The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-09-17

short but Interesting Description of
the Great battle.
The battle of Waterloo was fought
June Is, 1915, between the allied Brit
lsh, Netherland and German troops
under Wellington and the French
under Napoleon. On June 10 Napoleon
had attacked the Prussians under Blu
cher at Ligny and forced them to re-
treat toward Wavre, and Marshal Ney
at the same time attacked the British
and Dutch forces at Quatre Bras, but
was forced to retire after an engage
ment of five hours. Napoleon's object,
however, which was to prevent union
of the Prussians with Wellington's
main army, was partially gained. The
latter commander, having learned the
next morning of Blucher's repulse,
moved on to Waterloo, expecting that
the Prussian commander, according to
previous arrangement. would join him
there as speedily as possible. On June
IL Napoleon also moved toward Water
loo with the main body of his army,
having directed Marshal Grouchy with
"a, 900 men and ninety-six guns to pur-
sue Dlucher's command toward Wavre.
Both armies bivouacked on the field Of
Waterloo, and the next morning Ma
poleon, confident that Grouchy would
prevent the arrival of the Prussians,
delayed attack until the ground should
become dry, a heavy shower having
fallen on the day previous The forces
under Wellington occupied semi
circular ridge a mile and half in
length, and the French were on an OPP
posite ridge, the two being separated
by valley about 800 yards wide. The
plan of Napoleon was to turn the allied
left, force it back upon the center, and
gain possession of the enemy's line of re-
treat. To draw off Wellington retreat to
his right, French troops were sent
about eleven O'Clock to attack the cha
teau of Houguemont, which the En-
glish had fortified. After O fight of
more than two hours this was still in
the possession of its defenders. About
one o'clock a Prussian corps under
Bulow was seen approaching on the
French right, and Napoleon finding it
necessary to send 10, 900 men to check
their advance, was obliged to change
the plan of battle. He therefore order
ed ierce attack upon the allied CEN
ter. 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 REINFORCE
ments. Wellington was waiting for
Butcher and Napoleon for Grouchy.
The French at last were gaining ground;
the allied troops in the center were
wavering under News impetuous on
slaughts, Gen. Durutte had forced back
the left, and Bulow's troops on the
right had been forced to yield the posi-
ton they had taken. Now, however,
there were rumors that Blucher's army
was approaching, andt the allies again
rallied. At seven o'clock Napoleon, de-
spairing of the approach OF Grouchy,
determined to decide the day by
charge of the Old Guard, which had
been held in reserve. At this stage the
advance of Prussian horse on the allied
| eft forced back tien. Durutte's troops,
! md the Old Guard formed in square to
cover this retreat. News division, sur
rounded, made a gallant struggle
their brave leader, still unwounded
though five horses had been shot under
him, heading them on foot, sword in
hand-but were forced to give way.
phe Old Guard held their ground
against overwhelming numbers. Final
ly, when five squares were broken, the
Emperor gave the order to "fall back.
The cry The Guard is repulsed"
spread CONSERVATION through the
french army and threatened to turn re-
treat into precipitate fight. Napoleon,
seeing this, reformed the Guard in
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fugitives. Failing in this, he declared
that he would die within the square,
but Marshal Soult hurried him away.
The heroic band, surrounded, Was bid
den to surrender. "The Ola Guard
dies, but never surrenders" is the reply
popularity attributed to Gen. Cam
bronze, and with the cry of "Vive Pm
pereur !" the remnant of the Guard made
last charge upon the enemy and per-
lshed almost to man. The forces of
Butcher being now upon the field, the
rout of the French was complete, and
the Prussians pursued the fleeing
troops, capturing guns and men. There
is no doubt that the failure of Grouchy
to come upon the field caused Napoleon
to lose his last great battle. 1t was
subsequently, asserted that that Mar
shall was bribed, but there seems to be
no real foundation for so base q charge
The trouble was that he had been
ordered by Napoleon to follow the
Prussians toward Wavre and thought it
necessary to follow the strict letters of
his instructions. Before he reached
the village the main body of the Prus-
sian force was on its way to Waterloo,
but one division had been left there to
occupy his attention. Engaged in Skin
mishing with this, he paid no attention
to the advice of his subordinate gener-
ais, who, hearing the terrible cannon
aiding at Waterloo, besought him to go
to the aid of the army there. Napoleon,
believing that he was either holding
back Blucher's forces or was holly pur
suing them, did not recall him to the
main army, and the decisive battle was
lost. Grouchy was summoned before
n council OF war, but the court declared
itself incompetent to decide his case,
and nothing further came of it.-Inter
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