HUGUEMONT


Early on the morning after the battle of Waterloo, I visited Huguemont,
in order to witness with my own eyes the traces of one of
the most hotly-contested spots of the field of battle. I came first
upon the orchard, and there discovered heaps of dead men, in various
uniforms: those of the Guards in their usual red jackets, the German
Legion in green, and the French dressed in blue, mingled together.
The dead and the wounded positively covered the whole area of the orchard;
not less than two thousand men had there fallen. The apple-trees presented
a singular appearance; shattered branches were seen hanging about their
mother-trunks in such profusion that one might almost suppose the stiff-growing
and stunted tree had been converted into the willow: every tree was
riddled and smashed in a manner which told that the showers of shot
had been incessant. On this spot I lost some of my dearest and bravest
friends, and the country had to mourn many of its most heroic sons slain here.

I must observe that, according to the custom of commanding officers,
whose business it is after a great battle to report to the Commander-in-Chief,
the muster-roll of fame always closes before the rank of captain. It
has always appeared to me a great injustice that there should ever be
any limit to the roll of gallantry of either officers or men. If a
captain, lieutenant, an ensign, a sergeant, or a private, has distinguished
himself for his bravery, his intelligence, or both, their deeds ought
to be reported, in order that the sovereign and nation should know who
really fight the great battles of England. Of the class of officers
and men to which I have referred, there were many of even superior rank
who were omitted to be mentioned in the public despatches.