combat was over. "Thus," as Marshal Ney properly remarks, "twenty-five or thirty thousand men were idly paraded during the whole of the battle from the right to the left, and from the left to the right without firing a shot." This error was decisive of the fate of the campaign*.

Blucher in the night of the 15th had retired from Fleurus and established himself at Sombref, occupying with a large force the villages of St. Amand and Ligny situated in the front†. His army consisted of eighty thousand men. Although the fourth corps was not yet in line, he determined to risk a battle here, as the situation was advantageous. Wellington would make a powerful diversion on his right, and he was confident that the fourth corps would join him during the action.

On the morning of the 16th Napoleon advanced against him, with the third, fourth, and sixth corps of the French army, the guards, and a numerous division of cavalry, amounting likewise to about eighty thousand men. The morning was employed in reconnoitring the ground and indecisive skirmishing. At three o'clock in the afternoon the dispositions of the French were completed, and the engagement began.

* Memorial to the Duke of Otranto.

+ See the Map of the environs of Brussels.

The division of General Le Fol attacked the village of St. Amand, and, after an obstinate resistance, carried it at the point of the bayonet. General Giraud then proceeded to the attack of Ligny, and here a murderous scene commenced, which had never been equalled in any of the former contests between the Prussians and the French. The troops of Napoleon succeeded in establishing themselves in part of the village, and while all their efforts could not drive the Prussians from the remaining part, the most desperate attacks of the Prussians were unavaling to dislodge their opponents. Every house was fortified. Every hedge became a military position. The combatants were in contact with each other. They had scarcely room to manœuvre, and as the ranks were thinned on either side, the void was filled with fresh troops.

This scene continued during four or five hours. The village could never be said to be taken by the French, nor could the Prussians boast that for an instant they had driven the enemy from it. The soldiers on both sides fought with an animosity which disgraced the present civilized age of the world. It appeared as if they were animated by the deadliest personal hatred. a long time, quarter was neither given nor taken, and during the whole of the afternoon nearly two hundred pieces of cannon were playing on the

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village, and scattering destruction amid the troops, who in close columns filled every avenue to the place. At length the ground for which they contested was piled with dead, which formed a kind of breastwork and defence for the combatants.

While the battle raged hottest round this village, the whole line was engaged with various success. At one time victory inclined to the Prussians. Blucher led on a battalion of infantry in person, and dispossessed the French of the village of St. Amand. Following up his advantage, he seized on a height whence the Prussians had been driven in an early part of the day, and having once more established his batteries there,

* On his return from France Blucher called on the miller at Ligny, whose premises had been the scene of the most obstinate contention, and all whose little property was completely destroyed. Blucher was plainly dressed and the miller did not recognize him. He asked him many questions concerning his losses and his present situation. The miller replied that the war had reduced him and his family to misery, and that he was unable to pay his contributions. Blucher asked their amount.

Eighty francs was the reply. They were immediately given to the peasant, and the hero departed. On his arrival at Namur Blucher remitted him one hundred and eighty francs more, and it was then only that the miller learned from the messenger the name of his benefactor. "His generosity honours him," said the grateful Fleming, as he related the circumstance, "his modesty ennobles him, and my heart thanks him."

played with most destructive effect on the squares of the French. It was at this moment that Buonaparte despatched that order for the advance of the first corps, which paralyzed the efforts of Ney, and had nearly exposed his troops to destruction. Napoleon saw the importance of regaining this position, and column after column was despatched against it. The Prussians were again compelled to retire, and the French possessed themselves of the church-yard of St. Amand, whence they could not afterwards be dislodged.

The fortune of the day was now evidently in favour of Napoleon. All the reserves of Blucher were in action, while the imperial guard of the French, and an immense body of cavalry had not yet been engaged. It was nearly dusk. Favoured by this circumstance a strong division of French infantry had made a circuit round the village, and, while a column of chasseurs made a desperate charge in front, took the main body of the Prussians in the rear. At the same time the cavalry of the French repulsed that of the Prussians on the heights before the village. These manœuvres were decisive. The Prussians evacuated Ligny in good order, and forming themselves into squares, presented an unbroken front to the fierce pursuit of the French. Had the first corps of the French army been retained, and now directed on the battalions of the Prussians fatigued, disheartened, and retiring, the victory would have been complete.

The Prussians slowly retreated, and often turned upon their foes, and repulsed their repeated and impetuous charges. On the heights near the mill of Bussy they halted, and attempted to repair the fortune of the day. Napoleon directed upon them his formidable guards, who had not yet been in action. They advanced with bayonets fixed, and carried all before them.

In one of the charges of cavalry which now took place, Blucher was exposed to most imminent danger. He had led on one of the regiments in person. The charge had failed, and the enemy was vigorously pursuing. The marshal's horse. was struck by a musket ball and dropped. Blucher was stunned by the violence of the fall. Ere he recovered, the French cavalry advanced. The last Prussian horseman had passed by, and an adjutant alone remained with him, determined to share his fate. The French cuirassiers charged by him at full speed, but perceived him not in the ardour of their pursuit, and fortunately he was uninjured by their horses. Before the recollection of the marshal had returned the French were repulsed, and again dashed by him without seeing him. He was now extricated from his horse, and with difficulty mounted on another; when, disregarding the acute pain of his bruises, he again placed himself at the head of his troops and directed their manœuvres.

The whole of the Prussian army was now in full retreat, and at ten o'clock the firing had com