The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-08-16


E.rlon on It's right, ana deranged several pic
cvs but Gen. Milhaud's cura.siers charged
tn DIVISION, and broke ard cut to pie ces ;
regiments of it,
1t was now s o'clock in the afternoon. The
emperor ordered the guard to advance, in or
der to place it in the plain upon, the ground
which the hgst corps had occupied ut the
commencement OF the action, that corps be-
ing already in advance. The Prussan divi.
sion, whose movement had been toreseen, then
engaged with Count Lobau's light troop. Cfi-
raaieurS) extending It's fire upon waole
right fiaHk. 1t was proper, before underia-
king any thing elsewhere, to await the issue
Of this attack. With this view, the whols
reserve force was in readiness to move TO the
assistance of G. unt Lohau, and to crush the
Prusslan corps, as soon as 1t should have ad
vanced.
Tnis done, the emperor had formed plan
to lead on AN attack by the village of Noun
Saint John, from which was expected de-
clsve success. But from an impatient move
ment, SO frequent in our military annals, and
which has so often proved fatal to us, the
cavalry OF the reserve having noticed ret
rograde movement of the English to shelter
themselves from oar batteries, from which
they had already suffered severely, surround
ed the heights OK Mount St. John, and charg-
ed the infantry. This movement, which,
'iOJtA supported CC Tie
reserve, must have decided the day--lnatle
separately, and before the attack on the right
was decided, became fatal. ..
There being no means OF countermantling
1t, the enemy displaying many masses OF in
tantry and cavalry aud the two divisions of
curiassiers being already engaged, all our
Cavalry rushud AT the same instant to support
its comrades. For three hours, Numerous
charges was made, in which we pierced Sc
Of L
took SIX OF its standards, an advantage beyond
all proportion to the losses which our cavai-
ry sustained from the grapeshot and musket-
ny of the enemy.
1t was impossible to dispose of our reserve
OF infantry, without having FIRST repealed the
attack OF the Prussian corps upon our flank
This attack was constantly kept up, and 5ore
directly upon our right flank.
The Emperor sent Gen. Dahesne tothis
point with the young guard, and several bat
terics OF the reserve. The enemy was check
ed, reptlsed aud driven back he had ex-
hausted his strength, and we had no more to
tear from him. This was the moment mark
ed out tor an attack on the enemy's centre
AS the cuirassiers suffered from the grape
shot, battalioRs of the middle guard were
sent to protect the curassiers, support the DO
sltion, and, If possible, to disengage a part of
our cavalry, and cause thom to fail back into
the plain.
Two other battalions were sent to hold
themselves en- totenceS upon the extreme left
OF the division, watch had nansuvred upon
our TANKS, in orser that we might have no
anxiety on this side /; the residue were pla-
ced IN reserve, part to hold themselves en-
hotence in the rear of Mount St. John, a part
upon the flateaW IN the rear of the field of
battle, which formed our position of reserve.
In this state of things, the battle was gain
ed; we occupied ali the positions which the
enemy had held at the commencement of the
action our cavalry having been too soon, 8,
too d'sadvantageossly employed, we could
not hope for decisive success. But Marshal
Grouchy having been informed of the move
ment OF the Prussian corps was marching
upon the rear OF that body, which assured us
brilliant succesf in the operations of the fol-
lowing day. After eight hours of firing. and
OF charges OF infantry and cavalry, the
whole army saw, with satisfaction, the bat
tie gained, and the field of battle in our DOW
err.
At half past eight, the four b,ssaIions of
he middle guard, which mad been sent to the
hiafeau beyond Mount Saint John. to suppor.
the cuirassiers, being CALLED by the enemy's
grape shot, marched with charged bayonet
to seize The batteries. The day was lust clio
sing charge, made upon their flank BY
several English squadrons, threw them into
disorder the tugItives repassed the ravine
the neighbouring regiments, seeing some
troops OF the guard i'll confusion, supposed It
to be the old guard, and were alarmed the
cries " all IS lost the guard is repused."
were heard ; the soldiers even declare. that
IN several Quarters, traitors cried out saitzs
qm nm, save himself 1yho can. Howe
yer this may be, panic terror spread all at
once through the field the men rushed, in
tue greatest disorder, uDon the line of COM
ihuuication; the soldiers, cannoniers and
cassons hurried to arrive there the old
guard which was Ill reserve, was unable
60 w4tnstand the torreEt that pressed upon it.
In an instant tue army became co fused
mass-the troops of all arms W ere mixed t
gether and 1t was impossible to reform sin
gle corps. The enemy perceivng this
strange confusion caused some Columns of his
cavalry to debOuCh the disoI der increased
and the darkness of night forbade cur railv-
ing the troops and Convincing them of their
error.
Thus, after ending the battle and reDai,irp
the errors OF the day, with an assurance Of
the greatest success on The morrow. all th.se
advantages. were lost by single moment of
panic. Even the squadrons of service ran
ged at the emRepor's sile, were routed and
dsoidered by these tumultuous waves and
there was Left no choice, but to follow thr
torrent lhe park OF reserve, tue baggage thar
mad not re-passcd the Sambre, every thino
tnat was on the field of battle fell info ,Lo