Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-03-15
VIRGINIA. ARGUS.
RICHMOND, MARCH is. IaIs.
oiFoR THE vIRcINIA Apcus

M "ns~ celebrated by those Skilled in
TACTICS than the retreat of the ten thousand
''reess, under Xepophou, from the easter n
parts OF the Persian Empire. This celebra-
ted commander made good his retreat with
Iincosslderable loss, through the whole ex..
tent of that immense empire. and through
many hostic nations of intervening people,
contepding frequenI " with fifty times his
number, and In crossing rivers and passing
eehies, was sometimes attacked in front.
'iank and rear Next TO this, in military
renown, stood, perhaps, the victory OF the
heoans under the Command OF Epaminon.
das, who defeated the Lacede nonians un-
DER Nleombrotus, az Leuctra. With a view
OF contrasting General Jacksons victory at
tue battle OF New. Orleans with the battle
OF Leuctra, will give the following xtract
from Goldsmith's History OF Greece, and
leave the public to judge whether the vic
tory OF New Orleans be not as glorious to
America & to those who achieved it, as that
OF Ieuctra was to the Thebans and to him
under w1om they fought -
"The two armies were very unequal in num.
Der that OF the Laccdsrnonians, as has been
said consisted oftwenty four thousand foot.
and sixteen hundred horse; the Thebans had
only SIX thousand foot, and four hundred horse.
but all OF hem choice troops, animated by the ir
experience IN war, and determined to conquer
or die. TT Lacednmonian cavalry, composed
of m n PICKED up by CHANCE, without Yalor and
~. disciplined, was as much inferior to their
enemies IN courage, SIS superior in number
| he infantry could not be depend d on, EXCEPT
the Lacedemonians; the allies as has been sai,i,
having engaged in the war with reluctance, be-
cause they did not approve the motive of it -
| ana being besides dissatisfied with the La
cedemoBians.
The ability Of the generals on either side.
! supplied the place of numerous armies, especj
ally The Eheban, who WAS the most accom-
plished soldier ofhis time. He was supported
by Pelopidas, at the head of the sacred batta>
! lion, composed of three hundred Thebans, uni
ted in strict friendship and affection, and
engaged, under particular oath, never to A.,
but to defend each other to the last.
Upon the day of battle, the TWO armies
drew up ona plain. Cleombrotus was upon the
right, at the head of body consisting of La
ceesmonians, on whom he confded most, and
whose files we're twelve deep To take the adj
vantage, which his superiority OF horse gave
bin IN an open country, he posted them in front
ofthe Lacedsmon;ans Archidamus, the son OF
Agesuaus, was at the head of the allies, who
formed the left wing
Epsminondss, who resolved co charge with
| ms Ieit' Wnieh he commanded N person,
strengthened At with the choice Of his heavv
| armed troops, whom he drew up fifty deep: the
the second battalion was upon his left. and
closed The wing The rest Of his infantrv were
posted upon his right, In an obliaue line. which
the fsrther it extended, was the more distant
from The enemy BY this uncommon disnosi .
ton, his design was to soygr his hlnk ON the
right to keep off his right wing, as a kind Of
a reserved body, that he might not hazard the
event OF the battle upon the weakest part cf
hls army; and to egin the action with his left
wing, where his best troops were posted. 20
turn the whole weight of the bottle iipon Gle
ombrotus, aud the Spartaas. lie was assured.
mat, II he could penetrate the Lacedemonian
pha!anx, the rest of the army would soon he
put to the route As for his horse. he d spose5
them after the enemy's example, in the front
Of his left
he action began with the cavalry. As the
shehSns were better mounted, and drawer
troops than the Bace5 smonian horse. the lat~
Ter were not long before they wore broke. and
driven upon the infantry, which they put into
some confusion Epaminodas followed his
morse close, marched swiftly up to CIeoubro.
tus, snd fell upon his phalsnx with ALI the
weight OF his heavy battalion. The latter. 20
make diversion, detached body of troors.
WITH orders TO take Epaminondas in Aank. asd
20 surround him Pelopidas, upon the sight of
tn@t movement, advanced with incredible speed
ana GOODNESS, AZ the head OF the sacred battali.
on, TO prevent The enemy's design and aanked
Cleonbrotus himself, who, by that sudden and
unexpected attack, was put into disorder. The
saltie vas very fierce and obstinate; and, whilst
Cleombrotus could act, the victory contiaued
IN suspense and declared for neither party But
when be fell dead with his wounds, the Tbes
| bans, 70 complete the victory, and the Lace
| dSmoniahJ, TO avoid the shame Of abandonine,
the body Of their king, redDubled their efforts.
| and 2 great slaughter ensued on both sides
The Spartans fought with So much fury about
the body, that at length they gained their point.
and carried il off Animated by so glorious an
advantage, they prepared TO return To the
charge, which would perhaps haze proved sue.
cesslui, had the allies seconded their ardour I.
bat the left wing seeing the Lacedrmonian
Phalanx broken, and believing all lost, especi.
any when they heard that the king was dead
took 70 hight, and drew OF the rest of the AR,
my. hpamiuondas followed them vigorously.
ana KILLED great number in tht pufsut.-Z-
Inc Ihebans remained masters Of the field o.
Dat''e' erected = trophy, and permitted the en-.
eRy to bury their dead.
| The Lacedemonians had never y.cs;,,.a
sHch blow The most bloody defeat. iii then,
had &c. = ever cost them more than four ~
I'VE HUNDRED Of heir citizens. Here thew los,
Tour Thousand, of whom one thousand were I -
ceaSmonisns and four hundred Spartans. on,
! o. 'sreD hundred that were in the battle. The