Battle Of Waterloo

Bitter Defeat as Recounted by Napoleon Bonaparte (Fiction)

Battle Of Waterloo, Bicentenary A Brief Account

F McCullough

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The Battle of Waterloo, fought on 18 June 1815, remains an unforgettable chapter in my life as a military leader and ruler. On that fateful day, my French Army, composed of battle-hardened veterans and newly conscripted soldiers, confronted a formidable coalition of British, Dutch, Belgian, and German forces led by the Duke of Wellington, as well as the Prussian Army commanded by Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. Despite our best efforts, the outcome of the battle would prove to be my undoing, sealing my fate and forever altering the course of European history.

As the battle loomed, I devised a bold strategy to overcome the enemy. I aimed to drive a wedge between the British-led forces under Wellington and the Prussian Army, defeating each in turn before they could unite against me. I was confident that the skill and courage of my troops would carry the day.

The battle began with a series of manoeuvres and skirmishes, as both sides jockeyed for position. My French Army launched multiple assaults on the enemy's defensive lines, but each time, Wellington's troops repelled our advances. Despite these setbacks, I remained determined to break through and claim victory.

As the day wore on, I became increasingly aware of the looming threat posed by the Prussian Army. Under the leadership of Field Marshal von Blücher, the Prussians had been marching towards the battlefield with haste, aiming to support Wellington's beleaguered forces. When they finally arrived on the scene, I was forced to divert troops to counter this new threat, stretching my forces thin.

In a desperate bid to turn the tide of the battle, I ordered my elite Imperial Guard to mount a final assault on the enemy's lines. As they advanced, I watched with pride as they charged with courage and determination. Yet, to my disbelief, the enemy's defence held firm, and the Imperial Guard was forced to retreat. This marked the first time in their storied history that they had been compelled to fall back.

The Battle of Waterloo was a devastating defeat for me and my French Army. Despite our valiant efforts, we were ultimately outmanoeuvred and overwhelmed by the combined forces of the British-led coalition and the Prussian Army. The battle marked the end of my reign and my eventual exile to the remote island of Saint Helena. As I reflect on that fateful day, I am reminded of the importance of strategic planning, the tenacity of my adversaries, and the ever-changing fortunes of war.

Table of Contents

French Imperial Guard - Poem

Book Source: Napoleon Drummers by Bellange Wikipedia. Org Drummer from the line infantry and major-drummer from the foot grenadiers of the Imperial Guard, both part of the Grande Armée. From book of P.-M. Laurent de L`Ardeche «Histoire de Napoleon», 184 Hippolyte Bellangé Copyright

The drums of war did sound that day,

On Belgian fields where armies lay,

The French, they marched with noble pride,

With soldiers bold and fearsome stride.

Among them stood the Imperial Guard,

Whose bravery shone bright and hard,

With plumed hats and uniforms grand,

They marched to fight for their homeland.

Their muskets fired with deadly aim,

And through the smoke, their enemies came,

But still they stood, their ground held fast,

Their courage and skill were unsurpassed.

Despite the odds, they fought with might,

And in the heat of that fierce fight,

Their loyalty to France held true,

And their bravery shone through.

But Waterloo was not to be won,

And when the battle was all but done,

The Imperial Guard sat tall on horses,

This day, their bravery had run its courses.

Though defeat had come to the troop line,

The French Imperial Guard, did recombine,

As symbols of gallantry, they encouraged,

But at Waterloo, they were much discouraged.

Field Of Waterloo - Song

On the fields of Waterloo, the French did stand,

With their swords drawn high, and their heads held grand,

They thought they had it all, and the troops were brave,

However, for the British, it was a really close shave.

The defeat of the French, was a sorry tale,

They fought really hard, but to no avail,

With troops lined up with muskets and mortars,

The French were defeated, returning to quarters.

Napoleon was the man, with a heart so bold,

His army was tired, and his men grown old,

The allies together, fought with skill,

And the French were overwhelmed, during the kill.

The defeat of the French, was a sorry tale,

They fought really hard, but to no avail,

With troops lined up with muskets and mortars,

The French were defeated, returning to quarters.

Now let us recollect, the story of that day,

Of the battle that was fought, in such a courageous way,

For the defeat of the French, at the Battle of Waterloo,

Notwithstanding fighting throughout, wearing coats of blue.

The defeat of the French, was a sorry tale,

They fought really hard, but to no avail,

With troops lined up with muskets and mortars,

The French were defeated, returning to quarters.

So let us raise a glass, to the heroes who were true,

And British, Dutch and Prussians, who all saw the battle through,

For as long as the Battle of Waterloo raged,

They were all really glad, when finally, they disengaged.

The defeat of the French, at the Battle of Waterloo,

Was a sight to see, so colourful in red and blue,

With muskets and cannons, and a ferocious fight,

The French were finally defeated, despite Napoleon’s great might.

Book

Battle Of Waterloo, Bicentenary A Brief Account

F McCullough

External Links

Navy Army Museum

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Image Citations

Wikimedia Commons Russian site of War of 1812: [1] with courtesy of Vasili Kolcheev

Bitter Defeat as Recounted by Napoleon Bonaparte (Fiction)

Battle Of Waterloo, Bicentenary A Brief Account

French Imperial Guard - Poem

Field Of Waterloo - Song

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Battle Of Waterloo, Bicentenary A Brief Account

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Keywords: Battle of Waterloo, Blücher, British History, Duke of Wellington, European History, French Empire, Napoleon Bonaparte, Prussian Army, Warfare, Waterloo 200

Hashtags: #BattleOfWaterloo, #Blücher, #BritishHistory, #DukeOfWellington, #EuropeanHistory, #FrenchEmpire, #NapoleonBonaparte, #PrussianArmy, #Warfare, #Waterloo200:

Created: 21 March 2023

Published: 23 March 2023

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