 Dilkes , instead of following Browne 's route up the slope , advanced to the right where there was more cover and ground not visible to the French . As a result , the French artillery could not be brought to bear , and Dilkes 's brigade managed to get near the top of the ridge without suffering serious loss . By this time , though , its formation had become disorganised , so Ruffin deployed four battalion columns in an attempt to sweep both Dilkes and the remaining " Flankers " back down the slope . Contrary to French expectations , the crude British line stopped the attacking columns in their tracks , and the two forces exchanged fire . Marshal Victor , by then himself on the crest of the ridge , brought up his reserve in two battalion columns of grenadiers . These columns were , as with the previous four , subjected to intense musket fire and were brought to a halt just metres from the British line . The first four columns had started to give ground , so Victor tried to disengage his reserves and bring them to their support . However , as the two grenadier columns attempted to move off from their stalled positions , they came under additional fire from the remnants of Browne 's battalion , which had renewed its own advance . Prevented from rallying , the entire French force broke and fled to the valley below . 
