“ The main body of the Prussians had now arrived, though they were bravely opposed by the troops of Greneral Loban. The countenance of Wellington brightened into a smile. "There goes old Blucher at last," he exclaimed. "We shall beat them yet." The decisive moment had arrived, and the Duke promptly availed himself of it. He ordered the whole line supported by the artillery and cavalry to charge. His troops replied with one universal shout and hastened to the attack. Nothing could resist their impetuosity. The French fought with bravery and desperation ”

“ Seeing the guide frequently flinch at the shower of shot that fell around them, he said, "Do not stir my friend; a ball will kill you equally in the back as the front, and wound you more disgracefully."
An officer now approached with the intelligence that the Prussians were advancing in the rear of his right wing: "Napoleon would not believe the possibility of the fact; but when he heard the first of the Prussian light troops, and saw some of their battalions debouching from the woods, he suddenly turned pale, but said not a word, For a while he mused in silence. ”

“ Napoleon again changed the object of his attack, and, bringing up a numerous body of fresh troops, directed them on the farm of La Haye Saint. This was a point as important to carry as either the position of Hougoumont or Ter La Haye. If he was successful here, he would break the British line, and cut off the retreat of Wellington to Brussels. Both parties, felt the importance of this position, and nobly exerted themselves, the one to carry, and the other to defend it. As the respective battalions engaged were weakened or destroyed, perpetual reinforcements occupied their places. ”

“ General Geraud proceeded to attack Ligny, and here a murderous scene commenced. The troops of Napoleon succeeded in establishing themselves in part of the village, while all their efforts could not drive the Prussians from the remaining part, and the Prussians were unable to dislodge their opponents. Every house was fortified— every hedge became a military station. The combatants were so in contact with each other, that they had scarcely room to manoeuvre, and as the ranks thinned on either side, the void was filled with fresh troops. ”

“ He determined to attack the weakest part of the British line with his whole concentrated force, and thus endeavour to beat the Duke before his reinforcements could arrive. Leaving, therefore, the sixth corps to keep the Prussians in check, he brought forward the whole of the cavalry of his guard, and directed it on the centre of the British position. The shock was irresistible. The allied armies gave way, the heights were carried, and several of the guns were in the power of the French. But the Duke of Wellington was on the spot, and all was soon repaired. ”

“ Protected by their numerous cavalry, and artillery, the French succeeded in forcing the British positions, and penetrated to the village of Quatre Bras. Some squadrons of Brunswick horse, had attempted to stem the torrent; but were rapidly forced to retreat, and were closely pursued by the French through the village, when the 92d regiment, which lined a ditch, poured on the French, who were almost at the muzzles of their guns an unexpected volley, which destroyed every man in the direction of the fire. ”

“ A moment afterwards he added, "I shall beat them yet, but it is a pity to destroy such brave troops." He then turned to Soult. "How well these English fight! but they must soon give way, don't you think so?" Soult, who had some experience of British courage and firmness, replied, that, "He doubted whether they would ever give way." "Why?" quickly and somewhat indignantly asked Napoleon. "They will suffer themselves to be cut to pieces first," was the answer which terminated the conversation. ”

“ The guards waited not to form into line, but darted forward to the new contest. The French recoiled from the shock; but Ney seeing that they were unsupported, ordered his cavalry to charge them. All attempts to form a square was in vain, and they retreated into the forest. Protected by the wood, they rallied and poured on them a destructive fire, and sent them in disorder from the field.
The 28th regiment was attacked by a large body of cuirassiers and lancers, and being quickly formed into a square, long fired from three sides, one on the lancers, and the other two on the cuirassiers. ”

“ The French consequently fled, and in their flight hundreds of then were forced over an old quarry, where they rolled, an undistinguishable, mass of men and horses. Sir John Elley was himself distinguished for his personal powers :—He was at one time encircled by several of the cuirassiers, but being a tall and powerful man, he cut his way out, leaving some of his assailants on the ground, marked with wounds, which evinced the uncommon strength of the arm that inflicted them. ”

“ In surveying other parts, where, perhaps, was the mightiest pressure for the time, he would speak with such confidence, as never failed to rouse the energy of even drooping minds— giving them spirit to meet their numerous opponents, and strength to fight them with ease and success. ”

“ This brigade consisting of the first and second regiments of life-guards, the first regiment of dragoon guards, and the blues, set off at full speed, and crossed the ridge with so much force and fury, that the cuirassiers, notwithstanding their weight and armour, and the power of their horses, were altogether unable to withstand them, being literally rode down, both horse and man, while the strength of our soldiers was no less conspicuous when they mingled and fought hand to hand. ”

“ In vain they charged upon them but although great numbers fell, no opening was left for the cavalry to penetrate, and at length by then incessant, deliberate, and murderous fire, they completely repulsed them. After this they adavanced in square against a mass of infantry, pierced their centre, and routed them; then deploying, they charged in line, and cleared the front of the skirmishers which covered the retreat of the main body. All was now complete confusion with the enemy.
On the morning of the 16th June, Napoleon advanced against Blucher, with an army amounting to 80,000 men. ”

“ On the 13th June at night, Napoleon quitted Paris to place himself at the head of his troops, and advanced on Belgium. The different corps had been united in the neighbourhood of Beaumont, where he found at his disposal 120,000 of the best soldiers of France; of whom 95,000 were cavalry, and supported by 300 pieces of artillery. Blucher with 30,000 Prussians occupied Charleroi, and the left bank of the Sambre ”

“ Nearly 200 pieces of cannon played on the village the whole afternoon, and scattered destruction amid the troops, who filled every part of the place, till at length the dead formed a defence for the combatants. ”