Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
the town of Genappe.
Thus posted, the Centre retiring Cavalry Column remained about twenty
minutes, when loud shouts announced that the French had entered the
town. Presently a few horsemen appeared galloping out of the street,
and dashed at speed into Major HODGE's Squadron. They were found, on
being taken, to be quite inebriated. In a few moments afterwards,
the French Column showed its head within the town; the leading Troop
consisted of Lancers, all very young men, mounted on very small horses,
and commanded by a fine looking, and, as it subsequently appeared, a
very brave man. The Column remained about fifteen minutes within the
town, its head halted at the outlet facing the British Rear Guard, and
its flanks protected by the houses. The street not being straight,
and the rear of the Column not being aware that the front had halted,
continued pressing forward, until the whole mass became so jammed that
it was impossible for the foremost ranks to go about, should such a
movement become necessary.
Their apparent hesitation and indecision induced Lord UXBRIDGE, who
stood upon some elevated ground adjoining the right of the road, to
order the 7th Hussars to charge. The latter, animated by the presence
of the Commander of the Cavalry, who was also their own Colonel, rushed
forward with the most determined spirit and intrepidity; while the
French, awaiting the onslaught, opposed to them a close, compact, and
impenetrable phalanx of lances; which, being securely flanked by the
houses, and backed by a solid mass of horsemen, presented a complete
_chevaux de frise_. Hence, it is not surprising that the charge should
have made no impression upon the Enemy; nevertheless, the contest
was maintained for some considerable time; the Hussars cutting at
their opponents, and the latter parrying and thrusting, neither party
giving way a single inch of ground; both the Commanding Officer of
the Lancers, and Major HODGE, commanding the leading Squadron of the
Hussars, were killed, gallantly fighting to the last.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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