Part 5

June 16

Allies English- Perponcher on his own initiative moved the 2nd Dutch – Belgian Division to Quatre Bras.5th (Picton) Division to Quatre Bras.  Cavalry to Quatre Bras.  Brunswick’s Corps to Quatre Bras. 3rd (Alten’s) Division to Quatre Bras 1st (Cooke’s) Division to Quatre Bras. 4th (Colville’s) Division to Braine – le –Comte. 2nd (Clinton’s) Division to Enghien. 1st Dutch – Belgian and Indian (?) Brigade on Nivelles. Prussians – 1st Corps at Ligny. 2nd and 3rd Corps reached Ligny, and all three were attacked there during the afternoon.  At night the retirement was – 1st Corps to Tilly. 2nd Corps to Gentinnes.  3rd Corps – Rear Guard to Gembloux. 4th Corps moving on Wavre, the head of Bülow’s Corps reached Baudeset (NNE. Of Gembloux on thr Roman Road).

French French- Ney in command of the French Left, consisting of Reille’s and D’Erlon’s Corps; Ney moved Reille on Quatre Bras. Kellerman’s Cavalry and light horsemen of the Guard joined Ney. Ney attacked Wellington at Quatre Bras with Reille’s Corps and his Cavalry, and was repulsed. D’Erlon moved to Frasnes, then to St. Amand and back again to Frasnes and Quatre Bras.    Napoleon with the Centre and Right columns at 2 p.m. attacked the Prussian 1st, 2nd and 3rd Corps at Ligny, and obtained a tactical success. The Centre and Right columns bivouacked at Ligny.  Napoleon returned to Fleurus for the night.

At Quatre Bras, when darkness fell on the combatants, Wellington, thirty hours after his first warning, had only concentrated three – eighths of his infantry, one – third of his artillery, and one- seventh of his cavalry. During the night the belated divisions poured in; but it was now too late to crush Ney and reinforce Blücher, for the latter was already beaten and in full retreat. But the result of Ligny would have been far different if the Duke had been able to crush Ney’s containing corps, in front of him, early on June 16, and had then marched for St.Amand. The reason why he failed to do so was the lateness of his concentration; he had to fight Ney with the Brussels reserve almost unaided.

Quatre Bras, we may note at this point, was an important place; for if the Prussians determined to fight at Ligny, then Quatre Bras was all – important. Further, Wellington’s concentration would have been impeded by its loss; his subsequent communication with Blücher would be rendered difficult, and co – operation at Waterloo improbable.

June 17

Allies English- Covered by the cavalry, the whole Anglo–Dutch Army fell back on Mont St. Jean with the exception of the 4th (Colville’s) Division and the Dutch – Belgian and Indian (?) Brigades, who moved to Hal and Tubize. Cavalry and Horse Artillery combats took place during the day, as Wellington’s rear- guard was pushed back by Napoleon’s advance. Prussians – 1st and 2nd Corps by Mont St. Guibert on Wavre.1st Corps crossed the left bank of the R. Dyle at Wavre. 2nd Corps remained on the right bank of the R. Dyle. 3rd and 4th Corps reached Wavre, but remained on the right bank of the R. Dyle.

French French- Grouchy with 33,000 was sent to pursue the Prussians at noon and reached Gembloux that night.  Napoleon about noon moved to Quatre Bras; thence joining with Ney he pursued Wellington’s retiring force, until the latter took position at Mont St. Jean. Napoleon then proceeded to make arrangements for the battle on the morrow.

The delay of the French, the misappreciation displayed by Napoleon of the Prussian line of retreat, and the real nature of the hostile combination were errors pregnant with the gravest results. When the Emperor started at noon, Wellington was already retreating and the Prussians were assembling at Wavre; while Grouchy was outside the Prussians. Napoleon had imagined the Prussians to be far more disorganised by their defeat at Ligny than they really were; also he considered they would retreat due east to keep their communications open with Liège, whereas they had really marched due north. If Grouchy was blind, it must be admitted that on this day Napoleon was doing nothing to help him. This false hypothesis as to the Prussian movements had a result quite fatal to its framer on the very next day. Further, the initial advantage, gained in so masterly a fashion by the Emperor, was now well – nigh lost. For the Allies had managed to out manoeuvre their adversary, and their better strategy and his own mistakes during June 17 placed Napoleon at a fearful disadvantage in the struggle destined to take place on the morrow. Much depended on Grouchy’s strategic initiative. But the unfortunate marshal realised the burden rather than the honour of his mission.

June 18

Allies The Anglo – Dutch Army, less the 17,000 troops at Hal and Tubize, accepted battle at Waterloo; and, combined with the Prussians, the Allies were victorious.Prussian movements were – 4th Corps from Wavre through St.Lambert against the French right at Plancenoit. Part of the 3rd Corps opposed Grouchy at Wavre.  2nd Corps followed 4th Corps then to Maransart. 1st Corp by Ohain on Frischermont.  The Prussian pursued the French.  Zieten’s and Pirch’s Corp passed Masion du Roi. Bülow’s infantry halted at Genappe. But Gneisenau, and a mere handful, continued the pursuit past Frasnes ere he drew rein.

French French- The whole French army, less Grouchy’s Corps, attacked the Waterloo position. However, early in the day (by 2 p.m.) the Prussians appeared; from then onwards they occupied a proportion of Napoleon’s force, and in the end, hopelessly outnumbered, the French were defeated and routed. Grouchy attacked part of Thielemann’s 3rd Prussian Corps at Wavre. The French army, routed, fled to Charleroi, and across the R.Sambre. Napoleon reached Charleroi at 5 a.m. on June 19.

Wellington’s position was strong and well chosen. The lateness of Napoleon’s attack, coupled with the tenacity of Wellington’s soldiery, enabled the Duke to hold out until the Prussian advance made itself felt and finally helped Wellington late in the day to turn the scales and counter – attack the French, assisted by three Prussian Corps. This final blow, following on the repulse of the Imperial Guard, proved too much for the Grand Army, and it soon transformed into a disorganised mob flying from the ill – fated field. In the general disorder the Grenadiers of the Old Guard retained, and even added to their laurels, for two battalions withstood the fierce attacks of two armies. In the allied dispositions there were two striking defects, namely the retention of the large detachment at Hal and Tubize ( of which more later), and the tardiness of the Prussian advance, due largely to bad staff work.

Of the faults on the French side, on this memorable day, more will be said when the battle is considered.

June 19

Allies 2nd Prussian Corps attempted to intercept Grouchy, but failed. It attained Mellery. 3rd Corps pursued Grouchy towards Namur.

French Napoleon reached Philippeville at 9 a.m. Grouchy drove back Thielemann at Wavre, but hearing of the result of Waterloo retired hastily to France by way of Namur and Dinant.