The stratagems of war, or, A collection of the most celebrated practices and wise sayings of the great generals in former ages written by Sextus Julius Frontinus, one of the Roman consuls ; now English'd, and enlarged with a new collection of the most noted strategems and brave exploits of famous and modern generals ... by M.D.A.

CHAP XVII. Of Sallies.

Example 1.

THE Romans, who were in Garrison at Palermo, when Hasdrubal came to besiege that City, caused on purpose very few to appear on the Walls to defend them, the smalness of their num∣ber was so contemn'd by the Enemy, that Hasdru∣bul assaulted the Walls, where he was slain in a Sally.

2. Aemilius Paulus, when all the Ligurians made an attempt unexpectedly upon his Camp, he seem'd for fear to keep in his Souldiers till the Enemy had sufficiently wearied themselves; then did he sally out of his four Gates, and overthrew and took them Prisoners.

3. When Velius, a Roman Captain, commanded the Castle of Tarentum, he sent Messengers to Has∣drubal, that he would suffer him to depart in safety: By this Pretence he made the Enemy so secure, that when he sallied out he defeated them.

4. Cn. Pompeius did not only deliver his Men be∣sieged in the City of Dyrrachium, but after a Sally which he made in a very convenient Time and Place, he

surrounded Caesar, who furiously broke out of a Castle which was furnished with a double Fortifica∣tion, and encompassed him in round, so that be∣tween the besieged and Pompey's Army that was without, he was in the middle in no small danger, and received a considerable loss of Men.

5. Flavius Fimbria, fighting in Asia against the Son of Mithridates, near the Town of Rhyndacus, drew a Trench half way on both sides of his Camp, and a Ditch before, keeping his Souldiers quiet on the Rampires until the Enemies Horse were enter'd into the streightest place of his Works; then did he sally out and cut off six thousand of them.

6. C. Caesar, amongst the Gauls, when the Forces under Titurius Sabinus and Cotta his Lieutenants, were defeated by Ambiorix, and that Q. Cicero, who was likewise besieged, sent him this sad News, made haste to him with two Legions, but when the Enemy turn'd to meet him, he seem'd to be afraid, and kept his Souldiers within his Camp which he had pur∣posely made streighter than ordinary; the Gauls, as if they had been certain of the Victory, and were come to plunder the Roman Camp, began to fill up the Trenches, and to pull down the Palisadoes, then did Caesar send out his Forces on a sudden, and cut the Gallic Souldiers in pieces.

7. Titurius Sabinus, when a vast Army of the Gauls came against him, kept in his Souldiers within his Fortifications, and made them believe that he was afraid. And that he might strengthen that belief, he sent out a Run-away to tell them, that the Roman Army was in despair, and resolved to fly. The Ene∣my being encouraged with the hopes of Victory, loaded themselves with Faggots and Bones to fill up the Trenches, and with full speed ran up to the Ro∣mans Camp, which was scituate on a Hill; from

whence, when Titurius had sent out his whole Army, he overthrew the Gauls, and took many of them Prisoners.

8. The Inhabitants of Asculum, when Pompey came to besiege the Town, caused a few old and sick Folk to shew themselves from the Walls, which made the Roman Army to be more secure and care∣less; so that when the Towns-men sallied out, they put them to flight.

9. They of Numantia, when they were besieged, drew up none of their Forces before the Walls, but kept themselves within, so close and quiet, that Po∣pilius Lenas had the Confidence to scale the Walls. And then suspecting a Design, and an Ambush, (for at that instant he met with no resistance) he sound∣ed a retreat. Then did the Inhabitants sally out, and assaulted the Romans as they were coming down, and drawing back.