Staremberg who had found out a way for money to acquaint th Duke of Lorrain with his condition which required a speedy succour viz. That the Garrison was much weakned and although it shewed still the same Resolution yet 't was to be scared their strength would sooner fail than their courage That his stock of Powder would be soon exhausted as well as the Granadoes yet he believed he had enough if what he had heard say were true to wit that the King of Poland was at hand The Duke of Lorrain answered Staremberg by the same man that brought him the Letter Who being got safe into the Town had no sooner delivered his Letters to Staremberg but this Governour finding they confirmed the arrival of the King of Poland and that the Town would be soon reliev'd imparted this good news to the Citizens and Garrison Which so greatly encouraged both that it gave new strength to resist the Turks when they should come to make their grand assault and the hope of being soon delivered from danger made them not only respect that which they had already been in as a thing of small consequence but moreover despise that wherewith they were now threatned The Citizens desired to keep guard in the Souldiers room whom they would willingly have eased but although Staremberg did not doubt of their good will yet would he not trust them with the Posts of Consequence fearing least the Enemy coming at that time they would not stand their ground so firmly as the Souldiers who being of greater experience musâ— needs be less fearful In short this terrible day wherein the Turks were to do such wonders being come they betook themselves to theiâ— Arms at the sound of theiâ— Drums Hautbois and Trumpets They made several marches to make the greater shew of their forces and strike the City with greater fear Which done the Cannon which had played ever since break of day with more noise than Execution ceased till it began by a general discharge which was the signal of the assault which they intended At the same time one mighâ— see those that were to give thâ— first on-set who were all iâ— battel array at the entrance of the Trench separate themselves one from another to march where they were ordered some with Axes others with offensive Arms but all with unusual briskness The assault lasted six hours during which the Christians went through great difficulties For the Infidels were relieved continually by fresh men whereas the Christians had no sooner got rid of one Enemy but they had to deal with a second which was succeeded by a third and so on The Citizens whom Staremberg had put all in Arms some to guard the publick places others to secure diverse passages knowing their whole fortune consisted in the defence of the Souldiers whom they were informed were very hard put to it desired Staremberg they might assist them The Count seeing his men ready to faint under the number of the Enemy was well enough pleased at this Offer And seasonably putting 'em in mind of their Wives and Children their Liberty and Religion he so greatly animated them that they presented themselves on the Breach with more courage than he expected The fight which seem'd to abate by the fatigue of the Souldiers began there with great bravery The Turks who now promised themselves an assured Victory enraged to see it snatcht out of their hands fought like men desperate But the Christians urged by greater motives to use their whole strength so vigorously repulsed them that assisted by the Soldiers who had taken breath and the advantage which commonly the besieged have over the Assailants they made the Infidels turn their backs a great number of whom remained in the breach The Grand Visier seeing on what side soever he turn'd his men things succeeded ill soon sounded a retreat lest matters should grow worse He withdrew into his Camp mad with vexation and despair For after this Tryal wherein he had lost above 5000 men besides those that were wounded who were near the same number he fear'd and that not without cause his Troops should mutiny against him In effect the Janisaries who had suffered much in all the attacks and especially in this latter demanded without spending any more time fruitlesly before this place to raise the siege adding that of 12000 which they were but six weeks past they now could number themselves but six and those so weakned that they were not in condition to undertake any thing This beginning of a sedition was a greater affliction to the Grand Visier than the ill success which he came now from having in his enterprize and it greatly concerning him to stifle it in its birth he made use of the Aga which is the name of him that commands them and obtained from them at his intercession to keep within bounds of their duty in consideration of a certain sum of Money which he promis'd them a remedy ordinarily used to appease their discontents but which instead of effecting this commonly makes it spring up again on the first occasion The Grand Visier was no sooner freed from this trouble but he fell into another For he 〈…〉 â—orm'd that the King of â—oland having been too hard for Teckely's vigilancy marcht at a great rate to the succor of Vienna and that his Avantguard was already arriv'd on the banks of the Danube to which he would joyn himself in a few days At this news he caused the wounded and sick to be carried out of the Camp and having added thereunto new fortifications he bethought of reducing the Town before the Poles came to attack him which could not be yet their Army being tired by a long march and needed rest Several other Princes had joyn'd in person with their Troops the Army of the Emperor as the Duke of Bavaria and the Duke of Saxony Besides there came from all parts of Christendom France excepted a great number of Lords and Persons of Quality to the Emperors Army All which was likely to raise the siege without any longer expecting the King of Poland supposing he had tarried any time But these two Princes being unwilling to obey the Duke of Lorrain and he being as unwilling to yield to them the command all these great forces lay useless till the King of Poland should come to make them agree For they began already to look upon one another with an ill Eye not considering that their business was not to contend for preheminence but for the safety of Christendom As for the Marquiss of Brandenbeurg he had for some time flattered the Emperour with sending him a considerable supply but being urg'd to perform what he had promis'd and hindred by the Alliance of France he sought a pretence to break his word which he found in the demand of the Dutchy of Brieg Lignits and Wolnaw over which he pretended a lawful Right And truly the Emperor was reduced to such an extremity that 't was thought he
others which might secure their Convoys Yet had they left a great many Troops about Raab Comorra and Presburg to curb those Garrisons which without this had been likely to disturb the forragers and hinder those who came every day to their Army from travelling in surety Count Teckely who had excited great troubles in Hungary where he held intelligence with all the great ones the most part of which were his kindred had march'd in the mean time on the frontiers of Poland to hinder not only the effect of the league which I have already mention'd which was concluded by the Emperor and the King of Poland but likewise to possess himself of some Castles which were necessary for this design He took several of 'em without any trouble because the great ones of the Country who desir'd only some pretence to appear compell'd to take Arms against the Emperor were very glad of this opportunity and failing not to publish they could do no otherwise than declare themselves on the side of the strongest seeing they were forsaken by him who ought to protect them they took part with Teckely so that his Army every day considerably encreas'd There was only one Barron of the Country named Johanelli who made resistance in his Castle of Panowits and who oblig'd Teckly to a formal attacking him This Castle being situate on the top of a Mountain whereunto 't was difficult to bring up the Cannon held Teckly a longer time than he could well spare from his affairs For whilst he was employ'd before that place General Schuts who had order to joyn the Troops of Prince Lubomirski then on their march from Poland in great diligence hasten'd to execute his orders and effected 'em before Teckely could hinder him Teckely enrag'd that such a place as this should make him miss so considerable an occasion batter'd the Castle of Panowits with such fury that the Cannon having made a breach wherein might pass 10 men a breast he resolv'd to give a terrible assault Whereupon the Baron Johannelli whose Garrison consisted of not above 200 men and they people pickt up here and there and who fought rather to save their goods which they had laid up in the Castle than for honour sent a messenger to Teckely to let him know that he would surrender upon certain conditions But this General was so enrag'd as I already mention'd that he had made him lose so much time which he might to good purpose have us'd elsewhere that he would not have granted a surrender upon any Terms if the Hungarian Lords who were some of 'em his own kinsmen and some Johannelli's had not interpos'd their intreaties to give him his life Teckly marching from thence encamp'd at Tokay where understanding the Grand Visier march'd on the side of Eseck he parted from his Camp with 2000 horse to meet and conferr with him about what they had to do during this Campain The reception which the Grand Visier gave Teckely surpriz'd those which accompanied him so great was the kindness shew'd him But this Turkish Minister had private ends in doing this considering it necessary to insinuate into the minds of the Hungarian Lords there present that he came rather to give them assistance than to enlarge the dominions of his Master which were already but too great and of too vast extent He receiv'd him then not as a Baron of the Country but as him for whom his Master reserv'd the Crown of Hungary of which he was very willing to give him assurances in presence of the principal Turks and Hungarians To the end that the news of it flying every where might produce the effect he expected He in the mean time orders him to possess himself of the passage of Oralva through which he expected the coming of the King of Poland assuring him that thereon depended the success of the promises which he made to him in the name of the Grand Signior Things were in this posture when the Grand Visier sat down before Vienna He immediately attackt the Subburb of Leopolstad which is separated from the Town only by an Arm of the Danube and having made himself master of it after a fierce dispute on both sides he raised two Bridges on the River the easier to communicate with his own Troops who were scatter'd up and down some in the Isles others in the main land He expected in the mean while his great Ordnance which could not arrive so soon because as I have already said they were forc'd to draw it by land which was very tedious especially the ways being so uneven In the interim to lose no time the Grand Visier set 'em to work at the lines of circumvallation and contravallation which were all of 'em very irregular by reason of thâ— situation of the Country buâ— which were yet no less strong For the former were Cannon proof and the latteâ— defended by good redoubts which were rais'd in an equâ— distance 'Till the lines of circumvaâ—lation were drawn the thiâ—â— part of the Ottoman Army 〈◊〉 still at Bivac and althougâ— the rest kept quiet in theiâ— Tents yet had they order 〈◊〉 be ready at the first commanâ— so that the horses remain'â— saddled all night The lineâ— being finish'd they were nâ— longer guarded but by looâ— bodies of men which affoâ—ded some rest to the Army which was exceeding weary by continual standing to their Arms for they were not only oblig'd to frequent watchings but forc'd to keep-continually on horseback either to meet the Convoys or for other exigences of War On our side there was a great fault committed for instead of wasting the Corn and Grass growing in the fields t' incommodate the enemy they were both left untoucht which was the cause that the enemies Army as numerous as it was in horse had no need to go far for forage Whilst this past Count Starenberg had interrupted the work of those that labour'd at the lines of contravallation by frequent sallies But finding this proceeding disadvantagious to him for their fell such a multitude of Turks on his men that they were always forc'd to give way he contented himself with firing the Cannon at 'em which did good execution 'till the enemy had made themselves shelters These lines being finish'd they opened their Trenches placing 4000 horse to defend the Workmen The fire of the Town was very great all the night during which Count Starenberg caus'd several Artificial fires to be thrown over the Walls to discover on what side the enemies were at work The great Ordnance of the Turks being now arriv'd 't was plac'd on several Mounts the better to do Execution The Grand Visier set 20 thousand men to guard it in case the Christians should attempt to enclose it For an Italian who had fled into his Camp assur'd him that Count Starenberg had such a design and although the enterprise appear'd to him so difficult that he could scarce credit it yet was he resolv'd to be wanting in no manner of
THE HISTORY Of the late WAR with the TURKS During the Siege of VIENNA And the Great Victory obtain'd against them at the raising the SIEGE TOGETHER With an Account of the underhand dealings of FRANCE in that affair Being the best and fullest Relation that has been yet publish'd Printed at Cologn and Re-printed at London for H. Bonwicke at the Red-Lion in St. Paul's Church-yard 1684. A RELATION Of the present WAR WITH THE TURKS Till the raising the Siege of VIENNA THE Emperour expected in making the Peace of Nimeguen that France would rest contented with the advantages she had already gain'd in the War But heâ— happy successes only encreased her courage for scarce had she sign'd the Treaty buâ— thought of breaking it Thiâ— dealing gave no small troublâ— to the Emperor who behelâ— himself on the other sidâ— threatned by the Turks anâ— not trusting so much to his own strength as to believe he could at the same timâ— make head against two sucâ— Potent Enemies he thereupoâ— dispatches Count Albert Caprâ—ra to the Port with advantagious offers to obtain a continuation of the Truce which was between the two Empires and now upon expiring In the mean time the Partisans of France took hence occasion to blame his Conduct publishing he was more willing to comply with the Infidels than the King though he might expect from him sufficient assistance But they took no notice at the same time that France would come to no agreement But upon conditions which were not only dishonourable to the Empire but tended also to the utter ruine of the Emperor For the King of France would have approved by a Treaty all the infractions which he had made of the Peace of Nimeguen and moreover certain pretensions satisfied which I can scarce forbear terming ridiculous were I not withheld by the respect which is due to whatsoever comes from Crowned Heads Howsoever the Emperor impatiently expected some news from Caprara when this Ambassador deceiv'd by the artifices of the Grand Visier who was wholly set upon amusing him with hopes of peace whilst he thought on nothing but War advertized him he doubted not but to accomplish his business which fill'd the Emperor and the whole Court with joy In effect although he willingly would have turn'd his Arms against this common Enemy of Christendom yet knowing the designs of France which aspir'd of late to the Empire th' interest of his Family made him respect it as an enemy far more dangerous than the Turk could be who at farthest expected but one place or two whereas the other would swallow up the whole A report being spread in the month of January that the King of France would encamp 50 Thousand men on the Saon and almost as many on the Saar oblig'd the Emperor to secure the Rhyne And altho' he had only words as yet from the Turks he chose rather to ungarison Hungary than expose his Country to the invasion of the French Count Mansfeld who was with the King of France from the Emperor had in the mean time orders to observe whatsoever past But that Court taking pleasure in giving every day new fears he could send no certainer news than what were commonly reported to wit that the King would carry the War into Germany the next spring if the Emporor granted him not whatsoever he demanded Altho' perhaps what I now mention'd may appear distant enough from my subject which is to relate the success of the War which the Turks made with the Emperor yet will it not appear so to those that shall take the pains to consider how necessary 't is to shew what the Emperor had to fear on the side of the French to the end he may not be blam'd for not immediately employing all his forces to repel the Infidels neither will it be amiss to take notice by the way that setting aside Religion 't was more the Emperors interest to oppose this power than that of the Turks Because the Establishment of the house of France is the undoubted ruine of the house of Austria Howsoever the Emperor seeing the effect was far from the hope he had conceived from the promises of Caprara caused new levies to be rais'd in all the hereditary Provinces and sollicited the Christian Princes to enter into a confederacy with him against this common enemy of Christendom The King of Poland made an offensive and defensive League with him Several other Princes promised to assist him some with men others with money and in short great preparations on all hands were made for War seeing it could not be avoided In the mean time it being known at Rome what passed in France the Pope sent a Brief to the King wherein having given him all the qualities due to a great Prince as indeed he is he exhorted him to assist the Emperor or at least not hinder others from doing it In the mean time great care was taken to fortify Waag and Raab the keeping of which were entrusted to the Hungarians it being hoped the seeing not only their estates but likewise the lives of their Wives and Children were concerned they could not but stoutly resisit th' enemy Comorra and Raab being lookt upon as the bulwarks of Christendom were carefully fortified And it being supposed the enemy would not leave two places of that importance behind them to come and besiege Viâ—nna there was less care than ought to be taken in strengthening this last place so that when the Turks appear'd before it the ditches were not so much as cleansed nor the bastions repaired Yet both these defects were amended under the favour of the Cannon and Muskets which kept th' Infidels from disturbing the workmen But that which facilitated the performance of this was that the enemies not being able to bring their Cannon over the Danube by reason of Raab and Comorra which belong'd to the Emperor they needed much time to draw it by land the ways being broken in several places which hindred them from planting them so soon as their occasion required To mention every thing in order I should first say that the Emperor seeing the Turks had set up the Horse-tayle which is to them a signal of War and moreover exercised several hostilities on the frontiers he held a Council of War resolving to prevent their designs 'T was determin'd in this Council that the Troops should speedily leave their Garrisons and make their rendezvous a league distant from Presburg to march thence to Newhawsel which was intended to be besieged in hope 't would be taken before the Turks could succor it The Command of the Army was given to the Duke of Lorrain for besides the considence which the Emperor put in him he should by this means take away all causes of jealousie from several others who would not have been contented had they been oblig'd to obey any one but the Emperors Brother-in-Law In the mean while the Duke of Lorrain who was sick during the whole Winter and scarce yet