La Bataille des Quatre Bras 2nd Ed.

Napoleon's letter from Charleroi to Ney. June 16, 1815

To Marshal Ney. My Cousin - I send you my Aide de Camp, General Flahaut; who brings you the present letter. The Major General [Soult] will give you the Orders; but you will receive mine sooner, because my Officers go quicker than his. You will receive the Order of Movement of the Day: but I wish to write to you respecting it in detail, because it is of the highest importance.

I direct Marshal Grouchy with the Third and Fourth Corps of Infantry on Sombref. I direct my Guard to Fleurus, and I shall be there personally before noon. I shall attack the Enemy there if I meet with him, and I shall clear the road as far as Gembloux. There, according to what will happen, I shall make my decision; perhaps at three o'clock in the afternoon, perhaps this evening. My intention is that, immediately after I shall have made my decision, you may be ready to march on Brussels. I will support you with the Guard which will be at Fleurus or at Sombref; and I would desire to arrive at Brussels tomorrow morning. You would march this evening even if I make my decision at a sufficiently early hour that you may be informed of it in daylight, and traverse this evening three or four leagues, and foe at Brussels tomorrow at seven o'clock in the morning.

You may then dispose your troops in the following manner: First Division at two leagues in front of Quatre Bras, if in doing so there is no inconvenience. Six Divisions of Infantry about Quatre Bras; and one Division at Marbais, so that I may draw it to myself at Sombref, if I should have need of it. It would not otherwise retard your march. The Corps of the Count De Valmy, which has 3,000 Cuirassiers d'Elite, at the intersection of the Roman road with that of Brussels in order that I may draw it to myself if I should have need of it; as soon as my decision is made, you will send him the Order to rejoin you. I would desire to have with me the Division of the Guard commanded by General Lefebvre Desnouettes, and I send you the two Divisions of the Corps of the Count De Valmy to replace it. But in my present design, I prefer to place the Count De Valmy in such a manner as to be able to recall him if I should have need of him; and not to make false marches for General Lefebvre Desnouettes; since it is probable that I shall decide this evening to march on Brussels with the Guard. However, cover Lefebvre's Division with the two Cavalry Divisions of D'erlon and Reille, in order to spare the Guard; and that, if there shall be any affray there with the English, it may be with the Line rather than with the Guard.

I have adopted as a general principle during this Campaign to divide my Army into two Wings and a Reserve. Your Wing will be composed of the four Divisions of the Second Corps, the two Light Cavalry Divisions, and the two Divisions of the Corps of Valmy. That ought not to be far from 45,000 to 50,000 men.

Marshal Grouchy will have nearly the same force, and will command the Right Wing. The Guard will form the Reserve, and I shall repair to one or other Wing according to circumstances. The Major General is giving the most precise Orders that there may be no difficulty as regards obedience to your Orders when you will be detached; the Commanders of Corps must take my Orders directly from me, when I am present. According to circumstances, I shall weaken the one, or the other, Wing in augmenting my Reserve.

You will sufficiently perceive the importance attached to the capture of Brussels. That will otherwise give occasion to incidents: for a movement equally prompt and abrupt will isolate the English Army from Mons, Ostend, &c. I would desire that your dispositions may be well made that, at the first Order, your eight Divisions may march rapidly and without obstacle upon Brussels.

N.

Charleroi, 16th June 1815.