Note 36 — Chapter I

After the publication of these despatches, and of other documents, especially those collected by the son of Ney, we must reject Napoleon’s statement that Ney received “positive orders,” to occupy Quatre Bras on the evening of the 15th, and to advance from that place, “at daybreak,” on the 16th. Still, I think Napoleon indicated a movement of the kind to his lieutenant on the 15th; the Moniteur of the 18th contains a despatch of the 15th, which announces that “Ney had his head-quarters at Quatre Bras.” The point, however, is not of very great importance; had the Emperor’s orders of 8 A.M. on the 16th been intelligently and rapidly carried out, Ney would have done all that was required, and Napoleon would have gained decisive success.