Wellington and Blucher
Meet 16 June 1815:
Before the Battle of Ligny
Siborne Sr.’s Version
by Gary Cousins, Germany
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Siborne Sr., in “History”, said that, while Wellington reconnoitred at Quatre Bras: “…accounts reached him that Prince Blücher, in his position at Ligny, was menaced by the advance of considerable masses; the Duke, accompanied by his staff and a small escort of cavalry, shortly afterwards rode off to hold a conference with the Prussian commander, whom he found at the windmill of Bussy, between Ligny and Bry; whence he had an opportunity of observing the French preparatory dispositions for attack. These having led the Duke to conclude that Napoleon was bringing the main force of his army to bear against Blücher, he at once proposed to assist the Prince by first advancing straight upon Frasne and Gosselies, as soon as he should have concentrated sufficient force, and then operating upon the enemy's left and rear, which would afford a powerful diversion in favour of the Prussians, from the circumstance that their right wing was the weakest and most exposed, and considering the object of Napoleon's movement, the one most likely to be attacked. Upon a calculation being made, however, of the time which would elapse ere the Duke would be able to collect the requisite force for undertaking this operation, and of the possibility of Blücher
being defeated before it could be carried into effect, it was considered preferable that Wellington should, if practicable, move to the support of the Prussian right by the Namur road. But a direct support of this kind was necessarily contingent on circumstances, and subject to the Duke's discretion. The latter having expressed his confident expectation of being enabled to afford the desired support, as also of his succeeding in concentrating, very shortly, a sufficient force to assume the offensive, rode back to Quatre-Bras.” 11
Thus “History” outlined the two broad options by which Wellington might give support to the Prussians (see footnote 9), but said that the outcome of the meeting was that, although Wellington expressed confidence that he could support the Prussians, and of having sufficient force assembled to be able to go onto the offensive very soon (which rather points back to Wellington’s suggestion of driving southwards from Quatre Bras, then attacking the French rear and / or flank), any direct support
– by joining the Prussian right – depended upon circumstances and was subject to his discretion. In any case, no promises are mentioned.
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Wellington and Blucher Meet 16 June 1815 Before the Battle of Ligny
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