The combined movement was well executed. The central column was in presence of the enemy before they had the least apprehension of being attacked. Finding themselves threatened in front, flank, and rear, they struck their tents and fell back in some confusion. Prince Ferdinand, to quote an officer who was present, "pursued and pressed upon them as close as possible. They would have been entirely routed had not Monsieur de Stainville thrown himself forward with the Grenadiers of France, the Royal Grenadiers, and the Regiment of Aquitaine (the flower of the French infantry), to cover their retreat. His resolution cost him dear, his whole infantry having been either killed or dispersed after a very gallant defence. Two battalions only succeeded in escaping. Some of these troops surrendered to Lord Granby's cavalry, and when the infantry came up, the remainder, after one fire, laid down their arms to the 5th Fusiliers, having been driven out of the forest at the point of the bayonet by Beckwith's Grenadiers." Amongst the prisoners taken were 58 officers of the Grenadiers of France, 38 of the Royal Grenadiers, and 22 of the Regiment of Aquitaine, "the flower of the French army." In all 162 officers and 2,570 men. In his official despatch Prince Ferdinand wrote: "All the troops behaved exceedingly well, and showed great zeal and willingness, but particularly the battalions of Grenadiers belonging to Colonel Beckwith's brigade, which distinguished themselves exceedingly." CASUALTIES AT WILHELMSTAHL. +------------------------------+-----------+-----------+ | |_Officers._| _Men._ | | _Regiments._ +-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | K. | W. | K. | W. | +------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+ |Royal Horse Guards | - | - | 1 | 5 | |15th Hussars | - | - | 2 | 3 | |Royal Artillery | 1 | - | 2 | 5 | |Grenadier Gds. | 1 | - | 8 | 28 | |Coldstream Gds. | - | - | 9 | 11 | |Scots Guards | - | - | 11 | 17 | |Grenadier Batt. of the Guards | - | 1 | 8 | 25 | |King's Liverpool | - | - | - | 1 | |Northumberland Fusiliers | 1 | - | 1 | 11 | |Welsh's Gren. | - | - | 3 | 41 | |Maxwell's Gren. | 2 | - | 3 | 58 | |Keith's Highlanders (87th) | - | - | 9 | 23 | |Campbell's Highlanders (88th) | - | - | 5 | 22 | |Fraser's Chasseurs | - | - | 1 | 12 | +------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+ An artillery officer who was present wrote of the battle: