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Chapter XIV (2)

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On arriving about midway towards the Enemy's position, well formed bodies of troops were observed on the French left of La Belle Alliance, posted as if fully prepared to resist the threatened attack. They consisted of two Squares of Infantry, with Cavalry and guns formed on the Flanks and between them. The Cavalry on their left was somewhat advanced, comprising separate bodies, partially covering one another, but presenting a general front, and posted on some rising ground about two hundred yards on the Allied left of the south-east angle of the Hougomont inclosures. The two Squares here alluded to were the two Battalions of the Grenadiers of the Old Guard, which had been placed in reserve of the main attack by that force as previously explained. The Cavalry on the left was thus disposed--first, on the slope of the little eminence, a portion of the Lancers of the Imperial Guard; then, in left rear of the latter, on lower ground, were two Squadrons of the Dragoons of the Guard, and, in their right rear, two more Squadrons of the same Corps; in right rear of these again, and on the summit of the eminence, stood the Brigade of Carabiniers. In rear of these, and of the Squares themselves, as also on the right of the latter, were collected the remainder of that portion of the French Cavalry which had made such repeated attacks upon the Duke's Line during the day. All these different bodies of Cavalry were but mere wrecks of their former selves--Regiments, and, in many instances, entire Brigades, were diminished to less than Squadrons. In the morning, as they came fresh into the Field, they constituted the flower of the French Cavalry; now, so severe had been their losses, they presented a mere phantom of their former splendour.

VIVIAN, as soon as he perceived this disposition of the Enemy's forces in his immediate front, decided upon forming a Front Line with the 10th and 18th British Hussars, and upon holding the 1st Hussars of the German Legion in Second Line, in support. For this purpose, and also with a view to oppose, and, if possible, to turn, the Left of the Enemy's Cavalry, he made the leading Regiment, the 10th Hussars, incline to its right.

Shortly afterwards, VIVIAN was joined by Colonel Sir COLIN CAMPBELL of the Staff, who brought him an Order from the Duke that he was not to attack before the Infantry came up, unless he felt confident of success. VIVIAN remarked that as the Allied Infantry in its anxiety to get on, was probably not in compact order, its safety might be seriously endangered should it be exposed to a Cavalry attack; and that, in his opinion, it would be better that not a moment should be lost on his part in driving off the Cavalry which appeared in his front. Sir COLIN CAMPBELL coincided in this opinion, and returned to the Duke.

After the very short pause at the head of the Column, consequent upon this little discussion, VIVIAN, continuing the advance, ordered the 10th Hussars to form Line on the front Half Squadron, and, at the same time, sent Orders to his two other Regiments also to form Line on their leading Half Squadrons respectively, but then to remain in support. The rapid pace which had been maintained by the head of the Column, and the incline to the right which had been given to it, required great activity on the part of the Left Half Squadrons to get up into Line; and as VIVIAN ordered the charge as soon as the first Squadron was formed, it was executed not in Line but rather in _echelon_ of Squadrons, which, under the circumstances of the moment, as will presently be seen, was the preferable and more desirable formation.

Just as the charge was ordered, the 2nd Light Dragoons of the King's German Legion, in a Column of Squadrons, which had been detached from the main position, almost simultaneously with the advance of VIVIAN's Brigade, came up on the right of the 10th Hussars, and in a direction rather crossing the front of the latter Regiment, which had its left thrown somewhat forward whilst the Germans were moving straight to their front, and directly upon the French Dragoons of the Guard before mentioned as posted in the hollow on the Allied right of the eminence on which stood the French Cavalry about to be charged by VIVIAN's Brigade. The Dragoons at first appeared disposed to resist the Germans, and received them with a tolerably effective carbine fire from their rear ranks; but the former charged home, cut down several of the Enemy's horsemen, and made some prisoners. In following up the charge, however, the Regiment exposed its Right Flank to a body of _Cuirassiers_, by which it was thrown into disorder. Lieutenant Colonel DE JONQUIÈRES, the Commanding Officer, ordered the halt and rally to be sounded; but in the next moment he was wounded, as was also Lieutenant Colonel MAYDELL.

Major FRIEDRICHS, who was next in command, highly distinguished himself on this occasion by the spirited manner in which he rallied several of his men together; and as those that had been dispersed, rapidly placed themselves on his flanks, and thus extended his new Line, he made another charge, which sent the Enemy's Cavalry about, and put it to flight. The Regiment then continued moving forward, with proper caution, along the base of the higher ground on the left, over which the 10th British Hussars were also charging and advancing.

In the mean time, the latter Regiment made its charge: the Right, Centre, and Left Squadrons, in rapid succession, dashed in amongst the French Cavalry posted as before mentioned. The Left Squadron of the 10th had scarcely closed with the Enemy, before the whole of the Cavalry on the (French) left of the Squares of the Guard, was in full flight. VIVIAN, perceiving the complete success of this brilliant charge, ordered a halt; and then returned as quickly as possible to the 18th Hussars.

After the 10th Hussars had pursued the French Cavalry about two hundred yards, a body of _Cuirassiers_ charged their Right Squadron, on its Right Flank, and forced it about a hundred yards away to the left, whilst the Centre and Left Squadrons not being aware of VIVIAN's Order to halt continued their pursuit, inclining to their right, under Lieutenant Colonel Lord ROBERT MANNERS, then commanding the 10th.

Previously to describing the subsequent proceedings of this Brigade, it is necessary to revert to other matters in order to connect them with the general disposition of the main Army.

* * * * *

ADAM's Light Infantry Brigade had, in the mean time, been steadily advancing from the moment of its charge upon the Left Flank of the Second attacking Column of the French Imperial Guard, sweeping along the front of the Right Centre of the Anglo-Allied position, and bringing forward its left shoulders as it neared the Charleroi road, so that its Left skirted the Orchard of La Haye Sainte. It had now reached the hollow immediately under the nearest French Height which was intersected by that road, and upon which the troops that had composed the first attacking Column of the Guard had been rallied by NAPOLEON, and formed into three Squares. The 2nd Regiment of _Chasseurs_ of the Old Guard having formed the extreme Left of the attacking force had been closely observed by Lieutenant Colonel HALKETT, who continued to follow it very steadily with the Osnabrück Landwehr Battalion as it retired towards the high road, inclining to La Belle Alliance.

WELLINGTON, perceiving the confusion in which the Columns of the French Imperial Guard fell back after the decided failure of their attack--a confusion which was evidently extending itself with wonderful rapidity to a vast portion of the troops in their vicinity who witnessed their discomfiture; remarking also the beautiful advance of VIVIAN's Hussar Brigade against the French Reserves posted close to La Belle Alliance, and in the very heart of NAPOLEON's position; as well as the steady and triumphant march of ADAM's Brigade, which, driving a host of fugitives before it, had now closely approached the nearest rise of the French position contiguous to the Charleroi road; finally, observing that BÜLOW's movement upon Planchenoit had begun to take effect, perceiving the fire of his cannon, and being also aware that part of a Prussian Corps had joined his own Left by Ohain,--he ordered a General Advance of the whole of his Line of Infantry, supported by the Cavalry and Artillery.

As this long wished for command rapidly passed along the Line, loud and joyous were the shouts with which it was received. The passive endurance, not unaccompanied by murmurs, with which the Allied troops had, during so many hours, withstood the incessant attacks of Cavalry, Infantry, and Artillery, to which so vast, so awful, a proportion of their comrades had fallen a sacrifice, now gave place to feelings of intense exultation, of intoxicating triumph. At the same time, when they saw that the Advance was general, that the Enemy had retired in confusion from his last grand attack, and that the Brigades detached to the front were boldly assailing his Reserves, the conviction flashed across their minds that if the Duke had hitherto resisted their demands to be led to the attack, his consummate and unerring judgement had caused him to defer the advance until that attack could be undertaken with every probability of success.

Just at this decisive moment, the faint rays of the setting sun shone forth, and as they struggled to penetrate the almost universal haze created by the hitherto unremitting volumes of smoke which a close dense atmosphere appeared incapable of altogether dissipating, they cast upon the varied and multitudinous objects on the Field, a lurid light, imparting to them a colouring so strikingly impressive, as can never be effaced from the memories of those who witnessed that magnificent Battle scene.

In front of the Line, on the rise occupied by MAITLAND's Brigade of Guards, stood prominently in view, the great and noble Duke himself, his hat raised high in air, as the signal for the commencement of the General Advance; leaders in front of their Divisions and Brigades, appearing, by their animated gestures, to take their tone from their great Chieftain; unfurled Colours raised aloft, proudly displaying their shattered remnants; drums, bugles, trumpets, sending forth their warlike sounds to commingle with the enthusiastic and tumultuous cheering of the troops; Artillerymen occupied in working out their guns from the soft soil in which they had become so deeply imbedded; Squadrons and Supports pressing forward to gain the ridge, as this became vacated by the First Line, to behold, and participate in, the glorious triumph; numerous isolated Soldiers, hurrying on, wherever they could be spared from attending the wounded, to join their ranks, and share in the inspiring excitement of such a moment; in the distance, in front, the retiring masses of the French, intermingled with crowds of fugitives of all Arms, mounted and dismounted; far away to the left, the dark Columns of the Prussians, and the smoke ascending from their Batteries; on the right, and somewhat in advance, the dense vapour still slowly circling upwards from the glowing embers of Hougomont, assuming a reddish glare as it floated over the heads of the brave defenders of that Post of Honour;--all appeared to the eyes of the beholder illumined, as it were, by a light partaking rather of the supernatural, than of the ordinary effects of sunshine. It was of brief duration. The sun sank rapidly below the horizon, and if the gorgeous colouring which departed with it had been congenial to the exhilarated feelings of the victors; so, in an equal degree, must the succeeding twilight, rendered still more gloomy by a clouded sky, have toned in with the dejected and gloomy spirits of the vanquished. With these there prevailed no other sentiments than those of a vexed and mortified perplexity, or an extreme dismay. The panic which had set in was extending itself wildly and speedily throughout the Line, and despondency was depicted in every countenance.

The Duke galloped off to ADAM's Brigade, which was then in the valley immediately below the Height on which the three Squares of the French Guard were posted; and as these appeared inclined to make a stand, he ordered ADAM to attack them. The latter, however, suggested to his Grace that as the Brigade, in consequence of its rapid advance over the heavy soil in the valley, encumbered as the latter was with dead and dying men and horses, both singly and in heaps, had become somewhat loose in its formation, it might be advisable to halt it, to allow the Files to close in. This was accordingly done. But after a few moments only had elapsed, the Duke said, "They won't stand--better attack them;" and being at the time close to the Colours of the centre Regiment (the 52nd), he called out, "Go on, COLBORNE, go on!"

* * * * *

Colonel Sir COLIN CAMPBELL now rejoined the Duke, and explained the grounds upon which VIVIAN had decided upon attacking the French Cavalry Reserves: on learning which Lord UXBRIDGE, who was present, determined upon personally leading the attack with the Hussars, and participating in the final and decisive triumph of the British Cavalry; and was on the point of darting off to that part of the Field, when his intentions were suddenly frustrated by a grape shot from a Battery on the Height above him striking and severely wounding his right leg.

Reluctantly compelled to desist from further exertion, this gallant and noble warrior, who had so bravely, so chivalrously, so skilfully, and so successfully, led the British Cavalry throughout the day, had still the satisfaction of feeling and knowing that although not permitted to witness the closing triumph of that branch of the Service of which he was at once the Chief, the ornament, and pride, he had well and truly performed his duty to his Sovereign and his country. He was supported for some moments by Sir COLIN CAMPBELL, and shortly afterwards, with the assistance of a party of the 23rd Light Dragoons, carried into the high road, along which he was borne to Waterloo; and, when subsequently undergoing, at that Village, the necessary operation of amputation, so great were the satisfaction and contentment which had been wrought in his mind as he calmly reflected on the brilliant exploits that had marked the arduous and varied struggle, that observing the anxious and compassionate looks of his friends around his couch, he exclaimed, "Who would not lose a leg for such a victory?"

Seldom indeed has a Cavalry Chief more distinguished himself in the Field than did the Earl of UXBRIDGE on this great day. As he flew from one point to another, now boldly rushing into the fight at the head of a glorious charge, then skilfully covering a retreat under the pressure of overpowering numbers; here zealously endeavouring by his own personal example to stimulate and rouse into action the lukewarm energies of an Ally; there collecting and rallying, for further high emprize, the remnants of the devoted bands of his own nation; restlessly vigilant in watching and preparing for the manoeuvres of a renowned and powerful Cavalry, admirably appointed and equipped, and led by a KELLERMANN, a GUYOT, and a LEFÈBVRE DESNOUETTES; evincing the most cool and resolute confidence in the prowess of his followers, as he dashed forward either to break asunder the combined advance of the Enemy's masses, or to follow up the advantage already gained by the Allied Infantry--he seemed to blend and embody in his own character, in a pre-eminent degree, the heroic valour of ancient chivalry with the skilled address of modern Cavalry tacticians.

* * * * *

As ADAM's Brigade ascended the hill, in compliance with WELLINGTON's Orders, to charge the French Squares, it was received with a heavy fire from their Front and Flanks. The Duke being at this time close to the centre of the advancing Line, against which point this fire was principally directed, incurred great personal risk; and as the shot flew fast and thick about him, Sir COLIN CAMPBELL said to him, "This is no place for you--you had better move."

To this the Duke replied, "I will when I see those fellows off." On the near and imposing approach of the Brigade, in the attitude of charging, the Imperial Guard ceased firing, faced to the rear, and commenced a retreat by word of command.

As they withdrew, his Grace rode up the valley in the direction of his right front, and came upon the plain, on which VIVIAN was successfully attacking the French Reserves.

* * * * *

The gallant charge made by the 10th Hussars upon the French Cavalry posted in its right front, has already been described.

After ordering the halt and rally, VIVIAN galloped towards the 18th Hussars, which Regiment he found well formed in Line, and in perfect order. In its front stood the two Squares of the Grenadiers of the Old Guard: in its left front, and much nearer to it, were posted Artillery and Cavalry, in advance of the proper Right of the Squares. This Cavalry consisted principally of _Cuirassiers_--the wrecks of entire Brigades. Nearer to, and partly in rear of, the Squares, stood the _Chasseurs_ and _Grenadiers à Cheval_ of the Imperial Guard, greatly reduced in numbers.

It was immediately evident to VIVIAN that the attack must in the first instance be directed against the Advanced Cavalry and Artillery; and having put the Line in motion, he placed himself in front of the Centre, beside Lieutenant Colonel the Hon. HENRY MURRAY, the Commanding Officer, for the purpose of putting the Regiment into the required direction. This having been effected, he ordered the charge; when the Hussars dashed forward with the greatest impetuosity, and, at the same time, with as much steadiness and regularity as if they had been at Field Day exercise on Hounslow Heath. Thus, the direction of the charge by the 18th diverged as much to the left, as that by the 10th had inclined to the right. Just as the charge commenced, some French Artillery coming from their right and slanting towards the right of the 18th, made a bold push to cross the front of the latter at a gallop. But the attempt failed, and the Hussars were instantly among them, cutting down the Artillerymen and Drivers, and securing the guns. In the next moment they fell upon the Advanced Cavalry, which they completely dispersed; and then, bringing forward their left shoulders, they attacked the Cavalry and guns that stood more to the right front, and near to the Right Square, which was now retiring. This Cavalry appeared, at first, determined upon making a stand; and an Officer in its front dashed forward, and fired at Lieutenant Colonel MURRAY; but, in another moment, the 18th were fiercely and dexterously plying their swords amongst them. They were forced to give way, the Artillerymen were driven from their guns, and the whole fled in disorder.

The charge then ceased to be compact, for the assailants and the flying were intermingled pell mell; all riding as fast as the confusion of the _mêlée_ would permit; a part of them along the high road, but the principal portion on the Allied right of the latter; the whole, however, passing by La Belle Alliance, and leaving the two Squares of the Guard on their right.

VIVIAN, satisfied with the complete success of the charge, ordered the Regiment to halt and reform; whilst he proceeded himself to bring up the 1st Hussars of the Legion, which Corps he had left in reserve.

On his way he found Major the Hon. FREDERICK HOWARD, with the Right Squadron of the 10th Hussars, which, as before stated (see page 552), had been driven to the left by a charge of _Cuirassiers_. This Squadron stood forward within a short distance of the Left Square of the Grenadiers of the Guard, from the fire of which it was losing men fast.

VIVIAN doubted for a moment how far it might be advisable to attack the Square; but perceiving an Infantry Regiment in red advancing on his left, and calculating on its immediately charging the face and angle of the Square next to it, he ordered Major HOWARD to charge the face and angle to which he was opposed. This was executed with the greatest gallantry and determination. VIVIAN himself joined in the charge, on the right of the Squadron. The Hussars charged home to the bayonets of the French Guard, and a fierce conflict ensued. Major HOWARD was killed at the head of his men. He was shot in the mouth, and fell senseless to the ground; when one of the Imperial Guard stepped out of the ranks, and brutally beat his head with the butt end of his musket. Two other Officers, Lieutenants ARNOLD and BACON, were wounded. Lieutenant GUNNING was killed immediately previous to the attack. The Regiment of Infantry, however, did not charge, as VIVIAN had expected; but continued pursuing a separate Column in its own immediate front on the high road.

Although the Square, a very strong one, cannot be said to have been broken by the shock, for the veteran Soldiers of whom it was composed knew too well their power of resistance against such a handful of horsemen; still the manner in which the latter, notwithstanding the rapid diminution of their number, continued cutting at the ranks, parrying bayonet thrusts, and pertinaciously pressing on, reflects the highest credit on the 10th British Hussars. The men fought with desperation; maddened probably by the fall of their Officers.

The Square, yielding to the pressure, continued to fall back until it reached the hollow way formed by the narrow road that leads from the _chaussée_ in rear of La Belle Alliance, towards the Left of the French position. Into this the Guard hastily descended in confusion, and escaping by either outlet, mingled with the host of fugitives hurrying along the general line of retreat of the French Army.

In the mean time, the remainder of the 10th Hussars, consisting of the Left and Centre Squadrons, that had, in the course of the first charge, crossed over to the right of the rise of ground on which the French Reserve Cavalry had been posted, had continued its course, under Lord ROBERT MANNERS, down into the valley, south-east of the Hougomont inclosures. The routed Cavalry spread out in the utmost confusion--_Cuirassiers_, of an almost gigantic size, galloped as hard as they could; and numbers tumbled off their horses to save themselves. The Hussars now came upon retiring Infantry that appeared seized with a panic as their routed Cavalry dashed past them--the large bearskin caps, worn by several of them, betokened a portion of the Imperial Guard--they commenced throwing down their arms, numbers of them loudly calling out "_Pardon!_"

Then crossing the same narrow road, before mentioned as leading from La Belle Alliance to the Left of the French position (but on the Allied right of the hollow way by which the Square of the Guard effected its escape), the Hussars brought up their right shoulders, and ascended the Height in rear of the hollow road. Upon the slope of the Hill, about half a Battalion of the French Guard had rallied and formed, with some Cavalry close behind them, and opened a sharp fire upon the 10th. Part of the 18th Hussars, at this time, reached the hollow way, an obstacle, however, which rendered _their_ attack wholly impracticable. Lord ROBERT MANNERS halted for a minute, when within about forty paces from them, to allow his men to form up. He then gave a cheer and charged; when the Imperial Guard and the Cavalry instantly turned and fled: the greater portion of the former throwing themselves down, and many of the latter tumbling off their horses.

The Hussars pursued up to the brow of the hill: on the further, or south, side of which was a deep hollow; and beyond this a Knoll (on the Allied right of the Charleroi road and nearly opposite DE COSTER's house) upon which another Square of Infantry had formed, and appeared very steady.

At this time a party of the 18th Hussars--not more than from thirty to thirty five men--continuing the charge, before described, close along the right of La Belle Alliance and Trimotion, and crossing the narrow road near its junction with the Charleroi road, dashed down the hollow, and ascending the Height above mentioned, charged the Square in most gallant style; but, as might have been expected, was checked and turned by the latter.

Lord ROBERT MANNERS and Captain TAYLOR had rallied a party of the 10th Hussars, with a view to support the 18th, should these be charged in their turn; which however did not occur.

The two last mentioned Regiments had, by this time, been thrown so much into disorder by their charges, that it became necessary to check their further advance, in order to gain time for collecting and reforming their ranks. Although this measure was supported by the coming up of the 1st Hussars of the Legion to take post in front of the Brigade, and was also rendered secure by the advance, on the right, of VANDELEUR's Brigade (which had come up on VIVIAN's right, and between him and the inclosures of Hougomont, in Column of Squadrons, at the moment he was preparing to charge the Square of the Imperial Guard with the party of the 10th Hussars under Major HOWARD); still the rallying and reforming of those two Regiments was attended with considerable difficulty, inasmuch as they had become completely intermingled with the fugitives.

* * * * *

It is now necessary to recur to ADAM's Brigade, which we left advancing, and driving before it, near the Charleroi road, the three Squares of the Guard that had retired as it approached to charge them. It will be recollected that, upon the Brigade first advancing from the Allied position, Lieutenant Colonel HALKETT followed it in immediate rear of its Right Flank, with the Osnabrück Battalion of Hanoverian Landwehr. When ADAM reached the three Squares above mentioned, HALKETT, having the shortest space of ground to move over, soon came up in Line with the Brigade, still pursuing the Column formed by the two Battalions of _Chasseurs_ of the Old Guard. The Osnabrückers having then become much annoyed by a fire that opened upon them obliquely from a French Battery within a very short distance of their right, their 1st Company broke into subdivisions and, supported by the Sharpshooters of the Battalion, made a dash at the Artillery, and captured six guns. During the greater part of the advance, they had been in almost close contact with the Column formed by the two Battalions of _Chasseurs_ of the Old Guard; and HALKETT frequently called out to them to surrender.

Having for some short time fixed his eye upon an individual whom he took to be the General Officer in command of the Guard, from his being in full uniform, and from the animation he displayed in his endeavours to induce his men to stand their ground; and observing that the Column, after receiving the fire of the Osnabrückers, left the General with two Officers in its rear, he ordered the Sharpshooters to dash on, whilst he, at the same time darted forward at full gallop to attack the General. When he had come up with him, and was about to cut him down; the latter called out that he would surrender.

CAMBRONNE, for he it was, then preceded HALKETT as he returned to the Hanoverian Battalion; but had not gone many paces before HALKETT's horse was wounded, and fell to the ground. In a few seconds, however, HALKETT succeeded in getting him on his legs again, when he found that his prisoner was escaping in the direction of the French Column: he instantly overtook him, seized him by the _aiguilette_, brought him to the Battalion, and gave him in charge to a Serjeant of the Osnabrückers who was to deliver him to the Duke.

ADAM's Brigade had by this time crossed to the opposite side of the Charleroi road, and, bringing forward its left shoulders, was continuing its advance, in pursuit of the defeated Squares, in a direction parallel with that road; whilst HALKETT, by continuing on the inner flank, and following the Battalions of the _Chasseurs_ of the Old Guard, had got somewhat in advance, or rather, in right front of that Brigade; and had, shortly before, reached the immediate vicinity of that part of the Field on which VIVIAN was in the act of preparing to charge the Square of the Grenadiers of the Old Guard with the Squadron of the 10th Hussars under Major HOWARD. The Osnabrückers will here be recognised as the Regiment of Allied Infantry already alluded to in the description given of that Charge.

ADAM, after his repulse of the three Squares of the Imperial Guard, perceiving that he was so much in front of the main Line of the Anglo-Allied Army, and not being aware of VIVIAN's advance, had become apprehensive of an attack upon his Right Flank; and he therefore desired his Brigade Major, Major BLAIR, to proceed in the prolongation of his Right Flank, and observe whether there was any threatening appearance of the Enemy's Cavalry in that quarter. The latter, pursuing his errand, met the Duke of WELLINGTON moving at a quick pace, followed by a single individual, to whom Major BLAIR addressed himself, but who immediately checked him by remarking, "_Monsieur, je ne parle pas un seul mot d'Anglais!_" Major BLAIR then explained to him, in French, the Order he had received, to which he replied, "_Le Duc lui même a été voir; il n'y a rien à craindre_;" whereupon the former returned to ADAM, with this satisfactory information.

Here, then, was the great Chieftain himself, still in the Battle's front, vigilantly watching, and eagerly seizing advantage of, the course of events; braving every peril, and acting solely upon his own personal observation; his Staff, and even Orderlies, almost all killed or wounded; the very few that remained untouched, carrying messages; his only attendant, a foreigner (Major Count DE SALES, a Sardinian Officer), attached to his suite!

It is impossible not to recognise in the extraordinary degree of security with which this great man so fearlessly exposed himself throughout the entire day, the protecting interposition of an all wise and merciful Providence. At this moment, too, he was not only upon the track of his great antagonist; but, in all probability, within the shortest distance that ever separated these wonderful men from each other: the one, alone, and in front of his advancing Line, borne forward on the wings of victory, and upheld by the knowledge of his might and the fulness of his glory; the other, seeking shelter amidst his devoted, yet broken and dispirited, cohorts; abandoning himself to despair, and flying from the fatal Field on which the sceptre he had usurped was signally and irrecoverably struck from his iron grasp.

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The Waterloo Campaign, 1815Chapter XIV (2)

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