While the preparatory dispositions, alluded to in the preceding
Chapter, were in progress, NAPOLEON ordered the following despatch to
be forwarded to Grouchy:--
"En avant de la Ferme "In front of the Farm de Caillou,
de Caillou, le 18 Juin, 18th June,
à 10 heures du matin. at 10 o'clock in the morning.
"Monsieur le Maréchal, "Monsieur Marshal,
"L'Empereur a reçu votre "The Emperor has received
dernier rapport daté de Gembloux. your last report dated from
Vous ne parlez à sa Majesté que des Gembloux. You only speak to His
deux Colonnes Prussiennes qui ont Majesty of the two Prussian
passé à Sauvenières et Sarra Walin; Columns and Sarra Walin; however
qu'une troisième Colonne, qui the reports say that a third
était assez forte, a passé à Gery Column, which was pretty strong,
et Gentinnes, se dirrigeant sur has passed by Gery and Gentinnes,
Wavres. directing itself on Wavre.
"L'Empereur me charge de vous "The Emperor charges me to
prévenir, qu'en ce moment S.M. va inform you, that at this moment
faire attaquer l'Armée Anglaise qui His Majesty is going to attack the
a pris position à Waterloo, près de English Army which has taken up
a pris position à Waterloo, près de a position at Waterloo, near the
a pris position à Waterloo, près de Forest of Soignies; so His Majesty
la Forêt de Soignes; ainsi S.M. desires that you would direct your
désire que vous dirigiez vos movemens movements on Wavre in such a
sur Wavres, afin de vous manner as you may approach us, so
rapprocher de nous, vous mettre en as to put yourself in touch with
rapport d'opérations et lier les the operations and to knit up the
communications, poussant devant vous communications; pushing before
les Corps de l'Armée Prussienne you the Corps of the Prussian
qui ont pris cette direction et qui Army which has taken that
auraient pu s'arrêter à Wavres, ou direction, and which may have
vous devez arriver le plus tôt halted at Wavre, where you should
possible. arrive at the earliest possible
moment.
Vous ferez suivre les Colonnes You will cause the Enemy's
Ennemies qui ont pris sur votre Columns which have taken (the
droite par quelques Corps Légers, road) on your right to be
afin d'observer leur mouvements followed by some Light Corps, in
et ramasser leurs fuyards; instruisez order to observe their movements
moi immédiatement de vos and to collect their fugitives.
dispositions et de votre marche, Instruct me immediately of your
ainsi que des nouvelles que vous dispositions and of your march, as
avez sur les Ennemis, et ne négligez well as of the news you may have
pas de lier vos communications avec of the Enemy, and do not neglect to
nous; l'Empereur désire avoir très knit up your communications with
souvent de vos nouvelles. us. The Emperor desires to receive
news from you very frequently.
"Le Major Général "The Major General
DUC DE DALMATIE." DUKE DE DALMATIA."
It will thus be seen that GROUCHY's report, despatched from Gembloux
on the previous night, was well calculated to inspire the Emperor with
great confidence as to the result of his present plan of operations,
notwithstanding the very little progress that had hitherto been made
in that quarter; and which, as already remarked, must be ascribed
principally to his own inactivity during the early part of the 17th. He
approved of the movement upon Wavre, in pursuit of the great mass of
the Prussian Army: but at the same time expressed his desire that it
should be executed in such a manner as to draw the Detached Force more
within the sphere of the operations of the main French Army; and above
all, he enforced the necessity of maintaining a close communication
with the latter.
Some time before the Battle commenced, a Prussian Patrol reached
the Village of Smohain, in which was posted the Picquet of the 10th
British Hussars, under Captain TAYLOR; whom the Officer accompanying
the Patrol desired to report to the Duke of WELLINGTON that General
Count BÜLOW was at St Lambert, and advancing with his _Corps d'Armée_.
Captain TAYLOR immediately despatched Lieutenant LINDSEY, of the 10th,
with the intelligence to Head Quarters, as directed. The Prussian
Officer was certainly ignorant of the very slow progress made by the
main body of BÜLOW's Corps; and the information which he thus conveyed
to the Duke, before the Battle had commenced, naturally led the
latter to calculate upon a much earlier arrival of the Prussians than
could possibly take place: for, in point of fact, it was only BÜLOW's
Advanced Guard which had then reached St Lambert.
* * * * *
The formation of the French Lines was scarcely completed when the
magnificent and animating spectacle which they presented was heightened
in an extraordinary degree by the passing of the Emperor along them,
attended by a numerous and brilliant Staff. The troops hailed him
with loud and fervent acclamations. There was depicted on their brows
a deep rooted confidence in his ability, with such an Army, to chain
victory to the car in which he had already advanced in triumph to
within a few miles of the capital of Belgium. They exulted in the idea
that they were now fairly ranged in battle array, under the Chief of
their choice, and the idol of their devotion, against the Army of that
nation which of all others had proved the most inveterate and the most
enduring in its hostility to France; a nation which had not only by its
wealth cemented and held together the great European league which had
once precipitated that idol from the throne, but had also flung into
the scale her own native strength and valour, by which the Fleets of
the Empire had been destroyed, its Armies driven out of the Peninsula,
and the sceptres of Spain and Portugal wrested from its grasp. They
appeared as if excited by the assurance, that the hour had arrived
in which the disasters of the Nile and Trafalgar, of Salamanca and
Vittoria, were to be cast into the dark shade of oblivion, by the
dazzling splendour of the triumph about to be achieved.
[Illustration]
Never throughout the whole of his career had NAPOLEON received from his
soldiers more unequivocal demonstrations of attachment to his person,
of unlimited confidence in his power, of complete devotion to his
cause, and of absolute submission to his will, than were manifested in
this short and fatal Campaign by which that career was terminated. With
an Army thus animated by one sentiment, and presenting in appearance
and material all that his practised eye could desire, it may readily
be conceived that he fully participated in the general confidence of a
signal victory.
* * * * *
WELLINGTON's dispositions remained as previously described. Shortly
before the action commenced, he rode down to Hougomont, and, proceeding
by the Lane which crosses the Wood in the direction of La Belle
Alliance, remained a few minutes at the point where the Lane reaches
the eastern boundary of the Wood. Having made his observations upon
that portion of the Enemy's Line which came under his view, he ordered
the Light Companies of the British Guards that were in the Wood to be
relieved by the Nassau Battalion and the Hanoverian Light Infantry.
The former were then withdrawn to the Great Orchard, where the Light
Companies of the First Brigade remained, while those of the Second
Brigade moved on, along the rear of the inclosures, to the Lane which
passes between the right of the Buildings and the Kitchen Garden, and
leads into the Wood on that side.
The Duke next rode up to the high ground on the Nivelles road,
unaccompanied by his Staff, to reconnoitre the Enemy's Left. He then
rode along to the Left of his own Line as far as La Haye. When the
action began, he was in front of the Left of the First Brigade of
Guards.
* * * * *
NAPOLEON, having completed the inspection of his troops, proceeded to
take up his own station upon the Height in rear of La Belle Alliance,
which afforded him a commanding view of the whole Field. The Infantry
Brigades speedily formed Lines of Battalion Columns respectively. The
state of the ground was reported practicable for the movements of
Artillery. All was in perfect readiness.
The anxiously looked for moment had now arrived.
The Emperor sent an Order to REILLE to begin the Battle by an attack
upon Hougomont; and it was about half past eleven o'clock when, from
the right of Prince JEROME's Division, a Column, advancing towards
the south-western boundary of the Wood, rapidly extended itself into
a strong line of Skirmishers. As they approached the Wood, a few
straggling shots from behind the outermost trees and hedges gave
warning that the defenders were prepared for resistance, and announced
to both Armies that the Battle had actually commenced. The French,
hastening their advance to obtain a better view of their opponents,
began to single them out; and the shots from both sides, quickening in
succession, speedily increased into a brisk and well sustained fire of
musketry.
JEROME's supporting Columns had not advanced far when the Duke of
WELLINGTON, with his Staff, galloped up to the spot on which the
Coldstream Guards were formed; and having directed his glass upon the
French Columns, the guns of Captain SANDHAM's Foot Battery, attached to
COOKE's Division, were ordered to the front. They instantly unlimbered
and opened the cannonade from the Anglo-Allied position. The first
discharge was from a howitzer, the shell of which burst over the head
of a Column moving towards the Hougomont inclosures. The shots from
the remaining guns in succession also took effect; and the Battery was
soon in full play. It was immediately followed up by an equally well
directed fire from Captain CLEEVES's Foot Battery of the German Legion,
in front of ALTEN's Division.
The Batteries of REILLE's Corps now opened in their turn, to draw off
the fire from their Columns. NAPOLEON sent an Order to KELLERMANN to
push forward his twelve pieces of Horse Artillery into the Front Line,
facing Hougomont. The intervals between the reports from the guns on
either side rapidly diminished: in a brief space of time no intervals
could be distinguished; and the cannonade, increasing in violence every
moment, now thundered forth in one continual roar.
"----deep throated engines belch'd, whose roar
Imbowel'd with outrageous noise the air."
The French Columns, as they moved towards Hougomont, were twice
checked by the fire from the British Batteries; which, having been
given with remarkable precision, appeared to cause considerable loss
and disorder among them. At length they effected their advance. The
French Skirmishers, followed by fresh Supports, had, in the mean time,
made good their entrance into the Wood; and such was the boldness of
their advance that they soon drove the Nassau Battalion and Hanoverian
Riflemen before them. They were also pushing forward in considerable
force across the inclosures adjoining the left of the Wood.
At this moment, WELLINGTON gave Orders, in person, to Major BULL's
British Howitzer Horse Battery, which had just been drawn up on that
part of the main ridge which was immediately in rear of the Great
Orchard of Hougomont, to dislodge the Enemy's Infantry from those
inclosures by means of shells. This service, which, considering the
proximity of the Allied troops in the Wood, was of a very delicate
nature, was executed with admirable skill, and attended with the
desired effect. The Enemy was forced to abandon the fields in front of
the Great Orchard; from which the Light Companies of the First Brigade
of Guards now moved on, as did also those of the Second Brigade, from
the Lane and Kitchen Garden on the right, to relieve the Nassauers and
Hanoverians in the Wood. They dashed forward with the most determined
resolution, blazing away in the very faces of their opponents, whose
further advance they completely checked; and then gallantly pressing
on, they gradually succeeded in clearing the Wood of the French
Skirmishers.
With the exception of the cannonade maintained between the French Left
and the Anglo-Allied Right Wing, and which was gradually extending
towards the opposite extremities of the hostile Lines, the action was
as yet confined to the Post of Hougomont.
About this time, a body of French Cavalry, issuing from the low ground
near Papelotte, approached that part of the Anglo-Allied Left Wing
which was occupied by BEST's Hanoverian Infantry Brigade, and Captain
RETTBERG's Hanoverian Foot Battery. It was a strong _reconnaissance_,
made by the French to ascertain whether the summit on which the above
Battery was posted had really been intrenched, its appearance, as
viewed from the opposite Heights, having induced a supposition that
such was the case. BEST, expecting to be attacked, immediately formed
his Brigade into Battalion Squares; but the French Cavalry speedily
retired.
JEROME now moved down fresh Columns to reinforce his Skirmishers. They
were directed more against the Allied Right of the Wood, while a part
of FOY's Division was ordered to support the attack by a simultaneous
advance against the front. The descent of JEROME's troops was observed
from the position of the extreme Right of the Allied Second Line,
which afforded a partial view up the valley on that side of Hougomont.
Two guns were therefore detached, under Captain NAPIER, from Captain
BOLTON's Battery, to open a fire upon the advancing Columns; but they
were instantly cannonaded by the Batteries on the French Extreme Left,
particularly by the Horse Battery of PIRÉ's Light Cavalry, on the
Height intersected by the Nivelles road. The remaining guns of the
Battery were brought into action, as were also those of Major SYMPHER's
Hanoverian Horse Battery; and a vigorous fire was now maintained
against both the attacking troops and the French guns. Lieutenant
Colonel WEBBER SMITH, whose British Horse Battery was also with
CLINTON's Division, but lower down the slope, commenced firing up the
valley, across the Nivelles road, at one of JEROME's Columns; but on
ascertaining that the latter was somewhat beyond the effectual range of
his six pounders, he detached an Officer to the right of the Front Line
in rear of Hougomont, to discover whether a more commanding position
could be obtained for his Battery on that part of the Field.
In the mean time, JEROME's Skirmishers, having been very strongly
reinforced, renewed their attack upon the Wood, in conjunction with
FOY's Infantry on their right. The Light Companies of the British
Guards presented a stout and desperate resistance, but were forced to
yield to an overwhelming superiority of numbers. Retiring from tree
to tree, and frequently hazarding a bold and obstinate stand, by
which they suffered most severely, they at length withdrew from the
unavailing contest: those of the Coldstream and 3rd Regiment seeking
shelter partly in the Lane adjoining the right of the Château, and
partly behind a Haystack which fronted the Wood near the south-west
angle of the buildings; while those of the 1st Regiment fell back into
the Great Orchard, on the left.
The French Skirmishers, finding themselves relieved for the moment from
any immediate pressure upon their front, now rapidly advanced towards
the Buildings and Garden. The hedge which lined the Wood on this side
appeared to them, as it gradually presented itself to their view, to
form also the boundary of the Great Garden. In the full confidence that
this important post was now within their grasp, they rushed forward
at the _pas de charge_ to force an entrance. They were instantly and
fatally undeceived. A deadly fire bursting forth from the loop holes
and platforms along the Garden Wall, which was parallel to, and about
thirty yards distant from, the hedge, laid prostrate the leading Files.
Those which came up in rapid succession were staggered by the sudden
and unexpected appearance of this little fortress. Not venturing upon
an escalade, they were forced to take advantage of such cover as was
afforded by the hedge and trees; whence they kept up a popping fire,
though at fearful odds, with opponents so well concealed by the wall,
as also by a row of apple trees which ran along its exterior.
The French Infantry were pushing forward through the Wood in support
of this attack, when Major BULL's Horse Battery recommenced its fire;
and a shower of howitzer shells fell amongst them, causing the greatest
destruction and confusion in their ranks.
Again the defenders dashed forward from the Flanks, and regained a
considerable portion of the Wood; whereupon Major BULL ceased firing
in that direction, and pointed his guns on strong Columns of French
Infantry in support, which he succeeded in causing to retrograde;
notwithstanding the very galling fire to which he was himself at that
time exposed, not only from the Batteries in his front, but also from
PIRÉ's Horse Battery on the French Height adjoining the Nivelles road,
by which his own Battery was completely enfiladed.
The French that were in the Wood having rallied, and obtained a vast
preponderance of force, now advanced in a most determined manner
against the Light Infantry of the British Guards, and compelled the
latter to retire to their former posts on the Flanks of the Château
and Gardens. At the same time, JEROME's Light Troops were advancing
rapidly, and in great force, against the right of the Buildings. That
portion of the Light Companies of the Coldstream and 3rd Regiment of
Guards which was outside the Farm made a gallant stand, under cover of
the Haystack, and from the Lane before mentioned. The Haystack itself
was set on fire by the French in one of their attacks, and was now in
full blaze. These Guardsmen held their ground with the greatest bravery
until they saw themselves completely outflanked, and in danger of being
cut off from all retreat.
They then hastily withdrew into the great Court Yard by the Gate
which faces the Allied position; and which they instantly closed and
endeavoured to block up with ladders, posts, barrows, or whatever was
nearest at hand. The French, however, succeeded in forcing the Gate;
but the defenders betook themselves to the nearest cover, whence they
poured a fire upon the intruders, and then rushing forward, a struggle
ensued which was distinguished by the most intrepid courage on both
sides. At length, Lieutenant Colonel MACDONELL, Captain WYNDHAM,
Ensigns GOOCH and HERVEY, and Sergeant GRAHAM, of the Coldstream
Guards, by dint of great personal strength and exertions, combined with
extraordinary bravery and perseverance, succeeded in closing the Gate
against their assailants. Those of the latter who had entered the Court
Yard fell a sacrifice to their undaunted and conspicuous gallantry.
The remainder of the French Skirmishers, passing on by the Left and
to the Rear of Hougomont, and, crossing the Avenue leading to it from
the Nivelles road, and the adjacent rivulet, spread themselves over
some broken ground partially covered with brushwood. They were now
immediately under the position to which Lieutenant Colonel SMITH had
moved his Battery from its former station on the other side of the
Nivelles road, and which was in front of the Extreme Right of the
First Line of the Anglo-Allied Army. This Battery had just been hotly
engaged with, and had suffered severely from, the Horse Battery posted
in front of PIRÉ's Light Cavalry Brigade; which had previously directed
its fire upon BULL's guns, and which maintained the cannonade with
Lieutenant Colonel SMITH's Battery for the purpose of covering the
advance of these Light Troops. SMITH had succeeded in silencing the
fire of his opponent; when the French Skirmishers, taking advantage of
both the broken ground and the high corn beyond it, suddenly opened
upon his Battery a popping fire so destructive in its effects, that in
a few moments several of the Gunners and horses were killed, and so
much damage was sustained by the limbers, that it became absolutely
necessary to withdraw the guns into a little hollow way that led
from the rear of the Battery into the Nivelles road, and in which it
remained some time for the purpose of refitting and getting into order.
This daring onset of the French Skirmishers was checked by the advance
of four Companies of the Coldstream Regiment of Guards, under
Lieutenant Colonel WOODFORD. They then fell back to the wall of the
Farm yard, near which they collected a considerable force, when Colonel
WOODFORD charged them. They gave way immediately, and withdrew from the
contest; which afforded Colonel WOODFORD an opportunity of entering the
Farm with a part of the reinforcement by the side door in the Lane. The
remainder of the detached force occupied the inclosures between the
Château and the Nivelles road.
During this advance of the French Skirmishers against the extreme
Right of the Allied Front Line, the troops which formed their Support
attempted again to force open the rear Gate of Hougomont. The
individuals before mentioned as having closed the Gate, were, at the
time, occupied in rendering it more secure by placing against it some
pieces of ash timber that lay in the yard. The French failing in their
endeavours to push in the Gate, a brave Grenadier volunteered to climb
over and open it from the inside. Captain WYNDHAM, on perceiving the
latter at the top of the gate, instantly desired Sergeant GRAHAM,
whose musket he was holding whilst the latter was bringing forward
another piece of timber, to drop the wood, take his firelock, and
shoot the intruder. The Order was instantly obeyed; and the intrepid
assailant, who, for any useful result, ought to have been accompanied
by a score of his comrades, fell beneath GRAHAM's deadly aim. It was at
this moment that the French Skirmishers who had advanced against the
main position, were falling back upon their Support; and the whole of
these troops were driven off by the advance of the four Companies of
the Coldstream Guards, detached from the main position, as previously
described.
In the mean time, the French Infantry in the Wood, finding their
advance against the Garden so suddenly checked, endeavoured to turn it
by its Left. With this view they were debouching through a large gap
in the fence, forming an outlet from the Wood into the Orchard; when
Lieutenant Colonel Lord SALTOUN, seizing the favourable opportunity,
made a most gallant charge upon the head of the Column with the Light
Companies of the First Brigade of Guards, and succeeded in driving the
Enemy back into the Wood.
Shortly afterwards, a large body of the Enemy's Light Troops began to
advance stealthily along the eastern hedge of the Hougomont inclosures,
communicating at the same time with the Infantry in the Wood on their
Left. This was immediately followed by a direct front attack upon the
Orchard; which compelled Lord SALTOUN gradually to withdraw his greatly
reduced force, from tree to tree, until he reached the hollow way in
rear of that inclosure.
The Light Troops in front of ALTEN's Division, having perceived the
French creeping along the hedge so as to turn the Left Flank of
Hougomont, were on the point of forming to oppose them; but on the
latter being pointed out to the Prince of ORANGE, who had just come to
the front to make his observations, he coolly remarked:--"No, don't
stir--the Duke is sure to see that movement, and will take some step to
counteract it." He had scarcely spoken, when two Companies of the 3rd
Regiment of British Guards, detached from the Allied Line, were seen
advancing along the same hedge, in an opposite direction, to meet them.
Lord SALTOUN being thus reinforced upon his Left, and the French
Skirmishers in his front having become exposed to a sharp flanking
fire from the Guards lining the eastern Garden Wall, he resumed the
offensive; cleared the Orchard of the Enemy, and reoccupied its front
hedge: while the Detachment on the Left drove the French along the
outer hedge, and down into the hollow whence they had debouched; and
then joined the troops in the Great Orchard. The front Hedge of the
Orchard, the front Wall of the Garden, with the Lane and Avenue on
the right, constituted at this time the Outer Line of the defence of
Hougomont.
* * * * *
During the progress of the contest of Hougomont, NEY had been occupied
in making his preparatory dispositions for carrying into execution
NAPOLEON's intended grand attack upon the Centre and Left of the
Anglo-Allied line. The troops destined for this service consisted of
the whole of D'ERLON's _Corps d'Armée_, and of ROUSSEL's Division
of KELLERMANN's Cavalry Corps. Their advance was to be covered and
supported by no less than ten Batteries, which were now brought forward
and posted along a ridge that intervened between the French Right and
the Allied Left Wing, affording the guns a range of from six hundred
to eight hundred yards of the Duke's Line. These Batteries consisted
of the three twelve-pounder Batteries of the First, Second, and Sixth
Corps, drawn up with their Left close upon the Charleroi road; of the
four Divisional Foot Batteries; of the Horse Battery belonging to
JAQUINOT's Light Cavalry Brigade; and of the two Horse Batteries of
MILHAUD's Corps of _Cuirassiers_, which stood in Second Line, in rear
of D'ERLON's Corps--altogether seventy four guns.
This imposing force of Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery, exclusive of
the ample Cavalry Reserves at hand, was not more than commensurate with
the importance of the object which NAPOLEON had in view. His aim was
not only to turn the Allied Left, but also to force the Centre of the
position; and, by gaining possession of the Farms of La Haye Sainte
and Mont St Jean, to cut off WELLINGTON's main line of communication
by the high road to Brussels, and, at the same time, to prevent any
contemplated junction of the Prussian and Anglo-Allied Armies.
This appeared to him preferable to any plan of operation against the
Allied Right, where the skilful dispositions made by the Duke would
require such a plan to embrace the attack and repulse of the troops
occupying Braine l'Alleud, and the Post of Vieux Foriez, as well
as the forcing of the position, _en potence_, held by Lord HILL; a
consideration which, combined with a knowledge of the existence of a
considerable body of Allied troops near Hal, and the fear of allowing
himself to be induced into too great an extension of his own force
towards his Left, caused him to resign all idea of attempting any
movement of importance in that quarter.
He felt, moreover, that even a successful attack upon the Right would,
in all probability, induce the Duke to fall back upon the Prussians;
and thus effect that junction which it was his great object to
frustrate: whereas, an attack upon the Anglo-Allied Left, which was not
so strong, if successful, held out to him the prospect of his being
enabled, by aid of the presumed vigorous co-operation on the part of
GROUCHY, and the momentarily expected arrival of a portion of that
Marshal's forces on his own Right, to defeat both Armies in detail.
The Batteries had been regularly posted and fully prepared for
action, and the Infantry Columns had advanced to the inner brow of
the intervening ridge, when NEY sent word to the Emperor that the
preliminary arrangements were completed, and that he only waited His
Majesty's Orders to commence the attack. NAPOLEON immediately took a
general view of the Field of Battle, and continuing his observations
beyond his Right, in order to discover, if possible, any indication of
the approach either of GROUCHY or of a hostile force, he perceived in
the direction of St Lambert an indistinct mass, having the appearance
of a body of troops; and pointing out the object to SOULT, who was near
him at the time, asked his opinion; whereupon the Marshal observed,
that he really conceived it to be a Column on the march, and that there
was great reason to believe it was a Detachment from GROUCHY. All the
Staff directed their telescopes upon the point indicated; and, as the
atmosphere was not very clear, different opinions were entertained:
some asserting that what had been taken for troops were trees; others
that they were Columns in position; whilst several agreed with SOULT,
that they were troops on the march.
In this state of uncertainty and suspense, the Emperor sent for General
DOMON, and desired him to proceed instantly with a strong reconnoitring
party to the right, and procure correct intelligence; to put himself
quickly in communication with the troops approaching from St Lambert;
to effect a junction with them, if they belonged to Marshal GROUCHY,
and to impede their advance if they proved to be Enemies. At the same
time, the two Light Cavalry Divisions of DOMON and SUBERVIE proceeded
some distance in the direction of the Wood of Paris; and were then
drawn up _en potence_ to the Right of the French Army.
Not long after DOMON's departure, NAPOLEON's impatience to ascertain
the precise character of the distant Column was relieved by the arrival
of an Officer of _Chasseurs_ with a Prussian Hussar, who had just
been taken prisoner; and who was the bearer of a letter, addressed
by the Prussian General BÜLOW to the Duke of WELLINGTON, to acquaint
the latter with his arrival at St Lambert. The prisoner stated that
the Column which was perceptible in the vicinity of this Village, was
the Advanced Guard of BÜLOW's Corps, which had not been engaged at
Ligny; that he had been in the morning at Wavre; that the three other
Prussian Corps were stationed close to that town, and had passed the
previous night there, without perceiving any indication of an Enemy in
their front; and that a Patrol of his own Regiment had advanced, during
the night, as far as two leagues from Wavre without encountering any
body of French troops.
SOULT who had just at that moment written the following letter to
GROUCHY, in reply to his Second Report from Gembloux, immediately added
a postscript, referring to the above intelligence, and sent off the
despatch, accompanied by the intercepted communication and the Hussar's
report.
"Du champ de Bataille "On the Field of Battle
de Waterloo, le 18, à at Waterloo, the 18th, at
une heure après midi. one o'clock in the afternoon.
"Monsieur le Maréchal, "Monsieur Marshal,
"Vous avez écrit ce matin, à "You wrote at two o'clock this
deux heures, à l'Empereur que vous morning to the Emperor that you
marcheriez sur Sart à Wallain; would march on Sart à Wallain;
donc votre projet était de vous consequently your plan was to
porter à Corbaix ou à Wavres: ce proceed to Corbaix or to Wavre. This
mouvement est conforme aux movement is in accordance with the
dispositions qui vous ont été dispositions which have been
communiquées: cependant l'Empereur communicated to you: however the
m'ordonne de vous dire que vous Emperor orders me to say to you
devez toujours manoeuvrer dans that you ought always to manoeuvre
notre direction; c'est à vous à voir in our direction. It is for you to
le point où nous sommes pour vous consider our present position in
régler en conséquence et pour lier order to guide yourself accordingly,
nos communications, ainsi que pour and to knit up our communications
être toujours en mesure pour in such a way as to be always
tomber sur quelques troupes within limits to fall upon some
Ennemies qui chercheraient à inquiéter of the Enemy's troops which would
notre Droite, et les écraser. endeavour to annoy our Right, and
En ce moment la bataille est engagée to crush them. At this moment
sur la ligna de Waterloo. the Battle has commenced on the
Le Centre de l'Armée Anglaise est line of Waterloo. The Centre of the
à Mont Saint Jean, ainsi manoeuvrez English Army is at Mont St Jean,
pour joindre notre Droite. so manoeuvre to join our Right.
"Le Duc DE DALMATIE. "The Duke of DALMATIA.
"P.S.--Une lettre qu'on vient "P.S.--A letter which has just
d'intercepter porte que le Général been intercepted states that General
BÜLOW doit attaquer notre Flanc. BÜLOW is about to attack our Flank.
Nous croyons apercevoir ce Corps We believe we see this Corps on
sur les Hauteurs de Saint Lambert; the Heights of Saint Lambert;
ainsi ne perdez pas un instant pour therefore lose not an instant in
vous rapprocher de nous et nous coming nearer to us and joining us,
joindre, et pour écraser BÜLOW and in crushing BÜLOW whom you
que vous prendrez en flagrant délit." will take in the very act."
The above letter is of much historical importance. Although conveying
NAPOLEON's approval of GROUCHY's movement upon either Corbaix or Wavre,
it clearly indicates the commencement of that anxiety and uneasiness
of mind which the Emperor experienced through the fear of even the
possibility of a want of just conception on the part of the Marshal, of
the true spirit in which the combination of his movements with those of
the main Army should be carried on. He draws the Marshal's attention to
the necessity of his manoeuvring so as to prevent the execution of any
hostile design against the Right Flank of the main Army, which is then
engaged with WELLINGTON's forces, and names Mont St Jean, the Centre
of the Duke's position, as a guiding point. This anxiety was naturally
augmented very considerably by the discovery of BÜLOW's troops, and the
postscript accordingly enjoins still more urgently the necessity of a
close and active co-operation.
Very shortly after the Officer who was the bearer of this despatch had
started, a message was sent in by General DOMON to the effect that his
Scouts had fallen in with Detachments from the Enemy in the direction
of St Lambert; and that he had just sent out Patrols towards other
points to obtain intelligence of Marshal GROUCHY, and to communicate
with him, if practicable.
It is to be observed, however, that the troops discovered by the French
Cavalry did not belong to BÜLOW's main body, but merely to his Advanced
Guard. The former was the mass first seen from La Belle Alliance,
when it was moving across the Heights of St Lambert, on the right or
opposite bank of the Lasne; but as explained in a preceding Chapter, it
encountered great obstruction and much delay during its march towards
the Field: whilst the latter, awaiting its arrival, rested concealed in
the Wood of Paris, near Lasne.
Thus it appears that both Commanders were deceived as to the proximity
of any considerable body of Prussians at this period of the day.
Nevertheless, the conviction of such a proximity, while it imparted
increased confidence to WELLINGTON, in regard to the speedy execution
of the plan of combined operation which he had preconcerted with
BLÜCHER, compelled NAPOLEON to employ additional vigilance and
circumspection upon his Right Flank.
Great, however, as was the necessity for such vigilance; the measures
that were adopted were lamentably deficient in energy, vigour, and
judgement. Considering that the main body of BÜLOW's Corps was on the
point of entering the Defile of St Lambert, in which it had to overcome
the greatest difficulties; it appears unaccountable that the Officer
employed in reconnoitring and patroling beyond the extreme Right of
the French Army should not have urged the occupation of the Wood of
Paris with a detached body of Infantry, with a view to impede BÜLOW's
advance, and compel him to take a more circuitous route. In this manner
the Prussian co-operation might have been so far obstructed or delayed
as to secure to NAPOLEON the power of advancing against WELLINGTON with
almost the entire of his force; and of thus, perhaps, accomplishing his
grand object of defeating both Armies in detail.
No disposition of this kind was made; but, in place of it, DOMON's
and SUBERVIE's Light Cavalry Divisions were moved to the right, _en
potence_ to the Front Line, their Picquets not extending beyond the
plateau in front of the Wood of Paris. Whether this culpable neglect
arose from the want of due penetration and foresight on the part of
General DOMON; or from this Officer having been instructed not to act
as if in command of a detached Corps, but only to take up a position,
within a prescribed distance, _en potence_ to the general Front Line;
or, from an over confident expectation on the part of NAPOLEON of
approaching aid from GROUCHY; are points not easily determined: but
there can be no doubt that the error of not occupying the Wood of
Paris with a strong body of Infantry, flanked and supported by the
Cavalry, was fatal to the development of NAPOLEON's original design.
One Infantry Division, combined with Domon's and SUBERVIE's Cavalry
Divisions, would have sufficed for obstructing the debouching of
BÜLOW's Corps from the almost impassable Defile of St Lambert; and
compelling it to move by its right, into the line of march of ZIETEN's
Corps, which did not reach the field before seven o'clock in the
evening. To move by its left, along the deep and miry valley of the
Lasne, would have been impracticable so long as the Wood of Paris and
its vicinity continued to be occupied by the French.
In short, the importance of seizing upon the means that presented
themselves for materially retarding, if not of completely frustrating,
the co-operation of the principal portion of the Prussian forces,
was of so vital a nature, that the French Emperor would have been
justified in detaching the whole of LOBAU's Corps, along with the
Cavalry already mentioned, under an experienced and enterprising
General, such as LOBAU himself, to operate against the Prussians whilst
these were occupied in passing the Defiles which led to his Right
Flank. None of those troops were engaged with the Anglo-Allied Army
during any part of the day; so that, without diminishing the numbers
actually opposed to the latter, they might have been detached in the
manner suggested: instead of remaining, as was the case, drawn up
_en potence_ on the immediate Field of Action, to be attacked by the
Prussians, who were permitted to pass the Defiles without interruption,
to collect their forces under cover of the Wood of Paris, to debouch
from the latter successively and at their leisure, and to organise
their movements of attack in perfect security, and with the most
systematic order and regularity.