Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
WELLINGTON, who had, from the first, anticipated that the attacks of
Cavalry would be followed up by others, in which that Arm would be
combined with Infantry, was fully prepared to meet this contingency,
having as soon as he had ascertained that the Enemy was not disposed
to attempt any serious movement against his Right Flank, despatched an
Order to CHASSÉ to evacuate Braine l'Alleud and its vicinity, and to
proceed with his Dutch-Belgian Division, towards the principal scene
of action, along the low ground through Merbe Braine. By this means,
his Grace, who contemplated reinforcing his First Line with troops
from his Second, would be enabled to supply their place in the latter
with others of equal strength. CHASSÉ's movement, executed with much
judgement, was in a great measure, if not entirely, concealed from the
Enemy's observation; and was very skilfully covered by the 2nd Light
Dragoons of the King's German Legion, who continued hovering near the
Left Flank of the French Army.
In the mean time, the attack upon La Haye Sainte had been renewed
with the same fury as before. Major BARING on perceiving the advance
of the Enemy's Columns, sent an Officer to the position with this
intelligence, and repeated his request for ammunition. The Light
Company of the 5th Line Battalion of the King's German Legion was sent
to his assistance; but the supply of ammunition, of which he stood so
much in need, was not forthcoming: and he therefore, after waiting half
an hour longer, during which the contest was uninterrupted, despatched
another Officer on the same errand. This application proved equally
unsuccessful. He received, however, a reinforcement of two Flank
Companies from the 1st Regiment of Nassau.
The great struggle was again at the open entrance to the Barn; and the
French, finding all their efforts to force an entrance so obstinately
and successfully frustrated, had recourse to the expedient of setting
the place on fire. A thick smoke was soon observed issuing from the
Barn. The greatest consternation pervaded the little garrison; for
although there was a pond in the yard, there were no means at hand for
conveying the water to the point of danger. Major BARING, whose anxiety
was extreme, glancing his eye at the large camp kettles borne by the
recently arrived Nassauers, instantly pulled one from off a man's back:
several Officers followed his example, and filling the kettles with
water, carried them in the face of almost certain death, to the fire.
The men hesitated not a moment. Every kettle was instantly applied to
the same good office, and the fire was fortunately extinguished; though
at the sacrifice of many a brave soldier. Several of the men, although
covered with wounds, rejected all persuasion to retire. Their constant
reply was, "So long as our Officers fight, and we can stand, we will
not stir from the spot." At length the Enemy, wearied out by this most
resolute and gallant defence, once more withdrew.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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