June 15, 17.55 in the evening, Charleroi
News is flooding in fast from all over the theatre. The French seem to be coming at us from all directions. To my right, Zeithen and the Prussian I Corps have been attacked by the French III Corps under Van Damme at Thuin. To the south, at Laneffe, it looks like the three divisions I left there have been assaulted by that rogue Marshal Ney, with D'Erlon and the French I Corps. I'm not exactly sure where Napoleon is right now, and I am trying to identify which of these attacks represents the main French thrust. However, two entire corps are starting to look more than a little convincing!
On my left, at Yvoir, another French corps has materialised from the direction of Dinant under the command of Lobau, with six brigades. Heavy fighting is being reported in that direction.
Spies have come in from Marche, reporting that French cavalry were seen there, heading north. This could mean some form of outflanking maneuver, either towards Ciney or Bomal, but this looks like a long way round. If there IS a major French formation out there, it would be heading towards Huy or Liege and might therefore require further investigation. The question is whether I can spare the cavalry for a foray in that direction...?
At the moment the most potent threat seems to be from Ney. I am leaving Zeithen to take care of the situation at Thuin, while I concentrate the Prussian IV corps south of Chaleroi. It looks to me as if a big battle is brewing here. I may need to support my troops at Laneffe, or assist Zeithen, depending on what happens there. We look to have another couple of hours of daylight left, after which we may have a chance to consolidate our position.
What is also worrisome is that the French are reported at Mons. This is a bit out of my 'sector' so to speak, but there are British troops at Seneffe and Ath, so with luck Wellington will be able to deal with that little trouble. Still no dispatches from Wellington's headquarters. I wonder what he is up to?
Generalfeldmarschall von Blucher
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| It looks like it is kicking off at Laneffe...! |
On my left, at Yvoir, another French corps has materialised from the direction of Dinant under the command of Lobau, with six brigades. Heavy fighting is being reported in that direction.
Spies have come in from Marche, reporting that French cavalry were seen there, heading north. This could mean some form of outflanking maneuver, either towards Ciney or Bomal, but this looks like a long way round. If there IS a major French formation out there, it would be heading towards Huy or Liege and might therefore require further investigation. The question is whether I can spare the cavalry for a foray in that direction...?
At the moment the most potent threat seems to be from Ney. I am leaving Zeithen to take care of the situation at Thuin, while I concentrate the Prussian IV corps south of Chaleroi. It looks to me as if a big battle is brewing here. I may need to support my troops at Laneffe, or assist Zeithen, depending on what happens there. We look to have another couple of hours of daylight left, after which we may have a chance to consolidate our position.
What is also worrisome is that the French are reported at Mons. This is a bit out of my 'sector' so to speak, but there are British troops at Seneffe and Ath, so with luck Wellington will be able to deal with that little trouble. Still no dispatches from Wellington's headquarters. I wonder what he is up to?
Generalfeldmarschall von Blucher
It's heating up!
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