Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
In rear of the Right of the Anglo-Allied Line, where, as previously
observed, the Cavalry was then so very weak in numbers, the 1st Light
Dragoons of the King's German Legion had deployed into Line, in order
to occupy more ground and show a greater front. As the French Lancers
were attacking the Squares, and advancing through the intervals between
them, notwithstanding the renewed fire from BOLTON's Battery, the
Regiment hastened forward to charge them.
The Germans had not proceeded far when it was discovered that a body
of the Enemy's Cavalry had penetrated to the open space on their
left. With great presence of mind and admirable promptitude, Major
REIZENSTEIN, who perceived the danger to which the Regiment was exposed
by the already meditated attack upon its Left Flank, drew off a great
part of it, and, with a right-shoulder-forward movement, advanced to
meet these new assailants who were now coming on at full speed. The
mutual impetuosity of the charge, and violence of the shock, were
terrific. The two Lines dashed at and through each other, and those
of the horsemen that were yet firm in their saddles, wheeling sharply
round, again rushed to the fierce encounter with the most resolute
bravery; and the dispersed riders, after rapidly exchanging cuts and
thrusts, _en passant_, sought out their respective Corps.
As the Cavalry retired, the Infantry that had attacked La Haye Sainte
desisted from their fruitless endeavours to force the gallant little
garrison. Not long afterwards, Major BARING, on finding that the
ammunition of his men had, by the constant firing, been reduced to
less than one half, became apprehensive of its speedy exhaustion;
and despatched an Officer to request a supply, which was promised to
him. In the mean time, the Germans set about diligently repairing the
injuries they had sustained, and making the best preparation in their
power to meet the next attack.
Upon the first advance of the French Cavalry, by the Allied left of
Hougomont, a body of Infantry Skirmishers crept along the boundary
hedge of the Great Orchard on that side, and by thus turning the Flank
of the 3rd Guards, who were at the same time assailed with renewed
vigour in front, compelled them to retire into the hollow way in rear
of the inclosure; but, as the Cavalry withdrew, so did the Light Troops
on the left of the Orchard, and Lieutenant Colonel HEPBURN, advancing
his men from their cover, drove back the French Skirmishers in the
Orchard, and again occupied its front hedge.
The contest at this time, between the Allied Left, and the French
Right, Wing was limited to a continued cannonade, with Light Troops
skirmishing in the valley which separated the two positions. The Nassau
troops, under Prince BERNHARD of Saxe Weimar, maintained their ground
with great spirit along the Villages and inclosures upon the extreme
Left of the Anglo-Allied Army.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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