FOOTNOTES:
[1] “I did in truth,” said Ney at his trial, “kiss the hand of the king, his Majesty having presented it to me when he wished me a good journey. I spoke of the descent of Napoleon with indignation, and made use of the expression, the iron cage. During the night of the 13th of March, (down to which time I protest my fidelity,) I received a proclamation from Napoleon, which I signed.” On the following day he published the fatal proclamation to his troops, which afterwards cost him his life. See Appendix, [No. II.]
[2] See Gurwood, Dispatches, vol. XII, pages 350, 356.
[3] Ibid., page 363.
[4] See Gurwood, Dispatches, vol. XII, page 365.
[6] The 3d guards and 42d Highlanders had near eight hundred militia-men in their ranks. The guards actually fought in their Surrey militia jackets.
[7] Colonel de Wissel, of the 1st German hussars, reported the fact to general Vivian, who went to the outposts next day, and, finding the enemy ready to attack, informed the Duke.
[8] See the following page, and the beginning of [chap. XI.]
[9] See Gurwood, Dispatches, vol. XII, page 290.
[10] One would say, after such language as this to his devoted and enthusiastic followers, and maintaining as Napoleon did, that Frederick the Great was right in carrying poison about his person to put an end to his existence in case of a great reverse of fortune, “He was right, he was right, it would have been dastardly indeed to live like a wretch (pleutre) after having once attained to the highest pinnacle of fame;” the Emperor would have brought his actions more in unison with his words, if, when on finding the day of Waterloo going against him, he had, in person, led his Imperial guard to attack our position.
[11] See [Outline map of the Waterloo campaign].
[12] Had general Zieten been equally alert in making the duke of Wellington acquainted with the attack of the French, as he was in communicating the intelligence to Blücher, the battle of Ligny might have either not been fought at all, or would have terminated less disastrously to his countrymen. (Gleig’s Story of the Battle of Waterloo.)
[14] A pity the poet did not put, Soigné.
[15] What appears most astonishing is, that the real line of retreat of the Prussian columns was not discovered by the victorious French until the afternoon of the 17th.
[16] The road by which the Prussians retreated upon Wavre, was examined by lieutenant-colonel Jackson, of the Royal staff corps, and a report thereof sent to the Prussian head-quarters, before the campaign opened.
[17] See anecdote, Appendix, [No. VI.]
[18] Lord Uxbridge was created Marquis of Anglesey, for his distinguished conduct on the field of Waterloo.
[19] See [Outline map of the Waterloo campaign].
[20] See Gurwood, Dispatches, vol. XII, page 129.
[21] The cannon-ball entered the west end of the large building still in existence; consequently must have passed through four, if not five walls, before it came out at the east end looking into the garden, or park.
[22] Sergeant-major Cotton, the author of this “Voice from Waterloo,” also lies buried in the same garden, not far from captain Blackman’s grave. He died at Mont-St.-Jean, the 24th June, 1849. (Editor.)
[23] En potence, is a military phrase which expresses a bending or throwing back of either flank or wing of an army.
[24] Now the Rifle brigade.
[25] Since called Grenadier guards, on account of their gallant conduct when opposed to the Imperial grenadiers of France, at the close of the day of Waterloo.
[26] Now Major-General Taylor and deputy governor of Sandhurst college.
[27] Every house in the neighbourhood was used for the wounded; the farm of Mont-St.-Jean was the chief hospital, or the head-quarters for the medical staff.