Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
The Right of the main position is bounded by a valley, which has its
source very considerably in rear of the Centre of the French position,
by which it is intersected; and thence, sweeping round the southern
and western inclosures of Hougomont, proceeds in the direction of
Merbe Braine. Into this valley a ravine directs its course in rear
of, and parallel with, the principal portion of the Right Wing of the
Anglo-Allied position, at a distance from the latter varying from 200
to 250 yards; and between this ravine, which is intersected by the
Nivelles road, and Merbe Braine, rises a sort of plateau, upon which
was posted a portion of the Second Corps, commanded by Lieutenant
General Lord HILL, destined to act, as circumstances might require,
either in reserve to the First Line, or _en potence_ to it in repelling
any attack upon that Flank of the Anglo-Allied Army.
* * * * *
Upon the extreme Left of the First or main Line was stationed VIVIAN's
Light Cavalry Brigade, comprising the 10th and 18th Hussars, and the
1st Hussars of the King's German Legion. The two former Regiments were
in Line, in rear of the Wavre road, and withdrawn a little from the
crest of the ridge: the Right of the 10th resting upon a lane, which,
leading up from Smohain, crossing over the position, and descending
along its reverse slope, proceeds in the direction of the Village of
Verd Cocou. The 1st Hussars of the King's German Legion were also in
Line, and formed in reserve. The Left of the Brigade was completely
_en l'air_, upon high, open, and flat ground; the main ridge widening
considerably in that direction, as previously explained. A Picquet,
consisting of a Squadron of the 10th Hussars (under Captain TAYLOR),
occupied the Village of Smohain, down in the valley which, having its
source a little to the westward of La Haye Sainte, takes an easterly
and therefore parallel course with that part of the ridge which formed
the Left Wing of the British position. The Advanced Post of this
Picquet was on the further side of the Village, and its Vedettes formed
a chain on the rising ground beyond, within half-carbine shot of some
French Cavalry, standing dismounted in Close Columns. A party was
detached from the Picquet as a Patrol on the road to Ohain.
[Illustration:
BATTLE OF WATERLOO
at 3/4 past 11 o'clock a.m.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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