[36] It was here, and at this period, that a gentleman in plain clothes called out to the dragoons, “Go along, my boys! now’s your time!” It was the late duke of Richmond, come out merely as an amateur, and to see how his ball-guests, and his sons, three of whom were on the field, were faring. He was not attached to the staff of this army: otherwise he would have been second in command, as, besides being colonel of the 35th, he was full general.
[37] The Greys and Royal dragoons having each captured an eagle at Waterloo, they were both ordered to wear an eagle on their colours, accoutrements and buttons.
[38] Styles received a commission; and captain Clarke, now colonel Kennedy, the order of the Bath and the Hanoverian Guelphic order.
[39] I am quite at a loss to explain the most unaccountable remissness of the enemy’s cavalry in not supporting this attack; and why our light cavalry on the left, did not more promptly carry out the orders given by lord Uxbridge before the battle began, to vigorously support offensive operations in their front.
[40] Personal intrepidity in a chief is no doubt important, and those under him acquire courage at times from the example of their leader. But be it said, without any disrespect to my high-spirited old commander, discretion may sometimes be outstripped, when personal intrepidity passes the bounds of prudence.
[41] His Grace has said, he would rather carry a musket than be attached to the emperor of Russia. (Dispatches, vol. XII, page 268.)
CHAPTER IV.
Hougoumont reinforced, the enemy driven back.—The enemy’s cavalry charge, and are driven off.—Struggle in the orchard continued.—Advance of a column of French infantry, who suffer and are checked by the terrific fire of our battery.—Napoleon directs his howitzers upon Hougoumont, which is soon set on fire; notwithstanding, the Duke ordered it to be held at any cost.—La Haye-Sainte again assailed.—A ruse of the enemy’s lancers.—Fire of the enemy’s artillery increases.—Importance of our advanced posts.—Ney’s grand cavalry attacks; destructive fire of our guns upon them, and their gallantry.—After numerous fruitless attempts against our squares, the enemy get mixed; are broken, and driven back by our cavalry.—Their artillery again open fire upon us.—Extraordinary scene of warfare.—An ammunition waggon in a blaze.—The earth trembles with the concussion of the artillery.—Ney, reinforced with cavalry, continues his aggressions, and, as before, after repeated fruitless attacks, the assailants are driven off.—Terrific fire of artillery.—Not so many saddles emptied by our musketry as expected.—The enemy’s attacks less frequent and animated.—Captain Siborne’s lively description of Ney’s grand cavalry attack.
Skirmishing continued along our whole front: the entire space between La Haye-Sainte and Hougoumont was up to this time defended by Alten’s skirmishers, commanded by colonel Vigouroux, (30th regiment). The light companies of the guards were, as already stated, fully engaged at Hougoumont, to which post, about two o’clock, sir J. Byng ordered colonel Hepburn to advance, with the remaining companies of the 3d guards. When they reached the first hedge of the orchard, in the hollow-way, they met with lord Saltoun, who, in consequence of the severe loss of his light troops, gave up the command to colonel Hepburn, and returned to his own regiment, (the 1st guards,) posted on the main ridge.