The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-10-11

greatest world figure OF modern
times. With its ending was decreed
that never again should Napoleon
Bonaparte. immense somnambulist OF
shattered dream, menace the fu-
ture of kings and continents, with
nations and peoples as mere pawns
upon the chess board Of his gigantic
ambition. 1t requires a rare flight
of mind to imagine what might have
been the state of Europe and the
rest Of the world today had NapO-
leon, at the climax Of his Belgian CAM
paign, Overthrown his enemies and es-
tabllshed himself and his dynasty firm
ly In power. History as 1t was writ
ten up to the evening Of his doom
had failed to indicate any limits for his
possible sway.
Waterloo was battle OF IFS"
Such an authority as Lieutenant
Colonel Shuttleworth, U. S. A, as
serts that If Napoleon had enjoyed
the advantage Of a small runabout
motorcar he would have triumphed
most certainly. II Grouchy had come
I'D instead Of Blucher the day must
have belonged to France. If Ney had
displayed more military acumen In
the preliminary fight at Quatre Bras
the backbone Of the English resistance
might have been broken. Napoleon
himself cOntended that If somebody
had not without authority, ordered the
unsupported charge Of his splendid
cavalry, he would have won. The "if'
is everywhere in every story of Wa
terloo.
Before the main battle Napoleon
had beaten the Prussians at Ligny
and had dispatched Grouchy with
10000 troops to prevent the defeated
army from marching to Wellington's
aid. In this mission GrOuchy failed
and the emperor ever after censured
him bitterly for the failure. Ney'
meanwhile, attacked the English at
Quatre Bras, but while he kept them
from aiding Blucher and his Prus-
slams he yet failed to break or demor-
alize them. Wellington, retreating,
took up positions on the plateau OF
Mt. st. Jean, or Waterloo. Blucher,
at Wavre, left Thielman to be over
whelmed by Grouchy while with MS
main army he marched to Welllngton's
assistance. Thus, in the language OF
Greasy, "he rlsked a detachment and
won a campaign accordingly"
There is some variation in the es-
innate of the strength of the oppOs-
ing forces. Greasy gives Napoleon
71947, Wellington 67,655, and Blu
cher something over 10000, only
part of whom, of course, were EN-
ployed on the main field. Captain
Becke and Colonel Hime give Napo'
leon 74,0OO agreeing in substance
with Greasy as to the number com
manded by Wellington and Blucher
OF British troops, however, Yelling
ton had but 24,000. The balance OF
his forces comprised Dutch, Bel
gians, HanOverians, Brunswickers
Nassauers and the like, whose loyalty
and effectiveness was in more or less
doubt. On the morning of June IL
! 1O2 years $50, the two armies were
drawn up opposite each other, with {
valley between. The Prussians were
at Wavre. IL miles away.
Here again, enters the "if." ThC
night of the 18th had been stormy
The ground was soft. Finding th'
movement Of artillery difficult Ma
poleon delayed the start of tn
action until nearly noon. If h,
had been able to begin at daybreak h,
might have demolished Wellington be
fore Blucher could have reached hin
with aid.
NapoIeOn's first assault was againS
the farm of Hougoumont, on tn
right Of the British position. Col
umn after column was hurled upol
this post, which detachment Of tn
British guards, fighting with the mos
desperate valor, held throughout Ah
day. At one time, indeed, FOy's al
tacking regiments forced the stOckade
but at the gate Colonel Macdonnell RAJ
through French infantrymen with hi
sword, and Colonel Mackinnon dashe
up under heavy fire with the Grens
diers to the relief.
At one o'clock, with every canno
on both sides laundering, Napoleo
J launched his first grand attack agains
, the British left center. For thi
he selected $4,000 infantry, support
ed by Kellerman's horse and led b
Ney, "the bravest of the brave" Th
Dutch-Belgians in the first line fled i
terror before the furious onslaught G
these veterans, but the British infar
try behind held firm. Pincton, CON
manding the thin red English line, onl
. 5000 strong, took advantage of tn
French moment of deployment to loOs
devastating volley, after which til
t British cavalry charged, sending tn
French reeling back.
U~~~.~I~~.~~~-~-~~