OOB info primarily from Armies at Waterloo by Scott Bowden, published by Empire Game Press (1983), Arlington, TX.

Order of Battle (graphics: huge download: 833K)

British

The initial defenders consisted of the light companies of all four Guards battalions (4 companies), 2 companies of Jagers, a hand-picked detachment of Luneburg, and a battalion of Nassauers. In keeping with his command style, Wellington dispatched troops in penny packets to the chateau as the fighting began to heat up.

The first reinforcements consisted of the Scots and Coldstream Guards battalions. next came DuPlat's KGL battalion and then the Brunswick Avante-Garde. Finally, three Landwehr battalions were pulled into the fighting.

Although this would appear to be a recipe for disaster, it seems the British were more flexible in their command structure and were better able to adapt on the go.

French

the initial attacks upon the chateau complex were designed to keep the allies occupied while the main effort cracked the British center. To provide a convincing distraction, the first group to attack the complex was an entire division (6th), that of Jerome Bonaparte. Slightly behind that was one by the first brigade of the 9th Division.

The final efforts were made by the divisions of Foy and Bachelu. Heavy fire from the main British line steered more troops into the fight at the chateau than Napoleon had intended, a fact that came back to haunt him later in the day.

Order of Battle

British

The initial defenders consisted of the light companies of all four Guards battalions (4 companies), 2 companies of Jagers, a hand-picked detachment of Luneburg, and a battalion of nassauers. In keeping with his command style, Wellington dispatched troops in penny packets to the chateau as the fighting began to heat up.

The first reinforcements consisted of the Scots and Coldstream Guards battalions. next came DuPlat's KGL battalion and then the Brunswick Avante-Garde. Finally, three Landwehr battalions were pulled into the fighting.

Although this would appear to be a recipe for disaster, it seems the British were more flexible in their command structure and were better able to adapt on the go.

French

the initial attacks upon the chateau complex were designed to keep the allies occupied while the main effort cracked the British center. To provide a convincing distraction, the first group to attack the complex was an entire division (6th), that of Jerome Bonaparte. Slightly behind that was one by the first brigade of the 9th Division.

The final efforts were made by the divisions of Foy and Bachelu. Heavy fire from the main British line steered more troops into the fight at the chateau than Napoleon had intended, a fact that came back to haunt him later in the day.

British

Detached from Maitland's Brigade

2 Light Companies, 1st Guards: 165

Detached from Byng's Brigade

2nd Bttn, 2nd Coldstream Guards: 1,100
2nd Bttn, 3rd (Scots) Guards: 1,160

Initially, only the light companies were fighting at Hougoumont. Eventually, both battalions were committed and this was the only complete British brigade to see action at the chateau.

Detached from Saxe-Weimar's Brigade

1st Bttn, 2nd Nassau: 700

Detached from Kielmansegge's Brigade

2 Hanoverian Field Jager Companies: 160
Detachment of Luneburg Bttn (Hannoverian): 100

Detached from Du Plat's Brigade

4 KGL Light Companies: 150
2nd Line Bttn, KGL: 550

Detached from Brunswick Contingent

Brunswick Avant-Garde: 635

This unit had two uniforms in use at this time. Half of the bttn wore grey with green piping and a Tyrolian hat. The other half wore black with green piping and a black shako.

Detached from H. Halkett's Brigade

Bremervorde Landwehr: 655
Quackenbruck Landwehr: 609
Salgitter Landwehr: 644

British Batteries

Battery Bolton: Five 9pdr guns, one 5.5-inch howitzer
Battery Cleeves: Five 9pdr guns, one 5.5-inch howitzer
Battery Kuhlman: Five 9pdr guns, one 5.5-inch howitzer
Battery Sandham: Five 9pdr guns, one 5.5-inch howitzer
Battery Sympher: Five 9pdr guns, one 5.5-inch howitzer
Battery Smith: Five 6pdr guns, one 5.5-inch howitzer
Battery Bull: Six 5.5-inch howitzers


Most likely, other batteries were involved, but these batteries definitely fired in the defense of Hougoumont. Additionally, they participatedin other actions on the battlefield.

French

6th Infantry Division
Gen. Jerome Bonaparte

1st Brigade: Gen. Baudin

1st Legere (3 bttns): 1,888
2nd Legere (3 bttns): 2,341

2nd Brigade: Gen. Soye

1st Line (3 bttns): 1,795
2nd Line (3 bttns): 2,795

Artillery

2nd Co., 2nd Foot Artillery Regt: Six 6pdr guns, two 5.5-inch howitzers

This division suffered only minor losses during the Battle of Quatre Bras on June 16, withmost of these taken by Soye's brigade.

5th Infantry Division
Gen. Bachelu

1st Brigade: Gen. Husson

3rd Line (2 bttns): 1,143
61st Line (2 bttns): 858

2nd Brigade: Gen. Campi

108th Line (3 bttns): 1,107
72nd Line (2 bttns): 995

Artillery

18th Co., 6th Foot Artillery Regt: Six 6pdr guns, two 5.5-inch howitzers

Bachelu's division had been heavily involved during the Battle of Quatre Bras and was therefore significantly reduced in strength before the fight at Hougoumont. It is not certain this division participated at Hougoumont, but its conspicuous absence from anywhere else on the battlefield, plus the divisional commander's presence at the chateau lend credence to the fact that it probably fought there.

9th Infantry Division
Gen. Gauthier

1st Brigade: Gen. Gauthier

93rd Line (3 bttns): 1,486
92nd Line (2 bttns): 1,068

2nd Brigade: Gen. Jamin

100th Line (3 bttns): 1,118
4th Legere (3 bttns): 1,634

Artillery

1st Co., 6th Foot Artillery Regt: Six 6pdr guns, two 5.5-inch howitzers

This division suffered 800 losses at the Battle of Quatre Bras, mostly by Jamin's brigade.

Additional Artillery Batteries in Support

2nd Co., 2nd Horse Artillery Regt: Four 6pdr guns, two 5.5-inch howitzers
3rd Co., 2nd Horse Artillery Regt: Four 6pdr guns, two 5.5-inch howitzers
2nd Co., 4th Horse Artillery Regt: Four 6pdr guns, two 5.5-inch howitzers


These guns were fairly effective in suppressing British artillery during the day, but did little else to support the attacks upon the chateau. They would be sorely missed later in the day when not enough guns could be found to properly aupport the massed cavalry attacks in the center.

To Hougoumont Diorama

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