The Battle of Dettingen 1743

For several hours we stood the cannonading of the enemy, from several batteries they had erected, which commanded the line of march, so as not only to annoy us but frequently went beyond us.....and as soon as men or horses was killed they closed up again, and at the same time we could see that our cannon played upon them, they set up a gallop in great disorder. The Gens-Arms the best troops of France advanced to attack us, and a battery of their cannon flanked us: upon their advance to attack General Honeywood's and Ligonier's regiments we marched forward and met them sword in hand; at the same time their cannon ceased and they flanked us on the left with their Foot; then we engaged and not only received but returned their fire: the balls flew around like hail, and then we cut into their ranks and they into ours. Our Squadron suffered the most, we being on the left flank.

I did not receive the least hurt, providence greatly favoured me that as there was an engagement I was in the thickest of it and was my kind protector, but had not the English Foot come to our relive we had been all cut to pieces, The Gens-Arms being nine deep and we but three, after which we rallyed again and marched up to attack them again, but before we was ordered to they had retired. We had nothing to eat or drink, and quenched our thirst by the rain that fell on our hats, and we had nothing at all for our horses.