CHAPTER XI.

Commencement of the grand attack upon the Left Wing and Centre of the Anglo-Allied Army 392

On the right of the attack the French gain possession of the Farm of Papelotte; which, however, is soon retaken by the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of Nassau 393

Retreat of BYLANDT's Dutch-Belgian Infantry Brigade 395

PICTON's dispositions 397

Attack by the French Left Central Column 399

Gallant charge by KEMPT's Brigade 401

Death of PICTON 402

Contest between _Cuirassiers_ and the 2nd Life Guards in front of the Right of KEMPT's Brigade 403

Attack upon La Haye Sainte by the Left Brigade of DONZELOT's Division 404

Advance of ROUSSEL's Cavalry Brigade by the French left of La Haye Sainte 405

UXBRIDGE decides upon charging the Enemy's attacking force with SOMERSET's and PONSONBY's Cavalry Brigades 406

Charge by the French _Cuirassiers_ and Carabiniers 408

It is met by that of SOMERSET's Cavalry Brigade 409

Advance of PONSONBY's Cavalry Brigade 411

Advance of ALIX's and MARCOGNET's French Infantry Divisions 411

They reach the crest of the Anglo-Allied position 412

Advance of the 92nd Highlanders 413

Their attack upon the head of MARCOGNET's Column 413

Charge by PONSONBY's Cavalry Brigade 413

Complete overthrow of the French Columns 414

The Greys capture the Eagle of the 45th French Regiment 415

They also charge and defeat a supporting Column of MARCOGNET's attacking force 415

The Royals capture the Eagle of the 105th French Regiment 418

The Inniskillings defeat and disperse the Columns to which they are opposed 419

Continuation of the charge by SOMERSET's Brigade 419

Disordered state of the two British Cavalry Brigades 420

They crown the Enemy's position, and cut down the Gunners and horses of the French Batteries 421

At length they retire 421

The Left of their Line suffers severely from a charge by JAQUINOT's Light Cavalry Brigade 421

VANDELEUR's Light Cavalry advances in support upon the left 422

Charge by the 12th and 16th British Light Dragoons 422

The French Cavalry is driven back 423

Advance of GHIGNY's Light Cavalry Brigade 423

VIVIAN moves his Brigade to the right, and opens a fire from two guns of his Horse Artillery 424

The British Cavalry engaged in this affair sustains a heavy loss 425

Disposition of the troops on the Anglo-Allied Left and Centre 426

Tableau of the Battle at this period 427