The Coalised were actually quite distant from Louis XVIII throughout the Emigration, even in 1814 and again in 1815, they preferred a negociation with Napoléon or other candidate than him, so nor the Coalised nor the King wished to use his small military force reorganized in Alost and Termonde and partially dressed with prussian uniforms, however...
Captain Frédéric Louis François de Lauthonnye (1789-1860) in his memories describes a parade for Wellington before the 18th june, at the moment of the battle they choose to flee, alarmed by british runaways who caused a panic, he was sent to the battlefield near Wellington
The Duke of Berry went there with all the troops who were under his command. At eleven o'clock, every forces of Louis XVIII, with the exception of the guards who were in service to him, were gathered. This small army set out battle on a single line The artillery at the head composed of 60 men, 5 officers and a colonel. Officers without troops composed of around a hundred former emigrés, most of whom had always followed the Bourbons, very brave people, but take away Colonel Rumilly, not one was in a position to command a section. Then, the volunteers made up of law and medical students, and some young family members, in all about 60. An infantry battalion of 600 men composed of soldiers who had deserted, convicts and others who, to avoid going to the fire, had crossed the border, a horse grenadier regiment of 800 men composed of guards and former grenadiers of La Roche Jacquelin, the regiment all in colback was superb, well mounted and maneuvered very well; plus 200 Gardes du Corps , in total 1800 men, let's say 2000 and that's a lot.
(...) We looked, being unarmed, like prisoners of war (...)
I cannot describe the effect that the sight had on my morale of these foreign uniforms, especially the Prussians. I was ashamed to think that we seemed to be under their orders. Strength by my senior parents and my father, I was forced to emigrate. but I cannot recommend enough to my nephews, through the attachment attitude that I bear to them, to never, out of opinion, follow my example. A truly French heart like theirs would have, I'm sure, too much to suffer. (...)
The Battle of Waterloo could be heard perfectly from Aalst. A such heavy cannonade made my heart tremble and gave it a the darkest sadness. “How,” I said to myself, “to see my country, I must want my fellow citizens to be beaten : no, since I was forced to make the mistake, I will suffer the consequences. I hope and I wish so that these proud English be crushed. »
a very serious alarm took place; a mass of Englishmen on foot and on horseback, gunners who had cut the lines, ran headlong to the ground crossing the city and spouting that Buonaparte had won the battle, that he had entered Brussels. The Duke of Berry, accustomed to misfortune, lost his head and gave the order to recall to leave immediately for Ghent.
I had the honor of observing that he seemed imprudent and hardly worthy of relying on fugitives. My colonel supported my opinion “What to do then,” he said. Wait and send a brave officer who can be counted on on the field of combat battle? » the duke said, “Lauthonnye, go at full speed and see Lord Wellington.
– My lord, I promise you. » »
The road to Ghent was crowded with fugitives; all the drivers of the food and powder boxes had received the order to retreat, which prevented me from going as fast as I could want.
However, I was near Lord Wellington at four hours. I told him that I came from the Duke of Berry to ask his orders, which the enormous number of fugitives had caused fear to the prince that the battle was lost. He answered me with an air of remarkable sadness “You, who know war, captain, you see, my reserve is committed, everything therefore depends in this moment of God's will. I lost a lot of people, French troops fight fiercely. » From position where was Lord Wellington, I could dive on both armies.
Seeing the beautiful charges of our grenadiers, hearing the cry of “Long live the Emperor!” my hair stood up, tears abundant flows and I was tempted to approach the legs of my horse and to go join these brave men. Wellington noticed of my emotion and said to me “Captain, go and tell the prince to stay in Aalst; if fortune is unfavorable to me, he will be notified in time to make his retrograde movement. » I galloped away with ulcerated blood. In Aalst, the prince was no longer there. The inhabitants agonized over me with stupidities and treated me, like an emigré, at such point that I thought it prudent to put my sword in hand (...)
Frédéric Jacques Louis Rilliet (1794-1856) describes the same mutual dislike between French and Prussians, even allied, he followed the Prussian Headquarters with two French officers, one of them was Colonel de Castries but for reasons exposed below they didn't follow it until the battlefield of Waterloo if not the previous days, they joined Brussels the 17th june
we were a little embarrassed by our movements: the Prussians were the allies of the king we served, they must therefore be our friends; but these friends hardly liked us and we did not have much sympathy for them. We were isolated in this army, and our foreign uniforms attracted us glances that had nothing benevolent, we were looking forward to meeting General Gneisenau who had always been very kind to us (...)
our position, in the middle of this army, however interesting it was, was not pleasant. The uniform we wore attracted looks from all those who were unaware of the nature of our relations with the general staff; we were often separated by quite large distances from this staff, and exposed to misunderstandings which could become annoying. There is nothing sadder than being without troops in an army where you are only tolerated; so we were determined to put an end to it and go and join the king. The disorder and the appearance of rout presented by the Prussian army were not likely to encourage us to remain there.
We were getting closer to the main road to Brussels, and we were passing a reserve park, when we saw two French prisoners brought in, one of whom was wearing a sky blue and silver uniform from the Emperor’s Officiers d'Ordonnance; he did not appear to be more than eighteen to twenty years old, and had received a saber blow to the head, from which streams of blood escaped. Prussian gunners led them with great brutality. When they were near us, the companion of the injured man, who was a little older than him, said: “Gentlemen, you are French (he had recognized our uniforms from the Maison du Roi), and although we do not serve the same cause, please intervene on behalf of my comrade who can barely support himself. » . I wanted to pass to the injured man a flask containing rum and water; a Prussian gunner snatched it from him; I raised my hand to my saber, but immediately three or four bayonets were aimed at me.
A little further on we crossed the road some distance from Sombref. A mass of fugitives came out, spreading throughout all the directions, I have never seen such a tumult. It was claimed that two regiments of French cavalry had turned Sombref and were coming towards us.
We did not see them, but we were forced to follow the torrent, the Prussians took us for their enemies, and I do not understand how they did not reward us with a few spear blows. The confusion was horrible. The unfortunate wounded, crushed by the fugitives, made the air resound with painful cries; finally we discovered two squadrons of lancers, who seemed to be putting up a good face in a field, and we rushed towards them. M. de Castries told the commander that we were asking to share their dangers. "Welcome, Gentlemen,” he replies courteously. Barely had these words been released when the two squadrons turned around and fled at full speed. Why ? I do not know.
We had enough, most of the fugitives seemed to be heading towards Gembloux; this was a reason for us to take the road to Wavre, happy to part with these good friends, from whom we only had to receive blows. From then on we traveled quite calmly, and around midnight we reached Wavre, which was already crowded, not only with the wounded, but with frightened and even disgusted people; If we had judged the demoralization of the Prussian army by the sample we had around us, we might have believed that Napoleon would have a cheap time the next day.
After a few hours of rest, we took the road back to Brussels where a profound calm reigned; soon, however, screams were heard behind us, and we saw a column of baggage and horsemen rushing after our steps with all the signs of the keenest terror. They shout that the French are coming. In vain we represent to them the absurdity of their fears, they continue to flee with the speed of lightning, the torrent carries us away. Fortunately, a few Hanoverians who remained guarding Brussels closed the doors; we will join them, ready to receive enemies, who did not present themselves.
It was a weak detachment sent on reconnaissance, which had reached the rear of the army and who had amused himself by taking advantage of the terror he inspired in the Prussians.
Emmanuel de Waresquiel in Cent Jours la tentation de l'impossible mars-juillet 1815 when he precises that the Count de Semallé from the King's police was at Wellington's HQ on the battlefield in the afternoon, adds the following comment and names
il y'eu ainsi de nombreux Français officiers d'ordonnance ou simples cavaliers, le prince Ferdinand de Croÿ, Emmanuel de Solre, les comtes de La Ferronays et de Guitaut, Bellerive, Trannoy, Lauthonnye (mentionned above) et d'autres qui firent la navette entre le champ de bataille et Bruxelles pour porter des nouvelles. Pozzo di Borgo est là aussi bien que blessé au talon à côté de Wellington
This is brilliant, thanks very much. What a strange collection of fellows. Some brave, some opportunists. And all probably benefitting from being on the winning side regardless of their motivation. Thanks!
The Coalised were actually quite distant from Louis XVIII throughout the Emigration, even in 1814 and again in 1815, they preferred a negociation with Napoléon or other candidate than him, so nor the Coalised nor the King wished to use his small military force reorganized in Alost and Termonde and partially dressed with prussian uniforms, however...
Captain Frédéric Louis François de Lauthonnye (1789-1860) in his memories describes a parade for Wellington before the 18th june, at the moment of the battle they choose to flee, alarmed by british runaways who caused a panic, he was sent to the battlefield near Wellington
The Duke of Berry went there with all the troops who were under his command. At eleven o'clock, every forces of Louis XVIII, with the exception of the guards who were in service to him, were gathered. This small army set out battle on a single line The artillery at the head composed of 60 men, 5 officers and a colonel. Officers without troops composed of around a hundred former emigrés, most of whom had always followed the Bourbons, very brave people, but take away Colonel Rumilly, not one was in a position to command a section. Then, the volunteers made up of law and medical students, and some young family members, in all about 60. An infantry battalion of 600 men composed of soldiers who had deserted, convicts and others who, to avoid going to the fire, had crossed the border, a horse grenadier regiment of 800 men composed of guards and former grenadiers of La Roche Jacquelin, the regiment all in colback was superb, well mounted and maneuvered very well; plus 200 Gardes du Corps , in total 1800 men, let's say 2000 and that's a lot.
(...) We looked, being unarmed, like prisoners of war (...)
I cannot describe the effect that the sight had on my morale of these foreign uniforms, especially the Prussians. I was ashamed to think that we seemed to be under their orders. Strength by my senior parents and my father, I was forced to emigrate. but I cannot recommend enough to my nephews, through the attachment attitude that I bear to them, to never, out of opinion, follow my example. A truly French heart like theirs would have, I'm sure, too much to suffer. (...)
The Battle of Waterloo could be heard perfectly from Aalst. A such heavy cannonade made my heart tremble and gave it a the darkest sadness. “How,” I said to myself, “to see my country, I must want my fellow citizens to be beaten : no, since I was forced to make the mistake, I will suffer the consequences. I hope and I wish so that these proud English be crushed. »
a very serious alarm took place; a mass of Englishmen on foot and on horseback, gunners who had cut the lines, ran headlong to the ground crossing the city and spouting that Buonaparte had won the battle, that he had entered Brussels. The Duke of Berry, accustomed to misfortune, lost his head and gave the order to recall to leave immediately for Ghent.
I had the honor of observing that he seemed imprudent and hardly worthy of relying on fugitives. My colonel supported my opinion “What to do then,” he said. Wait and send a brave officer who can be counted on on the field of combat battle? » the duke said, “Lauthonnye, go at full speed and see Lord Wellington.
– My lord, I promise you. » »
The road to Ghent was crowded with fugitives; all the drivers of the food and powder boxes had received the order to retreat, which prevented me from going as fast as I could want.
However, I was near Lord Wellington at four hours. I told him that I came from the Duke of Berry to ask his orders, which the enormous number of fugitives had caused fear to the prince that the battle was lost. He answered me with an air of remarkable sadness “You, who know war, captain, you see, my reserve is committed, everything therefore depends in this moment of God's will. I lost a lot of people, French troops fight fiercely. » From position where was Lord Wellington, I could dive on both armies.
Seeing the beautiful charges of our grenadiers, hearing the cry of “Long live the Emperor!” my hair stood up, tears abundant flows and I was tempted to approach the legs of my horse and to go join these brave men. Wellington noticed of my emotion and said to me “Captain, go and tell the prince to stay in Aalst; if fortune is unfavorable to me, he will be notified in time to make his retrograde movement. » I galloped away with ulcerated blood. In Aalst, the prince was no longer there. The inhabitants agonized over me with stupidities and treated me, like an emigré, at such point that I thought it prudent to put my sword in hand (...)
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k115365p/f481.item
Frédéric Jacques Louis Rilliet (1794-1856) describes the same mutual dislike between French and Prussians, even allied, he followed the Prussian Headquarters with two French officers, one of them was Colonel de Castries but for reasons exposed below they didn't follow it until the battlefield of Waterloo if not the previous days, they joined Brussels the 17th june
we were a little embarrassed by our movements: the Prussians were the allies of the king we served, they must therefore be our friends; but these friends hardly liked us and we did not have much sympathy for them. We were isolated in this army, and our foreign uniforms attracted us glances that had nothing benevolent, we were looking forward to meeting General Gneisenau who had always been very kind to us (...)
our position, in the middle of this army, however interesting it was, was not pleasant. The uniform we wore attracted looks from all those who were unaware of the nature of our relations with the general staff; we were often separated by quite large distances from this staff, and exposed to misunderstandings which could become annoying. There is nothing sadder than being without troops in an army where you are only tolerated; so we were determined to put an end to it and go and join the king. The disorder and the appearance of rout presented by the Prussian army were not likely to encourage us to remain there.
We were getting closer to the main road to Brussels, and we were passing a reserve park, when we saw two French prisoners brought in, one of whom was wearing a sky blue and silver uniform from the Emperor’s Officiers d'Ordonnance; he did not appear to be more than eighteen to twenty years old, and had received a saber blow to the head, from which streams of blood escaped. Prussian gunners led them with great brutality. When they were near us, the companion of the injured man, who was a little older than him, said: “Gentlemen, you are French (he had recognized our uniforms from the Maison du Roi), and although we do not serve the same cause, please intervene on behalf of my comrade who can barely support himself. » . I wanted to pass to the injured man a flask containing rum and water; a Prussian gunner snatched it from him; I raised my hand to my saber, but immediately three or four bayonets were aimed at me.
A little further on we crossed the road some distance from Sombref. A mass of fugitives came out, spreading throughout all the directions, I have never seen such a tumult. It was claimed that two regiments of French cavalry had turned Sombref and were coming towards us.
We did not see them, but we were forced to follow the torrent, the Prussians took us for their enemies, and I do not understand how they did not reward us with a few spear blows. The confusion was horrible. The unfortunate wounded, crushed by the fugitives, made the air resound with painful cries; finally we discovered two squadrons of lancers, who seemed to be putting up a good face in a field, and we rushed towards them. M. de Castries told the commander that we were asking to share their dangers. "Welcome, Gentlemen,” he replies courteously. Barely had these words been released when the two squadrons turned around and fled at full speed. Why ? I do not know.
We had enough, most of the fugitives seemed to be heading towards Gembloux; this was a reason for us to take the road to Wavre, happy to part with these good friends, from whom we only had to receive blows. From then on we traveled quite calmly, and around midnight we reached Wavre, which was already crowded, not only with the wounded, but with frightened and even disgusted people; If we had judged the demoralization of the Prussian army by the sample we had around us, we might have believed that Napoleon would have a cheap time the next day.
After a few hours of rest, we took the road back to Brussels where a profound calm reigned; soon, however, screams were heard behind us, and we saw a column of baggage and horsemen rushing after our steps with all the signs of the keenest terror. They shout that the French are coming. In vain we represent to them the absurdity of their fears, they continue to flee with the speed of lightning, the torrent carries us away. Fortunately, a few Hanoverians who remained guarding Brussels closed the doors; we will join them, ready to receive enemies, who did not present themselves.
It was a weak detachment sent on reconnaissance, which had reached the rear of the army and who had amused himself by taking advantage of the terror he inspired in the Prussians.
Emmanuel de Waresquiel in Cent Jours la tentation de l'impossible mars-juillet 1815 when he precises that the Count de Semallé from the King's police was at Wellington's HQ on the battlefield in the afternoon, adds the following comment and names
il y'eu ainsi de nombreux Français officiers d'ordonnance ou simples cavaliers, le prince Ferdinand de Croÿ, Emmanuel de Solre, les comtes de La Ferronays et de Guitaut, Bellerive, Trannoy, Lauthonnye (mentionned above) et d'autres qui firent la navette entre le champ de bataille et Bruxelles pour porter des nouvelles. Pozzo di Borgo est là aussi bien que blessé au talon à côté de Wellington