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The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Waterloo Campaign 1815, by William Siborne This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. Title: The Waterloo Campaign 1815 Author: William Siborne Release Date: November 11, 2018 [EBook #58268] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WATERLOO CAMPAIGN 1815 *** Produced by Brian Coe, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) THE WATERLOO CAMPAIGN 1815 WILLIAM SIBORNE Captain, Half Pay, Unattached, Constructor of the Waterloo Model FIFTH EDITION WESTMINSTER ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND CO., LTD. 1900 PREFACE. BY common consent, this Work is regarded as the best comprehensive account in the English language of the Waterloo Campaign. Even those who differ from the Author upon particular points, most cordially admit the general accuracy and fulness of his History. It is charmingly written, is graphic yet precise, and abundantly witnesses to the Author's most strenuous endeavour to do justice to every one who took part in that great Conflict. This Work will henceforth be a household book amongst the Teutonic race; and all who read it will gain a very clear insight into the methods of Military Strategy as they were practised by the great Captains of that Age. It is impossible to repress one's admiration of the heroic bravery displayed in this brief Campaign: whether amongst the Allies at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, or by the Imperial Guard at Planchenoit, or by the Prussians at Ligny, Wavre, and Le Chesnay. The reader must be good enough to observe that a Prussian Brigade then equalled in numbers a French or an English Division. This Work has extended to such great length that one half of the Appendix (see pages 42 to 44) and nearly all the Notes have been, most unwillingly, omitted. Only those Foot Notes have been inserted which are absolutely essential to the Text. Room has however been found, at pages 798 to 826, for the Nominal Lists of Officers at Waterloo, &c. One would most earnestly wish that Wars may cease until the end of Time; but if that may not be, then may they be as bravely fought as was this War of Twenty Days: from the 15th June, when Napoleon crossed the Sambre; to the 4th July 1815, the day on which the Allies took possession of Paris. EDWARD ARBER. Edgbaston, Birmingham. THE TITLE PAGE OF THE THIRD EDITION. TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. Madam, IN graciously deigning to accept the Dedication of these pages, Your Majesty has afforded the greatest possible encouragement to my humble endeavours to record, with simplicity, impartiality, and truth, the incidents of an eventful War, resulting in a long enduring Peace; a War which shed a new and brighter lustre on the valour and discipline of the British Army, and once more called forth the consummate sagacity and far-extending prescience of that illustrious Chief, whom Your Majesty, with wise appreciation and a just pride, retains at its head. Earnestly hoping that the result of those endeavours may prove not altogether undeserving of Your Majesty's approbation, I have the honour to be, With profound respect, Madam, Your Majesty's most humble And most devoted servant, WILLIAM SIBORNE, Captain Unattached. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. IN offering to the Public this Third Edition, I feel called upon to state, by way of explanation, in what respect it differs from the two former Editions. During the interval which has elapsed, I have not failed to avail myself of every opportunity to correct and improve any points which further investigation rendered desirable; and I have been much gratified in finding that the general plan and arrangement of the Work, together with the elucidation of the military operations, and the views of their tendency and effect, have been generally borne out and approved; and that, consequently, in these respects little alteration has been required. The exceptions, which consist principally in details, and amount in number to only four or five, have been rectified in this edition. They are chiefly the result of discussions which have appeared in the pages of the United Service Magazine; and relate to a portion of the proceedings of Sir Colin Halkett's and Sir Denis Pack's Brigades at Quatre Bras and Waterloo. Through the kindness of His Excellency the Prussian Ambassador, Chevalier Bunsen, and of the Prussian Generals von Canitz and von Krauseneck, and of Major Gerwien of the Prussian Head Quarters Staff; I have obtained additional interesting details connected with the Prussian operations; more especially as regards the opening of the Campaign. A Dutch work published, apparently under authority, by Major Van Löben Sels, Aide de Camp to his Royal Highness Prince Frederick of the Netherlands, and entitled B dragen tot de Kr gsgeschiedenis van Napoleon Bonaparte, of which I was not previously in possession, has enabled me to give additional particulars respecting the movements and dispositions of the most advanced portion of the Dutch-Belgian troops, on the first advance of the Enemy; and also to explain particular circumstances and qualify some observations respecting those troops which appeared in former Editions. The Editor of an Article in The Quarterly Review, No. CLI., entitled Marmont, Siborne, and Alison, having, in his comments upon this Work, denied the accuracy of one or two important facts therein stated; I have, in notes at pages 57 and 152,[2] entered into more minute details, which explain the grounds that warrant me in adhering to the original statements. The observations made in the Preface of a Volume of "Murray's Home and Colonial Library," entitled The Story of Waterloo, and the palpable embodiment of the present Work into the pages of the latter, have been such as could scarcely fail to attract attention; and I have accordingly appended to this Edition, in a separate form, some remarks upon that publication.[3] Public opinion (if I may judge by the unanimous consent of the press) having so distinctly pronounced its acknowledgment of the value of my Work, as one of History; I could not disregard the conduct of a Writer, who, in the first place endeavours to depreciate that value, and then unblushingly makes the most ample and unlicensed use of it for his own purposes. W. SIBORNE. 18th June 1848. FOOTNOTES: Omitted in this Fourth Edition.—E.A. Omitted in this Fourth Edition.—E.A. The Duke of Wellington. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. THE circumstance of the First Edition having been sold off within a very few days, combined with the highly favourable notices taken of the Work by professional as well as other critics, and, I may be permitted to add, the very flattering encomiums which have been pronounced upon it by so many who, from their position, are the most competent to form an opinion on its merits, cannot fail to afford proofs, the most satisfactory to the Public, and, at the same time, the most gratifying to the Author, that, in the production of these Volumes,[4] upon a subject of such stirring national interest, neither the expectations of the former have been altogether disappointed, nor the labours of the latter bestowed in vain. The present Edition contains corrections on one or two points of trivial importance, to which my attention has been directed; and I shall be happy to receive further information from surviving Eye Witnesses who may discover any instances in which the facts related appear either inaccurately or insufficiently explained. W. SIBORNE. August 23rd, 1844. FOOTNOTES: [2] [3] The First and Second Editions of this Work were each published in Two Volumes.—E.A. PREFACE. SOME years ago, when constructing a Model of the Field of Waterloo, at a particular period of the Battle; I found it necessary to make great exertions to procure that detailed information for which I had sought in vain in the already numerous published accounts of the military transactions of 1815. Anxious to ensure the rigorous accuracy of my work, I ventured to apply for information to nearly all the surviving Eye Witnesses of the incidents which my Model was intended to represent. In every quarter, and among Officers of all ranks, from the General to the Subaltern, my applications were responded to in a most liberal and generous spirit; and the result did indeed surprise me, so greatly at variance was this historical evidence with the general notions which had previously prevailed on the subject. Thus was suggested the present Work. I was induced by the success of this experiment to embrace a wider field, and to extend my enquiries over the entire Battle; and, ultimately, throughout the Campaign itself, from its commencement to its close. Having become the depository of such valuable materials, I felt it a duty to the honourable profession of which I am a humble member, to submit to it, and to the World, a true and faithful account of this memorable epoch in the history of Britain's military greatness. Though not so presumptuous as to imagine that I have fully supplied so absolute a desideratum; yet I consider myself fortunate in being the instrument of withdrawing so far the veil from Truth. One of my Waterloo correspondents has humorously remarked, that "if ever truth lies at the bottom of a well, she does so immediately after a great Battle; and it takes an amazingly long time before she can be lugged out." The time of her emerging appears to have at length arrived; but, while I feel that I have brought to light much that was involved in obscurity, I cannot but be sensible that I may have fallen into errors. Should such be the case, I shall be most ready, hereafter, to make any corrections that may appear requisite, on my being favoured, by Eye Witnesses, with further well authenticated information. I take this opportunity of returning my sincere thanks to the numerous Officers of the British Army, who have so kindly committed to my keeping their recollections of the events which I have attempted to describe. Similar thanks are likewise due to the Officers of the King's German Legion and Hanoverian Subsidiary Corps; as also to the General Officers who respectively furnished me with such information as related to the troops of Brunswick and Nassau. I beg also to express my obligations to the Prussian Minister of War, and the Officers of the Prussian General Staff in Berlin, for the readiness and liberality with which they have supplied me with such details concerning the dispositions and movements of the troops of their Sovereign, as were essential to me in prosecuting the task I had undertaken. Having briefly explained the circumstances that led to the construction of the Work which I thus venture to place before the Public, I have now only to express a hope that my labours may be crowned with usefulness. Should such a result occur, I shall then have obtained the only fame I seek. W. SIBORNE. March 1844. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE Landing of Napoleon Buonaparte in France after his escape from Elba 47 Flight of Louis XVIII. 47 Decision of the Congress of Vienna 48 Preparations on the part of the Allied Powers for opening a Campaign against Napoleon 49 Great Britain and Prussia occupy Belgium 49 [4] Advance of the Russians towards the French frontier 51 Advance of the Austrians 52 The troops of Bavaria, Baden, Würtemburg, and of Hesse, assemble upon the Upper Rhine 52 Preparations on the part of Napoleon 53 General aspect of France 57 Spirit of the French Army 58 Public Opinion and state of Parties in France 59 CHAPTER II. Belgium again destined to become the Theatre of War 62 The British Army 62 The Duke of Wellington 63 The Prussian Army 67 Prince Blücher von Wahlstadt 67 The King's German Legion; the Hanoverian, Brunswick, Dutch, Belgian, and Nassau troops 67 Napoleon and the French Army 68 Prospect of a severe struggle 69 CHAPTER III. Strength, composition, and distribution of the Anglo-Allied Army under Wellington 71 Its projected concentration in the event of Napoleon's advance 75 Strength, composition, and distribution of the Prussian Army under Blücher 76 Its projected concentration in the event of Napoleon's advance 79 The line on which Wellington's Left and Blücher's Right rested, selected by Napoleon for the direction of his attack 82 Strength, composition, and distribution of the French Army under Napoleon 82 Necessity under which the French Emperor is placed of opening the Campaign without awaiting the further development of his resources 87 Slight retrospect of the Campaign of 1814 88 Napoleon's prospect of success 88 His preparations for the commencement of hostilities 90 Wellington receives information from his Outposts in front of Tournai, of the assembling of French troops on the frontier; but delays the concentration of the Anglo-Allied troops until certain of the object and direction of Napoleon's main operation 91 Concentration of the French Army 91 Napoleon joins the latter in person 92 Ordre du Jour of the 14th of June 93 CHAPTER IV. Zieten ascertains and communicates to the Allied Commanders the assembling of French troops in his front, and that there is every probability of an attack by the Enemy on the 14th or 15th of June 94 Blücher's dispositions 96 Extent of information gained by Wellington and Blücher immediately previous to the commencement of hostilities 97 Position of the First Prussian Corps d'Armée under Zieten 97 Advance of the French Army into Belgium on the 15th of June 98 The French force the Prussian Outposts; cross the Sambre, and gain possession of Charleroi 98 Retreat of the different Brigades of Zieten's Corps upon Fleurus 104 Affair at Gilly 106 Zieten's Corps concentrates in position between Ligny and St Arnaud 110 Losses experienced by this Corps on the 15th 111 The Second and Third Prussian Corps d'Armée, under Pirch and Thielemann, concentrate and bivouac on the night of the 15th; the former between Onoz and Mazy not far from Sombref, the latter in and around Namur 111 Bülow is desired to concentrate the Fourth Prussian Corps d'Armée at Hannut 112 Cause of this operation being deferred until the 16th 113 Ney joins the French Army, and receives from Napoleon the command of a detached Corps destined to operate by the Brussels road from Charleroi 114 The Advanced Post at Frasne, upon the extreme Left of the Duke of Wellington's Army, receives intelligence of the French attack 115 Consequent movements of de Perponcher's Dutch-Belgian Division 115 The Anglo-Allied Post at Frasne is driven in by the Advanced Guard of Ney's Corps; the progress of which is checked by Prince Bernhard of Saxe Weimar's Dutch-Belgian Brigade in front of Quatre Bras 116 Disposition of Ney's forces in the night of the 15th of June 118 Wellington is informed of Napoleon's advance, and makes his dispositions accordingly 119 Order of the movements of the Anglo-Allied Army 120 Disposition of the Centre and Right Columns of the French Army during the night of the 15th 123 Remarks on the result of Napoleon's operations on the 15th of June 123 CHAPTER V. On the morning of the 16th, Wellington's troops are in movement upon Nivelles and Quatre Bras 129 The Dutch-Belgian Detachment at the latter point is reinforced, and becomes engaged with the French Advanced Guard 129 The Prince of Orange arrives, and succeeds in forcing back the French upon Frasne 131 Ney's views and dispositions 131 Wellington arrives in person at Quatre Bras 134 He proceeds to the Prussian Head Quarters for the purpose of holding a conference with Blücher 134 Adopted Plan of Operations 135 Instructions received by Ney from Napoleon 135 Ney's advance 143 The Prince of Orange's dispositions to meet it 143 Relative strength 143 The Prince of Orange retires towards Quatre Bras, occupies the Wood of Bossu, and endeavours to maintain the Post of Gemioncourt 144 Arrival of Picton's Division 145 Conspicuous gallantry of the Prince of Orange 147 Arrival of van Merlen's Light Cavalry Brigade 148 Van Merlen advances in support of Perponcher's Infantry 148 Both are driven back: the former to Quatre Bras; the latter into the Wood of Bossu, which is now attacked by the French 148 The latter occupy Gemioncourt and Piermont 148 Ney's position 149 Arrival of the principal portion of the Brunswick troops 149 Relative strength 150 Part of the Brunswick Corps posted between the Charleroi road and the Wood of Bossu 151 French attack 152 Wellington decides on meeting it 153 Advance of Picton with the Fifth British Division 153 The French Infantry gallantly repulsed by the British 154 Attack upon the Brunswickers 155 The Duke of Brunswick makes an ineffectual charge at the head of his Lancers 157 Retreat of the Brunswickers 157 Fall of the Duke of Brunswick 158 Conspicuous gallantry of the 42nd and 44th British Regiments 159 The French Cavalry advances as far as Quatre Bras 162 Is checked by the 92nd Highlanders 162 Kellermann joins Ney with L'Heritier's Cavalry Division 163 The French Cavalry attacks the British Squares 164 Picton advances his Infantry into the midst of the French Cavalry 166 Remarkable steadiness of the British Squares 167 Manner in which the charges of the French Cavalry were executed 167 The French are rapidly gaining possession of the entire Wood of Bossu, are reinforcing their Light Troops in Piermont, and are preparing to renew their attack upon Quatre Bras 172 Alten joins Wellington with two Infantry Brigades of the Third Division 173 Ney is joined by the remaining Division of Kellermann's Corps of Heavy Cavalry 173 Relative strength 173 Ney, after despatching an Order to d'Erlon to join him without delay, commences another general attack 174 Two French Foot Batteries suddenly open a fire from the edge of the Wood of Bossu upon the Brunswick Infantry 174 Gallant conduct of Lloyd's British Foot Battery 174 Advance of Halkett's British Infantry Brigade posted between the Wood of Bossu and the Charleroi road 175 Kielmansegge's Hanoverian Infantry Brigade advances along the Namur road to reinforce and support Picton's Division 175 Advance of French Infantry against Quatre Bras 176 The latter gallantly charged and pursued by the 92nd Highlanders 176 Halkett's Brigade posted between the Wood of Bossu and the Charleroi road 177 The 69th British Regiment is attacked and dispersed by French Cuirassiers 178 Vigorous assault along the whole of the Anglo-Allied Line 180 Arrival of British and German Artillery 181 French Cuirassiers driven back in confusion from Quatre Bras 182 Ney receives intelligence that d'Erlon's Corps has been ordered by Napoleon to march towards the Prussian Extreme Right on the Field of Ligny; and shortly afterwards a despatch reaches him, requiring him to attack and repulse whatever Enemy may be in his front, and then to fall upon the Prussian Right 182 Vigorous attack upon the Left of Wellington's Line successfully repelled 184 The French Cavalry continues its attacks upon the central portion of the Anglo-Allied Army 184 Ney receives a further despatch from the Emperor, urging him to comply immediately with the instructions previously given 185 Arrival of Brunswick reinforcement 185 Also of the First British Division under Cooke 186 Relative strength 186 Halkett is again attacked by French Cavalry, after which he makes a further advance of his Brigade 187 The British Guards succeed in forcing the French out of the Wood of Bossu 188 Signal defeat of French Cavalry by the British Guards and the Brunswick Guard Battalion 189 Wellington's victorious advance 191 Ney withdraws the whole of his forces to the Heights of Frasne, on which they bivouac for the night 191 D'Erlon joins Ney after the termination of the action 191 Losses in killed and wounded 193 Remarks upon the Battle 193 CHAPTER VI. Blücher decides upon accepting battle in the position in rear of Fleurus 199 The position of Ligny strategically considered 200 The position itself described 201 Distribution of Zieten's Corps on the morning of the 16th of June 201 At eleven o'clock Pirch's Corps is posted as a Reserve to Zieten's 203 Thielemann's Corps reaches Sombref about noon 204 Its distribution on the Field 204 General view of Blücher's dispositions 204 About ten o'clock the foremost of the French troops debouch in two Columns from the Wood of Fleurus, and draw up in front of this town 204 Napoleon's views and dispositions 205 At two o'clock he communicates to Ney his intention to commence his attack upon the Prussians, and desires that Marshal also to attack the Enemy in his front 206 The French Light Troops gain possession of Fleurus 206 The Cavalry of Zieten's Corps falls back upon the position of Ligny 206 The French Army advances and takes up a position preparatory to its attack 207 Strength of the French forces under Napoleon 208 Strength of the Prussian forces under Blücher 209 Blücher's arrangements 209 He moves Thielemann's Corps into his Front Line, of which it then forms the Left Wing 210 Blücher's views and dispositions 211 Tactical defects of the position of Ligny 213 Napoleon commences the Battle with an attack by Vandamme's Corps upon St Amand 213 Gérard's Corps attacks Ligny 214 Contest in these Villages 215 The French carry St Amand 216 Renewed attack upon Ligny 217 Nature of the contest between Thielemann's and Grouchy's Corps 217 Girard's Division gains possession of St Amand la Haye 218 Blücher's dispositions for retaking this Village, securing Wagnelé, and impeding any further advance from the French Left 218 Failure of the Prussian attack upon St Amand la Haye 219 Blücher decides on a renewed attack upon this Village, as a diversion in favour of his projected movement against the French Left 219 Napoleon reinforces this Flank 220 The Prussians retake St Amand la Haye 220 Blücher reinforces his extreme Right with Cavalry 221 Prussian attack upon Wagnelé unsuccessful 222 The French regain St Amand la Haye 223 Continued contest at Ligny 223 Blücher reinforces his troops employed in the defence of this Village 224 Long and desperate struggle in the Villages of St Amand la Haye, Wagnelé, and the Hameau de St Amand 227 Napoleon, perceiving that Blücher has scarcely any Reserve remaining at his disposal, resolves upon attacking the Prussian Centre 230 He suspends his meditated attack in consequence of a large Column advancing apparently from Frasne towards his Left Rear 231 This Column is discovered to be d'Erlon's Corps d'Armée 234 This circumstance explained 234 Thielemann detaches a portion of his Cavalry with some guns across the Ligny, along the Fleurus road 237 They are attacked and driven back by part of Grouchy's Cavalry 237 Disposition and state of the Prussian troops at the moment Napoleon advances with a formidable Reserve across the Ligny 239 The Prussian Infantry forced to evacuate Ligny 242 Failure of Prussian Cavalry attacks upon the advancing Column of French Infantry 243 Blücher's horse is killed, and the Prince thrown under him 245 Critical situation of the Prussian Commander 246 He is removed from the Field 246 Retreat of Prussian Infantry upon Bry 247 Contest at Sombref 249 Retreat of the Prussians from St Amand and St Amand la Haye 250 Zieten's and Pirch's Corps retire by Marbais and Tilly 251 Thielemann's Corps retains its position 252 Close of the Battle 253 Distribution of the French troops 254 Disposition of the Prussian troops 254 Bülow's Corps reaches Gembloux during the night 255 Losses sustained by both Armies 255 Consequences of the Prussian defeat 255 Remarks upon the Battle 256 CHAPTER VII. An engagement of short duration, and originating accidentally, takes place between the French and Anglo-Allied Picquets on the Field of Quatre Bras, about an hour before daylight of the 17th June 259 Wellington detaches a Patrol to his Left for the purpose of gaining intelligence concerning Blücher's movements 261 The Patrol finds the Prussians at Tilly 262 Upon its return Wellington decides on retrograding his forces to the position in front of Waterloo 263 Order of Movement 263 Communications between Blücher and Wellington 264 Retreat of the Anglo-Allied Infantry; masked from the Enemy 264 Ney's views and dispositions 266 Napoleon communicates to Ney the result of the Battle of Ligny; and proposes, should the Enemy's force at Quatre Bras advance against him, to co-operate with the Marshal in a combined attack upon the Anglo-Allied Army 267 Tardiness of Napoleon's movements 267 Simultaneous advance of Napoleon and Ney against Wellington 268 Uxbridge's dispositions for the retreat of the British Cavalry 270 Brilliant Cavalry Affair at Genappe 281 Retreat continued to the Waterloo position 282 Napoleon's advance checked on his reaching La Belle Alliance 282 Remarks on the retreat 283 Blücher's promised support 285 Wellington's disposition of his detached troops under Sir Charles Colville and Prince Frederick of Orange 285 The French and Anglo-Allied Armies establish their respective bivouacs for the night 286 CHAPTER VIII. At daybreak of the 17th, the Prussian Army commences its retreat upon Wavre 287 Zieten's Corps retires by Mont St Guibert, and reaches Wavre about mid day 287 Pirch's Corps follows the same route, and takes post upon the right bank of the Dyle 287 Thielemann, having collected together the Brigades of his Corps, begins to retire from the Field of Ligny at two o'clock in the morning 288 He halts in rear of Gembloux 289 Bülow retires by Walhain and Corbaix to Dion le Mont, near which he takes up a position 290 Thielemann resumes his march at two o'clock in the afternoon, and arrives at the position of Wavre late in the evening 290 Prussian Head Quarters established at Wavre 291 Blücher receives a message from Wellington 291 While the Prussians are effecting their retreat during the early part of the morning, the French continue quietly in their bivouac 292 Pajol, with the Light Cavalry Division, seeks the Prussians along the Namur road; followed by Lieutenant General Teste's Infantry Division, in support 292 Other troops detached towards Gembloux, near which traces of the Prussian retreat are discovered 293 Remarks upon the extraordinary degree of inactivity on the part of Napoleon 293 About noon, Napoleon proceeds to collect, in advance of Marbais, on the high road to Quatre Bras, a portion of the troops that had fought at Ligny; and detaches the remainder, under Grouchy, in pursuit of the Prussians 296 Napoleon's instructions to Grouchy 297 The troops assembled near Marbais advance upon Quatre Bras, which they reach about two o'clock 298 The Corps of Vandamme and Gérard do not reach Gembloux until late in the evening 299 Grouchy's dispositions 300 Disposition of the Prussian troops during the 17th 302 Influence of the defeat at Ligny upon the morale of the Prussian Army 305 Blücher is informed of the position of the Anglo-Allied Army 306 His instructions to Bülow 306 On the 18th, Vandamme's and Gérard's Corps commence the march from Gembloux, at nine o'clock, upon Wavre, preceded by the Heavy Cavalry under Excelmans, and supported on their left by Maurin's Light Cavalry 307 At half past ten o'clock, Excelmans' Advanced Guard comes in contact with the Prussian Rear Guard 307 At Sart à Wallain Grouchy's attention is called to the sound of a heavy cannonade in the direction of Mont St Jean 308 Gérard suggests to Grouchy the expediency of marching towards the cannonade 308 Grouchy's reasons for rejecting this proposal 309 The march upon Wavre continued 309 At daybreak on the 18th, Bülow quits his position near Dion le Mont to march through Wavre upon St Lambert, and thus commences the flank movement of the Prussians in support of the Anglo-Allied Army at Waterloo 310 Blücher communicates to Wellington his intention of immediately attacking the Enemy's Right Flank 311 Dispositions made for giving security to this movement 312 Blücher directs that as soon as Bülow's Corps has proceeded beyond Wavre, Zieten's Corps is to commence its march by Fromont and Ohain to join the Left Wing of Wellington's Army 312 Pirch's Corps to follow Bülow's in the direction of St Lambert; and Thielemann's to follow Zieten's as soon as its presence at Wavre is no longer essential 312 The march of Bülow's Corps through Wavre delayed by an accident 313 Bülow's Advanced Guard crosses the Defile of St Lambert, and halts in the Wood of Paris 313 Pirch, having strengthened his Rear Guard in consequence of the approach of the French, effects the passage of his Corps across the Dyle at Wavre 314 Blücher's instructions to Thielemann 316 Remarks upon Grouchy's movements during the 17th, and the early part of the 18th 316 Their influence upon the Battle of Waterloo 321 CHAPTER IX. The French and Anglo-Allied Armies break up their bivouacs early on the morning of the 18th of June, in front of Waterloo 324 Preparations for Battle 325 The Field 325 Wellington's position 326 Distribution of the Anglo-Allied Army 327 Front Line: with the Advanced Posts of Smohain, La Haye, La Haye Sainte, and Hougomont 327 Second Line 347 Reserves 348 Detached forces in observation near Hal, and at Tubize; the former under Prince Frederick of Orange, the latter under Sir Charles Colville 350 Braine l'Alleud and Vieux Foriez occupied 350 Distribution of the Anglo-Allied Artillery 351 General view of the disposition of Wellington's forces 353 Napoleon's position 355 Distribution of the French Army 355 Front Line 355 Second Line 359 Reserves 362 General view of the disposition of Napoleon's forces 363 Remarks on the Emperor's delay in commencing the Battle 364 Strength of the Anglo-Allied Army in the Field 367 Strength of the French Army 368 The French Columns moving into position 368 Intense interest excited in both Armies when drawn up in presence of each other, and on the point of commencing the Battle 368 CHAPTER X. Napoleon's instructions to Grouchy previously to the Battle of Waterloo 370 A Prussian Officer joins the extreme Left of the Anglo-Allied Army, and reports that Bülow's Corps has reached St Lambert 371 Napoleon passes along the French Lines 372 The Battle commences about half past eleven o'clock, with an attack upon the Wood of Hougomont, by part of Prince Jerome's Division 375 The cannonade is opened by the guns of Sandham's Foot Battery in front of Cooke's Division 375 The French gain possession of a portion of the Wood and other inclosures of Hougomont 376 They are driven out 377 The French reconnoitre the Anglo-Allied Left 377 Jerome renews his attack, supported by part of Foy's Division 378 Fire opened upon the attacking troops by the Batteries posted with Clinton's Division 378 The French gain the Wood 378 Signal service rendered by Bull's Howitzer Battery 379 The French Skirmishers succeed in turning the Right of Hougomont, and in forcing the great Gate; which, however, is soon closed against the assailants 380 They then press forward against the Right of the Allied Front Line, and force Webber Smith's Horse Battery to retire into a hollow way to refit 381 They are charged and driven back by four Companies of the Coldstream Guards, under Lieutenant Colonel Woodford, which force then joins the defenders of Hougomont 381 The French, on debouching from the Wood into the Great Orchard, are gallantly charged and driven back by Lieutenant Colonel Lord Saltoun with the Light Companies of the First Brigade of Guards 383 The latter, being attacked in both front and flank, are compelled to fall back upon the hollow way in rear of the Great Orchard 383 On being reinforced by two Companies of the 3rd Regiment of Guards; they resume the offensive, and clear the Orchard of the Enemy 383 Ney's dispositions for a grand attack upon the Left Wing and Centre of the Anglo-Allied Army 384 Napoleon perceives troops in motion at some distance on his right 385 He detaches Domon's and Subervie's Light Cavalry Brigades in that direction 386 He ascertains that the troops he has seen belong to the Prussian Corp's d'Armée of Count Bülow 386 His Orders to Grouchy 387 Napoleon neglects to adopt effectual measures for securing his Right Flank 389 CHAPTER XI. Commencement of the grand attack upon the Left Wing and Centre of the Anglo-Allied Army 392 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 393 Retreat of Bylandt's Dutch-Belgian Infantry Brigade 395 Picton's dispositions 397 Attack by the French Left Central Column 399 Gallant charge by Kempt's Brigade 401 Death of Picton 402 Contest between Cuirassiers and the 2nd Life Guards in front of the Right of Kempt's Brigade 403 Attack upon La Haye Sainte by the Left Brigade of Donzelot's Division 404 Advance of Roussel's Cavalry Brigade by the French left of La Haye Sainte 405 Uxbridge decides upon charging the Enemy's attacking force with Somerset's and Ponsonby's Cavalry Brigades 406 Charge by the French Cuirassiers and Carabiniers 408 It is met by that of Somerset's Cavalry Brigade 409 Advance of Ponsonby's Cavalry Brigade 411 Advance of Alix's and Marcognet's French Infantry Divisions 411 They reach the crest of the Anglo-Allied position 412 Advance of the 92nd Highlanders 413 Their attack upon the head of Marcognet's Column 413 Charge by Ponsonby's Cavalry Brigade 413 Complete overthrow of the French Columns 414 The Greys capture the Eagle of the 45th French Regiment 415 They also charge and defeat a supporting Column of Marcognet's attacking force 415 The Royals capture the Eagle of the 105th French Regiment 418 The Inniskillings defeat and disperse the Columns to which they are opposed 419 Continuation of the charge by Somerset's Brigade 419 Disordered state of the two British Cavalry Brigades 420 They crown the Enemy's position, and cut down the Gunners and horses of the French Batteries 421 At length they retire 421 The Left of their Line suffers severely from a charge by Jaquinot's Light Cavalry Brigade 421 Vandeleur's Light Cavalry advances in support upon the left 422 Charge by the 12th and 16th British Light Dragoons 422 The French Cavalry is driven back 423 Advance of Ghigny's Light Cavalry Brigade 423 Vivian moves his Brigade to the right, and opens a fire from two guns of his Horse Artillery 424 The British Cavalry engaged in this affair sustains a heavy loss 425 Disposition of the troops on the Anglo-Allied Left and Centre 426 Tableau of the Battle at this period 427 CHAPTER XII. Continuation of the contest at Hougomont 434 Attempted flank attack upon this Post completely defeated by Captain Cleeves's Foot Battery of the King's German Legion 436 The principal buildings of Hougomont, including the Château, set on fire by the French 437 Napoleon prepares a grand Cavalry attack upon Wellington's Right Wing 439 Renewed attack upon La Haye Sainte 439 Tremendous cannonade along the French Heights 441 French grand Cavalry attack 443 Its failure 446 Its renewal 448 Second failure 449 Ney, on being reinforced by Kellermann's Corps of Heavy Cavalry, and Guyot's Heavy Cavalry Division of the Guard, renews his attack 452 This is most successfully resisted 455 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 458 Wellington draws Chassé's Dutch-Belgian Division from Braine l'Alleud towards the principal scene of action, and moves Clinton's Division into the Front Line 458 Contest at La Haye Sainte 459 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 460 Artillery in the Anglo-Allied Front Line reinforced 461 Attack by a Column of French Heavy Cavalry upon the Anglo- Allied Right completely defeated by Major Mercer's Battery of British Horse Artillery 461 A strong Column of French Infantry, supported by Cavalry, advances against the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Right Wing 462 It is charged by Somerset's Heavy Cavalry Brigade 463 Conduct of Trip's Dutch-Belgian Carabinier Brigade 463 Gallant charge by the 3rd Hussars of the King's German Legion 464 Renewed attack by the Column of French Heavy Cavalry in front of Major Mercer's Horse Battery 466 It is repulsed as before 466 Wellington reinforces the right of his Front Line by du Plat's Infantry Brigade of the King's German Legion, accompanied by Captain Sympher's Horse Battery of the same Service 467 It is attacked by French Cuirassiers 467 These are driven off by the Battalions of du Plat's Brigade 468 Renewed charge by the Cuirassiers equally unsuccessful 468 Failure of the French Cavalry attack upon the Right Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line 469

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