Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. Rumon of coming Event.--Commencement of Hostilities. There were present at the head-quarters of the Duke of Wellington and Prince Blucher respectively, officers commissioned on either side to act as media of communication between the two chiefs. Lieut. Colonel Sir Henry Hardinge (now Lieut. General Lord Viscount Hardinge) held this honorable post on the part of the English; General Baron Muffling was the accredited agent from Prince Blucher to the Duke of Wellington. The duties of these officers were as much diplomatic as military. They were intrusted with discretionary powers to negotiate such arrangements as the exigencies of the moment might render necessary; and it was their business to detail in conversation or otherwise the wishes of their respective chiefs to the generals to whom they were attached. It would appear, likewise, that the commanders of corps and brigades in the Prussian army had been instructed, in the event of any movement on the part of the enemy, to report the same immediately to General Muffling for the information of the Duke of Wellington. These facts the historian is bound to keep in view while describing the great event that gave its character to the yea'r 1815; because on the last of these an important question turns, which, were we without the light thus afforded to guide us in its examination, would be involved in impenetrable mystery. On the 12th of June Lieut. Colonel von Wessel, of the 1st Hussars, King's German Legion, reported to Sir Hussey Vivian from his outposts in front of Tournay, that the enemy were assembling in force. On the following day Vivian repaired to the outposts in person; and found that the cavalry which used to face our people had been withdrawn, and that their place was...