CHAPTER XIII.

Advance of the Prussians towards the Field of Waterloo 490

Difficulties and impediments attending their march 491

The Fifteenth and Sixteenth Prussian Brigades reach the Wood of Paris 492

At half past four o'clock, BLÜCHER decides upon attacking the Right Flank of the French Army with these Brigades, without waiting for the arrival of more of his troops 493

Prussian Cavalry driven back by DOMON 494

Three Prussian Battalions attack the Extreme Right of the French general Front Line, near Smohain; but are compelled to retire into the Village 495

NAPOLEON detaches LOBAU's Corps in support of DOMON 495

The French Regiments of the Old and Middle Guard take up the position, in reserve, on the Heights of La Belle Alliance, vacated by LOBAU's Corps 495

BLÜCHER's dispositions 496

LOBAU becomes engaged with BÜLOW 496

The remainder of BÜLOW's Corps reaches the Field 496

BLÜCHER's dispositions 496

Relative strength of BÜLOW's and LOBAU's forces 497

NAPOLEON detaches the Young Guard to Planchenoit, in support of LOBAU's Right 498

At about six o'clock, BLÜCHER is informed that THIELEMANN is attacked by a superior force at Wavre 499

He does not allow this circumstance to deter him from his present purpose 499

BÜLOW attacks Planchenoit 500

Contest in the Village 500

The Prussian troops driven out 500

Having rallied, they renew their attack 501

NAPOLEON detaches two Battalions of the Old Guard to Planchenoit 501

The Prussians are again driven out of the Village, and pursued as far as their main position 501

French and Prussian Cavalry become engaged 501

NAPOLEON, perceiving preparations on the part of the Prussians for renewing the attack upon Planchenoit, detaches General PELET with another Battalion of the Old Guard to that Village 502

Critical situation of NAPOLEON 503

He resolves on making a renewed and formidable attack upon WELLINGTON's Line 503

WELLINGTON despatches Lieutenant Colonel FREMANTLE to the Left, to seek for the Prussian forces expected on that Flank 505

Situation of the Duke, and state of the Anglo-Allied Troops 505

NAPOLEON's dispositions for the attack 507

The Advanced Guard of ZIETEN's Corps approaches the Extreme Left of the Anglo-Allied Line 508

VIVIAN's and VANDELEUR's Light Cavalry Brigades are removed from that Flank to the Centre 509

WELLINGTON's dispositions 510

Centre of the Duke's line vigorously assailed by the French troops collected in and about La Haye Sainte 511

Sudden and destructive fire opened upon KIELMANSEGGE's Brigade from French guns brought up to the very crest of the Allied position 513

The Prince of ORANGE is wounded whilst leading forward the Nassau Troops to repel the French attack upon that part of the Line 514

WELLINGTON reinforces the latter with five Battalions of Brunswick Infantry 514

These, together with KIELMANSEGGE's, OMPTEDA's, and KRUSE's Brigades, are compelled to fall back a short distance 514

The Duke rallies the Brunswickers, who maintain their ground; as do also the before mentioned Brigades 515

VIVIAN's Hussar Brigade draws up in rear of these troops 515

KIELMANSEGGE, on whom the command of the Third Division has devolved, succeeds in establishing the latter upon its former position 516