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

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

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CROSSING THE JAXARTES. 475beyond measure at being struck by missiles <strong>from</strong> such an incredibledistance, <strong>the</strong> Scythians retired to a more respectfulposition back <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> banks. This is <strong>the</strong> first record <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>use <strong>of</strong> <strong>art</strong>illery to protect <strong>the</strong> crossing <strong>of</strong> a river in <strong>of</strong>fense.ALEXANDER ,''Vi''Battle against <strong>the</strong> Scythians.<strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong> led <strong>the</strong> way on <strong>the</strong> first raft, with <strong>the</strong> trumpetssounding, while <strong>the</strong> men made breastworks or tortoises <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>ir interlaced shields, <strong>and</strong> used <strong>the</strong>ir missiles freely during<strong>the</strong> passage. The archers <strong>and</strong> slingers were first got across,<strong>and</strong> skirmishing gallantly with <strong>the</strong> Scythians, prevented <strong>the</strong>irapproaching <strong>the</strong> river, while <strong>the</strong> phalangites <strong>and</strong> cavalrymenwere ferried over.boats.The horses <strong>of</strong> each p<strong>art</strong>y swam behind <strong>the</strong><strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong> now engaged <strong>the</strong> enemy by sending for<strong>war</strong>d a

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