294 



A HISTORY OF 



VLRY. 



[period III. 



varying success, during all ■"" time Marlborough was 



endeavouring, in the cen+ get the large masses of 



his cavalry across the fc and marshy valley of the 

 Nebel, and to effect a secure lodgment on the opposite 

 bank. This was only effected after hard fighting, in 

 which at one time Marlborough's cavalry were driven 

 back to the rivulet, and obliged to rally under the pro- 

 tection of their infantry. The second line of cavalry, 

 then advancing, again pressed back the French squadrons, 

 but, being galled by a fire of musketry and artillery from 

 Blenheim, the advance was checked. 



At five o'clock, Marlborough had at last succeeded in 

 completing his arrangements for his grand attack upon 

 the centre of the enemy's position. During the pre- 

 liminary struggles, while Marlborough was trying to 

 advance, Tallard had interlaced the cavalry with the 

 nine battalions of infantry that had been in the second 

 line. To counteract this three battalions of Hanoverian 

 infantry were placed in a similar manner at the corre- 

 sponding point of the allied position, and supported by 

 some pieces of artillery. Amidst a tremendous fire of 

 musketry and cannon, Marlborough's cavalry, with the 

 three battalions, moved slowly up the ascent against 

 over 10,000 French horsemen, who waited to receive 

 them. So hot was the fire that, when the assailants 

 drew near, their advance was checked, and they fell back 

 about sixty paces. The fire of artillery was vigorously 

 maintained for a short period. Soon the French mus- 

 ketry volleys became less sustained, and their infantry 

 began to shrink from the tempest of balls which inflicted 

 deadly losses in their ranks. 



After a slight pause, Marlborough made another ad- 

 vance, and the French horsemen gave way. The nine 

 infantry battalions were cut to pieces or captured. 

 Tallard, rallying his defeated cavalry, formed a second 

 line at some distance to the rear, and made another 

 effort to retrieve the day, but in vain. Marlborough 

 saw the decisive moment had arrived, and ordering the 

 trumpets to sound the charge, he led his cavalry forward 

 with tremendous force. The French horsemen, dis- 



