Here they remained, waiting the onset of the
British cavalry; but these, perceiving that the ground was becoming more
and more difficult, soon came to a halt, and then, wheeling about, fell
back upon the infantry.
Seeing the successful stand which was made, by a small body of Irish
horse, to the advance of the left wing, and that the spirit with which
his troops were behaving was greatly inferior to that of the Irish,
Ginckle called a council of war. Opinions were greatly at variance. It
was now nearly four o'clock, and it was, at first, decided to postpone
the battle till the morning, and a messenger was sent to the baggage
column in the rear to bring up the tents.
But other counsels finally prevailed. The order for the tents was
countermanded, and, at half-past four, the British infantry were ordered
to advance. They pressed forward, in solid masses, across the ground
where the cavalry fight had taken place, and the Irish horse fell back
behind their infantry, who were posted behind the substantial hedges
which intersected the ground beyond the rivulet. A heavy musketry fire
was opened upon the British infantry as they advanced, but they pressed
forward, in unbroken order, till they reached the hedges.
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