Grouchy desired Gérard to relieve the Battalion attacking the Mill at Bierge by one of his own Corps; whereupon the latter directed General Hulot to push forward with a Battalion of the 9th Light Infantry for that purpose. The Battalion descended into the valley, covered by the fire from the guns on the Height. Its advance was much impeded by the swampy nature of the ground at the foot of the declivity, and by the numerous broad and deep drains by which the valley is intersected: and its order was still further deranged by the fire from the Artillery on the opposite Heights, as also by that of the Prussian Skirmishers posted along the left bank of the river, and strongly occupying the Mill. The banks of the river at this part, more particularly the left bank, are mostly lined with trees; which tended still further to increase the means of resistance on the part of the Prussians to the advance of the French troops. The latter on reaching the Mill, and relieving Vandamme's troops, made an attack; but without success.
Grouchy was on the point of ordering this attack to be renewed, when he received, between six and seven o'clock, Soult's despatch, addressed to him from the Field of Waterloo at one o'clock in the afternoon: and desiring him to manœuvre always in that direction, to maintain a close communication with the main Army, and to lose not a moment in joining the latter, and attacking Bülow's Corps d'Armée; which, it added, could then be seen upon the Heights of St Lambert.
The circumstances in which Grouchy found himself at the time this despatch reached him, held out no prospect of his being able to fulfil, even partially, the instructions which it contained. Vandamme's efforts to force the Bridges of Wavre, and to capture the Town, were completely frustrated by the most gallant defence maintained on the part of the Prussians. The issue of the attack upon the Mill of Bierge appeared very doubtful. Neither the main body of Gérard's Corps, nor General Teste's Division of the Sixth Corps, nor even Pajol's Light Cavalry, had as yet arrived.
Grouchy, becoming impatient, rode hastily towards La Baraque, accompanied by Gérard, to meet the first mentioned force; and on coming up with the Columns, directed their march upon Limale, his object now being to turn the Right of Thielemann's position, and to prevent the retreat of the latter upon Brussels, and at the same time open his direct road to St Lambert. This he might succeed in effecting; but it is sufficiently evident from the above view of his position, at so late an hour of the day, that any important diversion on his part in favour of Napoleon, was quite out of the question.
On returning with Gérard to Wavre, Grouchy found that notwithstanding the furious assaults that were made in rapid succession upon the Bridges, supported by the vigorous cannonade from the Heights, and the incessant fusillade along the banks of the river, no further progress was effected. As if determined that the passage should be forced, he dismounted from his horse, and placing himself at the head of a Battalion, led on another attack upon the Mill of Bierge. But the bravery of the troops, though so strongly excited by the noble example of the Marshal, could avail nothing against the indomitable resistance of the Prussian defenders of this important Post. Gérard, who had accompanied the Marshal in this attack, fell severely wounded by a shot which struck him in the breast.
Grouchy now decided upon leaving Vandamme's Corps and Excelmans' Cavalry in front of Wavre and Bierge; and proceeding himself with that portion of Gérard's troops which was at hand, along the right bank of the Dyle, towards Limale, and uniting them to the remainder of the Corps which had been ordered to march in the direction of that point from La Baraque. This movement occupied considerable time, in consequence of the difficulties opposed to the march of troops along the side of the river. At length, having, arrived in front of Limale, and formed a junction with Pajol's Cavalry, preparations were made for an attack.
Limale was at that time occupied by Lieutenant Colonel Stengel with the three Battalions of the 19th Prussian Regiment, two Squadrons of the 6th Uhlans, and one Squadron of the Westphalian Landwehr Cavalry. It was the Detachment left by Zieten for the purpose of covering the Left Flank of the Third Corps d'Armée. It had unaccountably neglected to adopt any measures for barricading the Bridge; the defence of which, if conducted with the same energy and resolution by which that of the Bridges lower down the stream had been distinguished, might have been the means of preventing the French from crossing the Dyle at all on that day.
Pajol, having reconnoitred the place and discovered his neglect, succeeded in gaining possession of the Bridge by means of a brisk Cavalry attack. Hulot's Infantry Division of Gérard's Corps reached it shortly afterwards; and it was soon made manifest to Lieutenant Colonel Stengel that he was attacked by a force much superior to his own. Nevertheless he continued to fall gradually back, in good order, until Thielemann pushed forward the Twelfth Brigade to his support. Three Battalions of the Tenth Brigade moved into the position thus vacated by the Twelfth: and a general movement was made to the right by all the troops that could be spared from the defence of Wavre and Bierge. The 4th Kurmark Landwehr, belonging to the Eleventh Brigade, crossed the Brussels road. The Reserve Cavalry was ordered to move upon Limale, in support of the Twelfth Brigade.
When Colonel Stülpnagel was ordered to move his Brigade (the Twelfth) upon Limale, he left three Battalions for the defence of Bierge. With the remaining six Battalions he came up close to the Enemy, who was posted on a Height in advance of Limale, his Left thrown considerably forward and covered by his Cavalry, and his Right resting upon some houses which he had occupied with Infantry. This Line, which was perpendicular to the direction of the original position of the Prussians, had been taken up with great skill by Grouchy, notwithstanding the difficulties with which the movement had been attended. His troops had to ascend the Heights during the obscurity of the night, in rear of Limale, by a narrow, rugged road, in the immediate proximity of the Prussians, whose fire reached the head of the Defile: and he was fully occupied until a very late hour, in posting the Battalions in their proper places, as they filed out of the road, on reaching the Height; whilst, in the mean time, Pajol's Light Cavalry pushed rapidly round by the left.
Colonel Stülpnagel posted the Fusilier Battalion of the 5th Kurmark Landwehr, and his Battery, in reserve, in rear of the small Wood on the right of Bierge, and advanced to the attack, late as it was, with his five remaining Battalions, having Lieutenant Colonel Stengel with his Detachment on the right. The darkness of the night prevented the Prussians from correctly ascertaining the position and strength of the French; but nevertheless it was decided that an attempt should be made to regain Limale, and drive back the Enemy across the Dyle.