Xenophon on the skirmish at Lechaeum, and Iphrikrates campaign. From Hellenika, Book IV [CH. 5.9 -.6. 1]

So, too, on this occasion, Agesilaus (Spartan King and army commander) had left behind all the Amyklaeans serving in any part of his army at Lechaeum (Cornith's port, they were left behind to take part in festival of Hyakinthia in the Sikyon, which occurred for three days of the month Hecatombaeon [July]). At the right moment the polemarch in command of the garrison at that place had posted the garrison troops of the allies to guard the walls during his absence, and put himself at the head of his division of heavy infantry with that of the cavalry, and led the Amyklaeans past the walls of Corinth.

Arriving at a point within three miles or so of Sikyon, the polemarch turned back himself in the direction of Lechaeum with his heavy infantry regiment (mora) six hundred strong, giving orders to the cavalry commander to escort the Amyklaeans with his division as far as they required, and then to turn and overtake him. It cannot be said that the Lacedaemonians were ignorant of the large number of light armed and heavy infantry inside Corinth, but owning to their former successes (against the Athenians) they arrogantly presumed -that no one would attack them.

Within the capital of the Corinthians, however, the Lacedaemonians' scant numbers- a column of heavy infantry unsupported by light armed or cavalry -had been noted; and Callias, the son of Hipponikus, who was in command of the Athenian hoplites, and Iphikrates at the head of his peltasts, saw no risk in attacking with the units. Since if the enemy continued his march by the high road, he would be cut up by showers of javelins on his exposed right flank; or if he were tempted to take the offensive, they with their peltasts, the nimblest of all light troops, would easily slip out of the grasp of his heavy armed.

With this clearly-conceived idea they led out their troops; and while Callias drew up his heavy infantry in formation (phalanx) at no great distance from the city, Iphikrates and his peltasts made a dash at the returning regiment. The Lacedaemonians were presently within range of the javelins. Then here a man was wounded, and there another killed (by them.) Each time orders were given to the attendant shield-bearers to pick up the men and carry them into Lechaeum; and these indeed were the only members of the regiment who were, strictly speaking, saved. Then the polemarch ordered the younger men to charge and drive off their assailants.

However, charge, as they might, they took nothing by their pains-not a single man could come in within javelin range. Being heavy infantry opposed to light troops, before they could get to close quarters the enemy's word of command sounded, "Retire" while as soon as their own ranks fell back, scattered as they were in consequence of a charge where each man's individual speed had told, lphikrates and his men turned right about and renewed the javelin attack, while others, running alongside, harassed their exposed flank. At the very first charge the assailants had shot down nine or ten, and, encouraged by this success, pressed on with increasing confidence.

These attacks told so severely that the polemarch a second time gave the order (and this time for more of the younger men) to charge. The order was promptly obeyed, but on retiring they lost more men than on the first occasion, and it was not until the pick and flower of the division had succumbed that they were joined by their returning cavalry, in whose company they once again attempted a charge. The peltasts gave way, but the attack of the cavalry was feebly enforced. Instead of pressing home the charge until at least they had killed some of the enemy, they kept their horses abreast of their infantry skirmishes, charging and wheeling side by side.

Again and again the monotonous tale of doing and suffering repeated itself, except that as their own ranks grew thinner and their courage ebbed, the courage of their assailants grew bolder and their numbers increased. In desperation they massed compactly (in symnaspismos, locked shields to protect against javelin fire, but it was not a melee formation.) upon the narrow slope of a hillock, distant a quarter of a mile or so from the sea, and a couple of miles perhaps from Lechaeum. Their friends in Lechaeum, perceiving them, embarked in boats and sailed round until they were immediately under the hillock. And now, in despair, being so sorely troubled as man after man dropped dead, and unable to strike a blow, to crown their distress they saw the enemy's heavy infantry advancing.

Then they took to flight; some of them threw themselves into the sea; others -a mere handful- retreated with the cavalry into Lechaeum. The death roll, including those who fell in the second fight and the final fight, must have numbered 250 slain, or thereabouts. Such is the tale of the destruction of the Lacedaemonian regiment.

Subsequently, with the mutilated fragment of the unit, Agesilaus turned his back upon Lechaeum, leaving another regiment behind to garrison that port. On his passage homewards, as he wound his way through the various cities, he made a point of arriving at each as late in the day as possible, while renewing his march as early as possible the next morning. Leaving Orchomenus at the first streak of dawn, he passed (the city of) Mantinea still under cover of darkness. The spectacle of the Mantineans rejoicing at his mens' misfortune would have been too severe ordeal for his soldiers. (The word had obviously had spread!)

But Iphikrates had not yet reached the summit of his good fortune. Success followed upon success. Lacedaemonian garrisons had been placed in Sidus and Krommyon by Praxitas when he took these fortresses, as well as in Oenoe, when Peiraeum was taken quite recently by Agesilaus, All of these places now fell into the hands of Iphikrates. Lechaeum still held out, garrisoned as it was by the Lacedaemonians and their allies, while the Corinthian exiles, unable since the disaster of the regiment any longer to pass freely by land from Sikyon, had the sea passage still open to them, and using Lechaeum as their base, kept up a game of mutual annoyance with the party in the capital.

6. At a later date the Achaeans, being in possession of Calydon a town from old times belonging to Aetolia, and having further incorporated the Calydonians as citizens, were under the necessity of garrisoning their new possessions. The reason was, that the Acarnanians were threatening the place with an army, and were aided by contingents from Athens and Boeotia, who were anxious to help their allies. Under the strain of this combined attack the Achaeans in desperation dispatched ambassadors to Lacedaemon, who on arrival complained of the unfair conduct of Lacedaemon towards themselves.

"We, sirs," they said, "are ever ready to serve in your armies (as light armed or peltasts), in obedience to whatever orders you choose to issue; we follow you wherever you think fit to lead; but when it comes to our being besieged by the Acarnanians, with their allies the Athenians and Boeotians, you show not the slightest concern. Understand then, that if things go on as such we cannot hold out; but either we must give up all part in the war in Peloponnesus and cross over in full force to engage the Acarnanians, or we must make peace with them on what ever terms we can." This language was a tacit threat that if they failed to obtain the assistance they felt entitled to from Lacedaemon- they would quit the Peloponnesian alliance.

The ephors and the assembly concluded that there was no alternative but to assist the Achaeans in their campaign against the Acarnanians and sent an army with their support.

Ancient Translations Original Source to Wargame Table

Introduction
Diodoros: Iphikrates and Peltast Modifications
Xenophon: Skirmish at Lechaeum
Cornelius Nepos: Iphikrates