The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-17

they sustained one OF the most
terrible overthrows that q Roman army had
ever inflicted upon barbarians. Many were
slain, many drowned, having taken to the
lake. A considerable number swan the Adige
and escaped. The rest threw down their arms
and claimed the mercy of the victors. The
Roman general Immediately ordered the car
mage to cease, the wounded to be removed, and
the prisoners to be secured. Had Germanicus
not made the circuit of the lake, but simply
returned round its southern extremity, he
would have attacked the front of the second
German army instead of its rear; and, its
retreat being open, it's losses would have been
less. On the other hand, had Germanicus,
with the plan actually adopted, been beaten,
he must have been completely destroyed. But
he felt morally sure of the victory, partly
through the effects of surprise, which was Q
strategical reason and partly because, in q
crowded hand-to-hand encounter upon con-
fined field, no weapons were equal to the short
Roman sword and large buckler; and this was
o tactical reason. Indeed, the bayonets of
modern warfare would not have been equal to
those without firearms.
A soldier in our times must have his rifle,
and he could not carry this and shield and
sword too; the bayonet, therefore, is merely
more handy as an adjunct to what has itself
become indispensable. Still, might it not be
worth while to add to modern army a thous-
and or two thousand Eve thousand men,
armed in the old Roman fashion, with one
small revolver of the best now pattern stuck
in every soldiers belt - This body of men
could not be used every occasion but
where, from the accidents of the ground, they
could first be brought (uneNposed to fre) close
up to the enemy, and then precipitated upon
the flank of a hin infantry line, they would
double it upon itself, and destroy it before the
bayonet- carriers knew what was the matter.
CHAPTER IN.
Torrents of rain had fallen during the night,
and during the next forenoon following this
great battle:
Germanicus, at midday, when the rain had
ceased, called the legions into parade; saw
more than thirty thousand effective men mus
tered after his two battles and tho severe
forced march which had INTERVIEWED.
The general thanked his army, and made a
short speech, in the course of which be re-
marked that, although they had already re-
ceived one bounty, they should certainly have
another forthwith. This was cheered with a
|
as very sweet piece of oratory; and a veteran
| file-leader turn ed to the soldier behind him,
and remarked that Germanicus knew how to
speak almost as well as julius Cesar was re
puted to have done. When the noise of theil
literary and critical enthusiasm had subsidized
Germanicus proceeded to read list of pro
| motions.
lie appointed two legati, or generals, and
| Il ards all lad in de-
ing tone, the name of Paulus Lepidus Hmlius
No answer There was a pause.
"Is Longinus the decurion heref" he mex
severe bat not dangerous wound. No answer
came, and another pause ensued.
els the decurion Thellus present ?" cried thu
Cesar. "Adsum," answered Thellus, advancing
a step beyond the ranks.
"You are wounded" said Germanicus
How is it that no surgeon has extracted tina
broken dart from your shoulder
otis only the point of little German
THISTLE" said the stalwart arena-king. hardly
felt it when it stuck in me during our great
moving match yesterday" The legionarie
laughed and cheered.
"What has become of the youth who com
mauded your intrenchment I" pursued thu
command er-in- chief
"He is badly wounded, general; and,
could not find where he lay till daylight Thu
rain bad been drenching him all night long
l am rather afraid he'll CO."
Germanieus ordered doctor at once to &C
company Thellus, and render what succor h
could to the wounded youth. He, moreover
bade Thellus inform Paulus that, on accouu
of services to the army now assembled, boil
in securing large treasure, which only 70
him would have been lost, and in contributing
afterward to the success of the campaign, an,
all this as much by his prudence as by hi
courage, he considered him not only to hay,
given splendid example, but to have shown
the qualities of soldier whom it is for tb
interest of the troops to see promoted.
The more authority persons like th
youth Paulus, possess" concluded he, thu
better and the safer it is for the whole army
he thereupon declared Paulus from that mo
ment to be a military tribune.
| The announcement evidently pleased tn,