The History of Napoleon Buonaparte eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 679 pages of information about The History of Napoleon Buonaparte.

The History of Napoleon Buonaparte eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 679 pages of information about The History of Napoleon Buonaparte.
Nivelles and Charleroi to Brussels, nearly where they unite:  these roads gave every facility for movements from front to rear during the action; and two country roads, running behind and parallel with the first and second lines, favoured equally movements from wing to wing.  The line was formed convex, dropping back towards the forest at either extremity; the right to Mark Braine, near Braine-la-Leude; the left to Ter-la-Haye.  The chateau and gardens of Hougomont, and the farmhouse and enclosures of La Haye Sainte, about 1500 yards apart, on the slope of the declivity, were strongly occupied, and formed the important out-works of defence.  The opening of the country roads leading directly from Wavre to Mont St. Jean, through the wood of Ohain, was guarded by the British left; while those running through Souhain and Frichemont, further in advance, might be expected to bring the first of the Prussians on the right flank of the French, during their expected attack.

The field was open and fair:  and in case the enemy should force the Duke from his position, the village of Mont St Jean behind, still further back the town of Waterloo, and lastly the great forest of Soignies—­offered successively the means of renewing his defence, and protecting his retreat.—­The British front extended, in all, over about a mile.  It was Wellington’s business to hold the enemy at bay, until the Prussian advance should enable him to charge them with superior numbers:  it was Napoleon’s to beat the English ere Blucher could disengage himself from Grouchy, and come out of the woods of Ohain; which being accomplished, he doubted not to have easy work with the Prussians amidst that difficult country.  He had in the field 75,000 men; all French veterans—­each of whom was in his own estimation, worth one Englishman, and two Prussians, Dutch or Belgians.  But on the other hand, Wellington’s men, all in position over-night, had had, notwithstanding the severe weather, some hours to repose and refresh themselves:  whereas the army of Napoleon had been on the march all through the hours of tempestuous darkness, and the greater part of them reached not the heights of Belle Alliance until the morning of the 18th was considerably advanced.  The Emperor himself, however, had feared nothing so much as that Wellington would continue his retreat on Brussels and Antwerp—­thus deferring the great battle until the Russians should approach the valley of the Rhine; and when, on reaching the eminence of La Belle Alliance, he beheld the army drawn up on the opposite side, his joy was great.  “At last, then,” he exclaimed, “at last, then, I have these English in my grasp.”

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The History of Napoleon Buonaparte from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.