Nah, if they were running, they wouldn't be making a violent example out of Saint Luigi. They're trying to cow the peasants but showing what happens if you try to stand up to them. I hope they fail, and I hope the optics of this completely backfire.
The first serious ground battle on Guadalcanal, during WW2. The scenario is from Conflict of Heroes: Guadalcanal, converted to use 15mm miniatures.