In one of these attacks, MajorEeles, whose Company of the 3rd Battalion 95th Rifles was attached to the 71st Regiment, upon observing the approach of the Carabiniers towards the right angle of the front face of the Square, moved his Company to the right, in line with the rear face, and, placing himself in its front, prevented his men from firing until the Carabiniers approached within thirty or forty yards of the Square; when he ordered a volley, which, combined with a cross fire from the 71st, brought down so many horses and men to the ground, at the same moment, that the further progress of the charge was most effectually frustrated. In an instant, one half of the attacking force was on the ground; some few men and horses were killed; more were wounded; but by far the greater part were thrown down over the dead, the dying, and the wounded. These, after a short interval, began to extricate themselves from the mass, and made the best of their way back to their Supports; some on horseback but most of them on foot.
Adam's Brigade, by means of the advanced position which it thus occupied, along the space between the Hougomont inclosures and the right front ofMaitland's Brigade, presented an effectual barrier to the advance of the French Cavalry against that portion of the Allied Front Line which was situated upon the right of the latter point. In the intervals between the charges of Cavalry, it suffered severely from the Enemy's Artillery; more particularly the 71st Regiment, and 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles, the position of these Regiments being somewhat more exposed than that of the 52nd.
Halkett's Hanoverian Brigade had moved from its present position, near Merbe Braine, into the space withinthe angle formed by the Nivelles road and the hollow way which leads from the Right of the Front Line down into the low ground below Hougomont; and it was shortly afterAdammoved into his forward position, thatHalkettadvanced, with the Landwehr Battalions Osnabrück and Salzgitter, and took post on the exterior slope of the main ridge, in rear ofdu Plat's Brigade.
It was now about six o'clock. The formidable attacks made by the French along the entire Line of the Anglo-Allied Army had been productive of no positive advantage; the Advanced Posts of Hougomont and La Haye Sainte had successfully resisted the furious assaults which had hitherto been directed against them: and the forward position taken up byAdam's British Brigade, made it manifest to the French Emperor that, notwithstanding the gallantry, enthusiasm, and devotion displayed in those attacks by the finest troops he had ever assembled together, headed, too, by Generals of the highest celebrity; still greater efforts, and still greater sacrifices must be made if he hoped to drive the British lion from the position which it yet proudly retained with so firm a footing, before the Prussian eagle, which for some time past had hovered over, and was at this moment darting at, his extreme Right, should alight, in the plenitude of its force, to satiate its thirst for vengeance in the fierce and sanguinary struggle.
Napoleonsent an Order toNeyto renew the attack upon the Centre. To execute this with effect, however, fresh Infantry was requisite; and the Marshal had none at his disposal. He therefore despatched his first Aide de Camp, ColonelHeymès, to represent to the Emperor the exhausted condition of his troops: half of which were placedhors de combat, and the other half overcome by fatigue, andfailing in ammunition; and to request he would send him reinforcements. At this moment, however,Lobau's Corps and the Young Guard were required for the security of the French Right Flank against the offensive operations of the Prussians; consequently, the Battalions of the Old Guard, which constituted the only remaining Reserve of Infantry, could not be spared. ToNey's demand for fresh troops,Napoleontherefore replied,—"Ou voulez vous que j'en prenne? Voulez vous que j'en fusse?"
Ney, on being made acquainted with the manner in which his request had been received, saw very plainly that the Battle was far from being gained: and darted off to animate, by his presence, the attack which was now renewed upon La Haye Sainte; and which was covered by a vigorous fire from the French Artillery against that portion of the Anglo-Allied Line immediately in rear of this Post, in order to disturb any attempt to relieve or assist its defenders.
The united remains ofSomerset's andPonsonby's Brigades, which were on the reverse slope, behindOmpteda's Brigade of the King's German Legion, and which were extended in Single File for the purpose of making ashowof force, suffered much from this cannonade. On perceiving its effects, LordUxbridgesent an Aide de Camp to recommend LordEdward Somersetto withdraw his men from the range of the Enemy's guns. The latter sent back word that, were he to do so, the Dutch-Belgian Cavalry, who were in support, would immediately move off the Field!Somersetretained his position until the end of the Battle.
Shortly before the Columns fromDonzelot's Division advanced to this attack of La Haye Sainte, a party of Horse Artillery, which had been detached fromWhinyates's Rocket Battery, proceeded, under CaptainDansey, along the Charleroi road, to the front of the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line, and came into action with rockets, near that Farm, leaving its two guns in the rear, under LieutenantWright.
CaptainDanseyvery soon received a severe wound, which obliged him to retire; and the party, after firing a few rockets, fell back a little, to where its horses were standing. It was then commanded by a Serjeant (Daniel Dunnett), who, on perceiving the advance of the nearest French Column towards the Farm, dismounted his men as coolly and deliberately as if exercising on Woolwich Common, though without any Support whatever; laid rockets on the ground, and discharged them in succession into the mass—every one of them appearing to take effect. The advance of the Column was checked, and was not resumed until SergeantDunnett, having expended all his rockets, retired with his party to rejoin the guns in rear.
MajorBaring's Detachment, after its extraordinary and successful exertions in repelling the previous assaults, was fearfully reduced in numbers; but its excellent spirit and conspicuous bravery remained unshaken. One circumstance, however, could not fail to render unavailing all their efforts, their courage, and their endurance. Notwithstanding MajorBaring's urgently repeated applications for a supply of ammunition, his men were still left without the means of adequately defending their Post against the host of enemies by which they were successively assailed.[12]Theycheerfully repaired, as far as practicable, the gaps made in the walls by the French Artillery, and betrayed no despondency as they looked upon the sad and numerous proofs that lay around them of the immense sacrifices they had already made. But when, upon counting the cartridges, they discovered that they had not, upon an average, more than from three to four each, their consciousness of the desperate situation to which they were reduced, and of the impossibility of holding out under such circumstances, led to remonstrances, which their gallant Commander could not but admit to be reasonable. Yet no sooner did the latter, upon perceiving two French Columns again advancing towards the Farm, exhort them to renewed courage, and also to a careful economy of the ammunition, than he received the unanimous reply,—"No man will desert you,—we will fight and die with you!"
The French, exasperated by the protracted resistance of this handful of brave defenders, now came on with redoubled fury. The open end of the Great Barn was first assailed. Again they succeeded in setting the building on fire; but the Germans, having recourse to the same expedient as on the previous occasion, again contrived toextinguish the flames.Baring's anxiety and uneasiness increased with every shot that was fired by his men; and he again sent to the rear for ammunition, coupling his demand with a distinct report, that he must and would abandon the place should no supply be forthcoming. This message, however, proved equally ineffectual. The fire of the garrison was gradually diminishing: perplexity was depicted in every countenance: many of the men now called out urgently for ammunition,—"We will readily stand by you, but we must have the means of defending ourselves!" Even their Officers, who during the whole day had displayed the greatest courage, represented to their Commander the impossibility of retaining the Post under such circumstances.
The French, who failed not to observe the distressing situation to which the defenders were reduced, now boldly broke in the door at that end of the long western building which is nearest to the entrance of the Great Barn, already so frequently assailed. The passage from the door through the building into the Farm yard having been barricaded, but few of the Enemy could enter at a time. These were instantly bayoneted, and the rear hesitated to follow. They now climbed up the outer wall of the long building, and mounted the roof, from which they easily picked off the defenders; who, not possessing the means of retaliation, were completely at their mercy. At the same time, they pressed in through the open Barn, which it was impossible to defend any longer.Baringwas now reduced to the painful necessity of abandoning the place, and gave the Order to retire through the Dwelling House into the Garden. Many of the men were overtaken in the narrow passage through the House by the victors, who vented their fury upon them in the lowest abuse and most brutal treatment.
Baringhaving satisfied himself that the possession of the Dwelling House by the Enemy must render the Garden quite untenable; and finding that his Officers fully agreed with him on this point, he made the men retire, singly, to the main position. The greater part of them, accompanied by their brave but disconsolate Commander, descended into the high road by an opening in the bank adjoining the north-east angle of the Garden, and retired along the opposite side of thechaussée.
Baringsent back to their respective Regiments the remains of the reinforcements he had received; and, with the few men that were left of his own Battalion, he attached himself to two Companies of the 1st Light Battalion of the King's German Legion, which were then posted in the hollow way close to the right of the high road.
The surrender of La Haye Sainte, under the circumstances which have been described, was as purely honourable, as its defence against an overwhelming and furious host had been heroically brave. A thorough conviction that further resistance must have been marked by the sacrifice of the entire remnant of his courageous band at once suggested to the mind of a Commander likeBaring, gifted with the requisite discernment and forethought of a true soldier, the reservation of such gallant spirits for some other part of the great contest; in which they might yet face their enemies, if not on equal terms, at least in a manner that would render their bravery and devotion not altogether unavailable in the general struggle for victory.
Loud and reiterated shouts of triumph having announced to the French Emperor the capture of La Haye Sainte; he immediately ordered it to be followed up by a vigorous attack upon the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line, and by a simultaneous renewal of the assault upon Hougomont.
It was quite evident toNey, that without an additional force of Infantry, it would be impossible for him to follow up, with effect, the advantage which he anticipated from the capture of La Haye Sainte. The Cavalry, whichNapoleonhad placed at his disposal, had been nearly annihilated in the course of its numerous attacks upon the Anglo-Allied Line,—attacks executed throughout with the greatest gallantry, but unproductive of any solid or decisive result upon a single point of that Line. If this Arm, comprising the flower of the chivalric Cavalry of France, had failed him when it sallied forth, gaily exulting in the freshness of its vigour, proudly conscious of the imposing attitude of its masses, and unrestrainedly impatient for the onslaught which was to exalt still more its already high renown; how could he calculate upon its efficacy, now that it was comparatively paralyzed?
The state to which his Infantry was reduced presented a prospect almost as cheerless.D'Erlon's Corps, severely crippled by its signally unsuccessful attack upon the Anglo-Allied Left Wing and Centre, had still further exhausted its force by repeated assaults against La Haye Sainte, on its left; and, since the arrival ofBülow, it had been compelled to resort to active precautionary measures on its right. On the other hand,Reille's Corps had suffered immense losses in its incessant, yet unavailing, efforts to gain possession of the important Post of Hougomont.
ButNey,le plus brave des braves, in whose character resolution and perseverance were pre-eminent, was not to be deterred by this discouraging aspect, from fulfilling, to the best of his abilities, the task imposed upon him by his Imperial Master. There can be but little doubt that at the time he made his urgent demand upon the Emperor for afresh supply of Infantry, he had projected an assault upon the Anglo-Allied Right Wing, in accordance with that prominent feature in the tactics of the Empire,—the Column of Attack in mass of Battalions—to be supported by his Cavalry, whilst this Arm still continued vigorous and effective. Now, however, his exhausted means precluded the execution of such a plan of attack; and he therefore had recourse, as far as was practicable with his reduced extent of force, to another system, which had been attended with so much success in the time of the Republic, and which had always found great favour with the French soldiery—the grand attacken Tirailleurs. In this way he would be better enabled to conceal the weakened condition of his troops; and he might also succeed in making such an impression upon some important point of the Allied Line, as would induce the Emperor to seize upon the advantage gained, and, launching forth his Reserve, strike the decisive blow.
The whole ofDonzelot's Division, supported by a part ofAlix's Division, as also a considerable body ofCuirassiers, forming the gallant remnants of entire Regiments, were put in motion against the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line; whilst fresh reinforcements were poured down fromReille's Corps into the Hougomont inclosures.
The first disposition made by the captors of La Haye Sainte, was to avail themselves of the advantage which the possession of the Farm House, the Garden, and the adjacent high bank, afforded them for pouring a commanding fire upon the two Companies of the 95th British Rifles which occupied the Knoll by the Sand Pit on the opposite side of the road; when these, being at the same time pressed in front, finding their Post no longer tenable, retreated upon their main body in the Wavre road.
The French at the same time contrived to push two guns round by the Garden hedge to the bank of the high road, and immediately opened a fire of grape uponKempt's Brigade posted along, and in rear of, the Wavre road, on the opposite side of thechaussée; but this was speedily silenced by the 1st Battalion of the 95th British Rifles, who, taking a deliberate aim at the Artillerymen, destroyed them before they could discharge a second round.
There then issued from under cover of the Farm, a large body of Infantry, which, as it ascended the main ridge, spread out into a very close Line of Skirmishers, who pressed boldly forward against the Left ofAlten's Division. Their concentrated fire was telling fearfully upon the devoted Squares.Altensent an Order toOmptedato deploy one of his Battalions, if practicable, and advance against the Enemy.
Ompteda, as brave and high minded a soldier as ever graced the profession of arms, was quite prepared to execute the Order: but being fully aware, from previous observation, that in the hollow behind the curtain formed by theTirailleursthere lay in wait a body of the Enemy's Cavalry; he felt it his duty to represent the imminent risk which was likely to attend such a movement.
At this moment of hesitation, the Prince ofOrangerode up toOmptedaand ordered him to deploy. The latter respectfully submitted the same opinion he had before expressed toAlten's messenger; whereupon his Royal Highness became impatient, repeated the Order, and forbade further reply.Ompteda, with the true spirit of a soldier, instantly deployed the 5th Line Battalion, placed himself at its head, and gallantly led it against the mass ofTirailleurs, who had continued to crowd forward; and under whose teazing fire the Germans displayed the greatest steadiness and bravery. The French gave way as the Lineadvanced at the charge; and as it approached the Garden of La Haye Sainte, they suddenly and rapidly sought shelter along the hedges. In the next moment, the Battalion was furiously assailed by a Regiment ofCuirassiers; who, taking the Line in its Right Flank, fairly rolled it up. This Cavalry charge, preconcerted with great skill, and executed with amazing rapidity, proved awfully destructive to the courageous but unfortunate Germans; and fully, and fatally, confirmed the truth of the unheeded prediction of their intrepid Commander. So severe was the loss sustained, that out of the whole Battalion, not more than about thirty men with a few Officers were gradually collected in the hollow way that lay along the front of the Left of the Brigade. Amongst the slain wasOmptedahimself, who with his followers, thus fell a sacrifice to the absence of that precaution, the necessity for which he had vainly endeavoured to impress upon his superior Officer.
Whilst the FrenchCuirassierswere cutting and stabbing in all directions, and completing their work of destruction amidst the unfortunate Germans; the 95th British Rifles, who, from the other side of the high road, had been attentive observers of the scene, had already taken aim at theCuirassiers, but had refrained from firing, fearing to injure their friends, at length poured in amongst them a terrific volley, just at the very moment when the 3rd Hussars of the King's German Legion advanced to the rescue of their compatriots: which sent both sides flying, and completely cleared the front ofOmpteda's Brigade.
Shortly afterwards the 3rd Hussars again advanced: but the Support of theCuirassiershaving, in the mean time, ascended the slope: the former, so inferior in numbers, were brought to a stand; and, after a brief struggle, were compelled to withdraw.
A mass ofTirailleursnow ascended by their left, from the hollow westward of La Haye Sainte (in which hollow they could assemble in comparative security since the capture of that Post by the French), and pushed forward with great boldness against the Advanced Square ofMaitland's British Brigade, formed by the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Foot Guards. Their fire, concentrated upon the Square and maintained with astonishing rapidity and vigour, was most galling to the British Guards. Also upon their left, another portion of their numbers poured a destructive fire upon the Left Square ofAdam's Brigade, formed by the 2nd Battalion of the 95th Rifles.
Maitland, perceiving the serious annoyance which his 3rd Battalion experienced from the fire of the French Skirmishers, directed Lieutenant ColonelD'Oyley, who commanded it, to advance for the purpose of dislodging them; and being well aware that some of the Enemy's Cavalry were drawn up near the foot of the slope, he threw the flank faces of the Square into sections, in which order the Battalion moved forward, being thus prepared to reform Square with the greatest expedition. Under a tremendous fire from the opposite French Batteries, which had perceived this movement, the Guards gallantly drove the Skirmishers down the slope; and so marked was their steadiness on this occasion, that a body of French Cavalry, which was now observed approaching, struck with the promptitude and precision with which the gaps caused in their ranks by the round shot were closed, neither assaulted them in their advance nor molested them in their retreat to their position on the brow of the hill, which was effected in perfect order. The Cavalry, though it refrained from attacking, received the fire of the Guards; and then, dashing along the front of the52nd Regiment, it exposed itself to another vigorous fire by which it was nearly destroyed.
Of all the troops comprising the Anglo-Allied Army at Waterloo, the most exposed to the fierce onslaught of the French Cavalry and to the continuous cannonade of their Artillery, were the two British Squares posted, during a very great portion of the Battle, in advance—at times, considerably so—of the narrow road which ran along the crest of the Duke's position. They consisted of the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Guards, belonging toMaitland's Brigade; and of the 30th and 73rd Regiments acting together as one Corps, belonging toHalkett's Brigade. It was upon these troops that fell the first burst of the grand Cavalry attacks; and it was upon these troops, also, that the French Gunners seldom neglected to pour their destructive missiles, so long as they continued to constitute, by their exposed position, such prominent marks for their fire.
An attack upon the Square of the Guards by Skirmishers has just been described; and it was not long after this that the Square of the 30th and 73rd was attacked by some French Artillery, which trotted boldly up the slope directly in front of those Regiments, and having approached within a fearfully short distance, unlimbered two of its guns, from which several rounds of grape were discharged in rapid succession, into the very heart of the Square. Awful gaps were made in its devoted ranks; but the readiness and alacrity with which they were filled up, at the commands of their Officers, by men prepared to share the same fate as that which had befallen their predecessors, was truly heroic. That an occasional murmur broke forth, cannot be denied—not, however, at their exposed situation, but at the sternrefusal to allow them to charge the guns; near which the French Cavalry was hovering, ready to take advantage of any such attempt.
The Duke was frequently an eye witness of this devotedness of his soldiers; but when asked for support, his reply was that there was none to spare; or, if for permission to attack, that this could not be granted; and, if any intimation were made to him that it might become necessary to fall back a little out of fire, it was met, in a cool and decided tone, that every man must stand his ground, and that there must not even be a semblance of retreat.
The reinforcements fromReille's Corps having moved to Hougomont, the Skirmishers in and around this Post were relieved upon all points. The Wood, as also the fences on either flank, soon swarmed withTirailleurs; and the brisk rattle of musketry that followed, intermingled with shouts of "En avant!", seemed to betoken a determination on the part of the French that the capture of La Haye Sainte should not be their only triumph achieved in front of the Anglo-Allied Army. Everywhere the assault was bravely met by the gallant defenders of the Post. The Flank Companies of the Guards, within the walls and buildings, held at defiance every attempt of their assailants to dislodge them from their cover. By this time, all the outhouses were on fire, with the exception of those that fronted the Wood. The roof and upper storey of the Château had fallen in, and flames continued bursting forth on all sides with the greatest fury. The heat had become so intense as to produce upon the men whose duty brought them within its influence, a feeling of suffocation; while the frequently emitted volumes of thick smoke gave anindistinctness to every object around them. Yet so admirable was the system of defence, so perfect were the discipline and the order, maintained throughout this trying scene by the devoted garrison, that the Enemy completely failed in forcing an opening at any one point. The well maintained fire from the walls was such as to deter the French from attempting an escalade.
Whilst the central portion of theTirailleurskept up an incessant fire from behind the hedge and trees facing the south buildings and the Gardens, the remainder pressed on in crowds against the inclosures by which the Post was flanked. On the right, the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards, lining the hedge that bordered the main approach to the Château, successfully withstood this furious onset. On the left, the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Guards, in the Orchard, having suffered such frightful losses, found it impossible to stem the overwhelming torrent, and speedily fell back upon its friendly hollow way. The FrenchTirailleurs, pushing forward in pursuit, were staggered by the sudden and vigorous fire opened upon them by the troops within the eastern Garden Wall; and the 3rd Guards having, in the mean time, been reinforced by the 2nd Line Battalion and the Light Companies ofdu Plat's Brigade, drove the Enemy back to the front hedge of the Orchard; whence they were shortly, in their turn, compelled to retire.
Again the flank fire from the eastern Garden Wall, combined with that in front from the defenders of the Orchard, as they reached the rear hedge, compelled the Enemy to fall back. The 3rd Guards once more lined the front hedge; and also, in conjunction with the Light Troops ofdu Plat's Brigade, and the remains of both the Brunswick Advanced Guard Battalion, and the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of Nassau, forced the entrance into the Woodnear the south-east angle of the Garden Wall, and firmly established themselves in that quarter.
At the commencement of this last mentioned attack upon Hougomont, the Right ofAdam's Brigade was considered too near the inclosures of that Post, and exposed to be taken from thence in flank. It was therefore withdrawn further up the slope, towards the crest of the main position; and after a brief interval, it retired to the reverse slope in order to be covered from the Enemy's cannonade which had been directed against it.
It was now nearly seven o'clock. The troops defending Hougomont and its inclosures had succeeded in repelling the last assault; and the contest in and around this Post again degenerated into atirailladekept up with more or less vigour on all points. Along the front of the extreme Right of the Anglo-Allied Line, the Skirmishers fromMitchell's British Infantry Brigade maintained their ground with great steadiness and gallantry. The main body of the Brunswick Infantry stood on the interior slope, in rear ofAdam's Brigade; andChassé's Dutch-Belgian Infantry Division, which had arrived from Braine l'Alleud, was deployed along, and in rear of, the Nivelles road, its Centre intersected by the narrow road leading from thechausséeto the Village of Merbe Braine, which position it had taken up on the advance ofAdam's Brigade to the general Front Line. In front of the Anglo-Allied Left, the Skirmishers of both Armies were continually engaged; and upon the extreme Left the troops in Smohain, La Haye, Papelotte, and adjacent inclosures, successfully resisted all attempts of the Enemy to dislodge them.
The attack upon the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line had been incessant from the moment La Haye Sainte fellinto the possession of the French. On their left of the Charleroi road, they debouched from that Farm and ascended the position in clouds of Skirmishers. One portion of them crowded upon the artificial mound which abutted upon the high bank of the road, and was situated about sixty yards only in front of the hollow way occupied byOmpteda's Brigade. On the opposite side of the Charleroi road, the fire from the French troops on the Knoll above the Sand Pit was maintained with remarkable rapidity and perseverance. They continued, as before, to conceal themselves as much as possible under the brow of the Knoll, exposing only so much of their bodies as was necessary to enable them to fire over its crest in a kneeling position. This fire was replied to with the greatest spirit and determination on the part ofKempt's andLambert's Brigades. On the Allied right of the high road, the exhausted remnant ofOmpteda's Brigade was no longer a match for the daringTirailleursthat crowded together in its front. Its stock of ammunition had begun to fail; many who had not a cartridge left fell to the rear, and more than the usual number assisted the wounded out of action.
Exposed asAlten's Division had been to the most furious assaults of Artillery, Cavalry, and Infantry; the British and German Brigades of which it was composed had become awfully diminished; and the facility which the possession of La Haye Sainte now afforded the French for continuing their desperate endeavours to force that part of the Allied Line, rendered the situation of these troops extremely critical.Alten, who had throughout the day displayed the same coolness, intrepidity, and skill, which had characterised his career in the Peninsular War; and who, by his presence and example, had so powerfully sustained the energies of his men, was not permitted to witness the closing scene of theirglorious exertions: for about this time he was wounded, and compelled to quit the Field; leaving the command of the Division to his gallant countrymanKielmansegge.
At a short distance in rear ofLambert's Brigade stood that ofPack(with the exception of the 1st Royal Scots, then in Front Line), in Contiguous Columns at quarter distance, its Right resting on the high road; while further to the rear, as a Reserve, was postedVincke's Hanoverian Brigade, having two of its Battalions, Hameln and Gifhorn, in contiguous Close Columns on the left of the road, and the other Battalions, Piene and Hildesheim, in a similar formation, on the right of the road, near the Farm of Mont St Jean.
The pertinacity and zeal displayed by the French in their attacks upon the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line, and the indications now manifested of following them up with increased force, were in accordance withNapoleon's great object of breaking that Centre, and overthrowing the Right Wing of the Duke's Army: and for the execution of this latter part of his plan, he was preparing to strike another formidable blow; even now that the Prussians were fairlyaux priseswith the troops constituting the extreme Right of his Army in and around Planchenoit.
But previously to entering into the subject of the concluding scene of the struggle between the Anglo-Allied and French Armies, it will be necessary to revert to the operations of the Prussian Forces, in order to arrive at a full and comprehensive development and due interconnection of all the leading features and various bearings of the great Battle, the result of which was to determine the issue of the Campaign in Belgium.
FOOTNOTES:[12]Two different causes have been assigned for the non-compliance with MajorBaring's requisitions for ammunition; namely, the interception of the communication between the Post and the main Line and the difficulty in procuringrifleammunition. The first appears scarcely tenable; for, although the communication was frequently cut off by the French, as they passed by the Farm when attacking the main position, it was as frequently open and available. This is sufficiently proved by the different reinforcements that were sent into the Farm: ammunition might have been escorted thither with equal facility; and yetBaringhad made three distinct applications for a supplybeforethe Nassau Detachment was added to his force. The difficulty of procuringrifleammunition certainly appears a more probable cause; but, even in this case, it is impossible to overlook the circumstance that the Post in question was immediately in front of the Brigade to which its defenders belonged, and of which two out of the four Battalions composing it were armed with rifles.Since the above was written it has been communicated to me from Hanover, upon excellent authority, that the cause of MajorBaringnot having been supplied with ammunition arose from the circumstance, that there existed only one cart with rifle ammunition for the two Light Battalions of the King's German Legion; and that this cart was involved in the precipitate retreat of a great part of the baggage, &c., and thrown into a ditch.
FOOTNOTES:
[12]Two different causes have been assigned for the non-compliance with MajorBaring's requisitions for ammunition; namely, the interception of the communication between the Post and the main Line and the difficulty in procuringrifleammunition. The first appears scarcely tenable; for, although the communication was frequently cut off by the French, as they passed by the Farm when attacking the main position, it was as frequently open and available. This is sufficiently proved by the different reinforcements that were sent into the Farm: ammunition might have been escorted thither with equal facility; and yetBaringhad made three distinct applications for a supplybeforethe Nassau Detachment was added to his force. The difficulty of procuringrifleammunition certainly appears a more probable cause; but, even in this case, it is impossible to overlook the circumstance that the Post in question was immediately in front of the Brigade to which its defenders belonged, and of which two out of the four Battalions composing it were armed with rifles.Since the above was written it has been communicated to me from Hanover, upon excellent authority, that the cause of MajorBaringnot having been supplied with ammunition arose from the circumstance, that there existed only one cart with rifle ammunition for the two Light Battalions of the King's German Legion; and that this cart was involved in the precipitate retreat of a great part of the baggage, &c., and thrown into a ditch.
[12]Two different causes have been assigned for the non-compliance with MajorBaring's requisitions for ammunition; namely, the interception of the communication between the Post and the main Line and the difficulty in procuringrifleammunition. The first appears scarcely tenable; for, although the communication was frequently cut off by the French, as they passed by the Farm when attacking the main position, it was as frequently open and available. This is sufficiently proved by the different reinforcements that were sent into the Farm: ammunition might have been escorted thither with equal facility; and yetBaringhad made three distinct applications for a supplybeforethe Nassau Detachment was added to his force. The difficulty of procuringrifleammunition certainly appears a more probable cause; but, even in this case, it is impossible to overlook the circumstance that the Post in question was immediately in front of the Brigade to which its defenders belonged, and of which two out of the four Battalions composing it were armed with rifles.
Since the above was written it has been communicated to me from Hanover, upon excellent authority, that the cause of MajorBaringnot having been supplied with ammunition arose from the circumstance, that there existed only one cart with rifle ammunition for the two Light Battalions of the King's German Legion; and that this cart was involved in the precipitate retreat of a great part of the baggage, &c., and thrown into a ditch.
CHAPTER XIII.
BLÜCHER'S dispositions for the grand Flank movement of his Army towards the Field on whichWellingtonhad announced to him his intention of accepting Battle fromNapoleon, provided he might calculate on the Marshal's assistance, were fully described in Chapter VIII. Reconnoitring parties and Patrols had been pushed forward, early in the day, to feel for the Left of the Anglo-Allied Army, the communication with which was successfully established. It then became desirable to explore the ground that lay more to the Right Front of the Prussians, in the direction of the Right Flank of the main French Army, in order to ascertain the nature of any precautionary measures adopted byNapoleonto impede the junction of the Allied Commanders. MajorLützow, of the Staff, was sent upon this duty, with a Detachment of the 2nd Silesian Hussars; and on reaching the Wood of Paris, he not only found this unoccupied, but discovered that no steps whatever had been taken by the French to cover and secure their Right Flank. A Prussian Troop of Hussars advanced beyond the Wood of Paris, to a point near Frischermont, whence it had a good view of both the French and Allied dispositions and movements; and where it was not even menaced by the approach of any hostile party.
As MajorLützow, fully alive to the importance of speedily occupying the Wood of Paris, was returning to communicate the above intelligence to the Prince, he metGeneralGrolman, the Quartermaster General of the Army, to whom he immediately represented how matters stood: when this Officer directly pushed forward the Silesian Hussars and two Battalions of Infantry fromBülow's Advanced Guard, to take possession of the Wood; these troops having fortunately just crossed the Defile of St Lambert.Grolmanat the same time sent a message to the Prince, suggesting that the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Brigades should be ordered to follow the Advanced Guard as soon as they should be collected on the French side of the Defile.
Great as had been the difficulties hitherto encountered along the Prussian line of march, the passage of the Defile of St Lambert seemed to present an almost insurmountable obstacle. The rain which had set in during the afternoon of the 17th, and had continued without cessation the entire night, had transformed the valley of the Lasne into a perfect swamp. The miry and watery state of the roads between Wavre and St Lambert had caused so many stoppages and breaks in the Columns that they were frequently lengthened out for miles.
Blüchershowed himself on every point of the line of march, encouraging his exhausted soldiers, and inciting them to renewed efforts. The troops, after a short halt to collect their scattered ranks, entered the Defile. As the ground yielded to their pressure, both Cavalry and Infantry became dispirited; and when the Artillery were fairly checked by the guns sinking axle deep, and the men, already worn down by fatigue, were required to work them out, their murmurs broke forth in exclamations of—"Wecannotget on."
"But wemustget on," was oldBlücher's reply; "I have given my word toWellington, and you will surelynot make me break it: only exert yourselves a few hours longer, children, and certain victory is ours." This appeal from their venerated Chief was not made in vain: it served to revive the drooping energies of the wearied, and to stimulate still further to successful exertion the more robust and able bodied.
At length, after considerable delay and constant difficulty, the passage of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Brigades, as also of the Reserve of both Cavalry and Artillery, was accomplished; and by four o'clock these troops had ascended the opposite slope of the valley, and reached the plateau of the ridge which, constituting the narrow interval between the Lasne and the Smohain, with a rapid fall on either side towards those streams, presented a comparatively dry and firm soil favourable for the further operations of the Prussian forces in this direction.
As the troops reached the Wood of Paris, they were disposed, with a considerable front, and in a close compact order, on each side of the road leading from Lasne towards Planchenoit. The Artillery kept the road itself; and the Cavalry was drawn up in rear of the Wood, ready to follow the Infantry.
The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Brigades were expected to join in a short time; andPirch's Corps was following along the same line. It had beenBlücher's intention to await the arrival of these troops, and then to debouch with the assembled force; but having watched the progress of the Battle, he became apprehensive, on perceiving the tremendous cannonade, and the renewed attack after four o'clock, that the Enemy might direct a still greater force againstWellington's Line, and succeed in breaking the latter before he commenced the attack on his side of the Field. He could clearly distinguishNapoleon's Reserves, inrear of La Belle Alliance, evidently prepared for being launched against the Anglo-Allied Line, which had already sustained the most desperate attacks. The frequent and pressing communications he had received from the Duke also showed how anxiously the latter relied on his support. These considerations satisfied the Prince, that the moment had arrived in which his appearance on the Field would be productive of consequences the most favourable to the views of his Ally, and the most influential on the development of their combined exertions; and he now gave the Order for the attack to commence, even with the small amount of force then at his disposal, as also for the hastening of the march of the troops still in the rear.
It was half past four o'clock when the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Brigades debouched from the Wood of Paris; the former on the right, the latter on the left; and each in the usual Brigade formation for advance peculiar to Prussian tactics. The direction of the attack was perpendicular to the Right Flank of the French Army; and consequently, also, to the Charleroi road, which constituted the French main line of operation.
In order to cover the Left Flank, ColonelHiller, commanding the Sixteenth Brigade, detached both the 3rd Battalions of the 15th Regiment and the 1st Silesian Landwehr, under MajorKeller, to keep a look out in that direction as far as the rivulet of the Lasne; beyond which, MajorFalkenhausenwas scouring the country with one hundred Horsemen of the 3rd Regiment of Silesian Landwehr Cavalry.
GeneralLosthin, commanding the Fifteenth Brigade, detached three Battalions towards Frischermont and Smohain, to cover the Right Flank. They were the 2nd Battalion ofthe 18th Regiment, and the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Silesian Landwehr, followed by the 1st Battalion of the former Regiment.
Domon's Cavalry continued drawn upen potence, and was at a considerable distance from the Prussian Advance, whenBlücherordered a cannonade to open upon it; more with a view to make known his arrival to the Anglo-Allied Army, and to induce the French to withhold the employment of a still greater force against the latter, than from any motive affecting his own immediate operations at the moment.
Domonnow sent forward a Regiment ofChasseurs à Chevalto attack the Prussian Column, whilst he followed with his whole Line. Hereupon the 2nd Silesian Hussars and the 2nd Neumark Landwehr Cavalry moved through the intervals of the Infantry, and formed up in front; the Hussars to the left, and the Landwehr to the right. They then advanced, followed by the 3rd Silesian Landwehr Cavalry in support, and drove back the FrenchChasseurs; but becoming menaced in flank, and observingDomon's whole Line advancing, they were, in their turn, compelled to retire. This movement was covered by the Horse Battery No. 11; and more particularly by CaptainSchmidt's Foot Battery of the Fifteenth Brigade, which drew up to oppose the pursuit of the French Cavalry. The vigorous fire which continued to be maintained by both these Batteries, combined with the advance of the Prussian Infantry Columns, inducedDomonto decline following up his attack at the moment.
The three Battalions already mentioned as having been detached to the right, had, by this time, reached Smohain. Their advance in that direction had been conducted with so much caution, that they debouched from the south-eastern inclosures of the Village most unexpectedly for both theAllied troops in that vicinity, and the Infantry forming the extreme Right of the French Front Line. The Prussians continued to advance; crossed the principal fence which separated them from the French extreme Right, and drew up in Line almost at right angles with the direction of the Enemy's front—two Battalions in Line, with the third in support. It was half past five o'clock when this took place.
The French at once advanced against them; whereupon the Prussians retired, and after regaining the hedges in the valley, lined the latter as Skirmishers, and maintained a vigorous and successfultirailladewith their opponents.
In the mean timeNapoleon, judging from the boldness of the Prussian Advance, that considerable support was at hand; and apprehensive, no doubt, of the evil consequence likely to arise from that Advance, if not promptly and effectually checked, had ordered the Sixth Corps, under CountLobau, to move forthwith to the right from its reserve station in rear of La Belle Alliance; and, in conjunction withDomon's Cavalry, to take up a position favourable for repelling the attack by which he was menaced on that side of the Field.
Blücher, observing this disposition, the execution of which was effected with great rapidity and in good order, proceeded to give a broader and more imposing front to his own troops. He extended his Right Flank to the wooded Heights of Frischermont, and rested his Left upon a ravine descending to the Lasne, close to the Wood of Virère. The Reserve Cavalry, under PrinceWilliamof Prussia, was put in motion, in two Columns, towards the Left Flank; on which it was subsequently formed up.
WhenLobau's Corps moved off to the right, the Regiments of the Old and Middle Guard advanced andtook up the position, in reserve, which it had occupied on the Heights in rear of La Belle Alliance.
AsLobau's Corps advanced and passedDomon's Cavalry, the latter was disposed as a Support. Having crossed the valley which, commencing from the ridge above Planchenoit, on the north side of the Village, descends towards Smohain, he opened a brisk fire from his guns uponBülow's Line. A spirited cannonade ensued, in the course of which the Prussian Foot Battery No. 14 had three guns disabled.
It was not long, however, before the remaining Brigades ofBülow's Corps, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth, came up. Their Batteries hastened to the front, and materially increased the force of the Prussian fire.
Blücher, who had now the whole ofBülow's Corps at his disposal, was bent upon following up his original intention of directing his attack against the Enemy's Rear. With this view he made the Sixteenth Brigade take ground to its left, and brought up the Fourteenth Brigade in its rear, as a Support; whilst at the same time he supplied the place of the former in the Line by posting the Thirteenth Brigade on the left of the Fifteenth. GeneralHacke, who commanded the Thirteenth Brigade, detached the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the Second Neumark Landwehr to the right, in support of the troops in Smohain. A portion of this Detachment occupied Frischermont, thus obtaining anappuifor the Prussian Right Flank, and securing the communication with the Prince ofSaxe Weimar's Brigade, posted along the inclosures in front of the extreme Left of the Anglo-Allied Army. This Flank was also covered by the West Prussian Uhlans and the 2nd Neumark Landwehr Cavalry, that had been detached from the Reserve Cavalry of the Fourth Corps under PrinceWilliamof Prussia; which was following, as a Support, the Left Wing ofBülow'sLine, now advancing in the direction of Planchenoit. The Artillery along the Prussian Line had by this time assumed a formidable appearance, the following Batteries of the Corps having come successively into action,—the twelve pounder Batteries Nos. 3 and 5, the six pounder Batteries Nos. 2, 13, 14, and 21, and the Horse Batteries Nos. 11 and 12—comprising altogether sixty four guns.
The ground over whichBülow's Corps was now in the act of advancing, was highly favourable for the development of a force destined to attack the Flank of an Army, the Front of which was so completelyaux priseswith the Enemy as was that of the French at this moment. Nearly at all points it commanded the position occupied by the French Righten potence; the Line was remarkably wellappui'don the Flanks; and its Front was parallel with the Enemy's main line of operation.
The force whichLobauhad at his disposal was greatly inferior to that of the Corps he was sent to oppose. The former amounted to fifteen Battalions, twenty one Squadrons, and forty two guns—the latter (exclusive of the six Battalions and eight Squadrons detached to the right) consisted of thirty Battalions, twenty seven Squadrons, and sixty four guns. He could not present a Front sufficiently extensive and compact that would secure him from being turned in either Flank. Hence, when he perceived that the principal force in this well planned attack was advancing from the Prussian Left, in the direction of Planchenoit, which then lay in his right rear, unoccupied by any French troops; he felt the necessity of retiring towards the Charleroi road, which he did by withdrawing his Brigadesen échiquier.
It was not long before several round shot from thePrussian Batteries reached the Charleroi road; some of them falling both in front and rear of La Belle Alliance, whereNapoleonwas then stationed. It was evident to the latter that, unless reinforcements were despatched in support ofLobau, his Right Flank, already so seriously menaced, would speedily be turned. His trusty Guard with which, in former Campaigns, he had so frequently succeeded in stemming the current that had suddenly set in against him from some previously hidden source and threatened to overwhelm him, constituted the sole Reserve at his disposal. Engaged during so many hours in carrying on a desperate attack along his whole Front, without having as yet secured one single point of vantage ground; he clearly foresaw that without some vigorous effort, by aid of a powerful Reserve, no ray of victory would ever gleam upon his arms on that side of the Field. But now that he was also engaged in defensive operations along his Right, against another Enemy, by whom even his Rear and the main line of his retreat became endangered; the necessity of employing a portion of this Reserve in a direction different from that which he had contemplated, was alike obvious and urgent.
The appearance ofBülow's Left bearing down upon Planchenoit, turningLobau's Right; and the powerful Batteries along the Prussian Front admirably disposed in accordance with the favourable nature of the ground, over which the whole Line was gradually approaching; distinctly indicated the immediate possession of that Village in force, as the true and only measure that could be adopted for averting the impending danger. The two Divisions of the Young Guard, posted on the plateau on the right of thechausséeclose to Rosomme, and consisting of four Battalions ofVoltigeurs, and four Battalions ofTirailleurs, were the nearest at hand for the occupation of Planchenoit; andNapoleonaccordingly desired GeneralDuhesmeinstantly to march thither with that force, accompanied by twenty four pieces of cannon of the Guard, and place himself on the right ofLobau's Corps.
It was about this time (six o'clock) thatNapoleonreplied toNey's demand for fresh Infantry,Ou voulez vous que j'en prenne? Voulez vous que j'en fasse?an expression, the force of which is rendered sufficiently obvious by the critical circumstances of his position.
It was also at this period thatBlücherreceived intelligence thatThielemannwas attacked by a superior force at Wavre, and that it was doubtful whether he would be able to maintain his ground. But the determination of the Prince to carry out his present plan of attack was fixed and irrevocable. He saw clearly that it was on the Field where he himself stood that the fate of the Campaign must be decided; and that by giving the fullest effect in his power to the combined operation which he had preconcerted withWellington, and which was already developing itself with so fair a prospect of success, he was pursuing the right and only course by which the main Army ofNapoleoncould be overthrown—a course founded upon the leading principle of all strategy, that of bringing the greatest mass to bear upon the decisive point. He immediately gave Orders thatThielemannshould be directed to hold out as well as he could, and to dispute every inch of ground with his opponents. At the same time, he desiredBülowto continue pressing forward with his Left, and to gain possession of the Village of Planchenoit.
ColonelHiller, who commanded the Sixth Brigade,formed the latter into three Columns of Attack. Two Battalions of the 15th Regiment, under MajorWittig, marched on the right against the Village; two Battalions of the 1st Silesian Landwehr, under MajorFischer, in the centre; and two Battalions of the 2nd Silesian Landwehr, under Lieutenant ColonelBlandowsky, formed the Left Column. The Fourteenth Brigade followed as a Reserve, sending forward the 1st Battalions of the 11th Regiment and 1st Pomeranian Landwehr as a Support to the Columns of Attack.
In the mean time the troops of the Young Guard had occupied Planchenoit, and made their dispositions for its defence. As the Skirmishers that preceded the Prussian Columns approached the eastern inclosures of the Village, they were received with a most destructive fire by the FrenchTirailleurs. Some pieces of Artillery were also brought to bear directly upon the Columns; which, nevertheless, advanced with great bravery and steadiness, captured a howitzer and two guns, and gained possession of the Churchyard. The occupation of this spot, which is naturally strong, being inclosed within a low stone wall, strengthened nearly all round by a steep outer bank, and commanding by its elevated position a very considerable portion of the Village, appeared to offer great security to the Prussian troops; but the Young Guard, evidently prepared for this contingency, flew to the surrounding houses and gardens, whence they opened a concentrated fire upon the possessors of the Churchyard. To this the latter replied with great spirit; and as the distance by which the hostile parties were separated was extremely limited, numbers fell in rapid succession on both sides. At length the French Supports having come up and joined in this contest, and one of the Columns having shownitself in rear of the Prussians; the latter were compelled to abandon the advantages they had acquired, and to withdraw altogether from the Village.
They were followed by some ofLobau's Cavalry; which, however, having fallen into the line of fire of the Prussian Battery, No. 2, was forced to retire.
The Prussian troops that had been driven out of Planchenoit immediately rallied and reformed. The 2nd Battalions of the 11th Regiment and 1st Pomeranian Landwehr now joined their respective 1st Battalions, which had previously acted in support of the attacking Columns, and advanced to a second assault, followed by the 15th Regiment.
Napoleon, perceiving the determination of the Prussian Commander to persevere in his attack upon Planchenoit, as also his dispositions for completely turning the French Right, ordered GeneralMorand, Colonel in Chief of theChasseurs à piedof the Old Guard, to march to the Village with a Battalion from each of the 2nd Regiments of Grenadiers andChasseurs. These Battalions reached the scene of action just as the Prussians had re-entered the Village; and taking the lead in the contest, succeeded in driving them out of the place, pursuing them as far as their main position on the opposite Heights. Here the French Skirmishers penetrated amongst the Prussian Batteries; but were overthrown and cut up by the 4th Squadron of the 2nd Silesian Hussars. The French Cavalry now showed a disposition to advance; and it was not long before a Regiment of Lancers, which took the lead, was attacked and defeated by the 8th Prussian Hussars. In following up the pursuit, however, after their charge, the Hussars were suddenly involved in the fire from a Battalion of French Infantry, and were forced to fall back. On the other hand, aRegiment of FrenchChasseurs à Chevalwas driven off in a similar manner by a Prussian Battalion.
By the advance of the Sixteenth and Fourteenth Brigades against Planchenoit, a vacant space had been created in the Prussian Line between those troops and the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Brigades, which still maintained their ground with great gallantry, in the open Field on the right. This vacant space was now covered by the main body of the Reserve Cavalry ofBülow's Corps, commanded by PrinceWilliamof Prussia; which by its perfect steadiness and good countenance, not only induced the Enemy to confine himself to the defensive, but advanced in support of the Prussian Infantry, even in the midst of the opposing musketry fire, and here occupied the place which, had the Line been complete, would have been held by Infantry. On this occasion, the loss of the Prussian Cavalry was considerable. The Brigadiers, Colonel CountSchwerin, and Lieutenant ColonelWatzdorf, were killed. The latter although previously wounded, would not quit the Field; and was soon afterwards struck by a shot which deprived the Prussian Army of a very distinguished Officer.
Napoleon, observing preparatory dispositions for a renewal of the attack on Planchenoit byBülow, who was only waiting for the co-operation and support ofPirch's Corps which was now rapidly approaching, deemed it advisable to send a further reinforcement to the troops in the Village. This consisted of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of theChasseursof the Guard, under GeneralPelet; to whom he represented the great importance of maintaining possession of Planchenoit. At the same time, Orders were sent to the 1st Battalion of the 1st Regiment of theChasseursof the Guard, which was with the Emperor's baggage at Caillou, to march to the Wood of Chantelet, for the purpose ofcovering the right of Planchenoit, and securing the Village from being turned.
The situation ofNapoleonhad become critical in the extreme. The Prussian attack seemed to be checked for the moment; and the occupation of Planchenoit in sufficient force held out the prospect of a protracted, if not a successful, struggle in that quarter, should the attack be renewed. Still it must have appeared sufficiently evident to the Emperor thatBlücherwas but awaiting either the arrival of an additional portion of his Army, or the favourable moment when he might combine his attack with a simultaneous one byWellington. Should the Prussian General succeed in defeating the troops comprising the French Righten potence,Napoleon's line of retreat by the Charleroi road would be completely intercepted, and his main Front Line being thus taken in Flank and Rear, would become an easy prey to the Anglo-Allied Army. He might yet attempt a skilful retreat upon Nivelles; but with an Army so exhausted by its repeated and ineffectual attacks uponWellington's unshaken Line, this would have been a hazardous operation.
It is, moreover, very questionable whether the idea of retreat ever entered into his views; for a retreat, after such sacrifices had been made, harassed and interrupted as it undoubtedly would be by the two hostile Armies which had succeeded in effecting a junction, must prove no less disastrous than a signal defeat, and equally involve the downfall of his military and political power. Hence his desperate resolve to peril the fate of his brave Army and of his resuscitated Empire upon another and a final struggle for victory overWellington; whose troops had, with such truly heroic courage and such inflexible endurance, successfully withstood the most furious attacks which he hadrepeatedly launched against them during the whole day. By a victory alone, no matter how dearly purchased, could he hope to keep alive the national enthusiasm which he had again awakened: but which would assuredly relapse into irrecoverable apathy, should theprestigeof returning glory be torn from the idol of the military portion of his subjects, and the Empire become again exposed to be overrun by those foreign legions that had once more taken up arms with a firm resolve finally to crush a power, the existence of which was incompatible with the security and independence of the States of Europe.
As the prospect of the consequences of failure thus flashed across his mind;Napoleon, like a desperate gambler, driven to his last stake, determined to risk his all upon another venture. The meditated blow was to be struck against his bold antagonist,Wellington; whose Line was to be attacked along its entire Front by a simultaneous effort, while its Right and Centre were to be forced at all hazards.
He immediately ordered General CountDruotto collect all his Battalions of the Guard that were still in reserve, in front of La Belle Alliance. These were accordingly moved forward from their position near the house ofDe Coster; and the two Battalions of the 1st Regiment of Grenadiers, which had previously been stationed on the Height in rear of La Belle Alliance, were now destined to form a Reserve to the attacking Columns.
D'ErlonandReillewere at the same time ordered to advance the whole of the remaining disposable force against the Enemy, with a view to second the main attack. The Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line, immediately in rear of La Haye Sainte, was not to be allowed a moment's respite from the attacks which continued to be made against it by the troops occupying, and debouching from, that Farm.These were also to carry the Centre by assault, as soon as the Guard should reach the Height.
Wellington, who seemed to have acquired a thorough insight into his opponent's designs, having satisfied himself that his position was destined shortly to be again assailed by a formidable force, became anxious for the arrival of the Prussian troops expected on his extreme Left. He desired his Aide de Camp, Lieutenant ColonelFremantle, to proceed immediately in that direction, to hasten the advance of any Corps he might fall in with, and to represent to its Commander that if he would supply him with the means of strengthening those points along his Line which had been so seriously weakened by repeated attacks, he entertained no doubt of not only maintaining his ground, but of also gaining the victory.
Although the Duke was fully aware thatBülow's Corps was in active operation against the extreme Right of the French Army, the ground upon which that operation was mainly carried on was too remote from his own immediate sphere of action to admit of his calculating upon support from it, beyond that of a diversion of the Enemy's forces; and it was only from the high ground on which the extreme Left of the Anglo-Allied Line rested, that a general view could be obtained of the Prussian movements. As regards, however, the Village of Planchenoit itself, the spire of the church was all that could be seen even from the point alluded to; so that it was scarcely possible to distinguish which was the successful party in that quarter.Napoleonmight (as he really did) present an efficient check to the Prussian attack, and at the same time retain sufficient force wherewith he might make another vigorous assault upon the Anglo-Allied Army.
When, therefore, the Duke beheld his Line so fearfullyreduced in numbers, which he had no means of replacing, and which the indomitable courage of his British and German troops alone had hitherto been able to supply, it is not surprising that he should have manifested some little impatience for the arrival of that portion of the Prussian forces which was to co-operate more immediately with his own Army. The latter, with the exception of the Dutch-Belgian troops, which still continued in reserve, for it was useless to place them where they would be exposed to the brunt of the battle shock, presented but a mere wreck of that proud array which it had displayed in the morning. But, if the vain confidence of strength had departed, the more noble pride of unflinching bravery still remained unshaken. Exposed, however, as they had been for so many hours to a tremendous cannonade, which only ceased at times but to give place to attacks of Cavalry and musketry; their exemplary passive forbearance seemed, in some instances, to be approaching its utmost limits. Frequent messages reached the Duke from Commanding Officers, soliciting reinforcements and support since their Corps were reduced to skeletons; but the only reply they received was, that no reinforcements could be granted, and that they must hold their ground to the last man. Occasionally too, as he rode along the Line, a murmur would reach his ear, indicative of impatience to be led against the Enemy. This would draw from him some encouraging appeal, such as "Wait a little longer, my lads; and your wishes shall be gratified."
In all three Arms of the Service the losses had been awfully severe. Battalions, dwindled to mere handfuls of men, were commanded by either Captains or Subalterns. A vast number of guns along the whole extent of the Line had been disabled. The British and German Cavalry Brigades, with the exception ofVivian's andVandeleur's on the Left,were reduced to less than the ordinary strength of Regiments—Somerset's andPonsonby's Brigades united did not comprise two Squadrons. Many, it is true, had quitted the ranks to assist the wounded, and to convey prisoners to the rear; but if amongst these were to be found the weak and faint hearted, the brave spirits that remained nobly represented the valour and devotion which, under the guidance of a master hand, were destined to be crowned with lasting triumph. Familiarised as the men had become with scenes, in rapid succession, of violent death under almost every variety of aspect, from the sudden gush of life to the slow and lingering anguish—from the calm and tranquil sleep "that knows no waking," to the ghastly writhings of convulsive death throes—the short and frequent command of "Close up!" as their comrades fell around them, was as mechanically obeyed as would have been any common parade order in a Barrack Square.
Such was the situation of the troops against whichNapoleonwas meditating an assault with all the force he could collect, in the hope—his last and only hope—of seeing his Eagles soaring in triumph over those Heights upon which the British Standard continued to wave in proud defiance.
The Battalions of the Imperial Guard which had been collected in front of La Belle Alliance, and which were to constitute the leading feature in the general attack upon the Anglo-Allied Line, consisted of nine Battalions, exclusive of the two Battalions of the 1st Regiment of Grenadiers, destined, as previously observed, to remain as a Reserve. These nine Battalions were formed into Two Columns of Attack. The First comprised four Battalions of the Middle Guard, namely, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 3rd Regiment of Grenadiers, and the 1st and 2nd Battalions ofthe 3rd Regiment ofChasseurs. It was formed in mass of Battalions, and destined to advance against the Centre of the Right Wing of the Anglo-Allied Army.
The Second Column of Attack consisted of the three remaining Battalions of the Middle Guard—namely, the 1st Battalion of the 4th Regiment of Grenadiers, and the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 4th Regiment ofChasseurs—and of two Battalions of the Old Guard, namely, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 1st Regiment ofChasseurs. These five Battalions were moved down into the hollow adjoining the south-eastern angle of the inclosures of Hougomont, and there formed into a Column in mass, which was to support the First Column, and to direct its advance somewhat more to the left.
In rear, and on the right and left, of these Columns, stood the remains of that splendid Cavalry, with whichWellington's Line had been so furiously and so perseveringly assailed, occupying the interval that had been continually augmenting betweend'Erlon's andReille's Corps. They formed the last and only Cavalry Reserve remaining atNapoleon's disposal, for following up the attack by the Guard, should the latter prove successful; or for covering its retreat, in the event of failure.
It was shortly before the Columns of Attack were put in motion thatVivian, whose Hussar Brigade it will be recollected, was posted upon the extreme Left of the Anglo-Allied Line, was informed by Patrols which he had detached to look out to his left for the expected arrival of the Prussians, that the latter were advancing in force along the road from Ohain. Having satisfied himself as to the fact, and perceiving their Advanced Cavalry coming on,Vivianfelt that there could be no longer any apprehension of theLeft of the Army being turned: and having previously understood from SirWilliam Delanceyand other Staff Officers, that fresh Cavalry was much wanted in the Centre; he proposed toVandeleur, who was on his right, and who was his senior Officer, that the two Brigades should move towards the Centre, where they might be of service.Vandeleurdeclined to act without Orders: whereuponVivianput his own Brigade in motion, passing along the rear ofVandeleur's, and soon after having commenced his march he met LordUxbridge; who was much pleased to find that the Duke's wishes had thus been anticipated, and sent Orders toVandeleurto follow, accompanying the former Brigade himself towards the Centre, passing along the foot of the slope in rear of the position of the Left Wing of the Anglo-Allied Line.