Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/405

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 387 the siege and deliverance of Autun. That large and CHAP, ancient city, protected only by a ruined WiiU and pusil- ^^^' lanimous garrison, was saved by the generous resolu- tion of a few veterans, who resumed their arms for the defence of their country. In his march from Autun, through the heart of the Gallic provinces, Julian em- braced with ardour the earliest opportunity of sig- nalizing his courage. At the head of a small body of archers and heavy cavalry, he preferred the shorter but the more dangerous of two roads; and sometimes eluding, and sometimes resisting, the attacks of the barbarians, who were masters of the field, he arrived with honour and safety at the camp near Rheims, where the Roman troops had been ordered to as- semble. The aspect of their young prince revived the drooping spirit of the soldiers, and they marched from Rheims in search of the enemy, with a confidence which had almost proved fatal to them. The Alemanni, familiarized to the knowledge of the country, secretly collected their scattered forces, and seizing the oppor- tunity of a dark and rainy day, poured with unex- pected fury on the rear-guard of the Romans. Before the inevitable disorder could be remedied, two legions were destroyed ; and Julian was taught by experience, that caution and vigilance are the most important les- sons of the art of war. In a second and more suc- cessful action, he recovered and established his military fame ; but as the agility of the barbarians saved them from the pursuit, his victory was neither bloody nor decisive. He advanced, however, to the banks of the Rhine, surveyed the ruins of Cologne, convinced him- self of the difficulties of the war, and retreated on the approach of winter, discontented with the court, with his army, and with his own success The power of the enemy was yet unbroken ; and the Caesar had no sooner separated his troops, and fixed his own quarters of this first campaign than Julian himself; who very fairly owns that he did noihing of consequence, and that he fied before the enemy. c c 2
 * Ammianus (xvi. 2, 3.) appears much better satisfied with the success