nine o'clock
The Prussians pressed on with their quick strides , their excitement growing higher and higher as they neared the scene of action ; and breaking out into a roar of cheering as , sweeping round on the side of the hill , they joined Ziethen 's hardly-pressed troops and rushed upon the enemy . But though the news of their coming cheered all the line to fresh exertions , not yet was the combat finished . The whole of Lacy 's command was opposed to them , swelled by reinforcements sent down from above by O'Donnel who , in Daun 's absence , was in command . It was another hour before the foe gave way , and the Prussians pressed steadily up the hill ; until at nine o'clock they were planted on the top of the Siptitz hill , on the highest point of the plateau , whence their cannon commanded the whole ground down to Torgau . Daun , conscious of the danger , had , as he heard of Ziethen 's advance , sent order after order that he must at all costs be driven back ; and even when the Prussians gained the position , they had still to struggle fiercely for another hour to hold it . Daun knew that , with Frederick established on one side of the position , and with Ziethen well planted upon the other and commanding the whole of it with his guns , there was nothing for it but to retreat ; and already he had sent orders that a strong force should form in order of battle to repel an attack , close to the suburbs of Torgau . As soon as this disposition was effected , he ordered the retreat to commence .