Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/63

 them the next day, the 23d of Deccember.

Schmettau drew up his army on the side of a hill, with a rivulet in his front, a wood on each wing, and a village in his rear, which he had slightly fortified, and threw some battalions into the houses. All the King's motions seemed to indicate a design of attacking him in his front, and he had therefore raised several batteries that commanded the passage of the rivulet: his Majesty, however, finding that all the attention of the enemy was carried to their front, determined to make only a feint there, and attack them in their rear. Accordingly, about three o'clock in the morning, he gave General Sommers the command of ten thousand men, with orders to remain in the field, ready for action at a moment's warning, and as soon as he heard a signal they agreed on, to pass the rivulet, and make an attack