The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-08
WATERLOO.
The Final Charges In the Momentous
Battle.


Before the com bned arm les OF Yelling
ton and Blucher the French could not
stand, but, in spits of tie inferior num-
bers, and the manifest signs OF defeat,
General Bonsparte might have conducted
an orderly retreat. The case was differ
ent with Napoleon, the Emperor, even
though he were now a Liberator; to re-
treat wonid have been merely a post
ponement OF the day of reckoning.
Against this army Napoleon despatched
what was left OF that force which was
the peculiar product of his life and gen.
ius, the old and middle guard. Most OF
it's mem bers were the children OF peas
ants, and had been born in ante Rovolu-
tion days. Neither intelligent in appear
ance nor graceful in nearing, they never
theless had the look Of perfect fighting
machines. Their huge hearsk In caps and
long mustaches did not diminish the
|, fierceness Of their aspect. They had been
selected for size, docility, and strength
they had been we'll paid, well fed,
and well drilled; they had, therefore, no
ties but those to their Emperor no
thusiasm but their passion for imperial
France. They would have followed no
leader unless he were distinguish in
their system OF life; accordingly, Ney was
selected for that honor, and, es they
came In proud confidence up the Char
leroi road, their Emperor passed them in
review. Like every other division. they
nj hat hp a tep
from Grouchy's guns; when informed
that all was ready for the finishing
stroke, that there was to he general ad-
vance slong the whole line, and that no
man was to be denied his share in certain
victory, even the sick, 1t is said, rose up,
and hurried into the ranks. Tne air
seemed rent with their hoarse cheers as
their columns swung in measured tread
diagonally across tho northern spar OF
the cross-lina- elevation which cut the
| surface of the valley.
wellington, Informed of the French
movement, as 1t is thought, by deser-
| ter, issued hurried orders to th,. center,
| ordered Maitlsnd's brigade TO where the
| charge must be met, and posted himself,
with Nspicr's battery, somew hat to his
right. While yet his words Of warning
vera scarcely uttered, the mead of the
French column appeared. The Eng
lish batteries bclched forth well
come, hut, although Noy's horse,
the fifth that day, was shot, the
men he led suffered little, and,
with him on foot at their side, they
came steIdily onward. The British
guards were lying behind the hill-crest,
and the French could discern no fee
only a few mounted officers Of wht m
| Wellington was one. As,onisbed and
incredulous, the assailants pressed stesdi
ly on until within 20 yards OF the Eng
lish line. Cup, guardsl make ready!"
rang out the Dukes well known call,
The British jumped, and fred; about 30l
OF Neys' gallant soldiers fell. But there
was no confusion; on both sides volley
succeeded volley. and this lasted until
the British charged. Then and then only,
| the French withdrew. Simultaneously
| DoDzelot hao fallen rpoD Aliens divi-
sion; but he was leading forlorn hop'
and making no impression. As Ney T. II
back. body Of French cnirassitrs ad-
vanced upon the En- glish batteries. Their
success was partial, and behind them
second column of the guard was formed.
| Again the assault was renewed; but the
second attempt Jared worse than the first
| To the right OF Maitland, Adams bri-
gsde, with the SD regiment, had t,ken
stand; wheeling now, these poured a
deadly flank fire into the advancing
French, while the others poured in
devastating hail of bullets from
the front. The front ranks
OF the French replied with
spirit, but when the British had COM
| pIeted their manoeuver Coborne gave the
order, his men cheered in response, and
the countercharge began. "vive fEm-
pereur!' came the responsive cheer from
tho thinning ranks CT the essailants, and
still they came on. Bot Ia the awful
crash they reeled, infusion followed,
and almost in the twinkling OF an oyo
the rout began. Two battslionS CT tho
old guard. under Cambronne, rotreated
in fair order to the center of the valley,
where they made their last gallant stand
against the overwhelming numbers of
| Halkett's German brigade. They fought
until bu; $50 survived. From eli sides
the cespsiring cry of "suave qui paut !"
rang on their ears. To the final sum
mons Of surrender the leader assented,
and they fled in detection to the rear.
| This occurrence has pass ed into tradition
| as an epic event: wtst Cambronne might
| well have said, "The guard dies, hut
never surrenders," was not uttered, but
| it epitomizes their character, and in the
phrase they and their leaoer have found
Immortality. -C"The Eclipse of Napol.
on's Glory" By william NJ. Sloane, In
| the October Century.
Here's n Starter! Now, Roll IL Up!
Tae treasurer Of the Providence Public
Library gratefully acknowledges the re-
a. - -