six o'clock in the morning
But this does not represent the full disparity of strength , for Wellington had but eighteen thousand five hundred British infantry including the German legion -- who having fought through the Peninsular were excellent troops -- seven thousand eight hundred cavalry and three thousand five hundred artillery . The remainder of his force consisted of troops of Hanover , Brunswick , Nassau , Holland , and Belgium , upon whom comparatively little reliance could be placed . The British infantry consisted almost entirely of young soldiers ; while the whole of Napoleon 's force were veterans . As early as six o'clock in the morning both armies had taken up the positions in which they were intended to fight . The British infantry were lying down , the cavalry dismounted in their rear , and so completely were they hidden from the sight of the French that Napoleon believed they had retreated , and was greatly enraged at their having , as he supposed , escaped him . While he was expressing his annoyance , General Foy , who had served against the duke in the Peninsula , rode up and said : `` Your majesty is distressing yourself without just reason , Wellington never shows his troops until they are needed . A patrol of horse will soon find out whether he is before us or not , and if he be I warn your majesty that the British infantry are the very devil to fight . ''