Battle of Waterloo

Waterloo, Battle of (June 18, 1815), final engagement of the Napoleonic Wars. Having escaped from exile on Elba and having reinstated himself with a new army, Napoleon returned to face a coalition of Austria, Great Britain, Prussia, and Russia. On the offensive, he advanced into Belgium to prevent an Anglo-Dutch army under Wellington from uniting with the Prussians. After separate battles with the British and Prussians on June 16, the French army, led by Marshall Ney, attacked Wellington's strongly defended position at Waterloo, south of Brussels. The intervention of a Prussian force under Blücher allowed Wellington to take the offensive. The French were routed, losing some 25,000 men. Napoleon abdicated on June 22, 1815.

See also: Napoleon I; Napoleonic Wars.