Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-02-20
WATERLOO.

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page Of history already so k-spaltcred as
that which records the campaign Of Water
loo but having fund the Engs accounts
egoisically incorrect,l have decided to give
succinct sketch Of this great struggle, pre-
pared fro n in1isputabe authority. and con-
tanning some facts not generally known, OBJ
tanned from ginal documents from the arch.
ives Of France.
Napoleon left Pars tho l2.h Of June !
1915, and on tbs i4h arrived at the from
tier, where his army had been gradually as.
sembling, with such secrecy that the enemy
had not received tho least intmaion of their
approach. 1t amounted 10 one hundred and
fifteen thousand five hundred men,* with
three hundred and ten pieces of artillery -
not as Scott declares, Strained and expericn-
ced soldiers" for most of the veterans had
been left in Russia but hsteroge neous
mass, comprising large number of invalids
and conscripts. In the Imperial Guard
alone, which numbered 1880, there were
upwards of 1000, who had not been three
months in the ranks, or even witnessed an
engagement. Immediately after the Empe.
ror's arrival, no reviewed the army, and is
sued proclamation, reminding them that it
was the anniversary of the battle of Maren-
60 and Fredland, victories which twice de.
cided the fate Of Europe. "Then," said he
"as after Australia and Wagram, we were
too generous, and confded in the pro,esta-
tons and oi,hs Of princes whom we left on
their thrones, and who now have Joined to
overthrow the liberties Of France. We are
now on the march to overthrow them, and
for all Frenchmen who have hearts, the mo-.
mept has arrived to conquer or to perish."-
The soldiers responded with shouts of ap-
probation, but their officers did not appear
to partake of their enthusiasm. Fatigued
with long campaigns, they had become pleas
ed with the peaceful reign of the restoration,
and had lost the greater part Of the resolution
and audacity which had contributed so large.
" to the successes of the Republic and the
Empire. Besides, Louis 18Th, during the
week previous 10 his departure. had distrb-
uted among them upwards of two thousand
decorations of the orders of St. Louis and
the Legion of Honor, which Napoleon re-
called, thereby making many enemies. Ia
fact he had contemplated Diminishing all hi,
old chiefs, tc repose On their aurels, and
supplying their places " ith youn ger and more
>dari q men; bu, unfortunately concluded to
wait until after the present campaign.
The allied troops, at this time in Belgium,
formed Two distinct armies, commanded by
Wellington and Butcher. The first was
composed Of one hundred and two thousand
five hundred ment-not counting eight regi.
ments recently returned from America, al
Ostend, and five others in different garrisons
The Prussians numbered one hundred and
thirty. five thousand ninc hundred ment ma
king a total Of two hundred and thrly-fye
thousand nine hundred mems Tho head
quarters Of tho two allied generals were
shout forty-,wo miles apart - and that Of
Butcher was not as far from the French
vet Napoleon had assembled this immense
force, left his capitol TO assume the command
and il was well authenticated that the enemy
were perfectly ignorant Of his spproach-s
secrecy without parallel in military history
II remained for him to decide whether he
would attack them separately or unitedly
The disparilude of his force led him to choose
the former, and the question then arose, Of
which he should attack first? Butcher had
slw,ys retained the military lessons which
he learned when lieutenant Of hussars-ac.
tive, decided and energetic, If he was mol
attacked first, he would hasten to the aid OF
Wellington, even though he had but two
regiments under his command. The Eng
Ii,b general, on the contrary, was cool and
c.u,ious-nor would he bulge an inch with.
Ont all his forces wero united in order, no
matter how his ally might be situated. II
was, therefore, advisable to attack Butcher
6rst-and, as il would require at least two
DAYS for the Prussian army to unite. the
Emperor hoped, with the aid of his cavalry,