von Muffling General von Zieten has dispatched an officer with news that the French have attacked near Charleroi. This will, surely, start the war anew.

von Muffling Have commnunicated to the Duke of Wellington this news. He had heard nothing of it from his advanced posts at Mons.

von Muffling The Duke waits for positive confirmation before determining his movements, but he means to fight in conjunction with the Prussian army.

von Muffling The Duke orderd all to be in readiness, as departure of troops is certain & will send a brigade of light cavalry at once to Quatre Bras.

von Muffling The numerous friends of Napoleon here at Brussels make their presence known. Cannonade can be distinctly heard before the gates of Brussels

von Muffling Intelligence of the commencement of hostilities, forwarded from Charleroi to Namur, has reached me a second time.

von Muffling The Field-Marshal is concentrating at Sombref, and wishes to know the concentration of Wellington's army.

von Muffling The Duke cannot fix his point of concentration before receiving news from Mons. He promised to give me immediate notice when this arrived.

von Muffling I am unable to answer the Field-Marshal's request, but keep a courier at the ready.

von Muffling Duke entered my room to say heard from Mons, from General Dornberg. Napoleon has turned towards Charleroi with all his forces.

von Muffling Therefore the Dukes orders for the concentration of the army at Nivelles and Quatre Bras are already dispatched

von Muffling The Duke intends to attend the Duchess of Richmond's ball. He must feel we have time yet before fully engaged with the enemy.

von Muffling The Duke intends to attend the Duchess of Richmond's ball. He must feel we have time yet before fully engaged with the enemy.

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

von Muffling At the ball. The Duke appears very cheerful. All the great people of Brussels are here collected.

von Muffling I cannot help but wonder at the fate of the Prussian army, having reported yesterday they had been under attack.

von Muffling The Gordon Highlanders are dancing reels at the ball. The Duchess thought it would interest foreigners to see them.

von Muffling Aides-de-camp continually arrive with news for the Duke, some of which have even managed to discompose him.

von Muffling The French are advancing. Every man has been ordered to join his regiment by 3am, when the march will begin.

von Muffling Those who have loved ones here give way to their grief as they make what might well be their final goodbyes.

von Muffling The Duke, and by necessity, myself, remain at the ball, though all is being made ready for his departure

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

von Muffling We are riding, intending to overtake the troops

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

Butterworth Word is we are to march. Preparations have been hectic.

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.

Butterworth Marching.

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.

Butterworth Still marching.

Butterworth Met up with some dragoons, who also have marching orders, though nobody seems to know just where we're marching to.

Butterworth We've been ordered to pull our heavy guns and ammunition across a bog. Completely daft if you ask me. 'Twill take hours.

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

von Muffling We have reached Quatre Bras along with the troops.

von Muffling The enemy has placed his advanced posts opposite Perponcher's division.