Details
[WATERLOO]. WILDMAN, THOMAS, British officer. Autograph letter signed ("Thos. Wildman") to his mother, Brussels, 19 June 1815, 13 pages, folio, 320 x 200 mm. (12 x 8 in.), cloth case. A long letter written by Lord Uxbridge's aide-de-camp:
"IT WAS VAINCRE OU MOURIR ON BOTH SIDES AND AT LAST WELLINGTON & ENGLAND PREVAILED!"
Wildman, an aide-de-camp of Lord Uxbridge, gives a vivid account of Napoleon's last battle: "...The cannonade began at about eleven - the French fought hard to carry a small village & wood on our right but fail'd...Our infantry were obliged constantly to form squares & received the charge of French Cavalry who attacked them in the heart of Our position...Our light Cavalry was frequently engaged with the Lancers...there was no part of the army which was not perpetually under fire, and such a terrific fire as the oldest officers declare they never before experienced...several times all hopes were given over by every one except the Duke of Wellington who only said, we will beat them before night...".
"IT WAS VAINCRE OU MOURIR ON BOTH SIDES AND AT LAST WELLINGTON & ENGLAND PREVAILED!"
Wildman, an aide-de-camp of Lord Uxbridge, gives a vivid account of Napoleon's last battle: "...The cannonade began at about eleven - the French fought hard to carry a small village & wood on our right but fail'd...Our infantry were obliged constantly to form squares & received the charge of French Cavalry who attacked them in the heart of Our position...Our light Cavalry was frequently engaged with the Lancers...there was no part of the army which was not perpetually under fire, and such a terrific fire as the oldest officers declare they never before experienced...several times all hopes were given over by every one except the Duke of Wellington who only said, we will beat them before night...".