The Sun. — London, England, 1815-06-22 00:00:00

LONDON' . GA2El"irt EXTRAORDINARY, TaUkStlAlt. JUgE 22 ; 1813. nou;ning-Strut, J-ne. 5 2, 1815. Major the rionom-abit IL. Percy arrived late east night with a Dispatch from Field-Marshal the bake of Wellington, h. G. to Earl Battutrst, his 'Majesty's Principal Secretary af State for the War Department, of which the following is a copy Waterlow, June 19, 181 5. of tonn,--Buonaparte having collected the Ist, `2d, 3d, 4th, and 6th corps of the - French army and the Imperial Guards, and nearly all the icavalry on the Sambre, and between that river and the Meuse, between the 10th and 14th of the Month, advanced on the ltith and attacked the Prussian posts at Thuin and Lobez, on the Sambre, at daylight in the morning. I did not hear of these events till the evening of the 150, and I immediately ordered the troops to prepare to mare"); and afterwards to march to their left, as soon as I had intelligence from other quarters to prove that the enemy's movement upon Charleroy was the real attack. The enemy drove the• Prussian posts from the Sambre qn that day; and General Zieten, who commanded the corps which had been at Charle roy, retired upon pleuras ; and Marshal Prince Blucher concentrated the Prussian army upon Sombref, holding the villages in front of his posh tion of St. Amand and Ligny. The enemy continued his march along the road from Charleroy towards Bruxelles, and on, the same evening, the 15th, attacked a brigade of the army of the Netherlands, under the Prince de Weimar, posted at 'rasne, and forced it back to the farm-house on the same road, called Les Quatre Bras. The Prince of Orange immediately reinforced this brigade with another of the same division, under General PerpOncher, and in the morning early regained part of the ground which had been lost, so as to have the command of the communi cation leading from Nivelles and Bruxelles, with Marshal Blucher's position. In the mean time I had directed the whole army to march upon Les Quatre Bras, and the sth divi- Sion under Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Victor), arrived at about half past two in the day, foilowtd by the corps of troops under the Duke of Bruns wick, and afterwards by the contingent of Nassau. At this time the enemy commenced an attack upon Prince Ilittelier with his whole force, ex cepting the Ist and 2d corps ; and a corps of ca valry tinder General Icellerman, with which he attacked our post at Les Quatre Bras. The Prussian army maintained their position with their usual gallantry and perseverance, against a great disparity of numbers,' as the 4th corps of their army, under General Billow, bad not joined, anti I was not able to asist them as I wished, as 1 was attacked myself, and the troops, the cavalry in particular, I's•hich had a long distance to march, had not arrived. We maintained our position also, and com pletely defeated and repulsed all the enemy's at tempts to get possession of it. The enemy re peatedly attacked us with a large body of infan try and cavalry, supported by a numerous and powerful artillery he made several charges with the cavalry upon our infantry, but all were repulsed in the steadiest manner. In this af fair his Royal Highness the Prince of Orange, Cle Duke of Brunswick, and Lieutenant Ge neral Sir Thomas Pieta!), and Major-Gene ral Sir James Kempt, and.. Sir Denis Pack, who were engaged from the commencement of the eaemy's attack, highly distinguished themselves, as well as Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Baron Alten, Major-General Sir C. Flalket, Lieutenant- General Cooke, and Major-Generals Maitland and Byng, as they successively arrived. The troops of the sth Division, and those of the Bruns wick corps were long and severely engaged, and conducted themselves with the utmost gallantry. I must particularly mention the 28th, 42d, 79th, and 92d regiments, and the battalion of Hano. verians. Our loss was great, as your Lordship will per ceive by the inclosed return, and I hale nartien !Aviv to regret his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick, who fell, - figliaing gallantly at the heat! of Lis troops. Although Marshal Mueller had maintained his p o itinn at Sambret, he stilt found himself much Weakuned by the severity of the contest in which h e had been engaged, and as the fourth corps had riot arrived; be determined to fail back, and con eentrate his army upon Wavre ; and he marched in the night after the action , vas over, movement of the Marshal's rendered nc- cesary a correspondiog one ou my part; and 1 tctired from the farm of Quatrc Bras upon Cie— mul thence upon Waterloo the next worn in;;, the 17th, at ten o'clock. The enemy made do effort to pnr§ueLrAiial illucher. On the contrary, a patt•ole *lnch I Qll t to Sambref hr the morning, found all (Inlet, and the 'enemy's videttes Nll back as the pat role vanced. Neither did he atteMpt to molest our march to the rear, although made in the middle of the day, excepting by followi►ig, with a large body of cavalry, brought from his right, the ca valry under the Earl of Uxbridge. This gave Lord Uxbridge an opportunity of charging them with the Ist Life Guards, upon their debouche from the village of Geeappe, upon which occasion his Lordship has declared himself to be well satisfied with that regiment. The position which I took up in front of Wa terloo, crossed the high roads from Charleroy and Nivelle, and had its right thrown back to a ravine near Mcrke Maine, which was occupied ; Ond its left extended to a height above the ham let Ter la Haye, which was likewise occupied. In front of the right centre and near the Nivelle road, we occupied the house and garden of Hou gonmont, which covered the return of that flank 3 and in front of the left centre, we occupied the farm of La Haye Sainte. By our left we com municated with Marshal Prince Blucher, at Wavre through Ohaim ; and the Marshal had promised me that in case we should be attacked he would support me with one or more corps, a 3 might be necessary. The enemy collected his army, with the excep tion of the third corps, which had been sent to observe Marshal Blucher; on a range of heights in oar front, in the course of the night of the 17th and yesterday morning ; and at about ten o'clock he commenced a furious attack upon our post at Ilougottmont.- I had occupied that pOst with a detachment from General Byng's Brigade lit Guards, which was in position in its rear ;. and it was for some time under the command Of Lieu tenant-Col. Macdonel, and afterwards of Colonel Home ; and I am happy to add, that it was main tained throughout the (lay with the utmost 'gal lantry by these brave troops, notwithstanding the . repeated efforts of large bodies of the enemy to obtain possession of it. TLis attack upon.the right of our centre was . ac, eompanied by a very heavy cannonade upon our whole line, which was destined to support the re peated attacks of cavalry and infantry occasionally mi xe d, but sometimes separate, which were made upon it. In one of these the enemy carried the farm-house of La llaye Sainte, as the detachment of the light battalion of the legion which occu pied it had expended all its ammunition, and the enemy occupied the only communication there was with them. The enemy repeatedly charged our infantry with his cavalry, but these attacks were uni formly unsuccessful, and they afforded opportu nities to our cavalry to charge, in one of which Lord E. Somerset's brigade consisting of the Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, and Ist Dragoon Guards, highly distinguished themselves, as did that of Major-General Sir W. Ponsouby, having taken many prisoners and an eagle. These attacks were repeated till about seven in the evening, when the enemy made a desperate effort with the cavalry and, infantry, supported by the fire of artillery, to force our left centre near the farm of La Ilaye Sainte, which after a severe contest was defeated; and having observed that the troops retired from this attack in great confusion, and that the march of General Bu low's corps by .Enschermont..upon Planchendre and La Belle Alliance, had begun to take effect, and as I could perceive the fire of. his cannon, and as Marshal Prince Blucher had joined in. person with a corps of his army to the left of our line by (Maim, I determined to attack the enemy, and immediately advanced the whole line of infantry, supported by the cavalry and artil tery.---The attack succeeded in every point ; the enemy was forced from his position on the heights and fled in the utmost confusion, leaving behind him, as far as I could judge, one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon, with their ammunition, which fell into our hands, I. continued the pursuit till long after dark, and then discontinued it'only an account of the fatigue of our troops, who had been-engaged during twelve hours, and because I found myself on the same road with Marshal Blucher, who assured me of his intention to fol low the enemy throughout the night ; he has sent me word this morning that he had taken sixty. pieces of cannon belonging to the Imperial guard, and several carriages, bag-gage, &c. belonging to Buonaparte, in Genappe. I propose to move, this morning, upon Nivel- Ics, and not to discontinue my operations. Your Lordship twill observe, that such a des perate action could. not be fought, awl such ad- vantages could pot be gained, without. great loss ; and I am sorry to add, that ours has been lin tuenn, Tu Lieutcniat-Gencral Thomas Vic-, ton, his N'tajesty hes - sustained the loss of an Of ficer WII`O his fretitletttly distinguished himself in - ervice; mill i.e lull, glorithisly ling his di visiim to a charge With Bayonets, by which one of the most setiout atiacit - $ Made by the enemy on our position, was defeate.l. • The Earl of Ux bridge, after having successfully got through this arduous day, received a wound by aluinit the last shot fired, which will, I am afraid, deprive his Majesty for some time of his services. His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange dit tinguished hiniself by his gallantry and conduct till he received a wound from a musket bail through the shoulder, which obliged him to quit the field. It gives ine the greatest Satisfaction to assure your Lordship, that the army never, upon any occasion, conducted itself better. The division of Guards, under Lieutenant-General Cooke, who is severely wounded ; Major-General Maitland and Major-General Ityng, set an example which was followed by all ; and there is no Officer, nor description of troops, that did not behave well. I must, however, particularly mention, for his Royal Highness's approbation, Lieut.-General Sir. H. Clinton, Major-General Adam, Lientc nant.-General Charles Baron Alten, severely wounded ; Major-General Sir Colin Halliet, se verely wounded; Col. Ompteda, Col. Mitcbcll, commanding a brigade of the 4th division ; -Ma jor-Generals Sir James Tempt and Sir Denis Pack, Major-General Lambert, Major-Oeneral Lord E. Somerset, Major-General Sir W. Pon sonby, Major-General Sir C. Grant, and Major- General Sir H. Vivian ; Major-General Sir 0. Vandeleur ; Major-General Count Dornberg. I am also particularly indebted to general Lord Hill for his assistance and conduct upon this as upon all former occasions. The Artillery and Engineer Departments were conducted much to my satisfaction by Col•Dncl Sir G. Wood and Colonel Smyth ; and I had every reason to he satisfied With the conduct of the Adjntant-General, - Major-General .I;arnes, who was wounded, ~, m 1 of the Quarter-Master-Gene ral, Colonel Delaney, who was killed by a can non-shot in the middle of the action. This Offi cer is a serious loss to his Majesty's service and to me at . tins moment. I was t likewise much in debted to the assistance of Lieut.-Colonel Lord Fitzroy Somerset, who Vas severely wounded, arid of the Officers composing my personal Staff, who have-suffered severely in this action. Lieut.- Colonel the Hon. Sir Alexander Gordon, who has died of his wounds, was a most promising Officer, and is a serious loss to his Majesty's ser: vice. General Kruse, of the Nassau service, likewise conducted himself much to my satisfaction,. as did General Trip, coromanding the heavy brigade' of cavalry, and General Vanhope, commanding a brigade of infantry of the King of the Nether lands. General Pozzo di I3orgo, General Baron Vin cent, General Muffling, and General Alvoa, were in the field during the action, and rendered inc every assistance in their power. Baron Vincent is wounded, but I hope not severely ; and Gene ral Pozzo di Borgo received a contusion. I should not do justice to my feelings or to Marshal Blucher and the Prussian army, if I dio not attribute the successful result of this arduous day, to the cordial and timely assistance I receiv ed from them. The operation of General Bulow, upon the ene my's flank, was, a most decisive one 5 and even if 1 had not found myself in a situation to make the attack, which produced the final result, it would h a ve forced the enemy to retire, if his attacks should have failed, and would have prevented him from taking advantage of them, if they should un fortunately have succeeded. I sent!, with this dispatch, two eagles., taken by the troops ih this action, which Major Percy will have the honour of laying, at the feet of his Royal Highness-. I beg leave to recommend bim to your Lord• s hip's protection. I hive the honour, 4c. (Signed) WELLINGTON. P. S. Since writing the above, I have received a report, that Majur-General Sir William Pon sonby is killet4 and, in announcing this intelli gence IL • to your Lordship, I have to add the ex pression of .my.griet for the fate of an Officer, who bad. adready rendered very brilliant ti,r) d portant services, and was an ornameut•to his pro fession. • 2d P. S. 1 have not yet got the yeturns of 'riffled awl woundvd, but 1 inclose a list of Officers killed and wounded on - the two days, as far as the same can be grade out without the returns ; and I am very happy to add, that Colonel De Lancey is not dead, and that stroag hopes of his recovery are entertained. 11511.. °I'FI.C.ZRS KII,T;;;13 ANT) ‘:4.451-:"'1.411. r t.t Ilis Sereneth".." foist of 13ri;nctvc• Ckls. C.B. Lientenant-G'eneral Sir Thranis Piston , G. 1iA,1 , 3r-0 - en'eral Sir 'kV': Nnsoribk, K. C. B. Colonel du Plat, Kit4Cs German Colonel brutedit, Cerniau Legi o a l . Colonel Morrin, tDth Foot: Colonel Sii• W. Ellis, 23d Foot. • Lieutenant-Colonel NlaiarN, 42.1 root. Lieutenant-Cdlorlel CameiCti, .91d " t ' Lieutenant -Colonel Sir ,4.lelsander qqx.d°' Lieutenant-ColOr:el Canning. Lieutenant:Colonel Currie, of ',nil) Hill's Sta' , MajOr the Honourable P. howard, .10 0 . 1-l A tif! Major G. Bain, Royal Artillety. Major Norman Itainsay, Royal Artillarr:, Major Cairpcs, Royal Artillery. Major Chambers, 50th Foot. Brevet Major Crefton; sth pivisiqd: Brevet Major RoseWiel, 2d Light Regig i°4 ` Captain Bolton, Royal Artillery. tee° Captain Crawford, Guards. z e -Cag Captain the Honourable - Curzon, AIY I Itoyal Highness the Prince cif Orange. n. Captain Chambers, Aide-de -Camp to Oeueralri.ctop. Captain Charles Mel', 95:1, Foot. , Captain Robertson, 73d Foot. Captain Kennedy, 73d Foot. oteilla n 1#11i8 ; 12 ; Captain Schatunan, 2d Light Batt. liing's - f i eg•° - Captain Holycowan, ist Light Batt. toing . ' G.e r r ol ' an Lee * Captain Marshal, Ist Light Batt. Kiog . s o g iolk Captain Goeben, tst Light Batt. Kings Gerd.' Captain G Ca p Grove, Ist Ist l ( o ; t n l a i r H as u . ; ssars Lieutenant C. Manners, Ilttral rtillqq• At Lieuteuant Liste 95th Foot. 1 ga ll Ensign Lord Hay, r, Aide-de-Carar toM a j °"ener4 Eusign,Brown„ Ist GUards. ;...~ 2 ~;ti~; -~ o General his izoya/ Highness tbg princeof °1.5116-' L L i i e as: Ci l: t tv.Pe e Lnr n 'e a t:an n ytt t :e l d l e a n : r r : 1 1 Sir °l e • Clra ar r i :: Uabr,dge' G• C:::::111: Aar 04 Major-General Cork, right arm amputated'. „ri 1141 Major-General Sir E. Barnes, K. Cl 3. 1t severely,. Major-General Sir James em pt, •g• C. l4 ' ' ll3ll. tempt, Major - General Sir Colin Halket, R. C• B. so4— „tif 1" , .. i :Major-General Attains, severely. IP Al:dor-General Sit Wm. Drank/erg, K•• C. '.' S°III Colonel Sir John Eller, K. C. B. slightly. Colonel Harris, 73d Foot. Colonel Quintin, 10th Hussars, sliglOY* eIV Colonel Honourable Frederick Ponsoubl, geyeroo, Colonel Sir William Delaney, severely. „, l'''' ftrg r ight T'''' - .11; .,if. Lient.-Colonel Lord Fitzroy Somerset, I L .iemeuant-Colonel Hay, -Kith Light Drar, o 9' ; '' se ieutenant,Colonel Vigoureau, 30th Font- .1 ,4,0 P ' Lietttrant-Colonel Abercromby , A. (4. 31' 6 ' -1 / 4 ' • • Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton, :30th Foot. Lieuterntut-Colonel Cameron, 95th Foot, sect!'rell.e.terelf' Lieut•eriant- , Colotiel 11'Vndhain, ist. Foot 61.'"111,17.,:httY• ~,,, Lientenaitt-Colonel Bowater, 3d Foot 60i1 145 ' '''''' ' 4 . 1i , Y 1 7 Gua r ' Lieutenant -Colonel Mac Don ell, Coldstrcaol eveirl y, ' di , Lieutenant: Colonel Dasttivood, 3dGliards, i i oo o (P'? Lieutenanf-tolonel Sit R o hcrt Hill , 14111 (Blue); severely. • .,..,` Lizutenant-Colonel -Morcott, 95th, 14ve r ' efi - Lieutenant-Colonel Hili,, severely. .1. 0.35;0' . • Lieutenant-Colonel Sette-I;er, Bth Line $3 et IP Lieutenant-Colonel Adair, I st Griards, V c- ' c c r ill'! Lieutenant -Colonel Miller, Ist Guards, daqe 11" op Lieutenant-Colonel Sir G. H. Berlielelt I)'' Major Maclean, 73el Foot. Major Beckwith, 95th Foot , s everely. , r oOlt Major »,ssop, A. Q. M. G. • 5 , cor.' lll h M 4 joi.• Busch, let Light Battalion, l'u•ii° right arts amputated. Major Parkinson, 73d Foot Foot, severCiPranitate4* Major Parker Royal Horse Artillery, leg as- ' ~:, /go Major Robert Ball, Royal Artilleryto, ser N'ti9l.- 4'verelP „vi o l '''' Major Hamilton, Aide -de-Gang; Barnes. iltlajor•Lindsay, 69th Foot , dangeroWli* Major Watson, 6th Foot, s everely. B - et Major Ei n d. .... u.:l Major w., . em' "boo -1. 1."1"4, 95th Foot, severely. Major Miller, 95th Foot, se verelY* ,lid t lf. c. P Captain Smith, 95th Foot , severelY• ThoniaS '"C • 00 Captain Tyler, Aide-de - Camp to Sir Captain Dance, 9.3 d Light Dragq9ns. Captain Johnston, 95th Foot. •• Ca, A l t , i '.• C IA er;l:eperrsq,,nß9a; Foo t . . .. p 1 v Captain(; a kJ t t Darney, Royal Artillery, qeC e4 . — ' . .. aptain NaNapier, Roca' Artillery, severelf* , Capapmitcaptiotnlntatsuctlim.tarTt.eisyq.ue, Aide- cle-0 01 . 1/ :l e . : 51r al Ca- • Captain :ay severely.pi? , 7 t:ii in u l ut 'S a, h er y n n t ie n s o, a [in t e or s uc , rvaße'abtioliily°la‘,,,... _Artillery'.....i:):', Artilleryilt ilerist' : r es ; :le3 : l ; . : ri r r :El e . o r e , . 1 1 1 ; $ 1 : af d •,, 1 ietACllPtt' ' Captain :.1. Dangton, Aiderde,C3l4 '. . Lieutenant 1;o‘ ter; Royal Artillery, -- 141 ? ‘ Lienten4nt Crowe, Royal Artillery, see A Lieutenant _Rohe, }loyal Artillery, severe?". Lieutenant Staith, Royal ArtillerY, s''" ° . I ; er ejy. Lieutenant Stranrway, Royal Artillery, " to Lieutenant Hormel, Royal Artillery, ar il ' a . °3 , Lieutenant Bloomfield, Royal Artillery, ilia. Lieutenant BriertOn, Royal Artillery, e ce " Y. Lieutenant Forbes, Roval ArtillearY, seVerell.. pr 1 0.0 t Lieutenant D. Crawford, slightly.. to Lie tztell- Litutenant Haveriocl4 •Aide-dedatop Sir Charles Alt'en. Lieutenant Pringle , Ro y al Engineerg, 91 0 1°1. •Licutenant Hamilton, 46th Foot, slightly Lieutenant Heise, Ist Light Battalion. Lieutenant Gardiner, 95t1NseverelY, Lieutenant Johnstone, 95th, severflY• Lieutenant Moltry, 95th, severell. Lieutenant Simmons, 95th severely. Lieutenant J. Gardiner, 95t1, severely. Lieutenant Fitzmaurice, 95th severely. Lieutenant Shenly, 956, severely. Lieutenant Wright, 95th so-out/. ". -•. /1 7 . 7 ) cril l ; ,:; f I 0 f I