A heavy fire now commenced upon the retreating enemy, but the alignment having been completely deranged by the impetuosity of the advance, Colonel Reynell, with his usual coolness, proceeded to restore order, and had just completed the dressing of the line when the French cavalry was seen advancing. Square was instantly formed, and the Seventy-first, with the rest of the brigade, sustained a charge from 3 regiments of French cavalry, namely, 1 of cuirassiers, 1 of grenadiers-à-cheval, and 1 of lancers.

The charge was made with the most obstinate bravery, but nothing could overcome the steadiness of the British infantry, and after a destructive loss, the French were forced to retire. At this moment a piper played up the Seventy-first quick march, followed with the charge. Major-General Adams with the regiment exclaimed, “Well done, Seventy-first; you are all lions together, and as for you, piper, you are an honour to your country. Forward, my lads, and give them the charge in style, as I know and see you can do.”

Previously to this advance of the enemy’s cavalry the square of the Seventy-first was struck by a round shot, which killed or wounded an officer and 18 men of the eighth company.

About seven o’clock in the evening the left wing of the battalion was formed in rear of the right, and while thus placed was, with the rest of the division, attacked by a column of the Imperial Young Guard, which had been kept in reserve during the day. It was allowed to approach close without molestation, when the regiments, throwing in a close and well-directed fire, prevented its deployment, and it retired in confusion.

The enemy having now exhausted all its efforts, the British, in their turn, advanced. The Seventy-first, in the first instance, suffered much from the fire of some guns that enfiladed its front; these were soon silenced, and the battalion was afterwards left unmolested. In this advance the light brigade captured several guns. Night closed in fast, and the corps rested after this lengthened and sanguinary encounter, the pursuit of the discomfited enemy being committed to the Prussians, under Marshal Blücher, who had arrived on the field of battle in time to decide the defeat of the French.

The Seventy-first had Brevet Major Edmund L’Estrange (Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Sir Denis Pack, K.C.B.), and Ensign John Todd, killed. The following officers were wounded: the Lieut.-Colonel commanding the battalion, Colonel Thomas Reynell; Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Arthur Jones; Captains Samuel Reed, Donald Campbell, William Alexander Grant, James Henderson, and Brevet Major Charles Johnstone; Lieutenants Joseph Barrallier, Robert Lind, John Roberts, James Coates, Robert Law, Carique Lewin, and Lieutenant and Adjutant William Anderson.

The number of serjeants, buglers, and rank and file killed amounted to 29; 166 were wounded, of whom 36 died of their wounds.

The following were present with the regiment at this battle:—

Colonel, Lieut.-Colonel J. Reynell.
Lieut.-Colonel, Major A. Jones.
Major, L. Walker.
Captains.
S. Reed.J. Henderson.
J. T. Pidgeon.A. T. M. McIntyre.
A. Armstrong.C. Johnstone.
D. Campbell.Alex. Grant.
William A. Grant.
Lieutenants.
J. Barrallier.William Long.
L. Richards.Robert Law.
J. R. Elwes.C. J. Cox.
C. Stewart.Carique Lewin.
R. Baldwin.William Woolcombe.
W. C. Hanson.William Torriano.
Robert Lind.G. W. Horton.
J. Roberts.J. Coote.
James Coates.C. Moorhead.
James Fraser.D. Soutar.
E. Gilborne.N. Campbell.
J. Whitney.
Ensigns.
A. Moffatt.A. M. Henderson.
W. P. Smith.J. Spalding.
H. W. Thompors.J. Impitt.
J. Barnett.R. L’Estrange.
Paymaster, H. McKenzie.
Adjutant, William Anderson.
Surgeon, A. Stewart.
Assistant Surgeons.
J. Winterscale.Samuel Hill.

Both Houses of Parliament, with the greatest enthusiasm, voted their thanks to the army for its “distinguished valour at Waterloo.”