Footnote 45: General Blucher had not had time to collect the whole of his forces.[Back to Main Text.]
Footnote 46: This conjecture was well founded: but Blucher, who had escaped Grouchy, had formed a communication with Wellington through Ohaim, and promised him to make a diversion on our right. Thus Wellington, who had prepared to retreat, was induced to remain.[Back to Main Text.]
Footnote 47: I have heard, that the officer, who carried this order, instead of taking the direct road, thought proper to take an immense circuit, in order to avoid the enemy.[Back to Main Text.]
| 2d Corps. | |||
| Infantry | 16,500 | 18,000 | |
| Cavalry | 1,500 | ||
| 1st Corps. | |||
| Infantry | 12,500 | 13,700 | |
| Cavalry | 1,200 | ||
| 6th Corps. | |||
| Infantry | 7,000 | {4,000 had been joined to Grouchy} | 7,000 |
| Division of Domont and Suberwick | 2,500 | ||
| Cuirassiers | 4,800 | ||
| Foot guards | 2,500 | 16,600 | |
| Light cavalry | 2,100 | ||
| Grenadiers and dragoons | 2,000 | ||
| Artillery | 4,500 | ||
| ——— | |||
| 67,100 | |||
| Gérard's division 3000 men.[Back to Main Text.] | |||
Footnote 49: This corps had joined the Prussian array since the battle of Ligny.[Back to Main Text.]
Footnote 50: The enemy themselves confess, that at this moment they thought the battle lost. "The ranks of the English," says Blucher, "were thrown into disorder; the loss had been considerable; the reserves had been advanced into the line; the situation of the Duke was extremely critical, the fire of musketry continued along the front, the artillery had retired to the second line."
I will add, that still greater disorder prevailed in the rear of the English army: the roads of the forest of Soignes were encumbered with waggons, artillery, and baggage, deserted by the drivers; and numerous bands of fugitives had spread confusion and affright through Brussels and the neighbouring roads.
Had not our successes been interrupted by the march of Bulow; or had Marshal Grouchy, as the Emperor had reason to hope, followed at the heels of the Prussians; never would a more glorious victory have been obtained by the French. Not a single man of the Duke of Wellington's army would have escaped.[Back to Main Text.]
Footnote 51: It was afterwards known, that it was General Ziethen, who, on his arrival in line, had taken the troops commanded by the Prince of Saxe Weimar for Frenchmen, and compelled them, after a brisk fire, to abandon a little village, which they were appointed to defend.[Back to Main Text.]