It was this that had brought the command to retreat.  The British forces on the right wing of the Allied armies had been forced to give way.  The line had not been broken, but it had been badly bent.  The British retreated doggedly, fighting with the splendid heroism that was in accordance with their traditions, and at no time did the retreat become a rout.  But in order to keep the line straight the American forces too were ordered to fall back, even though they had been successful on their section of the line.