Start of hostilities (15 June) Waterloo Campaign

a portion of belgium places marked in colour indicate initial deployments of armies before commencement of hostilities on 15 june 1815: red anglo-allied, green prussian, blue french



map of waterloo campaign

napoleon moved 128,000 strong army of north belgian frontier. left wing (i , ii corps) under command of marshal ney, , right wing (iii , iv corps) under marshal grouchy. napoleon in direct command of reserve (imperial guard, vi corps, , i, ii, iii, , iv cavalry corps). during initial advance 3 elements remained close enough support each another.

napoleon crossed frontier @ thuin near charleroi on 15 june 1815. french drove in coalition outposts , secured napoleon s favoured central position – @ junction between wellington s army north-west, , blücher s prussians north-east. wellington had expected napoleon try envelop coalition armies moving through mons , west of brussels. wellington feared such move cut communications ports relied on supply. napoleon encouraged view misinformation. wellington did not hear of capture of charleroi until 15:00, because message wellington s intelligence chief, colquhoun grant, delayed general dörnberg. confirmation swiftly followed in message prince of orange. wellington ordered army concentrate around divisional headquarters, still unsure whether attack in charleroi feint , main assault come through mons. wellington determined napoleon’s intentions certainty in evening, , orders army muster near nivelles , quatre bras sent out before midnight.

the prussian general staff seem have divined french army s intent rather more accurately. prussians not taken unawares. general ziethen noted number of campfires 13 june , blücher began concentrate forces.

napoleon considered prussians greater threat, , moved against them first right wing of army of north , reserves. graf von zieten s corps rearguard action on 15 june held napoleon s advance, giving blücher opportunity concentrate forces in rereffe position, had been selected earlier defensive attributes. napoleon sent marshal ney, in charge of french left wing, secure crossroads of quatre bras, towards wellington hastily gathering dispersed army. ney s scouts reached quatre bras evening.