Читать книгу The Waterloo Campaign, 1815 - William Siborne - Страница 3

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CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Landing of Napoleon Buonaparte in France after his escape from Elba 47
Flight of Louis XVIII. 47
Decision of the Congress of Vienna 48
Preparations on the part of the Allied Powers for opening a Campaign against Napoleon 49
Great Britain and Prussia occupy Belgium 49
Advance of the Russians towards the French frontier 51
Advance of the Austrians 52
The troops of Bavaria, Baden, Würtemburg, and of Hesse, assemble upon the Upper Rhine 52
Preparations on the part of Napoleon 53
General aspect of France 57
Spirit of the French Army 58
Public Opinion and state of Parties in France 59
CHAPTER II.
Belgium again destined to become the Theatre of War 62
The British Army 62
The Duke of Wellington 63
The Prussian Army 67
Prince Blücher von Wahlstadt 67
The King's German Legion; the Hanoverian, Brunswick, Dutch, Belgian, and Nassau troops 67
Napoleon and the French Army 68
Prospect of a severe struggle 69
CHAPTER III.
Strength, composition, and distribution of the Anglo-Allied Army under Wellington 71
Its projected concentration in the event of Napoleon's advance 75
Strength, composition, and distribution of the Prussian Army under Blücher 76
Its projected concentration in the event of Napoleon's advance 79
The line on which Wellington's Left and Blücher's Right rested, selected by Napoleon for the direction of his attack 82
Strength, composition, and distribution of the French Army under Napoleon 82
Necessity under which the French Emperor is placed of opening the Campaign without awaiting the further development of his resources 87
Slight retrospect of the Campaign of 1814 88
Napoleon's prospect of success 88
His preparations for the commencement of hostilities 90
Wellington receives information from his Outposts in front of Tournai, of the assembling of French troops on the frontier; but delays the concentration of the Anglo-Allied troops until certain of the object and direction of Napoleon's main operation 91
Concentration of the French Army 91
Napoleon joins the latter in person 92
Ordre du Jour of the 14th of June 93
CHAPTER IV.
Zieten ascertains and communicates to the Allied Commanders the assembling of French troops in his front, and that there is every probability of an attack by the Enemy on the 14th or 15th of June 94
Blücher's dispositions 96
Extent of information gained by Wellington and Blücher immediately previous to the commencement of hostilities 97
Position of the First Prussian Corps d'Armée under Zieten 97
Advance of the French Army into Belgium on the 15th of June 98
The French force the Prussian Outposts; cross the Sambre, and gain possession of Charleroi 98
Retreat of the different Brigades of Zieten's Corps upon Fleurus 104
Affair at Gilly 106
Zieten's Corps concentrates in position between Ligny and St. Arnaud 110
Losses experienced by this Corps on the 15th 111
The Second and Third Prussian Corps d'Armée, under Pirch and Thielemann, concentrate and bivouac on the night of the 15th; the former between Onoz and Mazy not far from Sombref, the latter in and around Namur 111
Bülow is desired to concentrate the Fourth Prussian Corps d'Armée at Hannut 112
Cause of this operation being deferred until the 16th 113
Ney joins the French Army, and receives from Napoleon the command of a detached Corps destined to operate by the Brussels road from Charleroi 114
The Advanced Post at Frasne, upon the extreme Left of the Duke of Wellington's Army, receives intelligence of the French attack 115
Consequent movements of de Perponcher's Dutch-Belgian Division 115
The Anglo-Allied Post at Frasne is driven in by the Advanced Guard of Ney's Corps; the progress of which is checked by Prince Bernhard of Saxe Weimar's Dutch-Belgian Brigade in front of Quatre Bras 116
Disposition of Ney's forces in the night of the 15th of June 118
Wellington is informed of Napoleon's advance, and makes his dispositions accordingly 119
Order of the movements of the Anglo-Allied Army 120
Disposition of the Centre and Right Columns of the French Army during the night of the 15th 123
Remarks on the result of Napoleon's operations on the 15th of June 123
CHAPTER V.
On the morning of the 16th, Wellington's troops are in movement upon Nivelles and Quatre Bras 129
The Dutch-Belgian Detachment at the latter point is reinforced, and becomes engaged with the French Advanced Guard 129
The Prince of Orange arrives, and succeeds in forcing back the French upon Frasne 131
Ney's views and dispositions 131
Wellington arrives in person at Quatre Bras 134
He proceeds to the Prussian Head Quarters for the purpose of holding a conference with Blücher 134
Adopted Plan of Operations 135
Instructions received by Ney from Napoleon 135
Ney's advance 143
The Prince of Orange's dispositions to meet it 143
Relative strength 143
The Prince of Orange retires towards Quatre Bras, occupies the Wood of Bossu, and endeavours to maintain the Post of Gemioncourt 144
Arrival of Picton's Division 145
Conspicuous gallantry of the Prince of Orange 147
Arrival of van Merlen's Light Cavalry Brigade 148
Van Merlen advances in support of Perponcher's Infantry 148
Both are driven back: the former to Quatre Bras; the latter into the Wood of Bossu, which is now attacked by the French 148
The latter occupy Gemioncourt and Piermont 148
Ney's position 149
Arrival of the principal portion of the Brunswick troops 149
Relative strength 150
Part of the Brunswick Corps posted between the Charleroi road and the Wood of Bossu 151
French attack 152
Wellington decides on meeting it 153
Advance of Picton with the Fifth British Division 153
The French Infantry gallantly repulsed by the British 154
Attack upon the Brunswickers 155
The Duke of Brunswick makes an ineffectual charge at the head of his Lancers 157
Retreat of the Brunswickers 157
Fall of the Duke of Brunswick 158
Conspicuous gallantry of the 42nd and 44th British Regiments 159
The French Cavalry advances as far as Quatre Bras 162
Is checked by the 92nd Highlanders 162
Kellermann joins Ney with L'Heritier's Cavalry Division 163
The French Cavalry attacks the British Squares 164
Picton advances his Infantry into the midst of the French Cavalry 166
Remarkable steadiness of the British Squares 167
Manner in which the charges of the French Cavalry were executed 167
The French are rapidly gaining possession of the entire Wood of Bossu, are reinforcing their Light Troops in Piermont, and are preparing to renew their attack upon Quatre Bras 172
Alten joins Wellington with two Infantry Brigades of the Third Division 173
Ney is joined by the remaining Division of Kellermann's Corps of Heavy Cavalry 173
Relative strength 173
Ney, after despatching an Order to d'Erlon to join him without delay, commences another general attack 174
Two French Foot Batteries suddenly open a fire from the edge of the Wood of Bossu upon the Brunswick Infantry 174
Gallant conduct of Lloyd's British Foot Battery 174
Advance of Halkett's British Infantry Brigade posted between the Wood of Bossu and the Charleroi road 175
Kielmansegge's Hanoverian Infantry Brigade advances along the Namur road to reinforce and support Picton's Division 175
Advance of French Infantry against Quatre Bras 176
The latter gallantly charged and pursued by the 92nd Highlanders 176
Halkett's Brigade posted between the Wood of Bossu and the Charleroi road 177
The 69th British Regiment is attacked and dispersed by French Cuirassiers 178
Vigorous assault along the whole of the Anglo-Allied Line 180
Arrival of British and German Artillery 181
French Cuirassiers driven back in confusion from Quatre Bras 182
Ney receives intelligence that d'Erlon's Corps has been ordered by Napoleon to march towards the Prussian Extreme Right on the Field of Ligny; and shortly afterwards a despatch reaches him, requiring him to attack and repulse whatever Enemy may be in his front, and then to fall upon the Prussian Right 182
Vigorous attack upon the Left of Wellington's Line successfully repelled 184
The French Cavalry continues its attacks upon the central portion of the Anglo-Allied Army 184
Ney receives a further despatch from the Emperor, urging him to comply immediately with the instructions previously given 185
Arrival of Brunswick reinforcement 185
Also of the First British Division under Cooke 186
Relative strength 186
Halkett is again attacked by French Cavalry, after which he makes a further advance of his Brigade 187
The British Guards succeed in forcing the French out of the Wood of Bossu 188
Signal defeat of French Cavalry by the British Guards and the Brunswick Guard Battalion 189
Wellington's victorious advance 191
Ney withdraws the whole of his forces to the Heights of Frasne, on which they bivouac for the night 191
D'Erlon joins Ney after the termination of the action 191
Losses in killed and wounded 193
Remarks upon the Battle 193
CHAPTER VI.
Blücher decides upon accepting battle in the position in rear of Fleurus 199
The position of Ligny strategically considered 200
The position itself described 201
Distribution of Zieten's Corps on the morning of the 16th of June 201
At eleven o'clock Pirch's Corps is posted as a Reserve to Zieten's 203
Thielemann's Corps reaches Sombref about noon 204
Its distribution on the Field 204
General view of Blücher's dispositions 204
About ten o'clock the foremost of the French troops debouch in two Columns from the Wood of Fleurus, and draw up in front of this town 204
Napoleon's views and dispositions 205
At two o'clock he communicates to Ney his intention to commence his attack upon the Prussians, and desires that Marshal also to attack the Enemy in his front 206
The French Light Troops gain possession of Fleurus 206
The Cavalry of Zieten's Corps falls back upon the position of Ligny 206
The French Army advances and takes up a position preparatory to its attack 207
Strength of the French forces under Napoleon 208
Strength of the Prussian forces under Blücher 209
Blücher's arrangements 209
He moves Thielemann's Corps into his Front Line, of which it then forms the Left Wing 210
Blücher's views and dispositions 211
Tactical defects of the position of Ligny 213
Napoleon commences the Battle with an attack by Vandamme's Corps upon St. Amand 213
Gérard's Corps attacks Ligny 214
Contest in these Villages 215
The French carry St. Amand 216
Renewed attack upon Ligny 217
Nature of the contest between Thielemann's and Grouchy's Corps 217
Girard's Division gains possession of St. Amand la Haye 218
Blücher's dispositions for retaking this Village, securing Wagnelé, and impeding any further advance from the French Left 218
Failure of the Prussian attack upon St. Amand la Haye 219
Blücher decides on a renewed attack upon this Village, as a diversion in favour of his projected movement against the French Left 219
Napoleon reinforces this Flank 220
The Prussians retake St. Amand la Haye 220
Blücher reinforces his extreme Right with Cavalry 221
Prussian attack upon Wagnelé unsuccessful 222
The French regain St. Amand la Haye 223
Continued contest at Ligny 223
Blücher reinforces his troops employed in the defence of this Village 224
Long and desperate struggle in the Villages of St. Amand la Haye, Wagnelé, and the Hameau de St. Amand 227
Napoleon, perceiving that Blücher has scarcely any Reserve remaining at his disposal, resolves upon attacking the Prussian Centre 230
He suspends his meditated attack in consequence of a large Column advancing apparently from Frasne towards his Left Rear 231
This Column is discovered to be d'Erlon's Corps d'Armée 234
This circumstance explained 234
Thielemann detaches a portion of his Cavalry with some guns across the Ligny, along the Fleurus road 237
They are attacked and driven back by part of Grouchy's Cavalry 237
Disposition and state of the Prussian troops at the moment Napoleon advances with a formidable Reserve across the Ligny 239
The Prussian Infantry forced to evacuate Ligny 242
Failure of Prussian Cavalry attacks upon the advancing Column of French Infantry 243
Blücher's horse is killed, and the Prince thrown under him 245
Critical situation of the Prussian Commander 246
He is removed from the Field 246
Retreat of Prussian Infantry upon Bry 247
Contest at Sombref 249
Retreat of the Prussians from St. Amand and St. Amand la Haye 250
Zieten's and Pirch's Corps retire by Marbais and Tilly 251
Thielemann's Corps retains its position 252
Close of the Battle 253
Distribution of the French troops 254
Disposition of the Prussian troops 254
Bülow's Corps reaches Gembloux during the night 255
Losses sustained by both Armies 255
Consequences of the Prussian defeat 255
Remarks upon the Battle 256
CHAPTER VII.
An engagement of short duration, and originating accidentally, takes place between the French and Anglo-Allied Picquets on the Field of Quatre Bras, about an hour before daylight of the 17th June 259
Wellington detaches a Patrol to his Left for the purpose of gaining intelligence concerning Blücher's movements 261
The Patrol finds the Prussians at Tilly 262
Upon its return Wellington decides on retrograding his forces to the position in front of Waterloo 263
Order of Movement 263
Communications between Blücher and Wellington 264
Retreat of the Anglo-Allied Infantry; masked from the Enemy 264
Ney's views and dispositions 266
Napoleon communicates to Ney the result of the Battle of Ligny; and proposes, should the Enemy's force at Quatre Bras advance against him, to co-operate with the Marshal in a combined attack upon the Anglo-Allied Army 267
Tardiness of Napoleon's movements 267
Simultaneous advance of Napoleon and Ney against Wellington 268
Uxbridge's dispositions for the retreat of the British Cavalry 270
Brilliant Cavalry Affair at Genappe 281
Retreat continued to the Waterloo position 282
Napoleon's advance checked on his reaching La Belle Alliance 282
Remarks on the retreat 283
Blücher's promised support 285
Wellington's disposition of his detached troops under Sir Charles Colville and Prince Frederick of Orange 285
The French and Anglo-Allied Armies establish their respective bivouacs for the night 286
CHAPTER VIII.
At daybreak of the 17th, the Prussian Army commences its retreat upon Wavre 287
Zieten's Corps retires by Mont St. Guibert, and reaches Wavre about mid day 287
Pirch's Corps follows the same route, and takes post upon the right bank of the Dyle 287
Thielemann, having collected together the Brigades of his Corps, begins to retire from the Field of Ligny at two o'clock in the morning 288
He halts in rear of Gembloux 289
Bülow retires by Walhain and Corbaix to Dion le Mont, near which he takes up a position 290
Thielemann resumes his march at two o'clock in the afternoon, and arrives at the position of Wavre late in the evening 290
Prussian Head Quarters established at Wavre 291
Blücher receives a message from Wellington 291
While the Prussians are effecting their retreat during the early part of the morning, the French continue quietly in their bivouac 292
Pajol, with the Light Cavalry Division, seeks the Prussians along the Namur road; followed by Lieutenant General Teste's Infantry Division, in support 292
Other troops detached towards Gembloux, near which traces of the Prussian retreat are discovered 293
Remarks upon the extraordinary degree of inactivity on the part of Napoleon 293
About noon, Napoleon proceeds to collect, in advance of Marbais, on the high road to Quatre Bras, a portion of the troops that had fought at Ligny; and detaches the remainder, under Grouchy, in pursuit of the Prussians 296
Napoleon's instructions to Grouchy 297
The troops assembled near Marbais advance upon Quatre Bras, which they reach about two o'clock 298
The Corps of Vandamme and Gérard do not reach Gembloux until late in the evening 299
Grouchy's dispositions 300
Disposition of the Prussian troops during the 17th 302
Influence of the defeat at Ligny upon the morale of the Prussian Army 305
Blücher is informed of the position of the Anglo-Allied Army 306
His instructions to Bülow 306
On the 18th, Vandamme's and Gérard's Corps commence the march from Gembloux, at nine o'clock, upon Wavre, preceded by the Heavy Cavalry under Excelmans, and supported on their left by Maurin's Light Cavalry 307
At half past ten o'clock, Excelmans' Advanced Guard comes in contact with the Prussian Rear Guard 307
At Sart à Wallain Grouchy's attention is called to the sound of a heavy cannonade in the direction of Mont St. Jean 308
Gérard suggests to Grouchy the expediency of marching towards the cannonade 308
Grouchy's reasons for rejecting this proposal 309
The march upon Wavre continued 309
At daybreak on the 18th, Bülow quits his position near Dion le Mont to march through Wavre upon St. Lambert, and thus commences the flank movement of the Prussians in support of the Anglo-Allied Army at Waterloo 310
Blücher communicates to Wellington his intention of immediately attacking the Enemy's Right Flank 311
Dispositions made for giving security to this movement 312
Blücher directs that as soon as Bülow's Corps has proceeded beyond Wavre, Zieten's Corps is to commence its march by Fromont and Ohain to join the Left Wing of Wellington's Army 312
Pirch's Corps to follow Bülow's in the direction of St. Lambert; and Thielemann's to follow Zieten's as soon as its presence at Wavre is no longer essential 312
The march of Bülow's Corps through Wavre delayed by an accident 313
Bülow's Advanced Guard crosses the Defile of St. Lambert, and halts in the Wood of Paris 313
Pirch, having strengthened his Rear Guard in consequence of the approach of the French, effects the passage of his Corps across the Dyle at Wavre 314
Blücher's instructions to Thielemann 316
Remarks upon Grouchy's movements during the 17th, and the early part of the 18th 316
Their influence upon the Battle of Waterloo 321
CHAPTER IX.
The French and Anglo-Allied Armies break up their bivouacs early on the morning of the 18th of June, in front of Waterloo 324
Preparations for Battle 325
The Field 325
Wellington's position 326
Distribution of the Anglo-Allied Army 327
The Waterloo Campaign, 1815

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