June 18. The Royals slashing into Alix's Column. 417

irregular and scattering fire, which served only to bring down about twenty of the Dragoons; it instantly faced about, and endeavoured to regain the opposite side of the hedges. The Royals, however, were slashing in amongst them before this object could be effected. The rear ranks of the Column, still pressing forward, and unconscious of the obstruction in front, now met those that were hurled back upon them down the exterior slope by the charge of the Royals, who continued pressing forward against both Front and Flanks of the mass. The whole was in a moment 80 jammed together as to have become perfectly helpless, Men tried in vain to use their muskets, which were either jerked out of their hands, or discharged at random, in the attempt. Gradually, a scattering flight from the rear loosened the unmanageable mass, which now rolled back helplessly along its downward course. Many brave spirits, hitherto pent up in the midst of the throng, appeared disposed to hazard a defiance; and amongst these the swords of the Royals dealt fearful havoc: many threw down their arms, and gave themselves up in despair; and these were hurried off by the conquerors to the rear of the British Line.

The 28th French Regiment, which formed a direct Support to the 105th Regiment, comprising the Column thus attacked, though astounded by the scene before it, and almost driven back by the panic stricken fugitives, still retained a considerable semblance of order.

Amidst the crowd that was now precipitating itself on this supporting Column, to seek its shelter and protection, was an Officer, the bearer of the Eagle of the 105th Regiment. This Standard, on which were inscribed the victories of Jena, Eylau, Eckmuhl, Essling, and Wagram, was accompanied at the moment by a party apparently

151. W.L. Siborne.

2 D

418

The Royals capture an Eagle.

June 18.

forming a guard for its defence. Captain CLARK, commanding the Centre Squadron of the Royals, on discovering the group, instantly gave the Order, "Right shoulders forward-attack the Colour!" and led directly upon the Eagle himself. On reaching it, he ran his sword through the body of the Standard Bearer who immediately fell, and the Eagle dropped across the head of Captain CLARK's horse. He endeavoured to catch it with his left hand, but could only touch the fringe of the Colour, and it would probably have fallen to the ground, and have been lost in the confusion of the moment, had it not been saved by Corporal STILES; who, having been Standard Coverer, and therefore posted immediately in rear of the Squadron Leader, came up at the instant, on Captain CLARK's left, and caught the Colour as it struck, in falling, against his own horse's neck.

So great were the confusion and dismay created in the second Column by the rush towards it of the disorganised remnant of the leading body, mixed up as it were with the Dragoons still pressing eagerly forward, as also by the signal overthrow of the Columns on their right by the Inniskillings, that the entire mass speedily yielded to the pressure, and commenced a disorderly flight, pursued by the Royals to the foot of the valley by which the two positions were divided.

The Inniskillings, forming the Centre Regiment of the Brigade, did not come quite so soon into contact with the French Infantry as did the Flank Regiments. The Columns in their immediate front were the two formed by the 54th and 55th French Regiments, of two Battalions each; which, as previously explained, advanced in support, and in right rear, of ALIX's leading Brigade. Only the Left, and part of the Centre, Squadron of the Inniskillings had to pass through British Infantry as they advanced; the front of the Right Squadron was clear. The Irish "hurrah!" loud, wild, and

June 18.

The Inniskillings take many prisoners. 419 shrill, rent the air as the Inniskillings, bursting through the hedge and bounding over the road, dashed boldly down the slope towards the French Columns, which were about a hundred yards distant; an interval that imparted an additional impetus to their charge, and assisted in securing for it a result equally brilliant with that obtained by the other two Regiments. The Right and Centre Squadrons bore down upon the 55th French Regiment; while the Left Squadron alone charged the 54th Regiment. These two Columns, like those on their right and left, were not allowed time to recover from their astonishment at the unexpected, sudden, and vehement charge of Cavalry launched against them. A feeble and irregular fire was the only attempt they made to avert the impending danger. In the next instant the Dragoons were amongst them, plying their swords with fearful swiftness and dexterity, and cleaving their way into the midst of the masses; which, rolling back, and scattering outwards, presented an extraordinary scene of confusion. In addition to the destruction effected by this Regiment, the number of prisoners which it secured was immense.

The Household Brigade continued its charge down the slope on the right, and partly on the left, of La Haye Sainte, with the most distinguished gallantry and success; and bringing their right shoulders forward, the 1st Life Guards pressed severely on the rear of the Cuirassiers, as a very considerable portion of them rushed tumultuously towards that part of the high road beyond the Orchard of La Haye Sainte which lies between high banks, and which was thus completely choked up with the fugitives. Many of those who found their retreat so seriously impeded, again faced their opponents, and a desperate hand to hand contest ensued; which, however, was suddenly terminated by a destructive

420 The English Cavalry madly dash on.

Jnne 18.

fire poured down upon the 1st Life Guards, from the top of the banks, by the Light Troops of BACHELU's Division that crowned the Heights through which the road has been excavated. The King's Dragoon Guards, leaving this struggle on their right, and rattling across the pavé, boldly ascended the Enemy's position. They were joined on their left, by the 2nd Life Guards, whose course had been by the left of La Haye Sainte. With these were now mingled Royals and Inniskillings, while further to the left were the Greys -the whole Line, without even any semblance of regularity, madly pursuing their wild career, as if intoxicated with the excess of triumph.

Then it was that Lord UXBRIDGE, who had so gallantly led the charge in person, and incited all by his example, eagerly sought for the Support on which he had confidently calculated; when, to his great surprise and mortification, he discovered that there was none at hand. PONSONBY'S

own immediate Support, which Lord UXBRIDGE himself had ordered to be formed by the Greys, had necessarily been employed in Front Line on the left, in the manner described; a fact of which, from his own position as Leader of that Line, he had been quite unaware. The direct Support of SOMERSET'S Brigade, consisting of the Blues, had, during the charge, come up with, and joined, the Front Line. The Regiment was kept well in hand; and, by its comparatively good order, facilitated the drawing off of the remainder of that Brigade from further pursuit. But it was on the left of the high road, in rear of PONSONBY'S Line, that support was most needed. His Lordship could not account for the circumstance of neither of the Light Cavalry Brigades, posted on the extreme Left, having come up in support of PONSONBY'S advance, in conformity with the general instructions conveyed to his Brigadiers on the subject of affording mutual

June 18. The Cavalry crown the Enemy's Position. 421

support. The fact is, that VANDELEUR's Brigade, which was the nearest, was then in motion for the purpose of affording its aid; but its progress was unfortunately impeded by its having previously to make a retrograde movement in order to pass a hollow way which separated it from the troops on the right. In vain did Lord UXBRIDGE sound to halt and rally-neither voice nor trumpet was heeded.

In a few seconds more, the Advanced Line was seen crowning the Enemy's position. The King's Dragoon Guards were suddenly exposed to a severe fire from the Batteries and from BACHELU's Columns of Infantry on their right; and perceiving a strong and well formed body of Cuirassiers on the point of advancing from the hollow beyond the ridge they had so rashly ascended, they, with such of the Royals and Inniskillings as had joined them, at length commenced a hasty retreat. The Greys, along with many of the Royals and Inniskillings, dashed in amongst the Batteries, and then, wheeling sharply to their left, rode along the line of cannon in that direction, sabring the Gunners and stabbing the horses, until they became sensible of the approach of a body of French Lancers moving down obliquely from the left upon the arena of this memorable conflict. They now fell back; but, with their horses blown and exhausted, it was not long before they were overtaken by the Lancers. These formed the Advance of JACQUINOT'S Light Cavalry Brigade, which had been unaccountably remiss in not having afforded a prompt and close Support to the attacking Columns of Infantry.

Both the British Heavy Cavalry Brigades were now in full retreat. SOMERSET's regained the position without any serious molestation: but PONSONBY's Dragoons, particularly the Greys, who were upon the extreme Left, suffered severely from JAQUINOT's Lancers and Chasseurs, the greater