Chapter XIV…

Chapter XIV

It was 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 sufficiently descended from the Heights to be below the range of their guns, the thunder of BÜLOW's Artillery upon the French extreme Right, and of the guns brought to bear against it, was so distinctly audible that NAPOLEON, apprehending its evil effects upon the troops on whose bravery, discipline, and devotion, his fate now hung, despatched 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 announcement was received by the troops, who had 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 realise the expectations entertained of them by their Enemy, but admirer, the brave General FOY; who had felt it his duty, prior to the commencement of the Battle, to declare to the Emperor, 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 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 summoned forth those energies by which its valour and its prowess had acquired for it imperishable renown. The greatest enthusiasm reigned amidst the devoted defenders of the Imperial diadem; which was now to be strengthened by the fame of their renowned successes, and adorned with fresh wreaths of never fading laurels.

NAPOLEON, nervously anxious to strain to its utmost 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 approached, he pointed significantly to the Allied position; a gesture which drew forth renewed shouts of "Vive l'Empereur!" 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; rivetted upon him the affectionate gaze of the devoted band, to hundreds of whom it proved the last look upon the idol for whom they were to sacrifice their lives.

At this time, D'ERLON's Corps presented an advance of Columns in echelon between the Charleroi road and its Right Flank which was engaged with the Prussians: whilst REILLE's Corps, descending 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 seconding, 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 maintain a desultory warfare with the Allied Light Troops in the front, consisting of the 3rd Regiment of British Guards, the Light Companies of the 14th and 23rd British Regiments, and six Companies of the 51st British Regiment.

PIRÉ's Light 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.

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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 Batteries 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 of driving away the Artillerymen from their guns by the fire of which the Guard was suffering 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. NEY's horse having been shot under him; he drew 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. General FRIANT, 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 occasioned some hesitation--the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Regiment of Grenadiers halted; but at the call of General PORET DE MORVAN, who commanded it, it renewed its advance at the pas de charge, amidst loud shouts of "Vive l'Empereur!" 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 addressing 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 under the command of Captain NAPIER. The Duke then said, "Tell him to keep a look out to his left, for the French will soon be with him." The message had scarcely been communicated when the bearskin caps of the leading divisions of the Column of the Imperial Guard appeared 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 moment, however, they were scattered and driven back upon the main body by a sudden shower of canister, grape, and shrapnel 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 immediate front no direct impediment to their further advance. They could only distinguish dimly through the smoke extending from NAPIER's Battery, 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 MAITLAND to attack. It was a moment of thrilling excitement. The British Guards springing up so suddenly in a most compact four deep line, appeared to the French as if starting out of the ground. The latter, with their high bonnets, 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 amazing coolness, deliberation, and precision. An oblique fire was also poured in among them from the 33rd and 69th British Regiments, which HALKETT had most promptly and judiciously pushed forward to the immediate Left of the Guards at this critical moment. 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 warriors 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, commenced a deployment in order to acquire a more extended front. But the head of the Column being 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 momentarily 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 became manifest. The Duke ordered MAITLAND 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.

During the advance of the attacking Column of the Imperial Guard, one of its Battalions had moved out from the mass to its right (probably for the better security of that Flank from any attempt that might be made to molest it from the dip or hollow on that side of the projecting tongue of ground along which the main attack had proceeded), and took a direction which brought it immediately in front of HALKETT's Left Wing, consisting of the shattered remnants of the 30th and 73rd British Regiments, formed in a four deep line, scarcely exceeding, if equalling, in extent (such had been their losses), the front of the approaching Column. The order in which this Column advanced was admirable. Its formation was undisturbed by the fire of Artillery, of which Arm there was none in this part of the Field in working condition; and, as it pressed on with the compactness and regularity of a parade movement, it appeared at the same time to be animated with the best spirit. Presently the Column halted and fired; and, in return, received a well directed volley; after delivering which, the 30th and 73rd Regiments ported arms, and, with a loud cheer, dashed forward at the charge. On reaching the ground where they expected to meet the French Guards, they were greatly astonished at discovering, through the clearing smoke, that their recent opponents were flying in a mass.

At this moment, Major VAN DER SMISSEN's Dutch-Belgian Horse Battery, which had just come up by the right of HALKETT's Brigade, opened upon them a terrific fire from which they suffered immensely.

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 resolved to face about the Right Wing of his Brigade, and to give the words, "Halt, front," as soon as he had got his Line parallel with the front of the advancing Column. This manoeuvre was executed with great regularity and precision by the Right Wing, with which MAITLAND was immediately present, and which he had well in hand. But amidst their victorious shouts, and the noise of the firing of cannon and other arms, the command was imperfectly understood by the Left Wing: and the first sense of danger 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 the 3rd Battalion, of which this Left Wing was composed, gave way as if to form Square. SALTOUN conspicuously exerted himself in endeavouring to rectify the mistake, but in vain; and the whole of the Battalion 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 misunderstanding of the command; and no greater or more distinguished proof could be afforded of the excellent order, cool self-possession, and admirable discipline of these troops, than the steadiness, 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 formation, and instantly darting forward at the double quick, to their proper place on the left of the 2nd Battalion, so that the whole Brigade was now in one steady and compact Line; parallel with the front of the advancing Second attacking Column of the Imperial Guard.

How marked a contrast did such conduct on 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'AUBREMÉ's Infantry Brigade of CHASSÉ's Dutch-Belgian Division, which, as before stated, had been moved into the space in rear of MAITLAND's Brigade, previously occupied by the Brunswickers, was now formed into three large Squares, of two Battalions each. These troops, on hearing the loud shouts of the Second advancing 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 his Major of Brigade, Major CHILDERS of the 16th Light Dragoons, Captain TOMKINSON of the same Regiment, and 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 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!

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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, however, 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 conveyance of Orders, or from any other accident, is uncertain; but it is quite evident that, by forming two separate attacks, they subjected themselves to 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's 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 Regiment, and those of the 52nd Regiment. They were checked, however, by the to them sudden and unexpected appearance of ADAM's Brigade, which 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 British Light 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 pursued 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 position.

Had the Second Column of Attack continued in the original direction of its advance, it would have come upon the centre of ADAM's Brigade: 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 Lieutenant 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 MAITLAND's Brigade reformed and posted in the best order, parallel with the front of the attacking Column, was at this moment stationed on the right 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 of the 95th Regiment to the left of the 52nd.

The head of the 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 imaginable, 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 Regiment, then coming up on the left, were 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 command, "Charge! charge!" It was answered by three hearty British cheers that rose distinctly above the shouts of "Vive l'Empereur!", 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 characterised. 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 been so fatally involved, and of the unrestrained pursuit which deprived it of the power of rallying its component parts, it became so thoroughly disjointed and dispersed that, with the exception of the two rear Battalions which constituted the 1st Regiment of Chasseurs (Old Guard), it is extremely doubtful whether any portion of it ever reunited, as a regularly formed military body, during the brief remaining period of the Battle--certainly not on the Allied side of La Belle Alliance, towards which point it directed its retreat.

It is necessary to remark that this Regiment of the Old Guard, which was commanded by General CAMBRONNE, formed a separate Column of Support in echelon to, and immediate left rear of, the three Battalions of the Middle Guard: but so close to each other were the two Columns, that although an interval 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 but as one Column, when charged in flank; and may, to all intents and purposes, be considered as having formed one general Column of Attack. CAMBRONNE's Battalions, however, forming the rear of the Column, did not become exposed to the fire from ADAM's Brigade; inasmuch as neither the 71st Regiment nor the 2nd Battalion 95th Regiment could complete the Brigade flank movement in time to open a fire upon the mass before the actual charge was commenced. Hence, although they turned, along with the rest of the Column; yet, unlike the latter, they retained a considerable degree of order.

Troops could scarcely be placed in a more critical 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 partially 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 indication 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 became aware of this attack, it would still have 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 veterans were thus thrown was mainly attributable to the fatal neglect of not accompanying the Column with 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 dispersion.

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 presumed, would now be brought forward from his Reserve, since none of it had been employed in immediate support of the last attack. He urgently requested for this purpose, the aid of troops from the other part of CLINTON's Division; and Lieutenant Colonel HALKETT, seeing what was required, immediately advanced with the nearest Battalion of his Hanoverian Brigade, the Osnabrück Landwehr, in Column at quarter distance, and close up in right rear of the 71st Regiment. Thus ADAM's Brigade, maintaining its four deep line, and being flanked by the Hanoverian Battalion which could form Square at any moment, was secured against Cavalry.

The confused and disordered mass of the Imperial Guard, from the first impulse given to it by the flank charge, hastened a short distance in a direction parallel with that of the Anglo-Allied Line, and then naturally inclining towards the French position, it fell into nearly the same track of retreat as that pursued 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; the latter 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 forward its left shoulders, swept proudly onward in the direction of the French Height before mentioned; crowds of fugitives hurrying along and striving to escape from the pursuing wave that seemed every instant on the point of engulfing 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.

Immediately 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 enfilading of the Regiment in its four deep line was a judicious measure on the part of the French Artillery, 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 French Reserves, which appeared collected in front of La Belle Alliance, the critical point of NAPOLEON's Line.

Lieutenant Colonel Lord GREENOCK, Assistant Quarter Master General of the Cavalry, was despatched 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'AUBREMÉ's Brigade had been formed, and whose unsteadiness, previously described, had greatly augmented as the firing and shouting on the exterior 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 intervals by groups in the act of abandoning their ranks; whilst several Officers of VANDELEUR's Brigade, which, as before observed (see pages 526-527), 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 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.

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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 Imperial Guard, to revert to the movements of the Prussians.

It will be recollected that VIVIAN's, and subsequently VANDELEUR's, Brigade, quitted the Left of the Anglo-Allied Line, on the approach of the Advanced 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 connection between BÜLOW's Corps and the Anglo-Allied Left. The Nassauers, 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 Papelotte and La Haye. The French Skirmishers, passing further to their right, pressed on to the Village of Smohain; where they became warmly engaged with the Prussian troops that had been so judiciously posted in that quarter.

BLÜCHER, perceiving 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 MÜFFLING, attached to the Headquarters 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 Fifth and Sixth Infantry Brigades, as also the Reserve Cavalry of PIRCH's Corps, reached the Field, in rear of BÜLOW. PIRCH, placing himself at the head of his leading Brigade (the Fifth), immediately conducted it in the direction of Planchenoit; and, on coming up with the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Brigades, he began, in conjunction with Colonel HILLER, to make the necessary dispositions for the Third attack upon that Village. The Sixth Brigade was ordered to follow as a Reserve; and the attack was to be supported by a simultaneous advance of the Right Wing of BÜLOW's Corps against LOBAU's Line, which was exceedingly well drawn up, and exhibited every indication of making a determined stand. BLÜCHER had despatched an Order to the Seventh Brigade (of PIRCH's Corps) to move together with the 4th Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry, upon Maransart, on the south side of the Lasne, for the purpose of covering his Left Flank. The remaining Brigade (the Eighth) 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 Cavalry of PIRCH's Corps was deployed in three Lines on the right of the Cavalry of the Fourth Corps. 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 Dragoons; and the Third, of the 5th Kurmark and Elbe Landwehr Cavalry. These Lines of Cavalry thus occupied the interval between the Wings of BÜLOW's Corps; and, at the same time, served to impose, by their display of force, upon the French Cavalry, under DOMON, which was then in reserve.

BLÜCHER, judging the recapture 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 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 2nd Regiment (Fifth Brigade) made the attack in the direction of the Church; the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 5th Westphalian Landwehr, formed into one, were directed upon the French left of the Village; the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment followed in rear of the central space between these two Columns; Major WITZLEBEN led the 3rd Battalion of the 25th Regiment (Fifth Brigade) towards the Heights on the (French) right of the Village; and the remainder of this Regiment, which had occupied the outer edge of the Wood of Virère on the left, also advanced. The 11th Regiment and the 2nd Pomeranian Landwehr, belonging to the Fourteenth Brigade, and the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 15th Regiment, with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 1st Silesian Landwehr, belonging to the Sixteenth Brigade, followed in 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 right of the Wood of Virère, 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 Planchenoit, the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Brigades, which constituted BÜLOW'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 chequered Columns of Battalions, in the following manner:--In Front Line were the 2nd Battalion of the 18th Regiment and the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Silesian Landwehr; in the Second Line were the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 18th Regiment, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 3rd Silesian Landwehr, and the 1st Battalion of the 10th Regiment; in the Third Line were the three Battalions of the 4th Silesian Landwehr, and the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Regiment. The three Battalions of the 3rd Neumark Landwehr followed in reserve.

The Right of this advance was supported by the West Prussian Uhlans and the 2nd Neumark Landwehr Cavalry.

In the mean time, the First Infantry Brigade of ZIETEN's Corps, 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 with those from Smohain, against the French Skirmishers.

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 1st Silesian Hussars formed upon the outer slope of the ridge, in rear of the lane leading from the Wavre road down to Papelotte. The 2nd Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry drew up in the hollow in the rear of the interval between the Landwehr Battalions Osterode and Verden of BEST's Brigade. It was on the ground immediately in front of this interval that Captain RETTBERG's Hanoverian Foot Battery had been posted throughout the day: and as the latter had expended the whole of its ammunition, 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 Prussian Foot Battery, No. 7, quitting the Wavre road, proceeded some way down the outer slope of the ridge to seek a favourable point whence it could by its fire cover the advance of the Infantry in the valley.

Such was the general disposition of BLÜCHER's forces relatively with that of WELLINGTON's Army at the time when the latter had defeated the attacking Columns of the French Imperial Guard; 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 BÜLOW; 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 WELLINGTON, 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 advantage of the disorder and confusion into which the Enemy had been thrown by the failure of his last grand attack.

There is not, perhaps, an instance in modern history, in which the threatening tide of battle, has, through the lightning-like promptitude of decision, and the energetic application of yet remaining resources, been so suddenly and powerfully controlled, and so majestically and irresistibly hurled back, overwhelming all and everything 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 succeeded 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 diminished 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 almost the entire arc of which that Line was the chord [or rather forming the chord of which that Line was the arc]; 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 encountered--look at the rear of that Line, and observe 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 calculation 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 exception 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 formidable assault, but finally gain a signal and resplendent 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 position; though such, no doubt, was the foundation upon which he erected the structure of his final triumph. The nine 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 the Charleroi road in front of his Centre. Near La Belle Alliance, Reserves had been collected, principally of Cavalry; and though the latter consisted 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 Cavalry 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 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, alighted 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 unflinching 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 on occasions of great and critical emergency, would be certain to exercise a powerful influence upon the morale of the Enemy's troops; but it also told him that, unless instant advantage were taken of that defeat, unless it were followed up in such a manner as to render the incipient panic which it had created, general and uncontrollable, that same Army might, through the powerful influence and indefatigable exertions of such men as NAPOLEON and NEY, rapidly recover the shock; D'ERLON's and REILLE's Columns, although faltering for a moment, might pursue their advance with determined efforts to regain the footing which the Guard had lost; the veterans composing the latter force, resolved to avenge their defeat, might speedily rally, and, with desperate resolution, renew their attack, aided by a more direct and effective support by the Cavalry Reserves collected in front of La Belle Alliance.

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 awfully reduced and exhausted state of the fighting portion of his troops, and the utter want of confidence in the remainder, by one of those bold and daring acts, which, when hazarded at the right moment, carry with them the prestige of conscious 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 ordered it to be vigorously pursued, and the rallied force of the First Column to be attacked, by ADAM's Brigade; whilst at the same moment he launched forth VIVIAN's 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 hesitation which prevailed amongst them on witnessing the discomfiture of the Guard.

VIVIAN, the moment he received the Order to advance, wheeled his Brigade, Half Squadrons to the right. Thus the 10th Hussars became the leading Regiment, the 18th Hussars followed, and the 1st Hussars of the German Legion, which had stood in Second Line, 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 Brigade 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 encouragement; and in a similar manner by MAITLAND's Brigade of Guards as it passed their Flank. The smoke lay heavily along the entire position; and 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 Brigade.

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 different points to cover the retreat, and the discharge of musketry in and about Hougomont continued 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 Squares of Infantry, with Cavalry and guns formed on the Flanks and between them. The Cavalry on their left was somewhat advanced, comprising separate bodies, partially covering one another, but presenting a general front, and posted on some rising ground about two hundred yards on the Allied left of the south-east angle of the Hougomont inclosures. The two Squares here alluded to were the two Battalions of the Grenadiers of the Old Guard, which had been 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 left rear of the latter, on lower ground, were two Squadrons of the Dragoons of the Guard, and, in their right rear, two more Squadrons of the same Corps; in right rear of these again, and on the summit of the eminence, stood the Brigade of Carabiniers. In rear of these, and of the Squares themselves, as also on the right of the latter, were collected the remainder 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 mere phantom of their former splendour.

VIVIAN, as soon as he perceived this disposition of the Enemy's forces in his immediate front, decided upon forming a Front Line with the 10th and 18th British Hussars, and upon holding the 1st 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, the 10th Hussars, incline to its right.

Shortly 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. 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 VIVIAN ordered the charge as soon as the first 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 2nd Light 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 Germans were moving straight to their front, and directly upon the French Dragoons of the Guard before mentioned as posted in the hollow on the Allied right of the eminence on which stood the French Cavalry about to be charged by VIVIAN's Brigade. The Dragoons 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 a body of Cuirassiers, by which it was thrown into disorder. Lieutenant Colonel DE JONQUIÈRES, the Commanding Officer, ordered the halt and rally to be sounded; but in the next moment he was wounded, as was also Lieutenant Colonel MAYDELL.

Major FRIEDRICHS, 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 placed themselves on his flanks, and thus extended 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 British Hussars were also charging and advancing.

In the mean time, the latter Regiment made its charge: the Right, Centre, and Left Squadrons, in rapid succession, dashed in amongst the French Cavalry posted as before mentioned. The Left Squadron of the 10th had scarcely closed with the Enemy, before the whole of the Cavalry on the (French) left of the Squares of the Guard, was in full flight. VIVIAN, perceiving the complete success of this brilliant charge, ordered a halt; and then returned as quickly as possible to the 18th Hussars.

After the 10th Hussars had pursued the French Cavalry about two hundred yards, a body of Cuirassiers charged their Right Squadron, on its Right Flank, and forced it about a hundred yards away to the left, whilst the Centre and Left Squadrons not being aware of VIVIAN's Order to halt continued their pursuit, inclining to their right, under Lieutenant Colonel Lord ROBERT MANNERS, then commanding the 10th.

Previously to describing the subsequent proceedings of this Brigade, 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 of the Old Guard having formed the extreme Left of the attacking force had been closely observed by Lieutenant Colonel HALKETT, who continued to follow it very steadily with the Osnabrück Landwehr Battalion as it retired towards the 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 BÜLOW's movement upon Planchenoit 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 endurance, not unaccompanied by murmurs, with which the Allied troops had, during so many hours, withstood the incessant attacks of Cavalry, Infantry, and Artillery, to which so vast, so awful, a proportion 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 judgement 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, appearing, by their animated gestures, to take their tone from their great Chieftain; unfurled Colours raised aloft, proudly displaying their shattered remnants; drums, bugles, trumpets, sending forth their warlike sounds to commingle with the enthusiastic and tumultuous cheering of the troops; Artillerymen 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 inspiring excitement of such a moment; in the distance, 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 the right, and somewhat in advance, the dense vapour still slowly circling upwards from the glowing embers of Hougomont, 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 gorgeous colouring which departed with it had been congenial to the exhilarated feelings of the victors; so, in an equal degree, must the succeeding twilight, 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 wildly 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 as the latter was with dead and dying men and horses, both singly and in heaps, had become somewhat 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 Cavalry Reserves: on learning which Lord UXBRIDGE, who was present, determined upon personally leading the attack with the Hussars, and participating 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 a Battery 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 performed his duty to his Sovereign and his country. He was supported for some moments by Sir COLIN CAMPBELL, and 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 undergoing, at that Village, the necessary operation of amputation, so great were the satisfaction and contentment 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 himself 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 numbers; here zealously endeavouring by his own personal example to stimulate and rouse into action the lukewarm energies of an Ally; there collecting and rallying, for further high emprize, 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 LEFÈBVRE 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 heroic valour of ancient chivalry with the skilled address of modern Cavalry tacticians.

* * * * *

As ADAM's Brigade ascended the hill, in compliance 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 advancing 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 withdrew, 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 two Squares of the Grenadiers of the Old Guard: in 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 principally of Cuirassiers--the wrecks of entire Brigades. Nearer to, and partly in rear of, the Squares, stood the Chasseurs and Grenadiers à Cheval of the Imperial Guard, greatly reduced 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 Lieutenant Colonel the Hon. 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 Hounslow 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 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 Lieutenant 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 mêlée would permit; a part of them along the high road, but the principal 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 reform; 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 Hon. FREDERICK HOWARD, with the Right Squadron of the 10th Hussars, which, as before stated (see page 552), had been driven to the left by a charge of Cuirassiers. This 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. Two other Officers, Lieutenants ARNOLD and BACON, were wounded. Lieutenant GUNNING was killed immediately previous 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 pressing on, reflects the highest credit on the 10th British Hussars. The men fought with desperation; 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 chaussée in rear of La Belle Alliance, towards the Left of the French position. Into this the 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 Left and Centre Squadrons, that had, in the course of the first charge, crossed over to the right of the rise of ground on which the French 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 bearskin 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 "Pardon!"

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, about half a Battalion of the French Guard had 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 rendered 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 thirty to thirty five 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, with a view to support the 18th, should these be charged in their turn; which however did not occur.

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 collecting and reforming 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 reforming of those two Regiments was attended with considerable difficulty, inasmuch as they had become completely intermingled 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 them. It will be recollected that, upon the Brigade first advancing from the Allied position, Lieutenant Colonel HALKETT followed it in immediate rear of its Right Flank, with the Osnabrück 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 Osnabrückers 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 Company 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 surrender.

Having for some short time fixed his eye upon an individual whom he took to be the General 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 Osnabrückers, left the General with two Officers in its rear, he ordered the Sharpshooters to dash on, whilst he, at the same time darted forward at full gallop to attack 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 direction of the French Column: he instantly overtook him, seized him by the aiguilette, brought him to the Battalion, and gave him in charge to a Serjeant of the Osnabrückers 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 advance, in pursuit of the defeated Squares, in a direction 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 Squadron of the 10th Hussars under Major HOWARD. The Osnabrückers 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 immediately checked him by remarking, "Monsieur, je 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 Duc lui même a été voir; il n'y a rien à 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 eagerly seizing advantage of, the course of events; braving every peril, and acting solely upon his own personal observation; his Staff, and even Orderlies, 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 extraordinary 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 antagonist; but, in all probability, within the shortest distance 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 and the fulness of his glory; the other, seeking shelter amidst his devoted, yet broken and dispirited, 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.

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Chapter XV

The very forward movement of VIVIAN's Brigade, 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 facilitate 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; and the French giving way, the whole of them were taken or destroyed. In this charge the 11th 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, Lieutenant Colonel SLEIGH, of the 11th Light Dragoons,--VANDELEUR 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. The 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 PIRÉ'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 protected; and due advantage was promptly taken of the disorder into which its bold and successful 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 the latter 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 WELLINGTON had so boldly assailed the Centre, and effectually destroyed the last Reserves, of the Enemy; it is now time to consider their important consequences 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 constituted its Right Wing. The defeat of the Second 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 remainder 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 advance of the Prussians.

When, therefore, WELLINGTON 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 attended these movements, he gradually established himself in rear both of D'ERLON and of LOBAU; the latter of whom was still defending himself against BLÜCHER'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 inclosures, 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 appearance, was thrown into disorder and confusion: 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 confused retreat of his troops, as also the extreme pressure upon his Right by the formidable and now more general attack on the part of BLÜCHER, became 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 2nd 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, not of attack, since all fled before its approach. In the Centre, LAMBERT's Brigade, 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 PIRÉ'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, belonging to ZIETEN's Corps, previously mentioned as having joined shortly before the General Advance; and the Battalions of the First Prussian Infantry Brigade, together with the Nassau Brigade under Prince BERNHARD of Saxe Weimar, were pressing up the Heights against the Left of DURUTTE's Division posted at the apex of the angle of potence on 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 Charleroi 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 which had protected the apex of the angle of potence, 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 Thirteenth and Fifteenth Infantry Brigades of BÜLOW's Corps, covered by an overpowering cannonade, 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 BÜLOW'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 seven hundred yards. WELLINGTON, perceiving that this fire might occasion serious injury to his advancing troops, directed Count DE SALES (who was still his sole attendant) to proceed to the Prussian Battery, and cause it to cease firing; its Commanding Officer not being aware that its shot were falling among British troops. BÜLOW, 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 chaussée 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 Artillery 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 escaped 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, waved his sword above his head in defiance. A soldier from the 52nd Regiment sprang 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, it was captured by that Corps; when some men of the Right Flank Company of the latter (Captain REED's), under Lieutenant TORRIANO, 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.

Lieutenant Colonel HALKETT, who, with the Hanoverian Battalion Osnabrück, had entered the Charleroi road, near La Belle Alliance, continued to press before him the two Battalions of the Chasseurs 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 disordered mass of the Enemy's Cavalry, which menaced the Battalion in a most vociferous manner; but, 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 innumerable instances in which the rage and disappointment of the conquered foe gave rise to covert assaults, which, however, were speedily repressed; more especially by the Prussians, against whom a word or look sufficed to draw down their vengeance upon an Enemy whom they held in detestation. The 10th and 18th British Hussars of VIVIAN's Brigade, whilst endeavouring to reform 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 mortification, and who seized every opportunity that afforded to gratify their hatred and revenge. Lieutenant Colonel 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 succession.

A remarkable exception to the general disorganisation 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 fugitives 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 à Cheval. The 12th British Light Dragoons were the nearest to it, having got in advance of the rest of the Brigade, and were opposite the Right Flank of the Column, whence a few pistol or carbine shots were fired at them. The 12th made a partial attack; but they were so much 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 scattered.

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 maintain 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 disorganisation, 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 BÜLOW's, Corps: the Battalions of the French Imperial Guard in Planchenoit were maintaining a most desperate and obstinate contest with BÜLOW'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 Churchyard; the headmost Columns of this Third 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 supporting Columns now came up, and joined in the fusillade that was maintained with the French in the Churchyard; 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 Churchyard, and taking advantage of the houses and inclosures which they had reached on their own side, maintained a terrific fire upon their opponents; 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 animosity excited, that some Officers of the 15th Prussian Regiment and of the Silesian Landwehr, who had been made prisoners in the previous attack, were with difficulty saved by General PELET's personal exertions from becoming a sacrifice to their fury. Reinforcements were moved into the Churchyard 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 Village.

If the Prussians attempted to outflank the Churchyard by advancing along the low open space on its right; they became exposed to the commanding fire from its walls, to that from the opposite houses, and in front, to the Reserves. If they ventured to pass close by its left they had but a narrow road open to them, bounded by the Churchyard 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 extremity a Farm House and its offices in flames, situated so close to the Churchyard 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 Churchyard. On the Prussian Left, Major 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 which latter having pushed through the Wood of Virère, were now following close up in support of the attack on this part of Planchenoit. These Skirmishers were also connected on their left with those of the Fusilier Battalions of both the 15th Regiment and the 1st Silesian Landwehr, under Major 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 throughout 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 contested.

The Prussians not only boldly attacking in front; but skilfully and gradually turning the ridge upon both sides, at length gained possession of all this portion of the Village, and thus outflanked the troops in the Churchyard, who maintained to the last a 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 agonised and distorted features of the wounded and the dying with which that sacred edifice was at this moment filled.

The Prussians 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 déroute 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 Churchyard, and suffered severely as they retired. Their numbers were awfully diminished; and PELET, collecting 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 fire of grape by which they were constantly assailed, halted the Standard Bearer, and called out "A moi, Chasseurs! sauvons l'Aigle ou mourons autour d'elle!" The Chasseurs immediately pressed around him, forming what is usually termed the Rallying Square; and, lowering their bayonets, succeeded in repulsing the charge of Cavalry. Some guns were then brought to bear upon them, and subsequently a brisk fire of musketry: but notwithstanding the awful sacrifice which was thus offered up in defence of their precious charge, they succeeded 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 Regiment.

The Reserve Cavalry of the Second and Fourth Prussian Corps received Orders to pass to the front through the Infantry: that of the Fourth Corps, under Prince WILLIAM of Prussia, moved by the right of Planchenoit, 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 KELLER, as also that of the 25th Regiment, under Major WITZLEBEN, had turned the Village, and followed the Enemy nearly in the direction of Maison du Roi. They met with some resistance on the part of the Battalion of the Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard, which had advanced from Caillon, in pursuance of the Orders it had received, into the Wood of Chantelet; 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 FALKENHAUSEN, having remarked the retreat of the French, as he stood on the Height of Seroulx, to which he had been detached with one hundred 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 distinguish one particular body of troops from another.

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 presence of any other foreign troops in that vicinity than those of the French Army, commenced an attack upon them: cuts were exchanged, and some few lives lost, before the error was corrected.

The 1st Hussars of the German Legion, while advancing along the right of the high road, came upon the rear of VANDELEUR's Brigade, and were all but in collision with the 11th and 16th British Light Dragoons; which Regiments, having previously ascertained that a Brigade of French Cavalry (PIRÉ'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 their way, prepared to charge, and gave a loud cheer. This cheer was fortunately recognised by the British Dragoons, when in the act of charging, as that of the 1st German Hussars; and was thus the means of preventing a rencontre that might have been productive of the most fatal consequences to the parties 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 communication with BLÜCHER, that the latter, whose troops were comparatively fresh, should take up the pursuit: and, as the Prussians continued moving forward in great force towards the high road, he 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 friendly cheers.

The Duke now stood with his Advance of both Infantry and Cavalry, on the elevated ground beyond 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 perceptible 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 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 established his bivouac close to the Hamlet of Hilaincourt.

On approaching La Belle Alliance, WELLINGTON ordered the whole of his Army to bivouac on the Field of Battle. On reaching that point, he met BLÜCHER; 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 considering 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 vigorously 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 circumstances 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.

BLÜCHER, determined to allow no breathing time to the flying Enemy, and to deprive him of all power of rallying, at least on this side of the French frontier, gave Orders that BÜLOW's Corps should undertake the pursuit along the Charleroi road; that ZIETEN's Corps should follow in support of BÜLOW; and that PIRCH's Corps should march by Aywiers, and cross the Dyle, for the purpose of intercepting GROUCHY's troops; which, it was presumed, 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, accompanied 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, followed; 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 withdrawn 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 impeding the further pursuit by the victors. Some intention of this kind appeared to have been 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 collected 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 Fusilier Battalion of the 15th Regiment.

The Infantry of BÜLOW'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 waggons 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 bugles.

* * * * *

It was an hour after midnight when NAPOLEON 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 NÈGRE of the Artillery was here with the Parks of Reserve, but accompanied by a very feeble escort.

The Soldiers of the First and Second Corps, who, during the advance of the 15th, 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 Sixth Corps, the Imperial Guard, and part of the Cavalry, retreated upon Charleroi, whither NAPOLEON himself proceeded; after having sent his brother JEROME to Marchiennes, with Orders to rally the troops between Avesnes and Maubeuge.

* * * * *

In the mean time, GNEISENAU continued his wild nocturnal chase, which was truly LÜTZOW's wilde verwegene Jagd. His followers, however, having been on the march or in action, since daybreak, were becoming weary, especially the Infantry: besides which, several, impelled by hunger, stopped on the way to plunder provision waggons; so that their numbers had greatly diminished.

But GNEISENAU, who was the life and soul of the pursuit, and who seemed bent on pushing forward whilst a man and horse remained, now 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 announced the presence even of Infantry thus far in pursuit, and close upon their rear; he 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 à l'Empereur on the high road beyond Frasne, this favoured companion of BLÜCHER halted his followers, who then consisted but of a few Squadrons and a party of the 15th Regiment, and allowed them to take rest; satisfied with having 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 unexampled in the history of modern warfare. Such was the consummation of a victory, the most brilliant in its development, the most decisive in its operation, and the most comprehensive in its result, of any that had occurred since the commencement 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 melancholy spectacle of the awfully severe losses sustained by both the victors and the vanquished; whose heroic exertions and noble endurance could not but be attended with immense sacrifice.

The following Table shows the losses sustained by the troops composing the Anglo-Allied Army:--

+--------------------++----------------------------+ | | KILLED. | | +---------+-----------+-------+ | |Officers.|NonCom. |Horses.| | | |Officers, | | | | |Trumpeters,| | | | |Drummers, | | | | |and | | | | |Privates. | | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ |British | 85 | 1334 | 1319 | |King's German Legion| 27 | 335 | 194 | |Hanoverians | 18 | 276 | -- | |Brunswickers | 7 | 147 | 77 | |Nassauers | 5 | 249 | -- | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ | Total | 142 | 2341 | 1590 | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ +--------------------+-----------------------------+ | | WOUNDED. | | +---------+-----------+-------+ | |Officers.|Noncom. |Horses.| | | |Officers, | | | | |Trumpeters,| | | | |Drummers, | | | | |and | | | | |Privates. | | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ |British | 365 | 4560 | 719 | |King's German Legion| 77 | 932 | 144 | |Hanoverians | 63 | 1035 | -- | |Brunswickers | 26 | 430 | -- | |Nassauers | 19 | 370 | -- | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ | Total | 550 | 7327 | 863 | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ +--------------------+---------------------+-------+ | | MISSING. | | +---------+-----------+-------+ | |Officers.|Noncom. |Horses.| | | |Officers, | | | | |Trumpeters,| | | | |Drummers, | | | | |and | | | | |Privates. | | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ |British | 10 | 582 | 708 | |King's German Legion| 1 | 217 | 54 | |Hanoverians | 3 | 207 | -- | |Brunswickers | -- | 50 | -- | |Nassauers | -- | -- | -- | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ | Total | 14 | 1056 | 762 | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+

If to this loss be added that of the Dutch-Belgian troops--about 4,000--the total number of Noncommissioned Officers, Trumpeters, Drummers, and Privates, killed, wounded and missing, amounted to 14,728.

* * * * *

The losses of the Prussian Army in the Battle were as follows:--

+--------------------+-----------------------------+ | | KILLED. | | +---------+-----------+-------+ | |Officers.|NonCom. |Horses.| | | |Officers, | | | | |Trumpeters,| | | | |Drummers, | | | | |and | | | | |Privates. | | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ |ZIETEN's Corps | -- | 34 | 18 | |PIRCH's " | 1 | 36 | 9 | |BÜLOW's " | 21 | 1133 | 259 | | +---------+-----------+-------+ | Total | 22 | 1203 | 286 | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ +--------------------+-----------------------------+ | | WOUNDED. | | +---------+-----------+-------+ | |Officers.|Noncom. |Horses.| | | |Officers, | | | | |Trumpeters,| | | | |Drummers, | | | | |and | | | | |Privates. | | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ |ZIETEN's Corps | 8 | 164 | 21 | |PIRCH's " | 3 | 192 | 7 | |BÜLOW's " | 151 | 3869 | 328 | | +---------+-----------+-------+ | Total | 162 | 4225 | 356 | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ +--------------------+-----------------------------+ | | MISSING. | | +---------+-----------+-------+ | |Officers.|Noncom. |Horses.| | | |Officers, | | | | |Trumpeters,| | | | |Drummers, | | | | |and | | | | |Privates. | | +--------------------+---------+-----------+-------+ |ZIETEN's Corps | -- | 111 | 2 | |PIRCH's " | 4 | 93 | 9 | |BÜLOW's " | 35 | 1143 | 89 | | +---------+-----------+-------+ | Total | 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 Baggage, fell into the possession of the victors. Of the French Generals, MICHEL and DUHESME were killed; Prince JEROME, FRIANT, and several others were wounded; and LOBAU, COMPANS, and CAMBRONNE, were taken prisoners.

* * * * *

The minuteness of detail with which the foregoing History of the Battle of Waterloo has been 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 renowned 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 proportions 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 most rational, mode of computing the relative strength of Armies is by placing in juxtaposition 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 other at the commencement of the Battle, were constituted as follows:--

Battalions. Squadrons. Guns. Anglo-Allied Army 73 98 140 French 103 127 246

NAPOLEON having, about one o'clock, detached the Light Cavalry Divisions of DOMON and SUBERVIE 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 103 106 234

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 themselves in the most courageous and exemplary manner, with the exception of five of the Dutch-Belgian Battalions, which hastily 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 ten Battalions in the service of the King of the Netherlands, were three Battalions forming the 2nd Regiment of the Nassau Contingent, and two Battalions of Orange Nassau, under Prince BERNHARD of Saxe Weimar, and occupied the houses and inclosures in the valley in front of the extreme Left of the Allied Line. These troops behaved extremely well.

Of the Squadrons above mentioned, a large proportion, nearly one third, consisted of the Dutch-Belgian Cavalry; but although their numbers serve to augment the amount of the Anglo-Allied Cavalry 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 exclusively 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 and the Young Guard to oppose the Prussians; and on that of the Anglo-Allied Army, though somewhat later, by the bringing into the Field of CHASSÉ's Dutch-Belgian Division; so that they stood about that time as follows:--

Battalions. Squadrons. Guns. Anglo-Allied Army 85 98 156 French Army 80 106 186

Of the assistance derived by the Duke of WELLINGTON from this augmentation of the twelve Dutch-Belgian Battalions, a sufficient estimate may be deduced from the foregoing History of the Battle--one half of them were with great difficulty prevented 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 comparative 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 predilections 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 respecting the value to be attached to their co-operation in the great struggle so courageously and resolutely 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 into conjunction 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.|Guns.| +--------------------+---------+--------+----------+----------+-----+ |British | 15,181 | 5,843 | 2,967 | 23,991 | 78 | |King's German Legion| 3,301 | 1,997 | 526 | 5,824 | 18 | |Hanoverians | 10,258 | 497 | 465 | 11,220 | 12 | |Brunswickers | 4,586 | 866 | 510 | 5,962 | 16 | |Nassauers | 2,880 | -- | -- | 2,880 | -- | |Dutch-Belgians | 13,205 | 3,205 | 1,177 | 17,784 | 32 | | +---------+--------+----------+----------+-----+ | Total | 49,411 | 12,408 | 5,645 | 67,661 | 156 | +--------------------+---------+--------+----------+----------+-----+

Hence it appears that the Dutch-Belgian Contingent, compared with the British troops alone, consisted, in Infantry, as 13,402 to 15,181; in Cavalry, 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 proportion of force been replaced by a corresponding number of either British or German troops. The fact testifies abundantly, in addition to what has been already related, as to the heroic firmness and enduring courage with which the brave British and Germans stood the brunt of that remarkable contest; and this, too, be it remembered, with unquestionably 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--imbued with inveterate hatred against its foes, cherishing the most enthusiastic devotion to its Chief, and filled with the ardent desire of restoring the fallen glory of the Empire.

Of the conduct of the 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 its execution, or the magnitude of its success, is 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 economised its strength, that when at the critical moment its services were required for securing the victory, he was enabled 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 witnessed 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 impossible to speak in terms of too high praise; suffice it to remark that their conduct was, in every respect, 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 KIELMANSEGGE'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 conferred 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 under 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 and driven in by a furious onset of the Enemy, they conducted themselves generally throughout the day with great steadiness and bravery.

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 by the zeal, the daring, and the activity, with which they carried into execution the commands of their respective Chiefs, than by the alacrity and intelligence 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 severe losses. Few indeed were those who escaped unhurt throughout this arduous conflict.

* * * * *

The co-operation of the Prussians in this Battle has been gradually developed and fully detailed. That the communications which WELLINGTON received from BLÜCHER 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 force 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 frontier, have called in all available Reserves from the interior, and by means of his Triple Line of Fortresses, 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 WELLINGTON; he had suffered too severely in his repeated attacks, to admit of a retreat, under such circumstances, being looked upon, even by his 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 perhaps 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 General Advance occurred half an hour earlier; while the French Right was engaged with the Prussians at a greater distance from the Charleroi 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 BÜLOW's Corps and LOBAU'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 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 Squadrons of Cavalry.

The vigorous attack which was made by BÜLOW 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 victory still more complete and decisive; and effectually deprived the Enemy of every opportunity of recovering himself on the Belgian side of the frontier.

In short, both Armies admirably and honourably performed the parts respectively assigned to them--the one holding its defensive position with unparalleled bravery and unmitigated perseverance until the moment when its Chief, having defeated the last desperate attempt of his opponent 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 decisive; and rendering the victory complete by a harassing and vigorous pursuit--and thus was consummated the tactical solution of the plan which had been, with so much skill and foresight, strategically preconcerted by the Allied Commanders.

The Duke, when writing his Despatch descriptive 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 BLÜCHER and the Prussian Army, if I did not attribute the successful result of this arduous day to the cordial and timely assistance I received from them. The operation of General BÜLOW upon the Enemy's Flank was a most decisive one; and, even if I had not found myself in a situation to make the attack which produced the final result, it would have forced the Enemy to retire if his attacks should have failed, and would have prevented him from taking advantage of them if they should unfortunately have succeeded."

On the other hand, the Prince, although, as is manifest upon a perusal of a similar despatch on his part, he was not aware of 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."

Long may Great Britain and Prussia cherish that mutual amity which was engendered by the zealous and successful co-operation of the Armies of these two great nations in bringing to so prompt and satisfactory a termination a War which (originating in the reassumption of the throne of France by that ambitious soldier and extraordinary man who had once already overrun the Continent with his legions, subjugating Emperors 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 desolating 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, grateful for the lasting and inestimable blessings conferred upon her, emblazons forth in the pages of her history, the heroic deeds of the defenders of her liberty and independence.

----"thou 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."

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Chapter XVI

It was explained at the conclusion of the Eighth Chapter that THIELEMANN, who had been ordered by BLÜCHER to defend the position of Wavre in the event of the Enemy advancing in force, or, if otherwise, to follow the main Army in the direction of Couture, was on the point of fulfilling the instructions appertaining to the latter contingency, when VANDAMME's Corps arrived in front of that position, about four o'clock in the afternoon, and its Artillery immediately opened a cannonade upon the Prussian troops.

All the Brigades (the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth) 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 ZEPELIN, from the Ninth Brigade, which had not yet crossed the Dyle, was to be left in occupation of Wavre. The Twelfth Brigade was already in full line of march, and the Eleventh had been just put in motion.

When General BORCKE, who commanded the Ninth Brigade, fell back upon Wavre, for the purpose of carrying out his instructions, he found the Bridge already barricaded, and therefore proceeded with his Brigade to Bas Wavre: and having crossed the Dyle at this point, left a Detachment there, consisting of the Sharpshooters of the Fusilier Battalion of the 8th Regiment, and of those of the 1st Battalion of the 30th Regiment, under Major DITFURTH; whom he directed to destroy the Bridge immediately. He then detached the 2nd Battalion of the 30th Regiment and his two Squadrons of the Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry, as a reinforcement to Colonel ZEPELIN at Wavre; and, with the remainder of his Brigade, continued his march.

In the mean time, French Tirailleurs were observed extending along the opposite Heights; and, in their rear, considerable masses of the Enemy's troops appeared advancing. It soon became manifest 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 passage 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 directed by BLÜCHER, would be quite sufficient: but he now plainly saw that the moment had arrived which required him, in pursuance of his instructions, 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 the middle, and a small one towards the upper 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 declivities, 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 movement 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 Twelfth Brigade (Colonel STÜLPNAGEL), 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 Tenth Brigade (Colonel KÄMPFEN) stood upon the Height in rear of Wavre, its Right resting on a Wood which lay between it and the Twelfth Brigade. The Eleventh Brigade (Colonel LUCK) was formed across the Brussels road. The Reserve Cavalry was drawn up, near La Bavette, 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 admit. The houses adjoining the left bank of the river were hastily loopholed. The smaller Bridge was left perfectly open. A Detachment of two Companies of Light Infantry, under Major BORNSTÄDT was detached to reinforce the troops at the Bridge of Bas Wavre.

THIELEMANN intended that the Ninth 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 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, Bourgeois, 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 departure of the Brigade was not immediately discovered; and thus, by this misunderstanding, THIELEMANN's force suffered an unexpected reduction 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 33,765 men.

THIELEMANN's position was certainly a very favourable one, and the occupation of it was arranged 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 sustaining any sudden assault; taking care to have Supports close at hand for that purpose: but disposing his Reserves, which comprised his main force, so that they might become available at any point which might be pressed; or, should the Enemy develop greatly superior numbers, as was subsequently 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 twelve pounders, were drawn up on the right of the road overlooking the valley, and opened the cannonade. These were subsequently reinforced by a third Battery, posted on the left of the road. EXCELMANS' Cavalry Corps was posted in right rear of VANDAMME. GÉRARD, with the Fourth 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 accelerate 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 before 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.

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 proceeding. And even if he had been fully cognisant of the actual disposition of the Prussian Army, he could at this time have rendered no essential service 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 BLÜCHER's proceedings, and of all that was then taking place between Wavre and the Field of Waterloo, 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 entrusted 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 EXCELMANS' Corps) en reconnaissance, towards the high road 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 reaching the river, however, they were met by a most destructive fire of musketry from the opposite houses and the Bridge. The contest now became desperate, and the defence of the Dyle was obstinately maintained by the Prussians. The Skirmishers rapidly extended on either Flank along both banks of the river from Bierge as far 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 Sharpshooters of the Tenth Brigade; and those of the Twelfth Brigade formed the Right Wing of the whole Line at Bierge.

This tiraillade had continued about an hour, when General HULOT's Division of GÉRARD's Corps d'Armée reached the Field; and received Orders to take possession of the Mill at Bierge, and to cross 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 Third Corps, endeavouring to keep down the fire from the Prussian Batteries on the other side of the valley.

GROUCHY desired GÉRARD to relieve the Battalion attacking the Mill at Bierge by one of 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 nature 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 attack to be renewed, when he received, between six 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 communication with the main Army, and to lose not a moment in joining the latter, and attacking BÜLOW's Corps d'Armée; 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 GÉRARD's Corps, nor General TESTE's Division of the Sixth Corps, nor even PAJOL's Light Cavalry, had as yet arrived.

GROUCHY, becoming impatient, rode hastily towards La Baraque, accompanied by GÉRARD, to meet the first mentioned 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 Brussels, and at the same time open his direct road to St Lambert. This he might succeed in effecting; but it is sufficiently evident from the above view of his position, at so late an hour of the day, that any important diversion on his part in favour of NAPOLEON, was quite out of the question.

On returning with GÉRARD 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. GÉRARD, 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 portion of GÉRARD'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 difficulties 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 PAJOL's Cavalry, preparations were made for an attack.

Limale was at that time occupied by Lieutenant Colonel 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 Left Flank of the Third Corps d'Armée. 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 distinguished, might have been the means of preventing the French from crossing the Dyle at all on that day.

PAJOL, having reconnoitred the place and discovered his neglect, succeeded in gaining possession of the Bridge by means of a brisk Cavalry attack. HULOT's Infantry Division of GÉRARD's Corps reached it shortly afterwards; and it was soon made manifest to Lieutenant Colonel 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 Twelfth Brigade to his support. Three Battalions of the Tenth Brigade moved into the position thus vacated by the Twelfth: and a general movement was made to the right by all the troops that could be spared from the defence of Wavre and Bierge. The 4th Kurmark Landwehr, belonging to the Eleventh Brigade, crossed the Brussels road. The Reserve Cavalry was ordered to move upon Limale, in support of the Twelfth Brigade.

When Colonel STÜLPNAGEL was ordered to move his Brigade (the Twelfth) upon Limale, he left three Battalions for the defence 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.

Colonel STÜLPNAGEL posted the Fusilier Battalion of the 5th Kurmark Landwehr, 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 Lieutenant Colonel STENGEL with his Detachment on the right. The darkness of the night prevented the Prussians from correctly ascertaining 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 Brigade Squadrons joined the three Squadrons under Lieutenant Colonel STENGEL; and the whole of the Reserve Cavalry formed in support. In this movement, however, the mutual connection of the advancing troops was greatly impeded by the darkness 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 advance was checked. The three Battalions of the Second Line had inclined too much to the left, where they became engaged with French Tirailleurs. Lieutenant Colonel STENGEL's Detachment, in attempting to push forward, was checked by the French Cavalry; and as the latter made a disposition which menaced his Right Flank, that Officer fell back with his Detachment as far as the Wood near Point du Jour.

The decided failure of the attack induced Colonel STÜLPNAGEL to withdraw all his troops to the Wood, leaving only the 1st 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 Patrols were constantly clashing, and the whole Line kept upon the qui vive.

* * * * *

Upon the Prussian Left, the conflict for the possession of the town and Bridges of Wavre continued 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 Prussians. The latter, who exhibited on this occasion an extraordinary degree of bravery and resolution, succeeded in repelling no less than thirteen different assaults; and even dislodged, in five instances, 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 Reserves--these having advanced to the relief of their comrades. The struggle was desperate, and apparently interminable. When the French attacked the houses nearest the Bridge they succeeded in bursting open the doors, and by superiority 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 storeys of the houses, and held out most gallantly until relieved by the arrival of their Supports.

This brilliant defence of Wavre was distinguished, 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 Skirmishers, endeavoured to force the Bridge; these Reserves 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 SPRENGER, and the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Kurmark Landwehr, under Major BORNSTÄDT, constantly 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 2nd Battalion of the 30th Regiment, under Major BEAUFORT, was brought forward; and, at a similarly critical moment, the 1st Battalion of the 4th Kurmark Landwehr, under Major GROLMAN, came up; when both Battalions succeeded in compelling the Enemy to retire.

These Battalions then took post in the streets lying parallel with the river, in the manner before explained; and, with heroic courage, overcame every renewed attempt on the part of the French to establish 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'Armée, with which they were constantly and desperately engaged during the whole of that period; the merits of Colonel 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 possession 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 combatants 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 supported 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 Division of the Sixth Corps having at length arrived, his Left Wing, which was thus considerably reinforced, bivouacked upon the Height westward of Bierge; separated by this Village and the Dyle from his Right Wing which lay in front of Wavre. He had not yet received any intelligence of NAPOLEON's signal defeat at Waterloo; and was therefore resolved upon following up, at daybreak, the advantages he had already gained, by forcing back the Prussian Right Flank.

THIELEMANN, on the contrary, 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 STENGEL, whose Detachment was posted on the extreme Right of THIELEMANN's Corps, took upon himself to march off by St Lambert, to join his Corps d'Armée (the First); the grounds for which proceeding remain to the present time as unaccountable as his neglect on the previous day to secure the Bridge of Limale. In consequence of this movement, the Twelfth 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 Twelfth Brigade. The Left Wing of this Line, which rested upon Bierge, was formed by six Battalions of the Tenth Brigade.

Colonel LUCK, commanding the Eleventh Brigade, was directed to support this Division, 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 twelve pounder Battery No. 7.

The Mill of Bierge was occupied by two Battalions of the Twelfth 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 complete.

Lieutenant Colonel LEDEBUR, whose Detachment, consisting of the 10th Hussars, a Squadron of Landwehr Cavalry, and two guns from the Horse Battery No. 12, had formed on the 18th the Advance of the Rear Guard which THIELEMANN's Corps was considered to constitute, having reached St Lambert before GROUCHY's attack became so decided, remained there during the night.

Early on the 19th, GROUCHY sent off three Cavalry Regiments to his left to watch these troops. They showed no indication 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'Armée (the Fourth), which, however, he did not reach before the 20th.

This, as well as Colonel STENGEL's Detachment, thus withdrew from the Field, without any apparent necessity, reducing THIELEMANN's numbers, already too weak, and taking up a line of march, along which their services were comparatively useless.

THIELEMANN, concluding from the account that 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 MARWITZ was sent forward, with the 8th Uhlans and two Squadrons of the 6th Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry, towards the plateau above Limale, occupied by GROUCHY's Left Wing: whilst General HOBE followed this movement with the 5th and 7th Uhlans, and formed up on the left of the Advanced Cavalry. The 5th Uhlans were immediately afterwards advantageously posted in a hollow in support of Colonel MARWITZ.

The Horse Battery No. 20, subsequently reinforced by the Foot Battery No. 18, opened a cannonade 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 answered 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 dispositions for an attack on his part. His force on this side of the Field consisted of the three Divisions of GÉRARD's Corps, and of TESTE's Division of the Sixth Corps. The latter and two of the former were posted in Front Line; the remaining Division, in Reserve. He formed three Columns of Attack. That on the right consisted of TESTE's Division, and was directed upon Bierge; the central 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.

THIELEMANN resolved upon not only offering to 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 Battalions, 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 Twelfth Brigade. The Battalions of the latter collected again immediately in rear of the Wood, under the protection of the three before mentioned Battalions of the Eleventh 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 Tenth Brigade, and occupied the small Wood in rear of Bierge. The Prussian Cavalry Brigade, under Colonels MARWITZ and Count LOTTUM, comprising twelve Squadrons, secured the right towards Chambre.

About eight o'clock, just as this position had been taken up, THIELEMANN received, through General PIRCH, the decisive and authentic intelligence that a great victory had been gained by the Allies on the previous day, as also a communication of the fact of the Second Corps d'Armée 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 impressed with the idea that THIELEMANN had received reinforcements; but observing that no further progress was made, he renewed the attack on his part, and retook 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 prevented for some time from debouching from the place, by the determined opposition of the Tirailleurs of the 31st Prussian Regiment, under Major NATZMER.

THIELEMANN had now done all which could possibly have been expected from any General under similar circumstances--with a force not equal to one half of that of the Enemy, he had endeavoured, 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 to 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 ZEPELIN abandoned it without being much pressed upon his line of retreat. Colonel MARWITZ was ordered to form the Rear Guard, which was furnished from the 7th and 8th Uhlans, and the 3rd and 6th Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry. It was accompanied by three Batteries of Horse, and one of Foot, Artillery. With these troops Colonel 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 express Order not to march off until Wavre had been completely evacuated.

In the mean time, GÉRARD's Corps d'Armée had crossed the Dyle both at Bierge and at Wavre. The two Battalions of the 4th Kurmark Landwehr, which had been posted in the hollow in rear of the Town, for the protection of the twelve pounder Battery, became closely pressed in consequence of this movement. One of the Battalions under Major SCHMADE had advanced against an Enemy's Column near the Brussels road; when it unexpectedly 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 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 Bavette, and pushed forward some Cavalry along the high road. The latter, however, was driven back by Colonel MARWITZ.

It has been explained that General BORCKE, 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 BLÜCHER 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 STENGEL passed through St Lambert with his Detachment. The latter informed General BORCKE that he had defended the Bridge of Limale, and had been followed by the Enemy's troops.

BORCKE, on hearing this, immediately broke up his bivouac, and decided upon securing the Wood which extends from St Rober 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. Perceiving 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 movement. The only effect it produced was that of their detaching three Regiments of Cavalry towards his Brigade. These, however, contented themselves with watching his movements. It is curious that the Ninth Brigade, as if bent upon continuing the blunder committed the previous day of detaching 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 three thousand paces distant. It was then eight o'clock, and the Battle was maintained until about eleven; and yet General 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 Columns, 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 assumes 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'Armée in this Battle of the 18th and 19th of June, amounted to 2,476 men. No returns whatever of the losses sustained by GROUCHY's Army are forthcoming, but they could not have been less than those of the Prussians.

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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 prevent 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 NAPOLEON 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 discussed: and now that their result has been fully exhibited, it is scarcely necessary to draw attention to the proof which the latter affords of the entire ignorance of each other's proceedings which characterised the conduct of NAPOLEON and GROUCHY, great Generals as they were, in this memorable Campaign. The former received intelligence, before 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 vigilant reconnaissance and an uninterrupted communication, was made manifest; and the first intimation NAPOLEON received of the advance of the Prussians towards La Belle Alliance was the distant view which he himself had, from his own Field, of BÜLOW'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 precautionary measures as should procure for him the earliest and the clearest information concerning the movements of his Enemies. If he found it necessary temporarily to divide his force, and act upon two lines; those measures became still more indispensable, and at the same time admitted the greater facility of execution. Several reconnoitring 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 essential 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 proceedings according to the circumstances under which they might have found themselves respectively 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 conveyed 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 THIELEMANN, from daybreak until about eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the 19th, when he was first made 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 frontier 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 enterprise, 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 operations according to the intelligence he might gain in that quarter concerning the real state of affairs.

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