Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-09-27

day following, that he had never seen hrs troops
behave better, in all the many years he had com
manded them. The French Cuirsssiers suffered
greatly on this occasion, Tor, conliding in their
cuirasses, they approached SO near the English
squares that they succeeded in cutting down
with their swords some officers OF the 43d but
that brave regiment without being appalled,,
kept up SO well supported FIRE, that the ground
was strewed with the cuirassiers and then, hor
sesn
of the battle of Waterloo, General Alava writes
as follows:
"lioned the army on the morning fthe 18th,
though had received no orders to that effect,
because believed thatI should thus best serve
has majesty, and at the same time fulfil your FIX
cellency's directions, and this determination has
afforded me the satisfaction of having been pres
ent at the most important battle that has been
fought tor many centuries, in its consequences,
IT'S duration, and the talents of the chiefs on both
sides and because the peace of tho world, and
the future security cfall Europe, may be said to
have depended on its result.
The position occupied by his Lordsllip was
very good but towards the centre it had var-
Gus weak points, which required good troops to
guard them, ant, much science and skill on the
part ofthe general in Chief These qualifica-
tons were, however, to be found in abundance
III the British troops and their illustrious COM
mander, and il may be asserted without offence
TO any one, that to them both belongs the chief
part or all the glory ofthis memorable day.
!" On the right of the position, and little in
advance, was country house, the importance of
which lord Wellington quickly perceived, be-
cause without it, this position could not be at
tackled on that side, and it might therefore be
considered rs its key. The Duke confded this
important point 20 the three companies of the
English guards under the command of Lord Sal
toun, and iabored during the 18th in fortifyiug it
winch served as its park, with Nassau troops as
sharp-shooters
Al nail past ten, movement was observed
IN the enemy's line, and many officers were seen
csmlng from and going to 4 particular point,
"here there was considerable corps of infantry,
when we afterwards understood TO be the In
perlal Guards here was Bonaparte in person, s.
from TINS point issued all the orders In the,
mean time the enemy's masses were forming, and
every thing announced the approaching combat,
which began at half past IL, the enemy attsck-
ING with one of his corps, and with their usual
shouts, the country house on the right
The Nassau troops found it necessary TO a.
pandon their post; but the enemy met such re-
slstllce IN the house, that though they surround
cd ton three sides and attacked it most desper-
ately, they were compelled to oesist from their.
enterprise, having great number of killed and
wounded on the spnt, Lord Wellington sent
iresh English troops who recovered the wood
and garden, and the combat ceased for the pres
mt on this side
800, y The enemy then opened horrible fire of ar
ti.iery from more than 200 pieces under cove
VI "hich bonaparte made general attack from
the centre to the right with infantry and cavalry
IN such numbers, that it required all the skill Of
his L.ordshP to post his troops, and all the good
QUANTITIES of the latter to resist the attack
General Plcton, who was with his division OF
tne road from Brussels TO Charleroi. advanced
with the bayonet to receive them; but was un
fortunately killed at the moment when TIE enc.
my appalled, by the attitude ofthis division, fired
and then fed
The English life guat6s then CHARGED with.
The greatest vigor, and the 49th and 1O5tb
french regiments, lost their eagles in this charge
together with from ? to 3 thousand prisoner
a column OF cavalry, at whose head were the
cuiFassiers, advanced to charge the life guards.
and thus save their infantry but the guards re.
cer I'd them with the greatest valor, and the
most sahgu nary cavalry fight, perhaps ever wit.
messed, was the consequence.
The French cuirassiers were comnle,eIy
beaten, IN spite of their cuSlsses, by troops who
nso no'hng vt ,he sort, and lost one of Their ca
giles m this conflict, VII ch was taken by the
heavy English cavalry Called the RoyaLs."
General Alaya next mentors the approach of
the Russian army, which, he observes. was
ne more necessary, from the superior numbers
- ,'N''3 . 81 N.Y. anu from the dreadful loss
We had sustained in this unequal combat, from IL
A. VI. till 5. p. NJ.
BonaParte who did not believe the Prussisn
70 De SO near, and who reckoned upon DESTROYING
LORD Wellington before their arrival, perceived
that he had frultlessiy lost more than five hours
and that in the critical position in which he was
then placed, there remained no other resource
but that of desperately attacking tse weak mart
of The Duke, before his right was turned, and at
tackled by the PrtIssians
Henceiorward, therefore, the whole WIS
repetition of attacks by cavalry and iufantr,
which unfortunately made horrible rava-es IN
our line, and killed and wounded officers. ar
tillerists and horses, in the weakest part Of H.
position
The enemy, aware Ofthis destruction. marie
charge with the whole cavalry of his f-nard
which took some pieces of cannon that could
not be Withdrawn; but the Duke. who wac a,
this point, charged them with three battaloreof
English and three of Brunswickers. and cornnei
LED them IA moment 10 abandon the artiTe
though we were unable to withdray them g.,
want ofhorses nor did they dare TO advance to
recover them. -
At last about z in the evening. Bonanorte
made last effort, and putting himself AZ tho
head OF his guards, attacked the above no;nt NJ
the English position with such vr-or thai he
drove back the Brunsw ekers who occun;ed r,,,r,
Of i, and for moment the victory was tndec..
died. and even more than doubtful
The Duke, who felt that the moment vv.s
most critical, spoke 20 the Brunswick troors
ycfh that ose tr1..f,~ I. SNl''