They numbered ten thousand, and were the flower of the French army.
The duke placed six regiments of British infantry in his centre.
They were the 12th, 20th, 23rd, 25th, 37th and 51st.

Some regiments of Hanoverians were in line behind them.

The British cavalry were on the duke's right.

The morning was misty, and it was not until eight o'clock that both sides were ready, and indeed even then Contades' infantry was not finally settled in its position.
The battle began with an attack by some Hessian regiments on the village of Hahlen, and by a very heavy fire of artillery on both sides.

The orders to the English regiments had been, "March to attack the enemy on sound of drum," meaning that they were to move when the drums gave the signal for the advance.