When, on the previous evening, the Light Companies of the Division were thrown into Hougomont, it was so arranged that those of the Second Brigade, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel MACDONELL, should occupy the Buildings and the Gardens: and that those of the First Brigade, under Lieutenant Colonel Lord SALTOUN, should hold the Great Orchard and the Wood; in which latter the Hanoverians and Nassauers were principally stationed. * * * * * The abrupt termination of the ridge along which the Allied Front Line was posted, at its point of junction with the Nivelles road, was in the direct rear of the buildings of Hougomont. On the other side of the road, this termination presented a sudden and bold, though short, slope down into the long valley which, after sweeping by Hougomont, proceeds in the direction of Merbe Braine. A portion of the slope, including the summit, was covered with brushwood, and its base was bounded by a horse path, partially lined with a stunted hedge; forming, altogether, excellent cover for Light Infantry. On the other side of the valley, the ground ascends, at first abruptly, and then gradually, to the summit of that portion of the main ridge upon which the Left of the French Army rested; and from the point of junction of the Avenue conducting to Hougomont with the great Nivelles road, a narrow road leads directly up the opposite slope, and stretches across the ridge or plateau in the direction of Braine l'Alleud. [Illustration] Along a portion of this road, principally consisting of a hollow way, were posted in advance, some Light Troops of the Anglo-Allied Army. They formed a part of the Fourth Brigade of the Fourth Division (under Colonel MITCHELL), attached to the Second Corps, commanded by Lieutenant General Lord HILL. The Brigade consisted of the 3rd Battalion of the 14th British Regiment (under Lieutenant Colonel TIDY), of the 23rd Fusiliers (under Colonel Sir HENRY ELLIS), and of the 51st British Light Infantry (under Lieutenant Colonel RICE), which troops were disposed in the following manner.