should advance by the left; that lord George
declared their orders were contradictory, and seemed the more puzzled,
as he understood that both these gentlemen came off nearly at the same
time from the prince, and were probably directed to communicate the same
order. It was therefore natural to suppose there was a mistake, as there
might be danger in breaking the line, as the route by the wood appeared
more difficult and tedious than that by the windmill, which led directly
through open ground to the enemy: and as he could not think that if a
body of horse was immediately wanted, the general would send for the
British, that were at the farthest extremity of the wing, rather
than for the Hanoverian cavalry who formed the left of the line, and
consequently were much nearer the scene of action. It was proved that
lord George, in this uncertainty, resolved to apply for an explanation
to the prince in person, who he understood was at a small distance;
that with this view he set out with all possible expedition; that having
entered the wood, and perceived that the country beyond it opened
sooner to the left than he had imagined, and captain Smith, his aidecamp
advising, that the British cavalry should be put in motion he sent back
that gentleman, with orders for them to advance by the left with all
possible despatch; that he rode up to the general, who received him
without any marks of displeasure, and ordered him to bring up the whole
cavalry of the right wing in a line upon the heath; an order, as the
reader will perceive, quite different from that which was so warmly
espoused by the aidecamp; that as the marquis of Granby had already put
the second line in motion, according to a separate order which he had
received, and the head of his column was already in view, coming out
of the wood, lord George thought it necessary to halt the troops on the
left until the right should come into the line; and afterwards sent them
orders to march slower, that two regiments, which had been thrown out
of the line, might have an opportunity to replace themselves in their
proper stations.

With respect to the confusion which one officer affirmed was perceivable
in the countenance and deportment of this commander, a considerable
number of other officers then present being interrogated by his
lordship, unanimously declared that they saw no such marks of confusion,
but that he delivered his orders with all the marks of coolness and
deliberation