The record-union., 1896-11-30
WATERLOO.
The Final Charge In the Momentous
Rattle

D6IIIcs
Before the combined armies of We'll
Angton and Blucher the French could
not stand, but in spite of inferior num-
pers, and the manifest signs of defeat,
General Bonaparte might have con-
quoted an orderly retreat. The case was
olHerent with Napoleon, the Emperor,
even though he were now liberator;
10 retreat would have been merely
postponement of the day of reckoning.
Against this army Napoleon dispatched
what was left Of that force which was
the peculiar product of his life and
genius, the old and middle guard.
Most of it's members were the children
OF peasants and had been born in ante
revolution days. Neither intelligent In
appearance nor graceful in bearing,
they nevertheless had the look OF per-
fect fighting machines. Their huge
pearskin caps and long mustaches did
not diminish the fierceneSs of their as
pect. They had been selected for size,
docility and strength; they had been
we'll paid, well fed, and we'll drilled;
they had, therefore, no ties but those
to their Emperor, no homes but their
barracks, and no enthusiasm but their
passion for imperial France. They
would have followed no leader unless
he were distinguished in their system
Of life; accordingly, Ney was selected
for that honor, and as they came in
proud confidence 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
the battle they rose up and hurried
into the ranks. The air seemed rent
with their hoarse cheers as their col
umns swung in measured tread diago-
nally across the northern spur of the
cross-line elevation which cut the sur
face of the valley.
Wellington, informed of the French
movement, as it is thought, by a de-
serter, issued hurried orders to the CEN
ter, 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
Neys horse, the fifth that day, was
shot, the men he led suffered little,
and, with him on foot at their side,
they came steadily onward
The British guards were lying be-
hind the hill-crest, and the French could
discern no foe-only few mounted Of
ficers, of whom Wellington was one. AS
tondshed and incredulous the assail-
ants pressed steadily on until within
twenty 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, and then only,
the French withdrew. simultaneously
Donzelot had fallen upon Alten's di-
vision; but he was leading a forlorn
hope, and making no impression. AS
Ney fell back, a body of French CUR
assiers advanced upon the English bat
teries. Their success was partial, and
behind them second column was
formed.
the second attempt Jared worse than the
first. To the right of Maitland, Adams
brigade, with the Fffty-second Regi-
ment, had taken stand; wheeling now.
these poured a deadly flank fire into the
advancing French, while the others
poured in a devastating hail Of bullets
from the front The front ranks of the
French replied with spirit, but when the
British had completed their maneuver,
Colborne gave the order, his men
cheered in response, and the counter
charge began. "Vive PEmpereurl"
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 valley,
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 of 'Sauve qui
peutn' rang on their ears. To the final
summons of surrender the leader as
tIiSy uiSu III ueJGCllOn
rear. This occurrence has passed into
tradition as an epic event; what Com
bronze might well have said, The guard
dies, but never surrenders,' was not ut
tered, but 1t epitomized their character,
and in the phrase they and their leader
have found immortality.-"The Eclipse
OF Napoleon's Glory" by William NJ
Sloane, in the October Century