19.
When by the judicious arrangement of our forces only a few of our men fought by
turns, and did not suffer themselves to be surrounded, the rest of the enemy
broke out from the woods while Correus was engaged. The battle was
maintained in different parts with great vigor, and continued for a long time
undecided, till at length a body of foot gradually advanced from the woods in
order of battle and forced our horse to give ground: the light infantry, which
were sent before the legions to the assistance of the cavalry, soon came up,
and, mixing with the horse, fought with great courage. The battle was for some
time doubtful, but, as usually happens, our men, who stood the enemy's first
charge, became superior from this very circumstance that, though suddenly
attacked from an ambuscade, they had sustained no loss. In the mean time the
legions were approaching, and several messengers arrived with notice to our men
and the enemy that the [Roman] general was near at
hand, with his forces in battle array. Upon this intelligence, our men,
confiding in the support of the cohorts, fought most resolutely, fearing, lest
if they should be slow in their operations they should let the legions
participate in the glory of the conquest. The enemy lose courage and attempt to
escape by different ways. In vain; for they were themselves entangled in that
labyrinth in which they thought to entrap the Romans.
Being defeated and put to the rout, and having lost the greater part of their
men, they fled in consternation whithersoever chance carried them; some sought
the woods, others the river, but were vigorously pursued by our men and put to
the sword. Yet, in the mean time, Correus, unconquered by calamity,
could not be prevailed on to quit the field and take refuge in the woods, or
accept our offers of quarter, but, fighting courageously and wounding several,
provoked our men, elated with victory, to discharge their weapons against him.
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