This plan of operations was such as might have been expected from the combined councils of such Leaders as Wellington and Blücher, and was undoubtedly the one best calculated to attain the object they had in view; and it was carried into effect with all that mutual cordiality and good fellowship which had invariably characterised their proceedings.
On the morning of the 24th, the Duke of Wellington, in consequence of a report which he had received from Sir Charles Colville, directed Lord Hill to march the two Brigades of the Fourth Division then at Le Cateau, towards Cambray, where they would join the other Brigade of the Division; and also to send with them a nine pounder Battery.
On the arrival of these troops, Colville made his preparations for the attack; which took place in the evening, in the following manner. Three Columns of Attack were formed. One commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Sir Neil Campbell (Major in the 54th Regiment) escaladed at the angle formed by the Valenciennes Gateway and the Curtain of the body of the place. A Second, commanded by Colonel Sir William Douglas, of the 91st Regiment, and directed by Lieutenant Gilbert of the Royal Engineers, escaladed at a large Ravelin near the Amiens road. A Third, consisting of Colonel Mitchell's Brigade, and directed by Captain Thompson of the Royal Engineers, after having forced the Outer Gate of the Couvre Port in the Hornwork, and passed both ditches, by means of the rails of the drawbridges, attempted to force the main Paris Gate; but not succeeding in this, it escaladed by a breach on that side, which was in a state of reparation. The three Batteries of Lieutenant Colonel Webber Smith, and Majors Unett and Brome, under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Hawker, rendered the most essential service in covering these attacks; which having succeeded, the town speedily fell into the hands of the assailants. The Citadel continued to hold out, but the Governor solicited a suspension of hostilities; which, however, could not be granted.
Of the Anglo-Allied Army, the First and Third British Divisions, the Dutch-Belgian Infantry attached to the First Corps, and the Dutch-Belgian Cavalry, were moved this day from Gommignies, to Forest, upon the road to Le Cateau, and then encamped between the villages of Croix and Bousies.
The Second British Division continued at Le Cateau.
The Duke made no movement in advance; having found it necessary to afford additional time for the coming up of the Pontoons and supplies.
The Reserve, consisting of the Fifth and Sixth Divisions, of the Brunswick Corps, and the Reserve Artillery, was moved nearer to the main body; and cantoned and encamped in and about the villages of Engle Fontaine, Rancour, and Préau au Bois.
On this day Proposals were made to the Advanced Posts of this Corps under Prince Frederick of the Netherlands near Valenciennes, as also to those of the First Prussian Corps d'Armée, for a Suspension of Hostilities, upon the grounds that Napoleon had abdicated in favour of his son; that a Provisional Government had been appointed, consisting of Fouché, Caulincourt, Grenier, and Quinette; and that these persons had sent Ministers to the Allied Powers to treat for peace.
Both Wellington and Blücher considered that they would not be acting in accordance with the spirit and intentions of the Alliance of the Powers of Europe were they to listen to such proposals, and therefore peremptorily refused to discontinue their operations. Those which were addressed to the Prussian Commander emanated from General Count Morand, who commanded the Rear Guard of the French Army at Laon; and to whom Blücher replied, that no Armistice could be entered into, except in the case of Napoleon being delivered up, and the Fortresses in rear of the Armies being abandoned and conceded as guarantees for its fulfilment.