Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-08-16
rately and before the attack on the right was de-
cided, became fatal

anu cavalry, ami the TWO divisions o.. cusr1ssiers
beng already engaged, all our cavalry rushed at
the same instant to support its comrades For
three hours, numerous charges were made, in
which we pierced several squares oF the English
Infantry and took six OF its standards an advn,-
taSe beyond all proportion to the losses which
our cavalry sustained from the grape shot aud
Inussetry OF the enemy.
1t was impossible 70 dispose of oure;reserve of
infantry, without HAVING first repealed the attack
of Inc Prussian corps upon our flanl.{ This
attack was constantly kept Up, and bore di-
recuy upon our right hU,k. The emperor sent
general Dniesme 10 this point with the young
guard, and several batteries OF the reserve. The
enrIny was checked, rcpused and driven back !;
he had exhausted his strength and we had iio
more to fear from him. This was the moment
marked out for an attack uron the enemy's CEN
ire. As the curiass ers suffered from the grape
shot, four batt;.liOns OF the middle guard were
sent to prOtent the curassiers; support tic posi-
ton, and, if possible, 10 disengage part of our
cavalry, and cause them to Fill back into the
plain.
Two other battalons were sent to hold them
selves en- 9otences upon the est enc left of the
ef'sion, which had maneuv ell upon our tanks.
III order that we might have no anxiety ON this
s1de; the residue were placed IN reserve part
10 nod ihemSesyes ca patience in III rear of Mount
STUNT John, post upon Il e hlGte,if, in the rear
OF ue heid OF battle, which formed our position
ofreserve
In this state of things the battle was gained
we 9ccup ed all the positions which the enemy
mad heid ri the commencement of the action our
cavalry having been too soon and too d sadvan-
taSeously employed, we would not hope for de-
clsWe success But Marshal Grouchy having
peeh hiormed OF the movement of the Prlissi-
al corps was marching upon the rear of that bo
dy, which assured us Il brilliant success in the o.
perations OF the following dav. At er e;frht
hours OF firing, and OF charges of infantry and
cavalry, the Whole army saw, with satisfaction.
the battle gained, and TIC field of battle in our
power.
At halfpast eight, the fovr battalions Of the
middle guard, which had been sent to the blafeau
oeyonl Mount Saint John to support the cuiras
sier9' Beng CALLED by enemy's grape shot, march
ed with charged bayonet, to seize the batteries
Inc day was just closing 20 charge madeupsn their
Hank by several English squadrons threw them IN
ID disorder; the fugitives repassed the Rhine the
he'ghoorinS regiments seeing some troops of the
sSUard IN confusion, believed it was the old eg,ard
and took alarm; the cries "all is losto-" the
guard IS repulsed'-were heard from all sides
TIE soldiers even pretend that in many quarters
me md sposcd cred oNt--saI4ue qui beut-(sei,
himself 1sL0 caa)
However tins may be, panic terror spread
al at chce through the field the men rushed. in
the greatest disorder, upon the line of conmu.
hcallohi The soldiers, cannoniers and caissons
hurried to STT.yc there; the old guard which was
IN reserve, was unable to Withstand the torrent
that pressed upon it,
II an instant the army became a confused
mass the troops ofall arms were mixed ton,eth
en- and 1t was impossible TO reform single corps
!Ae enemy, perceiving this strange confusion
caused some columns Of his cavalry 10 debouch
the disorder increased, and the darkness ofnieht
forbade our rallying the troops and convincing
them OF their error
Thus, after ending the battle and repairing the
errors OF the day, with an assurance OF the great
est success on the morrow, all these advantages
were lost by single moment Of panic Even
the squadrons OF service, ranged at The emperor's
side were routed and dsordcred By thes tumul-
tuous waves, and there was no longer any
choice, but 10 follow the torrent The
parks OF reserve; the baggage that had not
repassed the SambTe, and every Ting that
was on the held Of battle, fell into tie hands oil
the enemy IL was impossible to wait for the
troops on cur right; every one knows, what the
brayest army in the world, becomes, when it is
thrown into confusion, and when all organization
10 at an end.
The emperor passed the sambrc on the 10Th at
Charleroy, at five O'Clock in the morning; Phil
lppevilie and Avesnes We're designated as the
rally ing points. Prince Jerome Gen. Morand.
and the other generals, have already rail- ed part
OF the army there. Marshal Grouchy, with he
corps Of tic right, Is operating upon the Lower
Sambre.
The loss of the enemy must have been very
great, five may judge from the Standards that
we have taken and the re,rograde steps that he
las made. Ours cannot be calculated until The
troops shall have been Te.assembled. Bef)re the
disorder commenced, we had ALREADY suffered
co.'s dersD.e loss, os, ecially in our cavalry which
had been so fatally andyet so bonorably enqa,rld
Notwithstanding these losses, that valiant cavalry
maintained with constancy The position, il hud
taken from the English, until compelled to aban
don il by tlc tumult and disorder of the iield of
battle Night, and the obstacles which cncum-
bered the road, made them unable to preserve
their own order.
The artillery,as ual,covered iselfwith glory
The carriages OF the head quarters, had rcmalno
ed in their ordinary position, no retrogade move
Hent being judged necessary In the course oil
the night they fell into the hands OF the enen
"Such is the issue ofthe battle of Mount SAINT
John-so gioriousf5r The French armies, e,d ne. So
.jaf0L
We abstain from giving the details. that arc
brought TO us in Circumstances 50 affective, too
much caution and crcmspection cannot be
used. Gen Letort, whom the emperor hoped TO
preserve to the army and the nation, Of which he
was one Of the most worthy supporters, is sad To-
have ded on the 17th at noon lie was one ol
the most distinguished officers
The allies call u, the hattie efLa BsHe mi.
G1cs, Gom Village ofthaf name.
+ Berrand
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