The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-31
WATERLOO.
Echicago lnser-Ocean.l

\ kS~HtC4&0 takGk~&fG1&u.t
 The battle of Waterloo vas tought June iS, ISIS, between the allied British. Netherland and German troops under Wellington and the French under Napo leon. On June I6 Napoleon had at. tackled the Pfussians under Blucher as L'gny and forced them to retreat toward WavIe, and Marshall NeY at the same time attacked the British and Dutch forces at Q latre Bras, but was forced to retire after an eng gagement of tive hours. ! Napoleon's object, however, which was ! to prevent a union of the PrusSians with Wellington's main army, was partially l gained. The latter commander, having l learned of Butchers repulse, moved on 10 Waterloo, expecting that the Prussian commander, according to previous ar. engagement would join him there as speedily as possible. On June I7 Ma poleon also moved toward Waterloo with the main body of his army, having di rec,ed Marshal Grouchy with s4 600 men and ninety-six guns to pursue Butchers command toward Wavre. Both armies bivouacked on the field of Waterloo and the next morning Napoleon, confident tha, Grouchy would prevent the arrival | Ot AAS a9SSaOnSs aS'0yG4 9NA$N 0AN Na$ ground should become dry, a heavy shower having tallen on the day prevlous. The forces under Wellington occupied a length, and the French were on an oppo- site ridge, the two being separated by a valley about 500 yards wide. The plan of Napoleon was to turn the allied left, force 1t back upon the center, and gain possession of the enemy's line of retreat. To draw of Wellington's retreat to his right. French troops were sent about eleven o'clock to attack the chateau of | Houeuemont. which the English had fortified. Alter fight of more than two hours this was stlll in the possession of i:s defenders. About one o'clock Prus- sian corps under Bulow was seen ap- preaching on the French right, and Ma i poleon finding IL necessary to send To 900 men to check their advance, was obliged to change the plan of battle. He there. fore ordered a fierce attack upon the allied center. Wellington massed his troops here, and the battle was obstinately maintained for five hours, with varying success to the participants, both com manders hourly expecting ie-enfoIce- ments. Welli gton was waiting for Blu cher and Napoleon for Grouchy. The | French at last were gaining ground; the allied troops 10 the center were waveriog snder Neys impetuous onslaughts, Gen eral Durutte had forced back the lcft, and i Bulo~s troops on the right had been forced to yield the position they had taken. Now, however, there were rumorS that Butchers army was approaching, and the allies again rallied. At seven o'clock Napoleon, despairing of the ap- proach of Grouchy, determined to decide the day by charge of the Old Guard, which had been held in reserve. Al this stage the advance of Russian horse on the allied left forced back General Du- rutte's troops, and the Old Guard formed in square 10 cover this reueat Ney division, surrounded, made a gallant wounded though five horses had been shot under him, heading them on foot, sword in hand but were forced to give way. The Old Guard held ,beir ground against overwhelming D numbers. Finally, when five squares were broken, the em- peror gave the order to fall back" The cry " The Guard is repulsed spread con- sternation through the French army and threatened to turn retreat into precipitate flight Napoleon seeing this, reformed the Guard in order to give a railying point for the fugi,ives. Failing m this, nc declared tn at he would die within the square, but Marshal Soult hurried h,m away. The heroic band, surrounded. was bidden to surrender. The Old Guard dies. but never surfenders IS the reply popularly attributed to General Ctmbronne, and with the cry of Wye l Empeieur!' the remnant of the Guard made last cnArge upon toe enemy and perished almost to man. The forces of Butcher being now upon the field, the roui of the French was complete, and the Prusssans pursued the fleeing troops, ca2tGring guns and men. There is no doubt that the failure oi Grouchy to come upon the field caused N lpoieon 10 lose 1 his last great battle. It vas su seq ucntiy asserted that that marshal was brlbed, but there seems to be DO real foundation | for so base a charge. The trouble was that he had been ordered by Napoleon to follow the Pfussi Ans toward Wavre and thought 1t necessary to follow the strict letters of his instructions. Before he reac aed the village the main body Of the Prussian force was on its way to Water l loo, but one divison h ad been left there to occupy his a'teution. Eng. ged in skirmishing with this. he paid DO attention 10 the adv ce o! his subordinate generals, who. hearing the terrible cannonading at Waterloo, besought him to go to the aid of the army there. Napoleon, believing that he was either holding back Butcher forces or was hotly pursuing them, did nos recall h!n 10 the man army, and the decisive battle was lost. Grouchy was summoned before council of war but the court declared itself incompetent to decide his case, and DO hing further came of Il.
 Mosquitoes Killing Young Trout.