The Dutch-Belgian Cavalry at Waterloo.

Waterloo. Who is not familiar with the name? Countless history books and articles have been published on the famous battle and still appear each year in many countries. So much so that one can truly say that the Battle of Waterloo has become a historical heritage which is enjoyed by Napoleonic enthusiasts worldwide. Nevertheless, it is quite amazing that the exact description of many events on 18 june 1815, when the fate of Europe was decided, remain unknown. This is particularly true for the role of the Dutch-Belgians in the campaign, even though they made up 1/3 of the allied army under the Duke of Wellington, which would play a crucial role in the defeat of Napoleon. Finally, an author has taken up the challenge and fills the void with a detailed study on the Dutch-Belgian cavalry in the Waterloo campaign.

The reader is taken along the first days of the new Kingdom of the Netherlands, its integration with the Belgian provinces and the difficult buid-up of the Dutch-Belgian army. This was particularly true for the Belgian cavalry:

In August 1814, Dutch officers found that the Belgian legion was little more than an army on paper. One of the reasons for the delay in the organisation and equipment of the regiments was the political uncertainty. The Chevau-légers Van der Burch were initially issued with some French and Austrian equipment but this was not enough to even properly equip a squadron. Those who were sufficiently dressed had done so at their own expense and probably on the basis of a model which had been issued by their Colonel.

Both cavalry regiments lacked nearly everything and the men had to find accommodation among the civilian populace, since there weren't any barracks available. This cost the men ten centime per day, which was all the government gave them. The men also needed to provide for their own food. Many of them ended up as vagabonds. This was in such stark contrast to the affluent Prussian and later British armies that it was no wonder that many recruits deserted. In June 1814 Baron de Poederlé wrote: “ the Corps of the Hussars de Croy has not yet received their clothing and finds itself in a pitiful state. The disgust that this situation creates with the soldiers is the principal cause that they desert every day in great numbers”

Similarly, At Mons, the Dutch General Storm de Grave reported that ”as to the Belgian Hussars I think that a bad spirit reigns among them”.