I playing on deadly atm and i´ve killed hoggart both times I´ve started a game. Like on day 2-3 after you go get more men.
Use high ground and pray the RNG gods are in your favour. Both times it was really close fights, but both times i won.
Killing the thugs early might make a few of them run. Then you only need to deal with hoggart.
Zombies do not run. I’m guessing the situation posted above where you have to fight 11 zombies didn’t occur to you?