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

THE MALLIAN CAPITAL. 601burning walls. Here five thousand brave men perished. Sadand strange that civilization, as well as Christianity, hasalways needed so much blood to pi'opagate its benignantdoctrines. And yet, as Voltaire said, Alexander foundedmany more cities than other conquerors have destroyed.Scarcely pausing to give his men one day's rest, thoughthey had marched and fought almost continuously forfive,Alexander moved with fresh ardor against the other tribes ofthe Mallians. He knew that exertion now meant quiet byand by. He found that the barbarians had all fled into thedesert from their several cities, all of which he destroyed.The army was given one day more rest. He then dispatchedPeithon with his infantry brigade, and Demetriuswith his ile of cavalry and some light-armed men, back tothe river Hydraotis to follow it up and down, and capture allwho had fled for safety into the woods and marshes whichlined the banks. For many had taken refuge in these places.This work was done thorouglily ; all who did not surrenderwere captured and killed.While this diversion to keep his rear cleared of enemieswas going on, Alexander himself led the rest of the troopsagainst what was reputed the largest city of the Mallians,where he heard that many had taken refuge on fleeing fromother towns. This was probably Multan. It was on thedirect route prescribed to Hephsestion, who, however, eitherhad no orders, or was too weak to attack it. The inhabitantshad abandoned the city proper, owing to the terror inspiredby the Macedonian name. For the utmost bravery appearednot to forestall defeat. They had then moved across to thenorth bank of the Hydraotis, had advanced up stream, andhad taken vip a position on the western side of the most availableford. The bank on their side was high, and they hopedto be able to arrest Alexander's crossing here, and thus protectat least a part of their territory and their capital city.