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ting, after dinner, over the desert and wine, when he received the dispatches containing this important news. Marshal Blucher represented the late conflict as an affair of outposts, likely to lead to no important result, and it was the opinion of the military men stationed at Brussels that the enemy was endeavouring, by a false alarm, to induce the allies to concentrate their chief force in the neighbourhood of Ligny, while his real intention was to menace Brussels, and hasten a decisive conflict with the English army. Orders were issued that the troops should be in readiness at a moment's notice, and the arrival of another courier was anxiously expected. It was past midnight, and profound repose seemed to reign over Brussels, when suddenly the drums beat to arms, and the peal of the trumpet was heard from every part of the city. It is impossible to describe the effect of these sounds when heard in the silence of the night. A second courier had arrived from Blucher-the attack had become serious-the enemy were in considerable force-they had taken Charleroi, and had gained some advantages over the Prussians. Our troops were ordered to march immediately to support them, and every place resounded with martial preparations. In less than three hours every regiment was on the road to Charleroi. Many of the officers were yet in their ball dresses, which neither the hurry of their march, nor their anxiety to occupy their respective posts, had given them time to change. The town of Brussels was one universal scene of confusion. The soldiers were seen assembling from all parts, in the Place Royale, with knapsacks on their backs; some taking leave of their wives and children; others sitting down unconcernedly on the sharp pavement, waiting for their comrades; others sleeping on packs of straw, surrounded by all the din of war, while draught horses and baggage waggons were loading, artillery and commissariat trains harnessing, officers riding in all directions, carts clattering, chargers neighing, bugles sounding, drums beating, and colours flying.

Those distinguished Highland corps, the 42d and 92d, were among the first to muster. They had laid in garrison in Brussels during

the winter and the spring, and their good behaviour had attracted the affection of the inhabitants in an unusual degree. The little Scotch, as they were called, were the theme of affectionate praise among the Flemings. They were so much domesticated in the houses where they were quartered, that it was not unusual to see the Highlander taking care of the children, or keeping the shop of his host. They were now to exhibit themselves in a different character, They assembled with the utmost alacrity to the tune of the pibroch, "Come to me and I will give you flesh," an invitation to the wolf and the raven, which on the next day was too amply gratified, at the mutual expence of these brave men and of their enemies. They composed part of Sir Thomas Picton's division, and early in the morning of the 16th marched out, together with the other troops, under the command of that distinguished and lamented officer. The duke of Brunswick marched out at the head of his " "Black Brunswickers," so termed from the mourning which they wore for his father, and which at this moment they continue to wear for the gallant prince who then led them. The individuals whose fate it was to see so many brave men take their departure on this eventful day, will not easily forget the sensations which the spectacle excited at the moment, and which were rendered permanent by the slaughter which awaited them,

Fears for their own safety, mingled with anxiety for their brave defenders, and the agony of suspense sustained by those who remained in Brussels to await the issue of the day, was felt in the most lively manner by those whose lot it was to sustain such various emotions. The anxiety of the inhabitants of Brussels was increased by the frightful reports of the intended vengeance of Napoleon. The friends whom he had in the city were few, and of little influence.— Reports, however, of treachery were in circulation, and tended to augment the horrors of this agonizing period. There was afterwards found, in Buonaparte's fort-folio, a list containing the names of 20 citizens who, as friends of France, were to be exempted from the general pillage. But whatever might be the case with some individuals, by far the

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majority of the inhabitants regarded the success of the French as the most dreadful misfortune which could befal their city, and listened to the distant cannonade as to sounds upon which the crisis of their fate depended. They were doomed to remain for some time in uncertainty, for a struggle on which the fate of Europe depended was not to be decided in a single day. A striking contrast to the gloom, the sorrow, and the anxiety of the inhabitants, was presented, by a long procession of carts coming quietly in as usual from the country to market, filled with old Flemish women, who looked irresistibly comic, seated as they were among their piles of ramages, baskets of green peas, potatoes, and strawberries. Totally ignorant of the cause of warlike preparations, they gazed at the scene around them with many a look of gaping wonder, as they jogged merrily along, one after another, through the Place Royale, amidst the crowds of soldiers and the confusion of baggage waggons.

Before eight in the morning the streets, which had been filled with busy crowds, were empty and silent; the great square of the Place Royale, which had been filled with armed men, and with all the appurtenances and parapharnalia of war, was now quite deserted. The Flemish drivers were sleeping in the tilted carts that were destined to convey the wounded: the heavy baggage waggons ranged in order, and ready to move when occasion might require, were standing under the guard of a few centinels, and some officers were still to be seen riding out of the town to join the army. The duke of Wellington had set off in great spirits, observing, that as Blucher had most likely settled the business himself by this time, he should perhaps be back to dinner. Sir Thomas Picton mounted on his charger in soldier-like style, with his reconnoitring glass slung across his shoulder, gaily accosting his friends as he rode through the streets in the highest spirits, left Brussels never to return. After the army was gone Brussels assumed the appearance of a perfect desert. Every countenance was marked with anxiety or melan choly, every heart was filled with anxious expectation. About three o'clock they were still more powerfully alarmed, by the sound

of a tremendous cannonade in the direction of Waterloo. The thunder of the artillery continued, and all was suspense, alarm, and agitation. Every hour only served to add to the dismay. The hatred of the Belgians to the French is so inveterate as to be proverbial, and their fears were proportionate to their enmity.

Upon the 16th, as we have already mentioned, the left wing of the French, under general Ney, commenced its march for Brussels, by the road of Gosselies. At Frasnes they encountered and drove before them some Belgian troops who were stationed at that village, but the prince of Orange was now advancing to the support of his advanced posts, and reinforced them so as to keep the enemy in check.

It was of the utmost importance to maintain the position now occupied by the Belgians, and which formed a connected line between the villages of Sarta Mouline and Quatre Bras. The latter farm house, or village, derives its name from being the point where the high road from Charleroi to Brussels is intersected by another road, at nearly right angles. These roads were both essential to the allies. By the high road they communicated with Brussels, and by that which intersected it, with the right of the the Prussian army, stationed at St. Amand. A large and thick wood, called Le Bois de Bossu, skirted the road to Brussels, on the right hand of the English position: along the edge of the wood was a hollow way, which might almost be called a ravine, and between the wood and the French position were several fields of rye, which grows in Flanders to an unusual and gigantic height. In this situation it became the principal object of the French to secure the wood, from which they might debouche on the Brussels road. The prince of Orange made every effort to defend it: but, in defiance of his exertions, the Belgians gave way, and the French occupied the disputed post. At this critical moment the division of Picton, the corps of the duke of Brunswick, and shortly after the division of the guards from Enghien, came up, and entered into action. "What soldiers are those in the wood ?" said the

duke of Wellington to the prince of Orange.

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Belgians", answered the prince, who had not yet learned the retreat of his troops from this important point. "Belgians!" said the duke, whose eagle eye instantly discerned what had happened: "They are not Belgians, but French, and are about to debouche on the road. They must instantly be driven out of the wood." This task was committed to general Maitland, with the grenadiers of the guards, who, after sustaining a destructive fire from an invisible enemy, rushed into the wood with the most determined resolution. The French, who were supposed to be unrivalled in this species of warfare, made every tree, every bush, every ditch, but more especially a small rivulet which ran through the wood, posts of determined and deadly defence, but were pushed from one point to another till they were driven out of the position. Then followed a struggle of a new and singular kind, which was maintained for a length of time. As often as the British endeavoured to advance from the skirts of the wood, in order to form in its front, they were charged by the cavalry of the enemy, and compelled to retire. The French again advanced their columns to force their way into the wood, but were compelled to desist by the heavy fire and threatened charge of the British. In this manner there was an alternation of advance and retreat, with great slaughter on both sides, until, after a conflict of three hours, general Maitland obtained undisputed possession of this important post, which commanded the road to Brussels.

Meanwhile the battle was equally fierce in every other part. Profiting by their numerical superiority, the French attacked some battalions who were separated from the main body, and almost annihilated them. A corps of Belgians was ordered to advance with the forty-second Highland regiment to support a detachment which was briskly pushed by the French. Whether occasioned by the ardour with which the British rushed to the fight, or the slowness and reluctance with which the Belgians followed, the two battalions were separated. A column of French lancers, who were lying in ambush, concealed by some hedges and high standing corn, and who could not be seen till they were close on the British, suddenly rushed upon them.

Colonel Macara promptly ordered the regiment, which was advancing in column, to form itself into a square. In performing this evolution, two companies were left out, or rather, were in the act of falling in, when the lancers charged upon them, and in a moment overwhelmed, and literally annihilated them. Encouraged by this, they charged on the square, and though repulsed with loss, succeeded in cutting down great numbers of the Highlanders. The brave colonel was among the killed.

Lieutenant-colonel Dick now assumed the command, although he had been wounded in the shoulder by a musket bullet. He rallied the regiment, formed them into a diminished square, and awaited another attack. The lancers again rushed desperately on them, and although once more repulsed, did too much execution. The lieutenant-colonel fainted from loss of blood, and was carried from the field. The next senior officer assumed the command. Not a man thought of retreating or yielding. Again the lancers precipitated themselves on the Highlanders; and it was not until the gallant regiment was reduced to less than a tenth of its original number, that the enemy was put to flight.

The prince of Orange, advancing too far, in the ardour of the fight, was surrounded and made prisoner; but a battalion of Belgians, seeing his danger, rushed to his relief, and in a moment rescued him from the enemy. The prince tore off the insignia of his order, and threw it among the soldiers, exclaiming, "There, my brave fellows! you have all deserved it." They immediately fastened the star to their colours, and shouting, "The Prince for ever!" swore to defend it to the last man. They were at that moment exposed to a galling fire, and many of them fell as they were pronouncing the oath.

Protected by their numerous cavalry and artillery, the French succeeded in forcing the British positions, and penetrated to the village of Quatre Bras. The duke of Wellington was undismayed. He stationed himself in an open part of the plain, in the very hottest of the fire, where he could be distinctly seen by both armies, and there issued his orders with as much coolness and precision as if his troops were manœuvring at a review.

Some squadrons of Brunswick horse had in vain attempted to stem the torrent. They rapidly retreated along the high road through the village, and were closely pursued by the French cuirassiers, when the ninety-second regiment, which lined a ditch bordering the road, poured on the French, who were almost at the muzzles of their guns, an unexpected volley which destroyed every man in the direction of their fire, and made a complete chasm between the front and rear ranks of the squadrons which were galloping by. The few who were in advance dashed on. They reached the spot on which the duke was posted, and rushed on him and his staff; but they were, to a man, either killed or taken. The rear of the enemy, disconcerted by this unexpected reception, turned their horses and fled. The ninety-second now leaped from the ditch to charge in their turn. As they rose, a volley was poured upon them by a mass of French infantry at a little distance. The staff of the regimental colours was shattered to pieces, and the ensign shot through the heart. The British infantry cheered and advanced. A little further on was a house, with a garden on the opposite side of the road. These were occupied by the enemy, who, protected by the enclosure and the walls, kept up a tremendous fire on the British as they approached. The impetuosity of the ninety-second was not to be restrained; the garden and the house were speedily cleared, and the enemy pursued to the skirt of a wood. But in this short space of time they had sustained a loss of three hundred men. Four commanding officers were successively wounded and carried off the field, and the regiment was now separated from the rest of the line, and reluctantly compelled to retire.

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bers, the duke of Wellington had obstinately contested every inch of ground. By the arrival of the guards he was enabled to act on the offensive. The enemy was driven from every position which he had gained. The whole French line was intimidated, and could with difficulty preserve itself from being broken. The danger was imminent. Ney sent in haste for the first corps, when, to his utter astonishment, he was informed that Napoleon had already disposed of it, to enable him to carry the position of the Prussians at Sombref.

For a moment he gave himself up to despair. All his plans were disordered, and the day was inevitably lost: but recalling his self-possession and skill, he brought into action the whole of the reserve of the second corps, and led them himself to the charge. The French cuirassiers advanced with much courage, but they were unable to withstand the cool intrepidity of the British troops, and receiving a galling and murderous fire from some infantry who lined the wood, they turned their horses and fled.

The twenty-eighth regiment now distinguished itself. It was attacked by a numerous body of cuirassiers and lancers, and being promptly formed into a square, long continued to fire from three sides at the same time, on one of which the lancers presented themselves, and on the two others the cuirassiers. In vain the cavalry repeatedly and desperately charged upon them. As the front ranks were pierced by the sabres or lances of their horsemen, their places were instantly supplied, and as their numbers diminished the square was gradually lessened; but not for a moment were they disordered; not one opening was left for the cavalry to penetrate, and at length, by their incessant, deliberate, and murderous fire, they succeeded in completely repulsing their assailants. Many squadrons of the enemy, however, yet hovered round them, and it would have been dangerous to have deployed. They therefore advanced in square against a mass of infantry, and in an instant pierced their centre and routed them; then deploying, they charged in line, and cleared the whole front of a cloud of skirmishers, which covered the retreat of the main body. The terror of the

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