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314 a piece of artillery, blowing up a caisson, killing men and horses, and certain to have created great confusion in any but a thoroughly disciplined army. The Austrian fire was not alone directed to the Prussian artillery, as their shells were thrown up the slope in front of them, towards Dub, and one shell fell into a squadron of Uhlans who were close at the king's side. It buried itself in the ground, and then threw up clumps of mud some twenty feet in the air, and its explosion killed some two or three men. As soon as the cannonading became furious, the guns of the Prussian 7th division opened upon the village of Benatek, which formed the Austrian right. For some time an artillery duel took place at this point, shot being given for shot, and neither side advancing or retreating. The same was the state of affairs in the centre; each side pushed many batteries into position and kept up a severe cannonading. The artillery fire was as even as it was possible to make it. The number of guns appeared almost precisely the same, and shot seemed to be given for shot, although the fire was so rapid that the reports followed as quickly together as in file firing with musketry. Considerable havoc was created on both sides, officers and men fell very rapidly, and a great many horses were killed or disabled. The Prussians pushed forward their batteries as fast as they could be brought up from the rear, and after a time their fire was considerably stronger than that of the Austrians.

Finally the Austrian batteries between Dohelnitz and Dohalicha were withdrawn a short distance up the slope, but the guns at Mockrowens remained in position, and at no point had the Prussians thus far been able to cross the Bistritz. As soon as the Austrians retired up the hill, as just before mentioned, the Prussian batteries turned their fire upon Miletin, with the result that by ten o'clock the battery at that village was also compelled to retire.