Waterloo (18 June) Waterloo Campaign
battle of waterloo it @ waterloo on 18 june 1815 decisive battle of campaign took place. start of battle delayed several hours napoleon waited until ground had dried previous night’s rain. late afternoon french army had not succeeded in driving wellington s forces escarpment on stood. once prussians arrived, attacking french right flank in ever increasing numbers, napoleon s key strategy of keeping seventh coalition armies divided had failed , army driven field in confusion, combined coalition general advance. on morning of 18 june 1815 napoleon sent orders marshal grouchy, commander of right wing of army of north, harass prussians stop them reforming. these orders arrived @ around 06:00 , corps began move out @ 08:00; 12:00 cannon battle of waterloo heard. grouchy s corps commanders, gérard, advised should march sound of guns . contrary napoleon s orders ( sword against prussians driving them through wavre , join me here ) grouchy decided not take advice. became apparent neither nap