two
o'clock
We were on higher ground than they were , and soon silenced their little guns ; and the village of Elvira , in front of their position , was carried without difficulty . `` Suddenly their reserve marched round , fell on our flank , and threatened our great battery that was in position there . They drove us out of Elvira , and for a time held us in check altogether . The fight round there became very hot ; but they pushed forward and continued to attack us so desperately that they partly rolled our left up , and if it had not been that night set in -- the fight had not begun until two o'clock -- things would have gone very badly with us , for we were falling back in a great deal of confusion . There was a river behind us with but a single bridge by which we could retreat , and I can tell you we were glad indeed when the English ceased to press us and the firing stopped . All night their picket-fires burned , and we were expecting to renew the battle in the morning , when we found that their position was deserted , and that they were embarking on board their ships . That shows that although troops may be greatly disorganized in a retreat they do not fight any the worse when you come up to them .