320 
WATERLOO DIARY. 
theirs. They met and the French were instantly overthrown, and the 
ground, which before had been clear, was covered with wrecks of the 
charge. Some of our Dragoons we could see individually or in small 
parties pushing on, and they had actually possession of the right of the 
large battery of French guns, while on the left their guns continued 
their fire. Sir H. Vivian was extremely anxious to do something with 
his brigade at this charge, but I knew he was restrained by his instruc¬ 
tions which were, by no means to quit his position and expose the left 
flank of the army. As both Cavalries charged obliquely to the left and 
the French Cavalry was part of their right centre and extreme right, 
and did not move so fast as ours, it brought the charge nearly opposite 
the position of our brigade. Sir H. Vivian therefore took a couple of 
guns of the Troop and proceeded with them to assist General Ponsonby 
and his Cavalry; these guns were my division, but we became so com¬ 
pletely within range of the enemy's numerous battery of superior 
calibre that one of the first shots directed against us blew up a limber, 
killed the Sergeant and passed through the shoulders of my charger 
exactly above my knees, and Sir H. Vivian immediately withdrew 
them, lest knowing his orders he might attract the attention of the 
Commander-in-Chief. The French, on seeing the limber blow up, 
gave some loud cheers, but that could not compensate for defeat with 
great loss of both attacks by the Infantry and Cavalry. General Pon¬ 
sonby was killed and Colonel Ponsonby very badly wounded and left 
on the enemy's position. The French supporting column of Cavalry 
on seeing the overthrow of its leading column instantly put about and 
retired to its original ground on the extreme right of position—they 
were clothed in red. In these charges (excepting the great charge 
between the two large bodies of Cavalry) and repulse, the sight was 
perpetually interrupted by the smoke of the cannon and musketry and 
it was difficult at the distance to affix to each Corps or Regiment the 
part or share it took in them. Our Infantry that appeared driven back 
were Highlanders, and the Cavalry that immediately charged were the 
Scotch Greys. The great charge was made by heavy Cavalry sup¬ 
ported by light. The battle appeared now to rage at every point, and 
though the day continued drizzling wet and the dulness of the 
atmosphere was increased along the line by the smoke of the musketry 
and cannon so as occasionally to render everything momentarily in¬ 
visible or obscured, yet as the wind blew fresh and rolled it away, one 
could clearly distinguish other continual charges of Cavalry of both 
sides, and the alternate formations of the troops into squares and lines 
or masses. Twice or thrice a Prussian Officer appeared and announced 
the approach of their army, and at his request we actually cleared the 
road on which we were standing in order to have firm footing for our 
horses and guns, to make way for them. The Duke of Wellington, on the 
other hand, sent more than once to ascertain if they had arrived, or to 
enquire if they were in sight, but we could give no account whatever of 
them. The French were at length formed on a sort of plain or flat below 
and in front of the heights from which they had commenced their 
attack, but though nearer, had acquired no part of our position, and 
they were evidently greatly reduced in numbers, while at the same time 
