412 French Infantry gallantly crown the crest. June 18.

en échelon to the leading Brigade, consisting of the 28th and 105th Regiments. In like manner, the rear Brigade of MARCOGNET'S Division (the Third), consisting of the 21st and 46th Regiments, broke into two Columns, of two Battalions each, in support, en échelon to, but more immediately in rear of, the leading Brigade, consisting of the 25th and 15th Regiments.

While KEMPT's Brigade was bravely charging down the slope on the right, the heads of the leading Brigades of ALIX's and MARCOGNET's Divisions, with conspicuous gallantry, and amidst shouts of triumph, crowned the crest of the Allied position on the left, crossing the Wavre road and the straggling hedge, by which their order had been in some degree disturbed. ALIX's leading Brigade, having passed clear of KEMPT's Left, found itself unopposed by Infantry, in its front; but the head of MARCOGNET's Column, after passing close by the right of Captain RETTBERG'S Hanoverian Foot Battery, from which it had received a very destructive fire, during its advance, beheld a short but compact line of Highlanders directly in its front.

This was the remnant of the 92nd Regiment which had so gallantly fought, and so greatly suffered, at Quatre Bras. It did not at that moment consist of more than 230 men, whilst the opposing Column numbered about 2,000. PACK, who was in front of the 92nd, on seeing the head of the French Column making its way through the hedge, resolved in his own mind that not a moment must be allowed to it for observation and reflection, as otherwise the French would succeed in establishing themselves in great force on the summit of the British position. He instantly decided upon a measure, which, in daring and deterinination, was fully commensurate with the emergency of the occasion. Addressing himself to the Highlanders, he said, in an

June 18. "92nd, charge! all in front have given way." 413

energetic tone, "92nd, you must charge-all in front of you have given way!" With loud cheers, and under the animating sounds of their native pibroch, the 92nd moved steadily on with the noble mien and gallant bearing of men bent upon upholding, at any sacrifice, the honour and glory of their country. That portion of the French Column which had by this time crossed the hedge was in perfect order, and presented a bold and determined front. As the 92nd approached the Column, it received from it a fire; which, however, it did not return, but continued to advance steadily until it had arrived within twenty or thirty yards distance, when the head of the French Column appeared panic struck, and facing about in the greatest confusion, endeavoured to escape; the Highlanders, at the same moment, throwing into the mass a concentrated fire, most destructive in its effects. The 92nd immediately charged; but at this very moment PONSONBY's Brigade came up.

Colonel MUTER had just before perceived the raised cocked hat, when he instantly ordered and conducted the advance of the Brigade. It will be recollected that the Scots Greys had been ordered to support the Royals and Inniskillings; but having as was before explained, moved down into lower ground on the left, to get more under cover from the Enemy's cannonade, and subsequently advanced in left rear of those two Regiments, they beheld in their direct front the head of MARCOGNET'S Division establishing itself on the height. Their course from that moment was obvious. They soon got up into Line, or nearly so, with the remainder of the Brigade, and joined in the general charge.

Upon PONSONBY's Brigade coming up with the Infantry, it passed through the latter as well and as quickly as it

414

66

Scotland, for ever!"

June 18.

could in some instances intervals were made for the Dragoons by the wheeling of companies; in others, by that of subdivisions or of sections: but generally the passage was effected in rather an irregular manner; and under the circumstances this was unavoidable. Of the remaining Regiments of PACK's Brigade, the 44th, which formed the Left, having its front covered by BEST's Hanoverians, remained in support, on the summit or Knoll immediately above, and on the left of, the hollow in which the rest of the Brigade had been posted. The 1st Royal Scots, and the 42nd Highlanders on the right of the 92nd, moved forward immediately after the advance by the latter, and crossing the hedge, assisted PONSONBY's Cavalry in securing prisoners.

"

As the Scots Greys passed through, and mingled with, the Highlanders; the enthusiasm of both Corps was extraordinary. They mutually cheered. Scotland for ever!" was their war shout. The smoke in which the head of the French Column was enshrouded had not cleared away, when the Greys dashed into the mass. So eager was the desire, so strong the determination, of the Highlanders to aid their compatriots in completing the work so gloriously begun, that many were seen holding on by the stirrups of the horsemen; while all rushed forward, leaving none but the disabled in their rear. The leading portion of the Column soon yielded to this infuriated onset; the remainder, which was yet in the act of ascending the exterior slope, appalled by the sudden appearance of Cavalry at a moment when, judging by the sound of musketry fire in front, they had naturally concluded that it was with Infantry alone they had to contend, were hurled back in confusion by the impetus of the shock. The Dragoons, having the advantage of the descent, appeared to mow down the mass; which, bending

June 18.

The Scots Greys capture an Eagle.

415

under the pressure, quickly spread itself outwards in all directions. Yet, in that mass were many gallant spirits, who could not be brought to yield without a struggle; and these fought bravely to the death: not that they served to impede, but only to mark more strongly the course of the impetuous torrent as it swept wildly past them, presenting to the eye of the artistic observer those streaks which, arising incidentally from such partial and individual contests, invariably characterize the track of a charge of Cavalry.

Within that mass too, was borne the Imperial Eagle of the 45th Regiment, proudly displaying on its banner the names of Austerlitz, Jena, Friedland, Essling, and Wagram -Fields in which this Regiment had covered itself with glory, and acquired the distinguished title of "The Invincibles." A devoted band encircled the sacred Standard, which attracted the observation, and excited the ambition of a daring and adventurous soldier, named EWART, a Sergeant of the Greys. After a desperate struggle, evincing on his part great physical strength combined with extraordinary dexterity, he succeeded in capturing the cherished trophy. The gallant fellow was directed to proceed with it to Brussels, where he was received with acclamations by thousands who came forward to welcome and congratulate

him.

Without pausing for a moment to re-form, those of the Greys who had forced their way through, or on either Flank of, the mass, rushed boldly onward against the leading supporting Column of MARCOGNET's right Brigade. This body of men, lost in amazement at the suddenness, the wildness, of the charge; and its terrific effects upon their countrymen on the higher ground in front, had either not taken advantage of the very few moments that had inter

416

June 18.

The Highlanders and Greys charging. vened, by preparing an effectual resistance to Cavalry; or, if they attempted the necessary formation, did so when there was no longer time for its completion. Their outer Files certainly opened a fire which proved very destructive to their assailants; but to such a degree had the impetus of the charge been augmented by the rapidly increasing descent of the slope, that these brave Dragoons possessed as little of the power as of the will to check their speed, and they plunged down into the mass with a force that was truly irresistible. Its foremost ranks driven back with irrepressible violence, the entire Columu tottered for a moment, and then sank under the overpowering wave. Hundreds were crushed to rise no more; and hundreds rose again but to surrender to the victors; who speedily swept their prisoners to the rear, while the Highlauders secured those taken from the leading Column.

Along the remainder of the Line, the charge of the " Union Brigade " was equally brilliant and successful. On the right, the Royal Dragoons, by inclining somewhat to their left, during the advance, brought their Centre Squadron to bear upon the head of the leading Column of ALIX's Division, which had crossed the hedges lining the Wavre road, and being unchecked, was rapidly advancing across the crest of the ridge. Suddenly its loud shouts of triumph ceased as it perceived the close approach of Cavalry up the interior slope of the Anglo-Allied position. Whether it was actuated by a consciousness of danger from the disorder necessarily occasioned in its rear by the passage through the banked up hedges, by a dread of being caught in the midst of any attempt to assume a formation better adapted for effective resistance, or of being entirely cut off from all support, it is difficult to decide, but the head of this Column certainly appeared to be seized with a panic. Having thrown out an