CHAPTER VI.
BLÜCHER decides upon accepting battle in the position in rear of Fleurus 199
The position of Ligny strategically considered 200
The position itself described 201
Distribution of ZIETEN's Corps on the morning of the 16th of June 201
At eleven o'clock PIRCH's Corps is posted as a Reserve to ZIETEN's 203
THIELEMANN's Corps reaches Sombref about noon 204
Its distribution on the Field 204
General view of BLÜCHER's dispositions 204
About ten o'clock the foremost of the French troops debouch in two Columns from the Wood of Fleurus, and draw up in front of this town 204
NAPOLEON's views and dispositions 205
At two o'clock he communicates to NEY his intention to commence his attack upon the Prussians, and desires that Marshal also to attack the Enemy in his front 206
The French Light Troops gain possession of Fleurus 206
The Cavalry of ZIETEN's Corps falls back upon the position of Ligny 206
The French Army advances and takes up a position preparatory to its attack 207
Strength of the French forces under NAPOLEON 208
Strength of the Prussian forces under BLÜCHER 209
BLÜCHER's arrangements 209
He moves THIELEMANN's Corps into his Front Line, of which it then forms the Left Wing 210
BLÜCHER's views and dispositions 211
Tactical defects of the position of Ligny 213
NAPOLEON commences the Battle with an attack by VANDAMME's Corps upon St Amand 213
GÉRARD's Corps attacks Ligny 214
Contest in these Villages 215
The French carry St Amand 216
Renewed attack upon Ligny 217
Nature of the contest between THIELEMANN's and GROUCHY's Corps 217
GIRARD's Division gains possession of St Amand la Haye 218
BLÜCHER's dispositions for retaking this Village, securing Wagnelé, and impeding any further advance from the French Left 218
Failure of the Prussian attack upon St Amand la Haye 219
BLÜCHER decides on a renewed attack upon this Village, as a diversion in favour of his projected movement against the French Left 219
NAPOLEON reinforces this Flank 220
The Prussians retake St Amand la Haye 220
BLÜCHER reinforces his extreme Right with Cavalry 221
Prussian attack upon Wagnelé unsuccessful 222
The French regain St Amand la Haye 223
Continued contest at Ligny 223
BLÜCHER reinforces his troops employed in the defence of this Village 224
Long and desperate struggle in the Villages of St Amand la Haye, Wagnelé, and the Hameau de St Amand 227
NAPOLEON, perceiving that BLÜCHER has scarcely any Reserve remaining at his disposal, resolves upon attacking the Prussian Centre 230
He suspends his meditated attack in consequence of a large Column advancing apparently from Frasne towards his Left Rear 231
This Column is discovered to be D'ERLON's _Corps d'Armée_ 234
This circumstance explained 234
THIELEMANN detaches a portion of his Cavalry with some guns across the Ligny, along the Fleurus road 237
They are attacked and driven back by part of GROUCHY's Cavalry 237
Disposition and state of the Prussian troops at the moment NAPOLEON advances with a formidable Reserve across the Ligny 239
The Prussian Infantry forced to evacuate Ligny 242
Failure of Prussian Cavalry attacks upon the advancing Column of French Infantry 243
BLÜCHER's horse is killed, and the Prince thrown under him 245
Critical situation of the Prussian Commander 246
He is removed from the Field 246
Retreat of Prussian Infantry upon Bry 247
Contest at Sombref 249
Retreat of the Prussians from St Amand and St Amand la Haye 250
ZIETEN's and PIRCH's Corps retire by Marbais and Tilly 251
THIELEMANN's Corps retains its position 252
Close of the Battle 253
Distribution of the French troops 254
Disposition of the Prussian troops 254
BÜLOW's Corps reaches Gembloux during the night 255
Losses sustained by both Armies 255
Consequences of the Prussian defeat 255
Remarks upon the Battle 256