CHAP. XXV.] CAVALRY UNDER NAPOLEON. 



417 



allied left ; and after the most desperate efforts, and 

 repeated charges, they were obliged to fall back with 

 diminished numbers and disordered ranks, a mere wreck 

 of the brilliant squadrons that had formed up that 

 morning in so imposing an array in the fields around 

 La Belle Alliance. The injudicious use of all the cavalry 

 of the reserve in the early part of this action, as well 

 as the destruction of the Imperial Guard, were the great 

 causes of the almost total destruction of the French 

 army. A fresh reserve of cavalry, such as those brave 

 horsemen who were left dead upon the slopes of Mount 

 St. Jean, would have covered the retreat of the army 

 and prevented a defeat being pushed into a disaster. 



During these wars the English cavalry, like that of 

 the other European nations, consisted of the Life Guards, 

 the Dragoon Guards, or heavy dragoons, and the light 

 dragoons and ussars. They were armed generally with 

 swords, pistols, and carbines. There were no lancers in 

 the English army until after Waterloo. 



E 13 



