eleven o'clock
General Roberts had now a choice of two courses -- he could either attack the whole Afghan force , with the one division at hand ; or he could wait until joined by Macpherson 's brigade , next morning . The feat of carrying such a position in face of an immensely superior force , with only half of his little command , was a very serious one but , upon the other hand , every hour added to the number of hillmen who swarmed upon the flanks of the army , just beyond musket range . A delay of twenty-four hours would bring the whole fighting force of the tribesmen into the valley and , while attacking the enemy 's position in the front , he would be liable to an assault upon his rear , by them . Confident in the valor of his soldiers , he chose the first alternative and , at eleven o'clock , his little force marched out from the camp to attack the Afghan army . By this time the enemy 's position had been reconnoitered , and it was found to be too strong for a direct attack . It was therefore resolved to ascend the hills on both flanks , and so to drive their defenders back beyond the defile . This , in any case , would have been the best mode of assault ; but against semi-savage enemies , flank attacks are peculiarly effective .