In his highly detailed letter of the 15th July 1815, William Elton provided a description of the Battle of Waterloo on Sunday 18th June, and the charge by the British Heavy cavalry: ‘The enemy, after several attacks upon the Duke's position, the brow of a hill wherein he was repulsed, seemed likely to succeed opposite our brigade, by the increased fire of artillery and musketry 200 yards in our front. The infantry suddenly broke out of their line into solid squares, and we saw the crests of the Cuirassiers. The line, without waiting for any particular orders, drew swords, and set off at full speed. Every squadron took the interval of our infantry which was next to them and there the right squadron and mine paired off and I never saw them more.’ In addition to the letter the file contains extensive new genealogical information and details of William Elton's military service. The contents of this file are also available in British Correspondence #2.

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