Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-26

L Wdo o oo ohAuhb okhe hS shS ooAAtS
time, so illustrious an army seen;
speak upon the authority Of Livy.
Three hundred and six soldiers, all
partisans, and Of the same family. of
whom not one but might be judged
worthy Of commanding an army,
marched against the Veil, full Of courage
and alacrity, under a captain Of their
own name; Fabius. They were follow
ed by body Of their friends and
clients, animated by the same spirit
and zeal, and actuated only by great
and noble views. The whole city
fiocked to see so fine sight, praised
those generous soldiers In the highest
terms, and promised them consul
ships, triumphs and the most glori-
GUS rewards. AS they passed before
the capitol and the other temples,
everybody implored the gods to take
them under their protection, to favor
their departure and undertaking. and
to afford them a speedy and happy
return. But those prayers were. not
heard. When they arrived near the
river Cremera, which is not far from
Veil, they built a fort upon a very
rough and steep mountain for the Sc
curity Of their troops, which they
1 surrounded with a double fosse and
fanked with several towers. This set
tlement, which prevented the enemy
from cultivating their ground, and
ruined their commerce with strangers,
incommoded them extremely. The
Veientes not finding themselves strong
enough to ruin the fort which the
Romans had erected, applied to the
Hetrurians, who sent them very con-
siderable aid. In the meantime the
Fabii, encouraged by the great sue
cess of their incursions into the
enemy's country made further pro-
gress every day. Their excessive
boldness made the Hetrurians con-
ceive thoughts Of laying ambuscades
for them In several places. During
the night, they seized all the eminenc-
es that commanded the plain and
found means to conceal good num-
ber Of troops from them. The next
day they dispersed more cattle about
the country than they had done be-
fore. Fabii, being apprized that the
plains were covered with flocks and
herds, and defended by only a very
small number Of troops, quilted their
fort, leaving in It only a sufficient
number to guard 1t. The hopes Of a
great booty quickened their march.
They arrived at the place In the or
der Of battle, and were preparing to
attack the advanced guard Of the
/ enemy, when the latter, who had their
/ order, fed without staying till they
were charged. The Fabii, believing
themselves secure, seized the shep-
herds and were preparing to drive
away the cattle. The Hetrurians then
quilted their skulking-places and fell
| upon the Romans from all sides, who
were most of them dispersed In pur-
suit of their prey. All they could do
was to rally Immediately. and that
they could not effect without great
difficulty. They soon saw themselves
surrounded on all sides, and fought
like lions, selling their lives very
dear. But finding that they could not
sustain this kind of combat long, they
drew up In a wedge, and, advancing
with the utmost fury and impetuosity,
opened themselves a passage through
the enemy that led to the side of the
mountain. When they came thither
they halted, and fought with fresh
courage, the enemy leaving them no
time to respire. AS they were upon
higher ground, they defended them
selves with advantage, notwithstand-
ing their small number, and beating
down the enemy, who spared no pains
in the attack, they made great
slaughter Of them. But the V. sntes
having gained the top Of the noun
tain, by taking q compass, fell sud-
denly upon them and CALLED them ex-
ceedingly from above with q contin-
ued shower of darts. The Fabii de-
Tended themselves to their last breath
and were all killed to man.
The Roman people were highly af-
fected with the loss Of this illustrious
band of patriots. The day Of their de-
feat was ranked amongst their un-
fortunate days, called nefasti, on
which the tribunals were shut up and
no public affair could be negotiated,
or at least concluded. The memory
of these public spirited particians,
who had so generously sacrificed their
lives and fortunes for the service OF
the state, could not be too much hon.
ored. A like zeal and devotion for
ones country Is scarcely to be equall-
ed in history.-Dion. !. viii. p. 570.-
Rollin. Rom. Hist. vol. 1.
A Corscian gentleman who had
been taken prisoner by the Genoese,
was thrown into a dark dungeon,
where he was chained to the ground.
While he was in this dismal situation,
the Genoese sent a message to him,
that If he would accept of a commits
sion in their service, he might have
It. NO" said he, were I to accept
of your offer, 1t would be with a de-
termined purpose to take the first OPP
portunity Of returning to the service
Of my country. But I will not &C
cept It; for I would not have my
countrymen even suspect that I could
be one moment unfaithful. And he
remained in his dungeon.
II defy" says Paoli, Rome, Sparta
or Thebes, to show me thirty years of
such patriotism as Corsica can boast.
Though an affection between relations
is exceedingly strong in the Corsicans,
they will give up their nearest rela-
tions for the good of their country,
and sacrifice such as have deserted
to the Genoese."
| "a criminal" he said, "was con-
demned to die. His nephew came to
me with lady Of distinction, that she
might solicit his pardon. The neph-
ew's anxiety made him think that the
lI