about five o'clock
Marmont , seeing the terrible danger in which Maucune was involved , sent officer after officer to hasten up the troops from the forest and , with his centre , prepared to attack the English Hermanito , and to drive them from that portion of the village they still held ; but as he was hurrying to join Maucune a shell exploded near him , hurling him to the ground with a broken arm , and two deep wounds in his side . This misfortune was fatal to the French chances . Confusion ensued , and the movements of the troops were paralyzed . It was about five o'clock when the 3rd division , under Pakenham , fell upon Maucune 's leading division ; and two batteries of artillery suddenly opened fire , on their flank , from the opposite height . Having no expectation of such a stroke ; and believing that the British were , ere this , in full retreat along the Ciudad road , the French were hurrying forward , lengthening out into a long , straggling line . The onslaught of Pakenham 's division was irresistible , supported as it was by guns and cavalry . Nevertheless , the French bore themselves gallantly , forming line as they marched forward , while their guns poured showers of grape into the approaching infantry .