Horace Vernet has attempted to present us with a portrait of Napoleon, as he appeared on the eve of his great conflict with the Allied Army. Buonaparte arrived at Charleroi about 11 o’clock, on the 15th of June, 1815, which place was evacuated by the Prussians, under General Ziethen, in great haste. Napoleon ordered Marshal Ney to repair to Gosselin, and take the command of the whole of the left wing of the army, occupying a position beyond Quatre-Bras with 40,000 men. The Prussians retired upon Fleurus.

On the 18th of June the battle of Waterloo took place.