Napoleonic: Waterloo - The Defense of Hougoumont

On the morning of June 18, the chateau of Hougoumont and the surrounding grounds were defended by the light companies
of the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards and 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Guards, as well as two light companies from
the 1st Guards and a mixture of Nassauers and Hanoverians in the nearby woods.  These units had spent the previous night
turning the chateau into a fortress with loopholes along the walls.

It was Napoleon's plan to send a diversionary attack, led by Prince Jerome, against the chateau first thing in the morning.
The attack did not get off until 11:30 AM when six thousand French infantry attacked.  At this point, the "diversion" should
have ended with the French assault being driven off.

Jerome was persistent and sent the 1st Light Regiment around the west of the chateau, where they discovered
the North Gate of Hougoumont open.  About thirty French (with Lieutenant Legros, axe in hand) made it in the open gate
before it was closed by the Light Company of the Coldstream Guards.  The gate was shut and the French who had made it in
dispatched (all except for a lone drummer boy -- legend has it).  The second French attack had very nearly succeeded.
Wellington is quoted as saying, "The success of the Battle of Waterloo turned on the closing of the gates."

Updated 11/26/2010

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