The popular history of England; an illustrated history of society and government from the earliest period to our own times . e look cursorily upon this dilapidated residence. If vre examine it carefullythere is abundant evidence of the nature of the struggle which here tookplace during seven or eight hours of that eventful day. The loop-holedwalls show where the defenders of Hougoumont fired upon the attackingenemy ; the dints of the assailing shot are still visible on many a brick. Oneportion of the gate, too injured for repair, is now hung up as a is scarcely an exaggeration to s
The popular history of England; an illustrated history of society and government from the earliest period to our own times . e look cursorily upon this dilapidated residence. If vre examine it carefullythere is abundant evidence of the nature of the struggle which here tookplace during seven or eight hours of that eventful day. The loop-holedwalls show where the defenders of Hougoumont fired upon the attackingenemy ; the dints of the assailing shot are still visible on many a brick. Oneportion of the gate, too injured for repair, is now hung up as a is scarcely an exaggeration to say, This Belgian yeomans garden wallwas the safeguard of Europe, and the destiny of mankind perhaps turnedupon the possession of his house.* Sis thousand French, under thecommand of Jerome Bonaparte, commenced their attack upon the Englishlight troops which were in the wood around the chateau. This wood wasdefended with an obstinacy which was attested by the bullet marks uponevery tree. The wood was, however, carried by the French, and the lighttroops had now to defend the walls of the garden and the gates of the Hougoumont—Exterior of Garden Wall. Some preparation had been made for this in the loopholes which had beenknocked out, and by scaffolding from which the defenders could fire. Thisdeadly contest was prolonged without any result till two oclock, whenNapoleon ordered that a battery of howitzers should play upon the was soon in flames, but there was no relaxation in the resolute defenceof the farm-yard by the 1st and 2nd Foot-Guards. By a vehement rush theFrench had burst open the gates; but they were finally closed by a prodigious Lord Dudleys Letters, p. 134. VOL. VIII.—227. 34 THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. [1815. exertion of personal strength, in which colonel Macdonnell was amongst themost efficient of the stalwart heroes. The prolonged defence of Hougoumonthad a decided influence in deranging the plans of Napoleon. The generalopinion was, that after
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