Historical Record of the Seventy-first Regiment, Highland Light Infantry: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1777, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1852Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Seventy-first Regiment, Highland Light Infantry: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1777, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1852
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Regiment of Foot, 71st (Highland Light Infantry)
On the morning of the 16th of June, as the battalion was proceeding
to the usual exercising ground of the brigade at Leuze, it received
orders for an immediate advance upon _Nivelles_, where it arrived
late that night. On the same day Prince Blucher had been attacked
at _Ligny_, and was forced to retreat to Wavre. The Duke of
Wellington and a portion of his army had been also attacked at
_Quatre Bras_ by Marshal Ney, who, however, made no impression upon
the British position.
In the course of the morning of the 17th of June, the Duke of
Wellington made a retrograde movement upon _Waterloo_, in order to
keep up his communication with the Prussians. At day-break on the
same morning, the first battalion of the SEVENTY-FIRST retired, and
broke up its position, with the rest of the allied army, on the
plains in the neighbourhood of _Waterloo_, being situated to the
left and rear of _Hougomont_.
The SEVENTY-FIRST, with the rest of the army, bivouacked in
position during the night of the 17th of June, drenched by the
rain, which fell heavily. Upon the morning of the memorable 18th
of June, the battalion stood in open column, and in this situation
was exposed for some time to a heavy fire of artillery, but a
judicious movement to a short distance alleviated in a great
measure this annoyance. Line was next formed, and about two o’clock
the battalion, with the rest of the brigade, advanced, met their
opponents in position, charged, and instantly overthrew them.
A heavy fire now commenced upon the retreating enemy, but the
_alignement_ having been completely deranged by the impetuosity of
the advance, Colonel Reynell, with his usual coolness, proceeded
to restore order, and had just completed the dressing of the line
when the French cavalry were seen advancing. Square was instantly
formed, and the SEVENTY-FIRST, with the rest of the brigade,
sustained a charge from three regiments of French cavalry, namely,
one of _cuirassiers_, one of _grenadiers-à-cheval_, and one of
lancers.
The charge was made with the most obstinate bravery, but nothing
could overcome the steadiness of the British infantry, and after a
destructive loss, the French were forced to retire.
Previously to this advance, the square of the SEVENTY-FIRST was
struck by a round-shot, which killed or wounded an officer and
eighteen men of the eighth company.
About seven o’clock in the evening the left wing of the battalion
was formed in rear of the right, and, while thus placed, was, with
the rest of the division, attacked by a column of the Imperial
Guard. These troops were fresh, having been kept in reserve during
the day. They were allowed to approach close without molestation,
and the regiments throwing in a close and well-directed fire, they
could not deploy, but broke, and retired in confusion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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