| Today in history The Battle of Waterloo 08:23 - Jun 18 with 3237 views | Churchman |
A summer distraction. It is 210 years since Napoleon’s ‘career’ was effectively ended at Waterloo.
The battle was a culmination of a four day campaign. Napoleon’s Army of the North numbered around 124,000. Against him were 112,000 British, German, Dutch forces and 139,000 Prussians, Saxons under Blucher (source: Wiki).
Numbers never scared Napoleon and after exile on Elba this was his one chance to bring the allies to the table and recognise him as Emperor of France again.
Napoleon sought to drive a wedge between Blucher and Wellington’s armies and achieved that with the battle of Ligny where Blucher was defeated, but retired in good order. In a smaller action at Quatre Bras, Wellington was prevented in reinforcing Blucher, but retained the field.
Wellington’s 68,000 then faced Napoleon’s 73,000 for the first and only time. His army was a realmixture of nationalities and quality. But Wellington knew the ground and fought a brilliant defensive battle. Ultimately, the outcome depended on Blucher’s 50,000 arriving to reinforce or Grouchy’s 30,000 stopping him.
The weather also played its part, torrential rain the previous night delaying its start. Napoleon’s health wasn’t the best either. Wellington’s army held, Blucher arrived late in the day and Napoleon’s last battle was lost. Well over 50,000 were killed or wounded on both sides that day. It was up close, personal, desperate, horrific. But Bonaparte learned that Wellington really was a good general.
Napoleon died in exile on St Helena six years later. The most likely cause stomach cancer though the conspiracy brigade suggest arsenic poisoning. |  | | |  |
| Today in history The Battle of Waterloo on 19:52 - Jun 18 with 509 views | Churchman |
| Today in history The Battle of Waterloo on 13:20 - Jun 18 by Radlett_blue |
Napoleon had already felt before that being Emperor of Elba wasn't good enough for a former de facto Emperor of Europe so the prospect of being incarcerated on St Helena for the rest of his life was unbearable so he probably lost the will to live. |
He was actually not well the day of the battle. I suspect he was just worn out as much as anything else. | | | |
| Today in history The Battle of Waterloo on 20:02 - Jun 18 with 497 views | Churchman |
| Today in history The Battle of Waterloo on 13:18 - Jun 18 by NthQldITFC |
I've read one semi-proper book about it and was fascinated by the comings and goings and the indecision and uncertainties, and the juxtaposition of the battle with Lady Wasshername's ball.
Also Sharpe's Waterloo which although it was obviously a vehicle for Cornwell's Sharpe character I think it was pretty true to the script wasn't it? I think in the foreword Cornwell says it was totally different to all his other Sharpe books in that he just took the historical record, (simplified it a lot) and dropped Sharpe in at various points. I don't think the word 'Bastard!' was used so much at the battle in reality though!
I was sad when Hagman and Harris got their chips outside that farm complex which was bang in the middle of it all. |
It was actually the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball. It took place in Brussels on 15th. It was there he learned that Napoleon had outmanoeuvred him at that point.
One of the interesting characters was Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton. He reads as a thoroughly unpleasant man. Hard, short tempered, actually tried for use of torture in the West Indies (got off), plenty of controversy. But he was brave, able, trusted by Wellington and led the 5th Infantry Division against D’Erlon’s Corps at the battle.
Oddly he wore top hat and formal wear leading his men down the hill. His luggage with his uniform hadn’t turned up. He was killed in the attack. | | | |
| Today in history The Battle of Waterloo on 22:39 - Jun 18 with 436 views | Churchman |
How interesting. He was an active man. Present at the burning down of Washington, Peninsular War before it, Waterloo after it and a load of actions after that. Died age 73, that was some life! | | | |
| Today in history The Battle of Waterloo on 09:25 - Jun 19 with 380 views | Radlett_blue |
| Today in history The Battle of Waterloo on 20:02 - Jun 18 by Churchman |
It was actually the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball. It took place in Brussels on 15th. It was there he learned that Napoleon had outmanoeuvred him at that point.
One of the interesting characters was Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton. He reads as a thoroughly unpleasant man. Hard, short tempered, actually tried for use of torture in the West Indies (got off), plenty of controversy. But he was brave, able, trusted by Wellington and led the 5th Infantry Division against D’Erlon’s Corps at the battle.
Oddly he wore top hat and formal wear leading his men down the hill. His luggage with his uniform hadn’t turned up. He was killed in the attack. |
yes, by all accounts, Picton wasn't a very nice man but in wars, those types are generally more effective than the nice chaps. |  |
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| Today in history The Battle of Waterloo on 11:00 - Jun 19 with 365 views | Help |
Thanks all for a thoroughly interesting read |  |
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