Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-26
TO PRESERVE WATERLOO.
British Fund Raised to Save Battle
field Now Threatened by SpecuIa-
tors,


A committee which includes the
Duke of Wellington, Lord Roberts and
the lord mayor of London has been
formed to raise public fund of $780,
600 to purchase the Waterloo battle
field in order to preserve it from a
speculative builder. The lapse Of one
hundred years, has, extraordinarily,
little altered the principal features of
the site of Waterloo. There is, how
ever. now imminent danger that the
original features of the site will be
ohliterated and that the honored arena
will be converted into gerrymander-
ed villas, factories and cabbage-gar-
dens.
An enumeration of some of the fea-
lures still almost as distinctly defin-
ed as in 1915 includes the British po-
sition, extending from Papelotte on
the left towards Braine fAlleud on the
right which is clear beyond cayil.
There runs the blunted ridge, with its
slight dip to the rear. wherein the
Duke of Wellington screened his bat
taions from Napoleon's observation
until required for instant action. There
is the lane, partly bordered by the
identical bank behind which Picton's
division was crouched prior to spring
ing forward to repulse d'Erlon's in
fantry. There are the slopes down
which Numbered the Union and the
Household Cavalry Brigades, dealing
destruction to the French infantry
and successfully contending, though
with heavy loss. with Kellerman's
ORA goons. There is La Haye Sainte,
cottage, stables, outhouses and walks,
old and SCARED, but not decrepit, and
veiy much in the same condition as
when held with desperate tenacity by
the Kings German Legion.
There is a portion of the hollow way
into which, according to Victor HUI
COS preposterous account, so many of
Milhands horsemen toppled in their
great cavalry attack. Mainly within
yon limited area, Wellington moved
according as a crisis called for his
presence. There. partly down that
slope in front of the ridge, the Eng
lish infantry stood, firm and unbrok-
en-, though shot down in hundreds,
against the repeated and furious at
tacks of the very flower of Napoleon's
infantry and cavalry. The whole area
is still under cultivation and remains
unencumbered with buildings or 9TH
er constructions, saving the ugly
mound of the wretched Belgian Lion.
The positions of every brigade, regi-
ment and battery can be localized;
there can even be defined the SOC yards
occupied by the SD Regiment when
Colborne wheeled them up to assail
in flank the huge column of the Inn
perial Guard A little farther on we
come to Hougomont. the very mecca
of English military exploits and most
of its essential details extant-Houg-
omont with its loop-holed walls still
enclosing the orchard with its shot
SCARED trees; with its garden, Its
dwelling house it's eharred, battered
chapel, it's covered well, and it's wood
en- gateway which was at one mo-
ment burst open but which five Eng
lish officers and privates. laborinf
with might and main. succeeded ir
reclosing thus shutting out Jerome's
troops, Napoleon's army and Napo-
Icons France.
The opposite French position bears
many general features of resemblance
to the English position, but is less dis
tinct and simple. and from the nature
of the conflict fame has chung to few
er separate spots; but we can follow
up its outline unerringly. The right
wing extended from Frishermont, now.
as then, a small village. to La Belle
Alliance Down those slopes of this
ridge d fsrlon and Milhand were adj
vanced to attack and be repulsed by
Picton and Lord Anglesy. In rear OF
its right centre is the large substan-
tial village of Planchenoit, where in
the afternoon the belated Prussians
had a combat on their own account.
The cabaret of La Belle Alliance, the
central point of the French position
is replete with interesting associa-
TONS 1t is manifestly little altered
since Napoleon resorted to it, anc
continues to be low. mean, squalid,
and filthy. In it's vicinity are the
noteworthy buildings of Decoster and
Rossome.
Walking along the front of the LEFT
wing. which extends from La Belle
Alliance, we reach the heights ada
cent to the still standing country
house. Mon Plaisir. from where Ma
poleon began the battle by pushing
forward Jeromes force to the attack
of Hougomont. The shallow valley IN
front of the left wing marks the
most fateful scenes in the latter hall
of the battle of Waterloo: each fold
of the ground fraught with conse-
auences. and each movement can be
followed with the utmost exactitude.
Here can be fixed the starting points
from whence La Haye Salnte and
Hougomont were again furiously as
sailed. Up that oblique depression
the cavalry advanced to their thrice
repeated attack against the British
squares. On yonder subsidiary pia-
teau Napoleon stood when those mag
nificent heroes, the Imperial Guard,
marched before him 'morituri tie sal
utant" TO meet their doom at the
hands of Maitland, Adams and Col
borne.
These are features which the Brit
ish fund would save.
Washing in Sicily.
The Sieilians have the reputation or