wings should not charge up the hills and attack the positions held
there until the enemy's centre had been defeated, and his advice
in this respect was taken. The generals then separated and rode to
their respective commands. De Gramont commanded the right wing,
consisting of all the French cavalry, and having as a second line
a reserve consisting of four battalions of infantry and six squadrons
of horse commanded by Chevalier de Chabot. Turenne commanded
the left, which consisted of his own army, with twelve squadrons
of Weimar's cavalry, with the Hessian army -- six battalions and
six squadrons -- as a second line. The centre, consisting of ten
battalions and five squadrons of horse, was commanded by Count de
Marsin. Enghien took no special command, preferring to remain free
to go where his presence was most needed.



CHAPTER XVIII: NORDLINGEN


It was five o'clock in the afternoon when all the arrangements for
the attack were completed. But as on the 3rd of August the evening
is long, it was judged that there would be sufficient daylight to
carry out the battle. The French began with a cannonade against
the village, and this was replied to by the guns on the two hills.
Not only did the position of the latter give them great superiority,
but much time was lost by the French in being obliged to move
forward their guns as the army advanced, a slow and tedious process
in days when cannon were very heavy and cumbrous. Seeing that
they were losing time and suffering more loss than they inflicted,
Enghien gave the order to the infantry of the centre to advance.