The Battle of Waterloo

PART I.

CIRCUMSTANTIAL DETAIL

PREVIOUS, DURING, AND AFTER

THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO,

Containing also

FURTHER PARTICULARS COLLECTED FROM

THE COMMUNICATION AND CORRESPONDENCE OF

SEVERAL OFFICERS OF RANK

AND DISTINCTION,

Who were occupied in different Parts of the Field of Action,

INCLUDING

A FRENCH OFFICER’S DESCRIPTION,

WHO WAS AN EYE WITNESS, &c.

ON the evening of Thursday the 15th of June, a Courier arrived at Brussels, from Marshal Blucher to announce, that hostilities had commenced The Duke of Wellington was sitting after dinner, with a party of officers, over the desert and wine, when he received the dispatches containing this unexpected news. Marshal Blucher had been attacked that day by the French; but he seemed to consider it as a mere affair of outposts, which was not likely to proceed much further at present, though it might probably prove the prelude to a more important engagement.* It was the opinion of most military men in Brussels, that it was the plan of the Enemy by a false alarm to induce the Allies to concentrate their chief military force in that quarter, in order that he might more successfully make a serious attack upon some other point, and that it was against Brussels and the English army, that the blow would be aimed. The troops were ordered to hold themselves in readiness, to march at a moment’s notice; but no immediate movement was expected, and for some hours all was quiet.

It was past midnight, and profound repose seemed to reign over Brussels, when suddenly the drums beat to arms, and the trumpet’s loud call was heard from every part of the city. It is impossible to describe the effect of these sounds, heard in the silence of the night. We were not long left in doubt of the truth. A second courier had arrived from Blucher: the attack had become serious; the enemy were in considerable force; they had taken Charleroi, and had gained some advantage over the Prussians, and our troops were ordered to march immediately to support them: instantly every place resounded with martial preparations. There was not a house in which military were not quartered, and consequently, the whole town was one universal scene of bustle: the soldiers were seen assembling from all parts in the Place Royale, with their knapsacks upon their backs; some taking leave of their wives and children; others sitting down unconcernedly upon the sharp pavement, waiting for their comrades; others sleeping upon packs of straw, surrounded by all the din of war, while bât horses and baggage waggons were loading; artillery and commissariat trains harnessing, officers riding in all directions, carts clattering, chargers neighing, bugles sounding, drums beating, and colours flying.

A most laughable contrast to this martial scene was presented by a long procession of carts coming quietly in, as usual, from the country to market, filled with old Flemish women, who looked irresistibly comic, seated among their piles of cabbages, baskets of green peas, early potatoes, and strawberries, totally ignorant of the cause of all these warlike preparations, and gazing at the scene around them with many a look of gaping wonder, as they jogged merrily along, one after another, through the Place Royale, amidst the crowds of soldiers, and the confusion of baggage waggons.

Yet there was order amidst all this apparent confusion. Regiment after regiment formed with the utmost regularity, and marched out of Brussels. About four o’clock in the morning, the 42nd and 92nd Highland regiments marched through the Place Royale, and the Parc. One could not but admire their fine appearance; their firm, collected, steady, military demeanour, as they went rejoicing to battle, with their bagpipes playing before them, and the beams of the rising sun shining upon their glittering arms. Before that sun had set in night, how many of that gallant band were laid low! They fought like heroes, and like heroes they fell—an honour to their country. On many a highland hill, and through many a lowland valley, long will the deeds of these brave men be fondly remembered, and their fate deeply deplored. Never did a finer body of men take the field—never did men march to battle, that were destined to perform such services to their country, and to obtain such immortal renown! It was impossible to witness such a scene unmoved. Thousands were parting with their nearest and dearest relations, and to every British heart it was a moment of the deepest interest. Our countrymen were marching out to battle—they might return victorious—and we proudly indulged the hope of their triumph; but they were going to meet an Enemy formidable by their numbers, and their discipline; commanded by a leader, whose military talents had made him the terror, and the Tyrant of Europe, and whose remorseless crimes and unbounded ambition had so long been its scourge. Not only was the safety of our brave army at stake, but the glory which Britain had so dearly purchased and so nobly won—her prosperity—her greatness—her name among other nations—the security and the fate of Europe, depended upon the issue of that eventful contest, which was now on the eve of being decided.

Our troops, however, who had never known defeat, were confident of success, under the command of a General who had so lately led a victorious army from the shores of the Tagus, over the Mountains of the Pyrenees, and carried conquest and dismay into the heart of France; under whom they had never fought but to conquer, and whom they now followed to battle as to certain victory. What could not British soldiers do under such a general? What could not such a general do with such soldiers? The Duke of Wellington himself, with a candour and modesty which does him the highest honour, made an observation, which ought never to be forgotten. When other Generals commit any error, their army is lost by it, and they are sure to be beaten; when I get into a scrape, my army get me out of it.

Before eight in the morning the streets, which had been hiled with busy crowds, were empty and silent; the great Square of the Place Royale, which had been filled with armed men, and with all the appurtenances and paraphernalia of war, was now quite deserted.

The Flemish drivers were sleeping in the tilted carts that were destined to convey the wounded—the heavy baggage waggons ranged in order, and ready to move when occasion might require, were standing under the guard of a few centinels; some officers were still to be seen riding out of town to join the army. The Duke Wellington had set off in great spirits, observing, that as Blucher had most likely settled the business himself by this time, he should perhaps be back to dinner. Sir Thomas Picton mounted upon his charger, in soldier-like style, with his reconnoitring-glass slung across his shoulder, gaily accosting his friends as he rode through the streets, left Brussels in the highest spirits never to return. It was on this very morning that Napoleon Buonaparte made the boast, that to-morrow night he would sleep at Lacken.*

After the army were gone, Brussels seemed indeed a perfect desert. Every countenance was marked with anxiety or melancholy—every heart was filled with anxious expectation. It was not, however, supposed that any action would take place that day. What was then the general consternation, when about three o’clock, a furious cannonading began!—It was certainly in the direction our army had taken—it came from Waterloo!—Had our troops then encountered the French before they had joined the Prussians?—Were they separately engaged?—Where?—When?—How?—In vain, did every one ask questions which none could answer—numbers of people in carriages and on horseback set off towards Waterloo, and returned no wiser than they went, each bringing back a different story—a thousand absurd reports, totally devoid of foundation, were circulated—what you were told one minute, was contradicted the next. According to some, Blucher had been completely beaten—according to others, he had gained a complete victory;—some would have it, that 30,000 French were left dead on the field of battle—others, that about the same number were advancing to surprize Brussels. It was even said that the English army were retreating in confusion—but the bearers of this piece of intelligence were received with so much indignation, and such perfect incredulity, that they were glad to hold their peace. Some said the scene of action was twenty miles off—others that it was only six. At length intelligence came from the army, brought by an officer who had left the field after five o’clock. The British, in their march, had encountered the Enemy on the plains of Fleurus,* about fifteen miles from Brussels.—The Highland regiments received the furious onset of the whole French army, without yielding one inch of ground. With resolute unshaken valour they fought to the last, and fell upon the very spot where they first drew their swords. The combat was terrible—the enemy were in much more for-midable force than had been represented, and deriving confidence from their immense superiority of numbers, they fought most furiously—Blucher was separately engaged with another division of French at some distance, and could give us no assistance. Yet this brave handful of British had undauntedly stood their ground, repulsed every attack, and were still fighting with the fullest confidence of success. In the words of this officer, all was well.

Still the cannonading continued, and apparently approached nearer.* The French were said to be 30 or 40,000 strong. Only 10,000 British troops had marched out of Brussels—our army was unconcentrated—it was impossible that the cavalry could have come up—the principal part of the artillery were at a distance. Under such circumstances, it was impossible, even with the fullest confidence in British valour, not to feel extreme anxiety for the army. Unable to rest, we wandered about the Parc the whole evening, or stood upon the ramparts listening to the heavy cannonade, which towards 10 o’clock became fainter, and soon afterwards entirely died away.

No further intelligence had arrived—the cannonade had continued five hours since the last accounts came away. The anxiety to know the result of the battle may be imagined.

Between twelve and one, we suddenly heard the noise of the rapid rolling of heavy carriages, in long succession, passing through the Place Royale, mingled with the loud cries and exclamations of the people below. For some minutes we listened in silence,—faster and faster, and louder and louder, the long train of carriages continued to roll through the town; the cries of the affrighted people increased. In some alarm we hastily ran out to inquire the cause of this tumult: the first person we encountered was a scared Fille-de-Chambre, who exclaimed in a most piteous tone — —————————— les François sont tout près—dans une petite demi-heure ils seront ici ——————— Que ferons-nous, que feronsnous! ———————— il faut partir tout de suite. Questions were in vain—she could only reiterate again and again,—Les François sont tout près—Les François sont tout près,—and then renew her exclamations and lamentations. As we flew down stairs, the house seemed deserted, every room door was open—the candles were left burning on the tables—every body had run out into the Place Royale—at the bottom of the stairs, a group of affrighted Belgians were assembled—consternation pictured on their faces. They could only tell us that intelligence had been brought, of a large body of French having been seen advancing through the woods to take Brussels, that they were within half an hour’s march of the city, (which was wholly undefended), and that the English army was in full retreat. C’est trop vrai—c’est trop vrai, was repeated on every side, and the train of artillery that was passing through (they said) was retreating!—We had soon, however, the satisfaction of finding that this was not the case, that the artillery were passing through to join the army, that they were not retreating, but advancing; and finding that the report of the French being within half an hour’s march of the city, rested only on the authority of some Belgians, our alarm gradually subsided—some people indeed took their departure—but as the French did not make their appearance, some went to bed, and others lay down in their clothes, by no means assured that their slumbers might not be broken by the entrance of the French.

In fact between five and six, we were roused by a loud knocking at the door, and the cries of Les François sont ici—Les François sont ici. Starting up, the first sight we beheld, was a troop of Belgic cavalry—covered—not with glory, but with mud,* galloping through the town at full speed, as if the enemy were at their heels; and immediately the heavy baggage waggons, which had been harnessed from the moment of the first alarm, set off full gallop down La Montagne de la Cour, and through every street by which it was possible to effect their escape. In less than two minutes, the great Square of the Place Royale, which had been crowded with men and horses, carts and baggage waggons, was completely cleared of every thing, and entirely deserted. Again were the cries repeated, of Les François sont ici!—Ils s’emparent de la porte de la ville! The doors of all the bed-rooms were thrown open, the people flew out with their night-caps on, scarcely half dressed, and looking quite distracted, running about pale and trembling they knew not whither, with packages under their arms—some carrying huge heterogeneous collections of things down to the cellars, and others loaded with their property flying up to the garrets. The poor Fille-de-Chambre, nearly frightened out of her wits, was standing wringing her hands, unable to articulate any thing but Les François—Les François!—while the Cuisiniere exclaimed with more dignity, Nous sommes tous perdus.

In the Court-yard below, a scene of the most dreadful confusion ensued; description can give but a faint idea of the scuffle that took place to get at the horses and carriages; the squabbling of masters and servants, ostlers, chambermaids, coachmen, and gentlemen, all scolding at once, and swearing in French, English, and Flemish; while every opprobrious epithet and figure of speech which the three languages contained were exhausted upon each other, and the confusion of tongues could scarcely have been exceeded by that of the Tower of Babel. Some made use of supplication, and others had recourse to force; words were followed by blows. One half of the Belgic drivers refused either to go themselves, or let their beasts go, and with many gesticulations called upon all the saints and angels in heaven to witness, that they would not set out—no, not to save the Prince of Orange himself; and neither love nor money, nor threats, nor intreaties, could induce them to alter this determination. Those who had horses, or means of procuring them, set off with most astonishing expedition, and one English carriage after another took the road to Antwerp.

It was impossible for the people at Brussels, who were wholly ignorant of the event of the battle, and acquainted only with the disadvantageous circumstances under which it had been fought, not to fear that the Enemy might at last have succeeded in breaking through the British, or at least the Prussian lines, or that Buonaparte, ever fertile in expedients, might have contrived to elude their vigilance, and to send a detachment under cover of night, by a circuitous route, to seize the unguarded city, the possession of which was to him of the highest importance. The news of the advance of the French—the alarming reports which had been brought in from all quarters during the night— the flight of the Belgic troops, and above all, the failure of any intelligence from our own army, tended to corroborate this last alarm, and it seemed but too certain that the Enemy were actually at hand. At length after a considerable interval of terror and suspense, an Aide-de-Camp of the Duke of Wellington arrived, who had left the army at four o’clock, and, to our unspeakable joy, this was found to be a false alarm. It had been spread by those dastardly Belgians whom we had seen scampering through the town, and who had, it is supposed, met with some straggling party of the enemy. It was also said, that a foraging party of French had come bravadoing to the gates of the city, summoning it to surrender. A considerable number of French, indeed, entered the town soon after; but they were French prisoners.* The Duke’s Aide-de-Camp brought the welcome information, that the British army, though attacked by such a tremendous superiority of numbers, and under every possible disadvantage, had completely repulsed the Enemy, and remained masters of the field of battle. The cavalry, or at least a considerable part of them, had come up at the close of the action, but too late to take any part in it: thus our infantry had sustained, during the whole of the day, the attack of the enemy’s cavalry as well as infantry.

The Duke expected that the engagement would be renewed this morning; but the army was now collected, and joined both by the cavalry and artillery, and a more decisive engagement might be expected. The French had sustained a great loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The defeat which the Prussians had sustained could not, however, be concealed,* and the Belgians were filled with consternation and dismay. The corpse of the Duke of Brunswick had passed through Brussels during the night, and his fate seemed to make a great impression upon the minds of the people.† Waggons filled with the wounded began to arrive, and the melancholy spectacle of these poor sufferers increased the general despondency. The streets were filled with the most pitiable sights. We saw a Belgic soldier dying at the door of his own home, and surrounded by his relatives, who were weeping over him; numerous were the sorrowful groups standing round the dead bodies of those who had died of their wounds in the way home. Numbers of wounded, who were able to walk, were wandering upon every road; their blood-stained clothes and pale haggard countenances, perhaps, giving the idea of sufferings much greater than the reality.

It is well known that on the forenoon of this day, (Saturday), the Duke of Wellington fell back about seven miles, upon Waterloo, in order to take up a position more favourable for the cavalry, and from which he could keep up the communication with Marshal Blucher, who had retreated upon Wavre.

Never was there a more masterly or successful manœuvre. By superior generalship, every plan of the Enemy was baffled; although constantly on the watch, he never had it in his power to attack our retreating army to the smallest advantage. The confession escaped from Napoleon himself, that it was on his part "a day of false manœuvres." In the mean time it is impossible to describe the panic that the news of this retreat spread at Brussels. Nobody could convince the Belgians that a retreat and a flight were not one and the same thing; and, firmly convinced that the English had been defeated, they fully expected every moment to see them enter Brussels in the utmost confusion, with the French after them: even the English themselves, who had the most unbounded confidence in the British army and its commanders, and who were certain that if they retreated it would be with good order, steady discipline, and undaunted courage, began to fear that the immense superiority of the Enemy had made the Duke judge it prudent to fall back until joined by fresh reinforcements.

There is a mistaken idea in this country, that the French, that even Napoleon Buonaparte himself was popular in Belgium. This was a moment when Hypocrisy itself would have found it impossible to dissemble; and the dismay which reigned upon every face, and the terror which filled every town and village, when it was believed that the French were victorious—the execrations with which their very names were uttered—the curses, not loud but deep, half repressed by fear, betrayed how rooted and sincere was their hatred of the tyranny from which they had so recently escaped. There may be miscreants* of all ranks in Belgium, as in other countries, whom the hope of plunder and the temptations of ambition will bring over to any party, where these can be obtained; but by the great body of the nation, from the highest to the lowest, the French government is abhorred, and Napoleon himself is regarded with a detestation, the strength of which we can form no idea of in this country. Their very infants are taught to lisp, these sentiments, and to regard him as a monster.

It would be endless to dwell upon every fresh panic. An open town like Brussels, within a few miles of contending armies, is subject to perpetual alarms, and scarcely an hour passed without some false reports occurring to spread general terror and confusion. Every hour only served to add to the dismay. So great was the alarm in Brussels on Saturday evening, that 100 Napoleons were offered in vain for a pair of horses to go to Antwerp, a distance of 30 miles; and numbers set off on foot, and embarked in boats upon the canal. In the afternoon, a violent thunder-storm came on, followed by torrents of rain, which during the whole of the night, when the army were laying unsheltered upon the field of Waterloo, never ceased a single moment. On Sunday the terror and confusion reached its highest point. News arrived of the French having gained a complete victory, and it was universally believed. A dreadful panic had seized the men left in charge of the baggage, in the rear of the army, and they ran away with a rapidity that could not have been surpassed even by the French themselves. The road between Waterloo and Brussels, which lays through the Forest of Soigné, is completely confined on either side by trees; it was soon choaked up; those behind attempted to get past those before—officers’ servants were struggling to secure their masters’ baggage—panic-struck people forcing their way over every obstacle, with the desperation of fear,—and a complete scuffle ensued, which might really be called a battle burlesqued, in which numbers of horses were killed, and some lives lost, not to mention the innumerable broken heads and black bruises sustained on the occasion.

The road was covered with broken and overturned waggons—heaps of abandoned baggage—dead horses, and terrified people. In some places, horses, waggons, and all, were driven over high banks by the road side, in order to clear a passage. The quantity of rain that had fallen, of itself made the roads nearly impassable, and it was impossible for the wounded to be brought from the field. Certainly these Waterloo Men who came flying into Brussels on Sunday, did not cut a very glorious figure!

At Antwerp, though more distant from the scene of action, the consternation was nearly as great. Long rows of carriages lined the streets, filled with fugitives, who could find no place of shelter; and people of rank and fortune were glad to eat and sleep in one and the same miserable hole, which at any other time they would have disdained to have entered. So great was the universal anxiety, that during the whole of Sunday, though the rain was almost incessant, the great Place de Maire was crowded with people, who stood from morning until night, under umbrellas, impatiently watching the arrival of news from the army, and assailing every body who entered the town with fruitless inquiries.

Our persons indeed, and our outward senses, might be in Antwerp or Brussels, but our whole hearts and souls were with the army. One common interest bound together all ranks and conditions of men. All other subjects—all other considerations were forgotten—all distinctions were levelled—all common forms thrown aside and neglected,—ladies accosted men they had never seen before with eager questions; no preface—no apology—no ceremony was thought of—strangers conversed together like friends—all ranks of people addressed each other without hesitation—every body seeking—every body giving information—and English reserve seemed no longer to exist.

It is impossible to imagine the strong overpowering anxiety of being so near such eventful scenes, without being able to learn what is really passing. To know that within a few miles such an awful contest is deciding—to hear even the distant voice of war—to think that in the roar of every cannon, your brave country-men are falling, bleeding, and dying—to dread that your friends, even those dearest to you, may be the victims—to endure the long and protracted suspense—the constant agitation—the varying reports—the incessant alarms—the fluctuating hopes, and doubts, and fears—no—none but those who have felt what it is, can conceive or understand it.

This state of suspense had lasted three days. Continual vague and contradictory reports, and rumours of evil, were brought in, during the whole of Sunday, which only served to increase the general anxiety. At length, between nine and ten in the evening, some wounded British officers arrived on horseback from the field, bringing the dreadful news, that the battle was lost, and that Brussels was actually in the possession of the French! This was corroborated by fugitives from Brussels, who affirmed they had seen the French in the town; and one gentleman declared he had been pursued by them, half way to Malines. It was even asserted, that the French had entered Malines: later accounts tended to confirm these disastrous tidings, and Antwerp was filled with consternation and dismay. Many people set off for Holland, thinking Antwerp no longer safe. Through the whole night, carriages filled with the wounded—heavy waggons loaded with military stores—trains of artillery and ammunition—Hanseatic troops to garrison it, in case of a siege, continued to pour into the town. It was then, when fear almost amounted to certainty, when suspense had ended in despair, after a night of misery—that the great, the glorious news burst upon us—that the Allies had gained a complete victory—that the French—defeated—routed—dispersed—had fled from the field of battle—pursued by our conquering troops. No words can describe the feelings of that moment—no eloquence can paint the transport which filled every breast and brought tears into every eye. An express arrived at eight in the morning, bringing a bulletin to Lady Fitzroy Somerset, dated from Waterloo, the preceding night, merely containing a brief account of the victory. The tumults, the acclamations, the rejoicings which ensued—the voluble joy of the Belgians, the more silent heartfelt thankfulness of the British, the contending feelings of triumph, pity, sorrow, anxiety, gratitude, and admiration, may be conceived, but they cannot be described. A party of wounded Highlanders, who had found their way on foot from the field of battle, no sooner heard the news, than, regardless of their sufferings, they began to shout and huzza with the most vociferous demonstrations of joy; and those who had the use of their arms, threw their Highland bonnets into the air, calling out in broad Scotch, Boney’s beat!—Boney’s beat!—huzza!—huzza!—Boney’s beat!

These Sketches of the Field on which the glorious battle of the 18th of June was fought, were taken on the spot, from the summit of a perpendicular bank, immediately above the high road from Brussels to Genappe, in the front of the centre of the British position. The First Plate represents the view as it appeared to the British Army, when drawn up in order of battle, on the morning of that memorable day, looking directly forward to the hamlet of La Belle Alliance, fig. 1 and 2; and the heights occupied by the French, fig. 3, 4, 5, and Plate 2nd, fig. 6. The Second Plate, taken from the same spot, looking the contrary way, represents the ground occupied by the British, with the farm-house of La Sainte Haye, fig. 7, in front, and backed by the Forest of Soignies, fig. 8 and 9, Plate 2. Each plate forms a semi-circle, comprizing the whole view which the eye can take in at once. The two Plates join together at each end, as marked; (A joining to A, and B joining to B,) forming a complete circle or panoramic view of the Field of Battle. Every house, every bush, every tree, every undulation is distinctly copied from nature. There is not a spot on which the eye can rest, that was not immortalized by some heroic deed of British valour, and scarcely a clod of earth that was not covered with the wounded, and the dead bodies of our countrymen, and their vanquished foes.

The ground on which the battle was fought, cannot at most exceed two miles from North to South, including the whole from the rear of the British to the rear of the French position. Vide plate and sketch, fig. 3, 4, 5, and 6, was the height occupied by the French, and plate 2, fig. 12, 13, 14, 15, the height occupied by the English. From East to West, from the extremity of the left to that of the right wing of the contending armies, is scarcely a mile and half in extent;* the smallness of the space on which they fought, and the consequent intermixture of the two armies, might have occasioned in some degree the sanguinary result of the battle. The French position was decidedly the best; the eminence they occupied was higher, and the ascent steeper than ours, and better adapted both for attack and defence. The battle took place at some distance from the village of Waterloo, which is situated behind the skirts of the Forest of Soigné, and is not seen from the field. It was occupied on Saturday, the night preceding the battle, by the Duke of Wellington, the principal officers of his Staff, the Prince of Orange, Lord Uxbridge, Sir Thomas Picton, Sir William De Lancey, and other general officers; their names, written in chalk, were yet visible on the doors of the cottages in which they slept. After the battle, those houses were filled with the most severely wounded of the British Officers, many of whom died, and are buried here.

The following is a tolerably accurate statement of the combined British, Hanoverian, and Belgic Army, under the command of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, K. G. and K. G. C. B.

38,000 British.

8,000 King’s German Legion.

14,000 Hanoverians.

22,000 Belgian, Brunswick and Nassau Troops;

forming a total of 82,000 men, of which 62,000 were Infantry, 15,000 Cavalry, and 5,000 Artillery, Engineers, &c. This calculation includes 15,000 men, who were employed in garrisons, and not present at either of the battles.

The French Army amounted to 130,000; and after the losses of the 15th and 16th, and the detachment of two corps under Marshal Grouchy, there must have remained at least 90,000 men, with which Napoleon took the field on the 18th of June; while, after allowing for our own losses on the 16th, detachments and casualties, the whole effective force of the united British and Belgic Armies, under the Duke of Wellington on that memorable day, did not amount to 55,000 men, who were divided into two Corps d’Armée, under the orders of General the Prince of Orange, K. G. C. B. and Lieut. Gen. Lord Hill, K. G. C. B. under whom the Infantry was commanded by

The Cavalry was commanded by Lieut. General the Earl of Uxbridge, K. G. C. B. and under him by

The Artillery was commanded by Col. Sir George Adam Wood, and the Engineers by Col. Smyth.

Never was the overthrow of a great army so complete. Of 40,000 cavalry, not 10,000 returned capable of service, and of an immense artillery, only 12 pieces were saved.

The road from Brussels to Genappe passes through the little village of Mont St. Jean, (fig. 10, Plate 2,) from which the French have named the battle, and which was occupied by the British during the whole of the day; and repeatedly and furiously, though ineffectually, attacked by the Enemy. Count D’Erlon headed a desperate attack against it, which was repulsed by the British Army; and Napoleon Buonaparte, in his own account of the battle, declares he was on the point of leading a general charge of the whole French army against it in person, at the very moment when the general charge of the British Army and their Allies took place, which obliged him to lead it in the opposite direction. All the inhabitants had fled from this village previous to the action, and even Waterloo was deserted; but in a farm-house, fig. 41, Plate 2, at the end of the village nearest the field, one solitary woman remained, during the whole of the day, shut up in a garret, from which she could see nothing, and without any means of gaining information of what was passing, while they were fighting man to man, and sword to sword, at the very doors; while shells were bursting in at the windows, and while the cannon-balls were breaking through the wooden gates into the farm-yard, and striking against the walls of the house. This woman was the farmer’s wife: and when asked her motives for this extraordinary conduct, she replied with great simplicity, that she had a great many cows and calves, and poultry, and pigs—that all she had in the world was there; and that she thought, if she did not stay to take care of them, they would all be destroyed or carried off. The three rooms in the lower part of the house, nay even the stables and cow-houses, were filled with wounded British officers, among whom was Major-General Cooke, Lieut. Colonel Cameron, of the 85th, Major Llewellyn of the 28th regiment, and many others who had particularly distinguished themselves by their conduct in the field. The British position crossed the road to Nivelles, which branches off to the right, from Mont St. Jean (See Plan of Position); and sloping along, passes behind the wood and chateau of Hougoumont on the height, the most advanced post of the British army, fig. 11, Plate 2. In front, it occupied the farm of La Sainte Haye, fig. 7, Plate 2, extending to the left along the hedge, fig. 12, 13, 14, and 15, Plate 2, and a lane behind it, which was occupied by General Picton’s division. Upon this height, a considerable part of our artillery was placed; but it was also dispersed in different parts of the field, and placed upon every little eminence, with great judgment and effect. The quarry, fig. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Plates 1 and 2, in front of the British position, fig. 21, Plate 2, is a high perpendicular bank cut down for the road to pass through: fig. 22, Plate 2, the top of the opposite bank, was also surrounded with cannon. The chaussée or paved road from Brussels to Genappe, fig. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, Plates 1 and 2, which passes nearly through the centre of the position of both armies, proceeding directly forward from the village of Mont St. Jean, leaves the farm-house of La Sainte Haye, fig. 7, Plate 2, on the right, nearly in the hollow, and again ascends to La Belle Alliance (fig. 1, Plate 1,) on the summit of the opposite hill, which, with the heights on each side, were occupied by the French. This celebrated spot is a small farm-house on the left side of the road, pierced through in every direction with cannon-ball. The offices behind it are now a heap of ruins, from the fire of the British artillery. Numbers of wounded French officers crawled in here the night after the battle, and on the morning of the 19th it was filled with the dead and dying. The little cottage, fig. 2, Plate 1, on the opposite side of the road, is also called La Belle Alliance, and forms a part of the hamlet. It was here, that Napoleon Buonaparte stood in the proud confidence of success, after dispatching a courier to Paris, with intelligence, that the battle was won—it was here, a few hours afterwards, when the battle was really won, that Lord Wellington and Marshal Blucher accidentally met, in the very moment when Napoleon, foremost in the flight, and followed by his panic-struck army, was driven along by their victorious troops.

After some skirmishing between the piquets, the French commenced the engagement about 10 o’clock, with a furious attack upon the post at the wood and garden of Chateau Hougoumont, fig. 11, Plate 2, which was occupied by General Byng’s brigade of guards. It was a point of particular importance to the Enemy to gain this post, as, from its situation, it commanded a considerable part of our position; and accordingly it was furiously and incessantly assailed by large and reinforced bodies of the Enemy, and gallantly and successfully defended to the last by the British. Napoleon himself directed the charge of the French Imperial Guards against it;* but even though fighting under the immediate eye