to Command him and therefore t' avoid all disputes he remain'd at Lintz ordering Prayers to be said in all the Churches which were never empty of people who sought of God with the greatest fervor to favour the Christian Army The Army being arriv'd at the Wood the fight began and was at first obâ—â—inately enough maintain'd by both Parties But the Christians who saw that if they behav'd not themselves fiercely in this occasion the Grand Visier might refresh his Troops which would give them far more trouble leapt over the retrenchments of the Enemy and having driven them from the Wood kill'd as many of 'em as were not quick enough to save themselves The Wood being wholly clear'd the Avantguard of the Army drew up it self at the head of the Wood to save the arrearguard fearing lest marching farther without being in a condition to fight the Grand Visier should march up towards them and make advantage of the ill condition wherein he might find them But he was unwilling to depart so far from Vienna fearing lest while he was on the other side the Christians would let out the Danube over one part of his Army and attack those he had left for the keeping the lines who would be too much put to it to resist at the same time these new Enemies and the Garrison likewise who would not fail to sally out And therefore he every moment sent out Parties to see what passed on the side of the Danube for he was in greater fear of what might be done on that side than on the other altho he was advertised every moment that the Christians march'd against him should have 'em upon his skirts within an hour or two at farthest And indeed 't was necessary these succors should be so near For altho the Turks were not as yet in the Town yet they were at least under it by means of their mines which was the reason why Starenberg caus'd a Lanthorn to be put on the high Tower of S. Stephen which was the sign agreed upon by the Duke of Lorrain and he when he should find himself in a great strait His Miners also were so heartless that he had all the difficulty in the World to make 'em work besides the Garrison were so dampt by their incessant labors and toils and which is worse reduced to 5 thousand 5 hundred men of 16 thousand that they were in the beginning of the Siege For if they lost six thousand by the hand of the Enemy sickness had carried away few less so that dying as they did in heaps they were not burried one by one but thrown ten or twelve together in an hole Those that had escaped so great danger and who in expectation of the same fortune suffered themselves almost to languish away being informed that the succors with which they had been so often vainly flattered were near and on this side the Wood where they were seen already to appear took their Arms with such courage that a man would have thought 'em other men than those one might have seen the other moment They went all on the Rampart without expecting any other command than that which their courage inspired and it much availd Staremberg that they were inlivened by this new hope for those whom the Grand Visier left to guard the Camp and ordered to go up to the assault as soon as ever they saw him March towards the Enemy acquitted themselves with so great Resolution and constancy that they never had before done the like In the mean time the besieged who considered if they repelled this last effort they should be delivered from the misery which had so long afflicted them fought with no less courage so that never was an hotter dispute on both sides Whilst this happened the King of Poland was ingaged with the Grand Visier who had march'd up to him with more courage than prudence For without considering he left the Post where he had lodged his Cannon and whence he might greatly molest the Christians he began the charge whereas he should have expected the King of Poland to come and charge him But whether he believed there was any advantage to him that gave the first onset or would thereby animate his men of whose courage he doubted he neglected to use these precautions of which he presently repented For his Troops giving back after the first charge the Christians so boldly pursued them that those that had the care of the Cannon durst not fire lest it should prove as hurtful to their own men as ours Staremberg being advertized by persons whom he had placed in the highest parts of the Town that the beginning of the combate was as favorable to the Christians as could be desired made at the same time a Sally out of the Garrison who had already drove the Turks from off the Rampart And several Citizens being mixt with the Soldiers to share with 'em in the Honour they all fiercely attackt the Enemy who thought already of packing up their baggage from the advice which they had of the Grand Visier that all things went ill on his part and that they ought to think of a retreat Then every one without regretting what he had left in the Tent minded only to save himself when Staremberg at the head of his men charg'd them so vigorously that they threw themselves down one upon another for haste who should first get away And the lines of circumvallation hindring 'em from passing so soon as they desired they endeavor'd to fill them up with their Muskets which at that moment served for Pickaxes and Shovels others with their hands every one using more diligence to Ruin these lines than they had done to put 'em in the condition they were in Staremberg seeing the disorder wherein the Turks were was ravisht at so happy an occasion But his prudence hindring him from going far from the Town he contented himself with sending some Horse after the hindermost and staid himself in the mean time near the Walls where he caused the Enemies works to be demolished lest things should change its face In the mean time these fugitives encreased the fear in the Visiers Army which was already but two great for the King of Poland had defeated his left Wing whose Horse left the foot at the discretion of the Poles who had fallen upon 'em and put 'em to the Sword as to the right Wing it made a little more resistance But the Grand Visier considering that in the condition wherein the fight was it was impossible to restablish it that moreover the Trench was quitted with all the works which had cost him so much blood he resolv'd to spare that which remain'd and to leave rather his Camp and his Tents which were still standing than to be the cause of shedding more by a fruitless obstinacy In this design he caused the Retreat to be sounded but the foot being not able to follow the Horse which rather fled than held on an orderly March several of 'em were cut in pieces and there were not a 4th part of 'em saved The King of Poland having made a Detachment to put into the Town and given thanks to God for his Victory in the very Field where he gained it gave strict command under grievous penalties that no one should leave his rank to plunder The Dukes of Bavaria Saxony and Lorrain who had fought likewise with a great deal of courage did as much on their side and the keeping of the Turks Camp was consign'd to three thousand men whilst a Council of War was call'd to know whether the Enemy should be pursued or they rest contented with the advantage already obtained The advices were different thereupon the King of Poland and the Duke of Lorrain with all those that were in the Emperors interests were for pursuing their Victory but the Dukes of Saxony and Bavaria who came only to succour Vienna would not any more hazard their Troops Especially the Duke of Saxony who complained that by reason of his Religion they had been made to suffer enough all ready In effect the best quarters were not his and he had heard that they suspected lest his Troops having their Winter quarters in Hungary should hold intelligence with Teckely This Prince seeing then that after he had traverst a great Country hazarded his reputation and even his life and left his Estates to succour those of another he was so ill recompensed resolved upon returning home where he arrived more laden with glory than spoil for the confederates seeing he forsook the common cause notwithstanding their opinion gave him what part they pleased which again doubled his discontent The Duke of Bavaria had better usage because perhaps the Emperor apprehended lest he in the differences he had with France should take part against him being moreover sollicited to it by several advantageous offers besides his Aliance with it Howsoever all these Princes being not agreed they made as we say a Golden bridge for the Enemy to pass over who retired on the Iâ—le of Newhausel where they expected 3 days the wracks of their Army In the mean while the Grand Visier was not without inquietude how the grand Seignor would receive the news of his defeat and to cast all the fault on others he wrote a Letter against those that had the chief command under him But we have not heard what the Grand Seignor has resolved thereupon no more than what the King of Poland has done reports concerning whom are so various that ther 's as yet no certianty of ' em Yet t is not to be doubted being so great a Captain as he is but he will make the best advantage of his Victory which all Christians ought to desire FINIS
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
of the passage I cannot express nor nobody with me how great was the Armys consternation at the first news of this mishap For every one imagining already to see the Turks at his elbow thought of nothing but how to escape them and as if they had neither Arms nor Hands to oppose them they had the victory already yielded 'em without striking a stroke But that which augmented still each ones fear was that of every party which was sent out from the rest of the Army there return'd at most not above half and generally in bad order Every body took pleasure in augmenting the Forces of the enemy Some saying they were 300000 men others 400 thousand and exaggerating beyond all truth the crueltes which they had exercis'd along the way So ingenious are men when they are set upon it to do themselves mischief In fine the Turks having past the Vaag and possessed themselves of all places which are between that River and the Danube arrived on the banks of this latter where they built a Bridge above the Papas over which passed their Infantry The Cavalry with the Baggages passed over the Papas But the Army being numerous and the multitude generally retarding enterprises the Grand Visier made several detachements some to plunder the Country others to pursue our Army which had not yet gain'd the Isle of Schut Those that were design'd for plunder gather'd an inestimable booty of all things For nothing being less suspected than the Treason of the Hungarians every one was therefore in his house far from thinking their misfortune so near All the Campain was then entirely pillag'd and after the Infidels had satisfi'd their covetousness they glutted their cruelty in the bloud of Aged persons In fine they set all on fire sparing neither houses of Princes nor Peasants nor those of the Emperor so that Luxemburg was burnt with several considerable Castles and their vastations were sooner known at Vienna than the revolt of the Hungarians The Tartars who were employ'd in the ruine of so many men and stately Buildings retir'd with the same precipitation wherewith they came fearing to be cut off in their way home and left as many marks of cruelty in their retreat as they made appear in their coming This news which was soon known by our Army perfected our dread and consternation The Duke of Lorrain could find no body who would undertake to bring him news of the enemies motion and when he sent out any it seem'd as if he sent 'em to their Graves So greatly were they possess'd with an imagination of their force and cruelty Yet the Army still advanc'd the Infantry at the head the Cavalry at the tayl with the Dragoons The Baggage was on the left and marcht separately with thâ— Regiment of Dragoons of Savoy at the head of whom was the Chevalier of Savoy whose Father was the deceas'd Count of Soissons the Infantry of Count Taff was also for the guard of these Baggages with the Cavalry detach'd from diverse bodies As we were at the bank of a River a party which the Duke oâ— Lorrain had sent out broughâ— him word that the enemâ— was not above a league off which oblig'd him to remain in the rereguard to give order that they might be receiv'd as they ought But the fear was so great that instead of hearing this Command the Cavalry forsook the Infantry and retir'd under the Cannon of Vienna The Duke of Lorrain follow'd the Cavalry to make it return to its post but not being able to become master of it he Commanded the Infantry with all speed to pass ever inâ—o thâ— Isle of Schut whiâ—h was nâ—ar and to re 〈…〉 themselves incâ—ssantly W 〈◊〉 â—he avantguard passed the 〈…〉 appear'd and began to â—â—â—â—ge the Regiment of Montecucali who hâ—d the rereguard The Baggage was likewise attackt at the same time and the Turks found so little resistance in the one and the other that they promis'd themselves to obtain an entire Victory that very day In the mean while the Chevalâ—er of Savoy who was as I saiâ— engag'd in the defence of the Baggage having rally'd some Dragoons and some others that were well dispos'd set himself to oppose the enemy But his men having been soon beat back he was over-run by the Turks and his horse falling backwards on him the pummel of his Saddle with the weight of his horse crusht him to death The Infantry on their side fought under favour of the Waggons or to speak better endeavour'd to make them a rampart against the stroaks of the enemy But as soon as ever the Turks had open'd a pâ—ssage every one began to throw down his Arms and take his heels so that in shanning death they found it nearer and more ignominious For the Turks lighting on 'em thus disarm'd and without defence kill'd them without the least danger In fine after they had kill'd about 800 they fell on the Baggage which saved the rest of the Army For whilst they were busied on pillaging they which had not yet past over into the Isle of Schut made hast to get thither We lost near 13 or 14 hundred men in this conflict amongst whom were two Princes to wit the Chevalier of Savoy and the Prince de Aremberg three Counts of the Empire and several Officers Moreover the Turks took a great booty whose value was esteem'd at 3 hundred thousand Crowns For the Prince of Montecuculi lost for his share near 20 thousand the Prince of Baden a more considerable sum and several other Officers accordingly But though every particular person had enough to lament the loss of yet this was the least trouble for there were other things of greater concernment The Infantry saw themselves abandoned by the Cavalry and knew not well which way to turn themselves The Duke of Lorrain was gone after the horse and the news of him was expected with the greatest impatiency But he lost no time being resolv'd to lose his life or bring off his Infantry In effect after some reproaches to the Cavalry he tells 'em the way to repair their fault was to return to the enemy That they need only follow him for he hop'd by Gods assistance how difficult soever the enterprise was to come in a short time to the end of it He was become desperate by what had happen'd to him and his affliction made him scarce known so greatly was he alter'd by it For besides the danger wherein all the Empire lay he knew that the good and bad success of affairs were attributed only to the Commanders he beheld his reputation in great danger had not fortune seconded his Courage He marcht always formost and having given necessary orders to avoid confusion he sent away two men by different ways to advertise his Infantry that he was coming to their assistance The Turks knowing his design made strait up to him to dispute him the passage but the Duke casting himself first amongst the firings of the enemy open'd a