Duke of Saxe-Lawenburg and the Left by Count Caprara Count Staremberg being General of the Foot and so Marching along the Banks of the Waag came and incamped between Raab and Commora to expect the motion of the Enemy and there it was that the Duke had the first notice of the Grand Visiers advancing with the gross of the Ottoman Army as far as Greicks Wissenberg and that the Grand Seignior with a greater Power followed by slow Marches having vowed not to turn his back till he had besieged with his Army the City of Vienna the principal Imperial Seat of Austria upon notice of which the Duke of Lorrain again decamped after he had sent the Count Palfie to give the Emperour an account of the State of the War resolving to be in Action and thereupon marched towards Gran a strong Garrison of the Turks in Hungaria with a design to besiege it for that purpose having sent for divers other Mortars Granadoes Bombes and the like they were sent up the River in Boats and arrived safely at the Camp The Emperour finding the perverseness of the Hungarian Rebels sent an express to the Palatine of that Kingdom immediately to march with the Forces under his Command not amounting to above five thousand with which he had been posted in the Isle of Schuts to joyn Major General Schuts and the Prince Lubomirski on the Waag and there to act against Count Teckely and such Forces as he had in the Field who at that time besieged the Castle of Donowitz but before they could draw together strong enough to raise the Siege the said Castle was after five weeks Siege taken and the Baron Joannel Governour thereof made Prisoner yet Teckely began to grow jealous of the Turks who now having by his Rebellion made way for their Arms did not regard him as before therefore although the Bassa of Offen sent divers Summons to command him to joyn his Forces with the Body of Turks incamped near new Husel yet he declined it making divers excuses and desiring that he might act separate That nothing might be wanting in the Emperour to prevent the miseries of War in the so long distracted Kingdom of Hungary but that those that had taken up Rebellious Arms against him might easily perceive how willing he was for the saving the effusion of Christian Blood to forget and forgive what was past he again published a General Declaration promising thereby as well to the Hungarians as Germans who had been or are in Rebellion against him restitution of Goods and Estates if they lay down their Arms and return to their Obedience upon which several Germans and some Hungarians who had deserted the Emperours Service and taken part with Rebels came in and submitted who thereupon were restored in Person Goods and Estates which did not a little alarm Count Teckely by possessing him with a Fear that many of his Followers might do the like and thereupon to prevent it he again began a feigned Treaty with the Emperour and the rather for that he had notice that the Czar of Muscovy earnestly desired to enter into the Treaty between the Emperour and King of Poland yet he put a strong Garrison into the Fortress of Donowitz which is a Place of great Importance and capable of puting all the Country under Contribution as far as Cracow The Duke of Lorrain with the Imperial Army being advanced within four Leagues of Gran incamped there to expect an Account in what posture the Enemies were as not thinking it safe to besiege so Important a Place as Gran without good assurance and there he received advice that the Grand Visier and Aga of the Janizaries were with all diligence forming the Body of their Army near Belgrave whereupon he sent out two Parties each consisting of four thousand Men to observe their motion he also received advice that the Count Caprara his Imperial Majesties Ambassador who so long negotiated at the Port was brought to Belgrave under the charge of the Aga of Janizaries and strictly guarded not permitted to go abroad without especial Licence from the Grand Visier and then not without fifty Janizaries to attend him to whom he is obliged to pay a daily Stipend The Duke of Lorrain having learned the State of the Turkish Army and sent out a Party who defeated eight hundred Turkish Horse that were advanced near his Camp to discover what they could raised his Camp and marched directly towards New-husel not thinking it safe to attempt Gran in which Garrison there was not computed to be less than eight thousand Turks and Hungarians but resolving to be in action before the Body of the Turkish Army could take the Field although he had frequent advice that the Grand Visier sent out daily Detachments and amongst the rest one very considerable consisting of twenty thousand Men to joyn the Bassa of Buda he sat down before New-husel the greatest part of whose Suburbs the Garrison had demolished and burnt as not being Tenable and retired into the City or upper Town at what time the Country-People in the Turkish Territories near Commora and Raab fearing the advance of the Turkish Army retired with their Substance into those Imperial Garrisons to prevent the severe Treatments which they are wont to receive from the Turks in times of War and with all possible diligence the great Ordnance were conveyed to the Camp whilst a Body of Men was forming at Presburg to recruit the Emperours Army if occasion required it being composed of Moravians Bohemians and Hungarians and to prevent any Party that might be sent from the Enemies Camp falling upon his Out-guards he sent a Detachment of sour thousand Horse in two Parties to burn the Bridge of Essek where upon their Arrival they found seven hundred Turks advantagiously posted who at first made great shews to defend the said Bridge but upon the first Discharge of four Field-pieces the Imperialists brought with them the Turks in great Disorder retired as altogether despairing to defend it yet not so swiftly but being pursued about a hundred of them were killed and as many taken Prisoners when after the Dispute the Prisoners to the number of two hundred who for that purpose brought Saws Axes Sleds and the like broke the Bridge in pieces and afterward burnt the greatest part setting the rest a float down the River By this time the Duke having intrenched and raised his Battery played furiously upon the Town with eight piece of Canon carrying thirty six and forty pound Balls and was answered in the same Language by the besieged who made diverse Sallies to hinder the advancement of the Lines and Works wherein divers were killed on either side for in the Town were amongst others a thousand Janizaries two or three hundred of which were in every Sally that was made for the space of four days in which space six Sallies were made though with the greatest disadvantage to the Turks for the Imperialists keeping in their Trenches cut divers
in warlike Discipline the List of which Forces as it was published running thus According to the List taken by the Command of the Duke of Lorrain the Emperour has in Pay twenty seven Regiments of Foot making together 55700 Men whereof 25296 were at the general Rendezvouse near Presburg 4692 in the upper Hungar 2040 in Jabulunca on the Frontier of Hungary 2040 at Leopolstade on the Waag 364 in Austria 2040 at Vienna 13912 in the Empire and 2040 in Bohemia In the Emperour's Pay is likewise seventeen Regiments of Horse amounting to 13600 Men seven Regiments of Dragoons consisting of 5600 Men and four Regiments of Croats consisting of 3200 Men whereof 15200 are at the General Rendezvouz 800 in the upper Hungary 400 in Jabulunca 2400 at Leopalstadt 800 in Austria and 2800 in the Empire So that the general List of Horse and Foot appears to be thus at the gencral Rendezvouz 39696 in the Empire 16712 in the upper Hungary 7532 c. in all making 78540 Men Horse and Foot not accounting the Troops under the Command of the Palatine of Hungary nor those commanded by the Vice-Roy of Crotia nor the 600 Polish horse brought into the service of the Emperour by the Prince Lubomirski over the Army in Hungary or to Act there against the Turks Tartars and Rebells The Emperour appointed the Duke of Lorrain Generalissimo impowering him to Act as he saw occasion for the advantage of the Empire without expecting any orders from Court unless upon special occasion declaring his resolution to carry on the War with all imaginable vigout hoping the Princes of the Empire and other Christian Princes would freely imbarque themselves in the Action seeing it not only concerned the Empire but indeed all Christendom For that the Grand Seignior aided not his Rebels for pity sake as he gave out but took hold of the opportunity to incroach upon the Christian Princes and if possible to over-run all Christendom which he hoped God would never permit to fall into the hands of so cruel and unmerciful an Infidel This discourse ended the Emperour admonished such chief Commanders as were present to play the man saying that he would be always ready to reward the Valiant and with the same Willingness punish the Coward Aster which he rode about the Camp to take a view of the Order of his Men and confessed himself highly satisfied in their Promptness and Aptness to handle their Arms and manage them at all Points and then having taken leave of the Duke he returned to Vienna About the latter end of April the Grand Seignior set forth from Adrianople in order to his being present at the Randezvouz to be holden for the Summers Campaign near Belgrade the manner of his setting forward and Attendance being thus First his Tents or rich Pavillions were carried to the Place where the insuing Night he designed to lodge then went the Carriages with other Tents for the Commanders and Souldiers for note that the Turks have always double Tents or twice so many as is needful to lodge in the Reason being this when the Tents are pitched in which they intend to incamp the other Tents are carried and pitched a days Journey before so that when they rise again they upon their Arrival at the place where they are to lodge find their Tents ready which is one great help to them in their swift Marches but in case they are in an Enemies Country and march but slowly this Order is not observed The first Day the Army consisting of 180000 Men marched twenty five Turkish miles and at Night pitching their Tents seemed rather a City than a Field Provision for about the Tents of the Grand Seignior were those of the Bassas and great Commanders next them more outward those of lesser rank and so by degrees according to their Quality or Merit in Arms. As for the Order of the Grand Seignior's March it was thus Before the Body of the Army went the Yeomen a kind of Foot-men much in the nature of Pioniers who cleared the way and levelled the ground for the better and more convenient Passage of the Carriages setting up heaps of Stones and other signs as marks and setting Fire to divers Piles of Wood at the beginning of the Match for observe the Turks always unless something extraordinary prevent it begin their March at Midnight and so continue to march till the Noon of the ensuing Day Between two Bassas of his Council rode the Grand Seignior with a short Turlipant his Turbant set with Diamonds and his Tunick or Vest studded o're with Rubies Emeralds and Saphires his Horses Bridle of Gold and in his Fore-head a blazing Carbuncle his Bridle bit Gold and Stirrops of the same Mettal before him marched the Janizaries as likewise on either side the foremost being on Horseback bearing lighted torches and the rest on Foot armed with Harquibusses and Pole-axes with very short Handles but between them and the Grand Seignior marched divers Captains with Horsemens Maces to keep the Vulgar from gazing on the Emperour and nearer to his Person marched a thousand of his Guards called the Ich Oglians or young Gentlemen brought up in the Seraglio till such time they are fit for Service being before-hand instructed in all manner of Feats of War as shooting the Harquibuss casting Darts using the Long-bow tossing the Launce or Pike using the Mace and the like and immediately after him within this Circle marched divers of the Officers of the Seraglio being for the most part Eunuchs and in the midst of them a Chariot or close Litter in which were the Women for the Grand Seignior's Use and in each Wing of the Army or Points of the Crescent were divers other Chariots or Litters filled with Women appertaining to the Bassas or great Captains not exceeding twenty for the most part their Wives tho formerly no such thing was permitted These were inclosed with the divers Orders as the Tamaru which are Men on horseback bearing Lances and Scemyters who are at all times bound to serve in the Wars in lieu of certain Lands they hold of the Grand Seignior throughout his dominion The Accanzi another sort of Horsemen who are kept in continual Pay and are reckoned for horse the chiefest strength of the Turkish Empire as the Janizaries who are composed of Christian tributary Children are accounted its strength for Foot and the Assapi who are of small account being the Refuse of the Empire who serve only for Plunder Marching on Foot and are for the most part in Battels thrust sorward as the forlorn hope on no other account than to blunt the Enemies Swords or in Seiges driven upon the mouth of the murthering Cannons to no other end than to fill up the Trenches and Ditches with their dead bodies that so the Imperious Janizaries may mount the easier on the Ramparts or Walls of the Place besieged and these for the most part are the Sons of Turks After these marched the Camels Mules Dromedaries
like so many ravenous wild beasts made frequent inrodes and with fire and Sword wasted the fruitfullest part of the Countrey driving away herds of Cattle and carrying Men Women and Children into miserable captivity It was in the Dyet at Leopol agreed That Deputies should be sent to the Cossacks to invite them in the name of the Estates of Poland to return to their antient Habitations Which some of them did but others being settled with their Families refused it so that at this day they indifferently serve the Turks or Christians in their Wars living for the most part by the Sword being always ready to espouse the quarrel of him that will bid most be it right or wrong The Turks Army by this time being upon its march and the besieged in Newheusel continuing to make a vigorous defence continually repairing by Night what the Cannon beat down off the Walls in the Day and that in the opinion of the Engineers they could not run their Mines to the Wall by such means to become masters of the place in less than a Fortnight A Council was held in the Camp in order to come to a result Whether the siege should be raised or continued On one hand it was urged That the suddain raising the Siege would imply a fear in the Imperialists and prove advantagious to the Turks and heighten their courage and redound to the dishonour of the Empire and that in consideration thereof it was rather convenient to hazzard a battle with the advanced part of the Turks Army that was sent to relieve the Besieged or give a furious assault to the Town on all parts in which it might probably fall out that they should carry it by storm But these Councils were on the other hand not thought convenient at such a juncture it being alledged That the Army was not yet compleat and that in unadvisedly hazzarding a Battle without the conjunction of all the Forces or at least those the King of Poland was bringing into the Field was to hazzard at one Cast all the hereditary Countries of the Empire As for attempting the place by Storm experience had already made it apparent that it was a matter of great difficulty and more men must necessarily be lost than the place was worth That it was no policy if the attempt should prove successful as it was greatly to be questioned whether it would or not to purchase a Town at the price of so much blood But something must be resolved before the Ottoman Forces advanced so near as either to oblige the Army to Battle or a dishonourable Retreat The Duke of Lorrain was of the former opinion being desirous of nothing more than to give the Infidels Battle if it was possible to oblige them thereto But whilst these debates were undetermined the Emperor being sensible of the state of affairs and not willing to hazzard the strength of his Empire at a Cast sent an express order from Vienna to the Duke to quit the siege and return to his former Camp near Commora which he accordingly did And immediately after his departure the besieged sallied out and set their Pioneers on work to fill up the Trenches and demolish the battery the Imperialists had raised for fear that they upon second thought or a new reinforcement might return to the Siege In this enterprize the Imperialists made four attacks upon the Counterscarps Half-Moon and Ravelin in which and at the seven sallies the Turks made they lost 500 men And the Turks are supposed to lose double the number 100 at once being killed and spoiled in a Bulwark which was blown up by a Granado containing fifty pound of Powder Whilst Newheusel was besieged the Palatine of Hungary taking the advantake of the Turks consternation drew out a detatchment of 1â—00 Foot and 500 Horse and marching cross the Countrey laid siege to the Fortress of Scarone summoning it to surrender but the Governour refusing he from a small rising battered it with four Demi-Culverings for the space of six Hours in which time he laid open a breach so wide that six might march abreast which the besieged perceiving sounded a Parly but could get no other Conditions than to be made Prisoners of War the whole Garrison not consisting of more than 68 Turks of which eight were killed with the Cannon-shot and the remainder carried Prisoners to Novigrade After which the Palatine having put 150 men into the place and furnished them with all things necessary returned to his Post where he had notice that the Count Palsi had joyned the Imperial Army with 3000 of the new Levies Count Teckely being all this while busy in the upper Hungary to get himself effectually acknowledged Prince of that Province and finding cold returns of such messages as he sent to divers of the Nobility upon that occasion and especially of the Governours of the Berg Towns whom he pressed more than any other He resolved to compel them by Force to do what by words he could not oblige them to and thereupon sent a Body of 3000 Hungarians and 1000 Tartarian Light-Horse-men in his name to take possession of those Towns as likewise to possess the Silver Mines not far distant from them Not so seeming satisfied as well knowing the Turks were at hand to back him he sent forth his Summons to injoyn the Inhabitants of the Counties of Neutra Trenchin and Taroz to supply him with Proyision for the subsistence of his Army threatning upon failure thereof to plunder and burn their Towns which forc'd divers of the Countrey people and such as lived in places subject to the incursions of the Rebels to remove with their substance into Towns of strength by reason at the same time the Governours of the Fortresses had sent an Express under pain of being treated as enemies to the Empire So that between both the wretched people were in great perplexity but upon certain notice That the Turks Army consisting of 80000 Horse and Foot were marching with all speed into those parts a great number of Villages have complyed to Teckely's demands and amongst other Papa Vesprin and Totis have put themselves under his protection The Duke of Lorrain upon his quitting the siege of Newheusel having notice That the Bassa of Buda had a design to fall into Moravia and Silesia with the body of men under his command and for that intent was upon his march he with the Imperial Army Incamped upon the bank of the Danube to hinder his passage as likewise to secure the conveyance of Provision to the Imperial Garrisons scituate upon the banks of that River and to prevent any design the Turks might have upon the Isle of Schutz And at the same time the Palatine of Hungary is posted on the Waag near Trenchin daily expecting the King of Poland who with his Forces lay at that time incamped near Cracaw as also orders from the Emperor how to proceed in the juncture of affairs which he received upon the return of
Circles inducing them to hasten out their Troops insomuch that in a Conference held at Hasford the 27 of July between the Bishop of Bamberg and Wirtsbourg and the Deputies of the Elector of Brandenburg the Princes of Hanspach Bareith c. it was resolved That the Troops of Franconia designed for the assistance of the Emperour should begin their march on the 2 of August it being conditioned That the Bishop and Chapter of Wirtsbourg should for this service furnish out two Regiments of Foot and four Companies of Guards and the Elector of Brandenburg not reckoning his Quota should assist the Emperour with a body of men under the command of the Velt Marshal Borfling All which were immediately to be raised and sent to the Imperial camp incamped between Krembs and Vienna impatiently expecting those Auxiliary Troops But from hence let us again return to the Siege of Vienna The Turks still pressing the siege in hopes to carry the Town by Storm or oblige the besieged to surrender upon reasonable proposals raised divers new Batteries in the stead of those the besieged's Cannon had ruined Which Batteries they chiefly manage by Renegadoes of all Nations to whom they give double pay They on the 30 of July made three attacks near Scotenburg-Gate and the Red Tower in which they were bravely repulsed by the besieged who came to handy blows with them with great resolution whilst the Cannon from the Flankers cut off the Turks in great numbers and spared not to kill some of the Imperialists who were mixed and fighting with the enemy In these three attacks the Turks lost near 8000 men Whereupon the Grand Visier sent to demand a Cessation to fetch off the slain and wounded but Count Staremberg returned answer That he had no need of Truce his Garrison being all in good order The Turks scarce had time to breath before the Imperialists making another sally entred the Suburb called Leopolstadt some time since possessed by the Turks they beat them out and put a considerable number of men into it to defend it it serving as a Flanker to the Town and playing furiously against the Battery the Turks had raised against the Scotch-Gate dismounting all the Cannon and ruining the Battery though not without loss on their own part the most stout and resolute Souldiers still keeping the Walls the Garrison consisting of 18000 fighting men besides a great number of the Burghers Scholars and religious persons of all Orders who upon occasion are assisting Nor is any thing of Ammunition or Provision wanting but a plenty sufficient for several Months according to the computation of those that by the Count's order took a narrow survey of the Magazines Money being the thing most wanting the Governour borrowed a considerable summ of the Religious Orders promising to restore it with addition if the City escape falling into the hands of the enemy and if it should so happen yet to make reparation if his life and liberty were preserved the which money he freely and cheerfully at divers times distributed amongst his Souldiers As likewise was so exact as to see the Provision fairly divided that one has not more than another thereby to prevent murmurs animosities and mutinies Causing the whole Garrison as well Burghers as Souldiers to take an Oath To defend the place to the last extremity and never to hearken to any proposals or overtures from the enemy how advantagious soever they may be These resolutions equity and bravery in the Governour contributed not a little to the resolution and courage of the Souldiers and Citizens the very Women appearing every where couragious heartning and exciting their Husbands to maintain and defend the City against the common Enemy without weariness or fainting This great City when the Turks first sat down before it had no more than 15 or 1600 men in it and not greatly provided with Ammunition and other necessaries but as Providence had ordered it just as it was invested viz. on the 14 of July four great Vessels came up the River laden with all manner of Necessaries and within sight of the enemy recovered the Port Though few expected the day before that the Turks would have attempted a siege in which they have always been unfortunate For before this very City much weaker than at present Solyman the Magnificent lost 80000 or as some say 100000 men and after all that he could do being there in person he was obliged to raise his siege with shame and disgrace The Duke of Lorrain likewise had the good luck to thrust in 13000 Foot and 1000 Horse besides which upon occasion the Inhabitants can make 20000 fighting men and happy was it for the City that the Garrison and Provision so luckily entered for the next day the Ottoman Army so closely invested it that it was a work of great difficulty for a single person to get in or out The Country round about Vienna is destroyed and laid waft for upon the Turks first arrival from the Walls and Towers of the City might be seen 40 Villages in a flame at once and daily for a week together were brought into the Camp droves of such miserable Christians as the Barbarians had surprized or taken in the Castles and small Fortresses adjacent which were not capable of standing out but to save their lives surrendered though they had better have dyed like Souldiers and men of courage than fallen into the hands of so barbarous an enemy from whom they can expect nothing but slavery so that great are the cryes and wailing of Women and Children which when the Wind sat on the back of the Camp could be distinctly heard by the Besieged The King of Poland having left Cracaw with the Army under his command marched with all dilligence to joyn the Imperial Army and in joynt confederacy to relieve the besieged City or to give the enemy battle When in the mean while the Duke of Lorrain having advice that Count Teckely marched towards Presburg with a strong power of the Hungarian Rebels and Turks the latter being sent him by the Bassa of Buda and taking the advantage of the juncture of affairs he intended to besiege it He detached a strong party of Horse and Foot and marched towards them with a resolution to give them battle which Teckely little suspected by reason the day before he had received advice that he durst not come forth of his Camp for fear of the Ottoman Army but too late finding his intelligence false and that the Duke from the Walls of Presburg advanced towards him he with his whole body of Turks and Hungarians consisting of 25000 men retired in the best order the small time would permit but not so swiftly but that the Imperialists fell in with his Rear making of them great slaughter cutting off about 6 or 700 of them and seizing upon most of their Baggage Ammunition and Provision taking in all 1000 Waggons After which the Duke reinforced the Garrison causing all the Boats that
Teckely had brought thither to bridge over the Danube to be burnt sending after him the Prince Lubomirskie with the Polish Horse under his command who for the space of eight miles had the execution of the Rear-guard which made a kind of a running fight the Duke with the whole Army following close after In this action the Imperialists and Poles lost 100 men and the enemy 1500. After which Count Teckely in great confusion repassed the Waag and the Turks separating from him returned to Newbeusel out of which Garrison most of them were drawn The Duke stay'd upon the bank of the River Marck two miles from Presburg to have notice of their motion as fearing they might wheel about and fall into Moravia sending after them General Dunwald with 1000 Light-Horse continually to give him an account of what he could learn in relation to their inclination to action and so rising with the part of the Army he had brought he returned to his Camp near Krembs upon the Danube there to expect the Elector of Bavaria and the King of Poland both which were near at hand with a resolution to joyn him these two Princes marching in person at the head of their Armies both which Armies amount to 45000 fighting men the flower of those Countrys Upon whose approach the Grand Visier sent orders to the Bassa of Buda to draw up a body of 2000 men out of the neighbouring Garrisons and dispatch them immediately to the Army as likewise Ammunition and Provision with all speed the Army by reason of the late Convoys falling into the hands of the Imperialists being much distressed for want of Provision He likewise dispatched a Chiaus to the Grand Signior to give him a relation of what had happened since the siege wherein as some fugitives report he gave the Chians a strict command to assure him that he would suddenly send him the Keys of Vienna And as soon as he was departed that he might inform the Grand Signior he left the Camp in action he furiously battered the Red Tower thundring incessantly against it with 12 pieces of Cannon and Culvering flinging Bullets of 52 and 58 pound weight yet through the vigilance of the Defendants did small damage besides renting the Battlements and Curtain of the Wall The Viceroy of Croatia whilst these transactions were on foot having drawn together 13000 men for the defence of that Countrey having notice that a body of Tartars and Turks the Refuse of the Garrisonupon the Frontiers were roving abroad and had done great mischief in firing Villages burning the Hay and Corn ravishing the Women putting the men to the Sword that were unable for service and drowning the Children in the Rivers to put a stop to this barbarous torrent and to repay the inhumane Rake-Hells in their own coin he drew out 1700 Horse and 5000 Foot with which crossing the Country the nearest way he on the 9 of August found them triumphing in all manner of rapine and cruelty when leaving 3000 Foot and 1000 Horse under the covert of a woody Grove he advanced with the rest towards the enemy who being 6 or 7000 strong after some consultation threw themselves into a posture of desence and prepared to give him Battle with whom he as resolutely joyned having first wheeled about and taken the advantage of the Ground so that he might train them into the Ambushment and by that means inclose them which fell out so to his expectation that after a furious charge the Ambuscade burst out at their back with loud shouts which they seconded with so many messengers of death the enemies being as it were taken in a toil were killed on all sides without making further resistance all the Plain being strewed with their ruins and miserable slaughter of which not above 2000 escaped the rest being killed and taken Prisoners Of the Croats in the first charge 30 were killed and as many wounded and in all they lost but 120. By this action 700 Christians were delivered from miserable captivity and 1000 head of Cattle recovered with much Baggage and store of Proivision which they had gathered up in the Countries through which they had passed and certain it is had not a timely stop been put to this torrent before it had swelled great as it would soon have done by the conjunction of 8000 more of the same Tribe who were advancing but upon notice of evil success retired It would have put he whole Country into a great consternation and confusion Count Leslie being sent to secure Moravia from the incursions of the enemy with a Body of 4 or 5000 men took a Convoy of 78 Waggons loaden with Ammunition and Provision on its way to Teckely's Camp on the banks of the Waag putting those that kept it to flight though without any more slaughter than of one man for the Convoyers being aware of his coming left the Waggons and shifted for themselves in the Woods To know the state of the besieged the Duke of Lorrain on the 8 of August sent an Ingineer disguised in Country habit who under the favour of the Night passed the Leaguers and the next night had the good success to return in safety to the Imperial Camp bringing an account That the besieged were resolute in the defence of the City full of courage and vigor not having lost above 3000 men since the siege began and that on the other hand the Turks appeared less vigorous in their attempts than at first they did and that they were in a manner distressed for want of Provision a mortal sickness at the same time raging in the Camp of which many dyed they not being computed to have lost less than 20000 men in the divers attacks they have made in the sallies made by the besieged and those that have perished by the Pestilence besides several Boats full of sick and wounded men that have been sent up the Danube whilst all the Troops of the Circles are on their march and daily arrive at the Imperial Camp so that the Duke of Lorrain is 38000 strong and will be 59000 strong when the Brandenburg and Bavarian Troops have joyned him who are daily expected so that in conjunction with the King of Poland the Army will consist of 88 or 90000 fighting men so that a mortal battle must of necessity insue if the Visier raise not his Siege before the latter end of this Month of August 1683. The Rebells having intelligence of the Duke of Lorrains being retired from the Walls of Presburg with a body of 3000 Horse and Foot fell into Moravia of which the Duke had no sooner notice but he commanded out a party of Polonian Horse to stay their advancing further into that fruitful Country which party had the success they desired for overtaking the Rebells as they were ravaging and plundering the Countrey and a little before strengthened by joyning a party before in those parts under the command of the Prince of Lichtensteyne they charged them with
such fury that although they were inferior to them in number they killed 5 or 600 upon the place and took a like number Prisoners Upon notice of which the Duke of Lorrain drew nearer to Vienna incamping with the gross of his Army at Enzesdorf not far from Fienna to be ready to succour the besieged if occasion require it To whom daily resorted the Troops of the Princes in motion as the Electors of Bavaria Brandenburg Saxony the Princes of Newburg Hanault and other Territories dependant on the Empire coming different ways for their better convenience bringing with them great store of Provision Which obliged the Turks to press on the siege battering the Town without intermission and springing divers Mines the Bassa not sparing the lives of his Men but thrust them as it were into the mouth of Slaughter so that after the springing the Mines which ruined a part of the besiegeds Out-works they lodged upon the Counterscarp and possessed it for the space of an Hour when the besieged sallying beat them out with great slaughter insomuch that the Bodyes of the slain did not a little annoy the Imperialists who used great diligence to countermine the Turks which they did so succesfully that they met them in one of their Mines and not only frustrated their design but drove them out with great slaughter seising on the Powder they had brought to overthrow the Palizadoes so that maugre the Ottoman stratagems they prevailed little or nothing For the besieged incouraged by the Count d' Staremberg their Governour fought like Lyons even in the Works and Breaches made by the Turkish Cannon where the Shot falls thickest when to encourage the Souldiers the more the Townsmen bring out their Stores of Provision Yet the Turks continuing their Mines lodged themselves under the advantage of a fifth or sixth Mine sprung in the Ditch but were soon sent thence with a showre of Shot shot from the Wall Whereupon the Duke of Lorrain sent a man into the City to know the state thereof who by a certain sign given assured the Duke that he was got safe into it which signal was by hanging out a long blue Streamer upon the White-Tower of that City he also received orders to injoyn the Governour if he perceived the Turks to advance so far as to indanger the place he should hang out divers Flags as signals of the danger and that rather than it should fall into the hands of the Enemy he would attempt to raise the siege without any further delay but the besieged though they lost a great many resolute Souldiers and some Commanders of note declined to hang out any such signal of danger but bravely defended their Works though the Turks made frequent Assaults as not expecting long to continue the siege whether it came to a Battle or not by reason of the great scarcity in their Camp which was occasioned by the Imperialists taking divers Convoys of Provision insomuch that they fed upon Horse-flesh as dainty fare and an Ammunition bread sold at five Dollars all their Forrage for their Horses being so little that 300 were starved to death in one Week Yet the Bassa sent again to summon the City making larger offers than formerly with many promises of Liberty free exercise of Religion and other immunities which were rejected with disdain Whereupon he commanded a general assault to be made which on the 5 and 6 of August was continued almost without intermission thinking so to tire out the besieged and by that means oblige them to a surrender but so far were they from acquiring what they aimed at that after they had possessed themselves of one point of the Counterscarp the besieged sprung a mine before the Work blowing about 100 of the Infidels into the Air and following the advantage sallied at two or three Ports upon which a sharp conflict began coming at length to handy-blows in which it was not supposed that less than 2000 of the Besiegers fell though at the same time they played against the wall from 7 Batteries The City making a brave defence a party of Imperial Horse passing the Danube fell upon 300 Turks who had posted themselves in a small Island of what River and put most of them to the Sword bringing away 200 Camels laden with provision as also a great deal of rich Furniture Of which success the Duke of Lorrain had no sooner received advice but another Messenger brought him a Letter from the King of Poland to give his Highness an account that he with his Army consisting of between 30 and 40000 men would be within sight of Vienna by the 20 of August and that he marched in three bodies for the better conveniency and speed desiring the Duke not to hazzard any thing till his arrival upon notice of which the Emperour nominated the Count Schafgates to go and complement that King at his arrival on the Frontiers Price Lubomirski being the mean while abroad incountered a party of the Hungarian Rebels as they were plundering on the Borders of Silesia and put them to the rout killing 300 of them upon the place and took 31 Prisoners and 8 Ensigns with the loss of eight of his men and ten wounded Yet had not the Palatine of Hungary the like success for during his march towards Croatia to joyn the Viceroy most of his Souldiers being Hungarians deserted him by night the greater part of them joyning with the Rebells The Turks being earnest to subdue Vienna before the arrival of the Poles on the 16 of August made a terrible assault which they continued for the space of eight hours springing several Mines by which means they became masters of a Ravelin and lodged themselves upon the Counterscarp which caused the besieged to make a brisk sally and come to dint of Sword so that a bloody and doubtful fight insued at what time the Christians being reinforced the Turks were beaten out of the Works they had taken with the loss of 5000 men besides those that were wounded Nor was the loss inconsiderable on the part of the Imperialists for in this action they lost 150 resolute Souldiers and had near as many wounded amongst the which were Count Staremberg and the General Souches who adventuring too far in pursuit of the enemy received slight hurts one being shot into the Legg with a Turkish Arrow and the other by the springing a Mine This assault over News was brought to the Imperial Camp that Count Caprara was upon his way to the Imperial Court and in his company a Turkish Aga who had in charge to treat about raising the Siege of Vienna which the Grand Signior was content to do in consideration that Commorra and Raab might be put into his hands but these demands seemed so unreasonable and extravagant that they took not effect And thus Reader have I give you an account of the state of this War so dangerous to Christendom from its first breaking out to this day viz. the 16 of August
disaffected to take part with him So that he came formidable e're the News of the Rebellion had reached the Emperours Ears being all along assisted under-hand by the Turks with Money and Munition notwithstanding there was peace between the two Empires But certain it is that then acient saying is most apparent viz. That the Turks never kept any League longer than it tends to their Advantage To heighten the Design whilst the Turks on the one part were casting in Thoughts the future War the Christian Princes were as earnestly involved in a War amongst themselves rather seeking to destroy each other then mindful of the common Enemy who all the while was undermining the Roman Empire till at length his Imperial Majesty perceiving the drift of the Ottoman Sultan used his Diligence to frustrate his Design first by immediately dispatching Orders to his Ambassador at the Port to complain of the Bassa's of Buda and Effen for assisting his Rebel-Subjects and to desire that a right Understanding might be continued between the two Empires and the Peace inviolably observed and at the same time published divers Edicts or Declarations expressing his Willingness to pardon the Rebeis if they would return to their former Obedience as likewise how ready he was to satisfie his Subjects of that his Hereditary Country of Hungaria in all their reasonable Demands and would alow them a competent number of Churches wherein they should have the free exercise of their Religion with such Privileges as his Roman Catholick Subjects of that Kingdon injoyed In answer to the first he received many fair Promises and from the Grand Visier an assurance of an amicable Correspondence right Understanding and an inviolable League between the two Empires with a Promise that no farther Assistance should be given to the Hungarian Rebels but that if upon inquiry the Bassas Sanzacks or Governours of any Garrison in Hungaria or on the Frontires should understand or openly assist the Rebels he or they should incur the Grand Seigniors high Displeasure and consequently be punished with Death though at the same time the Bassa of Buda had private orders from the Port to countenance the Rebels and keep them in Heart till matters were Ripe for the Turkish Sword to put in The effects of the second device or intention of the Emperour to countermine the Turk succeeded no better or indeed rather worse for although some honest Persons and many of the Hungarian Gentry who had been unadvisedly drawn into the Rebellion did embrace the Imperial Grace and Favour laying down their Arms and retiring to their respective Habitations yet Teckely and his followers who had absolutely as most imagine determined to have no Peace had the Emperour granted more than themselves demanded held out to oppose whom divers Troops were sent under the command of Count Caprara and other Captains to repress them and another Edict published to oblige them to come in promising them a Palatine of their own Nation and that in case of Offices and Places of Trust no distinction should be made between his Subjects of either Religion Upon these Proposals the Turks fearing the Male contents might come to the Emperours Propositions and that by their disserting their Leaders and laying down their Arms might hinder their Designs they resolved to be fishing whilst the Water was troubled and thereupon began to take off the vizard and appear more openly to countenance the Rebellion the great Bassa sending Supplies of Men and Money to the Rebels frequently and when a second complaint was made at the Port by the Count Caprara the Imperial Ambassador there residing he found the face of Things changed and War silently threatned The Grand Seignior having throughout his Asian and African Territories caused Men to be raised and summoned such as held Land of him to serve in the War to repair with Horse and Arms to the general Randezvous near Constantinople hanging out the Horse taile thereby signifying himself intended to take the Field The Emperour advised of these Preparations drew several Detachments out of his Army incamped near the Rhine to have an Eye upon the French who had possessed themselves of Strasburg an Imperial free City the Forces were sent under the leading of the Count Staremberg to joyn Count Caprara who with a Body of 7000 had secured the Passes of the Waag and a Commission directed to the Palatine to raise the Ban and the Arrear Ban of the Kingdom whilst the electoral Princes met at Oldenburg to consult what measures were to be taken in order to the preservation of Hungaria and quieting the Rebellion being earnestly pressed thereto by his Imperial Majesty Things being at this pass divers Skirmishes passed between Parties in Hungaria with various Success when as to strengthen himself and the better to Ingratiate with the Hungarians he having married the Princess Ragozki and received a new supply from the Bassa or Offen which Bassa with 15000 Turks had likewise took the Field he drew down before Chaschaw and after six or seven days battering it had it surrendred the Garrison being permitted to depart with Bag and Bagage heightned with this Success he brayed the Imperial General being by his own Faction saluted King of Hungary and to secure his Wives Patrimony put a strong Garrison into Mongasa summoning the Hungarian Nobility and Gentry to attend him in Arms at a general Randesvouz near Levents but they weighing their Duty Allegiance to their Sovereign few of them came whereupon Parties were sent out to burn and plunder the Houses of divers of them one of which Parties Count Strasoldo meeting with utterly defeated them killing sixty on the Place and taking 100 Prisoners During these Transactions the Vizier Bassa having drawn 20000 Horse and Foot into the Field besieged Zathmar and Count Tekely sat down before Esperies which he upon the first Summons had surrendered into his Hands and after that besieged Lewents the Rumour of which did not a little alarm the Imperialists when the better to stay the Progress of the Enemy and to prevent the Transylvanian Princes joyning with Teckely who for that purpose had mustered 11000 Horse and Foot the greatest part of them Tartars who had a little before passed the Neister The Imperial Troops in Moravia Silesia and Behemia together with the Troops in the other Hereditary Countries of the Empire marched to Wang to reinforce the Imperial Camp upon which Teckely doubting the Success of their Arms sent his Deputies to Count Caprara to desire that he might send to the Emperour to treat about a Truce and that in order thereto he might have Pasports of safe Conduct allowed him whom he should imploy in that Affair the which after some difficulty he obtained and a Cessation for six weeks was concluded but Teckely finding the Power of the Turks increase and having 1000 Janizaries allow'd him for the Guard of his Person though at the same time there was an evil Understanding between him and the Prince of Transylvania the
unsuccesful for what by the Cannon from the Work and the Town and volleys of small shot from the Palizadoes and Brest-works they were forced to retire 2000 less than they came on The war remaining at this point the Duke of Lorrain having received a supply of 5000 men the better to encourage the besieged drew near the City incamping with his whole Army at Krembs on the Danube about three Leagues and a half from Vienna within hearing of the Cannon and sight of the Leaguer and there received advice from the King of Poland That he was upon his march with an Army of 40000 effectual men and that by the 20 of August he would be before Vienna and oblige the Turks to rise or come to a general Battle which advice he caused to be conveyed to the besieged by a Fisherman who adventured to swim over the River and thereby so incouraged them that the next morning they made another sally upon the Turks and finding them altogether unprepared made a great slaughter beating them out of their Trenches and throwing down their Works which so much alarmed the Camp that the Visier suspected the Imperial Army was at hand and therefore immediately drew up into Battalia commanding 1000 Janizaries and 2000 Spahies to succour the Leaguers that maintained the Works upon whose arrival the Imperialists returned into the City having killed between 3 or 400 of the enemies and taken eight Ensigns Which negligence of duty in the Turks the Visier punished by the death of the Zangiack that commanded in chief on part of the Works This action was no sooner over but the Duke of Lorrain had notice by his Scouts that a great convoy of Provision and Ammunition was on its way to the Turks Camp before Vienna He commanded out a strong party to attack it who accordingly did but finding the Turks that guarded it obstinate and not willing to surrender it without blows a sharp dispute happened and continued hot for the space of two hours in which time 600 Turks being killed upon the place the rest fled some to the Camp and others to Count Teckely who lyes on the frontiers of Silesia leaving the Baggage to the Imperialists who lost 58 men in this action but in the end brought their booty to the Camp computed worth 40000 Dollars for it consisted of 1000 Waggons all well laden The Imperial Ministers in the name of his Imperial Majesty having motioned to the Count d' Crecy the French Minister That the Troops of that Crown might not molest the Empire nor any of its dependences during his Imperial Majesties being involved in war with the Turk The said Count sent to acquaint the King his Master with what had been proposed and having received Instruction on that affair He on the 26 of July presented a memorial wherein he acquainted them That the King his Master would not take advantage of the condition the Empire is in by reason of the war with the Turks but would make a truce with his Imperial Majesty for the space of thirty years provided it be consented to before the end of August Upon which Proposal the Bishop of Aichstadt the Imperial Minister sent to acquaint his Imperial Majesty therewith and to receive instructions in that affair the Electoral Colledge being of opinion That it is absolutely necessary to conclude a peace with the Crown of France upon the Conditions proposed and that thereupon they shall be the better able to assist his Imperial Majesty with men and money to maintain the war against the Turk for that they are at present obliged to keep Forces upon the frontiers to prevent the incursions of the French who are roving abroad in parties But the result of this affair at this juncture of great importance to the Empire as yet remains undetermined and doubtful During the Treaty between the Empire and Crown of France the action grew warm at the siege of Vienna for the Turks continuing their Batteries and pressing on the siege by running their Trenches and covering with Bavins and Planks to defend them from the small shot out of the Palizadoes and Flankers The Imperialists on the 24 of July made another brisk sallie with 3000 Foot and 2000 Horse who charged the Turks with such fury in their Trenches that they drove them out of divers works which they had advanced near the Ravelin and filled them up setting fire to the Planks and what else was combustible and following their advantage beat them to their main Works and there disputed it at push of Pike and But-end for half an hour during which space 7000 Turks advanced from the Camp to the relief of their fellows when the Imperialists tired with the slaughter of the Infidels of which as some that were taken Prisoners since say no less than 4 or 5000 perished in the action they retired into the Town carrying Turks heads upon their Lances which they afterwards planted upon stakes on the Bastions This and the former carnages did so infect the air that the smell and noysomness caused a mortal sickness in the Turks Camp and thereby obliged the Visier to remove with the greatest part of his Army 3 or 4 miles distant from the Walls And moreover it was related by a Christian slave who in the action made his escape That the Turks in running their Trenches did happen upon a great number of dead bodies full of putrefaction and contagious smells who had been buried during the raging of the late Plague at Vienna insomuch that not being able to endure the scent they were often obliged to discontinue the work many of them thereupon falling mortally sick and dying shortly after So that here as well the dead as the living contributed to the defence of the City In the last sally the Imperialists lost 160 men The Elector of Bavaria by this time having drawn forth an Army of 13 or 14000 men brought them to Passaw where he drew them up and exercised them in the presence of the Emperor where they for the most part appeared wonderful dextrous in handling their Arms swift and ready in their advances and indeed expert in all military exercise to the no small delight of the beholders Scarcely was this over but News came That General Dunwalt having notice that 7 or 8000 Tartars were fallen into the upper Austria he with such forces as he had under his command and a considerable Band of the Peasants fell upon them as they were plundering and so consequently divided and not in any reasonable posture of defence and aster some dispute put a great number of them to the Sword took divers of them prisoners and delivered 2000 poor Christian Captives which they were dragging after them in chains as likewise recovered a considerable Booty part of which he delivered to the owners and the rest he distributed amongst his Souldiers These successes of the Imperialists as they greatly dismayed the Turks and Rebels so they animated the Imperialists and the Princes of the
cutting off their Foreskin with a sharp Knife obliges them to say these words in the Turkish Language after them viz. Law illawheh illaw Allawh Muhammed resoul Allawh that rendred into English is thus There is no God but one alone and Mahumet is his Messenger or Prophet The Women and Virgins only say the words as not being capable of the former part of the Ceremony Another way the Grand Signior has to get Slaves than by War viz. All the Christian Provinces his tributaries or such Christians as live in his dominions pay tribute-Children having their Children snatched from them at the age of three or four years and these are taught the Mahumetan Superstition and put under the tutorage of divers severe Masters to be instructed and educated in all manner of Arts but especially in feats of Arms and out of these they chuse the Janizaries and Spahi which are for Horse and Foot the support of the Ottoman Empire being more deadly enemies to the Christians than natural born Turks From these and the like miseries poor wretches divers times attempt making their escape which they cannot do without great danger and hazzard of their lives especially such as are in Asia for they have no way to get into Europe but by swimming over the Hellespont into Europe which cannot be effected without great danger and frequent loss of Lives But because many may imagine that in so large a dominion these poor wretches may easily shift from their cruel Masters especially such as are imployed abroad I shall to convince that speak something of that matter and so proceed to give a more particular account of the present miseries of Hungary and Austria than in the series of this History has occurred European Slaves indeed with more facility make their escapes than those that are sold into Asia Aegypt and the Islands of the Sea by reason they have only Rivers to pass which for the most part at some place or another are fordable or so narrow that they may easily be swum over but such as are in Asia must of necessity pass the Hellespont as is aforesaid and such as design it for the most part attempt it in Harvest time by that means sheltering themselves in fields of Corn all day and by night travel Corn and Herbs being their only Food the greatest part of their Journey they carrying no other Provision than Salt to season them and in this manner their lives are exposed to ravening Wolves Bears and Lyons choosing rather to be devoured if it should happen so then to return to their Currish Masters whose mercies are cruelty When they come to the Hellespont between Callipolis and the Towns of Sestos and Abydos which guard the Straight called by the Turks Begaz Asser they cut down Timber and make Floats or Rafts upon which they get sometimes to the number of 20 or 30 carrying nothing with them but Salt and Herbs when if the Wind prove favourable they are wasted to the European Shoar in five or six Hours which they conclude a fortunate sign or presage of their escaping out of miserable thraldom but if the wind prove contrary or the Sea rage high they are carryed away with the stream into the main Ocean where they inevitably perish unless some Ship happen in time to take them up or sometimes being forced back upon the Asian Shore they fall into the hands of their pursuers but if they can attain the wished Shoar they betake themselves to the Mountains and by the guidance of the Stars pass North and Northwest living upon Roots Acorns and Herbs unless now and then they can plunder a Shepherds Tent of Provision in attempting of which some of them are frequently killed and sometimes they kill the Turks but if they chance to be taken and returned to their old Masters then woe is them their condition is more miserable than before and better it had been for them if they had dyed ere they had been born for then they are not only loaded with chains of Iron about their Wastes and Necks of an extraordinary weight which bend them almost double and obliged to wear them during the pleasure of their cruel Patron and in the mean time work and labour not only like Horses but hung up by the Heels and scourged till deep furrows are made in their Backs and Sides and in that bleeding and wretched posture rubbed over with Gunpowder Salt-Peter or powder of Glass and there suffered to hang in miserable torment till order is given for their taking down which sometimes is not the pleasure of the imperious Turk under eight or ten Hours so that in vain they wish for death that frees them Others have the Soals of their Feet gashed or ripped and Salt rammed into the wounds with Sticks or Irons made for that purpose Some again they confine in dark and dismal Dungeons full of Toads Mice and all manner of noisome and offensive Vermine where they many times suffer them to perish through Hunger Thirst Cold or noysomeness of the place or sometimes to rid themselves of a miserable life they rashly and unadvisedly dash their own Brains out against the Walls And thus Reader is the miserable state of such as fall into the hands of the merciless barbarians though in their flight they are often assisted by the Greeks who are Christians these men hazzarding their Lives and confiscation of all their Goods frequently to preserve them for such is the Law that if any under the Grand Signiors protection shall be aiding or concealing maintaining or comforting Slaves in their flight These good men often notwithstanding do harbour them in their Houses and procure Shipping for their passage into Italy or other Christian Countreys but in these attempts more lose their Lives by the dangers of Travelling Shipwrack Enemies wild-Beasts and starving than escape or possibly can escape The Turks have an incantation which they hold effectual to prevent the flight of their Slaves which thus they perform The name of the Slave they write in parchment and hang it up in the House or Tent according as they are furnished for some of them have no Houses but wander after their Flocks in Tents the which having done with horrible Curses and Imprecations they charge the Slave if ever he attempt to escape swearing by Mahumet that all the curse that can be invented will befal him if he do conceiving that this by the help of the Devil will afright the fugitive with the fear of meeting Lyons Bears Dragons Tigers and Wolves in his way that he shall perish by hunger be swallowed up by the Rivers or be intombed in the depth of the Sea or that the Heavens will grow dismal and black and tempestuous storms arise insomuch that these astonishments will bring him back and indeed they have their wished effects upon the Mahumetan Slaves but those that believe in Christ and revere his name cannot be Bug-beared with things altogether ridiculous and insignificant and therefore