The Waterloo Campaign — A Study [Illustrated Edition]

SPECIAL CAMPAIGN SERIES. NO. 5

THE WATERLOO CAMPAIGN

A STUDY

BY

LIEUT.-COLONEL SISSON C. PRATT

Late R.A

Author of Saarbrück to Paris, etc.

WITH SEVEN MAPS AND SKETCHES

Gude gear gangs in little bouk.-Scotch Proverb

 This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING

Text originally published in 1907 under the same title.

© Pickle Partners Publishing 2011, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

Publisher’s Note

Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

Contents

CHAPTER I—THE GENERAL SITUATION 9

The General Situation—The Allied Armies—The Plan of Operations —The Armies of France—The Military Policy of Napoleon. 9

CHAPTER II—PLAN OF CAMPAIGN 13

Allied Position in Belgium—The Routes of Invasion—The Plan of Campaign—The Concentration on Beaumont—The Orders of the 14th of June for Advance—The Attitude of the Allied Commanders—Views of Napoleon. 13

CHAPTER III — THE CONTENDING ARMIES 16

The French Army—The Anglo-Dutch Army—The Prussian Army— Numbers and Positions of the Armies on the 14th of June. 16

CHAPTER IV—THE PASSAGE OF THE SAMBRE — THE 15th OF JUNE 22

Position of the French Army — Positions of Zieten's Corps — Advance of Left Column — Advance of Central Column — Advance of Right Column — Position of Affairs at Noon — Advance of Left Column on Gosselies — Action at Gosselies — Arrival of Ney — Advance on Quatre-Bras — Action at Frasnes — Retreat of Prussians — Advance of Main Body — Action at Gilly — Was Ney Ordered to seize Quatre-Bras? — Comments. 22

CHAPTER V—BLÜCHER AND WELLINGTON—THE 15th OF JUNE 28

Blücher's Dispositions—Comments—Wellington's Dispositions— Dutch-Belgian Movements—Comments. 28

CHAPTER VI—THE MORNING OP THE 16TH JUNE—THE FRENCH ARMY 32

Napoleon at Charleroi—Orders to Ney—Orders to Grouchy— Operations of Ney—Operations of Grouchy—Comments. 32

CHAPTER VII —THE MORNING OF THE 16TH JUNE—THE ALLIED ARMIES 36

Wellington at Brussels—The De Lancey Memorandum—Concentration at Ligny—Negligence of Gneisenau—Meeting of Wellington and Blücher. 36

CHAPTER VIII —THE BATTLE OF QUATRE-BRAS 39

The Battlefield—Occupation of Position—The French Advance— Arrival of Jerome's Division—Charge of Van Merlen's Brigade— Arrival of Picton's Division—Second French Attack—Attack on Brunswick Corps—Charge and Repulse of Fire's Cavalry— Cannonade by Artillery—Cavalry Attack on Picton—Arrival of Alten's Brigades—Soult's Order of 3.15 p.m.—Charge of Cuirassiers—Advance of Foy—Attack on Right by Jerome—Attack on Left by Bachelu—Last Attack of Piré—Arrival of the Guards —The British Advance. 39

CHAPTER IX —THE BATTLE OF LIGNY 44

Position of Ligny—Occupation of Position—The French Advance— The Left Attack by Vandamme—Counter Attack by Steinmetz and Pirch II—Flank Attack by Tippelskirch—Action at St. Amand—Appearance of D'Erlon—Advance of Blücher—The Fighting at Ligny—The Right Attack of Grouchy—The Attack of the Imperial Guard—The Close of the Battle. 44

CHAPTER X — THE D'ERLON EPISODE 49

The March of D'Erlon—The Change of Direction—What was the Order?—Who Gave the Order?—Who was Responsible?— The Effect of the Order—Misapprehension of Napoleon— Comments. 49

CHAPTER XI —THE MORNING OF THE 17TH OF JUNE—NAPOLEON 53

Napoleon at Fleurus—Orders to Ney—Ride to Ligny—Advance on Marbais—Orders to Grouchy.— 53

CHAPTER XII — THE ENGLISH RETREAT 55

Wellington at Genappe—Decision to Retire—Retreat on Genappe —Advance of French Army—The Pursuit—Action at Genappe —Napoleon at Belle Alliance—The Military Situation—Orders for Battle. 55

CHAPTER XIII — THE PRUSSIAN RETREAT 59

The Night of Ligny—The Order for Retreat—The Movement on Wavre—Comments—The Movement in Detail—Messages between Allies—Decision to join Wellington—Orders for the March—The March to Waterloo—Defective Staff Arrangements. 59

CHAPTER XIV — THE PURSUIT BY GROUCHY 63

Reports from Outposts — Advance of Cavalry — March on Gembloux — Situation on Night of 17th — Advance on Corbais — Despatch to Emperor — Gérard and Grouchy — Comments — Advance on Wavre — Letter from Soult. 63

CHAPTER XV — THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO 67

Description of Position—Scheme of Occupation—The Troops Available—The Front Line—The Advanced Posts—The Reserves—The Force at Hal—Napoleon's Order for the Advance— Letter to Grouchy—The French Deployment—Attack on Hougoumont—Preparation for Main Attack—Second Letter to Grouchy—Attack on Centre of Position—Charge of Household Brigade—Charge of Union Brigade—Fighting at La Haie and Hougoumont—First Cavalry Attack—Second Charge— Third Charge—Fourth Charge—Advance of Foy—Prussian Advance on Planchenoit—Attack of La Haie Sainte—Recapture of Planchenoit—Approach of Zieten—Attack by the Guard—Retreat of the Guard—The Prussian Flank Attack —The Rout—The Pursuit. 67

CHAPTER XVI — THE COMBAT AT WAVRE 78

The Attack by Vandamme—Arrival of Soult's Letter of 1 p.m.— Capture of Limale—Attack on Wavre—Combat of 18th at Rixensart—Grouchy Decides to Retreat. 78

CHAPTER XVII — THE RETREAT OF GROUCHY 80

The Movements of Retreat—Pursuit by the Prussians—Attack by Cavalry—The French Rear-guard—Passage through Namur—Comments. 80

APPENDIX I —NAPOLEON TO NEY 82

"Extract from Letter dated Charleroi, June 16 (about 8 a.m.) 82

II — SOULT TO NEY 83

Extract from Order dated Charleroi, June 16 (about 7 a.m.) 83

III — SOULT TO NEY 84

Extract from Order dated Charleroi, June 16 (10 a.m.) 84

IV — SOULT TO NEY 85

Extract of Order dated Fleurus, June 16 (2 p.m.) 85

V—SOULT TO NEY 86

Extract of Order dated Fleurus, June 16 (3.15 p.m.) 86

VI—NEY TO SOULT (recently discovered Letter) 87

FRASNE, Le 16 Juin, 1815. 10 heure de soir. 87

VII — NAPOLEON TO GROUCHY 88

Extract from Letter dated Charleroi, June 16 (about 8 a.m.) 88

VIII — WELLINGTON TO BLÜCHER 89

Letter dated on the Heights behind Frasnes, June 16 (10.30 a.m.) 89

IX — SOULT TO NEY 90

Extract from Letter dated Fleurus, June 17 (about 8 a.m.) 90

X — SOULT TO NEY 91

Order dated Ligny, June 17 (12 noon) 91

XI — BERTRAND TO GROUCHY 92

Extract from Letter dated Ligny, June 17 (11.45 a.m.) 92

XII — GROUCHY TO NAPOLEON 93

Extract from Letter dated Gembloux, June 17 (10 p.m.) 93

XIII — GROUCHY TO NAPOLEON 94

Extract from Letter dated Walhain, June 18 (11 a.m.) 94

XIV — SOULT TO GROUCHY 95

Extract from Letter dated Le Calliou, June 18 (10 a.m.) 95

XV — SOULT TO GROUCHY 96

Extract from Letter dated on Battlefield, June 18 (1 p.m.) 96

XVI — D'ERLON TO PRINCE OF MOSCOW 97

Extract from Letter dated Paris, 1829 97

XVII—CHASSÉ TO LORD HILL 98

Extract from Letter dated Bourget, July 5, 1815 98

XVIII — ORDER OF BATTLE OF ANGLO-ALLIED ARMY UNDER P.M. THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON 99

XX — THE STRENGTH OF THE ARMIES 102

XXI — THE ATTACK OF ZIETEN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES 104

MAPS 105

I - Invasion of Italy in 1815 By Murat 105

II – Napoleon’s Planned Invasion of Belgium 106

III – Outline Map of the 1815 Campaign 107

IV – Outline Map of the 1815 Campaign 108

V – Battle of Ligny - 16th June 1815 109

VI – Map showing positions at Ligny and Quatre Bras 110

VII - Detail of Village of Ligny and Surrounding Hamlets 111

VIII - Battle of Quatre Bras - 16th June 1815 112

IX - Battle of Waterloo - 18th June 1815 113

X - Battle of Waterloo - 18th June 1815 114

XI - Ground-Plan of the Farm of La Haye Sainte 115

XII - Formation of the Third Division at Waterloo 116

XIII - Plan of Hougoumont 117

XIV - Invasion of France by the Allies 1815 118

ILLUSTRATIONS - Personalities 119

I - Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley – 1st Duke of Wellington 119

II - Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton 120

III - Major-General Peregrine Maitland 121

IV - Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Paget, 2nd Earl of Uxbridge 122

V - Prince William Prince of Orange 123

VI - Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill 124

VII - Generalfeldmarschall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, Fürst von Wahlstatt 125

VIII - General Friedrich Graf Bülow von Dennewitz 126

IX - Generalfeldmarschall Hans Ernst Karl, Graf von Zieten 127

X - General Johann Adolf Freiherr von Thielmann 128

XI - Generalfeldmarschall August Graf von Gneisenau 129

XII – Napoleon, Emperor of the French 130

XIII - Maréchal Michel Ney, Prince de la Moscowa, Duc d’Elchingen 131

XIV - Maréchal Jean-De-Dieu Soult, Duc de Dalmatia 132

XV - Général de Division Jean-Baptiste Drouet, Comte d'Erlon 133

XVI - Général de Division Pierre-Jacques-Étienne Viscount Cambronne 134

XVII - Maréchal Emmanuel, Marquis de Grouchy. 135

XVIII - Général de Division Comte Honoré Charles Reille 136

ILLUSTRATIONS - Events 137

I - The Duchess of Richmond’s Ball 137

II - Scotland Forever 138

III - Crofts – The Battle of Waterloo 139

IV - Barker – The Battle of Waterloo 140

V - Hillingford – Wellington and Blucher Meeting before the Battle of Waterloo 141

VI - Philippoteaux – Charge of the French Cuirassiers 142

VII - Wellington at Waterloo 143

VIII - Assault of Planchenoit 144

IX - Attack on Plancenoit by Prussian Divisions of Hiller, Ryssel and Tippelskirch which overwhelmed the French Imperial Young Guard and the 1st Battalions of the 2nd Grenadiers and 2nd Chasseurs. 145

X - Napoleon aboard the Bellerophon 146

PREFACE

THE centenary of the Wars of Liberation is now close at hand, and from the hitherto unpublished archives and private records that are known to exist in Germany some fresh light will probably soon be thrown on the downfall of Napoleon. This brief study of a notable campaign may be of some help to the student of the past and the historian of the future. I append a list of the principal works consulted.

H. . . H. Houssaye. 1815. Waterloo. 55th Ed. 1906.

R. . . J. C. Ropes. The Campaign of Waterloo. 4th Ed. 1906.

G. . . Colonel A. Grouard. La Critique de la Campagne de 1815. 1904.

Colonel A. Grouard. Reponse a M. Houssaye. 1906.

L. V. . . Major-General von Lettow Vorbeck. Napoleon's Untergang. 1906.

De Bas . Colonel F. de Bas. Prins Frederik der Niederlanden. 3rd vol. 1904.

Hart. . . J. von Pflugk Harttung. Vorgeschichte der Schlacht bei Bette Alliance. 1903.

   J. von Pflugk-Harttung. Das 1 Preussiche Korps bei Belle Alliance. 1905.

Pol. . . Generale A. Pollio. Waterloo (1815) con nuovi documenti. 1906.

 Though the above books embody the researches of all well-known authorities of the past century, I have had occasion to refer directly to Siborne, Charras, Chesney, and others. I am also indebted to the works of Sir Herbert Maxwell, J. Holland Rose, Oman, and some less known English writers. In all cases I have made a suitable acknowledgment. The student who looks out the references will be able to acquaint himself with many details which are necessarily omitted from this designedly brief narrative.

CHAPTER I—THE GENERAL SITUATION

The General Situation—The Allied Armies—The Plan of Operations —The Armies of France—The Military Policy of Napoleon.

THE occupation of Paris by the Allies in 1814 led to the deposition of Napoleon and his removal to Elba as a state prisoner. The monarchy, restored by foreign bayonets, was welcomed in Paris, and, despite rumours of discontent in the provinces, the authority of the Bourbon king was nowhere challenged. The summer of 1814 opened in hope, but closed in despair. To reorganize the finances of the kingdom, effect a settlement of the land question, and satisfy the exorbitant demands of the émigrés and the Church were matters of no little difficulty. The Bourbon regime was quite incapable of dealing with the situation, and one unpopular measure after another undermined the stability of the government. Towards the close of the year the country seethed with discontent, and the disbanded soldiery of the empire became a serious menace to good order.

Meanwhile, the Allied troops, still at war strength, were marching to their homes, and the representatives of the Great Powers assembled at Vienna to divide the spoils of conquest.

The antagonism of France to the Bourbon dynasty, the disorders in the provinces, the discontent in the army, and the quarrels of the coalition, did not escape the notice of the astute exile of Elba. At the first favourable opportunity he evaded his gaolers, and with a few of his bodyguard and personal adherents landed in France on March 1 1815. His dramatic and triumphal march on Paris has often been described; and on March 20 he re-entered the Tuileries, and assumed again the reins of government.

The empire, thus easily restored in France, had now to encounter the wrath of a united Europe. The work of 1814 had to be done again, and the Allied Sovereigns, in view of a common danger, made a fresh coalition, and appeal to the sword. Austria, Prussia, Russia and England, with 150,000 men each, were at once to take the field and remain under arms till Bonaparte should have been rendered absolutely incapable of stirring up further trouble; while England, besides granting large subsidies, was to make up in money any deficiency of men. It was war to the knife, and the numerous armies put in motion were all animated by a fierce determination to annihilate the common foe.

The Allied Armies

The troops of Prussia, Austria and the smaller German States were spread over a wide tract of country, from the Oder to the Danube, while the leading Russian corps had reached the Vistula. A mixed force of Prussians, Anglo-Hanoverians, Dutch and Belgians were extended in cantonments on the northern frontier, between the Rhine and the Scheldt, while the Austrians and Piedmontese in considerable numbers were in Italy. The troops at the disposal of the coalition were, numerically, more powerful than any army that could be raised in France.

But to concentrate the dispersed forces, and make them act in unison, required time, and a well-considered strategical plan.

The Plan of Operations

It was obvious that the superior numbers of the Allies would enable a converging advance be made on Paris from the north and the east. Several schemes were under consideration. Both Wellington and Blücher were anxious that hostilities should begin without waiting for the arrival of the Russians or other distant troops. It was pointed out that the power of Napoleon was daily increasing, and that prompt action would be seconded by the Royalist operations in La Vendee. The council held at Vienna under the presidency of the Czar was, however, loth to take any risks, and finally adopted the plan of Schwartzenberg, the execution of which was delayed until the last days of June.

The forces available were