LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Battle of Waterloo: French Revolutionary
built 777 days ago
At around 12.30 one of the most famous incidents of the entire Battle of Waterloo took place. This was the closing of the North Gate at Hougoumont. About 30-40 French soldiers had battered down the gate and burst into the courtyard. Lieutenant Colonels Macdonnell and Wyndham, Ensigns Gooch and Hervey and six other Guardsmen managed to push the gates shut the gates in the faces of the onrushing French. All those who had burst in were slaughtered to a man, except for one drummer boy whose life was spared. After the battle Wellington said that the outcome of the entire battle hinged on this one single dramatic incident.
The British Battles website has a substantial section on the Battle of Waterloo. In addtion to a detailed illustrated article, there are additional sections on: Waterloo Allied Order, Waterloo Casualties, Waterloo French Order, Waterloo La Haye Sante, Waterloo Scots Greys, and Waterloo Uniform.
Source:
At 11am the French bombardment of Hougoumont Farm, on the extreme right of the Allied line, began the battle. The British artillery on the ridge behind the farm replied, cannonading the French infantry massed for the attack on the far side of the valley.
Source:
The multi-colored detailed maps with battle lines superimposed over modern landmarks and terrain are an essential element of the study. Distinctive panoramic color photographs with troop formations delineated on the photographs provide the reader with a sense of the topography while the text provides penetrating observations. Each map and accompanying photomap includes a key detailing infantry, artillery, and cavalry notes on formation placement. Adkin explains the differences of troop placements, often providing logical and tactical reasoning for alternative decisions. For example, at 11.30 am, he contrasts the symmetry of the French deployment to Wellington’s "tangled and confusing" formations and why this appeared to be so.
Source:
This famous battle was part of the Hundred Years' War between the French and the English. English archers with their longbows were able to keep the French with their crossbows too far away to shoot. The French decided to charge. The ground was wet and muddy, causing the heavily armored troops to slip and fall. The French lost at least 5,000 men; another 1,000 were captured. The English losses totaled only 140.
Source:
By 1812, the 61st were engaged at the battle of Salamanca. as a part of the reserve division, they were ordered to repel a french attack, which threatened to ruin a British victory. The 61st managed to repel the attack but at a huge cost of 366 casualties (67% unit strength). Coombs was almost certainly one of the wounded from this engagement, as he is listed as "sick" directly afterwards and took no further part in any battles. He was discharged on pension in February 1815 and was still alive in 1854 aged at least 74.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
French Revolutionary