This is what happened to me recently during a naval battle. I loaded the battle screen but had to leave, so I didn't click start. I left the computer running. It took me longer than I expected to get back (around 4 hours) so , when I finally reached home again, I thought I'd play it quick and move forward.
The battle was a sloop + 2 frigates as reinforcements (me) against a galleon. Practically immediately after I hit the start battle the sloop started to waver, flag went white and it surrendered. Strangely enough, the AI galleon moved in firing distance and stayed there. My reinforcements showed up, behaving correctly. I brought them in firing range as well and gunned the galleon into surrender - the galleon didn't respond in any way.
As a result of the battle I lost the sloop (with the sinking animation) and gained the galleon (which I kept).
So, I'm not sure it's the same thing as the fleeing general from the field, but looks like it's somewhere in the same league.
PS - I play time limit battles.
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