197 years ago.

[Baldybrown]

I can not quite remember the shocked words apparently uttered by the victorious Duke of Wellington as he rode round the carnage at the very end of a battle, but they go something like:" My God, there is only one thing worse in this world than the aftermath of a battle won------- and that is a battle lost." Apt words then and sadly, apt words today.

I've also heard it said the Wellington, years after the battle, remarked to a female friend that he would always be remembered as the man who defeated Napoleon. His friend answered back,"Yes, but Napoleon will always be remembered for himself!"

[James Hood]

Recently reread 3 books on Quatre Bras - Ligny -Waterloo.

What a cauldron of hell on earth. Wellington or another British general described it more as a slaughter than a battle.

June is quite the pondering-military history month...Midway, Dunkirk, Normandy, Waterloo....

[English Bloke]

Carnage I think best describes it. Carnage and courage. I've read about it some. I would love to have a read of those diaries Jock. What special things to possess. Guardsman is right, it must be like holding history in your hand. Lest we forget.

[figheadair]

I've done both Quatre Bras and Waterloo as Staff Rides - facinating. I was also fortunate to visit many of the Peninsula battlesites over a couple of years whilst on the staff of 51 (H) Bde. Anyone who is a fan of the Sharpe books and has visited the actual sites will realise what an excellent historical author Cornwall is.

[McClef]

In French "Piles" are little batteries - I didn't realise they had been invented at the time!