CHAPTER XIV: THE SEVENTEENTH OF JUNE:

BLÜCHER AND WELLINGTON 226

Zieten and Pirch I. fall back towards Wavre 226

Renunciation of the line of Namur 226

But a general concentration at Wavre not necessarily implied 226

Although it was rendered possible by Gneisenau’s action 227

Gneisenau unwilling to renounce all hope of union with the English 228

Although he recognized the difficulties attending it 228

And doubted whether he could rely on Wellington 229

Blücher carried off the field to Mellery 229

Hardinge’s story of the discussion between Blücher and Gneisenau 230

The Prussian generals decide to march to join Wellington 230

Movements of Thielemann and Bülow 231

Admirable conduct of the Prussian corps-commanders 231

The Prussians fall back on Wavre 232

Leaving a detachment at Mont St. Guibert 232

The artillery trains arrive at Wavre at 5 P.M. 232

Wellington at Quatre Bras on the morning of the 17th 233

His message to Blücher sent through Lieut. Massow 233

Blücher replies about midnight, promising support 234

Wellington’s uncertainty during the day and evening of the 17th 234

The risk which he ran 235, 236

NOTES TO CHAPTER XIV 237

1. Maurice’s correction of Siborne 237

2. The story of the Duke’s ride to Wavre on the evening of the 17th 238-242

Lockhart’s brief statement 239

Lord Ellesmere’s denial of Lockhart’s statement 239

The story as told by the Rev. Julian Charles Young 239-241

Mr. Coltman’s recollection of his father’s statement about it 241

Reasons for rejecting the story 242

3. Napoleon’s criticism on the course of Wellington and Blücher after the battle of Ligny 243

Clausewitz denies that Wellington ran any risk 243

His view not tenable 244

The question of the advisability of running the risk stated 244