7.
While these things are being performed by Caesar, the
Treviri , having drawn together large forces of infantry and
cavalry, were preparing to attack Labienus and the
legion which was wintering in their territories, and were already not further
distant from him than a journey of two days, when they learn that two legions
had arrived by the order of Caesar. Having pitched
their camp fifteen miles off, they resolve to await the support of the Germans. Labienus, having
learned the design of the enemy, hoping that through their rashness there would
be some opportunity of engaging, after leaving a guard of five cohorts for the
baggage, advances against the enemy with twenty-five cohorts and a large body of
cavalry, and, leaving the space of a mile between them, fortifies his camp.
There was between Labienus and the enemy a river
difficult to cross, and with steep banks: this neither did he himself design to
cross, nor did he suppose the enemy would cross it. Their hope of auxiliaries
was daily increasing. He [Labienus] openly says in a council that
"since the Germans are said to be approaching, he
would not bring into uncertainty his own and the army's fortunes, and the next
day would move his camp at early dawn." These words are quickly carried to the
enemy, since out of so large a number of cavalry composed of Gauls, nature compelled some to favor the Gallic
interests. Labienus, having assembled the tribunes of
the soldiers and principal centurions by night, states what his design is, and,
that he may the more easily give the enemy a belief of his fears, he orders the
camp to be moved with greater noise and confusion than was usual with the Roman people. By these means he makes his departure
[appear] like a retreat. These things, also, since the camps were so near, are
reported to the enemy by scouts before daylight.
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