Fort Wrangel news., 1898-06-15
WATERLOO.
The Final Charges in the Momcntous
 Battle.


 merS. and the manifest signs of defeat, General Bonaparte might have conduct ed an orderly retreat. The case was different with Napoleon, the Emperor even though he were now n Liberator; to retreat would have been merely Il poStponement 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 genius, the old and middle guard. Most of its members were the children of peasants, and had been born i'll ante revolution days. Neither intelligent in appearance nor graceful in bearing, they nevertheless had the look of per feet ighting-maehlncs. Their huge bearSkin 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 well paid. well fed, and well 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 Vsh intnPTnD1 that all was ready for the finishing stroke. that there WAS to be general advance along the whole line. and that no man was to be denied his share i'll certain victory, even the sick, IL is said, rose up. and hurried into the ranks The air seemed rent with their hoaise cheers as their columns swung in meas ured tread diagonally across the north ern spur of the croSS-line elevation which cut the surface of the valley.
 Wellington, informed of the French movement. as 1t is thought. by de ter, ordered Maitland's brigade to where the charge must be met, and posted himself, with Napier's battery, somewhat to its right. While yet his words of warning were scarcely ut- tered. the head of the French column appeared The English batteries belch- ed forth n welcome. but, although Ney's 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 behind tho hill-crest. and the French could discern no foe-only n few mounted officers, of whom Vel llngton was one. AStoniShed and in- credulous the assailants pressed stead- fly on until within twenty yards of the English line. Up, guards! maze ready" rang out the Dukes we'll known call. The British jumped. and fired; about 300 of Ney's gallant sol dlcrs fell. But there was no eonfusion; on both sides volley succeeded volley, and this lasted until the British charg ed. Then, and then only the French
 withdrew. Simultaneously DonZelot had fallen upon Aliens division; but he was leading forlorn hope. and making no impression. As Ney fell back. body of French cuirlSSierS ad- vanced upon the English batteries. Their success was partial. and behind them q second column of the guard WAS formed Again the assault WAS re- ncwcd; but the second attempt fared worse than the first To the right of Maitland. Adams brigade with the Fifty-second Regiment. had taken stand; wheeling now, these poured deadly flank fire into the advancing French, while the others poured in hail of bullets from the front. The front ranks of the French replied with spirit. but when the British had completed their manoeuver Col borne gave the order. his men cheered in response, and the countercharge be gan "Yiye fEmpereur!" came the re- sponsive 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 numbers of IIalkett's German brigade. They fought until but 150 survived From all sides the despairing cry of ''Sauve qui peut" rang on their ears. To the final sum- mons of surrender the leader assented, and they filed In dejection to the. rear This occurrence has passed Into tr-ldi-