Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

ALEXANDER'S ADDRESS. 365ones, were not slow to fight, under his casting vote, this adviceprevailed. A new camp and stockade were here made on thehill-slope near modern Bcirtela. The army lay on their armsin order of battle, while Alexander with some light infantryand Companion horse busied himself in thoroughly reconnoitringthe ground.On his return from this important duty, he again called togetherhis Companions and officers, and addressed them.Wecan readily imagine, if we do not know, his soul-stirringwords. Arrian but gives us the summary of them, mostlikely from the relation of Ptolemy, son of Lagus, one of hismost interested auditors. He knew, said the king, that hecould rely on their so often proved valor, but it was essentialfor them to infuse their ardor into every man of the command.In the approaching battle they were to fight for thewhole of Asia, as well as for existence. Discipline must bemaintained with an exactness never before demanded. Insteadof chanting the paean as usual, the men were to advancein perfect silence and order, so as not only to hear the trumpetcalls the better, but so that their battle-cry, when given at theword of command, should strike an unwonted terror in thebreasts of the enemy. Orders must be quickly transmitted andabsolutely obeyed.Each man must remember that on his ownindividual courage depended largely victory or defeat. Thecouncil responded to his stirring words by a demand to be atonce led against the enemy, that they might prove their obedienceand valor.But Alexander bade them rest and refreshthemselves by food, so as to go into action strong and vigorousthe next day.Late that evening Parmenio visited Alexander in his tent,and urged a night attack, as the Persians would be moreliable to panic and confusion in the dark. They had thehabit of unsaddling their horses and hobbling them, and of