He could easily have fallen back, when it was possible to hold the ridge no longer, without pursuit.

His other flank and rear were not threatened, as they might have been, by the division of so large an attacking column, which was moving steadily on towards the ridge.

It was this fact that seemed to show a failure or imperfection in the enemy's plan.

It was possible that his precipitation of the attack by the changed signal had been the cause of it.

Doubtless some provision had been made to attack him in flank and rear, but in the unexpected hurry of the onset it had to be abandoned.