Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-08-30

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give assistance to field marshal Butcher, in case
battle had been given on the 18th.
Battle Of Ligmy-Jrme 16
The Prussian army was posted on the heights
OF Brie and Sambreff, and in front of the latter
place, and occupied with imposing forces the
villages of Ligny and ST. Armand situated upon
It's front In the mean time the Sd corps only
effected its Junction. The 4th, which had been
stationed between Liege and Hannuye had been
retarded in its march by many circumstances,
had not yet arrived. Nevertheless, the field mar
shal Blucher resolved on giving battle, believing
| that lord Wellington had already put in motion
to support him strong division of his army, as
Wen as all his reserve, stationed in the vicinity of
Brussels, and that the 4th corps of the Prussian
| army was on the point of arriving
The battle began at O'clock in the afternoon
The enemy deployed above 100 men. The Prtis-
sian army was $4,000. The village St Armand
Was the first point attacked by the enemy, who
alter gai iing Possession oft, he then turned his
efforts upon Ligny 1t is large village, strongly
built, situated along the stream of that name
mere commenced conflict which ought to be
placed in the number of the most obstinate men.
toned in history. Villages have often been seen
taken & retaken; but here the combat Continued
FOR fve hours IN the village itself, and the move
ments forward and backward were made with the
greatest rapidity. On each side new troops
hind that part ofthe village which it occ,pied.
great masses OF infantry which kept up the con.
met, and constantly Strengthening themselves
oy reinforcements from the rear and from the
heights upon the right and the left About
two hundred pieces of cannon, from the two
SIDES, were pointed at the village, which was on
.ire III many places at once. From time to time
ens oaeue extended along the whole line, the en-
envy having likewise brought up a great force n.
Salnst the Sd corps. The height of the action
was the whole time near Lipny
AuarS appeared TO takea favourable turn for
the RUSSIAN troops, a part of the village of St
armand having been re-taken from the French Inv,
battalion Which the field marshal Blucher COM
i1A'ueo hlPerson, IN consequence of Which adj
'1h'sSe we reSained height abandoned aft er
the fail OF st. Armand. Yet at Iipnv the b,ttla
continued with the same fury. II anneare6 tbat
the issue OF the conflict must depend upon The
arrival on the English troops or at least Of the al,
! corps OF the RUSSIAN army In fact the orr;
| val OF this last corps would have furnished The
neid marshal with the means of making an inn
neGlate attack with the right wing, from which
i.i5 I ~ DC expected great success. But ntelli-
Sehce was received that the English division dee-
tined to support US was vigorously att.cl- al h.,
the corps of the French army, and that Il w.s
with diilculty that it maintained it's nost;on ~
Quatre Bras The 4th corps did not make lie
| appearance, so mat we were compelled To sus.
| tan alone The attack, of All enemy much suner;or
| i'll numbers
| The evening was already FAR advanced and the
| conflict near L5ny was the whole time nrnlono..
ed with the same anlmosity, and the same equal
ity of success. The arrival of the pecess,,.y en-,
cors was invoked in vain Tue danger became
| more pressing every hour. All the d;vis.or.
were IN action or had already been engaged. and
there was not single corps to support them
On sudden division ofthe enerny's infantry. nm
der favor OF the night, without being perceived.
went round the village, at the same time that
some cuIiassIers forced the passage on the other
side, and took in the rear the BODY of our arm,
stationed behind the houses This surprise on
the part OF the enemy became decisive espec;aI-
~ at moment when our cavalry stationed Ike
wise on height behind the village. was renuIs-
ed ny the enenys cavalry, after repeated attacks
Our infantry posted behind Lgny, although COM
Peled to retreat, did not suffer any depression
eltner from the surprise of the enemy in the
midst OF the darkness, circumstance which ex
aggerates to man all the dangers To which he
is exposed, nor by the idea of finding itself sur
rounded nall sides. Formed into masses. they
REFUSED with GOODNESS all the attacks of the en-
vary and retired in good order to the heights
whence IT continued It's retragade movement nm
on my In consequence of the sudden charge
OF me ehemys cavalry, many of our cannon in
their precipitate retreat had taken directions
/
were necessarily disordered /; and in this manneI
10 cannon tell into the hands of the enemy. At
quarter OF a league from the field of battle the
army was reformed. The enemy did moi hazard
pursuit. The village of Brie remained in our
occupation all night, as Likewise Sambreff. where
gen IhelInan engaged the fourth corps of tn,
| french army, and at break of day began slovl,
to retreat for Gemblours, at which place the al
corps OF the army under gen. Bulow had arrived
IN the night. The 1st and ID corps marched II
ths morning past the defile of Mount St. Guy
bert. Our loss'in killed and wounded was great
r The enemy made no prisoners except a part o
our wounded
we lost tho battle, but not orr honor Our sol
d'ers fought with bravery which left nothing q
be desired and their selEpossession was pre-
served, SO THAT go n retained an entire conf
dence IN his own strength. This day heieId mar
shall Blucher exposed himself to great dangers
Anattack ofcavalry, conducted byhimselffailedo
success, while thecavalry the enemy was push
ing with yigor, shot penetrated the horse of tn,
Held marshal. The animal, far from be no arrest
ed N his course by this wound, plunged with IN,
greatest fury, until lie fell down dead Tbefiel,
ma slial, stunned by this violent fail, RENAME,
entangled under his horse. The enemv's cuiras
seurs were approaching, followed up theiradvsn
tage. Der last horsemen had already passed 4,
the marshal an adjutant alone remained neal
him, aud had Just descended from his horse. re-
solved to share his fate. The danger was great
but Heaven was prOpitOus TO us The enem,
7 continuing the charge, passed rapidly near tn,
Held marshal without perceivihg him and III,
next instant second charge of our cavalry bav
ing repulsed them, they repassed with the saro,