The British commander first tried to exploit French disorder with about 600 troops and three cannon. Saint-Léger positioned grenadiers behind the high hedges of a narrow lane where they could ambush the advancing column. As dusk closed in, Cawdor reconsidered the value of surprise against the danger of restrictive terrain and failing light. His troops were tired and had not trained together, making a night engagement especially hazardous. The withdrawal denied the French grenadiers their best chance to reverse the expedition and shows Cawdor recognizing when tactical opportunity did not justify operational risk.
Chapter · 47:26-50:02
Cawdor cancels a dusk attack before a French ambush
Cawdor halts an improvised attack as darkness closes in, unknowingly avoiding grenadiers positioned to ambush his column along a hedge-lined lane.