their movements. Dispositions had been observed, that
seemed to indicate an approaching retreat. The Emperor, satisfied,
joyfully exclaimed: "They are ours: I have them:" and Marshal Soult,
and all the generals, considered, as he did, the victory certain[50].
The guard had already received orders to put itself in motion, to
occupy the ground we had gained, and finish the enemy, when General
Domont sent to inform the Emperor, that Bulow's corps had just formed
in line, and was advancing rapidly on the rear of our right. This
information changed the design of Napoleon; and, instead of employing
his guard to support the first and second corps, he kept it in
reserve; ordering Marshal Ney to maintain his ground in the woods of
Hougoumont, at La Haie Sainte, and at Mont St. Jean, till the event of
the movement, which Count Lobau was about to make against the
Prussians, was known.

[Footnote 50: The enemy themselves confess, that at this
moment they thought the battle lost. "The ranks of the
English," says Blucher, "were thrown into disorder; the
loss had been considerable; the reserves had been
advanced into the line; the situation of the Duke was
extremely critical, the fire of musketry continued along
the front, the artillery had retired to the second
line."

I will add, that still greater disorder prevailed in the
rear of the English army: the roads of the forest of
Soignes were encumbered with waggons, artillery, and
baggage, deserted by the drivers; and numerous bands of
fugitives had spread confusion and affright through
Brussels and the neighbouring roads.

Had not our successes been interrupted by the march of
Bulow; or had Marshal Grouchy, as the Emperor had reason
to hope, followed at the heels of the Prussians; never
would a more glorious victory have been obtained by the
French. Not a single man of the Duke of Wellington's
army would have escaped.]

The English, informed of the arrival of Bulow, resumed the offensive;
and endeavoured to drive us from the positions, that we had taken from
them. Our troops repulsed them victoriously. Marshal Ney, carried away
by his boiling courage, forgot the orders of the Emperor. He charged
the enem