Under the cover of a heavy cannonade, the French infantry attacked the village of _Val_, which was occupied by four battalions (three British and one Hanoverian), and the INNISKILLING dragoons were formed behind the houses. Eventually the village was captured, and the enemy broke the centre of the allied army. The cavalry of the left wing was led forward by Sir John Ligonier, and charged the French horsemen with signal intrepidity. The Greys particularly distinguished themselves. The INNISKILLING dragoons, vying in heroism with the Scots troopers, overthrew and routed the squadrons opposed to them; and a sanguinary sword fight ensuing, the British horsemen made great havoc among the discomfited ranks of their opponents. Following up their first success, the Greys, INNISKILLING, and other British dragoons, dashed forward; a volley from some French musketeers posted on the low grounds, and behind hedges, emptied several saddles; but the survivors rushed upon the infantry and chased them from behind the hedges and from the low grounds, with dreadful carnage. While pursuing the fugitives, a new line of combatants appeared; but, with ranks confused and blended together, the British dragoons galloped forward and dispersed these also. This astonishing gallantry of the British cavalry produced important results; but the enemy having broken the centre of the allied army, the Duke of Cumberland ordered a retreat. When the INNISKILLING, and other British dragoons, faced about to retire, the enemy came down upon them in crowds, and they sustained considerable loss. The army retreated to Maestricht, where it arrived in the evening. The casualty-return of the regiment on this occasion exhibited a serious loss, viz., Lieutenant Armstrong, Quarter-master Seaman, forty men, and twenty-two horses wounded; Lieutenant Gordon, Cornet Hay, seventy-eight men, and ninety-eight horses killed and missing. The conduct of the British cavalry on this occasion, was highly commended in the accounts of the battle published at the time. The INNISKILLING dragoons were subsequently encamped at Richel, near the Maese, in the province of Limburg; in October they proceeded to North Brabant, and pitched their tents behind the lines at Terheyden; and at the end of the campaign they went into cantonments among the Dutch peasantry. [Sidenote: 1748] A strong remount of men and horses having joined to replace the losses of the preceding year, the regiment took the field to serve the campaign of 1748 in a high state of efficiency, and according to the publications of that date its warlike appearance was much admired. It was employed in the province of Limburg, and was encamped a short time near Ruremonde. Meanwhile preliminary articles for a treaty of peace had been agreed upon; the regiment proceeded to North Brabant, where it remained a short time, and during the winter, returned to England. [Sidenote: 1749]