VII Epoch - Faschellic War - Routsbach - Desundra - Dulivea - Ardel

While the contending armies were manoeuvring in the South of Georland the allies of Fredrichsburg raised 2 armies of 100 men each. One under the command of the Kaiser of Kaiserlich having attacked Routsbach was overthrown + defeated by the garrison of Routsbach. On Nov 30^th 1873 28^th 29^th 30^th 31^st 32^nd 33^rd 15^th + 16^th Hussars under Lt Col Ernest who following up his victory burnt Befforalski, but on the approach of the 2^nd army, which had been marching to the siege of Cidex but had returned south to retrieve the disaster of Routsbach, he returned to the shelter of the walls of Routsbach. The allies immediately commenced to besiege that place but H.I.M. by the victory of Ponville having freed the northern part of the kingdom had at his disposal for the field full 200 men.

Lieutenant General Mercury was given the command of a force of 60 men + ordered to Routsbach. By a skilful flank movement he suddenly came upon the Left flank of the Faschellan army which abandoned its guns Camp equipage + fled leaving its prisoners in the hand of their victors. The Kaiserlich army besieging Routsbach from the south was forced, by the defeat of their attack to retreat precipitately leaving their heavy Batteries in the hand of LG Mercury Dec 25^th.

Leaving the 2 Battalions of Foot Guards to retain Routsbach LG Mercury with the whole of his force followed the retreated Faschellans + the 29^th arrived before Dulivea which he immediately layed siege to. Between Dulivea + Ardel an army was however collecting for offensive movement against LG Mercury’s flank and he urgently wrote to H.I.M. for reinforcements. H.I.M. having entered Drouot’s Artillery on Roughrider left with that Regt + many others for the scene of strife. With 60 men he joined Mercury and they advanced on the 2^nd January 1874 upon the new assembled army near Desundra. H.I.M. retaining his position DA, LG Mercury commanded.

He had to oppose the enemy 60 infantry + 15 Cavalry: 90 infantry + 24 Cavalry. The enemy centre was protected by a Battery the Right flank the weakest. Accordingly Major General Drouot with the 71^st + 92^nd Regiments advanced on that part of the enemy’s line. The 91^st however being attacked by a body of Kaiserlich Hussars formed up but being cut through + through by the fire of a battery they were thrown into disorder + lost in 5 minutes six men. Drouot was among the wounded + was taken prisoner by the Kaiserlich Hussars who dashing on the broken Regiment cut down almost all.

The 92^nd altho’ ably commanded by Major Cameron shared a similar fate. But the Scots Greys coming up cut down the hussars and in the space of 12 minutes 25 human beings bit the dust. Drouot’s Artillery now advanced to the Left + opening (fire) on the foe forced them to give way. To keep up their line, the enemy so weakened the Left + Centre that the former was gained by the 6^th Inniskilling Dragoons, the latter after much hard fighting in which the 42^nd lost 9 men. By the 42^nd 93^rd etc. the Right then surrounded broke + fled + the victory was complete with the loss of 26 wounded + 8 killed.

The army here took up its quarters and recounted its strength. On the night of Tuesday the 6^th of January 1874 Dulivea was stormed the column having to surmount innumerable obstacles. They were twice repulsed + would have given way but Col Ernest at the head of the 30^th + 32^nd Foot restored confidence + the stronger side of Dulivea was gained at the cost of 11 killed + 24 wounded. The 20^th + 25^th each lost 9 men + the 33^rd 7. The forlorn hope was annihilated. The following night before H.I.M. could attack the remaining side of the town, the enemy after blowing up the magazines abandoned the town + retreated along the road to Laros pursued by the 15^th Hussars.

H.I.M. divided the army. A division of the Guard receiving fresh reinforcements advanced on Ardel, the capital of Faschel, under Major General Drouot. The Lord of Faschel having refused to accept the terms H.I.M. offered, the Major General Drouot, with great alacrity prepared for the siege. On the 17^th January the bombardment commenced. Drouot’s own + the Artillery of the Guard ably assisting the besiegers. Ardel being open to access from all sides soon became a prey to the flames which by the 21^st had consumed nearly ½ of the capital. The Faschel therefore signed the treaty of Ardel by which he ceded to H.I.M. Holocha £7,000,000 + other concessions. The chief town was taken possession of while the greater part of the army left for Routsbach en route for Georland arriving at Pelito January 29^th and entering Fredrichsburg joined the army of Lieut Genl Mercury at Cetoy Feb 5^th 1874.