by early evening the french attack at hougoumont, intended as a diversion, was now having the opposite effect. the french committed more and more troops to the bitter fighting around the château, which was held by only a small force of british guardsmen. more french reserves were being sent to meet the prussian threat to the rear of napoleon’s army at plancenoit. however, the french had at last succeeded in capturing the farm of la haye sainte, only a short distance from wellington’s centre.