Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-10-08
WATERLOO.
The Final Charges in the Momentous
Battle


lington and Butcher the French could
not stand, but, in spite of inferior
numbers, and the manifest signs of
defeat, General Bonaparte might have
conducted an orderly retreat. The case
was different with Napoleon. the en-
peror, even though he were now a Lib
orator; to retreat would have been
merely postponement of the day of
reckoning. Against this army Ma
poleon despatched what was left of
that force which was the peculiar prod
uct OF his life and genius. the old and
middle guard. Most Of its members
were the children of peasants, and had
been born in the ante-revolution DAYS.
Neither Intelligent in appearance nor
graceful in bearing, they nevertheless
had the look Of perfect fighting-ma-
chimes. Their huge bearskin caps and
herceness of their aspect. They had
been selected for size, docility. and
strength; they had been well paid. we'll
fed, and well drilled; they had. there
fore, no ties but those to their emper-
or, no homes but their barracks. and
no enthusiasm but their passion for
imperial France. They would have
followed no leader unless he were dis
tlnguished in their system of life: ac-
cordingly, Ney was selected for that
honor, and, as they came in proud con-
fidence up the Charleroi road. their
emperor passed them in review. Like
every other division they had been told
that the distant roar was from
Grouchy's guns; when Informed that
all was ready for the finishing stroke.
that there was to be a general advance
along the whole line, and that no man
was to be denied his share in certain
victory, even the sick, it is said, rose
up, and hurried into the ranks The
air seemed rent with their hoarse
cheers as their columns swung in
measured tread diagonally across the
northern spur of the cross-line ele-
walton which cut the surface of the
valley.
Wellington, informed of the French
movement, as it is thought, by a de-
serter, issued hurried orders to the
center, ordered Maitland's brigade to
where the charge must be met, and
posted himself, with Napiers' battery,
somewhat to it's right. While yet his
words of warning were scarcely ut
tered, the head of the French column
appeared. The English batteries
belched forth a welcome, but, although
Ney's horse, the fifth that lay, was
shot, the men he led suffered little.
and, with him on foot at their side,
they came steadily onward. The Brit
ish guards were lying behind the hill
crest, and the French could discern no
foe-only a few mounted officers, of
whom Wellington was one. Astonish-
ed and incredulous, the assailants
pressed steadily on unit! with in TWEEN
ty yards of the English line up,
guards! make ready" rang out the
Dukes well-known call. The British
jumped, and fired; about 300 of Ney's
gallant soldiers fell. But there was
no confusion; on both sides volley sue
ceeded volley, and this lasted until the
British charged. Then, ID hen only,
the French withdrew. simultaneously
Donzelot had fallen upon Aliens divi-
sion; but he was leading forlorn
hope, and making no impression. AS
Ney fell back, body of French ct1iras-
siers advanced upon the English bat
teries. Their success was partial, and
behind them a second column of the
aH J1n
was renewed; but the second attempt
Jared worse than the first. To the
right of Maitland, Adams brigade,
with the ?2nd regiment, had taken
stand; wheeling now these poured
deadly flank fire into the advancing
French, while the others poured III
devastating hail of bullets from the
front. The front ranks of the French
replied with spirit, but when the Brit
ish had completed their Vancouver
Colborne gave the order, his men
cheered in response, and the counter
charge began. give PEmpereur!"
came the responsive cheer from the
thinning ranks of the assailants, and
still they came on. But in the awful
crash they reeled, confusion followed,
and almost in the twinkling of an eye
the rout began. Two battalions of the
old guard, under Cambronne, retreated
in fair order to the center of the val
ley, where they made their last gallant
stand against the overwhelming num-
bers of Halkett's German brigade.
They fought until but $50 survived.
From all sides the despairing cry of
''Sauve qui peut!" rang on their ears.
To the final summons of surrender the
leader assented, and they filed in de-
lection to the rear. This occurrence
has passed into tradition as an epic
event; what Cambronne might well
have said, "The guard dies, but never
surrenders," was not uttered, but it
epitomizes their character and in the
phrase they and their leader have
found mortality.-William NJ.
Sloane in the Century.
TEETH PULLED BY ELECTRICITY.