The life and letters of James Wolfe . itish regiments hurled back the foe, other brigades camepouring in. The slaughter was dreadful. Our brigade-major,wounded, continued to fight gallantly. At last, after the fifthattempt, overwhelming numbers pushed aside the exhaustedBritish and occupied Laffeldt, an empty advantage. Meanwhile, Cumberland ordered an advance of the Dutch andAustrians, as a measure of relief to the overworked their centre was a body of Dutch cavalry, to whom was givenat a critical moment the order to charge. But instead of facingthe exulting enemy, the cavalry
The life and letters of James Wolfe . itish regiments hurled back the foe, other brigades camepouring in. The slaughter was dreadful. Our brigade-major,wounded, continued to fight gallantly. At last, after the fifthattempt, overwhelming numbers pushed aside the exhaustedBritish and occupied Laffeldt, an empty advantage. Meanwhile, Cumberland ordered an advance of the Dutch andAustrians, as a measure of relief to the overworked their centre was a body of Dutch cavalry, to whom was givenat a critical moment the order to charge. But instead of facingthe exulting enemy, the cavalry was seized with panic, and,turning, fled. In vain Cumberland tried to rally the retreating Dutch—theentire centre began to give way, and the Allied army was cutin two. A precipitate retreat upon Maestricht followed, which 76 LIFE AND LETTERS OF WOLFE might have developed into a panic-stricken flight, but for theprompt and gallant action of Sir John Ligonier. This officer,with some British and Austrian cavalry, charged boldly on the. French, well knoAving they would be cut to pieces, but checkingin the meantime the onset of the foe. Hundreds of splendidfellows and their horses, especially of the Scots Greys, were anni- WOUNDED IN ACTION 77 hilated, but time thereby was gained for the infantry. Ligonierhimself, horseless, was captured by a lucky French carabineer. Thecost to the Allies of this days fighting was 5680 in killed andwounded. Amongst the latter was Wolfe, who had received a ballin the body in the height of the action. Never had he fought withgreater zeal and courage: not losing control of his brigade for asingle moment. He was several times in great danger through thefight, so much so that his faithful servant, Roland, became alarmedfor his safety. He came to me, wrote Wolfe, long afterwards, atthe hazard of his life in the last action with offers of his service,took off my cloak and brought a fresh horse; and would havecontinued close by me had I not ordered him to
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