Battle of Hangman's Bridge
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The Battle of Hangman's Bridge was named for the location in which the engagement took place; Hangman's Bridge, a crucial pathway between the realm of Haense & the realm of Kaedrin. The skirmish was fought on the 11th of Sigismund's End, 1742 between The Holy Orenian Empire & The Alliance of Independent States. The Duchy of Morsgrad & The Principality of Rubern were the two major nations that made up the alliance forces during the battle with Morsgrad contributing the bulk of the force totaling around two thousand five hundred men. Rubern sent their best commander, Doctor Daniel to lead the engagement along with five hundred soldiers. Meanwhile, a massive Haenseni force rallied to combat their foes. The Mercenaries of Russ, which were recently employed by The Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska sent aid to assist the growing Haenseni power. The mercenaries ended up totaling around seven hundred in size. Lastly, The Holy Orenian Empire sent three hundred of their best troops along with their commander, Ser Baerin Furnival to assist their vassal state.
Prelude
On the morning of the 11th of Sigismund End, the Haenseni army returned from pillaging the Suffonian countryside. Satisfied with their victories they sauntered back into their city of New Reza to enjoy their spoils of war. Not even an hour later, a mounted scout rode into the city on horseback sounding the horns to alert the kingdom on an incoming enemy force. Quickly Otto I the Lord Marshal of Haense raised the banners of the nation, amounting to a force of roughly 3,700 men. They marched out to Hangmen's Bridge; a landmark on the eastern border of The Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska where the enemy was spotted moving towards. Lines were formed & a request for aid was called through The Empire to which The Mercenaries of Russ & The Holy Orenian Empire answered. With the reinforcements, the troop count moved up to 4,700 in total.
On the other side of the bridge came The Alliance of Independent States with a 3,000 strong army. The seasoned northern warriors sat clad in plate from Morsgrad itself. The northern quickly arranged themselves into lines. From the back of the lines came Doctor Daniel, one of the legendary AIS commanders. For a brief moment, the two armies stood, staring at each other, awaiting orders.
Battle
At a moment's notice, each side drew back their bows & exchanged volleys. Shields were splintered, and the battle was fully underway. The combined Orenian Army was the first to charge across the bridge, smashing into the Morsgradi ranks & slaughtering many upon the first impact. Those who weren't killed were tossed off the side of the bridge, into the muddy water below. Eventually, the Orenians gained an upper hand, pushing all the way through the alliance lines. Once they reached the other side, they circled back into the rear of the Morsgradi, thrusting their swords & polearms through their backs. One by one the alliance numbers plummeted until their army was essentially gone. The few alliance soldiers that remained were hunted down by calvary units & killed. This marked the first Orenian victory in the Rubern War.
