Page "Battle of Wavre" Paragraph 16

At around of 18 June 1815 Grouchy reported to Napoleon that the Prussians had left Tourinnes by marching all night.

He further reported that he was moving on Wavre with all haste.

At Grouchy reported to Napoleon that the Prussian I, II, and III Corps were marching in the direction of Brussels, and that Prussian officers were talking of joining Wellington to offer battle to the French army.

His despatch included a Prussian requisition form by way of proof.

He noted that by attacking and standing at Wavre, he could block the Prussians from intervening against the rest of the French army.

At, Grouchy and his corps commanders heard in the distance the noise from the Grand Battery as the Battle of Waterloo started.

Grouchy's corps commanders, especially Gérard, suggested that they should " march to the sound of the guns " Grouchy, however, had written and verbal orders from Napoleon to march on Wavre and to engage the Prussians there, and knew that Marshal Ney had been taken to task by Napoleon two days earlier for not following orders at the Battle of Quatre Bras.

Grouchy therefore declined to follow his subordinates ' suggestion, pointing out that Napoleon had more than enough force to deal with Wellington.

Minutes after this conversation, Exelmans reported strong Prussian positions from Wavre.

At, elements of Exelmans ' cavalry were in contact with the Prussian 14th Brigade ’ s rear guard.

Further argument was ended by the arrival at of another order from Napoleon, repeating the instruction to Grouchy to attack the Prussians before him.