From Osprey Publishing

 THE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE ROYAL HORSE GUARDS AND 1ER CUIRASSIERS

  

As the British cavalry crested the brow of the height they saw the 1er and 4e Régiments de Cuirassiers commanded by Baron Jacques-Charles Dubois. The French cavalry were on the ridge, having ridden forward to support the infantry attack, and already overwhelming the Lüneburg Light Infantry Battalion, which was attempting to support the isolated troops at La Haie Sainte. Both French cavalry regiments had been engaged at Ligny, but had sustained relatively minor losses, and so they numbered in excess of 800 officers and men in seven squadrons. The 1st Dragoon Guards and 1st Life Guards collided with the cuirassiers and a tremendous melee ensued. This lasted for several minutes. Neither side were seemingly willing to give quarter. But eventually the French wheeled to the right and attempted to flee. The British cavalry pursued, and a considerable number of the cuirassiers were cornered in the hollow ground close to La Haie Sainte and slaughtered. The right squadron of the Royal Horse Guards  abandoned their role as the reserve and pursued the enemy to the west of La Haie Sainte, while part of the left squadron moved across the high road to the west of the farm. These officers and men became embroiled in a vain charge towards the French guns and were almost annihilated in the ensuing counter-attack.

Artwork from CAM 280 Waterloo 1815 (3): Mont St Jean and Wavre illustrated by Gerry Embleton.