Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
GHIGNY's Dutch-Belgian Light Cavalry Brigade, which had, at the
commencement of this Cavalry attack, crossed the Charleroi road, came
up, in the mean time, to the brow of the main position, on the left
of VANDELEUR's Brigade. One of its Regiments, the 4th Light Dragoons,
went down the slope, following the 12th Light Dragoons; and after
experiencing the effects of a brisk fire which was kept up by DURUTTE's
Skirmishers from behind a bank and hedge, low down the slope, and from
which the 12th Light Dragoons had previously suffered, it assisted in
completing the dispersion of the French Infantry. The other Regiment
(the 8th Hussars) remained a few minutes upon the Height, and then
advanced to draw off the retiring Cavalry.
VIVIAN, who had come forward in person from the extreme Left, and
proceeded some way down the slope for the purpose of making his
observations, upon perceiving PONSONBY's Brigade charging in disorder
up the French Heights, immediately sent back word for the 10th and
18th British Hussars to move through the hollow way to their right,
leaving the remaining Regiment of his Brigade, the 1st Hussars of the
King's German Legion, to keep a look out to the left. Very shortly
afterwards, two guns detached in advance from his Horse Battery, drew
up on the brow of the main ridge; but had scarcely opened a fire when
a well directed shot from one of the French Batteries passed through
the ammunition boxes of one of the limbers, causing an explosion, which
drew forth a shout of triumph on the part of the French Artillerymen.
The charge of VANDELEUR's Brigade having succeeded, without the active
aid of even its own immediate Support, the 11th Light Dragoons; the
further advance of the 10th and 18th Hussars was not required, but they
continued in their new position, on the right of the lane leading to
Verd Cocou, and the two guns rejoined their Battery.
Major WHINYATES's Rocket Troop, having been brought up to the crest
of the main ridge, from its previous position in reserve near Mont St
Jean, its Rocket Sections were moved down to the foot of the exterior
slope, whence they discharged several rockets at the French troops
then formed, or in the act of reforming, upon the opposite heights.
Immediately after the execution of this service, which was gallantly
and skilfully conducted, the Troop rejoined its guns on the crest of
the position.
In the general _mêlée_ which resulted from the charge of the British
Heavy Dragoons, and the overthrow of such masses of Infantry, augmented
as it was by the subsequent charges of, firstly, the French Lancers,
and, then, the two Regiments of British Light Cavalry, severe losses
were sustained on both sides; and the British Army was deprived of some
of its brightest ornaments.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account