The Relief of Scodra
Spring, 261 BC
The garrison of Scodra was besieged by a force many times their size which formed a solid ring of steel around the city walls. Without the aid of Legio II Sabina Quintia, they would surely die.
And so, we marched on them, to save lives by taking them. Great efforts were made to get a message to Marcus Laevinus in the city, but the Macedonian pickets were too cunning. None of our attempts succeeded and we were forced to attack without a coordinated sally from the garrison. Legio II, heavily understrength, but with skill and pride enough for an entire Consular Army, formed up and prepared themselves for what was to come.
As the lines were drawn, the Funditores began harassing the enemy formations.
After a prolonged bombardment, some of the Macedonians lost their discipline and deserted the main line in an attempt to rid themselves of the painful lead rain. This was exactly what I had hoped for. Legio II quickly enveloped the exposed Macedonians and slew them before their comrades could react.
As the sounds of battle grew ever louder, a runner came to report that Marcus Laevinus had arrived with the Scodra garrison. His presence was most welcome, but the chaos of the scene prevented me from speaking with him personally and thus our forces operated independantly of one another. The Macedonians saw the new arrivals as well, and quickly sent a force of light cavalry to delay their progress.
The garrions's Italian Skirmishers took many casualties in the initial charge, but held firm and eventually repelled the enemy horse. Seeing this, the Macedonian general himself led a charge on the garrison. His impact was vicious and men all over the field shuddered at the horror of the blow. The Italian Swordsmen melted before him and the survivors fled for their lives.
Seeing his force in danger of collapsing against this onslaught, Marcus Laevinus orded the body into formation with Legio II and then went to cover their flank personally. He was intercepted by the Macedonian second in command and a great melee ensued. Many a foe was felled, but I fear that Marcus' inexperience in battle was his undoing. A shudder went through the Scodra garrison as news of his death spread.
Seeing the Scodra garrison about to break completely, Legio II's Tribune, Secundus Salvidienus, took the initiative and charged the men who had slain the brave Laevinus. With revenge formost in his mind, Salvidienus plunged his sword into the Macedonian's chest.
With their commander avenged, most of the Scodra garrison regained their composure and returned to the fight. I joined Salvidienus and together we trapped and slew the commanding Macedonian general. Yet, for all that the main enemy line held firm. We surrounded it and they began to fall, but they inflicted a heavy price.
Every man on the field was called on to ensure that the Macedonians were finally broken. The Funditores, their lead long since exhausted, were led into the melee while the two Italian Cavalrymen who had survived the previous battle were sent after the enemy skirmishers. In a remarkable feat of bravery, they single-handedly routed and slew in excess of forty of them.
Eventually the Macedonians fell, until but a single group of spearmen remained. With one last, great effort, these men were surrounded and eliminated.
The battle had been won, Scodra had been saved, but at a high price. A Senator has fallen in the line of battle and Legio II is less than half the strength of a full Legion.
The Macedonian armies continue to flood the passes with no end, yet we have received no reinforcements and the situation is growing dire. I can only hope that the next report the Senate receives from Legio II does not recount my own fate.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks