Two armies of fifty thousand men each were about to engage in the lists as at Dettingen.
Austria had sent but eight thousand soldiers, under the orders of the old and famous General Konigseck; the English and the Hollanders were about to bear all the burden and heat of the day.
It was not five in the morning, and already there was a thunder of cannon.

The Hollanders attacked the village of Antoin, the English that of Fontenoy.

The two posts were covered by a redoubt which belched forth flames; the Hollanders refused to deliver the assault.

An attack made by the English on the wood of Barri had been repulsed.

"Forward, my lord, right to your front," said old Konigseck to the Duke of Cumberland, George II.'s son, who commanded the English; "the ravine in front of Fontenoy must be carried." The English advanced; they formed a deep and serried column, preceded and supported by artillery.