The works of the famous Nicholas Machiavel, citizen and secretary of Florence written originally in Italian, and from thence newly and faithfully translated into English.

THE FIFTH BOOK. (Book 5)

CHAP. I.

How the Romans marched in an Enemies Country, and in what manner they are to be imitated.

Fabr.

I Have shown you how an Army is drawn up and marshalled in order to a Battel; I have told you how an Enemy is overcome, and several circumstances which occur therein. So that it is time now to inform you how an Army is to be ordered, which has not an Enemy in view, but is in continual probability of an assault: This may happen when an Army marches in an Enemies Country, or at least a Country that is suspected. And first you must understand the Roman Armies had always some Troops of Horse which were scouting abroad in order to the discovery of the Roads. After which followed the right Wing, and after them the Carriages which belonged to that Squadron: Then followed a Legion, and after them their Carriages. Then another Legion and their Carriages; and after them the left Wing, and the remainder of the Ca∣valry after them. This in short was the manner in which the Romans marched most commonly; and if it hapned in their march that their Army was assaulted either in the front or the rear, they caused all their Carriages to withdraw to the right wing or the left, as they found it convenient, and most agreeable with the nature of the place; and then when they were cleared of their Baggage, and disincumber'd, all of them unanimously make head against the Enemy. If they were assaulted in the flank, they drew their Car∣riages on that side where they were like to be most safe, and then addressed themselves a∣gainst the Enemy.

This way being good and well govern'd, ought in my judgment to be imitated, by sending your light Horse to scout about the Country, and having four Battalions of Foot, they are to follow one the other successively, each of them with its Carriages in the rear: And because Carriages are of two sorts, one belonging to particular persons, and others for the common use of the Camp, I would divide the publick Carriages into four parts, and assign one to every Battalion; I would likewise divide the Artillery, and the followers of the Camp into four parts, that each Battalion should have equal share in their impedi∣ments and Carriages. Bnt because it happens many times that you march thorow a Country not only suspected, but so openly your Enemy, that you expect every hour to be assaulted; it will be necessary, that to secure your self, you change the form of your march, and put your self into such a posture, as that neither the Paisants, nor the Enemies Army may be able to offend you, though they come upon you never so suddenly. In these cases your Generals of old, were wont to march in a square order, which they called a square; not that it was exactly of that figure, but because it was ordered so, as it was able to fight in four places at once, and by that means they were always ready either to march or to fight. I shall follow this model for ordering my two Battalions which I have chosen to that purpose in stead of a compleat Army.

CHAP. II

How an Army is to be Marshalled to march in an Enemies Country.

Fabr.

TO march (therefore) securely in an Enemies Country, and to be able to make good every part when surprized, and assaulted by the Enemy, I am to reduce my Army into a square according to the model of the ancients; I would have a square whose area, or vacuity within, should consist of 212 yards, in this manner; I would first place my flanks distant one from the other 212 yards; I would have five Battalia's in each flank marching length ways in files, and at three yards distance the one Battalia from the other; so that each Company taking up forty yards, all of them together (with the spaces betwixt them) shall take up 212 yards. Between the front and the rear of these two flanks, I would dispose the other ten Companies, in each of them five; ordering them so, that four of them should be placed in the front of the right flank, and four in the rear of the left flank, leaving a space of four yards betwixt each Company, and of the two Companies that are left, I would have one placed at the head of the left flank, and the other in the rear of the right. And because the space betwixt one flank and the other consists of 212 yards, and these Battalia's drawn sideways in breadth rather than length, will take up (intervals and all) 134 yards, there will remain a space of 78 yards betwixt the four Companies in the front of the right flank, and the same space will be possessed by the four Companies in the rear; nor will there be any difference but that one space will be behind towards the right wing, and the other before towards the left. In the space of 78 yards before, I would put my ordinary Velites in the space behind, my Velites extraordinary, which would not amount to a thousand for each space. But to contrive it so, that the great space within should consist of 212 yards square, it would be convenient that the five Companies which are placed in the front, and the five Companies in the rear should take up none of that space which belongs to the flanks; wherefore it is necessary that the five Companies behind should with their front touch the rear of the flanks, and those five Companies in the Van, with their rear should touch the front of the flanks; so that there should remain on each side of the Army, a distance sufficient to receive another Company. And because there are four spaces, I would take four Ensigns of the Pikes extraordinary, and place one in each of them, and the two Ensigns which would remain, I would place in the midst of the space of my whole Army in a square Battalion; at the head of which, the General of the Army should stand with his Officers about him: But because these Battalia's thus ordered, do march all of them one way at once, but do not so when they fight; when they are drawn up, those sides are to be put into a fighting posture, which are not guarded by other Battalia's: And therefore it is to be considered that the five Battalions in the front are de∣fended on all sides, but just in the front; so that they are to be drawn up in great order with the Pikes before them. The five Companies behind are guarded on all sides but be∣hind, so as they are likewise to be ordered with Pikes in their rear, as we shall show in its place.

The five Companies in the right flank are guarded on every side but only on the right flank. The five in the left flank are the same, only on the left flank they are open; and therefore in the managing your Army, you must observe to place your Pikes so as they may turn about to that flank which is naked and exposed; and your Corporals are to be in the front, and in the rear, that (being to fight) the whole Army, and every Member of it may be in their proper places, and the manner of doing it, we have declared before, when we discoursed of putting the Companies in order; I would divide my Artillery, and place part of it without my right flank; and the other without my left. My light Horse I would send before to scour the Country; my men at Arms I would dispose part behind my right wing, and part behind my left, at about forty yards distance, from the Battalia's. And this general rule you are to observe by all means in the drawing up your Army, that your Horse are to be placed either in the rear, or upon the flanks, for to place them before, at the head of the Army, would occasion one of these two things, either they must be placed at such distance, that upon a repulse they may have space and time enough to wheel of without falling foul upon the foot; or else draw up the foot with such intervals, that the Horse may pass thorow without putting them into disorder: Certainly no body ought to look upon this as a thing of small importance; for many have been ruined and routed by their own men, for want of timely consideration.

But to return to our business, the Carriages, and the people unarmed are placed in the void place of the Army, and so disposed, that there is passage left for any to pass from one part of the Army to another. These Companies (without the Horse and Artillery) do take up a space of 282 yards: And because this square consists of two Battalions, it is conve∣nient to let you know what part of them makes one Battalion, and what the other. Now because Battalions are denominated from the number, and each of them (as you know) consists of ten Battalia's (or Companies) and a Colonel, I would have the first Battalion place five of first Companies in the front, the other five in the left flank, and the Colonel in the left angle of the front. The second Battalion should place its five first Battalia's up∣on the right flank, and the other five in the rear, with the Colonel in the right corner to secure the rear, and perform the office of him whom the Romans called by the name of Tergiductor.

CHAP. III.

How to put an Army presently into order, and draw it up, so as if upon a march it should be attack'd, it may defend it self on all sides.

Fabr.

HAving put your Army into this posture, you are to cause it to march, and in its march observe the same order, for without doubt it is safe enough against the tumults and incursions of the Peasants, against which, it is sufficient if the Colonel com∣mands out parties of Horse, or certain Companies of his Velites to repel them. Nor is there any danger that those kind of people will ever come to handy strokes with you; for men without order, are always fearful of men in order, and 'its the practice of such peo∣ple to alarm you with great shouts and crys, but never to come near; like little Curs that bark at a Mastiff, but keep far enough off. When Hanibal invaded Italy with so much detriment to the Romans, he passed thorow France; was frequently infested by the Bores, but he valued them not. But it is not sufficient to have your Army in this order, but if you intend to march, you must have Pioneers. and such kind of people to plain the ways, make your intrenchments, &c. and these Pioneers are to be secured by the Horse which you send up and down the Country. In this order an Army may march ten miles a day, and be time enough at their journeys end to Sup, and take up their Quarters by day-light; for many times an Army will march in one day twenty miles. But if it happens to be attacked by a formed Army, it cannot be so sudden, but you will have time to put your self into a posture of defence, because an orderly Army marches slowly, and you will have leisure to draw your self up in Battalia, and put your Army either into the same figures I have prescribed, or into such another. If you be assaulted in the Van, you have no more to do but to bring your Artillery thither out of the flanks, and bringing your Horse out of the rear into the Van, to put them into the same place and distance as I have directed. The 1000 Velites which are before, may advance, divide themselves into two parties of five hundred a piece, and enter into their own place betwixt the Horse and the wings of the Army; and then into their place are to succeed the two Companies of Pikes extraordinary which I placed before in the great vacuity of the Army. The 1000 Velites in the rear are to remove from their post, and dividing themselves, repair to the two flanks and fortifie them, and by the space and chasm which they leave at their departure, the Carriages may march out, and all those who are unarmed, and put themselves behind in the rear: The space in the middle being now void, and every man in his place, the five Battalia's which I ordered behind the Army may advance by the void space betwixt the two flanks, and march towards those in the Van. Three of them may march up within 40 yards (with equal intervals betwixt the one and the other) and the other two may remain behind at the same distance of forty yards. This is a form that may be ordered on a sudden, and has some resemblance with the first model of an Army which we recommended before; for thought it be streighter in the front, it is firmer in the flanks, and by consequence stron∣ger. But because the five Battalia's in the rear have Pikes with them for the reasons above∣said, it is necessary to cause them to advance to fortifie the front of the Army, and there∣fore either you must cause your Companies to turn Company by Company as they were solid bodies; or else pass them into the front thorow the files of the Bucklers, which way is a better way, and less disorderly, than to cause them to wheel in whole Companies like a solid body: and the same thing is to be done with those in the rear upon any assault, as I have shown before. If the Enemy presents himself in the rear; you have no more to do

but to face about with your whole Army, and immediately the figure is altered, the rear becomes the front, and the front the rear; after which you are to observe all the ways of fortifying your front, as I have directed before. If the Enemy appears upon your flank, your Army is to face about to that side, and do the same things to strengthen your front: so that your Horse, your Velites, your Artillery may be in such places as are convenient for the making up that front; and if there be any difference in this variation of fronts, it is only this, that some of those who are to remove, have farther to advance than others. Nevertheless, in making a front of your right flank, your Velites are to enter into the in∣tervals betwixt the wings of the Army▪ and the horse should approach to the left flank, into whose place the two Companies of Pikes extraordinary (which were placed in the middle) should succeed: but the carriages should remove, and the unarm'd people, (by the great space and overture that is made) and retire behind the left flank, which is now be∣come the rear of the whole Army: and the other Velites who were placed in the rear at first are not to budge in this case, because that place should not remain open, being of the rear become the flanks: all other things are to be done as in my first directions for the ma∣king of a front.

What is said before of making a front of the right flank, will serve for making a front of the left flank, for the same order is to be used: if the Enemy comes upon you so strong that he is able to attack you on both sides, you must fortify the places where you suspect he will charge, by doubling your ranks from the place where he does not appear to fall on; by divi∣ding your Artillery, your Velites, and your Horse, & distributing them equally in both places. If he assaults you in three or four sides at once, you or he must be very imprudent; for had you been wise, you would never have put your self into a place where an enemy could have come at you on so many sides, especially with a form'd and well ordered Army. For to ruine you securely, it is necessary the Enemy be strong enough to attack you on all sides and with as many men in every place almost, as in your whole Army: and if you be so in∣discreet to march into his Country, or put your self into the power of an enemy whose men are three times as many, and as well experienced as yours, if you miscarry, you can blame no body but your self: but if misfortune happens not by your fault, but by accident of war, no body will condemn you, and it will fair with you as it did with Scipio in Spain, and Asdrubal in Italy. But if the Enemy be not much stronger than you, and yet ventures to assault you in several places, the rashness will be on his side, and the success in all proba∣bility on yours; for of necessity he must so weaken himself, that you may receive him in one place, and charge him briskly in another, and then you will easily ruine him. This way of ordering an Army against an enemy that is not in sight, but is hourly expected, is very necessary: and it is very useful to accustom your Souldiers to close, and change, and march in this order, and in their march to shew them how to fight according to my first front, and then falling into their march again, upon a new alarm in the rear, to turn that into a front; and then each of the flanks, and so in their first posture again: and these ex∣ercises are very necessary, if you would have your Army ready and well disciplin'd For which cause I would recommend it to all Princes and great Captains to restore these pra∣ctices of the ancients; for what is military discipline, but to know how to command and execute these things well? what is a well disciplin'd Army, but an Army train'd up well in these kind of exercises? and he who in our times would but frame his discipline to this, I am confident could never be worsted. But to continue our discourse; if this square figure be difficult, it is not to be laid aside for that, for that difficulty is necessary: nevertheless exercise will make it easy; for having learn'd how to draw your self up, and preserve your figure, you will easily understand afterwards how to maintain other figures in which there is not so much difficulty.

Zanobi.

I am of your mind, that those orders are necessary, and cannot tell (as to my self) what can be added or substracted. Yet I would willingly be satisfied in two things. One is when you would make a front of your rear, or one of your flanks, and would have your men face about, how you do signify your commands, whether by word of mouth, or sound of trumpet? The other is, whether those you send before to plain the ways, and make them passable for your Army, are to be Souldiers drawn out of your Battalia's, or other Country people designed on purpose for that work.

CHAP. IV.

Of Commands derived by word of mouth, by Drums, and Trumpets, and of the nature of Pioneers.

Fabr.

YOur first demand is of very great importance, for many Armies have been ruined when the Captain's orders have been mistaken, or not heard: for which reason the words of Command in such great dangers ought to be clear and intelligible: and if you would signify your commands by the sound of your Trumpets or Drums, great care is to be taken, that the sounds be so different and distinguishable one from the other, that they cannot be mistaken. If your commands are by word of mouth you must use parti∣cular, and be sure to avoid general terms, and in your particular words you must be cau∣tious to use none that may be liable to an ill interpretation. Many times the crying back, back, has been the loss of an Army: wherefore that word is to be avoided, and instead of it you are to say retreat. If you would change your front, and make it either in the flank or the rear, you must not say turn, but face about to the right or the left, to the front or the rear: and in like manner all the words of command are to be plain and intelligible, as march on, stand firm, advance, retreat: and what ever may be done by word of mouth clearly and distinctly, is to be signified that way: what cannot be done that way, is to be done by the Trumpet and Drum. As to the Pioneers, which is your second demand, I would have that office performed by my own Souldiers, as well because it was the practice of ancient times, as because thereby I should have fewer idle persons in my Army, and by consequence fewer impediments. I would command out of every Battalia what number I thought necessary; I would furnish them with Pickaxes, and Spades, and cause them to leave their arms with their next ranks, who should carry them for them; so that when the enemy appeared, they should have no more to do but to fall back to their ranks, and take them again.

Zanobi.

But who should carry their Pickaxes and Spades?

Fabr.

There should be Waggons on purpose.

Zanobi.

I fear you would never prevail with your Souldiers to work.

Fabr.

We will talk of that in its proper place: at present I shall lay it aside, and discourse of the way how they are to be supplyed with provisions; for having tired them thus long, 'tis but reasonable to refresh them with victuals.

CHAP. V.

Of the Provisions that are necessary for an Army.

Fabr,

YOU must know, a Prince is to keep his Army as free, and as fit for expedition as possible, and to rid it of all encumbrances that may make his enterprizes difficult. The first difficulty to be removed, is want of provisions, and therefore he is to take parti∣cular care that they be furnished with bread and wine. The ancients did not think of pro∣viding of wine, for when they wanted wine, they made use of water with a little vinegar to give it a taste, so that among the provisions for the Army, vinegar was provided, but not wine. Their bread was not baked ready to their hands, as in the Towns, but every Souldier had his proportion of meal, which he ordered as he pleased, with a certain quan∣tity of Bacon, and Seam, which gave their bread a gust, and rendred them strong. So that the provision for the Souldiers was meal, vinegar, bacon, and suet or seam, and barley for the horses. They had commonly heards of Cattel great and small which followed the Armies, which being driven, and not carried, were no great encumbrance. By reason of this order, of old, an Army marched many days journey thorow difficult and solitary places without want of provisions, because they lived upon such things as might easily be carried with them. But in our Armies now a-days we find it quite contrary; for the Souldiers cannot subsist without wine and bisket, as when they are at home, of which, provision cannot be made for any considerable time, insomuch as they are many times famished; or if provision be made, it is with much trouble, and vast expence. I would endeavour therefore that my Army might not be supplyed at that rate; nor would I have them have any bread but what they make themselves. As to wine, I would not hinder their drinking it, nor pro∣hibit

that any should come into the Army; but I would take no pains, nor use no industry to supply them: and for other provisions, I would follow exactly the model of the anci∣ents: which way, if rightly considered, will shew what difficulties are removed, what wants and distresses are prevented to an Army and General,, and what convenience is ad∣ded to any enterprize that shall be undertaken.

Zanob.

Since we have routed the enemy, and marched afterwards into his Country, 'tis but reasonable to believe that we have made our depredations, tax'd his Towns, taken several Prisoners: I would know therefore how the ancients proceeded in these cases.

CHAP. VI.

How the ancients divided the spoil, and of the pay which they gave to their Souldiers.

Fabr.

I Will satisfy you as to that: I do not question but you have considered (because I have discoursed it formerly with some of you) how our present wars do impoverish not only those Princes which are overcome, but those two are Conquerors; for as one looses his Country, so the other looses his Mony: which was otherwise in ancient times, be, cause the Conqueror enriched himself by the war. The reason of this difference is, be∣cause in our times no publick account is taken of the prizes, (as formerly) but all is left to the discretion of the Souldier, which occasions two very great disorders; the first is, as be∣fore; the other, it renders the Souldier more desirous of plunder, and less observant of order and military discipline. And we have heard of many instances, where their impa∣tience to be pillaging has wrested the Victory out of their hands who had almost perfectly obtained it. Whilst the Romans had the command of their own Armies, they provided very well against both these inconveniencies, appointing all the prizes to be delivered in, and appropriated to the publick, and that afterwards the publick should distribute as it pleased. To this purpose they had their Questores, (which were like our Chamberlains) in whose hands all their prizes and taxes deposited, of which the Consul or General of their Army disposed as he thought good, for the payment of his Souldiers, the curing of the wounded, or sick, and discharging the other necessities of the Army.

'Tis true, the Consul had power to give the plunder of a Town to his Souldiers, and he frequently did it, but that liberty never bred any disorder; for when a Town was taken, or an Army defeated, all the prize was brought into a publick place, and distributed man by man; according to every ones merit.

This custom made the Souldiers more intent upon victory than plunder: the practice of the Roman Legions was, to break and disorder an enemy, but not to pursue; for they never went out of their ranks upon any occasion whatever. Only the horse, the light arm'd men, and what other Souldiers were not of the Legions, followed the chase: where∣as if the plunder of the field had belonged to any man that could catch it, it would have been neither reasonable, nor possible, to have kept the Legions to their ranks, or to have ex∣posed them to so many dangers. Hence it was, that upon a Victory the publick was always enriched; for when a Consul entred in triumph, he brought with him great riches into the Treasury of Rome, and they consisted of Taxes, Contributions, Ransoms, and Plunder. The ancients had likewise another custom that was very well contrived, and that was, out of every Souldiers pay, to cause a third part to be deposited with the Ensign of their respe∣ctive Companies, who never restored it before the War was ended. This they did for two reasons; first, that every Souldier might have a stock of his own; for most of them be∣ing young, and profuse, the more they had, the more they would have squandred. The other reason was, that knowing their stocks were in their Ensigns hands, they should have the more care of him, and defend him with the more courage; and this custom contributed much to their valour, and is necessary to be observed by any man who would reduce his Souldiers to the discipline of the Romans.

Zanobi.

I believe it impossible for an Army not to meet with several ill accidents whilst it marches from one place to another; and that it requires great industry in the General, and great courage in the Souldiers to prevent or avert them: you would oblige me much if you would tell me what has occur'd to your knowledg in the case.

CHAP. VII.

To know the surprizes which are contriving against you upon your march.

Fabr.

I Shall satisfy you willingly, as being particularly necessary to any man who is de∣sirous to give a perfect scheme of this discipline.

Whilst an Army is matching, the Generals are above all things to be vigilant that they fall not into any ambushments, which may be done two ways; one when you fall into it bluntly of your self: the other when you are drill'd and wheedled into it by the enemy be∣fore you perceive it. To prevent the first way, it is convenient to send out strong parties to discover the Country, who are to be the more diligent, by how much the Country is more apt and proper for such things, as where it is woody or mountainous; for ambuscades are commonly laid behind some hill, or under the shelter of some wood, and, as if you do not discover them in time, they are very pernicious; so, if your care be sufficient, they are as easily prevented. The birds and the dust have many times discovered the enemy; for when ever the enemy approaches in any great number, he will be sure to raise the dust, which will give you the alarm. Several Generals observing the Pigeons to rise in some place where they were to pass, (or other birds that fly together in flocks) and to hover over their heads without falling again, have thereby discovered the ambushments of the enemy, and either prevented or defeated them.

As to the second way of being drawn in by the artifices of the enemy, you must be cau∣tious of believing any thing easily, that is not reasonable to be supposed: as it would be, if an enemy should leave something for you to pillage on purpose, you must suspect there is some design at the bottom, and be careful it does not succeed. If a great number of the enemy be beaten, and pursued by a few of your men, if a few of the enemy attacks a greater party of yours, if the enemy runs unexpectedly, and without any visible occasion, in those cases you must always suspect; and never fancy your enemy so weak as not to un∣derstand his own business: on the contrary, if you would be less exposed to his stratagems, and run your self less into danger, the weaker and more careless you observe him to be, the more you are to apprehend him. In this case you are to comport your self in two different manners, you are to fear him in your own thoughts, and order your affaris accordingly; but in your words and outward behaviour you are to seem to despise him; this last way makes your Souldiers more confident of Victory, the other makes you more cautious, and less apt to be circumvented. And you must know, that to march thorow an enemies Coun∣try is more dangerous than to fight a field Battel.

CHAP. VII.

One is to know the Country perfectly well thorow which he is to pass, and keep his enterprizes secret.

Fabr.

THe marching thorow an Enemies Country being so extraordinarily danger∣ous, it is necessary that a General doubles his diligence; and the first thing he is to do, he is to have a Cart made of all the Country by which he is to pass, that he may know the Towns, their number, and distance, the roads, and mountains, the rivers, the fens, and the nature and qualities of them all: and to better his knowledg, it is convenient that he discourses and interrogates some body who understands the places, objecting, and asking them several questions, and observing their answers. He is likewise to send some parties of his light Horse before, under the command of prudent Officers, not so much to face the enemy, as to speculate the Country, and see whether it agrees with his Map, and the description which he has received. He is also to send out spies and guides with good guards, promising them rewards if they tell true, and threatning them with pu∣nishment, if false. But above all he is to have a care that his Army knows nothing of his design; for in the whole Art of War there is nothing so useful, as to conceal the enterprizes that you are about.

CHAP. IX.

Of certain things which are requisite upon a march.

Fabr.

THat no sudden attack may be able to disorder your Souldiers, you must com∣mand them to stand ready with their arms, for things that are foreseen and ex∣pected, are less terrible and hurtful. Many persons to avoid confusion in their march have disposed their Carriages, and unarm'd people near the Colours, with command to follow them close, that upon a halt, or retreat, (if there should be occasion) they might do it more easily, which is a good way, and I like it well. A General is likewise to have a great care that his men do not straggle in their march, or march unequally, some too fast, others too slow, which would weaken his Army, and expose it to great disorder. It is convenient therefore to place their Officers in the flanks, that they may keep them uniform in their motion, restraining those who are too hasty, and soliciting those who are too slow, and that cannot be done better than by the Trumpets and Drums. The ways are likewise to be en∣larged and repair'd, so as one Company at least may always march in order. Besides this, the custom, quality and humour of your enemy is to be considered, whether he be like to as∣sault you in the morning, at noon, or at night. Whether he be strongest in horse or in foot, and as you are inform'd of that, you order your men, and provide every thing neces∣sary. But to come to some particular accident.

CHAP. X.

How to avoid fighting near a River, though pressed by the enemy; and in what manner you may pass it.

Fabr.

IT falls out sometimes that you are forced to decline the enemy, as thinking your self too weak, and are therefore unwilling to engage him: the enemy follows you what he can to stop you, or cut you off in your passage over the river, to which you are marching to that purpose; and your passage will take up so much time, that in pro∣bability the enemy will reach you. Some who have been in that dangerous condition, have drawn a trench round the rear of their Army; fill'd it with faggots, and other combusti∣bles, and set them on fire, whilst in the mean time their Army passed over without any impediment from the enemy, by reason the fire that was betwixt them hindred their de∣signs.

Zanobi.

I cannot easily believe that such a fire as that could hinder them, because I re∣member I have heard how Hanno the Carthaginian being besieged by an enemy; on that side where he designed to escape, caused store of wood and faggots to be laid, and then set them on fire: so that the enemy not observing him so strictly on that side, he passed his Troops thorow the flames, only by ordering them to hold their Targets before their faces.

Fabr.

You say well, but consider a little what I told you, and what Hanno did; I told you that the Generals I mentioned caused a trench to be digg'd, and filled with combustible matter; so that when the enemy was to pass, he was to encounter with two great difficul∣ties, the trench and the fire. Hanno made his fires without any ditch, and because he de∣signed to pass over them, he commanded that they should not be made too violent; for without a trench, that would have stop'd him. Do you not know the story of Nabis the Spartan, who being besieged in Sparta by the Romans, he set part of the Town on fire to hinder the advance of the Romans, who had already entred in some places; and by that fire he not only hindred their advance, but repulsed them.

But to return to our business. Quintus Lutatius the Roman, having the Cimbri upon his heels, and being arrived at a river; that the enemy might give him time to pass, he pretended a resolution to fight them, pitch'd his Camp, entrench'd himself, set up his Stan∣dard, and sent out parties of horse to provide forrage. The Cimbrians conceiving he would encamp there, came and encamped by him, and divided themselves into several par∣ties, to supply them with provisions; of which Lutatius having notice, slip'd over the river before they could have time to disturb him. Some have turned the course of a river, and by a cut carrying the water on the back-side of the Army, have made the river for∣dable,

and passed it with ease. When the waters are rapid and the stream strong, to faci∣litate the passage of the Foot, they put the strongest of their Horse betwixt the stream and the Foot, to keep of the torrent; and another party below to bear up the Foot, if the water should be too strong for any of them. Rivers that are unfordable, are likewise to be passed with Bridges and Boats; so that it is good to carry in your Army materials for all these things. It happens sometimes that when you would pass a River, the Enemy is got on the other side, and opposes. To remove this difficulty, I know nothing you can do better, than to follow the example of Caesar, who having brought his Army to the side of a River in France, with design to have passed it, but finding Vercingetrix with his Army on the other side ready to obstruct him, he marched down the Ri∣ver several days journey on one side, whilst Vercingetrix did the like on the other.

But Caesar having made a place in a Wood convenient for the concealing of some of his men, drew out three Companies out of each Legion, caused them to stay behind there, and when he was gone, commanded that they should set up a Bridge over the River, and fortify it; and in the mean time he followed his march. Vercingetrix observing the same number of Legions, not suspecting that any part of them were left be∣hind, followed him on the other side; but Caesar when he judged the Bridge finished, faced about on a sudden, and finding every thing as he expected, he passed the River without any difficulty.

Zanob.

Have you any rules whereby you may discover a ford?

Fabr.

Yes we have: whereever in a River you see the water tremble, and carry cer∣tain streaks betwixt the place where it stagnats, and the current, you may be sure the bottom is good, and the place fordable, because the gravel and sand which the River does commonly carry along with it, is more fixed there, as has been often seen by experience.

Zanobi.

Suppose the flood should have loosened the earth at the bottom of the ford, so as the horse should sink in; what remedy then?

Fabr.

You must make grills or lettices of wood, sink them into the River, and let them pass over them. But to follow our discourse.

CHAP. XI.

How to make your passage thorow a streight though you be pressed by an Enemy.

Fabr.

IF a General by accident be conducted with his Army betwixt two Mountains, and that he has but two passages, one before, and the other behind, and the Enemy has got possession of both, he can have no better remedy than to do as has been done before; that is, to dig a deep Trench behind him, and make it as unpassable as he can, that the Enemy may believe he intended to stop him there in the rear, that with his whole force he might make his way thorow the passage in the Van: Which being observed by the Enemy, he concluded according to appearance; sent what strength he could make to the other end of the pass; and abandoned the Trench, whereupon the other clap'd a wooden bridge over the Trench immediately (which he had prepared on purpose) and passed back again without any obstruction. Lucius Minutius a Roman Consul was in Ligu∣ria with an Army, and was shut up by the Enemy betwixt the Mountains, so as he could not disingage himself: being sensible of his condition, he sent certain Numidians which he had in his Army upon small scrannel Horses towards the places where the Enemy had their Guards, At first sight the Enemy put themselves into a posture to defend the Passes, but when they observed the Numidians in ill order, and ill mounted in respect of themselves, they began to despise them, and to be more remiss in their Guards; which was no sooner perceived by the Numidians, but they clap'd spurs to their Horses, and charging suddenly upon them, they passed on in spight of all their opposition; and being passed the mischief and devastation that they made in the Country, constrained the Enemy to give free passage to the whole Army. A certain General being infested by a numerous Enemy, drew up his Army so close, that the Enemy was able to encompass him round, and afterwards he fell so smartly upon that Quarter where the Enemy was weakest, that he not only worsted them, but disintangled himself. Marcus Antonius in the retreat from the Parthians ob∣served

that every morning by break of day they were upon his back as soon as he moved, and continued skirmishing and molesting him quite thorow his march; whereupon he re∣solved not to remove before noon. The Parthians observing, concluded he would not stir that day, and returned to their Posts, insomuch that Marcus Antonius had opportunity to march all the rest of that day without interruption. The same person to avoid the Darts of the Parthians, commanded his Men that when the Parthians came near them, the first rank should fall down upon their knees, and the second rank clap their Bucklers over the heads of the first rank, the third over the second, the fourth over the third, and so on; so as the whole Army lay as it were under a Shield, and was defended from their Arrows. And this is all I can remember about the accidents to which an Army is subject upon a march. I shall pass now to another thing, unless you have something else to demand.