Death of Colonel McCara Black Watch at Quatrebras by Richard Simkin. Military art print of the Black Watch during the battle of Quatrebras, published by Cranston Fine Arts.

Death of Colonel McCara (Blackwatch at Quatrebras) by Richard Simkin.  

Napoleon's object was to divide the British and Prussian armies in order that he might fall upon them separately. How nearly he succeeded is told in the story of Ligny and Quatre Bras. At these points were the allies under Wellington and Blucher with an interval of 18 miles between. Napoleon determined that thus they should remain until he had annihilated them. Turning upon the Prussians at Ligny, he routed Blucher and forced him back. But Marshal Ney was not so successful with the British and this masterly stroke failed.  At the junction of the roads that lead to Brussels, on which the French were advancing, stood some scattered buildings. Here the battle of Quatre Bras was fought, for this humble farm was the strategic point on which rested the peace of Europe and the overthrow of Napoleon.  The struggle was long and desperate and had Ney attacked earlier and with vigour he might have made himself master of the situation. Trusting to his superiority in cavalry and artillery the French leader hurled his full force against the British battalions, each of which in turn bore the shock of an army.  So furious was the assault that the Cuirassiers rode upon the solid lines of bayonets with shouts of "Down with the English! No Quarter!". Picton's division coming on to the field in hot haste found the not very valorous Belgians retiring in confusion before the enemy. Without halt or pause the Black Watch dashed forward to the rescue, forcing a path through a field of rye that rose to the tops of their bonnets. The pursuit of the French was suddenly checked, but the gallant highlanders had pushed on too far, and mistaking the French Lancers for Brunswickers, were roughly handled, few escaping death or wounds. Rallying they formed in line with other regiments to receive and to repulse another charge of Cuirassiers who fell upon their shattered ranks with heavy horse and steel armour. The fight had lasted an hour before Wellington came upon the scene and ordered the Gordons to charge. Cameron, their leader, was mortally wounded. Nothing could resist the general advance, and Ney was unable to secure the position on which so much seemed to depend. But the advantage, dearly bought, had to be abandoned, for Blucher had fallen back and Wellington had no choice but to follow in order that the allies might no longer be exposed to separate attack. Waterloo was the immediate consequence of this retirement.

Text by William Maxwell 1902.

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