ON the 26th, the Duke of Wellington marched the main body of his Army to Vermand and its vicinity.
Major General Sir John Byng, who was now in command of the First Corps, having heard, on passing that village, that the Duke himself was there, immediately waited upon his Grace for any Orders he might wish to give him.
The Duke, on seeing him, said, "You are the very person I wish to see—I want you to take Peronne. You may as well take with you a Brigade of Guards, and a Dutch-Belgian Brigade. I shall be there almost as soon as yourself."
Byng having given the necessary Orders for Maitland's Brigade, and a Dutch-Belgian Brigade of Chassé's Division attached to his Corps, to proceed on this duty; the former was immediately put in motion.
The Duke, on reaching Peronne just as these troops arrived there, summoned the garrison, and then proceeded, in person, to reconnoitre that Fortress: and perceiving the possibility of taking it by storm, gave Orders to prepare for an assault. His Grace then directed the attack to be made upon the Hornwork which covers the suburb on the left of the Somme. Lieutenant Colonel Lord Saltoun immediately led on the Light Troops of Maitland's Brigade, stormed, and carried the outwork, with but little loss; on observing which, the Duke, being satisfied the place would prove an easy capture, returned to Vermand.
Some pieces of Dutch artillery were now brought into the Hornwork, and a cannonade was opened upon the town; but the fire kept up on both sides was trifling, and of short duration: for Byng having sent forward his Acting Assistant Quartermaster General, Lieutenant Colonel the Hon. J. Stanhope, with a white flag, the Civil Authorities interfered, and urged the garrison to capitulate; whereupon the Maiden Fortress of Peronne surrendered on the condition that its defenders should lay down their arms, and be allowed to repair to their homes.
Byng, on returning to Vermand, to report the capture of the Fortress to the Duke, met the Dutch-Belgian Brigade, which had been ordered to move to Peronne at the same time as the Guards, about half way towards that place!
Colville's Division rejoined the main body of the Army from Cambray; which place was handed over to the troops of the King of France, under the Duke of Berry.