During this scene of tumult and carnage, the Duke of Wellington flew from square to square encouraging the men by his presence, and the officers by his direction. While standing in front of Mount St. John, several guns were levelled against him, distinguished as he was by his suite. The balls repeatedly grazed a tree near where he stood, "That's good practice,' observed the Duke to one of his suite, "I think they fire better than in Spain.' Riding up to the 95th in front of the line, the soldiers cried out, "Only let us at them? Not yet,' replied the Duke, but stand fast 95th, we must not be beat-what will they say in England.? At one time when the event of the action seemed very doubtful, one of his aids-de-camp in returning with a message of importance was shot through the lungs; but this young gentleman, with a strong resolution to do his duty, rode up to the Duke, delivered his message, and instantly dropped from his horse. One general officer was under the necessity of stating, that his brigade was reduced one third of its number, that those who remained were exhausted with fatigue, and that a temporary relief, of however short duration, seemed a measure of peremptory necessity. Tell him,' said the Duke, what he proposes is impossible. He, I, and every Englishman in the field, must die on the spot

but with great reluctance. I took the eagle into Brussels amidst the acclamations of thousands of the spectators that saw it.'

The eagles taken, belonged to the 45th and 105th regiments, and were superbly gilt and ornamented with gold fringe. That of the 45th was inscribed with the names of Jena, Austerlitz, Wagram, Eylau, Friedland, &c. being the battles in which this regiment, called the invincibles, had signalized itself. The other was a present from Louisa to the 105th regiment. One was much defaced with blood and dirt, as if it had been struggled for, and the eagle was also broken off from the pole, as if from the cut of a sabre; but it was nevertheless preserved. It is worthy of observation, that the eagles taken, were only given to their respective regiments at the Champ de Mai. On the 1st

of June.

Sir W. Ponsonby led his brigade against the Polish Lancers, checked at once their destructive charges against the British In

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which we now occupy. It is enough,' returned the gene2 ral; I and every man under my command are determined to share his fate.' The gallant Duke was often observed to look at his watch, and heard to exclaim Would to God that either the night, or the Prussians, would come."

So early as between three and four o'clock, the division of Bulow appeared menacing the right of the French. But this movement was foreseen and provided against by Bonaparte, who had kept in reserve a large body of troops under Count Lobou, who were opposed to Bulow with a promptitude which appeared like magic. The engagement was only partial and feeble, as the Prussian general waited the coming up of the main body of Blucher's army; and this was retarded by many circumstances, though Blucher, notwithstanding the consequence of his fall on the 16th, insisted upon leav ing his carriage, and being placed on horseback, that he might expedite the march by precept and example.

Grouchy and Vandamme had followed the rear of the Prussian army as far as Wavre. It is probable that about this time the appearance of Bulow's corps on Bonaparte's right flank had made the Emperor desirous that Blucher should be attacked seriously so as to prevent him from detaching forces to the support of Wellington. Orders to this effect were

fantry, and took 2000 prisoners; but having pushed on at some distance from his troops, accompanied only by one Aide-de-camp, he entered a newly-ploughed field, where the ground was excessively soft. Here his horse stuck, and was utterly incapable of extricating himself. At this instant, a body of Lancers approached him at full speed. Sir William saw that his fate was inevitable. He took out a picture, and his watch, and was in the act of giving them to his Aid-de-camp to deliver to his wife and family, when the Lancers came up: they were both killed on the spot. His body was found, lying beside his horse, pierced with seven lance wounds; but he did not fall unrevenged. Before the day was ended, the Polish Lancers were almost entirely cut to pieces by the Brigade which this officer had led against them.

Sir Tho. Picton fell, in the thickest of the fight, gloriously 'leading up his division to a charge with bayonets, by which

accordingly sent to Grouchy. The resistance of Tauenzein who commanded the Prussian rear-guard was so obstinate, as to induce Grouchy to suppose that he was engaged with the main Prussian army. The bridge and village of Wavre, were at length carried by the French; and Grouchy anxi ously expected from his Emperor orders to improve his suc cess. But no such orders arrived, and it was next morning before Grouchy heard the portentous news that awaited him, announcing the fate of Napoleon and his army.

When the Prussian army began to debouch from the wood, and direct their artillery against the French, the Duke exclaimed with rapture. There goes old Blucher !'-At the same time Bonaparte, determined to risk a final effort, ordered his own guard, consisting of 15,000 veterans, who had remained all the day in reserve, to advance. Those old warriors entered the plain with their accustomed intrepidity, supported by cavalry and artillery. Courage was restored through the French ranks, and every effort was made to second the decisive charge. The prodigious shouts of Vive Empereur, with which the guard replied to the exhortations of their chief, led the British to expect a renewal of the attack, with Napoleon as the leader. Many an eye was eagerly bent to the quarter from which the clamour proceed

one of the most serious attacks made by the Enemy was defeated:' a musket-ball, which passed through his right temple, 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 after he received the wound. After the 16th, this gallant officer's coat was observed to be most dreadfully cut. After his lamented fall, it was discovered that he had been wounded in the hip on the 16th by a musket-ball, a circumstance which he carefully concealed from every one but his servant; the wound had assumed a serious aspect for want of surgical assistance, having been only bandaged by himself and servant as well as circumstances would admit.

General Halket had a brother in the field, who was colonel of a Hanoverian corps, or a regiment of the German legion. A trait of spirit is related of him which has few examples in modern warfare. A French general was giving his orders with great

ed; but the mist as well as the clouds of smoke, rendered it impossible to see any object distinctly. The imperial guard was, however, at last observed advancing dauntlessly to the combat. The British right wing, with its artillery and sharp-shooters, had been gradually brought round from a convex to a concave position, so that the guns raked the French columns as soon as they debouched upon the causeway for their final attack. The service of the British artillery was upon this occasion so accurate, and at the same time so destructive, that the heads of the French columns were enfiladed, and in a manner annihilated, before they could advance upon the high road. Those who witnessed the fire and its effects, describe it as if the French columns kept perpetually advancing from the hollow way without ever gaining ground on the plain; so speedily were the files annihilated as they came into the line of the fire. Enthusiasm, however, joined to the impulse of those in the rear, who forced forward the front into the scene of danger, at length carried the whole attacking force into the plain. They advanced boldly against every obstacle, closing promptly and coolly their shattered files, till they attained the ridge where the British soldiers lay on the ground, to avoid the destructive fire of artillery, by which the assault

confidence to a large body of troops; and had come to their front unattended. Colonel Halket made a dash at him at full gallop; and, putting a pistol to his breast, seized his horses reins, and brought him off from the very beards of his wonderstruck soldiers!

Indeed the instances of heroic death were as numerous as they are affecting. Colonel Miller of the first guards requested a last sight of the colours under which he had fought. He kissed them fervently, and begged they might be waved over him till he expired.

The lamentable Captain Curzon, Lord Scarsdale's son, met his fate with almost military glee. In falling from his horse, he called out gaily to Lord March, who was riding with him at a gallop, Good b'ye, dear March.' And by one effort more, when his friend had left him for the urgent duty of animating

was covered: but this was their final effort. Up guards and at them,' cried the Duke of Wellington, who had rode up to the point of attack. In an instant they sprung up, and assuming the offensive, rushed upon the attacking columns with the bayonet. This body of guards had previously been disposed of in line four ranks deep. The effect of their three fatal cheers, and of the rapid advance that followed, was decisive. The invincible French grenadier guards were within twenty yards of the British, but not one of them staid to cross bayonets with the islanders. At this crisis the Duke himself led up the 42nd and 95th upon their flank, which completed their disorder. A heavy column of Chasseurs attempted ineffectually to cover them. The 52d and 73d regiments made a fine charge, and by separating drew a curve round the rear of the French, whose retreat was thus cut off.

The Duke of Wellington, perceiving the confusion this repulse had occasioned in the French army, and that Blucher was driving all before him on their right flank, commanded the British troops to form a line, and assume the offensive. Just as the line was formed the sun streamed out, as if to shed his setting rays upon the conquerors of that dreadful day. Fatigue and diminution of numbers, even wounds

a foreign corps, in very critical circumstances, he looked up, and cried 'Well done, dear March.'

An Irish Officer declared to a friend, that on the morning of the 18th when ever he attempted to rise he fell down again from the effects of sleeping on the mud. The dejection consequent on this weakness he described as most extreme; but in about two hours after, being revived by a little brandy, he found with joy he could stand, and use his limbs, for the honour of Ireland. Many other officers were in the same condition. It is not wonderful that such men should have conquered. When the Duke of Wellington, while amusing himself at the Duchess of Richmond's ball, on the evening of the 15th, heard of the advance of Bonaparte, he is reported to have said, 'When other generals get into a scrape they are lost; but when I get into one my men always extricate me.'