What immortality do great men confer upon places by noble actions!
A vessel sailing along the northern coasts of Africa, the curious
traveller asks the name of a port, and he is told it is Biserta. The
information creates no sensation, till, turning to his hand-book, he
finds that that which is now Biserta, was Utica! Then, mark the change!
Scipio, Cato, yea, even Joseph Addison, if he be an Englishman, all
rush upon his mind at once, and he would stop the ship in her course,
if it were possible, to allow him to contemplate at leisure a spot
rendered sacred by heroism, patriotism, and genius!
Scipio Africanus having entered upon the country dominated over by the
Carthaginians, turned all his attention towards Utica, with the purpose
of making a place of arms of it advantageous to his ulterior plans;
he attacked it at once, both by land and sea. Carthage exerted itself
earnestly to save a city which might be said to protect the capital of
its empire. Asdrubal raised a numerous body of troops, and Syphax, king
of Numidia, fixed his camp within sight of that of the Roman general.
The rival of Rome flattered itself with the hope of soon putting Scipio
to flight; but that skilful captain quickly dispersed these smiling
expectations. He at once conceived the great project of burning both
camps; and this was the happy manner in which he executed it. He amused
Syphax with proposals for an accommodation. A crowd of Roman officers
disguised as slaves went with the deputies into the enemy’s camps, to
observe the entrances and the places of issue, and to ascertain what
sort of watch was kept day and night. After having taken measures and
precautions according to the information thus gained, he silently
attacked the intrenchments of the king of Numidia, in the obscurity
of the night, and the soldiers set fire to the barracks, covered with
mats, reeds, and dry wood. The whole camp appeared to be in a blaze;
and the Numidians and Carthaginians, thinking the fire the effect of
accident, were more intent at first upon extinguishing it than upon
defending themselves. Scipio attacked the lines of Asdrubal, whilst the
flames were consuming those of Syphax. The enemies who were occupied in
suppressing the fire, were put to the sword; forty thousand men were
left dead upon the spot, and seven thousand were reserved for slavery.
The news of this defeat spread consternation amongst the Carthaginians.
Asdrubal and Syphax raised fresh troops, whilst the Roman general
pressed the siege of Utica. This second army obliged him to suspend his
attacks; but another victory, more glorious than the first, maintained
the reputation of the Roman general. Carthage, in despair, recalled
Hannibal,--its only and last resource. The arrival of this great
man entirely suspended the siege of Utica; but his defeat by Scipio
terminated the war.