Читать книгу The Waterloo Campaign, 1815 - William Siborne - Страница 4

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Front Line: with the Advanced Posts of Smohain, La Haye, La Haye Sainte, and Hougomont 327
Second Line 347
Reserves 348
Detached forces in observation near Hal, and at Tubize; the former under Prince Frederick of Orange, the latter under Sir Charles Colville 350
Braine l'Alleud and Vieux Foriez occupied 350
Distribution of the Anglo-Allied Artillery 351
General view of the disposition of Wellington's forces 353
Napoleon's position 355
Distribution of the French Army 355
Front Line 355
Second Line 359
Reserves 362
General view of the disposition of Napoleon's forces 363
Remarks on the Emperor's delay in commencing the Battle 364
Strength of the Anglo-Allied Army in the Field 367
Strength of the French Army 368
The French Columns moving into position 368
Intense interest excited in both Armies when drawn up in presence of each other, and on the point of commencing the Battle 368
CHAPTER X.
Napoleon's instructions to Grouchy previously to the Battle of Waterloo 370
A Prussian Officer joins the extreme Left of the Anglo-Allied Army, and reports that Bülow's Corps has reached St. Lambert 371
Napoleon passes along the French Lines 372
The Battle commences about half past eleven o'clock, with an attack upon the Wood of Hougomont, by part of Prince Jerome's Division 375
The cannonade is opened by the guns of Sandham's Foot Battery in front of Cooke's Division 375
The French gain possession of a portion of the Wood and other inclosures of Hougomont 376
They are driven out 377
The French reconnoitre the Anglo-Allied Left 377
Jerome renews his attack, supported by part of Foy's Division 378
Fire opened upon the attacking troops by the Batteries posted with Clinton's Division 378
The French gain the Wood 378
Signal service rendered by Bull's Howitzer Battery 379
The French Skirmishers succeed in turning the Right of Hougomont, and in forcing the great Gate; which, however, is soon closed against the assailants 380
They then press forward against the Right of the Allied Front Line, and force Webber Smith's Horse Battery to retire into a hollow way to refit 381
They are charged and driven back by four Companies of the Coldstream Guards, under Lieutenant Colonel Woodford, which force then joins the defenders of Hougomont 381
The French, on debouching from the Wood into the Great Orchard, are gallantly charged and driven back by Lieutenant Colonel Lord Saltoun with the Light Companies of the First Brigade of Guards 383
The latter, being attacked in both front and flank, are compelled to fall back upon the hollow way in rear of the Great Orchard 383
On being reinforced by two Companies of the 3rd Regiment of Guards; they resume the offensive, and clear the Orchard of the Enemy 383
Ney's dispositions for a grand attack upon the Left Wing and Centre of the Anglo-Allied Army 384
Napoleon perceives troops in motion at some distance on his right 385
He detaches Domon's and Subervie's Light Cavalry Brigades in that direction 386
He ascertains that the troops he has seen belong to the Prussian Corp's d'Armée of Count Bülow 386
His Orders to Grouchy 387
Napoleon neglects to adopt effectual measures for securing his Right Flank 389
CHAPTER XI.
Commencement of the grand attack upon the Left Wing and Centre of the Anglo-Allied Army 392
On the right of the attack the French gain possession of the Farm of Papelotte; which, however, is soon retaken by the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of Nassau 393
Retreat of Bylandt's Dutch-Belgian Infantry Brigade 395
Picton's dispositions 397
Attack by the French Left Central Column 399
Gallant charge by Kempt's Brigade 401
Death of Picton 402
Contest between Cuirassiers and the 2nd Life Guards in front of the Right of Kempt's Brigade 403
Attack upon La Haye Sainte by the Left Brigade of Donzelot's Division 404
Advance of Roussel's Cavalry Brigade by the French left of La Haye Sainte 405
Uxbridge decides upon charging the Enemy's attacking force with Somerset's and Ponsonby's Cavalry Brigades 406
Charge by the French Cuirassiers and Carabiniers 408
It is met by that of Somerset's Cavalry Brigade 409
Advance of Ponsonby's Cavalry Brigade 411
Advance of Alix's and Marcognet's French Infantry Divisions 411
They reach the crest of the Anglo-Allied position 412
Advance of the 92nd Highlanders 413
Their attack upon the head of Marcognet's Column 413
Charge by Ponsonby's Cavalry Brigade 413
Complete overthrow of the French Columns 414
The Greys capture the Eagle of the 45th French Regiment 415
They also charge and defeat a supporting Column of Marcognet's attacking force 415
The Royals capture the Eagle of the 105th French Regiment 418
The Inniskillings defeat and disperse the Columns to which they are opposed 419
Continuation of the charge by Somerset's Brigade 419
Disordered state of the two British Cavalry Brigades 420
They crown the Enemy's position, and cut down the Gunners and horses of the French Batteries 421
At length they retire 421
The Left of their Line suffers severely from a charge by Jaquinot's Light Cavalry Brigade 421
Vandeleur's Light Cavalry advances in support upon the left 422
Charge by the 12th and 16th British Light Dragoons 422
The French Cavalry is driven back 423
Advance of Ghigny's Light Cavalry Brigade 423
Vivian moves his Brigade to the right, and opens a fire from two guns of his Horse Artillery 424
The British Cavalry engaged in this affair sustains a heavy loss 425
Disposition of the troops on the Anglo-Allied Left and Centre 426
Tableau of the Battle at this period 427
CHAPTER XII.
Continuation of the contest at Hougomont 434
Attempted flank attack upon this Post completely defeated by Captain Cleeves's Foot Battery of the King's German Legion 436
The principal buildings of Hougomont, including the Château, set on fire by the French 437
Napoleon prepares a grand Cavalry attack upon Wellington's Right Wing 439
Renewed attack upon La Haye Sainte 439
Tremendous cannonade along the French Heights 441
French grand Cavalry attack 443
Its failure 446
Its renewal 448
Second failure 449
Ney, on being reinforced by Kellermann's Corps of Heavy Cavalry, and Guyot's Heavy Cavalry Division of the Guard, renews his attack 452
This is most successfully resisted 455
Ney directs another attack upon La Haye Sainte, and advances a heavy Column of Bachelu's Infantry against the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Right Wing 458
Wellington draws Chassé's Dutch-Belgian Division from Braine l'Alleud towards the principal scene of action, and moves Clinton's Division into the Front Line 458
Contest at La Haye Sainte 459
The 5th and 8th Line Battalions of the King's German Legion, on advancing to charge French Infantry in rear of La Haye Sainte, are suddenly assailed in flank by French Cavalry, and the 8th Battalion is almost entirely destroyed 460
Artillery in the Anglo-Allied Front Line reinforced 461
Attack by a Column of French Heavy Cavalry upon the Anglo-Allied Right completely defeated by Major Mercer's Battery of British Horse Artillery 461
A strong Column of French Infantry, supported by Cavalry, advances against the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Right Wing 462
It is charged by Somerset's Heavy Cavalry Brigade 463
Conduct of Trip's Dutch-Belgian Carabinier Brigade 463
Gallant charge by the 3rd Hussars of the King's German Legion 464
Renewed attack by the Column of French Heavy Cavalry in front of Major Mercer's Horse Battery 466
It is repulsed as before 466
Wellington reinforces the right of his Front Line by du Plat's Infantry Brigade of the King's German Legion, accompanied by Captain Sympher's Horse Battery of the same Service 467
It is attacked by French Cuirassiers 467
These are driven off by the Battalions of du Plat's Brigade 468
Renewed charge by the Cuirassiers equally unsuccessful 468
Failure of the French Cavalry attack upon the Right Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line 469
Adam's British Light Infantry Brigade advances into the Front Line, on the right of Maitland's Brigade; crosses the ridge, and takes up a position on the exterior slope 470
Here it is repeatedly attacked by French Cavalry 471
Advance of Halkett's Hanoverian Brigade 472
The French assail the Post of La Haye Sainte with the utmost vigour 474
It falls into their possession 478
Napoleon directs Ney to follow up this advantage with a vigorous attack upon the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line, and at the same time to renew the assault upon Hougomont 478
Ney's views and dispositions 479
Attack upon Alten's Division 481
The 5th Line Battalion of the King's German Legion, led by Ompteda, gallantly charges French Infantry; but is furiously assailed in flank by a Regiment of Cuirassiers, and nearly destroyed. Ompteda is killed 482
Gallant repulse of an attack made upon portions of Maitland's and Adam's Brigades 483
British Squares in advance of the Duke's Line 484
Renewed but unsuccessful attack upon Hougomont 485
Adam's Brigade withdrawn to the reverse slope of the main position 487
General view of the Anglo-Allied Line 487
CHAPTER XIII.
Advance of the Prussians towards the Field of Waterloo 490
Difficulties and impediments attending their march 491
The Fifteenth and Sixteenth Prussian Brigades reach the Wood of Paris 492
At half past four o'clock, Blücher decides upon attacking the Right Flank of the French Army with these Brigades, without waiting for the arrival of more of his troops 493
Prussian Cavalry driven back by Domon 494
Three Prussian Battalions attack the Extreme Right of the French general Front Line, near Smohain; but are compelled to retire into the Village 495
Napoleon detaches Lobau's Corps in support of Domon 495
The French Regiments of the Old and Middle Guard take up the position, in reserve, on the Heights of La Belle Alliance, vacated by Lobau's Corps 495
Blücher's dispositions 496
Lobau becomes engaged with Bülow 496
The remainder of Bülow's Corps reaches the Field 496
Blücher's dispositions 496
Relative strength of Bülow's and Lobau's forces 497
Napoleon detaches the Young Guard to Planchenoit, in support of Lobau's Right 498
At about six o'clock, Blücher is informed that Thielemann is attacked by a superior force at Wavre 499
He does not allow this circumstance to deter him from his present purpose 499
Bülow attacks Planchenoit 500
Contest in the Village 500
The Prussian troops driven out 500
Having rallied, they renew their attack 501
Napoleon detaches two Battalions of the Old Guard to Planchenoit 501
The Prussians are again driven out of the Village, and pursued as far as their main position 501
French and Prussian Cavalry become engaged 501
Napoleon, perceiving preparations on the part of the Prussians for renewing the attack upon Planchenoit, detaches General Pelet with another Battalion of the Old Guard to that Village 502
Critical situation of Napoleon 503
He resolves on making a renewed and formidable attack upon Wellington's Line 503
Wellington despatches Lieutenant Colonel Fremantle to the Left, to seek for the Prussian forces expected on that Flank 505
Situation of the Duke, and state of the Anglo-Allied Troops 505
Napoleon's dispositions for the attack 507
The Advanced Guard of Zieten's Corps approaches the Extreme Left of the Anglo-Allied Line 508
Vivian's and Vandeleur's Light Cavalry Brigades are removed from that Flank to the Centre 509
Wellington's dispositions 510
Centre of the Duke's line vigorously assailed by the French troops collected in and about La Haye Sainte 511
Sudden and destructive fire opened upon Kielmansegge's Brigade from French guns brought up to the very crest of the Allied position 513
The Prince of Orange is wounded whilst leading forward the Nassau Troops to repel the French attack upon that part of the Line 514
Wellington reinforces the latter with five Battalions of Brunswick Infantry 514
These, together with Kielmansegge's, Ompteda's, and Kruse's Brigades, are compelled to fall back a short distance 514
The Duke rallies the Brunswickers, who maintain their ground; as do also the before mentioned Brigades 515
Vivian's Hussar Brigade draws up in rear of these troops 515
Kielmansegge, on whom the command of the Third Division has devolved, succeeds in establishing the latter upon its former position 516
CHAPTER XIV.
Commencement of Napoleon's last grand attack upon Wellington's line 518
Napoleon stations himself so that the Guard may pass by him as it advances to the attack 519
Disposition of d'Erlon's and Reille's Corps 520
The leading Column of the Imperial Guard suffers severely from the fire of the Allied Artillery, as it approaches the Duke's Line 521
Contest between the leading Column of the French Imperial Guards and Maitland's Brigade of British Guards 523
The former completely defeated and dispersed 523
Contest between Halkett and the Imperial Guards 524
Conduct of d'Aubremé's Dutch-Belgian Brigade 526
Advance of the second attacking Column of the Imperial Guard 527
Charge upon French Cuirassiers by a Squadron of the 23rd Light Dragoons 530
The second Column of the Imperial Guard charged in flank by the 52nd Regiment and 2nd Battalion 95th Regiment 532
Its defeat and dispersion by this charge 532
Adam's Brigade continues its forward movement, supported on its Right by a Battalion of Lieutenant Colonel Halkett's Hanoverian Brigade 535
State of d'Aubremé's Dutch-Belgian Brigade 537
Upon the extreme Left of the Anglo-Allied Line, the Skirmishers of Durutte's Division endeavour to establish themselves in the houses and inclosures in the valley on that Flank, and become engaged with the Prussians in and about Smohain 538
Blücher's dispositions 539
Formation and advance of Bülow's Left Wing for the Third attack upon Planchenoit, and of his Right Wing for a simultaneous attack upon Lobau 539
Junction of the Advanced Guard of Zieten's Corps with the troops constituting the Extreme Left of the Anglo-Allied Army 541
General view of the disposition of the Prussian forces relatively with that of the Anglo-Allied troops 542
General view of the state of the Anglo-Allied Army at the period of the attack and defeat of the French Imperial Guard 542
Prompt decision and admirable skill evinced by Wellington in seizing upon the advantage presented by the discomfiture of the French Guards 542
Advance of Vivian's Hussar Brigade to the attack of Napoleon's Reserves near La Belle Alliance 546
Disposition of these Reserves 548
Brilliant charge by the 10th British Hussars 549
Charge by the 2nd Light Dragoons of the King's German Legion 551
Adam's Brigade, continuing its advance, reaches the nearest French Height, intersected by the Charleroi road, and on which three Squares of the Imperial Guard are posted 552
General advance of the Anglo-Allied Line 553
The Duke orders Adam to attack the Squares of the Imperial Guard 555
The Earl of Uxbridge falls, severely wounded 556
The Imperial Guard retires from the charge by Adam's Brigade 557
Gallant charge by the 18th British Hussars near La Belle Alliance 559
Charge by a Squadron of the 10th British Hussars upon a Square of the Grenadiers of the Old Guard; which retires, and eventually disperses 560
The Left and Centre Squadrons of the 10th Hussars, continuing their pursuit, after the first charge, make another charge upon both Infantry and Cavalry, on the right, and beyond La Belle Alliance 561
A party of the 18th Hussars makes a dashing but ineffectual charge upon a Square, still further in advance 562
Lieutenant Colonel Halkett, with the Osnabrück Landwehr Battalion, pursues a Column of the Old Guard; and captures General Cambronne 563
Singular situation of the Duke of Wellington 565
CHAPTER XV.
Advance of Vandeleur's Light Cavalry Brigade 566
It charges and disperses a large Column of French Infantry, and captures a Battery 566
Adam's Brigade continues driving the Enemy before it along the left side of the Charleroi road 567
Effect produced upon the Right Wing of the French Army by the advance of Adam's, Vivian's, and Vandeleur's Brigades 568
Its effects also upon the French Left Wing 569
Napoleon takes shelter within a Square of the Imperial Guard 569
Continuation of the advance of the Anglo-Allied Army 570
In the Centre, La Haye Sainte is retaken: on the Right, Hougomont is cleared of the Enemy: on the Left, Durutte's Division, forming the Right of the French Front Line, takes to flight 570
The Left Wing captures the opposite line of Batteries 571
Disorder and flight of the whole of d'Erlon's Corps along the rear of Lobau's Corps; which, being at the same time assailed by part of Bülow's Corps, partakes of the panic, and mingles with the fugitives 571
The British troops near La Belle Alliance fall into the line of fire from a Prussian Battery, to which Wellington sends directions to cease firing 572
French Infantry dispersed, and a Battery captured, by the 52nd British Regiment 572
Capture of a Battery by the 71st British Regiment 573
Last French gun fired by Adam's Aide de Camp 573
A Battery captured by the Osnabrück Hanoverian Battery, under Halkett 573
The British Advanced Cavalry is in the midst of crowds of defeated French soldiers 574
Remarkable steadiness of the French Grenadiers à Cheval 575
Contest in Planchenoit 576
Gallant conduct of Pelet and a portion of the Chasseurs of the Guard 579
The French Troops that have been engaged at Planchenoit, retire in disorder and confusion towards the high road between Rossomme and Maison du Roi; the former of which points the British Advanced Brigades have already reached 580
Partial collision between the 18th British Hussars and a Prussian Regiment of Cavalry 580
The 1st Hussars of the King's German Legion narrowly escape coming into serious collision with the 11th and 16th British Light Dragoons 580
Wellington halts the main body of his Army upon the original French position 581
Blücher undertakes the pursuit 581
Wellington having satisfied himself, by his observations from the high ground beyond Rossomme, that the victory is secured beyond a doubt, returns towards Waterloo 581
On reaching La Belle Alliance, he meets Blücher 582
Dispositions made by the latter for effecting a vigorous pursuit 583
The Prussian troops headed in advance by Gneisenau, reach Genappe; where they capture a quantity of baggage, including Napoleon's travelling carriage 584
Napoleon at Quatre Bras 584
Direction of the retreat of the French troops 585
Napoleon proceeds to Charleroi; whence he despatches Jerome with Orders to rally the troops between Avesnes and Maubeuge 585
Gneisenau continues the pursuit, passing through Quatre Bras, and not resting until he arrives beyond the Heights of Frasne 585
Losses sustained by the respective Armies 587
Remarks upon the Battle 588
Relative numerical strength of the Combatants 589
Relative proportions in which the troops of the Anglo-Allied Army were actively engaged 589
Conduct of these troops 592
Extent of the actual share taken in the Battle by the Prussians 594
CHAPTER XVI.
Upon the appearance of Vandamme's Corps in front of Wavre; Thielemann decides on maintaining the position at that point instead of following the remainder of the Prussian Army towards the Field of Waterloo 601
The Field of Wavre 602
Disposition of the different Brigades of Thielemann's Corps 603
Disposition of Grouchy's forces 605
The Light Troops of Vandamme's Corps gain possession of that part of the town of Wavre which lies on the right bank of the Dyle 606
Gérard makes an unsuccessful attack upon the Mill of Bierge 607
Vandamme fails in his efforts to carry the Bridge of Wavre 608
Grouchy, in person, leads another attack upon the Bridge of Bierge; which proves as fruitless as the former attempt, and on which occasion Gérard falls severely wounded 609
Pajol gains possession of the Bridge of Limale by a Cavalry attack 610
Grouchy, having pushed a portion of Gérard's Corps across the Dyle by Limale, disposes these troops so as to turn the Right of Thielemann's Corps 610
They are attacked by the Prussians, who are defeated; and forced to fall back upon the Wood near Point du Jour 611
The Waterloo Campaign, 1815

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