Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-07-20
The Field of Waterloo.

A traveller writes us from Brussels as
follows. About twelve miles directly
sonth of this place is the famous battle
field of Waterloo. took the cars Sun
day morning to visit tue ground where
the greatest warrior the world ever knew
met his defeat, his overthrow, and utter
rum; where in the space Of few hours
a cruisaler was hurled from the pinacle
nf fame, became refugee, a prisoner in
the hands OF his enemies, end started on
that lonesome journey 10 the desolate,
barren, and rocky island Of st. Helena,
where IN solitude Napoleon ended his
days. This battle decided the destinies of
Europe. | arrived on the field at 9
O'Clock. Ii was a bright sunny morning,
and thought how, on Sunday morning
of June Is, 1915, Napoleon, at the head
OF his army, marched on to the fatal
ground and in less than eight hours he
was fleeing fugitive, and 1000 men lay
weltering In their gore. Had the pen of
Victor Hugo | would paint the scene, but
as have not, | must be content with sim-
ply relating how the grounds now appear.
The field Is rolling piece OF land.
SLO5cC1 DJ 1hIOO lOhdSy Win NIGGS
along the roads. On the west side Of the
road where Napoleon and Wellington
met, and about thirty rods south of the
cross roads stands monument erected TO
the memory of Alexander Gordon, WHO
fell here in this battle. Directly opposite
ON the East side of the road stands one
erected by the officers of the kings Ger
man legion, 10 the memory Of the COM
panions at arms who fell here. These
monuments stand where the fight was the
thickest. Tie mound of earth l4l feet
high stands il the Gel ire of the field on
top of this is base built Of blocks OF
stone twenty-five feet high on top of all
is cast iron hon weighing $500 pounds,
and measures twenty-one feet long and
ten feet high. This mound Of earth is
built in the shape OF cone, being l. $50
feet In circumference at its base. and forty
feet at It's apex, and cost 8, 900, 900 francs,
The monument was built by the Prince Of
OraDge, IN 1922 B. There are 225 stone
steps leading from its base TO the top.
The king of Belgium ought TO receive. as
have no doubt he does, the public
condemnation of the world for desecrating
and destroying the general appearance OF
this memorable battle field in order to
erect monument for himself.
The long low ridge of land behind
which Neilington's men poured the terri
BILE tempest of lead into the breast of Ma
poleon's imperial gaurds, Is one of the
most interesting portions Of the field. The
guide showed me where Napoleon's re-
nowned battalions marched un1Inchlngly
up TO Wellington's batteries. which were
loaded to the muzz,e with grape and can
lister. He showed me where Ney had four
horses shot from under him, and his
clothes were pierced with bullets. / was
shown the old farm residence surrounded
by the brick wall behind which tour COM
panies of English killed 2, 900 Frenchmen
in less than an hour. In this brick wall,
and in the building the scars made by
cannon and mhsket balls are PLAIN to be
seen. | walked over the ground where
Wellington and Napoleon struggled Tor the
mastery. TOOK long stroll up the road
where Napoleon marched his forces from
Quatre Bras. This road was paved by
Napoleon, and is in good state of preser-
vation. l walked the whole length Of the
ravlne, about one and half miles long.
where the battle was the hottest, aud
down TO the old farm house, and over the
ridge of land where Wellington kept his
men under cover. / examined the ground
where NapoIeon's artillery stuck fast in
soft soil Of the newly-plowed field, went
up on top OF the mound where the Belgium
lion stands, and saw the distant woods
where Blucher with his fresh troops came
like an avalanche upon Napoleon. saw
the road Napoleon took when he retreated
back TO Qlstre Bras. This rapid retreat
did not end until he reached st. Helena.
Nearly the whole of the battle field is
now covered with fields OF gro wing grain,
and one halt miles from the railroad, !
crossed and recrossed the newly sowE
fields, looking for relics; found four, that
shall bring home with me. | cut some
little limbs from black thorn large enough
for pen-holders, growing on top of the
earth mound. spent six hours on this
battle field.
The battle ground IS owned by persons
residing in Brussels and is occupied by
tenants who pay 200 francs annual rent
per acre; 1t is too high. The tenement
buildings are built of brick and thatched
with straw. 0ne looked so neat thought
[ would 60 in and get lunch to see how
they lived. By signs made my wants
known. They set out bread, cheese, and
home made beer. 1t was good. They
were as neat as wax. The floors were
covered with white sand; the children
looked clean and neat. could not tell
how so many could occupy such little
house. | took out a handful of small
change and molioned FOR the lady to pick
out her pay, she took five centimes Zone
cent?. This was simplicity that l have
never seen even in America. gave the
children twenty centlmes, and motto ned
onoI bH.a