four
o'clock in the morning
They fought , however , so fiercely that Westermann withdrew his troops to the position that they had occupied before attacking . The Vendeans , however , gave them no time to form in order of battle but , heralding their charge with a heavy musketry fire , rushed down upon them . The enemy at once broke and , leaving their cannon behind them , continued their flight till they reached Pontorson . In the meantime Marceau was advancing with his division by another road ; and the Vendeans , hearing this , ceased their pursuit of Westermann 's routed division and moved against him and , at four o'clock in the morning , attacked him when within a league of Dol . A combat ensued that lasted for three hours . The Vendeans then drew off , on learning that the division of Muller was on the point of joining that of Marceau . Together these divisions could have forced their way into Dol , but Muller was hopelessly drunk and , being the senior officer , the greatest confusion arose and , had the Vendeans known what was taking place , they could have gained a decisive victory .