June 18.

The grand conflict has begun with us.  It is now four o’clock p.m.  The issue is not known.  The roar of the cannon continues unabated.  All is bustle, confusion and uncertainty in this city.  Cars with wounded are coming in continually.  The general opinion is that our army will be compelled to retreat to Antwerp, and it is even expected that the French will be in Bruxelles to-night.  All the towns-people are on the ramparts listening to the sound of the cannon.  This city has been in the greatest alarm and agitation since the 16th, when a violent cannonade was heard during the afternoon.  From what I have been able to collect, the French attacked the Prussians on the 14th, and a desperate conflict took place on that day, and the whole of the 15th,[14] when the whole of the Prussian army at Ligny, Fleurus and Charleroy was totally defeated and driven from its position; a dislocation of our troops took place early in the morning of the 16th, and our advanced guard, consisting of the Highland Brigade and two Battalions of Nassau-Usingen, fell in with the advanced guard of the French Army commanded by Marshal Ney near Quatre-Bras, and made such a gallant defence against his corps d’armee as to keep it in check the whole day and enable itself to fall back in good order to its present position with the rest of the army, about ten miles in front of Bruxelles.  Indeed, I am informed that nothing could exceed the admirable conduct of the corps above mentioned.  Yesterday we heard no cannonade, but this afternoon it has been unceasing and still continues.  All the caricatures and satires against Napoleon have disappeared from the windows and stalls.  The shops are all shut, the English families flying to Antwerp; and the proclamation of the Baron de Capellen[15] to the inhabitants, wherein he exhorts them to be tranquil and assures them that the Bureaux of Government have not yet quitted Bruxelles, only serves to increase the confusion and consternation.  The inhabitants in general wish well to the arms of Napoleon, but they know that the retreat of the English Army must necessarily take place through their town; that our troops will perhaps endeavour to make a stand, and that the consequences will be terrible to the inhabitants, from the houses being liable to be burned or pillaged by friend or foe.  All the baggage of our Army and all the military Bureaux have received orders to repair and are now on their march to Antwerp, and the road thither is so covered and blocked up by waggons that the retreat of our Army will be much impeded thereby.  Probably my next letter may be dated from a French prison.

BRUXELLES, June 21.