The Lord God has seen fit to send down his blessings this day. The Duke with great dexterity managed to filter away the vast majority of his force at Q. Bras, helped in no small way by the unusual lassitude of Marshal Ney. However, at around midday the Emperor was seen approaching with a large force and very soon there-after the French made determined attempts to take the cross-roads. The imperturbable Duke simply fell back with his rear guard consisting mainly of horse guns and cavalry. Throughout the afternoon the French made superhuman efforts to catch and pin the Duke's forces but to no avail, although on occasions it was a close run thing. Then, just as matters were looking exceedingly dangerous, the good Lord sent down a thunderstorm of rain that even Noah might have feared! In the sudden gloom and the sheer weight of the rainfall plus the fact that the ground rapidly became sodden if not flooded, the Duke and his gallant rear guard made their escape. Even as I write, I am entering into the position taken up by the Allied army on the north side of a shallow valley which lies across the main north/south road from Q. Bras to Brussels. The rain continues and we must make what preparations we can for the morning.
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