"D'Erlon at Waterloo" Topic

I'm looking for, I guess, French sources on what happened to D'Erlon's attack before the British cavalry charge.

I know that, somehow, the French were winning the infantry combat at the top of the ridge. Considering they were up against Picton's men, that's quite impressive.

Were they kicking British butt? Attempting to deploy? Is there any specific info on this beyond a few comments by British authors?

There is a very detailed analysis in the Waterloo Companion.

Widowson,

There is an interesting account by an officer of the 45eme; I will check the details for you and post again.

Colin

Mr. Widowson you are looking for french sources in french or tranlated to english?.

About D'Erlon's atack they managed well untill the British Cavalry charged to them.

They were not in a good position to resist the Heavies because of the ridge, they didn't saw them untill they were very close.

It was a fine atack of the British Riders and in my very poor opinion, which save the day.

Amicalement
Armand

You can have a look at "A Voice From Waterloo" on line. It was written by an Englishman Sgnt Major Cotton of the 7th Hussars. He bought Le Belle Allinace and turned it into a pub. Many veterans of both sides gave him their description of the battle, and he put together this book.
Page 55 has D'Erlon's Attack.
I have a hard copy at home.

link

great find thanks for sharing

of intrest the British hussar was killed in melee by a carbine shot and note of the women in uniform found dead.

Lord Ghee

Most accounts agree that from west to east D'Erlon's divisions were Quiot, Donzelot, Marcognet and Durutte.

Quiot attacked and isolated La Haye Sainte, but did not take it. While they were doing this, the cuirassiers covering their left flank cavalry cut down an Allied infantry battalion, reached the ridge, and were then flanked and routed by the Household Cavalry.

Donzelot and Marcognet reached the ridge and were initially checked by Picton's fire, but then returned it and started to prevail – not surprisingly, as they must have still numbered at least 7,000, allowing for losses to artillery and to Picton's volleys. Picton himself would have had maybe 3,000 men to hand, if that. Donzelot and Marcognet were then clobbered in their turn by the rest of the British heavies.

Durutte's boys fought their way into Papelotte and were mostly out of harm's way. The battalions nearest Marcognet formed square and fended the cavalry off.

In the immediate aftermath of the cavalry attack, there were no intact formed French infantry within a mile of Durutte.