,
by the troops that took them in flank. The battle continued two hours,
during which each side had frequent possession of the bridge, and their
attempts upon it were attended with equal success; but on both sides of
the river, the disadvantage of Niccolo was manifest; for when his people
crossed the bridge, they found the enemy unbroken, and the ground
being leveled, they could manoeuvre without difficulty, and the weary
be relieved by such as were fresh. But when the Florentines crossed,
Niccolo could not relieve those that were harassed, on account of the
hindrance interposed by the ditches and embankments on each side of the
road; thus whenever his troops got possession of the bridge, they were
soon repulsed by the fresh forces of the Florentines; but when the
bridge was taken by the Florentines, and they passed over and proceeded
upon the road, Niccolo having no opportunity to reinforce his troops,
being prevented by the impetuosity of the enemy and the inconvenience of
the ground, the rear guard became mingled with the van, and occasioned
the utmost confusion and disorder; they were forced to flee, and
hastened at full speed toward the Borgo. The Florentine troops fell upon
the plunder, which was very valuable in horses, prisoners, and military
stores, for not more than a thousand of the enemy's cavalry reached the
town. The people of the Borgo, who had followed Niccolo in the hope of
plunder, became booty themselves, all of them being taken, and obliged
to pay a ransom. The colors and carriages were also captured. This
victory was much more advantageous to the Florentines than injurious to
the duke; for, had they been conquered, Tuscany would have been his own;
but he, by his defeat, only lost the horses and accoutrements of his
army, which could be replaced without any very serious expense. Nor was
there ever an instance of wars being carried on in an enemy's country
with less injury to the assailants than at this; for in so great a
defeat, and in a battle which continued four hours, only one man died,
and he, not from wounds inflicted by hostile weapons, or any honorable
means, but, having fallen from his horse, was trampled to death.
Combatants then engaged with little danger; being nearly all mounted,
covered with armor, and preserved from death whenever they chose
to surrender, there was no necessity for risking their lives; while
fighting, their armor defended them, and when they could resist no
longer, they