19.
Caesar, having sent his cavalry on before, followed
close after them with all his forces; but the plan and order of the march was
different from that which the Belgae had reported to the
Nervii. For as he was approaching the enemy, Caesar, according to his custom, led on [as the van six legions
unencumbered by baggage; behind them he had placed the baggage-trains of the
whole army; then the two legions which had been last raised closed the rear, and
were a guard for the baggage-train. Our horse, with the slingers and archers,
having passed the river, commenced action with the cavalry of the enemy. While
they from time to time betook themselves into the woods to their companions, and
again made an assault out of the wood upon our men, who did not dare to follow
them in their retreat further than the limit to which the plain and open parts
extended, in the mean time the six legions which had arrived first, having
measured out the work, began to fortify the camp. When the first part of the
baggage train of our army was seen by those who lay hid in the woods, which had
been agreed on among them as the time for commencing action, as soon as they had
arranged their line of battle and formed their ranks within the woods, and had
encouraged one another, they rushed out suddenly with all their forces and made
an attack upon our horse. The latter being easily routed and thrown into
confusion, the Nervii ran down to the river with such incredible
speed that they seemed to be in the woods, the river, and close upon us almost
at the same time. And with the same speed they hastened up the hill to our camp,
and to those who were employed in the works.
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