Valerius won the first battle, fought at Mount Gaurus near Cumae, only after a last desperate charge in fading daylight finally routed the Samnites after a day of hard fighting. The second battle almost ended in disaster for the Romans when the Samnites attempted to trap the other consul, Cornelius Cossus, and his army in a mountain pass. Fortunately for them, one of Cornelius' military tribunes, Publius Decius Mus was able to lead a small detachment to seize a hilltop, distracting the Samnites and allowing the Roman army to escape the trap.