3rd Legion - Roma's Bulls

**CountArach** · 02-27-2007, 08:14

Chapter 5 – Retaking Sardinia
261 BCE – Winter – The consulship of Lvcivs Valerivs Flaccvs and Tiberivs Otacilivs Crassvs

Father,

As I told you last time, we found ourselves besieged at the very end of last month. However, all that has now changed. Let me explain.

The first order that Scipio Asina gave to us was to break camp. We marched out in battle order and assaulted those who were besieging us.

He had all the infantry (Including myself) deploy in front of the main gate. To our left were the Accensi and their slings as well as the cavalry.

We marched out towards our enemy. Their spears were reflecting the sun right into our eyes. It was frightening father, though I should not admit that. But this is the plain and honest truth. The grass came up to my chest, it was as if I was wading through the water as I first did when coming on to this island.

Our leves hurled all their spears, the slingers unloaded their ammo and our men threw all their Pila into the enemy’s ranks. The enemy just stood there and took it. They just stepped forward over their fallen comrades and awaited our charge.

Then we charged.

We ran forward towards our opponents, together with our one-time enemy’s, the Samnites. Together and with a resonating crash we hit their lines. Our Pila had started to tell on their numbers and as such we were able to surround them.

Finally they broke and only revenge for our fallen friends was in our minds. The Samnites continued on with the Rorarii and charged the second line of infantry that our men had deployed. However, our centurion, Marcus, ordered us to turn to our left. We carried out the order and saw the Hastati and Lucanians fighting valiantly against superior numbers of enemies.

We marched at the enemy’s rear.

And by the Gods did we charge.

Finally, the enemy ran out of reinforcements and we were able to grind down the final enemy detachments. They broke and our cavalry pursued them.

So now we were free of our camp, but we still had one task remaining before the winter was done. We had to fight for Karali yet again.

This time though the garrison was much smaller and the enemy were tired. The locals still caused some casualties amongst our men, but we retook the town without a worry.

So now we are back in total control of the island. There are whispers that we will be returning home next year, or perhaps the year after, but I try not to get my hopes up. The Carthaginian navy still rules the seas. They patrol near us every day, though so far we have not seen anyone disembark.

So father, it appears that I am still alive. I look forward to being reunited with you.

You loving and dutiful son,
Spvrivs Cordivs

**Dooz** · 02-27-2007, 09:36

Hey, looks like Spvurivs' cohort killed the (2nd) most enemies out of all the infantry. A commendation for the man! He'll climb the ranks in no time, I'm sure.

However this was still a testing grounds one must admit. A group of levies, untrained, unarmoured, unskilled poenis lead by a lowly captain! I still await the future, where Spvurivs Cordivus' mettle will be put to the test in a real battle. Outnumbered, outgunned, outclassed (or so they would have you believe!).

Iupiter speed young SC.

**Boyar Son** · 02-28-2007, 03:07

I've read AAR's and yours is great, no, superb!

A story on a single legion is a fresh idea.

But watch out, if you dont want you story to end then

protect spurivs' maniple!

**CountArach** · 02-28-2007, 03:51

Hey, looks like Spvurivs' cohort killed the (2nd) most enemies out of all the infantry. A commendation for the man! He'll climb the ranks in no time, I'm sure.

Let's just say I have plans for him ;)

However this was still a testing grounds one must admit. A group of levies, untrained, unarmoured, unskilled poenis lead by a lowly captain! I still await the future, where Spvurivs Cordivus' mettle will be put to the test in a real battle. Outnumbered, outgunned, outclassed (or so they would have you believe!).

You are right, Sardinia is a fairly soft target (Though I have still lost probably close to a third of the legion since I arrived). I can't wait until much later in their 'life' to see what kind of opponents they wil come up against and how they will fair. I suppose I could move them to Sicily where there are several better opponents, but Carthage just hasn't got the numbers there to contend with me. We'll see what comes up later on.

I've read AAR's and yours is great, no, superb!

A story on a single legion is a fresh idea.

Wow! Thanks heaps! Great to hear that everyone so far has liked it.

protect spurivs' maniple!

lol that's why I chose the Principes, sitting nicely in the centre of my line. Nicely protected on all sides. I make sure to follow him every battle.

**Kushan** · 02-28-2007, 05:32

Excellent AAR. First one that I've seen thats focused on a single unit/legion. CA you've inspired me to start keeping my own AAR, although I've yet to post anything on it.

Glad to see the 3rd survived Sardinia. Wish I could say the same thing for my 1st and 2nd legions at Taras...both were effectively put out of action for at least a year in that assault. Not to mention they failed to take Taras....

Kushan

**CountArach** · 02-28-2007, 06:19

Thanks Kushan! Wow, I've inspired people.

**Justiciar** · 02-28-2007, 06:21

To echo the words of others, this is a bloody brilliant AAR, Arach. A novel idea, too. Keep it up!

**paullus** · 02-28-2007, 06:26

i like the perspective, and you've put together a nice choice of screens, too. even if that last battle was against a bunch of poeni levies, at least they kept some level of cohesion, and the BI naval abilities are just soooo cool.

**Warluster** · 02-28-2007, 07:13

As you know I love this AAR ( As I stated earlier in Post #3) and have to agree with all other posts, this is a great story. I wonder if 3rd legion will go out of italy?