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

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

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366 NO NIGHT ATTACK.taking <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong>ir own armor, so that <strong>the</strong>y would be helpless<strong>and</strong> more easily overcome. But <strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong> replied, p<strong>art</strong>ly foreffect, — for <strong>the</strong>re happened to be o<strong>the</strong>rs listening to <strong>the</strong> conversation,— that it was more worthy to conquer without <strong>art</strong>ifice,<strong>and</strong> not to steal a victory. He fully understood, moreover,<strong>the</strong> dangers which beset <strong>the</strong> attacking p<strong>art</strong>y at night, in<strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong> a hostile population full <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> enemy's spies<strong>and</strong> knew not only that unless he defeated Darius in openbattle he could not morally conquer Asia, for Darius wouldbe able again to explain away his defeat, but also that if hewere not certainly victorious, retreat would be all but impossiblein <strong>the</strong> night, <strong>from</strong> a foe who perfectly knew <strong>the</strong> terrain<strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong> Macedonians were ignorant, — except merely<strong>the</strong> path <strong>the</strong>y had just pursued. He rejected <strong>the</strong> proposal.<strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong>.(From Cameo in Zacharia Sagrado Collection.)

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