"The 51st Regiment was in the Corps of the Army immediately under Lord Hill--brigaded with the 14th and 23rd, under the command of Colonel Mitchell, being a Light Corps, and standing at the head of the column upon its first formation at the crest of the position. Companies were in succession ordered in front, and occupied ground to the right of the Nivelles road, pretty nearly in line with the Hougoumont farm. Lastly, the remaining companies under my command descended and took possession of a favourable rising ground, covered with thick brushwood, and very defensible against any sudden attack of cavalry. Here we remained posted, waiting orders. "Late in the day, I forget the hour, an aide-de-camp from Lord Hill came down with an order to keep _this ground_ to the _last_, as he was withdrawing his whole force to the left, and that I must not expect _any support_. Consequently I prepared myself to render as defensible as possible the post committed to my charge. "Being so separated from the army, you will perceive we bore no decided part in the action, and were but holding ground during the great movements. The French had a line of cavalry--vedettes--in our front; and to their rear, at a considerable distance, I could perceive a body of lancers, who no doubt were waiting some favourable moment to advance. "Situated as I was, I could see but little of what was going on to my left, except the charge of the French cuirassiers, on the left of Hougoumont farm, on the position. After being foiled in this attempt against the squares, a considerable body passed down the Nivelles road, on which there was an _abatis_. I was so placed as to perceive this, and gave my parties in advance orders to fire, for being so much in their rear, I could not well distinguish friend from foe. The fire was successful, though some few miraculously cleared the _abatis_. I mention this merely to show our ground more than anything else. "What I have offered I fear you will not consider very satisfactory, but you must remember we were not connected during any part of the memorable day with any of the principal movements. In fact, I have considered my regiment as a picket detached from the main body, throwing out skirmishers and supports, according to my own view, and in covering a certain space of ground. "I have been frequently questioned respecting the battle of Waterloo and movements, and my reply has invariably been that I was so situated as to have but a partial view of the field, and not engaged in the great conflict that was raging to my left. In fact, I may say that I was stationary throughout the day, and the only order I received was the one I have already mentioned.--I beg, &c., S. RICE, _Colonel late 51st Regiment_." CHAPTER XIV. PARIS--AND PEACE.