Chapter XI: The Battle of Ligny 151

Position of the Prussian army at Ligny 151

Napoleon examines the position 152

The most obvious plan of battle was to turn the
Prussian right 152

But Napoleon decides to attack the centre 153

Positions taken by the French 153, 154

The 2 P.M. order sent to Ney to coöperate with
the main army 154

The battle begins at 2.30 by attacking Ligny and
St. Amand 154

The 3.15 P.M. order to Ney 155

Napoleon determines about half-past five o’clock to
put in the Guard 156

The unexpected appearance of d’Erlon’s Corps
causes a delay of nearly two hours 157

The attack by the Guard breaks the Prussian centre 158

The Prussians fall back to Brye and Sombreffe 159

Losses of the Prussians and French 159

The non-employment of the 6th Corps 159, 160

Extent of the victory 160, 161

It was not equal to Napoleon’s hopes, but it had
disposed of the Prussians for a time 161, 162

NOTES TO CHAPTER XI 163

1. Napoleon’s delay in beginning the battle 163

His reasons considered 164

2. His plan of battle criticised by Rogniat and
others 164

Napoleon’s reply to Rogniat 165

His reasons for taking the course he did 165

The criticism of Davout and Clausewitz considered 166

3. Clausewitz’s doubts as to the decisive result of
Ney’s movement 167

The question fully stated and Napoleon’s expectations
justified 167

4. What Napoleon had a right to expect from Ney 168

5. Whether Napoleon’s plan was the best, considering
that he could not absolutely rely on
Ney’s coöperation 169

6. Why Napoleon did not order d’Erlon to remain
and take part in the battle 170

He must have assumed that d’Erlon had come upon
the field for this purpose 170

And there was not time to send him orders 170

7. Napoleon’s skill well displayed at Ligny 171

Clausewitz’s review of the battle 171-173

He points out that Napoleon was more economical
in the use of his troops than Blücher 171

Severe and unwarranted criticism of Marshal Davout
on Napoleon’s tactics 173

Napoleon not responsible for the error which
brought d’Erlon on the field 174

8. Whether Napoleon was wise in arresting the
progress of the battle on the appearance of the
strange corps (d’Erlon’s),—_Quære_ 174-175

9. Napoleon to be censured for not having made
use of the 6th Corps 175