Lands of Red and Gold #122: A Man Of Vision
"This above all — to thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."
- William Shakespeare,
Hamlet, Act I, Scene III
"Beat the drums – ride to war
Beat the drums – load the guns
Beat the drums – who fears death?
Beat the drums – none of us!"
- Marching song of the Harmony Battalion, 1719
--
1 January 1720
Outside former Yigutji [Wagga Wagga], Dominion of Harmony
Malligo sat on horseback, with the Hunter on his immediate left and Kyulibah on the Hunter's other hand. Ahead of them, Yigutji burned, though the smoke had been reduced to occasional bursts rather than the black pillar which it had been for the first days. Other soldiers were around, but all of them discreetly out of hearing range.
Kyulibah said, "Where to from here, High Warego?"
The Hunter's gaze remained fixed on the walls. Perhaps he was looking for Puckapunyal, whose corpse had not been found, and he had not been seen amongst those who fled. But then, with the flames so intense, the odds of finding the body were low even if the king had died.
At length, the Hunter said, "I have considered moving to Garrkimang [Narrandera]. The old homeland of conquerors second only to myself. It will make a good base while the rest of Yigutji is subdued."
Malligo said, "Garrkimang will make a good capital for the Five Rivers under the Dominion, but it would be imprudent to wait there long."
Kyulibah said, "You think that Tjibarr will move into our new lands?"
"Not with their armies, alas," Malligo said. "They will not be so foolish. It would be easier if they did. Waiting here would be imprudent because while the city has fallen, Yigutji has not. Not properly."
"Yigutji has no proper armies left," Kyulibah said.
"More can be raised," Malligo said. "There are still opponents here. Worse, it may not be the kind of opposition who meets in open battle, but who strikes from raid or in the night. Tjibarr will send agents and arms to encourage opposition. Gutjanal may do the same, too."
"Raids can be countered," Kyulibah said.
"With time, blood and treasure, yes. But while doing so, this would not be consolidating the High Warego's rule. Tjibarr will be undermining all such efforts, and there are enough unhappy Yigutjians to work with Tjibarr in unrest, raids, and in time, revolt."
"You want me to strike at the heart, then. At Tjibarr," the Hunter said.
"As soon as it is safe to do so."
"Why not just close the borders to Tjibarr?" Kyulibah asked.
"It cannot be done. Not properly. There is too much trade, too many men moving goods too many ways, to seal out all of Tjibarr's influence. Even if we succeed, somehow, blocking trade will upset too many men of consequence here, who will then revolt anyway. I suggest that Tjibarr be invaded with all reasonable haste, as soon as the armies can be reorganised and resupplied, and any unneeded plunder sent back to the Neeburra to wait."
The Hunter studied the half-broken walls of Yigutji again for some time before he responded. "It shall be done. Tjibarr must fall."
Kyulibah looked at Malligo. "How will you feel, invading your homeland?"
"My
old homeland," Malligo said. "I hope that they submit quickly. It will take at least one defeat for them to capitulate. After that, the example of Yigutji should be persuasive."
"And if not?"
"Then one of their cities can be besieged, and go the same way as Yigutji." Malligo shrugged. "The rest will submit quickly after that."
--
From a letter dated Goanna Day, Cycle of Brass, 30th Year of His Majesty Guwariyan the Second (1 January 1720)
To Gurragang of the Whites from your friend Bunatjira of the Golds: May you continue to grow in courage, wealth and insight. May you stand firm against the rigours of misfortune.
[
Translator's note: Tjibarri letters traditionally begin with a variety of ritual pleasantries.
May you stand firm against the rigours of misfortune is not one of those traditional phrasings. Going outside of the standard sayings would in most circumstances be considered a grave insult, though a threat as severe as the Hunter would allow forgiveness of most insults.]
Yigutji has fallen. As Weemiraga is said to have remarked at his funeral, I expected this day, but not so soon. Reliable reports are difficult to obtain, but it appears that Tjuwagga's cannon broke the city's once nigh-impregnable walls. The kingdom is, for now, at an end.
Tjibarr-of-the-Lakes is not so vulnerable, so long as we keep control of the waters.
[
Translator's note: This is because Tjibarr-of-the-Lakes was surrounded by water on all sides. The Nyalananga [River Murray] was to the north, the Anerina [River Loddon] to the east, and artificial lagoons to west and south. The roads between the lagoons were easily flooded in the event of threat, which meant that the city was surrounded by water and very difficult to capture unless an attacker could first gain naval control.]
Alas, that matters naught. Even if the city holds, the Dominion's armies could ravage far too much of our countryside. Victory would then be only a more pleasant name for defeat.
The time, then, is past for contemplation of insights and plans. Subtlety has its place, but now it is a matter of blood and powder. We must meet the Hunter's forces on the battlefield soon. You must ready yourself for one great battle, as must we all, to ensure that Tjibarr does not suffer the same fate as Yigutji.
(Signed) Bunatjira of the Golds
--
From:
Jamberoo's Decisive Battles in World History
Battle of Yangan
The Battle of Yangan [Balranald, NSW] was fought on 14 March 1720 as part of the Fifth Crusade. It was the largest battle fought during the Crusades era, and one of the largest battles fought anywhere in Aururia before the modern era. It marked the Dominion's open invasion of Tjibarr, following the Hunter's bid to subdue all of the Five Rivers. The Dominion forces were personally led by the Hunter, while Tjibarri soldiers formed the main opposition, together with some Gutjanalese allies.
The battlefield of Yangan is the most studied of all the battles of the Crusades era. Surviving accounts of the battle, its lead-up and its aftermath are plentiful, and allow military historians to provide a detailed depiction of where the battle took place, how events progressed, and the repercussions...
Background
The Crusades era, also known as the Yaluma period, was the time when the Dominion was forged as a new state in Aururia. In the first three crusades, the Dominion's founding warleader, the Hunter, laid the foundations for a unified state from what had been many disparate, scattered peoples. The Fourth and Fifth Crusades, although given separate names, were part of a linked campaign to extend the Dominion's rule to the countries further south: Murrginhi, Yigutji, Tjibarr and Gutjanal.
The Fourth Crusade (AD 1717-1718) saw the Dominion conquer Murrginhi, despite some support from Yigutjian and Tjibarri forces. After a period consolidating control of Murrginhi, the Hunter led the Dominion forces into Yigutji, as the first phase of the intended conquest of all three Five Rivers kingdoms...
Prelude
The fall of Yigutji City on 25 December 1719 marked the effective end of the eponymous kingdom, despite a few holdouts. After this, Tjuwagga set up a temporary administrative capital in Garrkimang, while regrouping his forces, tending to the wounded, resupplying, and making the first appointments for rulers in what had been Yigutji.
During this time, the Dominion had diplomatic contact with Tjibarr, exchanging a series of letters and emissaries. This contact did not lead any form of diplomatic resolution. The Hunter called on Tjibarr to submit, as he did with all forms of contact, and this was unsurprisingly rejected. Further exchanges followed, but did nothing other than convince both sides that an invasion was imminent.
The Hunter and his war council decided to keep their armies on the right bank of the Matjidi [Murrumbidgee], to avoid being trapped on the more hostile side of the river, and because reliable crossings were few. The Dominion forces left Garrkimang on 27 February 1720, marching steadily downriver toward Tjibarri territory. They followed the course of the Matjidi [Murrumbidgee], taking advantage of the roads which ran alongside or near that river, and using captured boats to assist in bringing some supplies downriver. On 11 March 1720, they arrived in the vicinity of Yangan, where their scouts reported that the Tjibarri forces had been awaiting them.
The Tjibarri armies had been deployed along the only plausible line of advance, in anticipation of the Dominion's arrival. Yangan marked a sensible strategic choice. It was far enough from the former Yigutji-Tjibarr border that Dominion scouts would not know in advance the site which had been chosen. Crucially, at Yangan the Matjidi was reliably deep enough that regardless of rainfall, boats could still access the town to ferry troops and maintain supplies. The location also meant that if the battle proved unfavourable, they had a choice of two roads or by water to withdraw, and could not be easily encircled.
According to some accounts, the Tjibarri had also chosen this location because it required the Dominion forces to advance past a variety of wetlands, so that they might catch an epidemic of swamp rash. This mosquito-borne disease was then endemic to the Five Rivers and often infected invading armies. While Tjibarri physicians of the time did not know that the disease was carried by mosquitoes, they had realised that being near wetlands made it more likely to catch the disease. Unfortunately for the Tjibarri, in this case there was no such outbreak of swamp rash.
The Tjibarri armies, with some Gutjanalese allies, had chosen their preferred battlefield, and were well-armed and well-supplied in anticipation of the Dominion's arrival...
Geography
The site which the Tjibarri commanders had chosen for the battlefield lay on the floodplain of the lower Matjidi, slightly upriver from the city of Yangan. This land was not used for permanent crops, because floods on the lower Matjidi were prodigious enough that this land would regularly be inundated, destroying valuable produce. Instead, the rich grasses had been used to graze considerable herds of cattle and horses and, in former times, noroons [emus].
As a result of this, the floodplains were scattered with several artificial hills, which the Tjibarri called binbins. These were built using rock and soil extracted in the creation of the artificial wetlands closer to Yangan. They served as refuges where livestock could flee during times of flood. These binbins now served as part of the Tjibarri defensive strategy.
The Tjibarri commanders had selected this floodplain because it offered relatively open ground for musket fire, but had several of the binbins as good defensive positions and sites for artillery. This was a useful place to occupy for defenders, but not so blatantly strong a position that the Dominion might refuse battle.
While the terrain was a floodplain, in this particular year there had been no floods for several months, and so the ground was firm and suitable for manoeuvre...
Forces
Surviving records on both sides list the various Tjibarri and Dominion military units (except artillery) which participated in the battle, though not those of Gutjanal. These unit lists do not provide exact numbers, but permit modern historians to make reasonable estimates of the troop counts on each side. Notably, comparisons of sources from both sides also show that each side overestimated the size of their opposition.
The unit lists for each side, with the best estimates for unit strength, and where known, the name of each commander, are recorded in Figure 11.3…
Figure 11.3
Dominion Forces
Warbands (cavalry)
| Unit Name | Commander | Strength |
| Blademasters | The Hunter | 2,400 |
| Green Serpents | Kyulibah | 1,900 |
| Thunderers | Goonawa | 2,100 |
| Long Irons | Unknown [FN1] | 1,800 |
| Harmony Battalion | Malligo | 600 |
| Old Scorned | Minjaree | 1,700 |
| Fearless | Yongalla | 2,200 |
| Sapphires | Nowenrat | 1,500 |
| Total | | 14,200 |
[FN1] The Long Irons were formerly commanded by Jowarra, who retired to Cankoona after the Fourth Crusade. The name of their new commander has been lost to history.
Goanna battalions (infantry)
| Unit Name [FN2] | Commander | Strength |
| 1st Battalion, "Spearthrowers" | Munya | 4,300 |
| 2nd Battalion, "Listeners" | Unknown | 3,700 |
| 3rd Battalion, "Eagle Eyes" | Unknown | 3,400 |
| 4th Battalion, "Mantrappers" | Unknown | 2,400 |
| 5th Battalion, "Burning Mouths" | Ngondee | 2,700 |
| 6th Battalion, "Potters" | Unknown | 2,500 |
| Total | | 19,000 |
[FN2] Strictly speaking, the names for the Goanna battalions were nicknames, since they were never given officially recognised names during this era.
Artillery
At least 40 guns.
Tjibarri Forces
Infantry
| Unit | Commander | Strength |
| Royal Watchers | Unknown | 1,800 |
| Royal Guardians | Unknown | 1,600 |
| Royal Hammers | Unknown | 1,600 |
| Red Factionaries | Unknown | 3,000 |
| Gray Factionaries | Unknown | 3,200 |
| Green Factionaries | Tjupangati | 3,700 |
| Blue Factionaries | Unknown | 2,400 |
| Gold Factionaries | Bunatjira | 2,100 |
| Black Factionaries | Nyulinga the Black | 2,700 |
| White Factionaries | Amaroo | 3,000 |
| Azure Factionaries | Unknown | 2,800 |
| Total | | 27,900 |
Cavalry
| Unit Name | Commander | Strength |
| Trumpeters | Koreng | 3,900 |
| Fifth Quarterers [FN3] | Yirrgan | 3,500 |
| Wanyu Guriban's Finest | Wanyu Guriban | 900 |
| Total | | 8,300 |
[FN3] The name
Fifth Quarterers was adopted as an ironic nickname to suggest that football is more important than warfare. It suggested that the unit members waited until after the end of football (i.e. the fifth quarter) before taking the field of battle.
Artillery
At least 90 guns.
Gutjanalese Forces
Infantry: 4,800
Cavalry: 1,300
Battle
The Tjibarri and Gutjanalese forces deployed in a line of battle with their infantry deployed in the centre, taking advantage of three bin-bins, and their cavalry deployed on each flank. The royal battalions formed the centre of the line, with the White and Gold factionaries immediately on either side, the Azures and Blues further on their left flank, and the Reds and Greens on their right flank. The Grays and Blacks, together with the Gutjanalese infantry and cavalry, were kept in reserve. The Trumpeters screened the left flank, while the Fifth Quarterers and the Finest were on the right flank.
The Dominion forces were deployed with their infantry battalions on the centre and left flank: the 1st Goanna battalion on the left flank, then the 3rd, 5th, 4th and 6th, with the 2nd being held in reserve. The bulk of the cavalry was deployed on a weighted right flank, with the Blademasters, Harmony Battalion, Fearless, Thunderers, and Green Serpents deployed to attack the right flank. The Long Irons and Old Scorned were deployed to cover the left flank, with the Sapphires held in reserve (see Figure 11.4).
The Tjibarri plan of battle was to remain in a generally defensive formation and encourage the Dominion forces to attack, with sufficient cavalry available to screen their flanks and attack if needed, and use the reserves to plug any weaknesses in the line...
The Hunter's strategy was to try to break through on the right, using his weight of cavalry. In particular, his personal warband was intended to attack the opposing royal and White infantry, with the support of the Harmony Battalion in a flanking attack to break them. This role was similar to one which the Harmony Battalion had performed admirably at Nhumarup in the Fourth Crusade. The remaining cavalry were intended to exploit that gap, or any other opportunity which presented itself, to break into the Tjibarri rear and trap a significant portion of their army. The infantry were expected to advance slowly and force the Tjibarri forces on the left flank to remain in place, and then act as an anvil which could trap the Tjibarri forces if they were broken on the right flank...
--
Clear and bright dawns the day of decision. Unhindered sunlight spreads over the chosen field, with no cloud daring to drift overhead.
From a distance, this land near Yangan appears to be a pattern of lines on a field of faded green. A winding ribbon of blue-brown marks the course of the Matjidi, while three criss-crossing lines of faded, khaki-coloured soil mark roads that travel near the river, through this land which is claimed by Tjibarr and contested by the growing power of the Dominion of Harmony.
Look closer, and other lines emerge into visibility. Two lines, composed of men and horses, prepared for a confrontation which many have been eagerly anticipating, while equally many have been dreading. Impatient horses whinny and prance, while impatient men murmur a thousand variations on the theme of commencement.
Above, a few ebony-coloured ravens and two black-brown eagles have already begun to circle, in nameless expectation of opportunity. No matter who claims victory on the field of battle this day, from the birds' perspective, they will be the true winners.
The southern line, composed largely of the men of Tjibarr, holds steady, unmoving. Mostly it is composed of men on foot, dressed in the colours of their faction or in the neutral brown chosen by royal warriors. Most of the soldiers carry muskets with bayonets attached. Two units of the factionaries, those wearing red and green and closest to the river, have some soldiers who carry long pikes as well as some with muskets. At either end of the line, men wait on horseback, carrying a more miscellaneous combination of pistols, muskets, swords and spears.
In chosen places between the foot-soldiers, often on hilltops, rests artillery dragged there by horses or men the previous day. These guns are not expected to be decisive in battle, not according to any plans of the many men of many factions who have employed them. Yet in accordance with a much-repeated maxim, any enemy who falls to a cannonball is one less to reach the Tjibarri lines.
In one of those units, composed of those wearing colours that are meant to be white but now marked with dust, Gurragang of the Whites stands, a musket by his side. He watches, the small elevation of the hill letting him see the enemy deployment. His heart beats rapidly as he considers, and frets.
He muses that so much planning, so much subtle skill and manoeuvring, has been prepared for strengthening Tjibarr. The factions contain men experienced in the art of understanding their foes, and they studied the ways of the Yadji, of Gutjanal and Yigutji, and the many nations of the Raw Men. They all sought to understand, and to prepare as best they could, for how to strengthen the nation and weaken all rivals. Yet in all of this, no-one foresaw – no-one
could have foreseen – the arrival of the Hunter.
So, Gurragang watches, and worries, that Tjibarr has been forced into this battle which is a great gamble, against a man who has had a lifetime of winning battles against all comers.
In the northern line, rather more men are on horseback, with most of those on the end of the line farthest from the river. The cavalrymen – and handful of cavalrywomen – are likewise armed with an assortment of weapons, including some with bows. The footmen – and in this case they are all men – carry a mixture of spears and muskets, with only a few of those muskets possessing bayonets.
Just behind the main force of the northern line, the Hunter sits on his horse atop another of the small hills scattered across the field of battle. His warleaders Malligo and Yongalla await his final instructions.
The Hunter surveys the deployment of the opposing troops, smiles, and speaks. "They have deployed as planned. The central hill is the decisive place. Malligo, I will lead my warband there, with yours shadowing us. If they break, you will be best positioned to rout them, with Yongalla's warband in support. If they hold on the first charge, then you flank them as you did at Nhumarup. If any of their other foot-men interfere with you, Yongalla can attack
them."
The two other commanders shake their heads in agreement, then all three of them ride down the gentle slope back toward their units. Soon thereafter, banners are raised as signals. Battle drums sound amongst the Dominion foot-soldiers, and they begin to advance on the centre and left of the field of battle. After the infantry have begun to close the gap, the Hunter snaps further orders and his warband begins to ride forward, with the other cavalry units also advancing, while staying a little further back than the Hunter's unit.
Cannons bark in response, with the cannonballs flying out through the gaps between the Tjibarri units. Some men and horses are struck down, but too few to stop or even slow the advance.
The Dominion infantry are closing on the left, with musket fire cracking through the air, while the smoke from black powder rises. In the centre, the Dominion cavalry are also closing the gap, with the Hunter's warband the nearest. One volley of musket fire follows from the Whites and the Royal Guardians. A few more men are struck down, but not nearly enough to stem the advance.
With a cry of "for Tjuwagga and for harmony!" the warband charges into the Tjibarri lines. Men fall from pistol shot and sword-swing, while riders die from bayonet or musket-fire. Yet muskets are not quickly reloaded, and while bayonets offer some defence, it quickly proves that they are not a match to sword-carrying men atop horses. More of the foot-men are falling than horse-men, and it is clear that their line is wavering.
Standing in the third rank from the front, musket and bayonet ready, Gurragang cannot stop a few tears from trickling down his cheeks. It is not his own death he fears, but the end of Tjibarr. He knows from reports he has heard many times what will happen if the unit breaks and the Dominion cavalry can attack the Tjibarri forces from both front and rear.
Not far away, Malligo is at the head of his own warband. He watches and waits, preparing for the right time. The Hunter's warband is fully engaged, and the Tjibarri look close to breaking. He needs to judge his moment carefully.
A few more moments, a few more deaths, and it appears as if the Whites are about to break. A couple of men are fleeing from the rear.
All looks ready. Malligo says, "It is time." He raises his voice. "Trumpeter! Play
Beat the Drums!"
The trumpeter looks, blinks, and looks again. "Yes, commander!"
The trumpet call rings out the favoured marching tune, and the Harmony Battalion begins their advance, gradually increasing their speed. The trumpeter keeps playing the tune at first, until the hastening pace means he needs to stop.
In the vagaries of battle and wind, the firearms around Gurragang have stopped, and the cries cease for a few moments, letting the breeze carry the faint sound of the trumpet call across the gap. Gurragang recognises the tune, and he smiles wryly.
The Harmony Battalion increases to a charge, on an angle which brings them toward the flank of the embattled Tjibarri Whites, and to the Hunter's warband which is trying to cut the Tjibarri apart. Malligo is at the centre, but he needs to give no orders, no further refinements. This is a manoeuvre which his warband has practiced before, as a safeguard in the event of treachery.
The front rank of the Harmony Battalion charges past the flank of the Whites, and straight into the rear of the Hunter's warband.
Men die from pistols and swordstrokes as the Harmony Battalion cut through their completely unprepared former comrades. Emboldened, the formerly wavering Whites hold their ground. On their right, the Royal Guardians see the opportunity, and fire a volley into the Hunter's beleaguered forces before charging into their other flank, surrounding them almost completely.
Though the soldiers enveloping the Hunter are too busy to notice, other Tjibarri units on either side are advancing too, threatening any further Dominion cavalry who might try to come to the Hunter's aid.
Bereft of any support, outnumbered and encircled, the warband which calls itself the Blademasters has no hope. No surrender is called for, since all know it would not be honoured. The Hunter's elite warband is cut down one by one.
In the midst of this melee, no man can say for certain who fired the crucial shot. Twenty-two men will later claim the credit, some of them mistaken, some of them lying, and possibly one telling the truth.
What is certain is that, amidst the closing struggle, Malligo was one of the first to notice that the Hunter had been shot. His voice of command, and the four elite warriors surrounding him, clears a path until Malligo stands over the Hunter.
Words are hard to find, amidst blood and fading life, but the Hunter manages to ask, "Why betray your oath?"
Many are the things which he could say, but only one which he chooses to utter.
"Never trust a Gunnagal," Malligo says calmly, and watches until the Hunter's life bleeds away.
--
Thoughts?
