Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/335

311 f CAMPAIGNS OF GONSALVO. 31] II. retreats to eio. this battle. Fortunately the French did not under- chapter stand so well how to use a victory, as to gain it. They made no attempt to pursue. This is imputed to the illness of their general, D'Aubigny, occa- sioned by the extreme unhealthiness of the climate. He was too feeble to sit long on his horse, and was removed into a litter as soon as the action was de- cided. Whatever was the cause, the victors by this inaction suffered the golden fruits of victory to escape them. Ferdinand made his escape on the same day on board a vessel, which conveyed him back to Sicily ; and Gonsalvo, on the following; Gonsaho retrp"*" ' morning before break of day, effected his retreat ^^^'■ across the mountains to Reggio, at the head of four hundred Spanish lances. Thus terminated the first battle of importance in which Gonsalvo of Cordova held a distinguished command ; the only one which he lost during his long and fortunate career. Its loss, however, attached no discredit to him, since it was entered into in manifest opposition to his judg- ment. On the contrary, his conduct throughout this affair tended greatly to establish his reputation, by showing him to be no less prudent in council, than bold in action.'^ King Ferdinand, far from being disheartened by this defeat, gained new confidence from his expe- rience of the favorable dispositions existing towards him in Calabria. Relying on a similar feeling of loyalty in his capital, he determined to hazard a 19 Guicciardini, Istoria, lib. 1, poris, lib. 3, p. 85. — Lanuza, His- p. 112. — Giovio, Hist, sui Tern- torias, torn. i. lib. 1, cap. 7.