ABSTRACT
Friday 13 March was to be a testing day for the reformed British battle drill, and the pivotal point of the army's regeneration. But no such reflections crossed the minds of the infantry as they dumped their knapsacks at daybreak in the charge of a soldier from each company and swallowed a tot of rum. Whatever the day might bring, they would do their duty. About 6.30 a.m. the columns moved off towards the battle.1
