The Prussians, after their line had been broken about nine o’clock on the 16th at Ligny, were allowed to retreat upon Wavre unmolested; nor did Grouchy, who was subsequently ordered by Napoleon “to follow the Prussians and not to let them out of his sight, to complete their defeat by attacking them and prevent their effecting a junction with the allies,” know until the afternoon of the 17th by what route the main Prussian army had retreated. Grouchy’s advance-guard did not come up with the Prussian rear till half-past ten A.M. of the 18th, when three out of the four Prussian corps were already on their march to join us: of this Grouchy knew nothing; so far from it, he believed he had the whole Prussian army before him.
If it be objected to Grouchy, that he did not act up to the letter or the spirit of his instructions, we affirm that it was impossible for him to do so, the delay in giving him his orders having enabled the Prussians to gain fourteen hours start of him.
This fact the marshal communicated to the Emperor, who replied that he, with the rest of his army, was about to follow the English and give them battle, should they take position in front of the forest of Soigne, directing Grouchy to communicate with him by the paved road of Quatre-Bras[86]: but not a word about that general’s joining in his attack on the English. Napoleon followed us by the paved road to La Belle-Alliance: Grouchy followed the Prussians by cross-roads to Gembloux, about six miles, where he halted for the night, and wrote to Napoleon; receiving the following answer, dated
“Farm of Caillou, ten o’clock A.M.
June 18th, 1815.
“I am directed,” says the Adjutant-General (Soult,) “by the Emperor, to acquaint you that he is going to attack the English who are in line of battle in front of Waterloo, near the forest of Soigne. His Majesty directs you will move upon Wavre, to be nearer to us, to report your operations, to keep up a communication, etc.”
Again, not one word about marching to assist the Emperor: and here we may observe that Wavre is not in the direction of Mont-St.-Jean. When, however, at one o’clock, Napoleon found that Wellington was not to be trifled with, and that a Prussian corps was hovering upon his right flank, he dispatched another order, dated
“Field of battle, Waterloo, one o’clock P.M.
June 18th, 1815.
“MONSIEUR LE MARÉCHAL,
“You wrote from Gembloux this morning at two o’clock, informing the Emperor, you were about to march to Sart-lez-Walhain. His Majesty now directs you will manœuvre in our direction; you must find out the point, in order to keep up the communication, and be at hand to fall upon and destroy any enemy that may attempt to attack our right. At this moment we are engaged in battle on the line of Waterloo, the enemy’s centre is Mont-St.-Jean; so manœuvre to join our right without loss of time.
“The adjutant-general, Duke of Dalmatia.