The centre, formed of the corps of the Prince of Orange, supported by the contingents of Brunswick and Nassau, was posted on the heights situated in the angle formed by the junction of the roads which lead from Genappe and Nivelles to Bruxelles; its right was in rear of Hougoumont, a farm situated at the foot of the height, and near the road leading from Nivelles; its left, in rear of La Haye Sainte, a farm which adjoins the road leading from Genappe. The 1st division, under Major-Gen. Cooke, formed the right; the 3d, under Lieut.-Gen. Alten, the left of the centre. The posts of Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte were occupied by the light troops of the respective divisions in their rear.

The right wing, formed of the corps of Lieut.-Gen. Lord Hill, was thrown back nearly at right angles with the centre, having its right covered by Merke-braine, a village near Braine-la-Leud, and its left in communication with the right of Major-Gen. Cooke’s division, on the height in rear of Hougoumont. Col. Mitchell’s brigade, forming part of the 4th division, under Lieut.-Gen. Colville, formed the right, and the 2d division, under Lieut.-Gen. Clinton, formed the left of Lord Hill’s corps.

     The left wing, formed of the 5th division, under Lieut.-Gen. Picton, and Major-Gen. Lambert’s brigade of the 6th division, had its right upon the road leading from Genappe, and in communication with the left of Lieut.-Gen. Alten’s division, and its left extended towards Ter la Haye. Strong detachments were posted at La Haye, a hamlet which covered the extreme left of the position. Communication was kept up with the Prussian army, by patroles, through Ter la Haye and Ohain. The Belgian troops were distributed, part on the extreme right, on the height covering the approach to Braine-la-Leud, and part on the extreme left and in the hamlet of La Haye.

     The cavalry, under Lieut.-Gen. the Earl of Uxbridge, were in greatest force in rear of the left wing and left of the centre. Major-Gen. Grant’s brigade of hussars was posted in rear of Major-Gen. Cooke’s division on the right centre, having outposts extended to a considerable distance on the plateau ground, between Hougoumont and Braine-la-Leud. Major-Gen. Lord Edward Somerset’s brigade, formed entirely of the cavalry of the guards, was posted on the slope of the ground immediately in rear of the left of Lieut.-Gen. Alten’s division: Major General Dornberg’s brigade of light dragoons was formed in rear of Lord Edward Somerset’s brigade. Col. Estorff ’s brigade of Hanoverian light cavalry was placed in reserve behind the former brigade and near the angle formed by the junction of the two great roads at Mont St. Jean. Major-Gen. Ponsonby’s brigade of heavy dragoons was on the left of the great road, leading to Genappe and Charleroi, and was posted immediately in rear of Sir Thomas Picton’s division, having its right near the great road. Major-General Vandeleur’s brigade of light dragoons was placed in rear of the left of Sir Thomas Picton’s division and on the extreme left of the whole line was the hussar brigade of Major-Gen. Vivian.

     The artillery of the English, King’s German legion, and Hanoverian contingents, present at the battle of Waterloo, consisted of eight troops of English, and two troops of King’s German legion, (horse artillery), five brigades of English, and one brigade of King’s German legion, (foot artillery), two brigades of Hanoverian (foot artillery), making together eighteen batteries of six guns each, or one hundred and eight pieces of cannon. Prior to the commencement of hostilities, the horse artillery had exchanged their six-pounders for nine-pounders, excepting two troops; so that nearly the whole artillery on the field were of heavy calibre. Therefore, generally, every battery on the field had five guns, nine-pounders, and one five and a half-inch howitzer, excepting one troop of horse artillery, which was armed exclusively with howitzers. That is, there were seventy-five guns nine-pounders, 10 six-pounders, and 23 howitzers*;

* I have been thus particular in stating the force and composition of the Anglo-Hanoverian artillery, as the most incorrect and exaggerated statements have gone abroad respecting it.

making together the total 108 pieces of cannon, which were distributed on the front of the position, in the following order:

     In front of the centre. –– One troop of horse artillery, on the right of Gen. Cooke’s division, to direct its fire down the great road of Nivelles. One troop of horse, and three brigades of foot artillery, were placed in front of Major-Gen. Maitland’s brigade of guards, which formed the left of Gen. Cooke’s division: this was the largest battery of the allies, there being in no other part of the field so large a number of guns assembled upon one point. One troop of horse artillery was placed on the height immediately behind Hougoumont, and in front of Major-Gen. Byng’s brigade of guards, which formed the right of Gen. Cooke’s division. One brigade of foot artillery in front of the right, and two troops of horse artillery in front of the left of Gen. Alten’s division.

     In front of the left wing. –– One troop of horse and one brigade of foot artillery, in front of Major-Gen. Kempt’s brigade, which formed the right of Sir Thomas Picton’s division. Two brigades of foot, and one of horse artillery, in front of Sir Dennis Packe’s brigade, which formed the left of Sir T. Picton’s division.

     In the second line. –– One brigade of foot, and three troops of horse artillery: these were chiefly in rear of Lord Hill’s corps, which formed the right wing of the army, and in the afternoon were called into action, chiefly in the centre.

     In this position the Duke of Wellington had resolved to await the enemy’s attack, and had written to Marshal Blucher, requesting, in that event, the aid of a part of his force, which was promised; and it was supposed that the 4th corps of the Prussian army, under Gen. Bulow, would arrive on the right flank of the enemy at one o’clock in the afternoon.

     As the morning advanced the weather became more favourable, and the French began preparations for the attack. Orders were given for the distribution and lines of march of each corps, and about ten o’clock we could distinctly see them move down to their several positions, where they were drawn up in the following order:

     The right wing, formed of the 1st corps d’armée, under Count d’Erlon, and consisting of four divisions of infantry, had its 2d division under Gen. Donzelot, resting its left on the great road leading from Genappe to Bruxelles, near the house of Belle Alliance: it was formed of the 13th light infantry, and the 17th, 19th, and 51st regiments of the line, forming two brigades. The 1st division, under Gen. Quiot, was placed on the right of the former; it consisted of the 28th, 54th, 55th, and 105th regiments of the line, and was formed into two brigades. The 3d division, under Gen. Marcognet, was on the right of Gen. Quiot’s; it consisted of the 21st, 25th, 45th, and 46th regiments of the line, forming two brigades. The 4th division, under Gen. Durutte, was on the right of the 3d division; it was formed of the 8th, 99th, 85th, and 95th regiments of the line making two brigades. These eight brigades were drawn up on two lines; the several regiments were in columns of battalions by divisions, each regiment consisting of two battalions, and the general direction of the line was between Belle Alliance on its left, and the village of Frichermont on the right, so that it was nearly parallel to the left wing of the Duke of Wellington’s army. The division of light cavalry under Gen. Jacquinot, consisting of the 3d and 7th chasseurs, and the 3d and 4th lancers, was formed on the extreme right of Count d’Erlon’s infantry, having its right flank resting on the wood of Frichermont.

     The left wing, formed of the 2d corps d’armée, under Count Reille, and consisting of three divisions, had its 1st division under Gen. Bachelu, resting its right flank on the great road leading from Genappe to Bruxelles, near La Belle Alliance; it consisted of the 11th, 61st, 72d, and 108th regiments of the line, forming two brigades. The 4th division, under Gen. Foy, was formed on the left of the 1st division; it consisted of the 4th light infantry, and the 92d, 93d, and 100th regiments of the line, formed into two brigades. The 2d division, under Prince Jerome Buonaparte, was on the left of Gen. Foy’s; it consisted of the 1st and 2d light infantry, and the 1st, 2d, and 3d regiments of the line, forming two brigades. These six brigades were drawn up on two lines, the several regiments in columns of battalions by divisions; the 108th and the 3d regiments of the line, and all the light infantry regiments in this corps, consisted of three battalions each, the remaining regiments of two battalions each; and the general direction which the lines formed was between La Belle Alliance on the right to the Nivelles road on the left, having the left about half a mile distant from the wood of Hougoumont. The division of light cavalry under Gen. Piré, consisting of the 1st and 6th chasseurs, and the 5th and 6th lancers, was formed on the left of Count Reille’s infantry, across the Nivelles road, extending its left on the plateau ground towards Braine-la-Leud.

     In this manner the 1st and 2d corps d’armée, with the light cavalry of their respective corps on the flanks, formed the first line, or corps de bataille, of the French army.

     The second line was of cavalry. –– The right wing of the second line was formed of the 4th corps of cavalry, under Count Milhaud; it consisted of two divisions of cuirassiers; the first under Gen. Wathier, consisting of the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 12th regiments of cuirassiers, formed into two brigades; and the second, under Gen. Delort, consisting of the 5th, 6th, 9th, and l0th regiments of cuirassiers, formed into two brigades, were drawn up on two lines in rear of the infantry of Count d’Erlon, having their left near the great road to Bruxelles, and their right in the direction of Frichermont. These four brigades were formed in columns of regiments by squadrons. –– The left wing of the second line was formed of the 3d corps of cavalry under the Count de Valmy; it consisted of two divisions, the first, under Gen. L’Heritier, composed of the 2d and 7th dragoons and 8th and 11th cuirassiers, forming two brigades; and the second under Gen. Roussell, composed of the 1st and 2d carabineers, and the 2d and 3d cuirassiers, forming two brigades, were drawn up on two lines, in rear of the infantry of Count Reille, having their right a short distance from the great road to Bruxelles, and their left near the road leading to Nivelles. These four brigades of the 3d corps of cavalry were formed in columns of regiments by squadrons.

     In rear of the centre, and on the left of the great road, were two divisions of the 6th corps d’armée, under Lieut.-Gen. Count Lobau, viz.; the 1st division under Lieut.-Gen. Simmer, consisting of the 5th, 11th, 27th, and 84th regiments of the line, forming two brigades; and the 2d division under Lieut.-Gen. Jeannin, consisting of the 5th light infantry, and the 10th, 47th, and 107th regiments of the line, forming two brigades. These two divisions were formed in columns of regiments by divisions, the whole forming one great column of reserve to the centre.

     In rear of the centre, and on the right of the great road, were two divisions of light cavalry, viz.; the division of Gen. D’Aumont, attached to the 6th corps, and consisting of the 4th, 11th, and 12th chasseurs; and the 2d division of Count Pajol’s corps of cavalry, under Lieut.-Gen. Subervic, consisting of the 1st and 2d lancers, and the 9th chasseurs. These two divisions, making four brigades, were formed in columns of regiments by squadrons, the whole forming one great column in rear of the centre.

     The grand reserve to the whole line of battle was formed on a third line, on the heights in rear of the position; it consisted entirely of the imperial guards, cavalry and infantry. In the centre of this line was the 1st division, formed of the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th regiments of grenadiers of the old guard, commanded by Gen. Count Friant, colonel of the grenadiers-à-pied of the imperial guard. This division was on the left of the great road leading to Bruxelles, the regiments forming it were in contiguous columns by divisions. The 2d division, formed of the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th regiments of chasseurs of the old guard, commanded by Gen. Count Morand, colonel of chasseurs-à-pied of the imperial guard, was on the right of the great road leading to Bruxelles, and the regiments forming it were in contiguous columns by divisions.

     On the right of the 2d division of the old guard, was the division of the young guard, commanded by Gen. Barrois ; it consisted of the 1st and 3d regiments of tirailleurs, and the 1st and 3d regiments of voltigeurs. This division was also formed in contiguous columns of regiments by divisions.

     The heavy cavalry of the old guard, commanded by Gen. Guyot, and consisting of one regiment of grenadiers-à-cheval, and one regiment of dragoons, were formed in columns of regiments by squadrons, on the left of the infantry of the old guard.

     The light cavalry of the old guard, commanded by Gen. Lefebvre Desnouettes, and consisting of one regiment of chasseurs-à-cheval and one regiment of lancers, (in red), were formed in columns of regiments by squadrons on the right of the infantry.

     This admirable formation of the French line of battle presented resources to its general on every point; and it is scarcely possible to imagine any order of battle which should be equally strong on all points, or where in the event of disorder, remedies could be sooner applied; or where, in the event of partial success, any advantage might be sooner followed up or improved, by the speedy support of its reserves.

     About ten o’clock the enemy commenced moving down to the attack; the extreme left of his infantry line bearing obliquely towards the wood of Hougoumont, which was the most prominent angle of the allied position, and consequently exposed to the first efforts of the enemy; its possession being almost a necessary preliminary operation to any attack on the centre. The chateau of Hougoumont, with its enclosures, wood, and orchard, form a large quadrangle, divided into four nearly equal parts by two hedge-rows, which intersect it at right angles from the centre of its sides. The two divisions nearest to the allied position consist, that on the right, of the chateau, stables, and other out-buildings, to which is adjoined a garden, inclosed on its southern and eastern sides by a high wall; that on the left, of a large orchard, bounded on its western side by the eastern wall of the garden, and on its three remaining sides by tall and compact hedges. The two divisions nearest to the French position, consist, that on the right, which is immediately in front of the garden and chateau, of thick coppice-wood; that on the left and in front of the orchard, of an open field, bounded on its western side by the wood, on its northern side by the orchard, and on the two remaining by the large hedge-row which forms the boundary of the whole inclosure.

     As the massy divisions of the enemy gradually advanced, skirmishers were thrown out, who soon spread themselves over the whole front of the French left wing. The artillery which accompanied the several divisions could now be seen making rapid movements to the little eminences in front of their line, and there forming batteries for the protection of the attack. At this moment the weather became brighter, and the imposing display of the hostile army, advancing to give battle, was indescribably grand; it was perfectly new to the English army: those who had gone through the arduous campaigns in the Peninsula had not yet witnessed such regularity in the movements of the enemy; for there, the nature of the country seldom admitted the adoption of an uniform order of battle. A few minutes before eleven o’clock, the tirailleurs of Prince Jerome’s division became engaged with the light troops posted in the skirts of the wood of Hougoumont and along the whole front of the inclosure. At first a few straggling shots announced the commencement of the action; the intervals of shots quickly lessened, till at length the firing increased to an incessant roll of musketry. The columns of Jerome’s division approached nearer the wood, to support the light troops; and the English artillery, with promptitude and precision unequalled in that of any other army, commenced firing upon them from the heights in front of Major-Gen. Cooke’s division; and no sooner did the enemy discover the English battery, than his artillery opened a brisk fire to silence it; but the English artillerymen persevered in a steady fire against the French infantry, and it was most satisfactory to observe the admirable manner in which the guns were served, the officers themselves pointing their cannon with unerring aim. One French column was completely dispersed by the shells from our howitzers. The roar of cannon on both sides grew loud and incessant, the weather continued to mend, and the sight became magnificent; the whole valley in front of Gen. Cooke’s division became covered with the firing. The French light troops succeeded in penetrating into the wood; they were soon followed up by reserves, and the contest on this point became each moment more severe; great part of a battalion of Nassau troops, which had been stationed in the wood, were driven from their post, and the light companies of the 2d brigade of guards under Lieut.-Col. Macdonald and Lieut.-Col. Home, on the right of the inclosure, and those of the 1st brigade of guards under Lt.-Col. Lord Saltoun, in the orchard on the left, then sustained the furious onset of the enemy’s columns of attack. Every advantage was skilfully made use of, which the natural defences of the walls and hedges afforded to the defendants; the whole length of the garden wall had been loop-holed, and the hedge which separates the orchard from the field in its front was high and compact, so as to afford an excellent breastwork to the troops defending it, and from whence they opened a destructive fire on the French columns. The enemy notwithstanding persevered in attempting to carry this point, and a battalion began to penetrate into the orchard, through a large gap in the fence, forming an outlet into the wood. Lord Saltoun, seeing this favourable opportunity of getting fairly at them, charged the head of the French column with the light infantry of the 1st guards, and this brave attempt fortunately checked the enemy, many of whom were slain on this point, and the remainder compelled to retreat into the wood, where they suffered still greater loss from the fire directed by part of the Nassau battalion, and light companies of the 2d brigade of guards from behind the garden wall. The enemy, failing on this side, now attempted to get in rear of the chateau by its right, and the columns which had moved in support of the battalion defeated by Lord Saltoun, changed their direction and made a most resolute attack against the chateau; but the light troops of the Coldstream and 3d guards, received them with undaunted firmness, and after a severe conflict drove them off, and succeeded in regaining a part of the wood in its front.

     Hitherto the battle had been almost wholly confined to this point; but the whole of the corps of Reille had moved in advance, its artillery had been placed in battery, and a most violent cannonade ensued along the whole centre; the fire of the enemy being briskly returned by the English artillery from their several positions already described, in front of Gen. Alten’s and Gen. Cooke’s divisions.

     The whole corps of Count d’Erlon at the same time moved in advance, and numerous batteries of his artillery took post and commenced an incessant fire against the left wing of the allied position; the strongest batteries of the enemy were contiguous to the great road leading from Belle Alliance to La Haye Sainte, and about midway between those points. The firing was promptly returned by the artillery of the allies, from the rising ground in front of their left wing. In this manner the battle was engaged along the whole line, and the roar of cannon became tremendous. Upwards of two hundred pieces of artillery were at this moment vomiting destruction on both armies, and the havoc caused by the round shot and shells was severe on both sides. The infantry, which were obliged to be posted near the artillery, suffered great loss from the fire which the enemy directed against the English guns; and the shot which missed the first line, frequently plunged into the columns in the rear. The enemy displayed great quantities of his cavalry, and the Duke of Wellington ordered the British army to form squares, in readiness should they advance to the attack; but the French cavalry did not yet commence any important movement, and they remained hitherto unengaged, with the exception of some trifling skirmishing, between part of Major-Gen. Grant’s brigade of light cavalry, and that of Gen. Piré, on the plateau ground, to the right of Hougoumont. The enemy, under cover of the cavalry, moved forward a battery of horse artillery on the Nivelles road, and opened a fire on the flank of Hougoumont and of Gen. Cooke’s division. A brigade of horse artillery, under Lieut.-Col. Smyth, moved down the Nivelles road to oppose it, and by its superior fire, compelled the enemy to withdraw. Every where the fire of the English artillery was superior to that of the enemy; the nature of the ground, it must be allowed, was more favourable to the allies than the French, as the front of the British position was more abrupt than that of the enemy, where the slope, being gradual, and of greater extent, obliged their infantry to remain more exposed to the fire of the English.

     The enemy having failed in his first attempt to gain possession of Hougoumont, now directed Count d’Erlon’s corps to make an attack against La Haye Sainte, La Haye, and the left wing of the English army. This attack was made in the following order: Gen. Donzelot, with the 22d division, moved against La Haye Sainte; Gen. Durutte, with the 4th division, moved against Papelotte and La Haye; Gen. Quiot and Marcognet, with the 1st and 3d divisions, advanced in columns, to carry the position between these points. The lancers of Gen. Jacquinot’s division of cavalry supported the 1st and 3d divisions, which attacked the British left wing, and the left of the whole attack was supported by the division of Gen. Bachelu of Reille’s corps, on the left of the great road. ––  Gen. Foy’s division kept up the communication between Gen. Bachelu and Prince Jerome, who was ordered to renew his efforts against Hougoumont, in order to keep up the attention of the Duke of Wellington to this point, and prevent his detaching troops to support the feeble line of his left wing. The French artillery made some changes to cover this great attack, and a strong battery was directed against the chateau of Hougoumont. The Duke of Wellington sent Major-Gen. Byng, with the 2d brigade of guards, to support the light troops which were posted at Hougoumont, and then directed his attention to the more important attack against his left wing. At half-past two it began with an overwhelming fire of round and grape shot, under cover of which the French columns advanced towards their several destinations: the French light troops which headed the attack succeeded in dislodging the Belgian troops posted in front of the left wing, and next engaged those of Gen. Kempt’s and Gen. Packe’s brigades. These obstinately contested the ground, but were obliged to yield to the superior numbers of the enemy, who displayed great bravery and skill in his advance, turning successively the flanks of the British light troops, and by his numbers in front advancing with great firmness through a tremendous fire from the English artillery. The divisions of Gen. Quiot and Marcognet continued to gain ground, but Gen. Donzelot, failing in this first attempt to gain possession of La Haye Sainte, the two former were unsupported on their flanks, and Gen. Picton directed the gallant brigades of Kempt and Packe to advance and drive the enemy down from the position. A most deadly fire was opened upon them by the regiments forming these brigades; and the Earl of Uxbridge seeing the favourable moment for attacking them, directed the brigade of the brave Sir William Ponsonby to charge the French columns. This brigade, consisting of the 1st or royal dragoons, the 2d or North British dragoons (Scots Greys), and the 6th or Inniskilling dragoons, together with the 11th and 16th dragoons forming part of Gen. Vandeleur’s brigade, rushed forward with invincible impetuosity into the midst of the French columns before they had time to form squares, and the front ranks of the enemy falling back upon the rear, threw the whole into confusion. A dreadful slaughter ensued, and the French retreated in disorder, leaving the ground covered with the dead and wounded. About two thousand prisoners were taken, and the British cavalry, not content with this splendid success, pushed forward to the rear of the first line of French infantry, ascended the opposite heights, and commenced disorganizing the artillery of Count D’Erlon’s corps, dismounting the guns, and sabring the horses, to render the batteries as useless as possible. The impetuosity of the British cavalry led them on too far into the French line, and Napoleon, seeing the English cavalry unsupported, directed Count Milhaud to attack them with a brigade of his cuirassiers, some of whom had been moved in advance to the height between Belle Alliance and La Haye Sainte, to fill up the vacancy occasioned in the French line by the advance of the divisions under Donzelot and Bachelu, and they had now a most advantageous opportunity of attacking the flank of Sir William Ponsonby’s brigade. The French cuirassiers advanced to the charge, and a short but furious conflict took place. Sir William Ponsonby, seeing that all attempts to maintain the ground he had gained would be fruitless, withdrew his brigade, which now in its retreat suffered great loss, having to run the gauntlet of the French cavalry, artillery, and skirmishers. The gallant Ponsonby, foremost in the attack, and last in the retreat, was soon surrounded by the French cavalry; and although completely in their power, and in fact their prisoner, his horse being unable to extricate itself from the cloggy ground, he was pierced with several wounds, and fell dead to the ground. The brave Sir Thomas Picton also fell at the head of his division, and the English army was thus deprived of two of its most zealous and skilful generals. Whilst this conflict took place in the valley between La Haye Sainte and La Haye, Gen. Donzelot, who had been unable to gain possession of La Haye Sainte, kept up a brisk contest with the left of Gen. Alten’s division. The brigade of Col. Ompteda, consisting of the 1st and 2d light and 8th line battalions of the King’s German legion, supported by the brigade of Hanoverian militia, under Gen. Kielmansegge, opposed a brave resistance, and were driving the enemy down the heights, when part of Milhaud’s cuirassiers, seeing an opportunity, charged the Hanoverian infantry, and although they instantly re-formed squares, the enemy persevered in his advance, passed through the first line in the intervals between the squares, and mounted the crest of the position. Lord Edward Somerset, with the invincible brigade of household troops, consisting of the life guards, royal horse guards, and 1st dragoon guards, rushed forward against the mailed cavalry of the enemy, and swept the intruders from the ground they had so rashly ascended, driving them up the opposite heights back into their own line. Lord Edward Somerset then withdrew his brigade by the great road, and resumed his position to await fresh attacks. Colonel Ponsonby, with the 12th light dragoons, had been stationed on the extreme left of the English infantry, with orders to act discretionally; and on perceiving the unsteady advance of part of Durutte’s division, he resolved on attacking it*,

* I am indebted to the celebrated author of the Pleasures of Memory for permission to publish the account which he took from Col. Ponsonby’s own description of this attack, and have given it in full in the Appendix, No. XIV.

and immediately with his regiment descended the heights, and broke into the enemy’s columns, which he dispersed: the charge was followed by some Belgian cavalry, who added to the slaughter which ensued. This charge of Col. Ponsonby’s regiment caused a severe loss to the enemy, and contributed much to heighten the confusion in which the whole right wing of the French army had been thrown. Gen. Jaquinot, who commanded the light cavalry of Count D’Erlon’s corps, advanced with the 3d and 4th lancers, to rescue the French infantry, whilst the French artillery poured destruction alike on the English and French in the struggle which took place. The French lancers took advantage of the disorder which unavoidably ensues after a cavalry charge, and being superior in number, and having the advantage of lances, succeeded in compelling the 12th to retreat: the intrepid Col. Ponsonby was overtaken by the enemy, and struck to the earth by seven wounds, where he was left, as was supposed, dead on the field.

     The formidable attacks made by the whole right wing of the enemy had been defeated on all points, and although the allies suffered severe loss, that of the enemy was much greater; the French columns having received the fire of the English infantry and artillery both in the advance and retreat, and were besides dreadfully cut up by the English cavalry.

     Meantime the enemy had renewed his efforts against the post of Hougoumont with greater force, and by the shells from his howitzers, succeeded in setting fire to the chateau and straw-stacks adjoining it. The flames burnt irresistibly, and volumes of smoke spread over the front of the English centre and right: the Duke of Wellington had directed the 2d brigade of guards, under Gen. Byng, to support the troops stationed there, and they opportunely met the enemy’s columns which were endeavouring to surround the chateau: a severe engagement took place, and after a hard struggle, the guards silenced the enemy’s musketry, and charged the French columns, who retreated with great loss through the wood. The enemy never gained possession either of the garden or chateau; but some of his infantry, more daring than others, with great bravery penetrated into the court-yard of the chateau, by bursting open the door and its barricadoes, but the assailants were all slain and the gates again secured, so that all further efforts to force them open were effectually resisted. The fire which burnt down the whole interior of the chateau unfortunately destroyed many brave soldiers who had been wounded and crawled thither for shelter. We must, in justice, give the French and English equal praise for the gallantry displayed in the attack and defence of this post: in no part of the field did the enemy more obstinately persevere in his attempts to gain possession of the point in contest, and nowhere was greater determination displayed by the troops in the defence. In the cannonade which was kept up between the French and English artillery during the conflict at Hougoumont, the brigade of Gen. Maitland suffered dreadful loss from the shot and shells of the enemy; and the calm and intrepid Gen. Cooke had his arm torn almost entirely off by a cannon shot: the command of the 1st division then devolved on Gen. Byng, who having succeeded in repelling the enemy from Hougoumont, took his station with Gen. Maitland’s brigade on the height.

     Napoleon now finding that all efforts against Hougoumont were unsuccessful, and that all attempts against the centre would be alike unavailing without the possession of La Haye Sainte, directed the division of Gen. Donzelot, supported on its right by Gen. Quint’s division, and on its left by Gen. Bachelu, to renew its’ attempt on La Haye Sainte. The French light troops pressed forward beyond the farm, and thus intercepted the communication between its defenders and the troops in rear on the crest of the position; the French columns advanced to the walls, and several times attempted to scale them, and were as often repulsed. Major Baring, with part of the 2d light battalion of the King’s German legion, garrisoned this little post, and it was not till these brave men had expended the last round of their ammunition, that the enemy succeeded in gaining possession of it: the French troops, enraged at the obstinate defence which had been made, and the loss which they had sustained from the defenders, put to death the few of them who yet survived. No sooner was this point gained than the enemy moved down a large body of cuirassiers, of Milhaud’s corps, into the valley between La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont: here they were almost entirely sheltered from the fire of the English artillery, and they were in more immediate readiness to take advantage of any disorder which might occur in, the English line. A series of attacks were now made against the centre of the allies, and some French horse-artillery were brought up, under cover of their infantry and cavalry, to the rise of the position behind La Haye Sainte, and the enemy made repeated efforts to establish himself on the English position. Napoleon was in the heat of the action at La Haye Sainte, and his numerous cavalry made repeated charges between the battalions of the allies, which were formed in squares to resist their attacks; the British cavalry constantly driving down that of the enemy; and the English artillery-men, who, during these charges, retired from their guns under cover of the squares, resumed their stations the moment the enemy were past the line, in time to pour destructive volleys of round and grape shot on their retreating squadrons. Wherever there was danger, there was the Duke of Wellington, who, in person, directed the movements of many columns of infantry: if the enemy gained any advantage, the Duke was there to remedy it, and the bravery and discipline of his men enabled him to restore order. The enemy had hoped by the possession of La Haye Sainte to break our line, and column after column renewed the attempt; but their opponents possessed a steadiness which was invincible, and the valour with which every attack was received and repulsed insured a victorious result. On the right of the centre, the guards were attacked by the cavalry of Gen. Kellermann, which approached under cover of a tremendous fire of artillery, and boldly penetrated between the squares: they were received with unshaken firmness; not a shot was fired at them till they were within a few yards of the English muskets; a destructive discharge was then opened upon them, and they were driven back. This attempt to gain permanent footing on the height was several times repeated, and the French and English cavalry were sometimes engaged in the rear of and behind the squares, but the same result invariably ensued. Two columns of Brunswick troops which had been stationed on the right of the 1st English division, after Gen. Byng’s brigade had moved down to Hougoumont, behaved with admirable steadiness during the attack made by the French cavalry. The last effort of the enemy’s cavalry against the centre was made by the heavy cavalry of the imperial guard; but the most distinguished courage in the French officers, who daringly exposed their persons to draw on the fire of the English infantry before their regiments approached near the squares, could not prevail. The fire was reserved till the regiments came within a short distance of our infantry, and then their deliberate aim spread death through the enemy’s ranks: the French dragoons, who were in this last attack, suffered the severest loss. Thus throughout the whole day the enemy had constantly been repelled, suffering in all his attempts much greater losses than the allies; and as each attempt was repulsed, his army became more and more disorganized. The afternoon was now far advanced, and there was yet no appearance of the Prussian troops arriving to support the allies. Major (Lieut.-Col.) Stavely had been despatched by the Duke of Wellington to gain information respecting them: at four o’clock he found Marshal Blucher, who with a part of Bulow’s corps had just arrived on the right flank of the enemy. The Prussians were crossing the ravine, between St. Lambert and Lasne, and advancing in the direction of the wood of Frischermont. Marshal Blucher promised to attack the enemy as soon as his men, who had performed a difficult march, could be formed. Meanwhile Napoleon had sent the cavalry of Gens. Daumont and Subervic to oppose the advance of the Prussians, who now began to show considerable forces between Lasne and Frischermont: each moment their display became more formidable, and Napoleon sent the 6th corps under Count Lobau to support the cavalry under Daumont, whose light horse were already engaged on the skirts of the wood of Frischermont. The French gained a temporary advantage on this point, but as the Prussians continued to receive reinforcements, their attack became more formidable, and they began to gain ground. Buonaparte, now seeing the desperate situation of his army, resolved on a last effort against the English army with the infantry of the imperial guards. These troops, which had arrived on their position about mid-day, had remained entirely in reserve, and almost wholly out of the reach of the fire: they were now moved down to the ground adjoining Belle Alliance, and thence directed to their points of attack. The grenadiers of the old guard, consisting of four regiments, were directed as follows: the 1st regiment, of two battalions, 1300 strong, commanded by Gen. Petit, remained in reserve near Belle Alliance; the 2d regiment, from 1200 to 1300 strong, in two battalions, commanded by Gen. Christiani; the 3d regiment, 1200 strong, in two battalions, commanded by Gen. Poret; and the 4th regiment, 500 strong, of two battalions formed into one, commanded by Gen. Harlet, were directed to move down the great Bruxelles road towards La Haye Sainte, and then to turn across the open ground and ascend the British position about midway between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte, whilst the chasseurs of the old guard formed another attack, which was to support the left of the grenadiers: these consisted of the 1st regiment, 1300 strong, in two battalions, commanded by Gen. Cambronne; the 2d regiment, 1200 strong, in two battalions, commanded by Col. Mallet; the 3d regiment, 1200 strong, in two battalions, commanded by Gen. Petit, and the 4th of two battalions in one of 600 men, commanded by Gen. * * * * *  *. It was past six o’clock when these columns descended from the opposite heights. The French artillery seemed to rise again from the earth, and with renewed vigour blazed forth its showers of death to cover the advance of the French guards: the patience and determination with which the English soldiers withstood such repeated attacks and such severe losses was heroic. The men were ordered to await the close advance of the French columns, in order that their fire might be more decisive; and about half-past six o’clock the grenadiers of the old imperial guard appeared mounting the crest of the position on which the brigade of Major-Gen. Maitland was posted. The enemy’s troops were in contiguous columns of battalions by companies; the 4th regiment on the right, the 3d in the centre, and the 2d on the left; thus forming five battalions in contiguous columns. Marshal Ney, who had his horse killed in advancing to the position, was on foot in front of the columns of the 4th and 3d regiments; and the brave manner in which he and the French officers led this attack are deserving of the greatest praise. When within a short distance of the English line, Major-Gen. Maitland, who had wheeled up the flanks of the squares formed by the 2d and 3d battalions of the 1st regiment of guards, and formed a compact line four deep, directed his brigade to commence firing, and the destruction caused by the first volley in the enemy’s columns at this short distance, checked their advance and began to cause confusion, which they were unable to remedy. The firing by independent files was kept up unremittingly for some minutes by the English guards, and with such precision, that these fine columns of the enemy, the élite of his whole army, became completely broken up; and the firing which they attempted to return in this disorganized state served rather to increase the disorder. The bravery of the French officers could not remedy the confusion, and the English guards being led by Gen. Maitland forward to charge the enemy, completed their rout. Whilst advancing in this manner, Gen. Maitland perceived the columns of chasseurs of the imperial guards already so far advanced as to menace the right flank of his brigade; he therefore immediately changed his front, and advancing his left, prepared to meet this fresh attack. During the former attacks on the centre, the Duke of Wellington, perceiving that the enemy made no serious attempt to turn his right flank, advanced the 2d division under Lieut.-Gen. Clinton, to support the 1st division, and directed Col. Mitchell’s brigade of the 4th division to move towards the right of Hougoumont; thus the corps of Lord Hill, which in the early part of the day had been formed nearly at right angles to the centre, forming the apex of its angle at the great road of Nivelles, now began to form with the centre part of a crescent, and the hollow of this crescent was the scene of the attack made by the imperial guard. When the chasseurs of the guard arrived opposite Gen Maitland’s brigade, Gen. Adam formed his brigade, consisting of the 52d, 71st, and 95th, on its right, bringing up his right flank so as to front the left flank of the- French chasseurs, which were now received by the two fires of Gen. Maitland in front, and the more destructive one of Gen. Adam in flank. A brigade of English artillery had been posted between the brigades of infantry, and another with some Dutch artillery on the right of Gen. Adam’s brigade, so that the destruction of this second column of attack was more rapid than the former, and the disorder in which it retreated augmented the confusion of the troops in rear, who, seeing the guard defeated, gave up all for lost. The Duke of Wellington at this time perceived the artillery of Bulow’s corps beginning to act in rear of the enemy’s right wing, where Count Lobau, with the 6th corps, and the division of the young guard, under Gen. Barrois, were now warmly engaged; the long wished for moment of becoming the assailant in his turn was arrived, and orders were given to the whole army to make one general advance: the cavalry brigades of Sir Hussey Vivian and Sir Ormsby Vandeleur had previously been moved to the rear of the right centre, and, as the allies advanced, they spread their line over the crest of the English position, and then charged down into the French columns, which were now in complete disorder. Gen. Adam’s brigade of infantry was the first to arrive on the enemy’s position; it was closely followed by the brigade of Gen. Maitland, and the whole army from its different positions, all however pressing forward towards the great road leading to Genappe. At Belle Alliance the enemy made a show of resistance, but was soon obliged to retire by Gen. Adam. The French artillerymen, seeing the utter impossibility of withdrawing their guns, staid to fire their last destructive rounds at the English army in its advance. Four battalions of the old guard formed squares on the heights near Belle Alliance to check the increasing disorder, and bravely held their ground for some moments against the English cavalry, till even they were drawn away in the vortex of disaster and rout, into which the whole French army were thrown whole columns now threw down their arms and fled, and the panic spread throughout every part of the enemy’s ranks, and the victorious army traversed in triumph the field of battle, which was now a scene of death and destruction such as Europe has seldom witnessed. Cannon, ammunition, and in fact the whole materiel of the army of Napoleon, fell into the hands of the conquerors; but comparatively few prisoners were taken, the victors barely stopping to give, and the vanquished disdaining to receive quarter: the French soldiers seemed to bear in mind the animating exhortation in Napoleon’s proclamation, “Pour tout Français qui a du cœur, le moment est arrivé de vaincre ou de perir!” and the dying words of many a brave Frenchman were, “Vive Napoleon! Vive la patrie !” As the army of the Netherlands pursued the enemy, they were joined in the great road, on the heights near Planchenoit, by the advance of Bulow’s corps, which had fought its way through that village to the great road, augmenting greatly the dismay of the enemy in his retreat, now rendered more precarious from the Prussians having got so far in their rear. The 1st corps of the Prussian army, under Gen. Ziethen, had been advancing through Ohain, and it now joined the corps of Bulow. The Duke of Wellington having met Marshal Blucher at Belle Alliance, and received his promise of incessantly pursuing the enemy through the night, ordered the army of the Netherlands to desist. The fatigues and want of food which it had sustained rendered rest essential, and the army bivouacked on the ground which the night before had been occupied by the enemy. After the victory was gained, Marshal Blucher continued the pursuit with the 1st, 2d, and 4th corps of his army. At Genappe, the enemy, who had barricadoed the approach to the village, made a show of resistance, but the Prussians soon overpowered them. Sixty pieces of cannon were taken in the pursuit, and together with those taken by the Duke of Wellington’s army, amounted to between two and three hundred pieces.

     A victory of such magnitude, and of such importance from its consequences, could not of course be achieved without great loss on the part of the victorious army. It is impossible to enumerate in this place the many instances of brave and distinguished officers who fell or were severely wounded in this hard fought battle. The Prince of Orange at the head of his corps had distinguished himself throughout the day, by the example of his gallantry and activity, in rallying the troops when partially disorganized by the severe attacks of the enemy, till he was severely wounded and borne from the field. The Earl of Uxbridge, who, during the contest, had headed the different charges, was seen in his splendid uniform moving like a meteor across the plain, followed by the British cavalry, whose course was marked by the slaughter it made. In the advance of the whole army, at the close of the day, he was one of many who suffered from the last deadly volley of the enemy’s artillery, and had one of his legs shattered by a cannon shot. Many of the Duke of Wellington’s personal staff were killed or wounded. The brave Gen. Barnes, Adj.-Gen. to the army, was severely wounded, and the Quarter-Master-General, Col. Delancey, received a wound, which, unfortunately for the country at large, proved fatal. It is but a just tribute to this distinguished officer’s great worth, to add, that when assistance was offered to him on the field, he declined accepting it, from a consciousness that his wound was mortal, and at the same time desired that those who came to assist him would give their immediate attendance to such of his brave countrymen who might be benefited by it, and he remained on the field during the night.