In 1653, Marshal Turenne was surprised by the Prince of Condé, in a
position where his army was completely compromised. He had the power,
indeed, by an immediate retreat, of covering himself by the Somme,
which he possessed the means of crossing at Peronne, and whence he
was distant only half a league; but, fearing the influence of this
retrograde movement on the _morale_ of his army, Turenne balanced all
disadvantages by his courage, and marched boldly to meet the enemy with
very inferior forces. After marching a league, he found an advantageous
position, where he made every disposition for a battle. It was three
o’clock in the afternoon; but the Spaniards, exhausted with fatigue,
hesitated to attack him, and Turenne having covered himself with
entrenchments during the night, the enemy no longer dared to risk a
general action, and broke up his camp.