PRUSSIAN ARMY, COMMANDED BY H. H. PRINCE BLÜCHER. The Prussian Army débouching by Lasne and Ohain. H The arrival of the 1 corps of the army, L. G. v. Zeithen, at eight o'clock in the evening, with 4 brig. of inf. each of 3 regts. The 1 brig. G. Steinmetz, 2 brig. G. Pirch I. 3 brig. G. Jagow, 4 brig. G. Henkel, a corps of cav. 6 regts. G. v. Roeder. This 1 corps had suffered much on the 15th and 16th of June. ff Advanced guard of the 1 corps, which at the period of the general advance retook Smohain and Papelotte, in concert with the troops of Nassau. They immediately established a bat. against La Haye, near to ff. gg The three other brig. followed the same movement in advance upon La Belle Alliance. hh The cav. led by the G. v. Roeder took the lead, and pursued the French, then in full retreat. I J. K L ii Arrival of the 4 corps, L. G. Comte de Bulow. The 16 brig. Col. Hiller, the 15 brig. Gen. v. Losthin, 13 brig. L. G. v. Hacke, and the 14 brig. M. G. v. Ryssel, a numerous artill. and a large corps of cav., which with that of the 2 corps, together 14 regts. were commanded H. R. H. Prince W. of Prussia. The 15 and 16 brig. arrived at four o'clock, with a corps of cav. in a covered position in the Wood of Paris, near to Frichermont; they débouched soon after, and advanced towards Planchenoit. Prince Blücher had already preceded them at three o'clock to reconnoitre the field of battle, with two regts. of Drag. who were engaged with the French cav. behind Frichermont. Gen. Count Bulow, whilst waiting for his reinforcements, made his dispositions for an attack on Planchenoit. The two other brig. of the 4 corps arriving successively, with a part of the 2 corps, under the orders of G. Pirch, formed on the plain Some troops arrived by the Abbey of Aywiers, kk. The cav. protected by the artil. attacked the right of the 1 French corps, and was engaged with the cav. tt. The French immediately turned some bat. against them in N. The grape-shot could reach them. M The remainder of the 4 corps, with one part of the 2 corps, attacked Planchenoit, defended by the 6th French corps in front. Towards six o'clock the engagement became general. They fought with much fury. 11 A column, which, after having experienced a sharp resistance, turned the village towards the evening. mm The attack of the village in front. It was taken and retaken three times. This ground was disputed with fury. FRENCH ARMY, COMMANDED BY NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE. Right Wing extending to Smohain. N 1, N 2, N3. Three stations on the raised banks of the highway to Charleroi which Napoleon occupied during the battle, successively at 10, at 3, and at 7 o'clock. (See Memoir following.) Extremity of the right of the 1 corps, L. G. Count d'Erlon, 4 div. of inf. and one div. of cav. tt. Having a numerous artillery, 80 pieces. (Official Bulletin.) light 4 div. of the 1 corps, L. G. Durutte; four regts. the 29, 85, 95 of the line, and the It attacked several times the farm of Papelotte, defended by the troops of Nassau, F. It was destroyed by the flames. In the evening, the div. was attacked in the flank by the Prussians. 3 div. L. G. Marcognet; four regts. the 25, 45, and 105 of the line, and the light It was at the head of the strong column of attack, T, on the left wing of the Allied army. Pp 2 div. L. G. 13 light with great resistance. qq 1 div. L. G. light of the line, and the It supported the 2 div. in the attack of La Haye Sainte, which it carried after a considerable loss. 1 div. of Cuiras. G. Delort, 1 brig. Adjt. Com. Calmer, 5 and 10 regt. The 2 brig. G. 6 and 19 regt. div. of Cuiras. G. Vathier de St. Alphonse, the 1 brig. G. Dubois, 1 and 2 regt. the brig. G. Travere, 4 and 12 regts. These two div. formed the 3 corps of cav. L. G. Milhaud, which towards three o'clock, after the taking of La Haye Sainte, moved to U at the side. Div. of Light Cav. G. Jacquinot, the 3 and 4 of the Lancers, the 3 Chass. and 7 Huss. It was attached to the 1 corps of inf., and was in the evening charged and harassed in its retreat by the Prussian cav. Left Wing, extending to Gomont. 0 Extremity of the left wing of the 2 corps, L. G. Count Reille, 4 div. inf. and one div. of cav. zz. His artillery mounted about 60 pieces. It was here that the 1 div. inf. of Jerome Buonaparte, composed of 4 regts., the 1, 2, and 3 of the line, and the 1 light, supported by the 2 div. uu. It made the first attack at half-past eleven, on the wood and château of Gomont. After two hours of a very bloody combat, it succeeded in occupying the wood and orchard, without being able the whole day to dislodge the English post from the château and garden, surrounded by a wall; the château became the prey of the flames, but was never surrendered. (See h.) 2 div. L. G. Bachelu, 4 regts., the 12 light, the 72, 108, and (See o.) vv 3 div. L. G. Foy, four regts. the of the line, the part directed against i, part against La Haye Sainte. ww 4 div. L. G. Gerard (severely wounded on the 16th), four regts, the 4 light, 12 of the line. (This div. having suffered much at the battle of Ligny, was not much engaged in this battle.) Div. of Heavy Cav. L. G. L'Héritier, four regts., the 8 and 11 Cuiras. the 2 and 7 Drag. Div. of Heavy Cav. L. G. Roussel d'Urbal, 4 regts., the 1 and 2 Carab., the 2 and 3 Cuirass. (These two div. formed the 4 corps of cav. L. G. Kellerman, they advanced on r, t, towards the centre of the Allies.) Div. of Light Cav. L. G. Piré, attached to the 2 corps of inf.; 4 regts. ; the 1 and 6 of Chass., the 5 and 6 of Lancers. This div. the whole day in observance at Mont Plaisir, moved towards evening to the side of Planchenoit. Reserve between Planchenoit and Mont Plaisir. P 6 corps in reserve, L. G. Count de Lobau, composed of 2 div. with about 30 pieces of artill. 1 div. G. B. Simmer, the 5, 11, 27 and 84 of the line. The 2 div. of G. B. Jeannin, the 5 leg. the 10 and 107 of the line. (The 3 div. of the 6th corps, G. B. Teste, was detached to Wavre, with the 3 corps, G. Vandamme.) Div. of cav. G. d'Aumont, attached to the 6th corps, the 4, 11, and 12 of Chasseurs. The 6 corps defend Planchenoit with obstinacy. The Young Guard came to the support of its right. Q. The Young Guard, G. Duhesme, one div. G. Barrois, 4 regts. 1 brig. G. Chartron, the 1 regt. Tiraill, and the 1 Voltigeurs. The 2 brig. G. Mellinet, chief of the Staff. The 3 regts. of Tiraill. and the 3 Voltigeurs. a b R с d e f g S h i k เ Young Guard supporting the right of the 6th corps, threatened to be out-flanked by the Prussians. Head-Quarters of Napoleon, near Le Caillou, where his baggages were guarded by the 2 bat. 1 regt. Chass. of the Old Guard, Lt. Col. During. Near this the park of reserve (12-pounders) of the Guard. Old Foot Guard, G. Drouet, Aide-Maj.-Gen. At 3 o'clock it advanced towards Grenad. Old Guard, L. G. Friant, the 1, 2, 3, and 4 regts. G. Petit commanding the division. Chass. Old Guard, L. G. Moraud, the 1, 2, 3, and 4th regts., G. Michel commanding the div. The artill. of the Guard, commanded by G. Doguerau, was engaged at Planchenoit. Horse Grenad. of the Guard, L. G. Guyot, Drag. Col. Hofmeyer. (Gen. Letort was killed on the 16th.) Lancers of the Guard, G. Colbert. Chass. G. Lefebvre Desnouettes. (These four regts. of cav. of the Guard advanced towards the centre of the Allies, on which they made numerous charges.) Batt. of the reserve of the Guard (12-pounders), who in the evening played upon the Prussians above the village. Second Positions, principal Attacks, and divers Movements. Second position of the French Foot Guards, formed into squares on the approach of the Prussians. Two bat. of the Old Guard, sent from S to support the 6 corps and the Young Light Artill. of the Guard, G. Duchaud, who with other bat. of the Guard Two great squares, 1 and 2 of the Old Guard, in the evening at nine o'clock. They made some vain efforts to cover the retreat; they were drawn into the vortex of the runaways. Napoleon made his retreat by the side of the square, 2. The 1 forced by the fugitives and charged by the English cav. was broken. (See Memoir following.) Squares of the retreat of the 6 corps of the Young Guard, and two bat. of the T Strong column of inf. composed in part of the 3 and 2 div. of the 1 corps, preparing themselves at two o'clock to attack the left wing of the Allies, and approaching by favour of a deep ravine, and sheltered from the cannon. m Head of the column T, which, advancing rapidly, succeeded in repulsing the brig. which was opposed to it. Having attained the height, it was attacked in flank by the 5 div. of G. Picton, and charged by the Engl. Drag. of G. Ponsonby, who took two eagles and about 2000 prisoners. (See Memoir.) Column 7 cut up in their retreat by the English Drag., supported by the brig. (q) Dutch, G. Ghigny. n The Brit. Drag. coming from n charged the bat., sabred the cannoneers, and dismounted thirty pieces on the right of the 1 French corps. (See Memoir.) These Drag. after this gallant achievement, and much weakened, were repulsed by the Cuirass. of G. Milhaud, and the 4 of the Lancers. After the most obstinate resistance, La Haye Sainte was taken at three o'clock, by a part of the 2 and 1 div. of inf. From that time the Cuirassiers formed in a mass at the side of the bottom U. Bottom where the Cuirass. reunited, and other cav. in great numbers, before and after the charges on the squares in échelons to the centre behind the heights of Mont St. Jean. Mounted Grenadiers and Drag. of the Guard, coming from (e), made several charges on a and b. Lanc. of the Guard coming from ƒ at five o'clock, by different positions. y t Div. of Carab. and Cuirass. coming from yy. It was at one of the barriers of Squares of the 2 div. L. G. Clinton, coming at two o'clock from C to support Four regts. of the Fr. Guard, the 3 and 4 Chass., the 3 and 4 Grenad. (middle The 1 brig. D. of Col. Detmers of the 3 div. of the Netherlands, L. G. 2 brig. light cav. dd, ee, arrived from the left wing, charged in concert with Fr. squares, which after a vain resistance were broken, crushed, and mingled or The spot where the Prince of Orange was wounded, at half-past seven in the MEMOIR In reference to the Plan and of the Circumstances which arose during the Battle of the 18th of June, 1815. After a most bloody combat the Allied British army, under the command of Field-marshal H. G. the Duke of Wellington, gloriously maintained itself (the 16th of June) on the important position of Quatre Bras. This advantage, which foretold a victory, had an undoubted influence on the great success obtained on Without this the 18th of June. In consequence of the brave defence of this important point, the different corps had time to arrive from their distant cantonments, and to concentrate and reinforce themselves by a well-ordered retreat. inappreciable advantage, who could venture to calculate the results of the great contest! It was at Quatre Bras that an army, hastily re-united, for a long time deprived of its artillery and its cavalry (still at a distance), evinced more than ordinary bravery, to resist the impetuous attack of a well-organised army, provided with a numerous artillery and superb cavalry. It was there that it required all the presence of mind, and all the energy of a great General, to foresee the plans suggested by the opposing foe, and to extricate himself from so critical a situation. The Prince of Orange evinced a zeal and talent on this occasion highly creditable. It was in this glorious combat, that, with so many brave, the valiant Duke of Brunswick terminated his brilliant career. The reverse experienced on the 16th of June by the Prussian army upon the plains of Fleurus, after a brave and severe contest, determined Marshal Prince Blücher to concentrate his army towards Wavre, where it would be reinforced by the 4th corps, commanded by L. G. Count Bulow, who was not able to assist at the bloody battle of Ligny. This retrograde march required on the part of the Duke of Wellington (notwithstanding the advantage obtained at Quatre Bras, and without being compelled by the enemy), a corresponding movement towards the fields of Waterloo. This gently undulating plain offered a position, which this modern Fabius had previously noticed as favourable, to defend Brussels against an invasion on this side. On the morning of the 17th of June, the army having bivouacked before the field of battle of Quatre Bras, the Duke of Wellington deployed the forces which he had reunited, that he might engage the enemy in a fresh battle. But not seeing him make any dispositions for the attack, it was about noon, in the design of co-operating with the Prussian Army, when he ordered the retreat through Genappe, which he effected in the most admirable order. Nevertheless his rearguard was closely pursued, and often harassed by the French cavalry, which was valiantly withstood and repulsed by the English Life Guards. About four o'clock the army arrived in the plain before Waterloo, a village half enclosed by the forest of Soignies, where the English Field-marshal established his head quarters. The divisions and brigades which had not yet been engaged, had time to rejoin them. The French army, commanded by Napoleon in person, followed this movement; but the dreadful weather prevented any serious attempt: in the evening the rain fell in torrents. Yet some of the light artil. advanced as far as La Belle Alliance; but after a cannonade of short duration the army bivouacked, part before Genappe, part on the heights between Planchenoit and the farm of Mont Plaisir. The head-quarters of the French were established at Caillou. The Allied army bivouacked between Smohain and Braine-la-Leud, chiefly on the inclination of the heights which they occupied the day following, and which it was destined to render illustrious by the most splendid victory, which will be for ever famous by its importance and by its results. The 18th day of June.--BATTLE of Waterloo. What a dreadful night must this have been, in which some ravines only separated about 150,000 men, who only waited for the day to decide by the sword so many and such great interests! The very inclement weather rendered this situation more gloomy still; it did not cease raining, and the fertile fields of Waterloo offered no shelter to the troops weakened by fatigue. At length the day broke; the rain fell still, but at intervals, which were made use of on both sides to prepare for combat. Napoleon and his army did not expect to find the English army in the morning ready to accept the battle. Their only fear was of seeing the English had escaped, by effecting their retreat during the night. The day of Quatre Bras might have undeceived them, if the battles of Talavera, Albuera, Salamanca, Vittoria, and others, had not been sufficient. The French valour needed no apology; the famous exploits of these able warriors are indelible from the page of history, but also let them render justice to the courageous coolness, to the invincible firmness of the most persevering of their enemies. The Duke of Wellington, determined not to make another retrograde step, took his position before the hamlet of Mont St. Jean, on a line of heights which extend from (▲) the plateau commanding the Château of Gomont, to the inclination of the plateau (F) which crowns the farms of La Haye and Papelotte. A deep ravine, which on this side descends towards Ohain, protected the left wing. In front and in the rear of the line of these heights many deep and shallow ravines occur, which render this position sufficiently good, although the centre presented some weak points. The right was protected by a long ravine, which descends towards Merbe-Braine, a hamlet separated from Braine-la-Leud by an extended plateau, which, not offering any position in front, rendered necessary the occupation of this village. The communication was thus kept up with two little corps of observation to defend the |