Leigh could see that the defenders' guns had been somewhat withdrawn from their position on the top of the rising ground, where they would have been too much exposed to the enemy's fire; and their muzzles now only showed over the brow.

During the course of the morning an earthwork had been thrown up, to afford protection to the men serving them.

They did not return the fire until the enemy were within a distance of a quarter of a mile, then they commenced, with deadly effect.
The Blues halted, and Leigh could make out that a considerable number of men in the rear at once turned and ran.

In order to encourage them they had been informed, just before they marched, of the plot that had been arranged to silence the guns; and this unexpected discharge caused the greatest consternation among the young levies.

A body of cavalry were at once sent off in pursuit, and drove the fugitives back to their ranks, the troopers using the flats of their swords unstintingly.
Then the advance was resumed, covered by the fire of the guns and by volleys of musketry.