unlawful for them to act any thing of Moment and overcame them 18. Lysander the Lacedaemonian General against the Athenians at the Town of Aegospotamos resolved at certain times to break in upon the Athenian Navy and to retreat back again with his Ships which having performed often when the Athenians after his Departure were scattered to gather their Forces together he according to his former Custom stretch'd out his Navy in length and again commanded them together And when the greater part of the Enemies according to custom were departed he assaulted the rest destroyed them and took the whole Fleet. CHAP. II. Of the Place to be chosen for a Fight Example 1. WHen M. Curius saw that he could by no means resist the Phalanx or the Body of ten thousand Pikes of King Pyrrhus when they were joyned together in an open Field ordered the matter so that he was to fight in a streight and narrow place where being close together they might be an hinderance to one another 2. Cn. Pompeius in Cappadocia chose a place for his Camp in the higher Ground that the proclivity of the Hill might assist the charging of his Souldiers so that by their running down he easily overcame Mithridates and his Army 3. When C. Caesar was to fight against Pharnaces the Son of Mithridates he drew up his Men in Battel on a Hill which much facilitated the gaining of the Victory for the Roman Souldiers casting their Darts from the higher Ground upon the Enemy quickly caused them to turn their Backs 4. When Lucullus was to encounter with Mithridates and Tigranes in the greater Armenia near Tigranacerta he got possession in haste of a plain Ground which was on the top of a Hill with part of his Troops and then assaulted the Enemy which was under charged their Horse in the Flanks and having driven part of them and pursued them when they ran in and disordered their Foot he obtain'd a most famous Victory 5. Ventidius General against the Parthian Army would not lead out his Souldiers to the Fight till the Enemy was within fifty Paces and then by running suddenly upon them he closed in with them so near that he frustrated their Arrows which they made use of at a distance by this proceeding he shewed such an appearance of Confidence and Courage that he quickly overcame those barbarous People 6. When Hannibal was to fight against Marcellus at Numistro he plac'd his Army amongst the Pits and broken ways on one hand and made use of the nature of the place as a Wall and a Defence Thus he got the Victory and overcame a most famous Captain 7. When the same Hannibal at the Battel of Cannae understood that the River Volturnus beyond the nature of other Rivers yielded strong Winds in the Morning which raised up great Clouds of Sand and Dust he drew up his Army in such a manner that all the violence of the Wind beat upon the Backs of his Men and into the Faces and Eves of the Romans by these Inconveniencies which wonderfully incommoded the Roman Army he got that remarkable Victory 8. Marius having appointed a day to fight against the Cimbri and Teutones placed before his Camp his Souldiers strengthened with Food that by the little distance that was between them and their Enemies their Army might be first overcome by their labour in gaining it and besides their weariness in running this space he gave them another Trouble he drew up his Men so that the Army of those barbarous People had the Sun the Wind and the Dust in their Faces 9. Cleomenes the Lacedaemonian General against Hippias the Athenian who was the stronger in Horse caused Trees to be laid along the Plane where they were to fight and rendered it unpassable to the Horse 10. The Iberi were received by a vast multitude of the Enemies and fearing that they should be surrounded marched to the sides of a River which in that Country had high Banks Thus being defended behind by the River and excelling the Enemy in Valour they assaulted the first Ranks and destroyed the whole Army of their Enemies 11. Xanthippus the Lacedaemonian changed the Fortune of the Carthaginian War only by the change of a place for when the Carthaginians were almost reduced to despair they hired him to be their General When he took notice that the Africans who excelled and exceeded the Romans in Horse and Elephants drew up on the Hills and that the Romans whose Strength consisted in their Foot held the Valleys he led the Carthaginians down to them with his Elephants he disordered their Ranks and with the Numidian Horse he pursued the dispersed Souldiers and routed their Army winning the same day a Victory both by Sea and Land 12. When Epaminondas the Theban General was leading his Army against the Lacedaemonians he caused a Party of Horse to ride up and down before that they might raise a great Dust before the Enemies eyes when they expected the Horse to fall upon them he led about his Foot Souldiers from that side where the Horse were riding against the Enemy and fell upon them suddenly in the Rear and overcame them 13. Three hundred Lacedaemonians held and defended the Streights called Thermopylae against an innumerable multitude of Persians because those Streights would not suffer a greater number to fight at once near at hand by this means they being equal in number to those barbarous People but excelling them in Valour and Courage cut in pieces a great many of them neither could they have been overcome if it had not been for a Traitor named Epialtes of Trachinia who led the Persians round about upon their Backs and overpower'd them 14. Themistocles the Athenian General when he saw that it would be very much for the Advantage of Greece to fight with Xerxes his numerous Navy in the Streights of Salamini and could not perswade his Citizens by craft he brought to pass that the Grecians were forc'd to comply with this Advantage for pretending himself a Traitor he sent to Xerxes to signifie to him that his Countrymen were ready to fly away and that it would be far more difficult for him to assault every City by a Siege By this means he brought to pass that the Persian Navy was first disquieted while they were watching all night afterwards in the Morning he with his fresh men encounter'd with the said Persians tired with want of Rest in a streight place as he desired in which Xerxes could not make use of his numbers in which he did exceed CHAP. III. Of ordering and drawing up an Army in Battel c. Example 1. CN Scipio General in Spain against Hanno at the Town of Indibile took notice that the Carthaginian Army was so ordered that the Spaniards were to fight in the right Wing who were indeed the stoutest Souldiers but mercenary and warred not for themselves but for others and that in the left Wing were the Africans a weaker sort of Men but more
Teutoni a People of Germany near the Waters Sextiae he sent Marcellus with a small Party of Horse and Foot by night to fall upon the Backs of the Enemy and better to shew the Appearance of an Army commanded the Servants and Cooks to go also armed with a great part of the Beasts for Carriage and Carts covered over with course Coverleds the better to shew the likeness of Horsemen He commanded them that assoon as they saw the Battel begun they should come down upon the Backs of the Enemy This Appearance struck so great a Terror into the Enemy that their most valiant men immediately fled 7. M. Licinius Crassus in the War against the Fugitives when he was to lead out his Army near Calamarcum against Castus and Canimocus Captains of the Gauls sent twelve Bands or Cohorts commanded by C. Promptinus and C. Martius Rufus his Lieutenants round about a Hill so that when the Battel was begun this Party came behind the Enemy with a great Noise and routed them in such a manner that instead of fighting they all fled 8. When Marcellus was afraid that the small number of his Men would be discovered by their hollowing commanded all the Followers of his Army to encrease the hollowing by this means he used to fright the Enemy with the Appearance of a great Army 9. Valerius Levinus in a Battel against Pyrrhus King of Epirus having kill'd with his Sword a certain common Souldier held it up all bloody in the fight of both Armies telling them that therewith he had slain Pyrrhus Therefore the Enemies thinking that they had lost their Leader and troubled with this Lye retreated in fear into their Camp 10. Jugurtha fighting in Numidia against C. Marius having the Knowledge of the Latin Tongue by his long living in the Roman Armies advanc'd to the first Ranks and declared with a loud Voice in Latin That he had kill'd C. Marius and by that means troubled many of the Roman Army 11. Mynnides the Athenian commanding in a doubtful Fight against the Thebans suddenly ran to his right Wing and cried out aloud That the left had already got the Victory by this policy he encreas'd the Courage and Chearfulness of his Men and so terrified the Enemy that they fled and left him the Victory 12. When Croesus was to fight against a strong Party of Horse he caused a great Company of Camels to meet them The Horse were so troubled at the strangeness of the Sight that they cast down their Riders ran upon the Ranks of the Foot and gave the Victory to the Enemy 13. When Pyrrhus King of Epyrus was to fight for them of Tarentum against the Romans he made use of his Elephants in the same manner to disorder the Roman Army 14. And the Carthaginians also have often practis'd the same thing in their Fights against the Romans 15. The Camp of the Volsci being seated near Bushes and Woods Camillus caused all that would burn to be carried to their Frenches and there to be set on Fire by this means he drove the enemy from thence 16. M. Crassus in the War of the Confederates was in the same manner surprised with almost all his Army 17. The Spaniards in a Fight against Hamilcar put before them in the Front of the Battel Carts full of combustible matter and Brimstone drawn by Oxen and when the Signal of the Fight was given they set them on fire then driving the Oxen to the Enemies they broke through and discomfited them 18. The Falisci and such as were of the Faction of Tarquinius apparelled many of their men in the Habit of Priests with Torches and Snakes in their hands sending them in a furious manner to disturb and disorder the Roman Army 19. The Vejentes and Fidenates with lighted Torches practised the same Policy 20. When Atheas King of the Scythians was to fight against a greater number of the Triballi than he had in his Army he ordered the Women and Boys and all such as were unfit to fight to drive upon the last Battalion of the Enemy all the Oxen and Asses that he had and to carry up an end Pikes in their hands by which Appearance he caused a Rumour to be spread amongst the Enemies That Succours were come from the farthest part of Scythia to his Assistance which so discouraged them that they were overthrown CHAP. V. Of Ambushes Example 1. WHen Romulus went against the Town of Fidenae he left a part of his Forces in Holes and Caves and by a pretended Flight caused the Enemy to follow unadvisedly so far as his concealed Souldiers who immediately rose up assaulted the unwary and dispersed Enemy on all hands and cut them in pieces 2. Q. Fabius Maximus Consul being sent to aid the Inhabitants of Sutrium against the Hetrusci oblig'd all the Enemies Troops to fall upon him and afterwards in a seeming Fear retreated to a higher Ground and when the Enemy pursued in a disorderly manner to the foot of the Hill he fell upon them and not only routed them but took their Camp 3. T. Sempronius Gracchus General against the Celtiberi a People of Spain pretended a Fear and caused his Army to keep within their Fortifications only he sent out some of his Companies lightly armed to skirmish with the Enemy but upon a sudden he caused them to retreat in again which caused the Enemy to follow in pursuit then did he assault them in good order and made such a slaughter of them that he took their Camp 4. Q. Metellus Consul General in Sicily against Hasdrubal was more wary and careful because of the Enemies vast numbers and one hundred and thirty Elephants which they had in their Army he seemed to be therefore diffident of his own Forces and kept his Army within the Town of Panormus having drawn a Ditch of a very great breadth before his Army but after when he saw in Hasdrubal's Army that in the Front the Elephants did march he commanded the Spear-men to assault them with their Weapons and to retreat immediately back again within their Fortifications The Rulers of the Beasts being moved by this offer of a Fight and disappointed drove the Elephants into the very Ditch in which they were no sooner stop'd and entangled but they were either kill'd by the multitude of Darts cast at them or driven back upon their own Army which they disordered Then Metellus waiting for this Opportunity sallied out of his Trenches with his whole Army assaulted the Carthaginians on all sides routed them and took their Elephants 5. Tamiris Queen of Scythia fighting with Cyrus King of Persia upon an equal Advantage by a pretended Fear led him into certain Streights with which her Souldiers were well acquainted and then turned back on a sudden and by the Assistance of the place overcame him 6. When the Egyptians were to fight a Battel in Fields in which two Marshes met they hid themselves in the Sedge and when the Battel was begun they pretended
so that the Prince was never able to force him to a Fight And when all his Forage and Provisions were spent he was driven by that means to the necessity of departing out of the Country into Germany again CHAP. XLIX Of certain times convenient to fight an Enemy and other times wherein it is Wisdom to refuse a Battel IF an Armies Reputation depends wholly upon a speedy success as in many cases If the Enemy be gathering together greater Forces and expects a speedy supply of Horse or Foot If the Country be so at his devotion that the longer he delays the stronger he grows or if Victuals or Money begin to fail then a General should seek all fit opportunities for a speedy Encounter while the Enemy is not too strong and his own party in a condition and resolution to give Battel But if a General hath more Forces coming into him or if he knows that by delaying he may shorten or cut off his Enemies Provisions or if Sickness and Diseases do daily lessen the number of his Enemies then by delaying he may do as much service as by venturing a Battel At the Isle of Rhee the Freuch Army would never offer to fight with the English till they perceived them in a confusion by reason of their orders to Embark But they always followed them close at the Heels till this opportunity was offered to them and then with all their Forces of Horse and Foot they fell furiously upon the English and cut off a great many Likewise in the War between Don John of Austria and the Estates of the Netherlands he endeavour'd to fight the Army commanded by Count Bossute because he understood that Duke Cassimire with 5000 Horse and 6000 Foot with other Forces were coming into the Earls Camp within a few days But the Earl would by no means suffer his Men to venture out of their Trenches CHAP. L. How Lewis King of France stopt the Assistance which the Dukes of Burgundy and Britany were going to send to the Duke of Normandy THe French King understanding that these three Dukes had made a League Offensive and Defensive against him their common Enemy and having an intent to assault and fight them single When he led his Army into Normandy he feigned Letters from that Duke to the Duke of Burgundy signifying that he was loath to run the hazard of a War that he had accepted of the Kings offers and concluded an agreement with him for 60000 Franks and therefore he desired him to forbear sending of his Forces to his Assistance as had been formerly promised These Letters the King caused to be sent by an Herald to the Dukes of Burgundy and Brittany who though they suspected them to be false yet because they received a confirmation from the Contents from other hands but by the procurement of the King they caused their Armies to be speedily disbanded By this means the King obtained by policy what otherwise he could not well get by Force without the hazard of his Army for he having thus weakned his Enemies made with them what agreement he thought convenient and they were forced to yield to his Terms of peace CHAP. LI. A Policy used by a French General to destroy the Neapolitan Army strongly Encamped WHen there was a dispute between Ferand King of Naples and Charles King of France about the Crown of that Kingdom Ferand understanding that the French Army was too potent for him to encounter with only with his faint-hearted Neapolitans resolved to entrench himself between certain Hills The French General finding him in that advantagious Post that he did not dare to meddle with him divided his Army secretly in the night and sent a strong Party round about to assault King Ferand behind whilst he in the Interim with small Parties skirmished and kept them in continual play At last when the party of Men which were to surround the Neapolitan Army and to fall upon their Backs were come to the appointed place the French assaulted the Enemy behind and before entred their Trenches and routed them Xerxes in the same manner recovered the Streights of Thermopyle in Greece defended by a handful of Lacedemonians under Leonidas their Captain CHAP. LII How Prince Maurice took the Town of Gertrudenberg WHen the Prince of Orange besieged Gertrudenberg by Sea and Land he understood by a Prisoner taken from the Enemy that once every day the Governour with the chief Magistrates were wont to go up privately to take a view of the Hollanders Trenches and of the Country round about that they might see for an opportunity to sally out upon them immediately he took advantage of this Information and secretly ordered a Gentleman of his Army to run away to the Town under pretence that he had murdered a Man and therefore fled to save his Life The Gentleman according to appointment discover'd to the Princes Army by playing upon a Pipe when the Governour was in the Steeple The great Guns being then ready and waiting for the purpose were all immediately discharged at one time and battered down the Steeple killed the Governour with the Magistrates which as soon as the Prince suspected he caused a sudden assault to be made and carried the Town for want of a Governour and Orders to defend it For such a Consternation that must needs happen at the unexpected destruction of a Chieftain either in an Army or in a Garrison the Soldiers Hearts must needs be broken and before orders can be given to supply his place by another the Enemy hath a great advantage upon the party that he commands CHAP. LIII How the States of Holland took the Town of Breda by surprize THey hired a certain Master of a Boat who was wont to carry into the City Provisions of Bread and Beer and other necessaries for maintenance of the Garrison In this Boat they stored a Company of Stout and Valiant Gentlemen and covered them over with Turves and other things The Boatsman according to his custom brings strong Liquors upon the Guard makes them all drink plentifully till they were drunk whilst they were in that Condition he passeth the Guard and enters into the Town with his Company of Men who immediately gave notice to their Friends without by casting up a Ball of Wild-fire to fall on A Gate was broken open for them then did they disperse themselves about the Town killed all that resisted and mastered the Guard Such surprizes have been made with Carts full of Corn Hay c. wherein have been hid Soldiers and sometimes a Cart hath been purposely broken and out of order at the Gate of a Town to hinder the shutting of it and a party of the Enemy hath then set upon and entred the Town CHAP. LIV. How the Garrison of the Skonse at Zutphen was surprized THe Spaniards to strengthen the more the City of Zutphen in Gelderland had built a very strong Skonse in such a place as hindred any Enemy from making their approaches
suspicion The Cart was to be driven to the second Gate and there to be disordered by letting fall the Wheel whilst the Carter was to be busie about his Cart the disguised Soldiers were to take the first and second Gate to kill the Watch and to give a sign to the Ambushes in the Wood to come speedily to their Assistance which being let into the City would easily take and keep it for the French But this plot was discovered and by that means prevented CHAP. LXXV How Prince Maurice endeavour'd to take Antwerp Gastle by surprize PRince Maurice without dispute was one of the most successful Generals of his time at the Battel of Newport he obtained a great Victory over the Spaniards and being bread up amongst Armies and Soldiers he proved a most wise and subtile Commander Antwerp Castle was attempted by him in this manner He being at Breda with his Army commanded all the passages of his Camp to be narrowly watched and secretly drew some Companies of Foot from some Neighbouring Garrisons putting them under the command of a discreet Collonel in whom he could conside The Soldiers knew nothing of his purpose only the Officers and that he might the better conceal his March from the Country he ordered his Men to take off their Orange Colours and change them for Red such as the King of Spains Soldiers used to wear and his Waggons likewise had a Burgundian Cross as Spinola's And as his Soldiers passed through the Country they were to say That they belonged to the King of Spain and were marching to Antwerp for Provisions By this disguise and invention a party of a 1000 Foot and 200 Horse went undiscovered in the dark night to the Walls of Antwerp Castle where they got as far as the Bridge and were ready to blow open the Gates had they not bin perceived by the Vigilancy of a Spanish old Soldier named Andreas Cea who gave the Alarm to the Garrison and prevented their entrance CHAP. LXXVI Of the Battel of Diep between Henry the Fourth of France and the Army of the Ligne commanded by the Duke of Mayenne THe King had in his Army about eight or nine thousand Men. The Duke had twenty five thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse the King intrenched himself about three Miles from Diep at a Village called Arques with his small number but he gave such wise Orders that he secured both his Camp and the Suburbs of the City from the invading Enemy who on the 16th of September 1589. gave a furious assault to the Kings Forces but were beaten back with great loss The Duke of Mayenne having continued quiet in his Camp three days gave another Assault but to as little purpose only the Regiments of Colalt and Tremblecour called to the Kings Forces that they would be of their side at which offer they were received within the Trenches and they promised to serve the King faithfully if they might have any assurance of their pay which was promised by the King but whilst this brave Prince was busily employed in looking to every quarter these Treacherous Villains turned their Weapons against them who had taken them in let in more of the Dukes Forces into that part of the Camp so that if the Duke in that consternation that the Kings Army was then in by the unexpected Treachery had speedily fallen upon them and seconded with all his Forces these two Regiments he had undoubtedly carryed and mastered the Trenches but whilst the Duke delayed the Count de Castillon the Duke of Montpensier and La Nove excellent Commanders of the Kings Army ran with their Men to assist the Kings discouraged party and charged the Enemy within the Trenches so briskly that they were forced to fly out and leave that great advantage they had gained by a Stratagem After this good success the King with his small party gave so many Alarms to the Dukes Camp that he found himself with his great Army besieged by the Kings small numbers and reduced to many Wants and to the necessity at last of departing to a more secure and commodious Neighbourhood CHAP. LXXVII Of the Famous Battel of Jury between Henry the 4th and the Duke of Mayenne THe Duke designed to relieve the Town of Dreux besieged by the Kings Army which as soon as the Duke began to draw near they were ordered to retreat as if they had been in fear This dissimulation so encouraged the Commanders of the Dukes Army that they would not be quiet till they had forced him against his Judgement to a Battel Both Armies were drawn up in Battalia in an even Plain near the Tillage of Jury The Kings Army had about ten thousand Foot and three thousand Horse drawn up in this manner The King appeared first at the Head of a Squadron of six hundred Horse most Lords and Gentlemen which was flanked on the right hand with a Battalion of two Regiments of Switzers and on the left by two other Regiments of the same Country These Battalions were followed by the Regiments of the Guards and three other Regiments The Duke of Montpensier marched next on the Left with a Squadron of six huudred Horse between two Regiments of Germany and Switzerland seconded by two other Bodies of Foot chosen out of the French Infantry The Marshal d'Aumount closed up the Left Wing with three hundred Horse and two Regiments of French Infantry at his sides and two Troops before him of Light Horsemen commanded by the great Prior and by Giury Mareschal de Camp These were assisted on the Right by the Baron of Biron who had the charge to protect four Canons and some Field Pieces on the other side marched the Marshal of Biron with another Squadron of Horse between two Regiments of French Foot next to the Regiments of Guards but a little behind that they might be as a reserve to that Body which was commanded by the King in person next to them on the right hand shewing the appearance of a Cressant was a Squadron of German Horse slanked by two small Bodies of French Infantry led by the Count Scomberg This excellent order of the Kings Army together with the Judicious management of the Artillery by the Master of the Ordinance contributed much to the Victory for the several Bodies into which the Kings Army was drawn up found a means to inclose in a body of Dutch Horse whom they charged so furiously on the Flanks that they were routed and forced to fall back upon the Infantry of the Ligne The King himself acted the part of an excellent Commanmander and a stout Soldier for when he was to encounter with eighteen hundred Lances commanded by the Duke of Mayenne he with his Pistol and Sword in his hand was engaged in the midst of that great Squadron and totally defeated it with a small party that followed him close by his sides The King took all the Bag and Baggage Canon and Ammunition By this Battel Henry the 4th secured the
resolved he therefore changed the left Wing of his Army for his right which he had composed of the strongest and ablest Men and encountered with the Enemies Army a-thwart At last he routed the Africans and easily forced the Spaniards who in the Retreat stood still as Lookers on to surrender themselves 2. Philip King of Macedo fighting against the Illyrians saw that the Front of the Enemies Army was very close together and composed of the choicest men taken out of the whole Army which caused the sides to be but weak he therefore placed his best and stoutest Men in his right Wing and with them assaulted the left of the Enemies Army routed and disordered them and got the Victory 3. When Permenes the Theban Captain took notice of the Persian Army that their strongest Troops were in their right Wing he drew up his Men in the same manner he appointed all his Horse and the ablest of all his Foot to be in the right Wing and opposed the weakest of his against the strongest of the Persians and commanded them that at the first Charge they should save themselves by Flight and retreat into the Woods and rocky Places By this means he disappointed the strength of the Enemies Army and with the best part of his Troops in the right Wing he encompassed about the Persians and overthrew them 4. When P. Cornelius Scipio who was afterwards firnamed Africanus made War against Asdrubal the Carthaginian General in Spain he led out his Army for several days so ordered in Battel that the Body or Battalion in the middle was composed of his strongest Men but when the Enemy also came forth constantly disposed in the same manner Scipio that very day that he had appointed to fight changed the Order of his Battel and placed his stoutest Souldiers namely his Roman Legions in the Wings and his Men who were slenderly armed in the middle but something behind the rest By this means he assaulted with his two Wings that were strongest and appearing like a half Moon the weakest part of the Enemies Army and easily routed them 5. Metellus in that Battel wherein he overcame Herculeius in Spain when he understood that his Enemies Troops that were esteemed the stoutest were placed in the middle caused his Battalion that was opposite to draw back that they might not come to fight with the Enemy untill their Wings were routed and their main Body enclosed in on both sides 6. Artaxerxes marching against the Grecians who were entred into Persia because he exceeded them in number of Men he stretched out his Army farther than the Enemies and placed his Horse in the Van and such as were lightly armed in the Wings and thus he marched softly on purpose with his middle Battalion that he might encompass them which when he had done he cut them all in pieces 7. Hannibal observed a contrary order in the Battel of Cannae for he caused the middle Battalion to advance before and kept back the Wings by this means he overpower'd their Men at the first Charge For this same General caused his Souldiers to fight close together and the Wings to wind about in the manner of a Half-Moon and to march on at his Command so that when the Enemy was earnest in the pursuit he enclosed them into the middle of his Army fell upon them and cut them in pieces on all sides for his Souldiers were well acquainted with this manner of fighting after a long experience None but such Souldiers as are well skill'd and able to answer to every thing can possibly perform and observe this kind of Warfare 8. Livius Salinator and Claudius Nero when in the second Punick War Hasdrubal was unwilling to fight and therefore had drawn up his Army upon a stony Hill behind a Vineyard led their Forces up on all sides surrounded him on every hand and without shelter assaulted and overcame him 9. When Hannibal had been in many Battels overpower'd by Claudius Marcellus at last in his Marches he so placed his Camp that he had the Assistance and Defence either of some Hill or Marsh Ground or some other convenient place and did draw up his Army in such a manner that when the Romans had the Advantage he could retreat with them into his Fortifications with little or no loss and when they were beaten it was in his power and choice to pursue them 10. Xanthippus the Lacedaemonian General in Africa against M. Attilius Regulus placed his Men slenderly armed in the Van and the Strength of his Army next to second them commanding his Auxiliary Troops assoon as they had cast their Darts to give Ground to the Enemy and when they were retreated within their own Ranks to run immediately to the sides and to charge from both Wings the Enemy that was at handy Blows with the Body of their Army and to surround them in 11. Sertorius practiced the same thing in Spain when he was fighting against Pompei 12. Cleandridas the Lacedaemonian General against the Lucani drew up his Men close together that they might appear but a small Body and more contemptible to the Enemy but when the Battel was begun he caused his Men to open and having encompassed in the Enemy he routed them 13. When Gastron the Lacedemonian went to succour the Aegyptians against the Persians and understood that his Grecian Troops were stoutest Souldiers and most feared of the Persians he caused them to change their Arms and to march in the Van and when they encountered with the Persians with equal Advantage he sent a Party of Aegyptians to second them when the Persians who were fighting with those Grecians whom they thought to be Aegyptians perceived the coming in of the Multitude whom they esteemed to be also Grecians they run away for fear 14. Cn. Pompcius in Albania because the Enemy was powerful in Horse and numbers of Men commanded his Souldiers to cover their Head pieces in a streight place near a Hill for fear they should be discovered by their shining in the Sun and he commanded his Horse-men to go down into the Plain and cover the Foot and at the first Onset of the Enemy to give back till they were returned to the Foot and then to place themselves in the Wings which being accordingly performed the Roman Army arose encounter'd with those that were unadvisedly got in so far who meeting with an unexpected Resistance were cut all in pieces 15. M. Antonius General against the Parthians commanded his Men to stop when an innumerable company of Arrows were discharged upon them and to cover themselves over with their Targets upon which when the Arrows fell did no Injury to the Souldiers and the Enemy was thereby exhausted 16. When Hannibal encounter'd with Scipio in Africa because he had an Army composed of Carthaginians and Auxiliary Troops some being come from divers Countries and from Italy also behind fourscore Elephants which he caused to march before his Army to disorder the Roman Ranks he placed
the Gauls the Ligurians the Baleares and the Moors that they might not be able to fly away the Carthaginians being next behind that they might in the first encounter with the Enemy disturb or weary them after them he placed his own Men and the macedonians who might receive the tired Romans afresh and in the Rear he put the Italians whose Constancy and Courage he suspected because he had drawn many of them out of Italy against their Wills Scipio against this Order drew up the strength of the Legions in three Battalions in the Front dividing them into Hastati Principes and Triarii that is first Spear-men next such as were of a gentile and noble Descent last another sort of Souldiers of the Roman Army who did commonly march and fight in the Rear Neither were the Companies close together but he left a space between every one that the Elephants that were driven against them by the Enemy might pass by without disordering the Ranks and those Intervals he fill'd up with such Souldiers as were lightly armed and nimble in Onsets and Retreats This he did that his Army might not appear divided into several Bodies He commanded these nimble Souldiers that at the first approach of the Elephants they should retreat and march to the sides of the Battalions He placed next his Horse and divided them into two Wings the right being Roman Horsemen he assign'd to Lelius over the left compos'd of Numidians he appointed King Massanissa which prudent Order was no doubt the Cause of the Victory It will not be unpleasing to the Reader to give here a short Account of the drawing up of Scipio's Army which procured him one of the most famous Victories of Antiquity together with the Honour of the Triumph and to the Romans the Dominion over their false Carthaginian Neighbours T. Livius describes this Battel l. 30. c. 33. in the same manner as Frontinus The Strength and good Successes depended upon the good Order and Preservation of the Ranks of their Army which was made up of several distinct Legions The Legion in Scipio's time had in it 4200 Souldiers 1200 Hastati or Spear-men 1200 Principes 600 Triarii 1200 Velites or lightly arm'd The Legion was divided into ten Cohorts or distinct Companies in which were 120 Hastati 120 Principes 60 Triarii and 120 Velites Scipio's Cohors belonging to every Legion is thus represented The Hastati 120 40 The Velites The Principes 120 40 The Triarii 60 40 In every Cohors or Company were three Manipuli or small Bands each under one Captain or Centurion I find some difference in the Roman Authors in the numbers of their Legions and in their ordering of an Army Romulus their first Founder as he was but a little Prince his Army was but small and his Legion less With the increase of their Empire their Legions and Cohorts did increase in number The Legion as in Caesar's time had 6000 men in it and so proportionably their Cohorts were more numerous than formerly but that which gave them a great Advantage over all other Nations was their Skill in drawing up of their Armies according to the Place and Enemy with whom they were to fight Scipio in this Battel appointed the Strength of his Legions to be in the Front whereas other Generals use to place their chiefest Men in the Rear or to keep them for the Reserve Take here a Scheme of each Legion of Scipio's Army according to the Description of Frontinus and Livy The Legion of 4200 Souldiers divided into thirty Bands or Companies under their distinct Leaders or Captains with that order and space between each Company that was observed by Scipio when he overcame Hannibal in Africa 1. The Battalion of Spear-men or Hastati 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 2. The Principes 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 3. The Triarii 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 Â The Intervals or Spaces between were filled up and made good with Velites or Souldiers lightly armed They had that excellent way that let the ground be never so unfit for a pitch'd Battel they would bring them up in that order that one Company was to second another and relieve such as were weary or over-power'd who could easily retreat without damage and fall in the Rear And though the difference of Arms now causeth us to differ much from their way yet the wisest Generals as Spinola Prince Maurice and others have profess'd themselves to be indebted to the Romans for some of their skill and cunning in ordering an Army 17. Archelaus fighting against Sylla in the Front of the Battel appointed Carts armed with Sythes to break and disorder the Roman Ranks in the second he placed his Macedonian Phalanx or 10000 Pikemen in the third Battalion were according to the Roman Method the Auxiliary Troops mingled with the Fugitives come out of Italy in whose Courage and Resolution he had a great Confidence In the Rear he drew up a Body of Souldiers lightly armed and in the Wings he placed his Horsemen of whom he had a great number and ordered them to enclose in the Enemy But Sylla on the contrary side caused a large Ditch to be dig'd on each hand of his Army and at the end of the Ditches he raised a Bulwark to defend it to this end that he might not be shut in with the vast numbers of the Foot and chiefly of the Enemy's Horse who were stronger than his Next he divided his Foot into three Bodies leaving Spaces between for the Souldiers lightly armed and for his Horse he drew them up in the Rear that when time should serve he might send them out to charge the Enemy and commanded the first Ranks of the second Battel to fix fast in the Ground many sharp Stakes thick together so that when the Carts armed with Sythes drew near he caused the foremost of the Romans to retreat within the Stakes before their Cohors commanding at that instant the whole Army to give a shout and the forlorn Hope to cast their Darts By this means the Enemies Carts were either stopped with the Stakes or terrified with the extraordinary Shout and sudden Assault so that they turned back upon their own Men and disordered the Macedonian Array which caused them to give ground whereas Sylla maintain'd his Archelaus at that moment charg'd with his Horse but when the Roman Horsemen encounter'd with them they put them to flight and compleated the Victory 18. C. Caesar prevented in the same manner with Stakes fixed in the Ground the Carts of the Gauls which were armed with Sythes 19. Alexander at the Battel of Arbella fearing the numbers of his Enemies and knowing the Courage of his own men drew up his Army so as to receive the Enemy on every side that in case he was encompassed in they might fight every way 20. When Aemilius Paulus march'd against Perses King of Macedonia he saw that he had placed a
the Camp of Fulvius the Roman General was negligently and ill provided and that he was apt to attempt many things without Discretion by break of Day when the thick Mists caused the Air to be dark he shewed a few Souldiers to the Roman Sentinels against whom Fulvius immediately marched with his Army in the mean while Hannibal assaulted and took the Camp of Fulvius on the other side By that means falling upon the back of the Romans he cut off eight thousand of their stoutest Souldiers with their General 22. The same Hannibal when the Roman Army was divided between the Dictator Fabius and Minutius the Master of the Horse and that Fabius waited for a fair Opportunity but Minutius desired earnestly to fight him he placed his Camp in a Plain that was between the two Armies and hid a Party of Foot amongst craggy Rocks whilst he sent out some Troops to invite forth the Enemy and take possession of an higher Ground near adjoyning when Minutius led forth his Army to cut them off the Ambush which Hannibal had plac'd rose up on a sudden and had defeated and destroyed Minutius's Army if Fabius had not succour'd them in their need 23. The same Hannibal when at the River Trebeia he had in fight the Camp of the Consul Sempronius Longus a River running between them placed in Ambush in the coldest time of Winter Mago with a select Company whilst he had ordered the Numidian Cavalry to ride about the Roman Camp to work upon the Credulity of Sempronius commanding them at the first Assault of the Romans to retreat back through the known Fords to his Army when the Consul had unadvisedly assaulted and followed them with his fasting Army through the River in a most bitter cold Season which made the Roman Souldiers shake then did Hannibal encounter them with his Men whom he had prepared with Fire Oyl and Food when the Enemy was benum'd with Cold and in want of Necessaries and Mago fail'd not to play his part for he fell upon them behind in good order 24. The same Hannibal at the Lake Thrasymenus finding a narrow way that led to the Foot of a Mountain and into open Fields pretended to fly and through the Streights he escaped into the level Ground where he encamped but in the night he appointed some Souldiers and plac'd them about the Hill which was over him and in the sides of the Streights the next Morning by break of day being favour'd by a Mist he drew up his Army Flaminius followed him as if he had fled but when he was in the Streights he foresaw not the Ambush till he found himself encompassed in before behind and on all sides and till his Army was totally destroyed 25. The same Hannibal fighting against Junius the Dictator in the middle of the Night commanded six hundred Horsemen divided into several Troops in their turns without ceasing to shew themselves about the Roman Camp by that means when the Romans were tired by watching all night and standing upon the Rampires in the Rain which then happened to fall continually and when Junius began to sound a Retreat then did Hannibal lead on his Souldiers well refreshed and assaulted the Roman Camp 26. Epaminondas the Theban General when the Lacedaemonians defended at Athmos the Peloponnesus with a Fortification in the same manner he disturbed the Enemy all night by a few light armed Souldiers and afterwards by break of day he drew up his Men when the Lacedaemonians were retreating and suddenly with his whole Army which he kept quiet he broke thro' their Fortifications naked of Defendants 27. Hannibal having drawn up his Army at the Town of Cannae commanded six hundred Numidian Horsemen to fly to the Romans and for a greater assurance to them delivered to them their Swords and Bucklers falling back into the last Ranks but when the Battel was first begun they drew their short Swords which they had concealed for the purpose and taking up the Bucklers of the slain they fell upon the Back of the Roman Army and destroyed them 28. Japyges a People of Calabria when P. Licinius was Proconful delivered up their Towns as if they had yielded themselves to the Romans but being received and placed in the hindermost Ranks they fell upon their Backs 29. Scipio Africanus having against him two Camps of Enemies one commanded by Syphax the other belonging to the Carthaginians resolved to assault Syphax's Camp in the night and to set it on fire for there was there much combustible matter that he might from his own Camp cut off the Numidians in the Hurly-burly and because he knew that the Carthaginians would adventure to go out to succour their Companions he laid an Ambush to receive them All this fell out according to his Expectation and Desire 30. Mithridates having been often overcome by the Valour of Lucullus assaulted him in an Ambuscado when he had corrupted and persuaded a certain man of great Strength named Adathas to fly to the Enemy This Traitor promised and engaged his Faith to the Romans that he might perform his intended Wickedness which he stoutly endeavoured but in vain for being admitted by Lucullus into the number of his Horsemen he was secretly watch'd because they did not give suddenly credit to a Run-away neither was it fit to discourage others from coming over to them afterwards in many Sallies and Encounters having done good Service he got himself into Credit He chose a time when the Principes were sent away and they were retired to the innermost Rooms of the General 's Quarters and all was quiet in the Camp An accident favour'd Lucullus for he found him at that time departed to his Rest weary with his evening Cares and Employments having entertain'd Company very late when therefore he offered to go in as if he would reveal some sudden and important Matter he was resolutely kept out by the Servants who were mindful of their Lords Health and Repose which caus'd him to doubt that he was suspected he therefore took Horse which he had ready before the Gate and returned without effecting any thing to Mithridates 31. When Sertorius in Spain near the Town of Lauro had his Camp adjoyning to the Camp of Pompey and that there was but two Countries only there able to furnish them with Fodder one near the other at a distance he caused his Souldiers lightly armed frequently to visit that Country that was nearest but forbad them so much as to enter into that which was at a distance by this means he made his Enemies believe that the farthest Country was the safest which when the Souldiers of Pompey went to visit he sent Octavius Graecimus with ten Companies armed in the Roman manner and ten other Companies of Spaniards lightly armed with Tarquinius Priscus at the head of two thousand Horse to lye in Ambush for the Forragers They punctually and courageously performed their Orders for having well understood the Country they hid these Forces in a
neighbouring Wood in the Night so that in the Front they placed the Spaniards lightly armed and fittest for a sudden Surprise and Skirmish next to them such as carried Bucklers and in the Rear the Horsemen and that the neighing of the Horses might not discover the Design he commanded them to rest and keep silence untill the third hour of the day But when Pompey's Souldiers were upon their return loaden with Fodder and secure and that such as kept the Guards were invited by the Quietness of the Enemy to march out and seek also for Forrage first the Spaniards sallied out and fell furiously as the manner of their Nation was upon such as were wandring up and down wounding and cutting them when they least expected it And before Pompey could resist and stop them the Party armed with Bucklers broke out of the Wood and routed such as were rallying together in some order as they were flying the Horsemen were sent out to pursue and slay them all that space that was between them and the Roman Camp and there was care taken that none should escape for the other two hundred and fifty Horsemen being sent galloping before by a nearer way returned and met such as were flying first before they could come to Pompey's Camp Assoon as Pompey understood it he sent out a Legion commanded by Laelius to succour his Men at whose approach the Horsemen drew up on the right hand as if they had given place afterwards they fell by this means upon the back of the Legion at the same time when such as pursued after the Forragers met with it thus was this poor Legion destroyed between two Parties of the Enemy and when Pompey led out his whole Army to assist and relieve it Sertorius also appeared with his Army on the top of the Hills ready for the encounter and hindered Pompey from proceeding farther so that besides a two-fold loss procured by the same Policy he stop'd and made him a Spectator of the Defeat and Destruction of his Men. This was the first Fight between Sertorius and Pompey Ten thousand of Pompey's Army were slain and all their Carriages were lost saith Livius 32. Pompey in Spain having appointed before such as should rise out of a secret place to give the assault pretended that he was afraid and by that means led the pursuing Enemy into difficult places afterwards when he saw his time he set upon them before and on each side and cut them all in pieces and their Captain Perpenna he took Prisoner 33. When the same Pompey was General in Armenia against Mithridates who was the strongest in Horse he hid three thousand lightly armed with five hundred Horsemen in the night in Bushes which were between the two Camps The next Morning betimes he sent out his Horsemen as far as the Enemies Guards so drawn up in Battalia that when he should begin to fight with all the Enemies Cavalry they should in good order give back by degrees untill such time as they might afford time for the Ambuscado to rise behind who were there on purpose All which happening according to his desire with those Troops that seem'd to retreat he cut in pieces the middle Battalion of his Enemy which was out of order and with his Footmen that enter'd Pell-mell he kill'd their Horse so that in that Battel he ruin'd the King's greatest Trust which he repos'd in his Horsemen 34. M. Crassus in the War against the Fugitives near the Mountain Cathena fortified two Camps near that of the Enemies but in the Night chang'd the Souldiers of the one and received them into the other leaving still the General 's Tent in the greatest Camp the better to deceive the enemy he himself drew out all his Forces and made a halt at the foot of the said Mountain and having divided his Cavalry commanded L. Quintius with one part to face Spartacus but not to engage in a Fight with him with the other part of the Cavalry he encounter'd with the Gauls and Germans that were of the Faction of Castus and Gannicus but ordered them to draw them by degrees by a dissembled Fight to the place where he himself stood ready in Battel whom when the barbarous People followed the Cavalry fell into the Wings and suddenly the Roman Army open'd and fell on with a Shout so that thirty five thousand Souldiers were there destroyed with their Commanders as Livius writes five Roman Eagles were recovered six and twenty Colours with much Spoils were taken and amongst them five bundle of Rods with Axes 35. C. Cassius General in Syria against the Parths put his Cavalry forth in the Van but hid his Infantry behind in difficult and steep places afterwards when the Cavalry began to retreat and to save it self by known ways he drew the Parthian Army into the Ambush that was provided for them and cut them in pieces 36. When the Parthians and Labienus were become proud of their Successes and Victories Ventidius the Roman General by keeping in his Army together in their Camp drew them upon him and when he found them in a disadvantageous Post he fell upon them in a Sally and so overthrew them that they forsook Labienus and departed out of the Roman Territories 37. The same Ventidius being General against the Parthians commanded by Pharnastanes and having with him but a small number of Souldiers perceived that the enemies grew more bold because they exceeded them in number therefore he posted at one side of his Camp in a dark Valley eighteen Companies and behind the Foot he drew up his Cavalry then he sent a very few Souldiers to attack the enemy who pretending to fly drew the Parthians who greedily pursued after them beyond the place where the Ambush lay which rising at that instant kill'd the Parthian General Pharnastanes and put the Pursuers to flight 38. C. Caesar when his Camp and that of Afranius stood in two Plains one against another and that it concern'd either of them to be Masters of the neighbouring Hills found it difficult to get them because of the steep Rocks before him he therefore began to retreat back as if he would return to the River Herda The want of Necessaries persuaded Afranius that this was his Purpose but after a little while he took a small compass about to get the Command of the Hills which when the Army of Afranius perceiv'd they were much troubled as if their Camp had been taken they therefore in all haste ran towards those Hills Caesar foreseeing this partly with his Foot which he sent to meet them and partly with his Horse which he appointed to fall upon their Backs he overthrew them 39. Antonius at a City of Italy understanding that the Conful Pansa was come placed an Ambush in the Woods near the Aemilian way assaulted his Troops and put them to flight and gave him such a mortal Wound that he died a few days after 40. King Juba in Africa in the Civil War
of War which I have therefore separated because though they be sufficiently known they are of another kind And I have here mentioned them lest any should meet with them by chance in reading and by the resemblance they have with the former Practices should unadvisedly think them to be omitted Truly we must express them as belonging to the former things and as before I shall endeavour to place them under several Heads in the same order The Contents of the Chapters CHap. 1. Of the Discipline of War Chap. 2. Of the Consequence of such Discipline Chap. 3. Of Continency Chap. 4. Of Justice Chap. 5. Of Constancy Chap. 6. Of Affection and Moderation Chap. 7. Of various Counsels Resolutions and Advices CHAP. 1. Of the Discipline of War Example 1. P. Scipio reformed the Roman Army spoiled by the Slothfulness of their former Generals by sending away a vast number of their Servants and Slaves and obliging the Souldiers to perform their daily Exercises and Offices He commanded them likewise to march very often and to carry the Food of many days with them so that by that means the Souldiers were used to endure the Cold and Rain and to pass on foot through the Fords of Rivers And the General did blame and exclaim against Timorousness and Sloth breaking all their useless Vessels that were cumbersome in their Expeditions which happen'd very remarkably to C. Mevius the Tribune unto whom Scipio is reported to have said Thou wilt be an ill man to me for a little while but to thy self and the Common-wealth always 2. Q. Metellus in the War against Jugurtha restored again the Discipline of War which was likewise decayed by imitating the same Severity and forbidding the use of any other Flesh to the Souldiers but what was by himself ordered to be rosted and boiled 3. Pyrrhus used to say to such as he sent to gather Souldiers Chuse me the ablest Bodies and I will make them stout and couragious 4. When L. Flaccus and C. Varro were Consuls Livius names them L. Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro then were Souldiers first made by taking an Oath for before the custom was for a Tribune or a Colonel to ask of them whether they would devote themselves for the Service of their Country Then did they agree together and promise with a Curse that they would never depart to save themselves by flight or for fear and that they would never go out of their Ranks but to take their Weapons to strike an Enemy or to save a Citizen 5. When Scipio Africanus saw a Buckler of a certain Souldier adorned more beautiful than the rest he told him that he did not wonder at his care and diligence in beautifying it because he depended more upon it for his safety than upon his Sword 6. When Philip first made up his Army he forbad them all the use of Waggons and would not suffer a Horsemen to have more than one Servant and to ten foot Souldiers he appointed likewise a Servant who was to carry for them when they went out into the Field their Meat and their Ropes commanding them to bear upon their Backs the Meal needful for thirty days 7. C. Marius to shorten the Baggage and Carts of the Army which did most incumber it fitted up the Souldiers Food and Vessels needful in bundels hanging them behind their Backs upon crooked Staves which was easie for them to carry and lean upon from hence is derived the Proverb Muli Mariani Marius 's Mules 8. When Theagenes the Athenian led an Army against Megara he answered to those that asked for their Ranks and Places that he would appoint them one there He sent afterwards his Horsemen before secretly commanding them as Enemies to assault their own Friends by this means he approved those Souldiers that he had to meet and encounter with the Enemy And he suffered them to rank themselves as they pleased so that whereas the most timerous did fall back in the Rear and the stoutest were found in the Front As he found every man standing in that manner he advanced them to the Military Orders and Places 9. Lysander the Lacedemonian reproving a certain Soldier gone out of his way had this answer from him that he had not left his Company to steal but he replyed I will not have thee give the least suspicion of Stealth 10. When Antigonus heard that his Son was gone into a man's House who had Three Beautiful Daughters I hear said he my Son that thou hast but a narrow Lodging where so many Dames do command the House Take I advise thee a larger Dwelling and he ordered him to depart out withall made a Law that none should under Fifty years of Age in the Army lodge in a dwelling House 11. Q. Metellus the Consul though he was not hindred by any Law from receiving his Son alwaies in his Tent yet he appointed him to fight and to live as the other Soldiers and to endure the same hardship 12. P. Rutilius the Consul though the Laws suffered him to have his Son with him in his Tent yet he made him a Soldier in one of his Legions 13. T. Scaurus forbad his Son to come into his presence because he had given back and yielded Ground to the Enemy in a Wood near Trent The young Man oppressed therefore with Grief and Shame kill'd himself The Romans and other Nations anciently were used to pitch their Camps every where according to their Companies as so many distinct Villages for none but Towns had Walls and Fortifications But Pirrhus King of Epirus was the first that intrenched in an Army Afterwards the Romans having beaten him in the Fields of Arusina near the City Beneventum and taken his Camp they observed the manner of his pitching and by degrees are now arrived to that perfection of Encamping which is now in use 14. P. Nasica being in his winter Quarters tho he had no need of a Fleet lest the Soldiers should be spoiled by lazyness or for want of Employment be tempted to do mischief to their Friends resolved to build Ships 15. M. Cato hath left upon Record that some of his fellow-Soldiers were condemned to lose their Hands for being taken stealing and when a milder Punishment was imposed they were let bloud before the Generals Tent. 16. Clearthus the Lacedemonian General was wont to say to his Army That a Commander ought to be more fear'd than an Enemy He meant by those who were afraid to dye in the Battle but if they run away a certain Punishment and Execution was to be their reward 17. The Judgment of Appius Claudius was that those who had been taken by King Pyrrhus and were sent home to the Senate That the Horsemen should be reduced to fight on Foot the Footmen should be degraded and that all should abide out of their Trenches untill each of them should kill and produce the Spoils of two men of their Enemies 18. Otacilius Crussus the Conful commanded those who had
contained they might afford an encouragement to the Fire 10. Hannibal shewed to King Antiochus how he should cast Pots full of Vipers into their Enemies Ships which so affrighted the Soldiers that they were thereby hindred from resisting and from the Government of their Ships 11. Prusias practiced the same Policy when his Fleet gave back 12. When M. Parcius in a furious manner broke though the Enemies Fleet the Carthaginians were thereby troubled and out of order Porcius took an advantage of it causing his Men to take the Carthaginian Arms and hang out their Colours by that means under the appearance of Friends he deceived and sunk several of their Ships 13. When the Athenians had been assaulted by the Lacedemonians in their Festival days which were kept in Honour of Minerva out of the City they continued the appearance of such as were wont to honour the Goddess only under their Coats they had hid their Weapons When they had performed their accusiomed Worship they returned not immediately to Athens but from thence in a speedy manner they hasted to Lacedemon at that time when they were least expected and plundered all their Enemies Country at their pleasure whereas a little before they had been plunder'd by them 14. Cassius took some Ships of burden which were scarce useful and firing them he sent them before the Wind amongst the Enemies Fleet and set them all a Fire 15. M. Lucius having defeated Hasdrubal some advised him to pursue the Enemy till they had totally destroyed them pray said he let some of them remain alive who may declare our Victory to the Enemy 16. Scipio Africanus was wont to say That it was good Policy not only to give the Enemy a way to escape and fly but also to secure it to them 17. Pericles the Athenian promised his Enemies that they should be safe if they would cast down their Weapons which when they had done he commanded all that had in their Armour Iron Bucklers to be slain 18. When Hasdrubal was entred into the Borders of Numidia to subdue them and that the Inhabitants prepared to resist him he told them that he was come only to hunt Elephants which were plentiful in Numidia and if they would suffer him he promised to do them no harm They believed him and called back their Forces then did they assault and subdue them 19. Alcetas the Lacedemonian that he might more easily surprize a Convey of Victuals sailing to Thebes unexpected provided some Ships in a secret place shewing but one Galley in which by turns he exercised his Marriners But in a convenient time when the Thebans were sailing by he sent out all his Ships against them and took all their Provisions 20. Ptolomeus having but a weak Army when he marched against Perdicas who was the stronger in Forces took all sorts of Beasts and caused them to draw behind them Carts and to be driven forward by a few Horsemen In the mean while he marched before with what Troops he had with him so that the dust raised by the Cattle gave an appearance of a vast Army that followed behind which thought so terrified the Enemy that they were put to flight 21. Myronides the Athenian going against the Thebans who were more numerous in Horse when his Foot came into the plain Fields he told them that if they did keep their grouod they would be safe but if they yielded they would be destroyed by this Speech he confirmed his Soldiers and got the Victory 22. L. Pinarons being Governour in Sicily of the Town Ennae when the Magistrates of the City desired him to deliver up the Keys of the Gates which he had in his Custody to them he had a jealousie of them that they intended to turn to the Carthaginians he desired therefore one Nights space to consider of it informing secretly his Soldiers of the treachery of those Greeks he commanded them to be ready the next day and expect the Signal The next morning in the Presence of his Soldiers he told the Magistrates that he would deliver up the Keys if all the Inhabitants desired it for that purpose all the Citizens being call'd into the Theater demanded the delivery of the Keys By this he understood of their purpose to revolt to the Enemy he immediately therefore gave order to his Soldiers to fall on and kill all the Inhabitants 23. Iphicrates the Athenian General took the Colours at the appearance of the Enemies Fleet and sailed to a Town of which he had a jealousie and when at his landing he was received with great Expressions of joy he found out their unconstancy and plunder'd the Town 24. Tiberius Gracchus declared publickly that he would give liberty to all the Volunteers who behaved themselves manfully but that he would crucifie the Cowards When therefore four thousand of those who had been sloathful in the Fight for fear of the Threatned Punishment were gathered together on the Top of a Hill he sent to tell them that his whole Army of Volunteers in his judgment had got the Victory seeing the Enemy was fled By this saying he deliver'd them from the fear of Punishment and kept them in their Obedience 25. Hannibal after the Battle at the Lake of Thrasginerus where the Romans received so great a Loss when he had got into his Power six thousand of his Enemies by an agreement he sent away all the Confederates of the Latine Country and spoke graciously to them saying that he was come into Italy to make War to free the Country from the Roman Slavery and by their means some of the People surrendred themselves to him 26. Magro when the Locri were besieged by Crispinus Admiral of the Roman Fleet caused a Report to be spread abroad in the Roman Camp that Hannibal had kill'd Marcellus and was coming with his Army to raise the Siege of the Town having therefore secretly sent out a Party of Horse he order'd them to shew themselves on the top of the Hills which were in sight when Crispinus saw them he imagined that Hannibal was really coming he therefore hasted with his Army on Shipboard and fled 27. Scipio Aemilianus at the Battle of Numantia placed his Bow-men and Slingers not only between his Cohortes but also between every Century or Company of Foot 28. Pelopidas Thebanus being put to flight by the Thessalians and having sounded the depth of a River over which he had hastily cast a Bridge that the Enemy might not make use of it also to pass over he commanded the Rear of his Army to burn the Bridge 29. When the Roman Cavalry could by no means encounter with the Horsemen of Campania Q. Naevius a Captain in the Army of Fulvius Flaccus the Proconsul found a way to strengthen them He caused out of all the Army some of the nimblest Footmen to be chosen who were of a middle Stature He furnished them with round and little Bucklers with Headpieces Swords and seven Spears every one about four Foot
and Auxiliaries to the assistance of the Roman Army against the Persians and that they should obtain a famous Victory Whether this report was really so or whether it was invented on purpose as it hath bin sometimes practiced to encourage the Soldiers to difficult encounters it had that good effect that none doubted afterwards of success and the Roman Soldiers were more resolute and brave in all their Fights with the Enemy Insomuch that at the Siege of Nisibis a panick fear so seized the Saracens who were came to relieve that City and assist the Persian King that only the Alarm and Dread of the Romans approach caused them in their Armour to cast themselves into the River Euphrates and venture over but the swiftness of the Stream swallowed an hundred thousand who for fear of the Roman Sword were drowned in the Water In this Persian War Ardaburius by Policy alone overcame seven great Commanders of the Enemies But notwithstanding these glorious Victories Theodosius sent one of his Courtiers named Helion to conclude a Peace with the Persian Monarch but this motion was at first rejected by the Soldiers of the Regiment called by the Persians Immortal consisting of 10000 variant Men who desired their Prince to give them leave to beat up the Roman Quarters and try whether they might surprise them secure and negligent But such was the vigilancy and diligence of the Commanders and courage of the Soldiers that they encompassed these stout Persians and cut them all in pieces though they had divided themselves into two parties to assault the Roman Camp with more advantage CHAP. II. Of Asper a Son of Ardaburius AFter the Persian War and the death of Honorius the Emperor the Unkle of Theodosius the younger Socrat. Schol lib. 7. cap 23. a certain Rebel named John attempted to invade the Imperial Crown and Dignity with a considerable number of Soldiers whom he had Listed for that purpose Ardaturius was sent against him but it happened that as he was Sailing from Salonae to Aquileia through cross winds he fell into the Enemies power When Aspar his Son and the Roman Army understood it they made more speed than ordinary to invest Ravenna whither they had carried their General prisoner following the conduct and direction of an Angel of God who being sent in the appearance and garb of a Shepherd as was then reported to assist the just cause of the Religious Emperour Theodosius against the Rebels Such inventions have often bin practiced by the politick Wits of all Ages and such reports have been often spread and encouraged to oblige the ignorant vulgar to more manhood and confidence However whether that report were real or feigned Aspar suddenly assaulted and enter'd Ravenna through a Lake joyning to the Walls which because never any had Forded it before was less Guarded Whether then by the power of God the Waters were abated to favour the passage of the Soldiers or whether the boldness and resolution of the Assailants attempting to go through a place that was believed to be unpassable gave an occasion to such a report is uncertain Though it hath bin always the wisdom and practice of great Generals to endeavour things that seem'd unfeazable and to assault an Enemy on that side where they were most secure and where they most relied upon a Natural Fortification CHAP. III. Of Belissarius the General of the Roman Army in the days of Justinian the Emperor Anno Domini 528. SEveral Generals were in the days of Martianus Leo. 1. Zeno Anastasius and Justinus the former Emperours but none much renowned for their Policies and Exploits Belissarius was one of the most remarkable in all History for his brave actions and for the instability and unconstancy of humane Glory His excellent conduct together with his wonderful success in War raised him to the highest Apex of Honour but envy malice and ingratitude cast him down to the lowest step of misery to beg his Bread at the Gates of Sancta Sophia the chief Church of Constantinople with this saying Give a half penny to Belissarius For the Emperour Justinianus caused his eyes to be put out and all his Estate to be taken from him after that he had by his Wisdom and Valour saved and enlarged the Roman Empire and deliver'd the Emperors person from a strong Conspiracy headed by one Florianus a Nobleman and assisted by Hippatius Pompeius and Probus Kinsmen of the former Emperour Anastasius This act of Valour restored him to the Emperors favour for he had bin in some disgrace through the Envy of the Courtiers He was of no extraordinary Birth but raised himself through his great skill in Martial Affairs At that time Gilimerus Raigned over the Vandals in Africa where that Northern People had erected a flourishing Empire Justinian proclaimed War against him and sent Belissarius as General with a numerous Fleet and well furnished Army After several Encounters he met the Vandals in a pitcht Battel overthrew and destroyed several Thousands pursued their King from one Kingdom to another till at last he besieged him and took him by Famine in the City of Carthage And with him subdued all that part of Africa which had bin formerly under the Roman Power and put a period to the Arian Heresie which had infected all that part of the World All this was brought to pass not so much through the Valour and Strength of the Army as by the Policy and good Government of the noble General who was excellent in laying of Ambushes and in besetting an Enemy in an open Field whereby he was reduced to the necessity either of yielding or of flying away This Conquest of Africa by Belisarius happened about 95 years after the first entrance of the Vandals into Africa according to the prediction of St. Cyprian who had so long before comforted his Auditors with the assurance of a total extirpation of the cruel Vandals together with their damnable Heresie After this Victory Belisarius leads back his Army to Constantinople with Gelimerus bound in Chains of Silver Belisarius was sent next into Sicily to revenge the murder of Queen Amalasventa He soon conquered that Island and passed over into Italy against the Goths commanded by their King Theodatus who was slain at Ravenna by his own People In his stead they made Vitiges King Against him Belisarius marched took Naples and the City of Rome which he defended against all the Gothick Power assisted by the Francs and slew in one Sally under the Walls of Rome in one day 30000 Goths After the siege was raised which lasted one whole year Belisarius relieved Ariminum and forced the Goths to desire the help of the Burgundians and took their King Vitiges in the City of Ravenna and carried him to Constantinople From thence he went against Cosroes King of Persia and drove him out of the Roman Territories But Totila the new King of the Goths having made great progress in Italy against the Emperor in the absence of
such time as they should see that the Fight was begun and that then they should fall upon the Rear of the Turks This order was so exactly obeyed that the Turks having the Enemy before and behind were beset by a small number yet they did fight valiantly until a fresh supply from the Rear came and broke in upon the Turks forced them to fly killing in the pursuit and Battel two and twenty thousand and two thousand taken Prisoners with all the Turks Tents and Riches After this great Slaughter Scanderbeg mounted his Footmen upon the Turks Horses and with all his Army he plundred miserably a great part of Macedonia and enriched his Soldiers This great Victory made Scanderbegs Name to be famous all over the Courts of the Christian Princes so that in a general Confederacy between them for the opposing of Amurath Scanderbeg was entreated to be one of the party for that purpose he raised an Army and intended to assist Vladislaus at the great and unhappy Battel at Varna but his passage was stopt by the faithless Despot of Servia After that Overthrow Amurath sent Ferises Bassa to spoil Epirus with 9000 Horse but Scanderbeg having notice of his speedy coming he put 1500 stout Footmen in Ambush upon the Mountains and narrow ways that led into the Valley of Mocrea where the Turks were to pass These Footmen set upon the Turkish Cavalry in such places where they could not use their Horses that they were all routed and slain and pursued by two thousand Horse which Scanderbeg had there for the purpose Ferises saved himself by Flight with his broken Troops When Amurath heard of this Overthrow he sent one Mustapha another Captain with a Recruit of 6000 Horse to succeed Ferises in his Government with orders to burn and spoil as much of Epirus as he could Mustapha a wary Captain came with his Troops into the Valley of Moerea where he lay strongly encamped in his Trenches every night having placed Scouts and Sentinels all round upon the Hills to discover the Enemies coming with 4000 Horsemen he kept his Camp and sent out the rest in parties to spoil the Country with express orders upon pain of death to repair to him upon the first notice of an Enemy Scanderbeg being informed by his Spies of Mustapha's wariness resolves to deal with him by plain Force therefore with 4000 Horse and a 1000 Foot he speedily marched through the Valley to the Turks Camp where he kill'd many that were retreating with their plunder and then assaulted the Trenches with that Fury and Resolution that the Turks were beaten 5000 were killed and 300 taken Prisoners with the loss only of twenty Horsemen and fifty Foot Mustapha fled with the rest of his Forces to his Government of Macedonia to give an account of Scanderbegs Valour and of his own loss to Old Amurath who resolved to suffer awhile this dreadful Enemy to live in Peace therefore he commanded Mustapha not to molest the Borders of Epirus but only to defend his own Government It happened at that time that there was a Quarrel between Scanderbeg and the Venetians and an open War proclaimed When Mustapha saw that Scanderbeg's Forces were employed against the Venetians he begg'd leave of Amurath to try once more his Fortune against Scanderbeg For that purpose with a numerous Army he entred into Epirus when Scanderbeg was besieging the Town of Dayna where he left some Forces with Amesa to continue the Siege and with 500 Horse and 1500 Foot he went to find out Mustapha encamped in the upper Country of Dibra Out of the Garrisons he recruited and encreased his small number to 4000 Horse and 2000 Foot all old Soldiers When both Armies were drawn up in Battalia a Turk advantagiously mounted came out of the Turks Army to challenge any Christian to fight with him his name was Caragusa One Paul Manessi desired Scanderbeg that he might be the Man to encounter with this Turk which being granted at the first blow he wounded him grievously in the Head and cut it off which when he had done he took his Spoils and return'd with great Acclamations of the Christian Army to Scanderbeg who seeing how much this had encouraged his Men set forward against the Turks and with an invincible Courage beat them out of the Field took Mustapha Prisoner killed 12000 Men whereas of his own Army there was but 300 slain The Plunder of the Enemies Camp he always bestowed upon his Soldiers who met there with great Riches and according to his Custom entred again into the Turks Dominions to plunder and burn the Country Amurath grieved at so many losses resolves with a mighty Army to march into Epirus himself and try his own Fortune against this crafty Warriour Scanderbeg who having notice of his coming made all things ready he craved Aid of all his Christian Neighbours filled his Towns with Food Provision and Arms repaired all the decayed Fortifications and gathered an Army of 10000 Men to attend upon him leaving sufficient Garrisons in every City Amurath had in his Army one hundred and fifty thousand Men. He sent forty thousand before him to Stifegrade to make preparation for his coming Scanderbeg marched thither with 4000 Horsemen a thousand Foot and strongly encamped himself within Seven Miles of the City from his Camp he went up with some of his Captains to the top of a Hill as near as he could to see how the Turks lay before Stifegrade at his return he drew out his small Army and placed them in the Woods not far from the City unto which he sent Moses and Musachi with about 30 Horsemen to drive some Horses loaden with Corn as if they had purposed secretly to get into the City When the Turks Scouts perceived them they charged them but were beaten back with the loss of five men which gave the Alarm to the Turks who marched out to pursue them in number about 4000. Moses politickly drew them away from their Camp to the place where Scanderbeg lay in Ambush He rose with his Men set upon them with that Fury that he killed 2000. and took a thousand Horse with the loss of two and twenty of his own Men. Amurath came before Stifegrade in May 1449. he battered and assaulted the Town with the slaughter of vast numbers of his best Men during which time Scanderbeg often brake into one part or other of his Camp making a terrible destruction and then again retreated with little or no loss At one time when Amurath was giving an assault to the City Scanderbeg was discovered drawing near to the Turks Camp and by Amuraths order was met with by Feri-Bassa who long desiring to fight with Scanderbeg was by him slain and his Army routed with great loss but because all the Turks Army were at hand he speedily retreated from thence with his Victorious Army Stifegrade was afterwards betrayed and surrendred but Amurath lost before the City 30000 of his best Men. At his
to the King of Denmark and by her had two Sons Prince Henry who was the great expectation of the Enlish Nation but suddenly snatcht away by death Prince Charles and the Lady Elizabeth marryed to the Prince Palatine of the Rhine Prince Charles Successour to his Father and Heir of three flourishing Kingdoms after many Battels where he shewed his undaunted Courage as well as Piety in his Afflictions was by a most unnatural most devillish and unparalell'd Rebellion murdered by his Subjects Never any Prince was better qualified for a Crown never any more patient in distress Instead of the Imperial Crown of these Realms Providence bestowed upon him the Crown of Martyrdom and his memory will ever continue precious in the remembrance of all his Loyal Subjects He was too much a Christian to continue long in Peace Governour over such a tumultuous People This Nation hath been happy many years in excellent wise and valiant Princes who have protected us and our Estates from forrein and intestine Enemies Our late King Charles the II. of ever blessed Memory was drawn into the Field betimes to contend with Cruelty Rebellion and Tyranny when to the loss of his Patrimony was added the loss of so good a Father and the Banishment of his Friends his excellent Courage was not dejected but under so many aggravations of Sorrow under so many pressing and grievous Afflictions as were sent to welcom him into the World he endeavour'd to recover by his Valour and Conduct his Kingdoms and Crowns In Scotland when he was to struggle with a seditious and troublesome Generation and was to encounter with a Victorious Army of Enemies his Wisdom preserved his divided party from that ruine into which they were falling by their needless Factions and at the unhappy Battel of Worcester King Charles shewed himself to be a wise and diligent Commander and an undaunted Soldier by the confession of his greatest Enemies But that which this brave Prince attempted to obtain by his just Arms Providence procured to him by a Miracle I mean the Restauration of the Royal Family to their Dignities and Estates without any effusion of Bloud when there were so many Enemies both at home and abroad to oppose them In this short summary of the Heroes of the Royal Family I cannot but mention our present King James the II. whose great Courage undaunted Spirit and Noble Mind hath been sufficiently tryed both at at home and abroad both by Sea and Land against Foreign Enemies in the Field and furious and unreasonable Combitations of sactious Spirits within the Kingdom Victory and success hath always attended upon him and may this most Excellent Prince long continue over us in all prosperity and happiness and may his Enemies lick the dust CHAP. XLIV Of the Conquest of France by King Henry the V. and several other Remarkable Passages in that famous War KIng Henry the V. for the recovering of his Right to the Crown of France which was denyed to him upon the pretence of the Salick Law sent over the Duke of Exeter his Unkle with several Noble Men and 500 Horse to Charles the VI. of France to demand the Crown and with it the Princess Catherine the French Kings Daughter The Dolphin in contempt of King Henry's youthful days sent him in scorn a Tunn of Tennis Balls to play with The King was so sensible of this scornful present that he swore That he would toss so many Iron Balls in France that the strongest Rackets in that Kingdom should not be able to return them back It is no Wisdom to provoke the weakest Enemy nor safe to contemn the meanest Power for that which is wanting in Ability may be made good by diligence and policy King Henry for the obtaining of his purpose transported over an Army into France Harflew was besieged and within six Weeks taken The Soldiers had liberty to plunder it A sudden distemper happened in the English Army which destroyed many of the stoutest Soldiers who are as much subject to death in their Tents as in the midst of the Enemies Swords and the showres of shot The King left a Garrison in Harflew and resolved by land to march to Chalice with Two Thousand Horse and Thirteen Thousand Archers The Dolphin with above Thirty Thousand at Rohan resolved in Council to sight the English At Agencourt the Constable of France came to the Dolphin with Ten Thousand Horse and some Foot The French as their manner is boasted of the Victory before they had got it but they presumed so much upon their numbers that they thought to swallow up the English King Henry had wisely provided all things for a Fight He had got a number of Stakes strengthned with sharp Irons at each end with them he fences in his Foot that they might find in case of necessity some defence against the multitudes of the Enemies Horse The French Army was divided into three Battalions the first consisting of 16000. was lead by the Constable the second by the Dukes of Alanson and Barr the third was commanded by the Earls of Mark and Damp. The English Vanguard was brought up by the Duke of York the main Battel in which were the strongest Bill-men by the King assisted by the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Oxford and Suffolk The Rear was marshalled by the Duke of Exeter the Kings Unkle An Ambush of English Archers was placed within a new hedge to receive and surprize the French at their first approach They did such good service with their showres of Arrows which fell upon the Van of the French Army consisting for the most part of Horse that they were overthrown and helped to trample upon and disorder their Foot In that hurly burly the English Bill-men fell upon them with such fury that they were forced to fly but at the coming in of the French main Battel the English retreated in order within their Stakes and where then followed by the French Horse with more hast than discretion for they found themselves so entangled that many of the most furious lost their Lives Here the King fought hand to hand with the Duke of Alanson and beat him down and would have spared his Life had not his Guard killed him before he was aware When the two first Battalions were overthrown the third had no stomack to go on to the charge and though they were the greater number they fled and craved quarter which was granted but when a dreadful noise was heard from the English Camp occasioned by 600 Horse that fell in to plunder the English behind their Backs the King imagining that another Army was coming on to assault him and that so many thousand Prisoners might rise up and endanger his Army in the Rear commanded them all to be flain for which he ever after was heartily sorry In this Battel sell the Constable and Admiral of France the Dukes of Alanson Brabant and Barre many Earls 25 Barons 8000 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen and many
procured the Duke of Parma the favour and esteem of all the Spanish Army But as the chief skill of a General consists not only in knowing when and how to overcome an Enemy but also in understanding how to preserve his Army and saving it from a dangerous post or drawing it out of the unexpected Ambushes of a powerful Enemy this was performed by the Duke of Parma at the Battel of Mechlin for John of Austria the Spanish General having suffered a considerable part of his Army to fall upon the Enemies they retreated to their great Guns and had encompassed the Spaniards round so that they had been all cut in pieces had not Parma secured their Retreat which he did by placing behind the Hedges some Companies of Musketiers to stop the pursuing Enemy and causing some Troops of Horse furiously to charge whilst he gave a private sign for a Retreat and drew away the Body of Foot in danger to be lost into the narrow ways lined with his Musketeers In the mean while orders were given to the rest of the Army to keep their Ranks and to stand ready to shelter their Fellows at their return for fear the Enemy following close at the Rear should disorder and rout the whole Army as it hath often happened in such like cases When John of Austria was dead Alexander succeeded him in the Government of the Netherlands and in the chief command of the Army Maestricht was first besieged by him where he so cunningly enclosed in the Town with Forts and Works by Land and two Bridges over the River Mosa that it was not in the power of the Prince of Orange and of his Army either to relieve the Town or force him in his Trenches At last after a notable Siege the City was taken and miserably plundred by the Dukes Army By his Policy and Valour he recover'd the most part of the Netherlands defeated the Troops of Casimirus the Saxon Prince who with his German Forces assisted the Prince of Orange and the States He compelled several great Towns to yield to him Tourney Aldenard Dunkirk c. He drove the Duke of Alanson out of the Netherlands and often beat the French Auxiliaries after their unhappy endeavour to surprize Antwerp and the chief Towns which they assaulted at noon day by the orders of the Duke of Alanson who attempted to take and plunder Antwerp by Treachery But Parma's excellent skill in War never appeared more than in the famous Siege of Antwerp With ten or eleven thousand men he beleagur'd that great City full of People defeated all the Auxiliary Forces sent to relieve the Town and at the same time compelled Five other strong Cities to yield to him Gant Brussels Mechlin Nimeguen and Teneramund In this Siege he built a Famous and most Ingenious Bridge over the River of Scala This Bridge was in part blown up and broken by Ships let down the Stream from Antwerp by a notable Ingenier but such was the diligence and Courage of the Duke of Parma that he caused some Beams Planks and Vessels to be laid in that Breach and Drums and Trumpets there to sound to blind and deceive the Holland Vessels that were coming up the River the next morning to relieve Antwerp with Provisions so that notwithstanding this discouragement and the loss of his Soldiers killed in the blowing up of the Bridge he continued the Siege until the Citizens were forced by Famine to yield up their City He reduced the States of Holland to the necessity of imploring Queen Elizabeth's Aid She sent sent the Earl of Leicester with a brave Army but the Duke of Parma proceeded on in the Conquest of the Netherlands and the taking of several Towns both from the Dutch and English But no Action of this Prince deserves more the admiration of Men than his expeditions into France The first was for the relief of Paris besieged by Henry the IV. The Duke was ordered by the King of Spain to march thither with his Army Henry was forced to call together all his Troops and rise from the Siege to meet the Duke with an intent to fight him But when he understood that Paris was supplyed with Provisions he entrenched himself in such an advantagious Post that the King did not dare to beat him from thence He afterwards retreated back into the Low Countries and in view of the French Army far more numerous than his stormed and took the Town of Lagny and though the French followed him close at the Heels yet he ordered his Retreat so subtilely that they could never fight him The next expedition was for the Relief of Rohan besieged by same King Henry the IV. The Duke of Parma with an Army of about 15000 Old Soldiers Spaniards and Walloons and 8000 French under the Duke of Mayenne went to Rohan and obliged King Henry to depart with his Army Parma at the request of the Citizens assaulted Caudebeck and took it In the mean while King Henry had gathered together his dispersed Forces and finding himself as strong as his Enemies resolved to pursue and fight them They were then about Tuepot in the Chalky Country of Normandy having the great River of Seine between them both The Dukes Army was much distressed for want of Victuals and had received some loss by the French Army in Skirmishes and King Henry had taken great care to cut off all provisions from them But the Duke of Parma in one night deliver'd his Army from the danger both of the Enemy and of Famine He caused great Boats covered over with Beams and Planks to fall down the River from Rohan to his Camp where he caused two Forts to be raised with some Redoubts to favour and defend his passage over the River which in this place is half a League over Upon these Boats he conveyed over all his Cannon and Carriages his Bag and Baggage with Horse and Foot so that the next day when the French Army was preparing to assault the Spaniards in their Tents they saw only Prince Ranuse Farnese with 1500 Men with the rest of their Canon going over to the Dukes Army on the other side and it was not in the Kings power to follow him for want of Boats or a Bridge By this means the Duke returned back with leisure into the Low Countries relieved two great Cities against a powerful King and without venturing his Army to the great wonder of all Europe performed what he had undertaken CHAP. XLIII How the Marquis de Monte defeated five Companies of Foot and Seven Hundred Horse with Seventy Lances and Twenty Five Carabins THis excellent Commander by the Duke of Parma's order marched out of Lovain where he was Governour towards Maestricht to discover the Enemy and by chance met with five Companies of Foot and Seven Hundred Horse At the first sight his men began to fear the in-equality of the number but the Marquiss finding himself too far advanced and so near that he could not well
to besiege or annoy the Town for it was erected on the Banks of the River Issell When therefore Prince Maurice had a design upon that place he procured a dozen young Gentlemen of a Feminine Gountenance to be apparelled as Country Maids and to carry thither Butter Eggs Poultry and other such Country-Commodities to be sold to the Garrison Soldiers They coming to the Walls to buy these Provisions sound the Disguised Virgins very tractable and judging them fit for their Lust they received them into the Fort and offered them drink to make them more pliable for their purpose As the Soldiers were busie in their Courtship these young and stout Soldiers drew from under their Petticoats a long Knife made for the purpose and stabb'd the Soldiers who sat next to them then rising together with such Arms us they siezed next to thems they encountred with the rest of the Guard and cut them all off delivering the strong Port to their Companions who waited near at hand to give them their ready Assistance The taking of this Skonse so discouraged the Garrison of the Town that they yielded in few days after to the States of Holland Such Disguises have often proved successful when the business and design hath been managed with care and discretion wariness and Courage Another Town in the Low-Countries was taken by a party of Soldiers apparalled as Country Maids and by them the Guard was suddenly overpowred and a Gate seized to let in the Enemy at hand but the least disappointment spoils all the Design and destroys the bold Adventurers who must expect no pardon or Quarter after such a dangerous Hipocrisie CHAP. LV. How Spinola 's Army was like to be routed when they first sat down before the Walls of Bergen-op-Zone THe Governour of the City a politick Commander resolved to sally out upon the Spaniards at their first coming to besiege the Town and to terrifie them the more he encreased the appearance of his Army with a shew of Armed Troops besides those that he had real His Horse and Foot were to attack the Enemy out of one Gate and out of Another he caused all the Weak Jades of the Town being mounted by Boys and useless Fellows to march leisurely out and shew the appearance of other Forces These were to discover themselves at a distance after the first or second Charge when the Enemy was weary The Spaniards had beaten back the Defendants but the unexpected sight of these deceitful Forces so troubled them that they suddenly left the Chase and retired behind their Trenches in some disorder and had the States Soldiers been provided with Ammunition and Bullets to have given at that instant another Charge Spinola's Army had been then totally routed and the City freed from a troublesom Siege CAAP. LVI How an Army hath been discouraged in the midst of a Fight AT Muscleborough Field when both Armies were fiercely engaged there was cunningly a rumour spread amongst the Enemies that their General was slain in the other Wing and part of their Forces cut off and routed which Report so terrified them that they immediately gave Ground and began to run This Policy hath been often used when it was known that the General was not present And sometimes after the first Charge an Army hath cryed out Look how they run in the Rear Such Words and false Reports have disordered and defeated the best and most resolute Armies for the least sear discourages Soldiers in such a critical time and disinables them from pursuing the Victory So that as it hath always been the practice of well advised Generals by sudden Attempts Stratagems Rumours and other Arts to terrifie their Enemies it hath been the endeavour of wise Commanders to prevent fear from discouraging their Forces and to secure their minds against all suddain Accidents which they could foresee by their advice and command and by the steadiness of their own Resolutions and wise Orders CHAP. LVII How the States of Holland got the Possession of a piece of Ground which they knew was fit for them to build a Fort to distress the Enemies Towns and stop the passage of two great Rivers THere is between the Wale and the Leck two great Rivers a piece of ground advancing into the Sea The Hollanders perceiving that it might be beneficial to them and their designs against the Spaniards if they could get it resolved by policy to gain possession of it Round about were the Enemies Castles and Garrisons which would infallibly oppose any such motion if they came to understand it Therefore to conceal their intent from them they dealt with a Country Fellow named Skinks to hire that piece of ground for some years to feed his Colts and to secure them the better they ordered him to raise a Wall and dig a deep Ditch from one River to the other which was about 400 Rod being the only passage by Land to that place When this was finished the Hollanders came by night sailing up the River and landed such Forces as were able to defend the place until they had builded a strong Fort or Skonse to secure it from the Spaniards who finding themselves outwitted and perceiving the Importance of the place they labour'd to re-take it again This was that Fort named Skinks Skonse so famous for a long Siege in the late Holland War CHAP. LVIII How the Town of Manheim was surpriz'd by Duke Bernard of Saxonweymar THis Town is scituate upon the great River of Rhine and one of the strongest of the Pallatinate Duke Bernard desired earnestly to have it in his possession but was loath to venture his Reputation with his Army in besieging it knowing the Strength of the Town and the Resolution of the Garrison he therefore endeavoured to get it by policy He took with him five hundred men in the night and so ordered his march that he came before the Gates of the Town in the morning an hour or two before day and sent in word to the Governour that he was a Commander of a neighbouring Garrison of their side naming his name and that having adventur'd out with a party upon some important design he was overpowred and beaten in by a stronger party of Swedes who followed him and therefore forced to seek a Refuge within the Walls of Manheim from the Swedish Violence desiring him earnestly to cause his Gates to be opened to let him and his Soldiers in with speed because the Swedes were then at hand ready to fall upon and cut off his Rear Maravelli the Governour believed all this to be true and commanded the Gates to be opened and a passage to enter into the Town As soon as the Duke was within he cut off the Main Guard with three hundred Soldiers took the Governour Prisoner and the chief Officers and won the Town which could not have been otherwise taken without a chargeable and long Siege CHAP. LIX Tamerlan 's Policy to oblige the Towns to yield to him with speed IT
Crown of France to him and his Posterity of the House of Bourbon for the Ligenrs were never after in power to meet him in a Field A DISCOURSE OF ENGINES USED IN WAR THere is no art nor knowledge where the Wit of Man hath been more active than in that of War and found out more wonderful and strange Inventions both for Offence and Defence to inable him to perform things beyond his ordinary and natural Strength Either the greatness of the Rewards and advantage proposed or the necessities unto which he hath bin reduced or the importance of War upon which depend ostimes the happiness or misery of whole Kingdoms and Nations have sharpned his contriving Faculty in this more than in other concerns of this humane Life The Romans for the encrease of their Empire and the subduing many Warlike Nations overcame them by the politick order of their Militia and took their strongest Castles by Inventions of the Wits of that Age. At the first besieging of a Town they were wont to fortifie themselves in their Trenches to prevent all sudden Surprizes or Sallies then did they encompass in the Town with Forts Lines and Trenches to hinder all Supplies and Provisions from going to the besieged Afterwards they made use of their Engines to force them to yield They raised a high Mount with Earth and Faggots higher than the Walls to fight with greater advantage this was called Agger They used also Towers of Wood which they could draw so near the Enemies Walls that they often leaped from them into the City Lucanus mentions them both at the Siege of Marseilles by Coesar Lib. 3. Stellatis Axibus Agger erigitur geminasqe equantes maenia Turres accipit hae nullo fixerunt robore terram sed per iter longam repsere latenti Their Balistae were Inventions to cast great Stones of a vast bigness or a number of Arrows with that strength that nothing could well stand before them for the weight of the stones cast violently upon the Enemy did crush and beat them to pieces and the showrs of Arrows flying out of this Engine with an incredible Violence did great execution The same Poet describes it Tenso Ballistae turbine rapta Haud unam contenta latus transire quiescit Sed pandens perque arma viam perque ossa relicta Morte fugit superest telo post vulnera cursus At Saxum quoties ingenti ponderis ictu Excutitur qualis rupes quam vertice montis Abscidit impulsu ventorum adjuta vetustas Frangit cuncta ruens nec tantum corpora pressa Examinat totos cum sanguine dissipat artus Testudo was another Invention to secure their way to the Walls or to their Towers from the Enemies Arrows It was made like a Penthouse supported with Beams and covered over with raw Hides but this word is often taken for a continued number of Bucklers held up together by the Soldiers when they were marching under the Enemies Walls by which they did protect their Heads from great Stones and other weighty things cast upon them The Romans Vinea was another Engine used by them when they were to undermine or work at the foot of the Walls to overthrow them It was made of Hurdles and Planks and sometimes covered over with raw hides to prevent burning The Soldiers were secured under it from the Enemies Darts and violent endeavours But when the Army gave a general Assault they had another Invention named Musculi to cover their Bodies in the approach Pluteus was another Engine not much unlike to a Vinea These differing names are borrowed from the shapes and forms which these several Contrivances had Now for offence besides the fore-named Balistae they made use of an Engine called Onager to cast Stones with great violence and another Invention named Scorpio to fling Darts against the Enemies and Falces Murales to pull down the Stones of a Wall and level the breach for a more commodious Assault But there was no Instrument more useful to them than their Aries so named because it was headed with Iron not much unlike to Rams Horns it was a great beam weighed and lifted up and forced against the Walls of a Town sometimes by the strength of the Soldiers with Ropes and Powlies sometimes by another Contrivance This Aries did commonly batter down the strongest and thickest Walls of Morter and Stone therefore Coesar observes that some of the Cities of the Gauls were builded with Beams across to strengthen them against the violent impulse of this great and strong Engine of which the Poet speaks Nunc Aries suspenso fatior ictu Incussus densi compagem solvere muri Tentat impositis unum subducere saxis Most of these Engines and others used by the ancient Greeks and Romans in their Wars are now out of date because our Warfare in these days is altogether another thing by reason of the Invention of Gunpowder and Guns And the Wit of Man hath proceeded further than ever they did to find out strange Instruments of a greater strength and more powerful operation I shall here give a brief account of the most modern Engines and Inventions now commonly us'd in War Of Great Guns Since the Invention of Gunpowder Guns have been found to be more serviceable and easie to command and procure then other Weapons before used in their stead And for Great Guns they strike a Terror into the Enemy with their dreadful noise and thundering and are more commodious than either the Romans Ram or their Balista for to do execution upon Men or Walls but though it is of great use yet there is this defect in Great Guns that they cannot be so easily managed as to be brought to play so soon and so speedily as sudden occasions may require Their Fury is to be avoided by the nimbleness of the Foot or by the Galloping of the Horse If therefore it were possible to find out such an Invention as may add to the strength of a Great Gun the swiftness of a Horse I conceive there is no body of Horse or Foot could be able to resist a small party furnished therewith Such things may be found out as may be of great use in time of need But there are several sorts of great Guns these are the ordinary Names with their usual proportions The Canon is about 11 12 or 13 foot long of 9 10 11 12 13 or 14 Inches Diameter If the Shot weighs 110 pounds there is required of Corn Powder 76 Pounds for to charge the Gun and so proportionable of the bigger or lesser Cannon The Dragon of Double Culvering weighs 14000 pounds and shoots 357 paces level 4252 paces at random The whole Culvering weighs 8500 pounds is about 13 Foot and a quarter long shoots level 415 paces and at random about 3700 paces The Demi-Culvering weighs 4600 pounds is about 9 or 10 Foot long shoots level 235 paces The Saker Ordinary is about 9 Foot and a half long weighs 2650 pounds shoots
long placing them amongst the Horse commanded them to march as far as the Walls of the City In this order they accompanyed the Roman Horse when they encountred with the Enemy and did a great deal of Mischief to them chiefly to their Horses that were thereby soon disordered and obliged to leave the Victory to the Romans 30. P. Scipio in Lydia seeing the Army of Antiochus that had suffered much by the Rains that fell coutinually during a Night and a Day and that not only his Men fainted but also some of their Horses became unserviceable and their Bow-strings being wet were become useless He encouraged his Brother the next day to give them Battle though it was a Religious day which advice being followed he obtained the Victory 31. When Cato was plundering of Spain the Embassadours of the Hergeti who were confederates with the Romans came to him to beseech him to send them Help He being loath by denying assistance to alienate the minds of his Friends or by dividing his Army to weaken his Forces commanded a third part of his Army to provide themselves with Victuals and to get a Shipboard but gave them privately orders to return back again and pretend that the Wind was contrary The report of Succours that were a coming encouraged the Hergeti to defend themselves and disappointed the designs of their Enemies 32. C. Caesar knowing that Pompey had in his Army a great number of Roman Knights who by their skill in Arms would overcome his Soldiers commanded his men to aim with their Swords at their Faces and Eyes by this Policy he obliged them to turn away their Eyes and to give back 33. When the Vaccei were fighting against Sempronius Gracchus and sorely handled by his Army they enclosed themselves round with their Waggons full of their stoutest Men in Womens Apparel which made Sempronius more bold to assault them thinking them to be but Women but they charged his men so stoutly that they put them to flight 34. Eumenes Cardianus one of the Successors of Alexander being shut up in a Castle so close that he could not exercise his Horse caused their Legs to be tyed up every day at certain Hours that standing upon their Hinder Legs and their fore Feet lifted up on high their desire and endeavour to stand on their fore Feet made them yield a Sweat all about their joynts 35. M. Cato when the Country People promised him Guides to lead him and convey him if he would give them a considerable sum of Mony he freely offered it to them for he hoped when he should obtain the Victory to pay them with the Plunder of their Enemies or if it happened that they were killed he expected then to be free from his promise 36. Q. Maximus when Statilius a Noble Knight of excellent Abilities was resolved to run away to the Enemy sent for him and desired to be excused because through the envy of his fellow Soldiers he was not well acquainted with his rare Virtues He therefore gave him a Horse and Mony and sent him away who come to him afraid to be punish'd joyful of his Rewards and made him doubtless for the future a Faithful as well as a Stout Soldier 37 When King Philip understood that a certain good Warriour named Pythia hated him because having three Daughters to maintain he was Poor and could not well provide for them and the King gave him no assistance beside some warned him to take heed of him he answered What if I should have some part of my Body diseased would I not rather heal it than cut it off He sent therefore for this Pythia secretly enquired of his Estate and Condition and furnished him with Money By this means he obliged him to be both a better and more Faithful Friend and Servant than before 38. T. Runitius Crispinus after the unhappy encounter with Hannibal in which he lost his Partner Marcellus and understanding that the Conqueror had got the Seal of the slain Consul sent Letters all over Italy not to give credit to the Letters that were sealed with the Signet of Marcellus By this seasonable advice he prevented the cunning of Hannibal who endeavour'd in vain to get into his hands the Town of Salapia and other places of Italy 39. After the defeat of Cannae the Roman Courages were so abated that some Authentick Authors have left upon Record that a great many that remain'd alive put it in deliberation whether they should forsake Italy Then did P. Scipio a very young man offer Violence to him who propos'd such a thing in an Assembly and publickly declar'd that he would kill him with his own hand unless he did swear that he had a resolution never to forsake the Commonwealth when this man had first bound himself by an Oath he drew his Sword and threatned Death to a near Kinsman unless he did also take the same Oath He forced him for fear and all the rest were led by the same example to swear the same thing 40. When the Camp of the Volosci were near to a Wood and a place full of Briars and Thorns Camillus carryed all that would take fire as far as their Works and set them in a Flame and drove them from their Camp 41. P. Crassus in the War of the Confederates in the same manner was surprised and undone with almost all his Forces 42. When Q. Metellus was to remove his Camp in Spain and that the Soldiers who were to march kept themselves still in their Camp Hennocrates hath related that they were ordered to abide till the next day and by that short rest became more fit for the Fight than his People so that by this means Metellus made an end of the War 43. Miltiades when he had put to flight a vast number of Persians at the Battle of Marathon obliged the Athenians who were willing to continue there some time to rejoice at the Victory to depart and speedily relieve their City against which the Persian Fleet was sailing He prevented them and filled the Walls with Armed men When the Persians came they imagined the Athenians to be very numerous and that they had yet an Army at Marathon as well as at Athens therefore they suddenly turned about and sailed back into Asia 44. Pisistratus the Athenian when he had taken the Fleet of Megara brought by Night Eleusis to catch the Athenian Dames who used to do Honour to the Goddess Ceres and made a great slaughter of the Enemy took their Ships and filled them with Athenian Soldiers placing upon the Decks some of the Women in the Garb of Prisoners with which appearance they of Megara being deceived and imagining that their Men were returned with success came thronging out of the City to meet and welcome them Then did Pisistratus fall upon them unarmed and again made a great destruction of them 45. Cinion the Athenian General when he had overcome the Persian Fleet at the Isle of Cyprus caused his Men to