The complete captain, or, an abbridgement of Cesars warres with observations upon them; together with a collection of the order of the militia of the ancients; and a particular treatise of modern war: written by the late great generall the Duke of Rohan: Englished by I.C.

The second warre.

THe subject of the second warre was this: The division of the Auvergnats and Autu∣nois puissant people in Gallia had called in the Germanes, by the help of which the first had o∣vercome the other; neverthelesse they all found themselves oppressed, and the conquerours much more then the conquered: for these were discharged for some tribute and hostages, and from the other the Germans took away the greatest part of their lands, insomuch that all seeing themselves subdued, they hold an assem∣bly of States by the permission of Cesar to desire his aid, which he promiseth. But having sent to Ariovistus, the Generall of the Germanes, to this end, he received replies so insolent, that at last they fell fowl; where Cesar defeated him, and chaced both him and all the Germanes out of Gallia, forcing them to passe the Rhine again.

These two wars were finished in one summer.

Observations.

VVHereby we may observe how dangerous such auxi∣liarie succours are, especially when you require them of a people more powerfull then your own. Cesar hath indeed driven out Ariovistus, but the Gauls have done nothing but changed maister. He imbarked himself in this war for two reasons: the first, because be suspected that this puissant nation, taking footing in Gallia, might come to gain upon Provence, and so draw near to Italy; and the other, that thereby he insinuated himself insensibly into the con∣quest of the said Gauls. Which businesse he managed so dextrously by enterteining their divisions amongst them,

that by the aid of the one he conquered the other, and in the end subdued all.

We must further observe his diligence (so much recom∣mended in all his actions) to possesse himself of Besancon, having prevented his enemies, and by this means provided for the nourishment of his armie. There it was that a pa∣nike fear seised upon his souldiers, which began by the vo∣luntiers: who desiring to depart discouraged the rest, that so they might cover their own shame by the generall delinquencie of the armie: which is a most dangerous thing, and whereof a Generall of an army ought to take extraor∣dinary care, never to hazard any battel untill he hath re∣covered his souldiers spirits again; which Cesar did at this time by making an oration to them, wherein he excelled. He further helped himself (as many other commanders, especially Marius) by encamping strongly before this ter∣rible armie, and making his souldiers know by small skir∣mishes that their enemies were not invincible nor more valiant then themselves; and causing them to conceive that joyning order and militarie discipline to the prudence of their Generall, they were their superiours. For the Ro∣manes have never conquered other nations by their great number, nor by their valour, but by their knowledge in warre, (which they alwayes exercised) by the observa∣tion of their order, and entrenchment of their camp. Whereupon we must consider that Ariovistus being encamp∣ed between Cesar and the place from whence he had his victuall, and that Cesar not being able to draw him to battel in five dayes, after that he had well fortified that camp be goeth with all his army in battaglia to fortifie a small one, in a place of advantage, two miles distant from the first, and which favoured the way for his victuall, making the third part of his army to work whilest the other two thirds stood in battaglia, which repulsed the troups which Ariovistus sent to hinder the said fortifica∣tion: which being made he leaveth two legions there, and leadeth away the rest into his old camp. The next day Cesar putteth himself into battaglia between the two camps, but being retired, Ariovistus assaulteth the small one, and is re∣pulsed. Cesar having thus reconfirmed the courages of his souldiers, sallieth out with his whole armie in battaglia, and goeth up to the very trenches of Ariovistus, provoketh him to fight; who sallieth out, and is defeated.

Notes

• Averni & Aedui.