and at length the retrograde movement became general. “Then the allied dragoons, who had been judiciously kept in readiness to act at the favourable moment, darted forward to complete the disorganization of the now receding waves of the French cavalry.” [Illustration: (end of chapter; decorative separator)] FOOTNOTES: [42] Our advanced posts of Hougoumont, La Haye-Sainte, and Papelotte, were of the utmost importance to us, more particularly the former. An eminent military writer (Jomini) says, “Posts that can be readily defended, are of greater value in battle than insurmountable obstacles; since it is sufficient if such posts can be maintained for a few hours by means of mere detachments. Hougoumont with its enclosures, the farm of La Haye-Sainte and the rivulet of Papelotte, presented more serious impediments to Ney, than did the celebrated position of Elchingen.” [43] General Grant had three horses shot under him. [44] This might be attributed to many of our infantry, when hard pressed, adopting the French skirmisher’s method of loading, viz. after priming, shaking the rest of the powder into the barrel, dropping the ball after it, and then giving the butt a rap or two on the ground, which, from the rain, was quite soft. The ball, in consequence, not being rammed down to confine the powder, came out at times nearly harmless. [45] That his Grace ever threw himself into a square, is untrue; but, from the commencement of the battle till the close, he was more exposed than many of his troops: whenever there was a chance of rendering service, let the danger be what it would, the Duke was there, and, as on all occasions, showed the most perfect coolness and self-possession. CHAPTER V.