three in the morning
Again and again the French came on ; and the same fate ever awaited then . The only movement in the British squares was closing up the spaces as their comrades fell or sank wounded to the earth . At last reinforcements came up from the left ; the whole retreated across the plain , until as they approached Guenaldo , our cavalry , having re-formed , came to their aid with one crushing charge , which closed the day . That same night Lord Wellington fell back , and concentrating his troops within a narrow loop of land bounded on either flank by the Coa , awaited the arrival of the light division , which joined us at three in the morning . The following day Marmont again made a demonstration of his force , but no attack followed . The position was too formidable to be easily assailed , and the experience of the preceding day had taught him that , however inferior in numbers , the troops he was opposed to were as valiant as they were ably commanded . Soon after this , Marmont retired on the valley of the Tagus .