stained by two battalions
of grenadiers, was posted between Buckebourg and the Weser, to observe
the body of troops commanded by the duke de Broglio on the other side of
the river.

On the last day of July, the mareschal de Contades, resolving to attack
the allied army, ordered the corps of Broglio to repass the river; and,
advancing in eight columns, about midnight, passed the rivulet of
Barta, that runs along the morass and falls into the Weser at Minden. At
day-break he formed his army in order of battle: part of it fronting the
corps of general Wangenheim at Dodenhausen, and part of it facing Hille;
the two wings consisting of infantry, and the cavalry being stationed
in the centre. At three in the morning the enemy began to cannonade the
prince's quarters at Hille, from a battery of six cannon, which they
had raised in the preceding evening on the dike of Rickhorst. This
was probably the first intimation he received of their intention. He
forthwith caused two pieces of artillery to be conveyed to Hille; and
ordered the officer of the piquet-guard posted there to defend himself
to the last extremity; at the same time he sent orders to general
Giesen, who occupied Lubeck, to attack the enemy's post at Eickhorst;
and this service was successfully performed. The prince of Anhalt,
lieutenant-general for the day, took possession with the rest of the
piquets of the village of Halen, where prince Ferdinand resolved to
support his right. It was already in the hands of the enemy, but they
soon abandoned it with precipitation. The allied army being put in
motion, advanced in eight columns, and occupied the ground between
Halen and Hemmern, while general Wangenheim's corps filled up the
space between this last village and Dodenhausen. The enemy made their
principal effort on the left, intending to force the infantry of
Wangenheim's corps, and penetrate between it and the body of the allied
army. For this purpose the duke de Broglio attacked them with great
fury; but was severely checked by a battery of thirty cannon, prepared
for his reception by the count de Buckebourg, grand master of the
artillery, and served with admirable effect, under his own eye and
direction. About five in the morning both armies cannonaded each other:
at six the fire of musketry began with great vivacity; and the action
became very hot towards the right, where six regiments of English
infantry, and two battalions of Hanoverian guards, not only bore th