Fighting Shoulder-to-Shoulder with the Crown Prince

Fighting Shoulder to Shoulder with the Crown Prince

According to Joseph's original plan, Lefebvre was to lead the army south of Uccle Town and fight a decisive battle against Prince Coburg's main force.

He, Lefebvre, and the others had all believed that the Austrian Army would likely be unprepared, but that at least basic marching discipline and outer warning measures would surely still be in place.

Who could have known that Prince Coburg, relying on his enormous advantage in numbers, had simply not cared about any of that?

The result was that Lefebvre had struck as if attacking a group of people out on a picnic, and had routed them with astonishing speed.

Joseph set the teacup he had just received onto the table and asked the officer who had come to report the situation, "Where is General Lefebvre now?"

"The general should already have reached the vicinity of Mavrenne Town by now, Your Highness."

Joseph rose and waved to Kexer. "Come. We're going to Mavrenne Town at once."

The latter was instantly shocked and tried to stop him. "Your Highness, it will be dark soon. It would be better to go tomorrow..."

Joseph pushed his hand aside and signaled Eman to fetch his coat. "My dear Guard Captain, this is a military mission. Please assemble the guards and set out as quickly as possible."

The reason he had taken the risk of remaining in Wavre was precisely so that he could inspire the soldiers' morale.

One had to know that Wavre was only nine kilometers from the place where Lefebvre had routed Prince Coburg, entirely within the front-line zone.

His Highness the Crown Prince had not feared danger and had personally gone to the front line together with everyone else. How could the soldiers not be flushed with morale