[171] Müffling’s letter to Gneisenau, dated 7 P.M. but no doubt sent off about midnight (Passages, pp. 229, 230) says that “as soon as the moon rises, the reserves will march; and, in case the enemy should not attack Nivelles, the Duke will be in the region of Nivelles with his whole force in the morning in order to support your Highness.” Gneisenau, vol. 4, p. 365, note. The letter does not mention Quatre Bras. Delbrück, in his Life of Gneisenau, vol. 4, p. 367, says that “Müffling also reported about midnight to the Prussian commander-in-chief that the allied army would be concentrated in twelve hours, and that at ten o’clock on the following morning 20,000 men would be at Quatre Bras, and the cavalry corps would be at Nivelles.” But he cites neither Müffling nor any other authority for this amazing statement. Müffling tells us himself that in his judgment the cavalry could not reach Quatre Bras before nightfall,—hence they could reach Nivelles only two or three hours before nightfall. Müffling, Passages, p. 235. [172] Gurwood, vol. xii, p. 474. _Cf._ Maurice, p. 144: May, 1890. Van Loben Sels, p. 181. Ellesmere, pp. 173, 174. [173] The Deputy Quarter Master General, or chief-of-staff. [174] He was killed at Waterloo. [175] The orders themselves, however, would be received at the headquarters of the different corps or divisions, and might, possibly, be even now in existence. [176] Gurwood, vol. xii, p. 474; App. C, xiv; _post_, p. 374. [177] “Previously to starting from Brussels for” Quatre Bras,—says Siborne, vol. I, p. 88. [178] Maurice, p. 344: July, 1890. This is Colonel Maurice’s conclusion. So, Ollech, p. 118. [179] Siborne, vol. 1, p. 88, says: “With the early dawn of the 16th of June, the whole of the Duke of Wellington’s forces were in movement towards Nivelles and Quatre Bras.” And then he gives the substance of the orders to Hill. It is not easy to follow Siborne’s train of thought here. [180] Gomm, p. 352; Waterloo Letters, p. 23. Gomm says the march was resumed at 1 P.M. [181] Siborne, vol. 1, p. 102, note. [182] Maurice, p. 344: July, 1890. It is curious that the contradiction between these facts and the Duke’s statement in his Report should not have been commented on. [183] Wellington’s letter to Blücher: Ollech, p. 125; Maurice, p. 257: June 1890; _post_, p. 106: App. C, xvi; _post_, pp. 376, 377. [184] Von Ollech, p. 125. Maurice, p. 257: June, 1890; _post_, p. 106; App. C, xvi; _post_, pp. 376, 377. [185] Supp. Desp., vol. x, p. 496. [186] Disposition of the British Army at 7 o’clock A.M., 16th June.