waves of the sea.

The Belgian horse, who were destined to oppose them, again gave way, and galloped from the fieldin great disorder. Our advanced line of guns was stormed by the French, the artillery-men receiving orders to leave them, and retire within the squares of the infantry. Thus, at least thirty pieces of artillery were for the time abandoned, but to an enemy who could not either use them or carry them off. The scene now assumed the most extraordinary and unparalleled appearance. The large bodies of French cavalry rode furiously up and down amongst our small squares of infantry, seeking with desperate courage some point where they might break in upon them, but in vain, though many in the attempt, fell at the very point of the bayonets.

In the mean time a brigade of horse artillery, commanded by Major Ramsay, opened its fire upon the columns. They retired frequently, but it was only to advance with new fury, and to renew attempts which it seemed impossible for human strength and courage ultimately to withstand. As frequently as the cavalry retreated, our artillery-men rushed out of the squares in which they had found shelter, began again to work their pieces, and made a destructive fire on the retiring squadrons. Two officers of artillery were parti

lour and discipline so pre-eminent as on this occasion; the steady appearance of this battalion caused the famous Cuirassiers to pull up; and a few of them, with a courage worthy a better cause, rode out of the ranks, and fired at our people and mounted officers, with their pistols, hoping to make the face of the square throw its fire upon them, and thus become an easy prey but our men, with a steadiness no language can do justice to, defied their efforts, and did not pull a single trigger. The French then made a sudden rush, but were received in such a manner, and with a volley so well directed, as at once to turn them; they then made an attempt on the 2d battalion, and the Brunswickers, with similar success; and, astonished at their own failure, the cool intrepidity of their opponents, and the British cheers, they faced about. Thus discomfited, Bonaparte renewed his cannonade, which was destructive to a degree, preparatory to an attack of his whole infantry. I constantly saw the noble Duke

cularly noticed, who, being in a square which was repeatedly charged, rushed out of it the instant the cavalry retreated, loaded one of the deserted guns which stood near, and fired upon the horsemen, A French officer observed that this manœuvre was repeated more than once, and cost his troops many lives. At the next retreat of his squadron, he stationed himself by the gun, waving his sword, as if defying the British officers again to approach it. He was instantly shot by a grenadier, but prevented by his self-devotion a considerable loss to his countrymen. Other French officers and men evinced the same desperate and devoted zeal in the cause which they had espoused. One officer of rank, after leading his men as far as they would follow him towards one of the squares of infantry, found himself deserted by them when the British fire opened, and instantly rode up to the bayonets, throwing open his arms, as if to welcome the bullet that should bring him down. He was immediately shot, for the moment admitted no alternative. On our part the coolness of the soldiers was so striking as to appear almost miraculous. Amid the infernal noise, hurry, and clamour of the bloodiest battle ever fought, the officers were obeyed as if on the parade. The fire was rolling or alternate, keeping up that constant and uninterrupted blaze, upon which

of Wellington riding backwards and forwards, like the Genius of the storm, who, borne upon its wings, directed its thunders where to burst. He was every where to be found, encouraging, directing, animating. He was in a blue coat, and a plain cocked hat, his telescope in his hand; there was nothing that escaped him, nothing that he did not take advantage of, and his lynx's eyes seemed to penetrate the smoke, and forestall the movements of the foe.'

The following are other extracts from letters written by those who were in the action.

An officer, who at one part of the day commanded the heavy brigade of cavalry, says, our strength before the action was 1050; after it, about 100; (but many had been sent to escort prisoners.) In killed, wounded, &c., we lost about two thirds.'

it is impossible to force a concentrated and effective charge of cavalry. Immediately on the French horse retiring, the line was formed to resist the infantry that succeeded, and these interludes with the infantry were considered as intervals of refreshments. On the word being given for the square to resist cavalry,' the line was again thrown into an impenetrable mass. One Dutch corps having not formed with sufficient rapidity were cut to pieces.

Notwithstanding this well-supported and undaunted defence, the situation of the British army became critical. The Duke of Wellington had placed his best troops in the first line; they had already suffered severely, and those who were brought up to support them were frequently found unequal to the task. Observing a Belgian regiment give way at the instant it crossed the ridge of the hill, in the act of advancing from the second to the first line, the Duke rode up to them, halted the regiment, and again formed it, intending to bring them into the fire himself. They accordingly shouted En avant! En avant! and marched forward with great pride; but as soon as they crossed the ridge of the hill again and encountred the shower of balls and shells, from which they had formerly retreated, they went to the right about and fairly left the Duke to seek more resolved followers where he could

In the afternoon of the 18th, the 92d regiment, which was then reduced to about 200 men, found it necessary to charge a column of the enemy which came down on them, from 2 to 3000 men: they broke into the centre of the column with the bayonet; and the instant they pierced it, the Scotch Greys dashed in to their support, when they and the 92d cheered and huzza'd "Scotland for ever." By the effort which followed, the enemy to a man were put to the sword or taken prisoners; after which the Greys charged through the enemy's second line, and took the eagles.'

The Irish howl set up by Inniskilling Dragoons, and other Irish regiments, is reported to have carried almost as much dismay into the ranks of the enemy, as their swords.' An officer of the Inniskilling says, Our brigade charged, upset and completely destroyed three large columns of infantry; at least nine thousand. The old Inniskillings behaved most gallantly.'

find them. In another part of the field the Hanoverian hussars of Cumberland, most superbly appointed and commanded by Colonel Hake, were ordered to support a charge made by the British. Their gallant commander hesitated so long that an aid-de-camp of the Duke of Wellington informed him of his grace's command, that he should either advance, or draw off his men entirely, and not remain there to shew a bad example, and discourage others. The brave colonel considering this as a serious option, submitted to his own decision; was not long in making his choice, and having expressed to the aid-de-camp his sense of the Duke's kindness, and of the consideration he had for raw troops, under a fire of such unexampled severity, he said he should embrace the alternative of drawing his men off, and posting them behind the hamlet of Saint John. This he accordingly did in spite of the reproaches of the aid-de-camp, who loaded him with every epithet that is most disgraceful to a soldier. This incident, although so mortifying in itself, had something in it so comic, that neither the Duke nor any of his attendants were able to resist laughing when it was communicated by the incensed aid-decamp. But the valiant officer of hussars not finding himself comfortable in the place of refuge he himself had chosen,

The Dutch account of this battle, says, 'His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange, hurried by ardour into the midst of the battle, was surrounded and taken by the French. The 7th battalion perceived the prince's danger, hastened to his assistance, and succeeded in delivering him; his royal highness took off the insignia of his order, and threw it into the midst of the battalion, exclaiming, "Children, you have deserved it!"-It was fastened to their colours on the field of battle, amid cries of "Long live the hereditary prince!" All the Belgians swore to defend, even to death, this mark of honour; and at this sublime moment, many of these brave men fell, while pronouncing this patriotic oath."

Serjeant Ewart of the Scots Greys, who took a French eagle, says, owing to a column of foreign troops giving way, our brigade was forced to advance to the support of our brave fellows, and which we certainly did in style; we charged through two of

fled in great haste to Brussels. A corps of Belgic cavalry, also fled to Brussels with the greatest precipitation, and entered the town not covered with glory but with mud, cutting their horses with their sabres to quicken their speed, and shouting to the affrighted inhabitants, that the French were at their heels, and all was lost!

In the mean time the battle raged in every point. The centre and left were again assaulted, and if possible more furious than before. The farm house of La Haye Sainte, lying under the centre of the British line, was at last stormed by the French troops, who put the gallant defenders to the sword. They were Hanoverian sharp-shooters, who had made good the post, 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 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 had not presence of mind to make a break through the back part of the wall for the purpose of introducing them. 'I ought to have thought of it,' said the Duke of Wellington, but' added my mind could not embrace every thing at once.' However, the post was of little use to the French, as our artillery was brought to plunge into it.

their columns, each about 5,000; it was in the first charge I took the eagle from the Enemy; he and I had a hard contest for it; he thrust for my groin-I parried it off, and cut him through the head; after which I was attacked by one of their lancers, who threw his lance at me, but missed the mark, by my throwing it off with my sword by my right side; then I cut him from the chin upwards, which went through his teeth; next I was attacked by a foot soldier, who, after firing at me, charged me with his bayonet-but he very soon lost the combat, for I parried it and cut him down through the head; so that finished the contest for the eagle. After which I presumed to follow my comrades, eagle and all, but was stopped by the General, saying to me, "You brave fellow, take that to the rear: you have done enough until you get quit of it;" which I was obliged to do,