five o'clock in
the morning
Feeling sure that the French would fall into the trap , the duke ordered his cavalry to mount at one o'clock in the morning , and moved in with his troops from the villages around which they were encamped ; closing in towards Minden , whereby the centre gradually came into touch with the left , the whole forming a segment of a circle , of which Minden was the centre . The French also formed a segment of a similar circle , nearer to Minden . Contades was a long time getting his troops into position , for great confusion was caused by their having crossed by so many bridges , and it took hours to range them in order of battle . Broglio was in position , facing the duke 's left , at five o'clock in the morning . He was strong in artillery and infantry ; but as the ground on both flanks was unfavourable for the action of cavalry , these were all posted in the centre . The cavalry , indeed , was the strongest portion of the force . They numbered ten thousand , and were the flower of the French army .