five o'clock in the morning
From the position in which the marshal had caused himself to be placed a complete view of the enemy 's approaching ranks was obtained . It could soon be seen that the Dutch troops , who on the English right were advancing to the attack , were moving against the villages of Antoin and Fontenoy . A strong force , headed , as was known afterwards , by General Ingoldsby , moved towards the wood of Barre ; while a solid column of English and Hanoverians , 10,000 strong , marched forward to the attack across the broken ground between Fontenoy and the wood of Barre . It was as yet but five o'clock in the morning when the cannon broke out into a roar on both sides . The Dutch , who were commanded by the Prince of Waldeck , soon hesitated , and in a short time fell back out of range of fire . On the English right General Ingoldsby penetrated some distance into the wood of Barre , and then fell back again as the Dutch had done . In an hour after the fighting had commenced the right and left of the allied army had ceased their attack .