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

FIFTY-SEVEN MILES A DAY. 481is but one more proof that success in war depends not aloneon men, but needs a man. Alexander was to blame in theselection of his commander. Spitamenes returned in highspirits to Maracanda, and prepared to besiege the citadel asecond time, with far greater prospect of success.On learning of this untoward event, Alexander, chagrinedbeyond measure at the disgraceful check, at once prepared toput his own shoulder to the wheel. He had finished the Jaxartesproblem, and could leave this outpost safely now thatthe new city was fairly started. He took half the Companioncavalry, the shield-bearing guards, archers, Agrianians, andlight phalangians, and headed towards the valley of the Polytimetus,leaving Craterus to follow with tlie bulk of the army.The king, who was never slow in his movements, this timemarched one hundred and seventy miles in three days, and onthe morning of the fourth day reached Maracanda. ButSpitamenes, on the first notice of Alexander's presence, abandonedthe siege of the city, and fled. Alexander pursuedhim well into the desert, where Spitamenes crossed the Polytimetus,but he could not overtake him.near the late battlefield.The king's path layHere he buried, with as much ceremonyas the time allowed, all the soldiers whose remains hadnot disappeared, and in retaliation for the loss of his men helaid the whole district waste. The miserable Sogdianians,suffering for another's guilt, had retired into every place ofsafety, and had fortified every town and hamlet.They couldexpect no mercy ; nor did Alexander show any. He sweptover the length and breadth ofthe land like a blizzard, burningand destroying villages and farms. He slew all the barbarianswho had taken part in the campaign, most of whomhad fled to the fortified places. These were each in turnreduced and razed.In this frightful retribution one hundredand twenty thousand men, not counting women and children,