Collected Reminiscences of Waterloo

What the Gordons did at Waterloo

FROM THE FORGOTTEN DIARY OF SERGEANT D. ROBERTSON

Sergeant Robertson in his Journal says, 'On the 26th of January 1815, we marched to Cork again with the intention of embarking for Scotland but, owing to certain circumstances we were detained until the 1st of May when, instead of embarking for our native country, we were ordered off to Belgium again to take up our quarters in the tented field. We weighed anchor on the 3rd and on the 8th landed at Ostend and disembarked next day. We halted here and got three days' rations served out which we managed to get cooked. In the evening we embarked on board the boats on the canal and proceeded to Ghent, where we arrived on the 11th at daybreak.

It happened to be the weekly market day when we landed, and none of us ever saw such a sight before. The day was beautiful, and the people were coming in boats from all directions to the centre of the city, which caused great stir and bustle; and to add to the effect of the scene, we were disembarked at the large marketplace. If the novelty of what we saw made an impression on our minds, the Belgians were no less surprised at our strange appearance as, I believe, none of them had ever seen any clad in the Highland garb before.

We were all regularly billeted upon the inhabitants without distinction, and were civil used by them. In a few days we were joined by the Royal Scots, 42nd, and 79th, and were pleased at meeting with so many Scotchmen, more especially those brave fellows with whom we had fought side by side in Egypt and Denmark, at Corunna; Fuentes, and Victoria; among the Pyrenees, at Bayonne and Toulouse: 'Brothers in arms, but rivals in renown.'

We remained in Ghent till the 28th of the month, with out the occurrence of anything worthy of notice, when we marched to Brussels, where the Duke of Wellington had his headquarters, and were put in divisions under the command of Sir Thomas Picton, Sir James Kempt, and Sir Denis Pack. When we came to Alast, half way between Ghent and Brussels, we found the Duke de Berri commanding a body of French troops that adhered to the Bourbon cause. Almost all the officers had served in the French army in Spain, and some of them had been in Egypt. The latter upon seeing the Highland regiments, immediately came running to meet us, and asked very kindly 'If they had not seen us before' When we answered in the affirmative, they went and told the Duke, who expressed his happiness to have such supporters to aid the cause of his house.

On our arrival at Brussels we were billeted throughout the city. The 28th, 32nd, 34th, 95th, and two battalions of the Hanoverian militia joined us here, which were paraded in brigade every second day. While here we had a grand review, which was attended by all the resident Belgian and English nobility. Recruiting for the Belgian army was going on with great activity, and hundreds daily marched to the different depots. They were mostly all good-looking young fellows and had a very soldier-like appearance. We were now served with four days' bread, and supplied with camp kettles, bill hooks and everything necessary for a campaign, which according to all accounts was fast approaching. The inhabitants, like those of Ghent, were very civil and kind to us, and we in turn were the same to them. We were kept in a state of alarm for some days from reports that appeared in the Belgian papers to the effect that the French troops were moving on to the frontiers.

In order to avoid being taken unawares, the orderly sergeants were desired to take a list of the men's quarters, with the names of the streets, and the numbers of the houses. It was also arranged that every company and regiment should be billeted in the same or the adjacent streets to Prevent confusion if called out at a moment's warning.

On the evening of the 15th of June, the sergeants on duty were all in the orderly room till ten o'clock at night ; and no orders having been issued, we went home to our quarters. I had newly lain down in bed when the bugle sounded the alarm, the drums beat to arms, bagpipes played and all was in commotion, thus stunning the drowsy ear of night by all kinds of martial music sounding in every street. Upon hearing this, sergeants and corporals ran to the quarters of their respective parties to turn them out. I went to the quartermaster for bread and four days' allowance was given out of the store, which was soon distributed among the men, every one getting his share and speedily falling into rank. So regular and orderly was the affair gone about, that we were ready to march in half an hour after the first sound of the bugle.

Colonel Cameron had that day been invested with the Order of the Bath by the title of Sir John Cameron of Fassifearn and was present at a splendid ball given by the Duchess of Richmond, daughter of the seventh Duke of Gordon who was brother to the Marquis of Huntly. She had invited some sergeants of the 92nd to show the company especially the Belgians, the Highland reel and sword dance, which they did. When the alarm sounded, the Duke of Wellington was quickly at our head and we commenced our march at daybreak, leaving the city by the Lamour gates, followed by the inhabitants to whom we gave three farewell cheers.

When we had got a few miles from Brussels we entered a wood, the trees of which were remarkably tall, and although the road was very wide it was wet and soft, as the sun did not strike upon it to make it dry. During our march we had several times to diverge to the right and left, to avoid the bad parts of the road. When we had got a good way into the wood we met a number of wagons conveying Prussian soldiers who had been wounded the day before, who told us that the French were driving all before them, and that we were greatly needed. As we were too apt to entertain bad opinions, we suspected treachery on the part of the foreigners, and that we should have to retreat; we did not credit much what the Prussians told us of the affair.

We continued our route until we came to the skirt of the wood, into which we were marched, and ordered to lie down and rest ourselves for two hours, but not to kindle any fires, and on no account to move out of our places We lay down and slept for some time, when the Duke of Wellington and his staff rode by, which made us move, but we were not called upon to march. While lying here we were joined by a great many Hanoverians and Brunswickers, all of whom were formed up in the wood. When we emerged into open ground, we found ourselves at the village of Waterloo. About eleven o'clock we fell in and marched on.

The day was oppressively warm and the road very dusty. We moved on slowly till we reached the village of Genappe, where the inhabitants had large tubs filled with water standing at the doors, ready for us, of which we stood in great need. They told us that a French patrol had been there that morning. We had hardly got out of the town when we heard the sound of cannon at no great distance which proceeded from the place where the conflict was going on between the French and the Belgians.

The sound had a stimulating effect upon us ; for so eager were we to enter the field of action, that we felt as fresh as if we had newly started. In fact we were all anxious to assist the poor Belgians, who were but young soldiers, and consequently little experienced in military affairs. 'Forward,' was now the word that ran through all the ranks; but the Colonel had more discretion, and would not allow us to run, lest we should exhaust ourselves before the time. He issued peremptory orders that every man should keep his rank as if on parade, and not march above three miles an hour. The firing seemed to be coming nearer as we approached a farm and public-house, called Quatre Bras.

THE TERRIBLE BATTLE OF QUATRE BRAS

We now went off the road to the left of the house and closed up upon the front division in columns of battalions ready to form line. Before many minutes had elapsed, we received some shots from the French artillery which galled us considerably, as we had none up yet to return the compliment. The French made a movement to their own right; and the 92nd and 79th were ordered to oppose them, in a field on which was growing a crop of long wheat or rye.

As those regiments were moving on to take possession of a wood to the left, a little in front of our position, they were attacked by a strong body of cavalry, which made considerable havoc among them. The 92nd was now brought to the front of the farmhouse and formed on the road, with our backs to the walls of the building and garden, our right resting upon the cross-roads, and our left extending down the front. We were ordered to prime and load and sit down with our firelocks in our hands, at the same time keeping in line. The ground we occupied rose with a slight elevation, and was directly in front of the road along which the French were advancing.

Shortly after we had formed here the Duke of Wellington and his staff came and dismounted in rear of the centre of our regiment, and ordered the grenadier company to wheel back on the left and the light company on the right; so that the walls of the house and garden in our rear with the eight companies in front, joined in a square, in case any of the enemy's cavalry should attack us. We had not been long in this way, when a column of Brunswick hussars, with the Duke of Brunswick at their head, made a charge down the road on the right. In this, however, they were unsuccessful, and were driven back with considerable loss, the Duke being among the slain. The column of French cavalry that drove back the Brunswickers retired a little, then re-formed, and prepared to charge our regiment; but we took it more coolly than the Brunswickers did.

When the Duke of Wellington saw them approach, he ordered our left wing to fire to the right, and the right wing to fire to the left by which we crossed the fire; and a man and horse affording such a large object for an aim, very few of them escaped. The horses were brought down and the riders, if not killed, were made prisoners. Some of them had the audacity to draw their swords upon the men when in the act of taking them, but such temerity only served to accelerate their own destruction; for in the infuriated state of mind in which we were at the moment, those guilty of such conduct fared a worse fate than those who submitted without a murmur.

We were informed by the prisoners that Napoleon himself was in the field, so were also our old friends Soult and Ney; and that Ney was directly in our front, and had ordered a charge to be made upon us. We were very happy on hearing this intelligence, as the thought that the two great generals of the time were to meet each other on the field of battle, stimulated us to do our utmost to maintain unsullied the hard-earned reputation which the British army had gained in many a bloody battle field.

As far as I am aware this was the first time that ever the Emperor had been personally engaged with us and we were anxious to know if the same good fortune which attended his former campaigns still awaited him, and whether he would be able to re-enact the splendid achievements of Lodi, Marengo, and Austerlitz, when brought into the arena against an army for the most part composed of veteran troops, and commanded by brave and experienced generals. We wished to show him that we were made of sterner stuff than those whom he was wont to chase over the length and breadth of Europe.

Immediately after the enemy's cavalry had been driven back and partially destroyed, a column of infantry was sent round to a wood on our right and another to push us in front. At this time the 30th, 69th, and 73rd regiments joined us, upon which we left our ground to charge down the road, led by General Barnes and Colonel Cameron. Just as we had taken our stand, a volley was fired at the Duke of Wellington from behind a garden hedge. As I was the first sergeant he observed on turning round, he ordered me to take a section and drive them out. I accordingly got a section and we went into the garden when, after a short contest, we succeeded in driving them out, after having killed a good many of them. By the time I got out of the garden and came to the road the regiment was closely engaged with the bayonet. The lieutenant-colonel at this time was coming up as fast as he could ride having been shot through the groin. We immediately joined the regiment at the foot of the garden and advanced at full speed, the French having by this time given way. In the impetuosity of our charge we had advanced too near the enemy's guns and were obliged to move off to the right to the skirts of the wood. We then advanced rapidly on the right and turned the left flank of the French.

We now made a determined attack to seize two of the enemy's guns, which gave us considerable annoyance, but were foiled in the attempt. At this time the Guards came up and the action began to be general. We, however, still sustained considerable loss from the enemy's cannon, as we had none with which to oppose them; and as so few of our troops had come up, we could not form a sufficiently strong column in one place to enable us to take any of their artillery from them. Our regiment was now very much cut up both in officers and men, as we had been first in the action and, with the other Highland regiments had for a long time to resist the attack of the whole French army.

We continued very warmly engaged until about eight o'clock in the evening, when we rallied, and made another effort to capture the enemy's guns. In this attempt I received a wound in the head, while in the act of cheering the men forward. I was very sick for a short time, and was sent to the rear under the care of the surgeon, where I got my wound dressed, and remained till morning; when I awoke I found I was able to join the regiment again. On account of this wound I was reported dead and my old companions were rather surprised at my return. On calling over the roll the night previous, it was found that we had lost 1 colonel, 1 major, 4 captains, 12 lieutenants, 4 ensigns, 12 sergeants, and about 250 rank and file.

The regiment was now formed in the rear of the house of Quatre Bras. Before we had time to cook our victuals the Duke of Wellington and his staff came into the midst of us and gave orders for the march of the different divisions. The cavalry by this time were coming up in great strength; and on the arrival of General Hill at their head we all stood up and gave him three hearty cheers, as we had long been under his command in the Peninsula, and loved him dearly on account of his kind and fatherly conduct towards us. When he came among us he spoke in a very kindly manner and inquired concerning our welfare. He also expressed his sorrow that the colonel was wounded; and gave us a high character to the Duke of Wellington who replied that he knew what we could do and that by-and-bye he would give us something to keep our hands in use. We now removed as many of the wounded out of the field as we could and buried all the dead bodies within our reach, especially the officers.

After remaining here till about ten o'clock we fell back to the skirts of a wood near the village of Waterloo, the cavalry forming our rear guard. The French now pushed very hard upon us, but we still managed to keep the road. On coming to the village of Genappe, we found the houses were full of our wounded who had made that length and were not able to go any further. When the French came up they were all taken prisoners. We now heard that Colonel Cameron had died on the road about an hour before we came to Genappe. We still kept moving very slowly, until the French artillery got close to our rear, and were annoying us very much, when the Duke ordered a regiment of Hanoverian infantry to wait and assist our cavalry, who were formed on each side of the road, to protect our flanks which they effectually did.

We arrived at length at the house of Le Haye Sainte, a very large building having a great entrance gate on the left hand, where the Brussels road is cut through a small green hill with high banks on each side. On coming to.the rear of the house we diverged to the right and left. The right of Sir Thomas Picton's division to which we belonged, rested on the great road; and the left extended on in rear of a double hedge – that is two hedges with a bye-road running between them. It had been raining very hard ever since we commenced our march in the morning and we were drenched to the skin.

The ground on which we were formed had been lately ploughed and the corn newly brairded, [1] so that with the number of men that were treading upon it, the field was reduced to the consistency of mortar. However, we formed line, and the French halted opposite to us much in the same state. The weather soon began to fair up, but still everything round and below was very wet. We now thought of getting our muskets in order for action, for by every appearance we were likely to need them soon. I took the opportunity of going into the hedge to look at the French forming; but such numerous columns I had never looked on before, nor do I believe any man in the British army had ever seen such a host. I must confess that, for my own part, when I saw them taking up their ground in such a regular manner, and everything appearing so correct about all their movements, I could not help wishing that we had had more troops with which to oppose the thousands that were collecting in our front.

Our artillery and a rocket-brigade had now arrived, all the cavalry had come up, and a great number of foreign infantry had already joined us. The evening at length cleared but without any sunshine. We had a fine view of the country round the village of Mount St. Jean which stood within half a mile of our rear, and the skirts of the great forest of Soignes lay not much farther off. We could get no fuel here to make fires as everything was soaked with the rain. There was a field of green clover in our rear of which we cut large quantities, and with some branches out of the hedges made a kind of bed on the ground to keep us from the clay. Every regiment sent to its own front a small piquet for the purpose of giving information to the commanding officer in case of alarm. In this condition we stretched ourselves on our uncomfortable lair.

We lay till about twelve o'clock when the alarm was given that the French were coming. We instantly stood to our arms and continued in that posture until the cause of the alarm was found to be groundless; it arose from a part of the Belgian cavalry going their rounds, having when challenged by our sentries replied in the French language. During all this time it continued to rain very hard. As we had lain down by fours, we had blankets enough to cover us and keep us dry; but when we got up again we were made as wet as before. The place on which we lay was like a marsh and for the season of the year the rain was very cold. Notwithstanding all these disagreeable circumstances, we lay down again and slept sound, as we were very much fatigued.

THE 'SCOTLAND FOR EVER' CHARGE

We were aroused by daybreak on the morning of the 18th and ordered to stand to our arms, till the line should be reconstructed. During the time I never felt colder in my life; every one of us was shaking like an aspen leaf. An allowance of gin was then served out to each of us which had the effect of infusing warmth into our almost inanimate frames, as before we got it, we seemed as if under a fit of ague. We remained on the ground till about six o'clock, when we were ordered to clean ourselves, dry our muskets, try to get forward, and commence cooking. We had scarcely got breakfast discussed when a shot from the French killed one of our pioneers who was sleeping. We were now ordered to stand to our arms, prime and load, fix bayonets, wheel into line, and be ready to act in any manner required.

By this time the action had begun on the right, and the Duke and his staff had taken up their position on the green height in the rear of Le Hay Saint, where he could see the whole of the line from right to left. Beyond the hedge in our front was a fallow field, having a gentle ascent towards it ; and being placed rather in rear of the slope, the French cannoniers could not hit us with their shot, but they made some shells to bear upon us, which made great havoc in our ranks. As yet we had not fired a shot but what had been discharged by our outposts.

The French were now busy in forming columns to their own right, which was directly in our front, and we were expecting every moment to be attacked, as all on the right of our division were warmly engaged. We were well cautioned to be steady and keep together, as, in all likelihood, we would be first attacked by cavalry, who would try to break our line; and, above all, to mind what word of command was given – whether to form square or whatever else the order might be. At this time, our men were falling fast from the grape shot and shells that the French were pouring in among us, while as yet we had not discharged a musket. The artillery attached to us had now commenced a brisk fire, which drew a great deal of the French fire upon our ranks, as we were immediately in rear of the artillery.

At length a large column of French infantry was seen advancing in our direction. Everyone was now eager to be led on, and as the way they were taking indicated that it was upon that part of the line where the 92nd was stationed that the attack would be made, General Pack ordered us to advance and line the hedge to oppose the advance of the column. But when we got to the side of the hedge we found the French were there as soon as we. We cheered loudly, and called to the Scotch Greys, who were formed up in our rear, 'Scotland for ever!'

Upon which, some person in the regiment called out 'charge' when, all at once, the whole regiment broke through the hedge, and rushed headlong on the French column. The onset was so sudden and unexpected, that it threw them into confusion. At this critical moment, the Greys flew like a whirlwind to our assistance, and having got round on the flanks of the column, they placed themselves between the enemy and our own line. While we pushed them hard in front the other cavalry regiments in the brigade, the Royals, Blues, and Enniskillen Dragoons, came at full speed to our aid, when it was fearful to see the carnage that took place. The dragoons were lopping off heads at every stroke, while the French were calling for quarter. We were also among them busy with the bayonet and what the cavalry did not execute we completed; but, owing to the position taken up by the dragoons, very few of the French escaped. It was here that some of the 92nd and the Greys had a struggle for the eagle which a sergeant of the Greys bore off.

In this charge all the sergeants and one of the officers at the colours were killed. So terrible was the havoc which the Greys had made, and such the fearful impression that they produced on the minds of the French, that nothing was heard from those among them who were literally trodden down but appeals to deliver them from those dragoons. A poor fellow cried out to me to save him, and he would give me his watch and all his money; but being called to the colours I was obliged to leave him. One of our regiment, however, fortunately came to the place where he was, and as he spoke in good English, our fellow thought he was a Briton and conducted him to the rear. We now returned to our old ground as we could not retain possession of what we had acquired.

When we had resumed our old station we found that we had lost a great many in the late affair, and among those that had fallen, was my particular and well-beloved comrade, Sergeant-Major Taylor. As I knew he had a valuable watch upon him, I went out between the fires of the two lines and took it and some other things off him, for the benefit of his widow. We had not time as yet to ascertain the amount of our loss, but I found that our captain had been wounded, and was amissing and that I was left in command of two companies, as we lost all the subaltern officers on the 16th.

On the right of our division the French cavalry were making a dreadful push, and we often thought that they would force their way through our lines, but the firm and determined resistance of our troops at last convinced them that their efforts were unavailing.

After the charge already mentioned we were not troubled for a long time nor did we fire any for two hours. During all this time however, we suffered much from the enemy's artillery. We were ordered to sit down and rest ourselves. During this intermission, we had a fine view of what was passing on the right. I could see the French cavalry make those terrible charges which frequently drove ours to the rear, but when our men came to the forest, they faced about and beat them back in turn.

And often, when the French cavalry were compelled to pull about, our infantry gave them a dreadful volley on the way when passing. It was, I suppose, at this stage of the action that the French account of the battle stated that they took possession of Mount St. Jean; but, in truth, they did not keep it for one minute, as from where we were seated I had a perfect sight of what was going forward. At this time, the 27th and 40th regiments had arrived from Brussels and were forming column in front of the large farmhouse, on the outside of the village. Although the French cavalry had obtained possession of the village, it would have been impossible for them to have retained it while our cavalry had the support of these regiments.

About four o'clock the enemy made another attack on our part of the line, by a large body of lancers, who rode up to our squares with as much coolness as if subjecting us to a regimental inspection. We kept up a smart fire upon them, however, and put them to the right about. But before we had succeeded in turning them they did us considerable damage by throwing their lances into our columns, which, being much longer than the firelock and bayonet, gave them a great advantage over us.

At this time we could distinctly see large columns of infantry forming in our front, with numerous bodies of artillery, and we expected we were to be called upon to sustain a charge from all kinds of arms. We were again ordered to line our old hedge to be in readiness to receive them. When we saw the dense masses collecting in our front ready to rush upon us we looked for nothing but that our line would be broken, and utter discomfiture would be the consequence. The bodies of our artillerymen lay beside the guns which they had so bravely managed and many a cannon had not a gunner left to discharge it. At this time there was scarcely an officer left in our regiment, in consequence of which the command of the company devolved upon me. I now began to reflect on what should be done in case of a retreat becoming inevitable, over a long plain, in front of cavalry.

I was aware it would be difficult for me to keep the men together, as they had never retreated before under similar circumstances. In fact, any word of command misunderstood in the smallest degree would be sure to produce disorder. And in the face of peril so imminent, there must always be some persons more afraid than others, whose timidity might infect the rest ; whereas, when advancing to meet the enemy every one becomes emboldened and confusion is not so likely to occur.

While we were in this state, with life and death in the balance, the French column began to move forward. An awful pause ensued. Every man, however, was steady. At length they came within pistol-shot of our lines, when a volley of rockets was let off by the brigade that had been formed in the hedge, which threw them into entire confusion. To complete their disorder we, at the same instant, gave a loud huzzah and poured a well-directed volley upon them. This unexpected and rather rough reception made them turn round and run, leaving behind them a number of killed and wounded. When this brush was over. we sent out a few skirmishers in our front along the hedge, merely to keep up the fire, and give information of what was passing among the French, who were still keeping up a distant cannonade. We now opened our files along the hedge, as the wider they were kept, there was less danger to be apprehended from the round shot, and in this way we remained for a long time. Notwithstanding this precaution they were occasionally taking oft some of us.

It was now seven o'clock and by this time there was no officer in the regiment but the commanding officer (whose horse had been shot), the adjutant, and very few sergeants. I had charge of two companies, and was ordered to pay particular attention to any signal or movement I might see in front, for which purpose I was furnished with a spyglass. In a short time one of our skirmishers came running in, and called to me to look at the French lines, as something extraordinary was going on. On the enemy's right I saw that a cross fire had been commenced, and that troops in the same dress had turned the extremity of their line and were advancing rapidly. I immediately informed the adjutant, who said that perhaps it was a mutiny in the French army, and that we had-better form our companies close so as to be ready to march to any point.

At this instant an aide-de-camp came galloping down our rear, and calling out, 'The day is our own – the Prussians have arrived.' All eyes were now turned to the right to look for the signal to charge which was to be given by the Duke of Wellington. Nothing could stop our men, and it was only by force that the non-commissioned officers could keep them from dashing into the French lines. No language can express how the British army felt at this time ; their joy was truly ecstatic.

By this time the aide-de-camp had returned to the Duke who was standing in the stirrups with his hat elevated above his head. Every eye was fixed upon him, and all were waiting with impatience to make a finish of such a hard day's work. At last he gave three waves with his hat and the loud three cheers that followed the signal were the heartiest that had been given that day. On seeing this, we leapt over the hedge that had been such a protection to us during the engagement and in a few minutes we were among the French lines. Nothing was used now but the bayonet, for, after the volley we gave them, we set off at full speed, and did not take time to load. All was now destruction and confusion. The French at length ran off throwing away knapsacks, firelocks, and every thing that was cumbersome, or that could impede their flight. One division at the farm house of La Belie Alliance made an attempt to stand, and came to the charge. When the three Highland regiments saw the resistance offered by this column, we rushed upon it like a legion of demons. Such was our excited and infuriated state of mind at the time, and being flushed with thought of victory we speedily put an end to their resistance. The Prussians were now among us – the one nation cheering on the other, while the bands were playing their national anthems.

It was now dark, and we were ordered to halt for the night, while the Prussians marched past us. The place where we bivouacked was immediately at the end of the house where Bonaparte had stood all day, which was by this time filled with the wounded. As we had not got any water during the day numbers of us went in search of it. After looking about for some time, we at length discovered a draw-well and accordingly supplied ourselves. The next morning I looked into the well and discovered that it was full of dead bodies; but as we were not aware of this circumstance when we drank the water we never felt any bad effects from using it.

In fact, we were not in a condition to quarrel about the quality of the liquid we got as a cup of water of almost any kind was considered a boon by our unfortunate wounded comrades, who were suffering that insatiable and dreadful thirst which is experienced by men in their situation. The night was now far advanced and as we could not see what was going on at a distance we lay down to repose ourselves, cherishing the fond hope that as we had now vanquished the enemy, we would be permitted to sleep in peace.

When morning came, I arose and went out to view the field on which so many brave soldiers had perished. The scene which then met my eyes was horrible in the extreme. The number of the dead was far greater than I had ever seen on any former battle field. The bodies were not scattered over the ground but were lying in heaps – men and horses mixed promiscuously together. It might truly have been called the 'crowning carnage,' for death had indeed been here and had left visible evidences of his grim presence in the misery and devastation that surrounded us. I turned away with disgust from this heart-melting spectacle, and had scarcely arrived at my quarters when every person that could be spared was sent out to carry the wounded to the roadside, or any other convenient place where the wagons could be brought to convey them to the hospital.

We had not proceeded far in this humane duty when we were ordered to make ready and at seven o'clock marched to the right to get on to the great road that leads to Paris. At any other time we would have hailed the order with joy but a very different feeling now pervaded our minds. When we thought that we were called to leave the place where so many of our brave companions were lying, without either seeing the dead interred or the wounded taken proper care of, our hearts were filled with grief and vexation. Numbers who had fought by our side on the preceding day were now stretched lifeless on the open field; and we were not permitted to give them the common rites and see them decently interred in the field where they had spent their heart's blood. I confess my feelings overcame me; I wept bitterly and wished I had not been a witness of such a scene.

The following is a list of the killed and wounded belonging to the 92nd, on the 16th and 18th days of June 1815, at Quatre Bras and Waterloo :-

June 16th, at Quatre Bras – 1 colonel, 2 captains, 14 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 3 sergeants, and 61 rank and file.

June 18th, at Waterloo – 1 major, 4 captains, 4 ensigns, 1 surgeon, 10 sergeants, and 298 rank and file. Total of killed and wounded on both days, 402.

Having at last got on the great road to Paris, we had not marched many from the field when we took some prisoners from whom we learned that Napoleon had set off for Paris. There was not an inhabitant to be seen, all having fled to the woods, when we halted near a small village for the night. Then the Duke of Wellington in person came up and thanked us for the manner in which we had conducted ourselves during the engagement, and lavished the highest eulogiums upon us for our exertions to uphold the reputation of the British army. But he had one fault to find with the 92nd, and that was for being so forward in crossing the hedge in the early part of the action. He said, as it turned out all was well ; but had it happened otherwise it might have ruined all his plans, and caused the destruction of the whole left wing of the army; and he urged upon us to pay attention to the words of command that might be issued next day. He then galloped off to pay his respects to the other regiments who had been similarly engaged.

After remaining in Paris for some time, Sergeant Robertson adds, 'medals were awarded to us but some disagreeable feeling was likely to arise, when we heard that there was to be a difference in the material of which they were to be made. We were told that officers were to receive gold medals, while those for the privates were to be composed of brass, which partiality nearly caused a mutiny. At length, when the Duke of Wellington learned the dissatisfaction that prevailed, he ordered that they should be all alike, that as we had all shared equally of the dangers of the day we should all partake alike of its glories.' Sergeant Robertson remained with his regiment after his return to Scotland until 1818 when he says that owing to a disappointment in his promotion he applied for his discharge, which, after some delay, was at last granted.

Notes:

[1] Sprouting above ground.

More Collected Reminiscences of Waterloo

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