The cavalry attacks on the British line were particularly severe, and were supported by large bodies of troops of all arms; the infantry pressing forward, while dragoons, lancers, carabineers, and cuirassiers advanced in overwhelming numbers, threatening to bear down all opposition; masking at times the advance of infantry; charging the British squares, and when repulsed, quickly re-forming; while individuals, spurred on by an ardent but unavailing intrepidity, were observed searching for an opening in the British battalions by which to penetrate, and usually perishing in the vain attempt. Repulsed at all points, Bonaparte resolved to make a last desperate effort, and brought forward his reserve, consisting of the old imperial guards; but these chosen bands were overthrown and annihilated; and the whole British army rushing forward upon the enemy, completed the overthrow of the legions of Bonaparte, which were driven from the field of battle with the loss of all their cannon, baggage, and the materiel of their army.
Thus was a victory, the most complete and decisive, achieved by the army under the Duke of Wellington: the British soldiers halted on the field of battle surrounded by their ensanguined trophies: they had decided the political destiny of the world, and ensured national independence to the kingdoms of Europe!
In congratulating the regiments of the fourth brigade, in the share they had in achieving the glorious victory at Waterloo, Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Colville observed,—"the Twenty-third and Fifty-first Regiments fully maintained their former high character, whilst the very young third battalion of the Fourteenth, in this its first trial, displayed a steadiness and gallantry becoming of veteran troops." The loss of the battalion was seven rank and file killed; Ensign Alfred Cooper, four serjeants, and sixteen rank and file, wounded.
The royal authority was afterwards given for the regiment to bear the word "Waterloo" on its colors, to commemorate the share it had in gaining this splendid victory. Lieutenant-Colonel Tidy was rewarded with the dignity of Companion of the Bath; and every officer and soldier received a silver medal, with the privilege of reckoning two years' service for that day.
The names of the officers of the Fourteenth Regiment of Foot, who received medals, for the battle of Waterloo, on the 18th of June, 1815, are contained in the following list:
On the morning of the 19th of June, the British troops advanced in pursuit of the wreck of the French army; and on entering France, the Duke of Wellington invited Louis XVIII. to repair to Cateau Cambresis. Being desirous of not exposing the King's person, the British commander directed Cambray to be summoned; but this fortress refused to surrender, and repulsed the troops which approached the town on the 23rd of June. On the following day orders for attacking the place by escalade were issued, and the third battalion of the Fourteenth, with the Twenty-third and Fifty-first Regiments, were directed to make a feint attack on the Paris gate; but the gallantry of the officers and soldiers turned the feint into a real attack, and they were in possession of the town before the other brigades of the fourth division could force an entrance. The citadel of Cambray surrendered on the 25th of June.
The army continued its advance upon Paris, which city surrendered in the early part of July, and the war was terminated with the restoration of Louis XVIII. to the throne of France.
During this period, the second battalion had remained at the city of Genoa, on the north-west coast of Italy, from whence it was ordered to Marseilles, in France, under the command of Major-General Lowe, and it landed at that port on the 12th of July. At this period Bonaparte was at Rochefort, endeavouring to effect his escape to North America; but being prevented by the British cruizers, he surrendered to Captain Maitland, commanding the "Bellerophon" man of war, thus closing his political career. On the conclusion of the treaties of peace which followed these events, the battalion embarked from Marseilles for the island of Malta, where it arrived in January, 1816.
The third battalion remained in the vicinity of Paris several months; it was present at the reviews of the army, in the plain of St. Denis and Champs Elysees, by the Emperors of Russia and Austria, and the Kings of Prussia and France, and on the formation of the army of occupation, it returned to England: it was disbanded at Deal, on the 17th of February, 1816; the non-commissioned officers and soldiers fit for duty being transferred to the first and second battalions.