 Neither flanking columns engaged the Sardinians significantly enough to influence the catastrophe that was befalling the center column.These battalions, led by determined officers, struggled up the slope, disassembling the various man-made impediments as they proceeded, while suffering withering musket fire from concealed and protected Sardinian hideouts, which exacted the heavy toll on the flanking columns.Four separate times the French faltered before the onslaught; each time they returned to the struggle.