Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
Without pausing for a moment to reform, those of the Greys who had
forced their way through, or on either Flank of, the mass, rushed
boldly onward against the leading supporting Column of MARCOGNET's
right Brigade. This body of men, lost in amazement at the suddenness,
the wildness, of the charge; and its terrific effects upon their
countrymen on the higher ground in front, had either not taken
advantage of the very few moments that had intervened, by preparing an
effectual resistance to Cavalry; or, if they attempted the necessary
formation, did so when there was no longer time for its completion.
Their outer Files certainly opened a fire which proved very destructive
to their assailants; but to such a degree had the impetus of the
charge been augmented by the rapidly increasing descent of the slope,
that these brave Dragoons possessed as little of the power as of the
will to check their speed, and they plunged down into the mass with
a force that was truly irresistible. Its foremost ranks driven back
with irrepressible violence, the entire Column tottered for a moment,
and then sank under the overpowering wave. Hundreds were crushed to
rise no more; and hundreds rose again but to surrender to the victors;
who speedily swept their prisoners to the rear, while the Highlanders
secured those taken from the leading Column.
Along the remainder of the Line, the charge of the "Union Brigade" was
equally brilliant and successful. On the right, the Royal Dragoons, by
inclining somewhat to their left, during the advance, brought their
Centre Squadron to bear upon the head of the leading Column of ALIX's
Division, which had crossed the hedges lining the Wavre road, and
being unchecked, was rapidly advancing across the crest of the ridge.
Suddenly its loud shouts of triumph ceased as it perceived the close
approach of Cavalry up the interior slope of the Anglo-Allied position.
Whether it was actuated by a consciousness of danger from the disorder
necessarily occasioned in its rear by the passage through the banked
up hedges, by a dread of being caught in the midst of any attempt to
assume a formation better adapted for effective resistance, or of being
entirely cut off from all support, it is difficult to decide, but the
head of this Column certainly appeared to be seized with a panic.
Having thrown out an irregular and scattering fire, which served only
to bring down about twenty of the Dragoons; it instantly faced about,
and endeavoured to regain the opposite side of the hedges. The Royals,
however, were slashing in amongst them before this object could be
effected. The rear ranks of the Column, still pressing forward, and
unconscious of the obstruction in front, now met those that were hurled
back upon them down the exterior slope by the charge of the Royals,
who continued pressing forward against both Front and Flanks of the
mass. The whole was in a moment so jammed together as to have become
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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