Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-08-23
The Battle of Waterloo.

bravery that ever challenged the admi-
ration of the world, sealed the fate of
the greatest military genius history
has ever seen, and ended the most dis
astrous war known to modern civiliza-
ton.
Napoleon, just escaped from Elba,
had by Incredible exertion raised an
army of 28O.OOO men to repel the
million of bayonets then threatening
France. He marched into Belgium,
determined to attack singly the armies
of Blucher and Wellington before they
had time to effect a junction He
sent Marshal Ney to take possession
of Quatre Bras, thinking thus to cut off
the forces of Wellington from those of
Blucher; but Wellington seized Quatre
Bras before Ney's arrival.
Napoleon advanced toward Ligny
and unexpectedly encountered Bluch-
er at the head 100000 men. A des-
perate battle ensued, and continued
all day, leaving Napoleon victor.
The Prussians fled, pursued by
Grouchy.
As soon as Wellington learned Of
the defeat at Liguy, he fell back to
effect a junction with the Prussian
army at Waterloo. Napoleon ad-
vanced to Quatre Bras to unite his
forces with Ney's and to follow Vel
lington.
About nine miles from Brussels Ma
poleon came up with Wellington's ar
my of 10000 men. Blucher was then
at Wavre, within a few hours march
of Waterloo, with 10000 men, and
Wellingtons idea was to act on the
defensive and await his arrival.
The battle began late, as Napoleon
wanted the sun to dry the wet ground
that he might manoeuvre his artillery
effectively. 1t had rained throughout
the night and the country was so miry
that in some places the cannon wheels
sank to the hub. At thirty-fye min
utes past II, on Sunday, the 18th of
June, 1915, the first gun went off.
Hour after hour the French soldiers
made onset after onset up to the very
muzzle Of the British guns and were
mown down like grass before the reap
er. The demon Of destruction held
high carnival for many hours the
whole field was deluged with a very
storm Of balls, shells, and grape shot,
while enormous masses Of artillery ad-
vancing and retreating, trampled into
the bloody mire the dying and the
dead. The thunder Of the artillery
and musketry, the flash Of the guns,
the groans and shrieks Of the wounded,
the dense volumes of smoke which ea-
the plain in gloom, the delir
ious shouts Of the assailaEts as they
rushed at each other; the whistling
of the bullets, and the wild flight Of
the fugitives pursued and sabred by
the cavalry, presented the awful ca
lamity of war in all its fendish bru-
tality.
Both generals were anxiously await
ing fresh troops. Napoleon sent cOu-
rier after courier to summon Grouchy
to the field, but he came not. Well
ington, confidently expecting Blucher,
coldly heroic throughout the
day, showing no uneasiness while the
bullets were whistling around him.
He gave orders to hold out to the last
man, calling to the soldiers Of his old
"Boys, no one must think
of drawing back foot. think of old
!" When three parts were
vanquished by the impetuOus attacks
Of the French, he muttered "Splen-
did l." in admiration but showed moth
ing of trepidation. Almost at the same
time singular coincidence showed the
Of both armies. Kemp sent
to Wellington for reinforcements, and
the latter reply was "None to spare;
get yourself killed" Ney sent TO
for more infantry, and his
reply was: Where does be expect
me to draw infantry? Does he think
l can make men ?"
Wellington. anxiously consulting
his watch and knowing that he could
not hold out much longer, exclaimed
Would to Heaven that Blucher or
night would come
Just as Napoleon was giving orders
for simultaneous attack. the forces