led and encumbered with our
baggage. Attack them whilst scattered about, as is the case of every
multitude employed in plundering; you will find few mounted on
horseback, few with swords in their hands; and, while they are loading
their horses with spoil, and unarmed, put them to the sword, and make it
bloody spoil for them. I will take care of the legions, and the fight of
the infantry: yours be the honour which the horse shall acquire."

39. The body of cavalry, in the most exact order possible, charging the
enemy, who were straggling and embarrassed, filled every place with
slaughter: for amid the packages which they hastily threw down, and
which lay in the way of their feet, and of the affrighted horses, as
they endeavoured to escape, being now unable either to fight or fly,
they are slaughtered. Then Fabius, after he had almost entirely cut off
the enemy's horse, led round his squadrons in a small circuit, and
attacked the infantry in the rear. The new shout, raised in that
quarter, terrified the Samnites on the one hand; and when, on the other,
the dictator saw their troops in the van looking behind them, their
battalions in confusion, and their line wavering, he earnestly exhorted
and animated his men, calling on the tribunes and chief centurions, by
name, to join him in renewing the fight. Raising the shout anew, they
pressed forward, and as they advanced, perceived the enemy more and more
confused. The cavalry now could be seen by those in front, and
Cornelius, turning about to the several companies, made them understand,
by raising his voice and hands, that he saw the standards and bucklers
of his own horsemen. On hearing which, and at the same time seeing them,
they, at once, so far forgot the fatigue which they had endured through
almost the whole day, and even their wounds, that they rushed on against
the enemy with as much vigour and alacrity as if they were coming fresh
out of camp on receiving the signal for battle. The Samnites could no
longer sustain the charge of horse and foot together; part of them,
enclosed on both sides, were cut off; the rest were scattered and fled
different ways. The infantry slew those who were surrounded and made
resistance; and the cavalry made great havoc of the fugitives, among
whom fell their general. This battle crushed, at length, the power of
the Samnites so effectually, that, in all their meetings, they said, "it
was not at all to be wondered at, if in an impious war,