Chronology of the battle

The return from Elba on 1st March 1815, and the Hundred-Days campaign which united the Allies against Napoleon, Led to the resumption of the Napoleonic offensive against the coalition between England, Prussia, Russia and Austria, supported by Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. It was the Belgium campaign which led to the Battle of Waterloo. 

12 June Napoleon leaves Paris

15 June Napoleon crosses the River Sambre

16 June Battle of Ligny (Napoleon against Blücher) and Quatre-Bras (Ney’s vain attempts against the English).

17 June Napoleon marches on Mont-Saint-Jean and Waterloo; the pursuit of Blücher, which fails in part.

18 June Battle of Waterloo 

                    Events on 18th June 1815 :11.30 a.m.  Beginning of hostilities: the French attack.

2.00 p.m.  French offensives beaten back.
The English charge against the disorganised French ranks. 

3.00 p.m.  Repeated but vain French assaults on La Haie-Sainte. Retreat of French cavalrymen and infantrymen: failure of French infantry’s attack.

3.30 p.m.  Charge launched by Marshal Ney with 5,000 cavalrymen against English artillery and brigades: carnage ensues.
Kellermann’s cavalry sent as reinforcements.
The English continue to resist at Hougoumont. 

6.30 p.m. La Haie-Sainte finally falls into French hands. 

7.00 p.m.  English army saved by arrival of Bulow’s army corps, then Blücher.
The Emperor sends in his Guard.

7.30 p.m. A cry of “La Garde recule!” (“Guard, fall back!”) is followed by the retreat of the French troops: “Victory! Victory! They are fleeing!" 

8.15 p.m. Ovation in the English lines followed by a general Allied offensive along the entire frontline: a fight to the death between the coalition nations and solitary France. 

8.30 p.m. French panic and rout. Napoleon understands that history has changed forever. 

9.30 p.m. Wellington, having returned to his general quarters, drafts the Waterloo victory dispatch.