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.
When line of the British and German infantry was broken
by the Middle Guard the situation became critical.
Wellington ordered Chasse to bring his Netherland division
and do it quickly.
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The Guard vs Wellington's troops.
Before the attack Napoleon informed Ney
that Grouchy's troops had arrived.
Ney announced it to the overjoyed Guard.
Soon however they heard artillery fire in the rear
and the enthusiasm "gave way to a profound silence,
to amazement, to anxiety".
What had happened at Waterloo was this.
At 10am GdD Friant formed all regiments of the Middle and Old Guard in two columns on regimental front.
One column stood on the left side of the paved road, and the other column was on the
right side. They remained in that position until afternoon when the Middle Guard marched
against the enemy.
Then 7 battalions were sent against Wellington's troops.
They were formed in squares and marching in echelons.
A single horse battery advanced with them. The battery was divided into four sections,
2 guns each, and positioned between the squares.
Shortly before the attack, Napoleon's ADC General Dejean arrived to Marshal Ney with the
news that Marshal Grouchy's troops had arrived. Ney ordered Colonel Levasseur to go right
along the line and announce the news. The line troops and the Guard were overjoyed.
But before Levasseur reached the end of the line he heard artillery fire in the rear
and troops' enthusiasm "gave way to a profound silence, to amazement, to anxiety".
Marshal Ney forbade Levasseur to go and find out the cause of this anxiety.
French deserter and Wellington's preparations.
Wellington had brought a number of units in from both flanks
to support the troops facing Imperial Guard.
Wellington was able to shorten his front line
due to the arrival of Blucher's Prussians.
Less than 30 min. before the attack of Napoleon's Guard, a French deserter officer
of horse carabiniers rode up to British 52nd Foot yelling 'Vive le Roi !'
He met the British saying 'That scoundrel Napoleon is with his Guard over there. He will be
upon you shortly.'
According to Ensign Leeke of the British Guard it was "...a French cuirassier officer came
galloping up the slope and down the bank in our front, near to Sir John Colborne,
crying 'Vive l'Roi !'"
Wellington had brought a number of units in from both flanks to support the troops facing
Imperial Guard. Wellington was able to shorten his front line due to the arrival
of Blucher's Prussians. It was Blucher's indirect contribution to the defeat of French Guard.
The troops from the flank were Vivian's cavalry brigade, Vandeleur's cavalry brigade and
other smaller units. Halkett's and Du Platt's brigades had come forward to support Hougoumont
and flank the Imperial Guard.
Chasse's division deployed behind British infantry between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte.
Guard's advance.
The Guard "bend under artillery fire
like corn smitten by the wind."
- Ensign Macready of 30th Foot
According to General Petit who witnessed the advance, the battalions of the
Middle Guard were formed in squares to eventually repulse the Allied cavalry.
There was a possibility of repetition of cavalry counter-attack as it happened
during d'Erlon's assault (or the slaughter of Luneburg Btn. and V KGL Line Btn. by French
cuirassiers).
Mark Adkin writes: "All the battalions were formed up in squares, advanced in squares and
attacked in squares, as they had no wish to be caught on the move by cavalry ... There were
no skirmishers deployed from these battalions. Senior officers rode or walked ahead. Each
battalion's drummers were in the centre." (- Adkin p 391)
Majority of witness accounts were written some 10-20 years after the battle when memory was
not the freshiest. Additionally a square with drummers and officers inside could easily
give the impression of a column.
- "The advance of the enemy upon this part of the position was in heavy columns of infantry,
with crowds of tirailleurs in their front ..." - Lord Somerset
- "I could see the French advancing ... in heavy masses of close columns." - Lt. Wilson
- "The French advanced in masses of infantry." - Lt. Rudyard
The Middle Guard followed their mounted commanders, Marshal Ney and General Louis Friant.
Henri Lachoque writes: "Without a single skirmisher to scout ahead, Ney, Friant, and Poret
de Morvan marched at the head of Guillemin's battalion of the 3rd Grenadiers."
Part of Donzelot's division advanced on the immediate right of the Guard,
along the Genappe Road. Small group of cuirassiers and Guard cavalry rode behind the Guard infantry.
The slope was steep and sufficient to slow both infantrymen and cavalrymen.
The first echelon was formed by the I/3rd Grenadiers. As they marched on the left
side of the road to La-Haye-Sainte they were shortly joined by Napooleon.
To the left and rear marched I/4th Grenadiers. Further to the left were three other battalions.
These five battalions formed the first wave of attack. The Guard advanced at the
pas de charge.
The British batteries fired canister and double canister "from the front and on one side"
while the skirmishers and sharpshooters aimed at officers and generals.
The Middle Guard "bend under artillery fire like corn smitten by the wind."
(- Ensign Macready of 30th Foot)
"The Guard suffers severely from artillery fire during its advance." (- Mark Adkin)
"The Guard already under fire from the English guns in front, began to be shelled on the
right by the Prussians." (- Henri Lachoque)
Then Ney fell with his horse that was killed. He got up and with saber in hand he
joined Friant. Then Friant and several officers were wounded.
Many lay scattered upon the ground with ghastly wounds, moaning in agony.
They fell in heaps. The mounting casualties caused an
agitation among the guardsmen and the charge briefly lost momentum.
Despite heavy casualties the Guard had passed beyond La Haye Sainte.
The guardsmen then surged through the smoke.
Few hours earlier Bachelu's 5th Division never reached neither Hougoumont nor
the allied positions because their advance was driven back by the weight of artillery fire from the combined Allies batteries on
the ridge.
The Guard broke through Allies first line.
The British and Germans fell back in an indescribable disorder
officers and men mixed, fled in "frightful confusion".
Friant went to tell the Emperor that all was well.
General Poret de Morvan was a man of a robust stature, and every drop of blood
in his frame came from the fiercest of fighting stock.
He inspired the I/3rd Grenadiers to march on. They gave a terrible yell and rushed like
demons with the bayonets overthrowing the Brunswickers, and capturing British batteries of
Cleeves and Lloyd. Actually when de Morvan's men appeared in front of these cannons
the gunners run away in panick.
Mjr. Lloyd remained a little too far behind his fleeing men and a French officer caught up
with him and cut him down with his saber. Lloyd died few weeks later in hospital.
When the flutter of terror passed through the hearts of the Brunswickers they "fell back in disorder" and rallied under the cover and support of
Vivian's Cavalry Brigade.
De Morvan's guardsmen then collided with von Kruse's Nassauers
(2,841 men in two line and one Landwehr battalion).
MG von Kruse writes " ... (the Guard) reached the plateau, with
our infantry (part of I Battalion) withdrawing only 100 paces. A violent firefight broke out
..."
The commander soon brought up the II Battalion (943 men) under Mjr. von Nauendorf and
formed in column. Unfortunately the Crown Prince was wounded and the II Btn. fell back.
In their footsteps went the remaining battalions.
General Kielmansegge explained that his brigade also had to retreat when von Kruse's men
fell back. Prince of Orange was wounded in the shoulder but his officers
had a difficult time persuading him to retire.
De Morvan's grenadiers (450-500 men minus heavy casualties from artillery and musketry),
slightly turned to the left and together with the I/4th Grenadiers were heading toward
the left flank of General Sir C. Halkett's 5th Brigade. The 30th Foot "Cambridgeshire"
(635 men minus casualties) and the 73rd Highland (498 men minus casualties)
must have felt their hearts drop a rib or two.
Ensign Macready writes: "As they rose step by step before us, with their red epaulettes and
cross belts put over their blue greatcoats, and topped by their high, hairy caps, and keeping
time, and their officers looking to their alignement ... I certainly thought we were in for
very slashing work."
The frightened 73rd of Foot decided that their Colors should be removed
from the staffs. The two banners were wrapped around the torso of a sergeant, who was ordered to leave
at once for Brussels.
Halkett's battalions changed formation from squares to 4-deep lines
but the 2 French guns and musketry did great execution among the redcoats.
The British (33rd, 69th and 43rd of Foot) were seized with panic,turned about and, in an
indescribable disorder officers and men mixed, fled in "frightful confusion". The mob
stampeded for shelter.
(Some authors blame the friendly - and cowardly of course - Dutch/Belgians for Haklett's rout.)
Haklett's men were in sorry state: the 33rd and 69th were "badly mauled" and Sir
Colin Halkett was wounded, a musket ball passed through his cheek.
Some witnesses remarked that "Fortunately the enemy took no advantage"
while other authors claim that the French pursued them with roars of victory.
Reduced to crowds of runaways, the redcoats fled past the hedge. Their wounded clung to
their comrades, begging them not to abandon them.
The Germans of von Kruse and Kielmansegge were also in poor shape. Von Kruse wrote:
"These troops evaded as much as they could the fire of the French troops now spread across
the plateau. There was also fire heard left in the flank and in the rear,
and it seemed, as if the extreme left flank of the army was pushed back vigorously."
Though wounded in the hand, General Friant went to tell the Emperor that all was well.
Chasse's counterattack. La Garde Recule !
"Chasse unmasked a battery and threw forward
six of Detmer's battalions, which flung the
Guard back beyond the slope" - Henri Lachoque
General Chassé (1765-1849) was nicknamed "General Bayonet".
In previous years he served in the French army, fought with distinction at
Talavera (Spain) against the British and at Arcis-sur-Aube against the Austrians and Russians.
At Waterloo Chassé commanded entire infantry division.
For most of the morning, his troops had remained near Braine l'Alleud, where they were well fed by the inhabitants and abudantly
refreshed with beer and juniper brandy.
In the evening Chasse stood at the head of Colonel Detmers' brigade (approx. 3,000 men) and had
followed the developing actions with growing interest. He had trouble restraining his soldiers anxious
to engage themselves in the fighting.
When the British, Nassau and Brunswick infantry were thrown back the situation became critical.
The British infantry started to break up, communicating its panic to German units to their
left.
Wellington ordered Chasse to bring three of his battalions into frontline at once.
Chasse had marched them parallel to the ridge and behind its crest and
found a suitable place to execute a right turn and deploy into line.
Major van Delen writes: "These battalions advanced in a manner to be more or less sheltered against the
musketry fire, leaving the bayonets alone exposed."
As they took up the right position, the Netherlanders found themselves on the flank of the
Grenadiers of the Guard. Chassé formed Detmers' Brigade in a large attack column,
2 battalions wide and 3 battalions deep.
According to Wiegmans General Chasse formed Detmers' brigade "in closed columns per 6 divisions (companies),
and arrived with the sixth battalion ... Now he rode off to the left wing of Detmers' brigade, but soon returned
to our sixth battalion, and called forcefully: Storm pace ! ..."
Other sources claim that Detmers' brigade was formed in line.
Erwin Muilwijk believes that "the entire brigade charged with six battalions in columns side
by side.... It is interesting that the jager of the 35th Battalion mentions being in square.
Does this perhaps mean that the first three battalions getting forward were temporarily all in
square ?"
Chasse's second brigade under d'Aubreme was formed in three massive squares and stood behind
Maitland's British Guards.
Chasse spoke to the soldiers: "... you will leave the second line and go over to the first,
stay calm, trust in my leadership ... the battle is not decided, but how pleasing it will
be to you to have cooperated in the decision."
Chassé has sent forward horse battery commanded by Kpt. Krahmer de
Bichin. (The battery commanded by Lux didn't make it to the scene of the fighting.)
Krahmer's gunners unlimbered on the ridge, to the right of the British 30th and 73rd Foot.
Other sources place Krahmer between Halkett's and Maitland's
brigades.
Their fire took the grenadiers in the flank. "... it was under the unexpected
hail of canister that the two grenadier squares began to waver. Macready remembered that
battery well, even though he had no idea of its nationality.
'Whoseover they were, they served most gloriously, and their metallic bang, bang, bang,
with the rushing showers of grape that followed, were the most welcome sounds that ever
struck my ears - until I married." (Barbero - "The Battle" p 268)
Ensign Macready of 30th Foot wrote: "Some guns from the rear of our right [Krahmer] poured
in canister among them, and the slaughter was dreadful."
"Coming out from the dead angle, without so much as a skirmisher to reconnoitre first, the grenadiers
of the Middle Guard were taken to account by the artillery; but they closed ranks and overthrew 2 of Brunswick battalions,
and 2 of Halkett's. Wounded in the hand, Friant withdrew, calling out 'All goes well,"
when passing near the Old Guard, of which the Emperor directed
the three battalions fundamentally from La Haye Sainte. But almost immediately Chasse
unmasked a battery and threw forward six of Detmer's battalions,
which flung the French back beyond the slope - where they were picked up by Cambronne's
chasseurs." (Lachouque - "Waterloo" p 184)
With drawn sword Chasse "General Bayonet" marched forward into the gap, which
appeared between the Brunswickers and the 5th British Brigade. He called upon the Dutchmen:
"Forward colonel Detmers and charge with the bayonet !"
Chasse write: "... there were no troops, not a single man of the allies between my division
and the French Guard ..." Wildly enthusiastic, drumming and shouting, with their shakos on
the top of their bayonets they dashed into the fray cheering 'Long live the House of Orange! Long live the king !'
Munter of Detmers' brigade wrote: "Then we took a few shots at each other with the musket, but
the French didn't want to give way."
Lieutenant Koch: "... the artillery had soon reloaded and overtaken the column; it once more
gave a volley and now the enemy started retreating, strongly pursued by us; our losses were
considerable... a grenade exploded amidst our drummers and fifers, so that there was hardly one left ..."
The Middle Guard was greatly surprised by the sight of fresh forces, and shattered by the heavy casualties
from artillery fire. They fell back down the slope and their panic spread to d'Erlon's
infantry.
"La garde recule ! Sauve qui peut!" (The Guard retreats ! Save yourself if you
can !) The Belgian 35th Jagers formed in square followed the French guardsmen, "It was then
that you should have seen how that fine Guard fled at full speed." recalled an anonymous jager
of 35th. (- Erwin Muilwijk)
Many authors prefer not to dwell on the fact that it was a Dutch unit which broke the
leading echelon of the Imperial Guard. In their books you don't find a beep
about it. Some do describe this action shortly and with a portion of jealousy or ridicule.
For example "the Dutch-Belgians were merely chasing an already defeated battalion".
Chasse bitterely complained to Lord Hill because the Dutch and Belgian troops' exploits
were omitted in his report. This protest resulted in Hill writing of their conduct to
Wellington.
You probably have expected that the French Guard will break also Wellington's second line
(Chasse's troops) with easy. This is what often happens on wargamers' tables, the Guard
is invincible no matter what is the situation.
In reality it was quite a different thing. For example at Talavera the British Foot Guard
broke through French first line and was counter-attacked by the second line. The British
suffered heavy casualties and fled back. Similar thing happened to the Russian Guard.
Usually the attackers, even if successful in breaking the first line, are as much drained
emotionally and physically, as the enemy. They are also in some sort of disorder.
In this situation a well-coordinated counterattack made by fresh troops will be effective,
especially when supported by well-served artillery.
Wellington was well prepared for the fight.
Confusing fighting.
The British Foot Guards broke the 3rd Chasseurs
after "a lengthy exchange of musketry"
The redcoats then were counterattacked by 4th Chasseurs,
flew in disorder up the slope back to their position
as fast as they came down.
The first echelon of the attacking Middle Guard consisted of the
tall and robust grenadiers. These lads pierced the allied line before being
counterattacked and thrown back by Chasse's Netherlands infantry.
The second echelon was made of the shorter chasseurs.
The I and II/3rd Chasseurs (total 1,000 men), was closing on the ridge.
They were shattered by canister fire from Bolton's and Ramsay's
batteries that took them in the flank. General Michel fell fatally
wounded and the decimated chasseurs halted. As it was not enough
Maitland's Guard Brigade then stood up and delivered volley at close range.
The chasseurs deployed from square into line to answer fire with fire.
The exchange of musket fire was quite long. The French say about approx. 10 minutes.
Griffith on p 26 in 'Forward into Battle' says about "a lengthy exchange of musketry."
Finally the artillery and musket fire took toll on the chasseurs and they began
wavering. Seeing this Wellington ordered Maitland to charge. After battle as a result of
their actions against the chasseurs, not the grenadiers, the British 1st Guards were renamed
as the 1st or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards.
Wellington however denied saying "Now Maitland!" or
"Up Guards and at them!"
The pursuing British Guards intermixed with the fleeing chasseurs, they "came down the slope
in a hand to hand combat all the way down to Hougoumont's orchards." A British officer from
Bolton's battery said that the combatants were so intermixed, "that we had to stop firing."
Then suddenly Maitland's guardsmen fell apart when a single battalion of 4th Chasseurs arrived.
The British Guards flew in disorder up the slope back to their position as fast as they
came down. GdB Henrion's chasseurs closely pursued the redcoats.
It was not the end of problems for the redcoats, the 3rd Foot Guard from MG Sir Byng's
Brigade "had to retire several times" when the French attacked their flanks.
Sir John Colborne then brought the 52nd Foot round to outflank the French
as they passed his brigade. The 52nd fired a volley into the left flank of the chasseurs and attacked.
The I/52nd with 1,130 muskets was the strongest battalion on the battlefield.
In contrast the average battalion of Middle Guard had only 500 muskets.
The 3rd Chasseurs were driven back down the slope.
Soon however the 52nd was put into a disorder by British 23rd Light Dragoons.
The 52nd Foot mistook the dragoons for enemy and fired. There was chaos among the troops.
The 52nd resumed the pursuit but without the previous vigor.
The 3e Chasseurs fell back towards La Belle Alliance.
Captain Prax of the 3rd Chasseurs reported: "First our two battalions held the English
in checks then night fell, we found ourselves surrounded, and we followed the tide, alas !
alas !' Henri Lachoque writes: "The remnants of the 4th Chasseurs, all whose officers
were out of action, joined up with the 3rd after the fight at Hougoumont."
(Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 489)
The Guard "bent under the numbers."
Detmers' brigade was among the first Wellington's troops
who started the pursuit, "perhaps 10 to 15 minutes before
the general advance was ordered by Wellington."
- "First Empire" # 86
Group of French Guard cavalry attempted to rescue their comrades but the Prussian light cavalry
dispersed them. Meanwhile Chasse's infantrymen pursued the first echelon of the Middle Guard.
Some of the fleeing guardsmen threw away knapsacks and bearskins and they took cover
in the orchard by La Haye Sainte.
Van Eysinga of 19th Militia Battalion: "There they took a position and defended
themselves in a way one could only expect of the noble French Guard; it grieved me to help
destroy these brave troops ... At the mmoment we had cleared the orchard,
French cuirassiers approached us in anger ..."
Detmers' brigade was among the first Wellington's troops who started the pursuit, "perhaps
10 to 15 minutes before the general advance was ordered by Wellington."
(- "First Empire" # 86, publ. in UK in 2005)
Van Doren: "The Guard, who could not resist this dogged attack, had to yield a second
time for the bayonets of Chasse and give up the attack." Detmers' brigade continued pursuit, crossed the highway and
French Grand Battery, where they didn't stop. They just went through the guns and ammunition wagons and
followed the French.
While two battalions of Detmers' brigade struggled with the Guard in the orchard at La Haye Sainte,
the four remaining battalions were waiting with their advance.
This probably lasted until the British 52nd Foot neared the farm. The British soldiers took
the Dutch-Belgians for French troops. Five of six Detmers; battalions wore blue jackets.
Leeke of 52nd Foot: "... we distinctly saw on our left, 300 or 400 yards up the British position and on the Hougoumont side of La Haye Sainte, four battalions
in column, apparently French, standing with ordered arms. According to all accounts they were too far down the British position to be Dutch-Belgians;
they certainly were not English. It was thought they were French, and part of Donzelot's division ...
The 52nd was then, as before, quite alone, and had these four battalions of Donzelot's division come down
upon our left flank with a regular British charge, they would possibly have prevented the rout of the French army from
becoming so complete as it was." Leeke was confused about the four battalions: "What should keep them
there, 400 yards or more from the British position..."
According to Erwin Muilwijk "... to identify them as being French battalions leisurely waiting, while the 52nd Foot presented its left flank to them is a far-fetched idea, most likely
based on the fact that Leeke, as so many others, was (in later years still) unaware of the
advance of Detmers.
"F*** off !"
"Cambronne was very much the rough spoken,
hard as nails ex-ranker - a soldier's soldier.
For this reason perhaps 'Merde !' is the more likely
in the circumstances, the modern English equivalent being 'F*** off !"
Mark Adkin - "The Waterloo Companion", UK
Meanwhile Adam's 2,000-3,000 men moved against the chasseurs and grenadiers who instead of
fleeing, hang around still ready to fight. The British 52nd Foot was so anxious that they
mistook the (British) 23rd Light Dragoons of Dornberg's Brigade for the enemy and fired.
It resulted in disorder and hesitation among some of Wellington's troops. But it had little
effect on the final outcome of battle.
The French "bent under the numbers" and fell back.
They fled to the rear where stood 4 battalions of the Old Guard as a reserve:
II/3rd Grenadiers, II/2nd Grenadiers, II/2nd Chasseurs and Cambronne with II/1st Chasseurs.
It was a very difficult situation for the French Guard.
The line troops were thrown out of Hougoumont area, the heavy cavalry was decimated, and on the flank
were the Prussians. The few last battalions of Guard were attacked by British, German and Netherland troops.
Despite being attacked by British cavalry, German infantry from Hougoumont,
and surrounded and shelled with grapeshot the II/3rd Grenadiers was never broken.
When they reached La Belle Alliance their regular square had shrunk to a tiny triangle with
ranks of 2-deep. Then their commander gave order to fire a final volley and to break
up into small battle-groups. They made their way to the rear and joined the 1st Grenadiers
and the Emperor.
The Hanoverians also took part in the pursuit of the French Guard.
The Osnabrück Landwehr Battalion (633 Germans wearing British red uniforms, see picture from Mark Adkin's book -->) were personally
led by the commander of 3rd Hannoverian Brigade, Colonel Halkett. According to Halkett
himself, this battalion was on the right of Adam's brigade.
The Osnabrück Battalion advanced toward a single French battalion standing in the open and
attacked it. It was a battalion of the Old Guard under General Cambronne.
The Germans were supported from the flank by British 10th
Hussars (452 men). The hussars charged but were repulsed "after a fierce combat".
Then the Germans and the French fired at each other, Cambronne was
wounded, thrown from his horse and taken prisoner.
Outnumbered by 2 to 1 by the German infantry and
outflanked by British cavalry Cambronne's battalion fell back and soon had vanished almost
completely.
There is much talk on what really was said by Cambronne.
His alleged response was later immortalized by Victor Hugo in his writings,
while the words 'La Garde meurt, elle ne se rend pas !' is inscribed on his tomb at Nantes.
According to Mark Adkin "Cambronne was very much the rough spoken, hard as nails
ex-ranker - a soldier's soldier. For this reason perhaps 'Merde !' is the more likely
in the circumstances, the modern English equivalent being 'F*** off !" (- Mark Adkin)
 Halkett's version
Halkett wrote: "After receiving our fire with much
effect, the (French) column [Sic] left their General with two officer behind when I
ordered the sharpshooters to dash on and I made a gallop for the General (Cambronne)."
 French version.
According to General Poret de Morvan who was accompanying Cambronne, the general was wounded in
the head and an English seargant [It was probably Seargeant Führing of the Osnabruckers,
he wore the British redcoat] helped him back to his feet. Cambronne was taken prisoner but
gave "the sergeant" his purse in recompense.
 German version.
Ltn. Richers of the Osnabruck Battalion: "Our skirmihers deployed against the Old
Guard skirmishers and a firefight began. We were advancing, but the enemy stood where
he was... Once the advancing battalion reached the skirmish line, its pace accelerated.
We moved up, the enemy skirmishers disappeared and the front ranks of the [French] column
fired a volley at us. I believe we all hesitated and stood where we were."...
In this critical moment Ob. Halkett inspired the Germans with a cry
'Hurrah, brave Osnabrückers !' and they lowered their bayonets and charged.
Richers writes: "Our opponents didn't engage in a bayonet fight with us.
They stood for a moment longer, then wavered, turned around and retired a short distance
in relatively good order. Their formation then started to break up and finally they fled
in total disorder." The officers did attempt to rally the veterans but it was in vain.
Some British authors claim that Cambonne was captured by Halkett.
But according to Hofschroer, Cambronne "certainly surrendered to the Osnabrückers,
possibly first to Führing, who may then have handed the dazed Frenchman over to Halkett."
(In 1808 at Benavente, French General Lefebvre-Desnouettes was captured by a German named
Bergmann, who handed his precious prize to British hussar Grisdale. Ah the modest German
soldiers :-)
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Of course some French authors are no better. For example Adolphe Thiers and his Waterloo.
(Thiers was a French politician and historian. He was a prime minister under King Louis-Philippe.
The first volume of his "Histoire du Consulat et de l'Empire" appeared in 1845.)
Picture: French POWs in Austrian custody: the sentry on extreme right is a Hungarian
infantryman. Picture by J.A.Klein.
In 1815 Napoleon's Guard was a fine fighting machine although not as good as
their predecessors in 1804-1812.
In 1815 the Imperial Guard was hastily assembled, lacked uniforms and quality weapons.
Instead they wore shakos, hats, forage caps and woolen berets.
"The Old Guard was better groomed, with blue half-belted greatcoats, bearskins and white
leather straps and belts. The Middle Guard - the 3rd and 4th Grenadiers and Chasseurs -
wore the shako; but some some of the gun and pouch straps had to be improvised from
twisted string. " (Lachouque - "Waterloo" p 47)
There was not much trust left between the Guard and their commanders; Friant, Ney and others
abandoned their beloved Emperor a year ago, this had shaken their faith in their leaders.
In 1814 at Fontainebleau, Marshal Ney became the spokesman for the marshals' revolt,
demanding Napoleon’s abdication.
When the Emperor returned in 1815, Marshal Ney promissed the Bourbons to bring him alive in an iron cage.
General Louis Friant blatanly colaborated with the Burbons in order to keep his position.
Plancenoit was a big village with a cobblestone street, a church built of stone
and a walled cemetary. All inhabitants fled their houses yesterday. Lobau sent four battalions
to occupy the village. Hiller's first attack on the village was made with 6 battalions (the remaining battalions were detached.).
Within 30 min. of fighting the Young Guard (and some elements of Lobau's corps) forced
the Prussians to retreat all the way back to open country. Blucher was furious, he mounted
his horse and rode to the fleeing troops.
Once the Prussians have captured the churchyard Napoleon was very alarmed.
At each recoil General Barrois of the Young Guard called for help from the Old Guard.
Morand sent Pelet the following order: "Take your first battalion to Plancenoit where
the Young Guard is being beaten. Support it and hold the position ... Keep your troops
together and well in hand. If you attack the enemy, employ a single division
(two platoons) with bayonets."
Pelet, stripped to his shirt and mounted couldn't
believe his luck "I saw muskets aiming at me 40 paces away. I can not imagine how they did
not shoot me 20 times."
Then came the II/2nd Grenadiers sent by the Emperor and Pelet's chasseurs formed up with them.
The grenadiers marched with their drums beating, and the Young Guard followed them with
enthusiasm. Together they threw back the stubborn Prussians. It was a one big sweep.
They pursued the enemy with bayonet up to the positions of artillery. The drum-major of the grenadiers, Stubert, used his mace as a club.
Blucher rallied his troops and attacked again - the street fighting was very bloody and
every house became like besieged fort. Despite being outnumbered by margin of 2 to 1
the French (Mouton's 8 btns., Young Guard's 8 btns. and Old Guard's 2 btns.) were able to
hold on for 1 hour. Pelet writes: "Though I could not collect my men (II/2nd Chaseurs),
they were all well under cover and kept up a murderous fire which contained the enemy ..."
The last to leave were the veterans of Old Guard.
They defended the church and cemetery to the very last.
The church was built on a mound some 18 feet high that required men to ascend by steep steps.
"Night fell. In flaming Plancenoit, General Pelet, Golzio, and Colomban with
their 600 fur bonnets - 'all very pale' according to the General - and the Tirailleurs and Voltigeurs still held out.
In the cemetery and the church the 2nd Westphalian Landwehr and the Pomeranians were shooting it out with the French at point-blank range
when the units, suddenly outflanked, took to their heels. Pelet rallied his chasseurs around him, but it was so
dark they could no longer recognize one another at 10 paces. The confusion was complete."
(Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 489)
The Prussians emerged from the burning remains of village carrying their shakos on their muskets
and singing. At this point the French army disintegrated completely.
Darkness began to fall and the number of fugitives rapidly
increased. Some were fleeing toward positions where stood Napoleon's last reserve,
three btns. of Old Guard and part of Emperor's baggage.
The square that was closer to the enemy, sent out its skirmishers who
soon were "heavily engaged" against Prussian skirmishers. In other square, strengthened by
a battery of 6 6pdr guns, Guard sappers and Guard sailors, was Napoleon.
Mjr. Howard with the British 10th Hussars received order to charge one of the squares.
The Old Guard stood fast, the British received a volley and dispersed before coming into any
contact with it. Howard took a musket ball in the face and fell from his charger.
