The return of Bonaparte to France, the sudden defection of the forces of Louis XVIII., and the elevation of the usurper to the throne, filled Europe with astonishment. War was resolved upon, and on the 25th of March three squadrons of the QUEEN'S OWN HUSSARS, commanded by Col. Sir Edward Kerrison, marched from London for foreign service; they embarked at Dover, landed at Ostend, and, after marching a few stages up the country, went into cantonments, and were formed in brigade with the Fifteenth hussars, and Second hussars of the King's German legion, under the orders of Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant, K.C.B. On the 29th of May they were reviewed, with other brigades of the cavalry, by Field-Marshal his Grace the Duke of Wellington, accompanied by Marshal Von Blucher, the commander of the Prussian army. Bonaparte, endeavouring, by one of those rapid movements for which he had been so famous, to interpose between the British and Prussian armies, and beat them in detail, suddenly attacked and drove in the out-posts, and early on the morning of the 16th of June the SEVENTH HUSSARS advanced to support the troops engaged at _Quatre Bras_. After a march of many miles, they arrived at the scene of conflict; the French were repulsed, and the troops bivouacked in the fields. The Prussians having been defeated and forced to retreat, the Duke of Wellington made a corresponding movement on the 17th of June, to preserve his communication with them, and the SEVENTH HUSSARS were engaged, with other corps, in covering this retrograde movement. On passing through the village of _Genappe_, the French lancers began to press upon the rear of the retiring army, and the SEVENTH were directed by their colonel, Lieutenant-General the Earl of Uxbridge, to charge. This order was executed with signal bravery; but the lancers, being sustained by a great mass of cavalry, and having their flanks secure, presented an almost impenetrable row of pikes, through which the hussars were unable to break. The regiment rallied and charged a second time; but the lancers, being well supported and advantageously posted, were enabled to maintain their ground. Some impression had, however, been made, and two squadrons of the first regiment of life guards coming up at speed, the weight and power of their charge broke the lancers, who were pursued through the village with great slaughter. The retreat was afterwards continued with skirmishing and cannonading to the position in front of the village of _Waterloo_, where the army passed the night exposed to a heavy rain.