CHAPTER VII.

An engagement of short duration, and originating accidentally, takes place between the French and Anglo-Allied Picquets on the Field of Quatre Bras, about an hour before daylight of the 17th June 259

WELLINGTON detaches a Patrol to his Left for the purpose of gaining intelligence concerning BLÜCHER's movements 261

The Patrol finds the Prussians at Tilly 262

Upon its return WELLINGTON decides on retrograding his forces to the position in front of Waterloo 263

Order of Movement 263

Communications between BLÜCHER and WELLINGTON 264

Retreat of the Anglo-Allied Infantry; masked from the Enemy 264

NEY's views and dispositions 266

NAPOLEON communicates to NEY the result of the Battle of Ligny; and proposes, should the Enemy's force at Quatre Bras advance against him, to co-operate with the Marshal in a combined attack upon the Anglo-Allied Army 267

Tardiness of NAPOLEON's movements 267

Simultaneous advance of NAPOLEON and NEY against WELLINGTON 268

UXBRIDGE's dispositions for the retreat of the British Cavalry 270

Brilliant Cavalry Affair at Genappe 281

Retreat continued to the Waterloo position 282

NAPOLEON's advance checked on his reaching La Belle Alliance 282

Remarks on the retreat 283

BLÜCHER's promised support 285

WELLINGTON's disposition of his detached troops under Sir CHARLES COLVILLE and Prince FREDERICK of Orange 285

The French and Anglo-Allied Armies establish their respective bivouacs for the night 286