eight
o'clock
The advance guard consisted of seven hundred rifles , seven hundred and fifty cavalry , and six guns ; the main body of somewhat over a thousand rifles , three hundred and forty-nine sabres , and ten guns ; then came the trains and hospitals , guarded by strong detachments on each flank ; while the rear guard was fourteen hundred infantry , three hundred and sixteen cavalry , and six mountain guns . The length of the column was about six miles . `` Its head had marched about seven miles , when the cavalry in advance caught sight of the enemy , in position , three miles ahead . Preparations were made for receiving an attack and , at eight o'clock , the march was resumed . Half a squadron of Bengal Lancers were sent to cover the left front of the infantry brigade , which was now close to a range of low hills that ran parallel to the line of march for some distance , then made a bend to the east . The enemy were seen in position , covering the point of passage through the hills , and also upon the hills flanking the road by which the division would advance . `` When within a mile and a half of the enemy , two batteries moved out and took up positions to shell them in front ; while the infantry deployed , the line on the left facing the enemy on the hills .