Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Elba and the Hundred Days, 1814-1815; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
The character of the Commander of the Prussian Army in this memorable
Campaign, the veteran Marshal Prince BLÜCHER VON WAHLSTADT, was, in
like manner, peculiarly adapted for concentrating within itself all
those feelings and emotions already adverted to as animating this
portion of the enemies of France--possessing, to a degree bordering
on rashness, a high spirited daring in enterprise; distinguished, on
critical occasions in the field, when the unrestrained feelings and
nature of the _ci-devant_ bold Hussar started forth in aid of the
veteran Commander, by a personal display of chivalrous and impetuous
bravery; ever vigilant for an opportunity of harassing his Enemy;
and fixedly relentless in the pursuit, so long as he retained the
mastery; qualities, which, in his own country, had acquired for him the
sobriquet of _Marschall VORWÄRTS_--he was eminently fitted to be both
the representative and the leader of the Prussians.
* * * * *
Here, too, in close alliance and amity with the British soldier, were
seen the German Legionary, the Hanoverian, and the Brunswicker, who had
so nobly shared with him, under the same Chief, all the toils and all
the glories of the War in the Peninsula; and who were now prepared to
defend the threatened liberties of their respective countries, the very
existence of which, as independent States, hung upon the issue of the
impending struggle.
Although the British were but little acquainted with their other
Allies, the Dutch, the Belgians, and the Nassau troops in the service
of the King of the Netherlands, still the fact that it was upon their
own soil the brunt of the coming contest was to fall, and in all
probability to decide the question whether it should become a portion
of Imperial France, or continue an independent State, coupled with the
knowledge which the British troops possessed of the character of the
Prince at their head, who had gained his laurels under their own eyes,
and who had thus ingratiated himself in their favour, encouraged great
hopes of their hearty exertions in the common cause.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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