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12th ( or Pr . of Wales's ) Regt . of ( Light ) Dragoons . DIE -SOIT Battle of Waterloo , Almost at the same moment , that admirable officer , Colonel F. Pon sonby , who was posted further to the left at the head of his fine regi ment , the 12th Light Dragoons , perceiving an unsteadiness in the advance of Durutte's column of near 4000 men , seized the opportunity with that quickness of eye and ready judgment for which he was always remarkable , and by a desperate charge threw them into as great disorder as the others , and drove them back upon their reserves . Such was the fate of the French attack ; the whole of these columns being overthrown , with immense loss in killed and wounded , besides nearly a thousand prisoners . Unfortunately the ardour of pursuit led the victorious squadrons too far , and although they actually took one of the reserve batteries , cutting down the artillery men at their guns , yet from this very circumstance , they lost their own order , and the remain der of Sir J. Vandeleur's brigade being too much occupied by the de monstrations of the enemy to come forward in support , the French quickly assembled a heavy column of lancers and cuirassiers , and fall ing upon the flank of Sir W. Ponsonby's brigade before their officers could effect a rally , repulsed them , with the loss of their gallant leader , the 12th Light Dragoons also leaving their Colonel for dead upon the field . Certainly their success was dearly purchased , but if ever the attack of cavalry produced decisive effects upon the result of a general action , such was the case upon this occasion . DROIT 1815 . THE CAMPAIGN OF WATERLOO While the battle was raging in this manner along the front of the position , the French drove the Belgian troops from Papellote and La Haye ; and thus , as their enlightened historians express themselves , cut off the Prussians from the English . The 12th dragoons charged and completely routed one of the columns advancing to this attack ; but the partial success did not prevent the others from obtaining possession of the hamlets ; an advantage that had not , however , the slightest influ ence on the progress of the action , and never arrested the advance of the Prussians for a moment . Yet , need there was that they should be checked for they were rapidly collecting strength and pressing on the French right ; the shot from their guns already crossed the Charleroi road , and occasioned great confusion in rear of the hostile army . |
