3rd Legion - Roma's Bulls

[CountArach]

Chapter 10 - The Last Great Deeds
246 – All – The Consulship of Manivs Otacilivs Crassvs, Marcvs Fabivs Licinvs

Dearest Sister,

I know that you were expecting me to be home by now, yet the third legion has once against been called to duty!

I told you of the Peace Treaty that was arranged with Carthage. Those filthy, lying bastards betrayed our trust and used the time that they gained from the peace treaty to stab us in the back and regather their strength.

Well news of the war reached us early in 246. Apparently, they laid siege to their former stronghold of Lilibeo with a small invasion force and the war had spread to our theatre.

The Carthaginians still had an army on the peninsula, and the decision to fight was made by Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio. However, we could not go straight away, we still had to get some of the loyal tribes to give us troops to garrison Gader. So we could only begin to seek an engagement in Autumn.

As the season for campaigning started to approach a close, the Carthaginians were getting more and more complacent, believing they could renew the hostilities next year. They started to become sloppy.

We caught them though, and forced them to battle.



The army was comprised mainly of natives of the island who had been pressed into service by some Carthaginian Loyals.

We deployed in our formation, for the last time, and got ready to show these Carthaginians once and for all who was superior. Our navy was there to prevent escape and to give us somewhere to retreat to.



The battle started with the standard exchange of missiles



This was followed by an infantry and cavalry charge to ward our skirmishers off. They ran through our ranks and hid behind our army, pelting the enemy with missiles during the battle.

The Hastati took the brunt of the charge, and we were attacked by some stragglers who were attempting to flank the Hastati



In front of us was the most mayhem I have ever seen.

The enemy infantry had formed a disorganized, though potent, mass and had charged the Hastati and some Lucanians. The enemy cavalry was on our right of the line, hurling javelins into the fray, kicking up dust as they went.

So we hurled our javelins.



And charged



The enemy quickly broke under the combined pressure of our charge and the redoubled efforts of the Hastati.

So we had broken most of their centre. That still left their elite troops.

Some men that they call Scutarii charged us. Their shields were huge and their spears razor sharp.



Then I noticed the cavalry behind us.

I made preparations to withdraw our men behind the Triarii, then I realized the Triarii were engaged with some of these Iberians, aiding the Lucanians.

Thank Mars for Cornelivs Scipio.

He charged around the Triarii and into the enemy skirmisher cavalry, saving my men from being slaughtered. Many men, including yourself dear sister, have his foresight to thank for having their sons, brothers and fathers home.

Yet we still had the Scutarii to deal with. They were holding on, and the combat swung from one side to the other. I killed many men in this fight.

Eventually the Hastati had dealt with the last of their enemies, having re-engaged with some cavalry and some skirmishers, and turned to charge the rear of the eenemy.

This broke the last remnants of their morale.



So my last battle, and the most glorious in our history was over, and I can now return home, knowing that I fully served the Republic. I would have given my life, but I did not have to.





So now sister, I can return home and take command of the family and our estates.

With love,
Spvrivs Cordivs