Chapter 50: In The Mud

Cannons from both armies fired upon each other. Earth, mud, wood and men were whirled all around the valley and farmstead. The Maximillian infantry that advanced to the farmstead were 50,000 strong, while the remaining 15,000 were held in reserve with the cavalry. 

Osmund's tactics were simple. Advance and put pressure on the farmstead and defensive positions of the enemy until the cavalry was drawn out, then he would send his cavalry and remaining infantry to overwhelm the enemy. 

Multiple exchanges of cannon fire had many men on both sides eviscerated. The valley that the Maximillian army had to advance through had turned into a muddy and bloody mire. The infantrymen at the back of the formation trudged through mud and their fallen comrades to reach the farmstead.

Finally, in range, the infantry of both armies began a series of ferocious volley towards one another. The Luxenberg army had the advantage, they were dug in defensively and were more experienced than the Maximillian soldiers.

As the battle intensified a translucent bloody mist began to enshroud the valley. Men cried out in anger or pain while under fire. The sprawling corpses of soldiers littered the area while those clinging to life desperately tried to crawl away. 

As Victor watched the battle a sense of guilt began to cloud his mind. 'I should be down there with them, they are willing to lay their lives down for me, the least I should do is stand beside them,' Victor sorrowfully thought. He could not afford to show any weakness. For the sake of the men around him, he had to show a composed expression, even if he was on the urge of sallying forth to join his men.

Locked in a deadlock the 2 armies stagnated. Cannon fire was stopped due to the risk of friendly fire. The Maximillian infantry was being slowly suppressed due to how exposed they were in the open. Showing no sign of letting up, the Luxenberg soldiers continued to fire effectively into the enemy ranks.

Better trained and having more experience the Luxenberg infantry was holding their own and causing mass casualties to the enemy infantry. Out of 55,000 infantrymen and 130 guns deployed in and around the farmstead, only 15,000 infantrymen had been slain. Whereas the attacking Maximillian infantry had lost 22,000 soldiers. 

A few of the officers in the Maximillian infantry realised that they were sitting ducks if they continued to just exchange volleys. Sounding bugles and barking orders the Maximillian infantry began to fix bayonets and rush the farmstead. Screaming as they charged, the first line was decimated by the hail of musket balls. 

Persevering through the storm of musket balls and bullets the Maximillian infantry finally reached the enemy position. Their once glistening bayonets were now drenched in the crimson blood of Luxenberg soldiers. A brutal melee ensued as both sides fought tooth and nail. This scene was the epitome of the horrors of war. Men's darkest elements arose as they fought like rabid beasts. Slashing, stabbing and clawing neither side showed any intent to relent their carnal instincts.

General Rapp and Bertrand watched as the Maximillan infantry swarmed their position. Knowing that they had succeeded in drawing in the enemy infantry it was time for the Luxenberg cavalry to enter the battlefield. Split into 2 groups of 3,500 cavalrymen, the generals ordered them to attack the exposed flanks of the enemy infantry. To the sound of bugles, the Luxenberg cavalry charged into the fray.

Galloping at a fast pace, the Luxenberg cavalry was quick to reach the thick of the battle. Smashing into the flanks of the fatigued Maximillian infantry, the strong war horses bowled over and trampled on the enemy infantry. 

Sabres and Lances flung around butchering the Maximillian soldiers. Impaled, disembowelled and mutilated decorated the blood-soaked ground of the farmstead. Throats were slashed, limbs were detached and entrails were scattered. Men battled desperately to survive. Shoulder to shoulder with their comrades they fought, bled and died together. 

No matter the gruesomeness of this battle, Victor did not look away. He engraved the image of it into his mind. This would be a true lesson in the art of war. Brutality was unavoidable, no matter the odds or scale of battle. Marshal Soult and many of the spectating soldiers could only hope that the plan would work. Their comrades were in the thick of battle while they could only watch and await that critical moment to intervene.

Seeing that the Luxenberg cavalry had fully committed to the battle, Osmund Maximillian turned to his cavalry and remaining infantry. Before giving the order to charge his son, Osbert, interrupted him. "Father, may I lead the charge?" He asked in a pleading tone.

Osbert had felt that he was overlooked in high society. People around his age could only talk about the rise of the young Duke, Victor Luxenberg. It infuriated him and struck him with envy that someone that he viewed as insignificant was talked about in such a popular manner.

Pondering the idea for a moment, Grand Duke Maximillian internally deliberated his son's request. In his mind, he was sure of a decisive victory, even with the early struggles. There was an element of sending his eldest son into battle but at the same time if Osbert was to earn recognition and fame from this battle it would boost his and the family's prestige.

"I will allow it but you will be taking half my bodyguards with you. Do not stray away from them or throw yourself into a dangerous position. Am I understood Osbert?" Osmund Maximillian stated in an authoritative tone, preaching caution to his son.

"Soldiers prepare to charge, let us see these Luxenberg dogs put down!" Osbert yelled, trying to boost the morale of his soldiers. A few of the adjutants were unsure of the seriousness of the young man but with a nod from Grand Duke Maximillian, they confirmed this was the real thing.

Reaffirming Osbert's command the adjutants barked orders and signalled for the bugles to be sounded. Hearing the sound of the bugles the cavalry and remaining infantry charged to support their comrades at the farmstead.

The cavalry who were slightly ahead of them struggled trying to navigate through the mire of blood and mud. Slowing down to a canter speed, the charging infantry managed to almost catch up with the cavalry. However, what they all did not know was that they had stepped into range of the Luxenberg battery on the hill.

With their enemies in range, Victor ordered that the cannons remove their cover and prepare to fire. Quickly preparing their cannons, the artillery crews wasted no time, they were determined to make their appearance in this battle.

Victor addressed a few of his adjutants, "Prepare the infantry and cavalry to charge, that includes my 225 elite guard infantrymen." Understanding their lord's will, the 10,000 infantrymen and 4,000 cavalrymen on the hill were preparing to charge into battle. An artillery officer alerted Victor that all cannons were ready to fire on command.

Marshal Soult turned to Victor and gestured for him to give the order. With a firm and booming scream Victor yelled.

"Fire!"