But by this time it was past eight o'clock, the fog was dispersing, and he saw a great body of Austrians on the heights to his right, from Waditz to Meschduitz, as well as on the whole line of heights on the left.

His only line of retreat, therefore, was along at the foot of the Dressau heights.
These he ordered to be seized, at once.

This was done before the Austrians could reach the spot, they being hindered by furious charges by Ziethen, from the open ground between Kumschutz and Canitz; and Frederick rearranged his front of battle, and waited for Retzow to come up with the left wing.
The Austrians tried several attacks, but with little success.

They too had been hindered and confused by the mist, and the force that had been engaged in and round Hochkirch had suffered terribly; and they pushed forward but feebly, now that the Prussian guns on the heights were able to open fire upon them.
Retzow was long in coming, for he too had been attacked by twenty thousand men, who had been told off by Daun for the purpose.

The attack, however, was badly managed and feeble; but it delayed Retzow from making a start, when Frederick's urgent messages reached him.