The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-11-25

morning and carried to Napoleon, who
mounting him on horseback, tyed him to the
saddle, and giving the bride to trooper,
compelled him to act as guide.
Over the field, which on that night was
trenched with the blood of more than eighty
thousand men, the wheat and grass now
wave in rich luXuriancc-thc houses winch
then were shattered otheir foundations, now
exhibit in a renewed from, all the Indications
of peace and happiness the sturdy trees,
which then groaned from the pitiess pierre
ings of wars swift messengers of destruction,
now raise again their proud heads, and III
vite the wandering and weary traveller TO
take shelter under their branches. But stlli
there are sufficient land marks remaining ,y
which to trace the progress OF the oaesie,
and Decostcr was with me to say here stood
Napoleon--here stood Wcllington--at such
a point and at such an hour, entered the ven
cradle 3luchcr. Such general command
ed here, and such was his fate; such an one
there, and such was his fate. Besides, there
are not wanting graves and monuments and
relics destroyed Chateau here, shatter-
ed wall there and trees whose wounded ana
decayed branches testify to the various
modes of destruction here brought into opcr-
alton on that distressing day.
The first object pointed out to ME was the
farm holse of Mount ST. Jean, used ny the
British as a hospital. 1t was directly i'll the
rear of NVclington's position, and at one time
contained more than five thousand wounded,
who were heaped upon each other within Its
walls. The roof and sides, though now re-
paired, bear the marks of many cannon
Shot. Next, was the house OF La Hayc Sainte,
which was directly i'll front OF the line.
Here and at the Chateau Houghomont was
the seat ofbattle. Both places were protect
ell by high brick garden walls, which aRord-
ed so much security as to make them I'M
portant posts for either party-and both pl't-
ces were taken and fetaken three times dur
ing the battle. The house OF "a Hayc Sante,
was very much shattered, but not destroyed.
1t has been furnished with a new roof, and
new walls in part. The garden wall still
shows the impression which thousand
bullets have made upon it. In the yard at
tached to it, it is said more than three thou
sand perished.-The Chateau Hou5homont
was at distant part of the field, and was first
attacked bY the left wing OF the French, un-
der Jerome Bonaparte. 1t was burnt by the
French, when filled with English Soldiers,
and many wounded ofboth parties, who were
buried in its ashes: but the English soon at
ter enjoved their revenge by the slaughter OF
more than fifteen hundred Frenchmcn, IN 4
small orchard adjoining, of not more than :
acres OH one tree of this orchard, are TO be
counted the marks Of more than three hum
dred balls--and it still lives. Near the Cha
teau, in the centre of the yard, and in the
midst OF the slaughter, stands small Orlck
chapel, which received no material INJURY.
1t is now shown, and contains two images OF
carved wood, one of the Virgin Mary over
the desk the other our Saviour, on the cross
=. Al, t1ln CC f.l-
grafton of the house, the door of this chapel
took fre--the flames lust reached the feet Of
the image, scorched them little, and as it is
said, there stopped without any human inter-
vention--It probably was the case, and is a
remarkable circumstance. The Protestant
regards it with solennity, while the Cath
oic bends before it with tenfoid degree OF
respect and veneration. The white walls Of
this little chapel are literally covered with
the names of those who have visited it-and
it gave me no little pleasure to rctracc with
nv pencil the genuine hand writing OF Byron
and to inscribe my own name i'll small place
which still remained vacant.
Decoster took no little pains to point
out upon the plan every position, and to re-
late all the circumstances connected with
each, so far as he recollected, and had beer
Informed by those engaged in the battle, who
nave since COllNSrSeu Will MIN, lie SAY ), III
has accompanied Wellington twice over tiit
field since. Occasionally he would relate
some anecdote Of Bonaparte, which Of COURSE
received from such a quarter could not bu
be interesting. He acknowledged that ht
was very much frightened, and when hi
sometimes flinched at the showers of sho
that fell round him, Bonaparte would say
s'do not stir my friend-balls viii XIII 70,
as well in the back as in the front, and wount
you more dsgracefully."
1t would be difficult to describe the vary
ing emotions which at times influenced me
in reviewing the scenes and events whic
have so much immortalizcd this place.
seemed as though the scene and character
were all before me, and that could rcaiz
in every movement the intense interest al
anxiety which those must have felt, wh
were spectators. / could as it were, Sc
Napoleon rallying his troops, making to Ii
chosen guards his last haranguc-reminat
them how often he had relied on their valo,
in cases of extremity, and that he had ney,
appealed to them in vain. Their enthusia
tic shout of "Vive l. Empercur'' almo
echoed in my cars, and almost shuddcrc
to see them march on with firm and steat
step, in dead silence, to that grand eiiol
which was to inv olive the fate Of Europe.
Three conspicuous monuments are erct
ed on the field. One to the memory of G
Canning who had served as Aid to Wellin
ION during the wars in Portupal Spcin .