PHARSALIA

BATTLE OF.—Fought, May 12th, 48 B.C. , between Julius Cæsar and Pompey. “The battle commenced about daybreak, and before noon the army of Pompey was utterly defeated. Pompey himself, early in the battle, seemed entirely to have lost his presence of mind, and fled in despair to his tent, there to await the result. Cæsar, determined to make the most of his advantage, notwithstanding the wearine of his troops, did not permit the pursuit to slacken till the army of Pompey was entirely scattered. A considerable body of them had taken refuge in an adjacent mountain. By cutting off all hope of succor, Cæsar induced them to surrender. He received their submi ion with the greatest gentlene , and forbade his soldiers from offering violence to their vanquished countrymen. This was the most complete victory Cæsar ever obtained. His lo did not exceed 200, while that of Pompey was 10,000, and 24,000 surrendered themselves prisoners of war. On pa ing over the battle field, so thickly strewn with Romans, Cæsar is said to have been affected even to tears, while he exclaimed to one near him, “They would have it so.”