Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

206 CROSSING THE FORD.expressed that to dismount a cavalryman spoils him. Nodefense was attempted by the enemy to this last attack, buthe withdrew in disorder right and left and made for themountains. Alexander took possession of the hill which wasthe key to the ford, and posted the Agrianians and archersupon it,some two thousand strong.This dispersion of the enemy afforded him means of safelypassing the river, where he could be more secure from suddenattack, to which he had laid himself open from there being butone ford. The hypaspists and the heavy infantry were orderedto wade the river first and form at once into phalanx towardsthe left so as to present as imposing an array as possible,and the king gave instructions to set the artillery inbatteryfor the moral effect of its novelty on the Illyrians. He himselfremained on the hill to observe the operations.The barbarians,perceiving that their foe was about to escape, camedown from the surrounding heights to which they had againreturned when they saw the Macedonians, as they thought,taking to flight by the ford. They hoped to be able to attacktheir rear. But Alexander was closely scanning theirmovements.As they drew near he headed against them his ownbrigade — the companion agema — with an impetuous rushand its terrible battle-cry, and the phalanx made motion as ifto advance again across the river.advanceThis attack and simulateddrove the barbarians back, and the pause enabledAlexander to get the Agrianians and archers over the ford.To sustain this operation the military engines (of which hehad brought an ample number from the arsenal at Pella)showered projectiles of all kinds upon the enemy. This isthe first record of the use of artillery in battle. The archersalso from mid-river turned and sent their flights of arrows atthe barbarians, who, under Glaucias' incitement, constantlyreturned to the attackBy these means, Glaucias being una-