![]() ![]() ![]() Elated by their success, the British cavalry pursued their enemy too far and in turn suffered terrible casualties at the hands of the French lancers and light cavalry. British artillery and musketry succeeded in checking the French assault and the British Household and Union heavy cavalry brigades charged after the wavering Frenchmen. Men of the King’s German Legion resolutely defended the farm of La Haye Sainte. Phase 2 – The French Infantry Attacks Īt 13:30 Napoleon launched an infantry attack against Wellington’s centre. ![]() This was intended to draw Wellington’s reserves away from the centre, where Napoleon’s main attack would fall.Īccording to records Hougomont was considered to be a vital key to winning the Battle Of Waterloo. French infantry began an attack against the Château of Hougoumont, defended by the British Foot Guards. Phase 1 – The Attack on Hougoumont Īt around 11.00 Napoleon ordered his guns to open fire. Wellington’s troops were deployed behind a low ridge, partially protecting them from the French massed artillery. Napoleon’s army faced the Duke of Wellington’s Anglo-Dutch army near Waterloo on 18th June 1815. Heavy rain caused delays and confusion and both armies settled down for the night in the mud to await the dawn and the forthcoming battle. The French army advanced towards them and set up their camp on a ridge facing the combined British and Dutch (Anglo-Dutch) army. This had given Wellington enough time to prepare a full defensive position across the road leading to Brussels, near the village of Waterloo. There had already been a small battle at Quatre Bras, as Wellington tried to delay the French advance. Thinking that Blucher would retreat back to Prussia, Napoleon turned his attention towards Wellington. His first battle was at Ligny and, after a fierce day’s fighting, he defeated the Prussian army, forcing it to retreat. His plan was successful at first and he crossed the Belgian border before Wellington and Blucher could join forces. He gathered an army and prepared a surprise attack on Wellington and Blucher, hoping to catch them unprepared. The allies were caught completely by surprise and their only chance to stop him lay with two small armies in Belgium: a British and Dutch army commanded by the Duke of Wellington and a Prussian (German) army commanded by Marshall Blücher. What Napoleon needed now was a period of time to organize himself and the French army. When the king panicked and fled the country, there was little to stop Napoleon returning to Paris and resuming his title of Emperor. His first days were tense but, by personal leadership and persuasion, Napoleon managed to gain the support of the army. However, others wanted a return to the power and glory of the old days and saw Napoleon as their best hope. Many French were tired of war and the death and suffering that it made. He seized his opportunity, going by ship in February 1815 and landing in France again. Messages from France showed that his enemies were quarreling. His wife (an Austrian princess) and his sons were forbidden to visit him. He had been promised money by the new French government, but the money did not come. On the island of Elba, Napoleon was not content. He was replaced as ruler of France by Louis XVIII, brother of Louis XVI. Napoleon would abdicate (give up the throne) and live on a small Mediterranean island called Elba, with a small army. Meanwhile, a small army in Portugal and Spain, led by Arthur Wellesley (later to become Duke of Wellington) began to push Napoleon’s troops out of Spain.īy 1814, Napoleon faced total defeat, with invasions from all sides. The countries of Eastern Europe, led by Austria and Prussia, began to ally against him, forcing his troops back towards France. His army was caught by the Russian winter and destroyed by the weather and lack of food. He gathered a huge army to invade and conquer Russia in 1812. Napoleon seemed unstoppable until two separate campaigns failed. It was the last battle of the Napoleonic Wars. He attacked his enemies in Belgium and was defeated at Waterloo. In February 1815 he again took control of the French Army. Defeated at the Battle of Leipzig and elsewhere, he accepted exile on the island of Elba in 1814. France soon had an empire that stretched from Spain to the Russian border. Napoleon was crowned as Emperor of France in 1804, and then launched the successful Napoleonic Wars. The Battle of Waterloo was a battle that was fought between the French army and the British and Prussian armies. Waterloo, present-day Walloon Brabant in Belgium south of Brusselsġ5,000 British and allies killed and woundedħ,000 Prussians killed and wounded Wellington's army: 3,500 dead 10,200 wounded 3,300 missing.īlücher's army: 1,200 dead 4,400 wounded 1,400 missing. ![]()
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