Wellington directing the Guards against a column of French at Waterloo, 18 June 1815

Lithograph by J Atkinson, published by R Ackermann's Lithography, 1 June 1817. Number 9 of a series of sixteen lithographs, 'incidents of British bravery during the late campaigns on the continent. Graphically illustrated in a series of drawings on stone'.

The caption reads, 'At the battle of Waterloo the British & French Guards were repeatedly opposed to each other; at one time a most formidable column was observed by Lord Wellington advancing against them the British were at this moment lying down under the shelter of a rising ground which protected them in some measure from a tremendous fire by which the French covered their advance, he rode up to them and significantly pointing to the advancing column said up guards; these few words operated like magic they sprang on their feet and after giving their fire charged with the bayonet; the French could not stand it but almost immediately went to the right about.''.