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

698 AGALLASSA TAKEN.Cunniugham) until he himself could come to attack it. Buthe bade him by no means to imdertake an assault, lest therumor of its fall should too soon alarm the country. Alexanderthen attacked the wall of Agallassa. The enemy didnot defend it to any purpose, but after a number had beenkilled and wounded by missiles, some retiredinto the citadelof the town, while the majority took to the woods. The citadelthey defended gallantly for some hours against repeatedpartial assaults, though these were handsomely made ; forthis burg was situated on a height difficidt of access. ButAlexander ordered a final assault in force. This was so vigorouslyrenewed, himself heading the storming party, that,under the influence of his example, who was everywhere, instinctwith words of cheer and deeds of valor, the citadel wascaptured and its garrison of two thousand men put to thesword.Perdiccas reached the city to which he was sent only tofind it deserted by its inhabitants a short time before. Givingchase, he overtook and slew a great number of the stragglers; but most of them got away and fled to the marshes ofthe river Hydraotis.Alexander, giving his men a short rest after taking Agallassa,marched with the cavalry in pursuit of the rest of theMallians who had fled from thesecond city and from Agallassa.By a rapid night|piareh he reached the Hydraotis.Here he came up with a number of stragglers of the columnof fugitives, who suffered the usual fate. Crossing by thesame ford to the south or left bank, he pursued in such hastethat he overtook the rear-guard of the Mallians, broke it up,and slew and captured a great number. The rest made goodtheir escape to a fortified town near by, a strong place bynature and by art (modern Tulambo). Waiting for the infantryto come up, Alexander sent Peithon, with his taxis