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Napoleon's object was to divide
the British and Prussian armies in order that he might fall upon them
separately. How nearly he succeeded is told in the story of Ligny and
Quatre Bras. At these points were the allies under Wellington and Blucher
with an interval of 18 miles between. Napoleon determined that thus they
should remain until he had annihilated them. Turning upon the Prussians at
Ligny, he routed Blucher and forced him back. But Marshal Ney was not so
successful with the British and this masterly stroke failed. At the
junction of the roads that lead to Brussels, on which the French were
advancing, stood some scattered buildings. Here the battle of Quatre Bras
was fought, for this humble farm was the strategic point on which rested
the peace of Europe and the overthrow of Napoleon. The struggle was
long and desperate and had Ney attacked earlier and with vigour he might
have made himself master of the situation. Trusting to his superiority in
cavalry and artillery the French leader hurled his full force against the
British battalions, each of which in turn bore the shock of an army.
So furious was the assault that the Cuirassiers rode upon the solid lines
of bayonets with shouts of "Down with the English! No Quarter!".
Picton's division coming on to the field in hot haste found the not very valorous
Belgians retiring in confusion before the enemy. Without halt or pause the
Black Watch dashed forward to the rescue, forcing a path through a field
of rye that rose to the tops of their bonnets. The pursuit of the French
was suddenly checked, but the gallant highlanders had pushed on too far,
and mistaking the French Lancers for Brunswickers, were roughly handled,
few escaping death or wounds. Rallying they formed in line with other
regiments to receive and to repulse another charge of Cuirassiers who fell
upon their shattered ranks with heavy horse and steel armour. The fight
had lasted an hour before Wellington came upon the scene and ordered the
Gordons to charge. Cameron, their leader, was mortally wounded. Nothing
could resist the general advance, and Ney was unable to secure the
position on which so much seemed to depend. But the advantage, dearly
bought, had to be abandoned, for Blucher had fallen back and Wellington
had no choice but to follow in order that the allies might no longer be
exposed to separate attack. Waterloo was the immediate consequence of this
retirement. Text by William Maxwell 1902.
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