CHAPTER XV.

Advance of VANDELEUR's Light Cavalry Brigade 566

It charges and disperses a large Column of French Infantry, and captures a Battery 566

ADAM's Brigade continues driving the Enemy before it along the left side of the Charleroi road 567

Effect produced upon the Right Wing of the French Army by the advance of ADAM's, VIVIAN's, and VANDELEUR's Brigades 568

Its effects also upon the French Left Wing 569

NAPOLEON takes shelter within a Square of the Imperial Guard 569

Continuation of the advance of the Anglo-Allied Army 570

In the Centre, La Haye Sainte is retaken: on the Right, Hougomont is cleared of the Enemy: on the Left, DURUTTE's Division, forming the Right of the French Front Line, takes to flight 570

The Left Wing captures the opposite line of Batteries 571

Disorder and flight of the whole of D'ERLON's Corps along the rear of LOBAU's Corps; which, being at the same time assailed by part of BÜLOW's Corps, partakes of the panic, and mingles with the fugitives 571

The British troops near La Belle Alliance fall into the line of fire from a Prussian Battery, to which WELLINGTON sends directions to cease firing 572

French Infantry dispersed, and a Battery captured, by the 52nd British Regiment 572

Capture of a Battery by the 71st British Regiment 573

Last French gun fired by ADAM's Aide de Camp 573

A Battery captured by the Osnabrück Hanoverian Battery, under HALKETT 573

The British Advanced Cavalry is in the midst of crowds of defeated French soldiers 574

Remarkable steadiness of the French _Grenadiers à Cheval_ 575

Contest in Planchenoit 576

Gallant conduct of PELET and a portion of the _Chasseurs_ of the Guard 579

The French Troops that have been engaged at Planchenoit, retire in disorder and confusion towards the high road between Rossomme and Maison du Roi; the former of which points the British Advanced Brigades have already reached 580

Partial collision between the 18th British Hussars and a Prussian Regiment of Cavalry 580

The 1st Hussars of the King's German Legion narrowly escape coming into serious collision with the 11th and 16th British Light Dragoons 580

WELLINGTON halts the main body of his Army upon the original French position 581

BLÜCHER undertakes the pursuit 581

WELLINGTON having satisfied himself, by his observations from the high ground beyond Rossomme, that the victory is secured beyond a doubt, returns towards Waterloo 581

On reaching La Belle Alliance, he meets BLÜCHER 582

Dispositions made by the latter for effecting a vigorous pursuit 583

The Prussian troops headed in advance by GNEISENAU, reach Genappe; where they capture a quantity of baggage, including NAPOLEON's travelling carriage 584

NAPOLEON at Quatre Bras 584

Direction of the retreat of the French troops 585

NAPOLEON proceeds to Charleroi; whence he despatches JEROME with Orders to rally the troops between Avesnes and Maubeuge 585

GNEISENAU continues the pursuit, passing through Quatre Bras, and not resting until he arrives beyond the Heights of Frasne 585

Losses sustained by the respective Armies 587

Remarks upon the Battle 588

Relative numerical strength of the Combatants 589

Relative proportions in which the troops of the Anglo-Allied Army were actively engaged 589

Conduct of these troops 592

Extent of the actual share taken in the Battle by the Prussians 594