36.
After this success, Caninius learned from some prisoners, that a
part of the forces was encamped with Drapes, not more than ten miles off: which
being confirmed by several, supposing that after the defeat of one general, the
rest would be terrified, and might be easily conquered, he thought it a most
fortunate event that none of the enemy had fled back from the slaughter to the
camp, to give Drapes notice of the calamity which had befallen him. And as he
could see no danger in making the attempt, he sent forward all his cavalry and
the German foot, men of great activity, to the
enemy's camp. He divides one legion among the three camps, and takes the other
without baggage along with him. When he had advanced near the enemy, he was
informed by scouts, which he had sent before him, that the enemy's camp, as is
the custom of barbarians, was pitched low, near the banks of a river, and that
the higher grounds were unoccupied: but that the German horse had made a sudden attack on them, and had begun the
battle. Upon this intelligence, he marched up with his legion, armed and in
order of battle. Then, on a signal being suddenly given on every side, our men
took possession of the higher grounds. Upon this the German horse observing the Roman colors,
fought with great vigor. Immediately all the cohorts attack them on every side;
and having either killed or made prisoners of them all, gained great booty. In
that battle, Drapes himself was taken prisoner.
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