ad thrown across the Bastau; while at the same time
Broglio crossed the Weser, by the bridge of the town, and took up
his position facing the Prussian left wing, which rested on the
village of Todtenhausen, intending to attack him early in the
morning, and to finish before the duke could bring the centre to
his assistance.

Feeling sure that the French would fall into the trap, the duke
ordered his cavalry to mount at one o'clock in the morning, and
moved in with his troops from the villages around which they were
encamped; closing in towards Minden, whereby the centre gradually
came into touch with the left, the whole forming a segment of a
circle, of which Minden was the centre.

The French also formed a segment of a similar circle, nearer to
Minden. Contades was a long time getting his troops into position,
for great confusion was caused by their having crossed by so many
bridges, and it took hours to range them in order of battle.

Broglio was in position, facing the duke's left, at five o'clock in
the morning. He was strong in artillery and infantry; but as the
ground on both flanks was unfavourable for the action of cavalry,
these were all posted in the centre. The cavalry, indeed, was the
strongest portion of the force. They numbered ten thousand, and
were the flower of the French army.

The duke placed six regiments of British infantry in his centre.
They were the 12th, 20th, 23rd, 25th, 37th and 51st. Some regiments
of Hanoverians were in line behind them. The British cavalry were
on the duke's right. The morning was misty, and it was not until
eight o'clock that both sides were ready, and indeed even then
Contades' infantry was not finally settled in its position.

The battle began with an attack by some Hessian regiments on the
village of Hahlen, and by a very heavy fire of artillery on both
sides. The orders to the English regiments had been, "March to
attack the enemy on sound of drum," meaning that they were to move
when the drums gave the signal for the advance. The English,
however, understood the order to be, "You are to advance to the
sound of your drums." They waited for a time, while the attack on
Hahlen continued. It was repulsed three times before it succeeded,
but before this happened the English regiments lost patience, and
said, "We ought to be moving." The drums therefore struck up and,
to the astonishment of the Hanoverians, these English battalions
strode away towards the enemy. Howeve