this moment opened against the British lines, the fire from which was incessant and terrible. "It, unfortunately," said General Alava," made horrible ravages in our line, and killed and wounded officers, artillerists, and horses, in the weakest part of the position." . In order to give the reader a better idea how this dreadful conflict was carried on, it may be proper to explain at one view, how these attacks were made. In general, the whole French artillery first advanced in front, towards the British lines, pouring a most destructive fire of grape shot and shells into them. Its approach was close indeed. This "artillery,” said General Alten, "played upon our squares, at the distance of 150 paces,"* (375 feet.) Next succeeded the tremendous charges of cavalry and cuirassiers; and, lastly, the bold and determined attacks of the close columns of infantry. These repelled, the enemy retired behind their guns, which again advanced, while the cavalry and infantry re-formed, and prepared to renew the onset in the same order. To separate the British army-to break through the line at this point, and to crush their firm battalions, the enemy made the most astonishing and reiterated efforts. Six times, from two o'clock to seven, said the Austrian official report, did Bonaparte make the attempt with equal courage, and as often was he driven back; no troops but the English, said the same important document, could have resisted such attacks. As the wave impels the wave, so column propelling column advanced to the attack, while the artillery and the mortars scattered destruction along the British line. The French cavalry repeatedly attacked, échelon of squares after échelon, and were repulsed ten or eleven times with immense loss. One mass was no sooner repulsed and broken, than another took up its place. Another and another still succeeds, while those scattered, retired, reformed, and renewed the attack. Terrible chasms laid open their ranks, and let in the light to their deepest recesses. often were these inmediately filled up, and again swept away by the fire of the British artillery, and squares of infantry. The cavalry of the allies met with firmness the repeated attacks of the enemy, while the infantry remained immoveable. • Hanoverian official account, transmitted by General Alten, June 20th. The word literally signifies, "the steps of a ladder." As said General Alten. Nothing could shake them. "Not one of them gave way," "The dead were pushed aside, and the ranks filled up again." They stood like the rocks which form the bulwarks of their native land; and which, for ages, have defied the fury of the Atlantic billows, when roused by the Western tempest, these assail their deep foundations and their lofty summits. When from Columbia's shore the surge is hurl'd Shakes the foundations of the Eastern world. All the troops at this moment were equally firm as the British. Hanoverian, Dutch, Brunswick, &c. all stood rooted like rocks of granite. Not one square, though several of them were very small, ever wavered. The sight, said an eye witness, who was with the artillery, and in front, was truly grand. The blaze of the cannon, the charge of the cuirassiers, the little squares opening, and the utter contempt of danger which marked the countenances of the opposing hosts, formed a prospect truly magnificent. Aware, however, of the destruction which his artillery and his incessant attacks had made in the weakest part of the allied line, the enemy, about six in the evening, made a furious charge with the whole cavalry of his guard. These, for a moment, gained the eminence. "He reached the eminence," said General de Borgo. They took some cannon which could not be withdrawn. The Duke, who was at this point, immediately charged them "with three battalions of British (the 42d and 95th regiments it is said) and three battalions of Brunswickers, and compelled them in a moment to abandon the artillery; though we," said General Alava, "were unable to withdraw them for the want of horses; nor did they dare to advance to recover them."+ The British cavalry at this period made several destructive charges. "The Earl of Uxbridge," said the Austrian official report, "with the English cavalry of the King's household troops, about six o'clock made some very brilliant attacks, and cut to pieces two battalions of the old guard, into whose masses they penetrated." The fire of the artillery at this moment-the fire of every description, was tremendous. Some few guns that had been abandoned were sent to the rear. Many in the British lines despaired of victory, ↑ Alava's do. Hanoverian official account. but no one ever thought of yielding-they were resolved to perish at their post. The Duke at this moment ordered the infantry to drive the French down the hill. His orders were instantly and faithfully obeyed. The noble fellows rushed forward; two minutes brought them to the top of the ridge, and there the scene was horrible. One moment shouts-the next screams of despair, and running to the rear holding their bleeding wounds. The enemy, however, were driven back, and, for the first time, retrograded in disorder. Immense columns of the guard, however, stood ready to move forward. There seemed no end to their numbers-the allied troops saw no end to the combat. "Dangers on dangers still around" them “grow, In this manner the combat continued for several hours, hand to hand-sword to sword-bayonet to bayonet, and man to man. The French troops fought not only with bravery, but with ferocity-not only with resolution, but with fury. The combat on both sides was maintained with inconceivable violence. "It is impossible," said the Prince of Orange, "to depict to your Majesty the fury with which they fought for the last six hours."† The fire of the artillery and the attacks of the cavalry were so terrible, and so severe, that the allied troops absolutely looked upon the fiercest attacks of the infantry as a breathing time from their unparalleled toils. The anxiety of their illustrious chief, for the sufferings of his faithful followers, became great. "I saw him,” said an eye witness, "pull out his watch several times with much anxiety, calculating, no doubt, when the Prussians would arrive." Would to God, it is said, he was heard to exclaim, "would to God that night or Blucher would come." Blucher did come. And, here, leaving them for a moment contending as eagerly as ever, let us turn to the interesting movements of that gallant veteran. Weary and unwell from the effects of the dreadful crush which he had received on the 16th, he was in bed when he received the intelligence that the Duke was attacked. He instantly arose, followed his army, * Pope's Homer. Iliad, Book xvi. line 138. + Prince of Orange's official dispatch, June 228. Most of the particulars in this page I had from an officer who was on the spot. already on the advance; and, putting himself at the head of the 1st corps, he hastened to the field of battle. The cross roads in that part of the country through which they had to pass, were, from the late incessant rains, almost impassable. It was half past eleven o'clock before the 4th corps arrived at St. Lambert, whither it was immediately followed by the 2d corps. It was half past four o'clock when the advanced divisions of the Prussian army recruited in numbers, and unbroken in spirit, began to appear, "spreading" themselves upon all the right flank of the French army, and theatening the rear. The enemy, from this moment, had no alternative. Victory alone could preserve his fame-perhaps save the remainder of his army. That too must be achieved in a manner that would separate the armies of Wellington and Blucher. He continued his exertions. He redoubled his efforts, but without effect. He now perceived that he had fruitlessly lost five hours, "and that in the critical situation in which he was placed, there remained no other resource but that of desperately attacking the weak part of the British position, and thus, if possible, beating the Duke before his right was turned and attacked by the Prussians." This he attempted, but failed. Yet, even in this situation, it is plain that he still had the strongest hopes of completely succeeding in his daring design. "These English," said he," are devils: yet, though they fight bravely, they must give way soon." Soult, however, who had some cause to know these devils better, told him that such an event as their giving way was not probable. "And why not?" said Napoleon, peevishly. "Because," said Soult, "they will rather be cut to pieces." His master continued, however, to think otherwise. As late as six o'clock in the afternoon, he was still confident of a complete and a decisive victory. Notwithstanding the delay which he had already experienced, he observed, jesting, that "he should yet be in Brussels time enough for supper." In vain he was told that the troops had all been engaged, and were becoming dispirited and exhausted. Forward! forward! was all the answer could be obtained-Attack and cut to pieces the English, at the point of the bayonet, was his constant command. He relied much upon the diversion which he suppos† Alava's dispatch. Earl Bathurst, House of Lords, June 22d, ed Grouchy and Vandamme were making in the Prussian reap, He clung cagerly to this dangerous expectation. In the meantime, the Prussian army began to arrive in the position allotted to it on the enemy's right. The badness of the roads, but particularly the difficulties experienced in passing the defile of St. Lambert, had retarded its march some hours. When near five o'clock, only two brigades of the 4th corps had arrived at the covered position which was assigned to them. "But the decisive moment," said Blucher, "was come; not a moment was to be lost." The Generals were determined not to let it escape, and resolved to commence the attack with what forces were come up. Bulow, accordingly, advanced rapidly with this force upon the enemy's right wing. About five o'clock, said the Austrian official report, the first cannon shot was fired from the heights of Aguiers, from whence the Prussians advanced towards Planchenoit, against the extreme right of the French reserve, or 6th corps. "The enemy," said Blucher, "did not lose his presence of mind."+ He had been aware of a move ment of this description by part of the Prussian army, and had endeavoured to guard against it. From a letter intercepted on the preceding evening, the enemy had learned, that 15,000 Prussians, as he states, were to arrive on his right. This, from the number, seems to have been the remainder of the 1st corps, commanded by Blucher in person. The rest of the force he seems not to have thought of; and, no doubt, considered that Bulow and the remainder would be fully occupied with Grouchy. "This movement was foreseen," said Bonaparte," and Count Lobau, with the reserves, was ordered to meet it." A sanguinary contest immediately commenced at this place. "He instantly turned his reserve against us," said Blucher," and a mur derous conflict began at this point." Severe and murderous it certainly was; and, considering the length of time from its commencement to its close, it was equally sanguinary as any on that bloody field. The loss of Bulow's corps, consisting of upwards of 6000 men, sufficiently indicates the extent of the slaughter. The Prussians fought with uncommon courage, and the most dreadful animosity. The conduct of the French Blucher's official dispatch of the battle of the 18th. + Do. da. § Prussian do. do. |