The letter was written four years before Charles Henry
came to Canada. Published in "The Empire, Toronto," 28
April 1888, as follows:
The subjoined is an extract from a letter written by a
brother of CH Howard, of St. Julian's, Georgina. The letter
with the cap and sword worn by Lieutenant Howard at Waterloo,
with other relics, came into the possession, recently of the
Howard family, who thought it might be interesting to the
readers of The Empire:
In the Bivouac Close to the Gates of Paris, July 8,
1815
We have been so actively engaged that we have not had
even time to write, supposing that we could procure
utensils, which was impossible. Most likely my name by this
time appeared in the Gazette among the wounded on the 16th ;
this, I am happy to say, was but slight. It would be
ridiculous to think of entering into any detail of
the business of that day at all events, for the newspapers
have given such a correct account of everything, but on the
evening of the 16th June, while in our bivouac, and not far
from the village of Quatre Bras, we heard the most terrible
thundering of cannon and our division was but in motion.
This foretold sport. True enough in about two hours after
that, six o'clock, the balls were buzzing about our ears in
the most delightful manner.
All the lights were formed on the left--the battalions
for skirmishing. Upon the whole we got off very well, some
seven or eight men wounded, until near dark in the evening
when I got a clink on the outside of my left thigh which
knocked me down and obliged me to quit the field. This was 9
o'clock. Although very seriously bruised, finding nothing
more than a little flesh disconcerted I got the blood washed
off and joined my company the same night in advance of the
whole. We kept our ground in the morning. Four picquets
commenced a little skirmishing but our position they would
not attempt to wrest from us. We were now relieved, and went
to join our regiments, but I am very sorry to add I found
they had suffered most severely — three officers killed
and seven wounded, and about 100 men, and my poor friend
Farlong was one of the number wounded, and dangerously. He
sent for me repeatedly, but no one could find me, being too
far in advance. He said he must die and therefore sent his
watch to me. In the morning I went to see if I could find
him, but they had sent him to Brussels. I therefore could
not see the poor fellow, but I have heard from several
people, who say that they think he will do well. The ball
entered his right side, and remaining either in his lungs or
shoulder blade; it never can be extracted.
On the 17th June we retired in the best possible order to
the heights of Mount St. Jean or Waterloo. Here we took up
our good and never-to-be-forgotten position and fought our
battle. Our regiment was placed on the first hill of our
position, where we could see the French Buffers maneuver
before us. I rather think they would have attacked us the
same evening, but we saluted them so prettily when they made
their appearance on the hill opposite the next morning, the
18th, and my birthday, the French began their movements by
daylight, we, of course, being ordered by the noble
Wellington to move accordingly. About ten o'clock the sport
began by an attack on our right, but here they were repulsed
with immense loss. This they repeated several times and as
often failed, they then tried the left and were very warmly
received, and did not gain much ground. Our brigade and
regiment was in the center and during some time was exposed
to nothing more than cannon shot, but which frequently
milled us.
Towards the latter part of the day the enemy made a most
desperate and furious attack on our center, here we had our
share of bloody work. I never shall forget the scene and the
carnage. Really the French cavalry, who behaved admirably,
charged so repeatedly and so ................... wounded
officers to the rear and much less men. Just at this moment
was pointed out to me the meaning of being warmly engaged.
Our brigade and a brigade of guards were the only soldiers
that we could see, and we were so ........that I thought
that things were going badly, and we made up our minds to
send all our colors to the rear, still determined to stay
while we had a man left. There we were ..... could just
maintain our ground, when to our delight came up lots of
reinforcements. Indeed Lord Wellington had been with us in
very hot fire. I said that we should be immediately
supported. Just at this moment he brought up all the
cavalry, artillery and infantry from the reserve and
advanced. The French gave way in every quarter, and in fact
were so panic struck that they could not form them again.
Our brigade halted, having had a sufficiency, for the
general and every field-officer, but two, of the brigade,
were either killed or wounded, and the whole strength
reduced to about 300 out of 1500. The 73rd regiment was
commanded by a young lieutenant. Things were so bad that I
was acting brigade-major for some time, but Captain Harty,
of the Light company being only slightly wounded, he took it
and I did the adjutants' duty. When telling the men off
after the action there were only 72 men on the parade, 15
officers having been lost 4 killed and 10 wounded, together
with 1500 men. In the two days we had in casualties 24
officers and 250 men.
I have often expressed a wish to see a general
engagement. I have and am perfectly satisfied. I should
never have forgiven myself if I had not been in this action
of the 18th in consequence of my wound. Thank God I am safe,
I had a very narrow escape that day, a bullet passed through
my cap and must have been within the eighth of an inch of my
head. I intend bringing the cap to England. I can scarcely
fancy myself alive and writing to you after what I have
seen. We may almost say England conquered France in one
battle and entered her capital. Now for the most melancholy
part of my tale. So great was the confusion and so certain
were they in Brussels that the battle was lost, that they
fled to Antwerp in thousands; the consequence was that our
barrage which had been sent there for safety was plundered
and destroyed, they say by Belgic troops, but so it was in
our regiment. We had not a second shirt or blanket to cover
us from very wet weather.Think of a man being wet and dry in
the same clothes for ten days; no halting days. We had but
one halting day between Brussels and Paris, and, therefore
we had no time to write or change our linen.
We took position of the Heights of Montmartre on the 5th
of July and Paris the 6th. Montmartre is a tremendous place,
and from that you have the most magnificent view of Paris,
perhaps, that ever was seen anywhere. To-day the Parisians
have hoisted the white flag, but not in any way unanimously.
We have guns planted in every street to give them a brush if
they attempt to stir. It's a great shame they did not march
us through Paris. I certainly think the French account of
the battle is very good. Excuse all things... writing on the
ground... driven mad with the business in my department.
