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i
 D IES (CIR IPTION
Of Messrs. Marshall's Grand Historical

P E R IS T R E P H I C P A I N T I N G

of The EVER MEMORABLE

33attleg of £igmp

waanaloo, Illustrative of the most interesting events of those

TREMENDous ENGAGEMENTs;
Fought on the 16th and 18th of June, 1815,
NOW Exudaiso,
IN which THE Figures ARE THE SIZE OF LIFE,

tº "º
--~~~" ' - Eight Edition.
.**
.*.
.*
*

“And the whole War comes out and meets the eye,
“And each bold figure seems to live or die.”
Pope's Iliad.
“Each bent to conquer, neither side to yield,
* They long suspend the fortune of the field;
“Both armies thus perform what courage can,
“Foot set to foot, and mingle man to man.”

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iſłłantitättr,
PRINTED BY M. wilson, MARKET-stºtekſ.

18 7.
* . *
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 INTRODUCTION.
*

In the annals of Ancient and Modern History, a parallel to

the BATTLE of WATERLoo is sought for in vain, whether con
sidered with regard to the prowess of the combatants engaged—
the determined obstinacy with which it was contested—or, the
splendour of the consequences that have resulted from it.—
Doubtless in regard to numerical strength many battles have been
superior; but where shall we find one in which the most romantic
valour was combined with the firmest discipline? The millions
of Arbela and Issus would have sunk almost without a blow on
the plains of Flanders, and ages may roll away before the talents
of a Wellington, a Blucher, and a Napoleon, shall be combined
at once in so tremendous a contest.
Such is the subject of the present Panorama—so grand—so
extensive—so unexampled ! yet the Poet's pen has not shrunk
from describing it; why then should not the Artist's pencil at
tempt to delineate it:—
“.............. Pictoribus atque Poetis,
-------------------

“Quidlibit audendisemper fuit aequa potestas.”

In the painting which is now presented to the Public, is com

prised the eventful contest between the French and Prussians,
near Ligny, on the 16th of June, with the perilous situation of
Marshal Blucher; the death of the brave Duke of Brunswick
(which took place the same day) is also introduced; the most
prominent events of the battle of the 18th, are likewise repre
sented, such as the attacks upon La Haye Sainte, Mont St.
Jean, &c. together with the Death of Sir Thomas Picton; the
last grand charge made by the British, with the complete rout
of the remains of the French army, &c.
--~~~~
^
 IV.

In the execution of this Spectacle, the Artist received the

greatest assistance from the Painting being of the Peristrephic
form, as they were thus enabled to connect and pourtray the
most striking features of each day's battle: they can likewise
with confidence assert, that the utmost attention has been paid to
the relative situations of the armies, the correctness of events,
and the propriety of costume, the whole having been painted
from information received from the Adjutant-General's Office at
Paris, and under the immediate direction of Lord Fitzroy
Somerset, (Military Secretary and Aid-de-camp to the Duke of
Wellington) and Colonel Francis Ponsonby, both which officers
bore distinguished parts in the battle.

Under these circumstances, therefore, the Artists cannot but

indulge in the idea of meeting with that patronage they have
before so eminently experienced in this town, and they venture
to express the hope, that the sun of public favour will not now
beam upon them with diminished lustre.

º 3. -

3. !", º
 !
w DESCRIPTION.

VIEW I.
f º

subject—The Allied Staff in the Vicinity of Brus

sels, on the 13th June, 1815.” *
*

IN the center of the group is seen his Grace

the Duke of Wellington, on his favourite cream
coloured Arabian horse; he is looking towards
Prince Blucher, who is riding up towards him ;
immediately over the Duke of Wellington's
horse's head, Lord Hill, on whose left is Col. Sir
W. De Lancey, and Major Gen. Sir H. Vivian ;
his Royal Highness the Prince of Orange is com
ing up on horseback; in front of the Duke of
Wellington, Major Gen. Sir Ormsby Vandeleur
on foot, talking to Lord Saltoun; on the extreme
left of the spectator, Lieut. Col. Sir R. Macara,
of the 42nd, leaning on his horse, behind whom
is Col. Canning, Aid-de-camp to the Duke of .
Wellington, conversing with Capt. Wildman,
Aid-de-camp to the Marquis of Anglesea. Behind
the Duke of Wellington, on his left, is Major
Gen. Sir A. Gordon, with a telescope, next to
whom is the Prussian Gen. Bulow, on whose left
is his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick,
behind whom is the Marquis of Anglesea, over
whose horse's head are seen Gen. Sir T. Picton,
and Gen. Sir W. Ponsonby.
 6

R E M A R K S.

IN this view are represented some of the illustrious heroes

who distinguished themselves, in the memorable contests that
took place a few days after, several of whom gloriously fell at
the head of their troops.
It has been almost universally remarked, that the Battle of
Waterloo holds a proud superiority over any contest of ancient
or modern times! As this assertion may seem to partake of that
spirit of national vanity which has long been considered the pecu
liar property of the French character, we will, in a few words,
endeavour to point out leading circumstances which confirm its
truth.

A military despotism had subsisted in France for a quarter of a

century, as well by the overwhelming genius of one man, as by
the childish weakness of his antagonists; but at length the king
doms of Europe coalesced against him, and he sunk beneath their
united forces; he was banished to a contemptible island—the
Bourbon race was restored, and the triumph of legitimacy seemed
complete; but though Napoleon was absent from the sight of the
French people, he was present in their hearts.
The dazzling glory of his reign had left an impression on them
too deep to be at once erased; their vanity was wounded, their
enthusiasm checked, and they sighed in secret for their emperor.
Bonaparte soon took advantage of this feeling; he landed with
600 followers on the coast, and, without the slightest opposition,
traversed the heart of France. The enervated Bourbons were
panic struck, the army deserted them, and they were compelled
to fly without a blow. But the enterprize of Napoleon, although
apparently crowned with success, was in reality premature; the
coalition which had before overthrown him, still existed; with
that he had again to contend, and under some disadvantages.
The Battle of Waterloo was the result, and the sun of Napoleon
set for ever.

Thus was this battle the means of a second time restoring the
Bourbon dynasty; and of, in all probability, terminating the politi
cal existence of one of the most extraordinary men the world ever
produced. But besides the magnitude of its consequences, there
were other circumstances that add not a little to its importance;
it was fought by nations that seemed endued with an hereditary
antipathy to each other, by highly disciplined soldiers, headed by
gallant and experienced leaders; it continued three days with
scarcely any intermission; during which time the fortune of the
 7

fight changed each moment; the bravery of the armies on each

side amounted to enthusiasm; and although the French were
ultimately routed, yet did they not die unrevenged, for they left
behind a sanguinary and mournful triumph.

VIEW II.

Subject—Napoleon Bonaparte and Staff, with the

French Army,

In the centre of the group in the foregroundis.

Napoleon Bonaparte, on his favourite white
charger, Marengo; in his right hand he holds a
small telescope, and seems listening to the remon
strance of Marshal Ney, who is on his right, with
his head uncovered; next to him is Count Lobau;
behind is Gen. Vandamme; in front of them on
footis General Milhaud, of the Cuirassiers, con
versing with General Girard; to the extreme left
is a subordinate Officer of the Red Lancers, in the
perfect costume of that corps; the first counte
nance to the left of Napoleon is Marshal Grou
chy; immediately over the head of Bonaparte's
horse is Marshal Soult, next to whom is Jerome
Bonaparte, behind them is Gen. Drouet; and to
the extreme right of the Spectator, on the black
charger, is i.i. Gen. Labedoyere; an Aid-de
Camp is also seen riding up to the Staff, pointing:
on the plain, in the distance, appears the French
Army. - -

-*

Bonaparte having put his army in motion on the morning of

the 16th of June, is represented in the foreground of the Picture,
surrounded by his Staff, Marshals, &c. in their splendid national
uniforms, (all as large as life,) he is in the act of reconnoitring, and
giving the general orders of the day; confident of success, and
 8

little thinking all his Imperial grandeur was to be absolutely strip

ped and rendered destitute by one blow; his unrestrainable, all con
fident soldiery, scattered and dissipated by one encounter; and
France, the “beautiful and invincible,” laid open to her heart, de
fenceless and bare by one defeat. On the vast plain behind, is
seen the French Army advancing to attack the Prussians and
British, near the villages of St. Amand and Ligny. The French
consisted of three divisions, the left wing commanded by Marshal
Ney, (Duke of Elchingen) and was composed of the 1st and 2nd
corps of infantry, and the 2nd corps of cavalry: the right wing,
eommanded by Marshal Grouchy consisted of the 3d and 4th corps
of infantry, and the 3d corps of cavalry: Bonaparte, with the 6th
corps and the Imperial Guard, (which alone consisted of 20,000
men) formed the centre and kernel of this splendid, army which
was atrengthened by a budy of artillery, well-disciplined, and pro
vided with an excellent train and pontoon corps. Besides the bat
teries attached to each division, each corps had its park of reserve;
the Imperial Guard, particularly, had a magnificient train of artil
lery almost wholly composed of pieces new cast; the entire com
posing an army of 150,000 effective men, (of whom 30,000
were cavalry) with 300 pieces of artillery. -

VIEW III.

Subject—The Battle of Ligny, and the perilous

situation of Marshal Blucher. f

In the foreground of the Picture are represen

ted French Imperial Guards charging Prussian.
Infantry with the bayonet, immediately beyond
whom are the Red Lancers, engaged with Prus
sian Cavalry; to the left, on an eminence, is a
French battery playing on the Village of St.
Amand, which appears in the distance, between
the trees: to the right of the spectator, in the
foreground, Col. Von Scheiller is lying severely
wounded in the thigh; a little farther to the right
is represented the perilous situation of Field
Marshal Blucher, who lies entangled under his
horse; close beside him is the Adjutant, who
alone remained with him : immediately behind
 9

them are the French Curiassiers, repulsed by the

second charge of the Prussian Cavalry, and in
the extreme distance are the Prussian lines.

The Prussian Army was 80,000 strong, divided into four corps.
or divisions, three of which only had joined; the 4th, which was .
stationed between Liege and Hainaut, had been delayed in its
march by several circumstances, and was not yet come up: never
theless, Marshal Blucher determined to give battle, the Duke of
Wellington having already put in motion a strong division of his
army, to support him. The battle began at three o'clock in the
afternoon; the village of St. Amand was attacked by the French,
who carried it after a vigorous resistance; but it was soon retaken
by a battalion commanded by Blucher in person. Bonaparte then
directed his efforts against Ligny; about 200 cannon were dis
charged from both sides against the village, which was set on fire
in several places at once. From time to time the combat ex
tended through the whole line; however, the main contest was near
Ligny. The issue of the battle seemed to depend on the arrival
of the British troops, or on that of the 4th corps of the Prussian
army; in fact, the arrival of any of these would have afforded the
means of making immediately, with the right wing, an attack from
which great success might be expected. The British division,
which was to support the Prussians, was itself, however, violently
attacked by a corps of the French army, and it was with great dif
ficulty it maintained itself at Quatre Bras—the 4th Prussian corps
did not appear; so that the Prussians were forced to maintain the
contest with an army greatly superior in numbers. Field Marshal
Blucher this day encountered the greatest dangers; a charge of
cavalry led on by himself had failed; while that of the enemy was
vigorously pursuing, a musket shot struck Prinee Blucher's horse;
the animal, far from being stopped in his career by this wound,
began to gallop more furiously, till it dropped down dead; the
Marshal, stunned by the violent fall, is represented in the fore
ground of the Picture, lying entangled under his horse; the French
Cuirassiers, following up their advantage, advanced, the last horse
man of the Prussians had already passed by the Field Marshal,
an Adjutant alone remained with him, and had just alighted, re
solved to share his fate:—the danger was great; the enemy pur
suing their charge, passed rapidly by the Field Marshal without
observing him: the next moment a second charge of Prussian
cavalry having repulsed them, they again passed him with the
flame precipitation, aot perceiving him any more than they had
 10

done the first time; then, but not without difficulty, the Field
Marshal was disengaged from under the dead horse, and he imme
diately mounted a dragoon's horse. The battle continued till near
nine in the evening, with the most obstinate fury. Indeed, the
war is said to have had taken a most ferocious character between the
French and Prussians from the very beginning: before the opening
of the campaign, the 1st and 2nd corps of the French had hoisted
the black flag; they openly avowed, that they would give no quar
ter to the Prussians, and in general they kept their word. The
Prussian loss was calculated at near 20,000 men.
The Duke of Wellington thus spoke of this battle in his dis
patches: “Although Marshal Blucher had maintained his position
at Sombreſ, he still found himself much weakened by the severity
of the contest in which he had been engaged, and as the 4th corps
had notarrived, he determined to fallback and concentrate his army
upon Wavre; and he marched in the night after the battle was
over,” the French not attempting to pursue him.

VIEW IV.
Subject—The Death of the Duke of Brunswick.

In the most conspicuous part of the Picture, is

the gallant Duke falling from his grey charger, at
the moment he received his wound; on each side
of him are collumns of Brunswick Infantry: op
posed to them, on the left of the spectator, is part
of Jerome Bonaparte's division, in the act offir
ing; in front of them are several Officers lying
dead; to the right of the spectator, in the fore
ground, is Captain Von Kreutzer, who was shot
while gallantly cheering his Brunswick Infantry
to the charge: in the back-ground of the Picture,
are the Prince of Orange and Staff, with the Bel
gian troops, and the British divisions, under Sir
Thomas Picton, advancing to the assistance of the
Brunswickers.
-*

While the battle was raging with unabated fury between the
French and Prussians at Ligny, a sanguinary engagement took
 11

place near Quatre Bras, where the Duke of Brunswick was furi
ously attacked by the division of the French under Jerome Bona
parte; the Duke, far from being discouraged by the suddenness
of the assault, gallantly led on his black Brunswickers against the
enemy; but suffering himself to be carried away by his extreme
ardour, into the fire of small arms, a musketball went through his
bridle hand, and entered the belly—the liver was penetrated, he
fell, and breathed his last” in ten minutes. By the death of their
leader, the Brunswickers were thrown into some confusion, but the
Prince of Orange and Sir Thomas Picton coming up to their as
sistance, turned the fortune of the day.

VIEW V.

Subject–Battle of Waterloo—the French Position.

On the left of the Spectator, on the height, are
seen the Farm-houses of La Belle Alliance; he
tween them lies the Chausse or paved road from
Genappe to Brussels; the former is supposed to lie
three miles beyond the Farms to the southward,
the latter about 12 miles to the right of the specta
tor. The little cottage, on the right of the road,
is also called La Belle Alliance, and forms a part

* In the spirit of the days of chivalry, the Duke of Brunswick had

taken a solemn oath, that he never would sheath the sword till he
had avenged the death of his father. For that purpose he had his
corps dad in sable green and black, with a human skull and bones,
(surmounted with nodding plumes of horse-hair,) upon their caps,
which gave them a most apalling and funeral-solemnic appearance.
Drawn up in battle array, they look like an immense mourning
hearse: the gloomy appearance of this determined band, who thus
devoted themselves, with their chief, to avenge the wrongs of their
Prince, gave something sacred to the cause in which they were en
gaged, and forcibly reminds one of feudal times. It is to be lament
ed, that the Duke of Brunswick fell without having the satisfaction
of knowing, how full and glorious was the revenge for which he
panted. . .

B
 12

of the hamlet; in front of it appears Napoleon and

his staff: the French line is seen posted upon the
heights on both sides the Brussels road; it ex
tended from the village of Planchenoit (the place
where Napoleon slept the º:
previous to the ac
tion) to a point beyond the Chateau Gomont (com
monly called Hougomont,) La Belle Alliance is on
the right of their centre; and in the rear of their
left, is a small wood, in which is seen a lofty scaf
fold; at this point Bonaparte remained, and gave
his orders during the early part of the 18th. In the
foreground of Picture, to the right and left, are
columns of Curiassiers; an Officer of whom is shot
and represented dragged by his horse in the stirrup;
in front of him, by the side of a broken cannon, is
a French Soldier, wounded, and receiving wine
from one of his comrades: part of the French are
advancing to the attack. - a.

The British army, after the action of Quatre Bras, retired upon
Genappe, and on the 17th arrived at the village of Mont St. Jean,
a league in front of Waterloo. The enemy having come up with
the army on that day, a slight cannonade and some skirmishing
took place in the evening; but night putting a stop to any further
operations, the army bivouacked near the position it held the fol.
lowing day.
A violent storm of rain, accompanied with thunder, continued
to fall during the night, and our brave men were obliged to sleep
on the ground, without shelter. The cold was excessive, and the
state of the weather prevented the possibility of lighting many
fires; yet, notwithstanding these disadvantageous circumstances, our
troops were formed early in the morning, full of ardour to meet
the enemy, who appeared on the opposite heights, collecting in con
siderable force.

* But on the British heart were lost,

* The terrors of the charging host,
* For not an eye the storm that view’d,
“Chang'd its proud glance of fortitude.”
 13

The field of action extends about two miles and a half, by nearly
two miles. Its greatest length runs east and west, having two
commanding positions separated by a considerable valley, in which
are several gentle undulations. The whole ground is perfectly
open, and at the commencement of the action was covered with
corn and clover, but at the close of the day, all appearance of cul
tivation was destroyed. The high road from Brussels to Genappe
intersects the field, dividing it almost equally.

The following is the French account of their position: “At nine

in the morning, the rain having somewhat abated, the 1st corps
put itself in motion, and placed itself, with the left, on the road to
Brussels, and opposite the village of Mont St. Jean, which ap
peared the centre of the enemy's position. The 2nd corps leaned
its right upon the road to Brussels, and its left upon a small wood,
within cannon shot of the English army. The Cuirassiers were in
reserve behind, and the Guards in reserve upon the heights, The
6th corps, with the Cavalry of General D'Aumont, under the or
der of Count Lobau, was destined to proceed in rear of our right,
to oppose a Prussian corps, which appeared to have escaped Mar
shal Grouchy, and intended to fall upon our right flank, an inten
tion which had been made known to us by our reports, and by the
letter of a Prussian General, inclosing an order of battle, and taken
by our light troops.
Such was the position taken up by the French preparatory to
their attacking the British army: the greatest confidence prevail
ed through the ranks of the former, which was not a little height
ened by the result of the battle of the 16th, and by their manifest
superiority of numbers: Bonaparte also indulged himself in the
idea of a certain victory; before the engagement began, he ad
dressed a short speech to the soldiers, which was received with
enthusiasm, promising them, that Brussels and Ghent should be
given up to plunder for three hours, according to some accounts;
to others, for three days. He is reported to have said, “These
English fight well, but they must give way soon,” and asked
Soult if he “did not think so?” Soult said, “ that he much doubt
ed whether they would ever give way.” “And why?" said Napo
leon with his usual quickness: Soult replied: “he believed they
would sooner be cut to pieces.” Still Bonaparte seemed to enter
tain a full confidence of victory, and so late as six o'clock in the
evening, he is reported to have jocularly observed to those around
him, that they should arrive at Brussels in good time for supper.
In this view is seen the house, La Belle Alliance: this cele
brated spot is a small Farm-house on the left side of the road,
pierced through in every direction with cannon balls: the offices
 14

behind it are now a heap of ruins, from the fire of the British
artillery. Numbers of wounded French Officers crawled in here
the night aſter the battle; and on the morning of the 19th, it was
filled with the dead and dying. The hamlet to which this House
belongs received its name from “the Grand Alliance,”, formed
against the French, in the Reign of Queen Anne; in which the
English, (under the renowned Duke of Marlborough) bore so
conspicuous a part; and it is a most surprising coincidence, that
in a century after, this should be the very spot where the Allied
British and Prussian armies obtained so signal and decisive a
victory! It was here that Bonaparte stood, after dispatching 3.
courier to Paris, with intellegence that the battle was won—it was
here also, a few hours afterwards, when the battle was won, that
the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blucher accidentally met, at
the moment, when Napoleon, followed by this panic-struck army,
was flying before his victorious pursuers.

VIEW VI.

Subject—The Furious Attack on the Farm-house of

La Haye Sainte (or the Holy Hedge.)
On the left of the spectator, in the foreground
are seen part of the 95th, the Royal Rifle brigade,
firing over a gravel-pit on the enemy; immediately
over them are the 2d Life Guards, who were com
manded by Lieut. Col. Fitzgerald, who fell while
gloriously leading them on to a charge; beyond
the Life Guards is seen the Marquis of Anglesea's
Regiment, the 7th Hussars, engaged with the Cui
rassiers, an immense column of which is seen com
ing down in front of them, all arrayed in armour:
the observatory% is also seen in the distance; in

* This scaffold, or platform, about sixty feet high, was erected

by order of the King of the Netherlands, as a signal station to
announce the approach of the enemy, but the French arrived
before it could be completed. It is not true that Bonaparte as
cended the platform, there being no ladders, nor any other means
left to get up; besides, it was too distant to be of service.
*
 15

front of which are seen immense columns of French

infantry and cavalry, advancing under cover of
the smoke, to the attack of the Farm-house: Major
Heisse, superintending the discharge of Artillery;
next to him, on horseback, is Captain the Hon.
Wm. Curzon, one of the Duke of Wellington's
Aid-de-camps; as also Lord March looking through
a telescope. Immediately beyond them, in the
most conspicuous part of the Picture, is the Farm
house of La Haye Sainte, occupied by the 2d light
battalion of the King's German Legion under Ma
jor Baring; on the outside of the House, a column
of the 42nd Highlanders, led on by the gallant
Col. Dick, is firing a volley on the Curiassieurs,”
which seems to have thrown them into great con
fusion; British artillery appears all along to the
right in the foreground; and behind them are the
1st regiment of Royal Scots, and 28th Infantry
lying down in square, on the slope and summit of
a piece of rising ground; in the centre of this
square is Lieutenant Col. Macdonald, brought in
severely wounded, with the Surgeon attending him;
in the same square also, are Col. Von Rosen, in a
blue surtout, Major Meachum, of the 28th Foot,
and Major the Hon. F. Howard, of the IOth Hus
sars, (second son of the Earl of Carlisle) who was
shortly after killed. To the right of the Farm

* It was remarked by a French Marshal to some distinguished

Tritish Officers at Paris—“That the British were the only troops in
the world that could be trusted in lines against columns; they would
stand or advance against a mass, some yards in thickness.”— When
the gallantry of men can thus be relied on, they derive a great ad
Vantage from their bravery, tending to counteract the effects of the
superior number of their adversaries; in this way a single British
battalion, consisting of 100 or 200 men, repeatedly drove im
mense columns of the enemy. . . -

*
 16

house, on the brow of the hill, is Captain Sandham's

brigade of Artillery; beyond the troops lying
down, is the Brussels road; on the rising ground,
close by the tree, is the Duke of Wellington and
Staff. To the extreme right of the spectator, is
the Regiment of Scotch Greys, and in front of
them is a piece of Flying Artillery, drawn by six
horses, and commanded by Major Ramsay, advanc
ing through a field of standing corn: in the dis
tance, is seen the 73d and 30th Regiments furiously
attacked on both sides, by the Ceriassiers. And
Hougomont appears in the extreme distance, in
flames.
---

In front of the British position, and towards the right, stood a

chateau, or large country-house, called Hougomont, with a walled
garden and a wood, or park, attached. This point was of consi
derable importance, as it secured the right wing from every attack.
Three companies of the Guards were stationed here, with some
Nassau troops to act as sharp-shooters in the wood, or park. The
might of the 17th was spent in cutting loop-holes through the thick
walls of the garden, and otherwise fortifying the place. The farm
house of La Haye Sainte, on the road, near the centre of the
position, and on the left of it (from whence this view was taken)
was also occupied by some Hanoverian Infantry. The wings of the
army turned round the ends of the hill, particularly the right wing,
and the distance, from one extremity to the other, was about a mile
and a half. Artillery lined the brow of the hill; infantry were
drawn up behind the cannon; the reserves and the cavalry were
further back, ready to advance as occasion required.
The French position was a similar ridge, the brow of which was
lined with a numerous artillery. The distance of the two posi
tions from each other varied from half-a-mile to two-thirds of a
mile.

Thus were the armies posted, when, about eleven o'clock on the
18th, a large body of the enemy, commanded by Jerome Bo
naparte, advanced against the post of Hougomont, which they
attacked with great spirit, and soon obliged the Nassau troops to
retire from the wood to the house and garden; there, however,
the detachment of the Guards made such resistance as obliged, the
French to retire with considerable loss. Reinforcements of the
 17

Guards descended the hill, where they were posted, opposite to

Hougomont, and recovered the wood. In the course of the day,
the French made many desperate efforts to carry this post, but could
not succeed; at last, they set the house on fire, and it was entirely
consumed; yet the Guards maintained their position.
The enemy then opened the fire of upwards of 200 pieces of ar
tillery, and under cover of the smoke, are seen large masses of
troops, infantry and cavalry, coming forward to the second attack,
or series of attacks, which were directed against the centre, on each
side of the road, near La Haye Sainte, and towards Hougomont,
which is the moment represented in the pictnre:–
“Twice an hundred mouths of fire,
* Distend their jaws of fatal ire,
** From Gallia’s furious line:

“Both horse and foot, beneath their charge,

“With bayonet now, and now with targe;
“Their power at once combine.
“How beat thy bosom---Wellington!
* How swelled the heart of Erin's Son '''

It is however certain, that after the most undaunted exertions

on the part of the Officers, seconding those of the Earl of Ux
bridge, our light cavalry were found to suffer cruelly in their unequal
encounter with the ponderous and sword-proof Curiassiers, and even
with the Lancers: the German Legion itself, so distinguished for
discipline and courage during the Peninsular conflicts, were unequal,
on this occasion, to sustain the shock of the French cavalry. And
thus, such had been Bonaparte's dexterity in finding resources and
applying them, that the French seemed to have a temporary superi
ority in that very description of force, with which it was supposed
altogether impossible he could be adequately provided. It was upon
this occasion that Sir J. Elly, (now Quarter-master-general) requested
and obtained permission to bring up the heavy brigade, consisting of
the Life Guards, the Enniskillens, and Scotch Greys, and made a
charge, the effect of which was tremendous. Notwithstanding the
weight and armour of the Curiassiers,” and the power of their horses,
they proved altogether unable to withstand the shock of the heavy
brigade, being literally borne down, both horse and men; while the
strength of the British soldiers was no less pre-eminent when they

*The Curiassiers of the French Imperial Guard, are all arrayed

in armour. The front Curiass is in the form of a pigeon's breast,
and will effectually turn off a musket shot, unless fired near, owing
to its strength; the back Curiass is made to fit the back; — they
 18

mingled and fought hand to hand. Several hundreds of the French

were forced headlong over a sort of quarry or gravel pit, where they
rolled a confused and undistinguishable mass of men and horses; ex
posed to a fire, which, being poured closely into them, soon put a
period to their struggles.

Meanwhile the battle raged in every point. The centre and

left were again assaulted; and, if possible, more furiously than be
fore. The Farm-house of La Haye Sainte, lying under the
centre of the British line, was at last stormed by the French troops,
who, with the exception of Lieut. Graham and five privates, put
the gallant defenders to the sword. They were light infantry of
the King's German Legion, who, had made good the post with the
most undaunted courage, whilst they had a cartridge remaining,
and afterwards maintained an unequal contest with their bayonets
through the windows and embrazures. As the entrance of the
Farm fronted the high road, and was in the very focus of the
enemy's fire, it was impossible to send supplies of ammunition by
that way; and the Commanding Officer unfortunately had not
presence of mind to make a breach through the back part of the
wall, for the purpose of introducing them. “I ought to have

weigh from 14 to 18lbs., each, according to the size of the men,

and are stuffed inside with a pad: they fit on with a kind of a fish
scale clasp, and are put on and off in an instant; they have hel
mets the same as our Horse-Guards, and straight long swords,
and pistols, but no carbines. All accounts agree in the great ad
vantage the French Curassiers derived from their armour. Their
swords were three inches longer than any used by the Allies; and
in close action, the cuts of our sabres did no execution, except
they fortunately came across the neck of the enemy. The latter
also, feeling themselves secure in their armour, advanced deliber
ately and steadily, until they came within about 20 yards of our
ranks, as a musket ball could not penetrate the Cuirasses at a
greater distance. The Cuirass, however, is attended with one
disadvantage; the wearer, in close action, cannot use his arm with
perfect facility in all directions; he chiefly, thrusts, but cannot cut
with ease. They are all chosen men, must be above six feet high,
have served in three campaigns, twelve years in the service, and of
a good character; if there are good horses to be found, they have
them. It is to be observed, that a wound through a Cuirass
generally proves mortal.
 19

thought of it,” said the Duke of Wellington, who seems to

have considered it was his duty to superintend and direct even the
most minute details of this complicated action; “but,” as he add
ed. with a very unnecessary apology, “my mind could not em
brace every thing at once.” The post, meanwhile, though long
maintained by the enemy, was of little use to them, as our artillery
on the ridge were brought to plunge into it, and the attempt to
defend it as a point of support for his future attacks, cost Bona
parte more men than he had lost in carrying it.
The greater part of our troops were ordered to lie down, in the
manner represented in the Picture, (until the moment they were
called into action) in order to avoid the storm of death which was
flying close over their heads, and at almost every minute, carrying
destruction among them; and it was certainly a circumstance
highly creditable to those brave fellows, to have lain in this situa
tion so long under a fire, which, for intensity and precision, was
never equalled, with nothing else to occupy their attention, save
watching their companions fall around them, and listeming to
their mournful cries! The 73rd Regiment (which appears in this
view) was charged several times during the day, by the Cuiras
siers: whom they repelled with heroic firmness. They themselves
however suffered a loss of 400 men. -

During this scene of tumult and carnage, the Duke of Welling.

ton conducted himself with the utmost coolnes; there was scarcely
a square but he visited in person, encouraging the men by his
presence, and the officers by his direction. Many of his short
phrases are repeated by them, as if they were possessed of talisma
nic effect. While he stood in the centre of the high-road in front
of Mont St. Jean, several guns were levelled against him, distin
guished as he was by his suite, and the movements of the officers,
who came and went with orders. The balls repeatedly grazed the
tree, which appears in the Picture, and which now bears his
name—“that's good practice,” observed the Duke to one of his
suite; “I think they fire better than in Spain.”
Nor, on the other hand, did the wonted energy of Bonaparte
forsake him on this memorable occasion. He is said to have sur
veyed, from his position, the movements of the British with the
greatest admiration, and expressed it in sentences of this kind:
“How steadily those troops take the ground ! how beautifully those
cavalry form 1 Mark those Grey Horse Who are those fine sol
diers? They are brave troops, but in one half hour I will cut
them to pieces.” He is supposed to allude to the Scots Greys, who
are in the picture, advancing to the charge.
C
 20

VIEW VII.

Subject—The Desperate Attack on the Farm of

Mont St. Jean, and Death of Sir T. Picton.

IN the foreground, to the left, is the Old Im

perial Guard, (led on by General Reille, who
appears on horseback) charging the 79th Highland
ers; Major Friant is cheering the former, waving
his hat, and supposed to be exclaiming, “Vive
L’Empereur.” Capt. Lacroix, of the Imperial
à. is expiring at the feet of his men, and
looking back in the agonies of death: one of the
Imperial Guards is piercing with his bayonet, the
breast of Lieut. Cameron, who is down among the
corn, in front of his regiment. A little to the
right of this group, is the lamented Sir Thomas
Picton, falling from his horse; at the moment he re
ceived his death wound, his horse began to plunge
most violently, and a Highlander is in the act of
seizing the bridle. The Officer on the black horse
is Major Gen. Kempt, who is rushing up to the
assistance of Sir Thomas Picton; behind whom
(holding his hand up to his head) is Capt. Cham
bers, one of his Aid-de-Camps, who was killed in a
few minutes after: close to him is Adjutant-Gen
eral Sir Guy Campbell. In the centre of the
distance is the little village of Mont St. Jean repre
sented at the moment of the attack; in front of
which are the Enniskillen Dragoons intermingled
with the Cuirassiers: a little to the right of them
a shell, thrown from the French lines, is exploding;
just emerging from the smoke of which is seen
Corporal Shaw, the celebrated Life Guardsman,
engaged with six soldiers of the Imperial Guard:
to the extreme right is the 52nd Regt. of Foot,
formed into solid square, charged by the French
Cuirassiers, Lancers, &c. -
 21

The enemy having gained a temporary possession of the Farm

house, and Garden of La Haye, Sainte, were advancing in proud
confidence, until encountered by the 5th Division commanded by Sir
Thomas Piction, which was stationed ou the left centre of the British
lines; and it seemed the object of Napoleon, if possible, to turn the
left British flank, and separate it from the Prussians, with whom it
maintained a communication through Ohain :-to effect this the most
desperate efforts were made — column propelling column, and fresh
masses of troops continually pouring on, while their artillery scattered
destruction along the whole British line. General Picton's division
sustained the chief brunt of this long and tremendous attack; upon
this spot thousands of our brave soldiers met a glorious death; *
their gallant leaders, wounded and dying on the ground, still cheered
on their men to the charge.
For some time nothing but the enemy's cavalry was visible—
but, on a sudden, his cavalry turned to the right and left, and
showed large masses of infantry, which advanced in the most gal
lant style, to the cries of “Vive L'Empereur !” when Picton led his
brave division against them; the fighting now become particularly
severe, and the carnage was dreadful—but the enemy were not long
before they fled in great confusion; the Enniskillen Dragoons and
the Scotch Greys took them in flank; and besides killed and wounded,
between 2 and 3000 were made prisoners; two eagles were also
taken here, belonging to the 49th and 105th French Regts.
It was in this charge, the lamented Sir Thomas Picton fell—he
was shot through the right temple, by a musketball; it was cut out
with a razor, on the lower and opposite side of his head, where it
appeared just breaking through the skin: he never spoke a word
aſter he received the wound. -

“That charge again, my hearts of oak,

* Brave-brave---, 'twas noble Preton spoke: ---
“ Faintly the accents roll :
* Alas! for glory's mantle, Fame,
“ Hath caught Death's withering robe of flame,
“And quenched the valiant soul.
&
* He fell—he died--and not a sigh
“ Told that the hero feared to die;
“ For Victory smoothed his bed :
*
* And Glory, as pale Pity bent,
“A ray of heav'nly ardour lent,
“And dried the tears she shed.

* The 5th Division was reduced from 8,000 to 1,800.

 22

* How weak the grief that mourns the brave,

“ Distilling on the laurell'd grave
“Its perishable dews;
“Renown shall do her homage there,
“And Gratitude shall oft repair,
“And perfum’d sweets diffuse.”
The fall of Picton was not much unlike that of Gen. Wolfe.—They
both fell in battle, but yet lived to hear the cry of Victory! — a
sound, which, if it could not prevent the agonies of death, might be
supposed to deprive it of its sting. The word Victory is here to be
taken in a partial sense—that is, the defeat of that particular attack
of the enemy, made with so much confidence, and repelled with so
much undaunted coolness.
The Imperial Guard, the chosen soldiers of Bonaparte, are re
presented in this view making a most desperate charge —
“But see! the haughty household troops advance,
“The dread of Europe and the pride of France.”

The 79th Highlanders, who sustained and repulsed their attacks,

were reduced from 800 to less than 100 !
“Where stream'd fair Scotia's banners high,
“Or nodded where her bonnets blue,
“Where peal'd the bagpipe's deafning cry,
“Or where the varied tartans flew'--

- “There, did the rush of battle first

“Announce the deadly fight begun;
“There, did the shouts of triumph first
“Proclaim the Gallic host o'ercome.”

The French Infantry advanced with such intrepidity as excited

the admiration of the English, cheered by shouts of “Vive L'Em
pereur,” from their army behind, and annoyed by showers of shot
from our artillery and musketry in front, which thinning their ranks,
left a tract strewed with killed and wounded. Still they pressed forward
with such perseverance and such numbers, that at times they gained
possession of some of our cannon, and appeared to have established
themselves at the top of our position, when, as Bonaparte thought,
the battle was gained; but it was necessary that the English should
think so too, which was not the case, and every attack was ultimately
repulsed by the firmness of our infantry, and the extraordinary bra
very of the heavy cavalry, whose derperate charges restored the
battle, when at times it was considered extremely doubtful. In the
middle distance of the Picture, is the little village of Mont St. Jean,
(from which the French have named the battle) it is represented at
the moment, when the most desperate attack was made against it,
headed by General Count D'Erlon; but it was effectually repulsed by
the British Army.
 23

All the inhabitants had fled from this village previous to the
action; but in a Farm-house, at the end of the village, nearest
the field (which is seen very conspicuously in the picture) one soli
tary woman remained, during the whole of the day, shut up in a
garret, while they were fighting man to man, and sword to sword,
at the very doors; while shells were bursting in at the windows—
and while the cannon-balls were breaking through the wooden
gates into the farm yard, and striking against the walls of the
house ! This woman, when asked her motives of this extraordi
nary conduct, replied with great simplicity, that “she had a great
many cows and calves, and poultry, and pigs—that all she had in
the world was there—and that if she did not stay to take care of
them, they would all be destroyed or carried off.”
Shaw, the celebrated Pugilist, belonging to the Life Guards,
was fighting for seven or eight hours, dealing destruction to all
around him; at one time he was attacked by six of the limperial
Guard, four of whom he killed—but was at length overcome, and
made prisoner by the remaining two; he expired of his wounds,
on the night of the 18th.
The intrepidity of the Cuirassiers at first astonished our troops;
for, trusting to the defence of the cuirasses, they passed our cannon,
and rode up to the squares of Infantry as leisurely as if they had not
been enemies, (or to use the words of one of our soldiers) “as if
they had been riding into a stable yard.” In some instances they
rode round our squares, in hopes that their cannon might make an
opening, at which they might enter. Unfortunately their cannon,
did dreadful execution at this time—our men ſell very fast; but
their places were so quickly filled by others, that the Cuirassiers
could make no impression. They, in their turn, suffered severely
from the steady firing of the squares; and they were immediately
charged (as is likewise seen in this view) by one regiment or other
of heavy cavalry, who invariably drove them down the hill, with
great loss, as often as they ascended, and frequently pursued them
to their own lines.
The Duke of Wellington is supposed to have more than once
thrown himself into the centre of hollow squares of infantry (one
of which is given in this view.) This act is at once a proof, how
much he must have szposed his person, as well as of the unlimited
confidence he had in his troops; accordingly it is said, that when
at the close of the day, during the most trying period of the battle,
a distinguished General Officer ventured to express some anxiety
with regard to the result—“Fear not,” said the Duke, “We will
win the battle yet.”
“”Twas now the chieftain's soul was mighty prov’d,
“That in the shock of charging hosts, unmov’d,
“Amidst confusion--horror--and despair---
“Examin’d all the dreadful scenes of war;
 24

“In peaceful thought the field of death survey'd,

“To fainting squadrons sent the timely aid;
“ aspired repuls'd battalions to engage,
“And taught the doubtful battle were to rage!”
-**

VIEW VIII.

Subject—A Group of Prisoners.

In the foreground to the left, is one of the French
Tirailleurs, wounded in the head; next to him is
an Officer of the Cuirassiers, supporting another
Qfficer, who is also wounded; a fittle to the right
sitting on the ground, is a Cuirassier, wounded in
the leg; behind him stands one of the Blue Lam
cers; and one of the Red Lancers is leaning against
a tree: on his left is one of the Invincibles, with
his cap off: to the extreme right of the Spectator,
is a young French Officer, 㺠wounded,
sustained by a Highlander: the Enniskillen Dra
goons are guarding the whole group. In the
middle distance are more Prisoners coming in with
one of the French Eagles.
-º

The group of Prisoners presented in this view, is part of those

who were taken in the brilliant charge of the Scots Greys and
Enniskillen Dragoons, alluded to in page 21.

VIEW IX.

Subject—The last Grand Charge, and the total

overthrow of the French Army.
On the left of the Spectator, in the foreground,
is the Marquis of Anglesea, on his favourite chesnut
horse, Buckfoot, leading on the heavy brigade of
cavalry; he is pointing with his sword towards
Bonaparte, and looking back to the her vy cavalry:
immediately behind him, Major Kelly, of the Life
Guards; in front of them are seen Gen. Lefebvre
Desnouttes and Major Schmidt in the rear of the
 25

panic struck French, who are flying in great con

fusion ; on the right flank of the French, are the
Prussians coming up in three divisions, Bulow lead
ing the centre, and Blucher the right wing. In the
centre of the picture, in the foreground, his Grace
the Duke of Wellington, at the moment he ordered
the whole body of infantry, supported by the cavalry,
to charge; he is looking round to Lord Hill, whom
he is informing of a message from Blucher, which
a Prussian Officer has just brought, who is in front
of the Duke of Wellington with his hat off; next
to Lord Hill is Lord Fitzroy Somerset, behind
whom is the Duke of Wellington’s orderly Hussar;
next to which is General Alava; behind whom is
Col. Mitchell; immediately beyond this group are
Foot Guards, &c. charging the four last squares of
the Old Imperial Guard, É Generals Maitland
and Byng cheering them. Bonaparte and his Staff
are on the hill witnessing the overthrow of his In
vincibles; he is giving to John Lacoste, his guide.
some money just before his flight. La Belle Alliance
is seen in the distance, and an immense mass of
French, Congreve rockets, &c. exploding among
them. On the right of the spectator is Sir H. Wi
vian, leading on the light cavalry in pursuit of the
French; behind which are the Royal Rifle Brigade
(then the 95th) also advancing to the charge.
-

The united force of the British and Belgic army on this day
amounted to little more than half the enemy; it was therefore the policy
of the Duke of Wellington, when attacked by such a tremendous
superiority of force, to act upon the defensive, until joined by the
Prussians, whose progress had been impeded by the dreadful state
of the roads. Just before they appeared, the French, turning their
artillery against the centre of the British army, near the Farm-house
of La Haye Sainte, made a desperate effort, with their united cavalr
and artillery, to force that point. Our gallant troops, .
received the shock, and after a long and dreadful contest, the French
were compelled to retreat in great confusion. At that moment the
Prussians were seen advancing on the heights, to charge the enemy
in flank. The fire of the Prussian artillery began to take effect;
 26

Blucher himself was in the field. The Duke of Wellington, seizing

the critical moment, ordered the whole body of infantry, supported
by the cavalry, to charge: they rushed impetuously forward with the
force of irresistible valour,
“Then, Wellington thy piercing eye,
“This crisis caught of destiny.
“The British host had stood, -

“That morn, gainst charge of sword and lance,

“As their own ocean-rocks hold stance;
“But when thy voice had said “Advance!”
“They were their ocean's flood.”
Which is the moment chosen in this part of the picture.
The effect was dreadful, they poured upon the enemy like a tor.
rent sweeping all before them! It was in vain that the Old Im
perial Guard formed upon the heights near La Belle Alliance, in
four solid squares, to cover the retreat of their terrified comrades;
they were also compelled to retire, and the whole became a com
plete rout!
They fled in confusion back to their own country, leaving behind
them the whole of their baggage, their artillery, their prisoners,
and their wounded: it was then, at half-past nine in the evening,
that the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blucher met acci
dentally at La Belle Alliance. This gallant veteran, the moment
he had heard of the engagement, had risen from his bed, to which
he was confined in consequence of the injury he sustained on the
16th, when his dying horse fell upon him. Both armies being now
on the same road, our gallant troops, who had fought for twelve
hours, relinquished the pursuit to the Prussians, who had come in
time to share its glory,” Thus ended a day as glorious in its
achievements as important in its results; thus ended a contest
which has raised the glory of Britain to its highest pitch, and in
which the last, and most decided proof was given, that in every
age, in every country, under every disadvantage of numbers and
situations, from the days of Cressy and Agincourt to the present
times; on the burning sands of Egypt, and the sheltered shores
of Italy, on the mountains of Portugal, the plains of Spain, amidst
the rocks of the Pyrenees, the fields of Flanders, and the Valleys of
France; in Foreign lands and in their native soil; by land and
by sea, Britons have ever been victorious over their ancient and
presumptuous foes. & £º 5.

* At the close of the pursuit of the enemy, the Duke of Wel

lington, finding the troops so exhausted as to be unable to proceed
recommended it to them to give the flying enemy three British
cheers before halting, -
RECORD OF TREATMENT, EXTRACTION, REPAIR, etc.

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