vourable, Napoleon advanced towards the farm of Rossomme, and placed himself near it, on a hillock at the edge of the main road, leading from Charleroi to Brussels (N 1), remarkable for its position and commanding view (10). It was from that height he continued to direct the different movements of his army, until three o'clock in the afternoon, having always four squadrons of his guard near him.

At half past eleven o'clock in the morning, the tirailleurs of the first French division (O), under the command of Jerome Napoleon (11), commenced the attack on the wood of Gomont, at the same time that the advanced posts became engaged in front of Papelotte. The first gun was fired from the plateau of Mont St. Jean by the brigade under Captain Cleeve, of the King's German artillery, between the left of the division of the guards, and the right of Count Alten's division, when the cannonade became general. At mid-day the roar of the guns was tremendous! Whilst on both sides two hundred mouths of fire vomited destruction into the firm and undaunted columns, the division of Jerome Napoleon advanced on Gomont. The intrepid voltigeurs quickly passed the ravine, and entered the wood; but the defence was as obstinate as the attack was vigorous. Notwithstanding, the enemy gained ground. After a sanguinary contest of two hours, the advanced posts in the wood and adjoining field were obliged, by the impetuosity and superior number of the assailants, gradually to fall back, a part on the chateau, the remainder behind the hedge of the

orchard, and, ultimately, by the hollow road which runs along it. As every inch of ground was bravely disputed, the French perceived, when too late, that a well directed fire through the loop-holes of the garden wall, masked by a hedge, had greatly increased their loss; still they returned to the attack with redoubled fury, with the hope of carrying the chateau of Gomont- but in vain!

Although they succeeded in forcing the gate of the farm yard, they were instantly repulsed by the bayonet; and this important point, defended with heroic bravery, was held during the day, notwithstanding the chateau was in flames, and nearly surrounded by the enemy (12). A part of the divisions of General Bachelu and Foy, in supporting the right of the division of Jerome Napoleon, upon the plain, suffered considerably by the continual discharges of grape shot from the advanced batteries of the centre, which repeatedly dispersed them. During this period, the second brigade (F) of the second division of the kingdom of the Netherlands, was vigorously and repeatedly attacked by the fourth division under Lieutenant-General Durutte, and bravely maintained the point of junction by Frichermont and Smohain.

Napoleon seeing that all efforts were ineffectual to carry the chateau of Gomont, at the same time that his right wing was exposed to a most destructive fire from the opposite batteries, ordered a formidable attack against the left wing of the Allied Army, no doubt with the double intention of forcing back the left on the centre, and of preventing all communication with the Prussians.

General Count d'Erlon, having formed a strong column (T) of a part of the second and third divisions of the first corps, led it on in person, under cover of eighty pieces of cannon: favoured by a deep ravine, he approached rapidly at the head of this column (m), and crowned the heights.

Although exposed to a galling fire, the enemy charged, without hesitation, the first brigade of the second division of the kingdom of the Netherlands, which, having deployed into line, in order to occupy more ground, could not resist this formidable mass, and fell back with considerable loss. It immediately rallied on the fifth battalion of militia, in reserve, and advanced.

In the mean time, whilst the eighth British brigade (aa), commanded by Major-General Sir James Kempt, vigorously resisted this attack, the ninth British brigade (z), under the command of Major-General Sir Dennis Pack, charged the right flank of the column with the bayonet. This gallant charge of the Scotch, defeated the enemy, who had already pierced the line. The brave and ever to be lamented Sir Thomas Picton, so beloved, so venerated by the British Army, fell in the meridian of his glory in this sanguinary conflict-thus terminating a life eminently distinguished, and long devoted to the service of his country.

The brigade of heavy cavalry (cc), consisting of the royal dragoons, Scotch greys, and Inniskilling's, commanded by Major-General Sir William Ponsonby, rushed upon these regiments, which had so daringly advanced, and put a considerable number