“I continued the pursuit till long after dark, and then discontinued it only on account of the fatigue of our troops, who had been engaged during twelve hours, and because I found myself on the same road with marshal Blücher, who assured me of his intention to follow the enemy throughout the night. He has sent me word this morning that he had taken sixty pieces of cannon belonging to the Imperial guard, and several carriages, baggage, etc., belonging to Bonaparte, in Genappe.
“I propose to move this morning upon Nivelles, and not to discontinue my operations.
“Your Lordship will observe that such a desperate action could not be fought, and such advantages could not be gained, without great loss; and I am sorry to add that ours has been immense. In lieutenant-general sir Thomas Picton his Majesty has sustained the loss of an officer who has frequently distinguished himself in his service; and he fell gloriously leading his division to a charge with bayonets, by which one of the most serious attacks made by the enemy on our position was repulsed. The earl of Uxbridge, after having successfully got through this arduous day, received a wound by almost the last shot fired, which will, I am afraid, deprive his Majesty for some time of his services.
“His Royal Highness the prince of Orange distinguished himself by his gallantry and conduct till he received a wound from a musket-ball through the shoulder, which obliged him to quit the field.
“It gives me the greatest satisfaction to assure your Lordship that the army never, upon any occasion, conducted itself better. The division of guards, under lieutenant-general Cooke, who is severely wounded, major-general Maitland, and major-general Byng, set an example which was followed by all; and there is no officer nor description of troops that did not behave well.
“I must, however, particularly mention, for his Royal Highness’s approbation, lieutenant-general sir Henry Clinton, major-general Adam, lieutenant-general Charles baron Alten (severely wounded), major-general sir Colin Halkett (severely wounded), colonel Ompteda, colonel Mitchell (commanding a brigade of the 4th division), major-generals sir James Kempt and sir Denis Pack, major-general Lambert, major-general lord Edward Somerset, major-general sir William Ponsonby, major-general sir Colquhoun Grant, and major-general sir Hussey Vivian, major-general sir J. O. Vandeleur, and major-general count Dornberg,
“I am also particularly indebted to general lord Hill for his assistance and conduct upon this, as upon all former occasions.
“The artillery and engineer departments were conducted much to my satisfaction, by colonel sir George Wood and colonel Smith; and I had every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of the adjutant-general, major-general Barnes, who was wounded, and of the quarter-master-general colonel De Lancey, who was killed by a cannon-shot in the middle of the action. This officer is a serious loss to his Majesty’s service, and to me at this moment.
“I was likewise much indebted to the assistance of lieutenant-colonel lord Fitzroy Somerset, who was severely wounded and of the officers composing my personal staff, who have suffered severely in this action. Lieutenant-colonel the Hon. sir Alexander Gordon, who has died of his wounds, was a most promising officer, and is a serious loss to his Majesty’s service.
“General Kruse, of the Nassau service, likewise conducted himself much to my satisfaction; as did general Tripp, commanding the heavy brigade of cavalry, and general Vanhope, commanding a brigade of infantry in the service of the king of the Netherlands.