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

670 EUMENES' STRATAGEM.for the province ofCambasene (or Corbiane), lying midwaybetween Susa and Ecbatana, which the war had not yetdrained of its riches, and whose well-watered upland characterfitted it peculiarly for scattering troops in winter-quarters; for its watercourses, mountain ridges and defiles madethe defense of a large section easy. Eumenes had intendedlater to move to Cambasene himself, and in order to headAntigonus off from his purpose, he made use of the followingstratagem.He sent several soldiers, under guise of desertion, intoAntigonus' camp, to inform that general that Eumenes hadmade all his preparations to attack him while he was breakingcamp. Eumenes meanwhile sent his baggage and packtrainforward at nightfall by a hidden circuit, and himselffollowed shortly after, having taken care to ration his menfor a long march. He left a line of videttes opposite Antigonus,so cleverly disposed as completely to deceive this officer,who remained in line anticipating attack, until his lighttroops brought him word that the enemy had decamped.Eumenes had gained a six hours' march on Antigonus.The latter followed him sharply with his entire body of cavalry,and at daybreak struck his rear-guard as it was debouchingfrom the mountain defile through which it had made itsway that night. Antigonus was unable to attack seriously,but deployed his cavalry force along the foothills, and handledit with such effectiveness and skill that Eumenes was convincedthat he had the enemy's whole army to contend with,and was constrained to stop and form line. So well didAntigonus mask his weakness that hisinfantry gained timeto come up, and both armies faced each other in full force.Each wished to fight for the possession of the road to Cambasene.An all day's battle was engaged with alternatingsuccess. The left wing of each was beaten. Night put an