5.32

But the enemies, after they had become aware of their departure from the nocturnal noise and wakefulness, with ambushes having been placed in two parts in the woods in a fit and hidden place about two miles away they awaited the arrival of the Romans, and when the larger part of the army had sent itself into a great valley, suddenly they presented themselves from each of two parts of that valley and they began to harass the last men [i.e., the men in the rear] and to prevent the first from ascending and to engage in battle in a place most unfavorable for our men.

5.33

Then finally Titurius, who had foreseen foresaw nothing before[hand], [began to] shake with fear and to ran about and to station the cohorts. [He did] these very things nevertheless cowardly/fearly and as if all things seemed to fail him; [that] which was accustomed to happen very often to those who are compelled to take advice in the very business. But Cotta, since he had thought that these things were able to happen in the journey and because he had not been the adviser to this cause of setting out, he failed in no affair for the purpose of the common security and he surpassed his duties both of general in calling and encouraging the soldiers and of a soldier in battle. Since they were less easily able to perform everything through themselves, and to foresee/provide what was to be done in each place because of the length of the army line, they ordered to announce that they should leave the baggage and settle into a circle.

Which/this plan, although in such a disaster must not be condemned, nevertheless turned out inconveniently: for [this plan] both diminished the hope of our soldiers and made the enemy more eager for fighting, because it seemed that this was not done without the highest fear and desperation. Besides that happened, which was necessary to happen, that the soldiers commonly were departing from the standards, what each [man] was holding most dear he was hastening to seek and to grab from the baggage, [and] everything was filled with clamor and weeping.