[574] This despatch is not in existence, but its receipt was acknowledged and the above statement in it was referred to in Soult’s despatch to Grouchy, dated 1 P.M., June 18th. From Grouchy’s statement that he was going to Sart-à-Walhain, Soult drew the inference that he was going to Corbaix or to Wavre. [575] Gérard: Dern. Obs., pp. 13, 14; Letter of General Exelmans. [576] Grouchy Mém., vol. 4, pp. 62, 63. [577] There is in the Grouchy Mémoires, vol. 4, pp. 65, 66, what purports to be a copy of a despatch to the Emperor dated Gembloux, 3 A.M. But its authenticity is more than doubtful. _Cf._ La Tour d’Auvergne, p. 318, n. It begins with the statement that all Grouchy’s reports and information confirm the idea that the Prussians are retiring on Brussels, to concentrate there, or to deliver battle after being united to the English. [578] Charras, vol. 2, pp. 33, 55. Charras seems to us to be in error in supposing that Grouchy’s uncertainty still existed on the morning of the 18th. He has, perhaps, overlooked the statement in Grouchy’s order to Pajol, dated at daybreak, quoted in the text. [579] Gérard: Dernières Obs., p. 24; Letter of General Exelmans. [580] Ib., p. 25; Letter of General Berthezène. [581] Gérard: Quelques Doc., p. 12. [582] We shall examine the English authorities in the Notes to this chapter. See _post_, p. 280. [583] Jomini, pp. 175 _et seq._ [584] 10.30 A.M., according to Charras, vol. 2, p. 62. [585] Clausewitz, ch. 50, p. 146. [586] Charras, vol. 2, pp. 57, 58. [587] We reserve for the Notes to this chapter the consideration of the various opinions on the consequences of this movement, had it been made. [588] See Siborne’s excellent remarks on this subject,—vol. 1, pp. 318 _et seq._ [589] Declaration of M. Leguest, in the Grouchy Mém., vol. 4, pp. 141, 142. The staff-officer, by name Pont-Bellanger, must have left Moustier several hours before Marbot’s officer, Captain Eloy, got there. See Marbot, vol. 3, p. 407. [590] See the Notes to this chapter. [591] Grouchy Mém., vol. 4, pp. 71, 72. This despatch is given in full in Appendix C, xxx; _post_, pp. 386, 387. [592] Grouchy Mém., vol. 4, p. 75. [593] Le Mal. de Grouchy, p. 15, n. 2: p. 59; Grouchy Mém., vol. 4, p. 75. [594] La Tour d’Auvergne, p. 328. _Cf._ Grouchy Mém., vol. 4, p. 295. [595] The one of these bridges which was nearest Wavre, that at Limale, was passed at six o’clock by Valin’s cavalry, without experiencing any serious resistance. Siborne, vol. 2, p. 286. Berton, pp. 66, 67. Marbot’s cavalry-picket occupied the bridge of Moustier all the afternoon. Marbot, vol. 3, p. 407. _Cf._ Charras, vol. 2, p. 69. [596] Ollech, pp. 208, 209. [597] Berthezène, in Gérard, Dem. Obs., p. 25. [598] Berton, p. 66, n. [599] Charras, vol. 2, p. 44. [600] Berthezène, in Gérard, Dern. Obs., p. 25. [601] Charras’ discussion of this movement will be considered in the Notes to this chapter: _post_, p. 284, n. 6. [602] Charras, vol. 2, p. 69, n.