The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-16
MR.. ROPES WORK ON WATERLOO

MR.. ROPES WORK ON WATERLOO.
John c. Ropes. Esq. OF Boston. Mass.
who IN a writer of some reputation. has
recently published a volume entitled. "The
Campaign OF Waterloo" AS everything
which concerns the wonderful man who
caused Waterloo is OF absorbing inter-
est, we feel justified In giving a brief
notice 20 this volume.
In summing up the results OF his work,
Mr.. Ropes very properly asks the ques-
ton: Why his book was written? And the
answer. 10 come truthfully. must be, that
he has brought no new material to the
subject. Nevertheless, he has so used
the material that existed as to prove very
clearly and fully the propositions for
which he contends. some OF which the
best authorities have heretofore differed
about. We shall not state these points
OF difference for want of space, but will
give a concise and connected statement
OF the essential points that Mr.. Ropes
argument demonstrates. The Waterloo
campaign was the most brilliant and
beautiful game OF war ever played. which
should naturally have resulted in a COM
plete triumph for Napoleon. II unlucky
accidents Ito use no harsher words had
not interfered with his plans; and this
result would have been one extorted by
his supreme genius from the most hostile
fortune.
Waterloo was fought on the 18th OF
June. 1915. Napoleon had then been in
his second possession OF the French
throne only three months. With the most
active exertions OF all his immense ener-
g1es he had been able to marshal an
army Of only 124. 900 men. The problem be-
fore him was this: The Duke OF Yelling
ton lay at Brussels little over one hun
dred miles from Paris with $4,000 men.
and Marshal Butcher lay at Ligny.
thirty-hve miles to the east OF Brussels,
with l2l.000. II was well known that the
Austrians and. Russians would be in
France by the middle OF the summer
with 10000 more. 1t took a Napoleon TO
contemplate this situation without ter
FOR; yet he viewed 1t calmly and with
supine confidence. He determined to de-
stroy Wellington and Butcher before their
Austrian and Russian allies could come
TO their assistance: whereupon the pres
tige OF his success would Immediately
enable him to draw on France for all
that was necessary TO meet the former.
He had one great advantage The whole
country between him and the allies were
friendly 10 him and hostile to them. This
enabled him TO concentrate his army near
Charleroi less than fifteen miles from
Lisny. before either allied commander
knew he was moving.
A number OF distinguished writer's think
ne intended simply to interpose himself
between Wellington and Butcher. and
night each at his leisure. Mr.. Ropes has
fully disposed Of this. and proved that
IL was his intention 10 fight Butcher ne
quickly as he could reach him. drive him
on. 30 that he could not Cooperate with
wellington. and then turn and throw
MS whole army on the latter.
Crossing the river at Chartered he do
tached Ney with the corps OF ReiIIe and
DErlon. 1900 men. to Quatre Bras the
union Of the roads by which the Duke OF
Wellington was 10 march to Ligny, IL he
came TO Bluchers assistance. Mr.. Rones
proves conclusively that Ney was ex-
pected to be at Quatre Bras with both
his corps. certainly by the early morning
OF the 10th. and that he was expected
70 attack whatever he found there with
ms whole force, but that he never got
but one Of his corps. that OF Relic. IN
10 ooatrs Bras. and was not ready 20
suack with that until p. NJ. OF the 10th.
1as Duke Of Wellington got Up in strax-
cling way ~ many a. $1,000 men durtnr
- ~ q fhs isths but they cana ND By