Pen & Sword Books

Grouchy was the last of Napoléon’s marshals. His reputation since 1815 has been sullied, being blamed for the loss of Waterloo.

When Napoléon received the 10.30 dispatch from Grouchy on 18 June, he knew Grouchy could not get to Waterloo. His own order to make the case clearer to the marshal did not arrive with him until 18.00 to 19.00.

For in fact, Napoléon knew from 14.00 that he faced both Wellington and Blücher and that Grouchy was not marching to his aid, regardless of what later French and Anglophone writers have stated.