The Battle of Quatre Bras 16th June 1815
Timeline 4.40PM
The Allied position in the Bois de Bossu has been reinforced by Elements of the Brunswick Corps.
Fighting is fierce but the line is holding.
Contemporaneously, 3rd Regiment d'Infantrie de Ligne, Colonel Baron Hubert Vautrin is attempting to outflank this position but has been engaged by the Brunswick Avant Garde, Major Adolf von Rauschenplatt.
The Herzog von Braunchweig-Luneberg has personally led his hussars in order to halt the French advance at Ferme La Bergerie.
A consequence of this is that the hussars are now under accurate French artillery fire.
The French attack has stalled and the 42nd Regiment of Line, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Robert Macara, is moving forward to expand the Allied perimeter.
The Allied position east of Ferme La Bergerie is under a concerted attack by the French 5th Infantry Division, Lieutenant-General Baron Gilbert-Desiree Bachelu.
His Grace, The Duke of Wellington is supervising the defence and support in the form of the Brunswick Leib Battalion under Major Frederich von Prostler is being organised.
However, 6th British Infantry Division, Colonel Carl Best, en potence to his Grace's left flank is also being assaulted by the French 2nd Regiment d'Infantrie Leger threatening the Allied rear.
Brunswick ulhans, Major Carl Pott commanding, charge the supporting French cavalry to try and relieve the pressure.
Marechal Ney, Duc d,Elchingen, Prince de la Moskowa has returned from the front line and receives an update of the action from Lieutenant-general Honare-Charles, Comte Reille.
French 2nd Infantry Brigade, Marechal-de-camp Baron Jean-Louis Soye, from Prince Jerome's French 6th Infantry Division is commencing its attack towards the crossroads.
French 1st Corps, Lieutenant-general Jean-Baptiste Drouet, Comte d'Erlon is expected to arrive shortly.
Ney is advised that lieutenant-general Francois-Etienne-Kellerman, Comte Valmy is awaiting orders. Unfortunately, as per his earlier order, only the 2nd Brigade, Marechal-de-camp Baron Marie-Adrien Guiton from the 11th French cavalry Division is present.
Nevertheless, the order to advance is immediately despatched.
The action is reaching its critical stage, the honour of France is at stake.
Vive L'empereur, Avant!