Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
The Earl of UXBRIDGE, on perceiving the advance of the French Cavalry
by La Haye Sainte, on the British right of the Charleroi road (the
same alluded to as having dispersed the Hanoverian Lüneburg Battalion
and BARING's Skirmishers of the Legion), as also the approach of the
Infantry Columns which constituted the attack upon the Allied Left Wing
on the opposite side of that road, decided upon a simultaneous charge
by the Heavy Cavalry Brigades of Lord EDWARD SOMERSET and Sir WILLIAM
PONSONBY; the former against the Enemy's Cavalry, the latter against
his masses of Infantry. The resolution was scarcely formed when he
proceeded to carry it into instant execution. Riding up to Lord EDWARD
SOMERSET, he ordered him to prepare to form Line, keeping the Blues in
support: and galloping on to PONSONBY's Brigade on the opposite side of
the high road, he ordered that Officer to wheel into Line as soon as he
saw the other Brigade do so, and to hold the Scots Greys in support. He
then returned to the Household Brigade, and immediately put the whole
in motion.
As this was the first grand attack made by the French on that day in
fair open Field, Lord UXBRIDGE felt very desirous, in meeting it, to
establish, if possible, the superior prowess of the British Cavalry;
and thus to inspire it with confidence, and cause it to be held in
respect by its opponents. He, therefore, with a view to excite the
courage and heighten the enthusiasm of his followers, led the advance
in person, placing himself in front of the Left of SOMERSET's Brigade,
so as to be at about the centre of the Line when the Brigades should
unite, on the continuation of the advance, in front of the Allied
position. Nobly and faithfully did these brave Dragoons fulfil his
anxious expectations.
For the purpose of ensuring efficient support to his Cavalry attacks,
Lord UXBRIDGE had, before the commencement of the Battle, intimated
to the Generals of Brigade that as he could not be present everywhere
to give Orders, he expected they would always take upon themselves to
conform to, and support, offensive movements in their front; and having
on this occasion Light Cavalry Brigades on either Flank of the charging
force, he felt in a great degree justified in placing himself in Front
Line, particularly as he had assigned to each of the advancing Brigades
its own immediate Support.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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