FOOTNOTES:
[78] A number of poor fellows who were carried to the houses of the neighbouring villages, met with the most humane treatment: many there breathed their last, under circumstances somewhat less appalling than on the battle field. There still lives at Waterloo a most respectable old lady, at whose house several of our officers were quartered before the battle. Madame Boucqueau (the lady in question) saw these gallant men go forth in the morning; they did not all return at the close of the day. She remembers well that an officer, who appeared to her to hold superior rank, came back to her house in the evening, and said to her exultingly, “Me voici encore, madame; c’est fini: ils sont à nous.” (“Here I am again; it is over: we have won the day.”) The worthy dame has in her possession a silver cup, presented to her late husband by British gratitude. As it does honour to all parties concerned, and is a sample, no doubt, of many an interchange of kindly feelings amidst the horrors of war, I have great pleasure in recording here the inscription which is on this cup:
“A small mark of grateful respect from Colonel Sir W. Robe, of the British Royal Artillery, knight commander of the Bath, and knight of the Tower and Sword: To Sieur Maximilian Boucqueau, of Waterloo, for kindness in the last moments, and attention to the remains of a beloved son, Lieutenant W. L. Robe, of the British horse artillery, who nobly fell at Waterloo.”
[79] See the original in French, in Gurwood, vol. XII, p. 494-495.
[80] Those curious of historical coincidences will observe that Napoleon opened the campaign on the 15th of June.