The charge of the Scots Greys
The columns of the 2nd and 3rd divisions inclined their way towards the gap in the British lines left by the Belgians. Here Donzelot's division came to a halt in front of a hedge row, before which they began to deploy. At this vulnerable moment Scottish infantrymen in highland uniform rose up from behind the hedges and poured a deadly volley from 3,000 muskets into the leading ranks. Before the roll of fire had died away the Scots shouted Hurrah! and came charging over the hedges with their bayonets leveled. The French skirmishers were swept before them and each man's awareness then contracted to within a few yards of himself as he fought with musket butt and bayonet to kill the enemy in front of him before they killed him. Some of the French infantry were still loaded and fired into the melee. Marcognet's division did not stop to deploy below the crest but swept on over it still in column. They too were met by devastating close range volleys which scythed through their ranks. The French advance faltered but rallied to see the Highland lines waver. Fresh troops from Durutte's division began coming up to support Marcognet's right. A few men even managed to cross the hedge and the shout of Victoire! was heard before they were driven back. Each regimental standard became the centre of bitter struggles as the fight raged on.
In their dense formations confusion reigned and they began to slowly give ground. French cuirassiers came galloping towards the gap to lend the infantry support but order had already begun to break down and leaderless groups of men began to flee back down the slope. Officers tried to rally these troops but it was then that the English heavy cavalry came charging through them. These were the Scots Greys; big men on big grey horses who slammed into the leading French infantry with sabres flashing. The 45e Regiment de Ligne took the brunt of this attack. The 45eme had been raised from the streets of Paris and were in the 2nd brigade of Marcognet's division. In their tightly packed formation they were unable to defend themselves and were cut to pieces by the Greys. The frenzied British cavalry then charged on towards the 21eme who, through the misfortune of the 45eme, had found time to form square. Intoxicated by battle these horsemen swirled around the hastily formed ring of bayonets before charging straight through the cuirassiers and on towards the French guns. There they sabred the gunners, lamed the artillery horses and cut their harness before being ambushed themselves by the French cavalry. The French losses were terrible. Many soldats surrendered and the eagle of the 45eme was lost to the enemy. The 21eme retired as best it could. Those who still remained on the slope and were able picked themselves up out of the mud and limped back towards the French lines.
(Picture shows members of the 45eme at Waterloo in 2008, standing in the approximate position where the unit was hit by British cavalry in 1815)
The French now assailed La Haye Saint with resolution. Quoit's division led the attack with the 54eme and 55eme in skirmishing order. Behind them was a division from Reille's 2nd Corp and on their right Marcognet's 3rd division including the 21eme, 46eme, 25eme, and the remnants of the 45eme. This was flanked by cuirassiers and horse artillery. As the final attack went in Marcognet's division took the far right, driving the English Rifles from the sand pit.
Next: eye witness account