striking and noble contrast to the brutality with which the French had treated our prisoners. "We will forbear to dwell upon the horrid details of the merciless barbarity with which the French treated our prisoners: besides having stripped and plundered, exposed to the severest privation, and the grossest insults, many of our bravest officers, whose names, in respect for the feelings of their surviving friends forbids us to mention, were actually murdered in cold blood, after surrendering up their swords; such diabolical cruelty would be incredible, and for the sake of humanity we would gladly doubt its truth, had we not the best proof of persons witnesses to these brutal murders." (Vide extract of letter from an officer of Light Dragoons.) It is a well-known fact, that at Brussels a wealthy inhabitant had prepared a grand supper for Buonaparte, on the evening of the 18th, and that some others had done the same for his officers; and among the papers of Buonaparte, was found a list of 20 names, whose persons and property were to be excepted from the general pillage, and these were promulged to the French soldiery. When Buonaparte's carriage arrived at Brussels, the population expressed great disappointment in not seeing Buonaparte within, and a prisoner; nothing could be so evident as their sense of detestation of him: this is the more particularly wished to be impressed, as it had been said the Flemish were favourable towards him; but the contrary is the positive and undoubted fact. The desolation which reigned on the scene of ac tion, cannot easily be described. The fields of high standing corn were trampled down, and so completely beaten into the earth, that they had the appearance of stubble. The ground was completely ploughed up in many places with the charge of the cavalry, and the horses hoofs deep stamped into the earth, left the traces, where many a deadly struggle had been. The whole field was strewed with the melancholy vestiges of war and devastation-soldiers' caps pierced with many a ball, and trodden under foot— eagles that had ornamented them--badges of the le. gion of honour-cuirasses-fragments and broken arms, belts and scabbards innumerable-shreds of tattered cloth, shoes, cartridge belts-French novels, and German Testaments-scattered music belonging to the bands-packs of cards, and innumerable papers of every description, that had been thrown out of the pockets of the dead, by those who had pillaged them. French love-letters, and letters from mothers to their sons, and from children to their parents, were scattered about in every direction. Amongst the thousands that I examined, it was however remarkable, that I found only one English letter. It was from a soldier's wife to her husband. Upon this field were performed deeds of valour as heroic as any which swell the page of history, which will for ever be buried in oblivion. Of those who performed them, many rest in the bed of honour, and of those who survive, some will not even relate the story of their own achievements. Modesty is ever the concomitant of true courage; and their actions, which could they have been witnessed, would have been the theme of an applauding world, are even unknown and unadmired. It is scarcely possible to notice the merits of any individual without injustice to others. It is difficult to say who were bravest, when all were brave; and who were greatest, amongst an army of heroes. "Il valoroso Duca d'Inghilterra "Fece egli sol ciò che, in molti anni, fero "Giàmoltis cavalier' maestri in guerra. MORGANTE MAGGIORE. Never was there an attack more tremendous, nor a resistance more firm, unshaken and triumphant. The French army infuriated by despair, and animated by the promised plunder of Brussels, and filled with perjured traitors, who had betrayed their king and country, and who knew that their lives and fortunes depended on success, fought, from first to last, with the desperation of madness. But they could not wrest victory from the hands of their British foes. In every land and in every clime, wherever the French have appeared as oppressors, the British have sprung forward as deliverers-they have sought foreign lands, not as enemies but as friends-they have fought and conquered, not to destroy, but to save. Who, at this triumphant moment, does not feel it his proudest boast to be an Englishman!-Who can refuse a tribute of regard to the brave who have perished!What heart does not swell with gratitude to that gallant army, whose heroic valour has raised their country to the highest pitch of glory, and to whom we are indebted, that while other lands have sunk beneath the yoke of despotism, and unmanly crouched at the feet of the Tyrant, England alone proudly defended her own rights-singly maintained the long and glorious struggle-broke the spell which bound the nations of Europe in ignominious slavery-and finally restored to the world, Peace, security, and independence! 66 England! be still, even to thy latest times, "The nurse of Heroes, and the scourge of crimes; "And rule, with Heaven's approval-proudly rule the waves !" FURTHER PARTICULARS, OF THE BATTLE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES. THE whole of the mighty and important operations were carried on within a tract of country extending from Thuin to Ligny, about 20 miles, from Ligny to Waterloo about the same distance, and from Waterloo to Thuin, about 25 miles. There is no donbt, that Buonaparte would have been attacked as soon as the Russians had come up; but in point of fact, he commenced hostilities, without any menacing movement on the adverse side. He issued an Order of the Day on the 14th to his soldiers, appealing to their passions, by reminding them that that day was the anniversary of Marengo and of Friedland. On the following morning, at day-light, he put the whole of his army in motion, and attacked the Prussian posts established on the Sambre; in the course of the day, he succeeded in driving them from that river, making himself master of the ground from Thuin to Fleurus. According to Buonaparte's account of the result of the various contests on the 15th, the Prussians lost 2000 men, while the French only experiencnd a loss of 10 killed, and 80 wounded! Buonaparte also claims a victory on the 16th. He however admits, that he lost 3000 men on that day; but says he took many thousand prisoners, and 40 pieces of cannon! On Sunday the 18th, the grand struggle was made. The whole weight of the French force, with the exception of Vandamme's corps, was thrown upon the army of the Duke of Wellington, whose line was within fifteen miles of Brussels. The battle began about ten o'clock in the morning, with a furious attack on a post occupied by us in front of our right. This was supported by a very heavy cannonade upon our whole line, with repeated attacks of infantry and cavalry, until seven in the evening, when the Enemy made a desperate attempt to force our left, in which, after a severe contest, he was defeated, and retired in great disorder. This was the happy moment, seized by the genius and resolution of our unrivalled Hero, to advance his whole line of infantry, supported by cavalry and artillery, against the enemy, who was unable to resist the English attack. The first line was driven back on the second, and the second was almost instantly broken. All was now total rout and confusion; artillery, baggage, every thing was abandoned; and the true British perseverance of General and soldiers was crowned with a success so much the more precious, as it had remained long in a state of the most awful suspense. The French fought with greater desperation than ever before witnessed; but it may be added, that after their rout, they became more completely broken than ever, threw away their arms by whole regiments, and were, in short, wholly dispersed and disorganised. The loss on the part of the British has been severe, but on that of Buonaparte it is almost beyond calculation. On all sides was seen a total disregard of personal danger. Thê leaders were mingled in the heat of the fray, like the meanest soldier. The Duke of Wellington was in close conversation with Lord Uxbridge, when the latter received the ball in his knee. Marshal Blucher, it is said, was for some moments a prisoner. As to Buonaparte, he was more than once inclosed among the British troops, and disentangled, as it were, by miracle. He led on the Guard himself to the charge; and seemed to feel, that there could be no hope for his power, but in the absolute jeopardy of his life. |