Read Online Legio XVII: Battle of the Danube by Thomas A. Timmes - Free Book Online
Authors: Thomas A. Timmes
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uneventful in terms of hostile attacks, but filled with the usual miseries of mud, rain, broken wagons, hunger, birth of babies, and death of old people. The wagons were showing increasing signs of wear and tear and it was taking longer and longer to make any distance. The people praised Timur for successfully bringing the migration this far without significant loss of life, but they needed a rest.
Long before the wagons arrived at the river, Timur dispatched his bridge builders to construct one pontoon bridge across the river at Hassfurt, which is between Schweinfurt and Bamberg. He did this intentionally since the four columns would arrive at the crossing site in a staggered manner and could all use the one bridge without causing a massive backup. He also needed time to place each column independently in the horseshoe formed by the looping river.
The people rejoiced that they could finally stop traveling, but dreaded the work of building a fort and all the necessary building required to survive the winter that lay ahead.
Before the pontoon bridge was in place, Timur instructed his horsemen to swim the river and begin patrolling south of the river. The cavalry was becoming a force that could scout as well as fight on horseback. He wanted to ensure that no threats lie in waiting across the river.
The Marcomanni Tribe and their smaller allies, the Naristai and Quadi, controlled the next 100 miles of territory and were known to be unfriendly. Mentally, Timur prepared for the biggest challenge of the migration. He learned the combined tribes could field an enormous Army of 100,000. He feared that if he didn’t handle this final leg of the journey correctly, his people would be slaughtered.
Using the lessons learned while constructing the bridges across the Elbe, the builders lost no time in preparing roads to the single crossing site, securing the anchor points, and assembling the individual pontoons. The river was less than 200 feet (60.9m) across and was slow moving. The weather cooperated and the work moved apace. Timur arrived just as the last pontoon was lashed into place. He then rode across the newly built bridge amid the cheers of the hard working builders.
The western most column arrived at the crossing site first and crossed without any difficulties, much to the relief of the builders. The column cleared the bridge and was escorted to its camping area just as the second column arrived at the bridge. The entire operation seemed to be moving with military precision.
Once the river was successfully crossed without opposition from the Marcomanni, Timur sent out scouts to find the Marcomanni’s main camp and to announce their presence, their peaceful intentions, and need to winter over in their land. The scouts departed with gifts of exquisitely made weapons, jewelry, copper ingots, and several cows.
Timur gathered his leaders to discuss the preparations for the coming winter. The four columns were grouped closely together in what could be described as four large circles. The leaders discussed the importance for the people to construct sturdy wooden huts, barns for the animals and wagons, and wooden roadways throughout the large camp to avoid turning the area into one big mud pit. Timur put the Army to work constructing a wall of dirt and logs to block the open end of the horseshoe. It was a huge undertaking that extended for four miles (6.4km). Army Commanders were also busy with contingency planning should the Marcomanni attempt a raid or want a full scale battle.
As the days and weeks passed, trees were felled, huts began to rise up, and the defensive wall crept across the landscape. People fished and hunters went out daily to search for deer, boar, and any other edible animals. Food was abundant and the work progressed.
The scouts returned from the Marcomanni camp with some interesting news. The scouts reported that the Marcomanni were fully aware of the approach of
Long before the wagons arrived at the river, Timur dispatched his bridge builders to construct one pontoon bridge across the river at Hassfurt, which is between Schweinfurt and Bamberg. He did this intentionally since the four columns would arrive at the crossing site in a staggered manner and could all use the one bridge without causing a massive backup. He also needed time to place each column independently in the horseshoe formed by the looping river.
The people rejoiced that they could finally stop traveling, but dreaded the work of building a fort and all the necessary building required to survive the winter that lay ahead.
Before the pontoon bridge was in place, Timur instructed his horsemen to swim the river and begin patrolling south of the river. The cavalry was becoming a force that could scout as well as fight on horseback. He wanted to ensure that no threats lie in waiting across the river.
The Marcomanni Tribe and their smaller allies, the Naristai and Quadi, controlled the next 100 miles of territory and were known to be unfriendly. Mentally, Timur prepared for the biggest challenge of the migration. He learned the combined tribes could field an enormous Army of 100,000. He feared that if he didn’t handle this final leg of the journey correctly, his people would be slaughtered.
Using the lessons learned while constructing the bridges across the Elbe, the builders lost no time in preparing roads to the single crossing site, securing the anchor points, and assembling the individual pontoons. The river was less than 200 feet (60.9m) across and was slow moving. The weather cooperated and the work moved apace. Timur arrived just as the last pontoon was lashed into place. He then rode across the newly built bridge amid the cheers of the hard working builders.
The western most column arrived at the crossing site first and crossed without any difficulties, much to the relief of the builders. The column cleared the bridge and was escorted to its camping area just as the second column arrived at the bridge. The entire operation seemed to be moving with military precision.
Once the river was successfully crossed without opposition from the Marcomanni, Timur sent out scouts to find the Marcomanni’s main camp and to announce their presence, their peaceful intentions, and need to winter over in their land. The scouts departed with gifts of exquisitely made weapons, jewelry, copper ingots, and several cows.
Timur gathered his leaders to discuss the preparations for the coming winter. The four columns were grouped closely together in what could be described as four large circles. The leaders discussed the importance for the people to construct sturdy wooden huts, barns for the animals and wagons, and wooden roadways throughout the large camp to avoid turning the area into one big mud pit. Timur put the Army to work constructing a wall of dirt and logs to block the open end of the horseshoe. It was a huge undertaking that extended for four miles (6.4km). Army Commanders were also busy with contingency planning should the Marcomanni attempt a raid or want a full scale battle.
As the days and weeks passed, trees were felled, huts began to rise up, and the defensive wall crept across the landscape. People fished and hunters went out daily to search for deer, boar, and any other edible animals. Food was abundant and the work progressed.
The scouts returned from the Marcomanni camp with some interesting news. The scouts reported that the Marcomanni were fully aware of the approach of
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