twelve o'clock
It was evident to both commanders that the village of Lobositz was the decisive point ; and indeed , the nature of the ground was such as to render operations almost impossible , in the marshy plain intersected by rivulets , which in many places formed large ponds . At seven in the morning the Prussian action began by a heavy fire between the left , on the slopes of Lobosch , and 4000 Croats and several battalions of Hungarians , scattered among the vineyards and the stone walls dividing them . A heavy fog covered the whole country and , until a full view could be obtained of the position of the enemy , neither of the commanders deemed it prudent to move . At twelve o'clock , however , the fog began to clear up . The main body of the Austrians was still invisible ; and the king , seeing but a comparatively small force in the plain near Lobositz , thought that this must be the rear guard of the Austrians ; who , he imagined , having found the line by which they intended to succour the Saxons occupied in force , had retired , having thrown up batteries and left a strong force at Lobositz , to prevent the Prussians from advancing . To ascertain this , twenty squadrons of cavalry were ordered to advance ; but on doing so , they were received by so tremendous a fire from the batteries of the village , and from others at Sulowitz , another village in the plain on their right , that they fell back with much loss , pursued by the Austrian cavalry . By the time they had resumed their positions behind the infantry , the fog had entirely lifted ; and the king and Marshal Keith obtained a full view of the Austrian position , from the spot where they had stationed themselves on the hill .