Waterloo - Farm of Hougoumont, 1815 Battle Ruins
Additional Details:
| The old country-house where the right wing of the Allies was firmly entrenched. On 18 June 1815 after having allowed the ground to dry a little, as it had been soaked by showers, the Emperor, posted on the heights of Rossomme, gave the signal of attack. The Divisions of Reille and Prince Jérôme Bonaparte immediately made an impetuous assault on the defenders of Hougoumont, who were sheltered by hedges and by walls pierced with loop-holes. After 7 attacks the French penetrated into the Court-yard under a terrible fire. They set alight to the house The day after the battle the fire not having completely consumed all the dead it is said they filled with bodies the well in the yard (1st Plan on left) Of the old Hougoumont only a few ruins remain. The chapel has been preserved in a fairly good state. |
