midday
The General remained behind at the sawmills , to direct the operations of the whole army , as there were other slighter enterprises to be undertaken upon the same day , though the assault of the protecting rampart was the chief one . News was to be brought to him at short intervals of the course the fight was taking . It was Rogers ' great hope that he would soon be made aware of the impossibility of the task he had set his soldiers , and would send instant and urgent orders for the cannon to be brought up to the aid of his foot soldiers . Full of hope and confidence the columns pressed forward , till shortly after midday they emerged from the shelter of the forest , and saw before them the broken space of open ground , with its encumbering mass of stumps and fallen timber , and behind that the grim rampart , where all looked still as death . They formed into line quickly and without confusion and then , with an enthusiastic cheer , made a dash for the barrier . The Rangers and light infantry in front began to fire as they advanced ; but the main body of soldiers held their bayonets in position , and strove after an orderly advance . But over such ground order was impossible .