La Haye-Sainte strengthened by the enemy, who drive our riflemen
from the knoll and sand-pit, and throw a crashing fire upon our
front troops, who return it with vigour.—The enemy push forward,
between La Haye-Sainte and our position, some guns that fire
grape, but are soon dislodged.—Destructive fire of our rifles upon
the cuirassiers.—Our guards and Halkett’s brigade assailed by
skirmishers, who are driven off.—Prussian force in the field.—The
Prussians approach Plancenoit.—De Lobau falls back.—Prussian
round-shot fall at La Belle-Alliance.—The young guard sent to
Plancenoit.—Blücher informed of Thielmann’s corps left at Wavre
being vigorously attacked.—Desperate struggle at Plancenoit, which
is reinforced by the enemy, when the whole Prussian force is driven
back.—Onset follows onset.—The Duke, by aid of his telescope, looks
for the Prussians.—Hougoumont continues a scene of carnage.—Our
centre suffers dreadfully from the crowds of skirmishers who now
press on in swarms.—French battery pushed forward, and dislodged by
one of ours.—The 30th and 73d colours sent to the rear.—The Duke
is coolness personified.—The troops murmur to be led on to try the
effect of cold steel.—The Prussians keep up a cannonade.—Our line
remains firm.—More Prussians swarming along.—Napoleon’s doom soon
to be sealed.—Imperial guard formed into columns of attack.—Many
of our guns rendered useless.—Disorder in our rear.—Our army much
reduced; those left are determined to conquer or perish.—Vivian
and Vandeleur’s brigades move from the left to the centre, which
gives confidence to the few brave fellows remaining.—His Grace
observes the enemy forming for attack, and makes preparations to
receive the coming storm.—Colonel Freemantle sent in search of
the Prussians.—Our centre continues a duelling ground.—Gallant
conduct of the prince of Orange, who is wounded.—The Nassau-men
and Brunswickers give way in confusion; Wellington gallops up, and
aided by Vivian, Kielmansegge and other officers, puts all right
again.
La Haye-Sainte was no sooner in the power of the French troops, than
they received orders to press as much as possible that part of our
line, and clear the way for the Imperial guard.
In order to avail themselves of the advantages of so valuable a
position, they loop-holed the gable-end of the house, erected a
scaffold along the garden wall, cut holes through the garden hedge,
resembling windows, and threw a force in advance of the garden,
which was protected from the fire above by the natural slope, in
addition to an artificial bank that abutted upon the natural one,
extending from the north-east corner of the garden wall along the
road side to where the monument to colonel Gordon is erected.
This breastwork enabled the enemy to throw a front fire into our
riflemen at the knoll and in the sand-hole, as well as an oblique
fire into Lambert’s and Kempt’s brigades along the Wavre road. Those
arrangements were scarcely completed, when a rattling fire was thrown
among our sand-larks, who, being unable from their position to return
it with any effect, took to flight towards their reserve, followed by
all our riflemen from the knoll. The enemy immediately sent a force
to the knoll and sand-hole, which severely annoyed our 27th; who,
until the advance of the whole line, were, with the other troops on
that part of the front, kept under a very galling fire; at times,
muzzle to muzzle. The French brought two guns round the garden hedge,
and, placing them between the north-east angle of the garden wall and
our position, threw grape-shot into the 1st, 4th, 27th, 28th, 40th,
79th, and 95th; but, before they had time to fire a second round, a
concentrated fire from our riflemen destroyed their gunners; they
then pushed on a crowd of skirmishers, who, protected from our fire,
crept along the banks, close in upon Alten’s, Lambert’s and Kempt’s
troops. As we could not get at them with powder and ball, it was
thought advisable to try the effect of steel: colonel Ompteda led on
the 5th German line; upon which they gave way, and took shelter, as
well as they could, round the garden hedge, when a line of cavalry
from the hollow rushed upon the Germans; and, as captain Kincaird
of the rifles observes, “Every man of them was put to death in a
short time, except an officer on a little black horse, who went off
to the rear like a shot out of a shovel.” Some of our light cavalry
attempted to rescue the Germans; and our 95th, who had previously
pointed their rifles at the cuirassiers, but had suspended their fire
through fear of destroying our own infantry, now let fly and entirely
cleared the whole front. Their skirmishers then moved to the left,
towards Halkett’s brigade and the 1st guards; the eagle eye of the
Duke saw it, and he ordered the guards to form line and drive the
enemy off, which they did, when some cuirassiers approached, but our
lads were in square again. The cuirassiers moved off, receiving the
fire from the squares of the guards, as well as from those of the 52d
and 95th.
[Illustration: LA BELLE-ALLIANCE.]
Some time after, the remaining two brigades of Bulow’s corps
debouched, and forming into columns sent their batteries to the
front, which made the Prussian artillery more formidable than that
of the French. Blücher’s left was making towards Plancenoit, in the
right rear of the enemy. At this time, seven o’clock, the Prussian
force in the field amounted to nearly 29,000 men and sixty-four guns.
Their guns commanded the whole of the French right _en potence_;
which, like the Prussian line, was parallel to the Genappe road,
and nearly at right angles to their former front. The undulating
ground over which the Prussians were advancing, rose like an
amphitheatre, and their guns, in consequence, could open from the
summit of numerous little heights; whilst at the intervals between
the batteries, their troops advanced into the plain. Nothing could be
more favourable for a force attacking an enemy’s flank.
A Prussian battery dislodged a French one on the heights near
Chantilly, and taking up the abandoned position, it directed its fire
upon the enemy posted between Plancenoit and La Belle-Alliance.
The Prussian left was now close approaching the village of
Plancenoit, which, up to the present period, had not been occupied.
The French force being less numerous than the Prussian, De Lobau fell
back towards the Genappe road, where the Prussian round-shot was now
thickly falling upon both sides of La Belle-Alliance; near which,
Napoleon had remained during the greater part of the day. The only
reserve he now had was the infantry of the Imperial guard, and the
pressure upon his right flank was so great, that he was obliged to
send the eight battalions of the young guard, with their divisional
and two twelve-pounder reserve batteries, under general Duhesme,
to the village of Plancenoit, as the only means of preventing the
Prussians from getting in the French rear.
At this time Blücher received intelligence that his 3d corps, which
had been left at Wavre as a rear-guard to check the enemy’s corps
under Grouchy, had been attacked by a superior force and obliged
to retire[53]. Notwithstanding such intelligence might have shaken
the firmest nerves, nothing changed the purpose of the indomitable
veteran. Blücher saw clearly that the field upon which he was now
engaged was the spot where the fate of the campaign would be decided.
He therefore sent orders to Thielmann, to hold out as well as he
could; and ordered his left wing to move upon Plancenoit, and to get
possession of it, if possible.
Duhesme, with the young guard, had arrived at the village and
made his dispositions. As the Prussians neared Plancenoit, they
were received with a stinging fire of musketry from the French
skirmishers, and some French guns opened upon the advancing columns,
but did not arrest their progress; they gallantly pressed on,
took three guns, and got possession of the churchyard, a strong
position, which shortly after they were compelled to abandon, though
not without making a most resolute defence. They rallied near the
village, and, being reinforced, advanced to make another assault:
this being observed by Napoleon, he sent general Morand with two
battalions of the old guard and two twelve-pounder batteries, and
shortly after general Pelet, with another battalion of the guard
and a reserve battery; this force, in conjunction with De Lobau’s
line on their left, attacked and routed the whole Prussian force,
pushing them back upon their first position on the opposite heights.
This convinced Napoleon that Blücher was not up in sufficient force
to make an effective effort against his right flank, and he could,
therefore, hold the Prussians in check without making any change in
his line of battle opposed to Wellington.
Onset now followed onset in rapid succession, and before one assault
was met and repulsed, another was prepared and pressing on.
His Grace, when he observed the diminished numbers of his brave
troops, presenting still the same fearless attitude, felt there must
be a limit to human endurance, and frequently turned his telescope
in the direction where he expected the Prussian reinforcements to
arrive, and who were to cooperate more immediately with his left.
Hougoumont, as has been stated, had been repeatedly attacked: the
struggle for its possession was still most obstinate and sanguinary;
the large orchard and wood continued to be the scene of a dreadful
carnage. The enemy generally out-flanked our men upon their left;
and at times stealing along under the east hedge from the south-east
angle of the orchard, opened a flank fire upon them, when driven
through the north hedge near our friendly hollow-way; but whenever
our foes attempted to cross the orchard near the east garden wall,
the Coldstream sent a galling flank fire into them. Hougoumont had
been reinforced by the 2d line and light companies of Duplat’s
brigade, as well as by the advance-guard battalion of Brunswickers,
who, together with the guards and the remainder of the Nassau-men and
Hanoverian riflemen, drove the enemy out of the orchard into the wood.
During the time Duplat’s brigade was in its advanced position, it
suffered from the French light troops: many of the officers were
killed or wounded; Duplat was killed.
Skirmishing had gone on briskly at the farms of Papelotte, La
Haye, the hamlet of Smohain, and along our left, where the want of
ammunition was so great, that the enemy pressed close up to the
hedge, driving in our skirmishers[54]: but they were soon driven
back, when a fresh supply arrived.
From the time that La Haye-Sainte had been taken by the enemy,
the attacks upon our centre were carried on with the greatest
desperation. The French crowded in swarms round the knoll and
sand-hole, and behind the artificial and road-side banks, which
formed excellent breastworks for the advanced skirmishers. These, by
laying their muskets on the bank at the level of the plain, could
sweep it in all directions. Our advance, at times, moved forward
and dislodged them; but they returned on the falling back of our
troops. This fire was vigorously replied to by Lambert’s and Kempt’s
brigades, and Pack’s Royals. Ompteda’s brigade was reduced to a
mere handful of men; Kielmansegge’s was in a similar condition:
in fact Alten’s division had dwindled away to a weak brigade. The
remains of Halkett’s brigade were from the first formed into two weak
squares. No portion of the line was more attacked both by infantry
and cavalry, or more cannonaded than Alten’s division. He himself
was severely wounded. The 73d, one of his regiments, was for a time
commanded by a subaltern, (lieutenant Stewart). Pack’s brigade was
reduced to a skeleton, and had, by forming column, wheeling into
line, and by edging and moving to its right, got from the left
close to the Genappe road, a little in rear of where stood the so
called “Wellington tree.” Adam’s brigade, since brought into action,
had been subjected to so furious a cannonade and repeated cavalry
attacks, that it was deemed necessary to draw it behind the position.
On one occasion a French horse battery was pushed forward near the
south-east angle of the orchard of Hougoumont, where it opened upon
the brigade: but our batteries on the ridge concentrated their fire
upon it, and drove it off. Our artillery-men cheered. It witnessed
the great effect produced by some rockets which were thrown from the
valley upon the French horse. Our batteries had been most successful
on this part of the line in checking and destroying the enemy’s
cavalry.
It must have been evident to Napoleon, that, notwithstanding the
battle had been raging for more than seven hours, the victory which
he had calculated upon early in the morning was yet to be gained:
although the day was far advanced, he showed no despair, but
continued to feed the fight with fresh victims. The result of the
operations, up to this time, had been most destructive to both sides;
more particularly so to our gallant foes, who, from acting on the
offensive throughout, were frequently much exposed to the close and
direct fire of our batteries in advancing to the attack and retiring
to reform, after each successive repulse. Our troops everywhere
maintained a degree of cool forbearance and courage, which none but
British soldiers could show under such trying circumstances. About
half-past seven P.M. the colours of the 30th and 73d were sent to
the rear, to the satisfaction of many; the colonel of the latter
regiment, the late lord Harris, who was wounded soon after, taking
the 73d’s colour from the officer, gave it in charge of a sergeant,
to carry to the rear.
The enemy’s cavalry, who were now nearly sobered, would come up
singly, and fire their carbines at the squares. Their horse artillery
often galloped up, unlimbered, when crash! crash! came the grape into
Halkett’s squares, making gaps which it was admirable to see the fine
fellows fill up, and that without orders. Whenever the Duke came,
which at this momentous period was often, there was a low whisper in
the ranks, “Here’s the Duke!” and all was steady as on parade. No
matter what the havock and destruction might be, the Duke was always
the coolest man there: in the words of an eyewitness of this bloody
scene, the Duke was coolness personified[55]. It really appeared that
the more desperate the fight, the more determined were the few brave
fellows that remained to hold their ground; yet often would a murmur
escape them, such as, “This is thundering murderous work! why don’t
we go into them?... Let us give them the cold steel,” etc., etc.
But such murmurs were soon hushed, and again were displayed those
traits of unyielding passive courage, the grandest, the most sublime
characteristics of the British soldier. The troops evinced in their
resignation a discipline unparalleled in European armies. Though
confident in their chiefs and themselves, their foes were not less
so: a French cuirassier officer, a prisoner in Halkett’s left square,
replied, in a surly and snappish tone, to an officer of the 30th who
asked him what force Bonaparte had, “You will see directly, sir.”
It was now past seven o’clock. The Prussians kept up a distant
cannonade, and skirmished with the French right _en potence_, seeking
a favourable opportunity to make a more powerful attack with the
fresh troops that were then seen advancing. These war-breathing
bands, led by Blücher in person, full of determination, sure to
strike home with the whole force of their arm, were at length seen
streaming along in swarms, extending round Napoleon’s right wing,
and menacing his rear. The allied line stood firm and unbroken, the
day was fast waning, and Napoleon began to manifest impatience, and
felt much anxiety for the result of the battle, and he evidently
must have imagined that a desperate effort to break our centre could
alone prevent the defeat, which the arrival of the Prussians in such
force must render inevitable. Thus situated, he had no alternative
but to rush into destruction, or success. The political existence
and future destiny of this renowned chief were fast drawing to a
close; he could not reasonably anticipate assistance from Grouchy,
therefore he at once resolved, as a _last resource_, his unsuccessful
attempt to force the allied position with his devoted guards, that
immovable phalanx which, in the greatest emergencies, had invariably
stood as the rallying point and rampart of their army. Count Drouot
was ordered to move forward into the valley (in front of and between
La Belle-Alliance and Hougoumont enclosures,) the remaining twelve
battalions of the old and middle guard, and form them into two
columns of attack and a reserve. With these, Napoleon decided upon
making what proved his final struggle, directing their advance
between La Haye-Sainte and Hougoumont, upon the allied centre,
undoubtedly impressed with the idea, that an overwhelming mass of
fresh and chosen troops must succeed against an enemy shattered and
reduced by repeated and furious attacks, and a ravaging cannonade[56].
Four battalions of the middle guard, in mass of battalion columns
a favourite plan of the French, and formed left in front into one
column of attack, were to advance towards a point, about where the
Lion now stands, then occupied by Maitland’s brigade, the 2d and 3d
battalions of the 1st British foot-guards, and on their left by
Halkett’s British brigade whose right was the 69th and 33d, and his
left the 30th and 73d regiments. Four more battalions of the middle
guard with two of the old guard, (chiefly chasseurs,) _en échelons_,
upon their left rear, formed a second column of attack, lower down
the valley. The other two battalions of the old guard remained in
reserve nearly opposite La Belle-Alliance, right and left; and in
rear of them were drawn up in reserve the remains of the splendid
cavalry force with which the Emperor had been making such desperate
but fruitless attacks on our position. These constituted his last
reserve. The attacking columns were to be supported by the remains
of D’Erlon’s corps on their right, and Reille’s corps on the left.
Those movements along the French position indicated that a decisive
blow, which the situation of the battle now rendered inevitable, was
about to be directed against our centre; it was soon discovered, by
the well sustained order and compactness of the columns, and the dark
waving forest of bear’s-skin caps, that our prowess would be tested
by the redoubted Imperial guard.
At this period of the action, many of our guns stood abandoned in
position: some rendered useless by the enemy’s fire, others had the
muzzles bent down from the excessive heat, some were left for want of
materials to load them; many touch-holes melted away, when officers
were seen applying paper with a small hole in which to place the
fuze, and thus prevent its dropping into the touch-hole: numerous
gunners were driven off by the enemy. Our confidence in the Duke
was unbounded, notwithstanding that our army was much exhausted and
reduced. Disorder and confusion continued in our rear: the roads
were crowded with broken carriages, baggage, wounded officers,
soldiers, dismounted dragoons, and trains of followers from the
combined army; more particularly the foreigners, many of whom gave
as a reason for abandoning the field, that Napoleon and his legions
were invincible, he would certainly be victorious, and that it was
quite absurd to contend against them. In fact, what with the killed,
wounded, those in attendance, and others who had gone to the rear
through fear, our fighting army, towards the close of the day, became
reduced to a handful of men, a mere wreck of its former self. It
is on record that upwards of twelve thousand had sought refuge in
the wood of Soigne, whose desertion imposed great hardships on those
who gallantly remained to achieve so glorious a victory. These were
resolved to conquer or to perish on this sanguinary field, and by
none was this feeling more powerfully manifested, than by the few
remaining in Sir Colin Halkett’s brigade. They were often heard to
exclaim, “This is thundering murderous work: we shall see which will
stand killing longest.”
Vivian, who had been all day on the left of our line, observing the
advance, towards his position, of part of the Prussian cavalry of
general Röder, attached to the 1st corps under general Zieten, and
being aware that fresh cavalry was wanted on the right, put his
brigade in motion. He was soon met by lord Uxbridge, who felt pleased
that the Duke’s wishes had been anticipated. Vandeleur, who was also
on the left, was ordered to follow Vivian. The right regiment, the
10th hussars, was posted by lord Uxbridge about a hundred yards in
rear of the junction of the cross-roads, (near the Lion;) the 18th
hussars on their left stretching towards the Genappe road, behind
the remains of Alten’s division, and the 1st German hussars were in
second line. After posting Vivian, Uxbridge joined Vandeleur, whom he
posted parallel with the Nivelles road, the 11th on the right, the
16th next, and on the left the remains of the 12th light dragoons, in
rear of Adam’s, Maitland’s and Halkett’s brigades; he then returned
to Vivian. In order to draw his own conclusions, his Lordship
dismounted, and, unattended, advanced down the slope to try and get a
view of the enemy who were hidden by the smoke. Vivian rode after him
and begged him not to place himself in such imminent danger; on which
he returned, saying that he was of Vivian’s opinion, that it would be
best to wait an opportunity to attack.
The opportune arrival of the fresh cavalry upon this part of our
line gave in no small degree confidence to the shattered remains of
brave fellows who were left to defend the front. The exceeding small
force which really defended the crest of our line on this terrible
day, is almost incredible, and their conduct beyond all praise. They
not only stood the brunt of the strife, but upon their steadiness
and determination depended entirely the holding of the position.
Uxbridge returned to the Duke, who was at a short distance to the
right, watching the formation of heavy columns on our right of La
Belle-Alliance; they were preparing the coming storm.
“Twas now the chieftain’s soul was mighty proved,
That in the shock of charging hosts, unmoved,
Amidst confusion, horror, and despair,
Examined all the dreadful scenes of war;
In peaceful thought the field of death survey’d;
To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid;
Inspired repulsed battalions to engage,
And taught the doubtful battle where to rage.”
His Grace dispatched colonel Freemantle in search of the Prussians,
who were expected to join the left of our line, and to request
Zieten, their chief, to send on a part of his force to strengthen
some weak parts of the front. Zieten did not feel himself authorized
to comply with the Duke’s request, but said that his whole force
would soon be up.
Numerous applications reached the Duke for support and
reinforcements, or to be relieved by the second line, as divisions,
brigades and regiments had dwindled away to skeletons and handfuls
of men. The only reply was, “They must hold their ground to the last
man.” Sir Guy Campbell delivered that answer to the gallant remains
of Pack’s brigade, and the Duke told sir Colin Halkett, that there
must not be the least symptom of falling back, as everything depended
on the steadiness of the front troops. Frequently, as the Duke passed
the men, he heard murmurs, such as, “Are we to be massacred here? Let
us go at them, let us give them _Brumme-gum_!” _i. e._ the bayonet;
and he would calmly reply, “Wait a little longer, my lads; you shall
have at them presently.”
The ammunition was nearly exhausted, when, fortunately, an artillery
cart galloped along, and dropped some casks into the squares: this
raised their spirits and made them feel more satisfied.
The Duke, finding he must depend entirely on his own resources to
ward off the blow about to be struck by his antagonist, made such
dispositions as his means would allow. It was indeed high time to
strain every nerve, to strengthen and defend the point where the
fiercest storm of battle was about to burst, and repel the last
and most desperate struggle, now ready to be made. Maitland’s and
Halkett’s right was advanced: the Brunswick battalions on the right
were to move into the space between Halkett’s British and Kruse’s
Nassau brigades. Chassé’s Dutch-Belgian division was to cross the
Nivelles road, and form, D’Aubremé on the right, and Ditmers on
the left, in rear of Adam’s, Maitland’s and Halkett’s brigades.
The remains of the allied cavalry, except Merle’s brigade, were in
rear of the position on the right of the Genappe road, and most of
our infantry were deployed into four-deep lines, and for shelter
lay recumbent on the ground behind the crest of the ridge. About
this time a French officer of carabineers[57] rode into the right
of the 52d regiment as a deserter, and announced to major Blair[58]
and colonel sir A. Fraser, that Napoleon was about to attack us at
the head of his Imperial guard; this was made known to the Duke.
Napoleon, it appeared, was marshalling the Imperial guard for the
approaching attack: of this his Grace was well aware.
The skirmishers in advance of their columns about La Haye-Sainte,
the knoll and sand-pit, and along the valley right and left, threw
out a rattling fire for the purpose of harassing and weakening our
line, in order to clear the way for the grand attack by the Imperial
guard; this fire was vigorously replied to by our troops, who were
partially covered from the enemy’s fire by the hedge-row and banks
on this part of the front. Our gallant 27th, upon the bank at the
junction of the roads, was still much exposed. Our 95th rifles and
the 4th foot were extended along the Wavre road. The 40th, 79th,
28th, and 1st Royals were in line behind the rear hedge. The fire
increased, and it appeared as if all would be borne down before it.
The banks on the road side, the garden wall, the knoll and sand-pit
swarmed with skirmishers, who seemed determined to keep down our fire
in front; those behind the artificial bank seemed more intent upon
destroying the 27th, who at this time, it may literally be said, were
lying dead in square, their loss after La Haye-Sainte had fallen was
awful, without the satisfaction of having scarcely fired a shot; many
of our troops in rear of the ridge were similarly situated. A British
officer, who was an eyewitness of the gallant conduct of the 27th,
says, “If ever the sovereign give them another motto, it should be,
_Muzzle to muzzle_; for so they fought at Waterloo.”
Efficient artillery upon this part of the line we had none; thus the
enemy again brought up some guns near the corner of La Haye-Sainte
garden hedge, and placed them so that their muzzles were on a level
with our ridge, from whence they rapidly dealt out grape upon
Kielmansegge’s two squares, completely smashing them, until they,
like the rest, were reduced to a mere clump of men. The artillery
and musketry fire was increasing. The skirmishers pressing on,
and their drums beating, foretold the advance of columns to the
charge. Upon this, the prince of Orange ordered two battalions of
the Nassau brigade, under general Kruse, to advance, and gallantly
placed himself at their head: the Prince was struck by a musket-ball
in the left shoulder, and the command of this part of our line
devolved on count Kielmansegge. The Nassau-men were giving way, when
the five battalions of Brunswick infantry moved into the interval
between Halkett and Kruse; but, before they were in position, they
were received by such a stinging fire from the French skirmishers,
and crashing fire of grape from their artillery, and became so
enveloped in smoke, that they could not get into order until they
were in close contact with the enemy. This vigorous attack caused
the part of Alten’s division on Halkett’s left, with the Nassau-men
and Brunswickers, to give way, and fall back under the crest of the
ridge. Now came really the tug of war, the poise or balance of the
battle.
At this critical moment Wellington galloped to the spot, and
addressing himself to the Brunswickers, succeeded, by the
electrifying influence of his voice and presence, in rallying the
discomfited columns. Lieutenant-colonel sir Alexander Gordon was
mortally wounded on this occasion. By the example and encouragement
of the commanding officers, the other brigades were also rallied and
formed. The Duke went off hastily to the right again.
The battle had been now raging for nearly eight hours, and not a
square had been broken, nor had the enemy gained more than one
advantage, viz. the capture of La Haye-Sainte, which was through
one of those mischances in war which often mar the best planned
arrangements. But those continued furious attacks had not been met
and repulsed without a most severe loss to the troops who had stood
the brunt of the battle, and had been so long exposed to a murderous
cannonade.
[Illustration: (end of chapter; image of a helmet)]
FOOTNOTES:
[53] _See_ chapter X, Grouchy’s Report, and the English, Prussian,
and French official accounts.
[54] It in not easy to give a satisfactory reason why the enemy’s
infantry skirmishers were allowed to press so closely up to our
position and inflict such severe losses upon our gunners and
infantry, when our cavalry could have driven them off or destroyed
them.
[55] All those who were near his Grace, and had full opportunity of
observing him during the most critical and trying moments, agree in
asserting, that it was impossible to learn from his countenance,
voice or gesture, whether the affair in hand were trifling or
important, quite safe, or extremely dangerous.
[56] It appeared throughout the day, that Napoleon was determined
to exhaust our troops, the expense of which was only, to him, a
_secondary_ consideration.
[57] I met this French officer on the field in 1844: he was a captain
in the 2d carabineers, or brass-clad cuirassiers; the reason he
gave for not coming over to us till the eleventh hour, was, that he
expected a number of his regiment to desert with him.
[58] _See_ colonel Hunter Blair’s letter, Appendix, No. VII.