The attack on Hougoumont Napoleon began the battle with an assault of large-scale cannon fire. Soon after, he launched the attack on Wellington's most well-defended garrison. At 12.30 they broke open the gates but the British quickly closed them again, trapping 40 French soldiers inside. They slaughtered all but one – an 11-year-old drummer boy.
The battle for La Haye Sainte Napoleon was increasingly stretched – his men were fighting on both the west and east sides