Legio XVII: Roman Legion at War (45 page)

*******

As soon as Manius was told the
Suevi
had crossed the Innsbruck-Brenner road and were committed to continuing west, he sent mounted couriers to recall the 500
Cenomani
guarding the entrance to the pass.  He instructed their Centurions to move the men 5 miles northwest to Vols, which is about 2 miles east of Kematen and 3 miles from the
Suevi
army.  Their mission was to guard the east-west road along the river and intercept any
Suevi
retreating from the coming battle.  Manius’ optimism was reflected in his planning.

Scouts reported that the
Suevi
appeared to be making camp for the night and the entire enemy force was together in the woods less than 2 miles away.  Manius figured there would be no battle today, but this could always be a ruse.  He expected that
Suevi
scouts were probably watching him at this moment from the wood line ¾ of a mile away.  Well, that was expected and he had something for them to see.

Four thousand Auxiliaries now stood on the crest of the hill facing east along with almost 600 archers and 200 horse.  Manius had them spread out from woods to woods.  His 5000 Romans remained in the fort undetected and hard at work erecting palisades, towers, and digging ditches.  He intended to maintain this posture until it was dark and then send the
Cenomani
to the north woods and the
Rhaetians
to the south woods into pre-selected positions.

Manius hoped these forces would stop any
Suevi
nighttime attempt to get behind the hill through the woods.  He told them to set up multiple piles of dry brush in the woods strategically placed to illuminate likely avenues of approach.  The archers would be divided between these two units.  There were all given strict orders: “No fires and no noise.  You must remain undetected.”  This meant another night of cold food.

The cavalry had mostly been recalled except for a few elements that still scouted the area between the
Suevi
and the Pass, some 5 to 6 miles of mostly woods.  Their orders were to report a
Suevi
attempt to circle wide behind the fort from the south.  The Romans in the fort took up their positions along the entire 2800’ of the walls and all but one
ballista
was now in position along the 1400’ portion of the wall facing the hill.  Manius hoped to use the remaining
ballista
to gain more time for his men to finish building the fort.  He had this
ballista
crew mount their weapon on a heavy wagon pulled by four horses and position it just shy of the crest of the hill and out of sight of the
Suevi
.  He hoped to entice Ariovistus to talk with a promise to display the
ballista
.

*******

Ariovistus’ men were just beginning to set up their camp for the night when the scouts returned.  Cook fires were just catching hold and the men were relaxed and in a good mood.  Ariovistus was sitting with his back resting against a tree.  He was feeling his 55 years and was in a sour mood.  From the very beginning, something about the Romans and this entire campaign made him uncomfortable.  Maybe he was too old to do this anymore.  Nothing made sense.  It was not conventional.  The meeting at the bridge; the killing of the 500; the taunting Romans; the fire on the bridge; the disappearing Romans; Vocion; the
ballistae
.  He was not even clear who he was fighting.  He was guessing at their strength and did not know their location.  He felt tired.  In fact, he was tired of leading and tired of cold winters.  “Maybe it is time to rest,” he thought to himself.

“Sir, we found the Romans!”

“Where,” asked Ariovistus, suddenly feeling rejuvenated.

“About a mile farther east through the woods; we were just in the wood line looking across a wide open field and we saw them.

“What were they doing; how many did you see?”

“We saw about 5 or 6 thousand men on a hill in the middle of the field.  They were just standing there facing us.”

“Go back and tell me if they do anything else,” ordered Ariovistus.  “So the Romans finally want to fight,” he though.

Ariovistus summoned his Commanders and reported the good news to them.  Some proposed attacking immediately, before the sun set.  Most urged caution and wanted to wait for Vocion fearing they would lose too many men if they attacked without him.  Ariovistus added that “Even though we have the advantage in manpower, they own the hill, which nullifies our advantage.  We need to push them off the hill.  As far as Vocion, yes, it would be better if he would attack them from the rear while we strike the front, but we need to face facts, we don’t know for sure what’s happened to him.  Knowing Vocion, I suspect he’s behind them right now waiting for us to launch our attack, but we can’t count on that.”

He continued, “Here’s my plan: as soon as it gets dark, I will send 2000 men to the north of the hill in the woods by the river and 2000 to the south.  In the morning, at first light, I will signal the attack by sending our remaining 7000 out into the field and directly against the hill.  When the men in the north and south see us attack, they will attack.  This plan should catch them all even any hiding on the far side of the hill.  As soon as it gets dark, in another hour or so, move your men out.  Keep quiet so they don’t detect you.  The main force will get up at 0400 and attack at first light, about 0600.”  Ariovistus felt much better; even his back did not hurt any more.  “Finally,” he thought, “We will have an end to this.”

While it was still day, Snake’s archers set up numerous piles of brush in a line about 20 yards in front of their positions, which was integrated in with the Auxiliaries’.  The entire battle line was only about 15 yards inside the woods.  They soaked the piles of brush with pitch and took several practice shots.  Aiming stakes were set up for nighttime firing and arrows were wrapped in pitch soaked cloth.  Manius stressed to Snake that they should expect a major
Suevi
attack.  He told them it was logical that the
Suevi
would want to occupy the flanks of the battlefield.  He said it was not a matter of “if” they come, but when.  Snake passed this warning along to his men.  Just before dark, Manius told the Auxiliaries and archers to leave the hill and take up their positions in the north and south woods.

The 2000
Suevi
going north and the 2000 going south had similar experiences.  The Commanders wisely assembled their men before it was dark and sent out guides to find a route to where they would spend the night.  Despite these precautions, both groups got lost immediately.  The group going north ended up at the river and had to retrace their steps.  By accident, they eventually bumped into the missing guide who led them back to the woods.  They advanced quietly in single file.  The bright moon made walking easier.  They were unaware that they had already been spotted and that the Auxiliaries and archers were concentrating to intercept them.

When the
Suevi
Commander could just make out the edge of the woods and open field through the trees, he passed the word for the men to come up on line to his left and right.  Once everyone was on line, he passed the word to move very quietly up to the edge of the wood line and then to stop.  They saw and heard nothing suspicious.  The first indication they had that they were not alone was when dozens of arrows were suddenly lit.  They stood watching as these pinpoints of flame grew larger and were flying through the air.  It still did not make sense to them and they continued to simply stand and look.

The brush piles caught fire instantly and the dark woods became like day.  They could clearly see each other in the light and presented perfect targets.  Hundreds began dropping with arrows sticking in them before the Commander began yelling to retreat.  They ran through the woods and only stopped when they hit the open field by the road.  They did not know it yet, but they had left about 300 dead and dying men in the woods.

It was past midnight when the first Commander returned to camp with his weary men.  Ariovistus was sleeping soundly and had not heard the commotion.  The Commander feared Ariovistus’ reaction to the failed attempt and decided to not wake him.  He walked off and simply went to sleep.  When the second Commander returned about 0200, he woke Ariovistus and told him that the Romans were waiting for him.  He speculated that someone had tipped them off which meant there was a spy in the camp.  His ploy was to get Ariovistus focused on the spy theory and to overlook his failure.  It worked.  The first Commander heard Ariovistus’ loud angry cursing about spies and decided this was not a good time to discuss his own failed mission.  Eventually, the camp settled down.

Four o’clock came and went and the camp continued to sleep.  There would be no attack this morning.  It had taken Ariovistus an hour to fall back to sleep.  Before drifting off, he decided to sleep late and let the men rest.  By 0600 the camp was up and preparing food.  They had been told the night before that they would attack at dawn, but were happy to have slept instead.  Ariovistus assumed that the 2000 that went north had met the same fate as the other 2000 and no one told him any different.  He heard from those around him that they had lost men last night, but did not hear a specific number and did not bother to ask.  He felt very tired this morning and really wanted to be somewhere else.  Things were not going well.

*******

As soon as the
Suevi
fled the woods in the north and south, the troops frantically scrambled to put the fires out.  The brush piles had almost burned themselves out, but, in the process, started numerous ground fires.  After about an hour, the fires were mostly out and the archers began rebuilding their brush piles in case the
Suevi
returned.  Meanwhile, Snake and the Commanding Centurion walked back to the fort and woke Manius with the good news.  Manius smiled as they told the story.  He was also pleased that they had no casualties.  Two hours later, the other Centurion reported in from the south woods.  Manius listened attentive, asked a few questions, complimented the Centurion, and dismissed him.  In a few hours he would set up his tent in the field by the woods and invite the
Suevi
Commander to talk, but for now he could get another hour of much needed sleep.

*******

About 0630 hours, one of the scouts told Ariovistus that there was a group of Romans in the field about 300 yards from the wood line and they are setting up a tent.  Ariovistus thought, “That Roman I met at the bridge wants to talk again.  Well, so do I!”  He called for his horse, selected a half a dozen men to accompany him, and worked his way to the edge of the woods.  When he looked out, he saw Manius sitting on his camp stool eating with five men standing nearby.  It was the same scene he had witnessed about a week ago.  This time, he was more curious and eager to talk.  In the back of his mind, he hoped this delay in the battle would allow Vocion the time he needed to get into position.  It frustrated him that he could not figure out where Vocion was.

Before Manius left the fort for his meeting with the
Suevi
Commander, he instructed Tomaeus and his Commanders to complete the work on the fort.  He kept the Auxiliaries in the woods they occupied the previous evening and even told them to push deeper into the woods to stop any possible
Suevi
flanking maneuver.  He emphasized that the
Suevi
must not be allowed to get behind the fort under any circumstances.

Manius’ ideal scenario for this battle would have all the Auxiliaries in the fort along with the
Triarii
reserve while his 2000-man
Hastati
and 2000-man
Principes
would form up together outside the fort in a
triplex acies.
  He intended to mask their presence by positioning them under the back walls and, when appropriate, to swing around the fort and engage the
Suevi
in close order battle.  This scenario would have the entire
Suevi
army attack across the open field, pass over the hill, and hit the fort head on.  But, as he discussed with his Commanders, battles rarely go as intended.

Other likely scenarios included twin
Suevi
secondary attacks that pin his Auxiliaries in the woods, preventing them from returning to the fort to man the walls, while the main
Suevi
attack goes directly for the fort and the Romans manning the walls.  In this scenario, he would be unable to assist the Auxiliaries with the
Triarii
.  His only reserve would be the 600-man cavalry, who would be completely ineffective in the woods.  They could, however, be used to take the pressure off the Auxiliaries by attacking the rear of these secondary attacks.  These options and possible scenarios had been thoroughly explored with his Commanders.  He told them all to remain flexible and not be wedded to any particular plan. 
Suevi
actions will dictate the final battle plan.

Manius sat in his chair eating as Ariovistus rode up and dismounted.  Manius was taking a chance.  He had few guards and none with standard Roman equipment.  He was continuing the charade he initiated at the bridge by appearing unwarlike and rather simple.  He stood up when Ariovistus was about 30’ away and said, “Last time we stood and talked according to
Suevi
custom; would you sit with me and talk today according to Roman custom?”  Ariovistus nodded his ascent and Manius had a stool brought for him.  “So far, so good,” he thought.

Manius had his men bring food to Ariovistus who refused it with a wave of his hand and spoke, “Roman, as you undoubtedly know, I crossed the river with two armies.  One is here and the other is missing.  Have you seen them?”

Manius replied, “Yes, we saw them two days ago heading west, and then they entered the thick forest moving in the direction of the mountains.  Perhaps, they’ve gotten lost in the mountains with their numerous twisting valleys.”

Ariovistus did not expect a straight answer, but this one had merit.  It was possible that Vocion decided to get into the mountains to shake Roman eyes and to better position his force for an attack.

“Good answer; why isn’t your army on the hill this morning like they were yesterday,” Ariovistus asked with a smirk.  “They didn’t get much sleep last night,” Manius replied.  “They were putting out fires all night,” and he smiled to match that of Ariovistus’.

“Yesterday, you fired
ballista
at us.  I’ve heard about these weapons, but have never seen one,” said Ariovistus.

“Would you like a demonstration of their capability?” asked Manius.  Ariovistus nodded.  Manius turned to one of the men standing nearby and said, “Have the
ballista
show our guest what it can do.”  He mounted up and rode for the hill.  While they waited, Manius sipped some wine and offered a cup to Ariovistus, which he accepted.  Within a few minutes, a huge lumbering wagon pulled by four horses appeared on the crest of the hill.  It stopped and three men could be seen disconnecting the wagon from the horses and working on the machine that lay in the bed as a rider raced for the wood line some 400 yards away.

He dismounted upon reaching the woods and attached several shirts and trousers to a tree about 6’ up to serve as targets.  The men pushed the wagon in one direction than another as they lined up the
ballista
with the target.  Manius explained their actions to Ariovistus who watched with eyes glued to the distant weapon.  The right arm of the crew leader on the wagon shot straight up in the air, signaling to Manius that the weapon was ready to fire.

Manius raised his arm, as rehearsed, held it for a second, and chopped it downward.  The release of the arrow was audible even 500 yards away and its flight could clearly be followed.  It smashed into the target and sent the clothes flying.  Ariovistus audibly drew a breath!  He was truly impressed.  To have hit the target from so great a distance was unheard of!  “How long before it can do that again,” he asked.  Manius lied and said, “About 10 minutes.”   When he heard that, Ariovistus dismissed it as a threat to his army and his mind moved elsewhere.

Manius signaled for more wine, which Ariovistus accepted.  As the wine warmed his stomach, Ariovistus got talkative and asked Manius about Rome, its land, and people.  Manius gave expansive answers, which seemed to satisfy Ariovistus’ curiosity.

After about 30 minutes of questions and answers, Ariovistus smiling broadly said, “Why don’t we settle this business with a fight between just you and me.  Our armies could watch.  If I win, Rome stays out of the Brenner and the Valley and if you win, we stay north of the Inn River?”

Manius laughed!  “You are fully a head taller than I and at least 50 pounds heavier.  What chance would I have?”

Pretending to let the wine talk, Manius continued, “There is no one in my entire army of 5000 that could beat such a warrior as you.  Let’s have our armies fight it out to decide the future, but here on the field of honor, not in the woods like squirrels scampering among the trees.  That’s how Roman men settle differences.”

The hair on Ariovistus’ neck began to rise and he felt his temper stir.  “Are you saying we are not men?  If you want to fight here, I will grant you your wish.  We will fight” and with that he poured his remaining wine out on the ground and rose from his chair.  “We do not fear your
ballista
or your puny soldiers.  Good bye Roman.”  And with that, he spun around and walked back to his waiting horse.

Manius felt good.  He had bought about 90 minutes and was fairly certain that the
Suevi
army would now attack straight up this field to his waiting army.  It was a huge gamble, but he now planned to recall the Auxiliaries from the woods.  He sent a rider ahead to assemble his Commanders and calmly rode back to his lines as his men broke down the tent and put it on a waiting cart.

“Before the Auxiliaries leave the woods and again take up their position on the hill as bait, have them build brush piles in the woods, like they did last night.  Also gather up caltrops from the Legionaries and sprinkle them in the woods before you leave.  Snake, I want you to place 100 archers in the north and 100 archers in the south woods to ignite the brush just in case the
Suevi
come that way.  The fires and caltrops should blunt any flanking attack.  If the
Suevi
stay out of the woods, your archers can still support the fort from that distance.  Place your remaining archers on the walls and in the towers.