many officers and men fell; but notwithstanding this, that brave
officer marched direct up to the pales, on which he struck his
sword before he allowed his men to fire. His orders were to enter
at the point of the bayonet; but the superiority of the enemy, and
the strength of their post, rendered this impossible. The first
line was therefore forced to retire; Rowe was struck down badly
wounded at the foot of the pales; his lieut.-colonel and major were
killed in endeavouring to bring him off, and some squadrons of
French gens-d'armes having charged the brigade while retiring in
disorder, it was partially broken, and one of the colours of Rowe's
regiment was taken. The Hessians in the second line upon this
advanced briskly forward, charged the squadrons, retook the colour,
and repulsed them. Lord Cutts, however, seeing fresh squadrons
coming down upon him, sent to request some cavalry should be sent
to cover his flank. Five British squadrons accordingly were moved
up, and speedily charged by eight of the enemy; the French gave
their fire at a little distance, but the English charged sword in
hand, and put them to the rout. Being overpowered, however, by
fresh squadrons, and galled by the fire which issued from the
enclosures of Blenheim, our horse were driven back in their turn,
and recoiled in disorder.

"Marlborough, foreseeing that the enemy would pursue this
advantage, resolved to bring his whole cavalry across the rivulets.
The operation was begun by the English horse. It proved more
difficult, however, than was expected, especially to the English
squadrons; as they had to cross the rivulet where it was divided,
and the meadows were very soft. However, they surmounted those
difficulties, and got over; but when they advanced, they were so
severely galled by the infantry in Blenheim firing upon their
flank, while the cavalry charged them in front, that they were
forced to retire, which they did, under cover of Bulow and
Bothmer's German dragoons, who succeeded them in the passage.
Marlborough, seeing the enemy resolute to maintain the ground
occupied by his cavalry, gave orders for the whole remainder of his
cavalry to pass wherever they could get across. There was very
great difficulty and danger in defiling over the rivulet in the
fac