Erskine's brigade was immediately ordered up, and the Fifty-second and Ninety-fourth, and a company of the Forty-third were led against the wooded slopes upon the French right.

Picton simultaneously attacked the left, and in less than an hour, both were successful, and Ney's position was laid bare; his skirmishers, however, continued to hold their ground in front, and La Ferriere, a colonel of hussars, dashing boldly forward at this very moment, carried off fourteen prisoners from the very front of our line.

Deceived by the confidence of the enemy, Lord Wellington now prepared for an attack in force.

The infantry were therefore formed into line, and, at the signal of three shots fired from the centre, began their foremost movement.
Bending up a gentle curve, the whole plain glistened with the glancing bayonets, and the troops marched majestically onward; while the light artillery and the cavalry, bounding forward from the left and centre, rushed eagerly towards the foe.

One deafening discharge from the French guns opened at the moment, with a general volley of small-arms.