The battle began, as is well known, with an attack on Hougoumont. But about two o’clock D’Erlon’s corps moved upon La Haye Sainte. They advanced in four columns. The left central column moved in a direction parallel to the Charleroi road; as they approached the sandpit, which was hidden from them, both by its depression below the level of the surrounding plain, and by the height of the standing corn, they became exposed to the fire of the Riflemen stationed in it. This obliged them to incline to their right; but they then became exposed to the fire of Johnston’s company lining the hedge, which not only threw them farther to their right, but checked them. So that not only was the interval between their columns diminished by the fire of the Riflemen driving them to the right, but the distance between that column and that which succeeded it was also diminished by the fire of Johnston’s company checking their advance. Donzelot’s brigade, however, continued to press forward, and out-flanking the advanced companies of the Riflemen, obliged them to run in on the other three companies of the Battalion. Still the French pressed on; for a Belgian brigade on the left of Picton’s division had fled, leaving a gap in our line. But Picton brought up his infantry; and pouring in a terrific volley while the French were attempting to deploy, led his division to the charge (in doing which he himself fell), and completely routed them. At this moment, as they were going down the slope, a body of cuirassiers crossed from their right, pursued by the 2nd Life Guards. The French infantry flung themselves on the ground, while pursued and pursuers passed over them, and Leach’s two companies and Johnston’s company running out to and beyond their former positions in the sandpit and at the hedge, slew many men, and made many prisoners. But the Duke’s orders were peremptory that the troops were not to quit their positions, and the Riflemen, having disposed of their prisoners, returned to theirs.