The French were driven from their works, and forced in great confusion on the bridge of the Nivelle. One redoubt, from its superior strength, had been obstinately maintained--but the regiment that occupied it was completely cut off from retreating, and the whole were made prisoners. In every other point the British attack succeeded. Hill’s division carried the heights of Ainhoue, the whole of the redoubts falling to the British and Portuguese under Hamilton; while Stewart drove the enemy from a parallel ridge in the rear--and the divisions, by an united attack, forcing the enemy from their works at Espelette, obliged them to retire towards Cambo,--thus gaining the rear of the position originally occupied, and forcing Soult’s centre on his right. The French marshal formed in great force on the high grounds over Ascain and St. Pe, and Lord Wellington made instant dispositions to attack him. Three divisions, the third, sixth, and seventh, advanced against the heights--two by the left of the Nivelle, and one, the sixth, by the right bank. As the position was exceedingly strong, the enemy determined to hold it to the last, and maintained a furious cannonade, supported by a heavy fire of musketry. But the steady and imposing advance of the allies could not be repelled--and the French retired hastily. The right of the position was thus entirely cut through--and though for months the Duke of Dalmatia had been arming every vulnerable point, and his engineers had used their utmost skill in perfecting its defences, the British commander’s dispositions were so admirably made and so gallantly carried out, that his numerous and most difficult attacks were crowned with brilliant success, unalloyed by a single failure. Night ended the battle,--the firing ceased--Soult retreated and, covered by the darkness, withdrew a beaten army, that had numbered fully seventy thousand men. His killed and wounded exceeded three thousand, besides a loss of fifty guns, and twelve hundred prisoners. The allies reckoned their casualties at two thousand four hundred killed and wounded; which, the nature of the ground, the strength of its defences, and the _corps d’armée_ that held it, considered, was indeed a loss comparatively light. PASSAGE OF THE ADOUR. French and English positions.--Wellington advances.--The left wing of the allies attacked.--Soult defeated.--The French marshal attacks the right, and is severely repulsed by General Hill.--Sir Rowland drives the French from their position, and Soult retires within his lines.--Defection of German regiments, who come over to the allies.