Waterloo campaign: Waterloo to Paris (18–24 June) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waterloo campaign: Waterloo to Paris (18–24 June) |
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| Part of The Waterloo campaign | |||||||
 Part of France engraved by J. Kirkwood, showing the invasion routes of the Seventh Coalition armies in 1815. Red: Anglo-allied army; light green: Prussian army; orange: North German Federal Army; yellow: Army of the Upper Rhine; dark green: Army of Italy. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 France |
Seventh Coalition: United Kingdom Netherlands Hanover Nassau Brunswick Prussia |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Napoleon Marshal Grouchy Louis-Nicolas Davout Marshal Soult Antoine Drouot |
Duke of Wellington Prince Blücher |
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| Strength | |||||||
| French army order of battle | Prussian army order of battle Anglo-allied army order of battle |
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After their big defeat at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte's French army was in chaos. They quickly retreated back towards France. The two main commanders of the Seventh Coalition armies, the Duke of Wellington (leading the British and allied forces) and Prince Blücher (leading the Prussian army), had agreed to chase the French closely. Prussian cavalry units led the chase.
Over the next week, the French army tried to regroup. Even though some fresh French troops joined them, the Coalition generals didn't give them a chance to reorganize. The French kept retreating towards Paris. By June 24, the French soldiers who had fought at Waterloo were at Laon, led by Marshal Soult. The other part of the French army, led by Marshal Grouchy, was at Rethel. Meanwhile, the Prussians were near Aisonville-et-Bernoville, and Wellington's forces were near Cambrai.
The following week, from June 25 to July 1, the French reached Paris, with the Coalition armies close behind. In the final week of the campaign, from July 2 to July 7, the French gave up. Coalition forces entered Paris, and on July 8, Louis XVIII became king of France again.
Contents
The Chase Begins: Night of June 18
French Army in Disarray
After the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon's army, which was once so strong, completely fell apart. Instead of an organized retreat with a rearguard (a group of soldiers protecting the back), the French army simply fled the battlefield. They didn't try to regroup in Belgium. It was only after they crossed into France that some scattered groups started to come together again.
Prussian Pursuit Forces French Retreat
The Prussian cavalry, about 4,000 riders, chased the French with great energy all night. This chase was led by Marshal Gneisenau. Their actions helped make the victory at Waterloo even more complete. The Prussians stopped the French from getting organized in Belgium and forced them to leave behind most of their cannons.
The Prussians showed little mercy during the chase. Gneisenau later wrote that it was "the finest night of my life." He even used drummers on horseback to make the French think that Prussian foot soldiers were right behind his cavalry. This trick caused more panic and made it harder for French officers to gather their men.
Fight at Genappe
Genappe was a good place for the French to try and stop the enemy, as it had a narrow passage and only one bridge over the Dyle river. The day before, British cavalry had used this spot to slow down the French. Here, Marshal Lobau gathered 300 men to try and make a stand. But the Prussians quickly broke up his group and captured him. A Prussian officer reported that 800 French soldiers were killed in Genappe alone, just six miles from the battlefield.
Black Brunswickers Join the Chase
The cavalry from Brunswick, a German state allied with Wellington, had fought hard at both Quatre Bras and Waterloo. They asked for and received permission to join the chase. They eagerly led the pursuit, attacking any French soldiers they found.
General Duhesme's Death
There's a story about how General Guillaume Philibert Duhesme, who commanded the French Young Guard, died. He was standing by an inn in Genappe when a Black Brunswicker soldier on horseback saw he was a general. Duhesme asked to be spared, but the soldier refused and killed him with his sword. The soldier reportedly said, "The Duke [of Brunswick] fell the day before yesterday and thou also shalt bite the dust." However, Duhesme's family and his aide said he was badly wounded at Waterloo and captured in Genappe. They said Prussian doctors cared for him until he died the next night.
French Reach the Sambre River
By dawn on June 19, the last of the fleeing French soldiers reached the Sambre river at Charleroi, Marchienne-au-Pont, and Châtelet. They hoped to finally rest. But their peace was quickly broken by a few Prussian cavalrymen who had ridden ahead. The French had to keep fleeing, heading towards Beaumont and Philippeville.
June 19: Napoleon Flees, Armies Advance
Napoleon's Escape
Napoleon only got an hour's rest in Charleroi before the Prussians forced him to flee across the Sambre river. He couldn't stop the chase on the Belgian side. From Charleroi, Napoleon went to Philippeville. He hoped to easily communicate with Marshal Grouchy, who commanded the French army's right wing, which was still in good shape. Napoleon spent four hours sending orders to other generals, telling them to march their troops quickly to Paris. He also told fortress commanders to defend their positions to the very end. He asked Marshal Soult to gather all arriving troops and take them to Laon. Napoleon himself left for Laon by coach at 2 PM.
Grouchy's Retreat
On the morning of June 19, Grouchy was still fighting the Prussians at the Battle of Wavre. It wasn't until about 11 AM that he learned Napoleon's main army had been completely defeated and scattered the night before. Grouchy first thought about attacking the main Prussian army from behind. But he realized his forces weren't strong enough. He also worried that the victorious allies might cut off his retreat. So, he decided to retreat to Namur, where he could gather more information and plan his next moves.
Prussian Movements
On the morning of June 19, Prussian cavalry units chased the scattered French army and reached areas near Frasnes and Mellet. The Prussian IV Corps marched from Genappe at daybreak. Some cavalry units were sent towards Wavre to keep an eye on Marshal Grouchy. After some rest, the IV Corps marched to Fontaine l'Eveque and set up camp.
The Prussian I Corps followed the IV Corps, chasing the French directly towards Charleroi. Their light cavalry reached the Sambre river crossings without any trouble. The I Corps stopped for the night at Charleroi. They sent out detachments towards Fleurus to protect themselves from Grouchy, as they didn't know exactly what he was doing.
Prussian II Corps' March
On the evening of June 18, the Prussian II Corps was ordered to march from Waterloo towards Namur. Their goal was to get behind Grouchy's army and cut off his retreat to the Sambre river. The II Corps marched through the night, reaching Mellery by 11 AM the next day. The troops were very tired from the night march and the previous day's fighting, so they rested.
During this march, a cavalry brigade was sent ahead to gather information about the French. They found the narrow passage of Mont-Saint-Guibert strongly held by the French. Military historians later wondered why the Prussian commander, Pirch I, didn't stop a large part of Grouchy's army from retreating, especially since he was so close to their path.
Prussians Lose Track of Grouchy
Later that evening, on June 19, a Prussian brigade discovered that Grouchy's troops were retreating. They immediately told their commander, Thielmann, who ordered them to cross the Dyle river the next day and march towards Namur. The French rearguard stayed at the bridge of Limal until nightfall. Thielmann's forces remained camped near Sint-Agatha-Rode for the night.
Wellington's Army Moves Forward
At daybreak on June 19, Wellington's army, which had fought at Waterloo, began moving along the main road to Nivelles. Other troops that had been positioned near Hal also marched towards Nivelles. Wellington's army occupied Nivelles and nearby villages for the night. Wellington himself arrived from Brussels and set up his headquarters in Nivelles.
Army Positions on Evening of June 19
Here's where the armies were on the evening of June 19:
- Prussian Army: The I Corps was at Charleroi. The II Corps was marching to Mellery. The III Corps was at Sint-Agatha-Rode. The IV Corps was at Fontaine-l'Évêque. Blücher's headquarters were at Gosselies.
- Anglo-Allied Army: They were at Nivelles and nearby areas. Wellington's headquarters were at Nivelles.
- French Army: The main French army was scattered near Beaumont, Philippeville, and Avesnes. Napoleon was traveling by coach to Laon. Grouchy's forces were marching to Namur.
June 20: Into France
Wellington's Orders for Good Conduct
While at Nivelles, Wellington issued a special order to his troops. He made it clear that their kings were allies of the King of France. Therefore, France should be treated as a friendly country. He demanded that soldiers pay for everything they took. Wellington believed this was important to convince the French people that the Coalition armies were coming to free them from Napoleon, not to conquer them. If the armies treated France badly, the French people might see King Louis XVIII, who was about to be restored, as a puppet of the victors. This could lead to more instability and future wars.
Anglo-Allied Army Advances
On June 20, Wellington agreed to take command of the Saxon Corps, a group of nearly 17,000 soldiers. He ordered them to march to Antwerp and wait for further instructions. Wellington's main army marched to Binche and Mons. British cavalry moved into villages between Roeulx and Mons. Wellington set up his headquarters at Binche.
Prussians Cross the Border
Blücher secured the crossings of the Sambre river near Charleroi and continued chasing the French. On June 20, the Prussians crossed into France. Blücher ordered the I Corps to march from Charleroi to Beaumont. As they advanced, they found more evidence of the French army's disorder, including twelve cannons that the French had abandoned. The I Corps camped at Beaumont.
The Prussian IV Corps was ordered to move towards Colleret. They were to check if the French had set up defenses along the Sambre river and to repair any destroyed bridges. However, their progress was slow because they expected the French to fight back.
The left side of the Prussian army, including the III and part of the II Corps, caught up with Grouchy's forces. Thielmann, learning that Grouchy had begun retreating, marched from Sint-Agatha-Rode to Wavre. He found that the French had already crossed the Dyle river, leaving only a rearguard.
Grouchy, deciding to retreat to Namur, sent his cavalry ahead to secure the Sambre river crossing. His infantry followed in two columns. To trick Thielmann, Grouchy left his rearguard in Wavre and Limale until evening before they followed the main army to Namur. Thielmann's cavalry chased the French but couldn't catch them until they were near Namur.
Fighting at La Falize
Near the village of Château La Falize, about three miles from Namur, the Prussians found the French rearguard. This group had about two battalions of infantry, three cavalry regiments, and four cannons. The Prussian artillery immediately opened fire. Prussian cavalry then attacked the French from both sides. The French cavalry fought back but were defeated. The Prussians captured three French cannons and 50 cavalry horses. The French infantry escaped into a nearby wood.
French Retreat to Namur
At this point, the Prussians learned that General Pirch was chasing another French column with the Prussian II Corps on the road from Sombreffe to Namur. This French column belonged to Gérard's IV Corps. The French were retreating in good order, so the tired Prussian cavalry didn't attack directly. Instead, they fired shells at the French as they retreated into Namur.
Battle for Namur
It wasn't until 5 AM on June 20 that Pirch learned the French were retreating to Namur. He sent his cavalry and artillery ahead. They found Thielmann's cavalry already chasing the French. Pirch's vanguard attacked a French force near Temploux and defeated them. The French then fell back to a strong position near Flawinne, ready to make a stand.
Pirch ordered an immediate attack. Prussian infantry columns advanced, and after some resistance, the French were driven into Namur. The French defended the suburbs fiercely. One Prussian commander, Colonel Zastrow, was killed trying to force open a gate. Many other Prussian officers and soldiers were also killed or wounded.
The main part of Grouchy's army was retreating towards Dinant. The French troops left in Namur, led by General Teste, were there to hold off the Prussians as long as possible. They barricaded the gates and fought bravely. They had already moved their wounded, supplies, and ammunition out of the town.
General Pirch knew the French were only defending Namur to cover their retreat. He didn't plan a full assault but wanted to take the suburbs and keep the French busy. He ordered his troops to blockade the town. The Prussians eventually forced their way into the town through a small iron door in a house near a gate. They quickly took control of the market square and the bridge over the Sambre river.
The French were pushed towards the gate leading to Dinant. They piled wood, straw, and pitch against the gate and set it on fire, blocking the pursuit. The Prussian troops were also very tired from marching and fighting for 16 hours. By 9 PM, the Prussians controlled Namur.
Grouchy's Skillful Retreat
In his report to Napoleon, Marshal Grouchy explained why he held Namur: "The long narrow passage from this place to Dinant... made it necessary to hold the town for a considerable time." He praised his troops for their bravery. A small group of Prussian cavalry was sent to chase the French towards Dinant. General Teste's division retreated slowly and in good order to Profondeville, then continued to Dinant.
Military historians believe Grouchy's retreat through Namur to Dinant was very skillful. The defense of Namur by General Teste's division, without artillery, was highly praised. The Prussians lost about 1,500 men in this action, and the French lost about the same number.
Historians have debated whether the Prussians could have done more to stop Grouchy. Some believe that if Pirch had acted more quickly and decisively, he could have cut off a large part of Grouchy's army. However, Grouchy's quick decisions and the brave defense of Namur allowed his forces to escape.
Napoleon Heads to Paris
The scattered French soldiers continued to flee across the border. Many threw away their weapons and went home. Some officers managed to gather small groups of troops and lead them towards Laon. Napoleon reached Laon on the afternoon of June 20. He planned to stay there until more of his army gathered. However, his advisors convinced him to go to Paris to deal with political matters. He left for Paris, planning to return to Laon later.
Army Positions on Evening of June 20
Here's where the armies were on the evening of June 20:
- Prussian Army: Blücher's headquarters were at Merbes-le-Château. The I Corps was at Beaumont. The IV Corps was at Colleret. The II Corps was at Namur, with some units blockading Maubeuge. The III Corps was at Gembloux.
- Anglo-Allied Army: Wellington's headquarters were at Binche. Their right wing was at Mons, and their left was at Binche.
- French Army: Napoleon had left Laon for Paris. The main French army was completely scattered. Some took refuge in Avesnes and Guise. About 3,000 men reached Laon. Grouchy's forces were at Dinant.
June 21: Fortresses and Proclamations
Wellington Crosses into France
On June 21, Wellington crossed the French border. He moved most of his army to Bavay and some to Valenciennes, which was immediately surrounded. Wellington set up his headquarters at Malplaquet, a famous battlefield where the Duke of Marlborough had won a victory in 1709.
French Fortresses: A Challenge
Both Wellington and Blücher now faced a line of strong French fortresses. These fortresses had been thought to be impossible to pass. It was very important to capture some of them to create new bases for their advance into France. The main fortresses to be surrounded immediately were:
- By Anglo-Allied Army: Valenciennes, Le Quesnoy, and Cambrai.
- By Prussians: Maubeuge, Landrecy, Avesnes, and Rocroi.
The two commanders planned to meet soon to discuss how to besiege these fortresses and plan their next moves.
Blücher received reports from his commanders about Grouchy's escape through Dinant. He ordered the II Corps to move towards Thuin and help with besieging the fortresses. The III Corps was to follow the I and IV Corps as a reserve.
A Prussian cavalry unit that had chased Grouchy near Dinant decided to stop the pursuit. They realized Grouchy had gained too much distance by barricading the roads. They then moved to join the main Prussian army, covering its left side.
Blücher also sent out cavalry to gather information about French troop movements. The Prussian IV Corps was ordered to advance towards Maroilles and blockade Landrecies.
Capture of Avesnes
The Prussian I Corps marched on Avesnes. The vanguard (leading part) was ordered to surround the fortress. The Prussians began firing howitzers at the town. The shells didn't set the strong houses on fire, and cannons didn't do much damage to the walls. At nightfall, the bombardment stopped. A small group of French soldiers tried to attack, but they were quickly driven back.
After midnight, the Prussian cannons started firing again. A shell hit the main powder magazine, causing a huge explosion that destroyed 40 houses. The explosion panicked the French soldiers inside. The commander decided to surrender without asking for any terms. When the Prussians entered, they found many cannon cartridges and musket balls, and 47 cannons. The garrison, which included National Guards and veterans, suffered many casualties in the explosion. The National Guards were disarmed and sent home, while the veterans were sent to Cologne.
Capturing Avesnes was very important for the Prussians. It gave them a secure place to store supplies and care for their sick and wounded.
Army Positions on Evening of June 21
Here's where the armies were on the evening of June 21:
- Prussian Army: The I Corps was near Avesnes. The IV Corps was at Maroilles, blockading Landrecies. The II Corps was at Thuin, with some units blockading Maubeuge. The III Corps was at Charleroi. Blücher's headquarters were at Noyelles-sur-Sambre.
- Anglo-Allied Army: The main force was at Bavay. The right wing was at Valenciennes, blockading it. Wellington's headquarters were at Malplaquet.
- French Army: The defeated French army was between Avesnes and Laon. Grouchy's forces were at Philippeville.
Wellington's Proclamation
While at Malplaquet, Wellington continued his policy of showing the French people that he was not their enemy. He issued a proclamation stating that Napoleon was a "usurper" (someone who takes power illegally). Wellington's army came as liberators, not invaders. He had ordered his soldiers to treat all French citizens fairly and with respect, as long as they didn't oppose the army.
Historians noted a big difference between the Prussian and Anglo-allied armies during this advance. The Prussians often took things and were harsh on the people. In contrast, Wellington's British and German troops gained the trust and goodwill of the local people. Wellington's army inspired confidence, while the Prussians made people obey through fear.
June 22: Moving Closer to Paris
On June 22, parts of Wellington's Anglo-allied army marched to Le Cateau and nearby areas. Other divisions were camped near Gommegnies and Bavay. Troops under Prince Frederick of the Netherlands blockaded Valenciennes and Le Quesnoy. Wellington's headquarters were at Le Cateau.
Blücher wanted his different Prussian corps to be closer together. The I Corps moved from Avesnes to Étroeungt, sending patrols towards the Oise river. The IV Corps marched towards Guise. Cavalry units were also sent towards Rocroi. The Prussian III Corps advanced from Charleroi to Beaumont, protecting its left side. The Prussian II Corps, which was focused on the fortresses, moved from Thuin. Parts of it blockaded Maubeuge, while others moved towards Landrecies, Philippeville, and Givet. Blücher's headquarters were at Catillon-sur-Sambre.
Grouchy's troops reached Rocroi. The remaining French soldiers continued to gather near Laon, where Soult had set up his headquarters. They were trying to get new cannons and supplies. Grouchy was retreating towards Soissons. The French hoped that once Grouchy joined Soult, and with more reserves, they could stop the Coalition armies.
Some historians have wondered if Napoleon should have gone to other French armies instead of Paris to try and gather a new force. This new army could have attacked Wellington and Blücher from the sides as they advanced on Paris.
June 23: Rest and Planning
On June 23, Wellington and Blücher gave most of their troops a day of rest. This allowed them to gather scattered soldiers and bring up ammunition and baggage.
The only movement for the Anglo-allied army was an attack on Cambrai. Wellington believed the garrison there was small. British troops, including the 6th Hanoverian Brigade, marched to attack Cambrai. Wellington sent a letter to the governor asking him to surrender and copies of his proclamation to the French people. The Prussian III Corps moved to Avesnes, bringing the three main Prussian corps closer together for their advance on Paris.
Meeting at Catillon
Wellington and Blücher met at Catillon to plan their next steps. They learned that the French were gathering their forces at Laon and Soissons. They decided not to chase the French directly along that line, as it could slow them down. Instead, they planned to move along the right bank of the Oise river and cross it further on. By doing this, they hoped to get around the French army's left side and reach Paris before them. To trick the French, they would send Prussian cavalry ahead, making the French think the cavalry was the main Coalition army.
They also agreed that Wellington would bring his pontoon (bridge-building) train because the Prussians didn't have enough. To secure their operations, they decided that some corps would stay behind to besiege the fortresses. This included Prince Frederick of the Netherlands' corps and the Prussian II Corps, among others. These forces would be led by Prince Augustus of Prussia.
This plan was seen as very smart and the best way to reach Paris. It was carried out with great cooperation between Wellington and Blücher. However, one historian noted that Wellington's advance was slower than Blücher's. He wondered if Napoleon, if he had been more like his old self, could have used this separation to attack the Prussians.
June 24: Capturing Fortresses and Advancing
Anglo-Allied Operations
Taking Cambrai
On the morning of June 24, Wellington ordered more troops to march towards Cambrai. When these troops arrived, the attack began that evening. Three groups of soldiers attacked the fortress. They climbed walls using ladders and forced their way through gates and breaches (broken parts of the wall). The artillery helped by covering the attacks. The town quickly fell to the attackers. The citadel (a strong fort inside the town) continued to resist, but the governor asked for a ceasefire, which was refused.
On June 25, at Wellington's suggestion, King Louis XVIII sent an officer to demand the surrender of the Citadel of Cambrai. The governor obeyed, and the garrison gave up. Wellington immediately handed the fortress over to King Louis XVIII. The Anglo-allied army had very few casualties in this attack: eight killed and 29 wounded.
Other Movements
Other parts of the Anglo-allied army moved to Forest-en-Cambrésis. The reserve forces moved closer to the main army, camping near Englefontaine. Wellington stayed at Le Cateau, waiting for supplies and the pontoon bridges. King Louis XVIII arrived at Le Cateau late on June 24, waiting for the citadel of Cambrai to surrender so he could move into the town.
Prussian Operations
The Prussian army continued its advance on June 24, following the plan agreed upon the day before. Cavalry was sent towards Laon to watch and trick the French. Blücher divided his three corps into two columns. The left column, closer to the French, moved along the Oise river. The right column moved along a parallel road. The left column headed towards Compiègne, and the right towards Pont-Sainte-Maxence.
Capture of Guise
At 9 AM, the Prussian I Corps marched towards Guise. The vanguard surrounded the fortress. The French commander pulled his troops into the citadel. The Prussians prepared their cannons, but before firing, the Prussian commander, Zieten, demanded surrender. The French commander agreed without a fight. The garrison of 18 officers and 350 soldiers surrendered. The Prussians found 14 cannons, 3,000 muskets, and many supplies. This gave them another strong point for their operations without firing a single shot.
Other Movements
After Guise was captured, the Prussian vanguard moved on. Other cavalry units were sent to observe the river Serre. The Prussian III Corps moved to Nouvion. Cavalry units from this corps were sent to gather information about Grouchy's army. The Prussian IV Corps, forming the right column, marched to Aisonville-et-Bernoville. Cavalry units reached Châtillon-sur-Oise and found Saint-Quentin empty, so they took control of it. Because of these movements and Wellington's halt, the Prussians were now a day's march ahead of the Anglo-allied army.
French Ask for a Ceasefire
During the day, the French sent proposals for a ceasefire to the Coalition armies. They claimed that Napoleon had given up his power for his son and that a new French government had been formed. Both Wellington and Blücher refused to stop their operations. They believed that stopping would not be in line with the goals of the Coalition.
Army Positions on Evening of June 24
Here's where the armies were on the evening of June 24:
- Prussian Army: The I and IV Corps were at Aisonville and Bernoville. Blücher's headquarters were at Hannapes.
- Anglo-Allied Army: The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd divisions were near Le Cateau-Cambrésis. The 4th Division was at Cambrai. The 5th and 6th divisions were near Englefontaine. Wellington's headquarters were at Le Cateau-Cambrésis.
- French Army: Soult's troops were at Laon. Grouchy's troops were at Rethel.
What Happened Next
The following week, from June 25 to July 1, the French reached Paris, with the Coalition forces about a day's march behind them. In the final week of the campaign, from July 2 to July 7, the French surrendered. Coalition forces entered Paris, and on July 8, Louis XVIII was restored to the throne of France.
Images for kids
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