two o'clock
`` I am on my way up to see how they are getting on with the earthworks , and the general may want me at any moment . '' `` I would not trouble about that , '' O'Grady said , sarcastically ; `` perhaps he might make a shift to do widout you , widout detriment to the service . '' Terence made no reply , but , mounting , rode off up the hill behind the town . At two o'clock on the 16th a general movement of the French line was observed , and the British infantry , 14,500 strong , drew up in order of battle along the position marked for them . The British were fighting under a serious disadvantage , for not only had Soult over 20,000 infantry , with very powerful artillery and great strength in cavalry , but owing to their position on the crest running somewhat obliquely to the higher one occupied by the French , the heavy battery on the rocks to their right raked the whole line of battle . Hope 's division was on the British left , Baird 's on the right . Fraser 's division was on another ridge some distance from the others , and immediately covering the town of Corunna ; and Paget , with his division to which the Mayo regiment was still attached , was posted at the village of Airis , on the height between Hope 's division and the harbour , and looking down the valley between the main position and the ridge held by Fraser .