The battle opened when the Blue Army holding the Village of Houplesburg seized the initiative and attack at first light. The river being at low water due to a dry season the troops were able to cross almost at will. A savage bayonet charge by the Grenadier Guards drove in the Ist Battalion of the Royal Americans which had been extended along an outpost line on the south bank of the river. At the same time the Paris Municipal artillery opened fire on a squadron of Red Cavalry (Stuarts Virginia).

The Red Army then began a general advance. The Red Grenadiers and the second Bn Royal Americans moved up echeloned to the center and rear. While Stuarts Virginians charged the artillery on the left flank. They were to try and immobilize or catture the gun and so cover the attack through the village of Houplesburg.

As the Grenadiers and Royal Arnoricans reached the creek they surged through and after two volleys, closed with the bayonet. They Blue Reserves moved up into musket range, but the Red Infantry charge had already broken the.formation of the grenadiers, inflicting heavy losses. At this time the artillery position was a mass of whirling sabers and rammerstaffs as the Red Cavalry charge slowly overwhelmed the position.

The Blue General at this time decided that although a large part of his forces were still intact the position at Houplesburg was hopeless and decided to fall back toward Taxon Corners where a new stand might be made should General Magenta (of the Red) decide to press his advantage.

Acting immediately on this decision, Major Bluebottle, now ranking officer of the Volunteers, ordered two detachments to fight a rear guard action through the down while he led the balance of the regiment to retake the gun position which had just fallen to Stuart's Virginians. Before the cavalrymen had time to turn the gun on the town, much less ride off with it, the Blue coated volunteers, led by the dashing Major Bluebottle were upon them. Disorganized by the melee around the cannon the cavalry could not stand up to the crashing volleys of short range musket fire and so charging with cold steel, the Blue infantry retook the gun! Breaking off the action they retreated to the North-West leaving General Magenta in command of Houplesburg.

To Gen Huffleblitz, Bluvian Intellegence Office
Grobnech, April 12, 1757