eleven o'clock
It consisted of three thousand six hundred men , with four pieces of cannon . It was allowed to pass nearly through the wood , when a heavy fire was opened upon it on both flanks . The regiment of gendarmes which led the column showed great coolness and , animated by their example , the whole force remained steady . Darkness came on , but it was not until eleven o'clock that there was any change in the situation . Owing to the darkness in the forest , neither side was able to distinguish its foes . The men fired only at the flashes of the muskets . Lescure then sent round four or five hundred men , who suddenly fell upon the baggage train of the enemy .