The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-08-15


and how ready no was 10 make a holder push than
any he had yet attempted. The British commander
penetrated the design of his foe, and prepared
himself for the onslaught. The troops for time
stood like the imbcdded rocks The farm was
rounded after hours contest as severe rs ever was
waged, and the position was thoroughly carried only
when tho last Of its defenders had ceased to breathe
Now was the brightest moment Of the day for Nupo-
leon Fortune seemed TO smile him most gracious
ly. and under the ardent nutca,ions of certain
success, even TO the end, il here aud now that
he despatched courier to Paris with the news that
the battle was won, and France and her Emperor
were again victorious!
The advantage gained, but for the too prccipitatc
haste Of the just now seeming victor might have been
maintained. But the genius of Napoleon which ever
acted with thunder shock and lightning speed and
with of force and light than reason was as has.
y here it had been elsewhere, bat with far less
success. Immense bodies of cavalry followed by
columns Of curassiers and lancers rushed upon the
Of the allies. Some Of the British squares
yielded to u shock which it seemed as If nothing
could resist whilst the French cavalry followed chnrge
upon charge, midst fire and smoke, and DEATH upon
the position occupied by Wellington and his staiT.-
Each man it would seem ambitious TO signal
ize himself by the death or capture Of tho British
commander. Even the personal escort OF Yelling
ton were in hot conflict TO preserve the Duke. But
the attempt Illustrate the lnncers cuirasscurs and
chusseurs Of Napoleon by two ranks Of the aliednlan
try, beyond the first IMPRESSION in vain.
The French cavalry walked their horses round the
British squares seeking, by dasling their horses
against the ranks and by solid marches, 10 force
an opening. Napoleon discovered that he had been
too rash, and sought at to make amends for his
error By extricating the cavalry from the danger Of
their position. New columns Of French infantry there
fore pressed onward to carry the village Of Mount St.
Jean, in the Of the British position overpoweng
every barrier of resistance whe Their of men nation
al defence. Wellington here, in person, was
PEELED lead the charge, and often in the thick
est Of the fight. The French, despite Of their des-
perato valor arrested in their march -
the farm Of La llae Sante was retaken and the con
tending armies, each, occupied their old positions,
except that the Freneh-mnintained themselves upon
n mound the lefl Of the road from Brussels 10
Charlero from which spot there was no power strong
enough dislodge them until the close of the engage
ment
So far the fight seemed 10 have but begun II was
the hardest service of Napoleon 10 attack, and
mand, had now made the circuit of the Chateau OF
IIongoumont and advanced the British position on
the eminence of which this important post was con-
trolled. They had penetrated the squares oc infantry
aud dealing death and destruction around them
when their progress again arrested. The artie-
ny of the two armies poured forth ncessant volley
Of round and grape shot, and then whole masses Of
infantry would advance, fire and then charge with
Tho huy in cIn ,vit Ias
tive uslade. In the Of the allied infantry the
cavalry Of the two armies maintaining as fierce
contest as those in 'front.' The scene of confusion
was appalling and the loss of life horrible to look at
or think of. Whole regiments were here hewn TO
pieces, and hardly company were left to tell of the
dreadful slaughter The result was now as before
when the Chateau attacked. The allies main
tanned their position, ard the French were forced back
to their main body with immense loss. The closing
scene followed thick and fast, and tho curtains of
night were soon drawn around the memorable events
ofthe day. Dreadful the slaughter which fol-
lowed the last attack upon the Chateau of Iougou-
mont Napoleon, prepared for his last great effort,
and from along his whole line there seemed to come
for time the thunder and the lightning Of heaven
Six hours the battle had continued with unabated fu
ry and one third Of the allied force had been slain
wounded. The Duke fearful Of the result. and
was that he wished for the coming of the night
or for Butcher. A feeling of despair was running |
through the ranks of the allied forces, and the spirits
Of the soldiers began to droop. With Napoleon all
was mpcuosity and determination He had not yet
dreamed Of defeat, though his soldiers had fallen
round him like rain drops, during the day. ''fhese
English devils" cried Napoleon, Evil they new
be beaten 20 Again, he is said here to have con-
templated the field of blood and butchery before him
with feeling of frigh,ul ferocty, and when told that
the Prussans advancing in the of his right
wing, he was increduous, and affirmed that it was
only the corps Of Grouchy, and that his success was
now certain and complete. Alas for Napoleon and |
his fortunes, 1t was Bulow and not Grouchy. The |
Prussians had been guided by poor peasant to the
very spot where they could do most execution, and |
thus, faithful man. in the hunblest sphere of
lire was entrusted the fate of almost all Europe
Napoleon unused for a moment upon the change of
the scene, and, quick thought he was determined
to apply the only remedy in his power The rein