The Takedas opened fire but the Uesugi army retreated in good order behind the Chikumagawa river before trading shots with the invaders in the early rounds. Now his army banked on the other side, Kagemoshi, plagued with famine, the rising of the stream and the sharp shooting of the yellow army, saw his men die in numbers or fall back even further but none of his disciplined few routed. Having superiority and moral, Kosaka patiently advanced toward the Chikumagawa while Kagemoshi, out of range, licked his wounds and reorganized his troops.
Saburohai’s men were having early success against Uesugi’s ashigarus but the hard hitting Echigo samurais who relieved them drove Saburohei off and in flight. On the other side of the battlefield, a brave infantry unit and Kosaka himself crossed the stream, supported by archers and Kaï’s finest. This was the moment Kagemoshi swore to make Kosaka pay for his arrogance, ordering an all-out assault, raining arrows and charging forth.
The panic stricken Takeda army suffered great casualties and shame but the wise Kosaka was ready and the Uesugi cavalry fell in his trap. Gaining ground before turning back to face the enemy, Kosaka’s unit countercharged, stroke Kenshin’s most reliable general and almost decimated his entire battalion. Vengeful of their commander’s death, the remaining Echigo horsemen desperately pursued with unnatural ferocity, annihilating Takeda’s cavalry and cutting their supports like paper. Kosaka was barely able to make it out alive while his subordinate had to commit seppuku before the last mounted demon was brought down.
Finally catching his breath away from the front, thinking he was safe, Kosaka felt a sting and fell of his horse. With his commander inexplicably dead and heavily armored samurais as well as ashigaru archers drowning in the Chikumagawa river, Saburohei had seen enough. Bishamonten was on Uesugi's side that day and he ordered a general retreat.
6-4 win for Red.
