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

594 THREE COOPERATING CORPS.terus he found in camp. Hephaestion and Philip were betweenthe rivers at tlie confluence.In order that the Mallians should find opposition whereverthey might turn, he divided his army into several detachments.Philip's corps, the brigade of Polysperchon, the horsebowmenand the elephants, which had been marching downthe river, were now transferred to the right bank of theAcesines, as the united stream is still called, and the wholeadded to Craterus' force. Nearchus ^vith the fleet was first•started down the river. Craterus followed Nearchus threedays later.This joint naval and military force was to form aSjase for future operations on the westerly side of the river.Nearchus was to land on the right bank below the pointwhere the Acesines receives the Hydraotis, and hold thevicinity toprevent reinforcements being sent to the Mallianssouth of the desert, as well as to intercept any barbarianforces which attempted escape that way. The rest of thearmy was then divided into three parts. Alexander commandedthe body which marched directly against the Malli-:ans across the desert.It consisted of the hypasjDists, archers,Agrianians, Peithon's brigade of the phalanx, the horsearchersand half of the Companion cavalry. By this marchhe proposed to surprise them and cut them off from Gandi-Titis and the Cathsean country, and drive them down towardsthe mouth ofthe Hydraotis and there have them run foul ofthe Macedonian forces ordered to that point. Hephasstionwas sent along the left bank southerly, five marches ahead ofthe king, so that if the Mallians or part of them fled downstream when Alexander attacked them he could be in a positionto intercept them even before they reached Craterus andNearchus. Ptolemy followed three marches behind Alexander,so that if the Mallians or part of them fled up streamwhen Alexander attacked they would meet a like reception.