ACTION ON THE 17TH. OF JUNE.
Reading edition
This movement of the Prussian commander rendered a corresponding one necessary on the part of the British, who retired from the farm of Quatre Bras upon Genappe, and thence on Waterloo on the morning of the 17th., at ten o’clock. No effort was made by the enemy to pursue Marshal Blucher, neither was there any attempt to molest the march of the British to the rear, although made in the middle of the day, excepting by following with a large body of cavalry, brought from the French right, the cavalry under the Earl of Uxbridge, who had taken up a position to cover the retrograde movement. The rear of the infantry and artillery having proceeded some miles along the great road from Quatre Bras through Genappe, the cavalry were withdrawn by brigades in succession, each brigade re-forming as soon as it arrived at a suitable position in the rear of the column. The enemy’s cavalry advanced in great force; the main body of his army moved on Quatre Bras, and his advance guard began to press on the rear of the retiring troops. To check this movement, the 7th. hussars charged a corps of French lancers in the town of Genappe; the lancers, however, having their flanks secure, presented an almost impenetrable row of pikes, and they were enabled to repel the charge. The attack was repeated by the hussars, but without making any impression; the French cavalry pressing forward, passed the ground occupied by the 7th., when the 1st. Life Guards were directed by the Earl of Uxbridge to charge the French lancers. Wheeling about, the Life Guards advanced to the attack, which proved irresistible, and the lancers were pursued through the streets of Genappe. After this repulse the retreat was continued with cannonading and skirmishing, until the cavalry arrived at the position of Mont. St. Jean, in front of the forest of Soignies, and near to the village of Waterloo.
About five in the afternoon the allies had taken up their prescribed position, and during the wet and disagreeable night, violent showers having fallen during the afternoon, and the rain continuing throughout the night, accompanied by cold and strong gusts of wind, so frequently a prelude to the Duke’s victories, awaited the dawn of the memorable 18th. of June.
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