The charge then ceased to be compact, for the assailants and the flying were intermingled pell mell; all riding as fast as the confusion of the mêlée would permit; a part of them along the high road, but the principal portion on the Allied right of the latter; the whole, however, passing by La Belle Alliance, and leaving the two Squares of the Guard on their right.
Vivian, satisfied with the complete success of the charge, ordered the Regiment to halt and reform; whilst he proceeded himself to bring up the 1st Hussars of the Legion, which Corps he had left in reserve.
On his way he found Major the Hon. Frederick Howard, with the Right Squadron of the 10th Hussars, which, as before stated (see page 552), had been driven to the left by a charge of Cuirassiers. This Squadron stood forward within a short distance of the Left Square of the Grenadiers of the Guard, from the fire of which it was losing men fast.
Vivian doubted for a moment how far it might be advisable to attack the Square; but perceiving an Infantry Regiment in red advancing on his left, and calculating on its immediately charging the face and angle of the Square next to it, he ordered Major Howard to charge the face and angle to which he was opposed. This was executed with the greatest gallantry and determination. Vivian himself joined in the charge, on the right of the Squadron. The Hussars charged home to the bayonets of the French Guard, and a fierce conflict ensued. Major Howard was killed at the head of his men. He was shot in the mouth, and fell senseless to the ground; when one of the Imperial Guard stepped out of the ranks, and brutally beat his head with the butt end of his musket. Two other Officers, Lieutenants Arnold and Bacon, were wounded. Lieutenant Gunning was killed immediately previous to the attack. The Regiment of Infantry, however, did not charge, as Vivian had expected; but continued pursuing a separate Column in its own immediate front on the high road.
Although the Square, a very strong one, cannot be said to have been broken by the shock, for the veteran Soldiers of whom it was composed knew too well their power of resistance against such a handful of horsemen; still the manner in which the latter, notwithstanding the rapid diminution of their number, continued cutting at the ranks, parrying bayonet thrusts, and pertinaciously pressing on, reflects the highest credit on the 10th British Hussars. The men fought with desperation; maddened probably by the fall of their Officers.
The Square, yielding to the pressure, continued to fall back until it reached the hollow way formed by the narrow road that leads from the chaussée in rear of La Belle Alliance, towards the Left of the French position. Into this the Guard hastily descended in confusion, and escaping by either outlet, mingled with the host of fugitives hurrying along the general line of retreat of the French Army.
In the mean time, the remainder of the 10th Hussars, consisting of the Left and Centre Squadrons, that had, in the course of the first charge, crossed over to the right of the rise of ground on which the French Reserve Cavalry had been posted, had continued its course, under Lord Robert Manners, down into the valley, south-east of the Hougomont inclosures. The routed Cavalry spread out in the utmost confusion—Cuirassiers, of an almost gigantic size, galloped as hard as they could; and numbers tumbled off their horses to save themselves. The Hussars now came upon retiring Infantry that appeared seized with a panic as their routed Cavalry dashed past them—the large bearskin caps, worn by several of them, betokened a portion of the Imperial Guard—they commenced throwing down their arms, numbers of them loudly calling out "Pardon!"
Then crossing the same narrow road, before mentioned as leading from La Belle Alliance to the Left of the French position (but on the Allied right of the hollow way by which the Square of the Guard effected its escape), the Hussars brought up their right shoulders, and ascended the Height in rear of the hollow road. Upon the slope of the Hill, about half a Battalion of the French Guard had rallied and formed, with some Cavalry close behind them, and opened a sharp fire upon the 10th. Part of the 18th Hussars, at this time, reached the hollow way, an obstacle, however, which rendered their attack wholly impracticable. Lord Robert Manners halted for a minute, when within about forty paces from them, to allow his men to form up. He then gave a cheer and charged; when the Imperial Guard and the Cavalry instantly turned and fled: the greater portion of the former throwing themselves down, and many of the latter tumbling off their horses.
The Hussars pursued up to the brow of the hill: on the further, or south, side of which was a deep hollow; and beyond this a Knoll (on the Allied right of the Charleroi road and nearly opposite de Coster's house) upon which another Square of Infantry had formed, and appeared very steady.
At this time a party of the 18th Hussars—not more than from thirty to thirty five men—continuing the charge, before described, close along the right of La Belle Alliance and Trimotion, and crossing the narrow road near its junction with the Charleroi road, dashed down the hollow, and ascending the Height above mentioned, charged the Square in most gallant style; but, as might have been expected, was checked and turned by the latter.