Chapter XI (2)

GHIGNY's Dutch-Belgian Light Cavalry Brigade, which had, at the commencement of this Cavalry attack, crossed the Charleroi road, came up, in the mean time, to the brow of the main position, on the left of VANDELEUR's Brigade. One of its Regiments, the 4th Light Dragoons, went down the slope, following the 12th Light Dragoons; and after experiencing the effects of a brisk fire which was kept up by DURUTTE's Skirmishers from behind a bank and hedge, low down the slope, and from which the 12th Light Dragoons had previously suffered, it assisted in completing the dispersion of the French Infantry. The other Regiment (the 8th Hussars) remained a few minutes upon the Height, and then advanced to draw off the retiring Cavalry.

VIVIAN, who had come forward in person from the extreme Left, and proceeded some way down the slope for the purpose of making his observations, upon perceiving PONSONBY's Brigade charging in disorder up the French Heights, immediately sent back word for the 10th and 18th British Hussars to move through the hollow way to their right, leaving the remaining Regiment of his Brigade, the 1st Hussars of the King's German Legion, to keep a look out to the left. Very shortly afterwards, two guns detached in advance from his Horse Battery, drew up on the brow of the main ridge; but had scarcely opened a fire when a well directed shot from one of the French Batteries passed through the ammunition boxes of one of the limbers, causing an explosion, which drew forth a shout of triumph on the part of the French Artillerymen.

The charge of VANDELEUR's Brigade having succeeded, without the active aid of even its own immediate Support, the 11th Light Dragoons; the further advance of the 10th and 18th Hussars was not required, but they continued in their new position, on the right of the lane leading to Verd Cocou, and the two guns rejoined their Battery.

Major WHINYATES's Rocket Troop, having been brought up to the crest of the main ridge, from its previous position in reserve near Mont St Jean, its Rocket Sections were moved down to the foot of the exterior slope, whence they discharged several rockets at the French troops then formed, or in the act of reforming, upon the opposite heights. Immediately after the execution of this service, which was gallantly and skilfully conducted, the Troop rejoined its guns on the crest of the position.

In the general _mêlée_ which resulted from the charge of the British Heavy Dragoons, and the overthrow of such masses of Infantry, augmented as it was by the subsequent charges of, firstly, the French Lancers, and, then, the two Regiments of British Light Cavalry, severe losses were sustained on both sides; and the British Army was deprived of some of its brightest ornaments.

The gallant Leader of the "Union Brigade," when endeavouring to return to the Allied position, after using the most strenuous but fruitless exertions to restrain his men in their wild pursuit, and to withdraw them from a contest in which they had already gained undying fame, became a sacrifice to his chivalrous and patriotic zeal. Intercepted by a party of the Lancers in the soft ground of a newly ploughed field, out of which his exhausted steed had not the power to extricate itself, he fell beneath their deadly thrusts. Sir WILLIAM PONSONBY had highly distinguished himself as a Cavalry Officer in Spain; and, independently of his merits as a soldier, which were justly appreciated by the whole Service, his amiable disposition and private virtues endeared him to all his brother Officers.

His equally gallant namesake, Colonel the Hon. FREDERICK PONSONBY, immediately after his brilliant charge with the 12th Light Dragoons, first through a Column of Infantry, and then upon the Right Flank of the Lancers, was endeavouring to withdraw his Regiment from further pursuit, when he was disabled in both arms, and carried by his horse up to the crest of the French position; where, receiving a sabre cut, he was struck senseless to the ground; and it was very generally supposed at the time that he had been left dead on the field.

Lieutenant Colonel HAY, who commanded the 16th Light Dragoons, was desperately and dangerously wounded. Colonel HAMILTON, the Commanding Officer of the Scots Greys, after gallantly leading his Regiment through the Enemy's Columns, across the valley, and up the opposite Heights, was last seen far in advance; where it is presumed, from his never having again appeared, he fell in the midst of the French lines, a sacrifice to his distinguished but indiscreet valour. Colonel FULLER, who commanded the 1st, or King's, Dragoon Guards, was killed when pursuing the _Cuirassiers_: he boldly led his Regiment up the French Height immediately upon the Allied Left of the Charleroi road. In addition to the above mentioned, the British Cavalry engaged in this affair sustained a very heavy loss in both Officers and men.

With the exception of the bodies of the slain; of such of the wounded as were too far from their respective Lines to be removed; of loose horses, some wildly careering about, others quietly grazing, and many staggering, plunging, or convulsively pawing the ground around them, from the agony of their wounds; the arena of this terrible conflict, which had ceased but a few minutes before, was now perfectly clear. The retiring crowds of French Infantry had disappeared behind the foremost ridge of their position, to collect and reform their scattered remnants.

The British Cavalry were similarly employed--SOMERSET's Brigade on the right of the Charleroi road, near the Orchard of the Farm of Mont St Jean; PONSONBY's on the opposite side of the road, in rear of a coppice bordering the hollow below that Farm; and VANDELEUR's on the interior slope of the position, more to the right than where it had been posted during the earlier part of the day.

PACK's and BEST's Brigades closed to their right upon KEMPT's, so as to fill up the interval occasioned by the retreat of BYLANDT's Dutch-Belgian Brigade; and the Knoll in front of KEMPT's Brigade was again occupied by three Companies of the 95th Regiment; as was also the Farm of La Haye Sainte by the 2nd Light Battalion King's German Legion, reinforced by two Companies of the 1st Light Battalion of that Corps.

Major General Sir JOHN LAMBERT's Infantry Brigade, which had been kept in reserve near Mont St Jean, was put in motion at the time PONSONBY's Dragoons advanced to the charge; and it was now placed on the left of the Charleroi road, in Column, at quarter distance, in rear and in support of the Fifth Division.

The importance of the result of this signal defeat of the French attack was fully commensurate with the glory by which its achievement was distinguished. The object of that attack, which was to force the Centre and Left Wing of the Anglo-Allied Army and to establish a very considerable body of troops in the vicinity of Mont St Jean, was completely frustrated: 3,000 prisoners were taken; two Eagles were captured; and between thirty and forty pieces of cannon were put _hors de combat_ for the greater part of the remainder of the day.

Thus terminated one of the grandest scenes which distinguished the mighty drama enacted on the ever memorable plains of Waterloo; a scene presenting in bold relief, genuine British valour crowned with resplendent triumph; a scene, which should be indelibly impressed upon the minds as well of living British warriors as of their successors in ages yet unborn.

* * * * *

Britons! before other scenes are disclosed to your view, take one
retrospective glance at this glorious, this instructive, spectacle.
Let your imagination carry you to the rear of that celebrated
position, and a little to the left of the Charleroi road. Behold, in
the foreground, on the right, a British Line of Cavalry advancing
to the charge, exulting in the consciousness of its innate courage,
indomitable spirit, and strength of arm. Whilst you are admiring
the beautiful order and perfect steadiness of their advance, your
eyes are suddenly attracted by the glittering splendour of a Line
of horsemen in burnished coats of mail, rising above the brow,
and now crowning the summit of the ridge. They are the far famed
_Cuirassiers_ of France, led on by a KELLERMANN; gallant spirits
that have hitherto overcome the finest troops that could be brought
against them, and have grown grey in glory. Trumpets sound the
charge; in the next instant your ears catch the low thundering
noise of their horses' hoofs, and your breathless excitement is
wound to the highest pitch as the adverse Lines clash together with
a shock which, at the moment, you expect must end in their mutual
annihilation. Observe the British, how they seem to doubt, for a
second, in what manner to deal with their opponents. Now they urge
their powerful steeds into the intervals between the necks of those
of the _Cuirassiers_. Swords, brandished high in air, gleam fitfully
in rapid succession throughout the Lines, here clashing together,
there clanging against helmets and cuirass which ring under their
redoubled strokes. See! the struggle is but a moment doubtful--the
_Cuirassiers_, seemingly encumbered by their coats of mail, are
yielding to superior strength, dexterity, and bravery combined--men
and horses reel and stagger to the earth--gaps open out in their
Line--numbers are backing out--others are fairly turning round--their
whole Line now bends, and breaks asunder into fragments--in the next
moment they appear, as if by a miracle, to be swept from off the
crest of the position, and being closely and hotly pursued by the
victors, the whole rushing down the other side of the ridge, are
snatched from your view.

Your attention is now irresistibly drawn to that part of the
foreground immediately facing you; where you have barely time to
catch sight of a Line of British Infantry just as it forces its way
through the hedge that runs along the crest of the ridge, to charge
a Column advancing up the other side. At the moment the shouts that
proclaim its triumph reach your ear, you are struck by the majestic
advance, close to your left, of another Line of British horsemen.
These halt just under the brow of the ridge. In their Left Front
your eye now also embraces a Line of British Infantry; whilst at
the same time you see the heads of two hostile Columns, issuing
through the hedge, and crowning the ridge amidst shouts of "_Vive
l'Empereur!_" The one nearest to you, finding no immediate opposition
to its further advance, is rapidly establishing itself on the Height:
the other is instantly met by a small but daring band of Scotch
Highlanders. A struggle ensues; the furthest Column is concealed
from your view by the smoke in which it is suddenly enshrouded; but
at the very moment when doubts arise in your mind as to the result,
the Cavalry rushes forward, and, passing through intervals opened
out for it by the Infantry, which immediately follows in pursuit,
charges both these heads of Columns, cutting them up, as it were,
root and branch; and then bounding through the hedge, the whole
disappear as if by magic. Now let your imagination, keeping pace with
the intensity of feeling excited by such a scene, carry you up to the
summit of the ridge.

Behold, at once, the glorious spectacle spread out before you! The
Dragoons are in the midst of the Enemy's Columns--the furious
impetuosity of their onslaught overcomes all resistance--the terror
stricken masses, paralyzed by this sudden apparition of Cavalry
amongst them, have neither time nor resolution to form Squares, and
limit their defence to a feeble, hasty, straggling fire from their
ill cemented edges--a flight, commencing from the rearmost ranks,
is rapidly augmented by the outward scattering occasioned by the
continually increasing pressure upon the front--the entire slope is
soon covered with the dispersed elements of the previously attacking
force--parties of Infantry are hurrying over the brow of the ridge to
aid others of the Cavalry in securing the prisoners--3,000 of these
are swept to the rear, and two Eagles are gloriously captured.

From the momentary contemplation of these trophies, your eyes
instinctively revert to the course of the victors, whom you now
perceive in the middle distance of the view--a broken Line of daring
horsemen, rushing up the opposite Heights. Their intoxicating
triumph admits of no restraint. They heed not the trumpet's call to
halt and rally; but plunging wildly amidst the formidable Line of
Batteries ranged along the French position, they commence sabring the
Gunners, stabbing the horses, and seem to clear the ground of every
living being. But physical efforts, however powerfully developed and
sustained, have their limit: exhausted nature yields at length; and
their fiery steeds, subdued, not by force but by exhaustion, retire
with lagging faltering pace. You look in vain for a Support--there
is none--but your eye is suddenly caught by the fluttering lance
flags of a Column of the Enemy's Cavalry, approaching from the left,
and you become nervously alive to the danger that awaits the valiant
band of heroes, who are only now made sensible of the necessity
of retiring to collect and rally their scattered numbers. Seeing
no Support ready to receive them, and becoming aware of the near
approach of hostile Cavalry, they make a last and desperate effort.
Those who are best mounted, and whose horses are least blown, succeed
in regaining the Allied position unmolested; but a very considerable
number are overtaken by the Lancers, with whom they now contend under
a fearful disadvantage in point of speed and order.

But mark! a rescue is at hand--a gallant line of friendly Cavalry
throws itself against the Right Flank of the Lancers, the further
portion, or Left, of that Line first dashing through and scattering
an unsteady mass of Infantry, the sole remaining Column out of the
entire attacking force that has yet kept together. The tide of
destruction now sets in strongly against the Lancers. Their pursuit
is checked. The Heavy Dragoons are relieved from the pressure. A
_mêlée_ ensues; but you are not kept long in suspense; for in another
moment this newly arrived force, making good its way, succeeds in
driving the Lancers in confusion down to the foot of the valley. The
arena in your front is speedily cleared of both friends and foes--the
discharge of rockets, which now attracts your attention, appears like
a display of fireworks in celebration of the glorious triumph--the
affair has terminated.

But stay to witness the concluding part of the scene. Observe the
splendidly attired group entering upon the right, just above La Haye
Sainte. It is headed by one whom you cannot for a moment mistake--the
illustrious WELLINGTON. Lord UXBRIDGE, returning from his brilliant
charge, now joins the Duke, while the whole _Corps Diplomatique et
Militaire_ express in the strongest terms their admiration of the
grand military spectacle of which they have been spectators. Among
them are representatives of nearly all the continental nations, so
that this glorious triumph of your valiant countrymen may be said
to have been achieved in the face of congregated Europe. Honour,
imperishable honour, to every British soldier engaged in that never
to be forgotten fight! When Britain again puts forth her strength in
battle, may her Sovereign's Guards inherit the same heroic spirit
which animated those of GEORGE, Prince Regent, and inspire them with
the desire to maintain in all their pristine purity and freshness
the laurels transmitted to them from the Field of Waterloo; and
when the soldiers of the three United Kingdoms shall again be found
fighting side by side against the common Enemy, may they prove to
the world that they have not degenerated from the men of the "Union
Brigade,"[11] who by their heroic deeds on that great day, so
faithfully represented the military virtues of the British Empire!

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 10: The Dutch-Belgians having been posted in Line on the exterior slope, where, from the circumstance of their having been the only Troops of the Anglo-Allied Left Wing so distinctly visible to the Enemy, they became exposed in an especial manner to the destructive effects of the formidable array of French Batteries, which continued playing over the heads of the attacking columns. The losses of BYLANDT's Brigade on the 16th had already thinned, and in a measure disorganised, its ranks; but those which it suffered on this occasion were terrific, and the numerous gaps that so rapidly presented themselves along the Line, as well as the number of superior Officers that were observed to fall, could scarcely fail to produce a prejudicial effect among these raw troops. Their confidence in their own power of resistance had also been very considerably shaken, by the circumstance of their having been deployed in a two-deep Line; instead of having been allowed to assume the three-deep formation to which they had previously been accustomed. In this affair, PERPONCHER had two horses shot under him. BYLANDT was wounded, as were also Colonel VAN ZUYLEN VAN NYEFELT, Lieutenant Colonel WESTENBERG who commanded the 5th Battalion of Dutch Militia, and several other Officers.

Had the British soldiers been fully aware of all these circumstances, their feelings would assuredly not have been so greatly roused against the Dutch-Belgians as they were on this particular occasion. But they had neither time nor opportunity for reflection. They only saw the hurried and confused retreat; and this, at such a moment, would have equally exasperated them, had the troops so retiring been British.

That PICTON, who could perceive all that was passing along the exterior slope, should have given vent to his irritation in the remark he made to Captain TYLER, is more surprising; but it must be borne in mind, that his habitual reliance upon his own British infantry, with which he felt that he could attempt anything, usually led him to make but little allowance for the failure or discomfiture of troops in general under almost any circumstances.]

[Footnote 11: Sir WILLIAM PONSONBY's Brigade was thus designated from the circumstance of its having consisted of an English Regiment, the Royals; a Scotch Regiment, the Greys; and an Irish Regiment, the Inniskillings.]