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."
[Illustration]