Gerard Napoleon's army is on the move. Orders have come to march.

Gerard The 42nd is attached to Picton's Division. We are now on our way.

Gerard We are marching without rest.

Gerard Approaching the battle field. We can hear the sounds of the battle.

Gerard The stalks of rye oppose our advance; the tops are up to our bonnets. We grope our way through as fast as we can.

Gerard Forward we hasten though we cannot see the enemy before us.

Gerard We have emerged from the tall rye in a field of clover. The sights and sounds of battle are all around us

Gerard We are very much straggled, far from being in a formation fit to repel an attack.

Gerard The Belgian skirmishers, having held their own against their attackers, now fall back to within our ranks.

Gerard A regiment of lancers has emerged from the nearby woods. They appear to be Brunswickers coming to cut up the flying [French] infantry

Gerard We are loading our muskets as we attempt to form our square and watch for the inevitable appearance of the enemy.

Gerard A German orderly dragoon galloped up, exclaiming 'Franchee ! Franchee !' and, wheeling about, galloped off. The French? Where?

Gerard They are not Brunswickers! The French cavalry is all-but upon us! We have attempted to form a rallying square, but no time for particularity.

Gerard Our enemies approach at full charge; the feet of their horses seem to tear up the ground. In moments they will be upon us.

Gerard Enemy from all directions!

Gerard We fight back to back, desperate to maintain our square, every moment fearing we will be broken.

Gerard We are holding them off, but only just.

Gerard Our square is broken! Our square is broken! The enemy charges through our lines, lances drawn!

Gerard It is a slaughter. We fight, but all is confusion.

Gerard Colonel Macara has fallen, his head fully pierced by a French lancer. Surely he is dead! Our brave Colonel is dead!

Gerard We have pressed round Macara, vainly attempting to save him. The enemy is everywhere with their lances.

Gerard Man to man we fight. So many are falling. So many are dead.