ten o'clock
On the British left , the attack was most galling . Bands of the sharpshooters got among the thickets , just below the edge of the declivity down to the Saint Charles , and from these , and from several houses scattered there , they killed and wounded a considerable number of Townshend 's men . Howe was called up , with his light troops , from the rear ; and he , and the two flank battalions of Townshend , dashed at the thickets , and , after some sharp fighting , partially cleared them , and took and burned some of the houses . Towards ten o'clock , the French advanced to the attack . Their centre was formed of regular troops , only , with regulars and Canadian battalions on either flank . Two field pieces which , with enormous labour , the English had dragged up the path from the landing place , at once opened fire with grape upon the French line . The advance was badly conducted .