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Waterloo - Hougoumont Trivia Quiz

The Duke of Wellington himself declared that the outcome of the Battle of Waterloo depended on the closing of the gates at Hougoumont. Test your knowledge on the events at the chateau that day.

A multiple-choice quiz by Ajax23. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Ajax23

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
245,789

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
521

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who were the only civilians left in the chateau of Hougoumont prior to the battle? Hint

A local magistrate entrusted with the upkeep of the chateau

The local farmer and owner of the chateau

The gardener and his family

The youngest son of the aristocratic family who owned the chateau

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who, in practice, commanded both the Light Companies of the 1st Foot Guards deployed at the front edge of the orchard? Hint

Ensign the Honourable John Forbes

Captain and Lt Col WH Milnes

Captain and Lt Col Lord Alexander Saltoun

Colonel Alexander Woodford

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who was in overrall command of the troops in and around the chateau and farm of Hougoumont? Hint

Maj General George Cooke

Maj General Peregrine Maitland

Lt Colonel Alexander Woodford

Lt Col James Macdonell

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was the estimated strength of the French assault on Hougoumont? Hint

9,600

15,000

12,700

8,500

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the first French Officer of note killed at Hougoumont? Hint

General de Division Count Guilleminot

Marechal de Camp Baron Soye

Marechal de Camp Bauduin

Col Despan-Cubieres

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Question 6 of 10

6. Whose howitzer battery gave supporting fire against the French assault to the defenders of Hougoumont? Hint

Captain CF Sandham

Major Kuhlmann

Lt-Col SG Adye

Major Bull

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who engaged in personal hand to hand combat with the commanding officer of the 1st Light Regiment, Colonel de Cubieres as they attacked the North Gate? Hint

Pte Clay 3rd Guards

Sgt Fraser 3rd Guards

Cpl Graham 2nd Guards

Ensign James Hervey 2nd Guards

8. What was the fate of the 30-40 French troops lead by Sous-Lt Legros (L'Enforcer) who managed to smash their way through the door file through the North Gate before it was closed and barred? Hint

They were all bayonetted

They were locked in the wine cellar

They were locked in the chapel

They were released in exchange for Nassau prisoners

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Question 9 of 10

9. One officer was so affected by the whole event, and in particular, the closing of the North Gate, that it affected him for the rest of his life. Who was this gallant soldier? Hint

Lt -Col Henry Wyndham, Coldstream Guards

Ensign Berkeley Drummond, 3rd Guards

Colonel Francis Hepburn, the 3rd Guards

Lt-Col Charles Dashwood, 3rd Guards

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following is NOT commemorated inside the formal garden (paddock) of the chateau? Hint

Captain John Licie Blackman, Coldstream Guards

Marechal de Camp Bauduin

Trooper Cotton, 7th Hussars

Captain Thomas Crauford 2/3 Guards

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who were the only civilians left in the chateau of Hougoumont prior to the battle?

Answer: The gardener and his family

Guillaume van Cutsem, his wife Marie-Catherine and their 5-year-old daughter meant to escape before the battle, but left it too late, and by the time they went to leave, the roads had been blocked.

2. Who, in practice, commanded both the Light Companies of the 1st Foot Guards deployed at the front edge of the orchard?

Answer: Captain and Lt Col Lord Alexander Saltoun

Alexander George Fraser 16th Baron Saltoun was an experienced and well respected soldier, a vetran of the Peninsular War. He went on to become a Field Marshal in later life, and was described by Wellington thus: "A pattern to the Army, both as man and soldier."

3. Who was in overrall command of the troops in and around the chateau and farm of Hougoumont?

Answer: Lt Col James Macdonell

Although Woodford was senior to Macdonell, on arrival he defered command to him. When Maj Hamilton arrived with orders for Macdonell, as the fighting was fierce, and Macdonell was nowhere to be seen, he asked the most senior officer he could find; Captain & Lt Col Home of the 2/3 Guards - "Do you command here?" To which Home replied "I believe so, I have seen no other officer superior to myself."

4. What was the estimated strength of the French assault on Hougoumont?

Answer: 12,700

It is difficult to actually place an exact figure on the French involved, and it runs from 10,000-18,000. It is estimated that up to 23% of the French Army at Waterloo were bogged down at Hougoumont. It depends on how much Bachelu's 5th Infantry Division is included. The II Corps numbered 18,000 alone!

5. Who was the first French Officer of note killed at Hougoumont?

Answer: Marechal de Camp Bauduin

Bauduin commanded the 1st Bde of Jerome's division, mounted on horseback, he provided a perfect target for the Hanoverian or Nassau sharpshooter that picked him off as he lead the first attack into the wood. he fell within minutes of the assault and was one of 7 French Generals to be mortally wounded that day.

6. Whose howitzer battery gave supporting fire against the French assault to the defenders of Hougoumont?

Answer: Major Bull

Major Bull's battery of six 5 1/2 pounder howitzers was brought into action by Wellington. They ranked fire into the wood over the heads of their own troops with devastating effect. Wellington commented: "This service which, considering the proximity of the Allied troops in the coppice, was of a very delicate nature, executed with admirable skill and attened with the desired effect." It is believed, according to a surviving french officer, that the first salvo killed 17 men.

7. Who engaged in personal hand to hand combat with the commanding officer of the 1st Light Regiment, Colonel de Cubieres as they attacked the North Gate?

Answer: Sgt Fraser 3rd Guards

As Cubieres dasshed towards the still open gate, catching the defenders by surprise, he slashed at Sgt Ralph Fraser with his sword. Fraser ducked and thrust at Cubieres with his halberd, unhorsing the colonel. Cubieres was only wounded, and was convinced that the British held their fire when they saw his predicament. Something he was always grateful for! Years later, as Governor of Ancona, Cubieres met a Coldstream veteran of Hougoumont and expressed his gratitude for their chivalrous conduct.

8. What was the fate of the 30-40 French troops lead by Sous-Lt Legros (L'Enforcer) who managed to smash their way through the door file through the North Gate before it was closed and barred?

Answer: They were all bayonetted

They were bayonetted, died in the fight, or died of their wounds within the confines of Hougoumont - that is all except one, an unarmed drummer boy who was spared. Pte Clay took him to the chateau, where the wounded were being rested, and left him there.

9. One officer was so affected by the whole event, and in particular, the closing of the North Gate, that it affected him for the rest of his life. Who was this gallant soldier?

Answer: Lt -Col Henry Wyndham, Coldstream Guards

As the gates were being secured, a Frech Grenadier stood on the shoulders of a comrade, leaned over the wall and took aim at Wyndham. Wyndham saw him, handed a musket to Cpl Graham beside him. Graham fired at the same time as the Grenadier. It was the Frenchman who fell dead with a musket ball in his brain.

Thereafter, Wyndham could never stand a closed door, and often sat in a howling draught!

10. Which of the following is NOT commemorated inside the formal garden (paddock) of the chateau?

Answer: Marechal de Camp Bauduin

Bauduin's memorial reads 'A LA MEMOIRE DU GENERAL BAUDIN TOMBE DEVANT CES MURS LE 18 JUIN 1815' and lies on the wall running east from the South Gate.

Source: Author Ajax23

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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