26.
Thus, was the contest long and vigorously carried on with doubtful success. When
they could no longer withstand the attacks of our men, the one division, as they
had begun to do, betook themselves to the mountain; the other repaired to their
baggage and wagons. For during the whole of this battle, although the fight
lasted from the seventh hour [i.e. 12 (noon) 1 P. M.] to eventide, no one could
see an enemy with his back turned. The fight was carried on also at the baggage
till late in the night, for they had set wagons in the way as a rampart, and
from the higher ground kept throwing weapons upon our men, as they came on, and
some from between the wagons and the wheels kept darting their lances and
javelins from beneath, and wounding our men. After the fight had lasted some
time, our men gained possession of their baggage and camp. There the daughter
and one of the sons of Orgetorix was taken. After the battle about
130,000 men [of the enemy] remained alive, who marched incessantly during the
whole of that night; and after a march discontinued for no part of the night,
arrived in the territories of the
Lingones
on the fourth day, while our men, having stopped for three days, both on
account of the wounds of the soldiers and the burial of the slain, had not been
able to follow them. Caesar sent letters and messengers
to the
Lingones
[with orders] that they should not assist them with corn or with any
thing else; for that if they should assist them, he would regard them in the
same light as the Helvetii. After the three days'
interval he began to follow them himself with all his forces.
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