CHAPTER V.
On the morning of the 16th, WELLINGTON's troops are in movement upon Nivelles and Quatre Bras 129
The Dutch-Belgian Detachment at the latter point is reinforced, and becomes engaged with the French Advanced Guard 129
The Prince of ORANGE arrives, and succeeds in forcing back the French upon Frasne 131
NEY's views and dispositions 131
WELLINGTON arrives in person at Quatre Bras 134
He proceeds to the Prussian Head Quarters for the purpose of holding a conference with BLÜCHER 134
Adopted Plan of Operations 135
Instructions received by NEY from NAPOLEON 135
NEY's advance 143
The Prince of ORANGE's dispositions to meet it 143
Relative strength 143
The Prince of ORANGE retires towards Quatre Bras, occupies the Wood of Bossu, and endeavours to maintain the Post of Gemioncourt 144
Arrival of PICTON's Division 145
Conspicuous gallantry of the Prince of ORANGE 147
Arrival of VAN MERLEN's Light Cavalry Brigade 148
VAN MERLEN advances in support of PERPONCHER's Infantry 148
Both are driven back: the former to Quatre Bras; the latter into the Wood of Bossu, which is now attacked by the French 148
The latter occupy Gemioncourt and Piermont 148
NEY's position 149
Arrival of the principal portion of the Brunswick troops 149
Relative strength 150
Part of the Brunswick Corps posted between the Charleroi road and the Wood of Bossu 151
French attack 152
WELLINGTON decides on meeting it 153
Advance of PICTON with the Fifth British Division 153
The French Infantry gallantly repulsed by the British 154
Attack upon the Brunswickers 155
The Duke of BRUNSWICK makes an ineffectual charge at the head of his Lancers 157
Retreat of the Brunswickers 157
Fall of the Duke of BRUNSWICK 158
Conspicuous gallantry of the 42nd and 44th British Regiments 159
The French Cavalry advances as far as Quatre Bras 162
Is checked by the 92nd Highlanders 162
KELLERMANN joins NEY with L'HERITIER's Cavalry Division 163
The French Cavalry attacks the British Squares 164
PICTON advances his Infantry into the midst of the French Cavalry 166
Remarkable steadiness of the British Squares 167
Manner in which the charges of the French Cavalry were executed 167
The French are rapidly gaining possession of the entire Wood of Bossu, are reinforcing their Light Troops in Piermont, and are preparing to renew their attack upon Quatre Bras 172
ALTEN joins WELLINGTON with two Infantry Brigades of the Third Division 173
NEY is joined by the remaining Division of KELLERMANN's Corps of Heavy Cavalry 173
Relative strength 173
NEY, after despatching an Order to D'ERLON to join him without delay, commences another general attack 174
Two French Foot Batteries suddenly open a fire from the edge of the Wood of Bossu upon the Brunswick Infantry 174
Gallant conduct of LLOYD's British Foot Battery 174
Advance of HALKETT's British Infantry Brigade posted between the Wood of Bossu and the Charleroi road 175
KIELMANSEGGE's Hanoverian Infantry Brigade advances along the Namur road to reinforce and support PICTON's Division 175
Advance of French Infantry against Quatre Bras 176
The latter gallantly charged and pursued by the 92nd Highlanders 176
HALKETT's Brigade posted between the Wood of Bossu and the Charleroi road 177
The 69th British Regiment is attacked and dispersed by French _Cuirassiers_ 178
Vigorous assault along the whole of the Anglo-Allied Line 180
Arrival of British and German Artillery 181
French _Cuirassiers_ driven back in confusion from Quatre Bras 182
NEY receives intelligence that D'ERLON's Corps has been ordered by NAPOLEON to march towards the Prussian Extreme Right on the Field of Ligny; and shortly afterwards a despatch reaches him, requiring him to attack and repulse whatever Enemy may be in his front, and then to fall upon the Prussian Right 182
Vigorous attack upon the Left of WELLINGTON's Line successfully repelled 184
The French Cavalry continues its attacks upon the central portion of the Anglo-Allied Army 184
NEY receives a further despatch from the Emperor, urging him to comply immediately with the instructions previously given 185
Arrival of Brunswick reinforcement 185
Also of the First British Division under COOKE 186
Relative strength 186
HALKETT is again attacked by French Cavalry, after which he makes a further advance of his Brigade 187
The British Guards succeed in forcing the French out of the Wood of Bossu 188
Signal defeat of French Cavalry by the British Guards and the Brunswick Guard Battalion 189
WELLINGTON's victorious advance 191
NEY withdraws the whole of his forces to the Heights of Frasne, on which they bivouac for the night 191
D'ERLON joins NEY after the termination of the action 191
Losses in killed and wounded 193
Remarks upon the Battle 193