five o'clock in the afternoon
Turenne commanded the left , which consisted of his own army , with twelve squadrons of Weimar 's cavalry , with the Hessian army -- six battalions and six squadrons -- as a second line . The centre , consisting of ten battalions and five squadrons of horse , was commanded by Count de Marsin . Enghien took no special command , preferring to remain free to go where his presence was most needed . It was five o'clock in the afternoon when all the arrangements for the attack were completed . But as on the 3rd of August the evening is long , it was judged that there would be sufficient daylight to carry out the battle . The French began with a cannonade against the village , and this was replied to by the guns on the two hills . Not only did the position of the latter give them great superiority , but much time was lost by the French in being obliged to move forward their guns as the army advanced , a slow and tedious process in days when cannon were very heavy and cumbrous .