King who was said to be lost but at-length his Majesty appearing and found in safety it alleviated something of the ill Success of that Day which by that time that the Story was told and Matters related in what manner things had passed it grew towards Night when it was thought fit to Encamp until the Morning All that Night there was great disturbance in the Polish Camp the loss sustain'd by the Slaughter of so many of their Friends and Comrades was such a Grief and Discouargement to them that they were desirous that Night to yield the Quarter on the right Wing which was nearest to Barcan unto the Germans who had formerly challenged that place as their due And towards Morning the principal Officers insinuated unto the King the many Circumstances which presented to render the Success difficult alledging that their Army was Galled and soar of their Wounds and much Discouraged and the Enemy flushed with Yesterday's Fortune and more numerous than was believed The King of Poland unwilling to adventure another Engagement The news of this Discontent and Wavering in the Polish Camp being brought to the Duke of Loraine he immediately went to the King to keep him steddy to the former Resolutions and Measures and so well mannaged his Discourse with him producing many Reasons why the Enemy could not be very strong and arguing the Probability and almost Certainty of Victory that in fine he prevailed upon the King his Senators and chief Officers to make Tryal of next Day 's Engagement The Duke of Loraine having taken a full Survey of the Ground and of the Situation of Barcan gave a description thereof uno the King and offered the Honour of the right Wing unto the Poles for which they had formerly contended but being much taken off of their Mettle they desired to change their Station and mix some of their Troops with those of the Imperialists An hour before Day the Duke of Loraine caused to sound to Horse and with the dawning of the Morning the whole Imperial Army was drawn into Battalia consisting of Horse and Foot to the number of Sixteen thousand two hundred Men besides the King of Poland's Army and the Fifteen hundred Polanders under the Command of Lubomiski Prince Lewis of Baden Commanded the right Wing and under him Count de Gondola and the Baron of Mercy Count Dunewaldt Commanded the left and under him the Counts of Palsi and Taaff The Orders of the Christian Army and the main Body of Infantry was conducted by Count Staremberg the Duke of Croy and Count Serini The Poles being expected in their Station seemed still tardy and backward to draw out by Reason that the King had in the Night received Intelligence that the Enemy was greatly recruited by a strong Body Commanded by Hasly Pasha of Aleppo and the Pashas of Silistria and Grand Cairo and that it was much to be doubted The Poles deliberate again about fighting whether the whole Turkish Army were not joyned with them But the Duke of Loraine opposing unto these Doubts undeniable Reasons why it was not possible for the Gross of the Turkish Army to be joyned with these Forces before Barcan and yet on supposition that they were yet considering the advantagious Ground on which the Army was drawn up they needed not fear the whole Ottoman Force of all which he made such clear Demonstrations that the King was again confirmed in his former Resolutions and so with a Party of his Hussars and of his Infantry and of the Flower of his Cavalry he posted himself on the right Wing between the Imperial Cavalry and the Dragoons And the great General Jabloniski with some of the Hussars Foot and Cavalry marching on the left Wing between the German Horse and Dragoons and the rest of the Polish Army made a third Line In this order they marched about half an hour when about nine a Clock they discover'd the Enemy drawn up in Battalia upon the Plain marching very slowly and in such manner as that their Force seemed equal to that of the Christians The Armies being come very near the Turks of the right Wing charged the left of the Christians with much fierceness as if they had had a particular spight and aimed chiefly at the Poles The Fight begun And at the same time the Turks who were on the rising of a Hill advanced as if they intended to Charge the main Body of the Christians But being within half Musquet shot of them they on a suddain Wheeled about and fell upon the left Wing which when the Duke of Loraine observed he crossed the Line of the Cavalry on the left Wing and with all the party of the first Line which had not been engaged he in Person charged the Enemy in the Flank with so much Courage and Bravery as put them to a General Rout and into that Confusion The Turks routed that they were never more able again to Rally Dunewaldt was Commanded to Pursue them and with the Poles of the left Wing enter'd pell-mel with them at the very Gates of Barcan at which place many of them were killed and perished in the Marshes of Gran. And pursued Whilst Dunewaldt pursued the flying Enemy the whole Army advanced in Battalia towards Barcan and in the way thither it was resolved by all Parties to Assault the place in this heat of Action whilst the Enemy was Affrighted and in Disorder the King accordingly drew out some Troops of his Cosacks and the Duke of Loraine five Battalions of Staremberg Grana and Baden which were appointed for that Service Which Detachment was no sooner order'd than Information came that the Bridge over the Danube by the Crouds and Multitudes of the Turks pressing over it was broken and that Barcan it self was so filled up with People that they had scarce room to stir and were ready to trample one another Under-foot Prince Lewis of Baden with these Forces and three Regiments of Dragoons and three Pieces of Cannon assaulted the Fort and took it by main force Barcan taken The Slaughter which was there made by Fire and Sword was very Cruel and Bloody But most to avoid the Fury of the Enemy threw themselves head-long into the Danube some endeavoured to save themselves by Swimming others by their Horses hanging on their Mains and Tails others on Planks and Boards of the broken Bridge in which Passage thô many saved themselves yet the greatest part perished in the Waters as appeared by the Bodies of Men and Horses together with their Garments which cover'd the Surface of the River in places where the Current ran not so rapid on the Sides and Banks as in the middle of the Water In fine of these great numbers in Barcan none escaped unless Seven or Eight hundred Men who having betaken themselves to a Redoubt belonging to that Fortress obtained Quarter for their Lives on Condition of quiet Surrender In this Action the Turks lost their best Captains
to the third Post under one of the Batteries But Count Aspremont and Colonel Bek with two Battalions coming to their assistance as did also the Battalions of reserve under Staremberg and Souches the Enemy was so vigorously repulsed by them that they not only recovered the several Posts which they had lost but gained a Fort from the Enemy which was Situated on the Danube and took four Standards from them with the Slaughter of many Janisaries At the same time the Enemies left Wing of Horse was so warmly charged by the Imperialists that they were put into a disorderly Flight and run over and trampled down their Foot howsoever Rallying again they made a stand as if they had intended to renew the Fight But observing the right Wing of the Christians to advance towards them and the left Wing to come into their assistance they durst not adventure to stand the Shock but fled in full Career but such as were worse mounted and trusted not to the Swifness of their Horses in a desperate manner made their way into the City for Refuge This enterprise of the Turks cost the Christians Three hundred Men those of Qualitie killed were the Counts of Fustemberg and Carlovitz and the Counts Guido Staremberg and Scalemberg were wounded for which the Turks paid most dearly leaving Seven thousand of their Companions slain upon the place The Seraskier An Assault on lower Buda and his Army being thus repulsed with great slaughter and much dismayed the Duke of Loraine resolved to attempt the lower Town by the Breach which was made The which was accordingly executed by the Baron of Asti who in despight of the Granadoes and continual Vollies of the Musquets surmounted the Ruins and took possession of the Breach and being seconded by other Forces he proceeded and made himself Master of the more inward Retrenchments destroying the Palisadoes and the Works in such manner that the Defendants had no other Shelter than their Houses remaining to them By this time Count Tulli and a Captain of the Regiment of Mansfield were come to their assistance and together with Asti advanced to the Gate which opens to the Danube where after a sharp Fight with much effusion of Blood on both sides they forced open the Gate and gave entrance to Colonel Culemfels with Five hundred Men who being also followed by great numbers of Hayducks they so overwhelmed the the Turks with their power The lower Buda and Castle taken that they fled for refuge to the Castle But being closely pursued by the Christians who were now mixed with them those in the Castle feared to open their Gates lest by giving entrance to their Friends they should receive their Enemies so that as many as were excluded out of the Castle fell by the German Sword others betaking themselves to their Houses barred their Doors and hid themselves in Vaults and Cellars But there being no protection for the miserable Fire was applyed to the Houses whereby those who had escaped the Sword perished in the Flames In this Glorious Action it is said That 12.000 Janisaries were Slain with the loss only of Seventy five or Eighty Christians killed and wounded after which the several Posts and Gates of the Town were well secured and Orders given to Attack the Palanca and Castle of St. Gerards which at the first sight and appearance only of an Attempt the Defendants abandoned carrying away with them all their Cannon and Ammunition The lower Town being thus subdued and possessed by the Christians the very same Night Batteries were raised on St. Gerard's Mount and Trenches and Approaches made on that side whereby the upper City of Buda was more closely Besieged and the Enemy reduced within a more narrow Compass Whilst these matters were Acting Count Lesly with a Body of Fifteen thousand Men made an Attempt upon the City and Castle of Virovitz which is in Sclavonia Situated on the Frontiers of Croatia and is sometimes called Berseck To Succour this place the Seraskier caused several Troops to advance who encountring a Detachment of Eight hundred Croats they put them into Disorder and caused them to Retreat unto their main Body with the loss of three of their Standards but pursuing them too far their Career was stopt by the Army of Lesly Two parties of Turks Defeated who vigorously repulsed them and put them to Flight with the loss of Five hundred of their Men and Two hundred killed on the side of the Christians This good Success was seconded by another happy Encounter which Count Trotmansdorf with a Party of Four thousand Croats had over a Party of Two thousand Turks designed by the Pasha of Marotz who was appointed to Guard the Bridge of Esseck to Succour the Town and Castle of Virovitz for they were all defeated by him as was also another Party of Fifteen hundred Horse who were marching with all diligence to joyn with the Two thousand lately routed and dispersed Thus the Town and Castle having lost all their hopes of Succour and Relief they spread a white Flag on the Walls which demonstrated their intentions to Capitulate Viâ—ovitz Surrendred Accordingly a Treaty being had several particulars were agreed and the places Surender'd The Turkish Garrison which consisted of about One thousand Soldiers were permitted to march forth without their Arms unless Fifteen of the principal Officers who had liberty to go forth with their Horses and Arms the rest were to have no more than what they could carry on their Backs The Turks having quitted the City and Castle the Christians supplied it with a Garrison of Two hundred Men under the Command of the Baron of Schelardt The News of the loss of Virovitz put all the Country thereabouts into such Consternation that several places were abandoned by the Turks and a way opened to General Lesly to march without any impediment to the Bridge of Esseck In the mean time the Approaches and Works before Buda proceeded with infinite diligence and labour so that by the 26th Day of July they were advanced within Sixty Paces of the Counterscarp The Proceedings at the Siege of Buda Likewise other Batteries were raised of Twenty five Pieces of great Cannon and Twelve Mortar-pieces which fired continually and on the side of Pest they annoied the Turks with long Guns and small Pieces of Ordnance that they were not able to approach near the River for Water of which there was great scarcity and want in the Town The Batteries not doing the Execution which was expected by Reason that the Walls were filled with Earth endeavours were made to Under-mine a corner of the Counterscarp and on that side towards Strigonium to advance the Works within Sixty Paces of the Tower The ill Condition of the Besiegers In which Attempts One hundred and twenty six Germans were killed in one day and night Within the Town they were industrious and brave every Janisary behaving himself with Resolution and indefatigable Labour And on the other
contingences from the Enemy whatsoever began his March towards Siklos with the right Wing being then about an hour's March distant from Siklos Scarce had he opened the Plain when the Elector of Bavaria with his left Wing was attacked by Eight thousand of the Enemies Horse sustained by Six thousand Janisaries A Battle began at Harscham who had the night before intrenched themselves on the side of a Hill from whence they fired many Vollies of Shot on the three Regiments of Cavalry viz. Arco Magni and Soyer Prince Lewis of Baden having observed that there was a very advantagious place on the side of the Hill near to the Janisaries which if possessed might very much annoy the Turks immediately advertised the Dukes of Loraine and Bavaria thereof who having in the first place reinforced the Rear-guards with four Regiments under the conduct of Piccolomini gave it in charge to Prince Lewis to take the Post he had denoted on the side of the Hill which accordingly he performed with admirable Success for the Janisaries having fired three Vollies and the Spahees having furiously charged the Rear-guard as often the Elector encouraging his Men setled them firm and steddy against the frequent and forcible Shocks and Charges of the Enemy who not being able to endure the Fire and the unshaken order of the Christians betook themselves to a disorderly and precipitate Flight in which the Turkish Horse broke in upon their Foot and trampling down the Janisaries under foot drove them back into their Trenches The Turks routed into which entring at the same time with the Enemy they put the whole Army to the Rout and to a shameful Flight leaving their Camp Tents and all their Baggage for a Prey to the Christians On this memorable day which is to be celebrated to all Posterity the two Dukes who were Generals signalized themselves by their admirable Conduct and undaunted Bravery to all the World The valour of the Christian Commanders Prince Lewis of Baden in like manner with his Sword in his Hand applying himself at all places to direct and encourage the Soldiery by his Presence and Voice demonstrated and evidenced himself to be a great Captain and Champion in imitation of whom and of all other the Commanders the inferiour Officers and Soldiers gave marks to the World of their bravery and zeal in the Successes of that glorious day The Prince Eugenie of Savoy was the first who with the Regiments of his Brigade entred the Trenches of the Enemy The Prince of Savoy carries the News of Victory His bravery and for that reason had the honour to be the first Messenger of this happy News unto the Emperor Count Sinzendorf a Cavalier of great Courage and Hope adventuring his Person amidst the thickest of his Enemies had Two Horses killed under him that day and Two wounded together with his Page who fought on his Left-hand and by a great Shot had his Leg broke Howsoever he pursued the Enemy beyond their Trenches for the space of an hour as did the rest of the Army until the Close of the Evening when it was thought fit to desist from the pursuit and return to the Camp that they might give Refreshment both to Man and Horse who had for two days greatly suffered for want both of Victuals and Forage The Prince of Commercy who Commanded the Troops of Volontiers deserved also his due Praise being one of the most forward to attack the Enemy of which he gave undeniable Proofs the Sargeant Major of his Regiment and One hundred and Sixty of his Soldiers being slain at the beginning of the Battle The whole Number killed and wounded on the Christian side The Numbers killed and wounded were not much above One thousand Three Captains Twelve subaltern Officers and Four Trumpeters which indeed was very strange and almost miraculous if we consider the great loss which the Turks sustained for there were Eight thousand Janisaries with their Aga or General killed on the place all choice and select Soldiers Two thousand were made Prisoners and about Three thousand Drowned and the whole Army scattered and dispersed in the Woods Marshes and Boggs of that Country Strange and wonderful indeed was the Success of this day and ought wholly to be ascribed to the Almighty Hand of the God of Hosts For the Turkish Army was much more numerous than the Christian consisting in all of One hundred and twenty thousand of which Eighty thousand were Fighting men encouraged by late Successes and grown proud and confident of their Strength by the Retreat which the Christians made But what is still more strange is that this formidable Army was Defeated and put to Flight by Ten thousand men only of the Left-wing of the Rear-Guard Commanded by the Elector of Bavaria for the Right-wing under the Duke of Loraine and Led by Count Caprara had not time to come up before the Turks were put to a Rout and a Hasty Flight which had they delayed and stood until the other Forces had come up it might in all probability have proved so bloody a loss to the Turks as could never more have been recovered and which might have proved the total Ruin and Downfal of the Ottoman Empire Thus since it was the Fortune of the Elector of Bavaria to Fight that day with Victorious Success The Vizier's Tent allotted to the Elector of Bavaria the Magnificent Tent of the Grand Vizier like opima spolia were by Lot the just Reward of his Labour and Valou It is said That that Tent was the most sumptuous and rich of any that had during this whole War been brought by any preceeding General into the Field therein was taken all the Cash or Ready-Money brought for the Use of the Army all the Books and Accounts belonging to the Militia the Horse-tails or Tugh carried before the Vizier The spoils taken besides Fifty thousand Crowns which some principal Officers as is said appropriated to their own Use Besides this stately Tent there were great Numbers of other Tents taken in which the Turks show most of their Grandeur making more Ostentation by their Tents in the Camp than they do by their Houses and Edifices in the City Moreover there were taken Sixty seven Pieces of Canon Four of which were of an extraordinary bigness of Powder there was a Thousand Kintals of Match Four hundred about Eight thousand Cannon-Bullets Three thousand Bombs and Carcasses Ten thousand Granadoes Arms of all sorts in great Numbers Two thousand Oxen Five hundred Horse Mules Asses and Camels about Two hundred Buffoloes Four hundred which were appointed and fitted to the Yoke for drawing Carriages and Cannon Sheep and other Cattle innumerable Besides all this there were found great quantities of Coffee Chocolate Sugar Sherbet and Honey with Carpets and Beds of Wool and Cotton Also Oats Rice Barley Flower Oyl Bread and Salt in short all things necessary and convenient for Man and Beast with which the Christian Soldiers
sides of the Hills over the Enemies Camp Pr. Lewis engages the Turks near Nissa which when the Turks discovered they detached a Party to engage with them and with 2 or 3000 Turks and Tartars they attacked the Rear-Guard of the Right Wing by which Count Veterani was forced to keep a little behind with the two Regiments of Hanover and St. Croix which formed the second Line of that Wing and were appointed to guard and cover the Baggage which was always placed in the Rear of the Army This slow motion of the Cannon and Baggage which could not be avoided retarded the motion of the advanced Troops which ever and anon made a Halt so that it was five a Clock in the Evening before they could reach the Foot of the Hill where both Armies came in sight of each other And because it might rationally be conjectured that the Turks would before the Morning fortifie their Camp with some Trenches and Parapets of Earth the Prince resolved without giving them so much time to advance upon them with all the Courage and Fury imaginable extending his right Wing towards the Foot of the Hill and his left along the Plain to the Banks of the River Nissava which being orderly disposed resolutely Attacked the Enemy Pr. Lewis Attacks the Turks according to the Methods and Measures design'd The Turks with their accustomed Cry of Allah Allah caused the greatest part of their Cavalry which was drawn up on the declivity of the Hill to charge the Infantry of the left Wing Commanded by Count Guido of Staremberg and the Regiments of Kisel and Sarau which when the Prince observed he caused some Cannon to be brought on that side with which and a Detachment from these Regiments the whole left Wing advanced towards the Enemy the Turks seeing this retired with their Body of Horse and wheeled about towards the right Wing and Attacked them at the Foot of the Hill on the Flank which could not well be secured which produced some Fear and Confusion amongst the Hussars but being succoured by the Regiments of Holstein and Noircharmes which Piccolomini Commanded and by a Party of brave Hungarians The Turkish Horse in disorder they so disordered the Turkish Horse that they had been put to an open Flight had they not been stopt in their Career by some of their own Troops who met them and Fired upon them By this Accident the Enemy still maintaining their Ground on the side of the Hill towards the right Wing of the Germans gave opportunity and time to the Cavalry to rally again in the Plains But Prince Lewis incessantly riding and giving Orders in all places of the Army commanded the main Body which was directed by Baron Heisler to Attack the Turks on the Hill which they performed so effectually that after a long Conflict they gained the top of the Hill and then drawing all the Battalions into an equal Line both the right Wing and the Baggage were both secured from the Attempt of the Enemy On the other side the Duke of Croy Duke of Croy succours the right Wing who commanded towards the River being advised by the Prince that the right Wing was distressed and hardly beset by the Enemy he presently resolved to advance to the top of the Hill in a direct Line towards their Succour to give a greater Diversion to the Enemy and to gain the top of the Hill the which being effected the Situation thereof proved so advantageous a Post that in a short time they drove the Enemy from thence with a considerable Slaughter Notwithstanding which the Turkish Horse rallying again in the Plains made another Vigorous Assault on the left Wing but were received by them with so much Bravery and Resolution that they were once more on their Flight when the Janizaries who were making new Trenches Fired upon them and forced them to stand another Charge which they steadily performed and with great Vigour against the Hussars but they being succoured by the Regiment of Caprara forced the Enemy entirely to quit the Field and pursued them with great Fury to their very Camp Whilst the left Wing had thus gloriously acquitted themselves another Party of the Enemies Horse Attacked them in the middle of their Body but being succoured by Count Guido de Staremberg with some Battallions of his own Regiment and of the Heydukes of Palfi they discharged such terrible Vollies upon them that great Numbers of the Turks fell Dead on the Ground and the others so cowed and affrighted that losing all hopes of Conquest The Turks put to Flight when they saw their Trenches possessed by the Prince and shut up on all sides by the right Wing they betook themselves in good earnest to a confused and disorderly Flight and tho' the Night came on yet the Victorious Germans pursued the Turks so long as they could have the least glimpse or appearance of the Enemy so that many of them to avoid the Sword threw themselves headlong into the Nissava where by the depth of the Water and rapidness of the River they miserably perished And here as well as during the whole course of the Battle the two Brothers Charles and August Princes of Hanover with their Regiments behaved themselves with great Bravery and in the heat of the Action could scarce be withheld from following the Enemy into the Water but only by the Perswasions and Injunctions of General Veterani they gave a stop to the Pursuit Thus the Night put an end to the Victory and the Slaughter of the Turks who abandoned the City tho' fortified with a good Ditch and some Palisadoes after the Turkish manner The Christians gain an entire Victory tho' irregularly planted the same Night Prince Lewis put into the Town several Battalions to conserve it from being burnt as the Turks intended to have done In the Morning Provisions and Forage were found sufficient to subsist the Army for three Weeks In short all the Cannon being 30 pieces for Battery became a Prey to the Germans as also many Thousands of very fine Tents amongst which was that of the Seraskier which the Grand Seignior had lately sent him with divers Standards particularly that of Mamoot Ogli Pasha of Albania The Horse-Tayls were also taken Numbers sâ—â—in The Numbers slain on the Enemies side with those Drowned were computed to be 10000 amongst which were 3000 Spahee's whose Horses and Mules with rich Furniture and good Lading were brought to the Camp where for that Night it remained and next Morning was distributed amongst the Imperial Cavalry This Victory was so much the more Glorious and Wonderful for having been atchieved by 15000 Germans tired and harassed by Marches Countermarches Skirmishes and Battles as before related against 80000 Turks The Victory wonderful and what is still more miraculous there was not on the Christian side above 300 killed and wounded and none of any considerable Quality besides the Sergeant-Major of the Regiment of Stirum and
Turkish Camp how that the Regiment of Dragoons of Count Bucquoy Commanded by their Major Count D' Arco in all 1000 brave and well mounted Men together with 400 others sent for Recruits to the Regiment of Caprara and Hoffkirchen contrary to the Order of Prince Lewis were fallen into the Hands of the Enemies Count Bucquoy's Regiment cut to pieces the occasion whereof was that these Soldiers preferring the security of their Baggage before that of their Lives resolved to take that with them and so marching very slowly they came to stop about two Hours in a Place distant about a German League from the Imperial Army where being attacked and surrounded on all sides by the Turks they defended themselves with much Bravery for the space of two Hours The Christians lose all their Provisions but at length they were all cut down not above 30 escaping of the whole Number of 1400 the Major only was taken Prisoner and the next Day after the Battle was found Chained Hand and Foot in the Enemies Camp Besides this the Turks took 250 Waggons carrying Provisions to the Imperial Army with a 100 Ships belonging to the Sutlers of the Army the Men whereof for the most part were saved for joyning themselves with the Rabble of the Army they fought stoutly for their Lives killing great Numbers of the Turks This great Loss was very sensible to the Christians who having lost all their Provisions without hopes of any other Supply found no other Deliverance and Safety but in their Arms and so resolved on a Battle The Turks on the other side growing Arrogant and bold on these Successes began now to contemn their Enemies and to look only on them as so many lost Men whom they now condemned and sentenced to Destruction resolving to give them no Quarter in the Field The Christian Soldiers thus armed with Despair on the 19th of this Month of August by Break of Day in the Morning having put themselves into posture of Battle 19th marched directly towards the Turks and about Noon both Armies being drawn up they faced each other at a small distance The Prince of Baden Commanded the right and Count Dunewaldt the left Wing The Turkish Army consisted of about 100000 Men of which 60000 were the best Soldiers in all the Ottoman Empire besides 15000 of the best The Disposition of the two Amies and most experienced Janisaries all which Force was advantageously posted having the Danube on their Back and in their Front a deep Ditch with Earth thrown up behind them but their left Wing was not so well fortified but that it lay something more exposed to the Christians whose Army was likewise drawn up in a Martial Posture The greatest part of their Infantry being divided into 20 Battalions that is to say The Regiment of Ernest Staremberg four Battalions of Souches three of Chizzola one of Guido Staremberg three of Salm one of Beck one of Otting two of Brandenburg three of Caunitz one of Vaudemont one the which were flanked with the two Regiments of Horse of Nieuburg and Holstein with the greatest part of the biggest Cannon The rest of the Army was drawn up after the usual form of Battle in a right Line opposite to the Enemy and in this Posture upon firing a Bomb which was the Signal given they all marched in an equal Line until they came within 200 Paces of the Enemy and then the Cannon on each side began to play At the first it was intended to attack the Enemies left Wing before the right to give room for the Foot The Battle of Salankement which was placed on the rising of a Hill opposite to the main and strongest Intrenchment of the Turks which was fortified with 80 Pieces of Cannon and also to charge the Enemies Horse which were drawn up below the Hill in the Plains with design that having Overthrown them to force through the Camp unto that part where the Enemies were less fortified and secured It seems that the right Wing was something too forward and began to engage before the left could come up being hindred by the high Grass and Bushes howsoever here was no staying or retreating for the right Wing but on they went looking on the Enemy before them and proceeded to their very Ditches and Intrenchments but the Janisaries having a good Parapet or Breast-work before them fired so furiously from thence that many both of the Chief and Subaltern Officers were killed and wounded and here it was that General Souches upon a numerous Sally of the Enemy was forced to give way until the Foot came up which was not far behind but in the mean time being sustained by the four Regiments of Nieuburg Holstein St. Croix and Darmstadt under the Command of the Dukes of Holstein and Aremberg they advanced to the very brink of the Enemies Retrenchments with which Example of Bravery both Horse and Foot being again animated the Infantry made several Attacks on the Enemy and tho' they were sometimes repulsed yet being relieved and guided by those brave Officers both of Horse and Foot the Fight was continued from three a Clock in the Afternoon until it was Night by which time all the Superiour Officers of the Infantry were killed excepting only General Guido of Staremberg and Prince Charles of Vaudemont tho' both of them were also wounded Nor was the rest of the Army in the mean time idle for the Enemy attacking them in the left Wing and in the Flank with great fury were as bravely repulsed by the Brigades of Castelli and Hoffkirchen but the Turks rallying all their Horse into a Body fell on with greater Fury in despight of the small and great Shot and charged the Brigade of General Sarau which was part of the Right Wing And the Turks being very numerous on that side they so over-powred this Brigade that two of the Battalions were cut down on the Ground where they stood in which Action the Battalions of Otting Beck and also the Old Regiments of Staremberg and Brandenburg suffered very much so that until that time being about six a Clock Fortune favoured the Turks and things had such a dismal and desperate Face that the Generals themselves began to despair of saving one Man from this Bloody Action The Christians in a dangerous posture for here was no Retreat or Sanctuary nor Place to fly unto for Succour And thus both Officers and Soldiers armed with Despair redoubled their Endeavours and in contempt of Death rushed on the Enemies Squadrons the which being observed by those who attended the Baggage and remained for Reserves how that their Companions were beset on all sides and in a continual Fire were ashamed to be Lookers on and Spectators of this Tragedy came in to the Succour of those who were ready to turn their Backs and with their Cries and Prayers gave a stop to their Flight Matters standing in this desperate State and Condition the main Body of the Army
Count Caprara with seven Regiments of the Emperor's Horse to which the Poles under Lubomiski were joyn'd with all the Cavalry and Dragoons of Saxony commanded by the Elector himself in Person In this Order the Army mounted the Hill with a slow pace to attend the Motion of the Artillery which thô consisting of small Pieces yet the Ways were so Rough and Rocky that with double Teams of Horses they ascended slowly to the Top of the Hill And now both Armies with opening of the Morning began to take a view of each other The Turkish Camp opened The Stars were not with drawn from the Sky when the Christians heard the Alah Alah sound from the Turkish Camp which are the Lauds or Praises which they sing to God in their Prayers The Fires and Lights in their Camp discover'd the excellent symetry and order in the disposition of their Tents and Troops which had been the most pleasing Spectacle in the World had it not been of Enemies and Infidels who came to destroy the Christian Religion and the German Empire From hence it was that the King of Poland and the Duke of Loraine taking a view of the Enemies Forces did conceive that the orders in which they were placed did look as if they intended to dispute every Foot of Ground between each Army which they might have done with great advantage in case they had possessed themselves of the Woods in the Forest of Vienna and of Ambuscades which according to the nature of the Ground might be pleaced to hinder the descent from the Mountain Wherefore the King desired of the Duke of Loraine Two thousand German Foot to Flank his Horse at the entrance out of the Wood and to support them in the descent down the Craggy Hill and accordingly four Batalions were granted for that service Count Lesly who was General of the Artillery had received Orders to Raise a Battery at the coming out the Wood for better security of the Army in their March over the Hill which he almost effected with one nights work but before he had quite finished it the Turks made a discovery of what was there doing and were put in mind thereby of what they themselves should have done to impede the Enemies passage that way But certain it is they were so confident of their invincible strength that they thought it too mean for them to take the advantage of Posts or Situations against an Army of which they conceived so low an Esteem But finding themselves at last deceived in those imaginations and Councils they detached early in the Morning some Forces to demolish the Work which Troops came very near and posted themselves behind certain Trees which were felled and Planks which served for Barricadoes against the Shot of the Battery The Duke of Loraine observing from the Monastery of St. Leopol the motion of the Turks against the advanced Troops Ordered several Batalions under Command of the Duke of Croy to support them which coming seasonably to their Assistance caused the Imperialists to enlarge their Front in that Line and gave them Resolution to Attack the Enemy who were drawn up behind certain Banks and charged them with so much Gallantry that they forced them to retire into their main Body The Duke of Croy wounded In this Action the Duke of Croy being wounded in the Shoulder by a Musquet Shot was carried out of the Fight and his place of Command supplied by the Count of Fountaine The whole Body of the Turkish Army beginning now to move the Duke of Loraine gave Orders to his left Wing to advance and to Prince Waldeck and to Duke Saxelawemberg to Sally out of the Woods and fall upon the Enemies Front at the Head of their Encampment In the mean time the King of Poland was advanced as far as to the Chappel of St. Leopold where he heard Mass with great Devotion which was celebrated by Father Mark Aviano a Capuchin and Confessor to the King which being finished the Blessing was given to him and all his Army And then the King Cry'd with a loud Voice Now we may March with entire assurance that God will give us Victory And then mounting on Horse-back he Road in amongst the Ranks of his Army and made this Speech to them as follows Generous Polish Cavaliers 'T is not only the Work of this Day to maintain the Glory which your Ancestours have acquired and your own Courage hath Atchieved by passing to the Succour of the Invincible Bulwark of Christendom against the Ottoman Troops Nor is it our Aim only to Defend our own Country which in case Vienna were lost would lie miserably exposed to the Invasion of those Enemies against whom we Fight at present But our chief design is to defend the Cause of God and save the Western Empire which hath done us the Honour to have recourse unto our Arms an Honour which our Ancestors never durst to hope for and which is reserved as a Reward of your Valour Whefore resolve to Conquer or to Dye nobly in this Cause in which Martyrdom is held out for the Prize and Recompense Behold therefore your King who Fights at the Head of your Battalions And be confident that the God of Hosts whose Cause we are going to maintain will Fight on our side The Mountain of Kalemberg and the Woods of the Forest of Vienna resounded by this time with the Ecchoes from the Peals of Cannon and Vollies of small Shot which called the Inhabitants of Vienna to the Tops of their Houses and of the Rampires to behold the long wished for Sight of their approaching deliverance Howsoever they were not so much taken up in seeing and admiring as to neglect their Guards and Watches on their fortifications but on the Contrary they plied all their Cannon Small shot and Granadoes against the Enemy in their Trenches The Turke play with their Cannon on the Town with much profuseness knowing that the time of their deliverance being come they might the more lavishly bestow their Ammunition on their Enemies The like quantities of Cannon Fire-works Bombs c. were returned from the Turks on the Town and in greater abundance than had been at any time since the beginning of the Siege and all the Mountains Plains and Places round the City were filled Fire Smoak and Noise In the mean time the King of Poland continued his March down the Hills as did the Regiments of Dragoons of Heisler and of Saxony which were posted on the left Wing near the Chappel of St. Leopold The like Orders were given to all the Imperial Army to advance towards the Enemy who began now to shelter themselves under Rocks and behind Trees and in rough places The right Wing also moved at the same time and all with equal paces The Turks give ground The Turks made some resistance as yet but so faintly as was not able to withstand the Fury of the Christians and the several Shelters unto which they began to
have recourse showed plainly their intentions to quit the Field The Devotions which the King of Poland used this Morning retarded his March for the space of a full hour during which the whole Christian Army made a Halt near to Neudorf until the Poles were come up into the Line equal to the rest of the Forces The left Wing of the Imperialists without much resistance possessed themselves of the Post which the Turks possessed at Holstadt and the Prince Waldeck caused the Enemy on the other side to give way The appearance of the Poles on the Top and on the side of the Hill looked very formidable to the Turks The King who marched at the Head of his Army detached several Troops of his Hussars to Skirmish with the Front of the Enemy but being over-powred were forced to Retire to a place where Prince Waldeck had very seasonably caused some Batalions of Bavaria and of the Regiment of Merci to advance which gave a stop to the pursuit which the Turks made after them The Poles charge the Turks The King upon this disorder of the Hussars caused the first Line of his Army to advance which charged the Turks with so much Fury as caused the Gross of their Body to Retire unto the Top of a Hill where some of their Foot were drawn up and several Batteries of Cannon planted And now all the Polish Army moved the Enemy opposing them in divers scatter'd places from whence they fired Vollies of Musquets with much damage to the Poles but as yet they were not broken but still advancing gained Ground on the Enemy In the mean time the Duke of Loraine being far advanced with the left Wing towards the Enemy the Turks to avoid the Effort which was making on their Right drew themselves into Batalia before their Line of Circumvallation and fortified themselves with some Pieces of Cannon as if they intended to have made a strong resistence but their Resolution continued not long before they gave way and abandoning that Post opened a way to the Christians into their Camp without any opposition Then it was that the Duke of Loraine commanded all the left Wing to Wheel about unto the Right taking in the whole compass of the Turkish Camp without breaking their Ranks or falling upon the Plunder of the Enemies Baggage or Tents which they had left Standing The King of Poland The King of Poland enters the Turkish Camp and Prince Waldeck with their several Troops enter'd the Turkish Camp about seven a Clock in the Evening And the Duke of Loraine about half an hour after made himself Master of the Counterscarp and Suburbs of the City the Janisaries who were lodged in those Quarters escaping by favour of the Night with much less Slaughter than if it had been Day and indeed they behaved themselves with much more Valour than others of the Turkish Militia The Darkness put an end to the Battail in which the Christians had gained a compleat and an undoubted Victory And now the Duke of Loraine had leisure to send to complement the King upon this fortunate Success a great part of which Glory he attributed to the Valour and good Conduct of his Majesty and his generous Cavaliers The King returned an Answer on the other side with like obliging expressions confessing that thô every Nation and Battalion in the Army did their parts yet much of the Honour of the Success of this Day was due to the Bravery of the Germans who were the first to enter into the Camp and Trenches of the Enemy Thus were the Christians become Masters of the Turkish Camp where they lodged that Night in the same Form and Order as the Turks had done the Night before with Fires and Lights in all the Tents only it was a more grateful Spectacle to the Besieged which they could behold with more Comfort and Security than ever they had done the Nights before for this was of Joy and the others of Terrour In the Night the Turks passed the River at Sweker The hasty Flight of the Turks with so much Fear and Precipitation that they not only left their whole Camp standing but even the Standard of the Empire which is the Sacred Banner of their Religion with the three Horse Tails which are the Ensigns of the Vizier's Authority Moreover they abandoned to their Enemies all their Tents Baggage Ammunition and Provisions with all their Cannon and Artillery being One hundred and eighty Pieces and so speedy were they in their Flight that before the next Day in the Evening the Van of their Army had passed Raab Next day early in the Morning Count Staremberg attended with his Son and several of the principal Commanders of the City went out to return Thanks to his Benefactors for so great deliverance and to Congratulate with them their Fortunate Successes and Triumph which would appear Glorious over all the World But the first thing which the Duke of Loraine did that Morning by break of Day was to Order all his Army to put themselves into a readiness to March whilst he consulted with the King of Poland how and in what manner they might pursue the Enemy and improve the Victory But the King seemed so well satisfied with the advantage already gained and with the Prey and Booty of which he was possessed The Vizier's Tents fall to the lâ—t of the King of Poland sitting Master in the Vizier's Tent with all the Appurtenances and Accommodations thereunto belonging that he excused all farther Proceedings at present saying That his Army was much Harassed and required Repose and not in a Condition to pursue an Enemy whom they beheld at a far distance advanced in their way before them by the Fires and Smoak whith ascended upwards for as the Turks fled they burnt all the Villages through which they passed And now in the Christian Camp and in the City was time for Joy and Triumph Count Staremberg having paid his Respects and made his Complements to the King of Poland and the Duke of Loraine he conducted them into the City with a numerous attendance of Nobility and Gentry who had served in the late Siege all the Forces were drawn up on both sides of the Streets between which they passed with loud Acclamations of Joy unto the Church of the Augustin Fryers where in the first place as was most just Te Deum was Sung and Thanks returned to God with Sincere Devotion Thence they went to the House of the Governour Count Staremberg where he received the Applause and Praises of the King of Poland and the Duke of Loraine which were due to his Conduct and Valour and the like Commendations were bestowed by them upon all the Officers and Souldiers of the Garrison who had every one signalized themselves during this Siege by some Action or piece of Service or other which was Remarkable and worthy of Observation Afterwards these welcome and long-desired Guests were entertained with a sumptuous Feast at
Squadron to Corfu but General Morosini wintered at Preveza with design to render that place impregnable and to engage the Greeks who are a People of an unconstant Humour to remain steady in that Duty and Faith which they caused them to Swear to the Venetian Republick whilst these things were carrying on some matters of less moment were acted in lighter Skirmishes near Clissa from whence the Turks carried away seven Prisoners but being pursued by the Morlaques they were again rescued by them and forced to quit their whole Booty with the loss of Fifty of their Men killed on the place Seignior Antonio Zeno Proveditor extraordinary of Cataro came to Perasto and pillaged and burnt all the Towns and Villages near Castel Nuovo and hinder'd the Turks from carrying in their Harvest and seized great Stores of Wheat and other Corn which he carried to Clissa To compleat the Successes of this year a Galliot of Dulcigno was taken Commanded by Solyman Reis a famous Corsaire In the Fight Solyman himself with Twenty of Men was killed and Twenty two Christians were Released and set at Liberty whom this Pyrate was carrying into Slavery And now having given a Relation of the Venetian Successes of this year it will be time to return to the German Camp which we left at the Siege before Buda The Siege as we have said being compleatly formed on the 12th of July a Mine was sprung near the great Tower which thô it had done great effect yet it plainly appeared That the Turks were too strong as yet in the Town to be assaulted at the entrance of any Breach until such time as their numbers were more diminished by a longer Siege The Vizier of Buda slain He is succeeded by Shitan Ibrahim On the 14th the Vizier of Buda called Kara Mahomet died of a Wound which he had received on his Face he was one of the best Officers amongst the Turks Shitan Ibrahim succeeded him in the Government He was a Person very well known to the English Nation which had lived in Turky to which he bore a signal kindness and respect and particularly to that worthy Person Sir Jonathan Dawes with whom he cultivated a Friendship which was extraordinary and unsual for a Turk towards a Christian When I came first into Turky he was then Tefterdar or Lord Tresurer whom I have seen when he was giving out the Pay to the Army to bestow Mony on the Earl of Winchelsea's Pages and Servants who being then Lord Ambassadour Extraordinary to the Grand Seignior was returning from an Audience which he had had with the Grand Vizier He was afterwards Married to the Grand Seignior's Sister and was sent Pasha to Gran Caro which is an Office of the highest Degree amongst the Turks having remained three years in that Employment which is the usual time allowed to that Government he was then recalled and taxed at Six hundred Purses of Money he was forced to lay down one half in ready Money and to pay the other Moiety in a few Days afterwards upon Penalty of being committed to a Prison from whence he had never been delivered but by Death The Character of Shitan Ibrahim He was afterwards made Pasha of Damascus then of Aleppo and with his Forces was engaged to pass by Sea to the Siege at Candia I remember him at Smyrna when he embarked there and then he told me how grievous it was for him and his Men to leave their Horses than which nothing was more pleasing and dear and to Embark on a Gally and pass the Seas to which he and his Soldiers had never been accustomed Afterwards he was employed in many great Offices to which he had been bred from his Youth and in which he had deported himself with singular Reputation and Esteem being naturally of a frank and a generous Temper He was then about Eighty years of Age and nothing declined but still as Robust and Vigorous as if he were but Forty when he defended Buda and succeeded the Pasha who was killed on the Walls and in this Condition we shall leave him for a year or two until being involved in the Common Fate and Misfortunes of the Turks he yielded to the Destiny which was provided for him Sallies from the Town On the 16th of August the Besieged made a Sally and were beaten back with some loss but the next day they had better Fortune and killed many of the Christians as they did also in several other Sallies But to encourage the Christians in this Siege several Deserters escaped out of the Town and to flatter the Party into whose Hands they were fallen they told a thousand Falsities concerning the distresses and wants of the Town But notwithstanding all their Reports it was concluded necessary to open the Breach in the Wall of Buda much wider than it was before to which end the Cannon plaid continually upon that part of the Town where the Assault was to be made But in the mean time to disturb these proceedings the Seraskier Pasha with all the Force of the Ottoman Army appeared often times in sight of the Camp which gave such frequent Allarums that the Duke of Loraine thought fit to draw out a great part of his Army to engage them leaving all the left Wing in the Approaches under Command of Count Staremberg General of the Artillery and with the remainder of the Infantry and all the Cavalry he marched between the upper City and Mount St. Gerard to meet the Seraskier and so soon as the Way opened into the Vally between Buda and Strigonium he discover'd a great Body of Turkish Horse upon a Hill opposite to the Army upon view of which the Christian Army drew into Battalia A Fight before Buda and thô the way to an Engagement with the Enemy was rough craggy and very steep yet such was the Spirit which by frequent Victories had possessed the Christian Soldiery that with incomparable Valour their right Wing moved over all the difficulties of the Ground against the left Wing of the Turks but they fearing to stand the Shock made their Retreat to another Hill within Cannon-shot of Buda where their right Wing was drawn up The Imperial Troops still continuing to advance against the Enemy detached Two thousand of their choice Horse who making as if they intended to form another Line before the Front posted themselves under the Walls of the City during which time the main Body of the Turks stood firm and kept their Ground until the Christians were come within Musquet-shot and then their formost Troops fell violently into the Trenches on the right Hand A Sally from the Town whilst a Sally was made out of the City by the Janisaries on the left And so Furious was the Charge they made that they gained the first Post which was maintain'd by Count Furstemburg Captain the Regiment of Grana and passed to the second Guard defended by a Captain of the Regiment of Baden and proceeded even
resolved to make a Retreat and repass the Drave Such an Action as this was now become difficult and the Army not to be secured but by the skill and bravery of such Generals For the Turks observing the Retreat of their Enemies and believing it to be a kind of Flight either out of weakness in Strength or want of Courage made many Assaults and Attacks on the Rear which the Generals with such admirable Art Martial conduct and Discipline defended that in all the attempts they made they were repulsed Five Regiments under the Command of Piccolomini were commanded to March before to Siklos Conduct in the Retreat and the rest of the Army towards Walpo drawn into two Lines often facing the Turks to the Van to the Rear and on each side in such manner that it was almost impossible to break in upon them The Turks Against the A tacks of the Turks who had not for some years seen the backs of their Enemies and seldom a Retreat made by them full of vain Glory and hopes of gaining a Victory pressed very hard on the Rear which being defended by the Valour and excellent Conduct of that magnanimous and generous Prince the Elector of Bavaria with the assistance of Prince Lewis of Baden whose Arms and Conduct were dreaded by the Turks There was little or no advantage obtained that day by the Enemy the Camp being that night pitched near Walpo The day following they proceeded in their March without any considerable opposition from the Enemy and encamped near the Drave between Walpo and Ussona only the Foragers thinking semselves so secure were attacked by the Enemy with the loss of many Men and Horse The Elector of Bavaria having that day the command of his own Wing which was the Van-gard caused almost all his Baggage to pass the Drave which much disappointed the design of the Enemy And the Duke of Loraine gave order that all the Baggage as well that belonging to the Soldiers as to the Commanders which could be transported that night The manner how the Christians repassed the Drave should be passed over And the next day the Cavalry of the right Wing after them the left Wing then the Baggage of the Infantry and the day following all the Infantry it self were passed over all which being performed with most admirable order and conduct the Bridges were broken and the Boats burnt and sunk As the Christian Leaders shewed themselves great and valiant Captains so the Turks gave no less proofs of their Cowardise who might have made use of this advantage to the total destruction of the Christian Army had not the Divine Hand preserved them for more signal Victories The Joy which the Turks make for this Success and for the more severe punishment of the Turks howsoever the Grand Vizier fancying this Retreat to be an entire Victory dispatched Curriers with the News thereof to Constantinople and to all parts of the Empire glorying that he had now recover'd the lost Honour of the Ottoman power not doubting but in a short time to regain Buda and all the conquer'd places and to restore peace and quietness once more with Honour to the Musselmin Dominions This Opinion was celebrated in the Turkish Camp with Joy and Triumph and at the Port and remote parts of the Empire with divers days of Festival all believing that the side of Fortune was now turned under the auspicious Conduct of this Vizier from whom great things and almost Miracles were expected In pursuance of this fancy and belief so soon as the Imperialists had withdrawn from Esseck the Turks detached a Body of Four thousand Horse towards Darda with Orders to proceed thence to Mohatz where they designed if possible to burn all the Boats laden with Ammunition and Provision belonging to the Christian Army Parties sent by the Turks to Darda But this design was prevented by the March of Piccolomini with some Regiments of Hussars and Croats and of Count Cohari who with Two thousand Hungarians was commanded to pass that way July and thence to proceed to joyn with the Marquis Doria and reinforce him in the Blocade of Agria Howsoever the expedition of the Four thousand Turkish Horse was not altogether unsuccessful for it was their fortune to meet with One hundred and fifty Waggons belonging to the Bavarian Troops under the Convoy only of Five hundred Croats commanded by that brave Soldier Count Orlick who notwithstanding the inequality of numbers sustained the Shock and at last orderly retreated by the help of a Morass with the loss of One hundred Men which the Turks at their return to the Camp reported for a signal Victory The main Body of the Christian Army continuing their March on the 28th pitched their Camp about a League distant from Mohatz before which place all the Boats laden with Ammunition and Provisions for sustenance of the Army were then Riding in the River and here it was that Five thousand Foot and One thousand Horse from the Circles of Suabia The Christian Army reinforced and Franconia joyned with the Army under the command of the Marquis Charles Gustavus of Baden Durlach all choise and select Men veterane Soldiers and so well armed and clothed that in their March towards the Camp the Emperor took delight to see them pass through the Streets of Vienna With these came also Count Rabata Commissary General bringing Money with him for the Subsistence and Payment of the Army in which Office he so well acquitted himself for three or four years past that much of the health and convenient subsistence of the Army may well be attributed to his Industry and Mannagment by which all things were provided in such plenty that there was little need of sending Foragers abroad with hazard and danger for relief of the Camp And indeed by the Successes of this year it plainly appeared how great a Service such good Managment was Loss by the Foragers for want of which the Imperialists had not of late suffered in any thing a greater loss than in their Foragers who wandering abroad without care or due circumspection were often surprized by the Enemy with the loss of their Horses and many of their Lives The Grand Vizier finding that the Christian Army had repassed the Drave did believe that they would not sit idle but undertake some Enterprise or other either by the Siege of Sigher or some other place of importance to prevent which by giving encouragement to the several Garrisons the Vizier dispatched Expresses to all parts to let them know that in case of a Siege they should manfully resist assuring them that in a short time he would bring them Relief and such Succour as they should desire On the other side the Duke of Loraine seriously considering what Course the Enemy might in probability follow and effect he imagined that their Design might be by a strong Convoy of Horse to Relieve Agria with Provisions Means to intercept
relief of Agria of which as we have said there had been a long want and such a scarcity as might reasonably be termed a Famine To intercept this Relief Count Ziacchi with Two thousand Hungarians and Count Veterani with five Regiments of Horse were commanded to pass the Danube and draw towards Agria It was resolved also to fortify Mohatz and put a Garrison into it of Four thousand Men but upon News brought to the Generals that the Turks one the 29th of July had begun to pass the Drave near Esseck all the Councils and Measures were changed A Field Battle designed the Detachments were recalled back to the main Body the Bridges broken the Boats laden with Provisions order'd to a certain Island there to remain for better security and in fine all things were disposed for a Field Battle which the Christian Soldiers had long desired and to see their Enemy in the open Plain rather than fortified in the Trenches of a Camp or within the Walls of a City The Turks having passed the River advanced towards Darda and entrenched themselves very strongly between certain Morasses or Marshes in that Country near Baranwar about a League from the Imperial Camp where they much troubled and infested the Foragers belonging to the Christian Army The Duke of Loraine being very desirous to intice the Turks to a Battle retreated towards Mohatz August 1687. which the Vizier interpreting as a kind of Flight caused many Thousands of Turks and Tartars to advance which being discover'd by the German Out-guards gave an Allarum to the whole Army and put them all into form of Battle but nothing thereupon happened A Skirmish but only a Skirmish between the Christian Volontiers and the advanced Body the first of which being supported by some Regiments of Horse that party of the Enemy was forced to Retire and pass the Bridge The Duke of Mantoua at the Camp About this time Ferdinand Charles the third Duke of Mantoua being desirous to see and learn the Art of War mannaged by the first and bravest Captains of the World left the Air and pleasant Places and Gardens of Italy to observe the Martial exploits acted in the more gross Air of Hungary and being attended with an Equipage agreeable he enter'd the Christian Camp about the beginning of the Month of August where he was received by the Duke of Loraine the Elector of Bavaria and the other Generals with all the marks and demonstrations of Respect and Honour due to a Prince of such Sublime Birth and Dignity As the Christian Army retreated the Turks advanced supposing that the Retreat was an assured evidence of their weakness The Duke of Loraine was amazed and glad to observe this confidence in the Turk whom he had for a long time endeavoured to allure and decoy into a Battle of which there was a kind of a necessity at present A necessity to Fight for the gross Air of that Season became very pernicious to Bodies not accustomed to that Climate so that the Army began to grow Sickly and wanting Forage which was necessary to be supplied it was procured with a daily loss of Men taken or killed by the Enemy by which an Army worthy of higher Enterprises was in danger of being destroyed without Fighting or Action It was therefore concluded necessary to Fight of which there appear'd great hopes from the forwardness of the Enemy who animated with the March of the Christian Army pursued after them The Duke of Lorain intending to draw the Enemy after him carried away all the Provisions in Boats up the Stream to Sertio and set Fire to the Town of Mohatz destroying all the subsistence round the Country and intending to do the like by Siklos and Quinque Ecclesiae Letters were dispatched by a certain Captain to the Governours of those places to convey away all the Provision and Ammunition they were able from those parts and afterward to consume the Towns and remaining Goods with Fire But by the Providence and direction of God Almighty it so happened that this Captain being taken and his Letters intercepted he was brought to be examined before the Grand Vizier and his Papers being read and considered at a Council of War called for that purpose It was unanimously concluded that this Resolution to burn those Towns was a certain evidence of the weakness of the Christian Army and therefore that not to omit The Turks resolve to Fight and pass by so favourable an opportunity of gaining an entire Victory it was resolved to come to a Battle with the Christians and to that end the whole Turkish Army marched towards Siklos and pitched in an open Country not far distant from the Town through which the Imperial Army was of necessity to pass and there they opened some new Trenches and raised Works of some considerable defence After that Mohatz was burnt the Imperialists in order of Battle took their March towards Siklos not without some loss sustained by the Foragers who wander'd at too far a distance without due caution or regard had to the near encampment of the Enemy The Imperialists likewise continued their March The day following Count Stirum advanced before with his Guards and Scouts as did all the Quarter-masters and Foragers between whom and some Troops of Tartars a furious Skirmish happened within Trees and Boscage which continued a long time with mutual loss on both sides which fell most severly on the Regiment of Lodron The Duke of Loraine finding himself to draw near to the Enemy caused the right Wing commanded by himself to make a Halt under the Mount of Arschan and the left Wing commanded by the Elector of Bavaria to make a stand on a rising Ground near Baraniovar not more than an hour's March from the Enemy Several Skirmishes where Six thousand of the Enemies Horse made an attack on some of the Imperial Troops as others of them did on the Rear-guard commanded by the Elector of Bavaria which Skirmishes took up some hours time The same day the Prince of Comercy with Twelve hundred Horse was commanded out to cover the Foragers but he was not far advanced before he returned with advice that the Enemy with the gross of their Army both of Horse and Foot had raised their Camp and had posted themselves in a nearer and more advantagious place This News was confirmed by a Grecian youth of Retimo taken Captive by the Turks in Candia August who having made his escape reported That the Turkish Army consisted of Eighty thousand fighting Men The Turkish Army appears of which there were Twenty five thousand Janisaries and with the Attendants and Servants they might make up in all the Number of One hundred and twenty thousand persons And accordingly that Evening three Encampments appear'd consisting of three very great Bodies The next day being the 12th of August the Duke of Lorain having disposed his Affairs in a Military posture against all accidents and
an Army of 10.000 Foot and 4000 Horse and that a Reserve of 5000 Foot more and 1000 Horse lay quartered about five Italian Miles from thence The Gallies within the Gulf made great Triumph with their Flags and Streamers and made themselves Masters of Fourteen Galiots or Brigantines which had long served for Capers or Picaroons to Rob and Plunder in those Seas This Success enlivening the Spirits of the Christians it was resolved at a Council of War to March by the side of the Hill to attempt the Seraskier's Camp as a way the least incommoded by the Enemy's Cannon and where was place sufficient to draw up the Battalions in good order In pursuance of this Resolution on the 24th of July by break of day General Konismark drew up the Army and disposed them in order of Battle and advanced boldly on the Enemy who consisted of Ten thousand Foot and Four thousand Horse And in the mean time the Captain General with some light Vessels directed the Galeasses Konismark draws up the Army to destroy a Battery of the Enemy erected near the Sea-side and to drive out of a Trench two Troops of Turkish Horse a Marine Regiment was landed under Command of Captain Negro who in a short time made themselves Masters of the Battery on which were divers Pieces of Cannon two whereof were of Brass The Seraskier enraged at the loss of these places and seeing the Enemies Troops advance upon him feared to be assaulted in the Rear or surprized in their Trenches to prevent which he made a Detachment of some of his best Troops to meet the Enemy and Skirmish with them in which Action thô the Turks seemingly shewed Resolution yet they did it in that loose manner running at first as it were on the Face of the Enemy and then turning their Backs as if they designed thereby to disturb the good Order of the Christians who still maintained and kept their Ranks with a Regular steddiness and still advanced forward to come unto their desired Engagement At length about three a Clock in the After-noon the Turks began to Skirmish with a Battalion Commanded by Colonel Ceclina A Fight who so well behaved themselves that they put the Enemy to Flight Which when the Seraskier observed he gave out the Signal for the whole Army to Engage and to Charge the Christians both in the Front and in the Flank trusting to his Troops which were much Superiour in number to their Enemies Their first attack was with the usual Cry of Alah Alah accompanied with the Vollies of all their Small-shot after which they fell furiously on with their Scemyters in their Hands The first Fire was received and sustained by the Germans flanked by the Croatian Cavalry of the left Wing without moving the least Step backwards and particularly by the old Veterane Regiments of Brunswick who according to their usual Bravery repulsed the Enemy with continued Vollies of Shot and the Cavalry under Command of that renowned Captain the Marquis of Corbon so vigorously seconded the Foot that the Turks began to give Way and Retreat and soon afterwards to betake themselves to a shameful Flight The Christians were very eager to pursue the flying Enemy The Turks defeated but the General Konismark suspecting some treacherous Ambuscade gave a stop to the Valiant Heat of his Army At the same time the Captain General took this opportunity to Command Captain Negro with his Battalions to advance to the bottom of the Gulf of Lepanto from whence all the Forces both of the Fleet and the Land Soldiers giving a loud Shout put the Turks into such a Consternation that they abandoned all their Works raised at the bottom of the Gulf and giving Fire first to their Magazine of Powder and Ammunition they followed the Example of their flying Seraskier or General In this manner by the Blessing of the Divine Providence this strong Fortress of Patras fell into the Hands of the Venetians Patras taken which in former times had withstood numerous Armies of the Turks In ancient days Emanuel Emperor of the Greeks finding himself not in a Condition to defend this place against the prosperous and the then successful Arms of the Turks resigned it into the Hands of the Venetians to be defended by them who so well fortified the place with such Works and Cannon that the Turks laying Siege thereunto in the year 1465 were able to avail nothing but afterwards returning with a more powerful and invincible Army in the year 1496 and laying Siege to the place after a long and valorous defence was forced to yield it self to the power of the Turk in whose Hands it hath ever remained until this year of 1687 when it yielded it self to the Victorious Arms of the Evangelist St. Mark So soon as the News hereof came to the knowledge of the Captain General he immediately weighed Anchor and by break of Day in the Morning Sailed with his whole Fleet under the Castle of Rumelia where he found Mahomet Pasha Encamped with Six thousand Men. This Surprize was so sudden that the Turks having no time to consult or send for other Succours or Auxiliaries with great Precipitation betook themselves to a shameful Flight giving Fire in the first place to all their Magazine of Powder Mahoment Pasha put to Flight the force of which shook down a great part of that Wall which looks towards the Sea Upon these Successes the Captain General following the Air of his good Fortune Commanded all the Fleet to bring their Chase-guns on the Head of their Ships and Gallies to bear on the Fortress of Lepanto which was a most admirable Structure and so strong that in ancient times it had ruined those Armies and Fleets which had made Attacks upon it The Fort of Lepanto battered But now the Fortune of the Turks being changed and therewith their Spirits sunk and grown low they were not able to sustain the shot of the Venetians but taking whatsoever with them that they could carry on their Backs and Shoulders they abandoned the place leaving a free access and entrance thereinto at the pleasure and will of their Enemies Thus did the Venetians in less than Twenty four hours time erect their Flag on four several strong Fortresses with little damage on their side The Seraskier Flies to Corinth but with considerable slaughter of the Turks and loss of the greatest part of the Baggage Ammunition and Tents in their Camp from whence the Seraskier marched with great fear and hast to Corinth In these four places the Venetians took Sixty Pieces of Cannon most of them of Brass with eight Pieces in the Camp of the Seraskier and other six from the Camp of Mustapha Pasha with great Stores of Provisions of all sorts The News of this happy Success was dispatched to Venice with all diligence by Sergeant Major Nicolo Rossi who embarked on a Feluca belonging to the State and happily arrived at that City on a
eighteen hundred Men to ruine certain Powder-Mills pursu'd after him with four thousand Horse and had the fortune to attack him A Fight between Count Strazoldâ— and Colonel Josua just at the time that he was thinking to draw off Howsoever Josua according to his usual Bravery Charg'd the Enemy and Disputed the Fight for several hours until at length having his Horse kill'd under him he was forc'd to retreat which he did in good Order being again re-mounted tho' he was much incommoded by a Wound which he had receiv'd in this Engagement Col. Josua revenges himself But soon after this loss Colonel Josua to revenge himself taking the Opportunity whilst General Dunewald who Commanded in the Place of Count Lesley then lying Sick at Cassovia was in his Quarters surpriz'd two hundred Men belonging to those Recruits which were brought out of Silesia and cut them to pieces allowing Quarter unto none but only to a Lieutenant and four other Officers Thus when the Imperialists observ'd the ill Successes which daily for the most part attended the War they began again to change their Measures and to esteem Peace much more eligible than an unfortunate War And notwithstanding the late refusal to grant any thing that was formerly offer'd the Emperor was resolv'd now to condescend unto any thing that the Malecontents should demand The Emperor makes new Offers to the Malecontents and that no heavier burdens should be laid upon them than such Taxes and Duties only as were imposed on the Subjects of his Hereditary Countries Count Lesley being recover'd of his Indisposition found an Opportunity to Discourse these Matters Personally with Colonel Josua and so affected him with the Justice and Reasonableness of the Propositions that being absolutely convinc'd how much a Peace made on such Conditions was to be preferr'd before a War in Conjuncton with the Turks Col. Josua falls off to the Emperor he Wrote unto Tekeli signifying his full and entire satisfaction in what was offer'd by the Emperor and that those Conditions were a sufficient ground for a secure and a lasting Peace But the Answer hereunto was retarded by reason of a Plague which beginning to rage at Vienna A Plague at Vienna caus'd the Imperial Court to remove thence with much fear and hast unto Prague and the Negotiation being then laid aside for some Months afterwards time had so alter'd the state of things that neither the Emperor was willing to stand to the former Offers nor the Malecontents to receive them Howsoever Colonel Josua remain'd firm and fix'd to his point and upon a Pardon granted to him in ample form and manner he took a New Oath of Fidelity to the Emperor and engag'd his own Troops to follow him in his Dutiful Allegiance Col. Josua gives Testimonies of his Loyalty and that he might give some undoubted Testimonies of his true Conversion by some Acts of Loyalty and Bravery he perswaded Semey the Governour of Tourna to Surrender up the Castle and adhere unto the Cause and Interest of the Emperor And afterwards Enterprizing farther with a Party of his own Horse he unfortunately fell into an Ambuscade which a Famous Officer of Tekeli's had prepar'd for him After which escaping to a small Fortress not far from thence he defended himself therein for the space of two days and being not able longer to maintain the place he with much boldness set fire to the Powder and blew himself up His death with all thereunto belonging And thus this Valiant one ended his days whose Humor was much more agreeable to a Soldier than a Friar and better fitted for a Camp than a Monastery Nor did the Pestilence only Rage within the Emperor's Dominions A Plague at Newhawsel but the Infection dispersed it self with such violence and rage within the Territories of the Turks that five hundred Families fled out of Newhawsel to breath in a more free and healthful Air but scarce were they remov'd a League from the Garrison before they were surpriz'd by a party of five hundred Hussars and Heydukes who kill'd some of them The People forsake the Town and are cut off and pillag'd and robbed the others of all the Goods and Monies which remain'd to them for a poor support and maintenance of Life Such was the unhappy State of that miserable Kingdom where Men could neither be secure within the Walls of their fortified Towns nor permitted to breath in the open air of the Country but whilst they fly from the Judgments of God they fall into the cruel hands of merciless Men. The Poles and Moscovites send an Embassie to the Emperor And yet notwithstanding these daily provocations given the Turk I know not by what Fate the Emperor was of Opinion that it was still possible so to salve up Matters with the Grand Seignior that a War might be avoided Upon which Opinion and Conceit so deeply rooted and fix'd in the Imperial Councils the Emperor refus'd to joyn with the Moscovites and Poles in a League offensive and defensive against the Common Enemy There had been of late a great talk in the World of a Peace concluding between the Turks and the Moscovites The Moscovites send an Ambassador into Poland grounded upon an Embassie which the latter had dispatch'd to Constantinople when at the same time another Ambassador was sent by them into Poland and there Treating with that King to enter into a League offensive and defensive with them offering to defray a great part of the Charge of the War provided that the Armies of the two Nations might joyn and act together in the next Campaign The Poles neither seem'd to accept nor refuse the Offer but referr'd the Agreement and Conclusion to the ensuing Diet. And another Ambassador to Constantinople In the mean time another Ambassador of theirs arriv'd at the Port to try and discover the intentions of the Turk towards them The Grand Vizier who had already been advis'd of their Embassies dispatched into Poland and Germany was desirous to discover the substance and intent of the Message before he would admit the Ambassador to his Audience to get a knowledge whereof he employ'd some Grave Kaloires or Greek Monks for whom he knew the Moscovites had great reverence and respect to fish out if possible the meaning and purport of the Commission Their Negotiations with the Turk but the Ambassador kept his Business secret and with some Indignation told the Kaloires that the Embassie from the Czar his Master was not to them but to the Grand Seignior and that the substance of his Business was contain'd in the Letter which he hop'd to present unto the Sultan with his own hands When the Letter was opened and read the Contents thereof was to this purpose That the Great Czar of Moscovie did offer to make Peace with the Grand Seignior provided that the Turks would Surrender Czechrim unto him with all the other Places in the Ukraine which
and eighty Christians On the 7th the Centinel 7th that was placed on the top of the Steeple of St. Stephens gave notice about five a Clock in the morning that he discovered a great Smoak arising on the farther side of the Danube which continued until eight that Morning and afterwards vanished the Governour rightly conjectur'd that the Smoak was caused by some Fight between the Christians and Turks The truth of which was the next day brought by a Rascian who was of that Province which produces excellent Spies and he related That the Turks having detached a Party of about Three thousand Horse to make a Discovery of the State of the Duke of Loraine's Camp and see what numbers were come in from Saxony Suabia and Franconia Upon advices of their March an Ambuscade was laid for them into which they unwarily falling the greatest part of them were slain and an Aga and Tekeli's Secretary an Hungarian Count were made Prisoners A Party of Turks defeated And also That they had taken many of the Enemies Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provisions and that upon this Success divers of the Malecontents had deserted their Party and were gone unto the Emperor The same day the Turks Sprang a Mine on the side of the Lobel Bastion which reversed on themselves with the same loss and hurt which they design'd for the Christians 8th On the 8th the Christians thunder'd their Cannon from the Curtain of the Carinthian Bulwark which ruined some of the Works of the Besiegers and Dismounted their Cannon Howsoever the same Day the Turks Sprang a Mine just at the Point of the Court Bastion by which twenty three Christians were killed But what in this matter is strange and worthy to be remembred a certain Gunner was tossed up into the Air by force of this Mine and thrown into the Ditch of the Town without any hurt to the great wonder of all those who were Spectators thereof The Turks seconded the Mine with an Assault and began to remove the Earth under the Ravelin and to cover the Galleries with Beams and Earth by which they descended into the great Ditch without receiving any damage either by Cannon or Granados so that the Governour judging it impossible to defend that Ravelin A Sally from the Town caused the Cannon to be withdrawn from thence Howsoever the Counts of Daun and Souches the Governour being Sick of a Dyssentery made a Sally that Night at the Head of Three hundred Men and Charged the Enemy so Vigorously that they drove them out of their Galleries and burnt all their Works 9th On the 9th the Turks fired a Mine on the side of the Ravelin which killed five Soldiers and over-turned some Palisadoes but a greater damage was thereby done to the Turks who by a reverse lost Thirty two of their own Men and the Palisadoes were again repaired in the Night 10th On the 10th a strong Party of Horse under the Command of the Count Saraâ— their Colonel defeated Two thousand Malecontents bâ—â—onging to Bâ—diani near Fristenfelden A 〈◊〉 of Turks and Maâ—â—contents dâ—feated killed Four hundred and eighty upon the place took above Three hundred Prisoners with five Colours In like manner a Party of Germans belonging to the Garrison of Raab under Colonel Heisler meeting with a Body of Turks and Tekelites near Altemberg which were Convoying Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provisions to the Turkish Camp before Vienna Charged them so furiously that they totally Defeated them and put them to Flight and in the Pursuit killed them with great Slaughter an Hundred and eighty Waggons were taken but those which were laden with Powder and Fire works were blown up rather than they should become a Prey to the Enemy and be made use of against themselves The same Day the Turks Sprang a Mine at the Point of the Lobel Bastion which tossed three Christian Soldiers into the Air and set them down again in the same place upon their Legs without any hurt But it proved of much greater mischief to the Turks by its reverse upon themselves All that Day many Cannon shot were fired on both sides and the Besieged threw many Bombs out of their Morter-pieces into the Enemies Trenches which did considerable Execution The Scholars of the University in Vienna whose Motto might be Tam Marti quà m Mercurio finding this no time for Books apply'd their Minds to the War for preservation of their Lives City and Christian Religion against the Common Enemy of the Faith And forming themselves into a Body The Scholars and Merchants become Soldiers made two or three very good Companies The Merchants also of the Society of Netherlanders following their Example raised a Company of Two hundred and eighty Men all Armed with Fire-locks which they maintained at their own cost and charge and being used in their Common exercises to shoot with Guns they became excellent Marks-men and from the upper Rooms of the Emperor's Palace where they were commonly Quarter'd they did good Service annoying the Turks greatly with their Shot nor were the Scholars less expert than the Merchants for one of them having shot a Janisary dead with his Musquet he drew his Body within the Palisadoes with one of the long Hooks and cut off his Head which at the end of a Pike he carried through the City and having ript open his Stomach he found there six Ducats in Gold which he had swallowed supposing that part to be the most secure and the most private Purse free from the Robbery either of his Friends or Enemies It seems it was known afterwards that this was the Common way of Concealment of Gold amongst the Turkish Soldiers which when the Imperialists discover'd they made it a common practice to dive into the Entrails of as many as they took Examining their Bowels like the antient Augurs who Inspected the inwards of Beasts to make their presages of good or bad Fortune 11th On the 11th the Turks Sprang two Mines without any great effect howsoever it served them for a Signal to make an Assualt but the Defendants making use of their smaller Guns or Field-pieces planted on the Walls charged with Chain and Partridge shot with Spars and pieces of old Iron which together with Hand-Granadoes made such a Slaughter amongst the Turks as caused them to Retire Howsoever Forty of the Defendants were killed and wounded 12th The next day the Turks about Noon fired another Mine which blew up one of the Flankers of the Ravelin with so much noise and thunder as gave an Allarum to the whole Town and caused the Officers who were than sat down at Table to arise and leave their Dinner to see what the matter was The Turks were ready hereupon to have made the Assault but finding that the Breach was not wide enough they retired again within their Trenches 13th Howsoever still continuing their Works they at length on this day blew up the whole Ravelin howsoever the
with their Cannon and blown up with their Mines The Grand Vizier hastning his March or rather his Flight for as we said before he actually Ran away and shamefully turned his Back with near 120.000 Fighting Men meditating as we may believe of the Disgrace The Grand Vizier complaining to the Grand Seignior against the Pasha of Buda Ruin and evil consequences of this Misfortune sought and endeavoured to clear his ill Conduct and want of Courage by casting it upon others as is common to the Nature of Mankind Accordingly he dispatched away a Letter to the Grand Seignior giving him an account of the unfortunate Success before Vienna caused by the Cowardise or Treachery of several great Officers and Generals of his Army Particularly he named the Vizier of Buda to whom having given command to Charge the Enemy with a Body of Twelve thousand Men as they descended the Hill of Kalemberg he and his Soldiers instead of obeying these Orders shamefully turned their Backs and put themselves unto Flight which when the rest of the Army saw they were struck with a common Consternation and Fear suggested to them to secure their safety by following the Example of their Fellow-Soldiers So the whole misfortune of the Day was attributed to the ill Conduct and Cowardise of the Vizier of Buda which was sent to the Grand Seignior then residing at Belgrade and in hourly expectation of better News The Vizier of Buda who had received Information by several Hands of the Discourses with which the Grand Vizier entertained all the Officers concerning him laying to his Charge the Loss and Ruin which had happened thought fit to disculpate and clear himself by a more faithful Relation of Matters in a Letter to the Grand Seignior The Vizer of Buda writes to the Grand Seignior wherein he set forth That by the unskilfullness of the Grand Vizier and his want of Resolution in Military Affairs this important matter had miscarried For had he fortify'd the Forest of Vienna and erected some few Redoubts on the descent of the Hill of Kalemberg the City by all the Force of the World could never have been Relieved Or had the Vizier spent that time which he employ'd in sinking Vaults and Caves for shelter in bold Storms and Attempts thô with loss of half the Army the importance of the place and the consequences of the Success would have largely paid for the effusion of Blood but using unnecessary cautions of Mines and formal Approaches by which he hoped to have constrained the City to Surrender upon Articles and hereby assumed to himself the Riches and Plunder of the place which taken in Heat of Blood and by Dint of Sword would have become the Prey and Booty of the Soldiery he gave occasion to such delays as served the Christian Army and turned to the Ruin and Miscarriage of this whole Enterprise The Grand Vizier Strangles the Vizier of Buda and other Pashas The Grand Vizier being weary of such Complaints as these resolved to Sacrifice the Life of the Pasha of Buda to his own Folly and Destiny commanding him to be Strangled together with the Pashas of Essek and Possega and the Aga of the Janisaries great Friends and Confidents of the Vizier of Buda and the best and most experienced Officers of the whole Army with above Fifty Officers and Soldiers more whom he accused of Cowardise but this Execution of Justice as they call it could not secure his own Life but rather furnished his Enemies at Court such as the Kuzlir Aga and others with instances wherewith to aggravate his Crimes to the Grand Seignior and indeed there now offer'd a surprising occasion to wreak their Malice on the Vizier since it is almost impossible for a Man to be unfortunate and yet to be estemed Innocent Nor did the Vizier escape clear with the remainder of his shatter'd Army to Buda for being Attacked in the Rear by the Garrison of Raab he lost Six hundred Men more Howsoever he proceeded in his March and Reinforced the Garrisons of Newhausel and Strigonium The Death of these Pashas by which the Vizier hoped to have saved his own Life raised such Mutiny amongst the Turks Mutiny in the Turkish Army as caused a greater Fluctuation of Rage in the Minds of the Soldiery than they had lately endured of Fear from the Enemy between which two Passions there was nothing but Confusion Discontent and Discouragement in the whole Army For the Pasha of Buda was popular and well beloved by the Soldiery and esteemed the most Martial Man in the whole Camp And the Aga or General of the Janisaries was so well affected by that Militia that they highly resented his Death for at no time much less in this can they endure to have their General punished or cut off unless it be by themselves and in their own Mutinies In this confusion were the Turks when the Chief Captains of the Christian Army consider'd A Council of War that the present Relief of Vienna would be of little benefit to the Christian Empire unless the Victory were pursued and improved by succeeding Enterprises All the Princes and Commanders agreed hereunto except the Elector of Saxony who as we have said before return'd home and wisely judged that the Turks having made a Retreat with a Body of near 120.000 Men entire and whole they might reasonably be expected the next year to return again unto the Siege unless advantage were taken of their present Consternation to break and confound them beyond a possibility of Recovery At this Council it was proposed to Besiege Newhausel or Gran and for enlargement of Winter-quarters and Annoyance of Buda and Gran that Pest and Barcan should be taken In fine after some debate it was concluded That nothing could be resolved at present concerning the manner of Proceedings for that the Actions of War were to be regulated according to the Motions of the Enemy but that something was to be undertaken speedily whilst the Iron was hot and the Spirits of the Turks cold and still under their late Consternation The King of Poland being of the same Mind Commanded his Troops to advance towards Presbourg which on the 18th Encamped near Ficken together with the Imperial Forces and came thither on the 19th where they were forced to continue until the 25th for want of a Bridge which could not be finished until that time Tekeli sends a Letter to the King of Poland Whilst the Bridge was framing and the Army detained on the Banks of the River a Messenger from Tekeli brought a Letter to the King of Poland containing certain Proposals in order to an Accommodation The King having received a Character of Tekeli to be a Man of Intrigue and False and who had frequently made Offers of Peace but never obserâ—ed any admitted his Messenger to Audience in a manner of Coldness and Jealousy and yet with respect due to the Person from whom he was sent But before he would
receive the Letter he asked Whether it was Dated before or since the Raising of the Siege of Vienna To which the Messenger making answer That it was Wrote two days before that Success The King thereupon Replied with an angry Frown Go said he and return the Letter to your Master again and tell him That he should correct and amend the Stile and change the Substance and Sense thereof according to the alteration of Times and Affairs Such is the force of Success and Prosperity of a Prince that so soon as the News of the Relief of Vienna was divulged in the Upper Hungary many Counties declared for the Emperor Some Cities Revolt and the Fortresses of Papa and Totis were the first to give Examples of Obedience and Duty to other Cities News also came at the same time that the Count of Budiani who upon the formidable appearance of the Turks Budiani changes his side had deserted the Post he maintained on the Passage over the Raab and had taken Party with the Malecontents and joyned with a Body of Turks and Hungarians and had Fought against the Imperial Troops and Burnt and Plunder'd several Villages on the Frontiers of Stiria Had now with the turn of Fortune changed his side and interest and having Surprised and Cut in pieces those very Turks with whom he was Associated had united his Forces with those of Count Aspremont and therewith troubled and infested the Turks in their Retreat The Bridge over the Danube being finished the Poles were the first to March over it into the Isle of Schultz and were followed by the Imperial Army But the Troops of Bavaria and Franconia remain'd still Encamped near Vienna for want of Orders to advance farther but Letters were sent to the Princes of that Circle to continue the Aid of their Forces for some farther design and a Messenger was dispatched to the Elector of Bavaria who by Reason of some indispotion of Health was advised by his Physitians to go to Brin for benefit of the Air which was esteemed more wholsom than that of Vienna But the year being now far advanced towards the end of September to stay for such Orders and the March of these Auxiliaries the Season would be too far spent to undertake any Action of great moment wherefore the King of Poland and the Duke of Loraine resolved to advance with their Army to Comorra without the Reinforcement of the Allies Being come to a place called Wismar within an hours March of Comorra Advices were brought that Tekeli had dispeeded a Detachment from his Camp before Levents to Bergstadt that the Vizier was at Buda from whence he had Reinforced the Garrison of Newhausel with Four thousand Men but that in the Turkish Army were such Discontents caused by the late ill Successes and by the Cutting off of the Pasha of Buda and other great Men well affected by the Soldiery that there was nothing but Mutiny and Confusion in the Camp Upon this Intelligence it was resolved at a Council of War to attempt Gran Resolved to Besiege Gran. and which to make the more Feasible it was concluded necessary in the first place to take the Fortress of Barcan which is a Palanca opposite to that City and covers the Foot of the Bridge over the Danube which makes a Communication between the two places By this time Four thousand Swedish Infantry and One thousand Horse with some other Auxiliaries which by reason of the distance of the places from whence they came could not Arrive in time to partake in the Honour of relieving Vienna were all sent with what expedition was possible down the Danube to Reinforce the Army which was thereby become more numerous and flourishing than before the Fight at Vienna The first to pass that Arm of the Danube which is called the Waag was the King of Poland with his Army which was the work of the 4th and 5th of Octob. the Imperial Cavalry followed The Christians pasâ— the River but the Foot could not pass the same day The 6th they Marched to Mose two Leagues distant from Comorra where Count Staremberg had Orders to March the Foot and on the 7th to joyn the Army which would stay and attend them at that place But the King of Poland impatient of delay contrary to expectation immediately mounted on Horseback and sent to advise the Duke of Loraine that he was Marching towards Barcan The Poles advance before the Imperialists The Duke being surprised at this suddain Resolution returned Count Dunewald to his Majesty to represent unto him the necessity of taking the Foot with them and the danger of dividing the Army in a place so near to the Enemies Quarters being between the Turks on the one side and the Malecontents on the other But the King being already mounted on Horse-back when Dunewaldt came to him he answered That he knew no Reason which might cause him to defer his Proceedings having certain Intelligence that the Detachment of the Turks near Barcan was very inconsiderable and desired that no time should be omitted in following with the rest of the Army The Duke leaving only a Regiment of Cravats to support the Infantry Marched away with all the Horse to attend the Poles The King being come within an hour's March of Barcan understood from the advanced Troops of his Van-guard that they were in sight of some Squadrons of the Enemy which they having orders to Charge the Turks gave ground but being supported by a greater Body the Van was forced to Retreat to Succour and Support which other Troops were commanded to Charge the Enemy and at length the King in Person with all his Cavalry was engaged The Turks who until now had concealed Seven or eight thousand Men under covert of a Hill began to appear and Sallying forth The Poles put to Flight Charged the Poles both in the Front and Rear with such Bravery as that they killed Two hundred of them with the Palatine of Pomerania and put the rest unto Flight taking several of their Colours Kettle-drums and some Baggage Count Dunewaldt who had Marched with the King of Poland observing the Skirmish of the first Troops sent to advise the Duke of Loraine that the Poles were Engaged with the Turks upon which News he hastned his March with all the diligence that was possible and having passed certain narrow Ways and Bushes he espied at the opening of the Plain the Turks in hot pursuit of the Poles At the sight whereof he immediately took care to draw up his advanced Troops into Battalia and gave order to Prince Lewis of Baden to do the like with those Marching in the Rear The appearance of the German Regiments which stood firm and entire before the face of the Turks caused them to desist from their pursuit and to return under Barcan The Duke of Loraine thought not fit to follow them that Day but rather to Rally and Fortify the Poles and to enquire after the
leaving behind them all the Artillery and Ammunition belonging to the Place The Casâ—lâ— is also surrendred The Soldiers were no more than Six hundred in all who were transported in Boats into the Island of St. Andrew's to pass from thence to Walt In the Castle were only six Pieces of Cannon on four of which were the Arms of the Emperor Rodolfus the Provisions and Ammunition also was very small and inconsiderable which might be the true Cause of this sudden Surrender for otherwise the Castle was very capable of making a longer Defence As things were passing in this manner before Vice grade News was brought to the Duke of Loraine The Turks fall on the Baggage before Gran. that the Turks had made an attempt on the Baggage which lay under Command of the Guns at Gran and that the Regiment of Rabata had been worsted upon which News the Duke of Neuburg with his Horse took the Allarum and hastned to their Assistance and was followed also by the Duke of Loraine but in their way thither they received Letters that the Dispute was already decided in favour of the Christians for thô they lost Eighty Men which were killed together with Major General Hailewell who was run through the Body in two places with a Lance and Baron de Kery with a Lieutenant of the Regiment of Taff yet the Turks having at length been beaten out of the Field in disorder and with a loss of One hundred and twelve Men which lay dead in the Field Are put to flight the Victory clearly appeared in favour of the Christians Count Rabata Nephew to the General of that Name was taken Prisoner but was afterwards rescued by two Horsemen whom he well Rewarded for that great Service The Death of Major General Hailewell a Soldier of long Experience and undaunted Courage being lamented with such Grief and Sorrow as Soldiers usually express in the time of War for each other The Duke of Loraine supplied Vice-grade with a Garrison of Five hundred Men out of the Regiment of the Duke of Neuburg the Command whereof was given to the Baron d Ambouche Sergeant Major of that Regiment The Duke of Loraine having refreshed his Army for some short time near unto Gran until the Troops were come from Vice-grade he raised his Camp on the 20th of June and traversed the Danube over the Bridge at Strigonium and by next Day in the Evening the whole Army Cannon Baggage and every thing being passed over they continued their March towards Pest where the Recruits of the Silesian Forces were expected The March thither was difficult through Woods and narrow Places so that on the 27th they encamped near Witzen in sight of Fifteen thousand Turks under the Command of ten Pashaes and Eight thousand Tartars with their Officers A Fight near Witzen who were drawn up in Battalia on the side of a Hill the Access unto which was very difficult over Rocks and Bushes and broaken Ways On their right Wing they had the Danube and on the left a Bog or Morasse the Imperialists immediately upon this appearance put themselves into a Posture of Battle with as much speed as the difficulty of the Place would permit having their right Wing towards the Danube and their left towards the Mountain extending very largely their Front they marched close and slow to pass the rough and broaken Ways which thô the Turks defended with four Pieces of Cannon yet Prince Lewis of Baden forced through as did also Count Staremberg and gained the Pass bringing some Pieces of Cannon to make good their Post The Turks began now to move and to charge the Regiment of Taff which was in the middle of the Line with their usual Cries of Ala Ala The Duke of Loraine who was in that part of the Army which was the middle so as to be more ready to relieve those Troops which he perceived most in distress had his Horse killed under him by a Pistol-shot as had also two other Cavaliers who road near his Person but they being again remounted the Christian Troops moved with a regular Order keeping themselves close and firm like a mighty Wall The Turks charged them three times endeavouring to break into their Body but being every time repulsed with some loss they began to give way and to retreat but Rallying again they made another Charge but failing in the Attempt and not able to break into the Enemies Ranks the Christians pressed them so hard and put them into such Disorder The Turke are defeated that they fled and trampled one upon the other leaving their Cannon and the Janisaries which guarded them to shift for themselves who being surrounded with several Regiments were all cut to pieces In this Battle about Six or Seven hundred Janisaries were killed great numbers endeavouring to swim over to the other side were drowned in the Danube and about Three hundred Prisoners were taken The Turkish Cavalry for the most part saved themselves in Pest by the swiftness of their Horses which thô not so strong in Battle as the German yet more nimble and useful in Flight There were no more than six Pieces of Cannon taken without other Spoyl either of Tents or Baggage for this Force being only a Detachment sent from Buda to give some Interruption and stop to the Progress of the Enemy they carried no Incumbrances with them which commonly cause Camps to move slowly The Garrison of the Fortress of Witzem beholding from the top of the Castle the Success of this Fight were put into such Consternation that upon Summons from Count Schaffemberg they surrendred without Terms or Conditions but at Discretion all the Persons therein to the number of Fifteen Hundred were made Captives and put into the Emperor's Gallies which row on the Danube for the Service of the Army The Duke of Loraine having in this manner secured the Passes which obstructed the Navigation of the Danube he caused the whole Army to march towards Pest and upon the 30th of June he encamped about three English Miles distant from that City over which in the Evening about Sun-set appeared a great Fire and Smoak which was judged to arise from the Town Pest set on Fire by the Turks and that the Turks themselves intended to Burn it to the ground By break of Day in the Morning the Duke mounting on Horse-back at the head of his Cavalry ordering the Foot to follow him at leisure he approached near the Walls and gave orders to a Detachment of Dragoons to make discovery of the State and Condition of the place which was soon found to have been set on Fire and abandoned by the Turks only a few remained who had not time with the rest to pack up their Baggage and be gon these endeavouring to make some little Opposition were killed and three Colours taken those who escaped fled over the Bridge and broak off Fifty of the Boats to prevent the Pursuit of the Enemy which
assaied on all sides but being found unpassable the Generals feigned a kind of fear and unwillingness to Engage in expectation thereby to draw the Enemy to remove so that raising their Camp as if they had feared a Battle the Turks carried on by their own Destiny followed after them leaving the place of a more advantagious Ground The Christians retreating at the distance of an hour's march The Christians Retreat drew up in the Form and Order before mentioned extending their left Wing towards the Danube and their right towards the Hills of Saran The Seraskier animated with this Retreat as if it had been caused by his more formidable Force which much exceeded the Christians in their numbers And are followed by the Turks raised his Camp and followed the motion of the Christians and leaving a great part of the Infantry with the heavy Cannon behind on the rising of the Hill on the 15th and 16th Instant he passed the moorish Ground and marched towards the Enemy At break of Day in Morning so great a Fog or Mist arose that for some hours neither Army could discover the motions of the other during which time the Christians had the advantage to draw up their Army undiscerned into a posture of Battle and to reinforce the left Wing with some Regiments which were not as yet disposed No sooner was the Army drawn up in its due Order than the Fog dispersed and a bright Day appeared which showed the two Armies each to the other both moving with a slow and regular Pace to joyn Battle The Turks who are of the more fiery and fierce Temper A Battle begun caused their left Wing to March with some hast to charge the right Wing of the Christians upon which they three times made an Attempt but the Germans who stood firm and unshaken like a Rock three times repulsed them with great Slaughter The Duke of Loraine perceiving that the Turks pressed the right Wing with their main force caused his left Wing to move with a slow pace to their Succour The German Foot were conducted by their Captains at the head of their respective Companies with their Artillery in the Front which being charged with Musquet-bullets were fired upon them so opportunely and seconded by Vollies of small Shot that the Turks began to draw back at some distance The Seraskier observing the disorder of his left Wing advanced with a strong Body of Turks to charge the utmost part of the right Wing of the Christians to sustain which the Duke of Loraine redoubled the firing of the first Line and commanded Count Dunewald to reinforce the first Line with such Squadrons and Battalions of the second Line as were nearest unto it The Elector of Bavaria coming at the same time to their Assistance put the Turks into a disorder and confusion and afterwards forced them to make a Retreat and draw a little off The Hungarian Troops which were accustomed to the Turkish manner of Fighting were order'd to charge them in the Rear which having done they wheel'd about and made a stand So soon as the Turks were out of reach of the German Musquets they rallied again and made another Charge as furiously as they had done the first but the Imperialists maintaining their Ground and not giving one Foot backwards many principal Officers amongst the Turks fell in this Charge at the head of their Squadrons which caused a second Disorder amongst them and to turn their Backs and being pursued slowly by some Troops which continually fired upon them they were put to the rout and fled The Turks defeated The right Wing of the Turks observing the Disorder of the left wheel'd about towards that side not only to Succour the flying Party but to joyn with them to make a second Effort and tryal of their Fortune To this Purpose a considerable Detachment advanced to charge the Christians in the Flank but being repulsed the whole Army was put to flight and being pursued by the Hungarians Croats and some Troops of Dragoons fear so possessed many of them that they took their Way without any consideration over the Moorish or Fenny Grounds where sinking up to their Middles in the Water and their Horses plunging in the Boggy places above Two thousand Men were lost and perished in the Quag-mires In the mean time the right Wing of the Christian Army having knowledge of the Passage over the Marsh by the Turks who led them the Way pursued them beyond the soft Ground and perceiving that the Turks began to rally on the top of the Hill where they had left their Cannon with some Chambers of their Janisaries they made a stand until the Duke of Bavaria was come up with the left Wing So soon as these two Bodies were joyned on the other side of the Moorish Ground the Turks durst not stand another shock but leaving their Camp Tents Cannon Baggage and Ammunition they all betook themselves to a shameful flight Such was the general Fear and Consternation amongst them that they fled by three several Ways and the Janisaries to Revenge themselves on the Spahees for exposing and abandoning them upon the Hill killed many of them to get their Horses Thô the Turks in the first Action did not lose above Four thousand Men yet double the Number perished in the Fenny Ground and in the Pursuit the Seraskier himself was wounded and Osman Pasha of Gran Cairo and two other Pashas were killed The Christians lost not above Two hundred Men and took but few Prisoners because that giving Quarter was almost out of Fashion The Loss which the Turks sustained The Pursuit continued not far by reason that the Turkish Horse were more nimble than the Christian and fled to Buda and Alba Regalis the Foot saved themselves in the Woods and in the Mountains Howsoever afterwards in more cool Bloud many were hunted out who had layn hid amongst the Reeds and Ofiers which grew in the wet and marshy Grounds so that about Four hundred Prisoners might be taken and many Christian Slaves obtained their Freedom The Turks lost Thirty eight Colours Twenty three Pieces of Cannon two Mortars and great store of all sorts of Ammunition After the Battle was ended Te Deum was sung and Thanks publickly render'd in the Camp to Almighty God for so signal a Victory and the Prince of Neuburg was dispatched with all diligence to render an account unto the Emperor of the happy Success of that fortunate Day Whilst the Turks were engaged in Battle and their Army routed and totally defeated their Garrison in Newhausel declined and the Besiegers daily advanced upon them The Galleries were again refitted and repaired and the Soldiers lodged at the Foot of the Breach All things ready for an Assault upon Newhausel so that all things were ready for a general Assault only Count Caprara thought fit to demand first the Orders of the Duke of Loraine not knowing whether he might be desirous to be
in regard the Country was so wasted and destroyed by the War that it yielded neither Food for Men nor Forage almost for Horses The same Day a Detachment was made of Five hundred Croats under the Command of an Officer to Invest Michalowitz which upon the first Summons Surrender'd before the Body of the Army appeared without making any Terms or Conditions for their Liberty The Guard of this Fort was committed to the defence of Two hundred Foot and One hundred Heyduks and the Prisoners taken both Men Women and Children were secured in a Tower belonging to the Fortress After which the Army marched with all diligence towards Esseck Upon sight hereof the little Forts and Palancas on the way fired their Guns to Alarum the Country round about and passing by Carafina which is a Town fortified with strong Walls and a double Ditch the Turks Sallied forth with Horse and Foot and Skirmished with some of the Troops without any great hurt or damage on either side After three or four Days of hard march Lesly drew up his Forces on the 13th of the Month into order of Battle in the Plains of Esseck expecting to meet the Enemy in those Parts But finding no opposition they pitched their Tents and Hutts so much to advantage and which took up so much Ground as if they had contained an Army of at least 30.000 Men Soon afterwards a Thousand Turkish Horse came and took a view of the Camp with some Infantry marching in their Rear Whereupon the Army Commanded by Siaus Pasha drew out into order of Battle and marched softly against the Enemy who stood firm neither advancing nor retiring The Turks near Esseck defeated until the Christians were come within Musquet-shot and then they began to give Ground which the Croats perceiving fell upon both their Wings and gave them a total Rout and Defeat The Horse fled by the way of Belgrade but being hotly pursued by the Croats several of them were killed but the Foot found a nearer Refuge in the Town and Castle of Esseck The German Horse and Foot advanced still in good Order to the Suburbs of the Town which at the first Assault they took and Plunder'd and thence found an easy entrance into the City it self from whence the Turks had the Day before sent their Wives and Children by Water towards the Danube into which the Drave falls not far from the City Those who remain'd were with their Goods and Moveables retired into the Castle The City of Esseck is not very large but well peopled and well fortified and as I remember after the modern fashion it hath about Five hundred Shops belonging to Tradesmen Esseck and adorned with many Mosques and Caravasaries or Inns built for the Reception of Travellers which are commonly stately Structures It is very strange that this place which was esteemed so strong and well fortified by the Turks that they made it their Granary and Store-House for all sorts of Provisions for supply of those Parts of the Country should so easily be abandoned and opened to the Enemy which was capable of sustaining a Siege of many Months against an Army of far greater Force than that of Count Lesly's Taken by Count Lesly which did not exceed Six thousand Men especially being well provided with quantities of Rice Bread Bisket Salt and powder'd Flesh and with Barly and Oats all which served greatly to refresh and feed the Men and Horse of Count Lesly's Army which were languishing before for want of Victuals the ten Days Provisions which they had taken with them being almost consumed So soon as Lesly became Master of the Town Guards were set to oppose any Sally from the Castle whilst the Soldiers were Ransacking the Houses unto whom all the Plunder and Pillage was given In the mean time Count Lesly went to take a view of the Bridge like which there is none in the World and of which we have already given a Description in the former part of our History The River Drave is not very broad in this place there being only Sixteen Boats to sustain the Bridge which the Turks had broken down the Day before loosing them that they might drive down the Stream the Christians endeavoured to recover them the next day following but could not get aboard for want of smaller Boats nor could they for want of this Bridge pass over the Drave to burn the Bridge of Esseck which on that side is Eight thousand Paces long and all built of Oak 'T is true Money and good Rewards were offer'd to some French Soldiers of the Regiment of Erbeville who with certain Germans and Croats under-took to pass the River and burn a great part of the Bridge but the Boats on which they endeavoured to pass were so small and leaky that they sunk under them and saved themselves only by Swimming Howsoever That part of the Bridge which was on the Town side being Eleven hundred Paces in length was in a very short time reduced to Ashes Whilst these things were acting a Rumour was spread amongst the Soldiers that all the Riches of the Pasha and Moveables of value belonging to the Citizens were conserved within the Castle which so animated the Soldiers to make an Assault up it that Count Lesly could not restrain them from running the utmost hazard of Storming the place with open Force But whilst they were preparing Faggots and other combustible Matter to fix at the Gate which looks towards the City a furious Fite took in divers Houses caused by the Rabble of the Soldiers which burnt so violently by reason that all the Houses are built with Wood and the very Streets Planked with Boards and Timber Esseck burnt the Ground being a Clay and sort of Owsey Earth not capable of a Stony Pavement that there was no possibility to quench it or to Approach near to the Gate of the Castle on that side so that in a few hours the whole Town was utterly consumed Wherefore they fixed some artificial Fire to the other Gate on the Bridge side with which both the Gate and the Bridge burnt together without much offence to the Defendants within the Castle but rather the Fire and the Retrenchment made within served to secure them from an Assault Wherefore General Lesly thought fit not to Attempt any thing further upon the Castle but having left all the Town in Ruins he returned back the next Day to Turanowitz where he had left Two thousand Men to Guard and Secure the Baggage With the good News of this Success Prince Deichtrestein was dispatched to the Emperor and for Confirmation thereof he carried with him five Colours of the Fourteen which were taken from the Turks Whilst these matters were acting to the advancement and Glory of the Christian Arms General Schultz on the 19th of July Schultz before Esperies began to lay Siege to the Town of Esperies and by the 8th of August had formed all his Works Trenches and raised his
the Allegiance which he owed unto the Emperor but all proved nothing but a mere Plot Peterhasi relieves Cassovia and design to convey himself with Seven hundred Men into the Town The which having succeeded according to his desire the Defendants were greatly thereby Reinforced and animated to make a more Vigorous Resistance than could be expected For on the 8th the Besieged made a Sally and passed far within the Trenches and thô they were forced at length to Retire yet above Eighty Men were killed on both sides On the 14th Count Caprara Summoned the Town and received a fierce and disdainful Answer and the same Day three or four Sallies more were made in which many were Slain and amongst the rest the Prince of Wirtemberg with several other Persons of Quality In the mean time General Schultz took the Castles of Kalo Ibrano and Vihel belonging to Tekeli as the Generals Heusler and Mercy had done of all the small Places about Erla for better convenience and enlargement of Winter-quarters Count Caprara continued still to Batter the Town but with little effect in regard the Garrison within was strong and resolute And the differences which happen'd between General Schultz and Caprara were great obstructions to the Surrender of that place But at length an accommodation and good understanding being made between those two Generals Schultz came to the Siege and joyned his Army with that of Caprara with which united Force a vigorous Attack being made the City came to Terms of Treaty Cassovia surrendred and Surrender'd on the 25th Day of this Month of October Thus have we related the particulars of all the most Glorious Successes with which the Imperial Arms were blessed this Year in Hungary which We have done so Amply that we shall not need to add much more thereunto until we have given an Account of the Progress of the Venetian Arms which though very prosperous and considerable this Year in the Morea yet we thought not fit to interrupt the Story of the dreadful Wars in Hungary by a Digression to any other Action THE Venetian Successes AGAINST The TURKS 1685. WHILST the Morlaques retained in the Service of the Republick of Venice made frequent Incursions and Spoyls on the Turks in Dalmatia The Mainiotes who are another sort of People much like the Morlaques being animated with the Venetian Successes began to take up Arms against the Turks But for better understanding of what is to follow we will describe a little the Countries and Humours of these two People The Morlaques are a People who inhabit the Mountains of Croatia on that side which looks towards the Adriatick Sea In the Year 1647 the Pasha of Bosna and Tekeli The Morlaques Father or Grand-father of the famous Tekeli of these Times committed a Massacre upon many of these poor People at Knin in resentment whereof at the instance of a certain Priest called Stephen Horien who could mannage his Sword as well as his Crucifix wholly submitted themselves to the Venetians and desired to live under their Protection They receive no Pay from them but have the Reward of a Sequin which is Nine Shillings Six-pence English for the Head of every Turk which they bring to the Venetian Officers for Lucre of which they have made such constant Enterprises upon the Turks and such cruel Slaughters as have rendred them irreconcilable Enemies to the Port. They are a sort of Militia always on the Wing under no Discipline but their own encamp on the Plains but live with their Families in the Mountains avoiding the Licentiousness which much Conversation brings and the Luxury of Cities They have no Learning amongst them nor understand much what belongs to keeping Faith or Promises with an Enemy as appears by their dealing with the Turks of the Garrison of Clissa which in the Year 1648 having surrendred it self up to the Venetians on Capitulations as the Soldiers were marching out of the Town they fell upon them and killed Twelve hundred Men and not one of the rest had escaped had not the Venetian Officers interposed their Persons and Authority to save those who as yet survived The Mainiotes are in their Manners and Honesty not much differing from the Morlaques thô much distant from their Country They are called Mainiotes from Braccio di Maina or an Arm of Land in the Morea stretching it self out into the Sea so called by the Venetians but anciently part of the Country of the Lacedemonians The Mainiotes These People by their nearness to the Sea and ruggedness of their Mountains have in despight of the Turkish Arms conserved themselves after the manner of the Ancient Greeks in form of a Republick whereby they had some kind of Government and Justice amongst themselves thô they entertained a Turkish Aga or Lord rather out of Respect to the Turks than Subjection but as to other People they lived upon the Spoil keeping no honest Intercourse with them unless with the Venetians whom they feared because of their Gallies which frequented their Ports In the Isle of Cervi which belongs to them and about Cape St. Angelo which is opposite to the Isle of Cerigo they maintain several Brigantines with which when thy take Christians they transport them over to Tripoli in Barbary where they find a Market for them and when they have the fortune to seize Turks they sell them to Venice or to Malta and so are Free-booters on all sides I could of my own Knowledge give diverse Instances of their way of Trading and of their Treatment used towards some Englishmen of my own Company who unadvisedly and without due regard set footing on their Land but because it is not material to our present Discourse and would be too great a Deviation from our present History we shall wave all that and proceed to shew That the Mainiotes hearing of the ill Success of the Turks in all places and that their Fortune was changed declared for the Venetians to whom they were more inclined on account of the Christian Religion professing to be of the Greek Church and to follow that Party and Interest which they observed to be in the most thriving Condition The Mainiotes worst the Turks The Turks to prevent the Revolt of the Mainiotes sent some Forces to reduce them but they being supported by Venetian Succours under Seignior Delfino withstood the Turks and charged them with so much Vigour that of Three thousand five hundred Men there escaped but an Hundred and Forty all the rest being either killed or taken The News hereof encouraged the Greeks of Monte Nero which is a Mountain in the Morea to descend and Combate with the Turks on the Plains in which Fight many were killed and wounded on both sides In the mean time Paulo Michiel a noble Venetian with a Thousand Horse and some Foot joyned with Three thousand Morlaques made Incursions into the Country round about The Pasha of Bosna who with Seven thousand Men was on his
Teutonick Order with Count Dunewalt and many Knights of that Order As also divers famous Engeniers together with Count Rabata who brought with him many Bombs Mortar-Pieces with a new Train of Artillery abundance of Ammunition and all Warlike preparations With which and with the Addition of new Forces they were enabled to draw a new Line of Communication without that which was next to the City extending from one Encampment unto the other which they supported with small Redoubts raised and fortified with Cannon which proved to be of great use against the Sallies of the Turks which were very frequent and performed with Resolution and Courage Besides all which Recruits the Auxiliary Troops of Suabia and Franconia to the number of Five or Six thousand Men with two Companies from Passau and Ratisbone arrived in the Camp and on the first of July they took those Stations which were appointed for them July The Town was now Batter'd on all sides and particularly by a Fort raised by the Swedes which on the third of this Month began to make a Breach on three Towers which defended the upper Wall The Works of the City batter'd The Cannon on the side of the Loraine Quarters had in four Days time absolutely demolished two Bulwarks which flanked the Wall on that side and ruined the Wall it self having made a very large Breach to discover which and to know in what manner it lay open to an Assault four Musquetiers were Order'd to mount thereupon and see in what Posture the Turks remained on that side so soon as these adventurous Men appeared at the Mouth of the Breach the Turks cried out and took a general Allarum running immediately to drive them from thence but they being succoured by another Party of Musquetiers and by continual Peals of Cannon and Fourteen Mortar-Pieces which threw Bombs the Turks were worsted and lost many Men and being not able to endure the constant Firings were forced to Retreat as also did the four Musquetiers with some Wounds received by Stones and Granadoes By two or three Inhabitants who for fear had deserted the Town informations were given That by the many Bombs and the continual Firing of great Cannon the Consternation was so great The Turks uncover their Houses that both the Inhabitants and the Soldiers esteemed themselves in as much danger within the City as those were who mounted the Guards and were actually emploied in Defence of the Walls Wherefore to secure themselves the better the Tops of the Houses were uncovered and Caves and Vaults made under Ground to Lodge both the Citizens and the Souldiers Mines and Counter-Mines and for the better safeguard of the Garrison which was always exposed on the Walls it was contrived to make some Mines without at every Bastion well charged with Powder that upon any Attack might be ready to be Fired Of which the Duke of Loraine having intelligence from these Fugitives he order'd Countermines to be made which hinder'd the Turkish Labourers something in their Works but either by the loosness of the Ground or the unexperience of the Miners the Success did not answer Expectation For thô the Miners had proceeded a great way under Ground by which it was believed that the Springing of one Mine would widen the Breach and facilitate the Assault that Project had little effect An Assault given for the Mine being fired did not cast up much Earth Howsoever It was followed by an Assault on that side of the Duke of Loraine of which the Turks being aware made a most vigorous resistance throwing great quantities of Bombs Stones and Hand-Granadoes amongst the Besiegers In this Action above Sixty Musquetiers were killed and wounded the General Tingen To the damage of the Christians and Major Besancon were wounded with Stones and the Cavalier de Rosne was shot through the Shoulder Howsoever the Imperialists keeping their Ground in their Trenches about Two hundred Paces from the Wall did at length repulse the Enemy and with continual Batteries the Walls were so plied that from the Tower in the Corner of the City to the first Bulwark they were almost ruined and beaten down as were also the three Towers which were opposite to that Attack July The Turks make a Sally on the Brandenburg side On the 9th of this Month about break of Day the Turks made another Sally to the Left-hand where the Brandenburg Troops were lodged which was performed with such Fury that the Brandenburgers being surprized quitted their Posts and were beaten out of their first Line with the loss of about Two hundred Men killed amongst which there was one Captain one Lieutenant and an Ensign And the Enemy firing at the same time a Mine in which four or five Miners were buried had caused much more disorder had not a Body of Reserve and the Main Guard come in to their Assistance which so bravely Charged the Enemy as to force them to Retire in great Confusion The Imperialists lost in this Action besides the Brandenburgers above One hundred and fifty Men amongst whom was a Lieutenant Colonel who was a Swede a Captain of the Regiment of Mansfelt two Lieutenants and many other subaltern Officers In the mean time the Bavarians advanced their Approaches and from a new Battery began to Fire and shoot at a small Tower which notwithstanding did little execution the Walls being very good on that side The same Day a Deserter from the Town brought News That the Besieged expected in Twenty four Hours time a Reinforcement of Three thousand Men Succour sent to Pest upon which intelligence Three hundred and fifty Men were immediately dispatched over the Water unto Pesth to strengthen the Redoubt at that place and to prevent the Turks in their design of cutting off all Communication between that Fort and the Camp And upon farther intelligence that the Turks assembled in great Bodies about Segedin the Duke of Loraine dispatched away the Baron Marcy with Three thousand Horse and six Battalions of Foot over the Danube with Orders to advance as far as Hatwan and to Engage the Turks in what place soever it should be his Fortune to meet them Accordingly Baron Marcy passed the River Marcy sent to oppose the march of the Turks and posted himself near the Bridge of Pesth there to attend the Enemy who were coming upon him as was reported with a Body of Ten thousand Men under Command of Achmet Pasha Upon which Advice the Duke of Loraine dispeeded away three Imperial Regiments to joyn with and reinforce the Detachment under Marcy lest the Enemy should seize the Passage over the Teysse In the mean time the Christians working hard upon a Mine on the Bavarian side which they designed should make the Breach wider and larger than it was were discovered by the Turkish Miners who were preparing a Mine near thereunto and had almost completed it when fearing lest the Christians should be before-hand with them they precipitated
which were too unequal a Match for them The three Mines on which much Work was bestowed being charged with Five thousand weight of Powder were now ready and on the 12th were fired A Mine fired but not with such good effect as was expected having only shaken the inward Wall and some few of the Palisadoes so that it was believed that the Turks had discharged them of the greatest part of their Powder by which disappointment the Assault which was intended was countermanded and the Miners order'd to begin a new Work The Afternoon of the same Day the Vizier appear'd and encamped on the Banks of the Danube The Vizier appears being as some Deserters reported about Fifty thousand strong at the sight of which the Besieged being encouraged made a Sally with about an Hundred Horse and Foot upon Three hundred Horse of the Van-guard of the Imperialists who feigning a flight drew them at some distance from the Town and then returning upon them cut the greatest part of them in pieces On the 14th the Turks drew out their whole Army into Battalia and Detached Six thousand Men under three Pashas amongst which were Two thousand Janisaries with Orders to make their Way into the Town A Party of Turks commanded to enter the Town by the Imperial and Brandenburger Quarters Against whom the Duke of Loraine sent the Regiment of Hungarians Commanded by Palfi and the Regiments of Schultz Serau and Lodron to charge the Enemy and begin the Fight The Hungarians upon the first Shock or Charge began to give Ground but Baron Marcy putting himself at the Head of the Regiment of Schultz gave a stop to the Flight of the Hungarians until such time as Count Dunewalt came up with the Regiments of Taff Lodron Neubourg Stirum and Staremberg which being joyned in a Body charged the Turks with that Fury and Bravery The Turks defeated that they totally defeated and put the Turkish Horse to Flight by which the Janisaries being abandoned and laid open were almost all cut off and destroyed The Elector of Bavaria with his Horse pursued them to their Camp where Rallying again they endeavoured to charge the Christians in the Flank which when the Duke of Loraine perceived he made a stand or a halt and drew out some Forces from the Lines which he caused to march towards their assistance but the Turks having received the first Fire retreated to their Camp whither it was thought fit not to pursue them but rather to conduct the Troops back to the Camp being much tired and wearied by continal Watchings having for the space of three Days and three Nights been always on the Guard with Arms in their Hands The Victory was very clear and signal for the Turks lost eight Pieces of Cannon and Forty Standards and Two thousand and two hundred dead Bodies were accounted by the Duke of Loraine himself lying in the Field where the Battle was Fought which he caused to be buried to prevent a putrefaction in the Air and all this with the loss only of about Two hundred Men killed and wounded amongst the latter of which were the Count of Lodron a Major and two Captains After this happy Success all the Cannon were discharged and the Colours taken from the Turks displaied and many Heads of those who had been killed were set upon Pikes and shewed to the Besieged to increase their greater Terrour and Despair Notwithstanding all which the Turks abated nothing of their Courage the Grand Vizier giving the Christians every Night Alarms the better to discover with what Force and Vigilancy the Lines and Avenues were Guarded Two thousand Turks force their way into the Town At length on the 20th of August about break of Day Four thousand Turks of which Two thousand were Janisaries mounted on Horse-back made a vigorous Attempt by the Vally of St. Paul and with great Fury assailed those Guards which they not being able to sustain gave them Way and permitted them in a full carrear to Ride up to the Walls of the Town At this confusion of the Guards and the Noise made by the Janisaries the Regiments of Caprara and Heusler came and renewed the Fight with them and killed several hundreds of the Turks who as they advanced farther into the Approaches were so plied by the Musquetiers that most of them were slain Howsoever about Two hundred of them made their Way into the Town by the Bavarian Quarter Which so animated the Defendants that they made and discharged four Vollies of Shot for joy round the Town Though this small Recruit was rather a Weakening to them than any Reinforcement This Attempt seemed so desperate to the Turkish Soldiery that the Vizier could not prevail with any Man to undertake it without a Largess of Thirty Dollars in hand paid to every Janisary and promise to any that should get within the Town The reward promised for the Service to have his pay doubled during his Life and to be freed from going ever more to the War Of which sort of People there are above Fifty thousand in the Ottoman Empire called Otoracks or as in Latin Milites immeriti All this interrupted not the Bavarians in their Works Batteries raised on the Rondel or in the Batteries they had raised on the great Rondel by which they very much annoied the main Castle which when the Turks observed they planted one of their biggest Pieces of Cannon on the highest part of the Wall which they having charged with Musquet Bullets Iron Stones c. did great execution on the Soldiers which maintained and guarded the Rondel of the Tower Howsoever not to give ground or abandon so advantagious a Post the Elector of Bavaria with advice of the General Officers resolved to Assault the Tower which was half ruined and already demolished so as thereby to gain the advantage of an upper Ground The Assailants so bravely behaved themselves August That on the the 22d without any regard to the difficulty and ruggedness of the Ascent or the opposition the Turks made they surmounted the Breach and killed about One hundred Men and made themselves Masters of the Tower The Tower taken In the mean time whilst this was in Action the Duke of Loraine and the Brandenburgers caused an Alarm to be given without and with continual Firing of their Artillery and Vollies of Shot kept the Enemy at a distance The Pasha of Buda finding himself nearly urged and pressed by the loss of so important a place from whence the Christians could now shoot into the Town he applied all his endeavours to dislodge them But the Bavarians having str ngly posted themselves The Turks endeavour to dislodge the Bavarians being assisted with the advantage of the rising Situation vigorously repulsed all the Force which the Turks could make upon them and easily threw them down head-long from the Scaling Ladders which they had erected This place was gained by the Bavarians without much Blood of
good order of Battel being Ten thousand strong with Horse and Foot descended into the Plain near unto the Line charging with their usual cryes of Allah Allah and much fury on the Soldiers who defended the Trenches But General Chinixmarch had with such admirable Order and Art so well disposed the Militia that they repulsed the Enemy and then Two thousand Sea-Soldiers by Order of the Captain-General coming to their succour they put the Enemy into great confusion and the Captain-General himself at the same time coming in person with some Troops of select men The Turks put to Flight wholly turned the fortune of that day's Fight which for Three hours had continued doubtful to the Christian side and caused the Turks to betake themselves to a shameful Flight leaving Fourteen hundred of their Companions behind them killed or wounded In which Engagement the Venetians lost not more than Three hundred and Fifty men killed and wounded General Chinixmarch had his Horse shot under him but he soon remounted another and with great Vivacity and Courage was present at all places where the danger was most pressing The Princes of Brunswick and Turene exposed themselves like brave Soldiers in all places which required their help and encouragement and having thus discomfited the Seraskier's Army and caused them to withdraw in disorder from the City the Captain General to lose no time left the pursuit of the Enemy and returned to the Siege causing the Batteries from all sides to play on the Town and to terrify the Defendants they shewed many Heads of the Turks ranked in File on the points of their Lances The Besieged having seen the Seraskier in whom was their greatest hope routed and defeated before their Eyes grew desperate of any relief or succour from thence which caused them to display divers white Flags on the Walls upon which all acts of Hostility ceased and Two Turks came forth from the Town and being conducted to the presence of the Captain-General The Besieged capitulate they presented a Paper to him subscribed by the Pasha who was Governor of the City declaring his readiness to make surrender thereof provided they might have free liberty to march out with their Arms and Baggage and to be Transported thence to Troy or to the Castles in the Dardanelli or Hellespont And that the Two Turkish Gallies then in Port might also be freed with their Chiurma or Slaves and Equipage which as we have said were retired into the Rocks and fast places near the Town But this latter would not be allowed or granted by the Captain-General nor any thing more than what had been accorded lately to Modon and Navarin The first step unto all which was the Delivery of the Castle situate on a Rock within the Sea into which a Venetian Garrison was put immediately and therein were found Seventeen Pieces of Brass Canon and Seven of Iron with a large Mortar-piece to throw Bombs after this Eight Hostages were required of the most principal Turks of the City And surrender and then the other Articles were performed which related to the Embarking the Soldiers and Inhabitants who were accordingly Shipped and Transported to the Dardanelli the apperance of which so affrighted all the Coast at first that the Alarum ran as far as Constantinople and put them there into that Consternation of which we have before made a Relation Thus was this and other famous Fortresses of Greece which had for many years remained in the Ottoman power and withstood great and considerable Forces in a few Months subjected to the Christian Arms by the Valour and Bravery of the Captain-General Morosini by the admirable Conduct of Count Chinixmarch and the courage of those noble Princes of Brunswick and Turene amongst which the German Soldiery and all others did greatly signalize themselves in all their Atchievements And thus we shall put an end to the Successes of the Year 1686 which have terminated so gloriously in honour of the Christian Arms by which the Turks were reduced to that low and miserable condition of which they were never before sensible nor never accustomed unto which made them the less able to bear the Evil nor endure the Remedy ANNO 1687. NEver had the Ottoman Empire since the time that they first passed out of Asia over into Europe been under that Eclipse and in that low of Ebb of Fortune as at present And yet this following Year was so much more unlucky and fatal to them than the former as if their Mischiefs would not have ended but with the total Ruin and Downfal of their Empire To prevent which the Grand Seignior meditated on Thoughts of Peace and sent a Chiaus a thing which the Turks never practised before to tender Articles to the Emperor which were not received nor other Answer given than that his Imperial Majesty could not so much as enter into a Treaty without the consent of Venice and Poland their Allies And thô the Turks endeavour'd to avail themselves by that Method yet they thought that the best way to facilitate that proceeding was with their Swords in their Hands and by an appearance in the Field with the most formidable Army they were able to make The Turks prepare for War to which end all Otoracks who are Milites immeriti or Men excused from the War on account of past Services with a dead pay as they call it of which there may be Forty thousand in the Empire were all summoned to appear in the next Campagne and forced to the War with the greatest rigour and on pain of Death besides which new Levies were order'd to be made in all Parts of Asia and particularly at Smyrna and in the Parts adjacent Six hundred Soldiers were raised at the charge of the Citizens and Inhabitants besides which eight or nine Millions being charged to be levied in the lesser Asia The Quota taxed on Smyrna came to a Hundred thousand Dollars which Sum not being to be found amongst them and perhaps scarce the Moiety thereof the Cappugi-bashee who was sent to Collect the Money carried away most of the principal Turks in that Town to Constantinople Taxes rigorously imposed where having represented their Poverty and inability to pay so great a Tax it was moderated and brought down to one half or to One hundred and five Purses These proceedings may evidently convince the World that the conceptions of the World generally formed of the vast Riches of the Grand Seignior's Treasury were imaginary seeing that it was so exhausted in a few Years as to force the Government to those rigorous Courses and unusual methods of Oppression which can scare be repeated without a total Desolation or extreme Misery of that Country These Taxes joyned to the Discontents of the People made all things uneasy at the Ottoman Court Cabals at the Port. where it was impossible to prevent the Cabals and liberty of Speech which the Soldiers and others freely used in publick Discourse to
their Governors howsoever they still held out resolving as yet to hearken unto no terms which should be offered them by the Enemy Notwithstanding which the Marquess of Baden who was President of the Council of War for his Imperial Majesty being commanded to pass from his Government of Javarin or Rab unto Ratisbon there to reside as Plenipotentiary for his Imperial Majesty at that Diet did think fit before his departure to regulate some Affairs within his Jurisdiction and particularly to appoint Count Ricceardi accompanied with an Interpreter and a party of Hungarian Horse to view and observe the State of Alba Regalis and to try if he could incline and persuade the Turks to surrender but they being quite of another humour not being reduced as yet to the utmost point and extremity of Famine cryed out with a loud Voice Denies to surrender that they would maintain their City to the last drop of Blood and even to more violent necessities than those of Agria Ricceardi returning with this report to Giavarin the Marquess of Baden issued out new Orders to straiten the Town with more rigour and closeness The Blocade closely watched than before and not only reinforced the Castles of Palotta Zioccha and Schambegh warning them to be more diligent and watchful for the future to prevent all Communication between Alba Regalis and the Neighbouring Villages and to make the Blocade more formal General Batthiani was not only commanded to march into those Quarters with his Hungarian Troops but likewise caused them to be reinforced by some of the Militia belonging to the Circles of Franconia and other Troops under the Command of Count Erdeodi Lieutenant-General at that time of Giavarin Moreover the Marquess of Baden before his departure disposed the March of the Militia and ordered their several Quarters in parts adjacent to Oseck there to oppose the passage of the Enemy over the Drave After which all matters being well ordered with excellent Methods and Rules of Government the Marquess took Post for Vienna where having received Instructions from the Emperor for better Government of his Presidency at Ratisbon he proceeded thither Marquess of Baden at Ratisbon and there he held several publick and private Conferences for the better Regulation of the Military Affairs for the Ensuing Campaigne In the mean time Recruits were made and Horses provided to Remount such as wanted them and whilst it was doubted Whether the Elector of Bavaria could be present in Person to conduct his Army this Year into Hungary upon a jealousy that the French would fall into the Palatinate yet the Treaty was concluded for the Bavarian Troops to continue in Hungary and serve with their best assistance to forward the Progress of the Imperial Arms. Mareschal Caprara commanding now in Chief in Hungary provided Oseck with all things necessary for their Subsistence and gave Orders to those Captains C. Caprara commands in Hungary who commanded upon the Save to provide great Numbers of Boats and Barges and Floats for making Bridges over that River and as occasion served therewith to Transport Provisions and Materials for War The Turks on the other side had also Erected another Bridge for the better security of Bosnia and assembled at Costanovitz on the River Unna with design to make Incursions into the Confines of Croatia but that Country was so well guarded and defended by the vigilance of Count Erdeody the Banno or Chief Governor thereof that all attempts of the Turks on that side were wholly disappointed and defeated And farther to render the Actions of the Turks fruitless and ineffectual in Sclavonia where they had made Provisions of Victuals and Ammunition and had laided therewith Lighters and Barges to supply their smaller Garrisons on the River Save The designs of the Turks defeated in Sclavonia Baron de Tunkel was dispeeded with a Detachment of Two hundred Horse and a Regiment of Dragoons with some Haiducks to oppose the intentions of the Enemy and being come as far as Valkovar the Scouts brought word that Rustan Pasha the late Governor of Agria with about One thousand Horse and Foot had conducted into Illoch a very great Convoy of about Two hundred Waggons laden with Provisions and that afterwards he himself was returned unto Belgrade Tunkel being disappointed of this Design was more successful in another Attempt which he made on a place called Ratza situate on this side of the Save defended by some Spahees and Janisaries to which privately marching in the Night he surprized the place about Two hours after Midnight with the Death of about Three hundred Turks and Seventy Slaves and set at liberty Fifty Christians and took Sixty Horses with great Numbers of Cattle and Three Ensigns Ratza taken from the Turks and burnt and having set Fire to the City he returned in Safety and Triumph to Oseck laden with Honour and Spoyls On the other side the Pasha of Gradisca having advice that Count Caprara was upon his march towards Oseck with a strong Party to Conduct and Convoy many Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provisions in order to some extraordinary Enterprize the Pasha apprehending that his Design might be upon Belgrade resolved to pass the Bridges which he had laid over the Save with design to surprize Possega and Zernech and thereby to divert the Attack intended upon Belgrade In pursuance of which the Pasha marched with a Body of Three thousand Five hundred men towards Zernech but not with that Privacy as Tunkel had lately done for in their way they set Fire to all the Villages round and killed the People which gave such an Alarum to that Garrison by the affrighted Peasants which had escaped that they immediately put themselves into a posture of defence And Colonel Baron Amanzaga having also News thereof hastned with a Body of Horse and some Foot and came so seasonably to the succour of the Town that they encountred the Turks in their march and charged them with so much bravery that they not only put the Cavalry to Flight but also forced them to abandon the Janisaries Baron Amanzaga defeats the Pasâ—a of Gradisca and to expose them to the Sword of their Enemies The greatest part of which to the Number of about Five hundred were Slain upon the place and Two hundred made Prisoners amongst which was the Commander in Chief of the Janisaries Four Aga's and the Son of the Pasha of Gradisca with several Colours and Drums The News of which Baron Amanzaga dispatched to General Caprara with all Expedition About the same time or the Day before another Party detached from the main Body made an Attack upon the Out-guards of Possega which being over-matched in numbers retreated under the Gates of the City The Lieutenant Governour to whom at that time with some veterane Soldiers and subaltern Officers the Command of the Town was committed took the Alarum but not being cautious enough to be informed of the Strength and Numbers of
the Enemy by the Report of the Out-guards he advanced too far from the Town which when the Turks observed they made a feigned Flight with design to bring their Enemy into an Ambuscade which they had prepared for them in which they had all miscarried had not Count Truxes The Garâ—rison of Possega seasonably relieved Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of Holstein and Count Bizzaro Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of Lodron who were accidentally marching to relieve the Out-guards come seasonably into their Succour and Rescue who so vigorously charged the Enemy that they put them to Flight and forced them to take Refuge in the Woods and Mountains whilst the Christians the Night approaching retired orderly into Possega There being in the mean time various Reports at the Imperial Court concerning the State and Condition of the City of Alba Regalis which holding out so long beyond all expectation it was conjectur'd that the Blocade was not strict or at least not sufficiently guarded and watchfully attended as it ought to have been which obliged the Counsel of War to dispatch Orders to Colonel Riccardi that he with his Regiment should March to Vesprimio Palotta and other Neighbouring places to make enquiry into the State and Condition of that City and Garrison Riccardi according to his Orders marched out of Giavarino or Rab Colonel Riâ—cardi made enquiry into the State of Alba Regalis and taking with him a Company of Croats and a Party from Schomberg he came to Quarter for one Night at a Village called Brin about a League distant from Alba Regalis and early in the Morning by break of day sounding to Horse in pursuance of his March he detached Ten Croats and as many Hungarians to advance before with directions to seize and surprize what Turks they should meet near the City that by them they might be informed of the State of the place But they meeting with none on the way came up to the very Gates of the Town which they found shut and unguarded But soon afterwards they were opened to give Passage to the Sally of a Party both of Horse and Foot the latter of which remained within their Palisadoes but the first Sallied out into the Field having the Renegado Wrebeck at the head of them who coming near frankly discoursed with the Christians in this manner Soldiers what is it you demand May a Man trust to your Word To which Answer was made That he might whereupon he came up boldly to them and touched the Hand of an Hungarian Ensign Colonel Riccardi desires a parly with the Pasha and a Rascian By which time Wrebeck perceiving the numbers of the Enemies to increase and to approach within Cannon-shot of the Town he Demanded what those Troops were To which Answer was made That they were the Troops of a certain Croatian Colonel who desired to have conference with the Pasha or with some other of the principal Officers Wrebeck promised to carry that Message and accordingly returned to the City where at the Gates thereof he met the Pasha of that Country with the Commander in Chief of the Janisaries and with two or three other of the principal Officers of that place to whom he made a Report that the Troops without were Commanded by a certain Croatian Colonel who desired to enter into a Conference with the Pasha To which the Pasha suddainly replied in these words It is well he is welcome I will go and speak with him These words being over-heard by the Chief Commander or Aga of the Janisaries he arose up in a Fury and throwing down his Turbant with a Rage upon the Ground cried out Treachery and that the Pasha had a Design to betray them into the Hands of the Christians And Roaring out Treachery Treachery he ran to advise the Vizier thereof whom he found on one of the Bastions taking a view of the Enemie's Troops in the Field Jealousies in the Town The Vizer having heard this saying Commanded that the Business should be examined and in case the Pasha should be found Guilty he should be stoned to Death and his Body thrown over the Walls The Pasha being highly incensed upon this so unjust an occasion took up his Topuss or Mace into his Hand and holding it over the Head of the Aga of the Janisaries said aloud What is the matter And what Noise is this thou makest Thou old Fool Thinkest thou that thou art more brave or more faithful than I am Hold thy peace or by the living God I will beat thy Brains out with this Topuss For what Reason is it that I am not permitted to speak with that Captain Will he alone take this City Let us hear and see what it is that he will say If his Offers are good we may receive them and if bad we may reject them It was never denied in any part of the World to hear Ambassadours In the mean time a great Noise and Tumult arose amongst the Soldiers at the Gate and above a dozen Cannon-shot were fired at the Imperial Horse A Skirmish near the Gates which stood drawn up within Musquet-shot of the Gates and some of the Turks mounted on Horse-back made a Sally and began a Skirmish which continued almost two Hours without any other hurt than of some few Turks who were wounded Colonel Riccardi all this time could not discover the true State and Condition of the Town and therefore he gave freedom to two Turks provided that they would procure entrance into the Town and return with certain advice of the true state thereof An Uproar in the Town But the Confusion was so great before the Gates that they were neither permitted to enter or speak Whereupon the Colonel seeing little good was to be done at that present made a Retreat and was on his return with his Soldiers to Palotta when they espied Wrebeck with some other Turks running full speed towards them as if they intended another Skirmish but they stopped their Horses and returned back to the Town and so did the Colonel towards Palotta And having passed a certain Bog or Morass and the River Sarowitz he gave Command to a Turk who was his Prisoner to go that Night to Alba Regalis and having there understood the true State of the place that he should the next day early return with some certain Report thereof But the Turk desired to be excused for that in case he were discovered he should most certainly be Empaled But the Colonel fiercely commanded him to go with promise to give him his Liberty at his return The poor Fellow obeyed out of fear and out of Religion to the Faith of his Promise and Oath he faithfully performed the Service enjoyned him For the next Day being the 30th of March this Turk with Sixteen others well clothed and armed with four Turkish Women Wives to some of them and Children escaped out of the Town and fled to the Christians The Colonel soon enter'd into
by break of day within sight of the advanced Guards of the Enemy who gave the first Alarum upon which the Pashas was the first to Mount on Horseback and immediately drew forth his Troops placing them in order of Battel the Horse into Two Wings and the Foot in the middle The Turks assault the Germans The Force conducted by Prince Lewis was no stronger in all than Three thousand Horse and Three hundred Croats but the Turks by several Recruits which had lately joyned them were in all Fifteen thousand Fighting-men by which inequality of Numbers the Turks judging themselves secure of Victory furiously attacked the Prince who had also divided his Squadrons of Horse into Two Wings the Right Commanded by Piccolomini and the Left by Count Castelli both Generals of Battalia The Turks at first falling in with all their power and Numbers on the Left-wing were Three times bravely repulsed by Castelli when Piccolamini coming in to their Assistance the Fight became so hot and fierce that the Christians and the Turks remained for half an Hour so mixed together that having not time to Re-Charge their Fire-Arms they fought only at handy blows opening the way with their Swords At length the Turks being overcome by the unparallel'd Valour of the Imperialists the Turkish Horse began to retire The Turkish Horse put to Flight And the Foot exposed to danger leaving their Infantry naked and exposed to the Fury of the Enemy of whom the greatest Slaughter was made that ever was known between Two such small Bodies And indeed Reflexion being made on the Numbers of the Imperialists it will appear a Miracle that Three thousand three hundred men should defeat Fifteen thousand killing Five thousand on the place amongst which was the General Topal Pasha Two Agas and the Kahya to the Pasha The Foot made a brave defence for some time but at length were dispersed About Two hundred of them were drowned in the River and lost in the Bogs and such as escaped the Sword submitted to Quarter The Imperialists had the advantage to be covered by the side of a Hill when the Enemy attacked them In this great Action the Imperialists lost not more than One hundred and fifty men amongst which was Captain Maraville and Two Lieutenants the Prince August of Hannover was slightly Wounded in the Hand by a Lance and the Count de Cronsfelt Sergeant-Major of the Regiment of Holstein in the Neck Prince August was Colonel of a Regiment of Curassiers and conducted a Detachment of Two thousand men with which he was commanded to march from Peter-Waradin and joyn with Prince Lewis of Baden the which he performed and behaved himself with incomparable Valour which is natural to that Illustrious Family P. Lewis returns to Proot In this manner Prince Lewis Exalted with Glory and laden with Spoils returned with many Standards and Colours taken from the Enemy to his former Camp at Proot where Dedicating the Day following to the Repose and Refreshment of his Soldiery he retorned Thanks to the God of Hosts for so signal a Victory which happened to fall out on the very same day that the Elector of Bavaria sang the Te Deum at Belgrade for the Conquest and Subjection of that place News sent to Vienna These Two great and signal Actions being performed so near to each other in time filled all Vienna and Christendom France only excepted with extraordinary Joy and Triumph Prince Charles of Vaudemont was chosen by the Elector to be the joyful Messenger of this Glorious Action of taking Belgrade to the Imperial Court which was immediately followed by Baron Schlick dispatched by the Prince of Baden with Advice of that wonderful Victory obtained over Topal the Pasha of Bosnia The French K. obstructs the Wars against the Turks In this glorious manner did the Campaigne end in Hungary which might have been farther improved and a progress made by the Imperial Arms to the utmost extent of those Dominions which the Turks possess in Europe had not the most Christian King being displeased at the prosperous Course of the Imperial Arms against the Turk thought it time to make a diversion by waging War upon Germany And indeed it had been no wonder to have seen the Imperial Eagles as a consequence of the present Consternation Erected on the Walls of Constantinople and the Turks driven over the Bosphorus to possess their more Ancient possessions in Asia had not the Menaces of the French King recalled the Elector of Bavaria from his intended Enterprize which was very probable and likely to have succeeded The Rascians in Arms against the Turks For the Rascians were got into a Body of Eight thousand men between Semandria and Nissa being besides their old Feuds lately exasperated by the burning of their Houses and destroying of their Fields by Yeghen Pasha which he did to hinder the Imperialists from following him in his late Flight from Belgrade In revenge of which they desired the Germans to furnish them with experienced Commanders to direct and discipline them not questioning but to become Masters of all that Country and to possess Sophia it self promising also to bring the Bulgarians and Greeks into the Interest of the Emperor But the Elector of Bavaria as we have said being obliged to return The Elector of Bavaria returns to Vienna he arrived at Vienna the 18th day of September and Three days afterwards was followed by the Duke of Loraine who by reason of his late indisposition could not move so vigorously as the Elector The arrival of the Elector at Vienna happened on the Day of Thanksgiving for the late Successes A Solemn Day of Thanksgiving where nothing was omitted to render that Day solemn and full of Joy and Triumph The Procession came forth from the Royal Church of the Augustines discalced and proceeded to the Cathedral of St. Stephen's being followed by all the Clergy Gentry Nobility and Ministers of the Court and last of all with Exemplary Devotion and Piety came the Young King of Hungary and their Imperial Majesties attended with the Queen of Poland and the Electress of Bavaria This most August Train being entred the Church an Eloquent Sermon was Preached before them agreeable to the present occasion after which Te Deum was Sung and Mass Celebrated by the Bishop of Vienna with the Harmony of the most exquisite Musick both Vocal and Instrumental that Human Art could arrive unto All which Jubilee and Triumph was much augmented by the appearance of his Electoral Highness whom the Fatigues and weariness of his Journey could not hinder from bearing part in the Festival of this day and indeed the People beheld him with such Admiration that their Eyes had scarce time to fix on any other Object than his person who had atchieved Two such memorable Actions that Year namely in passing the Save and subduing Belgrade as may compare with the most memorable and Heroick Acts of Alexander or the Caesars
coming on with his main force in a thick Fogg posted himself before the Wood being sheltered on the right Hand by Thickets and Bushy Grounds almost unpassable extending his left Wing to the side of the Morava and being thus advantageously drawn up immediate Orders were dispatched to the Cavalry The Turks attack the Christians which were refreshing themselves at the Bridge to hasten unto the Foot but before they could come up the Fog clearing away unexpectedly the whole Body of the Turkish Army appeared the most part consisting of Moors and Arabs drawn up in order of Battle just fronting the Imperial Infantry which the Turks assailed with such unusual Fury and sudden Violence that Prince Lewis had scarce time to draw up his second Line into a posture of defence The Imperialists howsoever stood the Shock with great firmness and constancy and received the Fire both of their great and small Shot and tho' the Chevaux de Freeze were of great use to them at this as on other occasions yet many of the German Foot were at that time cut to pieces by the Turkish Scimetars And now the Fight became very hot on both sides and continued so for the space of two Hours within Pistol-shot by which time General Count Casselli being come up with his Cavalry and sounding without the Wood with his Trumpets Hautboys and Kettle-Drums the Enemy were put into such a Fear and Consternation that they began to retreat into the neighbouring Wood by which Prince Lewis having gained both Time and Ground drew up his Horse behind the Foot Are beaten retreat and whilst he remained in this posture a Bavarian Soldier who had been taken Prisoner at the Siege of Buda having made his Escape came and reported that the Enemy was retired to another Plain behind the Wood where for their better security they had thrown up some Earth and made new Trenches Upon this Intelligence the Generals were in great hopes of gaining an entire Victory if they could handsomely come to Charge the Enemy in the Flank to perform which they designed to open a passage by their Musqueteers but it seems there was no need of so much Labour for Count Guido of Staremberg being commanded to advance before with a Party to discover the Countenance and Disposition of the Enemy he found a way sufficiently open and wide for a March and not above 500 paces to the Plain where the Enemy was retired not far behind their Trenches They quit their ground Upon this News the Prince immediately detached 300 Horse and a Battallion of his own Regiment and another of Count Strasser's under Command of that Count to seize that Post which succeeded so happily that the Turks upon their first appearance cowardly abandoned the place and fled which the Imperialists possessed whilst another party of Foot came in to their Assistance and then the Cannon on both sides fired with mutual damage the which continued for the space of an Hour and half during which time several German Soldiers were killed and wounded Some German Soldiers kill'd as also four Captains killed besides Lieutenants and Subaltern Officers who were wounded And here it was thought fit to take Breath a while and enter into Consultation whether it were adviseable to prosecute the Victory farther or not and pursue the Enemy who had again posted themselves with more advantage in another Trench about 3 or 400 Paces behind the former and which was much stronger being encompassed with a deep Ditch of Water and only accessible in one place which the Turks continued to fortifie without any fear or apprehension of danger Another Attack on the Turks Upon due consideration of the strength of the place and the Difficulties of an Attack it was concluded that an Attempt was to be hazarded and that with all expedition and without loss of time Accordingly the Prince ordered that the first Trench should be levelled for the more easie passage of the Horse and that Count Piccolomini to whom the Command of the Van-guard was that Day committed should advance with some Regiments of Horse and some Battalions of Foot and put himself into Battalia before the Trench and Count Palfi with his Regiment of Heydukes was ordered to take the left Hand by way of the Wood and to sound all his Drums and Hautboys and other Instruments making the greatest noise he was able in the Wood and to give an Alarm as if some great Body were in motion to Attack them in the Rear which would serve to put them into greater Consternation and Disorder Matters being thus wisely ordered Piccolomini began to advance in Battalia and the Enemy endeavoured to repulse him with their Cannon but when they observed that the Germans without fear of their Fire advanced still resolutely upon them and gained ground The Turks fly to Patoschin and that the Heydukes came on desperately to the left so fearing to be engaged in the midst they abandoned this their last advantageous Post and with great Disorder marched through thick Woods to their Camp at Patoschin This Cowardly Flight of the Turks inspired new Courage into the Christians to pursue them to their ultimate Retirement which they had done to the entire Destruction of the Enemy but that the Way was so narrow that they were forced to break their Ranks and march one after the other which lost much time and gave the Turks means to escape and the Janizaries having Horses ready Sadled notably advanced in their Flight but Baron Zant having Orders to pursue the Rear-Guard of the Enemy being joyned with the Regiments of Sarau and Kisel they overtook many of them in the Woods and pursued the rest to their very Camp after which these Colonels not having Orders to follow the Enemy farther who were 25000 strong besides those which straggled in the Woods they betook themselves to the rising of a Hill where they halted until Prince Lewis came up to them with the gross Body of his Cavalry and then the Turks fled with Disorder and Precipitation as the Germans pursued with greater Heat and Courage and had not the Woods been thick and the Germans ignorant of the Ways and Passages they had made a most terrible Slaughter to the entire Defeat and Destruction of the Turkish Army Howsoever Prince Lewis continued the Pursuit with some Parties of Horse under the Command of Colonel Zant who gave so frightful an Alarm to the Turks They abandon their Camp that forsaking their Camp with Fear and Consternation they left all their Cannon Ammunition and Provisions to the Disposal of the Enemy In the Camp they found 105. pieces of Brass Cannon and three Mortars with great Numbers of Bombs Granadoes Powder and all sorts of Warlike Ammunition and Provisions with their Camels Oxen Buffalo's and Tents The Germans possess it and in short all their Baggage became a Prey to the Victorious Germans whilst the timorous Turks fled in much Confusion towards Jagodina
Commander of the Tartarian Fleet was with four Gallies and many Frigats armed with some Guns and laden with Ammunition and Provisions coming up the Danube And moreover that the Grand Vizier was with a very strong Army come as far as Sophia and pitched in those Plains and caused vast Stores of Corn and all other Provisions to be laid up in the Magazines of that City Some few Days after which the Tartars appeared before Widin with their four Gallies and about 60 Vessels on which 5000 Men were Embarked and immediately began to fire on the Town the which News being brought to General Trautmansdorf The Tartars retire from Widin he marched immediately with the Troops under his Command to the Relief of the Place and was followed by several Vessels laden with Provisions Convoyed by Boats armed with Musqueteers which coming in sight of the Turks they fired incessantly upon them until such time as the Cannon planted by Trautmansdorf on the side of the Danube forced them to quit their Station and retire farther down the Stream to the other side of the River after which the General having provided the Town with a sufficient Garrison and all sorts of Provisions necessary conducted the Vessels safely back and marched farther towards the general Rendezvous at Jagodina And because the whole force of the Ottoman Empire under the Command of the Grand Vizier was marching from Sophia against the Germans who were very weak in Servia and not able to keep the Field against the Turks in those Parts Corbelli reinforces the Troops in Servia Count Corbelli who Commanded the Blockade before Great Waradin received Orders to march with such Troops as could be spared from the Blockade to reinforce the Army in Servia the which was performed accordingly leaving the Care and Charge of the Blockade to Count Schlick The Arnouts who had before taken part with the Germans observing the Weakness of the Christian Troops and the Strength of the Turks August joyned against their Inclinations to save themselves with the latter with which the Grand Vizier being reinforced a Detachment was made under Command of the Seraskier to joyn with Tekeli in Walachia whilst another Pasha was employed to Besiege Widin both by Land and Water and the Vizier marched in Person with the gross of his Army towards Nissa with 100 Pieces of Cannon and 12 Mortars Upon this News General Veterani ordered all the Commanders of the several Posts and Passages leading towards Nissa to leave their Guards and retire with their Men Ammunition Provision and Cannon to the City which having furnished with a sufficient Garrison of 3000 Foot and 500 Horse he marched back with the remainder of the Army towards Alexin Thâ— Christian Camp at Alexin and there formed his Camp In the mean time the Grand Vizier on his March to Nissâ— at which he aimed took Pyroth in the space of three or four Days Pyroth taken upon Capitulation with the Garrison which consisted of no more than 150 Men to be conducted safely to Nissa but the Vizier pursued them so close at the Heels that on the 14th of August he Invested the City with his whole Army and on the 17th began an Attack at Bergele compassing one half of the City on that side and on the same Day he sent a Chiaus with Letters to summon the Place the which Colonel Jorger returned back again unopened Nissa investâ—d with this Answer That there was none there who could read Turkish Upon return of this Answer the Grand Vizier caused some Cannon to be shot into the City and on the next Day the Trenches to be opened after which the Turks fired without ceasing both with their Cannon and Mortars and because it was believed that the Town would not hold out for any long time the Turks plied their Business very close and made their Attacks with wonderful Courage and Bravery A Sally made from the Town On the 19th General Staremberg who now Commanded in Nissa in the Place of Colonel Jorger who was fallen sick ordered a Sally to be made by 100 Granadiers and 200 Fuzeleers sustained by a Battalion of German Foot and at the same time all the Horse of the Garrison made a Sally on the other side of the Town which succeeded so well that above 1000 Turks were killed on the Place most of which were slain in their Trenches besides those who upon the Retreat of the Christians pursuing them to the Palisadoes of the Town were killed by the Cannon and Musquets from the Redoubts and Out-works In this Sally the Besieged had 20 Men killed and 60 wounded Whilst the Siege of Nissa proceeded in this manner the Seraskier having joyned his Troops with those of the Tartars of the Prince of Walachia and the Forces also of Tekeli under whom were nine Pasha's their whole Army consisted of 16000 Horse 2000 Janisaries and 500 Talpats with which Tekeli marched towards a certain Pass called Terezwar being distant about three Leagues from Cronstadt where General Heusler lay encamped with four Regiments of Horse consisting in all of about 1700 Men together with 5000 Transylvanians called Zecklers from the Province so named under the Command of General Tolecki Tekeli not knowing well how he might with Advantage attack Heusler passed his Forces over Mountains and untrodden Ways being conducted by the People of the Country until they came within sight of the Germans who nothing dismayed at the appearance of so formidable and unequal a force marched with the right Wing directly against that of the Enemies left and charged them so furiously that they put them to a shameful Flight and had that Day gained a most entire Victory had the Zecklers seconded this good beginning but instead thereof they most basely fled without string one Musquet so that then the whole force of the Enemy falling upon General Heusler General Heusleâ— defâ—ated and his Men having quitted their former advantageous Post they were so over-powered by them that after a long and bloody Fight they were put to the Rout In this Action General Nordquermes Tolecki Von Wald Springfelt and Winckler with some Captains and 500 common Horsemen were killed General Magni escaped and saved himself in the Church of a Village called Hansberg where a Peasant killed him with a Pitchfork and buried him under a Dunghill General Heusler having his Horse killed under him was taken Prisoner by Tekeli's Men and Marquis Doria and Major Fisker by the Tartars Lieut. Col. Rainin with several Captains Lieutenants and Ensigns and 32 common Soldiers were made Prisoners by the Turks The Enemies also gained four Pieces of Cannon 29 Standards and three Waggons with Ammunition but lost 3000 of their Men in this Action the remainder of the German Horse being about 1200 Men with 13 Standards retreated under Hermanstadt After the Fight was ended Count Tekeli being desirous to rescue as many Prisoners as he could out of the Hands of the Tartars he bought Marquis
some few Days they marched to Salankement and there encamped and in the mean time the Turks blew up Titul making their Escape by Water to Belgrade The Turks hearing of this Advance of the Christian Army sent 4000 Spahee's under the Command of Kathana Pasha to recognize or take a view of them in their March but a Party of Hussars commanded by Raab and Badiani being sent out against them the Turks withdrawing they retreated back to the Army and with them a Christian who having been a Slave made his Escape and reported That the whole Turkish Army had already passed the Save so that the Prince resolving now to meet them continued his March to Semblin a Place near to Belgrade between which two Places nothing but the River intervenes The Turks being much stronger in Shipping than were the Christians they were always passing up and down the River so that all the Ships attending the Imperial Camp were forced to remain at Peter Waradin from whence The Turks strong in Ships hinder the Provisions of the Army with great inconvenience all Provisions and Ammunition were brought by Land to the Camp until such time as General Dunewaldt being come to the Army had dispatched 300 Germans and 200 Hungarians back to Salankement to cover and secure 300 of the Christian Vessels which were arrived at that place laden with Provisions which was of great Relief to the whole Army The two Armies being now very near to each other Parties were daily detached on both sides to make Discoveries and bring Intelligence one of which from Prince Lewis on the 8th of this Month Skirmishes in Parties had an Encounter with some advanced Guards of the Turks near Semblin which upon appearance of the Christians immediately retreated and a Fog covering the whole Turkish Camp on a sudden that Party returned without being able to give other Informations In like manner the Grand Vizier on the 10th of this Month came in Person with all his Horse to take a view of the Christian Camp upon which the whole Army was drawn out into Battalia and some Volunteers and other Troops advanced so far on the Turks that being attacked by great Numbers of them they were repulsed and droven back with some loss until the left Wing of the Army in which Prince Lewis was in Person came in to their Succour howsoever 20 of them were killed and the rest were pursued to the very Camp but in revenge the Turks were also beaten back several of them being killed in their Retreat The same Day the Imperial Army advanced two Leagues farther towards Semblin where they posted themselves in such a manner that the Danube was on their Backs and the left Wing guarded with Chevaux de Frize which are a kind of Turn-pikes to keep off the Horse from breaking into the Foot On the 12th the Army advanced in order of Battle within Cannon-shot of the Turks Retrenchments The Armies near near to Semblin being attacked on all sides by many Hundreds of the Enemies Horse which never stood any Ground but retreated to their Camp which was so posted on a rising Hill or Eminence that the Generals judged it not to be attacked without great disadvantage On the 13th whilst the Army rested a certain Page to the Major of the Regiment of Piccolomini who had been taken Prisoner formerly by the Turks made his Escape and informed Prince Lewis that the Turks had certainly made an Attack on the Christian Army had they not been disswaded by the French who advised them not to lose the advantage of their Trenches but to remain in them in expectation of being assaulted therein by the Enemy or at least until they could draw out into a more advantageous Ground or until the arrival of the Tartars which were hourly expected During this time the Officers and Soldiers of the Imperial Army kept themselves in a readiness to receive the Enemy not stripping themselves of their Cloaths for several Nights That Evening it was concluded at a Council of War not to engage the Enemy on that Ground but to return back to Salankement because that there being a necessity to bring all the Provision from thence for the Army the Convoys could not easily be defended from the Enemies Horse which in great and strong Parties lay in continual wait for them So that on the 14th in the Morning by Break of Day Pr. Lewis marches back to Salankement the Trumpets and Drums were ordered to give warning to the Army to prepare for a March the Baggage being sent before and in the mean time until nine a Clock in the Morning the Army stood in view of the Enemy who moved not out of their Trenches sending only a Party of Tekeli's Men to observe their motion On the 15th the Army lay still and so did the Turks and the next Day Prince Lewis marched an Hour nearer towards Salankement And on the 17th proceeding one Hour farther the Turks imagined that this Motion was a Flight little thinking that it was only in design to Encamp about Salankement where they remained near to their Ships laden with Provisions and where they could choose the most advantageous Ground for a Battle The Turks encouraged with this Imagination marched after the Christian Army and fell in the Rear of them with several Thousands of Horse but Count Stirum General and Count Hoffkirken Major-General of the Horse The Turks repulsed charged them so briskly bestowing some Shot amongst them from their Field-Pieces as caused them to retire with loss and to remain more quiet for a while Howsoever about Midnight a great Number of the Enemies Horse Camels and Mules having been stung by a sort of Venomous Fly had broke their Halters and Bridles and with their Sadles and Harnesses An Aâ—arm given came running into the Christian Camp which gave an Alarm to the whole Army But that being over it was expected that the next Day a Battle would ensue which both the Imperial Officers and Soldiers did heartily desire But the Grand Vizier following the Advice of the French who were about him in great Numbers would not adventure that Day to attack the Army but instead thereof that they might cut off all Communication between the Germans and Peter Waradin they marched half a League beyond them and there posted themselves with such haste and diligence that in 24 Hours they had fortified their Camp with Regular Walls of a Man's heighth and Bastions on which Cannon was planted leaving only a narrow Passage for coming in and going out from the Camp The Germans in danger By these means the Turks had almost cut off all Correspondence between the Imperial Army and Peter Waradin and so hindered the passage of all Provisions that the Germans had infallibly perished in this unfortunate occasion had not God Almighty visibly assisted them by His Omnipotent Hand To this another Misfortune happened the News whereof was brought by a French Deserter from the
they Attacked and Repulsed several times with considerable loss to the Turks And on the 22d some Parties of the Christians brought several Prisoners into the Camp amongst which was a Chiaus who reported That the Janisaries were very advantageously posted on the right side of a Morass confined and reaching to the Banks of the River Temes and another Body of them Encamped to the Left along the Banks of the Brook Begl their Cannon being pointed upon that Place where was the only Avenue or Access where the Enemy could come upon them and their Camp on all sides so fortified that the Christians could not Attack them without much Difficulty and Danger wherefore to give the Enemy room to advance and invite them to a Battle the Turks on the 24th Sallied out from their Retrenchments which was done only with Design to make other Lines which were finished in two Hours time or less and having there planted their Cannon they began to play one upon the other on both sides and as the Prisoners who had been made in several Skirmishes assured the Christian Army their Artillery was well served and had killed many of their Soldiers and several of their best Gunners tho' the loss on the Christian side had been but very indifferent On the 25th nothing very considerable was acted But On the 26th the Christians advanced Guards acquainted the Generals That the Body of the Enemies Army was in motion and marched in posture of Battle under Covert of Bushes Shrubs and some Trees and that they had already posted themselves between Temeswaer and the Christian Army the Generals of which sending to take a view of the Countenance of the Enemy they were of Opinion and saw evidently that the Body which they discovered consisted of the whole Turkish Army and not a Detachment upon which the Christian Army marched directly upon them to Attack and Engage them but before they could come so near as to Engage them they had covered and fortified themselves under the Bushes and Ditches that it was difficult to come at them and having also a Bog behind them and a Marsh on their left Hand with three Ranks of Waggons fastned to each other with Chains of Iron in the Front made the Attack almost impossible to be made Howsoever the Generals resolved whatsoever Difficulties might offer to Attack the Enemy The Battle of Olasch and accordingly about five a Clock in the Evening six Battalions of Foot sustained by two Regiments of Dragoons Charged the Enemy in the Flank under the Command of General Heusler and commanded them to march into the Wood which they performed with great Bravery and much galled the Turks with their Fire The Enemies Horse hereupon advanced and finding that the Christians had formed their Line charged them with great Fury when 1200 of their best Horse broke through the two Saxon Battalions notwithstanding the latter made a very brave Resistance but Lieutenant-General Zuizendorf with some Regiments of Horse of the same Line beat back the Enemy and again closed the Line with some Saxon Battalions and Attacked the Janisaries in their Intrenchments and beat them from their Post but the Enemies Foot being reinforced and their Horse taking our Men in the Flank they were obliged to retire only two Regiments of our Dragoons Commanded by the Young Prince of Vaudemont advanced to sustain them and repulsed the Turkish Horse but the Janisaries returning and Charging them again the Dragoons suffered very much by their Fire and many Soldiers and Officers were killed and wounded but General Heusler bringing up another Regiment to their Assistance beat back the Enemy to their Intrenchments but was himself dangerously wounded Whilst this was doing another Body of the Enemies Horse Charged another Body on the second Line where the Christian Troops received them in such a manner as gave a Check to their Fury and then General Roses advancing with the Horse of the same Line drove them back and pursued them about two Hungarian Miles when the Victory began to declare it self in favour of the Christians and the Turks to put themselves into Flight when Orders came to General Roses to stop the Pursuit and to march back with the Troops howsoever some other Squadrons of Horse followed the Enemies unto their Intrenchments from whence the Turks made so great a Fire both with their Cannon and Small-shot that those Squadrons were forced to retire and being pursued by the Enemies Horse they encountred another of the Christian Regiments which they also put into Disorder which General Roses observing advanced with the Regiment of Caprara and Charging the Enemy in the Flank cut off above 1000 of them Then the whole Christian Line advanced and pushed the Enemy into their Trenches where they were in such a Consternation that the Sultan himself with much difficulty prevailed upon them to keep their Ground and defend their Intrenchments killing several with his own Hand The Turks worsted that would have fled and at length Night coming on it put an end to the Battle Thus the Christians remaining Masters of the Field or Place of Battle intended to Attack again the Enemies Camp by Break of Day in the Morning but they laboured so hard all that Night that they fortified their Camp and made it almost impregnable which hindered the Germans from making another Attempt in the Morning The Christians lost a great many Men in this Fight amongst which were divers Officers of Fame and Renown as Heusler General of the Horse and Major-General Polland besides others who died of their Wounds The Turks lost above 8000 Men as was reported by a Pasha who was taken Prisoner in the Battel The Troops on both sides often mingled and gave no Quarter on either side A great Booty was taken from the Turks amongst which were many fine Horses with several Standards In the heat of this Action the Germans lost some Pieces of Cannon by reason that their Carriages were shot in pieces and the Horses which drew them were killed The 27th of this Month of September Septemb. 27 and 28. the whole Christian Army remained that whole Day in Posture of Battle before their Camp but the Enemy not appearing His Electoral Highness resolved to pass the Beque and to march towards the River Theysse to supply the Army with Provisions of which they began to be in want which was done the 28th when the Turks passed the River in like manner And on the 29th the Christian Army Encamped at Olasch near the Theysse where General Staremberg joyned the rest of the Army with six Regiments of Horse from Titul and Orders were sent to the Brandenburghers and other Troops that were not in the Battle having been posted in several Flying Camps to joyn the Army which being refreshed were ordered to march again to observe the Enemy in their Motion This is the Account which the Turks themselves give of this Battle which being finished as here described both Armies thought it