The Inniskillens also fell on two French
line regiments, shattered them with their charge, and took great
numbers of prisoners, whole companies running up the hill and
surrendering to the infantry in order to escape from the terrible
horsemen.
The cavalry were now terribly scattered; the three regiments of
Ponsonby's brigade were far down in the valley, as were the Second
Life Guards and First Dragoon Guards. The First Life Guards and the
Blues were still engaged with the cuirassiers opposed to them; for
these, although driven back, were fighting doggedly. The Greys, who
should have been in reserve, galloped ahead and joined Ponsonby's
squadrons, and the two brigades of heavy cavalry were far away from
all support. When they reached the bottom of the hill a tremendous
fire was poured from a compact corps of infantry and some pieces of
cannon on the right into the Royals, Inniskillens, and Second Life
Guards, and a fresh column of cuirassiers advanced against them. They
wheeled about and fell back in great confusion and with heavy loss,
their horses being completely blown with their long gallop across the
heavy ground.
These regiments had fared, however, better than the Greys, Royals, and
Inniskillens on the left, for they, having encountered no infantry
fire, had charged up the hill until level with the French guns, when,
turning sharp to the left, they swept along the line cutting up the
artillerymen, until suddenly they were charged by a brigade of
lancers, while a large body of infantry threatened their line of
retreat.
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