Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
Shortly afterwards, another Column advanced in support of the former
one, which then emerged from its cover, and began to ascend that part
of the Anglo-Allied position occupied by the 92nd Highlanders. On
perceiving this, Major General BARNES, Adjutant General to the British
forces, who had just ridden up to the right of the Regiment, placed
himself very conspicuously at the head of the Highlanders, waving his
hat, and exclaiming, "92nd, follow me!" In an instant the latter sprang
out of the ditch in which they had hitherto been posted, and with great
gallantry and steadiness charged down the slope. The French Infantry
hastily fell back, until having gained the partial shelter afforded
them by the isolated House and its inclosures, they opened a most
destructive fire upon the Highlanders, who nevertheless slackened not
their pace, but drove the French out of their cover. Their Commanding
Officer, Colonel CAMERON, here received his death wound, and having
lost the power of managing his horse, the latter carried him at its
utmost speed along the road until he reached Quatre Bras, where his
servant was standing with his led horse, when the animal, suddenly
stopping, pitched the unfortunate Officer on his head. The supporting
Column, however, securing the garden opposite to the House and on the
right of the road, seemed resolved to make a stand against the further
advance of the Highlanders; but the latter, by a judicious disposition
of their force in three divisions--one towards each flank of the
garden, and the other directly to the gate in front--and again uniting
as soon as these points were secured, once more rushed upon their foes
with the bayonet, displaying, under a terrific fire, the most undaunted
bravery.
As soon as the French turned their backs, the 92nd poured upon them
a volley which proved most destructive, and continued their advance,
pursuing the Enemy along the edge of the Wood, into which they finally
retired upon perceiving a disposition on the part of the French Cavalry
to charge, and finding themselves exposed to a heavy cannonade which
was rapidly thinning their ranks to a fearful extent. Subsequently, in
consequence of their very severe loss, they were withdrawn through the
Wood to Quatre Bras.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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