About nine o'clock
Still , amid the darkness , the stubborn contest raged . The American and British guns were almost muzzle to muzzle . Some of each were captured and re-captured in fierce hand-to-hand fights , the gunners being bayoneted while serving their pieces . About nine o'clock , a lull occurred . The moon rose upon the tragic scene , lighting up the ghastly staring faces of the dead and the writhing forms of the dying ; the groans of the wounded mingling awfully with the deep eternal roar of the neighbouring cataract . The retreating van of Riall 's army now returned , with a body of militia -- twelve hundred in all . The Americans also brought up fresh reserves , and the combat was renewed with increased fury .