Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
While KEMPT's Brigade was bravely charging down the slope on the right,
the heads of the leading Brigades of ALIX's and MARCOGNET's Divisions,
with conspicuous gallantry, and amidst shouts of triumph, crowned the
crest of the Allied position on the left, crossing the Wavre road and
the straggling hedge, by which their order had been in some degree
disturbed. ALIX's leading Brigade, having passed clear of KEMPT's
Left, found itself unopposed by Infantry, in its front; but the head
of MARCOGNET's Column, after passing close by the right of Captain
RETTBERG's Hanoverian Foot Battery, from which it had received a very
destructive fire, during its advance, beheld a short but compact line
of Highlanders directly in its front.
This was the remnant of the 92nd Regiment which had so gallantly
fought, and so greatly suffered, at Quatre Bras. It did not at that
moment consist of more than 230 men, whilst the opposing Column
numbered about 2,000. PACK, who was in front of the 92nd, on seeing the
head of the French Column making its way through the hedge, resolved in
his own mind that not a moment must be allowed to it for observation
and reflection, as otherwise the French would succeed in establishing
themselves in great force on the summit of the British position. He
instantly decided upon a measure, which, in daring and determination,
was fully commensurate with the emergency of the occasion. Addressing
himself to the Highlanders, he said, in an energetic tone, "92nd, you
must charge--all in front of you have given way!" With loud cheers,
and under the animating sounds of their native pibroch, the 92nd moved
steadily on with the noble mien and gallant bearing of men bent upon
upholding, at any sacrifice, the honour and glory of their country.
That portion of the French Column which had by this time crossed the
hedge was in perfect order, and presented a bold and determined front.
As the 92nd approached the Column, it received from it a fire; which,
however, it did not return, but continued to advance steadily until
it had arrived within twenty or thirty yards distance, when the head
of the French Column appeared panic struck, and facing about in the
greatest confusion, endeavoured to escape; the Highlanders, at the same
moment, throwing into the mass a concentrated fire, most destructive
in its effects. The 92nd immediately charged; but at this very moment
PONSONBY's Brigade came up.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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