CHAPTER XII.

Continuation of the contest at Hougomont 434

Attempted flank attack upon this Post completely defeated by Captain CLEEVES's Foot Battery of the King's German Legion 436

The principal buildings of Hougomont, including the Château, set on fire by the French 437

NAPOLEON prepares a grand Cavalry attack upon WELLINGTON's Right Wing 439

Renewed attack upon La Haye Sainte 439

Tremendous cannonade along the French Heights 441

French grand Cavalry attack 443

Its failure 446

Its renewal 448

Second failure 449

NEY, on being reinforced by KELLERMANN's Corps of Heavy Cavalry, and GUYOT's Heavy Cavalry Division of the Guard, renews his attack 452

This is most successfully resisted 455

NEY directs another attack upon La Haye Sainte, and advances a heavy Column of BACHELU's Infantry against the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Right Wing 458

WELLINGTON draws CHASSÉ's Dutch-Belgian Division from Braine l'Alleud towards the principal scene of action, and moves CLINTON's Division into the Front Line 458

Contest at La Haye Sainte 459

The 5th and 8th Line Battalions of the King's German Legion, on advancing to charge French Infantry in rear of La Haye Sainte, are suddenly assailed in flank by French Cavalry, and the 8th Battalion is almost entirely destroyed 460

Artillery in the Anglo-Allied Front Line reinforced 461

Attack by a Column of French Heavy Cavalry upon the Anglo-Allied Right completely defeated by Major MERCER's Battery of British Horse Artillery 461

A strong Column of French Infantry, supported by Cavalry, advances against the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Right Wing 462

It is charged by SOMERSET's Heavy Cavalry Brigade 463

Conduct of TRIP's Dutch-Belgian Carabinier Brigade 463

Gallant charge by the 3rd Hussars of the King's German Legion 464

Renewed attack by the Column of French Heavy Cavalry in front of Major MERCER's Horse Battery 466

It is repulsed as before 466

WELLINGTON reinforces the right of his Front Line by DU PLAT's Infantry Brigade of the King's German Legion, accompanied by Captain SYMPHER's Horse Battery of the same Service 467

It is attacked by French _Cuirassiers_ 467

These are driven off by the Battalions of du PLAT's Brigade 468

Renewed charge by the _Cuirassiers_ equally unsuccessful 468

Failure of the French Cavalry attack upon the Right Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line 469

ADAM's British Light Infantry Brigade advances into the Front Line, on the right of MAITLAND's Brigade; crosses the ridge, and takes up a position on the exterior slope 470

Here it is repeatedly attacked by French Cavalry 471

Advance of HALKETT's Hanoverian Brigade 472

The French assail the Post of La Haye Sainte with the utmost vigour 474

It falls into their possession 478

NAPOLEON directs NEY to follow up this advantage with a vigorous attack upon the Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line, and at the same time to renew the assault upon Hougomont 478

NEY's views and dispositions 479

Attack upon ALTEN's Division 481

The 5th Line Battalion of the King's German Legion, led by OMPTEDA, gallantly charges French Infantry; but is furiously assailed in flank by a Regiment of _Cuirassiers_, and nearly destroyed. OMPTEDA is killed 482

Gallant repulse of an attack made upon portions of MAITLAND's and ADAM's Brigades 483

British Squares in advance of the Duke's Line 484

Renewed but unsuccessful attack upon Hougomont 485

ADAM's Brigade withdrawn to the reverse slope of the main position 487

General view of the Anglo-Allied Line 487