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Waterloo (BATTLE OF an important battle)

BATTLE OF, an important battle won by the allied forces over Napoleon, near Waterloo, a Belgian village 11 miles S. of Brussels, June 18, 1815. The preliminary battles had been at Ligny, June 16 (when Napoleon had defeated the Prussians under Blücher), (when the allies under Wellington com- (when the allies under Wellington compelled the French Marshal Ney to retire). At Waterloo the French numbered about 72,000. The allies (British, ton, had about 67,000; the Prussians Dutch, and Germans), under Welling- bered about 72,000. The allies (British, ton, had about 67,000; the Prussians (about 50,000 more), under Blücher, came up in time to take part in the close of the battle, and in the pursuit.

The battle began about 11:30 Α. Μ.

Briefly it may be said to have consisted of a series of brilliant, but unsuccessful Briefly it may be said to have consisted charges made by the French, and dogged resistance on the part of the British; in the evening the French Old Guard resistance on the part of the British; in charges made by the French, and dogged the allies advanced advanced. The French lost about 35,000, and many prisoners; the (q. v.), June 18, failed to prevent him from joining Wellington, and himself failed to come to Napoleon's aid, though but a few miles distant. The rout of the French was complete, and the disbut a few miles distant. The rout of though he defeated Blücher at WAVRE his deposition exile to St. Helena.