eight o'clock in the morning
The position was , however , too strong to be carried . After several hours of fighting , the little British force had driven the Afghans from the lower part of the hill ; but were unable to mount towards the crest , for ammunition was running short , and the enemy were too strongly posted . General Roberts therefore ordered Macpherson to hold the ground which he had gained , until next morning , when more troops would be sent . At eight o'clock in the morning , accordingly , General Baker moved out from Sherpur , with a strong force , and attacked the enemy 's position in flank ; while Macpherson continued his advance in front . The Afghans fought desperately , and clung to their position until the British were close up ; when a desperate hand-to-hand struggle took place , and the British became masters of the position . While the fighting had been going on , great masses of the enemy had come down from the end of the valley , and threatened the road between Sherpur and Cabul . The 9th Lancers made a magnificent charge among them , broke them , and drove them back .