Alexios sent Kantakouzenos to attack Mylos; he failed, but destroyed ships used for river crossing

Summary:
Having suffered the defeat of other generals, Alexios called on Kanatakouzenos, the able man he had recalled from Laodikeia. A major attack could no longer be delayed, so Alexios explained to Kantakouzenos just what was needed; from the pass of Petra he sent him on to Glabinitza and himself returned to Devol. Kantakouzenos reached Mylos, attacked it with various machines, and soon had nearly captured it. The Normans camping across the nearby river Bouses ran to help. This movement was seen by Kantakouzenos' barbarian scouts, who came to Mylos, shouting as if in panic that the enemy were attacking. The false sense of crisis was transferred to the troops, who gave up the town that was within their grasp and fled wildly. Kantakouzenos, having failed to stop them, had them burn the siege engines: in the fire, the boats on the river, essential for enemy movement, burned too. The Byzantines camped in a place protected by water 
Dates:
1108: 
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (Alexios 1)
  • After the defeat of other generals, he now called on Kantakouzenos 101, the able man he recalled from Laodikeia; a major attack could no longer be delayed, so Alexios explained to Kantakouzenos what was needed; he sent him on to Glabinitza from the pass of Petra and himself returned to Devol (:) Anna Komnene 398.82-399.92
Kantakouzenos, leader of foreign mercenaries (Kantakouzenos 101)
  • After others were defeated, he was summoned by Alexios 1, as a major attack could be delayed no more; he was given instructions by Alexios, then sent on to Glabinitza from the pass of Petra, while Alexios returned to Devol; he reached Mylos, attacked it with siege machines, and nearly captured it (:) Anna Komnene 398.82-399.96
  • His attack was seen by Normans camped by the nearby river Bouses, who ran to oppose it; this was seen by his barbarian scouts, who came to Mylos, shouting as if in panic that the enemy were at hand; the false sense of crisis infected the troops, who gave up Mylos when it was nearly theirs and fled wildly (:) Anna Komnene 399.1-11
  • Having failed to stop his men leaving Mylos, he made them burn the siege engines; in this fire the boats on the river, essential for enemy movement, burned too; the Byzantines withdrew to a camp protected by water, between the river Charzanes and a marsh, where the enemy could not reach without boats (:) Anna Komnene 399.14-25