+ |
FIRST BRITISH REPORTS OF HEROICS AT
WATERLOO
In the late memorable battles, many acts of individual courage
and heroism were displayed. The following have come to our
knowledge: --
Lieutenant Riddoch, of the 44th regiment,
which suffered severely in the action of the 16th, had a
rencontre, single-handed, with a French cavalry officer, who
furiously attacked and attempted to cut him down. The gallant
Lieutenant, a powerful young man, in his turn became the
assailant, and soon made the Frenchman "bite the dust."
Having thus killed his man, he mounted his horse, with which he
rejoined the remains of his regiment.
With a handful of men, Colonel Macdonald, of the guards, defended
a chateau, a post of great importance at them moment against an
attacking force of ten times the number, after the castle which
he occupied was set on fire, and compelled the enemy to retire.
Colonel Colquhit, of the same regiment, with great intrepidy and
presence of mind, seizes and threw out a shell from a hollow
square, into which it had just fallen, and thereby saved the
lives of many gallant men.
The conduct of the French, in the treatment of their prisoners,
is spoken of as most disgraceful to their military character. In
the action of the 18th, Ensign Graham, of the 73rd regiment,
being stunned and knocked down in the field, was taken prisoner,
and immediately conducted to Bonaparte, who among other questions,
tauntingly asked him, if he thought he could overtake the British
army before they embarked for England. He then ordered Graham to
be sent to the rear of the French troops, where he was stript,
left almost naked, and compelled to carry some pioneer's tools --
He contrived, however, in the course of the night to make his
escape to the Prussian army, and he is now at Brussels.
Back to The Edinburgh Evening Courant index
+ |
-Napoleon Bonaparte
Internet Guide-
optimized for browsers 4+ (600x800)