Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/29

Rh the Prussian army and their disposition. Sir Henry replied that he had already expressed the same misgivings to Marshal Blücher, upon which the Duke remarked, 'Everybody knows their own army best, but if I were to fight with my army here I should expect to be beaten.' A long conversation then took place between Wellington and the three Prussian generals, Blücher, Müffling, and Gneisenau, as to the mode in which the English should be brought up, after which the Duke rode off, promising to come to Blücher's support if he were not himself attacked.

Sir H. Hardinge was present during the whole of the battle of Ligny in attendance on Marshal Blücher, and it was at his suggestion that several movements were made which retarded the success of the French. Towards the close of the day his left hand was shattered by a round-shot; but with the courage for which he was so distinguished, he had a 'tourniquet' placed on his arm and remained at Blücher's side till the end of the action.

The Marshal's unaffected grief was the best proof of the opinion he entertained of the young officer's military capacity. Being taken to the nearest hut or stable, it was not till midnight that Sir Henry was visited by a Prussian surgeon, who amputated the hand. The operation was not skilfully performed — the ligatures subsequently gave way, and he suffered much from loss of blood. He then sent his brother, Colonel R. Hardinge, R.A., to report the result of the action to the Duke. Colonel R. Hardinge's report was