Note 65 — ACTION AT QUATRE BRAS. 16th. June, 1815.

“As the 42nd. regiment advanced through a field of rye, which reached nearly to the men’s shoulders, a body of cavalry was seen approaching, which was supposed to be either Prussians or Flemings, but which proved to be French. The mistake was not discovered in time to complete the proper formation to receive the charge; the regiment, however, attempted to form square, and while in the act of so doing, the French lancers galloped forward with great impetuosity, being assured of victory when they saw the unprepared state of the regiment. The regiment suffered severely; but the lancers were repulsed with loss. When the enemy’s ardour was cooled and the attacks had become less frequent and fierce, the regiment completed its formation. It had sustained a severe loss in killed and wounded: Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Robert Macara, K.C.B., had fallen, and the command of the regiment devolved on Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir Robert Henry) Dick.”