CHAPTER XVI.

Upon the appearance of VANDAMME's Corps in front of Wavre; THIELEMANN decides on maintaining the position at that point instead of following the remainder of the Prussian Army towards the Field of Waterloo 601

The Field of Wavre 602

Disposition of the different Brigades of THIELEMANN's Corps 603

Disposition of GROUCHY's forces 605

The Light Troops of VANDAMME's Corps gain possession of that part of the town of Wavre which lies on the right bank of the Dyle 606

GÉRARD makes an unsuccessful attack upon the Mill of Bierge 607

VANDAMME fails in his efforts to carry the Bridge of Wavre 608

GROUCHY, in person, leads another attack upon the Bridge of Bierge; which proves as fruitless as the former attempt, and on which occasion GÉRARD falls severely wounded 609

PAJOL gains possession of the Bridge of Limale by a Cavalry attack 610

GROUCHY, having pushed a portion of GÉRARD's Corps across the Dyle by Limale, disposes these troops so as to turn the Right of THIELEMANN's Corps 610

They are attacked by the Prussians, who are defeated; and forced to fall back upon the Wood near Point du Jour 611

The contest for the possession of the Bridges and Town of Wavre is continued until late in the night; the Prussians sustaining and repelling thirteen assaults 612

Disposition of the contending Forces on the morning of the 19th of June 616

Contest between THIELEMANN's Right, and GROUCHY's Left, Wing; during which the French gain possession of part of the Wood of Rixansart 617

TESTE's Division makes another attack upon Bierge 619

THIELEMANN takes up a second position 619

About eight o'clock he hears of the overthrow of NAPOLEON's Army at Waterloo 619

He renews the attack, which is attended with complete success; and retakes the Wood of Rixansart 619

The Wood again falls into the possession of the French 619

The latter capture the Village of Bierge 619

THIELEMANN decides upon effecting a retreat 620

The Prussians abandon the Town of Wavre 620

The French cross the Dyle, both at Wavre and at Bierge 621

The retreat is covered by Cavalry under Colonel VON DER MARWITZ 621

Proceedings of General VON BORCKE, who had marched his Brigade on the previous evening to St Lambert 622

THIELEMANN retires along the road to Louvain, and takes up a position at St Achtenrode 622

Losses sustained by the Prussians and French 623

Remarks upon the Battle and its results 623

GROUCHY decides on retiring upon Namur 625