Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-01-29
A True History of Waterloo.

The battle of Waterloo was fought
June IS, 1915, between the allied Brit
ish, Netherland and German troops un-
der Wellington and the French under
Napoleon. On June l6 Napoleon had
attacked the Prussians under Blucher at
Ligny, and forced them to retreat to-
ward Wavre, and Marshal Ney at the
same time attacked the British and
Dutch forces at Quatre Bras, but was
forced to retire after an engagement OF
five hours. Napoleon's object, howev-
or, which WAS to prevent union Of the
Prussians with Wellington's S main army.
was partly gained. The latter's COM
mander, having learned of Blucher's
repulse, moved on to Waterloo, expect
ing that the Prussian commander, ac-
cording to previous arrangement, would
join him there as speedily as possible.
On June II Napoleon also moved TO-
ward Waterloo with the main body of
his army, having directed Marshal
Grouchy with thirty-four thousand men
and ninety-six guns to pursue Blucher's
command toward Wavre. Both armies
bivouacked on the field of Waterloo,
and the next morning Napoleon. conf
dent that Grouchy would prevent the
arrival of the Prussians, delayed attack
until tie ground should become dry, Il
heavy shower having fallen on the day
previous. The forces under yelling
ton occupied semicircular ridge mile
and 4 half in length, and the French
were on the opposite ridge, the TWO be-
ing separated by valley five hundred
| yards wide. The plan of Napoleon was
! to tur, the allied left, force it back upon
the centre, 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 Houguemont,
which the English had fortified. After
a fight Of more than two hours this was
still in possession OF its defenders:
| About one O'Clock Prussian corps un-
der Bulow was seen approaching on the
French right, aud Napoleon finding it
necessary TO send ten thousand men 10
check their advance, WAS obliged 10
change the plan of battle. lie therefore
ordered a fierce attack upon the allied
centre. Wellington massed his troops
! tere, 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
Blucher and Napoleon for Grouchy.
The French ut last were gaining
ground; the allied troops in the centre
were wavering under Ney's impetuous
onslaughts, Gen. Durette had forced
back the left, and Bulow's troops on
the right had been forced TO yield the
position they had taken. Now, how
ever. there were rumors that Blucher's
army was approaching, and the allies
again rallied. At seven O'Clock, Napo-
leon, despairing 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 left forced back General Durett's
troops, and the Old Guard formed in
square to cover this retreat. Ney's di-
vision, surrounded, made a gallant
struggle, their brave leader still un-
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 their ground
against overwhelming numbers. FL
nalIy, when five squares were broken,
the Emperor gave the order 10 "fall
back" The cry "The Guard is repulsed'
spread CONSERVATION through the
French army and threatened to turn re-
treat into precipitate flight, Napoleon
seeing this, reformed the Guar1 in or
der to give a rallying point for the fu-
gitives. Failing in this he declared he
would die within the square, but Mar
shall Soult hurried him away. The he
roic band, surrounded, was bidden Ia
| surrender. "The Old Guard dies, but
never surrenders," is the reply popu-
larly attributed TO General Cambronnc,
and with the cry Of "Vive l'Empereur!'
| the remnant of the Guard made last
! charge upon the eEeiny and perished
al most to man. The forces Of Blu
cher being now upon the field, the route
/ 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 10
! lose his last great battle. Ii was sub
seauently asserted that that Marshal
was bribed, but there seems to be no
real foundation for so base a charge.
/ The trouble was that he had been or
dered by Napoleon TO follow the Prus-
SLAMS toward Wayre aud thought 10 ne
cessary TO follow the strict letter OF his
instructions. Before he reached the
village the main body of the Prussian
force was on its way to Waterloo, but
one division had been left there 10
occupy his attention. Engaged in skir-
mishing with this, he paid no attention
TO .he advice of his subordinate Gener-
ais. who, hearing the terrible cannonad-
ing at Waterloo, besought him to 20 to
the aid of the army there. Napoleon,
believing that he was either holding
back Blucher's forces or was hotly pur.
suing them, did not recall him to the
main army, and the decisive battle was
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