Mercer It would appear that our Quartermaster-General of the cavalry took a peculiar pleasure in disturbing people at very unseasonable hours.

Mercer Note received: We are to proceed swiftly to Enghien & meet with Major M'Donald. Signed, D.A.Q.M.-Gen.

Mercer The suddenness of our march rather alarm me. We are not prepared, our waggons gone astray and our men unassembled.

Mercer Mr Coates said he would do his utmost to collect the waggons. He will follow us as soon as he possibly can.

Mercer The officers have just arrived, having known of our orders while at Brussels. We are preparing for the march.

Mercer The first division has finally made its appearance and we may begin our march

Mercer We have made a hearty breakfast, and not knowing when we will eat again, we each stowed away a double portion of Walsdragen's fine eggs.

Mercer Passed through Castre (an old Roman legionary station). The 23d Light Dragoons have also received orders to march upon Enghien.

Mercer Captain Dance told me he was at the ball at Brussels last night. The report was that Blucher had been attacked. We are sent to support him.

Mercer We are trudging across a perfect black bog. Our 9-pounders sink. The horses slip up to the shoulders every minute.

Mercer How we passed through the bog, I know not; but through we have come, and without accident. It took considerable time to do so.

Mercer We have come out upon a more open and dry country, close to a park. I inquired and have learned we have reached Enghien

Mercer Various columns of cavalry are converging here. Sir Ormsby Vandeleur's brigade of light dragoons are among them.

Mercer Attracted by the novelty of the scene and the fine weather, many visitors have stationed themselves within the park, watching us.

Mercer No sign of Major M'Donald. No staff-officer to be seen. No one knows anything regarding our orders.

Mercer Several corps have arrived and passed on without even halting. All profess ignorance of their destination. Pleasant situation this!

Mercer I now begin to reflect very seriously on whether "to stay" or "not to stay."

Mercer Sir H. Vivian's hussars & Major Bull's horse artillery passed. Bull, like myself, is without orders, but opts to stick close to the cavalry.

Mercer Have decided to follow Major Bull. We are now on the road to Steenkerke.

Mercer How odd. We met with an aide-de-camp posting away at full speed, dressed as if having only just left a ballroom.

Mercer The men are almost ravenous with hunger, and have been roasted alive by the burning sun under which we have been marching all day.

Mercer We are ordered to march again. Here, as before, I can obtain no intelligence respecting our march.

Mercer Groups of dragoons and hussars, mingled with our guns, scramble up the steep ascent, amongst the gigantic tree trunks.

Mercer The dull tramp of horses, the rattling of sabres, the voices of command, are all magnified by the echo of the forest, as if under a vault.

Mercer We have reached the summit, but are now quite alone, all the cavalry having gone on.

Mercer We march on, alone.

Mercer These are good men. Gunner Butterworth is one of the greatest pickles in the troop, but, at the same time, a most daring, active soldier.

Mercer Emerging from the woods, we hear a dull, sullen sound, somewhat resembling that of a distant water-mill, or still more distant thunder.

Mercer The sound has become more distinct. Its character is no longer questionable—heavy firing of cannon and musketry.

Mercer In the direction of the sounds, volumes of grey smoke arise, leaving no doubt of what is occurring. The object of our march is now evident.

Mercer Major M'Donald has arrived, ordering us to join with the Household brigade, under Lord Edward Somerset, but no instructions where or when.

Mercer The hussars mounted, set off at a brisk trot, and we followed. Alas! Where are my ammunition waggons?

Mercer The increasing intensity of the cannonade & volumes of smoke about the trees leads us to suppose the battle is near at hand.

Mercer We fancy we can hear the shouts of the combatants.

Mercer Crowds of people have assembled on the heights, seeking to get a sight of the fearful tragedy playing out before them.

Mercer All is confusion, agitation, and movement.

Mercer Explosion after explosion, startling from their vicinity, like lengthened thunder-claps which announce a storm too near for comfort.

Mercer The whole population of Nivelle is in the streets huddled together like frightened sheep.

Mercer Numerous bleeding figures pass us, some staggering along unaided, the blood falling from them in large drops as they go.

Mercer Passed a man wounded in the head; pale & ghastly, with affrighted looks & uncertain step. He knows not where he is. A battle lies before us.