one o'clock in the morning
His left , leaning on the Weser was , by the march of the force to Gohfeld , left unsupported at a distance of three miles from the centre ; and it seemed to them that they could now hurl themselves into the gap , destroy the duke 's left , and then crush his centre and right , and cut off whatever remnant might escape from Hanover . On Tuesday evening , July 1st , the French got into motion as soon as it was dark . During the night Contades crossed , by nineteen bridges that he had thrown across the Bastau ; while at the same time Broglio crossed the Weser , by the bridge of the town , and took up his position facing the Prussian left wing , which rested on the village of Todtenhausen , intending to attack him early in the morning , and to finish before the duke could bring the centre to his assistance . 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 .