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500 The first Prussian attack on Planchenoit. June 18.

formed the latter into three Columns of Attack. Two Battalions of the 15th Regiment, under Major WITTIG, marched on the right against the Village; two Battalions of the 1st Silesian Landwehr, under Major FISCHER, in the centre; and two Battalions of the 2nd Silesian Landwehr, under Lieutenant Colonel BLANDOWSKY, formed the Left Column. The Fourteenth Brigade followed as a Reserve, sending forward the 1st Battalions of the 11th Regiment and 1st Pomeranian Landwehr as a Support to the Columns of Attack.

In the mean time the troops of the Young Guard had occupied Planchenoit, and made their dispositions for its defence. As the Skirmishers that preceded the Prussian Columns approached the eastern inclosures of the Village, they were received with a most destructive fire by the French Tirailleurs. Some pieces of Artillery were also brought to bear directly upon the Columns; which, nevertheless, advanced with great bravery and steadiness, captured a howitzer and two guns, and gained possession of the Churchyard. The occupation of this spot, which is naturally strong, being inclosed within a low stone wall, strengthened nearly all round by a steep outer bank, and cominanding by its elevated position a very considerable portion of the Village, appeared to offer great security to the Prussian troops; but the Young Guard, evidently prepared for this contingency, flew to the surrounding houses and gardens, whence they opened a concentrated fire upon the possessors of the Churchyard. To this the latter replied with great spirit; and as the distance by which the hostile parties were separated was extremely limited, numbers fell in rapid succession on both sides. At length the French Supports having come up and joined in this contest, and one of the Columns having shown

June 18. The second Prussian attack on Planchenoit. 501

itself in rear of the Prussians; the latter were compelled to abandon the advantages they had acquired, and to withdraw altogether from the Village.

They were followed by some of LOBAU's Cavalry; which, however, having fallen into the line of fire of the Prussian Battery, No. 2, was forced to retire.

The Prussian troops that had been driven out of Planchenoit immediately rallied and re-formed. The 2nd Battalions of the 11th Regiment and 1st Pomeranian Landwehr now joined their respective 1st Battalions, which had previously acted in support of the attacking Columns, and advanced to a second assault, followed by the 15th Regiment.

NAPOLEON, perceiving the determination of the Prussian Commander to persevere in his attack upon Planchenoit, as also his dispositions for completely turning the French Right, ordered General MORAND, Colonel in Chief of the Chasseurs à pied of the Old Guard, to march to the Village with a Battalion from each of the 2nd Regiments of Grenadiers and Chasseurs. These Battalions reached the scene of action just as the Prussians had re-entered the Village; and taking the lead in the contest, succeeded in driving them out of the place, pursuing them as far as their main position on the opposite Heights. Here the French Skirmishers penetrated amongst the Prussian Batteries; but were overthrown and cut up by the 4th Squadron of the 2nd Silesian Hussars. The French Cavalry now showed a disposition to advance; and it was not long before a Regiment of Lancers, which took the lead, was attacked and defeated by the 8th Prussian Hussars. In following up the pursuit, however, after their charge, the Hussars were suddenly involved in the fire from a Battalion of French Infantry, and were forced to fall back. On the other hand, a

502 The Guard in Planchenoit are reinforced.

Regiment of French Chasseurs à Cheval was driven off in a similar manner by a Prussian Battalion.

By the advance of the Sixteenth and Fourteenth Brigades against Planchenoit, a vacant space had been created in the Prussian Line between those troops and the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Brigades, which still maintained their ground with great gallantry, in the open Field on the right. This vacant space was now covered by the main body of the Reserve Cavalry of BÜLOW's Corps, commanded by Prince WILLIAM of Prussia; which by its perfect steadiness and good countenance, not only induced the Enemy to confine himself to the defensive, but advanced in support of the Prussian Infantry, even in the midst of the opposing musketry fire, and here occupied the place which, had the Line been complete, would have been held by Infantry. On this occasion, the loss of the Prussian Cavalry was considerable. The Brigadiers, Colonel Count SCHWERIN, and Lieutenant Colonel WATZDORF, were killed. The latter although previously wounded, would not quit the Field; and was soon afterwards struck by a shot which deprived the Prussian Army of a very distinguished Officer.

NAPOLEON, observing preparatory dispositions for a renewal of the attack on Planchenoit by BELOW, who was only waiting for the co-operation and support of PIRCH'S Corps which was now rapidly approaching, deemed it advisable to send a further reinforcement to the troops in the Village. This consisted of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of the Chasseurs of the Guard, under General PELET; to whom he represented the great importance of maintaining possession of Planchenoit. At the same time, Orders were sent to the 1st Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Chasseurs of the Guard, which was with the Emperor's baggage at Caillou, to march to the Wood of Chantelet, for the purpose of

June 18.

Napoleon's desperate resolve.

503

covering the right of Planchenoit, and securing the Village from being turned.

The situation of NAPOLEON had become critical in the extreme. The Prussian attack seemed to be checked for the moment; and the occupation of Planchenoit in sufficient force held out the prospect of a protracted, if not a successful, struggle in that quarter, should the attack be renewed. Still it must have appeared sufficiently evident to the Emperor that BLÜCHER was but awaiting either the arrival of an additional portion of his Army, or the favourable moment when he might combine his attack with a simultaneous one by WELLINGTON. Should the Prussian General succeed in defeating the troops comprising the French Right en potence, NAPOLEON'S line of retreat by the Charleroi road would be completely intercepted, and his main Front Line being thus taken in Flank and Rear, would become an easy prey to the Anglo-Allied Army. He might yet attempt a skilful retreat upon Nivelles; but with an Army so exhausted by its repeated and ineffectual attacks upon WELLINGTON'S unshaken Line, this would have been a hazardous operation.

It is, moreover, very questionable whether the idea of retreat ever entered into his views; for a retreat, after such sacrifices had been made, harassed and interrupted as it undoubtedly would be by the two hostile Armies which had succeeded in effecting a junction, must prove no less disastrous than a signal defeat, and equally involve the downfall of his military and political power. Hence his desperate resolve to peril the fate of his brave Army and of his resuscitated Empire upon another and a final struggle for victory over WELLINGTON; whose troops had, with such truly heroic courage and such inflexible endurance, successfully withstood the most furious attacks which he had

504 Wellington's entire Line is to be attacked.

June 18.

By

repeatedly launched against them during the whole day. a victory alone, no matter how dearly purchased, could he hope to keep alive the national enthusiasm which he had again awakened: but which would assuredly relapse into irrecoverable apathy, should the prestige of returning glory be torn from the idol of the military portion of his subjects, and the Empire become again exposed to be overrun by those foreign legions that had once more taken up arms with a firm resolve finally to crush a power, the existence of which was incompatible with the security and independence of the States of Europe.

As the prospect of the consequences of failure thus flashed across his mind; NAPOLEON, like a desperate gambler, driven to his last stake, determined to risk his all upon another venture. The meditated blow was to be struck against his bold antagonist, WELLINGTON; whose Line was to be attacked along its entire Front by a simultaneous effort, while its Right and Centre were to be forced at all hazards.

He immediately ordered General Count DRUOT to collect all his Battalions of the Guard that were still in reserve, in front of La Belle Alliance. These were accordingly moved forward from their position near the house of DE COSTER; and the two Battalions of the 1st Regiment of Grenadiers, which had previously been stationed on the Height in rear of La Belle Alliance, were now destined to form a Reserve to the attacking Columns.

D'ERLON and REILLE were at the same time ordered to advance the whole of the remaining disposable force against the Enemy, with a view to second the main attack. The Centre of the Anglo-Allied Line, immediately in rear of La Haye Sainte, was not to be allowed a moment's respite from the attacks which continued to be made against it by the troops occupying, and debouching from, that Farm.

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