(June 16, 1815)
There was a sound of revelry by night,
And Belgium’s capital had gather’d then
Her Beauty and her Chivalry1, and bright
The lamps shone o’er fair women and brave men;
A thousand hearts beat happily: and when
Music arose with its voluptuous2 swell3,
Soft eyes look’d love to eyes which spake again,
And all went merry as a marriage-bell;
But hush4! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising knell5!
Byron.
Towards the end of 1814 there was an interesting assemblage of emperors, kings, generals, and representatives of the people at Vienna to settle once and for all the future peace of Europe. There was not a great deal of sympathy between the Allies, and now that Napoleon had shot his bolt, and was apparently6 for ever humiliated7, disputes soon took the place of friendly overtures8, while the Congress promised to disagree as ardently9 as any other peaceful gathering10 before or since. Napoleon, fretting11 at Elba, learnt how matters stood, and decided12 with his amazing promptitude that the day had dawned that might carry with it his re-accession to power.
In France Louis XVIII. was little better than a shadow upon a throne. The reaction that had set in against Napoleon at the time of his abdication13 had been altogether submerged by the impatience14 with which the French people regarded the deliberations of the Allies. The pride of France was touched, and the pride of France has ever soared very high. Like many another exile Napoleon by his absence attained15 a greater hold upon the imagination of his countrymen than he had ever possessed16 before. Those old soldiers who had been victorious17 under his standards were never tired of foretelling18 the time when the ‘Little Corporal’ would again return and sweep all the armies of the Allies before him like forest leaves. We may be perfectly19 sure that Napoleon was now, as always, in touch with the spirit of France, and that when he struck it was with everything as much in his favour as could be.
On a dark March evening, when the British war-ships were riding at anchor, and no whisper of danger reached the watching sailors, he left Elba and set foot upon the shores of France. The news of his arrival sped like wildfire through every village of the south, and was flung from lip to lip until it reached Paris itself. The mere20 presence of Napoleon, without arms, without money, without anything to win back an Empire, sent Louis XVIII. scurrying21 into exile!
It was a triumph indeed. But Napoleon was not foolish enough to ignore the apprehensions22 of the French people; whatever feelings were hidden within his own heart he stifled23 them for the moment under a pretence24 of peace. It was England who refused to discuss the situation on any terms. Napoleon was declared an outlaw25 and the enemy of Europe. As our countrymen pledged themselves a hundred years later to crush and overthrow26 Prussianism, so they pledged themselves then to fight until the danger was averted27. The arrival of Napoleon had been so swift that it was quite impossible to assemble the Allies. The Austrian and Russian forces had to travel great distances, and only the Prussian army on the Rhine under Blücher, the English in Belgium under Wellington, with some Hanoverians, Belgians, and Dutch, were ready to withstand the swift onrush of the French.
With his unerring judgment28 Napoleon grasped the situation. He realised, like those German hosts in the summer of 1914, that he must win, if win at all, by forced marches and forced battles. His army was a small one, but was largely composed of veteran troops. It was perfectly within reason to achieve the separation of the forces of Wellington and Blücher, and defeat them in turn. The enthusiasm with which Napoleon was greeted by the French soldiers is one of the most remarkable29 episodes in history. To them he was the son of New France, the invincible30 ‘Little Corporal.’ When he left Paris to join the army he uttered these memorable31 words: “I go,” he said, “to measure myself with Wellington,” and when he arrived at the Imperial Headquarters he sent this message to his troops:
“Soldiers! We have forced marches to make, battles to fight, troubles to encounter; but, with firmness victory will be ours. Rejoice, the honour and the happiness of the country will be recovered! To every Frenchman who has a heart, the moment has now arrived to conquer or die!”
Napoleon aimed at the occupation of Brussels, then in the hands of the British, and there is no doubt that his intention was to surprise Wellington’s army by the rapidity of his advance. There is also little question that if he had succeeded in taking Brussels, a great part of Belgium would have risen in his favour. An examination of the map will show how many roads there are converging32 upon Brussels from the French frontier, and it was unknown to Wellington upon which Napoleon might march. Accordingly the English Commander-in-Chief distributed his forces so that he could concentrate upon any single point.
It would be foolish to praise one Highland33 regiment34 above another, for prowess is largely a matter of opportunity. In the action at Quatre Bras both the Gordons and the Black Watch were beyond praise, while at Waterloo the former took romance as it were by the stirrup iron, and added a new glamour35 to the old tale of Scotland’s glory.
At ten o’clock on that eventful night, when the dance in Brussels was at its height, Colonel John Cameron, commanding officer of the Gordons, left the ballroom36 and went to his quarters. Early on June 16, amidst torrents37 of rain, the 92nd marched out of the city for the impending38 conflict. The bagpipes39 screamed through the streets, bringing many a face to the windows to watch how the Gordons went to face Ney at Quatre Bras. They took up position near a farmhouse40, where soon after their arrival the Duke of Wellington himself rode up to Colonel Cameron, and congratulated him upon the appearance of his men, checking for a while their impatience.
At Quatre Bras when the fight was high,
Stout41 Cameron stood with wakeful eye,
Eager to leap, as a mettlesome42 hound,
Into the fray43 with a plunge44 and a bound.
But Wellington, lord of the cool command,
Held the reins45 with a steady hand,
Saying, “Cameron, wait, you’ll soon have enough—
Give the Frenchmen a taste of your stuff,
When the Cameron men are wanted.”
In front of the farmhouse there was a ditch, and this the Gordons were ordered to defend, together with the outhouses and other buildings. They had hardly got into position before the attack commenced, and the Highlanders found themselves confronted by the forces of Marshal Ney. Their ranks were raked for a considerable time by the French artillery46. This was only supplementary47 to a desperate charge by the French cavalry48, at that time unrivalled in Europe. The chasseurs managed to work their way behind the Gordons, and Wellington was compelled to leap a fence to avoid capture. But the Frenchmen never broke out again. The 92nd accounted for them.
Meanwhile the 42nd—which with three other regiments49 formed Pack’s brigade—were brought up after a very long march and flung into the heat of the fighting, changing commanders no less than four times. Confused, separated, seeing their officers fall on all sides, they endured sufficient hammering to break the confidence of many a disciplined regiment; but the ranks of the Black Watch had never been broken, and they remained perfectly staunch until, in its turn, the French cavalry was shattered upon their bayonets.
Anton, who served in the Black Watch, relates how they marched out of the ancient gate of Brussels and entered the forest of Soignes. Shortly afterwards the frightened peasantry ran chattering50 past them, saying that the enemy were advancing. Then General Pack came galloping51 up, and reproved the Colonel for not having the bayonets fixed52. A few minutes later the Belgian skirmishers came dashing helter-skelter through the open ranks of the 42nd, and next instant the Highlanders were confronted with their pursuers.
At the sight of the grim faces of the Black Watch the French fell back for the time being, while the Highlanders advanced, at which Marshal Ney ordered a regiment of Lancers to break upon their flank. They came with such rapidity that they almost took the Highlanders off their guard. “We instantly formed ‘rally-square,’” says Anton. “Every man’s piece was loaded, and our enemies approached at full charge, the feet of their horses seemed to tear up the ground. Our skirmishers having been impressed with the same opinion that these were Brunswick cavalry, fell beneath their lances, and few escaped death or wounds. Our brave Colonel fell at this time pierced through the chin until the point of the lance reached the brain. Captain Menzies fell covered with wounds, and a momentary53 conflict took place over him. He was a powerful man, and, hand to hand, more than a match for six ordinary men.... Of all descriptions of cavalry, certainly the Lancers seem the most formidable to infantry54, as the lance can be projected with considerable precision and with deadly effect without bringing the horse to the point of the bayonet, and it was only by rapid and well-directed fire of musketry that these formidable assailants were repulsed55.”
The Gordons having repulsed the cavalry at the point of the bayonet, awaited the advance of the veteran French infantry.
Their vigil was soon rewarded. The Duke of Wellington, perceiving that some French had gained a footing in the farmhouse which was of such strategic importance, shouted to their commander, “Now, Cameron, is the time; take care of the road.” Major-General Baines riding up shouted, “Ninety-second, follow me!” The order to charge was given, and the 92nd, leaping from the ditch, rushed forward impetuously upon the enemy, hurling56 them back at the point of the bayonet. The victory was won, but at great cost to the Gordons, for Colonel Cameron was shot by a bullet fired from one of the upper windows of the farmhouse, and was soon beyond human aid. He was conveyed to the village of Waterloo before he died, with the words: “I die happy, and I trust my dear country will remember that I have served her faithfully.” It is worth while recalling once again that powerful verse written by Sir Walter Scott:
Through shell and shot he leads no more,
Low laid ‘mid friends’ and foemen’s gore57;
But ‘long his native lake’s wild shore
And Sunart rough and high Ardgour
And Morven long shall tell,
And proud Ben Nevis hear with awe58
How upon bloody59 Quatre Bras
Brave Cameron heard the wild hurrah60
Of conquest, as he fell!
The losses suffered by the Highland regiments had been very heavy, but they had won deathless prestige. Out of all the forces engaged Wellington selected four regiments for special mention. The Black Watch, the Gordons, and the Camerons were of that proud body. During this time the French and the Prussians had been engaged at the battle of Ligny, and although Blücher had superior forces to Napoleon he had lost the day, though had not actually suffered a defeat. After the action the Prussians retreated towards Maestricht in order to maintain their communications with Wellington’s army. Unfortunately for the British, the despatch-rider who was sent to inform Wellington that the Prussian army was in retreat did not reach him, and it was not until the 17th, at Quatre Bras, that the British General heard the result of the battle of Ligny. This news—that Napoleon had defeated Blücher—was something of a shock to Wellington, who had hoped, with Prussian support, to make a definite attack upon the French.
Battle scene
The Gordons At Quatre Bras
After the indecisive action at Quatre Bras, Wellington decided to march his army towards Brussels, and attempt to restore communication with Blücher. He despatched word to him that he intended to halt at Mont St. Jean, but only on condition that Blücher would pledge himself to the extent of 25,000 men. The Duke of Uxbridge covered the retreat of the British forces—for there is no denying that it was in the nature of a retreat—and the army halted for the night close to a little village that has gone down to history under the name of Waterloo.
BATTLE HONOURS OF THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS
Mysore, Seringapatam, Egmont-op-Zee, Mandora, Corunna, Fuentes de O?oro, Almaraz, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nive, Orthez, Peninsula, Waterloo; South Africa, 1835; Delhi, Lucknow, Charasiah; Kabul, 1879; Kandahar, 1880; Afghanistan, 1878-1880; Egypt, 1882, 1884; Tel-el-Kebir; Nile, 1884-1885; Chitral, Tirah; South Africa, 1899-1902; Ladysmith, Paardeberg.
1st Battalion61, raised 1758, was disbanded. Re-formed 1787 as the 75th (Highland) Regiment of Foot. From 1862 to 1881 the 75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment.
2nd Battalion, raised 1794, as the 100th (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot. From 1861 to 1881 the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot.
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1
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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2
voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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3
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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4
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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5
knell
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| n.丧钟声；v.敲丧钟 | |
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6
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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humiliated
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| 感到羞愧的 | |
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8
overtures
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| n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲 | |
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9
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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10
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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11
fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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12
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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13
abdication
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| n.辞职；退位 | |
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14
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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15
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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16
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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17
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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18
foretelling
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的现在分词 ) | |
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19
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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20
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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21
scurrying
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
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22
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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23
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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24
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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25
outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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26
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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27
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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28
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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29
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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30
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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31
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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32
converging
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| adj.收敛[缩]的，会聚的，趋同的v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的现在分词 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集 | |
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33
highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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34
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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35
glamour
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| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
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36
ballroom
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| n.舞厅 | |
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37
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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38
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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39
bagpipes
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| n.风笛；风笛( bagpipe的名词复数 ) | |
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40
farmhouse
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| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
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42
mettlesome
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| adj.（通常指马等）精力充沛的，勇猛的 | |
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43
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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44
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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45
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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46
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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47
supplementary
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| adj.补充的，附加的 | |
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48
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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49
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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50
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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51
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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52
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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53
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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54
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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55
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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56
hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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57
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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58
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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59
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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60
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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61
battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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