Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
So completely absorbed was the attention of the twelve pounder Battery
No. 6, which stood in a somewhat isolated position, by the contest in
St Amand la Haye, which it covered by its fire, that it had not noticed
the stealthy advance of a Troop of the Enemy's horsemen, wearing the
uniform of the Light Artillery of the Guard, and most unexpectedly
found itself attacked in flank by these bold adventurers. This give
rise to a curious scene, for the Prussian Gunners, in the first
moment of surprise, could only defend themselves with their rammers
and handspikes; but with these they plied the intruders with so much
adroitness and resolution as to hurl their leaders to the ground, and
force the remainder to betake themselves to a hasty flight.
Prince BLÜCHER had, in the meantime, on perceiving COLBERT's French
Lancers hovering upon, and stretching out beyond, his extreme Right,
ordered General PIRCH to detach two more Cavalry Regiments--the Queen's
Dragoons and the 4th Kurmark Landwehr Cavalry--as a reinforcement to
the Cavalry of ZIETEN's Corps.
The nearly simultaneous attack upon Wagnelé by TIPPELSKIRCHEN's
Brigade, previously mentioned as having taken post in rear of that
Village, was not attended with an equal degree of success. The 1st
and 2nd Battalions of the 25th Regiment advanced in Column through
the centre of Wagnelé; but on debouching, the 2nd Battalion, which
led the advance, was suddenly assailed by a fire from the French
Skirmishers who lay concealed in the high corn. Although its order was
thus considerably disturbed; it succeeded, nevertheless, in effecting
its deployment. The 1st Battalion also deployed, but, in doing so, its
Left Wing covered the right of the 2nd Battalion; and while executing
a second movement, intended to clear the front of the latter, the
French Battalions pressing forward, drove in the Prussian Skirmishers
upon the Regiment, which consisted mostly of young soldiers; when,
notwithstanding the conspicuously meritorious exertions of all their
Officers, they were overthrown and dispersed in such a manner that
it became impracticable to lead them back into action in any other
way than by separate Detachments. The 3rd Battalion of this Regiment
shared nearly the same fate; for, having plunged into the high corn,
it received a volley which disordered its ranks, and killed its three
senior Officers; and although it maintained for some time a fire in
return, it was eventually compelled to retire, as were also the 1st and
2nd Battalions of the 5th Westphalian Landwehr, under precisely similar
circumstances. The Brigade was reformed, under the protection of the
2nd Prussian Regiment, which now advanced from the Reserve, boldly
encountered the Enemy, and aided by the efficacious fire of the Foot
Battery No. 10, stemmed the further progress of the French, and thus
gained time for the remaining Battalions to reform in rear of Wagnelé.
Upon the advance, however, of a French Column towards its Left Flank,
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