As with the previous items I have posted, here is a letter, dated Münster 17th July 1815, from Private Friedrich Wiegel, 4th Kurmark Landwehr Regiment, to his perants in Berlin (translated from German), with a fascinating insight into the battle of Ligny:
'I am writing for the 4th time, as I still have not received a reply, and I do not know why. We have had an awful time since my last letter, and I have been wounded slightly. We advanced on the 15th June, as the French attacked. On the 16th, having undertaken a long march, we arrived and were immediately placed on outpost duty. The position we had to take was terrible, as we had to stand up to see one another. Subsequently, we were isolated and did not know what to do before the attack commenced. But once it started we had no peace. One of the men removed a shirt and tore it into bandages. I asked if he could tear a strip for me, and I placed it in my pocket, so that I could take it out easily. Not one moment had passed when the Cuirassiers cut in between us and then rode over us completely. We shot at them, but they thundered along and took many prisoners. This is all I can state, as the confusion was so great. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Army Corps had assembled. I cannot begin to describe the fighting, which lasted from midday until the evening.
At 8 o'clock in the evening I was wounded and sank down on my side. Eventually, and as I had been shot, I could retire. I asked my comrades to carry me back. They were happy to take me back. Our Adjutant-General came, grabbed my arm and led me to the doctor, so that he could examine my wound. After that he had treated me they they put me on a wagon with the other wounded, and I was taken further to the rear. But the wagon was so crowded that I fell off. I tried in vain to follow. Fortunately, I met one of our men and I asked him to help me to find another wagon. He returned shortly thereafter with a wagon, and he and another man placed me in it. But as soon as he had sat with me, we heard cries that the French were coming, and it was almost impossible to move.
I returned to Namur on this first night. The battle took place at Charleroi, 7 hours before, Namur. The next morning we heard the French were close, and so everyone who could should save themselves and retire. From Namur I went to Lüttich, then to Aachen and Köln, and from Köln to Düsseldorf. I felt so terrible, that I hardly remember anything of the journey. I had to rest in Düsseldorf for 14 days. I was wounded on the right foot, and it has been twice as thick as usual. It thought that it would have to be removed. The fever has been bad, and I could not eat, and could not drink beer. Nothing other than water, which I could drink all the time, as it help to sustain me. Please forgive me for not writing sooner, but I simply could not. I strained as much as possible, but when I was in bed, my hand trembled so much when I tried to write, I often fell back onto the pillow. My foot has already improved and I do not have so much pain. Throughout the time I have been in Düsseldorf I had so much pain that I did not know what to do during the day and night. However, as soon as I felt better, they brought me straight to Münster.
Please greet all my friends and acquaintances, as well as my cousin Herbst and aunt Riecken, and Maria and Heinrich and Andreas Herbst, along with Mrs. Flöter in Krug and the Schmidts. I also send greetings to all my brothers and sisters, and of course, I send a thousand greetings to you. I remain your ever loving son. Frederick Wiegel.
My address is as follow:
Private Friedrich Wiegel of the 4th Kurmark Landwehr Regtiment. 10th Company of the 3rd Battalion in Münster.'
gets started with Flintloque.
