CHAPTER XVII.
Retreat of the French Army from the Field of Waterloo 627
On the 19th of June, the Prussian Army pursues in the direction of Charleroi, Avesnes, and Laon; the Anglo-Allied Army, in that of Nivelles, Binche, and Peronne 628
BÜLOW's Corps reaches Fontaine l'Evêque; and ZIETEN's Corps halts for the night at Charleroi 628
THIELEMANN continues during the night of the 19th at St Achtenrode 629
PIRCH's Corps proceeds, on the evening of the 18th, in the direction of Namur; for the purpose of intercepting GROUCHY's retreat 629
On the 19th, it halts at Mellery 629
The Anglo-Allied Army occupies Nivelles and its vicinity during the night of the 19th 631
NAPOLEON's flight through Charleroi 631
He desires SOULT to collect the troops and march them to Laon 632
GROUCHY retires upon Namur 632
Disposition of the respective Armies on the evening of the 19th 632
The Duke of WELLINGTON's views on entering the French territory; and his General Order to the troops on the 20th of June 633
The Saxon _Corps d'Armée_ is placed under his Grace's command 635
The Anglo-Allied Army reaches Binche and Mons 635
GROUCHY's retreat to Namur 637
He is pursued by THIELEMANN and PIRCH 638
Contest at Namur 641
The Prussians gain possession of this place 643
Remarks upon THIELEMANN's and PIRCH's proceedings in connection with GROUCHY's retreat to Namur and Dinant 645
Disposition of the respective Armies on the evening of the 20th 649
WELLINGTON crosses the French frontier on the 21st 650
BLÜCHER places PIRCH's Corps under Prince AUGUSTUS of Prussia, to be employed in besieging the Fortresses left in rear of the main Army 651
Avesnes captured by ZIETEN's Corps 652
BLÜCHER's farewell Address to the Belgians
Disposition of the respective Armies on the evening of the 21st 654
WELLINGTON's Proclamation to the French people 654
Contrast between the conduct of the Prussian troops and that of the Anglo-Allied Army towards the inhabitants of the country through which they pass, attributable to the dissimilarity of views entertained by their Chiefs 656
Influence of WELLINGTON's measures upon the cause of LOUIS XVIII. 657