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In his official dispatch written only a few days later Wellington stated unequivocally that ‘I did not hear of these events [the French attack on Zieten’s corps] till the evening of the 15 th ’ (Wellington to Bathurst, 19 June 1815, WD VIII p 146-51, quote on p 146). But an intense controversy has raged over the question intermittently almost ever since.
Writing from his headquarters in Charleroi, Zieten sent the news to both Field Marshal Prince Blücher, commander of the Prussian Army of the Lower Rhine, in Namur, and to Wellington, in Brussels. [7] The distances these two mounted messengers needed to ride, about 35 and 50 km respectively, could be covered in roughly three to four hours.
Wellington awaited further news, particularly from his sources in Paris. Apparently, by 3 p.m., he still considered any reaction to be premature. Zieten’s news had reached the Prussian headquarters in Namur at 8.30 a.m. on 15 June, confirming the view held there since the previous evening that the French offensive was imminent.
the border, but did not indicate how serious this might be. 4.30 a.m. Noise of musket fire reaches Zieten in Charleroi, indi cating a serious attack. Zieten decides to write to Bliicher and Wellington.12 4.45 a.m. These letters are despatched, one to Namur, the other to Brussels.13 c. 4.45 a.m. Steinmetz, one of Zieten's brigade commanders, reports
The evidence to support such an early message is very weak, however. Most historians now believe that Zieten did not send a message to Wellington based solely on the initial sounds of firing at 4:30 a.m., but instead waited until reports from the front arrived at his headquarters.
Lady Longford preferred the first version, writing in her Life of Wellington that: 'About 3.00 p.m., nine hours after Napoleon's start, the Duke received his first report. A Prussian officer covered with dirt and sweat galloped into Brussels with a much delayed despatch sent by General Zieten from Charleroi at 8 or 9 A.M.' (5)
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1) Zieten to Wellington, 14 June. He reported that the French were concentrating on his section of the front, and asked the Duke what his intentions were? [11] 2) Wellington to Zieten, 14 June. In answer to the above, Wellington promised to move his army to Nivelles to support the Prussians. [12] 3) Zieten to Wellington, around midnight 14 June.
