Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-06-27
THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO.
BY W. G.

The battle OF Waterloo was fought
on Sunday, June Is, 1915, by the
French on one side, and the English
and Prussians on the other. Napo
leon had agitated Europe for years
by his campaigns and battles with
the allied troops. He was the CEN
trail figure in the convulsions which
disturbed Europe nearly century
ago. Whatever may have been his
object, it is certain that all his power
and energy was directed towards
the attainment of that object.
But in spite of his many victories
and hopes of success he fell. The
battle Of Waterloo decided the con.
test and gave peace to Europe. The
Wanted conqueror was conquered.
The wings of his ambition we're clip
ped, and the great Napoleon went
into exile.
My object is to give brief sketch
of Napoleon's last battle, gathered
from sources which I claim to be re-
liable. The material of this article
found, partly, in German alma
nae, published only four years after
this celebrated and significant bat
tie, when the events of that time
were yet fresh in the memory of the
people: and this fact, it is natural to
infer, gives deeper color of correct
ness to this account than later ones.
1t had come to such pass in the
progress of the war, that, in order to
crush Napoleon, the allied forces re-
solved to attack him on all sides.
They were stationed in the Neither
lands at this time. The British,
under Wellington, and the Prussians
under Blucher. They had not yet
concentrated their forces, and the
wary Napoleon took advantage of
this, and determined, if possible, to
attack them separately. Therefore,
with suddenness and secrecy which
deied all effective counter prepare
tions, he crossed the Belgian from
tier and fell upon the Prussians at
Ligny and, alter most obstinate
resistance, the Prussians were forced
to retreat, which they did in good
order. This occurred two days be-
fore the great battle. The English
then resolved to engage the French
next, and Wellington sent to Bluch-
er for ald Butcher sent the follow
ing message to Wellington: off the
English do not attack the French,
ace will" Then he lay down in his
tent and slept peacefully till morn
ing. Then, although worried by the
recent engagement and retreat, when
the command "forward' awoke the
slumbering Eosts, the whole army
was soon in marching order and
ready for battle.
When the morning of the memoir
able 18th of June, 1915, dawned, the
English had occupied the heights of
the Soigner woods. Napoleon occu-
pied the plain in front of them, from
which it CHANGED that the position of
the English was, perhaps, the most
favorable. When Napoleon espied
them through the waning twilight,
he seemed to be in raptures and ex-
ultsntly exclaimed: sAlas these
English Now / have them" And
as soon as the rain had somewhat
abated, he made preparations to at
tack them. Directly in front of
Wellipgton's right wing, command
ed by the Prince of Orange, wss
Haughamont, chateau; and, on his
left wing another, La Hayn Sainte.
These Wellington had occupied and
strongly fortified. It was necessary
for Napoleon to take these posts be-
fore he could fall upon the main
body of the English forces, and
hence he commenced to storm these
the first thing. According to this
authority the French army number
ed about 100000, while that of the
English did not exceed so, 900. The
attack on Haughamont was led by
Napoleon's brother, Jerome, who.
though of little military reputation,
fought brayely for the recovery of
his lost kingdom. A force of 80 900
was led against this position, but
the English guard, and the Bruins
WICK and Hanover Jaegers offered
such effective resistance that, at this
point, the French accomplished moth
ing beyond firing the buildings. La
Hayn Sainte, however, was taken af-
ter an obstinate resistance. Napo-
leon had obtained as yet only this
slight advantage, but the struggle
had lasted beyond noon, and by this
time the Prussians, who were not ex-
pected by the enemy, we're we'll on