‘Change front half right back!’ but the movement was executed under a murderous fire, and when at last the men fronted to the north-east, they had more than enough to hold their ground against the elevated position and greater numbers of the Americans. To support them with the centre was out of the question, while the centre itself was being forced upon the other side, and the left repulsed and driven in. There remained but one desperate chance—to carry the enemy’s centre by a sudden onslaught, giving time to the assailants—when successful—to join with the reserve in maintaining the line of retreat. That did not mean victory, but it might give a chance of orderly retreat. Such a plan needs only to he stated to show its wild impracticability. The wise and humane course now would have been to send forward flags of truce, acknowledge a by no means disgraceful defeat, and surrender with the whole army. But the same temper which had prompted the would-be defenders of the unfriendly country to hurry on and stake their fortune on a pitched battle again prevailed over their better judgment, and the General called up the Life Guards, and formed them in column attack, thus weakening his reserve, and depriving it of its very faint chance of cutting a way out of the field.
‘It’s all over but the shouting, Barford,’ he said, with a forced and livid smile, as the Colonel rode to his side; ‘we’re between the devil and the deep sea. Unless we can carry that ridge by assault, we must throw up the sponge.’
‘Hopeless, General,’ was the reply. ‘But I see with you there’s nothing else left. I believe my men would mutiny rather than surrender—but it rests with you; we wait orders.’
‘Well, a soldier’s death to us, old fellow, that’s all.’ Then, taking his place,—
‘Attack in close column! Carry swords!’ The bristling steel flashed together.
