By Joe
Day 1
On this day I had two main matters which required my immediate attention. First, I had to once again send reinforcements to Spain to halt Caesar's quest to take it. I sent one legion to back up the main fighting line, and one to attempt a flanking maneuver on Caesar's ever spreading troops. I fear for everyone's life in the legions I sent. I believe defending Spain is of utmost importance, but feel as though it might be taken. Caesar has surprised me with his continual forcefulness to take Spain. I once believed Caesar only a skilled politician, but now I see he has the makings of a general also.
Second I have gotten word today of the ever nearing capture of Misilia. Caesar was surprised, to say the least, when my fleet of sixteen sail arrived to assist Lucius Domitius and the Misilians against the onslaught of Caesar's attack. I also was successful in surprising the nobles and senate members whom if caught, I would have executed. Sadly they escaped in a boat harbored on the opposite side of Misilia. I know my fleet of sixteen sail will triumph over Brutus when he attempts his attack. I hope to the Gods that Caius Trebonius, Caesar's lieutenant, who leads the land siege, will fall before Misilia must succumb to his power. The inhabitants of Misilia are an innocent people, and will have trouble defending themselves because of lack of experience. These people under good direction will work their hardest........ But I know that Caesar's seasoned fighting forces will overtake them. May the God's power be with them.
Day 2
The battle with Brutus at Misilia has begun!! Today he sailed on my troops with an added six ships taken from the Misilians. This fleet which he possesses is fully equipped with all the necessities. Though this despised enemy moved upon the city with the confidence of Gods, the Misilians, aided by my army, fought with a passion not known to me before. The skill of both enemies ship pilots had a large effect on this battle. The small separation between each ship made for some large violent engagements between two or more ships. Many of these contacts Brutus' ships got the better of because of their superior size. However, these inferior ships inflicted much damage upon the army of Brutus when my dart strategy was used. My small ships would maneuver along side of these larger ships and launch a shower of darts at the enemy. These left not many dead, but very many with wounds detrimental to their fighting ability. This proved a very effected way of disabling the enemy, and must be noted for future battles.
On the end of this once promising battle, not one of Brutus' ships were sunk. However five Misilian ships were sunk, four taken, and one sent to Misilia to tell the people of the misfortunes that were borne. I have heard that when the Misilian's heard this news from the messenger ship, they reacted as if they were all exiled into the eternal fires of Hades. Though the presence of their grief lurked, they started to prepare to defend their city with the utmost of energy. I hope they will have success. I feel as though the ships and people's lives sacrificed for this battle were a somewhat unnecessary loss. I now feel as though this insight might have led me to move these ships and soldiers to a more dependable, winnable situation.
Day 3
To defend the city that they so loved, the Misilian's took great, but not unnecessary measures. They decided to raise the turret, which before had been low and small, only used to protect them from sudden attacks. I advised them by messenger to raise the turret to the height of the flooring and cover the joists so that no point of the fortress would be vulnerable to their enemy's fire. I know that it is to late too salvage this settlement, but I hope the largest of casualties will befall Caesar's advancing army. I was surprised to hear that unexpectedly my enemy built a musculus and moved it upon naval rollers until it touched the walls. The soldiers fought valiantly, and threw stones and darts at the enemy. They beat them off the walls and crushed them when they tried to dig under the turret. However, the men who were under the musculus were able to dig out part of the foundation and collapse a large portion of the turret. This cause a great calamity. All the townspeople ran unarmed to the feet of my enemies' Captain's and begged for them not to pillage their city. The Captains obviously feeling as though they were gods, called off their Captain's and waited for Caesar's arrival. I am disappointed with the fall of the city but believe the people should have fought to the death rather then be taken as cowards. I still feel as though I made an short- sighted maneuver when I had the Misilians fight these seasoned soldiers.
Day 5
I was given word today that the Misilian's waited until Caesarís troops became careless and struck upon their camp! They then lit all arms and the musculus on fire and then fired once again from their city. They had the utmost success and now have made it a war again. They have acted without my advice, but in a noble and very acceptable way. This is a dangerous maneuver and could result in casualties more heavily weighed upon the minimally armed Misilians. I must send the Misilians a notice to try to evacuate in the remaining ships, or to take a defensive stand in their city. They mustnít leave themselves out of the fort and vulnerable to Caesarís troops.
Day 7
The Misilians tried a similar attack yesterday, before receiving my notice against it. There were many casualties and they were forced to retreat to the city. They continued trying to prepare for the inevitable, an attack from Caesar's troops. The Misilians hoped that the damage they inflicted would take days to prepare. They were wrong. The scouts reported the muculus had been rebuilt even stronger than before they surrendered, this time for good. I have lost Misilia...
Day 8
I have heard of the matter in Spain has quickly become very urgent. I have been informed that the whole province will favor Caesar. I believe that by advising my troops to move to an island where they may receive food and shipping I will have successfully protracted the war. I also know that Caesar is impatient to end matters here in Spain, for he has many important matters that need his attention in Italy. I have a strong presence in Spaine with two full legions and a total of six- hundred horse. If Caesar leaves I will defeat him. Spain might be my last stand. Losing Spaine and the man power I have sent henceforth will weaken my army and ensure the beginning of the end of this war. May the God's strength be in their swords, and quickness in their feet.