were engaged The Poles had indeed ordered their Reserves but by an over-confidence advanced upon the Enemy from without the protection of their Forts contrary to the Generals Orders which the Enemy observing the Tartars shewed themselves on the Right Wing and extending that way endeavoured to get between the Christians Camp and the Rear of their Army which obliged Zolkievius to oppose against them his Reserves The Fight was Bloody and doubtful for two hours together but the Main Battle of the Poles having no Seconds by reason of the diversion of their Reserves to defend the Rear oppressed by the often-repeated Charges of the Enemies fresh Troops however keeping within the protection of their Forts on the left Wing were no longer able to sustain the Impression of those multitudes that swarmed upon them they therefore faced about and breaking through those Squadrons of Tartars who had got between them and the Camp made their retreat in reasonable good order the Barbarians being checked in their Pursuit by the Forts before-mentioned which were still defended by the Poles That on the Right Wing was violently assaulted by the Enemy who killed three hundred of the Defendants and took four of their Field-Pieces neither had their Success rested there but that the Christians not wanting to themselves in that extremity advanced with their best Troops to their relief forcing the Infidels after a hot dispute to a confused Retreat The Fort or Castle on the other Wing was left unattempted and night drawing on the Enemy after a kind of drawn Battle wherein there fell 1000 of theirs and about six hundred of the Christians retreated to their Tents The rest of that night and the following day were past without any Attempt on either side The Poles in the mean time went to counsel what was to be done upon this pressing occasion which being of an extraordinary nature they were able to fall upon no probable Resolutions During this time of their Consultation there was a report spread about the Camp of a purpose in the Chief Officers to steal away from the Army which put the Souldiers into confusion till they were undeceived by the generous professions of their Leaders who vowed to live and die with them Zolkievius proposed in Council that they should the next day try the fortune of another Battle wherein they might easily correct the errors of the former day and being now informed of their own and the Enemies strength they could better lay hold of such advantages as should occur having failed more in Conduct than Courage and if the Success of the next day should not answer the Attempt they might then think of retiring towards the confines of their Countrey where they should be sure to meet with new Supplies for the further prosecution of the War The very mention of another Battle surprized many of the Great Persons especially Alexander Kalinowski Duke Corecki and Nicholas Struse three of the most eminent Lords in the Army who maligning the Command of Zolkievius were the more apt to oppose his Counsels especially in this juncture which must bring their lives to an apparent hazard They therefore absolutely declared against it and that there was no safety but in a sudden flight by which means they might avoid death or a Turkish Bondage which was yet more terrible and being resolved to put the Counsels they had given in execution that night they took the first opportunity after the Watch was set to quit the Camp proposing to themselves that by the favour of the darkness they might get over the River Prut which covered the Rear of the Camp before the Enemy could take the Alarm of their departure Gratian the Vayvod for whose preservation the War was undertaken went away with them and having by the number of their Train and Dependants made a considerable Party they concluded themselves of strength able by the advantage of the night to break through all opposition There was a second Rumour spread about in the Army that the General himself was likewise gone which bearing terrour with it the inferior Officers and Souldiers were upon preparation for their flight also whereof he having speedy notice mounted on Horsback and causing many lighted Torches to be carried before him shewed himself to his Souldiers surrounded the Quarters spoke to every one he met and animated all with his presence and chearfulness He added That he could not be guilty of so nefarious a Treason as to desert so many brave men his fellow-Souldiers they had served too long under his Command to conceive their General capable of so wretched an act as to sully all his Honour by so sordid a Retreat That for his part he had no other consideration for his life but in order to their preservation and since some he must confess eminent Persons had preferred that to all sence of Honour he was glad they were gone hoping they had carried away with them that infection of Cowardize which might have tainted the whole Army He also would wish them a good Journey provided they would tell the King and such of their Friends that should enquire after them that they had abandoned the Army and their General in the Plains of Cicora engaged against theirs and the Common Enemy of Christianity Zolkievius though he had harangued his Souldiers in these kind of Terms and with a serene Countenance yet had he much ado to compose those minds which were agitated with terror and fear who could not be perswaded to return to their Duty until a sence of the danger of their disobedience obliged them to it But they were wholly confirmed by the ill Success of those who had deserted them who by their degenerous flight had hastened not prevented their ruine For in passing the River which was rather rapid than deep many of them missing the Ford were overwhelmed in it Kalinowski himself perished in the stream and such as got over at least most of them were knocked in the head by the Tartars who had the Guard of that Post Gratian and his Moldavians being skill'd in the Passage and ways got clear off but being pursued by his ill Fate had the recompence of his infamous flight rewarded upon him by the perfidy of his own Servants who murthered their Lord to possess themselves of what Treasure he had brought away with him The rest of the Party after a vain Attempt to pass the River not daring to land on the other side wet weary and confounded with shame came back for refuge to the Camp which a while before they had forsaken as desperate reposing now all their safety in that of the Army The Poles by these losses and the escape of 900 Cossacks who by a more lucky fate than that of their Fellows had broke through a neglected Quarter of the Enemy without opposition being much weakned and far unequal in strength to the Enemy and not daring to attempt another fight without manifest hazard to loose all resolved upon a
account he lay now encamped before Musko But the Citizens perceiving that no Demetrius did yet appear took heart and making an unanimous conjunction with Zuiskis Troops made a furious Sally upon Polutnich who not able to sustain the assault of an hundred thousand men was forced to quit his ground and save himself by a disorderly retreat in Caluga Zuiski transported with the Success returned Triumphant into Musko and having modelled his Army for a march advanced towards Caluga and sat down before it but was forced by the Valour and Conduct of the Lord Keeper to raise his Siege However having recruited his Troops he marched again to find out the Enemy and both Armies being met were upon the point to encounter when Schacopski being terrified with the unexspected defection of 4000 of his men not daring to hazard the rest in so great a consternation was constrained to quit the Field retreating to Thula whither he was hotly pursued by Zuiski and the place closely besieged in such sort that not having had time to put in Provisions they were soon reduced to the eating of Horses Dogs Cats Rats and such other things as were abhorring to nature This quickly raised the Citizens into a mutinous posture against Schacopski and Polutnich as being betrayed by them upon an imaginary supposition to adhere to a fictitious person that had not a being else that Demetrius if he had been alive would not have failed in such a juncture of his Affairs to have asserted his Interest in Person Polutnich protested to them that he had seen and discoursed with a young man in Poland of about 28 years of Age who called himself Demetrius and was there acknowledged for such but whether he were really so or no he could not positively affirm having never seen him before But if the people would have a little patience and stand by him he would send out such a trusty Messenger as they should make choice of one that knew the Prince to inform them of the truth and to see what hopes of relief was to be expected from him This being resolved upon an Emissary was sent out by the favour of the night and the carelessness of the Besiegers the Citizens resolving with patience to expect his return In the mean time no Demetrius did appear that person whom Schacopski had designed to assume his Name and Fortunes being a Polish Gentleman who thought it more safe to depend upon a plentiful estate of his own than to change his private condition for the hopes and hazard of the Empire of Muskovy An Empire can never Escheat for want of an Heir a new Demetrius shews himself upon the Stage coming out of Poland the forge of all the contrivances and troubles of Muskovy He was conducted to Putiwol by Micharetski a great Polish Lord and acknowledged there and received with all imaginary honour as their Prince and Sovereign After a short stay there he marched with what force he could make to Staradub where he met the Messenger from Thula who being brought into his presence was startled at the sight of a person only very like Demetrius but in reality not he Demetrius observing his dissatisfaction judged it more advisable to carry the news of his relief in the head of his Army than put himself into the hands of one who might raise in the City a prejudice against his Person and Interests This precaution was not unreasonable though it proved fruitless the Garrison of Thula being reduced to those straights especially for want of water and supposing by the Messengers long stay that he was fallen into the Enemies hands they came to Terms for a Surrender which being honourable as to the condition of Souldiers Zuiski swore to observe but failed in the performance for he caused Peter Fedrowits an eminent person to be hanged and Polutnich to be cast into a loathsome prison where he was miserably famished to death Thula being reduced in this manner the Demetrian Cossacks quitted their own Party as desperate to follow that of the Conqueror and were with some other Troops sent by Zuiski to prosecute the Siege of Caluga the Enemies principal Receptable The Quarters were scarce marked out before the Town when there happened a desperate Mutiny amongst the Souldiers propagated by the Cossacks as was supposed upon the news of Demetrius his recovery and approach This gave so great a terror to the rest of the Army that being possessed with a pannick fear they ran out of the Camp in the night in so great disorder that they left their Baggage behind them and made towards Musko with all their might The Cossacks seeing themselves left to their own disposal called upon the Garrison to receive them into the Town assuring them of their friendship and the flight of the Russians The Garrison wondring their deliverance should be so near and so unexspected could not upon the sudden being agitated with the passions of hope and fear resolve what to do until being ascertained by their Spies and Parties they had sent out of the truth of it they opened their Gates and arms to receive their Deliverers and joyntly with them plundered the Camp bringing into the Town in Triumph all the Provisions and Cannon of the same The Cossacks themselves would not enter into the City but hastening to meet Demetrius joyned themselves to his Army with the mutual congratulations of both sides Demetrius being thus revived many Muskovites and very many Lithuanâ—… and Poles came flocking in to him 〈◊〉 out of Novelty others out of respâ—… many for Pillage and most for Revenge and being now rendered considerable by the accession of the revolted Cossacks he marched in quest of the Enemy whom he encountered and defeated being 8000 men and took Mathew Misinowski their General Prisoner with which success having gain'd a strong reputation the Towns of Severia gladly returned to the obedience of their old Lord and furnished him abundantly with all necessaries for the War But the Supplies from Poland were the main appay of his Army Duke Roman Rosinski being engaged in the Quarrel sent great Forces under the Command of Walareski a Creature of his out of that Country and a while after Duke Adam Wisnioweski Tischievicz Charlinski Mielski men of Eminence and at length Rosinski in person came up with the rest of the Army and at the same time there arrived at the Rendezvouz a Recruit of 8000 Zoporensian and Dumensian Cossacks so that the Army being now great and united into one body Rosinski by the suffrage of all the Peers and great Officers was declared General Basilius Zuiski observing the great growth and progress of his Rival caused new Levies to be made with which having formed an Army of 170000 though most raw men he placed his Brother Demetrius Zuiski in the head of them with Orders to find out and fight the Enemy And now behold both Armies in sight of each other encamped near the Town of Bolchow The first day was spent in Skirmishes
deditione accepta Smolensko Reipublicae restituta Basilio Zuiskio Magno Duce Moscoviae Et Fratre ejus Demetrio Militiae Praefecto Captivis jure Belli receptis Et in Arce Gostienensi sub custodia habitis ibique vita functis Humanae sortis memor Ossa illorum huc deferre Et ne se regnante etiam hostes Injusteque Sceptra parantes Justis Sepulturaque carerent IN HOC A se ad publicam Posteritatem Memoriam Regnique sui Nomen Extructo Trophaeo DEPONI JUSSIT ANNO A PARTU Virginis MDCXX Regnor ' POLONIAE XXXIII SUECIAE XXVI And this was the end of Basilius Zuiski who having by many extraordinary Actions raised himself to the Throne enjoyed it no more than his Predecessor either long or quietly He had to do with an unstable People hurried from one extreme to another and being of a jealous nature had recourse to Witchcrafts and Incantations endeavouring by the help of Sathan to preserve what he had gained by improving the violent humour of the giddy multitude And his Wizards furnishing him with Discoveries of the unfaithfulness of some about him or he pretending such Discoveries to gratifie his fears put many eminent Persons to death proposing to settle that Dominion by Blood and Fraud the same Arts whereby he had obtained it And his nature by frequent practises being hardened in cruelty he caused three of his most faithful Servants and Friends to be made away only because their names were Michael for he had been told by his Soothsayers that one of that name should Succeed him in the Empire which proved true for all his barbarous precaution which hurried him upon doing those horrid things that hardly any Story can parallel He would tear up the Wombs of great-bellied women and rip open the breasts of the mettledst Horses for the immature fruit of the one and the hearts of the other wherewith he used to make his Diabolical Infusions as well to charm the Poles whom he could not overcome as his Rebel-Subjects whom he could not bring to their Duty But no Magick is of power against the Providence of God which after a short turbulent Reign removed him from the Throne to a Prison where he ended his days The Method of our Tragick History doth invite us back to Musko to observe the actions of that place but Zolkievius whose Army we left there having in the succeeding course of his life rendered himself famous upon the account of many Enterprizes especially his unparallel'd Retreat at Cicora from the Turks a short digression as to his Affairs may not be wholly impertinent wherein I shall observe my accustomed brevity to relate only matter of fact and so return to where we left Stanislaws Zolkiewski the Sirnames of most of the Polish Nobility do end in ski a Person of an eminent extraction dedicated himself to Arms so soon as he was well able to wield them making his first Apprentiship under that Great Chancellour and greatest Captain that Poland hath produced for many Ages John Zamoyski who at the famous Battle of Byczin which decided the contest between Sigismund and Maximilian concerning the Crown in favour of the former had the Honour to Command the Right Wing of Zamoyski's Army to the defeating of that Enemy that opposed him in which encounter he received a sore wound in the Knee His Conduct in that Adventure raised him in short time after to the Preferment of being Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom during which Command he was employed against the Rebellious Cossacks whom after many doubtful Fights he reduced to his own Terms of delivering up their General a Plebeian but of great Conduct with three other of their Principal Officers into his hands He defeated the Swedes at Revel And afterwards being made General he did beat the Russians at Clusinum entred Musko forced Demetrius to quit his Siege and led away the Emperour Zuiski and his two Brothers Captive with him into Poland as we have formerly mentioned and likewise that he left the Army in Musko upon discontent by reason Sigismund refused to ratifie the Articles which Zolkievius by his directions had in his name sworn to Being 70 years of Age he was created Great Chancellor of Poland He repressed the Tartars in their Invasion at Orimin and a while after marched with his Army into Moldavia in aid of Gratian the Vayvod against the Turks that oppressed him to so great an extremity that he came in to Zolkievius but with six hundred Horse but so fatally negligent that he could give no account of the Enemies number or force even in his own County so that the General had nothing certain of them till he saw them cover the Campania about him with their numerous hoast He himself had encamped upon the Plains of Cicora determining in that place to attend their motion This was in Sept. 1620. The Tartars who had joyned with the Turks upon this occasion having taken some Christian Prisoners gained from them an account of the Christian strength which did not exceed 10000 effective men whereupon they drew up within view of them with an Army of double their number led by their Commander Cantimir Mursa A few hours after they were followed by Skinder Bassa General of the Turks and of the War who pitcht his Tents near those of his Confederates within view of the Christians The Poles contained themselves within their Trenches till a Squadron of Cossacks who had the out-Guard encountred that of the Tartars whom after a smart dispute they forced to a Retreat but being relieved by their own men they turned upon the Christians pursuing them up to their very Trenches where they also being seasonably reinforced opposed the prevailing Enemy with so great Success that having killed a great number they chased them into their Main Body but giving no Quarter did consequently take no Prisoners and so made no discovery of the Enemies strength in so much that Zolkievius making his computation by what appeared in view and finding his Army chearful upon the Success of that days Action resolved to put all upon the fottune of a Battle That night there came to the Turkish Camp Sultan Galga the Great Chams Brother with a fresh Army of 30000 choice Souldiers whereof Zolkievius had no knowledge and therefore in order to the determinations of the day before he drew out his whole Army early the next morning being the 19th of Sept. 1620. and ranging them in Battalia strengthened both Wings with Forts made of his Waggons and Carriages closed together on all sides and filled with Foot and Cannon so that the Enemy could make no advantage of their numbers to infest their Flanks Skinder Bassa on the other side seeing the Order of the Christians drew his Army into a Line of Battle placing only the Turks revolted Wallachians and Transylvanians in view the Auxiliary Tartars being placed out of sight and commanded not to stir till a Signal was given them to move which should be when the Christians
and Power His Son Basilius equally happy â—dded the fair Provinces of Smolensko and Plescow to his Dominions with the Honor of Knez King and Emperor to his Titles John succeeded him who adding Industry and Discipline to the Arts of his Forefathers conquered the Kingdoms of Cazan and Astracan and extended his Empire to the Confines of Persia But he was no less cruel than brave which did much asperse the glory of so many Victories But this Prince being his Father whose Story we write we will refer the rest of him and the Reader to the subsequent Relation SECTION I. The Introduction Theodorus dies and Boris is chosen in his place He causeth Demetrius the Heir of the Empire to be slain to facilate his Election A new Demetrius appears his Education and Discovery He is acknowledged in Poland and enters Moscovy with an Army He is beaten He afterwards overthrows the Enemy in a memorable Battle Boris enraged with this loss and the Competition of a Rival transported with passion and fury dies suddenly His Elogie ALong and uninterrupted series of Succession had devolved the Dominion of the vast Empire of Muscovy upon the person of John Basilius who however preferrable for his Cruelty to the most monstrous of Tyrants did yet excel the Glory of all his Predecessors in the Lustre of his Actions and Greatness of his Atchievements For having added the severe Rules of Military Discipline to his Industry and Valour he extended the Bounds of his Dominions as far as Persia and Conquered the Kingdoms of Casan and Astracan in vain attempted by his Father before him This Great Prince having lived six and fifty Years and Reigned nine and thirty of them was forced to quit this World to search for that Repose in another which the violence of his mind had denied him in the midst of his Victories and Triumphs Anastasia his first Lady had born him two Sons John his Eldest whom he slew with his own hands upon no other provocation than that of his violent Temper and Theodorus Heir of his Empire not his Greatness though the Father labouring under the pangs of Death was not wanting to recommend with much passion to his surviving Nobles the Conduct of that Son in whom he proposed to himself the perpetuating of his Glories and Conquests He yet left behind him another Son of a second Bed the unhappy Demetrius born in the extremity of his Fathers Age and brought up by his Mother till his supposed Decease in the Castle of Vglecz The Great Dutchess a Lady of a Masculine Presence and Carriage was Sister to Boris Gedanow Master of the Horse who by the joynt Advantages of his Relation and Quality added to the dexterity of his Address and Contrivances to all which Conspired the Infirmness of Theodorus his Constitution and the easiness of his Nature had gained an entire possession of the Government This Glorious Favorite having by his Sisters Influence and his own Skill gathered into his Manage the greatest Concerns of the State had thereby the opportunity of obliging or removing the chief Officers of the Empire at pleasure And whether having tasted the sweetness of Dominion ordinarily quitted with much reluctancy or that he had from the Death of his old Master laid his designs of placing the Crown upon his own head is scarce questionable However it was the way seemed already smoothed by the indisposition of the Duke and the acquired favour of the Nobility who preferments passing through his hands gave them a necessary dependence upon him none being advanced to any place of Honor or Trust but as they were presented by this Prince-minister Add to this that Theodorus was Childless though Married in his Fathers life-time who by reason of his Wives Barrenness had oft commanded him to put her away a Practice consistent with the Power of those Princes but he consulting more his Affection than his Interest had all that time delayed it and now what the Dutchess by her Influence had before exercised for the raising of her Brother to the Great Dukes Favour is by his insinuations upon the Affections and Passions of the Prince returned to her with advantage who for his sake continued her as he had formerly for hers received him He had indeed attained to a very great perfection in the Art of Government which with the powerful Charms of Flattery and a well-dissembled passion for his Masters Interest as it rendered Boris absolute in his greatness so it rendered the Empire secure in the Fidelity and Watchfulness of so excellent a Minister that laying aside the present Care of his Dominions he was consequently as little thoughtful of a Successor but indulging himself in his private Pleasures and Retirements he became insensibly devested of the Majesty of one of the Greatest Princes of the Christian World The main obstacle to the growing Ambition of Boris was the Life of Demetrius Brother to the great Duke and Heir apparent to the Crown His destruction was therefore judged necessary to precede in whom the Blood-Royal determined there would want only the death of the Great Duke to make way for the Election of a new Emperor And the Constitution of that Government then considered Boris might reasonably propose to himself the suffrages of the Nobles and People who were actuated by his Counsels and imployed or discontinued in order to his Interests and Designs Bloody Tyrants never want Bloody Instruments witness that most horrid of Murthers perpetrated in our own Land upon the best of Princes neither is any Relation proof against the Charms of Ambition and Avarice in a degenerate mind Boris by the aid of vast Presents and promises of greater had gained four of Demetrius his Servants to murther their Lord. The horridness of so sad an Assassination made them for some time suspend its execution till hurried on by a consideration that they were too far advanced to retreat with safety by threats of the Tyrant and by the hopes of becoming suddenly Great they resolved upon the cruel performance of what they had so wretchedly undertaken All the difficulty now is how it should be compassed and several ways being proposed they at length conclude as followeth An obscure gloomy Night is made choyce of as most proper and sutable to so black a deed and the Town being set on fire in many places at once these miscreants fill all with Tumult and the terror of the Burning This done they fling themselves like men amazed into the Princes Bed-chamber and awaking him with a sudden Fright alarm his already-disturbed Spirits with the approaching danger Demetrius starts up at the noise and running to the window to see the Flames is set upon by those he trusted most and pierced in several places of his Body with long poysoned knives prepared for this inhumane Butchery While the unhappy Child lay wallowing in his Blood and strugling with his Fate these Villians by the advantage of the Night and the confusion they had raised and upon
that that Impostor might be forthwith delivered into the Great Duke his Masters hands whom he would unmask and render him to the World in his native Complexion a mean Creature set up by the Malice of a discontented Priest And then concluded that in case the King and Kingdom of Poland shall decline those equitable demands they would create to them an Enemy one of the greatest Princes of the World And thus having sprinkled his desires with a mixture of some Threats he added Rich Presents which were distributed amongst the Ministers of State and indeed most of those in Credit about the King with an open hand so that there were very few but tasted of Muskovitish Bounty But all this state and charge amounted to nothing the Interest of the Jesuites added to the Authority of the Pope had rendered the King and his Council deaf to the applications of the Embassador It was therefore resolved that Demetrius should be assisted with fresh supplies in order to his Restauration which was considered as the only Basis upon which to lay the Foundation of a perpetual League between both Crowns and the only means to root out that Schism in Religion which hitherto had fomented their Quarrels their affection being swayed by their faith These Resolutions were kept secret as the Arcana Imperii for they did not judge it fit to come to an open Rupture till they saw what was like to be the Success of Demetrius his Arms. Their Answer therefore was that the King and State of Poland knew nothing at least took no notice of what was done in Muskovy and that those Tumults raised by Demetrius a Muskovian born and Aided by Muskovians or any other Voluntiers engaged in his designes did not at all infringe or so much as trench upon the League which they should be always ready to observe towards that Crown and Empire The Embassador being dismissed with this general Answer without effecting what he came for In the mean time the Armies in Muskovy were drawn within sight of each other equal in hopes and desires though not in numbers Demetrius upon the Enemies advance raised his Siege and having chosen his ground with respect to the number of his men wherein he was inferiour to Boris he was not without some hopes that some part of the Enemies Army would upon the closing come over to him having held an intelligence with some of their Officers to that purpose But there appearing so formidable a power of the Muskovites and but a handful of men with Demetrius those who had made him a promise of coming over to his side judged it more adviseable to adhere to their own The Armies were now drawn so neer each other that it was impossible to part without Engaging Demetrius therefore and the Palatine judging their safety depended upon their Courage received the Enemies Charge as men resolved to conquer or lie by it not onely sustaining but resisting the fury of their Enemies The Success was a while disputed with doubtful hopes till at last the Victory began to declare it self for the more numerous Force which powring in fresh supplies the Polonian was forced to shrink under the impressions of the multitude after they had given testimonies of great resolutions having fought it out with so great a pertinacie that the Victory cost Boris the loss of many of his men His General received several wounds and it was with much difficulty that the Enemy quitted the ground at last they were disordered and broke saving themselves by flight Demetrius having rallied some few of his Troops retreated to Ribscum and the Palatine returned into Poland to raise new Forces having left 8000 of his men upon the place with all his Cannon and Baggage The tidings of this Victory was carried to Boris the Great Duke by Bosmanno the Governour of Novogrod whom Boris received as his better Angel and the General having rendered him with an advantagious character caused him to be presented with a great Bason of pure Gold filled with Ducats of the same Mettal and all the Officers of the Army with Medals and increase of Pay The Borisians shewed more Courage in gaining this Victory than Conduct in improving it to their advantage wasting their time at the Siege of Krom whilst the Enemy had room without interruption to gather together their scattered Troops who had they been chased while their fears had been upon them must necessarily have fallen into the hands of the Conquerours and then the Garrisons had followed their Fate But the Great Dukes Army being fate down bâ—â—â—re Krom the place was defended againse them with so great a Courage that they despaired of taking it whereupon the greater part of the Army being reinforced with fresh men marched towards Ribscum in order to the scattering of Demetrius his Forces and the interrupting of his Levies He upon this defeat found the experience of those friends which had been made with his Successes not himself Many who had run in upon the fame of his prosperous March ran now from him as from a falling house that would in its own ruine involve those within it Yet was not he wanting to himself having his Courage cherished by two Cistercian Monks and two Jesuites who attended him especially the latter in all his adventures These inflame him to a perseverance with promises that the Issue would be Crowned with Success to him and confusion to his Enemies In the mean time the Borisians advanced towards him upon intelligence whereof he sent out his Horse to face them while he was drawing up his Foot Who had seen the great disproportion between both Armies the one of a vast Body of Horse and Foot fleshed with Victory a great Train of Artillery Carriages the other not exceeding 5000 effective men those abounding with wants most of them Raw and Undisciplined and the rest the remnant of a defeated Army might reasonably have guessed at the Success But the power of Fortune or rather of Providence in this juncture appeared beyond humane expectation Demetrius was in a strange Country no Counsel about him unknowing in Discipline preposterous in his Orders and not so much as a temptation left him to hope his Horse being advanced were opposed by those of the Enemy of whom upon the Charge they killed about 1000 which discouraging the rest they shrink and being pressed on by the Demetrians had not time to rally but were in disorder forced upon their own Foot breaking their Ranks and doing for Demetrius what his Army could never have effected He pursuing his Success had the slaughter of that great Body which not being able to make Head were cut down without any resistance And thus what began but in a light Skirmish ended in an intire Victory The Demetrians laden with spoils the whole Camp and Train falling into their hands returned in Triumph to Puttiwol where the Fame of this signal Victory spreading it self to their advantage Five good Towns with their Forts rendered
at Court care was had for the interment of the deceased Duke whose Corps was without much solemnity laid in the Sepulchre of their Princes After this a Council was held for the more effectual prosecuting of the War Peter Bosmanno upon the accompt of his great service and known abilities was appointed General of the Army and dispatched to the Camp before Krom Mislikowski and Zwiski being recalled to assist the Regent and the young Emperour in the administration of the Government Krom had been assaulted by the Russians ten severaâ— times who were as often repulsed by the obstinate Valour of the Cossacks within it But Demetrius to cherish the Courage and Fidelity of the Garrison and setting much of his rest upon the conservation of the place dispatched Zaporius one of his chief Commanders with the greatest parâ— of his Army to the relief of it He having marched within a convenient distance of it and by his Scouts and other Spieâ— understood the posture of the Enemie Leaguer judged it very hard to attempt any thing upon it by force and therefore hath recourse to policie and framing a Letter to the Governour told him he was advanced so far as a Forlorn to the main Army and to keep the Leaguer from forraging the Country while the Polish and Cossack Auxiliaries were coming up to their relief under the conduct of Demetrius in person And then magnifying their fidelity and abounding in promises of rewards and honours to them he concluded with an assurance of speedy relief This Letter was put into the hands of a bold fellow who undertook the delivery of it but was by the crafty Commander directed such ways towards the Town as led him directly upon an Out-guard of the Enemies who having seized upon him brought him to the Head-quarters where being presented to the Rack he discovered his Letters and being examined confirmed the effects of them as a truth which he had heard discoursed of by the chief Officers of Zaporius his Army The Leaguer was as yet commanded by Hoduinus a near Kinsman of the late Great Duke's the principal Officers of the Army disdaining to submit to Bosmanno as a Son of Fortune Upon this intelligence there were 2000 Horse commanded to keep the avenues of the Town while the rest of the Army drew off to encounter the Enemy Zaporius that he might better countenance his contrivement drew out his whole Army in Battalia and having at a further distance behind him placed all his Boyes and Bedles of the Army with all the Carriages and some few Souldiers to make up a Front which he extended to a great distance He with his real Forces marched up to encounter the Enemy having given order to this mock-Army that was behind and which he had furnished with Trumpets Drums and Colours that upon the Engagement they should advance in view and fill the Air with shouts and noises that the Poles and Cossacks were at hand The Fight was fierce and doubtful in the beginning and Zaporius was so hard put to it by the greater numbers of the Enemy that notwithstanding all his skill he must have sunk under their weight had not Bosmanno disobliged by his own Party who had the command of some Reserves instead of charging the Enemy joyned his Troops to theirs and then in the head of his men declared that Demetrius was the true Emperour inviting all who had a zeal to the honour of their Country to follow his example in adhering to the rightful Prince This extraordinary adventure did equally surprize both Armies possessing the one with a consternation and the other with amazement in so much that the Fight held up as by joynt consent and both sides seemed to expect the determination of the Cause by some other Umpirage than that of their Swords Bosmanno taking advantage of this profound Silence shews himself again betwixt both Armies and crying out with a loud Voice invited all those who had any reverence for the Ashes of John Basilius or honour for his Son and affection to the publike peace that they should follow his example by rendring themselves to the obedience of their rightful Prince where they should be sure of Indemnity and Protection Bosmanno being of great reputation with the common Souldiers as one that had engaged with them in many Services had the fortune in this juncture to make so strange an impression upon their minds by his discourse that after some murmur amongst themselves they all cried out with a loud voice that they would live and dye with Bosmanno The Nobility observing the course of the stream and lest that they might be overwhelmed in resisting of it resolved to follow the Current and immediately declaring for Demetrius dispatched a Party of 500 to him to Puttiwol with tender of their Submissions supplicating his pardon for their former defections whereto they had been insnared by the Artifices of Boris They further offered him an entire Obedience of themselves and of the strength of the Empire beseeching him he would come over to them that they might march under his Conduct to the Possession of his Hereditary rights Hodwenus having thus lost his Army which deserted him as one man purposed to save himself by flight but being pursued by a Party thereto imployed was seized upon and presented to Demetrius in whose presence he disdaining to bow or pay those respects due to an Emperour was commanded to Prison and to be laden with Irons Demetrius transported with this happy news broke up with those Troops which he had about him marching directly to Krom where he caressed the Governor and Garrison with all kindness imaginable magnifying their Courage and Fidelity and heaping upon them promises of Mountains when he should be establisht in his Throne From thence he went to Arol where the revolted Lords and Army attended his coming and received him with all the Submissions and demonstrations of joy that could be expressed And being by this accession of Force rendred absolute Master of the Field he advanced by easie marches toward Musko the Seat of the Empire and being come as far as Tula he made some stay there as well to refresh his Army as to consider how to carry on the rest of his Affairs And having advised with his Council he writ his Letters to the Magistrates of Musko to acquaint them that God had in a wonderful manner owned him and his Cause by bringing over the Army that opposed him to their due obedience without bloodshed much to his satisfaction rather to have them reduced by the convictions of their Conscience than by the force of his Arms he therefore invited them according to that pious example of the Army to return to their obedience and as a manifestation of it to root out from the face of the earth that hated Progeny of Boris who had murthered his elder Brother and had laid Trains for his life but that he was rescued from them by deliverances not much short of miracle
retreat They had lost many of their Horses and more died daily for want of Forrage they were harrassed with duty and had no hopes of relief from Poland being besieged by a barbarous Enemy ready every moment at least in their apprehension to storm their Camp their Provisions were short and no possibility of Supplies from without all the sides of their Camp being invested so that it was impossible for them to subsist for want of Food in expectation of succour from their own Country Neither had the King by reason of the interruption of the Passages received but one Letter from Zolkievius when it was too late wherein he gave him an account of his condition and how he had been unseasonably abandoned by some of the Army This was the state of Affairs in the Camp while the Enemy without lay close upon them and computing the distresses and disorders within by the desertion of those that had left them they were much raised in their hopes despising all proposals and overtures of quitting the place In so much that upon the 22th of September the whole Turkish Army was drawn up before the Camp threatning a general Assault unless they immediately surrendred at discretion On the 23th they did the like and on the 26th the Galga or Prince of Tartary approaching nearer the Trenches was met by Duke Corecki upon Parole who proposed to him an excessive ransom for himself and some few with him and descending to some particulars for a rendition of the Camp only that the Souldiers might march away with their Swords the Tartarian left him in scorn and anger and clapping his hand upon his Sable bid him expect no other conditions than what the sharpness of that would afford him Zolkievius having throughly computed the state of his Affairs resolved to quit the Camp and having ordered all things accordingly which took up three days time being assisted in the method of his Designe by Martin Kasanowski an old experienced Colonel and upon the 29th of September that part of the Wall through which the Camp was to pass being opened the Army about Sun-set began its march in the order following On both sides a row of Waggons as it were chained together five hundred paces in length drawn by their Horses closed the Wings The Front consisting likewise of linked Waggons took up three hundred paces and the Rear being fenced with the like Barricado was as also the other extremities of the Camp fortified with Cannon The wounded sick Baggage and all the best Horses of the Army were placed in the middest while the Officers and Souldiers marched on the out-side of the Camp with Colours flying and their Arms ready fixed to resist any impression The Tartars observing this order of the Poles did at first think they had drawn out to fight but when they discerned the whole Camp to move and that no man stirred out of his Rank they stood amazed at the Novelty and the night being so near they durst do no more but send out small Parties to observe their motion And so they marched two Moldavish Miles that night without any disorder save what they received at the passage of a Lake which was supplied well enough in respect they were not eagerly pressed upon by the Enemy On the 30th of September Skinder Bassa assaulted the Camp on all sides with his united Forces but being repelled with great loss they marched yet two Moldavish Miles more that night A Molvish Mile is more than a German On the first of October the Camp being lodged near a great Pool continued there that whole day and the night following The Infidels did extremely gall them from the other side of the Water with their shot and from the open side by their Excursions but were bravely repulsed with great slaughter of their men About Noon that day they prepared for a fresh Assault but instead thereof sent a Trumpet to the Camp to demand their Turkish Interpreter that they might speak with him which being granted they only detained him making no Attempt that day Octob. 2. The Turks having the day before observed the Camp stormed it with greater fury than ever and being repulsed returned fifteen times to the Assault The Courage of the Defendants growing by their being able to resist in so much that at last it did not only suffice them to make good their Station but that they followed the flying Enemy to a good distance from it in which Pursuit they took two Colours and a Piece of Ordnance having killed multitudes of their men Towards Sun-set they began their March with their shot about them which must needs retard their pace and yet they advanced three of their Miles before Morning being by computation fifteen English Octob. 3. Having gained the Advantage of a Rivulet and heights of Ground they easily repressed the Enemies fury and took a Tartar Colours they also eluded an Ambush of the Enemy and continued their Journey that night Octob. 4. They had strengthened their Camp by the Neighbourhood of a River But Skinder Bassa considering that by these Marches by night the Prey might slip out of his hands and sensible of the disgrace that would attend him to suffer it resolved to make an Attempt at the hazard of his whole Army and consequently gave order for a general Assault But being the Tartars were not so forward as he expected having been so many times baffled pretending the difficulty by reason of the posture of the Camp seated upon the advantage of the River by the help of which they would be able to bring more hands to the defence of those parts that were assaultable but the enraged Bassa impatient of Arguments turned hastily to his Janizaries And are you also affrighted with the greatness of the danger said he And will you suffer this handful of men to slip out of your hands for want of a vigorous Attempt upon them But they cried out He should not reproach but Command them for nothing was terrible to them but the anger of their General The rest of the Turks sway'd by this Example would be of the Party prompted by an Ambition to do the Service with their own hands without the aid of the Tartars And armed with these Resolutions they assaulted the Camp from all their Quarters and pressed on by a mixture of shame and fury broke in upon it in one place carrying their terror into the Bowels of their Enemy maugre all the resistance made against them All their former disputes and conflicts seemed but sport to this The Turks hurried on by their Principle of Predestination added to a zeal of gratifying their General made havock of their lives to preserve the footing they had gained in the Camp doing more than men in prosecution of the advantage The Christians armed with a native courage inflamed yet by their despair did more than they for despising their multitudes and resolving to conquer or die they made a charge upon those who had
entred with a fury sutable to the constitution of their Affairs and forcing them back and upon those that followed made them contribute to their own disorders in such sort that not being able to rally they were repell'd with a great slaughter And having clear'd themselves from this violent storm they continued their march that evening alongst the Banks of the River for three Miles the enemy coasting them on the other side with an equal pace Octob. 5. The Tartars having got before them the day before lay directly in their way but they carrying with them the resolution of surmounting every difficulty and grown skilful in this new kind of March broke through all the resistance made against them though not without some disorder in their Rear occasioned by the fears of the Waggon-men which rendred them less exact and faithful in their charge But by the valour and conduct of Zemberg who commanded in that part the Enemy was repulsed and the disorder being repaired they performed a March of two Miles that day Octob. 6. They still advanced and like a wedge of Iron divided their passage through the numerous Squadrons of the Enemy who clouded their very sight with their showers of Shot and Arrows but seeing they could make no impression upon them they burnt up and destroyed all their grass and forrage in their way whereby they were extremely incommodated and by reason whereof and their often Skirmishes they were that day able to march but one Moldavish Mile The Poles still followed the Banks of the River Tire with a designe to gain Mohilow a safe Retreat after their tedious March They were constrained to avoid the nearest way thither as mountainous boggy besides great Woods in it which would obstruct them in the manner of their motion chusing for the sake of a more even passage to go about by such a way as brought them within a Mile of their desired Harbour The Camp was in perfect order and the Enemy tired with a repetition of fruitless Attempts and labours had forborn to press upon them being content to wait on their motion by a few Scouts only The Poles about the evening of this seventh day of their March continued their Journey according to their former Method and meeting in their Passage with some Barns stored with great quantities of Hay and Corn many of them but without order ran to the Bait to supply themselves with Provisions for their well-nigh-starved Horses In the mean time the Van of the Camp began to march without calling in their Forragers or giving notice as they ought and used to the Rear of their motion The Rear for want of the accustomed Signe being thus separated from the Main Body was seized on by a sudden horror and pannick fear which having laid hold on some was like Wild-fire carried through all Their apprehensions were various but all upon the account of fear heightned by the darkness and imaginary noises concluding their Van was cut off and that the Sword was at their Throats The same plague being spread over the rest of the Army infected the whole in a moment with its contagion whereupon the Carters Waggon-men Pedees and Servants imploy'd about the Carriages unloosed the Horses to serve themselves by flight upon them so that the whole Fabrick and Machine of the Camp being dissolved they could move no further There was yet another cause at least contributary to these Evils Upon the departure of Gratian and other Fugitives from the Camp at Cicora the Raskality of the Army with a mixture of Souldiers robbed and plundered their Tents and Lodgings whereof the Officers in that juncture durst not be over-inquisitive but being got on the Banks of the River Tire they began to speak of it and Koninkspolski the Lieutenant-General had that very evening improvidently enough let fall some threatning expressions concerning it The number of the guilty being many they began to think of their proper safety and the avoiding that punishment which if they stood to it would fall upon them they therefore in great numbers fled away from their friends as well as their foes These wretches having begun a Tumult upon this occasion the same was seconded by the dividing of the Camp as is before declared The confusion was so great that Zolkievius and the chief Officers about him could not be heard the variety of noises with the apprehension of the danger and the darkness of the night rendring the Army deaf to all his Commands and Orders The Tartars being by their Scouts advertised of these Tumults failed not to hasten thither and working upon the advantage given them by the Poles prepared to it by their own fears fell in among them with shouts and terror Zolkievius had Commanded that for the better safety of the Quarters and encouraging of the Souldiers all men should quit their Horses and march on foot wherein himself was the first example which was the reason that so many of the Chief Commanders fell and were taken in that encounter for when the Rout was become so universal that all resistance was to no purpose they perished upon the place for want of Horses to carry them off except such as escaped by swimming and so got away Zolkievius his Son with his Nephew and Strusius the two former being weak of their Wounds and forsaken by their Coachmen were made Prisoners and presented to the Tartarian Galga Zolkievius had before taken an eternal Farewel of his Son and then having made a short Confession to his Ghostly Father was lost in the confusion but found dead next morning upon the skirts of the Camp some say he caused himself to be killed by one of his Followers a Cossack chusing rather to perish with his Army than fall into the Enemies hands or survive his own glory But the Wounds in his Sword-hand on his Face and Breast and a Tartarian laid dead along by him seem to declare that he was killed fighting However it was Skinder Bassa caused his Head to be cut off and fixed upon a Pike exposing it for that day to the view of his whole Army and afterwards to be sent to the Grand Seignior his Master as a Testimony of his Victory The Lieutenant-General Corecki the young Zolkievius with the other Prisoners of Quality were sent to Constantinople where after a three years imprisonment they were ransomed and returned to their own Country And thus like a Ship after a long voyage sunk in the harbour Zolkievius having through all the accidents of his Life proceeded regularly from the Quality of a private Souldier to the Supreme Command of an Army was raised by his own Virtue to those Honours which rendered him eminent in those parts of the World Neither was there any thing wanting to compleat his Glory besides the Success of this Retreat which was reduced to that point that there wanted but two hours space to render him eminent amongst the most illustrious Captains of Antiquity It is held of all hands