CHAP. XV.
The Sicambri come to Ʋatuca, and offer to take the camp.
CIcero having all the dayes before observed Caesars direction with great diligence,* 1.1 and kept the soul∣diers within the camp, not suffe∣ring so much as a boy to go out of the trenches; the seventh day distrusting of Caesars return according to his promise, for that he understood he was gone further into the country, and heard nothing of his return; and withall being moved with the speeches of the souldiers, who termed their patient abi∣ding within their trenches, a siege, forasmuch as no man was suffered to go out of them, and expecting no such chance within the compasse of three miles: which was the furthest; he purposed to send them for corn: especially con∣sidering that nine legions were abroad, besides great forces of horse, the enemy being al∣ready dispersed and almost extinguished. Accordingly he sent five cohorts to gather corn in the next fields, which were separated from the garrison only with a little hill lying between the camp and the corn. There were many left in the camp of the other legions that were sick, of whom such as were recovered to the number of three hundred, were sent with them all under one ensign: besides a great company of souldiers boyes, and great store of cattel which they had in the camp. In the mean time came these German Rutters, and with the same gallop as they came thither, they sought to enter in at the Decumane gate; neither were they discovered, by reason of a wood which kept them out of sight, untill they were almost at the trenches; insomuch as such trades-men and merchants as kept their booths and shops under the rampier, had no time to be received into the camp. Our men were much troubled at the unexpectednesse of the thing; and the cohort that kept watch did hardly sustain the first assault. The enemy was quickly spread about the works, to see if they could find entrance in any other part. Our men did hardly keep the gates: the rest was defended by the fortification and the place it self. The whole camp was in a great fear, and one inquired of another the reason of the tumult: neither could they tell which way to carry their ensigns, or how any man should dispose of himself. One gave out that the camp was taken; and another that the army and General was overthrown, and that the Barbarous people came thither as conque∣rours: many took occasion from the place to imagine new and superstitious Religions, re∣calling to mind the fatall calamity of Cotta and Titurius that died in that place. Through this fear and confusion that had possest the whole camp, the Germans were confirmed in their opinion which they had received from the prisoner, that there was no garrison at all in the works. They endeavoured to break in, and incouraged one another not to suffer so great a fortune to escape them. Publius Sex∣tius Baculus, that had been Primipilus under Caesar (of whom mention hath been made in the former battels) was there left sick, and had taken no sustenance of five dayes before. He hearing the danger they were in, went un∣armed out of his cabbin, and seeing the enemy ready to force the gates, and the matter to be in great hazard; taking arms from one that stood next him, he went and stood in the port, The Centurions of the Cohort that kept watch followed him, and they for a while ingaged the enemy. Sextius having received many great wounds, fainted at length, and was hardly sa∣ved by those that stood next him. Upon this respite the rest did so far assure themselves, that they durst stand upon the works, and make a shew of defence.
OBSERVATIONS.
IN the former observation I disputed the interest which the whole army hath in one particular man, which out of Caesars opinion I concluded to be such as was not to be neglected: but if we suppose a party extraordinary, and tye him to such singular worth as was in Sextius, I then doubt by this example, whether I may not equall him to the multitude, or put him alone in the ballance to counterpoise the rest of his fellowes. For doubtlesse if his valour had not exceeded a∣ny height of courage, elsewhere then to be found within those wals the whole garrison had been utterly slaughtered, and the place had been made fatall to the Romans by two disastrous calami∣ties. In consideration whereof, I will refer my self to the judgement of the wise, how much it importeth a great Commander, not only in honour as a rewarder of vertue, but in wisedome and good discretion, to make much of so gal∣lant a spirit, and to give that respect unto him, as may both witnesse his valiant carriage, and the thankfull acceptation thereof on the behalf of the Commonweal, wherein we need not doubt of Caesars requitall to this Sextius, ha∣ving by divers honourable relations in these wars, touching his valiantnesse and prowesse in