and at length gave way, retiring, or rather flying, in the utmost confusion. This was the last effort of the enemy, and Napoleon gave orders for the retreat; to protect which, he had now no troops left, save the last four battalions of the Old Guard, which had been stationed in the rear of the attacking columns. These threw themselves into squares, and stood firm. But at this moment the Duke of Wellington commanded the whole British line to advance, so that whatever the bravery and skill of these gallant veterans, they also were thrown into disorder, and swept away in the general rout, in spite of the efforts of Ney, who having had his horse killed, fought sword in hand, and on foot, in the front of the battle, till the very last. That Mareschal, whose military virtues at least cannot be challenged, bore personal evidence against two circumstances, industriously circulated by the friends of Napoleon. One of these fictions occurs in his own bulletin, which charges the loss of the battle to a panic fear, brought about by the treachery of some unknown persons, who raised the cry of "Sauve qui peut." Another figment, greedily credited at Paris, bore, that the four battalions of Old Guard, the last who maintained the semblance of order, answered a summons to surrender, by the magnanimous reply, "The Guard can die, but cannot yield.” And one edition of the story adds, that thereupon the battalions made a half wheel inwards, and discharged their muskets into each others' bosoms, to save themselves from dying by the hands of the English. Neither the original reply, nor the pretended self-sacrifice of the Guard, have the slightest foundation. Cambronne, in whose mouth the speech was placed, gave up his own sword, and remained prisoner; and the military conduct of the French Guard is better eulogized by the undisputed truth, that they fought to extremity, with the most unyielding constancy, than by imputing to them an act of regimental suicide upon the lost field of battle. Every attribute of brave men they have a just right to claim. It is no compliment to ascribe to them that of madmen. Whether the words were used by Cambronne or no, the Guard well deserved to have them inscribed on their monument. Whilst this decisive movement took place, Bulow, who had concentrated his troops, and was at length qualified to act in force, carried the village of Planchenoit in the French rear, and was now firing so close on their right wing, that the cannonade annoyed the British who were in pursuit, and was suspended in consequence. Moving in oblique lines, the British and Prussian armies came into contact with each other on the heights so lately occupied by the French, and celebrated the victory with loud shouts of mutual congratulation. The French army was now in total and inextricable confusion and rout; and when the victorious generals met at the farmhouse of La Belle Alliance, it was agreed that the Prussians, who were fresh in comparison, should follow up the chase, a duty for which the British, exhausted by the fatigues of a battle of eight hours, were totally inadequate. END OF VOLUME I. NOTES The following brief résumé of the Wars of the first fifteen years of the Nineteenth Century, their causes and results, will give an idea of the historic setting, so to speak, of the famous battles described in this volume. 1801-April 2: Denmark having joined league of Northern Powers against England, Hyde Parker and Nelson attack Copenhagen; British victory. 1802-Egypt.-British Expedition to expel French. March 8: Abercromby lands at Aboukir in spite of French opposition. March 21: Battle of Alexandria; French defeated; they agree to evacuate Egypt. 1808-INDIA.-Mahratta War; British victories: August 12, Ahmednuggur; September 23, Assaye-Wellington's first great victory; November 1, Laswaree; November 29, Argaum. 1804-November 17, Furruckabad. 1801-1804 The vessels of the Barbary States, being engaged in piracy, attacked American shipping, seized and destroyed the cargoes and sold the crews into slavery. The United States, with other nations, paid a yearly tribute to escape this injury to her commerce; but more being demanded from us, we refused, and the Dey of Tripoli declared war on the United States. The war lasted until 1804, when Tripoli was forced to make a treaty of peace. 1803-1805-Napoleon's plans for invasion of England are defeated by his failure to obtain command of the sea; to keep him employed on Continent England forms coalition with Russia and Austria; Austria declares war before Russia is ready, August, 1805. 1805 October 5: Nelson destroys French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar. WAR BETWEEN FRANCE AND AUSTRIA.-August 27-September 24: French Grand Army under Napoleon marches from Boulogne into Germany; Mack with Austrians advances to Ulm, in Bavaria; French close on Ulm and cut Mack off from Austria, defeating Austrians (October 8) at Wertingen; (October 9) Günsburg; (October 11) Haslach; (October 14) Elchingen (Ney commands French); and (October 15) Michelberg. On October 17 Mack capitulates at Ulm. October 30-November 5: Napoleon advances on Vienna, Austrians and Russian auxiliary corps retiring before him and fighting rear-guard actions at Ried, Lambach, Steyer, and Amstetten. November 8: Davoust's victory at Maria-Zell. November 11: Mortier defeated at Dürrenstein. November 13: Murat seizes bridges of the Danube by stratagem. November 28: Napo leon enters Vienna. EVENTS IN SOUTH OF AUSTRIAN EMPIRE.-In Italy Massena opposes Archduke Charles. October 30 and 31: Battle of Caldiero, indecisive; Archduke retires into Illyria. On news of Ulm, Austrians under Archduke John evacuate Tyrol, retiring eastwards and fighting three actions, all claimed as French victories— November 2, Mittenwald; November 4, Scharnitz; November 11 and 12, Gries. November 24: Austrians under Rohan surrender to St. Cyr after defeat at Castelfranco. CAMPAIGN OF AUSTERLITZ, against Russians and Austrians. November 11: Russians under Alexander I and Kutusoff unite with Austrian army at Olmütz. November 28: Murat surprised by Russian vanguard |