had foreseen them which he made to appear to good purpose in this great tempest which shattered all his ships and would have driven any but himself to desperation Thirdly though he were renowned for the Captain which best knew how to make use of his victories and which hath pursued them homest he would not do it here because he was in an unknown countrey and his camp not as yet well fortified Let us consider also that howsoever the scarcity of corn compelled him contrary to his custome to cause his army to make their winter-garrisons in severall places and not all together to the end that they might with more facility be furnished with victuall yet he did it with such judgement as that the places where they quartered were not so far distant but that they could easily relieve each other nor so near but they held divers States in obedience Neverthelesse the successe sheweth us evidently that it is not so good as to be quartered in an intire body because it is easier to assail a small troop then a great which gave encouragement to the Gauls to revolt and to assail the camp of Sabinus Cotta where the artificiall oration of Ambiorix perswading them that the revolt was so generall that at the same instant all the other camps were assaulted and could not relieve each other put them into such a confusion in matter of counsel that fear made them choose the worst which was to forsake their camp and retreat Whence we may learn That he never speedeth well that followeth the counsels of an enemy and That a retreat in view of the enemy is the most dangerous action that can be undertaken Cicero his resistance â—ithiâ— his camp which refused to follow his enemies counsel and resolved to defend himself within his trenches proved for his safetie and great glory and gave time to Cesar to relieve him wherein there be two things remarkable The first of Cesar who having understood that the Gauls came towards him to give him battel finding himself weak maketh choice of an advantageous place fortifieth it maketh his camp very small to the end he might the better defend it and make his enemies believe that he was exceeding weak whom after they had many times provoked him to fight they began to disregard which begot a neglect of all order amongst them so that they assaulted him ever after disorderly having thus lulled them asleep on a day he chargeth them so furiously that he defeateth them without resistance And Labâ—enus one of his Lieutenants by a like stratageme did the like to Induciomarus The second of the Gauls who not being able to force the camp of Cicero shut him up by a retrenchment which conteined ten miles in circuit made in three houres and by men which had nothing to dig with but their swords and nothing to carry earth with but their clothes which argueth they were a great multitude and sheweth what may be done by armies well regulated and well provided The eighth warre The VI. Book CEsar perceiving the affairs of the Gauls to incline to warre fortifieth himself by three Romane Legions and as many other souldiers as he could get which fell out very happily for him for after the death of Induciomarus the Trevois put their government into the hands of his kindred which made league with all that would revolt and particularly with Ambiorix whereof Cesar being advertised joyns foure legions together in winter surprises those of Tournay forceth them to yield deliver hostages And in the spring following causeth the Gauls to assemble at Paris Lutetia from whence on the same day that the assembly brake up he goeth and assaulteth those of Sens Senones Carnutes then those of Chartres who finding themselves surprised yield From thence he prepareth to set upon Ambiorix and those of Triers but first he laboureth to draw away from them their allies To which end he discardeth all his baggage which he commits to Labienus who was in the countrey of Triers with two legions to guard it and himself with five goeth to assail the Gauls For execution whereof he divided his army into three parts for that he well knew they were not able to dispute the champain with him and so burnt and pillaged their countrie that he constrained them to yield to deliver hostages and to forsake Ambiorix At the same time they of Triers assail Labienus who making a shew of fear and retreating as if he had fled draweth them in disorder into places of disadvantage where he defeateth them and taketh the very citie of Triers This expedition being finished Cesar maketh a bridge over the Rhine and passeth it they of Cullen adhere to him he fortifieth his camp and maketh provision of victuall attempteth to compell the Suevians to battel but seeing them retreat into vast and deep forrests he forbeareth to pursue them repasseth the Rhine cutteth off on the Germane side onely 120 foot of his bridge maketh a good tower on the end thereof at the other end on the side of Gallia he buildeth a fort leaving twelve cohorts to guard that and the said bridge In this place Cesar maketh a description of the manners and customes of the Gauls and the Germanes That done he goeth to continue the warre against Ambiorix and the better to surprise him he sendeth L. Minutius Basilius before with all the cavalrie forbidding him the making any fire in his camp to the end his approch might be undiscovered by which means he thought to have seised upon Ambiorix who saved himself miraculously by flying from one place to another Cesar the better to follow him conveys again his baggage into a castle of the Liegeois called Vatucca Eburones Wachtendonck for guard whereof he left Q. Tullius Cicero with one legion commanding him for seven dayes the time which his expedition would take up to look carefully to his guards and not to stirre out of his trenches Then divided he his army into three parts to harrasse all that countrey who meeteth with nothing in the form of an army to oppose him insomuch that his greatest care was to prevent that his souldiers covetous of booty straggled not too far abroad for fear of being cut off by the enemies which lay hidden in forrests and boggs The report reached presently to the other side of the Rhine that Cesar exposed the countrey of Gueldres to pillage Menapii which occasioned the Westfalians to participate of the booty Sicambri they presently get together two thousand horse passe the Rhine pillage without resistance are so well pleased with tast thereof that they resolve to set upon the Romane camp when by misfortune that day being the seventh from Cesars departing Cicero which had observed his command very exactly and having no news nor suspecting an enemie suffered himself by the importunity of his souldiers to give way to them to forrage and at the same instant was unexpectedly assaulted by the
Westfalians against whom he had much ado to defend himself untill that his souldiers returning from forrage part of them made their way through the enemies and regained the camp but the rest were cut in pieces Neverthelesse this relief bereft the enemies of all hope of forcing the camp and so they returned to their countrey with their bootie A while after arrived Cesar who rebuked Cicero for transgressing his command Then he resolveth afresh to expose the countrey of Gueldres to fire and sword and to pursue Ambiorix who had yet escaped after that he sendeth his army to garrison which he supplieth with corn and then goeth into Italy Observations IN this warre Cesar had no great resistance all fleeing before him having nothing to do but to pillage and burn the countrey notwithstanding there be very good observations to be made thereupon for though you learn not hence how to fight a battel or to expugne fortresses yet you may here learn how to deal with such as save themselves by flight and by retiring into inaccessible places wherein many Commanders have failed for the not observing of three principall things which Cesar did First to prevent the enemy by such extraordinary diligence as to surprise them before they be able to retire themselves or their victuall into the forrests so that by this means you may constrain the one to yield and the other to perish through famine The second to divide your army into as many parts as you can with safety that so assayling a countrey in severall places all at once the inhabitants thereof will be doubtfull to what part to retire unto And the last is to hinder the souldiers from disbanding when they go to pillage for fear they be cut off by the enemies By which oversight many great inconveniences have often befallen conquering armies which should teach us never to slacken the severity of military discipline though we believe our selves far from an enemie and in great security The example we have in this book of Q. Cicero is excellent in that kind who received a great losse and had like to have been utterly defeated by suffering himself to be perswaded by the importunity of his souldiers which contrary to Cesars command would needs go out of their trenches to forrage We 〈◊〉 further see the difference between old souldiers and new who for want of experience knew not how to choose what was for their safety and honour but retreated to a hill and there were cut in pieces but the other knowing there was no safetie but by recovering the camp made their way with their swords and saved both themselves and their camp Here we may observe how ingenious sear is to seek out subjects to augment it self for because this place was the same where Titurius and Cotta had been defeated the yeare before they took it for an ill omen Let us further observe that Cesar when he would make an expedition for seven or eight dayes wh re was diligence required discharged himself of his baggage which in truth is a marvellous impediment in a champain it is impossible to conduct an army well if according to occasions you do not strongly intrench your camp or march without baggage Let us also admire the good intelligence Cesar had by spies a thing of such utilitie as that a Prince or Generall ought to spare no cost for it being the most powerfull means to undertake brave designes and to avoid great ruines Neither must we forget his dexterity in dividing those which were entring into a combination against him and his assaulting them severally nor his customary d ligence in surprising them having atteined to the end of the most part of his great designes by these wayes We will conclude the observations of this book with the stratageme of Labienus who desirous to fight with those of Triers before the G rmanes were joyned to them resolved to make it publickly believed that he was afraid of them and that he would retreat knowing right well that there were Gauls in his own army which would discover it to them and in the mean time gave order secretly to retreat with a great noise making shew of much fear whereof they of Triers having intelligence without staying for the Germanes conceiving they ought not to let slip the occasion which offered it self unto them passed the river and came disorderly as to an assured victory but Labienus turneth upon them in good order and defeateth them Yet would I not counsel you at any time to attempt such a stratageme with new-levied souldiers which usually are fearfull when they see men running towards them and without order which on the contrary assureth those which are experienced The ninth warre The VII Book THe affairs of Gallia quieted Cesar goeth into Italy according to his custome where he heareth of the death of Piso and the garboils of Rome which gave new occasion to the Gauls of revolting Chartres began the Auvergnats followed and at length many others Vercingetorix an Auvergnat is chosen Generall for all Cesar hearing this cometh away in the depth of winter Gaballi passeth the mountains of Genaudan covered with snow and appeareth in Auvergne before it was known that he was come from Jtaly which caused many to hold for him and startled those which were revolted With the same diligence he passeth into Burgundy and Champaigne where he assembleth his army cometh to Berry and besiegeth it Bituriges and taketh Vellaudunum from whence he takes 600 hostages then forceth Gien or Orleans where was made a great slaughter Vercingetorix Genabis seeing the successe of his enemie and conceiving his army insufficient to deal with him in the field endeavoureth to conquer him by taking away all means of subsistence and to this purpose burneth more then twenty towns Avaricum preserving onely Bourges and that too against his advise Cesar besieged it where he suffered much and found himself in great difficulties and necessities at length having overcome them he taketh the town putteth to the sword fourty thousand men there refresheth his army During this siege he attempted to surprise Vercingetorix his camp but was repulsed yet was not discouraged at all with all this ill successe but continueth the warre with much resolution and prudence and Vercingetorix to hinder his enemie from passing the river of Alier Elaver breaketh down all the bridges neverthelesse Cesar making shew to passe in one place taketh advantage to do it in another then goeth and besiegeth Clairmont Gergobia Vercingetorix encampeth on the other side where were many assaults and brave combats neverthelesse Cesar is constrained to quit the siege whether for that he made doubt of taking the town or whether to prevent the revolt of the Autunois artificially procured by Litavicus who having procured himself to be chosen Commander of a relief sent to Cesar being but ten leagues from him pretended to have received news from the army that all the
camp be goeth with all his army in battaglia to fortifie a small one in a place of advantage two miles distant from the first and which favoured the way for his victuall making the third part of his army to work whilest the other two thirds stood in battaglia which repulsed the troups which Ariovistus sent to hinder the said fortification which being made he leaveth two legions there and leadeth away the rest into his old camp The next day Cesar putteth himself into battaglia between the two camps but being retired Ariovistus assaulteth the small one and is repulsed Cesar having thus reconfirmed the courages of his souldiers sallieth out with his whole armie in battaglia and goeth up to the very trenches of Ariovistus provoketh him to fight who sallieth out and is defeated The third warre The II. Book CEsars third warre was against the Belgae the third part of Gallia and at that time the most warlike The principall causes were that seeing the rest of the Gaules in peace with the Romanes they feared an assault besides they were solicited by certain Gauls discontented or ambitious the one of which took as little pleasure to see the Romanes as Germanes in their countrey and the other apprehensive that during their abode they should not be able to possesse themselves of any principalitie or dominion The number of their forces amounted to two hundred eighty and one thousand fighting men Cesar having understood these great preparations Bellouaci causeth those of Beauvais to be assailed by Divitiacus and those of Autun and being assured of those of Rhems which declared themselves for him he goeth encampeth upon the river Daisne near to Soissons relieveth Brenne Axona Suessones Bibrax and the enemy attempting to passe that river he opposeth and killeth a great number of them After that victuall growing short for so great an armie and they of Beauvais understanding that Divitiacus harried their countrey they resolved to return every man to his own home and be in a readinesse to relieve the first that should be assaulted But they retreated in such disorder that Cesar had leisure to overtake them who charging on the rear routed them where he made a great massacre Noviodunum and in pursuit of them he besiegeth and taketh Noyon All these submitted except they of Tournay Nervii esteemed the most valiant of al who having disposed of their old men women and children resolved to defend themselves Cesar goeth to them who assault him so furiously as he was going to his quarters that they had like to have defeated him so that he confessed that in this conflict his good fortune had equall share with his valour and industrie Neverthelesse he defeated them after which he findeth no more resistance the renown of whose victories made him dreadfull even as farre as Germanie and gained him all Normandy and Bretain which Publius Crassus one of his Lieutenants subjected to the Romanes with onely one Legion Observations VVE must here observe the judgement of Cesar who by his diligence assured himself of those of Rhems by his industrie and affabilitie held them faithfull and by his foresight prepared a diversion against those of Beauvois a bold and stout people which redounded much to his profit Further it is to be considered that an army of thirtie or fourtie thousand men trained and well disciplined is able with patience well intrenching and encamping it self to discomfit the most numerous armies which for want of victuall destroy themselves and if they fight provided that you avoid being surrounded on all parts their disorders and confusion will also break them The warres of the Romanes do prove this true who have never defeated their enemies but with lesser number nor were ever forced to sallie out of their retrenched camp to give battel against their wills and particularly this present wherein Cesar hath had more to do against one Province â—lone of the Belgae then against all the rest together having very particularly described the battel which he had against those of Tournay as one of the most dangerous which he ever had wherein there be diverse things worthy consideration The first That those of Tournay being advertised that Cesar caused every Legion to march with its baggage after it they resolved to lay an Embuscado and to fight with them truly judging that the baggage separating the Legions in an inclosed countrey they should not be able to relieve each other and that otherwise they might with all their forces set upon each Legion apart The second That they found themselves deceived in their presupposition because that though Cesar commanded his army to march so in a countrey of securitie for the commodiousnesse thereof neverthelesse when he was in a suspected countrey he caused six Legions to march together then all the baggage and in the rear of that two Legions newly levied And it was in this order and upon his encamping when they charged him The third is the confession of Cesar who freely acknowledgeth that his armie was assaulted so unexspectedly and couragiously and in a countrey so inclosed that it was neither his customary order which saved him for he had no leisure to embattel nor his exhortations nor his appearance in all parts for he was forced to fight in the place he then was in but he attributed the safetie thereof onely to the continued discipline of his souldiers which knew of themselves to range where they ought to that that he ever made all his officers exactly observe the performance of their duties whilest the intrenchment of the camp was a making so that in all parts were found some ready to command and others to obey which made good the resistance and hindred the affrightment The fourth That a rash resolution is oftentimes to be feared and to avoid it must never be omitted whatsoever dependeth on military discipline And the fifth That the treason which those of Bolduc whom he had besieged in the best of their fortresses would have committed against him after they had yielded themselves Aduatici should teach us that we should alwaies distrust an enemy and keep our selves so much the more upon our guards the nearer we are to overcome The fourth warre The III. Book THe first exploit of arms was against Servius Galba one of Cesars Lieutenants who having sent him with a Legion and some horse into the countreyes of Aelen Antuates Veragri Seduni Allobroges Lacus Lemanus Valias and Sion which extendeth from Savoy to the lake of Geneva to assure the traffick of merchants after some successefull combats made peace with that people received their hostages and having left two companies in the countrey of Aelen he goeth with the rest of the Legion to quarter at the town of Martanach situated in a valley Octodurus and divided into two by a little river called the Branse on the one side whereof he intrencheth his camp and on the other he quartereth the Gauls
in all places and that without omitting one onely point of militarie discipline For though our enemies sometime do actions which have shew of fear the better to circumvent us yet must we not therefore disesteem them no profession being like to that of a souldier wherein one fault can never be repaired and wherein one houre causeth the losse of that reputation which hath been thirtie yeares acquiring To conclude this discourse I will onely adde this That the crueltie which Cesar used towards those of Vannes ought not to blemish his clemencie manifested in the whole course of his life but we must rather believe that he forced his disposition in this severe action to chastise the violatours of the law of nations in that they imprisoned those which under promise of safetie went to negotiate with them and also to give a terrour to all that people so subject to revolt by letting them tast the sweetnesse of a mild government while they kept within the lists of obedience and by using them rigourously when they departed from it The fifth warre The IV. Book THe Germanes of Francfort and Hessen Usipetes Tenchtheri to the number of foure hundred thousand souls finding themselves persecuted by the Suevians the most puissant and hardy people of Germanie abandon their native homes and after wandring through divers countreys they approch the Rhine about the Provinces of Gueldres and Gulick out of which they drive the inhabitants and possesse themselves of their territories on both sides of the river Cesar which knew the humour of the French to be turbulent and ready to shake off the yoke of servitude resolved not to suffer the Germanes to settle themselves on this side the Rhine And though he well perceived that they had begun a treatie with them he dissembled it and anticipating the time which formerly he used for his going into the field hastneth directly to fight with the foresaid Germanes Which being astonished at this diligence send Embassadours to him to treat of peace He giveth them fair audience and courteous answer but holdeth on his march still towards them at last they come to accord conditioning with Cesar to remain where he was three dayes he granteth them one whereupon his cavalrie to the number of five thousand advancing to forrage encountreth with eight hundred Germane horse which charge them bravely rout them and chace them even to the Romane camp but the next day sending all their principall commanders to Cesar to excuse this action and to make appear unto him that it was by mere accident He reteineth them prisoners marcheth with his army towards the Germanes surpriseth them and cutteth them all in pieces Which done he makes a bridge over the Rhine goeth into Germanie relieveth the citie of Cullen Ubii or Colonia Agrippina granteth peace to such as would deliver hostages burneth and wasteth the rest and at the end of eighteen dayes breaketh down his bridge and returneth into France Observations VVE must here observe Cesars wise conduct who by his ready and unexpected march dissolved the practices which were in agitation between the Germanes and Gauls by his dissimulation towards the Gauls pretending not to know their plottings and testifying his confidence of them held them in fair quarter and hindred them from precipitating themselves into a league with the Germanes by his industrie delayed them by treaties whilest he still marched towards them and when occasion served took his advantage to take them in disorder and destitute of commanders making them believe they had first broke the treatie Next we must consider that upon the fame of this great defeat he caused the Romane Eagles to flie on the other side of the Rhine to strike a terrour into the Germanes and be a means to retein them for the future from further attempting Besides he would not passe over the Rhine by boats as a thing too full of hazard but he made a bridge which he caused to be fortified and guarded on both sides of the river neither stayed be longer in that countrey then was necessary for the reputation of his armie and at his return brake down his bridge taking away by that course the means from the Germanes of making use thereof I adde further that the defeat of five thousand Romane horse by eight hundred of the Germane cavalrie and the day after the defeat of foure hundred thousand Germanes by thirtie or fourtie thousand Romanes sheweth plainly that it is not the naturall valour of one nation above another nor the greater number above the smaller which giveth the conquest but the exact observation of militarie discipline and the continuall exercise of arms which instructeth men not onely to fight well but also to take advantages and to know when to fight and when not The sixth warre CEsars sixth warre was against the Britains because the inhabitants of that Island did oftentimes assist the French against him To this end he enquireth of merchants which trafficked there what nations did inhabit it what their manner of warring under what laws they lived and which were their best havens Then he dispatched C. Volusenus to discover the coast Then sent for his shipping which he had used in his war against those of Vannes and prepared all things necessary for his designe The noise of this preparation gave occasion to many cities of Britain to send Embassadours to him to promise obedience and to offer him hostages which he returned with fair language and with them Comius whom he had made king of Arras under which pretext he might the better discover the countrey Neverthelesse Atrebates Comius not daring to trust himself amongst the Britains stayed onely five dayes upon their coasts and then returned to give an account of what he had discovered Mean time Cesar makes peace with those of Terovenne Morini that so he might leave no warre behind him taketh two Legions and part of his cavalrie sendeth the rest of his army into the countrey of Gueldres Menapii under the command of Q. Titurius Sabinus and Arunculeius Cotta giveth the guard of the Port from whence he imbarqued unto P. Sulpitius Rufus and putteth to sea He arriveth safely upon the coast of Britain with his Infanterie onely which he findeth all in arms he attempteth to land there where finding too much difficultie he goeth and doth it eight miles further and yet not without danger Neverthelesse he so affrighted the Britains that they sent to him to desire peace But a tempest arising which battered many of his ships and drove a-ground all those which carried his horse gave them new courage and in stead of giving him hostages they armed all the countrey against him ill intreating one of his Legions which went to forrage which he relieveth and bringeth safely off In these extremities Cesar taketh care for the repairing of his navie for provision of victuall and for the securing of his camp and being again assailed by the inhabitants of the
in his way as it was almost impossible for him to unite his legions In so great difficulties he findeth no other means but to surmount them by incomparable labour wherewith he maketh way over the mountains covered six foot thick with snow and affrighteth his enemies more appearing in the middest of them when they believed him still in Italy and out of possibility to get to them then by his great forces He also added to this astonishment by industry causing his cavalry to shew it self in severall places at one and the same time to cause a belief that he was very powerfull Let us further consider that Cesar seeing the fashion of the warre changed and that the enemy avoided battel applyeth himself to sieges wherein he sheweth himself no lesse a master then in his other actions of warre For all that which the most excellent modern Generalls put in practice is drawn from his actions and whatsoever we admire of Ostend Breda The Busse â— Bolduc and many other sieges of the late Prince Maurice who hath surpassed all others in that matter is infinitely inferiour to the two circumvallations of Alexia where the industry the labour and the short time in which they were finished farre exceedeth all that hath been done elsewhere I am not ignorant that the invention of powder and of artillery hath changed the manner of fortifications of assaults and of the defense of towns but not in such sort but that the principall foundations whereupon they are established are particularly taken from Cesar who in that hath far surpassed all the Romane Generalls He is also admirable in his inventions and stratagemes in the undauntednesse of his enterprises who when he intended an assault upon the trenches which were about Clermont he put a jealousie into them by a body which he made of the horse-boyes and baggages of the camp which he caused to march in their sight towards that part which he meant not to assault but not at so near a distance that they might discover what kind of people they were and having laid a legion in embuscado in the night-time and caused some selected souldiers to convey themselves into the little camp which was nearer to the town he assaulteth them so at unawares that he made himself master of all their trenches When he would have passed the river of Alliers which Vercingetorix attempted to oppose he caused some legions to lie in ambush near to a bridge which had been broken and with the rest of the army which he made shew as if it had been intire he passeth along the river as if he had sought some other passage by which means he so deluded the enemies as that he caused the bridge to be repaired before it could be taken notice of and so passed over without any hindrance When Vercingetorix in the time of the siege of Burges was gone out with his cavalry he departed by night and went and assaulted his infantery within the camp and wanted little of defeating it When at the siege of Clermont he understood of the revolt of ten thousand Autunois which came to his relief he taketh foure legions marcheth day and night to overtake them which he doth and took them all and returneth time enough to defend his camp which was assailed by Vercingetorix Whereby we may observe by the way the benefit of having a camp alwayes well fortified to the end we may be ever in a readinesse to attempt upon the enemy as occasions shall offer themselves I cannot forget his great modesty Comius whom he had favoured raised to wealth honour and on whom he much trusted he rather excuseth then blameth for revolting alledging that he was forced to comply with the generall resolution for recovering the liberty and glory of all Gallia Let us speak a word or two of Labienus one of his Lieutenants who finding himself in a strait with foure of Cesars legions in this generall revolt encircled on all parts with enemies and being to passe the river Seine upon boats to joyn himself to Cesar opposed by strong forces which encreased every houre in this extremity be imployeth both his courage and industry divideth his troups into three parts maketh great appearance of passing over in two places where indeed he intended it not by which means having separated their forces into divers troups not knowing where to attend to oppose him he passeth over by night with three legions or lesse with which he fought with the first troups that came against him and defeated them insomuch that having passed the rest of his troups at their ease joyned them without further inconvenience to Cesar Whereupon I will make this observation namely That he which is not very carefull and diligent in the guarding of a passage of a river or mountain is for the most part circumvented because he which hath the possession thereof sleepeth securely upon the advantage he hath and he which would have it searcheth out all possible means and at last findeth them to remove all obstacles The tenth warre The VIII Book THe Gauls desirous to make one attempt more to shake off their yoke of servitude divers towns conspired together to revolt whereof Cesar being advertised surpriseth them so unexpectedly as that he continued those in their fidelity which were not as yet revolted and reduced the rest Eighteen daies after his return to his winter-garrisons they of Bourges gave him knowledge that they were assaulted by those of Castres he goeth to relieve them notwithstanding the unseasonable weather bringeth them to submission After that those of Rhems desired his assistance against the people of Beauvois the most powerfull and valiant of Gallia led by Corbeius and Comius two brave Commanders he marcheth thither taketh care to get intelligence from them encampeth himself before them where his souldiers receive an affront going to forrage but after that Corbeius had charged his camp and better fortified his quarters he understood that he had laid an embuscado for his souldiers which went to forrage whither he goeth so strong that he defeateth and killeth him This victorie obliged those of Beauvois to yield themselves But Comius fled not daring to trust himself amongst the Romanes because that a little before Labienus would have caused him to have been made away by Vollusenus contrary to publick faith This warre thus ended Cesar goeth and wasteth Ambiorix his countrey to procure him hatred amongst his own people under the command of Fabius one of his Lieutenants he relieveth Limoges which was assaulted by Dumnacus Lemovicum whom he pursueth and as he hasted to gain the river Loyre to put himself into safetie he defeateth him Then subjugated those of Chartres and Bretagne with great promptitude and alacritie Under the command of Caninius he besiegeth Drapes and Luterius in the citie of Cadenac Uxellodunum who sallying out to provide corn for the town Luterius going about to convey it in is defeated and at length
alone are unprofitable If you make more quarters then there be generall officers the ancientest Captain commandeth in the quarter and therein taketh the most ancient quarter-master of his quarter Insomuch that the Generall of the horse giving his orders to the Commissary generall he to the Quarter-master generall and he to the other Quarter-masters which come for them from the other quarters where the same order is observed the commands are carried without confusion and passe through the hands of few persons and when there is any deficiency found it is easie to be verified whence it arose The infantery is the more solid body of an army that of the artillery and victuall alwayes are quartered with it There is not that diversitie between the companies which is between the horse they are all of the same fashion composed of half-pikes half-musketiers Many companies make a regiment which hath its commander and many regiments make a body which we call a Brigado of the army The army is usually divided into three bodies Vanguard Battel and Rearguard Every brigado hath its commander and besides it ought to have a Sergeant Major of a brigado and a Quarter-master of a brigado The first to go and take the orders from the Marshall of the field generall to carry them to the commander of his brigado then he giveth the word to the Sergeant Majors of the regiments and the other to give to every Quarter-master of a regiment either his quarter or the space of ground which is necessary for him to encamp in and he divideth it to the particular Quarter-masters or to the harbengers of every company which afterwards lodgeth them If there be a Colonel generall of all the infantery he may have a care in generall of all the government thereof but in an army he must onely command a brigado otherwise we should not be able to establish the order which we have propounded Moreover there be divers nations which do not judge a Colonell generall of the infantery to be necessary but content themselves with particular Colonels for every regiment which acknowledge onely the commands of the Generall or of his Marshall of the field generall The artillery ought to have a Generall a Lieutenant generall a Quarter-master then other officers And for that all pioners miners enginiers conductours of works smiths carpenters wheelwrights and other workmen depend on him I would establish a commander for every sort of these men which I would take either out of the commissaries of the artillery or other persons apart to addresse my self to them when I had need of such men The Quarter-master must every night go to receive the orders of the Marshall of the field generall The charge of the victuals ought to be performed by a Generall he ought to have his Lieutenant his Quarter-master and his other officers his Quarter-master must every evening go and take the orders of the Marshall of the field generall So then you see how the commands are distributed the Marshall of the field generall receiveth them from the Generall then goeth to his own lodging there the Commissary of horse cometh and receiveth them for the cavalry the Sergeant Major generall for the infantery who delivereth it to the Sergeant Majors of brigadoes for the artillery to the Quarter-master thereof and so to him for the victuals Briefly the Marshall of the field generall speaking with these foure persons giveth the orders to all the army All orders and commands ought to be given in writing The Marshall of the field generall the Generall of the artillery the Fiscall the Controller of the Exchequer the Generall of victuall the Quarter-master generall the Sergeant major generall and the Provost generall must alwayes be lodged within the Generalls quarter If all the army be encamped in bodies the Quarter-master generall giveth to each of these bodies the space of ground which is fitting which is afterwards distributed in every body by the officers thereunto appointed On a day of battel the Marshall of the field generall doth assigne the place for every body afterwards the Sergeant major generall rangeth the infantery into battalia The Marshall of the field generall ought to have three or foure assistants for the field to carry the extraordinary orders but they must not pretend to command any officer in chief unlesse they formerly have been either Colonels or Captains of horse The Sergeant major generall must command the Colonels but that they may the readilier obey him he ought to be taken out of the Colonels and none ought ever to have that place unlesse he hath been one as also the Sergeant majors of brigadoes ought to be taken out of the Sergeant majors of regiments Things being thus regulated and established you shall see a great facilitie in the commands and none shall be able to excuse his fault by putting it off upon another because presently it will be verified whence it proceeded which obligeth every man to be carefull to do that exactly which he shal be coÌ„manded CHAP. XVIII Of the assailing of States according to their forces and situations AFter that you have formed an army you must imploy it either for the conquest of a new countreâ— or for the defense of your own We will begin with the first The Prince which putteth himself upon the offensive must be the stronger or must see some garboils in the State which he assaileth and that he be called thither by a partie otherwise it would be a rash enterprise If the countrey which he assaileth be large and open he must seek in the beginning to hazard a battel or some grand skirmish that so by the reputation of his arms he may affright the enemies If it be a countrey enclosed with mountains or divided by rivers and ditches or sheltered with forrests or full of fortresses it is hard to force an enemy to battel and in this case you must go to sieges and make your conquest by little and little Now he that will make any progresse by this way must at least have two bodies of armies that so with the one he may hold his enemy in play and with the other he may actuate without impeachment For it is most difficult to accomplish the designe of a siege so long as you have a good army encamped near you which shall cut off your victuall If it be a countrey which is hard to enter and that hath but few passages whereby to enter into it you must force one and before you go further you must there fortifie and so well assure your way for your victuall as you may not suffer though the enemy should have burned or carried away that of his countrey into his fortresses If you be called by a faction that is a very great advantage for you because you are instructed of the situation of the countrey and of the defects which are to be found in the â—â—â—tified places and want not spies nor punctuall advertisements of whatsoever passeth amongst the