Part 1: June 14, 1815

The past few days have been anything but satisfying. The large multinational force that was at Wellington's disposal had to be properly organized and deployed.

After Napoleon's return Wellington actually had to fight for his allotment of troops. Quite a number of German city states were willing to provide soldiers for the larger European powers, but Prussia, trying to establish its hegemony over all of Germany, wanted to be the only one to lead them into battle. Understandably, empires like Austria, Russia and Great Britain had something against that. Eventually it was established that the Duke of Wellington would be given priority in order to reach the required 150,000 men that were to make up the Army contributed by Great Britain to the war against Napoleon.

Since Flanders was the designated area for this army, it was only logical that the Belgian and Dutch contingents would be apart of Wellington's force. This, of course, provided the Duke with a number of difficulties, since he could not afford to dismiss these troops, but also could not rely on them, due to obvious reasons.

Being well aware of his inferiority towards the French forces not only in numbers but also in quality, he had to rely on the support of the Prussian army, under Field Marshall Blücher, concentrating to the east of his position. To ensure cooperation with him, he had to stay in detached contact with his deployment, but at the same time he had to worry about both Brussels and a possible route to the sea and safety, just in case things went sour. To further his difficult situation even more, reports arrived that a large French force opposing the Austrians on the Rhine had been able to disengage entirely and move to the north east to rejoin Napoleon. The possibility that Napoleon had also brought the reserves from Paris up to the north, could not be ignored or dismissed either. Intelligence reports were sketchy at best.

All these issues and problems were constantly coming up over these past days and thus the situation was anything but satisfactory.

This morning, however, was different. Wellington was content that his army had finally reached a position from where it was able to detect any movement along the entire length of the line.

His liaison to the Prussian army, Karl Freiherr von Müffling, had assured him that the Prussian army was about to move closer to him – thus making a cooperation easier or even possible in the first place.

The orders remained the same for the entire army: Stay alert and look for any signs of enemy movement along the entire line.

“Something's afoot”:

The first few couriers bearing alarming messages left their respective commands:

From Col. Estorff, Hanoverian Cavalry at Mons:

We have spotted a large column of French troops coming down the main chaussee heading north towards Mons. My picket line of hussars was quickly driven off and I have elected to redeploy my brigade on the north side of Mons.

I will send further information about strength and enemy intentions once available. Awaiting further orders,

Your humble servant,

Colonel Estorff

Similar messages were dispatched towards the Prussian headquarters at Namur.

General-Major Pirch II, 2^nd Infantry Brigade, I Army Corps:

“We have spotted a large French column on the main chaussee south of Charleroi. My scouts were able to identify some of those troops as Napoleon's Old Guard, amongst them the Chasseurs à cheval. Reports of patrols also indicate a crossing of French troops somewhere to the South-West of my position. I will delay the enemy according to my orders and then withdraw in good order on the main road towards north.

Generalleuttnant Zieten, I Army Corps to Field Marshal Blücher:

Field Marshal,

I have to report significant enemy activities along my sector of the front line. At least 3 enemy columns are moving northwards onto my position. French guard units have been reported south of Charleroi. I fear that I am unable to hold my position without further reinforcements. Wishing to know if you have any further orders – if not, I will follow my standing orders and delay the enemy as long as possible and then withdraw to the north to seek support of the other army corps.

Your humble servant

GenLt. Zieten