The french volunteers did wonders; and although they were not numerous, amounting to no more than two thousand, they defeated a band of Swiss consisting of double their number. Great feats of arms were done at this battle, with battle-axes, lances, and two-handed-swords, so that for a long time it was doubtful on which side victory would remain.
The Swiss behaved with the utmost courage, and charged the main body and reserve of the French with an impetuosity that astonished them, in the hopes of succeeding as they had before done at Novara. The artillery of the French was not asleep, and the Swiss made an attempt to seize it, but were repulsed with much loss,—for not a cannon was fired without killing numbers of them.
This battle lasted until the going down of the sun,—and both sides fought as long as the dust and light allowed them to see each other. Some, thinking to retire to their own camp, found themselves in that of the enemy; but what caused great confusion was the Swiss shouting out 'France, France!' and then attacking the French. The night was not long. The king was constantly with his men, giving them every sort of encouragement, by words and example. He was particularly anxious about his artillery, which was well guarded by a party of Lansquenets. Having visited the different divisions of his army, he reposed himself in his armour, on the carriage of a cannon; and I may with truth assert, that if the king had not been present at this engagement the French would have had more than enough to do.
On the morrow, the 14th of September, in the year 1515, and the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the Swiss, enraged against the French, advanced on them by day-break (notwithstanding their loss on the preceding night had been more than they supposed) with an eagerness as if they had been going to a dance, and made their charge with valour and steadiness. The conflict was long and doubtful; but the king's artillery, where he was in person, did the greatest service, particularly on a strong body that kept firmly united until their losses were so considerable, the remainder turned their backs, and fled for Milan. The other divisions of the Swiss made now little resistance; and to make short of the matter, all that remained were put to death, or taken prisoners; and had not the dust been great, fewer would have escaped,—for it was so thick they could not see many yards before them[63].
The heat that day was very oppressive; and the king and his lords suffered greatly from thirst, for there was no water near that was pure,—for all the springs and streams were discoloured with blood, of which, nevertheless, they were forced to drink; at length, some clear water was brought them.
The king was as much rejoiced that the Swiss had renewed the battle, on the following day, as a huntsman when he lays blinkes in the chace of a stag. The Swiss left full sixteen thousand dead on the field, who did not lose their lives like children, but as men of true courage; and all the roads toward Milan and Como were full of those who in their flight had died of the wounds they had received in battle.
This was the first victory of king Francis I. and was very marvellous it proved so great, considering how much he had been deceived in the Swiss by their treaty some days prior to the combat. It is worthy of remembrance,—for since the days of Julius Cæsar, this nation, so valorous in war, never lost in battle so many as sixteen thousand men. Louis XI. had defeated, when dauphin, a body of three or four thousand: a duke of Milan had also conquered a body of two thousand, which inclines me so much to exalt this victory of the king over enemies so determined and numerous, for thirty-six thousand men had marched out of Milan.
Toward the end of the combat, a reinforcement of Venetians arrived, which the constable of Bourbon had gone to seek. The troops made all diligence, were well accoutred and ready for battle; but they found the Swiss defeated, and flying in all directions, for Como and Milan.
The Venetians pursued the enemy, and showed themselves men of courage, particularly their commander, sir Bartholomew d'Alviano and the son of the count de Petigliano, who did wonders; but as he was attempting to leap a wide ditch, his horse fell upon him,—and he was surrounded and slain by the Swiss, for none were near enough to prevent them. The lord d'Imbercourt was also killed fighting valiantly; he had rushed among the ranks of the Swiss, like to an enraged wild boar, and was of a most warlike nature, with the intrepidity of a lion, as many can testify, who have seen him engaged on former occasions. Francis lord of Bourbon was inclosed by the Swiss and put to death, his men not being nigh to rescue him. The prince of Tallemont, the count de Sancerre, the lord de Bussi, the captain Mouy, with a very great number of lords and gentlemen of renown, whose courage had many times been displayed in war, were killed at this battle.