CHAP. VII.
To corrupt a Garrison, and take it by Treachery.
SOme Generals of old have endeavoured to take Towns by treachery, by corrup∣ting some of the Garrison, and they have done it several ways: Some have sent of their own men as fugitives into the Town, thereby to put them into credit and Authority with the Enemy, and give them opportunity to betray them. Some by this means have discovered the strength of the Garrison, and by that discovery have taken the Town. Some under feigned pretences have stopped up the Gates of a Town from shutting, with a Cart, or beam, or such kind of thing, and given their party the convenience of entring. Hani∣bal besieging the Town of Tarentum in Calabria, which was defended by the Romans un∣der the Conduct of Levius, corrupted a person in the Garrison called Eoneus, and ordered him that he should go out a hunting in the night, and pretend he durst not do it in the day for fear of the Enemy. Eoneus observed his directions, went out and in several nights together, and the Guards had not the least suspition; at length Hanibal disguizing some of his men in the habit of Huntsmen, sent them in after him, who killed the Guards, pos∣sessed themselves of the Gates, and let Hanibal into the Town. A Garison is likewise to be cheated by drilling them a good distance out of Town, and pretending to fly when they come to charge you. Many (and Hanibal among the rest) have suffered their Camps to be possessed by the Enemy, that they might have opportunity to clap between with their Army, and get into the Town. Again, they are sometimes deluded by pretending to raise the Siege as Formio the Athenian did, who having plundered and harrassed the Coun∣try of Calcidon, received their Embassadors afterwards with propositions of Peace: He gave them very good words, and sent them back full of security and fair promises, upon which the poor people presuming too much, Formio fell suddenly upon them, and overcame them. Those who are shut up in a Town, are to keep a strict eye upon such as they have any reason to suspect, but they are sometimes to be secured and obliged to you by pre∣ferment as well as by punishment. Marcellus knew that Lucius Baucius the Nolan was a great favourer of Hanibal, yet he carried himself to him with so much kindness and gene∣rosity, that of an Enemy, he made him his intimate Friend.