Battle of Floe Major

In the Battle of Floe Major, fought on 15th August 1752 during the Floe Major War, King Balin's 10,400 Pyrusians defeated Prince Peter's 3,800 Lihexians.

## Prelude

Orders issued to the Pyrusian Army the day after the assassination of King Bach, demonstrate that the High Command were prepared to launch an invasion of the Kingdom of Anzio, with three Divisions along the Pyro-Anzion border in coordinated attacks upon Nisloque and the (now lost) town at I:8. Meanwhile the 4th Division was to launch an invasion of the Principality of Lihex from Longern.

However the signing of the Treaty of Grasnake led to an eventual redeployment in July 1752 of the 1st Division to Longern. While the newly formed 5th Division was also deployed to there. Following the arrival of the 1st Division at Longern on 10th August 1752, the Marshal Commander in Chief ordered a two day 'make and mend' period before countenancing the invasion of Lihex on 13th August 1752.

## Battle

The battle was fought at the map coordinate of N:21 around the town of Floe Major. The Pyrusian force under the command of King Balin, consisting of the 1st, 4th and 5th Divisions engaged the entire Lihexian Army. The Town of Floe Major was at the centre of the battle field with roads leading to the north, east and south. The Lihexians, commanded by Prince Peter, occupied the town with their cavalry on their right wing.

The Pyrusian army deployed with the 1st Division's infantry ready to attack the town, while the 1st Cavalry Brigade prepared to counter the Lihexian cavalry. The 4th Division was deployed to the east of the town on the Pyrusians right flank, ready to prevent a Lihexian withdrawal eastwards. The 5th Division was still coming through the mountain pass, and joined the fight throughout the battle.

The 1st Division's infantry advanced on the town while the 4th Division advanced from the east. Heavy rifle fire was encountered by the 1st Cavalry Brigade and the 1st Cuirassiers were virtually destroyed. The Lihexians seeing the confusion of the Pyrusian cavalry charged in, but the mêlée was indecisive and so the Lihexian cavalry withdrew to rally. However, this mêlée had meant the loss of the 1st Cuirassiers and the eventual retreat of the 2nd Cuirassiers.

Meanwhile the 1st Division's infantry had driven off the Lihexian defenders of the town's southern facing wall back in a panicked rout, and the Pyrusians had taken about half the town. One of the routed Lihexian regiments rallied, but the other routed from the field carrying Prince Peter with them.

Meanwhile the 5th Division had arrived and replaced the lost 1st Division's cavalry driving the Lihexian cavalry from the field. The 5th Division then started to outflank the Lihexian Army. At this time the 1st Division's infantry engaged in a fire fight with the Lihexians. By this point in the battle the Lihexians had lost approximately one third of their forces, but they continued to fight tenaciously.

The 3rd Foot Musketeers supported by the 4th Foot Musketeers charged the Lihexian infantry which remained in the town. While at the same time the 2nd Fusiliers charged a Lihexian infantry regiment taking cover behind the town walls driving off the Lihexians, but suffering some losses in the melee - about 175 men.

Following their expulsion from the town, one of the Lihexian infantry regiments was forced to form square by the presence of the 4th Cavalry Brigade threatening their position. However when the 4th Horse Artillery and the 5th Artillery prepared to fire upon them at canister range the regiment formed line, leaving their rear exposed to a charge by the 4th Cavalry Brigade. The cavalry with this kind of offer charged into the rear of the Lihexians and did great slaughter, sending the regiment into a panicked rout. At this point in the battle the remaining Lihexian regiments decided to withdraw.

The battle started at 9.00am and ended 12.07pm.

## Aftermath

It is estimated that the Pyrusians lost 1,975 personnel killed and and wounded, while Lihexian casualties were greater, estimated at 2,275 personnel killed or wounded (~60% losses).

The battle was a strategic and military victory for the Pyrusians and allowed them to further their objective to conquering the Principality of Lihex, but it had come at a cost, ~19% of the force's strength.

The Pyrusians would not achieve their objective of, as following the battle the Principality of Lihex would capitulate with the signing of the Treaty of Floe Major on 15th August 1752.