Majesty that to compleat our happiness you will be pleas'd of your wonted goodness to permit the said Count as we earnestly entreat him to continue in the employment he discharges with so much Glory and Applause Your Majesties ardent Zeal joyn'd to your Heroick Courage will shew it self with so much the greater lustre since by this means you will make it appear that you have so great a consideration for the Glory of God and Interest of our holy Faith that you take them more to heart than all other Affairs of the World you will put an Obligation upon us which shall always be preserv'd in memory and acknowledg'd by us upon all occasions with the deepest resentments of Gratitude and Respect To conclude we wish your Majesty long life perfect Health and Success to all your desires Given at our Ducal Palace the 17th of March 1687. Sign'd Giovanni Baptista Nicolosi Secretary The Plague with which many Cantons of the Morea were infected was the cause that the Venetians entred late into action The Turks who were resolv'd to keep on the defensive part might have made great progress on that side by opposing their Enemies with equal numbers since the Pope's Galleys those of Malta and of Tuscany came not to the assistance of the Venetians by reason of the apprehension they had of the Plague but all prov'd quite contrary and there was something so surprising and wonderful in the good success the Christians met with in the Morea that upon due reflection it seems almost incredible the good understanding that was between the Generals did not a little contribute to it who though sometimes of different Sentiments yet were always united in the same methods by the consideration of the publick good as may appear by what follows A little before the Naval Army went from Climno a Turkish Aga put himself under the Protection of the Republique who reported that the Infidels had an Army consisting of twelve thousand choice men who were encamp'd near Patras and another of six thousand near Misitra The Venetians on the other side had but seven thousand Foot twelve hundred Dragoons and about the same number of Sclavonians The Pope's Forces and those of Malta and Tuscany not having joyn'd them for fear of the Plague made a diminution of three thousand men The Commanders of the Venetian Army were Generalissimo Morosini Count Coningsmark who was happily recover'd of a hurt he receiv'd by the kicking of a Horse and a Fever that was caus'd by it Prince Maximilian William of Brunswick and Lunenburg General who was newly arriv'd with a Reinforcement of some fresh Regiments and Lieutenant General D' Avila who notwithstanding his great Age was very vigorous Under the Conduct of these Commanders the Army left Climno the 20th of July towards the Evening and by the favour of the Wind were the next day in the Morning near Patras some were sent immediately to view the Dardanels that guard the mouth of the Gulf of Lepante and observe whether they might land their Forces there but they perceiv'd that the Enemies had made Retrenchments all along the Coast The same day in the Evening they went to the other side of the Gulf but found that the Enemy expected to be attack'd on that side and that they had divided their Army into four Camps one being above Patras another on the mid-way between Patras and the Dardanels the third on the farther side of the Castle of Romelia and the fourth on the nearer side of the Castle of Morea The Gulf of Lepante has four Rocks The Ionian Sea runs into it by a mouth form'd by two Promontories which shoot themselves on each side into the Sea that which is in the Morea is call'd Capo Antirio it is guarded by a Castle which is call'd indifferently the Castle of Patras or of Morea The other which is in Achaia is call'd Capo Rione it has also a Fortress call'd the Castle of Romelia These Castles are commonly call'd the Dardanels of Lepant They are of a Square form and have good Walls with Batteries near the surface of the Water On the 22d at break of Day they landed on the right hand of Patras about the distance of two French Leagues from the Fortress and a quarter of a League from the Turks Retrenchments This landing was made without any opposition and it was said afterwards by the Prisoners that the Serasquier suffer'd it on purpose being resolv'd upon this occasion to conquer or die The Christians being posted along the Sea-Coast about an hundred Turkish Horse came up and charg'd the Hanover Forces but were vigorously repuls'd with the loss of twenty men there being but two of the Christians kill'd and seven wounded The next day a Council of War was held to debate what way was to be taken to attack the Enemies in their Camp or force them to Battel The way by land was very bad and there was a Wood to pass of near a League and a half so that that was judged impossible it was found equally dangerous to go by Sea the Passage being very narrow and the Enemy expecting to be attack'd on that side had plac'd there a Battery of some Cannon this made them resolve to go round the Wood and attack the Enemy behind which resolution the Generalissimo could hardly be induc'd to approve thinking their march would be at too great a distance from the Sea but when Count Coningsmark had sent him an Approbation of it sign'd by all the Generals and Colonels he agreed to it They march'd in the Evening having made Provision for some days they left the Mountains on their right hand and the Wood and the Sea on their left They met with some very rugged ways in their march and so narrow that they could not pass two a breast from whence it may be judged with how much difficulty they brought on the Artillery which was done by those of the Galleys Signior Sanudo Captain of the Gulf had pass'd the Dardanels on the 23d in the Evening to cut off the Communication between the Turkish Camps and on the 24th about Noon the Christian Army appear'd before the Enemy in very good order the forces of Hanover being for the greatest part on the right Wing and the whole Army drawn up in a square Body The Enemy presently march'd out of the Trenches with ten thousand Foot and four thousand Horse and gave the first Volley though at some distance the Cavalry with their Swords in their hands charg'd the Venetians on the left Wing but Count Coningsmark advanc'd with his Squadrons and all the Cavalry commanded by the Marquis of Courbon who was very well seconded by Viscount de Turenne so that the Turks meeting there with so strong resistance turn'd all their Forces on the right Wing there were amongst them two thousand Janizaries each of whom had been regal'd by the Serasquier with five and twenty Reals and a promise of as much more after the Victory The
Cannon which kill'd several of ours This was enough to make us resume our Arms. The Christians having cry'd out Treason so briskly forc'd that little of a Retrenchment the Enemies had on the Breach that nothing could hinder them from rushing into the City where all were put to the Sword except some few happy Men and many Women and Children Chevalier de la Barre having had much difficulty to secure from the rage of the Souldiers those four Turks which came to parly with him The Mine had buried under its Ruins the Governour of the place a man of undaunted Resolution which happen'd well for the Christians who otherwise would not so easily have made themselves Masters of it Thus ended the Siege of Coron seven and forty days after the Trenches were open'd during which time the Christian Army had two powerful Enemies to encounter over whom they gain'd a double Victory with all the Glory imaginable The Venetians with Count St. Paul got much Honour The young Count of Brunswick with his Forces signaliz'd himself in a particular manner Those of Florence gave good Proofs of their Valour to the time of their reimbarking which was some days before the end of the Siege It is easie to judge how great a share of Honour is due to the Battalion of Malta and the Pope's Forces who were always joyn'd with them Chevalier de la Barre by many brave Actions maintain'd the honour Sieur de la Tour had got All the Knights generously sacrific'd themselves to the support of the Faith having undergon incredible Fatigues and many of them shed their Blood as may be seen in the List at the end of the Book in which I have set down their respective Nations Let us now pass to Dalmatia where though nothing happen'd of such importance as in the Morea yet it will be necessary to inform the Reader of what pass'd worthy of remark in the Rencounters the Venetian Forces had with the Turks in that Country and elsewhere It was resolv'd to besiege the Fortress of Sing and in prosecution of this design the Generals march'd at the head of their Forces and immediately invested it The Trenches were open'd a Battery rais'd and some Cannon mounted in spight of the Infidels who continually fired upon them They summon'd the besieged who being well stored with Men and Provisions scorn'd the Conditions of Surrender which were offer'd and by their vigorous resistance oblig'd us to quit the Attempt some days after the opening our Trenches On the other side the Hayducs of Caâ—aro advanc'd towards Goza where they â—ade great Havock wasting all that Country with Fire and Chevalier Janco march'd as far as Bilai four days Journey beyond Sebenico and burnt to Ashes Eighteen Villages and two Castles that were Garrisons and return'd at last to Zara laden with Honour and a rich Booty as well of Cattle as other things and attended by five hundred men well arm'd who had forsaken the Turks to joyn with the Venetians A considerable number of the Infidels having come out of Castel-Novo to prepare an Ambuscade for the Christians thâ— Morlaques who were always ready to disappoint the Turks Designs follow'd theâ— so close at the Heels that they madâ— them retreat to the Town in great disorder after having kill'd and woundeâ— several of them and taken away a considerable Booty with many Prisoners The Vayvode Janco took the Field again to joyn the Croats that were subjeâ—â— to the Emperor and go with them tâ— destroy the Turks Iron Mines Captain General Morosini who was yet at Coroâ— caus'd the repairs of those Fortificatioâ— to be dispatch'd with great diligence and having put it in a posture of defenâ—â— set sail toward the Coast of Zarnata attended by the Forces of Saxony his Design being to seize that Town and two neighbouring Towers by the means of which the Turks still kept the Mainotts in awe Zarnata is a Fortress almost round and situate on a high place he sent a Detachment to summon the Garrison to which the Aga who commanded the place submitted the 11th of September though the Army was five Miles distant and had not yet set foot on land The Garrison which was numerous consisting of six hundred men was embark'd and guarded by a Convoy within a small distance from Calamata But the Aga fearing the Punishment which the Grand Signior inflicts on the unfortunate remain'd among the Venetians The Captain General gave him a Pension of thirty Royals a Month after he had receiv'd Baptism with twenty other Turks There were found in this place fifty one pieces of Cannon two hundred Quintals of Powder great store of Bullet with other Ammunition and Provision Signior Morosini having thus gain'd the Town put in a Garrison of two hundred and fifty Foot Souldiers under the command of the noble Venetians Bartholomeo Contareni and Angelo Emo and upon the advice he had that the Captain Basha was advanc'd with ten thousand men to lie before Calamata he order'd the Saxons to be set on shoar to joyn the Army which having advanc'd on the 12th of September in Battel-array to certain places where the Enemies were advantageously posted to dispute the Passage there happen'd some light Skirmishes betwixt the Advance-guards But whilst all things were preparing over-night to come to a set-Battel the next day the Infidels decamp'd before day to retire under the Cannon of Calamata which is situate upon the declining of a Hill on the side of the River Spinazza in the Province of Belvedere and has no other defence but a Castle built after the modern way that can secure it from the Assaults of an Enemy The Venetians surpriz'd this Fortress in the Year 1659. and quitted it after they had carried away the Provision which they found there in abundance The Turks not thinking themselves secure under the Walls of this place continu'd their retreat having first set fire to the Magazine Thus the Christian Army entred Calamata without the least opposition on the Feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and immediately seven thousand Mainotts repair'd to the Venetian Camp a Party of which presently went in pursuit of the Infidels There were found in the Castle nine Cannons nail'd and but little Ammunition The Fortress was dismantel'd Signior Morosini judging it unfit for a Garrison The Squadron of Signior Molino Captain extraordinary during the whole Summer gave chase to the Naval Army of the Captain Basha who whenever he had sight of the Venetian Vessels made away and his Cowardice was such that meeting with Signior Molino's Fleet under Capo-Crio consisting of seventeen Sail he fled into the Port of Rhodes with six and twenty Men of War and six and forty Galleys The fear of a Sea-fight made him also lock up the Port with a great Chain and he himself durst not come out though the Venetians came often to dare him at the very mouth of the Haven and coasted thereabout fifteen days to entice him out Chevalier
was intelligence that the Serasquier advanc'd apace intending to surprise the Besiegers in their Camp and that he was within six Miles of them Count Coningsmark was again detach'd with seven thousand Foot five hundred Horse and the Dragoons of the Marquis de Courbon and Count Bernabo Visconti He march'd in good order in the beginning of the Night and the next day found the Infidels to the number of eight thousand Foot and two thousand Horse intrench'd in a Valley where it was impossible to come at them but by a very narrow passage The Dragoons commanded by the Marquis de Courbon and those of Count Bernabo Visconti who immediately advanc'd having posted themselves in an advantageous place to bear the first Onset of the Enemies gave time to the Forces that follow'd them to pass the narrow way The Turks who might have taken advantage of this motion made no Attack and Count Coningsmark set his Forces in order of Battel and plac'd two small pieces of Artillery on an eminence of ground from whence they fir'd continually on the Turks who seeing the Dragoons march proudly towards them thought to hem them in with a Detachment of several Squadrons But the Dragoons not only bore the Onset with great courage but alighting from their Horses made the Infidels give way and pursued them so successfully that they dispers'd them after which they bore so hard upon the Infantry that they put them into disorder which was encreas'd by the Forces that march'd after the Dragoons The Fight lasted two hours and ended with the flight of the Turks who lost above five hundred men in this action and had many wounded There had been several that had rallied upon the occasion of two or three thousand Turks that were got together from several parts of the Morea to reinforce the Serasquier's Army and were come near the field of Battel but it was in vain they renew'd the Charge they were again put to flight and forc'd to leave their Baggage and Tents There were but very few Souldiers either kill'd or wounded on the Christian side Prince Maximilian of Brunswick encouraged his Forces by his Example and shew'd at the head of them all the Courage a man could be capable of Many other Voluntiers of great quality signaliz'd themselves in the like manner on this occasion This Defeat of which the besieged could not doubt when they saw the Heads of the Turks kill'd in the Battel and the Colours the Venetians brought away made so general a Consternation in the City that they lost all hope of being reliev'd and after some Contests came to a Capitulation It was permitted them to march out of Navarin with Arms and Baggage to be transported to Alexandria Count Coningsmark regulated the Articles of Capitulation in the Name of the Generalissimo While they were regulating that Article that concern'd the embarking the Garrison there happen'd a disaster that was like to have caus'd great Confusion A Magazine of Powder took fire and was blown up in a moment an hundred and fifty Turks were either burnt or buried in the ruines together with six Christians the Governour was of the number fifteen more were blown up and thrown from the place It was presently said the Turks had prepared this Oven on purpose to destroy all the Christians they could draw that way This was enough to make them put all to the Sword had not the Generalissimo appeas'd the Souldiers He receiv'd the excuses of the principal men of the place who when they brought him the Keys of the Town and their Standards ask'd permission to justifie themselves upon this Accident It was found in effect that the Fire which was set to several Houses by the Bombs being kept alive under the Ruines had made its way to this Magazine only by the negligence of the Officers whom the unhappy state of their Affairs had hindred to provide against such Accidents The Garrison consisted of a thousand Souldiers who embark'd with two thousand other Turks to pass for Alexandria On the 18th of June Signior Morosini entred the Town with Count Coningsmark and the chief Officers of the Army and the principal Mosque was made choice of to give God thanks in for this Conquest In the mean time the Christian Privateers met with the Turkish Caravan coming from Alexandria to Constantinople The number of the Enemies Ships did not dismay them they charg'd very vigorously and after they had either taken or disabled the Men of War which were their Convoy they took the Caravan The Ship called Alexander the Great surpris'd also a Turkish Vessel of Eighty pieces of Cannon for having discover'd it afar off they hung out Turkish Colours and made up close to her with a design to board her and quickly made themselves Masters of her before the Infidels could come to themselves or prepare for Fight Two Turkish Galleots had the same chance meeting the famous Corsair Manetta The Morlaques made many Incursions into the Enemies Territories and amongst others those of Sebenico and Traci being sent for that purpose to the number of twelve hundred foraging in the open Country surpriz'd a Town called Dapana and return'd with store of Slaves and Cattel having ransack'd and after set fire to the Houses In the mean time the Turks attempted no great matters in Dalmatia their greatest Efforts being limited to the pillaging and burning some Villages between Clissa and Spalatro for which purpose they had detach'd four thousand Horse But an accident hapned which frustrated their hopes of enjoying the Prey for as they return'd with a great Booty they fell into an Ambuscade which four hundred Morlaques had laid for them in a narrow way which terminates at a steep unpassable Mountain from whence sixty Peasants who had quitted their Houses at the approach of the Turks rowl'd down Stones of a prodigious bigness upon them who were streightned in their passage Thus the Morlaques having robb'd the Enemy of his Booty and delivered the Slaves return'd victorious with about two hundred Prisoners Let us now turn our Discourse to the Venetian Camp in the Morea The Conquest of the two Navarins was follow'd by the taking of Modon a Town situate in the Province of Belveder at one end of the Morea it was formerly call'd Methona The Venetians having assisted at the taking of Constantinaple in the year 1204. Baldwin the Earl of Flanders afterwards chosen Emperor of the East gave them as a Recompence for the share they had in the dangers of the Siege the Isle of Candia the Cities of Modon and Coron in the Morea and that of Durazzo in Albania with the Isle of Corfu this Isle was then in the Possession of the Genouese who had for their Captain the famous Corsair Veterano The Venetians set sail the year following toward Corfu with thirty Galleys and having met Veterano coming out of the Gulf they attack'd him so successfully that having taken seven of his Galleys they gave an entire Defeat to
sent the same day into the hands of Signior Morosini That the Turks should bring their Standards on board the Captain Galley That they should all march out within four days the Soldiers with their Arms and what Baggage each of them could carry and the Inhabitants with part of their Moveables That Vessels should be allow'd to transport them to some Port in the Coast of Barbary That they should leave behind them all the Christian Slaves and the Negro's Men and Women that should be found in Modon should become Slaves to the Republique These Articles being signed one hundred men were put into the Castle where the Standard of St. Mark was planted and two days after the Turks march'd out to the number of a thousand Men able to bear Arms and three thousand other persons There were â—n the place about an hundred piece of Cannon of which many were Brass with great store of Ammunition in the Magaâ—ines Fourteen hundred men were put â—n Garrison for the defence of the City and Signior Pavita was chosen Proveditor extraordinary Fortune declar'd her self on all sides for â—he Republique and this was not the only check the Affairs of the Ottoman Empire met with on this side General Cornaro who commanded in Dalmatia having join'd to his Forces those of the Morlaques they march'd from the Province of Zaro under the Conduct of Chevaâ—ier Janco and Sieur Smilianich with the Captains Possidona and Patolazzi they â—irected their march towards Conscho and being arriv'd on the 13th to the Banks of the River Cattina made a halt towards the Evening to refresh themselves and having laid their bridge past the River in the night and by break of day arriv'd to Climno where having understood that seven hundred Spahi's and fifteen hundred Janisaries with some other Forces were encamp'd they attack'd them with so much courage that they soon made them give way The Cavalry endeavour'd to gain the open Country and the Foot to escape to the Mountains but they were so close pursu'd that before they could compass their design above seven hundred of them werâ— kill'd and five hundred made Prisoners The Inhabitants of Climnâ— who were witnesses to this defeat retir'â— themselves into the Castle with desigâ— to defend themselves there but in vain for the confusion they were in havinâ— made them forget to shut the Gatâ— of the Town the Forces of the Repubâ—lique and the Morlaques seiz'd it immâ—diately and the Castle also by the negligence of the Inhabitants whom the approach of an Enemy should have maâ— more wary Whatever was found in the City they carried away and put to the Sword those that made any resistance they set fire to the Houses which spreading it self on all sides burnt the Town and Castle to Ashes blew up the Magazine with five hundred Turks consum'd many stately Buildings and magnificent Mosques with great store of Riches the Women and Children were carried away Prisoners It was a Town of good Trade the Basha of Bossina made choice of it for his ordinary residence by reason of its pleasant Situation good Air and fruitfulness of the adjacent Fields which in this War were wholly wasted In this Expedition one hundred and thirty Christian Slaves were set at liberty and more than sixty Families put themselves under the protection of the Republique Signior Cornaro march'd no farther on but return'd with his Force and the Morlaques laden with rich Spoils having had but nine men kill'd and three and twenty wounded in this successful Enterprise The Proveditor Extraordinary of Spinalonga in the Kingdom of Candie gave an account to the Senate that besides many Incursions that had been made by his Garrison from time to time to the very Gates of the Enemies Towns he had lately made a Detachment of part of his Forces with design to fight the Infidels that his Scouts having inform'd him where they lay encamp'd he march'd towards them and gain'd an entire Victory and that having possest himself of an advantageous Post which before had much incommoded him the confusion the Infidels were in was redoubled and most part of them kill'd on the place some were drowned and others disperst in the Mountains There was also intelligence that the Christian Privateers had taken in the Sea of Candia eight Saics laden with Corn and other Merchandise bound for Constantinople After Signior Morosini had view'd the Fortifications of Modon and given necessary orders for its defence he began to think of new Conquests and call'd a Council of War for that purpose where all the Principal Officers being present it was resolved to attack the City of Napoli di Romania so call'd by the Inhabitants of the Morea Before he put his design in execution he thought it proper to clear the Country of some Garrisons that were in the small places about Modon he possest himself of the Town call'd Achaia which tho it be not in it self very considerable yet it serves to secure the other Conquests which the Venetians have made and are still making in that Kingdom Whilst we leave the Army under sail towards Napoli di Romania let us see what passes in Dalmatia The Forces of the Republique which are in these parts have had many advantages over the common Enemy being seconded by the Morlaques Solyman Basha of Scutari and Albania who took the Field in the Month of July in order to besiege some place in the Territories of the Republique took much pains to little purpose 'T is true he advanc'd towards the City of Budoa and the Castle of St. Stephens with design to seize them and having forag'd thereabouts to lay siege to Cattaro In effect he us'd so much diligence that he quickly got within view of the place with his Army which consisted of twelve thousand men and eight piece of Cannon which gave some alarm to the Governour but General Cornaro and the Count St. Paul having been inform'd of his design had already prevented him with a number equal to his The Basha who believ'd his design would not come to light till after the execution of it and imagin'd the Christians could take no measures to traverse it encamp'd himself within four miles of the place near the Town of Briach and stay'd for the Artillery and the rest of his Forces design'd for this Enterpise In the mean time General Cornaro furnish'd the City with all things necessary for its defence in case the Enemies should be so rash as to lay siege to it and having taken a view of their Camp he set his men in Battel-array The Basha did the same and himself in person view'd the Venetian Army from a small Hill on the South side The first day past in divers light Skirmishes and frequent Alarms without coming to a just Battel But at the dawn of the next day the Turks came upon the Christians with great fury and loud cryes as is customary with them The first Squadrons of the Morlaques perceiving their design stay'd for them
without stirring a foot and with the help of their Artillery bore the first onset In this Rancounter a Cannon Bullet having carried off a Bough of a Tree forc'd it so violently upon the Basha that his Face was grievously hurt by it This Accident caus'd some disorder amongst the Infidels and was no small disadvantage to them for Signior Cornaro having observ'd the Basha retire out of the Field to dress his Wound drew his Army out of the Camp against the Enemies During the space of four hours the Victory was in suspence but the Christians being reinforc'd by some fresh Battalions from the Galleys the Turks gave ground on a sudden and not being able to make head retir'd in confusion towards their Camp they lost six hundred men in their flight and many were taken Prisoners Notwithstanding this disgrace a thousand Janisaries made a fresh attack on the Castle of St. Stephen but being briskly repuls'd by the Garrison they lost all hopes of taking the place having lost an hundred men in the attempt This ill success so enrag'd the Basha that he had caus'd several of the Captains to be strangled had they not beg'd their lives with a promise of clearing themselves from the reproach of cowardise on the first occasion and in effect the fear of this reproach had so much influence on them that two days after having rally'd their Forces they return'd in order of Battel to charge the Christians but they fell short of their expectations and were soon discomfited by those Forces that backt the Christian Army with the help of the Cannon from the Galleys There were four hundred kill'd on the place and the rest forc'd to retire the third time in confusion the Venetians closely pursuing them being desirous to compleat a Victory they had so happily begun The Forces of the Republick advanc'd their Conquests already made in the Morea by the taking of Napoli di Romania This place which is three parts surrounded by the Sea is situate in the Gulf that bears its name on a crooked neck of Land its Harbour is safe and may contain a great number of Vessels but the mouth of it is so narrow and difficult that two Galleys cannot enter a breast A Castle seated on a Rock within three hundred paces of it serves for its defence and is so much the surer Guard to it by reason that the Galleys and other Ships not having a depth of water sufficient to bring them within Cannon shot the Castle cannot easily be attack'd Bajazet II. Emperor of the Turks having in the year 1500. attempted to make himself Master of the Morea drew together a powerful Army at Santa Maura he thought to secure himself of Napoli di Romania and as he was on his march thither a party of his Cavalry being advanc'd before the rest those of the Town made a brisk Sally and cut them to pieces which struck a great terrour into the Enemies and made them quit that attempt and go to besiege Modon the taking of which place being succeeded by that of Coron they were so puft up with success that they thought themselves sure of Napoli di Romania they came before it again and employ'd all their Force to make a Conquest of it but the besieged shewed no less resolution to defend it in which they were not a little encourag'd by Paul Contarini a man of great Honour He had been in Coron at the siege of that place and had fallen into the hands of the Turks Bajazet knowing his Authority to be great would make use of him to move the besieged to surrender he advanc'd to the Walls and seeing one of the Gates open he spurr'd on with that speed that having disingag'd himself from the Turks that were about him he got into the place and encourag'd the Inhabitants to make a good defence and Bajazet some few days after rais'd the Siege and return'd to Constantinople Solyman the II. having in vain attack'd Corfâ— in the year 1537. gave orders to Cassin Baâ—â—a to carry on the War towards Napoli di Romania and the adjacent places The Venetians who were enter'd into a League against him with the Emperor Charles the Fifth oppos'd all the designs of the Turks who having again besieg'd Napoli di Romania were again constrain'd to make a shameful retreat with great loss But at last the Venetians finding it for the interest of their affairs to make peace with Solyman sent Lewis Badoaro to Constantinople with full power to treat All his endeavours to preserve Napoli di Romania and Napoli di Malvasia in the hands of the Republique the only places they were possest of in the Morea were fruitless For Solyman having been advertis'd by private intelligence that the Republique had given him order to conclude a Treaty whatever it cost oblig'd him to give up those two places with two Castles in Dalmatia viz. Nadin and Laurane This was transacted in the year 1540. and since that time Napoli di Romania has continu'd under the Turkish Dominion Signior Morosini having resolv'd on the Siege of this place set sail on the 27th of July The Army consisted of eight thousand Foot and six hundred Horse being the Forces of the Republique which he embark'd on the Galleys and Galiots with those of the Pope the Duke of Florence and the Battalion of Malta There were other Auxiliary Forces who were embarkt on the other Ships and Galeasses A few days after the Galleys and Galiots which set out first arriv'd at the Port of Tolon where on the 30th in the evening they landed without any opposition this Port is not above four or five miles from Napoli di Romania which they invested on the 31st and it was reported by a Christian Slave that Hassan Basha Mustapha Basha and three Beys his Brothers that were in the place were the more resolv'd to defend it stoutly for that there was a numerous Garrison and great store of Ammunition and Provisions On the first of August having begun the Lines of Circumvallation they possest themselves of Mount Palamida on which they rais'd a Battery this Mount lies on the side towards the Continent and is not accessible but by a narrow way which is between the steepest part of the Hill and the Sea. Three of the Soldiers that were commanded to cut of the passage of the water to the Castle were kill'd and four wounded yet they executed their orders in spite of the Fire and Bombs of the Besieged On the same day news was brought that the Serasquier was encamp'd under the Cannon of Argos but those that brought it could not discover their number On the 2d of the Month they were informed by a Rascian Deserter that the fire which was seen the day before in the City had taken hold of above an hundred Quintals of Powder that the ruins of the Magazine had chok'd up a great Cistern of water and spoil'd another and that the Inhabitants had but one Well left that
their Detachment sent to summon the Governour and to terrifie him they let him know that no quarter should be given unless he surrendred that the relief he might pretend to expect was at so great a distance that the place would be taken before it could come They bid him consider of it but the best advice they could give him was to provide for his affairs in good time The Governour having receiv'd this Complement gave them for answer That if either Party had reason to fear it must certainly be themselves That they were deluded by false hopes That they might have inferr'd from the resistance he had already made that it would not be easie for them to succeed in their design That if instead of giving him advice they would receive any from him he advis'd them in good earnest not to persist in so vain an attempt That he would have them know that General Cornaro was on his march to relieve him and that to avoid a greater disgrace they would do well to retire and make no longer stay there This Answer making them understand they had no fearful man to deal with they continu'd the Siege but with so little success that at the end of three Weeks they were no farther advanc'd than on the first day In the mean time the brave resistance of the besieged having given time to General Cornaro to draw together his Forces who were yet in their Quarters he march'd to their relief The Proveditor Zen General of the Horse join'd him with eighteen hundred men and Chevalier Janco brought him a thousand Morlaques which altogether made up fourteen thousand men General Zen commanded the Cavalry General San Paolo the Foot and General Cornaro the whole Body of the Army They arriv'd on the 22d of April to a place call'd Lism not far from the Enemies Camp where they made a halt two hundred men were sent to a Hill to give notice to the Besieged of the approach of Relief by a Volley at the noise of which the Infidels came to view the Christians and found the whole Army was on its march to make them raise the Siege The Turks would not stay their coming up though they were the greater number They prepar'd for their retreat on the 23. of April in the Evening by sending away their Cannon and Baggage which was follow'd by the Foot and Horse The Besieged at the same time made a Salley charg'd those that stay'd last in the Trenches and fill'd up their Works The Enemies during the Siege and in their retreat lost above three and twenty hundred men and some Officers of several stations In the mean time Chevalier Janco who was gone before with his Morlaques was surpriz'd to see that the Turks had rais'd the Siege in such haste and that their Horse had already gain'd the Bridge of Cettina He entred their Camp where he found some Barrels of Powder some Swords and one piece of Cannon which the Enemies had left having first nail'd it The 24th General Cornaro entred into the Town being extremely well satisfy'd with the vigorous resistance the Garrison had made and gave a thousand Commendations to Marquis Borri and the other Officers who had signalliz'd themselves on this occasion The Senate being advertis'd of it caus'd considerable Presents to be made them and the Souldiers had each of them a piece of money On the 25th Te Deum was sung On the 26th the General retir'd to Spalatro having first given necessary Orders for the reparation of the place and the Forces return'd to their Quarters The Basha of Ertzegovine being next that he could not succeed in his Enterprise took his revenge for that disgrace by wasting the Territory of Trau reap'd the Harvest and carry'd away all the Corn. This Basha gathered together three thousand men more and march'd towards the Fort of Opusch a little place situate on the River Narenta with design to attack it He flatter'd himself with the thought that he need no more than shew himself to gain the place but the Governour of the place had very different Sentiments instead of opening the Gates to him as he expected he represented to his little Garrison that a glorious Death was better than a shameful Servitude which was all could be expected if they surrendred on discretion and that they would not die without sacrificing a great number of the Infidels Signior Cornaro having notice of this thought himself oblig'd without delay to second the good resolution of the Besieged for this purpose he commanded some Forces of that side to march and sent orders to Chevalier Janco to be there with the Morlaques three Galleys and some other Vessels to transport the Forces This march and the resolution of the Besieged oblig'd the Basha to retire not being willing to engage himself farther in an attempt which was like to prove as vain as that of Singe had been But the Morlaques not content to have disappointed their Enemies Designs surpriz'd the Suburbs of Dumno and several Villages of that Country which they pillag'd and burnt The Booty they carry'd away consisted of many Prisoners with a great number of Sheep and Cattel During this time the Pirates of Dulcigno went on shore in the Territories of the Republique and carry'd many away into Slavery and amongst others the Governour of Citta-Nova with all his Family Some Vessels were commanded out to cut them off in their return but could not light on these Pirates Count Coningsmark had shew'd much Experience Courage and Conduct in the Service of the Republique The King of Suedes who had a value for him having remanded him the Doge writ the following Letter to his Majesty which here you have in the same terms as it came from Stockholm To the most Illustrious and most Potent Prince Charles by the Grace of God King of the Suedes Goths and Vandals c. Marco Antonio Giustiniani by the same Grace Duke of Venice sends greeting and wisheth all Happiness GEneral Coningsmark has shewn so particular good Conduct and given such Proofs of his Experience in the Campaigns which have been made in the Levant with Success happy and advantageous to the Service of all Christendom that in the Design which is now on foot for the common good of Christianity a great share of the Glory that may be expected from it is due to to him His singular merit shines forth with so much brightness that its Rays are reflected on your Majesty who so generously condescend to yield us a Subject adorn'd with such excellent Qualities We receive great Services from him of which your Majesty is pleas'd to deprive your self to let us have the benefit of them in this juncture of time so favourable for the pulling down and bringing to nothing the insupportable Pride of the barbarous Ottomans Since then we have stood in need of his support since we have demanded and obtain'd it and more than once felt the good effects of it we confide in your
St. Paul they began to raise a Battery of two Piece of Cannon to beat down a House in which the Turks had fortifi'd themselves within fifty Paces of our retrenchments but these Infidels remaining undaunted notwithstanding the Fire of our great Guns and giving us no small vexation by their Musket-shot it was resolv'd on the eighth in the Morning to make a Detachment of the Popes Forces and those of Malta under the command of Chevalier Mareüil and employ them to drive the Turks from that Post The Grenadiers commanded by Chevalier de Seire and the Fueliers by Chevalier de Paulmy advanc'd first and charg'd so furiously that the Enemy not being able to bear the shock fled away shamefully after some smart discharges and quitted the Post which ours immediately seiz'd Then the Body of the Battalion of Malts advanc'd with the Standard of the Order at the sight of which great shouts of joy in token of Victory being heard many of the Chevaliers and Soldiers took occasion from thence to advance farther and with incredible vigour drove their Enemies to another great House but five and twenty paces distant from their Walls and being become Masters of it retrench'd themselves there This advantage cost us dear for though the Turks had not the Courage to maintain the place yet the Avenues of it being commanded by an higher ground of a continu'd ascent in form of an Amphitheatre from whence the Turks gave terrible fire as well as from the Walls of the City and Castles several of ours lost their lives four Chevaliers being kill'd on the spot and three and twenty dangerously wounded Chevalier Mechatin perceiving that the Courage of his men carry'd them on too far advanc'd on purpose to moderate them and bring them back to the main body but the Turks firing continually on all sides wounded Chevalier de Lusignan first Major Chevalier de Seire Captain of Grenadiers and Chevalier de Senicourt de Sessival who died a few days after regretted by the whole Army for his admirable qualities In the mean time on the same day to give a diversion to the Enemy and hinder them from keeping all their Forces united towards the principal Attack which was on that side of the place that looks towards Albania the Galleys approaching near the Walls gave great fire from their Cannon on the side towards the Sea while on the other side that looks towards Ragusa they landed a Body of their men under the command of the Count of Monstier Son to the General St. Paul who made their Retrenchments towards the outward Fort which joyns not to the place and continu'd their Works as if they had meant to attack it For several days following they very much incommoded the Besieged by a Battery of eleven great piece of Cannon which was rais'd for the principal Attack and a vast number of Bombs which they cast into the place without intermission whilst ours being lodg'd and fortify'd in the Posts they had gain'd were busied in advancing their Works in order to fix the Mine to the principal Tower of the Castle by that time the Cannon should make a considerable breach in the Walls the design being at the same time to assault both the one and the other In the mean time General Cornaro receiv'd news that six thousand men were coming to the relief of the Besieged under the Command of the Basha of Bossina and Ertzegovine for which cause he possess'd himself of all the Hills and advantageous Posts to stop his further passage all which Precautions notwithstanding the Enemy having forc'd the Passages which were guarded only by Morlaques appear'd on the 15th about two in the Afternoon â—t the head of our first Retrenchments with their usual cries Our Forces on â—hat side were shaken with the fierceness â—f the Turks pouring in upon them but â—he Count of Mostier who was not far â—ff having opportunely back'd them with fresh men they renew'd the charge in 〈◊〉 vigorous a manner that the Turks turn'd their backs and run headlong one â—pon the other and there being no way or retreat but through the narrow Passages ours taking advantage of their fear â—nd disorder made a great slaughter amongst them eight or nine hundred â—ere slain on the place of which number the Morlaques being recover'd of â—heir first fright brought according to their custom five hundred heads to General Cornaro in token of a signal Victory with a great number of Slaves whose lives they had spar'd There were taken also eight Turkish Colours and in this action we lost but thirty men of whom none were of note The day following all the Heads that had been cut off were expos'd upon Pikes to terrifie the Besieged and let them know the Succours they expected were routed The place was summon'd but the Answer was made by the mouthâ— of Cannon and Musquet so that ours began to fire afresh and continu'd their Works with more industry than before The 19th we saw to our great joy twenty Ships which brought eighteen hundred men to our assistance we mounted the Trenches the same Evening wherâ— Chevalier Zindodari a man of singulaâ— merit was kill'd The Cistern was already finish'd anâ— the Gallery was brought even to the fooâ— of the Wall with a fair Prospect of a gooâ— effect when to our surprize we founâ— the Stone-work so prodigiously harâ— that it was impossible to strike off the leaâ— piece without very great labour which no way suiting with the impatient desire of our men to come to blows with the Enemy the rather for that the Season began to be severe by continual Rain and daily Storms all their designs turn'd to making the Breach wide enough for an Assault by the help of their Cannon and while they were busied in the execution of this project two extraordinary things happen'd to our advantage The first was that two Turks who had fled from the place came to General Cornaro and assur'd him that if he would give them good usage they would so bring matters about that several of the Town should yield themselves to him This Proposal having mov'd the General to use them well one of them voluntarily remain'd in his power as an Hostage the other attended by a Morlaque of known trust return'd into the City and there manag'd his Affairs with so much success that he came back two or three hours after with two hundred and forty other Turks well arm'd and equipp'd This odd Adventure gave occasion to another accident which would have quite tired the constancy of any Garrison less obstinately resolv'd to endure the last extremities For General Cornaro seeing their Forces so considerably diminish'd and taking from thence a fresh occasion to summon them to surrender threatning that if they delay'd till the Assault he would put them all to the Sword They answer'd with their accustomed haughtiness that they were resolv'd to defend the place to the last Upon which we began to fire upon them and one