drew after it that deadly War in which the Emperour unwillingly engaged against the Ottoman Power and caused him freely to intimate unto Serini his desire rather to see that Fort demolished than the Peace interrupted to which Serini yielding no Ear drew upon himself the deserved displeasure of his most gracious Prince who permitted the act of his obstinacy and disobedience to become a just snare to his own folly But perhaps that displeasure which was Justice in the Emperour might be Envy and emulation in his Ministers who beholding with jealous Eyes his actions and succesies the Winter before which enraged his Enemies and exalted his name to that glory in all the Courts of Christian Princes that the Pope honoured him with Medals of Gold the King of Spain with the Order of the Golden Fleece the French King as a demonstration of his esteem with a Token of ten thousand Crowns and Cardinal Francis Barberini with a Pension of eight hundred Crowns a Month and all other European Princes at least made the most part applications to him by Congratulatory Letters admiring his Virtues and applauding his Successes permitting their Gazets and Diurnals Weekly to divulge and publish his praises From whence may rationally be collected the true occasion of that Envy which by cold assistances and slow succours obstructed as well the taking of Kanisia as the valiant defence of Serinswar which was decryed not only as a Fort erected without due and mature consideration but without art or regular proportions which might render it tenable accusing at the same time as well the rashness and temerity of Serim's Counsels as his want of judgment and experience in Military Affairs But to leave now the sad subject of the Christian misfortunes occasioned by their own quarrels and dissentious which the Grand Enemy of Gods Church always endeavoured to sow for advancement of his own Kingdom Let us cast our Eyes on the other parts of unhappy Hungary The Siege of Kanisia being raised and Serinswar taken and demolished success had swelled and puffed up the minds of the Turks to a height that nothing seemed difficult or impossible to their desires On the other side controversies and delays gave that advantage to the Enemy that nothing could be expected but losses slaughter and in the end a total ruine But God who pittied the miseries of poor Christendome cast his Eyes of mercy on the Frontiers of the upper Hungary granting some more happy successes to the Christian Armes conducted by the Valour and Fortune of Count Soisé a French Gentleman who having the Command of an Army distinct from that of Montecuculi began his first attempt and enterprize upon Nitra where several persons of Quality and Officers of the Turkish Army were assembled to consider of the affairs of War Soise having taken his convenient measures and made his due approaches began to batter the Walls a great part of which in a short time he shook so shroadly that he opened a very wide breach and continually plying Granadoes into the Town so assrighted the Besieged that immediately they offered a Parley which Soisé accepted and the rather upon advice that Varadin Solnoc Temiswar and the places adjacent were collecting Forces to raise the Siege and relieve the Town entered into Treaty and concluding upon Conditions the Town Surrendered and the Turks marched out with their Colours folded and Muskets under their Arms leading their Horses had Convoy as far as Chomar Soisé having obtained this success entered into Consultation about recovery of Newhausel but having not Forces judged sufficient to attempt the difficulty of that place he turned his endeavours and designs upon Lewa or Leventz but in the way thither he was casually engaged with a Body of fourteen thousand Turks and Tartars who were marching to the relief of Nitra and fell in unawares upon his Rereguard whereupon Soisé commanded the Regiments of his Major General Guarnieri and of the Colonels Caprara and Zeitsch and the Horse and Dragoons of Brandenburg then marching in the Van to face about and Charge the Enemy which they performed with that Courage and Vigour that they routed and pursued them as far as the River Giava At which place Soisé Encamped with his Army and in an advantagious situation made a line of Circumvallation about his Camp strengthening it with some pieces of Cannon The Turks having recovered a convenient Retreat upon the River remained opposite to the Christians and having there reinforced themselves with additional Recruits returned again to give them Battel and in three places with extremity of fury and despair assaulted the Christian Camp Fortune for a long time remained doubtful on both sides till at length the admirable resolution of the Christians overcame leaving a thousand Turks extended on the place many were drowned and the rest fled leaving a rich Booty for reward to the Conquerours The Christians in this manner being successful resolved not to check the current of their Fortune but without delay proceeded to Lewa which having been for some time battered with great Guns surrendred it self to the mercy of the Conquerour in which was found a considerable quantity of Meal and twenty great pieces of Artillery In the mean time the difference between the King of France and the Pope on occasion of the insult offered at Rome by the Corst to the Embassadours House and Person being this Year composed those Forces of the French being in all about 3000. Horse sent first into Italy to avenge this affront under the Command of the Count Coligni were ordered to pass into Hungary by way of Venice to the assistance of the Emperour to which several Gentlemen Voluntiers of the same Nation joining themselves formed a Body of 4000. Horse well appointed valiant and desirous of action The Pope also whose words expressed and breathed out nothing but holy zeal against the common Enemy promised a supply of 10000. Foot and 3000. Horse which were to pass by way of Trieste into Croatia according to the promise and assurance of the Nuntio at Vienna for acknowledgment of which religious and considerable succour Count Leslie was dispatched from the Imperial Court in a private Character to pass those Offices of grateful acceptance as were due to so high a merit and sense of the Christian Cause But scarce was Leslie arrived at Venice before he understood to his great admiration that the holy Army was by Order of the Pope disbanded for which no other cause was assigned than only that at Rome it was seriously debated and in the end it was concluded that the expence was too great to be charged on the Ecclesiastical State and that the Souldiery also were themselves unwilling to be so far separated from their own Country all which at Vienna were understood to be frivolous pretences and the causes thereof attributed to the sinister Offices of a person ill affected to the Emperours Interest by which the Pope and Don Mario his
their Companions On the 12 th of April a Fleet of Gallies arrived with new Recruits with which the Christians being reinforced 〈◊〉 Villa resolved to take the Field so that marching out of the City by night with seven thousand Foot and six hundred and fifty Horse he incamped between that and the Valley of the River Gioffiro drawing his Trenches just opposite to the Enemies Camp in the mean time two Squadrons of Ships were sent abroad one towards the Crociere and the other towards the Coast of Canea to intercept and hinder such Succours as might be sent to the Enemies Camp Nor were the Turks less vigilant or valiant on their side for a Party of about two thousand men sallying from their Trenches and marching secretly under the covert of a Mountain unexpectedly assailed the Out-guards of about fifty Foot belonging to the Regiment of Frischein commanded by Captain Rades which after a stout resistance retreated into another Body of fifty Musquetiers and twenty five Arquibusiers of the Regiment Arborio who also being assisted by other detachments recovered their first Post but being afterwards overpowered by great numbers of Turks were forced to quit the place which Marquess Villa observing ordered fifty Horse under lieutenant-Lieutenant-Colonel Mattiazzi and seventy Foot under Blane Sergean Major of the Regiment Arborio to their assistance by whom the Post was again recovered with great slaughter of the Enemy but this advantage was of little other benefit than to inflame the spirits of the Turks who rallying again their Force with fresh courage and extraordinary valour came to handy-blows with the Venetians forcing them to another Retreat with the death of Lieutenant Cerusa a Savoyard and some common Souldiers but the Turks injoyed not long this advantage for the Musquetiers from the Line with some small Guns and the gross Artillery from the Walls did much execution on them and at the same time being charged by a Party of Horse under Command of Colonel Rades the Venetians with glory and incouragement recovered their Post driving the Turks in disorder and confusion to their Trenches This success of the Christians served to heat the spirits of the Turks and animate them to another Engagement for having by private ways of hidden Vallies conducted their Men about four hours before night made another Assault upon the Venetians I will not say surprised them because remaining always in apprehension of the Enemy they kept themselves so watchfully on their Guard that in a moment they were ready to receive them and that so warmly not firing until they came within the length of two Pikes that in a moment the field was covered with the bodies of Horse and Men the Turks startled hereat not knowing whether it were better to stand to it or fly until incouraged by their Leaders they kept their ground for a time but being galled by the continual Vollies of shot and charged by a Body of Horse led by Count Sforza Bissaro and Captain Casich they were so shaken that they turned their backs and began to run until falling in with the gross Body of their Party they made head again and mixing both Horse and Foot with the Venetians they forced them to retreat to the side of their Trenches and so closely plyed them that the fresh Troops of the Turks on the right and left wing had cut them off had not the Count Corradini by order of Count Sforza with a Regiment of Curassiers and likewise Colonel Scoppa with his lieutenant-Lieutenant-Colonel Tadeo Motta with a good number of Archibusiers assisted by a Squadron of the Regiment of Count Bassaro sallied from the Line and being succoured on all sides forced the Turks at length to sound a Retreat The night coming on disswaded any 〈◊〉 of the Enemy lest unknown ways and darkness should betray their men into ambushes or other snares The Turks lost a thousand men with divers Commanders of Quality and Note of the Venetians were killed Lieutenant Cerusa Gio. Tessari Captain to La Motte eleven Horse and some few Foot Motte Corradini Soupe Count Corbelli and some others were wounded About this time advice being come to the Captain-General That the Turks were dispeeding fifty Gallies laden with Men and Ammunition he resolved to incounter them at Sea with four Galleasses and twenty Gallies reinforcing his Fleet with twelve hundred men which he took from the Camp which being thereby considerably diminished as also by the late Engagements yet Marquess Villa kept his ground but contracted the compass of his Trenches and raised a Fort in sight of the Enemy who had not the courage to give him the least interruption but rather after this example fortified their own Trenches shutting all Avenues or passages to Renegadoes whom they suspected might fly and give advice to the Christians howsoever some of them escaped to the Venetian Camp declaring that the Cannon from the Town did much incommode the Turks in their Trenches upon which Intelligence Marquess Villa ordered forty eight shot to be made at that place where they were most offended which put the Turks into great consternation after which no considerable Engagements happened besides some few Skirmishes and Rencounters of no memorable note in which one Antiquario a Quarter-master Count Pio Ferretti and others signalized themselves by particular Acts of Valour as also Captain Vimes who killed Mehmet Bey a Turk of great esteem with his own hand But now the Turks receiving daily Recruits as of eight hundred Janisaries and six hundred Spahees landed at Gira-petra and seventeen hundred more disbarked at Chissamo and advices daily coming of great numbers of Galeots and Brigantines providing in the Gulf of Lepanto and of eighteen Ships of Barbary all ready to transport Souldiers to Candia moved the Captain-General to perswade the removal of the Camp for better security of the most important places the which Marquess Villa performed accordingly in the night preceding the first of June with much order and care for first he caused the Artillery to be withdrawn with the Mortar-pieces Ammunition and Provisions of War and placed in the Fort of Mocenigo then he caused half the Army to work in filling the Trenches whilst the other half remained in form of Battle and two hours before day blew up the Fort which having done they marched in three Bodies to the City to the great joy and satisfaction of the Turks who on that occasion made a day of Festival These particulars of Action having passed under the Conduct of Marquess Villa without any signal Victory or advantage over the Turk administred subject to such who in the parts of Christendom were emulous of his glory and envious of his eminent charge to give liberty to their tongues to disparage the management of his Affairs as not agreeable to that high expectation of success which the World conceived thereof when he first entred on this imployment But here it is observable at what rate men who lye soft and warm in their
and rid the Ditch of Earth which whilst it worked with admirable success the Turks by help of a Mine blew it into the Air and shattered it into a thousand pieces Howsoever the Christians desisted not from their intended work but still laboured with Baskets Sacks and Wheelbarrows to carry away the Earth which that they might do quietly and undisturbed the Savoyards and Sclavonians made a furious and desperate Sally which continued for the space of two hours and though in that time the Enemy had opportunity to collect their greater Force into a Body yet the Christians were not put to slight but retreated orderly and in a fighting posture though with the loss of several Officers of which were Captain Rè and others To revenge these mines of the Turks the Christians fired two others as dreadful as the others the first near S t Spirito which being under the Enemies Traverses performed its desired Effect the second was on the side of the half Moon which swallowed up two of their Redoubts And on the third of October they fired four other mines on the sides of Panigra and Betlem one of which consisted of six and thirty Barrels of Powder and another of fourteen ordering at the same time a furious Sally from divers places as namely Captain Gamba sallied from the Revelin of S t Spirito Serjeant Major Arasi from under the Bulwark of Panigra Colonel George Maria was ordered to assault the Redoubts which were opposed to the Breach Colonel Vecchia to attaque the Redoubts between Panigra and the half Moon Colonel Cremasco and Marini to assault the redoubts between the half Moon and Betlem Count Brusasco defended the work of S t Maria Colonel Inberti defended the Revelin of S t Nicholas and Serjeant Motta with thirty able Souldiers advanced to the farthest Lines of the Enemy killing and putting to flight all before them Colonel Frigeri Captain of the Fort S t Dimetry and Lieutenant Colonel Vimes possessed several Redoubts and in the conclusion all retreated in excellent order with success and triumph to yield the Turks evident arguments of their fortitude and courage and that the Town was still so well provided as not only to be in a Condition of defending it self but offending the Enemy Yet the Turks were still labouring to countermine the Fornelli of the Enemy and to revenge the former Plots to which end they had penetrated to the most inward works of Panigra but the Pioniers employed by the Engineer Quadruplani discovering their Gallery entred boldly in and drove away the Turks from whom they took thirty two Barrels of Powder and by that means for the present preserved that work and the Lives of many Souldiers The 17 th of October the Christians sprang two Mines one of thirty and another of five and thirty Barrels of Powder which did the desired execution upon the Turks which some brave spirits seconded by a bold Sally amongst which none was more eminent than a Greek Priest who moved with zeal to his Country entered far into the Enemies Trenches where having killed a Person of Quality hand to hand he was returning with the Trophy of his head but being in the way intercepted by three at once he was unequally matched and slain and died with the highest honour imaginable under the Walls of his Native City Soon after the Cavalier Verneda another Engineer fired a Mine of forty Barrels of powder which made the very City and Works tremble like an Earthquake for whereas this Mine should have taken its effect on the Enemies Redoubts Providence ordered that it should take its passage through an old Gallery with so much violence and smoke that it suffocated the Miners Carpenters and Masons to the number of sixty men Towards the end of this Summer the Turks at Constantinople and Adrianople grew big with the expectation of the happy News and Arrival of that messenger that should declare the taking of Candia and the end of the Venetian War to entertain which joy with the more readiness they had prepared Lights and Lamps and artificial Fire-works to solemnize their Dunalma and made publick prayers and procession of the youth of the City twice a week but finding their hopes frustrated and their joys from Month to Month deferred their expectations became tyred and wearied and growing almost ashamed of their disappointment began to throw the blame of the miscarriage of their Affairs on the ill Conduct of the Vizier and the sluggishness of their Souldiery The Grand Signior also more impatient than the rest dispatched away a Messenger with Letters to the Vizier reproaching his cowardise and sloth that being provided with a most puissant Army and with all other appointments of War should suffer the Ottoman Force to be baffléd and entertained in taking a single Fort for longer time than formerly it had been in subduing whole Provinces and Kingdomes and moreover charged the Messenger to bring him a faithful and true Relation of the state of all Affairs and what was the real cause and difficulty that so long obstructed the progress of his Arms but yet sent the Vizier for his encouragement a Sword and a Vest of Sables as tokens of his favour The Great Vizier moved with this message resolved to give some certain proofs of his industry and valour and either to take the place or else at least to convince his Master by the knowledge and testimony of his Inquisitor that the Work was of more hazard and longer time than was apprehended in the Seraglio Whereupon preparations were made and the time of assault was appointed chiefly on the side of Panigra so that pressing valiantly forward they planted six of their Colours on the ruines of that work so that now full of hope and courage they adventured to descend into the Ditch but being prevented by three Mines which contained seventy Barrels of powder they were mounted in the air with so much noise and violence that many Bodies were tossed on the Rampire of the Town many of their greatest Redoubts overthrown and Graves made for multitudes of the Assailants This Assault as it began with great fury so it continued for many hours in which action Signior Pisani Proveditor General of the Kingdom was killed by a Granado Howsoever the Enemy was repulsed by the valour of the Christians insomuch that the Turks growing faint were pressed forward by the Vizier who to encourage his Souldiers promised an extraordinary reward of honour and mony to him who should but first touch the Walls with his hands The hopes of riches and honour so pricked forward all conditions of the Souldiery that the Commonalty desperately threw themselves at all and endangered so far the taking of Panigra that they had certainly possessed themselves of it had not the Venetians had recourse to their last refuge of Mines and blown the whole Work into the Air by which perished three Pashaws and great numbers of common Souldiers And
Armata Of the Turks were slain Durach Bey the Bey of Coron and Hastam formerly Bey of Coron The Great Vizier from the Camp could all the time behold the flashes of the small and great shot and by help of the Venetian Lights perceive the success of his own Fleet not answerable to his expectation What loss the Turks sustained with Slaves and Souldiers is incertain only an hundred Christian Slaves were released and four hundred Turks captivated and amongst the slain was Durach Bey himself a stout Sea-man and a known Pirate who from a small Brigantine had raised himself to be Begh of the Morea and to command four or five Gallies of his own In like manner and not long after a Squadron of Venetian Ships were forced by storm in the night to anchor under Cape Spada where accidentally six Turkish Gallies were riding The Sky being very dark and close the first Ship ran foul of a Galley and so shattered and crushed her sides that being ready to sink the Turks forsook her and run aboard the Ship to save a life which was to be afterwards miserable and slavish The others assrighted at the arrival of these unexpected guests slipt their Cables to seek harbour in a tempestuous Sea but the weather being too boisterous for Gallies one of them was cast away and about an hundred and seventy men lost the news hereof being brought to Venice by Colonel Vecchia with the Ensigns and Spoils taken from the Enemy the Senate bestowed the honour of Knighthood on the Captain-General comforting the families of the slain and wounded with signal marks of Honour and Glory The Captain-Pasha put this year to Sea more early than was usual designing to make as many Voyages to Candia as was possible with Succours both of Men and Ammunition his design and work was wholly to avoid the Venetians and to steal ashore his Recruits to which end he made such expedition in every Voyage that scarce could the Christians have advice of his arrival in any part of the Isle of Candia before he was well forwarded in his return yet his haste was not so great but one time having fifty three Gallies in his Campany he adventured to look into the Port of Nio where he met four Corsaires or Free-booters under Maltese Colours commanded by two Brothers Themericort and by the Knights Verva and Bremont two of the Ships were on the Careen washing and tallowing their Vessels whilst the other two viz. the Themericort Brothers were on the Guard being at anchor in the narrowest entrance to the Harbour The Turks supposed at first that so formidable an appearance of their Fleet would affright the Christians to a Surrender rather than to contend on those unequal terms But it seems the Corsaires were more resolute than was imagined for no sooner did the Turks approach than the Christians discharged their Cannon and Vollies of small shot so plentifully as caused the Gallies to dispute at a farther distance where shooting as it were at rovers with their long Cashee Pieces not adventuring to come to a nearer Fight for the space of eight hours made as reported about eight thousand shot with little or no execution so that the Captain-Pasha made his sign of Retreat and forsook the Engagement as being too dangerous and difficult an Enterprise But better success had the Turks the next month at Sea against Captain Georgio an old and subtle Pirate who for many years had vexed and pillaged not only the Turks but Christians on all Isles of the Archipelago great fortune he had in taking Turkish Saiks and Vessels and some of them considerably rich and when that prey failed him or was scarce he then pursued his game on the shore from whence he often carried men women and children into slavery and oft-times had the fortune of considerable Booty The Islands which lay open and unguarded were his common Rendezvous where the men attended his service and the women his lust In this manner this Pirate passed for several years having obtained unto himself a fame and terrour with the Turks and richess at home the place which he commonly chose to wash and tallow his Vessels was amongst certain small Isles in the Bay of Edremit anciently Adrimetum opposite unto Mytilene from whence he had as from a Thicket or Wood a view of such Vessels as passed the great Road towards Constantinople these frequent successes rendred him so confident and secure that he still continued his station notwithstanding the Turkish Naval Forces which in the Summer season made their Rendezvous at Scio. But at length the Captain-Pasha with the whole Turkish Armata being at Scio and with him three Ships of Tripoli advice came that Captain Georgio had not forsaken his little Isles but was there careening his small Fleet which consisted of two Ships and a Brigantine hereupon the Tripoleses were commanded out to encounter the Enemy whom the next day they found so secure and negligent that he discovered not his Foes before they were ready to attaque him The Captain Pasha also fearing that the Tripoleses were not of sufficient Force to encounter so valiant and experienced a Commander both to make the Enterprize the more easie and certain and to gain the reputation of that business to himself went out in person with all his Gallies The Tripoleses had began to fire on Captain Georgio before the Pasha came in to their assistance but it falling calm and the Ships not able to join in a nearer fight gave way for the Gallies which being above fifty in number overpowered the Christians on all sides howsoever the two Ships defended themselves against all this Force until the Captain himself being killed his own Ship surrendred but so shattered that she was scarce able to swim above water This Ship being overcome the Turks boarded the other commanded by Captain de Leseases who seeing no remedy to avoid being taken he leaped into his Boat and blew up his Ship howsoever could not escape his destiny for having his Arm broke he became a prey and a slave to his Enemy The News of this Victory was celebrated with so much the more joy by how much this person was feared and hated and was not only a subject of rejoycing to the Turks but also to the Christians whose Parents and Relations this Corsaire had pillaged and enslaved so that the Inhabitants of the Archipelago for the most part were pleased with the revenge and promised more security and quietness to their open Coasts With no less triumph was this News posted to the Grand Signior who rewarded the Messenger with two thousand Dollars gratuity and caused demonstrations of joy to be made through the whole Court so dreadful was grown the Name of so inconsiderable a person in respect of the greatness of the Ottoman Empire But the success of this advantage did not heighten the courage of the Captain Pasha to that pitch as to make him more bold with the
to yield a divertisement to those on the Walls and perform that Action and Enterprise for which they had designed and undertaken this Voyage of which some of them were so impatient that they would not expect Orders for their Sally as the Chevalier De Tresmes who alone entred into the Enemies Works and returned with his Sword all bloody at which La Fueillade his Commander was so incensed that he reproved him with this short reprehension I would as gladly see a Butcher as you Others by this example scarce refrained from the like amongst which Monsieur De Ville Franche drew a Turk by force from his Trench and brought him to the foot of the Bastion but there he was forced to quit his Prize for being shot in the Leg with a Pistol-bullet soon after dyed of the wound By these examples the Commanders seeing it impossible to repress or abate the mettle of these vigorous Spirits their bridle was taken off and licence given to make their excursion so that all things being ordered and contrived for a Sally before break of day in the morning they silently issued forth and leaping into the Enemies Quarters valiantly mingled with them cutting and hewing down all before them their Banner was a Crucifix carried in the Front by Father Paul a Capuchin Fryer who little regarding those who followed him proceeded with his Ensign as unconcerned as if he had been in Procession which so animated the Souldiery that like men conducted by miracle they broke through the gross Body of the Enemies Force and so violent they were in their combate and so intent to their business that they neither observed the multitudes of the Enemy which came upon them nor the signal of their Commander for a Retreat until at length discovering their danger they made speed with some disorder to return having lost an hundred and twenty Gentlemen in this rencounter whose heads being cut off as the custom of the Turks is were pitched upon the Pikes end and ranked before the door of the Viziors Tent amongst which the head of the Marquess Doradour did beyond all the others draw the eyes of the Turks who admired the clearness of his complexion and fairness of the hair which being breaded in tresses for the more convenience in fighting made death it self beautiful and was at the same time both his Enemies glory and their compassion The French having thus evaporated their fury with this Phlebotomy there not remaining above two hundred and thirty after this Sally of all those six hundred brought into Candia Monsieur La Fueillade with his reliques departed at which time the whole strength of the Town consisted of about seven thousand stranger Souldiers four thousand Inhabitants and two thousand Savoyards which was too weak a Garrison to resist so potent an Enemy so formally and strongly incamped unless supplied with new Recruits Wherefore the Dukes of Brunswick and Lunenburg mindful of their Christian Brethren in this distressed Siege contributed three Regiments towards their relief consisting in all of three thousand three hundred men The first under Count Waldeck the second under Molleson and the third under Count Radesfeld They made their Muster first at Verona and imbarking at Venice the 28 th of March on the 12 th of May 1669 they arrived at Candia These valiant Souldiers desiring to ease the long besieged Companies demanded the Guards of Sabionera and St. Andrea which being by this time become hot and dangerous stations were not disputed with that heat of honour as formerly but were easily yielded to the fresh and new-come Souldiery Many now and various were the assaults which the Enemy made upon the Town hoping to carry it by dint of Sword but the Christians unweariedly maintained their valour and courage and particularly the Lunenburghers whose gallantry deserved its due praise and reward Their General Count Waldeck whilst he undauntedly incouraged his men and openly exposed himself on the Works received a mortal wound of which soon afterwards he dyed but before he expired he assembled together his Fellow-Souldiers and incouraged them in the Holy cause they were come to maintain giving them as a Farewel-Sermon instructions and perswasive arguments to a godly life and having confessed his own sins in the presence of them all he resigned his spirit into the hands of his Creator leaving not only his own Forces but the whole Town disconsolate for the loss of so able a Commander And now the time of year approaching wherein the Town expected its ultimate Relief and the Union of all the Princes of Christendom for raising the Siege which had continued for the space now of about two years the valiant Christians full of hopes daily animated each other casting their eyes to Sea-ward promised a reward to the first Descryer of the long desired Fleet. The Turks also being advised of the expected Succours resolved if possible to perform the business designed before their arrival and thereupon made one of the greatest assaults that ever was yet given to the Town in which though the Christians behaved themselves with all valour imaginable yet the Turks still gained farther footing and advantage And now it fared with the Town after every storm as it doth with a physical body after every accession of a Feaver which though it intermits for some time yet it leaves the Patient always more weak and debilitated than before Wherefore the Christians increasing in care and diligence the Captain-General disarmed several of his Gallies to supply the Town with what Force he could possibly contribute and the Engineers imployed their brains for destruction of the Enemy so that they fell again to their Mines and sprang one which took good effect soon after they sprang seven others after which four more near the Revelin of St. Spirito which blew up many Turks ruined their Lodgings and buried one of their Batteries these also were followed by another Mine of an hundred and sixty Sacks of Powder which took its way between St. Andrea and the Revelin of St. Spirito with extraordinary execution and violence throwing up that vast quantity of Earth and Timber that it not only overwhelmed the Enemy in the neighbouring Trenches but overthrew a Battery of three Pieces of Cannon which the Turks had raised on the Revelin of St. Andrea yet all this served to increase the heat and fury of the Enemy rather than abate it for they imagining this to be the ultimate force and the last blast of the expiring Fortress plyed their assaults with the more fury and madness pressing forward the crowds of the Souldiery collected lately in Villages and the Janisaries newly created taken from the Plough to be matter and fuel for the Christians Powder Winter now approaching and the Vizier resolving to quarter a second year under the Walls of Candia began to provide against the weather and resolved to lye still until the Spring should renew the time for action but never intermitted his
as consisted with their security and from thence with their great Guns to annoy the Enemies Camp as much as was possible came that night on shore resolving to fight in the Head of the Forlorn Hope from which hazardous adventure no intreaties or counsel of his friends could prevail to disswade him The Forlorn consisted of 400 men on the head of which marched fifty men with hand Granadoes flanked with three Troops of Horse Commanded by Count Dampiere the Regiments of Guards with four Troops of Horse for their Wings flanked also with three Regiments of Foot followed the Forlorn The Reserve consisted of the Regiments of Harcourt Conti Lignieres Rosan Montpesat and Vendosme slanked with four Troops of Horse under Command of the Count Choiseul which placed themselves on a rising ground to hinder all Communication between the Vizier whose Camp was before S t Andrea and the Janizar Aga who lay before Sabionera Between the first and second line were placed fifty Musketiers of the King to be assistant on occasion and the other Troops of Horse were to take the left hand along the Trench leading to the Sabionera the Regiment of Montpeyroux was to mount the Guard on the Fort of St. Demetrius to secure the Retreat if occasion should require In like manner five hundred Pioniers were ordered to level the Trenches of the Enemy on the Quarter of St. Andrea whilst the Body of the Turks Army was imployed in repulsing the violence of the Sally Things being disposed in this manner and the morn approaching the Forces marched out by the Gate of St. George with all silence possible covering their Matches that the fire might not alarm the Enemy the Onset was to begin with the dawning of the day and the Signal was to be given by siring of the chief Mine Royal which being large and furnished with a great quantity of Powder might as was supposed make way to the slaughter of the Turks whom the Christians might sind terrified and disordered by such an unexpected accident This Mine was reserved for the last extremity but being low was full of water so that the Powder was stowed on floats and rafts to support it but yet received so great a damp and moisture that when they came to spring it the Powder took not fire which was the first disappointment of this Enterprise Though some are of opinion that the Mine was so vast and contained such a quantity of Powder that the Engineers were timorous to spring it lest it should reverse on the Besieged as well as take effect on the Enemies Camp But be it how it will a quarter of an hour before day the Generals expecting no longer the Forlorn Hope which lay within half a Musket-shot of the Enemy assaulted two Redoubts took them and put them all to the Sword with the like courage the other Regiments entred the Line and making themselves Masters of the Trenches after much blood and slaughter and storming a Fort on which was the Battery directed against St. Demetrio possessed themselves of it and therewith of a great Magazine of Powder belonging to the Enemy spiking all the Cannon that were found therein The day by this time being clearly broken out discovered the action so that the Turks with all expedition put themselves into a Body on the Hill near New Candy from whence observing and contemning the small number of the Christians came thundring down in great numbers to regain their Trenches The Duke of Navailles perceiving his Forlorn hardly beset came in to their assistance with two Regiments of Foot and two Troops of Horse which behaved themselves with that gallantry as ingaged the Turks again to quit their Trenches But whilst success seemed thus to smile on the Christians the Magazine of Powder which was newly won containing an hundred thirty four Kintals of Powder by what accident is not known took fire and blew up all into the air by which many were destroyed and wounded especially of the Batallion of the Guards with many Officers This fatal blow quite turned the Scale of Fortune For the Souldiers hearing the dreadful clap and feeling as it were the Earth to tremble under them supposed it to be the eruption of some Mine near them with which they were so amazed that they began with confusion to disperse to the right and left and put themselves into shameful flight In like manner the Forces near the Sea sensible of the blow began to retreat and abandon their design which no perswasions of their Officers or other incouragement could animate them to prosecute but that the faintness of a second Attempt an infirmity recorded of ancient Times to be incident to the nature of the French Nation prevailed upon their spirits beyond any possibility of arrest so that in a disorderly manner they fled into the Body of the first Battalion where being now united with the Reserve they for some time sustained the shock of the Enemy until other Bodies of the Turks from New Candia and St. Andrea over-powered them with greater multitudes so that then they wholly abandoned the field and every one as well as he could sought his Sanctuary and refuge within the Precincts of the Fortifications Howsoever Choiseul and Lebret each of which had a Horse killed under him incouraging their Troops disputed the case yet longer and still with other Officers made head upon the Enemy but at length with the Duke of Navailles and several other Gentlemen who made their way through the Enemy with their Swords they were forced to retreat honourably into the Town The Duke of Beaufort was said to have laboured much in resisting the shameful flight of his men and venturing his Person into danger from whence he resolved never to retreat was overwhelmed with unequal numbers and so fell amongst the common heaps but his body though much sought after being not found it was believed rather that he perished by that fatal Magazine of Powder which blowing up affrighted and disordered the whole Christian Army But not only did misfortunes attend the Land-Forces but the Fleet at Sea shared in the disasters For some few days after the wind blowing hard from the Sea caused the Ships to ride at a distance from the shore The whole Fleet consisted of eighty Ships small and great fifty Gallies and six Galleasses being the whole Force of that Year from France Italy and Malta All which being at Anchor in due order as near the shore as was safe or convenient made many shot into the Turks Camp but with little execution during which Action the Santa Teresa a French Ship of seventy Brass Guns blew up and her whole Company lost being about three hundred men of which seven only were saved the Admiral of France being near to this Ship received five shot from her which passed through her and by the Splinters and fall of Timbers the Vessel called La Reale had six Cavaliers killed and forty Souldiers Slaves were killed and wounded
remained alive It was true that besides the Kings service he was acted by some inward motives of Religion but that he could not transgress the Commands and Instructions of his Majesty which injoyned him to imbark his Forces in order to their return about the 20 th of that present month of August In reply to which though the Captain-General and the other Venetian Officers and also Bali Rospigliosi the Admiral of the Popes Gallies urged his stay with all the instances and arguments imaginable yet nothing could prevail to detain him until the arrival of other Forces only he was contented to leave six hundred men in the Town during the time that he continued at Standia so that by this time having imbarked his Forces and lastly the six hundred men lest on the Works the Duke took his farewel and departed so that the Town being as it were deserted and forsaken of its chief hopes all things were given for desperate and men began to be weary of their lives as well as of the War and of their labours and whereas with the assistance of the French as it was said in the Council the Town might have held out until the next Spring it was now by this grand revulsion reduced to its last Crisis and so weakened as that no possibility of preservation remained but in honourable terms of Surrender And though the French in their Voyage home about Malta encountred positive Orders to remain on the place yet judging the Town might already be surrendered and so the return disgraceful and in vain proceeded not withstanding in their course for France for which default and want of constancy the Duke of Navailles being arrived at Tolon sustained the punishment of his Princes disfavour and ordered for some time not to approach the Court. The Turks by departure of the French increasing in hopes and courage made an assault on the Quarters of Sabionera and St. Andrea and first attaquing some Souldiers to the number of about thirty who were placed on the Guard at the Post of St. Pelagia they cut most of them off and put the rest to slight with which the Turks being more animated advanced to the Palisade of the new Retrenchment but Vollies of Cannon and showers of Musket-shot and stones pouring on them gave some stop to the sury of their career Grimaldi observing that the Enemy was at a stand brought up his Voluntiers and Cavalry which served on Foot and together with the Forces from Brunswick so plyed the Turks with stones Granadoes and shot that the Fight was confused bloody and horrid howsoever the Enemy so persisted that the Commanders gave Order That the gross of the Army should fall on but the Souldiers were so broken and torn that they refused to advance though thrust forward with the point of Sword and Spear The Captain-General in the mean time taking his course along the Marine on which part also the Turks were far advanced caused a Mine to be sprang under the thickest crowd of the Turks which consisting of an hundred Barrels of Powder made such a destruction as abated much of the storm and induced the Enemy to retire within their Redoubts The Marquess St. Andrea in like manner performing the office of a valiant and experienced Souldier applied himself to all places where danger most required his presence and recovered certain Breast-works which the Enemy had gained in this Skirmish Nor was the storm less furious and bloody on the part of Sabionera nor was the success and advantage on the Christians side less considerable in all which the Souldiery deserved great commendations and renown the two French Regiments of Perasi and Jonsac under the Command of the Sieur Choiseul did wonders as also those few which remained of the Regiments of Savoy commanded by Signior Arborio Signior Rados Nicolo Polani a Noble Venetian the Proveditor Cornaro the Colonels Gabriel Givii and the Sergeant Major of the Troops of Brunswick and Sergeant Major Bellegarde as also the Commander in chief of Malta gave honourable testimonies of their Bravery and Valour In short the Captain-General praised them all which was the best reward he could bestow on such generous Souls and then sent Orders to Standia That the Forces arrived with the Duke Mirandola should immediately be landed these Forces which when they were first imbarked amounted to the number of a thousand five hundred men were now by Calentures and other sicknesses caused by the excessive heats of the season reduced to six hundred and though they were unhealthy and unexperienced Souldiers yet the extremity of Affairs was such as called them to immediate service and to be placed on the Guard of the new Retrenchment But all this could give little relief to the perishing condition of this miserable Town which was not only weakened by departure of the French but by at least five hundred others such as Swedes and Germans and other Nations who notwithstanding all care and endeavours to the contrary crowded under the French Banner Likewise the Batalion of Malta imbarked which though reduced to a small Body was yet very considerable for the Quality and Valour of the Cavaliers which example all the Voluntiers followed and thereby reduced the Town to a condition beyond all possibility of defence for that in actual service not above four thousand men remained and of these at least an hundred a day being killed the Town must necessarily in a short time become a prey to the Enemy wherefore the Captain-General called a Council of the most eminent Officers and because the matter was of great importance he judged fit also to have the opinion of the Commanders of the Galleasses and of the other Captains of the Fleet. At this Council were present Francesco Morosini Captain General Giacomo Contarini Duke of Candia Girolamo Battaglia Proveditor General of Armes Daniel Morosini Proveditor of the Kingdom Giacomo Cornaro Proveditor of the Kingdom Alvise Minio Commissary of the Ammunition and Provision Marquis S t Andrea Montbrun General of the Army Marquis of Frontenac Lieutenant General The Baron Frederick de Spaar General of the Tramontani The Cavalier Bartolomeo Varisano Grimaldi Sergeant General Baron Chilmerseck Sergeant General Count Francis Salvatico Governor of the Armes of the City Cavalier Verneda Chief Engineer and Superintendent of the Artillery On the other side sate the Commanders at Sea which were as followeth Lorenzo Cornaro Proveditor of the Fleet. Alvisé Magno Captain in Extraordinary of the Galleasses Iseppo Morosini Captain in Ordinary of the Galleasses Georgio Benzoni Captain of the Gulf. Ascanio Giustiniano Governour of the Gulf. Angelo Morosini Pay-master Gio. Batt Calbo Commissary of the Ammunition and Provisions Alexandro Locattelli Cancellier All which having taken their places the Captain General began to declare That the extremity of the place was so well known and evident to them all that there was no need for him to inform them of the particulars only that he had called them