Battle of Quatre Bras
On the 15th of June 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte crossed into what is now Belgium without alerting Coalition leaders. He intended to drive a wedge between two armies before they could join forces. The Duke of Wellington arrived from the west while Field Marshal von Blücher approached from the east. Napoleon planned to defeat the Prussian army first and force them to retreat eastward. Then he would turn to engage Wellington and drive his army back to the Channel coast. This strategy relied on speed and surprise to prevent the combined force from becoming larger than his own French army. Wellington later remarked that Napoleon had humbugged him by gaining twenty-four hours' march on him.
Shortly after 11:00 on the 16th of June 1815, Wellington rode to meet Blücher at the Windmill of Bussy. This location sat at the highest point of the Prussian position allowing both leaders to observe French deployments. They discussed how to assist each other against Napoleon's advancing main force. Primary sources disagree on whether Wellington made an unequivocal promise or if he clarified that timely aid depended on his forces not being engaged beforehand. Despite this ambiguity, all accounts agree that Wellington promised aid to Blücher. These observations led Wellington to propose attacking Frasnes and Gosselies to provide a powerful diversion for the Prussians.
Fighting began late in the afternoon on the 15th of June when the Elba squadron attacked allied forces from Frasnes. This small Polish lancer unit consisted of only 109 men and officers. The Dutch and Nassau commanders greeted them with canister and volley fire before they retired. Patrols were sent out and positions held until the next morning. From 5 AM on the 16th of June there were continuous skirmishes between Allied and French forces. Some Prussian hussars cut off from their main body skirmished with Red Lancers but disengaged after Bijleveld's artillery drove them back. Two companies of Nassau infantry advanced towards Frasnes but were pushed back by the French.
The real battle started around 14:00 hours when Ney massed a battery of 22 guns to bombard Coalition positions. Swarms of skirmishers preceded French columns as they attacked. The Dutch picket line of the 2nd Division greeted them with musket volleys but was outnumbered. Those east of the Brussels highway were forced back by the mass of men moved against them. The Nassauers retreated to Grand-Pierrepont farm while Dutch troops of the 1st Brigade took position at Gemioncourt. By 15:30 the Prince of Orange led his 2nd Light Cavalry Brigade in a charge that was met by French cavalry and thrown back. This gave battered Dutch infantry time to regroup before retreating to friendly lines.
At 17:00 the timely arrival of the British 3rd Division tipped the numerical balance back in favor of the allies. Fifteen minutes later Ney heard that the French I Corps had moved eastwards without his direct order to assist at Ligny. He sent imperative orders for d'Erlon to return immediately. To keep pressure on Wellington, Ney ordered Kellermann to lead his one available cuirassier brigade through the Allied line. These cuirassiers caught the British 5th Brigade in line formation. The 69th Regiment lost their King's color which was the only battalion under Wellington's direct command to do so. The 33rd and 73rd Regiments escaped similar fate by running for safety into Bossu Wood where they rallied quickly.
The battle cost Ney 4,000 men while Wellington lost 4,800. Although the allies won the field, the French prevented them from aiding the Prussians at Ligny. Wellington's Anglo-allied army retreated north along the Brussels road further away from the Prussians who retreated northeast towards Wavre. There has been much debate about what would have happened if d'Erlon's I Corps had engaged at either Ligny or Quatre Bras. As he did not, Napoleon chose to follow Wellington with the bulk of his forces. Two days later they met him at Waterloo. The allied tactical victory at Quatre Bras slowed down the French advance allowing Wellington to take a position on the Waterloo battlegrounds.
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Common questions
When did the Battle of Quatre Bras take place?
The Battle of Quatre Bras took place on the 16th of June 1815. Fighting began late in the afternoon on the 15th of June when the Elba squadron attacked allied forces from Frasnes.
Who commanded the Allied forces at the Battle of Quatre Bras?
Field Marshal von Blücher and the Duke of Wellington commanded the Allied forces at the Battle of Quatre Bras. Wellington arrived from the west while Field Marshal von Blücher approached from the east to join their armies against Napoleon Bonaparte.
How many men were lost by Ney during the Battle of Quatre Bras?
Ney lost 4,000 men during the Battle of Quatre Bras. Wellington lost 4,800 men in the same engagement despite the allies winning the field.
Where did the Duke of Wellington meet Field Marshal von Blücher before the battle started?
Wellington met Blücher at the Windmill of Bussy shortly after 11:00 on the 16th of June 1815. This location sat at the highest point of the Prussian position allowing both leaders to observe French deployments.
Why did Napoleon plan to defeat the Prussian army first at the Battle of Quatre Bras?
Napoleon planned to defeat the Prussian army first to drive them back eastward before engaging Wellington. This strategy relied on speed and surprise to prevent the combined force from becoming larger than his own French army.