But no reinforcements could be
sent to them, for the whole of the British troops were now in action,
and their allies had for the most part long before left the field.
Every gun was brought to the front, the remains of the cavalry
gathered together as a reserve; and some of the Prussians now
approaching the left, the cavalry there were brought to the center to
aid in the defense of the threatened point. Just as these arrangements
were completed the enemy advanced in tremendous force from the
inclosure of La Haye Sainte, and with their fire so completely
mastered that of the remnants of the infantry, that their light guns
were brought up to within a hundred yards of the British line and
opened with grape upon the squares. Two Hanoverian battalions were
almost annihilated, the brigade of the German legion almost ceased to
exist.
A Brunswick cavalry regiment that had hitherto fought gallantly lost
heart and would have fled had not the British cavalry behind them
prevented them from doing so.
In the meantime the Imperial Guard in two heavy columns, led by Ney
himself, were advancing, the guards being followed by every available
man of the infantry and cavalry. One of these columns skirted the
inclosure of the Hougoumont, the other moved against the center. They
pressed forward until they reached the top of the slope, and a hundred
cannon were brought up and unlimbered, while the artillery on the
opposite slope rained round shot and shell upon the British squares
and artillery.
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