Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
At length, the Support so greatly needed by PONSONBY's Brigade arrived
upon its Left Flank. VANDELEUR, having passed the hollow way and ravine
which intercepted his progress towards the scene of action, had reached
that part of the crest of the position occupied by BEST's Hanoverian
Brigade, through which it now advanced to the front in Open Column
of divisions. The 12th Light Dragoons, being the leading Regiment,
moved quickly down the slope: the 16th Regiment remained higher up the
acclivity; while the 11th were drawn up in reserve upon the brow of the
hill. The 12th and 16th wheeled into Line to their right. Lieutenant
Colonel the Hon. FREDERICK PONSONBY, who commanded the 12th, perceiving
the confusion that prevailed amidst the French Infantry in the valley,
as also the extremely critical situation of a great number of scattered
red coated Dragoons nearly on the crest of the French position,
instantly charged a mass of unsteady Infantry which intervened between
him and these Dragoons. This Infantry comprised the rearmost supporting
Column of MARCOGNET's Division, and was the only one of the attacking
Columns yet intact. It was now destined to share their fate. Already
alarmed by the disorder into which the entire of the Infantry on its
left had been thrown, and now attacked so suddenly and unexpectedly on
its right, it was penetrated by the charge of the 12th.
These Dragoons having forced their way through the Column, whereby
their order was naturally much broken, came upon the Right Flank of
the Lancers who were in pursuit of PONSONBY's Brigade. Quickening
their speed, they dashed in amongst the French Cavalry, and acting
almost perpendicularly upon their Flank, they "rolled up" such as were
immediately in their front. The 16th Light Dragoons, with VANDELEUR
at their head, very gallantly charged obliquely upon the front of the
Lancers, whose further advance was completely checked by this double
attack. On their extreme Right, the 16th rather clashed with some of
the retiring Dragoons: but the two Regiments, carrying every thing
before them, succeeded in driving the French Light Cavalry down again
to the foot of the valley; which they had been ordered, previously to
their charge, not to pass.
Some few of both the 12th and 16th did, nevertheless, madly rush up the
opposite Height; where, by this time, fresh troops had arrived, who
made them suffer for their temerity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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