Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-27
HISTORICAL LETTERS.
To the Editor Of the Virginia Argus.
LETTER ".
Cdrthaginid-concludsd.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
TIE famous Hannibal, who is con-
sidered as one of the greatest gener-
ais of 'tiquity, was not more than
twenty-six years of age when he COM
menced his celebrated expedition into
Italy. He departed from Carthage,
and in the short space of five months
and an half reached the plans of Pr
edmont, after having traversed, in de-
fiance Of the obstacles of nature and
the efforts of man, the Ebro, the Py-
rennees, Rhone, and the Alps. 1t
would not betcandid to Judge Of the
iabors Of this march from the condi-
ton of Spain and Italy 10 modern
times. These countries at present
have tolerable roads and are inhabi-
ted by civilized people but at the
period that hannibal invaded Italy,
the routes were less penetrable and
the inhabitants, for great part, were
barbarians. III s march cost him more
than one half the number Of his SOL
diers; for he left Spain at the head of
sixty Thousand men, and when he ar
rived in Italy he could only count
TWENTY-FIVE thousand. With this small
number of troops he found himself
at an immense distance from his
country, environed on every side by
powerful and angry enemies, without
the possibility ofretreat, and without
apparent resources. Such was the
critical situation Of Hannibal, in which
his intrepid soul, fearless ct danger,
appeared to glory. Indeed itrequir-
ed spirit of romantic valor, and a
firm composure that no accident could
ruffle, to extricate him from his diff.
ficulties. His first exploit was the
!, taking of Turin shortly after which
he defeated. on the Tessino, Scipio,
one of Roman Consuls, and on the
'Trebia he totally overthrow his coll
league, the presumPtuous Semprouius.
Pursuing his successes with ardor, he
traversed the Apprentices, penetrated
into Tuscany through dreadful mar
shes, and fer four days proceeded up
to his middle in water. From these
fatigues and the insalubrity of putrfd
exhalations, Hannibal lost an eye. At
last he overlook the rash Flaninius On
ei,. brrderz Of the lake Thrasimine,
where he overcame and slew him. At
this moment Rome had been lost but
for the prudence of Fabiua. Han
nibai, unable to bring Fabius to action,
employed himself and forces in the
central parts of Italy, subduing and
ravaging different portions of it, and
watching favorable opportunity for
sone new blow against his chief enc
my. This opportunity soon prescn-
red itself. The wise Fabius, whose
dilatory mode of warfare had rendered
him unpopular with his fellow citizens,
was thrown aside, and the imprudent
! Varro appointed in his stead. Yarro
lost the battle of Cannae, where, it is
said, there persisted seventy thousand
4 Romans. Hannibal sent 10 the Senate
OF Carthage, as part of the fra IS Of
this victory, bushel Of gold rings,
I taken from the Roman nobility ESQ
great was the slaughter who were
left dead on the field of battle.
Here it has become a reproach to
Hannibal, that he did not march di-
rectly to Rome. But was il, in fact,
an error, or could he under the cir
I cumstances, act otherwise than he did !?
I Opinions are divided on the subject.
Re it as it may, after the victory of
Cannae he overran the country in yari-
Gus directions by marches and coun.
ter-marches, subdued many cities, de-
y prlved the Romans Of their allies, and
took up his winter quarters at Capua.
The pleasing but perniclous indulgen-
ces which his troops there experien-
ced enfee4led their spirit and relaxed
their discipline. 1t is certain that
iron this period the great successes
Iand the good fortune Of Hannibal cea-
lsed. He commenced, indeed, the
siege of Rome I; but he was compelled
10 raise it, finding himself perpetually
harasssd by the enemy, who had re-
taken Capua and TaTentum. Mean
while, a hostile faction at Carthage
deprived him Of all succours from
thence. His brother Asdrubal, in con.
Quoting reinforcements to him from
Spain across the Alps, was defeated
and killed. The young Scipio, whose
brilliant exploit had rendered him a
prodigy, having subjugated Spain,
transported himself and army to the
ehoroo &C Cartbora ~.,,ie,.,,Ja e