"Help - Dornberg at Quatre Bras" Topic

I am trying to put together an order of battle for Quatre Bras and have found a single reference for Dornberg arriving at QB at 8pm. (and nothing of Vandeleur – who I assume did not make it all).

Did Dornberg make the battlefield but did not get used (because of the late hour), or did he simply not make it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Dornberg was personally there with Wellington quite early on. He accompanied the Duke on his visit to Blucher but despite speaking both German and English, he does not seem to have added much value and the conversation was mostly in French. His 3rd Cavalry Brigade arrived late for the battle but did advance to a final position between Gemioncourt Farm and the Bois de Bossu. I am not aware of them undertaking any combat.

I am unawa5re that his cavalry even made it. Of the variations of the account of the battle, I've never heard of his cavalry mentioned. Even if his cavalry did make it, it definitely was not engaged. I would not include it.

This is a good place to star – link Select "The Situation of Wellington's Forces," "The Cavalry." According to this study by Pierre de Wit Vandeleur's brigade was the first brigade to arrive, towards 8:30 pm.

Good link,

thanks all very much for answering. I play face to face on Friday.

With most scenarios ending at 9pm, there looks little likelihood of the British cavalry ever becoming involved.

I think simply for historical accuracy, I would like to show them arriving, whether or not there would ever be an immediate French threat for them to get drawn into immediate combat at or near the crossroads seems unlikely..

normsmith

I checked some of the letters in "Waterloo Letters" by Siborne and "The Waterloo Archive Vol. II & III" by Glover.

The 23rd Lt. Dragoons arrived at QB around 6 P.M. and deployed on rising ground to the right of the Namur Road.
A recon party was sent forward close to the Bossu Woods.
As Lt. Blathwayt of the 23rd says 'although under fire (we) were not called upon to do anything".

The 1st K.G.L. Light Dragoons 'arrived in the Genappe area in the afternoon, and bivouacked near QB. The 2nd K.G.L. Light Dragoons "camped at night in an open field near Genappe". Neither participated in the action.

Cornet Bullock's report in "The Waterloo Archive Vol. I"
says that Vandeleur's Brigade arrived at QB at about 8 P.M., formed in two lines and observed the shot going over their heads. As night approached they sent a squadron on picket and went into bivouac.

Cliff

Cliff, thanks for taking the time to do that. TMP at its best.