In point of numbers the armies were not ill-matched. Wellington had
forty-nine thousand six hundred and eight infantry twelve thousand
four hundred and two cavalry, five thousand six hundred and forty-five
artillerymen, and one hundred and fifty-six guns. Napoleon, who had
detached Grouchy with his division in pursuit of the Prussians, had
with him forty-eight thousand nine hundred and fifty infantry, fifteen
thousand seven hundred and sixty-five cavalry, seven thousand two
hundred and thirty-two artillerymen, and two hundred and forty-six
guns. He had, therefore, four thousand three hundred men and ninety
guns more than Wellington. But this does not represent the full
disparity of strength, for Wellington had but eighteen thousand five
hundred British infantry including the German legion--who having
fought through the Peninsular were excellent troops--seven thousand
eight hundred cavalry and three thousand five hundred artillery. The
remainder of his force consisted of troops of Hanover, Brunswick,
Nassau, Holland, and Belgium, upon whom comparatively little reliance
could be placed. The British infantry consisted almost entirely of
young soldiers; while the whole of Napoleon's force were veterans.
As early as six o'clock in the morning both armies had taken up the
positions in which they were intended to fight.
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