divided into two columns of infantry and two of cavalry,
the artillery following the infantry, and the cavalry closing
the march. The army of Marlborough, filing by the left,
broke also into two columns of infantry and two of cavalry,
the cavalry being on the left, and the artillery following
the infantry. On reaching the bank of the Reichin, they
came into parallel order and halted. Here the out-posts
joined their respective corps. The two brigades of Wilkes
and Rowe, which on the preceding evening had been sta-
tioned in advance, at Dapfheim, were formed into a ninth
column, and reinforced with eleven battalions from the
first line, and fifteen squadrons of cavalry. This column
was designed to cover the march of the English and Dutch
artillery along the great road, and to attack the village of
Blenheim, the possession of which would facilitate the pas-
sage of the main army over the Nebel, and open the right
flank of the enemy.

The troops of Marlborough were directed to form on the
ground stretching from Welheim. to Kremheim, while those
of Eugene, passing along the skirts of the hills in the rear of
Wolperstetten, Berghausen, and Schwenenbach, were to
prolong the line to the extremity of the valley, as far as
Eichberg. From these general arrangements, it appears
that the allied commanders intended to make their first ef-
forts against Blenheim and Lutzingen, which covered the
flanks of the enemy. The subsequent changes arose from
the locality of the ground, and the order adopted by their
antagonists. After these preliminary dispositions the troops
resumed their march in silence. Meanwhile Marlborough
and Eugene, escorted by forty squadrons, rode forward to
observe the situation of the enemy; they were accompanied
by the Prussian general, Natzmer, who had been made pri-
soner in the battle fought here between Stirum and Villars,
in the preceding year, and was acquainted with the local
peculiarities. About six they descried the advanced posts of
the enemy, falling back on their approach, and at seven,
reaching the higher ground near Wolperstetten, they came
in full view of the hostile camp. From hence they could
trace the course of the Nebel, and learned that it might be
traversed at the houses and water-mills, near the right of
the enemy; but that the islet, and the banks towards Ober-

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