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Napoleon began a massive call up and soon had L'Armée Du Nord (The Army of the North) prepared.  The Army of the North was about 117,000 strong. This was moved with great stealth to the northern border of Belgium.  In this area the British had assembled an army of some 97,000 and the Prussians another army of 105,000.  Both allied armies had been spread out in an effort to be easier on the population they depended on for assistance.

Napoleon began a massive call up and soon had L'Armée Du Nord (The Army of the North) prepared.  The Army of the North was about 117,000 strong. This was moved with great stealth to the northern border of Belgium.  In this area the British had assembled an army of some 97,000 and the Prussians another army of 105,000.  Both allied armies had been spread out in an effort to be easier on the population they depended on for assistance.

===Wellington's Army===

===Wellington's Army===

Wellington led an multinational army that he would describe as "an infamous army, very weak and ill equipped, and a very inexperienced Staff".<ref>Longford, p.485</ref> It was in no case more than 30% British, the rest coming from the Neatherlands, Hanover, Nassau, and Brunswick.  The Duke of Wellington would express reservations about the loyality of some of his troops, but in point of fact all of his troops would give outstanding performances in battle.  

Wellington led an multinational army that he would describe as "an infamous army, very weak and ill equipped, and a very inexperienced Staff".<ref>Longford, p.485</ref> It was in no case more than 30% British, the rest coming from the Neatherlands, Hanover, Nassau, and Brunswick.  The Duke of Wellington would express reservations about the loyalty of some of his troops, but in point of fact all of his troops would give outstanding performances in battle.  

===The Prussian Army===

===The Prussian Army===

The Prussian army was in the throes of reorganization as its reserve regiments became line regiments along with many of the previous 1814 Landwehr regiments and its artillery was also reorganizing and would not perform at peak level, though its militia, the ''Landwehr'', was significantly better than other militias.<ref>Barbero, p.39</ref> It was under the command of Blücher, though in fact much of its operation was directed by his chief-of-staff, [[August von Gneisenau|Gneisenau]], who greatly distrusted Wellington.<ref>Barbero, p.21</ref> Two and a half Prussian army corps or 48,000 men, were engaged in the battle by about 18:00. (Two brigades under [[Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Bülow|Friedrich von Bülow]], commander of the IV Corps, attacked Lobau at 16:30, [[Georg Dubislav Ludwig von Pirch|Georg von Pirch's]] II Corps and parts of [[Hans Ernst Karl, Graf von Ziethen|Graf von Ziethen's]] I Corps engaged at about 18:00.)

The Prussian army was in the throes of reorganization as its reserve regiments became line regiments along with many of the previous 1814 Landwehr regiments and its artillery was also reorganizing and would not perform at peak level, though its militia, the ''Landwehr'', was significantly better than other militias.<ref>Barbero, p.39</ref> It was under the command of Blücher, though in fact much of its operation was directed by his chief-of-staff, [[August von Gneisenau|Gneisenau]], who greatly distrusted Wellington.<ref>Barbero, p.21</ref> Two and a half Prussian army corps or 48,000 men, were engaged in the battle by about 18:00. (Two brigades under [[Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Bülow|Friedrich von Bülow]], commander of the IV Corps, attacked Lobau at 16:30, [[Georg Dubislav Ludwig von Pirch|Georg von Pirch's]] II Corps and parts of [[Hans Ernst Karl, Graf von Ziethen|Graf von Ziethen's]] I Corps engaged at about 18:00.)

Marshall Ney in command of the French Army's left wing marched to Quatre-Bras and found it defended by Dutch units who were determined to hold their ground.  The Prince of Orange arrived and disregarded orders to retreat, choosing to reinforce the position.  Marshall Ney believing that he was facing far more troops than was the case was tentative in his attacks at first.  Lord Wellington was rushing formations to assist with all speed.  As evening fell the British forces outnumbered the French and the position was held.

Marshall Ney in command of the French Army's left wing marched to Quatre-Bras and found it defended by Dutch units who were determined to hold their ground.  The Prince of Orange arrived and disregarded orders to retreat, choosing to reinforce the position.  Marshall Ney believing that he was facing far more troops than was the case was tentative in his attacks at first.  Lord Wellington was rushing formations to assist with all speed.  As evening fell the British forces outnumbered the French and the position was held.

====Battle of Ligny====

====Battle of Ligny====

Napoleon had wished to attack the British first, but this was impossible as the Prussians were by now already assembled with 3/4 of their forces in and around the village of Ligny.  In a four hour battle Napoleon would earn his last victory.  The Prussian position was a strong one, but the execution of the dispositions was poor.  The Prussian left was strongly held by the III Corps, but was never in danger given the marshy ground in front of it.  The Prussian center and right contained the intermingled I and II Corps with the right strung out waiting for Wellington's army that would never show up.  After several repulses, Napoleon launched the combinded Guard at the Prussian center.  Despite several counter attacks, the center fell and the battle was won by the French.  The carnage was great with 11,000 French and 22,000 Prussians lost on the field.  A great deal of the Prussian losses were deserters from formations recruited from newly aqquired lands by the Kingdom of Prussia.  The retreat of the Prussians was never interrupted, and was seemingly unnoticed by the French.<ref name="Chesney, Charles C. p136">Chesney, Charles C., Waterloo Lectures:A Study of the Campaign Of 1815 p136 IBSN 1428649883</ref> By nightfall, at about 2100, almost all of the Prussian formations had left the field.  On the Prussian right, Lieutenant-General [[Hans Ernest Ziethen|Ziethen's]] I Corps retreated slowly with most of its artillery, leaving a rearguard close to [[Brye]] to slow the French pursuit. On the left, Lieutenant-General [[Johann von Thielmann|Thielemann's]] III Corps retreated unharmed, leaving a strong rearguard at [[Sombreffe]]. The bulk of the rearguard held their positions until about midnight, before following the rest of the retreating army. In fact, Zieten's 1st Corps rearguard units only left the battlefield in the early morning of 17 June, as the exhausted French failed to press on.<ref name="Chesney, Charles C. p136"/> Napoleon, thinking Ney had already seized Quatre-Bras, ordered Ney to strike Blucher's right flank and complete the victory.  But Ney's procrastination at Quatre-Bras had ruined the opportunity.<ref>Dupuy & Dupuy, The Encyclopedia of Military History, 1977, Pg. 767</ref> Pirchs II Corps followed the 1st Corp off the battlefield and Thielemans III Corps moved last with the armies various parks in tow. It should be noted that the last of III Corps was moved in the morning completely ignored.<ref name="Chesney, Charles C. p136"/> [[Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Bülow|Von Bülow's]] IV Corps moved south of Wavre and setup strong rear guard positions for the army to quickly reasemble.<ref name="Chesney, Charles C. p136"/> General Blücher was already in communications with General Wellington. Great though the victory was (as the Prussians had more men on the field than the French) it contained all the seeds for the eventual defeat at Waterloo.  While the Prussians were defeated they were not routed and proceeded to calmly march off the battlefield with some units not leaving until the next morning.  This left a organized and determined army ready to act against the French army.

Napoleon had wished to attack the British first, but this was impossible as the Prussians were by now already assembled with 3/4 of their forces in and around the village of Ligny.  In a four-hour battle Napoleon would earn his last victory.  The Prussian position was a strong one, but the execution of the dispositions was poor.  The Prussian left was strongly held by the III Corps, but was never in danger given the marshy ground in front of it.  The Prussian center and right contained the intermingled I and II Corps with the right strung out waiting for Wellington's army that would never show up.  After several repulses, Napoleon launched the combinded Guard at the Prussian center.  Despite several counterattacks, the center fell and the battle was won by the French.  The carnage was great with 11,000 French and 22,000 Prussians lost on the field.  A great deal of the Prussian losses were deserters from formations recruited from newly aqquired lands by the Kingdom of Prussia.  The retreat of the Prussians was never interrupted, and was seemingly unnoticed by the French.<ref name="Chesney, Charles C. p136">Chesney, Charles C., Waterloo Lectures:A Study of the Campaign Of 1815 p136 IBSN 1428649883</ref> By nightfall, at about 2100, almost all of the Prussian formations had left the field.  On the Prussian right, Lieutenant-General [[Hans Ernest Ziethen|Ziethen's]] I Corps retreated slowly with most of its artillery, leaving a rearguard close to [[Brye]] to slow the French pursuit. On the left, Lieutenant-General [[Johann von Thielmann|Thielemann's]] III Corps retreated unharmed, leaving a strong rearguard at [[Sombreffe]]. The bulk of the rearguard held their positions until about midnight, before following the rest of the retreating army. In fact, Zieten's 1st Corps rearguard units only left the battlefield in the early morning of 17 June, as the exhausted French failed to press on.<ref name="Chesney, Charles C. p136"/> Napoleon, thinking Ney had already seized Quatre-Bras, ordered Ney to strike Blucher's right flank and complete the victory.  But Ney's procrastination at Quatre-Bras had ruined the opportunity.<ref>Dupuy & Dupuy, The Encyclopedia of Military History, 1977, Pg. 767</ref> Pirchs II Corps followed the 1st Corp off the battlefield and Thielemans III Corps moved last with the armies various parks in tow. It should be noted that the last of III Corps was moved in the morning completely ignored.<ref name="Chesney, Charles C. p136"/> [[Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Bülow|Von Bülow's]] IV Corps moved south of Wavre and setup strong rear guard positions for the army to quickly reassemble.<ref name="Chesney, Charles C. p136"/> General Blücher was already in communications with General Wellington. Great though the victory was (as the Prussians had more men on the field than the French) it contained all the seeds for the eventual defeat at Waterloo.  While the Prussians were defeated they were not routed and proceeded to calmly march off the battlefield with some units not leaving until the next morning.  This left an organized and determined army ready to act against the French army.

===June 17th===

===June 17th===

===The arrival of the Prussians IV Corps: Plancenoit===

===The arrival of the Prussians IV Corps: Plancenoit===

The first Prussian corp to arrive was the IV Corps and its objective was Plancenoit as a launch point into the rear of the French positions. It was Blücher's intention to secure his left upon Frichermont using the Bois de Paris road.<ref name=Hofschroer-116>Hofschröer [[#References|References]]  p. 116</ref>  Blücher and Wellington had been exchanging communications since 10:00am and had agreed to this advance on Frichermont if Wellington's centre was under attack.<ref name=Hofschroer-95>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 95</ref><ref>Chasney, Waterloo Lectures p-165</ref> General Bülow noted that Plancenoit lay open and that the time was 4:30pm.<ref name=Hofschroer-116/> At about this time the 15th Brigade IV Corps linked up with the Nassauers of Wellington's left flank with the brigade artillery, horse artillery deployed to the left in support.<ref name=Hofschroer-117>Hofschröer [[#References|References]]  p. 117</ref> Napoleon sent Lobau's Division to intercept Bülow's IV Corps. Therefore Napoleon sent his 10-battalion-strong Young Guard to beat the Prussians back. The 15th Brigade threw Lobau's troops out of Frichermont with a determined bayonet charge. The 15th proceeded up the Frichermont heights battering French Chasseurs with 12 pounder artillery fire and pushed on to Plancenoit. Napoleon had dispatched the entire 8 battalions of Young Guard and 2 battalions of the Old Guard to reinforce Lobau's Division. Hiller's 16th Brigade had 6 battalions available and pushed forward to attempt to take Plancenoit. The Young Guard counter-attacked and after very hard fighting, the Young Guard recaptured Plancenoit but were themselves counter-attacked and driven out.<ref name=Hofschroer-122>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 122</ref> Napoleon sent two battalions of the Old Guard and after ferocious bayonet fighting - they did not deign to fire their muskets - they recaptured the village.<ref name=Hofschroer-122/> The dogged Prussians were still not beaten, and approximately 30,000 troops under Bülow and Pirch attacked Plancenoit again. It was defended by 20,000 Frenchmen in and around the village.

The first Prussian corp to arrive was the IV Corps and its objective was Plancenoit as a launch point into the rear of the French positions. It was Blücher's intention to secure his left upon Frichermont using the Bois de Paris road.<ref name=Hofschroer-116>Hofschröer [[#References|References]]  p. 116</ref>  Blücher and Wellington had been exchanging communications since 10:00am and had agreed to this advance on Frichermont if Wellington's centre was under attack.<ref name=Hofschroer-95>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 95</ref><ref>Chasney, Waterloo Lectures p-165</ref> General Bülow noted that Plancenoit lay open and that the time was 4:30pm.<ref name=Hofschroer-116/> At about this time the 15th Brigade IV Corps linked up with the Nassauers of Wellington's left flank with the brigade artillery, horse artillery deployed to the left in support.<ref name=Hofschroer-117>Hofschröer [[#References|References]]  p. 117</ref> Napoleon sent Lobau's Division to intercept Bülow's IV Corps. Therefore, Napoleon sent his 10-battalion-strong Young Guard to beat the Prussians back. The 15th Brigade threw Lobau's troops out of Frichermont with a determined bayonet charge. The 15th proceeded up the Frichermont heights battering French Chasseurs with 12 pounder artillery fire and pushed on to Plancenoit. Napoleon had dispatched the entire 8 battalions of Young Guard and 2 battalions of the Old Guard to reinforce Lobau's Division. Hiller's 16th Brigade had 6 battalions available and pushed forward to attempt to take Plancenoit. The Young Guard counter-attacked and after very hard fighting, the Young Guard recaptured Plancenoit but were themselves counter-attacked and driven out.<ref name=Hofschroer-122>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 122</ref> Napoleon sent two battalions of the Old Guard and after ferocious bayonet fighting - they did not deign to fire their muskets - they recaptured the village.<ref name=Hofschroer-122/> The dogged Prussians were still not beaten, and approximately 30,000 troops under Bülow and Pirch attacked Plancenoit again. It was defended by 20,000 Frenchmen in and around the village.

===Prussian advance===

===Prussian advance===

Throughout the late afternoon, Zieten's I Corps had been arriving in greater strength in the area just north of Le Haye. This allowed Wellington to reinforce his centre in time to repulse Napoleon's attack. At the time the French Guard was being repulsed from the British centre, the Prussian I Corps was breaking through the French centre.<ref name="ReferenceA">Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. ?</ref> By 19:30, the French position was bent into a rough horseshoe shape. The ends of the U were now based on Hougoumont on the French left, Plancenoit on the French right, and the centre on La Haye.<ref name=Hofschroer-139>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 139</ref> The French had retaken the positions of La Haye and Papelotte in a series of attacks by General Durette's Division.<ref name=Hofschroer-139/> Oberst von Hofmann's 24th regiment led an advance towards La Haye and Papelotte; the French forces retreated behind Smohain without contesting the advance.<ref name=Hofschroer-139/> The 24th Regiment advanced against the new French position but was seen off after some early success. The Silesian Schützen and the F/1st Landwehr moved up in support as the 24th regiment returned to the attack.<ref name=Hofschroer-140>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 140</ref> The French fell back before the renewed assault without much of an attempt at defense. At this point, the French began to seriously contest ground, attempting to regain Smohain and hold on to the ridgeline along Papelotte and the last few houses of Papelotte.<ref name=Hofschroer-140/> The 24th Regiment linked up with a Highlander battalion on its far right. Determined attacks by the 24th Regiment and the 13th Landwehr regiment with cavalry support threw the French out of these positions and further attacks by the 13th Landwehr and the 15th brigade expelled them from Fichermont.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Durutte’s division was beginning to unravel under the assaults when General Zieten’s I Corps cavalry poured through the gap.<ref name=Hofschroer-144>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 144</ref> Durutte's division, finding itself about to be charged by massed cavalry of Ziethen's I Corps cavalry reserve, retreated quickly from the battlefield. I Corps then attained the Brussels road and the only line of retreat available to the French.

Throughout the late afternoon, Zieten's I Corps had been arriving in greater strength in the area just north of Le Haye. This allowed Wellington to reinforce his centre in time to repulse Napoleon's attack. At the time the French Guard was being repulsed from the British centre, the Prussian I Corps was breaking through the French centre.<ref name="ReferenceA">Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. ?</ref> By 19:30, the French position was bent into a rough horseshoe shape. The ends of the U were now based on Hougoumont on the French left, Plancenoit on the French right, and the centre on La Haye.<ref name=Hofschroer-139>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 139</ref> The French had retaken the positions of La Haye and Papelotte in a series of attacks by General Durette's Division.<ref name=Hofschroer-139/> Oberst von Hofmann's 24th regiment led an advance towards La Haye and Papelotte; the French forces retreated behind Smohain without contesting the advance.<ref name=Hofschroer-139/> The 24th Regiment advanced against the new French position but was seen off after some early success. The Silesian Schützen and the F/1st Landwehr moved up in support as the 24th regiment returned to the attack.<ref name=Hofschroer-140>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 140</ref> The French fell back before the renewed assault without much of an attempt at defense. At this point, the French began to seriously contest ground, attempting to regain Smohain and hold on to the ridgeline along Papelotte and the last few houses of Papelotte.<ref name=Hofschroer-140/> The 24th Regiment linked up with a Highlander battalion on its far right. Determined attacks by the 24th Regiment and the 13th Landwehr regiment with cavalry support threw the French out of these positions and further attacks by the 13th Landwehr and the 15th brigade expelled them from Fichermont.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Durutte’s division was beginning to unravel under the assaults when General Zieten’s I Corps cavalry poured through the gap.<ref name=Hofschroer-144>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 144</ref> Durutte's division, finding itself about to be charged by massed cavalry of Ziethen's I Corps cavalry reserve, retreated quickly from the battlefield. I Corps then attained the Brussels road and the only line of retreat available to the French.

By November 20, 1815 the Treaty of Paris was signed bringing an end to the Hundred Days.  Of the leading Generals only the Duke of Wellington would survive more than a dozen years.  Blucher would pass away within 4 years; Bulow von Deniwitz would beat him to the grave.  Napoleon would spend his final years writing from St. Helens railing against the failure of others that had led him to such a fate.  What happened?

By November 20, 1815 the Treaty of Paris was signed bringing an end to the Hundred Days.  Of the leading Generals only the Duke of Wellington would survive more than a dozen years.  Blucher would pass away within 4 years; Bulow von Deniwitz would beat him to the grave.  Napoleon would spend his final years writing from St. Helens railing against the failure of others that had led him to such a fate.  What happened?

*Napoleon showed his old flash of brilliance assembling a large army and launching it to attack the Prussian army at Ligny.  This was the French army of old, artillery moved with speed and daring to support the infantry and the Guard used in mass to seal a victory.

*Napoleon showed his old flash of brilliance assembling a large army and launching it to attack the Prussian army at Ligny.  This was the French army of old, artillery moved with speed and daring to support the infantry and the Guard used in mass to seal a victory.

*What happened after defies explanation; there was not a pursuit after either Qutra Bra or Ligny of any sort worth mentioning.  Instead of breath taking relentless pursuit of Jena there was a 24 hour pause.  A bloodied but by no means defeated Prussian army moved with speed and deliberation to reorganize and with its less reliable elements running away it was a hard core of an army that would henceforth battle in its best traditions.

*What happened after defies explanation; there was not a pursuit after either Qutra Bra or Ligny of any sort worth mentioning.  Instead of breath taking relentless pursuit of Jena there was a 24-hour pause.  A bloodied but by no means defeated Prussian army moved with speed and deliberation to reorganize and with its less reliable elements running away it was a hard core of an army that would henceforth battle in its best traditions.

*Again the British army was allowed to move off without the slightest bother from the French.  The Duke of Wellington made excellent use of the time.

*Again the British army was allowed to move off without the slightest bother from the French.  The Duke of Wellington made excellent use of the time.

*The Duke's use of reverse slopes and most of all the intelligent use of La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont diverted large formations from important tasks without bothering much of the allied army.

*The Duke's use of reverse slopes and most of all the intelligent use of La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont diverted large formations from important tasks without bothering much of the allied army.