Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

52 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THEin all about 26,000 men, were collected underHill, with orders to attack D'Erlon. Theymoved off during the night of the 9th by thedifferent passes of the Col de Maya, the sixthdivision beingordered to assault the works coveringthe bridge at Amotz over the Nivelle river,either on the right or left bank, according tocircumstances.Day broke on the 10th with great splendour,and as the first ray of light showed, the signalgunfor action was fired.The French were takenby surprise, and hastily rushed to their defences,Soult having, during the weeks previous, thrownup manyriver.works to defendthe north bank of theThe allied troops, by their impetuosity, swepteverythingbefore them. The sixth divisioncrossed the river about 7 o'clock some .distanceabove Amotz, and by theright bank threatenedthe bridge, driving the French out of the partlyfinished fortcovering the bridge, and then, turningto the right, drove D'Armagnac's troopsthrough his hutted camp towards Helbacen deBorda ;D'Erlon was by this means nearly cut offfrom the rest of Soult's army,and had to retreatto save himself. Darkness coming on found the