Willem van Wassenaar
This file contains a translated and typeset copy of a letter by Baron Willem van Wassenaar, a former 2nd Lieutenant serving with the Netherlands Horse Artillery, which has been transcribed from the handwritten Dutch manuscript.
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In his detailed letter of the 30th April 1841, Baron Willem van Wassaenaar described the fighting at Les Quatre Bras on Friday 16th June 1815, and the part played by the battery of Horse Artillery commanded by Captain Adrianus Gey: 'When we arrived in the afternoon the battle was already raging; I recollect the terrain on which Quatre Bras is situated dominated the plain in front. At first we came under fire, but were later placed in position by General van Merlen. The infantry, who in many places had formed square, prevented us from firing. We were then moved to a position in front of Quatre Bras between the roads from Brussels to Charleroi and that from Nivelles to Namur. From there we retired to the farm of Quatre Bras; it was at this moment that the French attacked the wood of Villers Peruin and the farm of Gémioncourt. The cavalry under General van Merlen charged, but we soon saw them fleeing in our direction.’ |
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