Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 366, April, 1846Various
History
Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 366, April, 1846
Various
England -- Periodicals; Scotland -- Periodicals
"The Saracens remained motionless on the top of the hills--they did
not even discharge their redoubtable arrows; their quivers seemed
to be exhausted. The broken nature of the ground they occupied
precluded the adoption of those rapid evolutions, which in the
preceding conflict had proved so fatal to the Christians. They
seemed to be no longer animated with the same spirit--they awaited
the attack rather with the resignation of martyrs than the hope of
warriors. The Count of Toulouse, who assailed them in front, broke
their ranks by the first shock. Tancred, Godfrey, and the two
Roberts attacked their flanks with equal advantage. D'Adhemar, who
with the reserve had made the circuit of the mountains, charged
their rear, when already shaken by the attack in front, and on both
flanks. This completed their route. The Saracens found themselves
surrounded by a forest of lances, from which there was no escape
but in breaking their ranks and seeking refuge among the rocks. A
great number of emirs, above three thousand officers, and twenty
thousand soldiers fell in the action or pursuit. Four thousand of
the Crusaders had perished, almost all in the first action. The
enemy's camp, distant two leagues from the field of battle, fell
into the hands of the Crusaders, with vast stores of provisions,
tents magnificently ornamented, immense treasures, and a vast
number of camels. The sight of these animals, which they had not
yet seen in the East, gave them as much surprise as pleasure. The
dismounted horsemen mounted the swift steeds of the Saracens to
pursue the broken remains of the enemy. Towards evening they
returned to the camp loaded with booty, and preceded by their
priests singing triumphant songs and hymns of victory. On the
following day the Christians interred their dead, shedding tears of
sorrow. The priests read prayers over them, and numbered them among
the saints in heaven."--_Hist. des Croisades_, i. 228-233.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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