of cavalry, the front of which was flanked by a
battery, advantageously posted near Auteuil, on
the right bank of the river. The action com-
menced with a brisk cannonade : the French
having brought twenty pieces of cannon against
the front of the village, which was then vigorously
assailed by his infantry. The Prussians had con-
structed some barricades, and other defences,
during the night, but these did not protect them

468

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

3rd of from the sharp fire of case-shot which was poured
_ upon them by the French batteries, the guns of
which enfiladed the streets. The 12th and 24th
Prussian regiments, and the 2nd Westphalian land-
wehr, supported by a half battery of 12-pounders,
fought with great bravery. There was much loss
on both sides. At length the French withdrew ;
but only to advance again, considerably reinforced.
The 2nd Prussian brigade was immediately or-
dered to join the 1st, and the whole of the troops
of the 1st corps stood to their arms. Zieten sent
a request to Prince Bliicher for the support of two
brigades of Billow's corps ; and, at the same time,
begged Thielemann to advance (in conformity with
instructions conveyed to him from head-quarters)
from Chatillon, and threaten the enemy's left
flank.

In the mean time, the French renewed their
attack upon Issy, which, however, again proved
unsuccessful. This was followed by a heavy can-
nonade and by further assaults, without any
decided advantage having been gained over the
defenders. The French did not appear disposed
to venture upon a more general attack, which
would have offered them a much greater chance of
forcing back the Prussian advanced guard, pro-
bably considering that, if unsuccessful, it might
end in the suburbs of Paris being easily carried
by storm ; and hence, after four hours' continued,
but fruitless, attempts upon Zieten's advanced po-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

sition, they fell back upon Paris, the Prussian 3rdof

July.

tirailleurs following them until they came within a
very short distance of the barriers.

At a council of war, which had been held
during the previous night in Paris, it was decided
that the defence of the capital was not practicable
against the Allied armies. Nevertheless, Davoust
was desirous that another attempt should be made
on the Prussian army ; but now that this had
failed in the manner described, that the two Allied
armies were in full communication with each other,
and that a British corps was likewise moving
upon the left of the Seine, towards Neuilly, a ca-
pitulation was determined upon. Accordingly, at
seven o'clock in the morning, the fire on the part
of the French suddenly ceased ; and General
Revest was deputed to pass over to Zieten's corps,
which of all the Allied troops was the nearest to
the capital, for the purpose of offering a capitu-
lation, and requesting an immediate armistice.
Bliicher, however, required from Marshal Davoust,
the comrnander-in-chief of the French army, a
negotiator possessing greater powers, before he
would finally agree to a suspension of hostilities,
and indicated the palace of St. Cloud, as the place
where the negotiations should be carried on, to
which point he then removed his head-quarters.

During the contest at Issy, the detachments on
the left of the 1st Prussian corps, under Captain

470 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

3rd of yon Krensky, were engaged rather sharply with the

enemy between St. Cloud and Neuilly, which

ended in the French being driven back upon the
bridge at the latter place, towards which point also
a body of British troops was advancing. Thus
Zieten's corps, the same that had opened the cam-
paign with the actions along the Sambre, had the
honour of closing it with those at Issy and Neuilly
on the Seine.

Officers furnished with full powers by their
respective chiefs, soon met at St. Cloud, whither
the Duke of Wellington had already repaired in
person to join Prince Bliicher ; and the result of
their deliberations was the following

Military Convention.

This day, the 3rd of July, 1815, the Commissioners named by
the Commanders-in-chief of the respective armies ; that is to
say, the Baron Bignon, holding the portfolio of foreign affairs ;
the Count Guilleminot, chief of the general staff of the French
army ; the Count de Bondy, prefect of the department of the
Seine ; being furnished with the full powers of his Excellency
the Marshal Prince of Eckmuhl, commander-in-chief of the
French army, on one side : and Major General Baron Muffling,
furnished with the full powers of his Highness the Field Mar-
shal Prince Bliicher, commander-in-chief of the Prussian army ;
and Colonel Hervey, furnished with the full powers of his Ex-
cellency the Duke of Wellington, commander-in-chief of the
English army, on the other side, have agreed to the following
articles :

ARTICLE I. There shall be a suspension of arms between the

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 47 1

Allied armies commanded by his Highness the Prince Bliicher 3rd of
and his Grace the Duke of Wellington, and the French army July-
under the walls of Paris.

ART. II. The French army shall put itself in march to-
morrow, to take up a position behind the Loire. Paris shall be
completely evacuated in three days ; and the movement behind
the Loire shall be effected within eight days.

ART. III. The French army shall take with it all its materiel,
field-artillery, military-chest, horses, and property of regiments,
without exception. All persons belonging to the depots shall
also be removed, as well as those belonging to the different
branches of administration which appertain to the army.

ART. IV. The sick and wounded, and the medical officers
whom it may be necessary to leave with them, are placed under
the special protection of the Commanders-in-chief of the English
and Prussian armies.

ART. V. The military, and those holding employments to
whom the foregoing article relates, shall be at liberty, imme-
diately after their recovery, to rejoin the corps to which they
belong.

ART. VI. The wives and children of all individuals belong-
ing to the French army shall be at liberty to remain in Paris.
The wives shall be allowed to quit Paris for the purpose of
rejoining the army, and to carry with them their property and
that of their husbands.

ART. VII. The officers of the line employed with the
Federes, or with the tirailleurs of the national guard, may either
join the army, or return to their homes, or the places of their
birth.

ART. VIII. To-morrow, the 4th of July, at mid-day, St.
Denis, St. Ouen, Clichy, and Neuilly shall be given up. The
day after to-morrow, the 5th, at the same hour, Montmartre
shall be given up. The third day, the 6th, all the barriers shall
be given up.

ART. IX. The duty of the city of Paris shall continue to

472 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

3rd of be done by the national guard, and by the corps of the municipal
u ^' gensd'armerie.

ART. X. The Commanders-in-chief of the English and Prus-
sian armies engage to respect, and to make those under their
command respect, the actual authorities, so long as they shall
exist.

ART. XI. Public property, with the exception of that which
relates to war, whether it belongs to the government, or depends
upon the municipal authority, shall be respected, and the Allied
powers will not interfere in any manner with its administration
and management.

ART. XII. Private persons and property shall be equally
respected. The inhabitants, and in general all individuals who
shall be in the capital, shall continue to enjoy their rights and
liberties, without being disturbed or called to account, either as
to the situations which they hold, or may have held, or as to their
conduct or political opinions.

ART. XIII. The foreign troops shall not interpose any ob-
stacles to the provisioning of the capital, and will protect, on the
contrary, the arrival and the free circulation of the articles which
are destined for it.

ART. XIV. The present convention shall be observed, and
shall serve to regulate the mutual relations until the conclusion
of peace. In case of rupture it must be denounced in the usual
forms at least ten days beforehand.

ART. XV. If any difficulties arise in the execution of any
one of the articles of the present Convention, the interpretation
of it shall be made in favour of the French army and of the
city of Paris.

ART. XVI. The present convention is declared common to
all the Allied armies, provided it be ratified by the powers on
which these armies are dependant.

ART. XVII. The ratifications shall be exchanged tc-morrow,
the 4th of July, at six o'clock in the morning, at the bridge of
Neuilly.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815.

473

ART. XVIII. Commissioners shall be named by the respec- 7th of
tive parties, in order to watch over the execution of the present u y '
Convention.

Done and signed at St Cloud, in triplicate, by the Commis-
sioners above named, the day and year before mentioned,

THE BARON BIGNON.
THE COUNT GUILLEMINOT.
THE COUNT DE BONDY.
THE BARON DE MUFFLING.
F. B. HERVEY, Colonel.

Approved and ratified the present suspension of arms, at Paris,
the 3rd of July, 1815.

THE MARSHAL PRINCE OF ECKMUHL.

Afterwards approved by PRINCE BLACKER and the DUKE OF
WELLINGTON ; and the ratifications exchanged on the 4th of
July.

The terms of the Convention were literally ful-
filled. On the 4th, the French army, commanded
by Marshal Davoust, quitted Paris, and proceeded
on its march to the Loire ; and the Anglo-allied
troops occupied St. Denis, St. Ouen, Clichy, and
Neuilly. On the 5th, the latter took possession of
Montmartre. On the 6th, they occupied the bar-
riers of Paris, upon the right of the Seine, and
the Prussians those upon the left bank. On the
7th, the two Allied armies entered Paris : the
chamber of peers, having received from the provi-
sional government a notification of the course of
events, terminated its sittings j the chamber of de-

474

HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

24th of puties protested, but in vain. Their president
_ (Lanjuinais) quitted his chair, and on the following
day, the doors were closed, and the approaches
guarded by foreign troops.

On the 8th, the French King, Louis XVIII.
made his public entry into his capital, amidst the
acclamations of the people, and again occupied the
palace of his ancestors.

It was also on the 8th that Napoleon Buonaparte
embarked, at Rochefort, on board the French fri-
gate La Saale, and proceeded, accompanied by
La Meduse, in which was his suite, to the roads of
the Isle of Aix, with the intention of setting sail
for America. On the 10th the wind became fa-
vourable, but a British fleet made its appearance,
and Napoleon, seeing the difficulty of eluding the
vigilance of its cruisers, resolved, after having
previously communicated with Captain Maitland,
upon placing himself under his protection on
board the Bellerophon, which vessel he accord-
ingly reached on the loth. On the following day,
Captain Maitland sailed for England, and arrived
at Torbay, with his illustrious charge, on the 24th.
The Ex-Emperor was not permitted to land, and
the British government having decided upon send-
ing him to the island of St. Helena, he was re-
moved to the Northumberland man-of-war, under
Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburne, in which
ship he sailed for that distant rock, the final abode
on earth of the man whose extraordinary career

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 475

marks the most stirring and eventful period in the j u i y .
history of Europe.

The Convention of Paris constituted a basis for
the resumption of negotiations for the general
peace which, a few months before, had been so un-
expectedly interrupted. The celebrated statesmen
of that remarkable period Castlereagh, Nessel-
rode, Metternich, Hardenberg, and Talleyrand
aided by distinguished representatives of the minor
European states, now perceived the importance of
establishing a more closely cemented alliance ;
reconciling the clashing interests of emulative go-
vernments, securing the rights of the legitimate
sovereign of France, and consolidating the re-
established order of things in that countrv. The

mere engagement of the French government to a
treaty of peace and grateful amity, was not consi-
dered a sufficient guarantee for the long-desired
repose of Europe. France, which dictated laws
according to her own desires and interests, to the
entire continent, was now, in her turn, to be sub-
jected to the most severe conditions. In order to
guarantee her compliance with the demands re-
quired of her by the wants and necessities of the
nations panting for that peace which was to relieve
their exhausted means, and to avert the dangers of
internal dissensions, she was destined to witness
the occupation of her frontier fortresses by a vast
army, comprising contingent forces from the
Allied powers, and requiring to be maintained

476 HISTORY OF THE WAR IN

July, upon a full war establishment, at her expense ;

"whilst, at the same time, heavy contributions were

laid upon her for the purpose of indemnifying the

sovereigns who had been compelled again to take

up arms against her.

But, notwithstanding these reverses and indem-
nities, France herself is, perhaps, the country that
has most benefited by that general peace which
was established on the ruins of her empire. The
rational form of government which was secured to
her by an enlarged constitutional charter, has gra-
dually introduced among her people the most
salutary reforms, and the most liberal institutions :
the stimulus given to her industry by the cessation
of harassing wars, of persecuting conscriptions,
and of vexatious imposts, rapidly obtained for her
a commercial prosperity to which she had long
been a stranger ; whilst an unusual period of tran-
quillity has so completely renovated and invigo-
rated her resources, both moral and physical, as
to place her again in the rank of the highest
powers.

Now that the nation has completely recovered
from the effects of the convulsive throes which
attended its dissolution as an empire, and has
assumed the calm and dignified attitude of repose,
in its resuscitated strength it contemplates the past
in a more rational and philosophic spirit, balancing
the evil with the good. If the public mind of
France dwell for a time upon the tyrannical exer-

FRANCE AND BELGIUM IN 1815. 477

cise of Napoleon's power upon the people, the Jiy-
sadness of the reflection is palliated by his flat- "
tering, though personally ambitious, desire to
render France the arbi tress of Europe : if it per-
ceive the rights of the citizens subverted for the
furtherance of his designs, the impression thus
produced vanishes at the contemplation of the
Code Napoleon : if it appear shocked by the ge-
neral perversion of labour from its natural sphere
to purely military purposes, it is again soothed by
the grandeur in design, and utility in effect, of
mighty enterprises, conferring employment on
myriads of artists and artisans : if it be disposed
to disapprove of the spoliation authorized in fo-
reign states, it is speedily flattered by the grand
idea of rendering Paris the centre of civilization
and of the arts : and finally, if it feel pained and
subdued by a contemplation of the disasters of
Moscow, Vittoria, Leipzic, and Waterloo, it revives
and rejoices in recounting the glorious triumphs
of Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena, and Wagram.

If one country more than any other required a
lasting peace to enable her to recover from the
effects of the immense sacrifices she had made, in
life and treasure sacrifices which proved, beyond
doubt, the salvation of Europe that country was
Great Britain. Through the intelligence of her
statesmen, the freedom of her constitution, the en-
terprise of her merchants, the industry of her
artisans, and the bravery of her naval and military

HISTORY OF THE WAR.

defenders, she continues to maintain her lofty po-
sition in the scale of nations ; and even to extend
her empire and her sway to the furthermost points
of the earth. But to whom is she mainly indebted
for this proud pre-eminence, this unparalleled
grandeur ? To such a question every Briton, no
matter what may be the direction of his political
feelings or party prejudices, will unhesitatingly
reply to the rare talent, the untiring zeal, and
practised skill, of her Chief who led, as also to
the inflexible courage, extraordinary endurance,
and the perfect discipline, of her sons who fought,
her last and ever-memorable struggle on the conti-
nent of Europe the BATTLE OF WATERLOO. It
was upon the solid foundation thus obtained that
was raised that well-cemented superstructure, the
solemn compact of sovereigns and states, consti-
tuting the General Peace of 1815 ; and although*
as time rolls on, symptoms of decay may be traced
in some portions of the edifice, still it stands, a
monument of the downfall of an insatiable ambi-
tion, aiming at universal dominion, and continues
to this day the surest guarantee of the preservation
of that equitable balance of power which can alone
secure the permanence of the tranquillity and
prosperity of Europe.

SUPPLEMENT.

481

SUPPLEMENT.

THE Battle of Waterloo, followed as it was by the advance of
the Anglo-allied and Prussian armies upon Paris, was so decisive
in its effects, and so comprehensive in its results, that the great
object of the war the destruction of the power of Napoleon and
the restoration of the legitimate sovereign was attained while
the armies of the Upper Rhine and of Italy were but com-
mencing their invasion of the French territory. Had the suc-
cesses attendant upon the exertions of Wellington and Bliicher
assumed a less decisive character, and, more especially, had
reverses taken the place of those successes, the operations of the
armies advancing from the Rhine and across the Alps would have
acquired an immense importance in the history of the war; but
the brilliant course of events in the north of France materially
diminished the interest excited by the military transactions in
other parts of the kingdom. Upon this ground it has been con-
sidered, that to enter into any very detailed account of the move
ments and dispositions of the Allies, on the eastern frontier, is
unnecessary, and that the completion of the present work will be
sufficiently accomplished by the addition of a simple outline of
the daily progress and attendant circumstances of the advance of
each army into the interior of the country.

Operations of the German Corps d'Armte.

This corps, which was composed of contingent forces supplied
by the petty Princes of North Germany, was assembled, in the
VOL. II. 2 I

SUPPLEMENT.

middle of April, in the vicinity of Coblentz. It amounted to
26,200 men, divided into 30 battalions, 12 squadrons, and 2
batteries ; and was placed under the command of General Count
Kleist von Nollendorf. At a somewhat later period it crossed
the Rhine at Coblentz and Neuwied, and took up a position on
the Moselle and the Sarre, its right communicating with the 3rd
Prussian corps d'armee, and its left with the Bavarian troops at
Zweibriicken. Its advanced posts extended along the French
frontier from Arlon to Mertzig. Its head-quarters were at Trier,
on the Moselle.

In this position it remained until the 16th of June, when its
commander, General von Engelhard (in the absence of Count
Kleist, who was ill), advanced from Trier to Arlon, which it
reached on the 19th. Here it continued until the 21st, when it
received an order from Prince Bliicher to move into France by
Bastogne and Neufchateau, and to gain possession of the for-
tresses of Sedan and Bouillon. On the 22nd, the corps com-
menced its march, in two columns ; the one by Neufchateau,
upon Sedan, the other by Recogne, upon Bouillon. Sedan, after
a few days' bombardment, capitulated on the 26th of June. An
attempt was made to take Bouillon by a coup de main, but its
garrison was strong enough to frustrate this project. The place
was not considered of sufficient importance to render a regular
siege expedient, and it was therefore simply invested, from the
25th of June until the 21st of August, when it was blockaded at
all points by troops of the Netherlands, under Prince Frederick
of Orange.

On the 28th of June, Lieut. General von Hacke, who had
been appointed to the command of the German corps, directed
the advanced guard to move upon Charleville, which lies under
the guns of the fortress of Mezieres, and to carry the place by
storm. The capture was successfully made by some Hessian
battalions, and tended greatly to facilitate the siege of Mezieres.
Moveable columns were detached to observe the fortresses of
Montmedy, Laon, and Rheims. The last named place was taken

SUPPLEMENT.

by capitulation on the 8th of July ; and the garrison, amounting
to 4,000 men, retired behind the Loire.

Lieut. General von Hacke, finding that notwithstanding his
vigorous bombardment of Mezieres, which he commenced on the
27th of June, his summons to surrender was unheeded by the
commandant, General Lemoine, undertook a regular siege of the
place, and opened trenches on the 2nd of August. On the 13th
the French garrison gave up the town, and retired into the
citadel, which surrendered on the 1 st of September.

The efforts of the corps were now directed upon Montmedy,
around which fortress it had succeeded in placing 12 batteries in
position by the 13th of September. After an obstinate resist-
ance, the garrison concluded a convention on the 20th of Sep-
tember, by which it was to retire, with arms and baggage, behind
the Loire.

After the capture of Montmedy, the German corps d'armee
went into cantonments in the department of the Ardennes,
whence it returned home in the month of November.

Operations of the Army of the Upper Rhine, under the command of Field
Marshal His Highness Prince Schwartzenberg.

This army consisted of four corps d'armee, and reserves, com-
posed of troops of Austria, Bavaria, Wirtemberg, Saxony, of
Hesse-Darmstadt, and of the petty Princes.

Its strength was as follows :

Battalions. Squadrons. Batteries.

1st corps d'armee . . 24,400 men, in 26 . 16 . 8

2nd ... . - 34,350 ... 36 . 26 .11

3rd ... 43,814 ... 44 . 32 . 9

4th ... . 57,040 ... 46 . 66 15

Austrian Reserve Corps . 44,800 ... 38 . 86 10

Blockade Corps . . 33,314 ... 38 . 8.6

Saxon corps d'armee . 16,774 ... 18 . 10 . 6

Total . 254,492 ... 246 . 244 . 65

483

484

SUPPLEMENT.

According to the general plan of operations projected by
Prince Schwartzenberg, this army was to cross the Rhine in two
columns. The right column, consisting of the 3rd corps, under
Field Marshal the Crown-Prince of Wirtemberg, and of the 4th
corps, or the Bavarian army, under Field Marshal Prince Wrede,
was to cross the Rhine between Germersheim and Manheim.
The left column, consisting of the 1st corps, under the Master
General of the Orduarce, Count Colloredo, and of the 2nd corps,
under General Prince Hohenzollern Heckingen, together with the
Austrian reserve corps, the whole being commanded by General
the Archduke Ferdinand, was to cross the Rhine between Basle
and Rheinfelden. The column formed by the right wing was
to be supported by the Russian army, under Field Marshal Count
Barclay de Tolly, which was expected to be collected at Kaisers-
lautern by the 1st of July. The object of the operations, in the
first instance, was the concentration of the Army of the Upper
Rhine and the Russian army, at Nancy.

As soon as Prince Schwartzenberg was made acquainted with
the commencement of hostilities in Belgium, he gave his orders
for the advance of his army. The 4th, or Bavarian, corps
d'armee was directed immediately to cross the Sarre, and, by
turning the Yosgian Mountains, to cut off the French corps
under General Rapp, collected in the environs of Strasburg,
from its base of operations, and to intercept its communications
with the interior of France.

A Russian corps, under General Count Lambert, forming the

advance of the army of Count Barclay de Tolly, was united to

the corps d'armee of Prince Wrede, who was to employ it

principally in keeping up the communication with the North

German corps d'armee, under Lieut. General von Hacke.

4th corps On the 19th of June the Bavarian army crossed the Rhine at

d armee, ^j an i ie j m an( j Oppenheim, and advanced towards the Sarre. On

Prince

the 20th, some trifling affairs of advanced posts occurred near

Landau and Dahn. On the 23rd, the army having approached
the Sarre, proceeded, in two columns, to take possession of the
passages across the river at Saarbriick and Saargemiind.

SUPPLEMENT.

485

The right column, under Lieut. General Count Beckers, at-
tacked Saarbriick, \vhere it was opposed by the French General
Meriage. The Bavarians carried the suburb and the bridge, and
penetrated into the town along with the retiring French, of whom
they made 4 officers and 70 men prisoners, and killed and
wounded 100 men; suffering a loss, on their own part, of 3
officers and from 50 to 60 men killed and wounded. Count
Beckers occupied the town, posted his division on the heights to-
wards Forbach, and detached patroles along the road to Metz, as
far as St. Avoid, and to the right, along the Sarre, as far as
Saarlouis.

The left column, consisting of the 1st infantry division, under
Lieut. General Baron von Ragliovich, and of the 1st cavalry-
division, under his Royal Highness Prince Charles of Bavaria,
advanced against Saargemiind, at which point the French had
constructed a tcte de pont on the right bank of the river. After
some resistance, this was taken possession of by the Bavarians,
whereupon Baron von Ragliovich marched through the town, and
took up a position on the opposite heights, commanding the
roads leading to Bouquenom and Liineville.

The 4th infantry-division, under Lieut. General Baron Zollern,
advanced towards the fortress of Bitsch, which, however, the
French commandant, General Kreutzer, refused to surrender.

'The Russian corps, under Count Lambert, attached to the
right wing of Prince Wrede's army, advanced as far as Ottweiler
and Rauistein.

On the 24th, Prince Wrede occupied Bouquenom, and detached
the cavalry-division under Prince Charles towards Pfalzburg, to
observe this place. His 2nd, 3rd, and 4th divisions, and the
reserve, were collected at Saargemiind. The Russian troops
under Count Lambert occupied Saarbriick, having previously
detached the cavalry, under Lieut. General Czernitscheff, as far
as St. Avoid.

On the 26th, Prince Wrede's head-quarters were at Morhange,
and, on the 2/th, his advanced posts penetrated as far as Nancy,
where he established his head-quarters on the 28th. From St.

486 SUPPLEMENT.

Dieuze the Prince detached to the left, in order to discover the
march of General Kapp ; who, however, was still on the Rhine,
and whose retreat had thus become cut off by the occupation of
Nancy.

Prince Wrede halted at Nancy, to await the arrival of the
Austrian and Russian corps d'armee. Upon his right, Lieut.
General Czernitscheff crossed the Moselle, on the 29th, within
sight of Metz, and carried by storm, on the 3rd of July, the
town of Chalons sur Marne. The garrison of this place had
promised to make no resistance, and yet fired upon the Russian
advanced guard ; whereupon the cavalry immediately dismounted,
scaled the ramparts, broke open the gates, sabred a part of the
garrison, made the remainder prisoners, including the French
General Rigault, and pillaged the town.

After remaining four days in the vicinity of Nancy and Liine-
ville, Prince Wrede received an order from Prince Schwartzenberg
to move at once upon Paris, with the 4th, or Bavarian corps,
which was destined to become the advanced guard of the Army
of the Upper Rhine. This order was given in consequence of
the desire expressed by the Duke of Wellington and Prince
Bliicher, that the Army of the Upper Rhine should afford imme-
diate support to their operations in front of Paris. On the 5th
of July, the main body of the Bavarian army reached Chalons,
in the vicinity of which it remained during the 6th. On this
day its advanced posts communicated, by Epernay, with the
Prussian army. On the 7th, Prince Wrede received intelligence
of the Convention of Paris, and, at the same time, directions to
move towards the Loire. On the 8th, Lieut. General Czer-
nitscheff fell in with the enemy between St. Prix and Montmirail,
and drove him back across the Morin, towards the Seine. Pre-
viously to the arrival of the corps at Chateau-Thierry, the French
garrison had abandoned the place, leaving behind it several pieces
of cannon, with ammunition. On the 10th of July the Bavarian
army took up a position between the Seine and the Marne, and
Prince Wrede's head-q\iarters were at la Ferte sous Jouarre.
On the 22nd of June, a portion of the 3rd corps d'armee

SUPPLEMENT.

487

under the Crown Prince of Wirtemberg, took possession of the 3rd corps
intrenchments of Germersheim, on the left bank of the Rhine. d * rmee >

Crown

Lieut. Field Marshal Count Wallmoden was posted, with 10 Prince of
battalions and 4 squadrons, in observation of the fortress of b eT a-,
Landau, and the line of the Queich. The main body of the
corps stood between Bruchsal and Philipsburg. On the 23rd,
the corps crossed the Rhine at Germersheim, and passed the line
of the Queich without opposition.

The Crown Prince was directed to proceed by Weissenburg
and Hagenau, with a view to complete, in conjunction with the
4th corps d'armee, the plan of intercepting the retreat of
General Rapp.

On the 24th, the corps advanced to Bergzabern and Nieder-
Ottersbach, at both of which points it fell in with the enemy,
and drove him back. Count Wallmoden left a small detachment
to observe Landau, and advanced, with the remainder of his
force, as far as Rheinzabern. On the 25th, the Crown Prince
ordered the advance towards the lines of Weissenburg, in two
columns. The first column assembled at Bergzabern, and the
second moved forward by Nieder-Ottersbach. Count Wallmoden
was directed to advance upon Lauterburg. The Crown Prince
advanced his corps still further along the Hagenau road. His
advanced guard pushed on to Inglesheim, and the main body of
the corps reached the lines of Weissenburg, which the French
abandoned in the night, and fell back upon the forest of Ha-
genau, occupying the large village of Surburg. On the 26th,
the Crown Prince attacked and defeated the enemy at the last
mentioned place, with his right column, whilst the left column,
under Count Wallmoden, was equally successful in an attack
which it made upon the French General Rothenburg, posted,
with 6,000 infantry, and a regiment of cavalry, at Selz. On the
following day General Rapp fell back upon the defile of Briimath,
but this he quitted in the night, and took up a favoui'able position
in rear of the Suffel, near Strasburg. His force comprised
24 battalions of infantry, 4 regiments of cavalry, and a numerous
artillery, and amounted to nearly 24,000 men.

488 SUPPLEMENT.

The Crown Prince of Wirtemberg, whose force amounted
altogether to more than 40,000 men, succeeded, on the 28th,
after a smart action, in forcing General Rapp to retire within the
fortress of Strasburg. The loss of the 3rd corps on this occasion
amounted to 75 officers, and 2,050 men, killed and wounded.
That of the French was about 3,000 men.

The 3rd corps remained in front of Strasburg until the 4th of
July, when it was relieved by the arrival of the 2nd Austrian
corps, under Prince Hohenzollern, from the vicinity of Colmar.

Austrian ^ ^ g ] ast p O { n ^ ^ e advanced guard of the Austrian reserve-
corps corps, under Lieut. Field Marshal Stutterheim, moved upon

Ferdinand. Remiremont, and the main body, upon Ste Marie aux mines.
The Austrian reserve-corps itself reached Raon 1'Etape, whence
it subsequently moved (on the 10th) to Neufchateau. The 3rd
corps, under the Crown Prince of Wirtemberg, marched into the
vicinity of Molsheim.

On the 7th of July the Crown Prince reached Liineville, but
instead of proceeding to Nancy, according to its original desti-
nation, the corps, on the 91 h, took the road to Neufchateau.
The advance was in two columns ; the one upon Bayon, and the
other upon Rembervillers. These two columns moved respec-
tively, the one, by Vaucouleurs, Joinville, Brienne le Chateau,
Troyes, and Auxonne ; and the other, by Neufchateau, Chau-
mont, Bar sur Aube, Vendoeuvres, Bar sur Seine, and Chatillon ;
at which points (Auxonne and Chatillon) they halted on the 18th.
On the 21st the corps entered into cantonments between Mont-
bard and Tonnerre.

1st and 2nd ^ e ^ st anc ^ 2n< ^ Austrian corps d'armee and the reserve-
corps corps, forming the left wing of the army of the Upper Rhine,

loredo and crossed this river at Rheinfelden and Basle in the night of the

- 25th of June< On the 26th > the lst > un ^er Count Colloredo,
lern. was directed upon Befort and Montbelliard ; and, on the same

R PS6TV G

corps _ day, the Austrians invested the fortress of Huningen. The

Archduke a j vance d guard of the 1st corps had an affair with a French
Ferdinand.

detachment of 3000 men, belonging to the corps of General

Lecourbe, and repulsed it as far as Donnemarie. On the 28th,

SUPPLEMENT.

the 1st corps fell in with the enemy near Chabannes, between
Donnemarie and Befort, when the French force, amounting to
8000 infantry and 500 cavalry, was driven back upon Befort.
Major General von Scheither of the 1st corps was detached
against Montbelliard, a town fortified and defended by a citadel-
After having maintained a most destructive fire against the place,
the Austrian troops carried it by storm ; with a loss, however, of
25 officers and 1000 men killed and wounded.

With the exception of a few sorties of little consequence,
General Rapp remained very quiet in the fortress of Strasburg.
The news of the capture of Paris by the British and Prussian
troops led to a suspension of hostilities, which was concluded on
the 24th of July, and extended to the fortresses of Strasburg,
Landau, Lutzelstein, Huningen, Schlettstadt, Lichtenberg, Pfalz-
burg, Neuf-Brisac, and Befort.

489

The Russian Army.

The main body of the Russian army, commanded by Field
Marshal Count Barclay de Tolly, and amounting to 167,950 men,
crossed the Rhine at Manheim, on the 25th of June, and followed
the army of the Upper Rhine. The greater portion of it reached
Paris and its vicinity by the middle of July.

Operations of the Army of Italy.

The army ef Italy, composed of Austrian and Sardinian troops,
and amounting to 60,000 men, was under the command of Gene-
ral Baron Frimont. It was destined to act against the army of
the Alps, under Marshal Suchet, posted in the vicinity of Cham-
bery and Grenoble. It is uncertain what was the amount of
force under Suchet, it having been estimated from 13,000 to
20,000 men ; but the corps of observation on the Var, in the
vicinity of Antibes and Toulon, under Marshal Brune, amounted
to 10,000, and was not occupied with any enemy in its front.

490

SUPPLEMENT.

Baron Frimont's army was divided into two corps ; the one
under Lieut. Field Marshal Radivojevich, was to advance by the
Valais towards Lyons; and the other, which was in Piedmont,
under Lieut. Field Marshal Count Bubna, was to penetrate into
the south of France, through Savoy.

Marshal Suchet had received orders from Napoleon to com-
mence operations on the 14th of June, and by rapid marches to
secure the mountain passes in the Valais and in Savoy, and close
them against the Austrians. On the 15th, his troops advanced
at all points for the purpose of gaining the frontier from Mont-
meilian as far as Geneva, which he invested. Thence he pur-
posed to obtain possession of the important passes of Meillerie
and St. Maurice, and in this way to check the advance of the
Austrian columns from the Valais. At Meillerie the French
were met and driven back by the advanced guard of the Austrian
right column, on the 21st of June. By means of forced marches
the whole of this column, which Baron Frimont himself accom-
panied, reached the Arve on the 27th of Jnne.

The left column, under Count Bubna, crossed Mount Cenis on
the 24th and 25th of June. On the 28th it was sharply opposed
by the French at Conflans, of which place, however, the Austrians
succeeded in gaining possession.

In order to secure the passage of the Arve the advanced
guard of the right column detached, on the 27th, to Bonneville,
on its left ; but the French, who had already fortified this place,
maintained a stout resistance. In the mean time, however,
the Austriaus gained possession of the passage at Carrouge, by
which means the French were placed under the necessity of
evacuating Bonneville, and abandoning the valley of the Arve.
The column now passed Geneva, and drove the enemy from the
heights of Grand Saconex and from St. Genix. On the 29th
this part of the army moved towards the Jura ; and, on the
1st July, it made its dispositions for attacking the redoubts and
intreuchments which the French had thrown up to defend the
passes. The most vigorous assault was made upon the pass of
Les Roussesj but the Austrians were driven back. Reserves

SUPPLEMENT. 49 }

were then brought up, and the French having quitted their in-
trenchments to meet the latter, and a good opportunity having
offered for a flank attack upon them with cavalry and artillery,
the pass was captured by the Austrians ; and the French were
compelled to abandon both it and the other passes of the Jura.
The Austrian advanced guard pursued the enemy and reached,
in the evening, St. Claude, on the road leading to the left from
Gex, and St. Laurent, in the original direction of the attack,
beyond Les Rousses.

In the mean time, the Austrian reserve-corps, under Lieut.
Field Marshal Meerville, was directed to advance, and to throw
back the French upon the Rhone. The latter, in retreating,
destroyed the bridge of Seyselle ; and, by holding the fort of
1'Ecluse, closed the road from Geneva to Lyons. A redoubt had
been constructed in front of the fort, and completely commanded
the approach. It was gallantly stormed and carried by the regi-
ment of Esterhazy. The fort itself was now turned by the
reserve-corps along the left bank of the Rhone, with the design
of forcing the passage at the Perte du Rhone. Here the French
had constructed a tete de pont, which, however, they were forced
to abandon in consequence of a movement made by the 1st corps
under Lieut. Field Marshal Radivojevich. On retiring, they
destroyed the very beautiful stone bridge then existing, and thus
rendered it necessary for the Austrians to construct temporary
bridges over the extremely narrow space between the rocks which
confine the stream at this remarkable spot. The advanced guard
of the reserve-corps, under General Count Hardegg, first crossed
the Rhone, and found the enemy posted at Charix, in rear of
Chatillon, on the road to Nantua. Count Hardegg immediately
attacked .him, and, after encountering an obstinate resistance,
forced him to retire.

The troops of the 1st Austrian corps, which, in the mean
time, were left in front of the fort 1'Ecluse, had commenced a
bombardment; and this, after twenty- six hours' duration, con-
siderably damaged the fort. A powder-magazine exploded,
which caused a general conflagration ; to escape which the-

492 SUPPLEMENT.

garrison rushed out, and surrendered at discretion to the Aus-
trians ; and thus, in three days, the high road from Geneva to
Lyons was opened to the army of Italy.

On the 3rd July, General Bogdan, -with the advanced guard of
the 1st Austrian corps, having been reinforced by Lieut. Field
Marshal Radivojevich, attacked the enemy with much impetuosity
at Ojanax, beyond St. Claude, where the French General Maran-
sin had taken up a favourable position, with 2,000 men. The
Austrians turned his left flank, and forced him to retire. The
corps reached Bourg en Bresse on the 9th July.

On the 1 Oth July, a detachment, under Major General von
Pfliiger, was pushed on to Magon on the Saone, and gained pos-
session of the tete de pont constructed there, and of the place
itself.

On the 7th July, the 2nd corps, under Count Bubna, reached
Echelles. A detachment, consisting principally of Sardinian
troops, under Lieut. General Count Latour, had been directed to
observe Grenoble, in front of which its advanced guard arrived
on the 4th July. On the 6th, the suburbs were attacked, and
the communication between this place and Lyons was cut off.
The garrison, consisting of eight battalions of the national
guard, offered to capitulate on the 9th, upon the condition of
being permitted to return to their homes. That a vigorous
defence might have been maintained, was evident from the fact
of the Austrians having found in the place 5-1 guns, and 8 mor-
tars, and large quantities of provisions.

Count Bubna's corps and the reserve corps, by simultaneous
movements, assembled together in front of Lyons on the 9th.
An armistice was solicited by the garrison on the 1 1th July, and
granted upon condition that Lyons and the intrenched camp
should be evacuated, and that Marshal Suchet should retire
with his corps behind the Loire, keeping his advanced posts
within a stipulated line of demarcation.

Having secured possession of the line of the Rhone as far
down as its junction with the Isere, as also of that part of the
Saone between Magon and Lyons, the army of Italy now pro-

SUPPLEMENT.

ceeded towards the upper line of the latter river, leaving the 2nd
corps, under Count Bubna, at Lyons, in front of Marshal Suchet.
The 1st corps marched upon Chalons sur Saone, in order to gain
the tete de pont at that point. At this time the 4th division of
the army, under the French General Lecourbe, was at Salins,
between Dole and Pontarlier, and as Besangon had not yet been
invested, Baron Frimont detached a part of the reserve-corps,
under General Hecht, to Salins, whilst General Folseis, detached
from the 1st corps towards Dole. The advanced guard of the
1st corps had arrived in front of the tete de pont at Chalons,
and had completed its dispositions for attack, when the place
surrendered. By the advance, at the same time, of Hecht upon
Salins, and of Folseis from Dole upon Besangon, the retreat of
the French General Laplane was completely cut off. This led to
a convention, which stipulated the dissolution of the national
guards, the surrender of all the officers, and the abandonment of
one of the forts of Salins to the Austrians.

On the 20th, the 1st corps d'armee advanced from Chalons
sur Saone as far as Autun, and Besangon having in the mean
time been occupied by the Austrian troops of the army of the
Upper Rhine, a junction was effected with the latter by the army
of Italy by Dijon.

The Sardinian General d'Osasca, who had been detached to
Nice, concluded on the 9th July an armistice with Marshal
Brune, who commanded the army of the Var, in front of the
Maritime Alps, and thus terminated all hostilities on that side
of France.

The foregoing outline will suffice to show the nature, extent,
and interconnection of the operations of the Allied armies which
invaded France along her eastern and south-eastern frontier ;
and at the same time afford a clear proof that amongst the more
immediate consequences of the decisive battle of Waterloo and
speedy capture of Paris must be ranked that of their having been
the means of averting the more general and protracted warfare

493

494 SUPPLEMENT.

which would probably have taken place, had a different result in
Belgium emboldened the French to act with vigour and effect in
other parts of the country.

The reduction of the fortresses left in rear of the British and
Prussian armies, adjoining their main line of operations, and
which was confided to Prince Augustus of Prussia, with the 2nd
Prussian corps d'armee, assisted by the British battering-train,
was effected in the following manner:

Maubeuge siege commenced 8th July, capitulated 12th July.

Landrecies ... ... 19th do. ... 21st do.

Marienburg ... ... 27th do. ... 28th do.

Philippeville ... ... 7th August, ... 8th August.

Rocroy ... ... 15th do. ... 16th do.

Prince Augustus had made every preparation for commencing
the siege of Charlemont and its connecting forts, the two Givets
and the Mont d' Hours, on the 8th September, when the com-
mandant, General Count Burcke, foreseeing that the occupation
of the detached forts would divide his force too much, entered
into negotiations, and surrendered those works on the 10th,
withdrawing his troops into Charlemont ; the bombardment of
which was to have opened on the 23rd September, but, on the
20th, Prince Augustus received information from Paris that hos-
tilities were to cease throughout the whole of France.

APPENDIX.

List of Officers of the King's German Legion, who were present at the
Defence of La Haye Sainte.

2nd Light Battalion. MAJORS O. Baring; A. Bosewiel, killed. CAPTAINS E.Holtzer-
mann, taken prisoner ; W. -Schaumann, killed. LIEUTENANTS P. Kessler, mounded ;
C. Meyer ; O. Lindam, mounded ; B. Riefkugel, wounded ; A. Tobin, taken prisoner ;
T. Carey, wounded ; E. Biedermann; D. Grceme, mounded; S. Earl. ENSIGNS F. von
Robertson, killed; G. Frank, mounded; W. Smith ; L. Baring. LIEUT. AND ADJUTANT
W. Timmann, mounded. SURGEON G. Heise.

Itt Light Battalion. CAPTAINS von Gilsa, mounded ; von Marschalck, killed : LIEUTE-
NANT Kuntze. ENSIGN Baumgarten.

Skirmishers of 5th Line Battalion. CAPTAIN von Wurmb, killed. LIEUTENANTS
Witte, wounded ; Schlager. ENSIGN Walther, mounded.

II.

Effective Strength of the Prussian Troops on the Field of Waterloo.

fc-

>
cJ
U

t ) 15th Brigade
At half-past 4 o'clock < Part of 4th corps V 16th Brigade
) Reserve Cavalry

5,881
6,162

2,720 j

1,143

.,_ ,, . ( Remainder of 4th ) 13th Brigade 6,385
' ' \ corps . . ] 14th Brigade 6,953

< Part of 1st corps Part of 1st Brig. 2,582

1,670

274

Atro'clock .. | partof 2nd corps j ^BHgd.

6,851 )
6.4R9 )

4,468

386

Total 41,283 8,858 1,803 104

V _;

Grand Total 51,944 Men, and 104 Guns.

VOL. II.

2 K

498

APPENDIX.

III.

Lines descriptive of the part taken in t/ie Battle of Waterloo by the Glh
brigade of British cavalry, upon the repulse of the last attack by the
French ; with the death of Major the Hon. Frederick Howard.

BY AN OFFICER OF THE 10 HUSSARS, WHO WAS PRESENT.

Back rolls the tide of war ; its refluent wave
E'en Ney arrests not, bravest of the brave.*
For ever turn'd, in wild confusion throng
Horse, cannon, infantry, the slope along ;
And while with parting glare the sun illumes
Helm, cuirass, sabre, lances, pennons, plumes,
Such splendid pageantry of glorious war
Alone must swell the soul ; but higher far
The feelings rose, to see the pride of France
Thus routed, mingled, while our bands advance,
Each serried column form'd in order due,
Each eye elate this glorious end to view.
Hark ! on the right exulting shouts arise,
And the huzza of Britons rends the skies ;
From the left flank, in column, winding far,
Speeds with a whirlwind's force the swift hussar,
Tho' to their thund'ring hoofs the plain resounds,
Still cautious discipline their ardour bounds.
Who, with a hero's port and lofty form,
With waving sabre onward guides the storm ?
While through the tangled corn and yielding clay
His spurs incessant urge his panting grey
'Tis Vivian, pride of old Cornubia's hills,
His veins th' untainted blood of Britons fills.

* " Brave des braves."

APPENDIX. 499

Him follows close a Manners,* glorious name,
In him a Granby's soul aspires to fame,
Or such as erst, -when Rodney gain'd the day,
Ebb'd from his kinsman's wound with life away.
" Front form the line !" cries Vivian, still its course
The head rnaintain'd, the rear with headlong force
Speeds at the word, till troops to troops combine,
And each firm squadron forms the serried line.
Now to their head as eager Uxbridge rush'd,
Fate check'd his wish to lead, as sudden gush'd
A purple torrent from his ebbing wound,
And from his charger hurl'd, he press'd the ground;
No groan he utter' d, breath'd no fainting sigh,
But on our squadrons bent his anxious eye.
Th' heroic eye spoke firm contempt of pain,
But disappointment not to lead again.
Then pierc'd the fatal ball young Gunning's heart,
Headlong he fell, nor felt one instant's smart :
Calm, pale as marble forms on tombs, he lay
As days had sped since pass'd his soul away.
His charger onward on the squadron's flank
To battle rush'd, and "kept its master's rank.

Vain ! (tho' still worthy of their former fame,
And from a gen'rous foe respect to claim,)
Vain the attempt ! some gallant bands appear
Arrang'd to check the fierce hussars' career,
Awhile protection for their rear to form
And shield it from the desolating storm
The helm'd dragoon upon our right bears down,
Couch' d' are the lances of a band that crown
The hill's low brow, and down at speed they burst,
Sabre meets lance, and blow encounters thrust.
They turn, they fly Vain hope to rally ! vain !
To stem our onward course ; o'er all the plain

* Lieut. Colonel Lord Robert Manners, }Qtft Hussars.

500 APPENDIX.

Amid their bands confusion reigns supreme,

While o'er their heads our threat'ning sabres gleam.

At length a pause A band of vet'rans true,

Whom no dire terrors of pursuit subdue,

Form the close square, and on a swelling brow

Unmov'd they stand, undaunted ; onwards flow

The streaming fugitives, yet still they stand

Resolv'd to perish for their beauteous land.*

Resolv'd, indignant, ere the field they leave,

The stains on Gallic honour to retrieve.

Here, should they rest, by their example warm'd

Others may join, and conflict fierce be form'd

Charge, Howard, charge ! and sweep them from the field,

To British swords their bayonets must yield

To high emprize upon the battle's plain

When was the name of Howard call'd in vain ?

Worthy his great progenitors he heard

The call, exulting, and with ready word,

" Charge, brave hussars !" he cried, and wav'd on high

His gleaming sword forward at once they fly

No tighten'd rein, no high curvetting airs,

(As their cuirassiers hover'd round our squares,

In hopes, perchance, some trembling files to spy,

Vain hopes, in bands where all were prompt to die.)

Now to each panting steed the spurs were press'd,

His mane wav'd o'er the rider's forward breast

Thus rush'd the gallant squadron on the foe,

Yet firm they stood, their arms in levell'd row

Their volleying thunders pour'd our ranks among,

Where foremost blade on foremost musket rung.

Three gallant youths the van exulting led,

Three by the deadly volley instant bled

Arnold and Bacon fall, again to rise,

From three fell wounds brave Howard's spirit flies :

* '* La belle France."

APPENDIX.

Full many a warrior on that dreadful day,
Brave, generous, gentle, breath'd his soul away,
But one more gentle, generous, or brave,
Never in battle found a soldier's grave
Alas ! what tears shall dim the lovely eyes
Of her who now for absence only sighs
Her whom to leave gives death its keenest smart,
Its deepest anguish to his bursting heart.

Short were your pangs, but ere the spirit fled,
Heaven grant you saw that not in vain you bled ;
That your brave followers on the broken foe
With vengeance wing'd dealt many a deadly blow,
Till mercy check'd each hand, and bade them spare
The suppliant remnants of the vanquish'd square.

501

IV.

List of British Officers who ware present at the defence of Hougomont.

2nd Battalion of Coldttream, or 2nd 'Regiment of Foot Guardi. MAJOR A. G. Wood-
ford, Colonel. CAPTAINS and LIEUT. COLONELS J. Macdonell, mounded ; D. Mackinnon,
n-ounded ; Hon. J. Walpole ; H. Dawkins; Hon. E. Acheson; H. Wyndham, n-ounded.
LIEUTENANTS and CIPTAINS G. Bowles; T.Sowerby; W. L.Walton; W. G. Baynes; C.
A. F. Bentinck, Adj. ; J. S. Cowell; E. Sumner, wounded; J. L. Blackmail, killed; B.Lord
Hotham ; Hon. R. Moore, mounded ; T. Chaplin. ENSIGNS Hon. J. Forbes; H. Gooch ; A.
Cuyler; M.Beaufoy; H.F.Griffiths, n-ounded; J. Montagu, wounded ; G. R. Buckley ; J.
Hervey; H.Vane; F. J. Douglass; R. Bowen ; A.Gordon; Hon W.Forbes; C. Short.
ADJUTANT C. A. F. Bentinck. QUARTER MASTER B. Selway. SURGEON W. Whymper.
ASST. SURGEONS G. Smith ; W. Hunter.

2nd Battalion of the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guardt. MAJOR F. Hepburn, Lieut. Col.
CAPTAINS and LIEUT. COLONELS H. W. Rooke; W. C. Master; D. Mercer; C. Dashwood,
mounded; F.Home; E. Bowater, n-ounded ; C. West, n-ounded. LIEUTENANTS and CAP-
TAINS W. Stothert, Adj. W.Drummond; R. B. Hesketh, n-ouiided; H. Hawkins; R. H.
Wigston ; Hon. J. B. Rodney ; C. J. Barnet ; J. W. Moorhouse ; E. B. Fairfield ; G. Evelyn,
irounded; Hon. H. Forbes, killed; J. Elrington; H. B. Montgomerie, n-ounded; T. Craw-
ford, killed ; J. Ashton, killed. ENSIGNS C. Lake, irounded ; Hon. E. Stopford; B. Drum-
mond ; G. D. Standen ; D. Baird, wounded ; W. James ; W. F. Hamilton ; Hon. G. Anson ;
T. Wedgewood ; W.Butler; A. ('. Cochrane; J. Prendergast ; C. Simpson, ivouitded; H. S.
Blane; H.Montague. ADJUTANT W. Stothert, Capt., wounded. QUARTER MASTER
J. Skuce. SURGEON S. Good. ASST. SURGEONS J. R. Warde ; F. G. Hanrott.

lit Regiment of Foot Guard*. CAPTAINS and LIEUT. COLONELS Lord Saltoun ;
C P. Ellis, n-ounded.*

* I know not the names of the remaining officers of the light companies of the 1st Brigade
of Guards detached to Hougomont. W. S.

502 APPENDIX.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the British Troops at the Battle of Waterloo.

Brigades.

Killed. Wounded. Missing.

Total Hank ami File
Killed, Wounded,

Regiments.

I'roop Quarter-
Masters, and
Serjeants.

3 .

TJ
P

a
G
a
K

Troop Quarter-
Masters, and
Serjeants.

o .
01

11
P

a
j<
c

198

3
X

Troop Quarter-
Masters, and
/ Serjeants.

a
c

a
.*

a
(

1st.

2nd
3rd
4th j
5th j

6th)
7th

2nd |
3rd]

4th]
5th 1

i 8th |
Oth |
10th j

Royal Artillery . . . .

337

24
1

123

5S
5

(

J6C

13
67

58
32

Royal Statf Corps

1st Life Guards
2nd do.
Rl.H. Guards (Blues)
1st Dragoon Guards . .
1st Dragoons . .
2nd do. (Scots Greys)
6th do. (Innf (killings)
1st Light Drag. K.G.L

i
i

4
(i

4
I
2
3
6
3
5

i
i

14
14
37

79
92
66

89
100

54
55
161
179
105

3
1

.)
4
9

! 8

4
5
5
4
6
9
10

2
1

30
34

51
OJ
81
80
99

21
20
IS
13

35
47

4
1

'3
*9

4
91
20
115
'J

25
53
34
243

2
53

28rd Light Dragoons
llth do.
12th do.
16th do.
2nd Hussars, K. G. L.
7th Hussars
15th do
1st Hussars, K. G.L.
10th Hussars
18th do
3rd Hussars, K. G. L.
13th Li-*ht Dragoons . .
1st Guards, 2nd Battn.
1st Guards, 3rd B;ittn.
2nd Guards, 2nd Battn.
3rd Guards, 2nd Hattn.
52nd Regiment, 1st do.
"1st do. do.
95th do. 2nd do.
05th do. 3rd do.
14th do. 3rd do.
23rd do. 1st do.
51st do. do.
311th do. 2nd do.
33rd do. do.
69th do. 2,ifl do.
73rd do. 2ml do.
28th do. 1st do.
32nd do. 1st do.
79th do. 1st do.
95th do. 1st do.
1st do. 3rd do.
42nd do. 1st do.
44th do. 2nd do.
92nd do. 1st do.
4th do. do.
27th do. do.
40th do. do.
General Staff . .

I
]
I

(

]

3
1

6
2

1
2

2
1
2

3
1

10
39
C

55
19

2<
17
28
8f

'84
31

5
4

I
j

'4
4
2

*9
3

i
I

50
16

- 83
45

26
88
22
80

116

33
IS

20
12

50
79
53
37
16
23
31
3
7
9

40
19

*15

(

! 9

r
f

!
8
It
14
4
1
ft

10
7
7
13
10
8
7
G
1
B

38
G-

57
89

35
41

41
3/

238

22!
17S
I6f

2
I

150
171
34
16

20
7

. .

i
i
i

8
41
81

1-4

14.-

84
50

2
3
2

12
45
18
41

3
1

2
4
1

7
5

43
17
28
27
16
12
5
4
13
10
90
25

IS
1C

!)
1!
11
14
6
3
6
!)
13
10
40

G
11
7
7
4
6
3
3
6
10
16

100
13fi
126

4
1

121
116

1 1 1

9.<
107

348
142

Total

719

70S

1245

131!)

:!('..->

271

1281

->f)8

cm;

APPENDIX.

VI.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, oftfie King's German Legion
at the Battle of Waterloo.

503

Killed.

Wounded.

Missing.

d & si

V-

' t

= C B

Regiments.

Officers.

Non-commi
sioned Office

Trumpeters
Drummers

Rank and Fi

Officers.

Non-comm
sioned Office

Trumpeters
Drummers

Rank and Fi

Horses.

Officers.

Non-commi
sioned Office

Trumpeters
Drummers

Rank and F

Horses.

Total Rank a
Killed, Wou
and Missi

Artillery

5(1

O'l

Ifi

127

3rd<

2nd do

?'i

23rd Rritish do. . .

I'i

6th '

10/7t British do

18th do. do

... (

3rd Hussars

o;>

108

13th British Light Dragoons

(

1st Line Battalion . .

'(',

If)

2nd do.

If,

3rd do.

137

4th do

. .

g ^

1st Light Battalion

. .

122

2nd do.

. .

111

172

5th Line Battalion . .

149

8th do.

7<;

130

General Staff

Total

306

191

860

141

209

1381

VII.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the Hanoverian Troops on the 16th, 17 th, and

18th of June, 1815.

Brigades.

Regiments.

Killed.

Wounded.

Missing.

Total Privates Killed,
Wounded, and
Missing.

Officers.

(Non-commis-
sioned Officers.

Buglers and
Drummers.

Privates.

| Horses.

Officers.

Non-commis-
sioned Officers.

Buglers and
Drummers.

Privates.

Horses.

Officers.

Non-commis-
sioned Officers.

Buglers and
Drummers.

Privates.

-
o

Infantry. Cavalry.

]st-|
1st <

3rd
4th
5th

1st Battery of Foot Artillery ]
2nd Battery of Foot Artillery }
Prince Regent's Hussars . .

26l

Bremen and Verden Hussars
Duke of Cumberland's do.

15
1?

1
1

i
i

30
37
104
87
66
132
67
15
61
9

1
2
1
1
1

19
34
51
44
46
47
5
6
2

47
68
148
198
131
205
128
36
83
12
77
148
46
117
119
73
78
20
51

Field Batt. Bremen
Field Batt. Verden
Field Batt. Duke of York's
Field Batt. Liineburg
Field Batt. Grubenhagen
Landwehr Batt. Bremervorde
Do. Osnabriick
Do. Quackenbriick
Do. Salzgitter. .
Do. Verden . .
Do. Luneburg
Do. Osterode . .
Do. Mu'nden . .
Do. Hameln .
Do. Gifhorn . .
Do. Hildesheim
Do. Peine
General Staff

2
3
1
2
3
1

1
3

10
60
21
27
14
16
16
1

8
7
4
5
6
4
6

8
6
Z
4
4
1

' '

i
i

19
10
10
12
11
9
13
3
8

2
i 4
5
5
6

: 4

3
1
2
?

1
1
2
4
3
4
1
1

96
36

;;

91
92
57

14
16
7

17
38

Total

294

1183

341

ISIS

504

APPENDIX.

VIII.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the Brunswick Troops at the
Battle of Waterloo.

Killed.

Wounded.

Horses.

Missing.

a "2 ti

|Ji

Regiments.

Officers.

on-comm:
>ned Offlci
nd Privat

Officers.

'on-comm
>ned Offici
nd Privat

Killed,
and
Wounded.

Rank
and
File.

;

"- 3 a

K -s a

Regiment of Hussars

Squadron of Uhlans

Horse Battery . .

Foot Battery

. .

Advanced-Guard Battal on

Guard Battalion..

1st Light Battalion

. 50*

2nd do.

110

3rd do.

110

1st Line Battalion

2nd do.

2
10

1
2

6
51

8
61

General Staff ..

50"

Total ..

147

430

627

IX.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Mitsing of the Troops of the Nassau
Contingent (1st Regiment} at the Battle of Waterloo.

Killed
Wounded

5 Officers, 249 Under-officers and Privates.
19 . 370

Total Killed and Wounded 24

APPENDIX.

List of Officers of the British A rmy icho were present in the A ctions on the
16th, 17th, and ISth of June, 1815, including those posted near Hal on
the 18th, and distinguishing such as were Killed, Wounded, or Missing.*

STAFF.

Cojnmander-in- Chief FIELD MARSHAL His GRACE THE DUKE OP WELLINGTON,
K.G., G.C.B., &e. Military Secretary Lieut. Colonel Lord FitzRoy Somerset, 1st F. Gds. jv.
Aide s -de- Camp Lieut. Colonels, J. Fremantle, 2nd F. Gds., C.F. Canning, 3rd F. Gds. A.,
Hon. Sir Alex. Gordon, 3rd F. Gds. k., Lieut. Lord George Lennox, 9th Lt. Drns., Hered.
Prince of Xassau Usingen. Extra A.D.C.'t Lieut. Colonel HOD. Henry Percy, 14th Lt.
Drns., Captain Lord Arthur Hill, h.p., Lieutenant Hon. George Cathcart, 6th Drn. Gds.

GENERAL H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF ORANGE, re. Aides-de-Camp Lieut. Colonel Tripp,
GOth Foot, Captains, Lord John Somerset, h.p., Hon. Francis Russell, h.p., Extra A.D.C.'t
Captain Earl of March, 52nd Foot, Lieutenant H. Webster, 9th Lt. Drns.

LIEUT. GENERAL THE EARL OP UXBRIDGE. G.C.B. iv. Aidcs-de-Camp Major W.
Thornhill, 7th Huss., re., Captain H. Seymour, 60th Foot, rv. Extra A.D.C.'s Captains,
T. Wildman, 7th Huss. jr., J. Fraser, 7th Huss. TV.

LIEUT. GENERAL LORD HILL, G.C.B. Aides -de-Camp Lieut. Colonel C. Hill, R. H.
Gds. 7i-., Majors, R. Egerton, 34th Foot, C. H. Churchill, 1st F. Gds., Captain D. Mack-
worth, 7th Foot. Extra A.D.C. Captain Hon. O. Bridgeman, 1st F. Gds. w.

LIEUT. GENERAL SIR THOMAS PICTON, G.C.B. k. Aidet-de-Camp Captains, J. Tyler,
93rd Foot, w., X. Chambers, 1st F. Gds. k. Extra A. D.C. Captain B. Price, h.p.

LIEUT. GENERAL SIR HENRY CLINTON, G.C.B. Aide-de-Camp Captain F. Dawkins,
1st F. Gds.

LIEUT. GENERAL C. COUNT ALTEN, K.C.B. A ide-de-Camp Lieutenant W. Havelock,
43rd Foot, w., Major Ch. Heise, 2nd Lt. Batt. K.G.L.

LIEUT. GENERAL SIR CHARLES COLTILLE, G.C.B. Aidet-de-Camp Captain J.Jack-
son, 37th Foot, Lieutenant F. W. Frankland, 2nd Foot. Extra A.D.C. Captain Lord
James Hay, 1st F. Gds.

M. GENERAL V. COUNT ALTEN. Aide-de- Camp Lieutenant Baron Estorff, 2nd Drns.
K.G.L.

M. GENERAL SIR JOHN VANDELEDR, K.C.B. Aide-de-Camp Captain W. Armstrong,
19th Lt. Drns. Major of Brigade Major M. Childers, llth Lt. Drns.

M. GENERAL COOKE, re. Aide-de-Camp Captain G. Desbrowe, 1st F. Gds. Extra
A. D.C. Ensign A. Cuyler, 2nd F. Gds.

M. GENERAL SIR JAMES KEMPT, K.C.B. rv. Aide-de-Camp Captain Hon. Charles
Gore, h.p. Major of Brigade Captain C. Eeles, 95th Foot.

M. GENERAL HON. SIR W. PONSONBT, K.C.B. k. Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant B.
Christie, 5th Drn. Gds. Extra A.D.C. Major D. Evans, 5th W. I. Regt. Major of Bri-
gade Major Reignolds, 2nd Drns. k.

M. GENERAL SIR JOHN BYNG, K.C.B. Aide-de-Camp Captain H. Dumaresq, 9th
Foot, re. Major of Brigade Captain \V. Stothert, 3rd F. Gds. k.

M. GENERAL SIR DENIS PACK, K.C.B. it. Aide-de-Camp Major E. L'Estrange, 71st
Foot, k. Major of Brigade Captain C. Smith, 93rd Foot, k.

M. GENERAL LORD E. SOMERSET, K.C.B. Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant H. Somerset,
18th Huss. Major of Brigade Captain G. Villiers, R. H. Guards.

M. GENERAL SIR JOHN LAMBERT, K.C.B. Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant T. Baynes, 39th
Foot. Major of Brigade Major H. G. Smith, 95th Foot, A.

The names of those killed, wounded, or missing, are marked k, rv, and w, respectively.

505

506

APPENDIX.

M. GENERAL SIR COLQUHOUN GRANT, K.C.B. re. Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant R.
Mansfield, 15th Huss. re. Extra A.D.C. Captain VV. Moray, 17th Lt. Drns. jr. Major of
Brigade Captain Jones, h.p.

M. GENERAL SIK JAMES LYON, K.C B. Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant J. M'Glashan,
2nd Lt. Bn. K.G.L. Major of Brigade Captain Kichter, 1st Ceylon Regt.

M. GENERAL P. MAITLAND. Aide-de-Camp Ensign Lord Hay, 1st. F. Gds. k. Extra
A.D.C. Cornet Lord William P. Lennox, R.H. Gds. Major of Brigade Captain J.
Gunthorpe, 1st. F. Gds.

M. GENERAL G. JOHNSTONE. Aide-de-Camp Capt. C. G. Gray, 25th Foot. Major
of Brigade Captain S. Holmes, 78th Foot.

M. GENERAL F. ADAM, re. Aide-dc-C'amj) Lieutenant R. P. Campbell, 7th Foot.
Extra A.D.C. Captain C. Yorke, 52nd Foot. Major of Brigade Major Hunter Blair,
91st Foot, rv.

M. GENERAL SIR COLIN HALKETT, K.C.B. rv. Aidet-de- Camp Captains, H. Mar-
schalk, 1st Lt. Bn. K.G.L. ft. A. Holme, 2nd Lt. Bn. K.G.L. Major of Brigade Captain
W. Crofton, 54th Foot, k.

M. GENERAL SIR HUSSEY VIVIAN, K.C.B. Aide-de-Camp Captain E. Koane, 7th
HHSS. Extra A.D.C. Lieutenant C. A. Fitzroy, R. H. Gds. Major of Brigade Cap-
tain T. Is". Harris, h.p. re.

ADJUTANT GENERAL M. General Sir Edward Barnes, K.C.B. re. Aide-de-Camp
Major A. Hamilton, 4th W. I. Regt. n\ Dep. Adj. General Colonel Sir John Elley,
K.C.B. R. H. Gds. re. Assist. Adj. Gen. Lieut. Colonels, S. Waters, Unatt. re., Sir
George H. Berkeley, K.C.B. 35th Foot, re., Sir Guy Campbell, Bt. 6th Foot, Sir Xoel Hill,
K.C.B. 1st F. Gds., D. Barclay, 1st F. Gds., H. Rooke, 3rd F. Gds., E. Carrie, 90th Foot, ft. ;
Majors, A. Wylly, 7th Foot, G. Evatt, 55th Foot, W. Darling, h.p., F. Breymann, 2nd Lt.
Bn. K.G.L. Dep. Assist. Adj. Geti. Captains, Hon. E. S. Erskine, 60th Foot, n:, Lord
Charles Fitzroy, 1st F. Gds., C. Bentinck, 2nd F. Gds., L. Grant, 78th Foot, H. Blanckley,
23rd Foot, Hon. W. Curzon, 69th Foot, ft. ; Lieutenants, J. Hamilton, 46th Foot, re., 1.
Harford, 7th R. V. Bn., E. Gerstlacher, 3rd Huss. K.G.L., J. Rooke, h.p. Dep. Judge
Advocate Lieut. Colonel S. Goodman, h.p.

DEP. QrAHTER MASTER GENERAL Col. Sir William Delancey, K.C.B. ft. Assist.
Quar. Mat. Gen. Colonels, Hon. A. Abercromby, 2nd F. Gds. TV., F. B. Hervey, 14th Lt.
Drns., Lieut. Colonels, R. Torrens, 1st W. I. Regt., Sir Charles Broke, K.C.B. Perm., Sir
Jeremiah Dickson, K.C.B. Perm., Lord Greenock, Perm., J. Woodford, IstF. Gds., C. Grant,
llth Foot, Sir William Gomm, K.C.B. 2nd F. Gds., Sir Henry Bradford, K.C.B. 1st F.
Gds. re.. Sir George Scovell, K.C.B., h.p., D. Kelly, 73rd Foot; Majors, W. Campbell, 23rd
Foot, Hon. George L. Dawson, 1st Dm. Gds. ., E. Beckwith, 95th Foot, re., J. Shaw, 43rd
Foot, J. Jessop, 44th Foot, re. Dep. Assist. Quar. Mas. Gen. Captains, E. Fitzgerald,
25th Foot, -., T. Wright, R. Staff Corps, rv., H. McLeod, 35th Foot, n-., J. Mitchell, 25th
Foot, re., W. Moore, 1st F. Gd?., G. Hillier, 74th Foot, J. Fraser, 90th Foot, W. Cameron,
1st F. Gds., F. Read, R. Staff Corps; Lieutenants, P. Barrailler, 33rd Foot, B.Jackson,
R. Staff Corps, A.Brauns, R. Staff Corps.

Commandant at Head-QuartersColonel Sir Colin Campbell, K.C.B. 2nd F. Gds.

CAVALRY.

1st Life Guards. MAJOR S. Ferrier, Lieut. Col. ft. CAPTAINS J. Whale, re.; M.
Lind, ft.; E.Kelly, re.; J. Berger, Maj. LIEUTENANTS G. Randall; W. Mayne; H.
Wyatt. SUB. LIEUTENANTS W. S. Richardson, rv. ; S. Cox, 71-. ; W. Wombwell ; G. Storey.
SURGEON R. Gough. ASST. SURGEON J. H. James. VET. SURGEON F. Dalton.

2nd Life Guards. MAJOR Hon. E. P. Lygon, Lieut. Col. CAPTAINS W. Boyce,
Maj.; R. Fitzgerald, Lt. Col. ft.; Hon. H. E. Irby; J. P. M. Kenyon. LIEUTENANTS
R. Meares; W. Elliott; S. Waymouth, ro. and m.; C. Barton. SUB-LIEUTENANTS
A. Kenyon ; T. Martin ; A. M'Innes ; J. Clues, Adj. SURGEON S. Broughton. ASST.
SURGEON T. Drinkwater. VET. SURGEON J. Field.

Royal Horse Guards, Blue. LIEUT. COLONELS Sir John Elley, Col. w. ; Sir R. C.
Hill, n. MAJOR R. C. Packe, ft. CAPTAINS J. Tlioyts; W. R. Clayton; C. Hill,

APPENDIX.

Lt.Cal.it:; W.T.Drake. LIEUTENANTS J. B. Riddlesden ; W. C. Shawe, w. ; E. W.
Bouverie, re.; H. E. Boates; T. B. Tatliwell; G. Smith ; Hon. G. J. Watson. CORNETS
J. K. Picard; J.Arnold. SURGEON D. Slow. VET. SURGEON 3. Seddall.

tst (or King's) Dragoon Guards. LIEUT. COLOXEL W. Fuller, Col. ft. CAPTAINS H.
Graham, Maj. k. ; M. Turner, re. ; J. F. Savior, rv. ; W. Elton ; J. D. Brughurst, Maj. k. ;
J. P. Sweeny, -. ; K. Wallace; T. X. Quicke; G. E. Battersby, k. LIEUTENANTS J.
Leatham; W. Sterling ; R. Babington ; F. Brooke, h. ; R. T. Hamley; T. C. Brander ; T.
Shelver, Adj. k. ; E. Hamill; W. D. A. Irvine, w. ; J. E. Greaves ; J. X. Hibbert. COR-
NETS G. Quicke ; J. F. Middleton ; Hon. H.B. Bernard, ft.; W. W. Huntley. PArMASTER
J. Webster. SURGEON J. Going. ASST. SURGEONS W. M'Auley ; Robert Pearson.

lit Royal Dragoon*. LIEUT. COLONEL A. B. Clifton. MAJOR P. Dorrille, Lieut.
Col. CAPTAINS C. E. Radclytfe, Maj. re.; A. K.Clark, r. ; P. Phipps; R. Heathcote ;
B.C. Windsor, ft. ; C. L. Methuin; C. Foster, k. LIEUTENANTS H. R. Carden; G. Gun-
ning, re. ; T. R. Keily, n: ; S. Tratford, rv. ; S. Windawe, re. ; C. Bridges ; C. Ommaney, w. ;

C. Blois, re.; S. Goodenough, re. ; R. Magniac, ft. CORNETS \V. Sturges; J. C. Sykes, k.
ADJUTAXT-CORNET T. Shipley, ft. QUARTER MASTER W. Waddel. SURGEON G.
Steed. ASST. SURGEON T. Prosser.

2?i<f, or Royal Xorth British, Dragoons, (Scots Greys). LIEUT. COLONEL J. J.
Hamilton, Col. ft. MAJOR J. B. Clarke, Lieut. Col. re ; T. P. Hankin, Lieut. Col. TV.
CAPTAINS E. Cheney, Maj.; J. Poole, n: ; R. Vernon, Maj. re. ; T. Reignolds, ft.; C. L.
Barnard, ft.; E. Payne. LIEUTENANTS John Mills, JP.; F. Stupart.ro. ; G. H. Falconer;
J. Wemyss; J. Carruthers, TV. ; A.Hamilton; T. Truther, ft. ; J.Gape; C. Wyndham, rv.;
J. R. T. Graham; H. M'Millan. CORNETS E. Westby, ft. ; F. C. Kinchant, k.; L. Shul-
dam, ft.; W. Crawford. PAYMASTER W. Dawson. QUARTER MASTER J. Lennox.
SURGEON R.Dunn. ASST. SUKGEON J.Alexander. YET. SURGEON J. Trigg.

6th, or Innuhilling, Dragoons. LIEUT. COLONEL J. Muter, Col. rv. MAJORS F. S.
Miller, Lieut. Col. re. ; H. Madox ; W. F. Browne, re. ; W. F. Hadden. CAPTAINS Hon.
S. Douglass, n.; E. Holbech; T. Mackay. LIEUTENANTS T. Biddulph; A. S. Willett;
J. Linton ; H. W. Petre ; A. Hassard, it: ; F. Johnston ; R. Down ; B. Barry ; P. Ruffo, rn. ;
M. Damee. CORNET J. D. Allingham. ADJUTANT M. M'Cluskey, ft. RECIMENTAI
QUARTERMASTER J. Kerr. SURGEON J. Bolton. ASST. SURGEONS W. H. Rickatts ;
W. Campbell. YET. SUBGEON R. Vincent. PAYMASTER W. Armstrong.

7th Light Dragoons. COLONEL Earl of Uxbridge, Lt. Gen. rv. LIEUT. COLONEL Sir
Edward Kerrison, Col. MAJORS Edward Hodge, ft. ; W. Thornhill, re. CAPTAINS W.
Yerner, n.; T. W. Robbins, re.; E. Keane; P. A. Heyliger, re.; T. Wildman ; J. J.
Frazer, rv. ; J. D. Elphinstone, rv.; E. Wildman, TO. LIEUTENANTS S. O'Grady ; W.
Shirley; W.Grenfell; R. Douglass, TV. ; R. L'niacke; J. R. Gordon, rv. ; Henry Lord Paget ;
J.Daniel; E. J. Peters, re. ; J. Wildman; F. Beatty, re. ; S.Rice; F. Towers. PAYMASTER
T. Feltom. LIEUT. ADJ. A. Meyers, rv. QUARTER MASTER J. Greenwood. SURGEON

D. Irwin. ASST. SURGEONS R. A. Chennside; J. Moffit. YET. SURGEON R. DorviUe.
10th Hussars. LIEUT. COLONEL George Quentin, Col. w. ; Lord Robert Manners.

MAJOR Hon. F. Howard, k. CAPTAINS T. W. Taylor, Maj.; H. C. Stapleton; J. Grey,
if.; J. Gurwood, w.; C. Wood, ir. ; H Floyd; A.Shakespeare. LIEUTENANTS J. W.
Parsons; C. Gunning, ft.; W. S. Smith; H.J. Burn; R. Arnold, to. ; W. Cartwright;
J. C. Wallington ; E. Hodgson; W. C. Hamilton; A. Bacon, u>.; W. H. B. Lindsey.
PAYMASTER J. Tallon. LIEUTENANT and ADJUTANT J. Hardman. ASST. SURGEON
G. S Jenks. YET. SURGEON H. C. Sannerman.

l\th Light Dragoons. LIEUT. COLONEL J. W. Sleigh. MAJOR A. Money, Lt. Col.
CAPTAINS J. Bouchier; B. Lutyens, Maj.; M. Childers, Maj.; J. A. Schreiber; J.Jen-
kins; T. Binney; J. Duberley. LIEUTENANTS G. Sicker ; F. Wood, w. ; W. Smith;
R. Coles, w. ; B. Lye; E. Phelips, ft. ; J. R. Rotton; J. S. Moore, w.; R. Millingan, w.
CORNETS B.P.Browne; H. Orme; G. Schreiber, re.; H. R. Bullock ; P. H.James.
PAYMASTER D. Lutyens. ADJUTANT G. Sicker. QUARTER MASTER J. Hall. SUR-
GEON J. O'Meally. ASST. SURGEON H. Steel.

llth, or Prince of Wales'*, Light Dragoons. LIEUT. COLONEL Hon. F. C. Ponsonby,
Col.w. MAJOR J.P. Bridger. CAPTAINS S. Stawell ; G. F. Erskine; E.W.T.Sandys,n>. ;
H. Wallace ; A. Barton ; H. Andrews. LIEUTENANTS W. Heydon ; J. Chatterton ; J. Van

507

508

APPENDIX.

deleur ; W. Hay; W. H. Dowbiggen, '. ; A. Goldsmid ; J. D. Calderwood ; L. J. Bertie, k. ;
T. Reed. CORNETS J. E. Lockhart, h.; J. H. Slade. ADJUTANT J. Griffiths.

13th Light Dragoons LIEUT. COLONEL P. Doherty, Col. MAJOR S. Boyse, Lt. Col. iv.
CAPTAINS B. Lawrence, Maj. ; J. Doherty, IK. ; J. Macalister, Maj.; M. Bowers; J.
Gubbins, k. ; C. Gregorie ; F. Goulbourn ; J. Moss ; G. Doherty, re. ; J. H. Drought ; C. R.
Bowers, TV. ; A.T. Maclean ; J. Geale, n>. ; R. Nesbitt ; G. Pym, tv. ; W. Turner ; J. Mill, tv. ;
G. H. Pack, re. ; H. Acton ; J. Wallace ; J. E. Irving, w. ; J. Wakefleld. PAYMASTER
A. Strange. QUARTER MASTER W. Minchin. SURGEON T. G. Logan. ASST. SUR-
GEON A. Armstrong. VET. SURGEON J. Coustant.

15th Hussars. LIEUT. COLONEL L. C. Dalrymple, n. MAJOR E. Griffith, k. ; CAP-
TAINS J. Thackwell, tv. ; S. Hancox ; J. Whiteford, TV. ; P. Wodehouse ; F. C. Philips ;
W. Booth ; J. Buckley, TV. ; J. Carr. LIEUTENANTS E. Barrett ; J. Sherwood, k. ; W.
Bellairs ; H. Lane; W. Byam, rv. ; E. Byain, TV. ; G. A.F. Dawkins, TV. ; H. Dixon ; J. J.
Douglass; W.Stewart. PAYMASTER J. C. Cocksedge. LIEUTENANT and ADJUTANT J.
Griffith. SURGEON T. Cartan. ASST. SURGEON S.Jeyes. VET. SURGEON C. Dalwig.

16th Light Dragoons. LIEUT. COLONEL James Hay, re-. MAJORS Hon. H. B.Lygon;
G.H.Murray. CAPTAINS J. H. Belli, Maj.; C. Swetenham ; R. Weyland, n: ; W.
Persse; J. P. Buchanan, k. ; W. Tomkinson ; C.King. LIEUTENANTS J. Barra; W.
Osten, tv. ; T. Wheeler; G. Baker; R. Beauchamp; N. D. Crichton, TV. ; E.B.Lloyd;
W. Nepean ; J.A.Richardson; J. Luard ; W.Harris; Hon. C.T. Monckton. CORNETS
W. Beckwith ; W. Polhill ; G. Nugent. PAYMASTER G. Neyland. LIEUTENANT and
ADJUTANT J. Barra. QUARTER MASTER J. Harrison. SURGEON J. Robinson. ASST.
SURGEON J. M. Mallock. VET. SURGEON J. Jones.

18th Light Dragoons. LIEUT. COLONEL Hon. H. Murray. CAPTAINS A. Kennedy ;
R. Croker; R. Ellis; J. Grant, Maj.; G. Luard; J. R. L.Lloyd. LIEUTENANTS C.
Heste, w. ; T. Dunkin; J. Waldie; G. Woodberry; Hon. L. C. Dawson ; M. French; T.
Prior; R. Coote ; J. T. Machell; D. M'Duffie; H.Somerset, W. H. Rowlls; J.R.Gordon;
C. C. Moller ; W. Monins. PAYMASTER W. Deane. LIEUTENANT and ADJUTANT H.
Duperier, w. SURGEON W. Chambers. ASST. SURGEONS L. Pulsford ; J. Quincey.
VET. SURGEON D. Pilcher.

23rd Light Dragoons. LIEUT. COLONEL Earl of Portarlington, Col. MAJORS J. M.
Cutcliffe, n>.; P. A. Lautour. CAPTAINS C. W. Dance, re. ; P. Z. Cox ; J. Martin ; T.
Gerrard, Maj. TV. ; R. M'Xeil ; H. Grove, Maj. ; J. M. Wallace. LIEUTENANTS G. Dod-
well ; A. Bolton ; S. Coxen, ft. ; C. Tudor ; J. Banner ; J. Lewis ; C. Bacon ; B. Disney, TV. ;
R. Johnson ; T. B. Wall, tv. ; G. W. Blathwayte. CORNET W. Hemmings. PAYMASTER
T. Dillow. LIEUTENANT and ADJUTANT H. Hill. QUARTER MASTER J. Grouchley.
SURGEON S. Steele. ASST. SURGEPN H. Cowen. VET. SURGEON J. Ship.

INFANTRY.

\tt Regt. Foot Guards (2nd and Srd Batts.J MAJORS H. Askew, Col. TV. ; Hon. W.
Stuart, m. CAPTAINS and LIEUT. COLONELS Hon. H. Townsend, tv. ; R. H.Cooke, tv. ;
E. Stables, k. : Sir F. D'Oyly, K.C.B. k. ; L.G.Jones; H. D'Oyly, TV. ; G. Fead, m. ; C.
Thomas, k. ; Lord Saltoun ; J. Reeve ; W. Miller, TV. ; Hon. J. Stanhope ; J. G. Woodford ;

C. Colquett; W. H.Milnes.ro. ; Sir H. W. Bradford, K.C.B. TV. ; Sir T.N. Hill, K.C.B. ;

D. Barclay, K.C.B. ; Sir U. Burgh, K.C.B. ; Lord F. Somerset, K.C.B. LIEUTENANTS
and CAPTAINS R. Adair, TV. ; T. Streatfield,rei.; J.H.Davis; Lord James Hay, h. ; E.Grose,
k. ; J. Gunthorpe, Adj.; Hon. R. Clements, TV. ; Lord C. Fitzroy; J. H. Hutchinson; R.
Ellison; H.W.Powell; George Desbrowe; W. G. Cameron ; Lonsdale Boldero ; R. W.
Philimore; C. P. Ellis, rv.; J. Simpson, TV. ; A. F. Viscount Bury; E. Clive ; W. F. John-
stone ; E. F. Ltittrell, TV. ; T. Brown, k. ; E. P. Buckley ; F. Dawkins ; J. Nixon ; C. F. R.
Lascelles, TV. ; W. G. Moore ; S. W. Burgess, re. ENSIGNS R. Batty, tv. ; R. Master ; W.
Barton, TV. ; Hon. H. S. V. Vernon ; E. Pardoe, k. ; J. Butler ; T. R. Swinburne ; C. J.
Vyner ; F. D. Swan ; J. P. Dirom, Lt. ; J. F. M. Erskine; R. Bruce, TV. ; Hon. T. S. Bathurst;
Hon. E. A. Edgcumbe; G. Fludyer, TV. ; W. F. Tinling; A. Greville; G. T. Jacob;

APPENDIX. 5Q9

D. Cameron ; L. Kurd ; F. Xorton ; H. Lascelles ; G. Mure ; G. Allen ; T. E. Croft, rv. ;
Hon. S. S. P. Harrington, k. ; J. St. John ; D. Tighe ; J. Talbot. ADJUTANT C. Allix,
Capt. QUARTER MASTER R. Colquhoun. SURGEONS W. Curtis ; W. Watson. ASST.
SURGEONS J. Harrison; A. Armstrong; J. Gardner; F. Gilder.

Coldstream, or Ind Regt. Foot Guards (tnd Batt.J MAJOR A. G. Woodford, Col.
CAPTAINS and LIEUT. COLONELS J. Macdonell, Lt. Col.iv. ; D. MacKinnon, Lt. Col., re. ;
Hon. J. Walpole; H. Dawkins ; H. A. Abercromby, k.; Sir C. Campbell, K.C.B.; Hon. E.
Acheson; Sir W. Gomm, K.C.B. ; H. Wyndham, rv. LIEUTENANTS and CAPTAINS G.
Bowles ; T. Sowerby ; J. Fremantle, Lt. Col. ; W. L. Walton ; W. G. Baynes ; C A. F.
Bentinck, Adj.; J. S. Cowell; E. Sumner, rv.; J. L. lilackman, A\ ; Lord Hotham ; Hon. R.
Moore, iv. ; T.Chaplin. ENSIGNS Hon J.Forbes; H. Gooch; A. Cuyler; M. Beaufoy;
H. F. Griffiths, ,-.; John Montagu, re.; G. R. Buckley; J. Hervey ; H. Vane; F. J.
Douglas; R. Bowen ; A. Gordon ; Hon. W. Forbes ; C. Short. ADJUTANT C A. F. Ben-
tinck, Capt. QUARTER MASTER B. Selway. SURGEON W. Whymper. ASST. SUR-
GEONS G. Smith; W. Hunter.

3rd Foot Guards, ("2nd 'Bait ) MAJOR F. Hepburn, Col. CAPTAINS and LIEUT.
COLONELS H. W. Rooke ; D. Mercer; Hon. Sir A. Gordon, k.; C. Dashwood, rv. ; F.
Home; C. F. Canning, k. ; E. Bowater, rv.; C. West, rv. LIEUTENANTS and CAPTAINS
W. Stothert, Adj. ; W. Drummond; R. B. Hesketh, rv. ; H.Hawkins; R. H. Wigston; C.J.
Barnet ; J. W. Moorhouse ; E.B. Fairfleld ; G. Evelyn, rv. ; Hon. H. Forbes, k. ; J. Elring-
ton ; H. B. Montgomerie, K. ; T. Crawford, k. ; J. Ashton, k. ENSIGNS C. Lake, rv. ; Hon.

E. Stopford ; B. Drummond ; G. D. Standen ; D. Baird, rv. ; W. F. Hamilton ; W. James ;
Hon.G.Anson; T. Wedgewood; W.Butler; A.C.Cochrane; J. Prendergast ; C. Simpson,r.;
H. S. Blane; H. Montague. ADJUTANT W. Stothert, Capt. rv. QUARTER MASTER -
J. Skuce. SURGEON S. Good. ASST. SURGEONS J. R. Warde; F. G. Hanrott.

1st Regt. Foot, or Eoyal Scots, C3rd Batt.J MAJOR Colin Campbell, Lt. Col. rv. CAP-
TAINS L. Arquimbau, Maj. K. ; R. Macdonald, Maj. re; H. Massy, Maj. rv; W.Buck-
ley, k. ; W. Gordon ; R. Dudgeon, n: LIEUTENANTS A. Morrison, w. ; J. Armstrong,
k. ; 3. E. O'Neil, k. ; W. J. Rea, re. ; J. Ingram, rv. ; W. Clarke, rv. ; G. C. Johnstone ;
T. Gordon ; A. Cameron, Adj. IP. ; J. Stoyte, rv. ; R. H. Scott, re. ; G. Lane, rv. ; J. Symes,
rv. ; J. Alstone, ir. ; W. G. Young, k. ; J. Mann, re. ; W. Dobbs, rv. ; J. F. W. Millar, rv. ;
G. Stewart, te ; J. L. Black, re. ENSIGNS A. Glen ; C. Mudie; J. G. Kennedy, k. ; C.
Lewis; C. Graham, rv. ; T. Stephens, te. ; J. MacKay, rv. ; A. Robertson, k. ; W.Anderson,
k. ; L. M. Cooper, re. ; W. Thomas. PAYMASTER J. C. Thompson. ADJUTANT A.
Cameron, rv. QUARTER MASTER T. Griffith, rv. SURGEON W. Galliers. ASST. SUR-
GEONS W. Finnic; T. Bolton.

Mh Begt. Foot C King's OivnJ. LIEUT. COLONEL F. Brooke. CAPTAINS G. D. Wil-
son, Maj. rv. ; C. J. Edgell, re. ; W. L. Wood; J. W. Fletcher; H. T. Shaw; R. Erskine ;
D.S.Craig; E. S. Kirwan ; J. Browne, rv. LIEUTENANTS G. Vincent ; B. Martin ; G.
Richardson, iv. ; P. Boulby ; H. Boyd, rv. ; G. H. Hearne ; B. Collins, rv. ; W. Squire, rv.;
J. Bushel ; R. Mulholland ; W. Lonsdale ; E. Boulby ; W. Clarke ; W. Richardson, Adj. ;

F. Field; W. Heddock ; A. Gerard, rv.; J. L. Fernandez; W. Blagrave; C. Levinge.
ENSIGNS W. Taylor; E. Xewton ; W. M. Mathews, re.; J. E. H. Holland; I. Beer.
PAYMASTER J. Lansdale QUARTER MASTER T. Richards. SURGEON F. Burton.
ASST. SURGEONS W. Morrah ; J. French.

Uth Bcgt. Foot (3rd Batt.J MAJORS F. S. Tidy, Lt. Col. ; J. Keightley. CAPTAINS
G. Marley, Maj. ; T. Ramsay ; W. Tumor; W. Ross ; R. Adams ; C. Wilson ; J. L. White ;
W. Hewett. LIEUTENANTS W. Akenside; C. M. Brannan; L. Beacheroft; W. Buckle,
Adj.; G.Baldwin; J.Nickson; L. Westwood; D. Slocock; J. C. Hartley; H. Boldero. EN-
SIGNS W. Reed ; J. Mackenzie ; F. R. Fane ; R. B. Xewenham ; C. Frazer ; A. T. E. Adam-
son ; W. Keowen; J. M. Wood ; A.Ormsby, rv. (24th); J. R. Smith ; A. Cooper, rv. ; J.
Bowlby; J.P.Matthews; R. J. Stackpoole ; R. B. Holmes; Hon. G. T. Keppel. PAYMASTER
R. Mitton. QUARTER MASTER A. Ross. ASST. SURGEONS A. Shannon, Henry Terry.

13rd Begt. Foot (Soijal Welsh Fusiliers} LIEUT. COLONEL Sir H. W. Ellis, K.C.B.,
Col. re. MAJORS T. Dalmer, Lt.Col. ; J. H. E. Hill, Lt. Col. re. CAPTAINS J. Hawtyn,
Maj. k. ; P. Brown, Maj.; F. Dalmer, Maj. ; H.Wynne; T. Strangeway ; W.Campbell,
Maj.; C. Jolliffe, k. ; T. Farmer, k. ; H.Johnson, >r.; H. S. Blanckley. 1st LIEUTENANTS
F. O'Flaherty ; J. Milne ; W. Walley ; E. M. Brown ; F. L. G. Cowel ; G. Hensham, *. ;
R. Smith; H. Palmer; J.W. Harris ; J. Enoch, Adj.; G. Philips; J. Macdonald; G. Fielding;
R. P. Holmes ; C. Fryer ; W. A, Griffiths, re. ; J.Clyde, rv. ; A. A. Brice ; A. D.Sidley,w. ;

510 APPENDIX.

A. Clayhills; E. Methold. 2nd LIEUTENANTS T. Lilly; G.Dunn; G. Stainforth ; O.
FitzGibbon; W. Leebody, A, (-?4th) ; T. Towers; T. Allan. PAYMASTER R. Julian.
LIF.CT. and ADJUTANT J. Enoch. QUARTER MASTER G. Sidley. SURGEON J. Dunn.
ASST. SURGEONS T. Smith ; J. Williams.

11th (InnisJiilllng) Regt. Foot. CAPTAINS J. Hare, Maj. . ; J. Tucker, re.; G.
Holmes, k. LIEUTENANTS G. Macdonald, rv.; W. Henderson, jr. ; R. Handcock, jr. ;
E. W. Drewe, m. ; J. Betty; W. F. Fortescue, n: ; W. Talbot; J. Millar, jr. ; C. Manley,
iv. ; T. Craddock, N-. ENSIGNS W. Kater ; T. Handcock, re. ; T. Smith, jr.; S. Ire-
land, ft. ; J. Ditmas, m. QUARTER MASTER T. Taylor. ASST. SURGEONS T. Mostyn ;
G. FitzGerald?

2Sth Regt. Foot. LIEUT. COLONELS Sir Charles Philip Belson, K C.B., Col. ; R.Nixon,
m. MAJORS W. P. Meacham, h. ; W.Irving, n: ; R.Llewellyn, >c. CAPTAINS C.
Cadell ; R. Kelly, re. ; J. Bowles, n. ; T. English, TV. ; C. Teulon, m. LIEUTENANTS
J. H. Crumner ; J. F. Wilkinson, re. ; M. Semple ; R. P. Gilbert, n: ; R. P. Eason, : ;
W. Invin, it. ; H. Hilliard, n. ; S. Moore ; J. Coen, re. ; C. B. Carruthers, re. ; J. T.
Clarke, re. ; 3. W. Shelton, re. ; J. Deares, re. ; E. E. Hill ; G. Ingram, re. ; T. W. Col-
leton; J. Parry. ENSIGNS R. T. Stewart; W. Serjeantson ; R. Martin; J. Simpkin; W.
Mountsteven, re. ; W. Lynam. LIEUTENANT and ADJUTANT T. Bridgeland, K. PAT-
MASTER J. Dewes. QUARTER MASTER R. Reynolds. ASST. SURGEON P. H. Lavens.

30t7i Regt. Foot (2nd Batt.J LIEUT. COLONEL A. Hamilton, re. MAJORS X. W.
Bailey, re. ; C. A. Vigoureux.jr. ; T. W. Chambers, A'. CAPTAINS R.Machell; A. M'Xab,
k.; R.Howard; A. Gore, jr.; D.Sinclair. LIEUTENANTS B. W. Nicholson; M. An-
drews ; R. Heaviside ; W. Penefather; R. C. Elliot, re. ; J. Rumley, w ; A. Baillie; R.
Daniells, re. ; J. Roe, re. ; T. O. Halloran ; R. Hughes, re. ; P. Lockwood. w. ; J. Pratt, rv. ;
H. Beere, ft. ; E. Prendergast, k.; W. O. Warren, tv. ; T. Moneypenny, jr.; R. Harrison;
M. Ross ; J. Roe; F. Tincombe. ENSIGNS R. X. Rogers ; J. James, k. ; W. B. Frizell ;
J.Bullen, k. ; G. L. Backhouse. PAYMASTER H. B. Wray. LIEUTENANT and ADJUTANT

M. Andrews, rv. QUARTER MASTER Williamson. SURGEONS R. Pearce; J. G.

Elrington. ASST. SURGEONS J. Evans; P. Clarke.

32nd Regt. Foot. MAJORS J. Hicks, Lt. Col.; F. Calvert. CAPTAINS C. Hames,
Maj. ; H. R. Lewen ; W. H. Toole, Maj. re. ; J. Crowe, re. ; J. Boyce, k. ; T. Cassan, A. ;
E. Whitty, k. ; H. Harrison, re. ; C. Wallett, rv. ; S. Cane. LIEUTENANTS H. W. Brookes,
re. ; G. Barr, re. ; M. W. Meighan, rv. ; S. H. Lawrence, rv. ; T.Butler; J. Boase, .;
T. Ross Lewin, re. ; H. Butterworth, jr. ; J. S. M'Culloch ; J. R. Colthurst, re. ; B. Hill ;
J. Harvey ; J. Robinson, n: ; G. Brock; R. T. Belcher ; J. Fitzgerald, rv. ; T. J. Horan,
w. ; E. Stephens, rv. ; H. Quill, rv. ; J. Jagoe, rv. ; G. Small ; B. R. O'Connor; H. New-
ton ; J. Peyton. ENSIGNS J. Lucas; J. M'Conchy; H. Metcalf, n-.; J. Birtwhistle, n-.;
A, Stuart, rv. ; G. Brown; W. Bennett, re. ; C. Dallas, w. LIEUTENANT and ADJUTANT

D. Davis, w. PAYMASTER T. Hart. QUARTER MASTER W. Stevens. SURGEON W.
Buchanan. ASST. SURGEONS R. Lawder; H. M'Clintock.

33rrf Regt. Foot fZnd Batt.J LIEUT. COLONEL W. K. Elphinstone. MAJORS G. Col-
clough; E. Parkinson, w. CAPTAINS W. M'Intyre, rv. ; C. Knight, to. ; J.Haigh,*.; J.M.
Harty, w. ; R. Gore ; J. Longden. LIEUTENANTS T. Reid, w. ; G. Barrs; H. R. Buck,
k. ; A. H. Trevor; J. Boyce, k. ; A. Gore, k.; J. Hart; J. Markland, w. ; T. H.Patter-
son ; R. Westmore, to. ; T. D. Haigh, to. ; G. Whannell; J. G. Ogle, u>. ; S. A. Pagan, w. ;

E. Clabon; J. Lynam ; J. Archbald; J. Forlong, m.; J. Cameron, to. ENSIGNS H.
Bain, to.; J. Alderson, to. ; J. A. Howard, to. ; A. Watson ; C. Smith ; W. Hodson ; G.
Blackall; G. Drury, tr. ; W. H. Grote. PAYMASTER E. Stoddart. ADJUTANT W.
Thain.tr. QUARTERMASTER J.Fazakerly. SURGEON R. Learer. ASST. SURGEONS
W. Fry ; D. Finlayson.

35?7( Regt. Foot find Batt.J MAJORS C. Macalister; J. Slessor, Lt. Col. CAPTAINS
C. W. Wall; W. Rawson; H.Rutherford; T. M'Xiell ; R. Cameron ; X. Dromgoole.
LIEUTENANTS S. S. Scarfe; J.W. Amos; J.Osbourne; T. M'Donough ; R.Thobourne;
W. Farrant; A. Barnwell ; J. Hildebrant; P. Murdock ; J. Wilder; X. R.Tompkins; E.
Shewell; W. Rainsford; G.Wilkins; J. Middleton. ENSIGNS J.M. Bliss; W. L. Hedding;
J.Hewetson; W. Macalister; J. B. Wyatt; Lord S. Ker ; X. M'Donnell; R. Potter.ger;
A.D. Hamilton ; J.Thomas. PAYMASTER W. Bury. ADJUTANT C.S. Brearey. QUARTER
MASTER R. Foot. St-ROEON C. S. Doyle. ASST. SURGEONS W. Keoghoe; J. Purcell.

4Qt/t Rfyt. Foot. MAJOR A. R. Heyland, ft. ; F. Browne. CAPTAINS S. Stretton, Maj. ;

APPENDIX. 511

R. Turton: C. Ellis, w. ; J. II. Garnet, ?<-. ; R. Philips; W. Fisher, k. ; E. C. Bowen; P.
Bishop; J. D. Franklyn ; W.Kelly. LIEUTENANTS J. Thoreau ; M. Chadwick ; R.Moore,
w. ; W. O. Sandwith ; J.Butler; H.Millar; J.Richardson; J. Anthony, w. ; C. Gorman;
J. Mill, w. ; Glynne; W. Neilly; R. Hudson; H. Wilkinson ; J. Foulkes ; T. Campbell,
ie.; H. B. Wray; R.Jones; Hon. M. Browne, m. ; D. M'Donald; F. Fort; G. Hibbert; R.
Rudd. ENSIGNS H. Hemsley ; J. L. Wall; W. Clerke ; G. Atkinson; R. Thornhill; J.
Murphy; W. J. M'Carthy. PAYMASTER F. H Durand. ADJUTANT W. Manning, Lieut.
SURGEON W.James. ASST. SURGEONS W. Barry; G.Scott.

42id Regt. FootCB. Highlanders.) LIEUT. COLONELS Sir Robert Macara, k.; R. H.
Dick, w ; MAJOR A. Menzies,w;. CAPTAINS J. Campbell, Lt Col.; G. Davidson, Maj.
w.; M. Macpherson, >. ; D. M'Donald, w. ; D. M'Intosh, n>. ; R. Boyle, w. LIEUTENANTS
D. Chisholm, w. ; D. Stewart, to. ; D. M'Kenzie, w. ; H. A.Frazer, w. ; J. Malcolm, to. ;
A. Dunbar, w. ; J, Brander, w. ; R. Gordon, k. ; R. Stewart ; J. Robertson ; K. M'Dougall ;
D. M'Kay ; A. Innes ; J. Grant; J. Orr.tc.; G. G. Munro, w. ENSIGNS G. Gerard, k. ;
W. Fraser, w. ; A. L. Fraser, w. ; A. Brown ; A. Gumming. ADJUTANT J. Young, w.
QUARTER MASTER D. M'Intosh, w. SURGEON S. M'Leod. ASST. SURGEONS D.
M'Pherson ; J.Stewart.

4Mh Regt. Foot C'ind Batt.} LIEUT. COLONEL J. M. Hamerton, w. MAJOR G.
O'Malley, Lt. Col. CAPTAINS A. Brugh, MI.; D. Power, it'.; W. Burney, m. ; M. Fane.ro.
LIEUTENANTS R. Russell, w. ; R. J. Twinberrow ; R. Grier, w.; W. Tomkins, k.; W. B.
Strong, w.; J. Campbell, w. ; X. T. Kingsley ; J. Burke, w.; H.Martin; W. M. Hern, w. ;
A. Reddock. ENSIGNS Christie, w. ; B. Whitney, jr. ; G. Dunlevie; P. Cooke, k. ; T.
M'Cann, TO. ; J. C. Webster, w. ; A. Wilson, rv. PAYMASTER J. Williams. ENSIGN and
ADJUTANT T. M'Cann, m. QUARTER MASTER H. Jones. SURGEON O. Halpin.
ASST. SURGEONS J. Collins; W. Newton.

Slst Foot. LIEUT. COLONEL H. H. Mitchell, Col. MAJOR S. Rice, Lt. Col. CAP-
TAINS J.T. Keyt, Maj.; J.Campbell; W.Thwaits, Maj. ; R. Storer; J. H. Phelps; James
Ross; J.Ross; S. Beardsley, w. ; E.Frederick. LIEUTENANTS T. Brook; B. B. Hawley;

F. Minchin ; W. Mahon; W. H.Hare; O. Ainsworth ; H. Read ; F.Kennedy; J.Dyas; J.
J. Flaman, k. ; W. H. Elliott ; W. D. Simpson ; F. Mainwaring ; C. W. Tyndall, w. ; H.
Martin ; H. H. Roberts; E. Isaacson; E. J. Taylor; T. Troward ; J. Lintott. ENSIGNS

G. F. B. St. John ; F. Percy; W. H. Krause ; R. B. Walton ; W. Johnstone ; A. Fraser ; J.
Blair ; H. Lock. PAYMASTER J. Gibbs. LIEUT, and ADJUTANT W. Jones. QUARTER
MASTER T. Askey. SURGEON R. Webster. ASST. SURGEONS J. F. Clarke; P.
Fitzpatrick.

52wrf Foot. LIEUT. COLONEL Sir John Colborne, K.C.B., Col. MAJOR C. Rowan,
Lt. Col., to. CAPTAINS P. Campbell, Maj. ; W. Chalmers, Maj. ; \V. Rowan, Maj. to. ; J.

F. Love, Maj. to. ; C. Earl of March, Maj. ; C. Diggle, Maj. m. ; J. Shedden ; G. Young ; J.
M'Nair; E.Langton; J. Cross ; C.Yorke. LIEUTENANTS C. Dawson, w. ; M.Anderson,
m. ; C.Kenny; G. H. Love; W. Ripley; J. C. Barrett; W.H. Clerke; G. Hall; W.R.
Nixon; G. Gawler; G. Whichcote ; W r . Ogilvy ; E. R. Northey; Hon. W. Browne; E.
Scoones; G. Campbell, w.; W. Austin; J. Snodgrass ; J. S. Cargill ; W. Hunter; W. C.
Yonge ; T. Cottingham, w. ; C. Holman; G.Moore; E.Mitchell; C. Shawe ; J. Hart; G.
E.Scott; H. T. Oakes; J. R. Griffith; J. Burnett; R. Steward; G. Robson ; F. W. Love.
ENSIGNS J. Jackson ; T. Massie ; W. Nettles, k. ; J. Macnab ; J. Montagu ; J. F. May ; E.
Monins ; W. Leeke. PAYMASTER J. Clarke. LIEUT, and ADJUTANT J. Winterbottom, to.
QUARTER MASTER B. Sweeten. SURGEON J. B. Gibson. ASST. SURGEONS P. Jones;
W. Macartney.

54th Regt. Foot. LIEUT. COLONEL J. Earl Waldegrave. MAJORS Sir Neil Campbell,
Col. ; A. Kelly. CAPTAINS T. C. Kirby ; R. Blakeman ; W. Crofton, Brig. Maj. k. J.
Leslie ; G. J. Tappenden; G. Black, Brig. Maj. ; T. Cbartres. LIEUTENANTS G. Fraser;

G. Bromhead; E. A. Evanson; J. Pillon ; R. Woodgate ; W. Claus; R.Kelly; J. Grey;
P. Mandilhon; J. H. Potts; R. Seacroft ; F.Taylor; E. Marcon ; J.Reid; R. Stacpoole ;
F. Burgess; W. Pilkington ; W. Persse; D. Der.ham; F. Hutchinson ; M. S. H. Lloyd.
ENSIGNS E. Nugent ; T. Fraser; C. Hill; J.Clark; C.W.Thomas; A. Mathewson ; P.
Clarke. PAYMASTER H. Irwin. ADJUTANT J. Dowdell. QUARTER MASTER W.
Coates. SURGEON G. Redmond. ASST. SURGEONS M. F.Finan ; G. Leech.

512 APPENDIX.

59th Begt. Foot (Ind Bait.) LIECT. COLONEL H. Austen. MAJORS F. W. Hoysted,
Lt. Col. ; C. Douglas. CAPTAINS F. Fuller ; J.Cockburn; A. Pilkington ; J.A.Craw-
ford ; J. M'Gregor; J. Fawson. LIEUTENANTS R. Preedy ; W. F. Mayne ; A. Dent; J.
Cowper ; H. Brown ; A. Macpherson ; E. Duncan ; X. Chadwick ; L. Carmichael ; H.
Hartford; P. O'Hara; W. Veall; W. Pittman ; W. H. Hill ; G.Robinson; R.Scott.
ENSIGNS A. C. Ross; H. K. Bloomfleld; R. F. Hill; C. Makepeace. PAYMASTER C.
Marr. ADJUTANT A. Campbell, Lt. QUARTER MASTER W. Baird. SURGEON J.
Hagan. ASST. SURGEONS P. K. Lambe ; A. Calvin.

69th Jtegt. Foot (Ind Batt.) COLONEL. C. Morice, ft. MAJOR G. Muttlebury, Lt Col.
CAPTAIHS J. L. Watson, Maj.n-.; H. Lindsay,Maj.rr.; G. S. Cotter; C.Cuyler; B. Hob-
house, ft.; H. W. Curzon, ft. ; R. Blackwood, k. ; G. W. Barlow. LIEUTENANTS W.
Harrison ; R. Franklyn ; S. Parke ; B. Pigot, TV. ; C. Busteed, iv. ; X. Ray ; C. W. Ingle ;
J. Hill ; H. Oldershaw, Adj. ; C. L. Dickson; E. M. Wrightwick, k. ; H. Anderson, n.;
3. Stewart, m. ENSIGNS E. Hodder, rr. ; W. Bartlett; C. Seward; H. D.Keith; G. S.H.
Ainslie; Volunteer Clarke, re. PAYMASTER P.Vyvyan. QUARTER MASTER M. Stevens.
SURGEON C. Bancks, M.D. ASST. SURGEON J. Bartlet.

list Light Infantry (Glasgow Highlanders.) LIEUT. COLONEL T. Reynell, Col. re.
MAJORS A. Jones, Lt. Col. re. ; L. Walker. CAPTAINS S. Reed ; J. T. Pidgeon ; A. Arm-
strong ; D.Campbell, IK. ; E. L'Estrange, Maj. ft. ; W. A. Grant, m. ; J. Henderson, ?e. ;
A. J. M'Intyre ; C. Johnstone, Maj. re. ; A. Grant. LIEUTENANTS J. Baraillier, m. ; L.
Richards; J. R. Elwes, ft. ; C.Stewart; R.Baldwin; W. C. Hanson, n: ; R. Lind.rr.;
J. Roberts, re. ; J. Coates ; J. Fraser ; E. Gilborne ; J. Whitney ; W. Long ; R. Lawe, re.;
C. T. Cox ; C. Lewin, re.; W. Woolcombe ; W. Torriano ; G. W. Horton ; J. Coote, re. ;
C. Moorhead; D. Soutar; H. Mamro ; N.Campbell. ENSIGNS A. Moffit; W. Smith ;
H. W. Thompson; J. Todd, ft. ; J. Barnett; A. M. Henderson; J. Spalding; J. Impett;
A. L'Estrange. PAYMASTER H. Mackenzie. ADJUTANT W. Anderson, Lieut, re.
QUARTER MASTER W. Gavin. SURGEON A. Stewart. ASST. SURGEONS J. Winter-
scale ; L. Hill.

73rd Begt. Foot (Ind Batt.) COLONEL G. Harris, rr. MAJOR A. J. Maclean, rr.
CAPTAINS H. Coane, re. ; A. Robertson, ft.; W. Wharton, m. ; J. M. Kennedy, ft. ; J.
Garland, re. LIEUTENANTS R. Leyne; J. W. H. Strachan, ft.; J. R. M'Connell, w. ; M.
Hollis, k ; J. Acres, to. ; J. Dowling ; T. Reynolds, to. ; D. Browne, w. ; 3. Y. Lloyd, to. ;
R, Stewart. ENSIGNS R. G. Hesilrige, w. ; W. MacBean, to. ; T. Deacon, w. ; C. B.
Eastwood, to.; G. D. Bridge, to.; G. Hughes ; W. S. Lowe, k. ; A. Blennerhasset ; C.
Page, J. ADJUTANT J. Hay, w. PAYMASTER J. Williams. SURGEON D. M'Dear-
mid. ASST. SURGEONS J. Riach; F. B. White.

79th Jtcgt. Foot (Cameron Highlandert.) LIEUT. COLONEL Neil Douglas, to. MAJORS
A. Brown, Lt. Col. to. ; D. Cameron, I.t. Col. to. CAPTAINS T. Mylne, Maj. to.; P.
Innes ; R. Mackay, k. ; J. Campbell, to. ; N. Campbell, w. ; W. Marshall, to. ; M. Fraser,
to. ; M'Kay, ft.; W. Bruce, to. ; J. Sinclair, to. LIEUTENANTS A. Cameron, to. ; D.
Cameron, to. ; T. Brown, tr. ; W. Maddocks, o. ; W. Leaper, to. ; J. Fraser, to. ; D.
M'Pherson, k.; D. M'Phee, to.; F. Robertson; E. Cameron, to. ; A. Forbes, to. ; C. M'Ar-
thur, to.; K. J. Leslie; J. Fowling, o. ; J. Cameron ; E. Kennedy, k. ; W. A. Riach, to. ;
J. Thompson; G. Harrison. ENSIGNS J. Mackenzie; J. Nash, to.; J. Robertson, w.;
A.Cameron; A. S. Crawford, to. ; J. Campbell; Volunteer Cameron, to. ADJUTANT
J. Kynock, Lt. *. PAYMASTER J. M'Arthur. QUARTER MASTER A. Cameron. SUH-
GEON G. Ridesdale. ASST. SURGEONS W. G. Burrell ; D. Perston.

9\st Jtegt. Foot. LIEUT. COLONEL Sir W. Douglas, K.C.B., Col. CAPTAINS J.
Walsh, Maj.; T. H. Blair, Maj. ; W. Steuart ; A. Campbell; D. Campbell; J. C. Mur-
doch; A. J. Collender, Maj.; A. Campbell; R.Anderson. LIEUTENANTS J.Camp-
bell; J.Russell; A.Campbell; R.Stewart; A. M'Lochlan ; C. Egan ; A. Cathcart, to.
(24th) ; J. M'Dougall; J. Hood; A. Smith ; T. L. Hemmick ; T. Murray ; R. S. Knox;
C.Stuart; J. M'Donald; E. Brown; A. Campbell; G.Scott, Adj.; W. Smith; J. Black,
o. (24th); A. Sword. ENSIGNS X. Lamont; W. Trimmer; J. Paton; D. Ducat; A.
Smith ; L. Lind. PAYMASTER D. Campbell. ADJUTANT G. Scott, Lt. QUARTER
MASTER J. Stewart. SURGEON R. Douglass. ASST. SURGEONS G. M'Lachlan ; W. H.
Young.

92d Regt. Foot (Highlanders} LIBUT. COLONEL J. Cameron, A. MAJORS J.
Mitchell, Lt. Col. to ; D. Macdonald. CAPTAINS G. W. Holmes, 10. ; D.Campbell, to. ; P.

APPENDIX.

Wilkie, r. ; W. C. Grant, A. ; W. Little, ft. ; A. Ferrier, re. LlBUTBlfAirrs C. Alexander,
Adj.; J. J. Chisholm, k. ; R. Winchester, re. ; T. Hobbs, re. ; T. Macintosh, rv. ; D. Mac-
donald, m. ; A. Will; J. K. Ross, ir. ; R. Macdonald, n: ; T. Gordon ; H. Innes, n>.; G.
Logan, w.; E. Campbell; R. M'Donald; J. Mackinlay, rv. ; R. Peat; G. Mackie, k.; A.
M'Pherson, rv. ; E. Ross, TV. ; J. Hope, w. ENSIGNS J. Branwell, rv. ; R. Logan, re. ;
J.Clarke; A. M'Donald, rv. ; A. Becher, k.; R. Hewitt; R. M'Pherson, ft.; J. M.
M'Pherson. PAYMASTER J. Gordon. ADJUTANT C. Alexander, Lt. SURGEON G.
Hicks. ASST. SURGEON J. Stewart, .

fiath Kcgt. (Rifle Corps, 1st and 2nd Batt. and 2 Companies 3rd Bait.} LIEUT.
COLONEL Sir A. F. Barnard, K.C.B. Col. w. MAJORS A. G. Norcott, Lt Col. re. ; G.
Wilkins, Lt. Col. m. ; J. Ross, Lt. Col. re. ; A. Cameron, Lt. CoL m. CAPTAINS J.
Leach, Maj. ; F. Glasse ; G. Miller, Maj. m.; C. Beckwith, Maj. ; J. Logan; C. G. Gray;
J. Fullerton, Maj.; H. Lee; H. G. Smith, Maj.; E. Chawner, re. ; W. Johnston, re.;
T. M'Xamara; J. G. M'Cullock, re.; W. Eeles, Maj.; C. Eaton; C. Eeles, ft.; F. Le
Blanc; J. R. Budgen. IST LIEUTENANTS W T . Humbley, re. ; J.C.Hope; T. Coch-
rane; J. Layton; J. Molloy, re.; T. Smith, Adj.; J. Cox; F. Bennett; A. Stewart; F.
Dixon; W. Chapman; C. Coxon, rv. ; R. B. Freer; J. Gardiner, re. ; D.Cameron, rv. ;
J. Kincaid, Adj. ; G. Simmons, m. ; J. Stilwell, re. ; R. Cochran, rr. ; J. A. Ridgeway, re. ;
J. Fry, m. ; J. P. Gardner, m. ; W. Haggup; G. Yickers ; T. T. Worsley, Adj.; J. G.
Fitzmaurice, it. ; G. Drummond ; E. Madden ; V. Webb, re. ; G. H. Sbenley ; C. C.
TJrquhart; J. Lynam, w.; O. Felix, re. ; G. Drummond. 2ND LIEUTENANTS D. Mac-
farlane ; A.Stewart; C. Rochfort; W.Wright; J. Church; R. Fowler; A. Milligan ;
T. B. Sheean ; C. Probart ; W. Shenley ; R. C. Eyre, re. ; J. P. Walsh, rv. PAYMASTERS
J. Mackenzie; A. M'Donald. ADJUTANTS T. Smith; J. Kincaid. QUARTERMASTERS
D. Ross; J. Bagshaw. SURGEONS J. Burke; F. Scott. ASST. SURGEONS J. Robson;
R. H. Hett; J. Armstrong; T. P. M'Cabe ; R. Scott.

513

ARTILLERY.

Staff". COLONEL Sir George A. Wood, Kt., Com. LIEUT. COLONEL Sir Augustus
Frazer, K.C.B., com. British Horse Artillery. LIEUT. COLONEL A. Macdonald, com. under
Sir Augustus Frazer. LIEUT. COLONEL Sir John May, K.C.B., Asst. Adj. Gen. CAPTAIN
H. Baynes, rv., Brigade Major. LIEUTENANTS, J. Bloomfield, G. Coles, F. Wells, Staff
Adjuts. to Sir George Wood. LIEUTENANT W. Bell, Staff Adjut. to Sir Augustus Frazer.
FIELD OFFICERS com. two batteries of Foot Artillery attached to each division of the
Army LIEUT. COLONELS S. G. Adye, C. Gold, J. S. Williamson, J. Hawker. FIELD
OFFICER com. Reserve- Artillery MAJOR P. Drummond. Com. Battering Train LIEUT.
COLONEL Sir Alexander Dickson, K.C.B.

Troops of British Horse Artillery. 1. MAJOR R. Bull, w.; CAPTAINS, R.M. Cairnes,
Maj. k., M. Louis; LIEUTENANTS, W. Smith, IP., J.Townsend. (Heavy 5j in. Howitzers.)
2. LIEUT. COLONEL Webber Smith; CAPTAINS, E. Y. Walcott, D.Crawford, re. ; LIEUTE-
NANTS, D. J. Edwards, H. Foster, m. (Light 6-pounders.) 3. LIEUT. COLONEL Sir Robert
Gardiner, K.C.B.; CAPTAINS, T. Dyneley, Maj., R. Harding; LIEUTENANTS, W. Swabey,
W. B. Ingleby. (Light 0-pounders.) 4. CAPTAIN E. C. Whinyates, Maj. te. ; CAPTAINS,
C. C. Dansey, rv., A. Wright ; LIEUTENANTS, T. Strangways, w., A. Ward, R. H. Ord.
(Light 0-pounders and Rockets.) 5. CAPTAIN A. C. Mercer; CAPTAIN R. Newland;
LIEUTENANTS, H. M. Leathers, J. Hincks, J. Breton. (9-pounders.) 6. CAPTAIN W. X.
Ramsay, Maj., k. ; CAPTAINS, A. Macdonald, Maj., W. Brereton, rv. ; LIEUTENANTS, P.
Sandilands, W. Robe, ft. (9-pounders.)

Troops in Reserve. LIEUT. COLONEL Sir Hew D. Ross, K.C.B ; CAPTAINS, J. B. Parker,
Maj. w., R. Hardinge; LIEUTENANTS, J. Day, rv., F. Warde, P. V.Onslow. (9-pounders.)
CAPTAIN G. Beane, Maj. ft. ; CAPTAINS, W. Webber, re., J. E. Maunsell; LIEUTENANTS,
J. R. Bruce, M.T. Cromie, ft. (Light 6-pounders.)

Batteries of British Foot Artillery. CAPTAIN C. F. Sandham ; CAPTAIN W. H. Stop-
ford ; LIEUTENANTS, G. Foot, G. M. Baynes, D. Jago. (9-pounders.) CAPTAIN S. Bolton, ft. ;
CAPTAIN C. Napier, re. ; LIEUTENANTS, G. Pringle, W.Anderson, C. Spearman, A'., W.
Siiarpin, B. Cuppage. (9-pounders.) CAPTAIN W. I. Lloyd, Maj. ft. ; CAPTAIN S. Rudyenl;

VOL. II. 2 L

514 APPENDIX.

LIEUTENANTS, S. Phelps, W. Harvey, w. (9-pounders.) CAPTAIN J. Brome, Maj. ;
CAPTAIN J. J. O. Parker; LIEUTENANTS, R. J. Saunders, T.O. Cater, A. O. Molesworth.
(9-pounders.) CAPTAIN G. W. Unett ; CAPTAIN G. Browne ; LIEUTENANTS, D. Lawson,
W. Montagu, C. G. Kett.

Battery in Reserve. CAPTAIN J. Sinclair ; CAPTAIN F. Macbean ; LIEUTENANTS,
J. A. Wilson, W. H. Poole, n>., R. B. Burnaby.

Subaltern Officers present but unattached. LIEUTENANTS, W. Lemoine, E. Trevor,
E. W. Wood, G. S. Maule, T. Watkis, G. T. Hume.

ROYAL ENGINEERS.

LIEUT. COLONEL J. Carmichael Smyth, com. CAPTAINS Sir George Hoste, Bart.,
Maj., J. Oldfleld, B. Harris, P. Stanway, A. Thomson, m. (26th). LIEUTENANTS J. W.
Pringle, m., M. A. Waters, F. B. Head, F. Y. Gilbert, J. Sp9rling, A. D. White.

ROYAL STAFF CORPS.

LIEUT. COLONEL W. Nicolay, Col. CAPTAINS, T. Wright, m., W. Staveley, F. Read .
LIEUTENANTS, G. D. Hall, m., B. Jackson, A. C. G. Brauns. ENSIGNS, T. W. Colleton,
J. S. Sedley, J. Milliken.

ROYAL WAGGON TRAIN.

LiEtrr. COLONEL T. Aird. CAPTAINS, T. Pardoe, B. Jackson. LIEUTENANTS, W.
Aitkin, W. Smith, J. M'Dowall, H. O'Neill, W. Dean, R. Parkinson, C. Bott, R. Kerr.
CORNETS, T. Glendening, J. Fenn. SURGEON, T. Wynne. VET. SURGEON, F. Cherry.

MEDICAL STAFF.

INSPECTOR, J. R. Grant, M.D. DEPUTY INSPECTORS, W. Taylor, J. Gunning, S.
Woolriche, J. R. Hume, M.D. PHYSICIAN, G. Denecke, M.D. SURGEONS, H. G. Emery,
M.D., M. A. Burmeister, R. Grant, J. Maling, J. G. Van Millingen. ASST. SURGEONS, J.
Dease, W. Twining. APOTHECARY, W. Lyons.

List of the Officers of the King's German Legion, Killed, Wounded, and
Missing, in the Actions on the IQth, \lth,and 18th of June, 1615.*

KILLED.

Staff. Captain C. von Sobers, Brigade Major. (Attached to 7th brigade of cavalry.)
Artillery. 1st Lieutenant C. von Schultzen. (Attached to 1st battery of Hanoverian
Artillery.)
Itt Dragoons. Captain F. Peters. Lieutenants, F. C. von Levetzow, O. Kuhlmann.

From a Return compiled by Major L. Benne, K.H., of the Hanoverian Staff.

APPENDIX. 515

2nd Dragoons. Captain F. von Billow. Cornet H. Drangmelster.

3rd Hussars. Lieut. Colonel F. L. Meyer. Captains, A. von Kerssenbruch, G. Janssen.
Lieutenant H. Briiggemann. Cornet W. Deichmann.

1st Light Battalion. Captains, P. Holtzermann, H. von Marschalk, A. A. von Goeben.
Lieutenant A. Albert.

2nd Light Battalion. Major A. Bosewiel. Captains, F. M. W. Schaumann, H. Wieg-
mann, (acting Brigade Major to 1st Infantry-Brigade, K.G.L.) Ensign F. von Robertson.

1st Line Battalion. Captains, C. von Holle, A. von Saffe. Ensign H. von Liicken.

2nd Line Battalion. Lieut. Colonel J. C. von Schroder. Captain G. Tilee.

Srd Line Battalion. Captain F. Didd. Lieutenants, F. von Jeinsen, F. Lescben.

4<7* Line Battalion. Colonel G. C.A. du Plat, (commanding 1st infantry-brigade, K.G.L.)
Majors, G. C. Chiiden, G. Lewis Leue. Captain G. Heise. Ensign E. T. von Cronhelm.

5th Line Battalion. - Colonel C. von Ompteda, (commanding 2nd infantry-brigade,
K.G.L.) Captain E. C. C. von Wurmb. Lieutenant J. L. Schuck.

Sth Line Battalion. Captains, A. W. von Voigt, T. von Westernhagen. Lieutenant W.
von Marenholtz.

WOUNDED.

Staff. Brigade Majors, Captain G. von Einem, (attached to 2nd infantry-brigade,
K.G.L.) Captain M. von Cloudt, (attached to Srd cavalry-brigade.)

Artillery. Major A. Sympher. 2nd Captains, W. Braun, F. Erythropel. 1st Lieu-
tenants, W. von Goeben, H. Hartmann. 2nd Lieutenant L. Heise.

1st Dragoons. M. General Sir William von Dornberg. Lieut Colonel J. von Billow.
Major A. von Reizenstein. Captains, P. von Sichart, G. von Hattorf, B. von Bothmer.
Lieutenants, W. Mackenzie, W. Fricke, O. von Hammerstein, H. Bosse. Cornets, S. H.
Nanne, E. Trittau.

2nd Dragoons. Lieut. Colonels, C. de Jonquteres, C. von Maydell. Captains, C. T. von
Harling, L. Liideritz. Lieutenant H. H. Rittor. Cornet F. Lorentz.

1st Hussars. Lieutenant G. Baring.

Srd Hussars. Captains, Q. von Goeben, W. von Schnehen. Lieutenants, H. True, C.
Oehlkers. Cornets, F. Hoyer, C. von Dassel, H. von Hodenberg.

1st Light Battalion. Major Hans von dem Bussche. Captains, F. von Gilsa, C.
Wynecken. Lieutenants, A. Wahrendorff, C. Heise, H. Wollrabe, E. F. Koester, H. Leon-
hart, N. de Miniussir, E. Gibson. Ensigns, G. Best, A. A. von Gentzkow, C. Behne, A. Heise.

2nd Light Battalion. Captain E. A. Holtzermann. Lieutenants, G. Meyer, F. G. T.
Kessler, O. Lindam, B. Riefkugel, M. T. H. Tobin, G. D. Graeme, W. Timmann, T. Carey.
Ensigns, G. Frank, A. Knop.

\stLineBattalion. Major W. von Robertson. Captain G. von Schliitter. Lieutenants,
F. Schnath, A. Miiller, D. von Einem, H. Wilding, jun. Ensign C. A. von der Hellen.

2nd Line Battalion. Captain F. Purgold. Lieutenants, C. von der Decken, C. Fischer,
F. la Roche, A. F. Ziel.

Srd Line Battalion. Major A. Boden. Lieutenants, A. Kuckuck, H. E. Kuckuck.

4th Line Battalion. Captain W. Heydenreich. Lieutenants, C. von Both, A. von
Hartwig, W. L. de la Farque, A. von Langwerth. Ensign A. Appuhn.

5th Line Battalion. Captain F. Sander. Lieutenants, C. Berger, G. Klingsohr.

7th Line Battalion. Lieutenant G. Klingsuhr.

6th Line Battalion. Captain C. E. W. Rougemont. Lieutenants, F. Brinckmaun, C.
Pattler. Ensign W. von Moreau.

MISSING.
2nd Light Battalion, Captain E. A. Holtzermann. Lieutenant M. T. H. Tobin.

516 APPENDIX.

XII.

List of the Officers of the Hanoverian Troops, Killed, Wounded, and
Missing, in the Actions on the 16th, llth, and l&th of June, 1815.*

KILLED.

Cumberland Huttars. Captain F. S. von Winterstedt.
Field Battalion Bremen. Lieut. Colonel W. L. von Langrehr.
Field Batt. Duke of York. Captain R. von Pawel; Ensign A. C. 51 filler.
Field Bait. Liineburg. Captains, F. Bobart, C. T. Korfes; Ensign C. B. vou Plato.
Field Batt. Orubenhagcn. Lieut. Colonel F. L. A. von Wurmb.
Landrvehr Batt. Bremervorde. Lieutenant C. C. Loper; Ensign T. von Holt.
Landmehr Batt. Osnabruck. Captain C. H. Quentin; Lieutenant G. F. Uffel; Ensign
H. Bergtroff.

Landmehr Batt. Quachenbriick. Major C. W. von dem Bussche-Hiinefeldt.
Landtoehr Batt. Verden. Lieutenants, C. E. Wegener, C. E. von Hiniiber. ;
Landwehr Batt. Otterode. Lieutenant T. Fenisch ; Ensign C. A. Schanz.
Landrvehr Batt. Oiflwrn. Major G. von Hammerstein; Lieutenant H. C. Schmidt.

WOUNDED.

Staff. Colonel von Berger. Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp Hanbury.

R\fle Corps. Captain von Reden ; Lieutenants, Grote, Schutze.

Field Battalion Bremen. Major Muller; Captains, Bazoldo, von Lepel; Lieutenants,
von Quistorp I., von Quistorp II., Welmer; Ensigns, Briiel, Meyer.

Field Batt. Verden. Major von Schkopp; Captain Jacoby ; Lieutenants, Gehrhard,
Brandis L, Brandis II., Selig, Suffenplan.

Field Batt. Duke of York. Major von Biilow; Lieutenants, Moll, von Mahrenholz ;
Ensign Rabius.

Field Batt. Liineburg. Lieut. Colonel von Kiencke ; Lieutenants, Volger, von Plato ;
Ensigns, Sachse, von Weyhe.

Field Batt. Grubenhagcn. Captain Bauer ; Lieutenants, Westphal, Marwedel ; Ensigns,
von Biilow, Ernst, Stieppel.

Landrvehr Batt. Bremervorde. Lieutenants, Warnecke, Meyer; Ensigns, Hotthusen,
Wilken.

Landrvehr Batt. Otnabruck. Major Count Munster ; Captain Gotthard ; Lieutenants,
Winkler, Richers ; Ensigns, Nichenke, Meyer.

Landmehr Batt. Salzgitter. Captain von Hammerstein ; Lieutenant von Spangenberg.

Landmehr Batt. Verden. Captain von Witzendorf ; Lieutenants, H. Wynecken, Hurt-
zig ; Ensign Siegener.

Landmehr Batt. Luneburg. Captains, von Reiche, von Kemps ; Lieutenant von Dassel ;
Ensigns, Dormauer, Meyer.

Landrvehr Batt. Osterode. Major von Reden ; Captains, von Ingersleben, Papet ;
Lieutenants, Greve, Laubrecht.

* From a Return compiled by Major L. Benne, K.H., of the Hanoverian Staff.

APPENDIX.

Landmehr Batt. Miinden. Captain von Hansteln ; Lieutenants, Wrisberg, Brenning,
Schwenke II. ; Ensigns, Murray, Oppermann.

LandwehrButt. Hameln. Major von Strube; Captain Blankhard ; Lieutenants, Krahle,
Kistner.

Landmehr Batt. Oifliorn. Captain Wiedenfeld ; Lieutenant and Adj. Schwake; Ensign
Briiggemann.

Landivelir Batt. Hildeslteim. Major von Rheden.

Landrvehr Batt. Peine. Captain von Bertrap ; Ensign Kohler.

MISSING.

Field Batt. Liinelmrg. Major von Dachenhausen.

Landicehr Batt. Bremervorde. Lieutenant Ehlers ; Ensign Ress.

Landivelir Batt. Verden. Lieutenant von der Horst ; Ensigns, Plati, Kotzebue.

517

XIII.

List of Officers of the Brunswick Troops, Killed in the Action of the 16th,
and IQth, of June, 1815.*

Wth of June. His Serene Highness the Reigning Duke FREDERICK WILLIAM : Major
von Cramm, commanding the regiment of hussars; Captain von Pawel, of the hussars:
Ensign Hercher, of the first line-battalion : Major von Strombeck, commanding 2nd line-
battalion : Captain von Billow, of the 2nd line battalion.

IStli of June. Lieut. Colonel von Heinemann, of the Staff: Lieutenant Lambrecht, of
the hussars-: Lieutenant Diedrich, of the horse-artillery : Ensigns, Bruns and Sensemann,
of the 2nd light battalion : Captain von Praun, of the 3rd light battalion : Ensign von
Vechelde, of the 2nd line-battalion.

* From a Return furnished by Lieut. General Aug. von Herzberg, of the Brunswick service,
but which does not comprise the names of the wounded officers.

518

APPENDIX.

XIV.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the Dutch-Belgian Troops, on
the IGth, nth,and 18th, of June, 1815.

Killed.

Wounded.

Missing.

!"=

-i -^

Ill

Regiments.

^ ==

-1 1 s8 -

O'E

O '-

5 : ^

i -

*-*

-3 "2

a 10

-==

""5 i

27th Chasseurs . .

172

156

342

7th Regt. of the Line .

134

234

5th Militia

182

102

304

7th do.

201

278

8th do.

103

. .

190

2nd<

f 1st Battn.

177

< 2nd do.

144

2nd<

(3rd do.

105

126

OrangeXassauf^ttn.

4
6

20
52

57
100

Artillery Train

114

, .

111

85th Chasseurs . . . .

2nd Regt. of the Line . .

4th Militia

lst<

6th do.

, .

17th do.

, f

. B

19th do.

. .

B 9

36th Chasseurs

9 B

8rd<

3rd Regt. of the Line . .

12th do.

B B

2nd<

18th do.

B >

3rd Militia

10th do

Horse- Artillery

Train

^ ^

1st Regt. Carabiniers . .

101

, .

Heavy <

2nd do.

151

(

3rd do.

t ,

3,
S
o

Light)

4th Light Dragoons . .
5th do.
6th Hussars . .
8th do.

2
1

50
10
10
10

71
24
122
79

8
2
6
6

185
74
64
145

51
71
131
122

238
99
180
189

236
155
205
277

Horse- Artillery

Train

General Staff . .

]

Total

1612

446

728

118

1936

896

3994

APPENDIX.

519

XV.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the Prussian Troops, at the Battle of Waterloo.

Brigades.

Killed.

Wounded.

Missing.

Total Privates Killod, 1
Wounded, and Missinpr.|

Regiments.

Officers .

I.
1

Drummers or
Trumpeters.

Privates.

Horses.

1
O

Drummers or
Trmnpi'trrs.

Privates.

t =
z -=.
X

Under-Omcers.
Drummers or
Trumpeters.

Privates.

Horses.

1st <
2nd*

4th*

1st Brigade.
Reserve Ca-
valry
Reserve Ar-
tillery . .

5th Brigade <

7th Brigade
8th Brigade

Reserve-
Cavalry
Reserve-
Artillery

13th Brig.
14th Brig. ]
15th Brig.
16th Brig.

Cavalry. . <
Artillery

28
2

1
2

3
S
4

7
1

1
-1

1
1

139
10

40
g

17 . .

2 . .

'. '. i

109
'{?

276
12

4
59
8
10
7
5
18
46
130

t
242
204
270
406
3-29
523
740
558
333
593
572
480
112
16
IS
52

10{

1st Pomeranian Regiment . .

oth Westphalian Landwehr

2nd FIbp IT d h

8
4!

91 t T?

4
8

7
1

6
I0(
131
8T

104

88
54
100
25

50
278
40

23rd do

31
65

. . i
i . .

3rd Elbe Landwehr . .

P ' ri

]

19;,
9"
116
286
2i6
14.'
528
369
200
509
38
170
66
1

. . 1

3 27
72
16 .
10 .
25 .
13

2 . .

8 1

1 2
1 . .

Horse Battery No. 6
1st Silesian Regiment
2nd Xeumark Landwehr . .

i
1

*41

19
13

IS
11

]
H

7
18
17
17
4.
4:
If
M
17
11
1

(

3
4
4
3
5

2
2
9

4
1

2nd Silesian Regiment
1st Pomeranian Landwehr . .
2nd do. do.
J8th Regiment
3rd Silesian Landwehr
4th do. do.
15th Regiment
1st Silesian Landwehr
2nd do. do.
2nd Silesian Hussars
West Prussian Uhlans . .
10th Hussars
8th do
1st Neumark Landwehr Cav.
2nd do. do. do.

'2
'i

4
11)
1(J

(
<

'i
i

35
103
276
124
135
33
59
141
32
6
1
1

]
1

1
3
2

1
1

102 .

1st Silesian do. do.
2nd do. do. do.
3rd do. do. do.
12-pr. Batteries Xos. 3, 5, & 13
6-pr. do. Xos. 2, 11, 13, 14, & 21
Horse-Batteries, Xos. 1, 11, & 12
General Staff

Total

2-2

1
1
10
1

2
2

:t
i
t

I
(

22 .

1-1 .
li .
18

1 1

17
50
30
26
18

5296

1122

>8(i

1(3

.!!

386

356 3

36 6

130

II!

520 APPENDIX.

XVI.

Lift of the Officers of the Prussian Army, Killed, Wounded, and Missing,
at the Battle of Waterloo.

KILLED.

II. COHPS. 2nd Regt. of Infantry 1st Lieutenant von Mirbach.

IV. CORPS. 13TH BRIGADE 2nd Neumark Landn-ehi 1st Lieutenant von Stoberts.
Srd Neumark Landn-ehr 2nd Lieutenant von Nornnann,

14TH BRIGADE, llth Regt. of Infantry Major von Aulok. 2nd Lieutenant von
Dewette. 1st Pomeranian Landmehr 2nd Lieutenants, von Lindner, von Kuhfass.

15TH BRIGADE. ISth Regt. of Infantry 2nd Lieutenants, von Schlemmer, von Wehler-
mann. 3rd Silesian Landmehr 1st Lieutenants, von Treutter, von Teiminger, von
Becker.

10TH BRIGADE. 15th Regt. of Infantry Captain von Seidlitz. 2nd Lieutenant von
Quanstedt. 1st Silesian Landieehr Major von Seidlitz. Captains, von Wittich, von
Geisler. 2nd Lieutenants, von Hildebrandt, von Briesen, von Gregor. '2nd Silesian Land-
n-ehr 2nd Lieutenant von Zimmennann.

RESERVE-CAVALRY Colonel and Brigadier Count von Schwerin. Lieut. Colonel and
Brigadier von Watzdorf.

WOUNDED.

I. CORPS. Brandenburg Dragoons Captain von Puttkammer. Silesian Rifle Batta-
lion Lieutenant von Hotten. 12<& Regt. of Infantry Captain von Wenkstern. 24th
Regt. of Infantry Major von Lowenklau. Captain von Blankenstein. Lieutenants von
Mailer, von der Golz, Lampresch.

II. CORPS. 2nd Regt. of Infantry 2nd Lieutenant von Stempel. 3rd Elbe Landieehr
Captain von Biilzingslowen. 2nd Lieutenant von Scholmer.

IV. CORPS 13TH BRIGADE. Colonel and Brigadier von Lettow. \0th Regt. of Infantry
Major von Marsigli. 1st Lieutenants, von Doringkowski, von Torzilowsky, von Xord-
hausen. 2nd Lieutenants, von Earth, von Kretschmer, von Marguardt, von Witzleben, von
Bartke. 2nd Neumark Landirelir Captain von Solta. 2nd Lieutenant von Liebich.
3rd Xeumarft Landmeht Major von Osten. Captain von Zamori. 2nd Lieutenants, von
Miinchow, von Szandahelly, von Moritz, von Alter, von Achterberg.

14TH BRIGADE, llth Regt. of Infantry Captains, von Niesemauschel, von Kuensberg,
.yon Morgenstern. 1st Lieutenant von Aulock. 2nd Lieutenants, von Biederstein, von
Ciriacy, von Rahden, von Podewil, von Bentivigni, von Egloffstein, von Koepke, von Bender,
von Walter. 1st Pomeranian Landn-eki Lieut. Colonel von Brandenstein. Majors, von.
Nettelhorst, von Toll. Captains, von Andrees, von Spalding, von Loeper, von Wolter.
2nd Lieutenants, von Zirkel, von Xehring, von Hoepfner, von Doebke. 2nd Pomernn'mn
Landn-ehi Majors, von Katt, von Stojenthin. Captains, von Steinwehr, von Pauly, von
Wedell. 2nd Lieutenants, von Strieker, von Preussendorf, von Barth, von Ewald, von
Dolist, von Hagemann, von Schmidt, von Ludwig, von Heinze.

IOTH BRIGADE. 18//t Regt. of Infantry Captains, von Pogurscb, von Gluschinsky.
1st Lieutenants, von Wedelstiidt, von Bursche, von Eisner, von Kurstein, von Wallehroth,
von Taubenheim. 2nd Lieutenants, von Arnim, von Bath, von Lutermann, von Alberti,
von Koeppen, von Bindemann, von Wiedermauth, von Broene, le Blanc, von Schorafeldt,
von Kerzieg. 3rd Silesian Landicclir Major von Zischwitz. Captains, von Osten, von
Loepell. 1st Lieutenant von Krause. 2nd Lieutenants, von Pari, von Liitzow, von Biittsclier,

APPENDIX

von Plelsch, von Schrelber, von Wendo, von Platlus. 4th Silesian Landivchr Captain von
Schirche. 1st Lieutenant, von Stemler. 2nd Lieutenants, von Wagner, von Liebid), von
Schedelbach.

1CTH BRIGADE. IStliRegt. of Infantry Major von Boek, com. Captains, von Jutrzenka,
vonBionstierna.vonCawizinsky. 1st Lieutenant von Redeker. 2nd Lieutenants, von Preuss
fand Adjutant), von Nadler, von Mousers, von Hering, von Frohreich, von Hassenstein, von
Luck, von Hiilsen, vonSinel, von Lindenhofer, von Wittke, von Fittscherini, von Helm. 1st
Slleslan Landmehi Captains, von Maistre, von Salisen, von Schrotter. 1st Lieutenants,
von Herzberg, von Vogt, von Laubak. 2nd Lieutenants, von Louve, von Bemda, von Stunner.
2nd Silesian Land/vehr Major von Schwemmler. 2nd Lieutenants, von Richter, von
Brandt, von Krickmuth, von Arnira, von Beyer, von Sack.

RESERVE-CAVALRY. Staff Major von Drigalsky. 2nd Silesian Hussars Captain von
Wander. West Prussian Uhlans Lieutenant von Knobelsdorf. 8th Kegt. of Hussars
Captain von Erichson. 2nd Lieutenants, von Bauhofen, von Mollendorf, von Plieth, von
Dieringsfeldt, von Winterfeldt, von Genny. 2nd Neumarh Laiidrcehr Cavalry Lieut.
Colonel von Hiller. Captains, von Goerz, von Preussendorf. Lieutenants, von Braun, von
Oestreich. 2nd Silesian Landn-ehr Cavalry Lieutenant von Schweinitz. 3rd Sllctian
Landwchr Cavalry Captain von Altenstein. Horse Artillery Captains, von Zinken,
von Pfeil.

MISSING.

IV. CORPS. 1st Silesian Landn-ehr 2nd. Lieutenant von Siegberg. llth Jtegt. of In-
fantry Captain von Hiesemeuschel. 2nd Lieutenant von Bieberstein. 2nd Silesian
Landn-chi 2nd Lieutenant von Koeszegy. 2nd Silesia fftissarsJf R .

XVII.

Proclamation of Louis XVIII. to the French People.

' THE gates of my kingdom at last open before me. I hasten
to bring back my misguided subjects to their duty, to mitigate
the calamities which I had wished to prevent, and to place myself
a second time between the Allies and the French armies, in the
hope that the feelings of consideration of which I may be the
object, may tend to their preservation.

' This is the only way in which I have wished to take part in
the war. I have not suffered any prince of my family to appear
in foreign ranks, and have restrained the courage of those of my
servants who had been able to range themselves around me.

' Returned to my native country, I feel a peculiar pleasure in
speaking confidence to my people. When I first re-appeared
among you, I found men's minds heated and agitated by con-
VOL. II. 2 M

522

APPENDIX.

flicting passions. My views encountered difficxilties and obstacles
011 every side. My government was liable to commit errors :
perhaps it did commit them. There are times when the purest
intentions are insufficient to direct, and sometimes they even
mislead. Experience alone can teach ; it shall not be lost. All
that can save France is my wish.

' My subjects have learned by cruel experience, that the prin-
ciple of the legitimacy of sovereigns is one of the fundamental
bases of social order; the only one upon which, amidst a great
nation, a wise and rational liberty can be established. This doc-
trine has just been proclaimed as that of all Europe. I had
previously consecrated it by my charter, and I will add to that
charter all the guarantees which can secure the benefits of it.

' The unity of the ministry is the strongest that I can offer. I
design that it should exist, and that the frank and firm march of
my council should guarantee all interests and calm all troubles.

' Some persons have spoken of the restoration of tithes and
feudal rights. This fable, invented by the common enemy, does
not require refutation. It will not be expected that the King
should stoop to refute calumnies and lies. The success of the
treason has too clearly indicated their source. If the purchasers
of national property have felt alarm, the charter should suffice to
re-assure them. Did I not myself propose to the chambers, and
cause to be executed sales of such property ? This proof of my
sincerity is incontrovertible.

* In these latter times, my subjects of all classes have given
me unequivocal proofs of their love and fidelity. I wish them to
know how sensibly I feel them, and that it is from among all
Frenchmen I shall delight to choose those who are to approach
my person and my family. I wish to exclude from my presence
none but those whose celebrity is matter of grief to France, and
of horror to Europe.

'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

APPENDIX. 523

pardon to misled Frenchmen all that has transpired since the day
when I quitted Lille, amidst so many tears, up to the day when
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.

' Frenchmen ! such are the sentiments which he brings among
you, whom time has not been able to change, nor calamities,
fatigues, nor injustice, made to stoop. The King, whose fathers
reigned for eight centuries over yours, returns to consecrate the
remainder of his days in defending and consoling you.

* Given at Cambray, the 28th of June, 1815, and of our reign
the twenty-first.

* Louis.'

G. NORMAN, PRINTER, MA1IJEN LANE, COVENT GARDEN.

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