The French were too weary to follow up the advantage they had gained;
the night passed without any attack being made, and at daybreak the
Prussians started on their march to Wavre, the cavalry remaining
behind to cover the movement, check pursuit, and conceal if possible
from the French the line by which the army was falling back. Had the
pursuit been taken up at daybreak by the French, they would soon have
driven in the cavalry and ascertained the route taken by the infantry;
but it was not until many hours had elapsed that the French got into
motion, and by that time the Prussian cavalry had disappeared from
their front, and nothing remained to inform them of the line by which
the enemy had retreated.
There was a general feeling of disappointment among the gallant
defenders of Quatre Bras when on the following morning orders were
issued for them to abandon the ground they had so stoutly held. They
had been astir at daylight, firearms were cleaned, fresh ammunition
served out from the reserve wagons, and the men fell into the ranks,
expecting that in a short time they would again be engaged; but no
movement could be seen on the part of the enemy, and arms were again
piled. The commissariat wagons had come up in the night, and rations
were served out to the troops and breakfast prepared. As soon as this
was over strong parties were again sent over the battlefield to
collect any wounded who had escaped the search of the night before.
Pages:
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431