§8.36.1Re bene gesta Caninius ex captivis comperit partem copiarum cum Drappete esse in castris a milibus longe non amplius XII.
Having successfully completed the operation, Caninius learned from the prisoners that a part of the forces was in the camp with Drappes, not more than twelve miles away.
§8.36.2Qua re ex compluribus cognita, cum intellegeret fugato duce altero perterritos reliquos facile opprimi posse, magnae felicitatis esse arbitrabatur neminem ex caede refugisse in castra qui de accepta calamitate nuntium Drappeti perferret.
When this fact was confirmed by several of them, since he understood that the rest, terrified by the flight of the other leader, could be easily crushed, he considered it a matter of great fortune that no one had fled from the slaughter back to the camp who might carry the news of the disaster they had suffered to Drappes.
§8.36.3Sed in experiendo cum periculum nullum videret, equitatum omnem Germanosque pedites, summae velocitatis homines, ad castra hostium praemittit; ipse legionem unam in trina castra distribuit, alteram secum expeditam ducit.
But seeing no danger in making the attempt, he sends ahead all the cavalry and the German infantry, men of the greatest speed, to the enemy's camp; he himself distributes one legion among the three camps, and leads the other with him, light-armed.
§8.36.4Cum propius hostes accessisset, ab exploratoribus quos praemiserat cognoscit castra eorum, ut barbarorum fere consuetudo est, relictis locis superioribus ad ripas fluminis esse demissa; at Germanos equitesque imprudentibus omnibus de improviso advolasse proeliumque commisisse.
When he had come closer to the enemy, he learns from the scouts whom he had sent ahead that their camp, as is generally the custom of barbarians, had been pitched lower down on the banks of the river, leaving the higher ground; and that the Germans and the cavalry had flown upon them unexpectedly when they were all off their guard, and had joined battle.
§8.36.5Qua re cognita legionem armatam instructamque adducit.
Having learned this, he leads up the legion, armed and drawn up for battle.
Ita repente omnibus ex partibus signo dato loca superiora capiuntur.
Thus, when the signal was suddenly given from all sides, the higher ground is seized.
§8.36.6Quod ubi accidit, Germani equitesque signis legionis visis vehementissime proeliantur.
When this happened, the Germans and the cavalry, seeing the standards of the legion, fight most fiercely.
Confestim cohortes undique impetum faciunt omnibusque aut interfectis aut captis magna praeda potiuntur.
Immediately the cohorts make an attack from all sides, and having either killed or captured all of them, they obtain great booty.
Capitur ipse eo proelio Drappes.
Drappes himself is captured in that battle.