Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-12-01
uow the Anc,ents Employed E'e-
phants In Battle.

How the Ancfents Employer
plants In Battle,
Alexander was one OF the first OF
the famous kings OF history to ten o.
fighting against an elephant no ~.
His invading army had reached Iile
liver Hydaspes, and as the warriors
looled across. they beheld the OPP,
nos;nc army OF King Porus, who hao
not only chariots and an enormous
nrmv bit 1.-THE huge creatures called
,len6ants," These great ANIMALS
which stood on the further river pans
shripkinc and trumpeting, filled the
soldiers with terror and dismay.
Tha two arm es watched each other
Tor several days; then Alexander sue.
,eeded in crossing the river anu me
two forces drew up i'll line OF battle.
The Indian king placed his e!ephants
in the 'front.' rank, one hundred 1eet
onart, thinking in this way so TO
frinhten the horses OF the foe hat the
.ntire army would be put to flight.
Between the elephants We're toot
soldiers, and at the ends OF the line
were large elephants bearing strong
towers filled with armed men. King
Porus himself was borne upon an
elephant OF unusual height, pro,o1aoly
as large as the famous Jumbo.
When King Alexander, who was
very brave and valiant man, saw the
orderly foe he said: SAT last nave
met with a danger worthy OF the
greatness of my soul" Evidently ne
h,l dne respect Tor the elephant SOL
diers that opposed him.
Alexander moved his forces to the
attack, and poured in a volley OF
arrows and spears. The elephants
stood like a stone wall, trampllng the
foot soldier beneath their heavy feet,,
Selling them in their trunks, and
delivering them to the soldiers upon
/ their backs, or tossing them high IN
thear. The elephants were evidently
the main hope of King Porus, and,
perceivins this, Alexander directed
men, armed with scythes and knives
= to attack them. These warriors
chopped at the elephants feet and
tender trunks, until in terror the
great creatures turned and be an q
stampede that was disastrous to the
foot-sold ers OF their own side; tor
they trampled upon them, and in
their flight moved them down like
grain. Alexander followed close after
the elephants upon his wounded
charger, and final y the battle was
lost to Porus because OF the elephants
themselves. King Porus, being
wounded during the hurried retreat,
desired to alight The driver ordered
his elephant to kneel, whereupon all
the elephants, having been accustomed
to obey in concert, did the same,
and the soldiers of Alexander fell upon
them, and gained a complete victory.
1t is said the ELEPHANTS which sur
vived this famous battle were revered
for years by he Indians, and honored
as much as are the veterans Of our
war. In an ancient book, the ''life Of
ApDoIonnius of Tyana." heis said to
have seen in a town of India an ele-
plant which the people held in the
greatest respect, as having
been owned by King Porus.
1t was perfume1 with sweet
essences and decked with garlands,
whlieupon its tusks were rings OF gold,
inscribed with these words: "A'exan-
der, son OF Jupiter, dedicates Aiax to
| the sun" The elephant, Ajax accord
ing to Appolionius, was the old war
elephant OF Porus in his battle with
Alexander, and had survived and
lived in honorable idleness for tire,
hundred and fifty years.
| While Alexander defeated the elc-
plant corps OF Porus, he saw that
they were good fighters. and created
the office OF e!ephantarch. or chi~f of
elephants; and afterward, visiting
m"narchs found him surrounded by
the largest elephants magniicently
harnessed. Charles Frederick Holder,
in st. Nicholas.