Page:Battles of Quatre Bras & Waterloo.pdf/13

 A column of 4000 bore down on the position occupied by the 92d, which was now reduced to 260 men. They did not wait for the attack, but, forming themselves into line, charged on the centre of the column, and broke through it. The Scots Greys, profitting by the confusion, dashed in at the opening. The two regiments cheered each other, shouting, "Scotland for ever!" and the whole were either destroyed or taken prisoners. A body of French cavalry now advanced, with the cuirassiers at their head, to save their infantry: but the Greys being reinforced by a brigade of heavy dragoons, a most dreadful engagement of cavalry now took place, when they again forced them to retreat with the loss of 2000 men, and two imperial eagles. The standards were wrested from them, on one of which was inscribed the names of Jena, Austerlitz, Wagram, and Friedland, it belonged to the 45th, called the Invincibles; the other belonged to the 104th. Serjeant Ewart, of the Greys, took the one; and Corporal Stiles, of the Royals, took the other.

Napoleon again changed the object of his attack, and, bringing up a numerous body of fresh troops, directed them on the farm of La Haye Saint. This was a point as important to carry as either the position of Hougoumont or Ter La Haye. If he was successful here, he would break the British line, and cut off the retreat of Wellington to Brussels. Both parties, felt the importance of this position, and nobly exerted themselves, the one to carry, and the other to defend it. As the respective battalions engaged were weakened or destroyed, perpetual reinforcements occupied their places. At length the ammunition of the Allies was expended, and the enemy penetrated to the farm. Yet even then the German Legion scorned to yield;— they