The difficulties encountered by the Prussians on their march
from Havre, by St. Lambert, to the field of Waterloo would have
put the endurance of any troops to the test. The roads were
ankle-deep from the heavy rains, and the defiles of St. Lambert
turned into a regular swamp, almost impassable for men and
horses; still worse for the guns and tumbrels of ammunition.
These were very numerous and far from being well horsed, sinking
at intervals up to the axle-trees. The horses’ floundering
caused a stoppage, and the most robust soldiers in endeavoring
to extricate the guns and ammunition wagons would drop down,
overcome by the fatigue of their exertions, and declare “they
could not get on.” “But we must get on,” replied their veteran
commander, who seemed to multiply himself, and might be seen at
different points along the line of march, exciting his men to
exertion by words of encouragement. “I have promised Wellington
to be up,” said Blücher, “and up we must get. Surely you will
not make me forfeit my word. Exert yourselves a little more,
and victory is certain.”--EDWARD COTTON, “A Voice from
Waterloo.”
(766)
See ILLITERACY.