Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-07-25

anecdotes have been related on the an
thority Of the peasant De Coster. we think
the following connected narrative givel
by him will still be read with interest:
Tie Memorable 18th Of June.
Narrativerot the condtIss of Napoleon
Bonaparte on the 18th OF June, 1915
during aud after the battle of Water
loo: taken from the deposition ofJohf
Baptist de Coster, who served as his
guide on that day
J. B. de Coster is aged about So ; he
was born in the village of Corbee-loo
near Louvaine, and has inhabited Wal
lon for SO years beis five feet ten inch
es high. and of a robust forid complexion
he is Intelligent and there is great aP
pearance OF truth in the answers he
makes to questions put to him ; he un.
derstands French very well. and express
ses his ideas with great facility.
Before the invasion OF Napoleon, lie
Coster occupied a small ale house lca.
haret) with about six acres Of land. Up
on the approach of the French army or
the 18th Of June, he retired with his ia
mily, consisting Of his wife and seven
children, into the wood of the Abbey
d'Awyiers, where he passed the night
Saturday; at six o'clock on Sunday
morning he went to Church, and from
hence 10 his brothers., who lived at
Panchenolt he met there three French
Generals who inquired of him if he had
lived in the country long time, and il
he was well acquainted with the environs.
Upon his answering in the affirmative,
one of them sent him to Bonaparte with a
letter, and accompanied by a servant.
Bonapalte slept on the 18th June in a
farm, called the Gallon, and left it at six
next morning. De Coster found him al
a farm named Ressum, where he Bona
parte1 arrived at eight A. NJ and was
immediately presented 10 Bonapaite, VINO
was standing in room 20 feet by 10, In
the midst Of great number of officers
of his staff Bonaparte asked him if ne
was we'll acquainted with the local 81
tuation of the country, and if he would
be his saide7 De Coster having answer.
ed him satisfactorily, Bonaparte told him
he would accompany him, adding, Speak
frely with me, my friend as if you were
with your chiidren,"
Rossum farm is near La Belle Alli-
ance. The Emperor remained there
till near midday-during the time DE
Coster was closely watched in the farm
yard by one Of the guard, who, whist
walking with him, informed him Of the
force Of the army, French, and told him.
that on passing the frontier they had an
army OF 10000 men, OF which 10000
we're cavalry, among which were 5000
1000 of the New, and 8 or
G, 200 of the Old Guard. This soldier
praised much the bravery displayed by
the English at Qaatre Bras-He particu-
iarly admired the sang froid of the High
landers, who, says he, in his military
style, " ae boagerTeRt, que i0rsga'on leur
melto1t la baionette al derriere."
During this time Bonaparte had De
Coster called three different times, to
obtain Information as to the maps OF the
country, which he constantly consulted.
He questioned chiefly upon the distance
of several towns of Blabant from the
field OF battle, and made him explain
those he had seen in his youth. De Cos
ter named fourteen, which appeared to
please Bonaparte he seemed very much
atisfied to find that De Coster was
Flemish and that he spoke the language
he advised him above all to give only well
information, and not to
answer of things of which he was uncer-
tain, struggling his shoulders at the same
time. He repeated often these instruc.
tons, adding, " that if he, Bonaparte,
succeeded, his reeompence should be a
times greater than he could
He dispensed with ever par
ticuIar mark of respect, telling him that
instead of taking off his cap, he needed
,nIy put his hand 10 his forehead.
At mid day Bonaparte went cut with
lis staff, and placed himself upon bank
,pon the side of the road, which COM
handed view of the field of battle.
Shortly afterwards news arrived o!thatthe
attack upon the farm and chateau of
Houeeumont, which he had commenced
1t / o'clock was unsuccessful.
At one the battle became general /;
Bonaparte remained in his first station
with his staff until five; he was on foot
and constantly walking backwards and
sometimes with his arms cross
ID, but chiefly behind his back, with his
thumbs in the pockets of a dark colored
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