that appeared made a motion putting themselves into three Lines leaving only two great squadrons on their right They then came and charged the left of the Christian Army with much fierceness and searching the Poles they attack'd the Hussars which the Great General Commanded At the same time the gross of the Turks who were in the middle of the height advanced towards the adverse Foot as if they would have charged them and being come within half Musquet-shot they declined to the leât of the Christians exposing their Flank to relieve their own men The Duke who was gon towards his Infantry seeing this motion ran along the Line of the Horse of the left Wing and with all the party ãâ¦ã first Line which had not yet charged he himself advanced at the head of the Squadrons and charged the Enemy in flank which put them to a general rout incapacitating them to make head again He ordered Dunewald to pursue with the whole first Line and with all the Poles of the same Wing who followed them Pell-Mell to the very Gates of Barkam and the Marshes of Gran where many of them were slain Whilst Count Dunewald chased the Enemy the Duke caused the Army to advance in Battalia towards Barcam The King having seen the flight of the Turks was come from the right Wing to the left to complement the Duke the Generals and Senators who accompanied him did the same Amongst the rest Iablorisky the Grand General of Poland in presence of all avowed that his People refusing to advance to sustain the Hussars the readiness of Count Dunewald to succour him and the Vigour of the Emperours Horse had repaired that fault and could not be sufficiently commended And now in the disorder the Enemy was in they resolve to attack Barcam The King caused some of his Cossacks to advance and the Duke added five Battalions of Starenberg of Grana and Baden all under the conduct of Count Starenberg This detachment was scarce ordered when the Duke who was approached to the Fort to inspect it was advertised that the Bridge upon the Danube was broken by the precipitate flight of the first Run-aways and that the crowding in Barkam and upon the side of the River were so great that they seemed to be packed upon each other He hasted thither and would lose no time upon such an occasion He gave Prince Lewis of Baden orders to dismount the Regiments of Dragoons of Schults Comfettein and Castell and to march to the Fort on that side to make a second Attack The command was instantly executed and having sent some parties of Foot by Water and five pieces of Cannon charged with Cartrages he ordered that the Fort should be assaulted whilst the great and small shot plyed their Vollies upon the Banks of the River The Turks seeing themselves thus pressed on all sides could not withstand the Attack the place being forced the Foot and Dragoons entering at the same time by the ways they attâmpted it The slaughter was terrible though most of the defendants to save themselves from the fury of the assailants precipitated themselves into the Danube some leap'd in with their Horses others tried to pass by swimming holding by the Mane and tailes of their Horses or some plank or piece of the broken Bridge and there were some who crept over the dead bodies which were held by the cordage and pieces of wood remaining where the breach was This slaughter continuing long the number of the dead was very great all that part of the Danube near the shore not being very rapid being filled with them all the surface of the River where largest being covered with cloaths and the equipage of Men and Horses and there did not escape above seven or 800 of all this multitude who found their preservation in the kind of a Redoubt which was at Barcam where they had put themselves and from whence they demanded quarter and had it The Town being garrisoned with Dutch and Poles Count Staremberg seeing these two Nations were ready to murther each other for the booty removed the Imperialists having only the Poles there who awhile after burnt Barcam and all the Pallisado's that âââlosed it because the Turks had placed the ââads of the Poles slain in the late Engagement upon the tops of them Count Tekely who had orders from the Grand Visier to joyn with the Bassa of Buda at Barkam was advanced upon the Mountains within two miles of it but being informed by those he sent to discover what the Christians did of what was passed he retired with much diligence By Letters from Gran as also by the relation of Prisoners there were not 3000 men of all this detachment of 14000 Horse and 1200 Janisaries saved They were the flower of their Army commanded by the Bassa of Buda Haly Bassa of Aleppo the Bassa of Silistria and some Aga's The booty was great above six thousand Horses being taken and the Tymbals and the Baggage which the Poles had left were recovered This Victory did not only re-assure the Poles but put the Male-contents into a despondency and did so strongly increase the disorders in the Turkish Army that the Grand Visier unable to master them was obliged to retire The next thing the Christians undertook was the Siege of Gran though the Duke had need of all his Reasons and elocution to perswade the King of Poland to it but having at length consented and the Bavarian Forces being come up three Batteries were forthwith raised and ten great Guns were by force of men as also eight Mortars drawn up the Mountains of Martin and Thomas deserted by the Enemy The Castle was strongly battered on the Gate on the Buda side great quantity of Bombs were thrown in and the shooting lasted all day The Imperialists advanced to the Ditch and lodged there on the side of the Bavarian approaches They advanced to the foot of the Wall which lookt towards Barcam and about five in the evening some commanded Battalions of the Imperialists attack'd the City on the other extremity and carried it without resistance for as much as the Enemy having retired contented themselves to defend it by their great firing from the Castle from whence the very sills of the Houses are discovered The Imperialists being masters of the City the Bavarians in the Night gained the foot of the Castle where they fell to Mining whilst the Imperialists leaped into the Mote and lodged there Several men were lost there by the defendants Bombs Granadoes Stones c. which they continually threw amongst them whilst they were covering themselves The Cannon beginning to make a breach about Ten a Clock and the Miner at work a Summons was sent in by a Turkish Prisoner with offer of goods and life if they would surrender the place before the day was ended The besieged demanded till the morrow which being refused the firing of the Artillery Musquets and Bombs were redoubled They passed the Moat made two Lodgments by
they discovered a Fort-Royal with four Bastions which the Turks had built in the middle of the Town with intent to fly thither for Sanctuary in case of the last Extremity but that Hour was not yet come for the Defendants animated with their late Successes made another Sally on the 14 th instant with such numbers that they dislodged the Bavarians from the Breach drove them out of their Trenches filled up part of their Works and killed Two hundred of their Men to Succour which the Elector coming himself in Person repulsed the Enemy with a great Slaughter and caused his Soldiers and Labourers to open their Works again and repair to their former Stations The Miners still continued to Labour but received considerable impediments by Springs of Water which overflowed their Works The Seraskier kept the Christian Camp in a continual Alarum until the Raising of the Siege And whensoever he came so near as to engage with the Enemy the Defendants at the same time Sallied from the Town and retired again with different Successes sometimes with advantage and at other times with loss On the 24 th a general Alarum was given over all the Camp that the Seraskier with all his Cavalry and Eight thousand Ianisaries drawn out from Alba Regalis and other parts and Fifteen Pieces of Artillery was come within two Leagues of the Lines upon which Report all the German Cavalry mounted on Horse-back and drew themselves up into a Posture of Defence but it proved a false Alarum and served only to increase the Fatigues and wearisomness of the Soldiery As the Spirits of the Besiegers were Drooping and Fainting without so the many Successes of those within filled them full of hopes of a speedy delivery for they had lately taken so many Boats laden with Provisions designed for the Christian Camp that their wants of necessary Sustenance were supplyed And on the 29 th Some Deserters from the Christian Camp discover'd to them several Mines which were preparing against them by which intimation they opened the Earth found and disarmed them of their Powder which was so great a disappointment and discouragement to the Christians that it was esteemed by the most experienced Commanders almost impossible to gain the Town in regard the Season of the Year was spent and the Winter already enter'd In Consideration of which the Duke of Loraine assembled a Council of War to deliberate concerning the Resolutions which were to be taken in the present Exigency and Conjuncture of Affairs At which time Prince Erman of Baden President of the Council of War at Vienna arrived in the Camp having been dispatched by the Emperor with Commission to Command the German Infantry during the Sickness of the two Counts of Staremberg and with Instructions and Orders also to the Duke of Loraine to raise the Siege in case there was not a certainty or at least some probable hopes of reducing the Town in a very short term of time for that his Imperial Majesty desired not to consume his Forces in a desperate and fruitless Enterprise The arrival of this Prince was very seasonable at this time both for the Message he brought as also for his ability and knowledge in War being a wise Man and an experienced Officer In whose Presence matters were again taken into Consideration and the State of the Town within and of the Camp without was laid before the Generals and Field-Officers some few advised to continue the Siege until the Success was tried and seen of certain Mines which were still forming in the Bavarian Quarters But the greatest part representing the ill Condition of the Troops the want of all necessaries in the Camp the extremity of the Season and the apparent hazard of a total Destruction to the whole Army in case of a general Assault were of Opinion That the securest way were to raise the Siege in the best order possible for saving and securing the Army from Sallies from the Town and Attacks by the Seraskier and his Army But before this Point was concluded the Duke of Loraine the Elector of Bavaria and Prince Erman with sevetal other Chief Officers took a Survey of all the Lines and Quarters of the Camp and having consider'd that the Defendants were still Ten thousand strong and well provided with Victuals and Ammunition and that it was impossible without greater Force to debar them from all Communication with the Danube from which they received daily Supplies and that the Mines in which they had placed their greatest hopes had either been discover'd by the Enemy and disarmed or by the inexperience of the Workmen and Ingeniers had taken vent and reversed without any Execution It was then concluded and fully resolved to raise the Siege A farther Motive whereunto were the Rains which continued to fall without intermission In the first place therefore the Winter-quarters were agreed and assigned by the Council so that the Troops might know unto what Towns they were to march then all the Heavy Cannon Moâter-pieces and Bombs were order'd to be carried away and secur'd On the 1 st of November the Siege was raised in which the Christians had lost 25.000 Men And now to bring off the surviving part and to fortifie the Rear against the Sallies of the Garrison and defend the whole Army in their march against the Seraskier who being well informed of their weaknesses and loss of numbers attended their Motion was an Action wherein to employ the Art and Conduct of the wisest and most experienced Captain in the World. Wherefore all imaginable care and caution was used in drawing off the lighter Cannon and Field-pieces were placed so as to defend the Rear as also the Flank and Wings because that most of the Horse being Dead for want of Forage the Men were forced to walk on Foot in the Ranks of the Infantry which lay exposed and naked to the Cavalry of the Enemy The Imperial and Auxiliary Troops to the number of 30.000 took their march towards Gran The heavy Artillery and Baggage with Eight thousand sick and wounded Men were embarked on several Boats to be carried up the River against the Stream and such as were most Sick and Weak were with a small Guard Transported to the Island of St. Andrews which was designed for an Hospital to receive and Cure them But the Tartars entring into the Island killed above a Hundred of the wounded Men before they could be removed and pillaged the Baggage with the Equipage of Colonel Piccolomini and so much as they could not carry away they burnt and destroied A like Accident happned to some other Boats laden with the Bavarian Troops which by some accident or other being by the Winds or breaking of their Ropes or Cordage put on Shoar were suprized and taken by the Enemy which to observe their Motion had laien concealed in the Flags and Osiers which grew by the Banks of the Danube Great were the Murmurings and
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 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 they so disordered the Turkâsh 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 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 thâir Flight when the Janizaries who were making new Trenches Fired upon them and forced them to stand another Charge which thây 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 âury 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 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 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 Thâ Numbârs 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 and what is still more miraculous there was not on the Christiân side above 300 killed and wounded and none of any considerable Quality besides the Sergeant-Major of the Regiment of Stirum and Count Vellen the which great Success is entirely to be attributed to the Almighty Hand of the God of Armies This second Victory being in this manner obtained against the Seraskier on the 24th of September the whole Army continued in Arms all that Night and in the Morning Quarters were regularly set out for the Soldiers within the City of Nissa and on the 26th all things being setled in good order Te Deum was solemnly sung in the Seraskier's Tent with three Salvoes of all the Cannon and Vollies of Muskets returning Thanks to Almighty God for this Wonderful Victory which none but the Powerful Arm of the God of Hosts was able to bestow Afterward Prince Lewis having visited the City observed that it was fortified only with a single Ditch and some Palisadoes howsoever it was judged very convenient for Winter Quarters and therefore ordered that it should be something better fortified by the Work of 2000 Foot which were drawn out of several Regiments to labour on the Fortifications which in a short time was brought to that condition as
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 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 Hofâkirchen 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 Ottinâ 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 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 under the Command of the Brandenbââg Generals Barâus and Brandt came timely in to the Assistance of Count Sarau who by these Succours rallied his Men and defended his Post until about an Hour before Night when the Brigades of Hoffkirchen and Castelli with the left Wing which at this time was Commanded by the Prince of Baden in Person were advancing towards that side of the Turkish Army which was not as yet Intrenched and so furiously assaulted them that by the Divine Assistance and Arm of the God of Hosts visibly appearing for them they at last forced and entred the Enemies Camp driving them from the rising Grounds where they had planted their Cannon which when the Hungarians and Rascians observed they who until then had been something backward and watched the time to Escape came thundering down with renewed Courage and furiously entered the Turkish Camp cutting down all that presented before them by which means a Way was opened for the right Wing to advance and so the Turks being brought into the middle and attacked on all sides in a narrow Ground between their Trenches and the Danube were entirely subdued and overcome and began to fly And tho' the Turkish Cavalry for the most part found a way to escape through a void Interval laid open for the right Wing howsoever the Foot continued to defend themselves so furiously and firmly in their Trenches that tho' the Field was yielded to the Christians yet here they received their greatest loss for this Action cost the Life of the Duke of Holstein with a Deluge of Blood entirely to subdue the already conquered Enemy The Anger Rage and Despair of the Turks on one side and the Fury of the Christians on the other was such that the first scorned to accept Quarter and the others not willing to give it for which reason very few Prisoners were taken The remainder of the Turkish Cavalry amongst which was the Grand Vizier in Person were forced to break their way through the narrow Passages and Distances between the Lines with their usual Cries of Allah Allah which is a calling upon the Name of God In this Passage many of them fell and many were mortally wounded so that the Roads to the very Save were filled with dead Bodies and on the other side thereof the Grand Vizier with many other principal Turkish Officers ended their Days In this memorable Battle which was the most Bloody of any that hath happened in several Ages the Turks lost in all upwards of 25000 Men and amongst them the Grand Vizier what Officers were killed on both sides or wounded appears in the following List. The
and undisturbed March to the Gates of Vienna which he swallowing also in his thoughts hoped by his own success to repair the shame of Solyman's flâght from the Walls of that City and besides the glory of forcing the Emperor from his Imperial Seat he should atone for the sin of the Ottomon Cowardice and be the first who undertook to mend the actions and outvâe the prowess of the most magnificent and most successful of their Sultans But the Ambition of this grand design giving way to necessity and to those other impediments which obstructed it after due and mature Consultation Newhausel called by the Hungarians Oywar was fixed upon as the place to be first attempted and held up to the eye of the Souldiery as the reward and prize of their valour and hazard Wherefore Boats were provided and Planks and Timbers for a Bridge to pass the Danube which the Turks in a few days according to their usual expeditions had raised so that the Army both Horse and Foot began to transport themselves as fast as was possible to the other side but the multitudes crouded over in that disorder and haste that Three or four Thousand men had scarce passed the River before the Bridge was so broken and shattered that some time was necessarily required to repair it before the rest of the Army durst adventure to follow their Companions The Approach of the Turkish Army alarmed all that side of Hungary but especially the Inhabitants of Newhausel who observing the Turks to bend their Course that way plainly fore-saw the Storm of VVar to be breaking on them The News also of the fall of the Bridge and thereby the Separation of about Four thousand Turks from the Body of the Army was brought in by the Countrey people who forsaking their Villages fled for succour to the stronger Fortress of Newhausel Hereupon Forcatz the Governour of Newhausel a valiant and experienced Souldier though esteemed by the Turks unfortunate taking this Alarm judged that this occasion of cutting off that part of the Turkish Army which had past the River was in no wise to be omitted and therefore assembled a Council of VVar which consiâted of all the principal Officers and Commanders of the Garison amongst which was Colonel Volter that commanded the Four thousand men lately sent to reinforce the Town he declared that his Opinion was immediately to make a Sally on that part of the Turkish Army which had already passed the River before the Bridge was repaired for Transportation of the others which endeavours by God's Assistance succeeding well might not only discourage the Enemy but be a means to divert them from their present design upon their City This Advice though he pressed with heat of Argument and violence of Speech yet could it not prevail with the rest of the Council which seemed wholly averse thereunto especially Volter who declared That his Commission was not to fight in the Field but to conserve himself within the Walls for maintenance of his Garison Some days passed in this Dispute whilst Forcatz growing more eager and hot on this design used opprobrious Terms and expressions of infamy towards the other Officers accusing all such of Cowardice and Treason who refused to concur with him in this Enterprize and advantage on the Enemy which Heaven seemed to reach out to them for their Deliverance if their wisdom and courage afforded them only will and grace to lay hold on the opportunity These sharp words and resolution of the Governour provoked the minds of the Officers to a condescention and thereupon about Eight thousand men of Choice and approved Souldiers well armed with stout hearâs and hard Iron not suffering themselves to be upbraided with such reproach in the silence of the Night under the Conduct of Forcaâz their own Commander Volter remaining in the Town tooâ their way towards the Turkish Camp. and being armed with Firelocks marched with all privacy without lighted Matches or sound of Drum or Trumpet But whilst the foregoing Dispute lasted the Turks had transported the gross of their Army over the River and then lay on her Banks resting securely under their Pavillions The Christians approaching near the Turkish Camp with the first twilight and dawning of the Morning perceiving the Enemy unprovided but not discovering their Force dealt at first on-set their shot most plentifully amongst them and proceeding amidst the thickest cutting shooting killing and making havock of all before them The amazed Turks having many of their Companions brought to their last sleep before themselves were throughly awake and some flying before they discovered the reason or the danger an Alarm was given by the confused murmur of Allah Allah and that the Christians were upon them reached the farthest Quarters of the Turkish Army which immediately put themselves into Battalia and order of fighting whilst this handful of Germans proceeded forwards dealing their blows amongst their Enemies cutting the Cords of the Tents and destroying all before them But by this time the Turks having put themselves into a posture of Defence the Horse and Foot came marching in a Body extending their Wings in the form of a half Moon so as to enclose this small number and on all sides to assail them The Germans seeing this formidable sight approach and no safety in flight encouraged each other to sell their Lives at as dear a rate as they could all hopes of escape seeming desperate they fought with that courage and obstinacy as amazed the Turks and yielded not until their Spirits fainted with labour and their Swords were blunted by the Bodies of their Enemies The Count Forcaâz hardly escaped but by the help of his Horse with some few others fled to Newhausel which unwillingly received him wishing that the rashness of his Counsels had only proved his own destruction and not involved so many brave and innocent Souldiers who were only unfortunate for being over-powered by his command and perswasions The rest overwhelmed with multitudes yielded for though they behaved themselves beyond the power and courage of men yet the numbers of the Enemy prevailed at length over these Christian Champions whose Gallantry was more eminent and conspicuous in being subdued than the Glory of their Enemies in the Victory In this Skirmish few escaped amongst which Four hândred Gentlemen were slain and about eighteen hundred Prisoners reported to be taken a bad Omen at the beginning of this War. This Rout being given the Turks triumphed in Blood and success and returned wâth their Captives and Trophies back to Strigonium where the Vizier mounting a Throne of State and Majesty treated these valiant Souldiers not like men of War or Captives takân in open Field but as a Judge condemned them to dye by the hand of the Hangman or Executioner passing a formal Sentence of Death upon them as if they had been Thieves or Assassinates arrested by the hand of Justice The Sentence being passed and the Turkish Army drawn up these valiant
seest arrayed in these Plains shall only serve to render the Victories more glorious their Triumph more splendid and the flight of the Turks more infamous Count Starenberg received new assurance by his Spies from the Duke of being relieved in eight days which caused an universal Joy redoubled the Care and augmented the Courage of all men On the other side the Infidels prepared for a general assault whilst the Governour on the contrary did every day invent new Engines as Freize Horses bearded with Iron turn'd Pikes and the like to oppose in the Breaches Five hundred Horse of the Besiegers passing the River burnt some Villages but they were encountered and defeated by a party of the Imperialists commanded by Collonel Heister who cut in pieces the greatest part of them the rest endeavouring to save themselves by swimming being drowned in the River We left the Duke of Lorrain marching towards Tuln but upon advice that the Malecontents were designing to make Incursions into Moravia he detach'd Lubomirski and two Regiments of the Emperours Horse to march towards the Frontiers of that Province This Report was grounded upon the Grand Visiers Order who upon the Knowledge he had that the Imperialists and Auxiliaries took the way of Tuln and Krembs had commanded Count Tekely to enter into the Hereditary Countries with Fire and Sword thereby to oblige the Imperialists to return back to their defence But the Malecontents having no mind to engage with the Duke Tekely was contented to encamp upon the Mark however in obedience to the Grand Visiers Order he caused the Tartars and Turks that were with him to enter into Austria having promised to follow and second them with his Army The Duke being advertised that the Infidels were burning the Villages towards Eversdorf changed his march having sent orders to Lubomiski who was in the Avant-guard to hault and instead of marching towards Tuln he went to meet the Turks leaving his Baggage at Stokareau with the Regiment of Rokondi leaving to Count Lesley the Care of the Execution of those things which he had resolved in order to the Passage of the Danube and the Conjunction of the Auxiliary Forces The Duke being come to the height of Pisemberg about two of the Clock he could see the continuing of the Fires he thereupon sent Parties out who made some Prisoners They were questioned and answered that the preceeding Night they had passed the Marck with a Body of twenty five thousand Turks and Tartars that Tekely followed them and their Camp was but half a League from the Bridges of Vienna The Duke hereupon immediately commanded Baron Mercy with some Troops to the top of the height to discover the Enemy Upon his report he put the Army in Battalia extending his right Wing towards the Wood under the command of the Counts Caprara and Rabotta posting the Dragoons there and some small Field-pieces and the left Wing was extended along the Plain under the Conduct of Prince Lewis of Baden He drew the whole into two Lines and a reserve on the right whereof Lubomirski's Poles were placed The Imperial Army was composed of thirteen Regiments of Horse and five of Dragoons besides Lubomirski's two thousand Poles Whilst the Imperialists formed their Squadrons the Turks likewise ranged theirs leaving the gross of their Troops in the bottom of the Plain They began a line upon the heights extending to the left as if designing to gain the flank of the Imperialists As soon as they were approached each other they began to skirmish and as the Armies grew near the Infidels detach'd two great Troops the one of Turks which moved easily and the other of Tartars who advanced towards the left Some Volleys of Cannon which the Emperours Dragoons had on their right did somewhat disorder the Turks whilst they advanced but did not hinder them to charge the Poles with much firmness They immediately routed two squadrons and with a surprising Vigour or rather Temerity passed even to the second Line as well by the way they had made as by the interval which the Imperial Horse had left receiving in their Passage the fire of all the Neighbour squadrons which flank'd them in this charge Notwithstanding that some of them penetrated even to the Reserves and endeavoured to return by the same way they came and after the same manner but few of them came off On the left Wing the Tartars having endeavoured by small Troops to gain the flank of the Christians were not more luckey for those that past were cut in pieces by others that were sent against them or obliged to return to their main body after which the Imperialists advancing always in good order to attack the whole front of the Turks the Enemy separated before they could come up to them One part took the way towards the Marck and the other towards the Bridges of Vienna They were followed some time without being overtaken Those that took on the Danube side finding themselves pursued that the Poles were not far off and that the whole Army marched that way betook themselves to the only expedient for their escape which was to cast themselves into the River and endeavour a Passage by the remaining Posts and Pillars of the burnt Bridge leaving their Arms their Horses and their Equipage on the brink of the River but most of these were drowned and the rest all kill'd or taken The Night being come on the Duke camped where he was On the morrow he was presented with several Standards Timbals and Drums and some Prisoners of note were likewise brought to him The Turks lost as was discovered by their own intercepted Letters from a thousand to twelve thousand Men many were killed upon the place but many were drowned The Chams Son was hurt but saved himself by swimming upon his Horse The Bassa of Erlaw was slain with many Officers The next Morning some Prisoners were taken found hid in the Hedges and Bushes Their Army consisted of near fourteen thousand Turks and Tartars all Horse but that of the Malecontents stayed at the Marck The Duke came the same day to Cronenberg to refresh his Horse which had been upon Service twenty four hours with design to go and fight the Malecontents if they continued in their Post. He sent for this purpose to General Siemaâiski who was come to Nekelburg with a body of Horse being the King of Polands Avaunt-Guard to meet him the next day upon the way to Volgersdorff but being upon his March he had News that the Tekelists were retired to Tirnau that the King had sent order to his General to attend him at Nekelburg and that his Majesty would be at Krembs the first of September The Duke hereupon returned to his Camp at Cronenburg to expect the arrival of the Polish Army They seemed in the Town in much distress for the Governour had caused forty Rockets to be fir'd from the top of St. Stephens Steeple to advertise the Duke of the straits they were in and
General of the Artillery were at the head of the Foot. Count Caprara General of the Horse followed immediately by the same ways with the left Wing which contained seven Regiments of the Emperour's Lubomirski's Poles to which the King had joyned some Squadrons of his and all the Cavalry and Dragoons of Saxony The Elector of Saxony commanded the Auxiliary Troops which however of differing tempers and Bodies marched in Battalia in as much as the ground would permit it and were computed to amount to 65000 men About eleven of the clock the first Squadrons had gained the tops of Kalemberg without any opposition at all They there extended the Front of the Army above a league and a half camping on the declivity of the Mountain towards Closternewburg in three lines and some places more as the ground would permit them seizing thereby seven or eight Avenues by which they might descend and range themselves for the combat They brought at the same time some small Field-Pieces to St. Leopold and to the Monastery of Camaldoli The remainder also of the day and all the night was spent in advancing the Train which was not effected without great trouble the Mountain being so steep that none but small Field-Pieces could be brought up nor they but in some time doubling and tripling the draught Horses The Turks seeing the Christians appear about the Chappel of St. Leopold and the aforesaid Monastery drew out on their right advanced to the foot of the Mountains and extending thence to the brink of the Danube they seized the Hedges hollow-ways and heights from whence they might incommode the Enemy at the descent of the hills and first filings out of their streights The Cannon being arrived at St. Leopold and Camaldoli they quickly obliged the Turks to quit the Posts which they had taken and remove out of their shot The Troops which they had advanced consisted in Horse and another sort of Militia which fights like our Dragoons on Horse-back and on foot Of these the number was great and they had brought but few Foot out of the Camp and without Cannon in all this detachment which they opposed against the Christians The space betwixt Vienna and the ãâã of the Wood is reckoned a League and a half the Country being very difficult trenched with Vineyards Ravines and hollow ways The Vineyard was enclosed by a great Dike which covered the Turks Camp on the side of Helgstat The Duke of Lorrain had chosen this march to make use of the advantage of the heights and judging that in a situation of this nature he might secure his Flanks His design was the next day to coast the Danube and to attack the Turkish Camp on their right It was for this reason and because of the cuts in the ground that he placed a great Body of Foot to the left this Wing being designed first to charge the Enemies The King of Poland who stay'd an hour behind having encamped came to St. Leopolds Chappel from whence the Duke shewed him the descent of the Mountain the Camp of the Turks and the Troops which were advanced to oppose the descent of the Christians Their Countenance made his Majesty of opinion that they would dispute all the passages and that the Duke should do well if they could the next day seize the first heights at the entry of the Wood. He moreover desired some German Foot to joyn with his in the descent of the Mountain Having obtained four Battalions he caused them to advance on that side whereby the Poles were to descend Towards the evening of that day the Duke having surveyed the ground at the foot of Camaldoli ordered Count Lesley to command some Troops to take post at night at the going out of the Wood and to raise a Battery there the better to secure the passage of the Army the next day At first there were but two Battalions sent Count Lesley deferring to send any greater number till it was with the Artillery They laboured all Night at this work but the Turks being aware of it before it was finished they sent some Troops very early to hinder the Labourers and posted themselves near them behind a Curtain and behind Planks which well-nigh shut the descent from the Mountain before the Christians Battery Count Fontaine who commanded the Post was quick in opposing their effort and having called the men from their work and got his two Battalions together he posted them betwixt his Battery and their Barricado yet so as not to be encompassed by them who at the same time began to stretch to the right and left to gain the Christians Flanks The Duke who observed from St. Leopolds Chappel the Turks motion sent some Battalions of the Regiments next hand to the relief of his men These being commanded by the Duke of Croy arriving in time the Imperialists extended their line and took a resolution to attack the Infidels in their Post behind their blind This was executed with so much vigour that the Enemy were forced to give way They abandoned their Post and retired to another where the gross of their Body remained The Duke of Croy having his shoulder pierced with a Musket-shot in this action was obliged to retire leaving the command to C. Fontaine who disposed all things for the defence of the Post which the Enemy seemed forward to attack again but they contented themselves with shooting out of their own station the fire continuing brisk on both sides The Duke perceiving that the Turks made all that Body move which had camped beyond Neudorff to support their advanced Troops he first commanded all the left Wing to march and presently after he gave order to Prince Waldeck and to the Duke of Sax-Lawenburg to rush out of the Woods upon the Enemies who were at the head of their Camp. He sent to advertise the King of Poland of all this and understanding that his Majesty came to St. Leopolds Chappel he went to meet him there and shewing the motions the Armies were in he acquainted him with all the orders that he had given upon this occasion After they had agreed upon all things the King having performed his devotion at the Chappel mounting on Horse-back he went from Rank to Rank exhorting his Officers and Souldiers to do well and spake to them after this manner Generous Polish Cavaliers It is not only to defend the glory which your Ancestors and your courage have acquired to you of being esteemed the invincible Bulwark of Christendom against the Ottoman Power It is not the defence only of your own Country which the loss of Vienna by an infallible consequence will expose to the cruel Invasion of those against whom you are going to fight but it is the cause of God and to save the Empire of the West which does us the honour to have recourse to our Arms an honour which our Ancestors did never presume to hope for and which is reserved for your valour Think then of nothing but
meen to resolve to defend that Post which was the strongest of all and served for a Retrenchment for their Camp but their firmness did not last long The Imperialists being advanced within Musquet shot they abandoned their Station about five in the Evening and left them the convenience of passing it without disorder and entring into their Camp. It was then that the Duke making use of this Advantage wheeled all his left Wing and instead of continuing his way by the Danube he caused it to march to the right to enter into the Enemies Camp no Souldier quitting his rank to pillage their Baggage which they had abandoned and their Tents standing This motion being perceived by the Turks who were engaged against the Poles on the right Wing quite dismayed them and they began to retire for fear of being charged in the Flank The King thereupon passed the Ravine with his Troops notwithstanding the firing of some Janizaries that defended it and pursued the Enemies About seven a Clock he entred their Camp some little time after Prince Waldeck who passed into it with his Bavarians and Franconians Half an hour after the Duke having gained the Suburbs and Counterscharp commanded Prince Lewis of Baden to advance towards the Trenches of the Turks with some Troops that the Baron of Mercy conducted but this Prince could not come there so soon but that the Janizaries that were in guard there had leisure to make their retreat by favour of the Night that came on They had begun it as soon as they saw the Christians approach their Camp. They retired with no great loss having had the bravery before they abandoned their Trenches to attempt another attack against the City and to turn and fire the Cannon of their Batteries against the Army The Night suspended the Victory and obliged the Troops to make halt in that part of the Camp which was betwixt the Danube and the City the Turks being retreated on the other side of the River The Duke of Lorraine sent to complement the King upon the happy success of that day which was owing to his presence This Prince returned his complement confessing that every body had a share in it but that all the honour was due to his Conduct and to the valour of the German Troops who first entred the Camp and the Enemies works During the Night the Turks passed the River at Schunket making their retreat by the Rear of their Front and quitted their Camp with so much precipitation that they left behind them in the great Visier's Quarters the Standard of the Ottoman Empire and the Horse Tayle the ordinary Ensigns of their dignity They left also all their Tents and the greatest part of their Equipage all their Ammunition and Provisions which they had in great abundance all their Artillery amounting to 180 pieces of Cannon and Mortars and they hastened their retreat with so much diligence that their formost Troops had the next day passed the Raab The Christians lost no body of consideration except Prince Thomas of Croy the Count of Transmandorff young Poloski Captain of a Company of Hussars and the wounded besides the Duke of Croy the Counts Fontaine Tilly and Schalemburg were inconsiderable The 13 th early the Duke having appointed his Army to be ready went to wait on the King of Poland to regulate their march and the immediate pursuit of the Victory But finding him little disposed to it he omitted no instances to perswade him to it proposing to him to march with all the Army or with all the Horse only or else with a great detachment but the King opposed the weariness of his Troops and the necessity of refreshing them some hours The King thereunto being unwilling the Duke entred into the City The Grand Visier before his flight caused the Heads of five of the Women of his Seraglio to be cut off for fear they should fall into the hands of the Conquerors The Baron of Kaunitz the Emperors Resident at the Port who was at present in the Visier's Quarters was in danger of being killed by the Christians in the heat of the Battel as being habited after the Turkish fashion By day there was not a Turk left though they were traced during the obscurity of the Night by the Villages on fire the Infidels having marked their retreat with this last cruelty after they had first burnt their Camp as far as the precipitation of their flight and the fear which obliged them to be gone would permit them They retired also out of the Isle by favour of their lower Bridge the upper Bridge which they had layed being possessed by the Christians upon their arrival The same evening many Cavaliers and Souldiers entered the City with great Droves of Cattel which they found in the Camp and near it which continuing the following days Beef became so cheap that they were sold for five and six Florins each The Duke of Lorrain being now assured that he had no more Enemies to combat dispatcht the Count of Aversberg Son to the Prince of that name to the Emperor to inform him with the happy success of that day On the morrow of the fight being the 13 th the fire took in the Powder which the Turks had left a League from the City and consumed an infinite number of Bombs Granadoes and other artificial fire-works This accident was attributed to the negligence of some Christian Souldiers and yet there were prodigious quantities of Powder Bullets c. left behind It was observable that many of the Cannon which the Turks had abandoned were marked with the Arms of the Emperours Ferdinand the first and Rodolf the second After the Souldiery had pillaged the immense Riches of the Camp which amounted to many Millions the King of Poland entered into the City accompanied with Count Starenberg the Governour many Commanders and a great number of the Polish Nobility where Te Deum being sung he the Duke of Bavaria and several Grandees were sumptuously treated by the Governour the People by their joyful acclamations ecchoing the praises of their Deliverers In the mean time the Duke of Lorraine was employed in giving the necessary Orders for the Army part of it beginning to discamp and all together with the Poles designing to go in pursuit of the Enemy which favourable conjuncture was omitted in expectation of the Emperour who also arrived that evening at Vienna where he was received coming out of his Boat by the two Electors and the principal Officers of War and Justice Having taken a view of the Enemies works He caused Te Deum to be sung with all the solemnity possible in the Church of St. Stephen That done he caused the Crescent and Star the Ottoman Arms to be taken down from the Spire of that Steeple placed there since the time of Solyman being these last Turks did not cease shooting at it and raised the Cross in their place Wednesday being the 15 th the King of Poland sent his Grand
Sally was made out of the City by the Ianisaries 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 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 Ianisaries 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 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 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 theirGates 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 Ianisaries 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 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 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 26 th Day of Iuly they were advanced within Sixty Paces of the Counterscarp 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 In which Attempts One hundred and twenty six Germans were killed in one day
given to stop the effusion of Blood which came only in time to save the Lives of about Two hundred Persons In the Town Eighty Pieces of Cannon were taken with great quantities of Ammunition About Forty Christian Slaves were set at liberty The Plunder of the Town was esteemed to amount unto two Millions besides Plate good Furniture and Moveables belonging to the Houses There were Fifty Horses of Price taken which were distributed amongst the General Officers all which was performed with the loss of Fifty Soldiers only and one Lieutenant So soon as the Place was taken Count Scaffemberg took Post to carry the joyful News thereof unto the Emperor who was graciously pleased in Reward of his Services to conferr upon him the Government of that Place The News of two such Atchievements as the defeat of the Turkish Army and taking Newhausel filled all Christendom with Joy and Wonder and Thanks to Almighty God for such glorious and unexpected Successes which also being accompanied with the taking of Esperies by General Schultz and the burning of the Town and Bridge of Esseck by Count Lesly increased the Jubilee of that Year in Christendom as on the contrary never was there such a Damp on the Spirits of the Turks nor such Sorrow and Grief as at that time For the Loss having been Universal through the whole Empire the Death of Friends and Relations was lamented as far as to Bagdat or Babylon it self and to other remote parts of the East The Advice of taking Newhausel was brought to the Duke of Loraine whilst he was in Discourse with the Elector of Bavaria and the other Generals of carrying on the Wars with such other Enterprise as might conclude and terminate this Campaign with the greater Glory Upon the News hereof the Generals moved with a desire to see the Place enter'd into it on the 20 th and there beheld the most horrid Spectacle of Slaughter and Desolation in the World. To cover which immediate Orders were given to bury the Dead and to repair the Breaches which the Cannon had made in the Walls and with the Labour of Turkish Slaves to fill up the Trenches and Approaches which were made without the Town during the Siege The Christian Slaves which on occasion of the late Defeat had escaped out of the hands of the Turks came in great numbers to Newhausel and there related how that the Seraskier was come to Buda with a slight Wound in his Leg that the Confusion amongst the Turks was so great that they killed and robbed one the other in the Flight that in the Sieges of Strigonium and Vicegrade they had lost at least Four thousand Men and that the latter place was so weakned by blowing up the Tower and required so much time and labour to repair it that they expected Orders from the Seraskier to demolish and abandon the Place And in fine That the Turkish Forces were so scatter'd and divided that after all these losses and discouragements they were scarce able to Rally an Army of 30.000 Men. We having not thought fit to interrupt the Relation of two such great Matters as the Fight near Strigonium and the Siege of Newhausal with a Digression unto other Actions which being now past let us look back and behold the Progress which Count Lesly and General Schultz were making against the Common Enemy in different Places Lesly being advanced into the Country near Kanisia had the good fortune to meet a Party of Turks belonging to that place which he defeated and with the Slaughter of several hundred of them caused the rest to Fly into their Fortress After which with an Army of about Eight thousand Men composed of Croats Hungarians and Germans he resolved to render himself Master of the Bridge of Esseck In order whereunto having left his Baggage at Turnawitz under the Custody and Guard of Two thousand Men he marched away on the 9 th of August which Four thousand Germans and Two thousand Croats all choise and experienced Soldiers towards Esseck taking with them Provisions for ten Days 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 13 th 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 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 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
to the Enemy and not being seconded by other Troops above one half of them were killed upon the place the rest retiring to the main Body In this manner did the Turks make frequent Sallies on the Christian Camp endeavouring to draw them into Ambuscades but not to an equal and fair Battle which the Vizier was not willing to adventure but rather to watch advantages within his Camp which was strongly fortified with Trenches Palisadoes and Cannon having a Line drawn from the River Drave to a Wood which with a Morass and the River Valkowar to the left Flanked with the Town of Oseck and covered behind with the Castle Valkovar and the Danube by which all Provisons were carried in great abundance which render'd the Camp impregnable and not to be focred either by Arms or Famine Whilst it was impossible for the Christian Army to continue long in that posture both because they lay exposed to One hundred and fifty Pieces of Cannon of the Turks which plaid continuallyupon them thô returned with like Damage again from those of the Christians And also because they began in that place to want both Forage and Provisions so that there seemed a necessity for the Army to retire Whereupon the Duke of Loraine observing that after he had for the space of 46 hours bid defiance to the Turkish Army and that he could on no Terms provoke them to a Battle He assembled a Council of War where many things being alledged in reference to the strong Encampment of the Turks their Resolution of keeping within their Trenches which were not to be forced without danger of losing the whole Christian Army and the want of Forage and Provisions in their own Camp which were not to be supplyed in those places it was 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 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 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 theCamp 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 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 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 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 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 28 th 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 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
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 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 who having made his escape reported That the Turkish Army consisted of Eighty thousand fighting Men of which there were Twenty five thousand Ianisaries 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 12 th of August the Duke of Lorain having disposed his Affairs in a Military posture against all accidents and 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 Ianisaries 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 Ianisaries 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 Ianisaries 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 Ianisaries under foot drove them back into their Trenches 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. 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 and for that reason had the honour to be the first Messenger of this happy News unto the Emperor Count Sinzerdorf 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 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 Ianisaries 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 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 besides Fifty thousand
the After-noon the Turks began to Skirmish with a Battalion Commanded by Colonel Ceclina 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 renowed 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 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 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 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 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 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 Sunday whilst the Grand Counsel of ten were actually Sitting The Letters from the Captain General being opened and Read giving a distinct Account of the Blessings of Heaven on the Venetian Arms it pleased the Senate to give immediate Order that solemn Thanks should be render'd to God Almighty in all places of publick Devotion for his Benedictions and gracious Deliverances And accordingly his Serene Highness the Doge assisted by all the Ambassadors and Senators and Magistrates in their purple Robes descended into the Ducal Chappel of St. Mark where Te Deum was solemnly Sung with most excellent Harmony and Musick of all sorts of Instruments with firing the Guns ringing of Bells and several other Expressions of Joy and Triumph the which Festival of Joy continued for the space of three Days These Demonstrations of publick Joy being concluded the Senate which hath been always munificent in their Gifts and Honours unto those who have rendered Services to their Republick were pleased in the High Counsel of the Pregadi to ordain that to the eternal Memory of the glorious Triumphs of the Captain General Francesco Morosini that the Horse-tails and Standards which are the Opima Spolia or Royal Spoils taken from the Seraskier or Turkish General in the Field should be placed in the Senatorian Chamber And that a Statue of Brass representing the Person of Morosini should be erected with such an Inscription as might conserve the Glory of his Name to all Ages The term of time in which Count Konismark was to exercise the Office of General was enlarged for seven years beyond the time specified in his Patent with an Augmentation of Six thousand Ducats to his ordinary Stipend so that for the seven years to come he was to receive Twenty four thousand Ducats a year To the Prince of Brunswick a Jewel was ordained of Four thousand Ducats To the Prince of Savoy a Sword was appointed with a Hilt set with precious Stones to the value of Twenty four hundred Ducats To Marquis Corbon Eight hundred Ducats a year were allotted as an Addition to his former Salary All or most of the other General Officers were gratified with Presents agreeable to their
His Electoral Highness on the 7 th of September caused Te Deum to be sung in one of the Pleasure-houses belonging to the Grand Seignior situate on the Declivity of a Hill where the Elector thought fit to take up his Lodgings And a Capuchin after saying Mass was ordered by a short and devout Sermon to move the minds of the Soldiery to return Thanks unto God who was the Giver of Victory and to implore the Divine Benediction on the farther progress of their Arms. After which all the Cannon of the Fortress and of the Camp were Fired Three times with loud Vive's resounding the Fame of Leopold and Maximilian Emanuel The day following the Elector invited all the Generals and Chief Officers of the Army to a sumptuous Banquet at which also the Turkish Ambassadors happened to be present for whom and his Retinue as we mentioned before the Pasha of Aleppo had desired a Pass When this Ambassador approached near the Camp he was strangely surprized to hear all things so quiet no Noise of Guns or other Instruments of War but coming yet nearer his Eyes convinced him when he saw the Imperial Eagles advanced on the Walls that the Town was taken News being brought to the Elector that the Ambassador was come he was conducted with his Interpreter Mauro-cordato and his Followers on Horseback into the Court-yard of the House where the Elector was lodged and there being alighted he was conducted up Stairs by Two Gentlemen to the Chamber where the Elector was seated with whom at his first Entrance he passed some Complements of Thanks for the Passport and Convoy which he had so obligingly bestowed upon him After which he was led into a large Hall where a sumptuous Table was spread The Elector took the Upper-end at his Right-hand was placed the Duke of Montoua on his Left the Ottoman Ambassador and by his side the Interpreter was seated By the Duke were placed the Generals Caprara Dunewalt Heusler Rabattin Prince Charles Philip of Hannover the Vice-Commissary Falchenhan Count of Oetting Sauran Stirum Gronsfelt Montecucoli Palfi and Sereni which filled and crowned the Table with chearful Countenances whilst the Ambassador drooping in his Spirits could not hide and suppress his Sorrow from appearing in his looks The jollity of these Victorious Officers was a Ponyard to his Heart which very ill agreed with so much Festivity and Mirth of his Enemies and of the principal Officers who in very rich Habits encircled the Table Howsoever being constrained to say something which might not betray his dejection of mind casting his Eyes round upon the Company he said to the Elector That he was astonished at the appearance of so many handsome and accomplished Personages But one thing he observed That the Emperor of the Romans was served by Young Generals at which he could not much wonder for when he considered how they daily exposed themselves to the most desperate dangers there seemed an impossibility almost for them to survive till old Age Thus far it had been well if he had stopped at this period of Complement But pursuing his Discourse farther he told them that the Year before he had been at the Battel of Hatschan To which the Elector Replied That certainly he must have had a good Horse meaning to escape and run away which caused some Laughter During the time of Dinner the Trumpets Haut-boys and other Instruments were sounded and Healths drank round in full Cups of Wine to the Emperor to the continuance of prosperous Successes to his Arms and the Third to the Health of the Ottoman Emperor To all which the Ambassador did reason in Sherbet of Lemmons Wine being both against his Religion and his Custom to Drink The Fourth Health was to the Elector the Fifth to the Duke of Mantoua the Sixth to the Ambassador and then to all brave Soldiers and after many other Glasses they concluded all with a Health to a Good Peace or a Glorious War with which breaking their Glasses the Feast ended with the Day The taking of the Town and City of Belgrade was of a most fatal Importance to the Turks for thereby the Way was laid opened to Adrianople and Constantinople no Garrisons lay between them and Belgrade nor Forces to oppose the March of the Imperial Arms unless Scarcity and want of Provisions through a desolate Country in many places full of Rocks and Mountains to be passed should bring more difficulty to the progress of a Victorious Army than the Troops of their Enemies Nor did this Campaigne end as yet with the Conquest of Belgrade being seconded by others of equal advantage in Bosnia under the auspicious Conduct of that Renowned and Fortunate General Prince Lewis of Baden whom we left lately at Possega with design to attack Topal Pasha of Bosnia who had Encamped himself under Tervat or Terwent near the River of Ucraine about Five Miles distant from Proot which Prince Lewis had fortified to facilitate his passage more easily into Bosnia and to secure the Communication between the Neighbouring Forts And there also passed a Bridge over the Save which being finished on the Third of September he caused his Baggage to pass over and the next day followed with his whole Army in hopes to have drawn the Pasha from his Encampment of whose Number the Prince had no very good Account but being reported to be much less than they were the Prince marched the Fourth Instant in the Evening silently and without Noise to assault the Enemy in the Camp and having passed that Night through many strait and difficult Ways they arrived next Morning 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 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 leaving their Infantry naked and exposed to the Fury of the
which being four Leagues distant from each other On the 20th of this Month they held a Council of War at which it was resolved to advance one Day nearer to observe the Countenance of the Enemy So that very early in the Morning on the 21st they marched in good Order of Battel and by nine a Clock they discovered some of the Enemies Cavalry whom 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 Skirmââhes âssured the Christian Army their Artillery was well served and had killed many of their Soldiers and several of their bâst 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 fortiâied 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 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 brâke through the two Saxon Battalions notwithstanding the latter made a very brave Resistance but Lieutenant-General Zuiâendorf 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 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 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
him Captives For the repressing of which Outrages the Emperor with a strong Army passed over into Asia and there in the Frontiers of his Territories fortified Dorileum against the Incursions of the Turks In performing whereof he to the example and stirring up of others carried the first Basket of stones himself upon his shoulders and used such further diligence that in short time the City was compassed about with strong Walls and deep Ditches maugre the Turks who ceased not with continual Alarms and Skirmishes to have hindred the Work. With like care and for like purpose he also fortified Subleum another strong Hold and leaving in either place a strong Garrison returned again to Constantinople Nevertheless the Turks ceased not with continual Inrodes to do what harms they might upon the Frontiers of the Empire although not altogether with so good Success as before being many times cut off by the Garrisons of the late fortified Towns which grievances still increasing caused the Emperor to expostulate with the Sultan as with an unthankful man and forgetful of so great kindness before done unto him as the establishment of him in his Kingdom came unto who with no less vehemency upbraided him again with Inconstancy and breach of Promise as well for fortifying the aforesaid Places contrary to the League betwixt them as for that having promised much more he had thereof performed nothing Thus unkindness daily growing upon every trifle as it commonly falleth out among men of great Spirit and jealous of their own Honours it was daily expected when the matter should fall out into open and bloody War both of them being men of great valour and apt to revenge the least Injury to them offered Yet was it the Sultans manner warily to manage his Wars by his politique and expert Captains whereas the Emperor being of an hotter nature and couragious above measure commonly in all his great Expeditions adventured his own Person without respect what danger might thereof insue unto himself or his State. Long it was not but that the Emperor fully resolved to be revenged of so many wrongs done unto him and his Subjects by the Turks raised the whole Power of his Empire both in Europe and Asia in such sort as if he had therewith purposed not only to have rased to the ground Iconium the Regal Seat of the Turkish Sultan but even utterly to have destroyed the whole Nation of the Turks Thus with a most puissant and populous Army well appointed of all things necessary he passed over into Asia and so in good Order marching through Phrygia Laodicea Chomas called in ancient time Passas St. Archangel Lampis Caelaenas where the head of the great and famous River Maeander riseth whereinto the River Marsyas falleth and from thence to Chânia he with evil Luck and worse Speed passed by Myriocephalon an old ruinous Castle ominous by the name thereof as by the event in short time after it proved And albeit that he marched very circumspectly still intrenching his Army in every place where he lodged yet could he make but small speed by reason of the multitude of his Carriages and of the base people that attended the same The Turks in the mean while oftentimes shewing themselves in Troops and in places of advantage skirmishing sometime with one of the Army and sometime with another but never daring to adventure the fortune of a just battel yet by such means were the Victuallers of the Army oftentimes cut off and the passages for the Emperor made very dangerous And the more to distress the Christians in their long travel they found the Country before them of purpose destroyed by the Turks and the water in many places poisoned whereof the Christians unadvisedly drinking fell into many grievous Diseases especially the Flux and thereof died in great number The Sultan in the mean time although he had in readiness a right puissant Army of his own and had procured great Aid from the Persian Sultan his Kinsman and chief Supporter yet fearing the doubtful event of War and loath to adventure his whole Estate upon the fortune of a battel sought by his Embassadors sent for that purpose to come to some peace with the Emperor and that upon such honourable Conditions as by the wiser sort were thought not to be at any hand refused which large offers the Sultan as desirous of Peace made unto him not once but again and again which the Emperor nevertheless reposing great confidence in his own Power and prickt forward by the Gallants of the Court better acquainted with the brave Triumphs of Peace than the hard Wars of the Turks proudly rejected and so dismissing the Embassadors scornfully willed them to tell their Master That he would give him answer unto his Requests under the Walls of Iconium Which caused the Sultan now out of all hope of any Reconciliation to be made betwixt the Emperor and him with all his Power to take the Straits of Zibrica whereby the Army of the Christians departing from Myriocephalon must of necessity pass The entrance into these Straits was by a long Valley on either side inclosed with high Mountains which towards the North rising and falling according as the Hills gave leave opened into divers large Vallies which by little and little growing again straiter and straiter with high and craggy Rocks hanging over on either side and almost touching one another gave unto the painful Traveller a most hard and difficult passage Into this so dangerous a Valley the Emperor not fearing the Enemies force desperately entred with his Army having neither provided for the clearing of the Passages or safety of his Carriages in no other order than as if he had marched through the Plain and Champain Country although it were before told him that which he shortly after but too late saw that the Enemy had strongly possessed both the Straits and Mountains to hinder his farther passage The Vauward of his Army was conducted by Iohn and Andronicus the Sons of Angelus Constantine accompanied with Macroducas Constantine and Lapardas Andronicus in the right Wing was Baldwin the Emperors Brother in law and in the left Maurozomes Theodorus after them followed the Drudges and Scullions with an infinite number of Carters and other base people attending upon the Carriages with the Baggage of the whole Army next unto these came the Emperor with the main Battel consisting for the most part of right valiant and worthy Souldiers the Rereward was shut up by Andronicus Contostephanus with a number of most resolute men They were not far entred into these Straits but that the Turks from the Mountains and broken Cliffs shewed themselves on every side delivering their deadly shot from the upper ground upon the Christians below as thick as hail nevertheless the Sons of Angelus with Macroducas and Lapardas and the Vantguard casting themselves into a three-square battel in form of a wedge with their Targets in manner of a Penthouse cast close together over
their heads and their Archers on every side lustily bestowing their shot among the thickest of their Enemies by plain force drove them out of the Straits they had before possessed and caused them to retire farther off into the Mountains and so having made themselves way with little or no loss passed those dangerous Straits until that at length having recovered the top of a Hill very commodious for their purpose as the case stood they there stayed and presently encamped themselves And haply with like good fortune might the rest of the Army have passed also had they in like order and with like courage presently followed after but failing so to do and troubled with the multitude of their Carriages which could not possibly make any way through those strait and rough passages but troubled themselves one with another as also the whole Army they were from the upper ground miserably overwhelmed with the multitude of the Turkish Archers whose Arrows fell as thick upon them from the Mountains as if it had been a perpetual Tempest or shower of Hail to the great disordering and dismaying of the whole Army which the Turks quickly perceiving and therewith encouraged in great numbers came down from the Mountains where they had before hovered over the heads of the Christians and forcibly entring the plain ground and coming to handy blows first overthrew the right Wing where Baldwin himself seeking to restore his disordered Companies and to stay the fury of the Enemy now raging in the blood of the Christians with a Troop of valiant Horsemen breaking into the thickest of them as became a worthy Captain was there compassed in with the multitude of his Enemies and slain together with all his Followers and the greatest part of the whole Wing by him commanded With this Victory the Turks were so encouraged that coming down with all their Power they stopped all the ways whereby the Christians were to pass who as men couped up in those dangerous straits were not able either to defend themselves or to heââ one another but inclosed as Deer in a toyl and one troubling another were the cause both of the destruction of themselves and others For by reason of the straitness of the place neither could they that were before retire neither they that were behind in the rereward come forward to relieve the one the other as need required the Carriages also which were many and in the midst of the Army serving them to no other purpose than to the hurt of themselves There were the Beasts that served for burden together with the Souldiers overwhelmed with the Turks shot the Vallies lay full of dead Bodies the Rivers ran mingled with the blood of Men and Beasts in such terrible manner as is not by Pen to be expressed For the Christians not able either to go forward or retire were there in those straits slain like sheep if any courage or spark of valour were by any shewed against the Enemy fighting at so great advantage it was but lost serving to little or no purpose And to increase their miseries the Turks in scorn shewed upon the point of a Lance the head of Andronicus Bataza the Emperors Nephew who coming with an Army out of Paphlagonia and Heraclea Pontica against the Turks of Amasia was now by the way by them overthrown and slain The report whereof confirmed by the sight of his head and the consideration of the desperate danger wherein the whole Army presently stood so troubled the Emperor that he was at his wits end and with dry tears if it may be so said dissembling his inward grief as one out of comfort stood doubtful which way to turn himself For the Turks having suffered the Vantguard to pass with all their Power charged the Emperors main battel as his chief strength nothing doubting but that having once overthrown it they should easily and at pleasure overthrow the rest Oftentimes had the Emperor attempted to have driven the Enemy out of those straits and so to have opened a way for his Army to have passed but all in vain the Power of the Turks still increasing and they at great advantage notably maintaining the passages before by them taken Nevertheless seeing no less danger in staying still than in going forward he with a few of his best Souldiers armed with despair and resolved to die unto which kind of men nothing is terrible set forward directly upon his Enemies willing the rest with like resolution every man to make for himself the best shift he could And so with many wounds and sturdy blows both given anâ received he by plain force and might of Hand brake through the thickest of his Enemies and so escaped out of those straits as out of a trap but yet not without many wounds received in his Person and himself so wearied as that he was not able to lift up his Helmet being beaten close to his head and in his Target were found sticking thirty of the Turks Arrows or thereabouts the manifest tokens of his danger The other Legions seeking to follow the Emperor for other way they had none were on every side hardly assailed by the Turks and infinite numbers of them slain beside many others that perished in those straits overborn and trodden to death by their own Fellows Yea such as had the fortune to escape out of one of these perilous straits were forthwith slain in the next for this so dangerous a passage through the Mountains was divided as is aforesaid into seven Vallies which giving fair and broad entrances the farther a man went grew still straiter and straiter all which straits the Turks had before strongly possessed At which time also the more to increase the terror of the day the light sand raised with the feet of the Men and Horses was with the violence of a most tempestuous Wind which then blew carried so forcibly and thick that both the Armies grapling together as if it had been in the darkness of the night killed whomsoever they met withall without respect of Friend or Foe by which errour many were even of their own Friends slain In every place lay great heaps of Turks slain together with the Christians and with them great number of Horses and other Beasts for carriage so that those Vallies where this bloody Conflict was seemed to be nothing else but a large burying-place of the Turks and Christians with their Horses but the greater number was of the Christians that perished and they not altogether of the common sort but even of the bravest Captains and the Emperors nearest Kinsmen The violence of the Wind ceasing and the day clearing up there was of all others to be seen a most woful Spectacle men yet alive some wounded some whole covered some to the middle some to the neck with dead Carkasses in such sort as that they were not able with any strugling to get out who with their hands cast up towards Heaven with ruthful
City with a strong Counterscarp so preparing themselves as if they should have been even presently besieged But the time so passing and the Emperor delaying his coming they began to think of other matters for being brought to that strait that they could not well tell which way to turn them but that they were on every side beset with danger they upon a malicious Resolution and unto the Greeks most fatal by Messengers sent of purpose craved Aid of the Turks that dwelt on the other side of the strait over against them in Asia who presently sent them five hundred good Souldiers after whom followed also many other Fugitives and loose Companions in hope of spoil with whom the Catalonians for the present strengthned and being themselves three thousand strong issued out of the City and forraged the Country thereabouts bringing in with them great Herds and Flocks of Sheep and other Cattel together with their Keepers wherewith both the Emperors and their Subjects incensed prepared themselves for Revenge This was the first calling in of the Turks into Europe that I read of and the beginning of those endless miseries wherewith the Christian Commonweal hath been ever since most grievously afflicted and a great part thereof overwhelmed few or none grieving thereat but such as themselves feel the heaviness thereof whom God in his mercy comfort The Catalonians and Turks now lying about Cypsella and Apri in Thrace Michael the Emperor with his Macedonian and Thracian Souldiers the Magassets and the Turcopuli encamped at Apri These Turcopuli were Turks also in number a thousand who as is in the former part of this History declared being fled with their Sultan Iathaâines unto the Greek Emperor and left behind him at such time as he was by the European Tartars delivered had forsaken their Mahometan Superstition and so being become Christians were inrolled amongst the Greek Souldiers Shortly after the Emperor advertised by his Scouts of the approach of his Enemies commanded every man to be in a readiness and his Captains to put his Army in order of battel who seeing the Enemies battel divided into three parts put theirs also in like order placing the Turcopuli and Massagets in the left Wing the Macedonian and Thracian choice Horsemen in the right Wing and the rest with the Footmen in the main battel At which time the Emperor himself riding from place to place with comfortable Speeches encouraged his men to fight valiantly against their Enemies The Sun rising the Enemies battel began to come on in number much inferiour unto the Emperors yet in like order the Turks being placed in both Wings and the Catalonians well armed in the midst But the signal of battel being given on both sides the Massagets whether it were by agreement so before made with the Enemy or upon a sudden conceived Treason presently withdrew themselves aloof off and so stood as idle beholders giving Aid neither to the one nor to the other as did also the Turcopuli their Companions which greatly dismayed the Grecians and encouraged their Enemies for the Greeks dismayed with that sudden defection of their Fellows were even in the joyning of the battel discouraged Which the Emperor perceiving with great instancy intreated the Captains and Commanders of his Army calling them oftentimes by name not to be so suddenly discouraged but they in so great a danger little regarding his words and still shrinking from him when as the greatest part of his Footmen were troden under foot and slain turning himself unto them that were left which were but few he said Now worthy men is the time wherein death is better than life and life more bitter than death And having so said valiantly charged the Enemy in which Charge his Horse was slain under him and he in danger to have been taken had not one of his faithful Followers remounted him upon his own Horse and so saved his life with the loss of his own The Emperor flying to Dydimotichum where Andronicus his Father then lay was of him joyfully received but sharply reproved for adventuring his person so far The Enemies pursuing the Chace slew some took others until that by the coming on of the night and weary with the long fight they retired and the next day dividing the spoil afterwards at their pleasures forraged the Country The Renegat Turks called Turcopuli within a few days after revolting to the Catalonians were of them joyfully entertained and inrolled into the Regiment of Chalel the Turks General Shortly after this Victory the Catalonians began to mutiny among themselves the great Captain Tenza and Pharenza his Companion disdained to be commanded by Recafort their General in which tumult the matter coming to blows Tenza was slain and Pharenza for safeguard of his life glad to fly unto the Emperor Andronicus of whom he was contrary to his expectation right honourably entertained About this time also the Massagets having done the Greeks more harm than the Turks against whom they were entertained and enriched themselves with the spoil of their Friends both in Asia and Europe were about with their Wives and Children and Wealth to return again unto their old dwellings beyond Ister Which the Turcopuli with the Catalonians understanding and bearing unto them a secret grudge for that they as the weaker had by them oftentimes bin wronged in the division of the spoil of the Greeks lay now secretly in wait for them as they should pass the straits of the great Mountain Hemus which bounded the Greek Empire from the Bulgarians where setting upon them fearing no such danger they slew them almost all and with the spoil of them recompenced themselves for all the wrongs they had from them before received The Catalonians proud of their Victory at Apri and well strengthened by the revolt of the Turcopuli with continual Rodes spoiled not only all alongst the Sea-coast of Thracia but all the in-land Country also as far as Maronea Rhodope and Bizia laying all wast before them And having forraged most part of Thracia brake into Macedonia and there wintred about Cassandria sometime a famous City but as then all desolate and ruinous But the Spring being come they removed thence with purpose to have spoiled the Cities of Macedonia and especially the rich City of Thessalânica where the Empress Irene then lay wherein they were by the Emperors good care and foresight prevented who doubting such a matter had fortified his Cities in that Country and furnished them with strong Garrisons and all other things needful for their defence which they quickly perceiving and finding the Country all desolate and forsaken by the Inhabitants were about to have again returned into Thracia but as they were thereupon resolving they were informed by one that was with them Captive how that the Emperor by a mighty strong Wall built at a place called Christopolis from the Sea-side even unto the top of the Mountains had so shut up the passage as that it
not for any fear but to save the effusion of innocent blood which consideration set apart he should find him not inferior to himself either in number of most expert Souldiers or other War-like Provision and that therefore if he rejected this Offer of Peace he needed not to doubt but to meet with men of courage which would bear themselves so valiantly in the field against his Turks as that he should have no great cause to rejoyce of his coming thither Which words of the Embassador so netled Amurath that in great rage he commanded him to depart and to will his Master if he were a man of such courage and valour as he said to shew himself in the field with all his Forces there to make an end of all quarrels where he doubted not but in short time to chastise him according to his due deserts So after the Embassador was departed marching forward three days Alis Beg came unto him of whose coming he not a little rejoyced for why he loved him dearly and although he was yet of years but young relied much upon his Council The Embassador returning recounted unto Aladin all that Amurath had said not omitting his hard Speeches and proud Threats and how that he hoped shortly to take from him Iconium and Larenda the principal Cities of Caramania with many things more leaving nothing untold Which Aladin hearing said unto the Confederate Princes that were with him Verily Amurath threatneth to take from us the Cities of Iconium and Larenda but let him take heed that we take not from him his fair City of Prusa Then demanding of the Embassador of what strength Amurath might be it was answered by him that he deemed him to be about seventy thousand strong Whereat Aladin not a little rejoycing said Assuredly when he shall see our Army he will not dare to give us battel or if he do he shall fight upon great disadvantage his men being both fewer in number than we and sore wearied with long and painful travel In the mean time Amurath held on his way towards Caramania daily encouraging his Souldiers with Perswasions and Gifts bountifully bestowed upon them filling their heads with promises of greater the War once happily ended At length he came to the great Plains in Caramania called the French Plains because in former time the Christians whom the Turks for most part call Franks in those places incamped their great Armies as they went to the winning of Ierusalem as in the former part of this History is declared Into these Plains also came Aladin with his Army and was now incamped within one days march of Amurath and so rested that night The next morning Amurath put his Army in order of battel appointing the leading of the right Wing to his youngest Son Iacup with whom he joyned Cuâluzes Beg Ein Beg Subbassa Egridum Suâbassa Seraze and Custendil two Christian Princes all Captains of great experience The left Wing was led by Bajazet his eldest Son with Ferize and Hozze both valiant Captains in which Wings were also placed the Christian Souldiers sent by Lazarus out of Servia according to the late convention of peace in the main battel he stood himself the Vauntguard was conducted by Temurtases and the rereward by the Subbassa of Oxyllithus called also Temurtases and Achmetes Aladin on the other side with no less care and diligence set his men likewise in order of battel placing himself in the main battel as did Amurath and the Princes his Allies with his other expert Captains some in the right Wing and some in the left as he thought most convenient in such sort as that in all mens judgment he was in Force nothing inferior to his Father in Law. These great Enemies thus ranged with Ensigns displaid came on couragiously one directly upon the other where approaching together the confused noise of Trumpets Drums Fifes with other Instruments of War the neighing of Horses and clattering of Armor was so great that whilst Warlike minds thereat rejoyced Cowards thought Heaven fell But the sign of battel on both sides given Samagazes one of the Confederate Princes with exceeding courage first charged Temurtases in the Vantguard and broke his Ranks at which time Teberruses a Tartar Prince and Varsacides another of the Confederates delivered their Arrows also upon the Vantguard as if it had been a shower of Hail Which Bajazet seeing and how hardly Temurtases was charged having before obtained leave of his Father brake in upon the Enemy with such violence as if it had been the lightning whereof he was ever after sirnamed Gilderuâ which is to say The lightning Ferizes and Hozze with the other valiant Captains in that Wing following Bajazet with invincible courage entred the battel where for a great space was made a most dreadful and doubtful fight A man would have thought two rough Seas had met together swaying one against the other doubtful which way the current would at length fall In this conflict many thousands were on both sides slain so that the field lay covered with the dead bodies of worthy Men and valiant Souldiers yet at length these Confederate Princes finding themselves overmatched by Bajazet and his Souldiers reserving themselves to their better Fortunes turned their backs and fled when Aladin seeing a great part of his Army thus overthrown and himself now ready to be charged with Amurath his whole Power despairing of Victory sped himself in all hast to Iconium his strong City The spoil which Amurath got in this battel was great most part whereof he gave in reward to Temurtases and his Souldiers which had indured the greatest fury of the battel Amurath after this Victory with all speed marched to Iconium and there besieged Aladin the Caramanian King in his strongest City giving out Proclamation in the mean time That none of his Souldiers upon pain of death should use any violence to any of the Country-people or take any thing from them to the intent it might appear unto the World that he made that War against that Mahometan King rather to propulse Injury and Wrong than for desire of Soveraignty or Spoil Which his so strait a Proclamation the Christians sent by Lazarus amongst others transgressed and therefore by his commandment suffered many of them exemplary punishment which was the cause of the Servian War which not long after ensued fatal both unto Amurath and Lazarus the Despot as hereafter shall appear Aladin now on every side besieged in Iconium and without all hope of escape sent to the Queen his Wife Amuraths Daughter bewailing unto her his desperate estate and requesting her by all the love that so honourable a minded Lady might bear unto her miserable Husband to adventure her self to go to her angry Father and to crave pardon for his great Trespass and Offence The Queen forthwith attiring her self as was fittest for her Husbands present estate came to her Father where falling down at his Feet upon her knees with words
unto him all that he had willed him to say not forgetting over all to publish his Courtesie and Bounty who besides that he had frankly set him at liberty had also given him a very fair Horse well furnished although he well knew he was to serve against himself Whereunto Bajazet answered no more but that he would shortly make trial of him and that he well hoped before the march were ended to make him acknowledg his own folly The next day the two Armies drew near together and incamped within a League the one of the other where all the night long you might have heard such noise of Horses as that it seemed the Heavens were full of Voices the Air did so resound and every man thought the Night long to come to the trial of his Valour and the gaining of his desires The Scythians a People no less greedy than needy talked of nothing but the Spoil the proud Parthians of their Honour and the poor Christians of their deliverance all to be gained by the next Days Victory every man during the Night time speaking according to his own humour All which Tamerlane walking this Night up and down in his Camp heard and much rejoiced to see the hope that his Souldiers had already in general conceived of the Victory Who after the second watch returning unto his Pavillion and there casting himself upon a Carpet had thought to have slept a while but his Cares not suffering him so to do he then as his manner was called for a Book wherein was contained the lives of his Fathers and Ancestors and of other valiant Worthies the which he used ordinarily to read as he then did not as therewith vainly to deceive the time but to make use thereof by the imitation of that which was by them worthily done and declining of such dangers as they by their Rashness or Oversight fell into And afterwards having a little slumbred he commanded Axalla to be sent for who forthwith came unto him with divers other great Lords and Captains the chief Commanders of his Army with whom after he had a while consulted of the order of the Battel he mounted on Horseback himself and sent every one of them to their own Charges to put the same in readiness At which very instant he received News that the Enemy marched forward and came to take his ground for the Battel whose order of march Tamerlane was desirous to see that so accordingly he might marshal his own And having caused three thousand Horsemen to advance forward with charge to begin the skirmish himself followed after to lodge every part of his Forces in such places as he had foreseen to be fittest for his advantage Now seeing the Ianizaries march in a square Battel in the midst and upon the two Fronts two great Squadrons of Horsemen which seemed to be thirty thousand Horse and another which advanced and covered the Battalion of the Ianizaries he thought this their order to be very good and hard to be broken and thereupon turning himself to Axalla who was near unto him said I had thought this Day to have fought on Foot but I see that it behoveth me now to fight on Horseback to give Courage unto my Souldiers to open the great Battalion of our Enemies And my Will is That my men come forward unto me as soon as they may for I will advance forward with an hundred thousand Footmen fifty thousand upon each of my two Wings and in the midst of them forty thousand of my best Horsemen My Pleasure is that after they have tried the force of these men that they come unto my Avauntguard of whom I will dispose and fifty thousand Horse more in three Bodies whom thou shalt command which I will assist with eighty thousand Horse wherein shall be mine own Person having an hundred thousand Footmen behind me who shall march in two Squadrons and for my Rereward I appoint forty thousand Horse and fifty thousand Footmen who shall not march but to my aid And I will make choice of ten thousand of my best Horse whom I will send into every place where I shall think needful within my Army for to impart my Commands Over the first forty thousand Horse the Prince Ciarcan commanded over the foremost Footmen was the Lord Synopes a Genoese Kinsman to Axalla and his Lieutenant over the Footmen a Captain of great estimation the Prince Axalla his own charge consisted of five Squadrons of Horsemen Bajazet his Army being also both fair and great came bravely still on forward towards their Enemies who stirred not one whit from the place they had taken for the Battel except certain light Horsemen Scithians Parthians and Muscovites who sent out as loose men hotly skirmished betwixt the two Armies Now was Tamerlane by an Espy advertised that Bajazet having before given order for the disposing of his Army was on foot in the midst of thirty thousand Ianizaries his principal men of War and greatest Strength wherein he meant that day to fight and in whom he had reposed his greatest hope His Battel of Horse was very fair amounting to the number of an hundred and forty thousand Horse all old Souldiers The Sultan of Egypt having also sent unto his Aâd thirty thousand Mamalukes all very good Horsemen with thirty thousand Foot. So that his Army marching all in one Front in form of an Half-Moon but not so well knit together as was Tamerlanes whose Squadrons directly followed one another seemed almost as great as his and so with infinite numbers of most horrible Outcries still advanced forward Tamerlane his Souldiers all the while standing fast with great silence There was not possible to be seen a more furious charge than was by the Turks given upon the Prince of Ciarcan who had commandment not to fight before the Enemy came unto him neither could have been chosen a fairer Plain and where the skilful choice of the place was of less advantage for the one or the other but that Tamerlane had the River on the left hand of his Army serving him to some small advantage Now this young Prince of Ciarcan with his forty thousand Horse was in this first encounter almost wholly overthrown yet having fought right valiantly and entred even into the midst of the Ianizaries where the Person of Bajazet was putting them in disorder was himself there slain About which time Axalla set upon them with the Avantguard but not with like danger for having overthrown one of the Enemies Wings and cut it all to pieces and his Footmen coming to joyn with him as they had been commanded he faced the Battalion of the Ianizaries who right valiantly behaved themselves âor the safety of their Prince This hard fight continued one hour and yet you could not have seen any scattered but the one still resolutely fighting against the other You might there have seen the Horsemen like Mountains rush together and infinite numbers of Men die cry lament and
thousand Ducats Uladislaus newly elected King of Hungary seeing that part of his Kingdom which is called Transylvania or Pannodacia to be much subject to the Incursion of the Turks who having got into their possession all the Country of Moldavia and grown insolent by continual Victories ceased not to invade and spoil the Country of Transylvania for remedy of that daily mischief created Iohn Huniades Vayvod or his Vice-Gerent in Transylvania This Huniades as some write was Earl of Bistrice born in Valachia others say that he was born but of mean Parents and called Huniades of the Village wherein he was born and grew to be great by his Vertue and Prowess Whatsoever his Parents were he himself was a politique valiant fortunate and famous Captain his Victories so great as the like was never before by any Christian Prince obtained against the Turks so that his Name became unto them so dreadful that they used the same to fear their crying Children withall This worthy Captain according to the trust reposed in him began to keep the Turks short by cutting them off whensoever they presumed to enter into his Country and also by shutting up the Passages whereby they were wont to forrage the Country of Transylvania and when he had put his own Charge into good safety he entred into Moldavia and never rested until he had won it quite out of the Turks hands And not contented with this passed many times over Danubius into the Turks Dominions making havock of the Turks and carrying away with him great Booty with many Captives Now were two great and worthy Captains met together in places nigh one to another Huniades in Transylvania and the next part of Hungary and Isa in Rascia and the upper part of Servia the one lying at Temeswar and the other at Sinderovia both Men of great spirit and desirous of Honour Of these two Isa in great favour with Amurath and by him highly preferred to increase his credit with the Sultan his Uncle and to inlarge the Bounds of the Turkish Kingdom committed to his Charge continually forraged the Country about Belgrade to the intent that having wearied the Inhabitants with the harms he daily did them and brought the City into great wants he might so at length gain the same for the most part abandoned then of Citizens which Amurath could not by force obtain and so to open a way into Hungary Thus was the Country by him spoiled the Villages rifled and burnt and great numbers both of Men and Cattel daily carried away yea sometimes not contented to have spoiled the open Country he assailed the very Suburbs of the City and was thence hardly repulsed and finding Huniades the only man that hindred his further proceedings to requite him and provoke him the more brake sometimes into his Country laying in every corner as he went strong Ambushes so to have circumvented that wary Captain if it had been possible But he grieved to see the Country thus spoiled and purposing thereof to be revenged secretly raised a strong Power both of Horse and Foot and with his Companion Nicholas Vilach a right valiant Captain passing over Danubius came and incamped betwixt Belgrade and Sinderovia being about twenty miles distant Of whose coming Isa-Beg understanding forthwith set forward with a great Army against him lest he should by longer delay seem to stand in doubt of his Enemy whom he had by many Injuries so often provoked So marching on with his Army ranged in order of battel he found Huniades as ready for battel as himself who in both wings had placed his light Horsemen and behind them his men at Arms with certain Companies of Cross-bows on Horse-back in the midst stood his armed Men with his Archers and other Souldiers more lightly armed ready at all assays all strongly guarded with Men at Arms after whom in the rereward followed also a strong Squadron of valiant Footmen The signal of battel being given there began a great and cruel Fight as amongst men desirous either to overcome or there honourably to end their days At the first incounter the Wings of Huniades his battel were by the Turks inforced to retire but coming to the Men at Arms their fury was there staid and a cruel battel fought wherein many fell on both sides but of the Turks more who trusting to their agility and nimbleness of body were not able long to endure the shock and strength of the Men at Arms but were there by heaps overthrown and most miserably slain Which Isa-Beg beholding and perceiving the Hungarians couragiously to fight as men almost in possession of an assured Victory to save himself turned his back and fled to Sinderovia The rest beholding the flight of their General betook themselves to flight also after whom the Hungarians fiercely followed especially Huniades himself who by his example to animate the rest left not the chase until he was come almost to the Suburbs of Sinderovia few of the Turks escaped the rest being either taken or slain Huniades after so great a Victory with a rich Prey and a multitude of Prisoners returned to Belgrade having now sufficiently revenged himself of the wrongs he had before received After which time Isa the Turk was more quiet as having sufficient proof of his valour The fame of this Victory increased not a little the fame of Huniades the report whereof coming to Buda filled the City with joy and gladness but most of all King Uladislaus who thereupon caused publique Prayers with Thanksgiving to be made in every Church and by his Letters Gratulatory with many rich Presents incouraged Huniades to the prosecution of the Religious War wherein was propounded unto him not only the increase of his Wealth a base regard in the honourable but the immortality of his name year 1440. and hope of eternal bliss Not long after this Victory Huniades obtained a far greater in Transylvania For Amurath much grieved with the loss he had first by himself and after by his Lieutenant Isa received at Belgrade and in the Country thereabout lest he should seem to yield unto the Hungarians repaired his broken Forces with new Supplies with purpose again to renew his Wars in Valachia And so having put all things in a readiness sent one of his Bassaes called Mesites his Vice-Roy in Asia a man of great Wisdom Experience and Valour with a puissant Army upon the sudden by the way of Valachia Transalpina to invade Transylvania This worthy Captain according to his charge departing out of Servia and passing from Danubius suddenly entred into Huniades his Country burning and spoiling whatsoever came in his way and killing all that he light upon Man Woman and Child without respect of Age Sex or Condition filling all the Country as he went with tumult and terror Whereof Huniades but lately come into the Country understanding and having as then no sufficient Forces to oppose against the Fury of so puissant an Enemy either means to raise any in so
Spoil and Prey but whole Villages Towns and Cities and other great Preferments according as they should deserve As for the Victory considering the weak Power of their Enemies and the great number of themselves he assured them thereof if they would but a while valiantly fight it out like men In conclusion he told them that having overcome Huniades whom only as he confessed he had found to be the most valiant and skilful Captain of the Christians nothing should afterward be able to stand in their way or to hinder their further Conquests and that if this day they should utterly overthrow him they should gain the most honourable Victory that was ever yet got in Europe Wherefore he willed them above all things in the Battel to seek after him promising unto him that should kill him a great Reward with most honourable Preferments Having thus sufficiently as he thought encouraged his Turks he set forward with his Army in order of Battel His Horsemen and Footmen he divided into two great Wings betwixt which marched the Ianizaries in a square Battel all men of approved Valour after whom followed the Rereward unto the Wings he had also joyned certain loose Companies of light Horsemen to begin the Battel and to flie about the Enemies and so as occasion should serve either to charge or retire Huniades likewise had placed in both Wings two square Battalions of men at Arms and with them certain Horsemen with Cross-bows before these Wings he had also placed certain Troops of light Horsemen to encounter the Enemies in the midst stood two square Battels of men at Arms and betwixt them a strong Squadron of armed men guarded behind with a convenient number of Pikemen and Archers both the Wings he had compassed about with a multitude of Carts and Waggons and they also well manned So marching forward and both Armies being come within a quarter of a mile together the signal of Battel was on both sides given and the Battel begun Huniades seeing the multitude of his Enemies cast his first Battel into the form of a Wedge the more âasily to divide them and they on the other side in the form of a pair of Shears were ready to receive him where on both sides they encountred together with such Fury and Outcry as never was thing more terrible to be heard or seen The Turks trusting unto the multitude of their nimble light Horsemen first with their light Staves and afterwards with their crooked Scimeters fiercely assaulted the Christians light Horsemen in which first incounter many fell on both sides But the Wedge Battel of the Christians could not of the Turks be broken as consisting all of valiant expert Souldiers and they also strongly armed who do the Turks what they could with a great Slaughter cut their Army in sunder but not without a great Fight and some loss also unto themselves In the Wings also the light Horsemen for a while fought couragiously and with like hope but the Turks with that kind of Fight better acquainted than the Christians and better appointed for that purpose and exceeding in number also put the Christian light Horsemen to the worst and enforced them to retire to the men at Arms. Here began the Fortune of the Turks to stay where both parts desperately assailing the one the other was made a most terrible Fight wherein most part of the Turks light Horsemen were slain for why they were not able to abide the force of the men at Arms although in comparison of them but few but with their Lances and arming Swords overthrown and slain no otherwise than if they had been naked men so that in both Wings the Turks began now to faint But the Battel in both the Wings yet wavering and the Victory doubtful in the main Battel was fought a most cruel Fight the Ianizaries with a strong power of men at Arms and certain Troops of light Horsemen compassed about the men at Arms that stood as we said in the main Battel of the Christians were the old Ianizaries with their crooked Scimeters with great Courage cut in sunder the Legs of the Horses of the Men at Arms of whom many fell down and lying along upon the ground were made shorter by the Head as likewise on the other side the Ianizaries whilst they seek the destruction of the Men at Arms were themselves overborn and troden under Foot. Whereupon such a Slaughter was made that the blood ran like Rivers whilst they desperately fight with furious rage both on the one side and the other In this cruel Fight most part of the Ianizaries were slain and many of the Christian Men at Arms also The Bassa now perceiving the Hungarians to have the better both in the Wings and in the main Battel and yet in hope that with long Fight they would faint although he saw great Slaughter of his Men in every place come on with the Rereward and a number of other fresh Souldiers which he had left for guarding of the Baggage all yet sound Men in good hope so to overwhelm the wearied Hungarians It was now four hours that this cruel Fight had endured when as the Bassa began it afresh neither was this by him done without reason for why he was afraid lest if his Men should turn their Backs and flie the whole Army should follow after and therefore to make use of all the Men he had he brought on his Rereward in hope that his Enemies now spent with long Fight would not longer endure a fresh Charge And the more to encourage his Men he commanded them to compass in the Hungarians round and to dispatch their wearied Enemies vainly boasting That it would be the last Battel that ever the Hungarians would fight On the other side Huniades perceiving the Enemies purpose suffered his Men to be in part invironed and by and by caused the Waggoners with the armed Carts and Waggons to thrust in behind them and so to compass them in divided in part from the rest and afterward with fresh supplies renewed the Battel with the Enemy The Fight was great and in every place right terrible and albeit that the Slaughter of the Turks was in many places great yet by reason of their multitude they felt it not much but fought yet still most desperately until that they in the right Wing seeing themselves compassed in behind with the Waggons and so from them charged with Shot Darts and other such missive Weapons standing in doubt which way to turn themselves and beset with danger on every side began to faint and fearing the danger behind them shrunk from the Fight On the other side the Hungarians now in good hope of Victory with great and chearful Outcries as Men inspired with fresh Spirits more furiously afâailed their fainting Enemies afront than before encouraging them also that assailed them behind in the Waggons to approach them nearer with which double danger the Turks hardly beset fought disorderly and doubting to be all
and was now come very near the same Feri-Bassa glad of his coming opposed his Army against him which Scanderbeg seeing retired a little of purpose to draw the Bassa farther from the Camp and then forthwith began to joyn battel with him The Bassa considering the small number of his Enemies and his own greater Power withdrew four thousand Horsemen out of his Army to fetch a compass about and to set upon the rereward of Scanderbegs Army hoping so to enclose him that he should never escape thence but there either to be slain or taken alive and his Army utterly defeated But the expert Captain perceiving his purpose to meet therewith left Moses to lead the main Battel and he himself with two thousand Horsemen so valiantly charged those four thousand of his Enemies before they were well departed from the rest of the Bassaes Army that they had now more cause to look to their own safety than how to circumvent others In this Conflict Feri-Bassa hand to hand as he had oft times before desired encountring with Scanderbeg was by him there slain All this while that Scanderbeg was in fight with Feri-Bassa in the right Wing of the Army and Musachy in the left Moses stood fast receiving the Assault of the Enemy without moving any thing forward expecting the success of the Wings But Scanderbeg having discomfited the right Wing and slain the General coming now in he set forward with such force and courage that the Turks not able longer to abide his force turned their backs and fled of whom many were slain in this chase though Scanderbeg doubting the great Power of his Enemy so nigh at hand durst not follow them far but sounding a Retreat put his Army again in good order for fear of some sudden Attempt from the Camp and after appointed some of the meanest of his Souldiers to take the spoil of the slain Turks When Amurath had understood what had hapned to Feri-Bassa he was so overcome with anger and melancholy that for a while he could not speak one word but after the heat was a little past he commanded certain small pieces of Ordnance which he had before used against the City to be removed into the Camp and there placed upon that side which was most in danger to the Enemy He also presently sent thither four thousand Souldiers to joyn with the remainder of Feri-Bassaes Army for defence of the Camp with strait charge that they should not issue out of the Trenches Nevertheless he himself continued the Assault of the City all that day but when night drew on and no hope appeared for him to prevail he caused a Retreat to be sounded and leaving the Assault he returned again into his Camp. At this Assault Amurath lost seven thousand Men beside many that died afterwards of their wounds but of the Garrison Souldiers were slain but seventy and ninety more hurt The terrour of the Turkish Army began now to grow in contempt throughout Epirus and Scanderbeg was in good hope that Amurath after so many Overthrows and shameful Repulses would at length raise his Siege and be gone yet he sent Spies continually to discover what was done in the Turks Camp and he himself with two thousand Souldiers would oftentimes shew himself upon the sides of the Mountains near unto Amurath his Camp of purpose to draw the Turks out that he might take them at some advantage But the old King had given Commandment upon pain of death That no man should go out of the Trenches without leave or once to speak of giving Battel or Assault so that he lay certain days in his Camp not like a King besieging of a City but more like a man besieged himself the which his still lying Scanderbeg had the more in distrust fearing greatly that he was hatching some mischief which so soon as it was ripe would violently break out Amurath considering with what evil Success he had many times assaulted the City and holding it for a great dishonour to raise his Siege and depart having done nothing worth the remembrance thought good once again to prove if it were possible to overcome the minds of the Garrison Souldiers with Gifts whom he was not able to subdue by force For which purpose he sent an Embassador unto the City offering unto the besieged and Garrison Souldiers easie Conditions of Peace with such large Gifts and Rewards as had not been heard offered to any Garrison in former time All which his magnifical Promises were lightly rejected by the common consent of all the whole Garrison prefering their faithful Loyalty before all his golden Mountains For all that Amurath was in good hope that amongst so many some would be found into whose minds his large Offers might make some Impression wherein he was not deceived For one base-minded Fellow amongst the rest corrupted with the Turks great Promises preferring his own private wealth before the welfare of his Country waiting his time had secret conference with the Turks Espials promising upon assurance of such Reward as was before by Amurath profered to find means that in few days the City should be yielded into his Power This corrupted Traytor had laid many mischievous Plots for the effecting of this horrible Treason but the first device he put in practise which of all others a man would have thought to have been of least moment served his wicked purpose in stead of all the rest All the Garrison Souldiers of Sfetigrade were of the upper Country of Dibra put into that City by Moses for their approved Valour above all the other Souldiers of Epirus But as they were men of great courage so were they exceeding superstitious both in their Religion and manner of living putting nice difference betwixt one kind of lawful Meat and other accounting some clean some unclean abhorring from that which they fondly deemed unclean with more than a Jewish Superstition choosing rather to die than to eat or drink thereof such is the strong delusion of blind Error where it hath throughly possessed the minds of men The City of Sfetigrade as is aforesaid is situate upon the top of a great high Rock as most of the Cities of Epirus now be and was then watered but with one great Well in the midst of the City which sunk deep into the Rock plentifully served both the publick and private use of the Inhabitants Into this common Well the malicious Traytor in the night time cast the foul stinking carrion Carkass of a dead Dog knowing that the concâited Gaârison Souldiers of Dibra would rather indure the pains of death and starve or else yield up the City upon any condition than to drink of that polluted water In the morning when that sâânking Carrion was espied and drawn out oâ the Well the report thereof was quickly bruted in every corner of the City and that the Well was poysoned so that all the people were in manner in an uproar about the finding out of the Traytor
provoke the Enemy and to draw him forth unto Battel Balabanus also shewed himself with his Army in seemly order before his Tents but there stood fast and would not stir expecting continually the coming of his Fellow Which Scanderbeg perceiving and that he sought but to dally out the time and as one unwilling to fight had again retired his Army into the safety of his Trenches drew nearer and nearer unto him continually skirmishing with such as he sent out daring him to the Field and braving him unto his Trenches in such sort as if he would have forced the same and by strong hand have âet him out thence whereat the Turks fretted and chafed exceedingly insomuch that they were ready to rise against their General because he would not lead them forth to Battel but suffer them to be so disgraced Balabanus mindful of that he had promised to Mahomet his great Lord and Master did what he might to have deferred time but when he saw that his Fellow came not and that he could no longer delay the matter being so continually assailed and braved by Scanderbegs Souldiers that his Turks therewith provoked were ready oftentimes to have issued out without his direction and no remedy but that he must needs fight placed his men in good order and so went out of his Trenches to give Battel himself leading the left Wing thereof where betwixt him and Scanderbeg was made a fierce Fight many falling on both sides But Scanderbeg strengthened with the old Garrison of Croia and the most expert Souldiers of Dibra prevailed upon the Turks and forced them to give ground yet still keeping their order The Fight was so great in this part of the Battel that in other places they stood almost still as lookers on expecting the doubtful fortune of their Generals which thing Scanderbeg perceiving drew certain Troops out of the right Wing whereas he saw was least danger which speedily fetching a compass about charged the side of the Enemies Army and again withdrawing themselves and with wonderful celerity wheeling about set upon the back of them that fought in the left Wing so that the Turks there fiercely charged both before and behind by the Wing of Scanderbeg his Army fell in other places with a great Slaughter Balabanus with exceeding Courage gainstood his Enemies so long as there was any hope leât but when he saw the fortune of Scanderbeg to prevail and all about him to become desperate he made shift for himself and fled out of the Battel as fast as he could The rest of the Army being in other places before troubled and disordered fled also some one way some another every man as his Fortune led him Some few that followed Balabanus escaped the rest were for most part either slain or taken Prisoners Scanderbeg had scarcely well breathed himself after this Victory and divided the Spoil amongst his Souldiers but that news was brought to him in Post from the Lady Mamiza his Sister then lying at Petrella That Iacuppe Arnauth was by the way of Belgrade come into Epirus with an Army of sixteen thousand Horsemen burning and destroying the Country before him and then lay incamped in the Plains of Tyranna the less When Scanderbeg to prove the minds of his Souldiers had chearfully imparted unto them such news as was like to be the beginning of new labour and peril they were therewith nothing dismaied but ready to follow him with such chearfulness of countenance and mind as if they should have gone to some great Feast or Banquet reckoning of them but as of the remnant of a discomfited Army This chearfulness of his Souldiers Scanderbeg took as an assured token of his good success and having all things in readiness presently set forward and in short time came to the place where the Enemy lay Iacuppe hearing of his coming removed his Camp into a corner of the Plain of Tyranna near unto a little Hill as a place of more safety for his Army to lie in Scanderbeg having taken the Plain incamped his Army in the same place from whence Iacuppe was but a little before departed where he rested one whole day The next morning to terrifie his Enemies who as yet had not heard of the overthrow of Balabanus he caused divers of the Turks Heads which were slain in the late Battel which he had brought for that purpose to be cast before the Trenches of the Enemy and withal divers of them which were taken Prisoners to be shewn which Iacuppe beholding in great despair said I see the evil hap of Mahomet Immediately after Scanderbeg sent forth five hundred Horsemen to skirmish with the Turks commanding them so soon as they were charged by the Enemy to retire if happily they might be so drawn into Battel Which fell out accordingly for Iacuppe now seeing his Fellow was not to be looked for and willing also without further delay to try his Fortune came readily into the Field and began a fierce Battel which endured not long for Scanderbeg perceiving in what part of the Army Iacuppe was bent his greatest Force that way and singling him out with his own hand slew him Wherewith the Turks being discouraged forthwith betook themselves to flight and in flying were for most part slain or taken Those which escaped the present fury of the Sword stragling through the Country by thick woods and blind ways were by the Country People either slain or taken Prisoners In these two Battels were slain of the Turks four and twenty thousand and six thousand taken And of Scanderbeg his men were lost about a thousand Scanderbeg and his Souldiers were so weary of the slaughter of the Turks that when it was told him the next day That Balabanus was fled but with one Cornet of Horsemen and might easily be surprised if he were well pursued he said O let some of our Enemies live to report their own Slaughter and our Victory After that Scanderbeg had in this sort vanquished these great Captains he presently entred into the Frontiers of the Turks Dominions and roaming up and down at his pleasure without resistance made havock of all that came in his way and after returning to Croia with Victory brake up his Army and gave his Souldiers leave to depart every man to his own dwelling Whilst these things were in doing Mahomet had with great rewards procured two Turks to undertake to kill Scanderbeg year 1465. These Traitors came unto Scanderbeg as Fugitives making such shew of the detestation both of Mahomet his Tyrannical Government and vain Superstition that they were both of Scanderbeg and others reputed to be indeed the men they desired to be accounted and so after they had learned the principles of the Christian Religion were by their own desire baptized But Treason against Princes whom God hath in his most mighty protection cannot be long covered much less without his great sufferance performed So fortuned it that these two false dissembling Traitors expecting nothing but
betwixt two so great Armies But Techellis by his speedy coming frustrated these designs of the Viceroy for marching with all speed he was upon Caragoses before he was well aware of his coming near unto the Mountain Hormynus as he was then taking up of more Souldiers and daily expected the coming of others as if he had been going against some puissant Enemy The Viceroy seeing the Rebels approach although he had before not purposed to have encountred them before he had raised far greater Forces thought it not now to stand with his honour to refuse to give them Battel although his Army for the most part consisted of the rude Country Pesants taken up upon the suddain out of Paphlagonia Galatia Pontus and Bithynia raw Souldiers and for most part unarmed as commonly they are which in those Countries are pressed against their Wills out of the Towns and Villages and are of the Turks called Asapi who of the Janizaries are scarcely accounted for men But his greatest confidence he reposed in the approved Valour of his ancient Horsemen by whose means he doubted not in safety to retire out of the Battel and to save himself if any thing should fall out otherwise than well making no great account of the common Souldiers more than by them if he could to weaken the Force of the Rebels who on the other side their greatest Force consisting of Footmen had no hope to save themselves by Flight but only by plain Valor and dint of Sword. Which Techellis well considering exhorted his Souldiers to remember into what Country they were come and that there was no Cities of refuge no new power no other gods of defence to flie unto if they should not that day play the men Wherefore let us couragiously said he set forward against our Enemies and by Victory defend our Lives together with the Truth of our Religion for which we have vowed both our Souls and Bodies He had scarcely said thus much but that his whole Army in token of chearfulness gave a most terrible shout and without further stay set upon their Enemies The Viceroy had placed his Footmen in the main Battel in the middle and his Horsemen in the Wings thereby to have compassed his Enemies but Techellis had set all his Footmen in one great square Battel and his Persian Horsemen for a refuge But the Viceroy his fresh-water Souldiers could scarcely abide the sight of Techellis his Army for in the front of the Battel stood Souldiers throughly armed and all the rest of his Army with red Hats upon their Heads as if they had been imbrued with Blood which wonderfully terrified the Bassaes cowardly and unskilful Souldiers so that having indured the Fight scarcely half an hour they all turned their Backs and fled The Turkish Horsemen which had valiantly assailed the Rebels Army on both sides although they had slain many with their Arrows and Lances and somewhat disordered the Battel for that the Footmen were inforced to leave their places and to press still on forward against them yet when Techellis his Souldiers having overcome the Footmen and dividing themselves into divers Squadrons began with their long Pikes to kill their Horses and to lay hardly unto them they likewise betook themselves to Flight also Then the Persian Horsemen which all this while had stood still as lookers on left their standings and following the chase slew many of the Turks in their disordered Flight and following fast on inclosed the Viceroy as he was staying of his Horsemen and could not for the thickness of the dust well discorn his Enemies so that he had been there taken if he had not been speedily rescued by his Guard and so delivered from that danger The rest of the Turks Horsemen saved themselves by flight In this Battel seven thousand of the Turks Footmen were slain and all their Ensigns taken with great store of Provision After which Victory Chasan and Techellis resting their Army one day marched to the City of Cutaie near unto the mountain Horminius This City is situated as it were in the midst of Asia the less and is the Seat of the Turkish Emperors Viceroy in Asia as Sophia in Moesia is for his other Vceroy in Europe for it was reported that the Country People had for fear of the present War conveied thither the greatest part of their Wealth and the Rebels well knew that the Viceroy himself with his chief Horsemen were fled thither also neither doubted they but that all the Army might be greatly inriched by the Wealth of that City if they should without delay imploy their whole Forces for the gâining thereof their Enemies now altogether discouraged with their late overthrow Techellis also deeming that enterprise of so much worth as whereon to gage his whole Forces coming before the City placed such Field Pieces as he had before taken in the Battel and his Archers in such fit places as might most annoy the Defendants afterward he caused scaling Ladders to be set up and Proclamation made through all his Camp That the whole Spoil of the City should be the Souldiers if they could take it with promise of greater rewards to them that should first recover the top of the Walls Filled with this hope the rebellious multitude approached the Wall fearing neither Enemies Force multitude of Shot or danger of Death striving who should first mount the Ladders and some climbing one in the neck of another so to get up by the ruins of the Wall. The Defendants in the mean time from above casting down upon them great Stones Timber Fire scalding Water Lime Sand and such like without measure wherewith although many were overthrown and crusht to death or spoiled yet others presently stept up in their place neither was any of them seen for fear of the present danger to shrink back or be discouraged for the Viceroy on the one side and Techellis on the other were both Eye-witnesses of every mans Valor in that hot service the one prickt forward with doubtful hope for fear to be enforced to give over the Assault so begun and the other with the due regard of his Honour Life and State all subject to that danger and therefore in person himself performed all the parts of a worthy Chieftain and couragious Souldier But at length the Defendants wearied with the fierce Assault of the Enemy and for most part wounded Techellis continually sending in fresh men and withdrawing such as were hurt by plain force brake into the City in two places over the heaps of the dead bodies and having repulsed the Defendants burst open one of the Gates and thereby brought in his whole Army Then began a miserable Slaughter of the Souldiers and poor Citizens in every House and Corner of the City At which instant the Palace whither the Viceroy had retired himself with his Family was also taken the Viceroy himself with his Wives and Children were there also taken Prisoners and the stately Palace
executed and found means to have them cunningly delivered to Achomates as if they had been sent from his Friends who giving credit to the same and presuming much upon his own Strength doubted not to leave his Footmen who followed easily after him under the conduct of Amurat his Son and came and encamped with his Horsemen near unto the Mountain Horminius upon the Bank of the River Parthemius Selymus also departed from Prusa and having received into his Army ten thousand Janizaries but a little before come over the Strait sent before Sinan Bassa General of his Asian Horsemen to know and make proof of the Strength of his Enemies The Bassa not knowing as yet where Achomates lay neither of what force he was being deceived by the darkness of the Morning fell into a place of disadvantage where he was set upon by Achomates and having lost seven thousand of his men was glad with other eight thousand which were left to fly back to Selymus For all this loss was not Selymus discomforted or doubtful of the Victory but forthwith marched on forward to the River Elata which runneth directly out of the Mountain Horminius into Pontus watering most large Fields upon the right hand which at this day are called the Plains of the new Land. So did Achomates also who although he knew his Brother to be every way too strong for him yet being incouraged with the late Victory and in hope that his Friends in Selymus his Army whom he vainly supposed to have been yet living would in the very Battel do some notable matter for him and that Victory would follow his just quarrel resolved neither to retire back neither to expect the coming of the rest of his Army The River was betwixt the two Camps and the number of both Armies certainly discovered yet could not Achomates to whom the open Fields offered a safe retreat unto the rest of his Army possessed with a fatal madness be perswaded considering the greatness of the danger in time to provide for the safety of himself and his Army carried headlong as it seemed by inevitable destiny to his fatal destruction which presently after ensued Selymus a little before the going down of the Sun with his Army passed over the River Elata and gave general commandment through all his Camp that every man against the next day should be ready for battel and in a Wood not far off placed a thousand Horsemen in ambush under the leading of Canoglis his Wives Brother a valiant young Gentleman whom his Father had a little before sent from Taurica unto his Son in law with a chosen Company of Tartarian Horsemen unt him Selymus gave in charge that when the Battel was joyned he should shew himself with his Horsemen upon the back of his Enemies and there to charge them As soon as it was day Selymus in a great open Field put his Army in order of Battel placing his Horsemen in two Wings so that all his Spearmen were in the right Wing and the Archers and Carbines in the left in the main Battel stood the Janizaries with the rest of the Footmen On the other side Achomates having no Footmen divided his Horsemen into two Wings also Whilst both Armies stood thus ranged expecting but the signal of Battel a Messenger came from Achomates to Selymus offering in his Masters name to trie the equity of their quarrel in plain Combat hand to hand which if he should refuse he then took both God and the World to witness that Selymus was the only cause of all the guiltless blood to be shed in the Battel and not he whereunto Selymus answered that he was not to trie his quarrel at the appointment of Achomates and though he could be content so to do yet would not his Souldiers suffer him so to adventure his person and their own safety and so with that answer returned the Messenger back again to his Master giving him for his reward a thousand Aspers Achomates having received this answer without further delay charged the right Wing of his Brothers Army who valiantly received the first charge but when they were come to the sword and that the matter was to be tried by handy blows they were not able longer to endure the force of the Persian Horsemen who being well armed both Horse and Man had before requested to be placed in the foremost ranks by whose Valor the right Wing of Selymus his Army was disordered and not without great loss enforced to retire back upon their Fellows Which thing Selymus beholding did what he might by all means to encourage them again and presently brought on the left Wing with their Arrows and Pistols instead of them that were fled and at the same time came on with the Janizaries also who with their Shot enforced Achomates his Horsemen to retire Achomates himself carefully attending every danger with greater Courage than Fortune came in with fresh Troops of Horsemen by whose Valour the Battel before declining was again renewed and the Victory made doubtful but in the fury of this Battel whilst he was bearing all down before him and now in great hope of the Victory Canoglis with his Tartarian Horsemen rising out of ambush came behind him and with great outcries caused their Enemies then in the greatest heat of their Fight to turn upon them at which time also the Footmen standing close together assailed them afront and the Horsemen whom the Persians had at first put to flight now moved with shame were again returned into the Battel so that Achomates his small Army was beset and hardly assailed on every side In fine his Ensigns being overthrown and many of his Men slain the rest were fain to betake themselves to flight Where Achomates having lost the Field and now too late seeking to save himself by flight fell with his Horse into a Ditch which the rain falling the day before had filled with water and mire and being there known and taken by his Enemies could not obtain so much favour at their hands as to be presently slain but was reserved to the farther pleasure of his cruel Brother Selymus understanding of his taking sent Kirengen the same squint-eyed Captain which had before strangled Corcutus who with a Bow-string strangled him also His dead Body was forthwith brought to Selymus and was afterwards by his commandment in royal manner buried with his Ancestors at Prusa Now Amurat Achomates his Son understanding upon the way by the Persian Horsemen who serred together had again made themselves way through the Turks Army of the loss of the Field and the taking of his Father returned back again to Amasia and there after good deliberation resolved with his Brother to betake themselves both to flight he with the Persian Horsemen passing over the River Euphrates fled unto Hysmael the Persian King but Aladin the younger Brother passing over the Mountain Amanus in Cilicia fled into Syria and so to Campson Gaurus the great
appointed retire the one for himself and those whom he conducted the other for Vasta Ogli and the rest of his Army Hysmael as Iovius reporteth had in his Army about thirty thousand Horsemen without any Footmen amongst whom were ten thousand Men at Arms resolute Gentlemen of great experience all gallantly mounted upon couragious barbed Horses and themselves bravely Armed both for the shew and terror of the Enemy their Weapons were a good Lance a sure Scimitar and a Horsemans Mace the rest were Armed with strong Curiasses and Head-pieces and were either Archers on Horseback or else used light Horsemens Staves made of Ash after the Spanish Fashion wherewith they served at the half Staff. As for Guns they had none in which thing only and number of Men they were inferior to the Turks But such was the invincible courage and noble minds of the Persians that contemning the huge multitude of their Enemies who were in number about three hundred thousand and making no great reckoning of their great Artillery they doubted not with so few to give them Battel Hysmael having given the signal of Battel came on with his Army exhorting his Soulders then to remember the Honour they had long before gotten in many Battels and couragiously to follow him their Sovereign whom they by their worthy service and many victories had made the greatest Monarch of the East telling them that they should have now to do but with naked Men whose Weapons were but weak Staves and light Targets and their Horses little poor Jades almost dead with hunger never able to abide the first charge of his valiant Men at Arms. On the other side Selymus perceiving the coming of his Enemies by the rising of the dust caused knowledge to be given through his Army by his Captains and Officers that the time of Battel which they had so long wished for was now come wherein if they would worthily acquit themselves against those their proud Enemies they should to their immortal Fame extend the Turkish Empire from the Persian Sea to the Mountain Caucasus but if they cowardly forgetting their ancient Prowess should faint in time of Battel they were not then to think by any means to escape by flight back again through those great Plains and desolate Countries where they should by the way either shamefully perish or else to their perpetual infamy be taken Prisoners and as base Slaves during their lives be enforced to serve the Persian Women forasmuch as beside the great distance of the place both the great River Euphrates and the huge Mountain Taurus and the faithless King Aladeules who had shut up all the passages did cut off all hope from them if they should be overcome by any means possible to escape back again into Cappadocia When Hysmael was come near with his Army and the Asapi upon sign given dividing themselves made place for the great Artillery to play as was before appointed he also presently dividing his Horsemen charged the right Wing of the Turks Army whith such force that after a most terrible fight betwixt the half armed Turks and the valiant Persian Men at Arms Chasan Bassa the great Commander of the Europeian Horsemen with the formost of that Wing being slain and many more after them he inforced all that Wing to retire unto that place where Selymus himself with the Janizaries stood On the other side Vasta Ogli having received no little harm by the Turks great Ordnance because he had not so speedily cleared himself and his followers of that danger as had Hysmael charged the Asian Horsemen in the left Wing and there in bloody Battel made great slaughter of the Enemy but not with like good hap as did Hysmael for whiles he most couragiously in the formost Ranks assailed his Enemies he was struck with a small shot and slain With whose fall the Turks were greatly encouraged insomuch as that they which but now were glad to give ground and had lost the third part of that Wing began afresh to renew the Battel and valiantly to withstand the Persians and with their Harquebusiers wherewith the Persian Horsemen were wonderfully terrified drave them head-long upon the Turks common Footmen The Persians whether it were forced by necessity for that they had lost so great a Commander and not well able to govern their Horses terrified with the thundring shot or else for that the open side of the Footmen presented unto them greater place of advantage setting themselves together brake through the middle of the Battel of those Turkish Footmen and bearing them down before them with a mighty slaughter came to the great Ordnance and there shew the Canoniers who discharging their Field-Pieces at all adventures in that great medly made a foul slaughter as well of their own Men as of their Enemies And so without stop as victorious Conquerors made way through the midst of their Enemies until they came to the right Wing where Hysmael was still hardly charging the Europeian Horsemen who having before lost Chasan their General and being many of them slain or wounded were already enforced to retire but now charged afresh upon the side had much ado to endure the fury of their Enemies but as Men in extream danger were glad to cry to Selymus for help In this hard distress Selymus in two places opened his Carriages wherewith he stood as it were entrenched and presently sent out part of his Horsemen And by and by turning himself unto his Janizaries said This days Victory is reserved most worthy Souldiers unto your valour and labour wherefore now valiantly set forward and as fresh and couragious Men assail your wearied Enemies their Horses are all on a water with Sweat and the Men themselves faint under the weight of their Armor But yet for all that Selymus could say the Janizaries were not very forward but stood still as Men willing in so great a danger to keep themselves within the safegard for their Munition Wherefore whilst they at their leisure set forward the Persians in the midst of the heat of this Victory compassing in the Europâian Horsemen slew them downright Selymus looking on and wishing in vain to help them Fabritius Carrectus great Master of the Rhodes who of all these things had certain intelligence writ to Leo the Tenth then Bishop of Rome that the Janizaries refused to be commanded by Selymus and were not by any perswasion or intreaty to be induced to relievâ the distressed Europeian Horsemen but as Men distrusting the event of the Battel chose rather in their strength to expect the success thereof than with most manifest danger to expose themselves unto the violence of the Persian Horsemen which had as a Tempest overborn the vantgard of the Turkish Footmen The Persians were now ready on every side to have assailed Selymus in his greatest strength when Sinan Bassa although the Wing he led was sore rent and weakned yet following the Persians through the midst of the heaps
or intermission bringing on fresh men as Selymus had before taken order and others at the same time breaking open the Gates and in divers places scaling the Walls enforced the Defendants to forsake their standings and to retire themselves into the Market place where although they were before sore spent with labour and wounds yet did they there with wonderful courage a great while notably withstand the multitude of their Enemies still swarming in and in defence of their Country like resolute men fought it out unto tha last man. Selymus having taken and ransacked Clamassum with two other small Castles which the Defendants had for fear before abandoned although he was with a deadly hatred and ambitious desire prickt forward against Hysmael and thirsted after nothing more than the subversion of the Persian Kingdom yet he thought it not good further to enter into Armenia before he had out of those Forests and Mountains chased the Mountain King Aladeules who but the year before had most treacherously done him and his Army so many injuries in his return from the Persian Expedition For Aladeules not without cause fearing his own estate as soon as he understood that Selymus had again taken the Field and that he was come to the River Euphrates and so to Clamâssum speedily assembling his Forces had in short time raised a great Army for the deâence of himself and his Kingdom purposing that if Selymus should go farther into Armenia then after his wonted manner to look on as a beholder and by the event of the War to take occasion of Prey and by shutting up the passages of his Country at his pleasure to rob and spoil the Turks in their return Wherefore Selymus leaving a Garrison at Clamassum retired back again over the River Euphrates unto the Mountain Antitaurus where it was reported that his Enemies lay This Aladeules as is aforesaid ruled over the rude and savage Mountain People inhabiting the great Mountains Taurus and Antitaurus which Mountains as it were linked together one to another run from the Mountains called Scodrisci and the Borders of Cappadocia with a perpetual rising through many large Provinces and Countries unto the great Mountain Amanus and uttermost bounds of Cilicia The People of this Country were by Nature fierce and warlike more famous for nothing than for the want of all things who as men dwelling in a rough and bare Country could little or nothing profit by Husbandry yet in such places as would bear any pasture they had their breed of Horses and Camels and did with all diligence use grasing but the greatest part of their living consisted in hunting and stealing These are supposed to have had their beginning from the Galatians Cappadocians Armenians and the old Inhabitants of Asia the less which by long and continual Wars in former ages and especially by the lamentable irruption of the Scythians were inforced to forsake their Cities and Dwellings and for safeguard of their lives to fly into those rough and desolate Mountains These distressed People searching every Hill and every Dale and following the opportunity of the Rivers and Fountains but especially the mildest temperature of the Air and favourable aspect of the Sun built in many places poor Country Villages and afterwards divers fair Towns where in process of time they growing to better estate there rose up some amongst them which overruling the rest ambitiously took upon them the name of Kings desiring to be had in regard and to be feared of their Neighbours although they commanded but over rough Woods and ragged Rocks Near unto the Confines of Aladeules Kingdom is the City Orpha which many suppose to have been the famous City Edessa because that as yet there remaineth certain Monuments of Baldwin in Latine Letters who after his Brother Godfrey was possessed of Ierusalem is reported to have taken Edessa and there reigned Not far from thence is also the ancient City Amyda which at this day is called Carimida joyning upon Mesopotamia which Country lying between the two great Rivers Euphrates and Tigris is now called Diarbecha The chief City of Aladeules Kingdom was Maras so called as may be thought of the fair River Marsias running through it out of the Mountain Celene taking the name of Marsias overcome by Apollo and made famous by the Verses of many learned Poets But Aladeules after he saw that Selymus with his Army was entred into the Frontiers of his Kingdom and drawing near unto him brought down all his Horsemen in number about fifteen thousand from the Mountains into a fair large Valley commanding his Footmen whereof he had great store to keep the Mountains on the right hand and the left where having the high rocky Mountains and strait passages much for his advantage he determined in that place which he had long before chosen and fortified to expect the coming of his Enemies Selymus considering the disadvantage of the place although he perceived the Victory could not without great loss of his men be obtained and before perswaded that his Enemies would never have willingly been drawn to Battel yet made no doubt to adventure his Fortune presuming upon the multitude and strength of his Army Wherefore he commanded Sinan Bassa the Eunuch whom he had made General of the Europeian Horsemen instead of Chasan Bassa before slain with a square Battel to charge the Enemy afront forasmuch as the place would not suffer him to range his Battel in length nor to use any Wings and he himself with his Janizaries and Asian Horsemen followed after in the Rearward Neither were the Souldiers of Aladeules unmindful of themselves or of their King who valiantly fought in the head of the Battel but having spent their Arrows did couragiously receive the furious assault of the Turks and standing close to them still keeping the advantage of the ground did with such force repulse them that the old beaten Souldiers of the Turks seemed little or nothing to prevail either with their Multitude or Valor for the Turks by reason of the straightness of the place could not inclose them on either side and were beside grievously wounded by Aladeules Footmen who standing upon the sides of the Hills with their Darts and Arrows from above overwhelmed the Turks in the Valley When Selymus saw that Aladeulus contrary to his expectation made strong resistance and valiantly withstood his Forces he drew certain Companies of Harquebusiers out of his own Squadrons and sent them to relieve their Fellows and at the same instant commanded the Janizaries for all the danger to mount the Hill. Then the Mountain People terrified with the strangeness of the Shot and not able to abide the force thereof by and by turned their backs and by known ways fled into their sure haunts in the Mountains and Woods fast by yet the greatest slaughter fell amongst these Footmen who when they saw the Horsemen put to flight and the Janizaries coming up the Hills against them did with much
and Authority with them of Aleppo having in his keeping a strong Citadel built upon the rising of an Iâill in the midst of the City which he kept with a strong and sure Garrison But whiles Campson doth thus slowly and considerately purpose his destruction many of the Sultans secret Friends to him more officious than faithful secretly advised Cayerbeius to beware of the Sultan and by some good means in time to provide for his own safety He understanding of the danger and thinking all delay deadly sent secret Messengers unto Selymus discovering unto him the cause of his grief and promising as occasion should serve to come over unto him and to deliver into his power the Castle with the heart of the Citizens and all the strength of his own Horsemen thereby to provide for his own safety to revenge his Brothers death and to further his Victory against Campson and for performance of promises on both sides required secret Hostages to be given By the same Messengers he also advertised him what Strength the Sultan was of perswading him in any case to make hast to give him Battel before he had gathered any greater Power Selymus nothing doubted to condescend to all that the Traitor had requested promising of himself far greater things than ever he had required assuring himself of the Victory if his Enemy should lose so much of his Strength by the revolt of so great a Commander Campson enforced by the general consent of his Souldiers and the violence of his inevitable Destiny then at hand rejecting the good and faithful Counsel of Gazelles at such time as Selymus was reported to be at hand resolved according to the Counsel of the Traitor Cayerbeius to dare him Battel He lay conveniently incamped upon the River Singa almost ten miles from the City in such sort as that his Souldiers might use the benefit of the River and removed from the Houses and Pleasures of the City might yet nevertheless be easily relieved with the store and plenty thereof The Mamalukes were scarce in number twelve thousand but every one of them according as he was of greater Place or Calling so had he attending upon him more Servants well furnished with Horse and Armor A goodly and invincible Army if the Battel might have been tried by true Valor The Mamalukes wearing their Beards long and rough with grave and stern Countenance having strong and able Bodies used such cunning in all their Fights and Battels that after they had given the first charge with their Launces they would by and by with wonderful activity use their Bows and Arrows casting their Targets behind them and forthwith the Horsemans Mace or crooked Scimeter as the manner of the Battel or Place required Their Horses were strong and couragious in making and swiftness much like unto the Spanish Jennets and that which is of many hardly believed so docible that at certain signs or speeches of the Rider they would with their Teeth reach him up from the ground a Launce an Arrow or such like thing and as if they had known the Enemy run upon him with open mouth and lash at him with their heels and had by Nature and Custom learned not to be afraid of any thing These couragious Horses were commonly furnished with silver Bridles gilt Trappings rich Saddels their Necks and Breasts armed with Plates of Iron The Horseman himself was commonly content with a Coat of Mail or a Breast-Plate of Iron The chief and wealthiest of them used Head-pieces the rest a linnen covering of the Head curiously folded into many wreaths wherewith they thought themselves safe enough against any handy strokes the Common Souldiers used thrumb'd Caps but so thick that no Sword could pierce them Campson of all his Army made four Battels The first was committed to Cayerbeius because it was in his own Province where the Battel was to be fought The second was led by Sybeius who for his wonderful Activity was of them called Balvano which in their Language signifieth a Tumbler or one that sheweth Feats of Activity he was Governor of Damasco a man of singular Faith and Valor These two great Commanders were appointed at once to charge both the Wings of the Turks Army After them followed Gazelles with the third Battel to second either the one or the other of the two foremost as need should require Campson himself led the fourth all glistering in guilt Armor behind the rest almost a mile and an half The last was left for the defence of the Camp. But Selymus according to his wonted manner so ordered his Battel that his Asian Horsemen were in the right Wing his Europeian Horsemen in the left his Janizaries and Artillery in the main Battel before whom in the middle between the two Wings he placed his most valiant and gallant Pensioners amongst whom contrary to his wonted custom he chose to serve that day Cayerbeius as soon as he was come near the Enemy in token of his brave Courage gave a host charge upon the Europeian Horsemen and by and by as if he would have compassed in that Wing wheeled a great way about behind them where chancing upon a great Company of Scullions Drudges and other base People that followed the Camp with an infinite number of Camels and Carriages he made there a great stir with little slaughter that as a valiant and cunning Traitor he might in the self same time satisfie the expectation of his Valor and of his Treason together In the other Wing the Governor of Damasco to enter upon the open side of the Enemy forbearing to charge him afront and turning about his Troops on the left hand entred overthwart their Ranks where the Mamalukes fought with such fury that having made great Slaughter of the Asian Horsemen they brake in amongst them as if it had been a raging Floud bearing all down before them until they came to the Ensigns in the midst of that Wing neither could Mustapha the Beglerbeg who was by Birth a Hungarian and Selymus his Brother in law neither the Imbrahor-Bassa or Master of the House though they did what they might to withstand him after the first were overthrown stay the rest but that they would needs turn their backs and flie So Sybeius as a valiant Conqueror having cut in two pieces the right Wing of the Enemies battel and thrusting in betwixt the battel of the Footmen and the backs of the Pensioners brought a great terror and fear upon the whole main Battel The matter was now brought to extream danger for Selymus by the breaking in of Sybeius was almost cut off from his Footmen in whom he had reposed his greatest confidence And now the Janizaries were hardly charged by Gazelles who following the Fortune of Sybeius had set upon the head of the Enemies Battel The Asian Horsemen also being put to the worse and cut in pieces found no means how to restore again their disordered Battel In this extremity Sinan Bassa
to use which they seemed willingly to deliver and so lodged his Army near unto the Walls of the City within the defence of the Gardens purposing in that place to expect the coming of Selymus In the mean time as he was a man of great experience and most skilful in Martial Affairs he sought by all means to get knowledge of that Desart and unpeopled Country not inhabited for lack of Water and especially of the nature of the great Sands whereby Selymus was with his Army to pass he also won by rewards the Inhabitants of the Country thereabout by large offers to procure unto him the favour of the Chieftains and Leaders of the Arabians near unto those places and also to espy what the Mamalukes did at Caire and wherein they reposed their chief confidence and forthwith to give him knowledge thereof On the other side the Citizens of Gaza in heart Enemies unto the Turks as dayly feeling the grievances of the present Army advertised Tomombeius of the coming of Sinan Bassa and that that power of the Turks Army might easily be oppressed before the coming of Selymus if a strong power of Mamalukes were sent thither under the conduct of skilful Leaders promising that if the Mamalukes would at an appointed time upon the suddain in the night set upon the sleepy Turks they would at the same instant fally out of the City upon the Camp and there with Fire and Sword do what harm they could for the overthrow of the Enemy Of this device Tomombeius and the Mamalukes liked well and so without delay sent Gazelles six thousand chosen Horsemen and a great number of the Arabians to perform the exploit upon Sinan for Gazelles in that his wholesome Counsel had been by Campson and others rejected who being straitway desirous of Battel had rashly cast themselves and the whole State into so great calamity and afterwards in the greatest danger of the Battel having performed all the parts of a politick and valiant Chieftain was grown into such credit that all Men held a great opinion both of his valour and direction But he was scarcely well set forth when advertisement was given unto Sinan by his Syrian intelligencers That the Mamalukes with the Arabians were coming through the sandy Deserts upon the sudden to oppress him and that they would be with him before two days were expired forasmuch as they had set forward upon the Spur without any Carriages or Baggage to let them Which overture in good time given as it was the safegard of Sinans Army so was it of greatest importance and moment for the obtaining of the full Conquest of Egypt afterward But Sinan Bassa although he knew nothing of the Treachery of them of Gaza yet as a Man of prudent and subtil Wit suspecting that such a thing might happen because he would not at once have to do with a double Enemy resolved to go and meet the Mamalukes upon the way and to give them Battel Wherefore with great silence dislodging his Army betwixt ten and twelve of the Clock in the night he set forward and marched out of sight of the City about fifteen Miles toward Egypt There was near unto that place a little low Village wherein Travellers used commonly to lodge for the commodiousness of a lively and plenteous Spring which there riseth there by chance both Sinan Bassa had purposed to stay and Gazelles in like manner had also determined to rest a few hours to refresh his Army that he might by night after he had well refreshed his Horses come unlooked for upon his Enemies at Gaza when news was brought to both the Generals almost at one instant by the forerunners of both the Armies That the Enemy was at hand Gazelles not a little troubled with that unexpected news for that he perceived himself disappointed of his purpose and unable to fight with his Enemies in plain Battel especially his Horses being sore wearied with Travel was inforced upon the suddain for the safegard of himself and his followers to resolve upon a new resolution yet nothing discouraged with cheerful countenance and lively speech exhorted his Souldiers to make themselves ready for Battel and that which they could not by policy bring to pass they should now by plain force perform Sinan on the other side having somewhat sooner set his Men in order of Battel than had Gazelles forasmuch as he had before at good leisure taken order what he would have done if it should come to the point of Battel with constant look and long perswasions full of hope encouraged his Souldiers to fight But the conclusion of all his Speech was That they should play the Men and not once think of flight forasmuch as all places about them would be shut up and become impassible if they obtained not the Victory and that above all things they should perswade themselves that no one of them could that day perish but such as the immortal God had by the inevitable Law of fatal Destiny appointed to die and that with like hazard valiant Men found life in the midst of their Enemies Weapons that Cowards by immutable Destiny found death in their safest flight The Bassa had placed his Harquebusiers in the Wings of his Battel which were ranged of a great length in thin Ranks thereby to use their Pieces at more liberty and with more ease to inclose the Enemy in the middle were placed the Horsemen to receive the first charge of the Mamalukes Gazelles approaching the Enemy sent before the Troops of the Arabian light Horsemen to trouble the Wings of his Enemies Battel and with a square Battel of his Mamalukes charged the middle Battel of the Turks The Battel was a great while most terrible and the Victory doubtful for although the Turks in number far exceeded yet were they not able to endure the armed and couragious Mamalukes but were glad to give ground and quite disordered by the breaking in of the Mamalukes as Men discouraged began to look about them which way they might flie when by the commandment of Sinan the Harquebusiers who with the first Volley of their shot had repulsed the Arabians wheeling about enclosed all the Enemies Battel By which means both Men and Horse were a far off slain with the multitude of the deadly shot where true Valour helped not them so on every side inclosed For where any Troop of the Mamalukes pressed forward upon the Turks they quickly retired and in all places of the Battel as much as they could shunned to encounter their Enemies with their Horsemen labouring only to gaul them with shot Gazelles seeing his Horse spent with extream weariness and that he was not to expect any further help his Arabians beginning now to fall from him and also considering that many of his most valiant Souldiers were either slain or wounded and having also himself received a great wound in his Neck he with the rest of his Army made way through the midst of his Enemies
Court four Epirot Mamalukes who grieved to see Tomombeius contrary to their desires preferred to the Kingdom by others of a contrary faction whether it were upon a malitious disposition or upon hope of reward and better entertainment or for that in so great a declination of their Kingdom they thought it good to seek for new friends of more assurance fled secretly to Sinan Bassa as to a most famous Captain and one of their own Nation For this great Commander Sinan Selymus his right hand was born in a poor Country Village of Epirus in the Mountain Country of Ambracia whom a wonderful mischance preferred to that height of credit and wealth for it is reported that a Sow kept in the House wherein he was Born bit off his Genitors being then but a Child as he lay by chance sleeping in the shadow and being made of a greater esteem by that mishap was by them which took up delicate Minions from the Turkish Emperor brought to Constantinople and presented to the great Emperor Mahomet Selymus his Grandfather where fortunâ by the fatal direction of his good hap advanced him to his appointed honors whom she had long before dismembred By these fugitive Mamalukes Selymus and Sinan were instructed of all the devices of the Enemy and especially what stratogems Tomombeius had with great cunning and policy devised whereinto they must needs fall if they should go directly on and not forsake the high-way Wherefore guided by the same Fugitives they fetcht a great compass on the left hand and by an unused way before it was day having escaped the front of their Enemies Camp with all the dangers prepared for them they came and shewed themselves at their backs in order of Battel with their great Artillery ready bent because they were desirous without delay to joyn Battel Tomombeius now too late perceiving that his Plot was discovered by the Treason of some of his own People although he was therewith above measure grieved for that all that he had with so great industry and the labour of so many Men brought to pass was through spiteful fortune made frustrate and in a moment brought to nought yet for all that he was a Man of an invincible courage presently entred into his wonted and deep devices and calling to him his chief Commanders quickly told them what he would have done Now in this short moment of time he was to do many things at once the signal was to be given for the Souldiers to mount their Horses and to make themselves ready the order of his Camp was to be changed his Battel to be ordered his Souldiers to be encouraged and all his great Ordnance as the case required quite the contrary way to be turned all which things as they could but hardly and troublesomely by one Commander be directed so were they hastily and disorderly at once done by many But above all other things the great concourse of people for turning and removing the great Artillery most troubled the well ordering of the rest for many of them were huge Iron pieces of great weight made fast in Stocks of Wood with Rings and iron Clasps after the old and rude manner of ship Ordnance which for their exceeding and ponderous weight could not be out of their places removed but by the strength of many Horses and the great labour of Men with leavers and rouls put under them and such as were mounted upon Carriages when they were drawn through all parts of the Camp with the great clamour of the disordered and hasty People some drawing some thrusting forward the same with their tumultuous stir and doings wonderfully troubled the other Souldiers as they were mounting to Horse and repairing toward their Ensigns But two things marvellously helped these difficulties the Souldiers cheerfulness and constancy which was such as passeth credit for they did not upon any apprehension of fear fail either in hope or courage as oftentimes it hapneth in suddain accidents wherein even the old approved Souldiers do many times fail of their wonted valour And although they were twice overcome in Battel yet still they were of greater spirit and confidence as Men destitute neither of courage or skill but only of fortune Wherefore Tomombeius having with much ado ordered this Battel and his Souldiers with great cheerfulness desiring the signal to be given commanded all the multitude of his Arabians to compass in the wings of the Enemies Battel behind and so to skirmish with them that so if it were possible the Turks Horsemen might with the danger of the doubtful fight with such an uncertain Enemy be disordered before he set forward to charge them with his Troops and withal commanded his great Ordnance which was now turned upon the Enemy to be presently discharged So did the Turks likewise discharging at once from a convenient distance both their greater and smaller Ordnance and speedily recharging them brought them within an Arrow shot so that for a good space they lay beating the one the other on both sides with their great Artillery only in which manner of fight the Egyptian Canoniers were almost all slain and many of their Field-pieces broken by force of the Enemies shot For Selymus had in his Camp many excellent and skilful Canoniers whom he had with great entertainment allured out of Italy and Germany and especially of those refuse Jews which by the zeal of King Ferdinand being driven out of Spain afterwards to the shame of the Christians dispersed those rare and deadly devices through the East The chief of these Canoniers was one Iacobus e Rogio Lepidi a cunning Engineer who but a little before overcome by the Turks rewards abjuring the Christian Religion revolted unto the Mahometan Superstition But after that the Mamalukes had brought the matter to Battel on both sides they gave out a most hideous and dreadful cry and with exceeding fury assailed the Turks in three places for Selymus still keeping his wonted order approached his Enemies with his Battel in form of an half Moon Mustapha Bassa had the leading of the Asian Horsemen in the right wing and Ionuses Bassa of the Europeians in the left he himself stood in the main Battel with the Squadron of his trusty Janizaries and great store of Artillery but Sinan the Eunuch Bassa General of the Field led after him a great number of most valiant Horsemen drawn out of every Troop to be ready against all the uncertain events that might happen in the Battel unto whom he joyned five hundred Harquebusiers Janizaries Men of wonderful courage and activity selected out of Selymus his own Squadron to relieve such part of the Army as should chance to be most pressed by the Enemy So almost at one time whilst Tomombeius stood in the main Battel against Selymus and the Wings of the Mamalukes with equal Battel encountred the Wings of the Turks and the Arabians also valiantly charging them in the rereward as they had in charge four
great applause and consent of all there present chosen King. To whom forthwith Petrus Perennus came and presented the ancient Crown of the Kingdom of Hungary which was in his keeping made after an homely fashion of pure Gold with which the lawful Kings of Hungary used alwaies to be solemnly crowned It is reported that it was the Crown of Stephanus first King of Hungary and was by an ancient Custom alwaies kept in the Castle of Vicegrade And so Iohn the Vayvod was orderly crowned and consecrated by the hands of Paulus Bishop of Strigonium lately chosen instead of Ladislaus Salcanius slain in the Battel at Mugace and by the hands of Stephanus Brodaricus Bishop of Vacia whom he chose for his Secretary And unto Americus Cibachus he gave the honour of the Vayvod of Transilvania being but a little before chosen Bishop of Veradium In his preferment he was greatly holpen unto the Kingdom by the Nobility which followed him out of Transylvania men of great account both in Peace and War amongst whom descended of the Hungarian Blood were chief Stephanus Verbetius Paulus Antandrus Gregorius Peschenius Nicholaus Glessa and Ianus Docia But whilst this new King is in this sort busied in rewarding his Friends and strengthning himself in his Kingdom he was advertised that Ferdinand his Competitor of the Hungarian Kingdom was chosen King of Bohemia who out of the old controversie betwixt Mathias Corvinus and Fredericus the Emperors great Grandfather alledged great claim unto that Kingdom derived from the time of Ladislaus who was reported to have been poisoned at the time of the solemnization of his Marriage through the ambition and malice of Georgius Pogibracius who affecting the Kingdom of Bohemia shortly after obtained the same And now it seemed that the time was come wherein Ferdinand made greater with the Kingdom of Bohemia and strengthned with the power of his Brother Charles the Emperor not forgetting his Right might upon good ground lay claim unto the Kingdom of Hungary unto him as he pretended of right belonging ever since the time of Albertus the Emperor Neither did Ferdinand beside the strength of Austria and Bohemia want the furtherance of divers of the Princes of Hungary having in his Court many of unquiet Spirit half Fugitives desirous of change which envied at the Vayvods Royal Preferment as if it had been taken from themselves more worthy thereof than he by the rash and tumultuous favour of the Vulgar People For besides Bator who in most Mens judgment might most worthily have required and obtained the Kingdom there were others also almost of like Nobility and Valour as Valentius Tauraccus Stephanus Maylatus Ianus Scala Gasper Scredius Baltasor Pamphilus and Ferentius Gnarius to whom also was joyned Paulus Bachitius born in Servia a valiant Gentleman who being entred into the Mahometan Religion to avoid the Turkish Slavery got away unto the Christians and hardly escaped from the Battel of Mohatchz By the perswasion of these Noblemen Ferdinand of his own disposition ready enough to claim his Right especially a Kingdom and trusting unto his Strength in Austria Bohemia Rhetia Stiria and Carynthia marched directly towards Buda With whose coming Iohn the new King being wonderfully troubled as a man beset with want of all things having neither sufficient Strength whereupon to rest in his new got Kingdom neither any great assurance of the Fidelity of his Subjects like enough either for fear or of their natural inconstancy to fall from him determined not to abide the coming of his Enemy to Buda but exhorting his Captains to follow him although he were glad to depart and give place to his evil Fortune for a time with such Power as he had brought with him out of Transylvania and such other as he could otherwise levy he passed over the River to Pestum and not daring any where thereabouts to rest by long marches passed over the River Tibiscus and there encamped at Tocai which was a strong Castle upon the further side of the River His departure being known Ferdinand marching on obtained Buda without resistance where he staid a while and consulted with his Captains Whether he should pursue his flying Enemy or not But it was quickly resolved That the discouraged Enemy was to be speedily pursued before he should gather greater strength or enter into greater Policies Wherefore Ferdinand committed all his Army unto the Nobility of Hungary his Friends whom we have before named who marching with all speed possible came to the River Tibiscus where passing over upon a Bridge made of Boats which they brought with them in Waggons for that purpose they came with Ensigns displaied unto the Castle of Tocai where the King lay with his Army in order of Battel But terrified with the suddain coming of his Enemies and debating with his Captains of the greatness of the danger took a course unto himself rather safe than honourable for his Captains desiring nothing more than to joyn Battel and in manner contemning their Enemies perswaded him to withdraw himself a little out of the Battel and to keep him out of danger and if things fell out otherwise than well to reserve himself unto his better fortunes as for themselves they would most resolutely fight against those traiterous Fugitives forasmuch as it were great dishonour for them being Hungarians a warlike People by nature to refuse Battel being offered by the Enemy Amongst the Chieftains of the Kings Army Ferentius Bodo an old Captain of great experience and courage was chief to whom the King delivered his Ensign with his own hands and he with great skill ordered his Battel for the number of his Souldiers he himself stood in the main Battel with the Hungarians placing the Transylvanians in the Wings In Ferdinands Army Valentinus Turaccus led the main Battel with the Hungarians under Ferdinands Ensign strengthned on the one side with Troops of Horsemen out of Syria and on the other with the Horsemen of Austria But Paulus Bachitius according to the manner of the Turkish Wars wherewith he was well acquainted with a Company of Light-Horsemen lay close in ambush in a convenient place for that purpose a good distance off against the left Wing of the Enemies Army ready as occasion should serve to take his most advantage It was not greatly needful for the Captains to use any perswasions to encourage their Souldiers ready enough of themselves to fight The great Ordnance once discharged the Armies came fast on and joyned Battel where the Wings of both Battels fought with divers fortune The Styrian Horsemen were not able to endure the force of the Transylvanians but were put to the worse And on the other side the left Wing of Bodo his Army consisting for most part of raw and unexpert Souldiers was by the Horsemen of Austria overthrown At the same time both the main Battels being almost all Hungarians fought with equal courage and that so eagerly as seldom had been seen a
thanks and praising his forwardness requested him to follow him to whom he would in good time give a sign what he would have done The foremost of the Turks light Gallies was now come to the great Galleon of Bondelmerius which was the foremost of the Christian Fleet whereunto were sent also certain Gallies from Salec to help to assail that tall Ship which shooting afar off did no harm neither Bondelmerius them who would not suffer one Piece to be discharged for he being an expert Seaman and loath to shoot in vain expected that they should come nearer unto him and then upon the suddain to discharge all his great Ordnance upon them Neither was he deceived in that his expectation for the Turks coming near unto him were so overwhelmed with the great and small Shot out of the Galleon that they were glad to stay their Course and retire In the mean time Auria called back again the Ships which were gone before and caused his Galleon to be towed out and by Boats on purpose sent out charged the Captains of the Gallies to make themselves ready to fight upon signal given by the sound of the Trumpet and displaying of the Admirals Ensign yet was not Auria of mind to fight with his Gallies without his Ships Which thing the crafty Enemy well perceived and therefore sought by all means to joyn Battel with the Gallies before the coming in of the tall Ships which were as Castles in respect of the Gallies for it was then such a calm that the Ships were not able to keep way with the Gallies and the smooth Water seemed to offer a fit opportunity for Battel which so well pleased the Patriarch that many heard him crying aloud to Auria to give the signal and marvelled much why he deferred to give Battel For he fetching a great compass and hovering about his Ships with his Gallies kept such a Course that many thought he would upon a suddain have done some strange and unexpected exploit upon the Enemy but Auria held that strange Course of purpose to have drawn the Enemies Gallies within the danger of his great Ships who thundering amongst them with their great Ordnance might have easily sore beaten and disordered them and opened a way unto his Gallies to have gotten a most certain Victory But the crafty old Turk doubting by the strangeness of Auria's Course to be circumvented with some fineness changed his Course and lay still with his own Squadron of Gallies warily expecting to what purpose that strange Course of the Enemy tended In the mean time both the Wings of his Fleet had a little before Sun-set begun in divers places to encounter with the Christians some were in vain still assailing Bondelmerius his great Galleon others with their great Ordnance had so sore beaten two tall Ships wherein Buccanigra and Mongaia two Spanish Captains were imbarked with their Companies that they were given for lost many of the Souldiers and Mariners being slain Two other Ships loaded with Victual the one of Venice the other of Dalmatia were burnt by the Turks and some few of the men saved by their Ship-boats and by swiming to the Ships nearest unto them In the shutting in of the Evening Salec took two Gallies stragling behind the rest of the Fleet whereof Mozenicus a Venetian and Bibiena a Florentine were Captains After these Gallies was taken also the Ship of Aloysius Figaroa a Spaniard although his Souldiers had for a time fought most valiantly In this Ship with Figaroa the Father was taken his Son a young Gentleman and beautified with all the good gifts of Nature who afterwards presented to Solyman turned Turk and growing in Credit in Solymans Chamber after three years miserable imprisonment obtained his poor Fathers Liberty and sent him well rewarded home again into Spain Whilst both the Fleets were thus expecting how they might to their most advantage joyn Battel suddainly arose a great Tempest of Thunder Lightning and Rain with a fresh Gale of Easterly Wind whereupon the Christians seeing the Turks hoâsing up their small Sails without delay hoised up both small and great to clear themselves of the Enemy and with that fair Wind returned again to Corcyra so disorderly and in such haste sparing neither Sail nor Oar that it seemed rather a shameful Flight than an orderly Retreat So that Auria a man of so great fame at Sea as that he was called a second Neptune was that day accounted no Captain It is reported that Barbarussa with the same Wind pursued the Christians a while and being not able longer to see what Course they held by reason of the darkness of the night to have staid his Course for the Admirals had caused their Lights which they used to carry in the Poops of their Gallies to be put out Whereat Barbarussa heartily laughing said oftentimes in the Spanish Tongue Auria hath therefore put out his light the better in the dark to hide his Flight noting him in such a fear as that he without regard of honour sought only how by Flight to escape When they were come to Corcyra they were all generally of opinion That by the benefit of that suddain Storm they had avoided a great danger The Imperials especially the Genoways to excuse Auria imputed the cause of so shameful a Flight unto the Venetians who would not from the beginning receive any Spanish Souldiers into their Gallies the better to have withstood the Enemy and that Auria therefore doubting of the Venetians refrained from joyning Battel and the rather because that upon the coming forth of the Turks Fleet they had hoised up their Sails tied up to the Yards with small Lines which they might at their pleasure easily cut and set Sail to flie which way they would Shortly after came Barbarussa with all his Fleet to the Island of Paxus about four Leagues from Corcyra Eastwards braving the Christians as if he would have fought with them if they durst come out Whereat Gonzaga the Viceroy fretting went to every one of the three great Commanders requesting them for the honour of the Christians to repress that proud Turks insolency At last the matter was brought to that pass that the Venetians having taken in certain Companies of Spaniards the Fleet should be divided into four Squadrons and so to give Battel But this consultation was so long protracted that Barbarussa fearing the tempestuous Autumn Weather hoised sail and about the seventh of October returned again into the Bay of Ambracia After the departure of Barbarussa the Generals of the Christian Fleet directed their Course into the Bay called Sinus Rizonicus to besiege Castronovum or New-Castle a strong Town of the Turks standing in that Bay and bordering upon the Venetian Senators The Inhabitants were part Dalmatians part Epirots which had renounced the Christian Religion and some Turks living most part by Merchandise Unto this Town the Christians laid Siege and in short time won it where they had
all Men being demanded their opinions with most substantial reasons declared the necessity of giving Battel and that it was not so dangerous as to be therefore shunned or delaied forsomuch as that violent Enemy was far easier to be dealt withall at Sea than by Land where he must fight without his hugh multitude of Men the Turks chief hope and only means whereby they have obtained so many Victories against the Christians And so concluded their opinions with an effectual perswasion to set forward to Corcyra and without delay as occasion served to give the Enemy Battel Which their opinion being generally well liked was shortly after by the General and the rest approved and a resolution set down for the giving of Battel which was no sooner known but there was general rejoycing through the Army every Man chearfully preparing himself to lay down his life in the publick defence of the Christian Common-weal and that with such an earnest desire of Battel that every day seemed now nothing also but a delay of a most assured Victory Yet before they should come into the sight of the Enemy the three Admirals thought it good to bring forth the Fleet into the Sea and there to martial the same in such sort as if they should even then presently have joyned Battel to the intent that by such orderly disposing of their Fleet and by appointing unto every Man his place he was to keep they might so acquaint them with the order of the Battel as that they should when time served of themselves without farther direction martial themselves and so more readily enter into Battel The next day the Admirals brought forth their Fleets into the open Sea in the right Wing which consisted of three and fifty Gallies was Auria placed In the left Wing was Augustinus Barbadicus with the like number of Gallies also And in the middle Battel stood the General with seventy Gallies On the right hand of the General stood Columnius and on the left Venerius his Associates Thus with equal front the Fleet set forward as if they should even presently have joyned Battel Betwixt the Wings and the middle Battel was left no more space but for three Gallies to row In the Rereward behind the General followed Requisenius the great Commander of Castile with his Gallies after Columnius followed the Admiral Gally of Genoa wherein was Alexander Farnesius Prince of Parma and behind Venerius came the Admiral Gally of Savoy and in her the Prince of Urbin in the space betwixt the middle Battel and the left Wing was placed Paulus Iordanus and betwixt the middle Battel and the right Wing was Petrus Iustinianus with the Gallies of Malta Upon the left Wing attended Anthonius Canalis and Quirinus on the right About half a mile behind all the rest followed Alvarus Bacianus Marquess of Sanârace and Admiral of the Neapolitan Fleet with thirty Gallies a Man of great experience in matters at Sea and now so placed to be at all times ready to relieve this or that part of the Fleet as the fortune of the Battel or impression of the Enemy should require The Christians had reposed great hope in six Galeasses which furnished with great store of Ordnance and certain select Companies of most resolute Souldiers seemed rather like Cattles than Ships These Galeasses conducted by Franciscus Dodus a most expert Captain were placed about a mile before the Fleet two of them before each Wing and the other two before the middle Battel so far distant one from another as that with equal space they answered the whole breadth of the front of the Fleet which was almost the space of five miles and served the same in stead of most strong Bulwarks The Gallies throughout the Fleet kept not close together but such a convenient distance one from another as might serve for them at liberty to discharge their Ordnance when time should require In the Wings as also in the main Battel were the Popes the Kings and the Venetian Gallies indifferently intermixed that by the equality of the danger they should have more care to relieve one another than if they had served apart Ioannes Cardonius a most valiant Captain with eight Gallies of Sicily and two Galliots was appointed to go ten miles before the Fleet to descry what he might of the Enemies doings and in his return to joyn the one half of his Gallies to the one Wing and the other half to the other In this sort they departed from Messina with purpose to seek out the Enemy and not long after came to Paxo where of a small broil at the first was like to have risen a great mischief for the next day whilst Don Iohn staied there to take a view of the Venetian Gallies and how they were furnished both of Men and Munition he finding them but weakly manned for supplying of that want appointed four thousand Spaniards and a thousand Italians to be put aboord into the Venetian Gallies where most need was Amongst these Souldiers was one Company under the command of Mutius Tortona their Captain a Man of an unquiet and furious Nature who going aboord the Gally of Andreas Calergus first fell to words with the Captain of the Gally and after much stir into plain fight so that in a trice they were altogether by the Ears as well the Souldiers as the Captains of all which stir Mutius was the only author Venerius being not far off and hearing of the matter sent the Captain of his own Gally to appease the tumult who thrusting himself into the midst of the furious multitude was by Mutius in his fury fouly entreated and divers of them that came with him shrewdly beaten Which thing Venerius himself also of an hot nature taking as done in disgrace of the Venetians and therewith exceedly moved to the terror of others caused Mutius and his Ensign-bearer to be hanged up at the Yards-arm of the same Gally to the great offence of all the Spaniards The General also taking this execution in evil part full of choler and indignation grievously complained That he himself as General was therein not a little wronged and that it became every Commander to know what belonged to his place and not to encroach upon his betters so should the conditions of the League be the better kept if every Commander could keep himself within the bounds of his own Authority Venerius he said whose authority was inferior unto his could not of right without his command determine any thing against Mutius a Spanish Captain And that therein his honour was empaired for which if he had not a publick and honourable amends he threatned by force of Arms to redress his wrong and the League being broken to carry away with him the Kings Gallies Neither wanted there some who favouring Don Iohn his quarrel and angry with the Venetians laied still more Coals on the fire that was already too great Hereunto Venerius sent word unto the
Aga Governour of Theuthrania Assâs Caiga Governour of Calipolis Caracoza Cassanes the Son of Barbarussa Malamur Governour of Mitylene Dely Solyman Gider Captain of Chios Cassambeius Governour of the Rhodes Provi Aga Captain of Naupulium Giaper Zeliby President of Calabra Dordagnan Dondomeni and many others whose barbarous Names I purposely omit all Men of great account and place and for their experience of Sea the chief strength of the Turkish Empire The right Wing was by the appointment of the Bassaes commanded by Mahomet Bey with fifty six Gallies with whom were also many worthy Captains and in the left Wing was Uluzales the old Arch-Pyrat but now the Vice-Roy of Algiers with ninety five Gallies accompanied with Caraiolo and Arabey his two Sons with a multitude of Pyrats Men of his own profession but most valiant and expert Souldiers In the Rereward came Amurates Dragute with thirty Gallies and divers other small Vessels Now was the day well spent when both the Fleets were ready to give Battel the Enemy still coming on almost in same same order that the Christians did for their middle Battel came directly against our middle Battel and their Wings against ours So the signal of Battel on both sides given by the shooting off of certain great Pieces The Turks after their manner coming on with an hideous cry first light upon the six Galeasses which lying at Anchor almost a mile before the Fleet as most strong Bulwarks out of their Fore-Castles poured out their murthring Shot upon the Turks now come within their danger and in their passing by so plagued them by discharging their whole Broad-sides first the one and eftsoons the other upon them that having received great loss and divers of their Gallies sunk they were enforced to break their order and to fall further off Which so much the more troubled the Turks for that they had before supposed those great Carts and unserviceable Ships as they accounted of them to have carried little or no great Ordnance on their sides after the manner of their Gallies for the use of the Galeasses was not unto the Turks known until now that they had received from them most notable harm which as it was the beginning of their misery so was it unto the Christians of greatest importance for the gaining of the Victory At which time also the Wind which all that day had much favoured the Turks was now God no doubt fighting his own Battel come about to the West and with a pleasant Gale in the time of the fight carried the smoke of the great Ordnance upon the Turks to their no small disadvantage Yet for all this loss and disorder in their Fleet the fierce Enemy with wonderful pertinacy passing by these Galeasses quickly repaired again to their places and made good their disordered Squadrons and with all their force assailed the Christian Fleet. The Trumpets Drums and other Instruments of War had scarcely well sounded when all shook with confused cries flames of Fire thundring of Artillery and other noise of the Mariners and Seamen wherewith many were so astonished as if they had been both deaf and blind having upon the suddain almost lost the use both of their sight and hearing At which very instant a Man might have seen the whole showers as it were of Arrows and Darts mixt with the deadly Shot flying from the one Fleet to the other the Masts broken the Sail-yards struck down the Tackles rent and all confused with horror and fear Haly beholding the Admiral Gally which was easie to be known by the Flag and using the surpassing chearfulness of his Mariners and Rowers ran upon her with such violence as if he would have presently stemmed her but being with like force encountred by the Admiral they met together with such violence that both their Beaks were with the Feaze broken off and so fell into the Sea. There began a most cruel fight betwixt these two great Commanders who had before drawn unto them the strongest Gallies in their Fleets and the choisest Men in their Armies In the Admiral Gally of the Christians were four hundred select Men pickt out of the whole Army most of them Captains and Antients Men of approved Valour who not only valiantly repulsed the furious Enemies but with greater courage enforced them to shrink back and pressing hard upon them entred the Gally even to the main Mast where the Enemy strengthned with new supply fought couragiously repulsed the Spaniards and cleared again their Gally Many were there wounded on both sides and many slain Don Iohn seeing his Men give way sent in new supply wherewith the other encouraged bestirred themselves more lustily than before and hardly charge the Turks who with like hope and like courage encounter them The Battel was like unto the ebbing and flowing of the Sea thrice the Turks were even driven unto the main Mast and thrice strengthned with new supplies they with great slaughter repulsed the Christians back again Venerius perceiving the danger of the General was about to have assailed the Poup of Haly his Gally so to have endangered her being set upon both before and abaft but in coming thither he was encountred by Partau the other Bassa who with a Company of Gallies opposed himself against him and that with such celerity that having made shew as if he would have charged him afront he by and by set upon his side Which unexpected manner of fight so suddainly fashioned at the first much troubled the Christians who afterward gathering courage notably defended themselves Venerius upon whose Valour the Venetian State rested gallantly armed not only encouraged his Men one while with entreating another while with threatning but was himself in the midst of them fighting whose great Honour much moved the minds of his Souldiers but his reverend years more to see him being above seventy seven years old to perform all the parts of a brave youthful Commander in the very face of the greatest danger The fierce Enemy having slain many of the Christians pressed on more furiously and fighting close together entred the Prow of Venerius his Gally now bared of Defendants and with their multitude rather than true valour oppressed the Venetians who had there no doubt been overcome had not Ioannes Lauretanus and Catherinus Malipetra two valiant Captains and lying not far off speedily come to their relief By whose coming in the fight was in the turning of an hand quite altered so that they which a little before fiercely assailed the Venetian Gallies were now glad to defend their own so for a space the fight stood indifferent but in process of the Battel thosâ two worthy Captains whilst they also perform the parts of most resolute Souldiers were both slain shot through with small shot The fall of these notable Men did rather enrage than discourage the minds of their Souldiers so that blinded as it were with fury and suddainly become other Men they desperately
pressed in upon the Turks so that whilst they on the one side kill and wound them and Venerius more hardly chargeth them on the other the terror of the Battel was turned from them that were even at the point to have been vanquished upon the Victors and our Men after great slaughter of the Turks took two of their Gallies Partau the Bassa in a long Boat escaped the danger and so got him out of the Battel Not far off thence Columnius the Popes Admiral as a valiant Chieftain hardly assailed other of the Turks Gallies and made amongst them great slaughter one singled from the rest he took and disordered the other Lignius the Admiral of Genoa with like courage thrust himself into the thickest of the Enemies and there made a notable fight Many an Enemy fell about the Prince of Parma Rueres Ursinus Cornea and Iustinianus who for their present honour and future fame fought most couragiously At which time Chiroche or Sirock of some called Mahomet Bey with his right Wing with great confidence came forward against the left Wing of the Christian Fleet but falling before he was aware into the danger of the Galeasses was from out of them miserably beaten with the great Ordnance having many of his Men slain and divers of his Gallies sunk and torn few of the huge and deadly Shot falling in vain into the Sea by reason of the thick standing of the Turks Gallies where also divers of the Enemies were burnt with Pots of Wild-fire cast into their Gallies out of the tops of the Galeasses Chiroche to avoid the danger of the Galeasses and to shun the dangerous Shelf betwixt him and the Main which the River Achelous running between the Borders of Acarnania and Aetolia and there falling into the Sea maketh sent a great part of his Gallies under the conduct of one Alis a notable Renegate of Genoa to cast about aloof upon the right hand and so to come upon the back of Barbadicus the Leader of the left Wing of the Christian Fleet. Which he perceiving forthwith turned his Gallies and with their Prows received the first onset The great Ordnance first on both sides discharged divers of the Gallies grapled fast together in such sort as that they encountred one another not with their missive Weapons only as with their small Shot Arrows and Darts but with their drawn Swords foot to foot Amongst the rest the fight of two of the Christian Gallies was most notable in the one was Barbadicus himself in the other Marcus Ciconia upon whom fell six of the Enemies Gallies and upon Barbadicus five who although they were on every side distressed with a most doubtful and dangerous fight yet did they most valiantly with worthy resolution endure the same In the fury of this Battel Barbadicus encouraging his Souldiers and fighting himself even there where most danger was was hit in his left Eye with an Arrow and so struck into the Brain almost through the Head wherewith falling presently down he was taken up for dead howbeit he died not thereof until three days after The supposed death of this worthy Man much troubled the Christians and both the Armies felt his fall such force there is in the valour of one worthy Man for the Turks now as Conquerors lustily boorded the Gally troubled with the loss of the Captain and the Venetians as Men discouraged gave way the Gally had there undoubtedly been lost had not Fredericus Nanius and Sylvius Porcia with their Gallies speedily come to her relief by whose coming in such an alteration was made as that the Gally before half taken was not only cleared but divers of the Turks Gallies also boorded and some of them taken not without the great slaughter of the Turks In this so hard and mortal a conflict Sylvius was grievously wounded in the thigh and in his right side It is reported of Barbadicus That lying that evening at the point of death the Battel then ended he like another Epaminondas asked which part had got the Victory and being told that the Christians had got it and that the Turks Fleet was most part taken and the rest sunk or burnt he with his eies cast up to Heaven gave unto God immortal thanks therefore and not long after joyfully departed this life to live in Bliss for ever Ciconia in the mean time hardly befet with six of the Enemies Gallies as we have before said was himself sore burnt with Wild-fire and hurt in the face and having endured a long and terrible fight was now even at the point to have been lost when suddain relief coming in he was now contrary to all hope saved and therewith so much encouraged that with his weary and wounded Souldiers as Men from death revived he afresh charged the Enemy and took one of his principal Gallies with one of the Turks fairest Ensigns which in the Venetian Armory is yet there to be seen of his worthy valour his honest wounds in his face and the fore part of his Body were most certain and undoubted witnesses Not far off in the same Wing Ioannes Contarenus an honourable and valiant Gentleman did with his great Shot exceeding great harm amongst the Turks Gallies which Chiroche perceiving and therewith inraged ran so fiercely upon the side of Contarenus his Gally that with his Beak he had well near stemmed her and presently grapling fast with her was like to have boorded her who nevertheless the Christians notably repulsed with greater slaughter than was thought possible for so small a number to have made neither did the Enemies fall unrevenged but all imbrued with the Blood of the Christians Seldom hath been seen a more cruel fight or more resolute Captains to encounter hand to hand But after the Battel had of long time stood doubtful the hope of the Christians encreased upon two causes for which the courage of the Enemy quailed First for that many of the Turks being slain or wounded they were brought to a small number Then for that both parties saw Chiroche himself slain from which time the Enemy as well destitute of a Leader to conduct them as of fresh supplies to relieve them began to be cut down right or taken Which their danger was the more encreased because the Gally bulged with the great Shot was now leaky and in danger to sink wherefore the Turks in that Wing overcome with despair began to think rather how to save themselves by flight than by fight reposing their trust in nothing more than in the nearness of the Main But as they were turning about toward the Shoar they were prevented by the Christians who entring the Gally and having slain or driven overboord almost all that were left took Chiroche yet breathing but half dead and seeing small hope of his life with fresh wounds made an end of him Divers and doubtful was the whole face of the Battel as fortune offered unto every Man his Enemy
indangered or else affraid lest the Enemy who far exceeded him in number of Gallies should extend his Wing at large and enclose the Christian Fleet behind upon the signal of Battel given shrunk farther off from the rest of the Battel but whether upon policy that it might be at his choise either to fight if the rest of the Army prevailed or to retire if they should be overcome or that he upon martial policy declined the force of too strong an Enemy divers Men diversly glossed but what the cause was indeed the wisest could not surely tell Howsoever the matter stood it seemed his purpose was by policy to countervail what he wanted in strength This his falling off seemed unto the Turks most strange to whom his quick departure seemed at the first in manner of a flight Neither was Auria content with that space he had first separated himself from the Army but the second time fell off further and there staying and hovering aloof off seemed to await some good opportunity to take the Enemy at some advantage having in the mean time one of the Galeasses of Pisa lying before him as it were in stead of a Bulwark which with often shot much troubled the Enemy Uluzales also extending his Wing took such a space as that he seemed able to have compassed in and enclosed Auria yet offered not Battel but rather lay as expecting if any advantage should be given him by the Christians than rashly or unadvisedly to offer himself or his Gallies to any desperate danger He had not long so lien but that according to his desire twelve of the Venetian Gallies which had withdrawn themselves from Auria and without any order or direction roamed to and fro fell into his danger these Gallies cut off from the rest Uluzales with wonderful celerity enclosed and with the multitude of his Gallies boording them one by one slew the Defendants and took the Gallies In this fight many of the Knights of the Order of St. Stephen most valiantly fighting were slain Benedictus Superantius a noble Venetian seeing most part of his Men slain himself mortally wounded and his Gally now almost taken resolving rather presently to die than to fall into the hands of his Enemies desperately put fire to the store of Powder he had in the Gally and blew up himself and his Souldiers that were leât with a great number of the Enemies together The report of the great Ordnance and noise of the Battel in that part of the Fleet being heard they which had now in the middle Battel got the Victory together turned their Gallies thitherwards to aid Auria but not in one Squadron together but coming along one after another as every Man had sooner or later cleared himself of his Enemy amongst the rest Petrus Iustinianus Admiral of the Gallies of Malta coming formost was encountred with three of the Turks Gallies with whom he with his Knights had a great and most terrible fight Which Uluzales beholding and above all others hating the Knights of the Order speedily sent in other three Gallies to help their fellows So Iustinian hardly beset with six Gallies and oppressed with the multitude of his Enemies had lost fifty of his most valiant Knights with one of his Ensigns and with much ado hardly defended himself But being now brought to the last cast and the Gally in the judgment of all Men given for lost two other of the Gallies of Malta who had so valiantly fought with other three of the Enemies Gallies that they were now upon point to have taken them all seeing the danger of their Admiral forsook their vanquished Enemies and with all speed came to rescue him where they found him yet alive but shot in with three Arrows and still fighting couragiously at the Deck of his Gally with those few he had yet left beset round with their Enemies but by the coming in of these two Gallies as if it had been by help sent from Heaven the Turks were notably repulsed and the Admiral with his Gally rescued as a prey out of the mouth of the greedy Lyon. Uluzales understanding that the main Battel and right Wing of the Fleet was overthrown by the Christians for fear gave over the fight and leaving the Gallies he had taken and hoising Sail was the first in that Wing that fled Which Cardonius perceiving who was come in before the rest suddainly shewed himself at his back and by assailing the hindermost Gallies did what he might to stay their flight until the rest of the victorious Gallies were come in But whilst he so eagerly pursueth the flying Enemy fifteen of the Turks Captains inraged with such an unwonted disgrace and mindful of their wonted prowess staid their flight and contrary to the expectation of the Christians turned themselves and renewed the Battel What minds they bare the event shewed for in a trice almost all Cardonius his Souldiers and Mariners were slain nothing letted the taking of the Gally but that Uluzales seeing Don Iohn Columnius and Venerius near at hand and making towards him and Auria also coming fast on was afraid longer to stay and therefore giving over the fight fled as fast as he could yet carrying away with him one Gally of Cyprus and one Ensign of the Knights of Malta as testimonies of his own Valour when he should appear before Selymus The Christians although weary of the long fight which they had almost by the space of five hours endured yet so long as they were in any hope to overtake any of their flying Enemies hardly pursued them in chase but when they perceived it prevailed not to follow farther and that it was more than time to see to their weary and wounded Souldiers and Mariners they staied from farther pursuit for why the night came now fast on under the covert whereof the crafty old Pyrat flying for life with Sails and Oars escaped with thirty or as some write forty Gallies again into the Bay of Lepanto It was a right horrible spectacle to see how in this Battel the Sea stained with Blood and covered with dead Bodies Weapons and the Fragments of the broken Gallies besides the great number of them that were slain and beaten into the Sea many of the Turks blinded with fear casting away their Weapons to escape the fury of the Enemy threw themselves headlong into the Sea but finding no hope to recover the Land laboured again to come to the Gallies or else fainting by the way were miserably drowned Otheâs either half dead weak and unskilful of swimming or overcharged with their Armor the Sea also devoured yea many that could well swim wearied and wounded sunk for fear Others upon Planks and the pieces of the broken Gallies sought to save themselves and not knowing what to follow or what to shun wofully perished Other some swimming and pitifully entreating their Enemies rather to take them Prisoners than to kill them were as it often times chanceth
had the worse success the year before was so much the more careful to beware how he endangered himself within the reach of the Galeasses The Christians desired nothing more than to fight and to come to handy Blows but the Turk who thought it sufficient for the present not to be overcome sometime made away as fast as he could and by and by stayed again if happily he might have taken the Gallies separated from the Galeasses never seeming willing to adventure further than reason and discretion would The Enemy seeing the Christian Fleet coming still on and ready to give Battel first seemed as if he would have done the like but afterwards turned his Course upon the right hand and kept aloof alongst the Coast of Malea At which time the Christians although they were very desirous to have followed them yet the Turks with their nimble Fleet were quickly too far gon for the Christian Fleet to overtake them especially with their heavy Ships That day almost spent as it were in the chase of the Enemy towards the going down of the Sun the Enemy put into the current of the Sea betwixt Cerigo and the Harts Island in bredth about ten miles and there dividing their Fleet into three parts lay in good order as expecting the coming of the Christians with the Prows of their Gallies turned as if upon the confidence of the place which they had filled overthwart they had purposed nothing more than to fight Yet both Fleets seemed resolved the one not to fight without the Galeasses and the other not to come near those hot Ships from whom they had but the year before received so great harm And although the Enemy as was afterwards known purposed nothing less than to fight but upon great advantage yet fearing by open flight to dishonour his Lord and Master and by granting as it were of Victory to encrease the Fame of the Christians the crafty Pyrat made a great shew of that he least indeed purposed For pretending a great desire to fight he indeed deluded the Christians hope who although the Wind had failed them yet in hope the Enemy would abide them Battel with much labour and rowing came so near him that the great Shot began to flie too and fro on both sides but when the matter should have come to have been tried by dint of Sword then it plainly appeared what the Enemy had indeed purposed for still keeping the Prows of his Gallies upon the Christians he by little and little shrunk back and beside that the shadow of the night began then to approach he caused all his great Ordnance charged only with Powder to be shot off and so in the thick of the smoke retired unseen colouring his subtil departure also by certain Lights left in their Cock-Boats making shew as if the whole Fleet had still there stayed By this means the Turks with great celerity escaped being also holpen in this that the Christians hindred by the heaviness of the Galeasses could not but fair and softly pursue them for these Galeasses as they are Vessels of great service so are they also heavy and unweldy and not fit for chase The departure of the Enemy at length known the Christians also unwilling to fight by night returned to Cerigo Two days after the Turks stayed in the Bay of Tenarus now called Metapan and the Christians at Cerigo contented in that that the Enemy was the cause that the Battel was not fought and reckoning his weary and covert declining of Battel as a secret confession of the Victory The third day after the Christians desirous of nothing more than to joyn in Battel with the Enemy in their former order set forward from Cerigo and sailing all the night were in the break of the day descried from Land by the Turks whereupon Uluzales by shooting off of certain warning Pieces commanded all his Men to go aboord and to put themselves readiness for Battel And now the Christians were not far off when as the Turks lest declining of Battel might reprove them of fear came out of the Haven with their Fleet divided into three Battels whereof the left Wing was extended a great way into the Sea the right Wing still keeping near unto the Main and in the middle Battel was Uluzales himself who came all on faster than the Tide drave them staying their Course oft times of purpose to have drawn the Gallies of the Christians from the Galeasses and Ships Uluzales seeing his Fleet thus in order and fearing nothing more than the Galeasses commanded both the Wings of his Fleet having in each of them fourscore Gallies to fetch a great compass about the one on the right hand and the other on the left aloof off from the Galeasses and so to assail the Wings of the Christians on the sides or behind in hope so to have disordered their Battel and without danger to have drawn the Gallies from the Galeasses and the other heavy Ships Which their intent the Christians perceiving in their Wings turned about their Gallies also in manner of the new Moon their main Battel still facing the middle Battel of the Turks The Wings of the Turks Fleet thus far separated from the middle Battel seemed to present unto the Christians a great advantage which Fuscarinus intentive to all the offers of good Fortune quickly perceiving and calling unto Columnius and Lilly and shewing them the Enemies main Battel at hand and the Wings gone a great way off requested and perswaded them That not staying for the heavy Ships and Galeasses they would with him upon the suddain assail the Enemies middle Battel now destitute of the Wings not doubting but so to overthrow the Enemies greatest strength there before the Wings could now they were so far gon joyn themselves to the Battel again What could as he said have hapned more wishedly than to have their Battel divided So that they might at more advantage fight against every part thereof now separated than against all three parts at once If they had thought themselves not only equal but too strong for the whole Enemies Fleet united should they not the better overcome them apart and dispersed The opportunity as he said was but short and therefore to be forthwith resolved upon If they would take the present occasion of Victory then offered and as resolute Men charge their Enemies little fearing any such thing they should by their celerity and valour teach the Turks what the Christian discipline of War and power was able to do but if they would therein use delay they should ere long in vain wish for the like occasion they had let slip when as their Battel was again strengthned with the Wings This the Admirals Speech was of most that heard it joyfully received and his Counsel well liked and that with such a general chearfulness of the Souldiers as shewed in them no want of courage to have given the Enemy present Battel But Columnius and
Lilly being of the same mind they had been always said it were dangerous so to do for fear of drawing the whole three Battels of the Enemy at once upon them against which they should be too weak without the help of the Galeasses and heavy Ships and therefore said flatly That without those Vessels so much feared of their Enemies they would not in any case hazard the fortune of a Battel But whether Columnius and Lilly were of that opinion for that they so thought or were so charged by Don Iohn of whom they altogether depended not to fight in his absence many doubted The Wings of the Christians in turning about to confront the Wings of the Enemy were a little disordered which the Turks perceiving and taking the present opportunity with fifteen of their Gallies were about to have charged the stragling Gallies which Superântius perceiving to stay their Course went out couragiously against them with four Gallies and made with them a great fight in the heat whereof Superantius seeing forty more of the Enemies Gallies coming towards him and doubting to be enclosed with all speed sent for relief which came presently in namely twenty Gallies with two of the Galeasses which forthwith sent their thundring Shot so thick and furiously amongst their Enemies that in a little time eighteen of their Gallies were by them all rent and torn and the Turks therewith dismaied were glad in such hast to return as if they had rather fled than retired Superantius having at that fight but one of his Gallies shot through returned again unto his place Of this light fight many deemed what would have been the event of the whole Battel if the opinion of Fuscarinus had prevailed Both the Fleets falling again into their order although the Christians could not so fast follow as the Turks went before them yet came they so near them that oftentimes they changed Bullets as well with their small Shot as their great And yet for all that it was by many signs gathered that neither the Turks would abide present Battel neither the Christians longer delay if by their Enemies they so might The Christians had agreed as is before said not to joyn in Battel without their Galeasses and tall Ships which Uluzales well understood both by the Fugitives and his own Espials as also by their manner of sailing And he himself although he had no great desire to fight yet to be the better able to frustrate the endeavors of the Christians who with great labour drew with them the Galeasses and other heavy Ships sent his chargeable great Ships to Malvasia there to be unrigged whereby he discharged himself of a great burden and made himself able at his own choice and pleasure to leave or take to fight or not and also with such Souldiers and other necessaries as were in the same great Ships supplied the wants of his whole Fleet. By which policy the matter was brought to that pass that if the Christians would needs draw the Enemy to Battel they must of necessity forsake their Galeasses their most assured strength or if they would not leave them then they could not by any means enforce the ready Enemy to fight The day now declining the Enemy supposing himself to have done enough for that time both for the abating of the heat of the Christians and encouraging of his own People in seemly order as one not afraid sailed with his Fleet to Corona The Christians in like manner retiring themselves to Cerigo Whilst things thus went Don Iohn by a Frigot sent of purpose gave knowledge to the Fleet that he was come to Corcyra sharply blaming the great Commanders for their departure and that they staied not for his coming and further commanded them as their General all other things set apart forthwith to meet him at Zacynthus there to resolve of all matters Columnius wholly devoted to the Spaniards and preferring the favour of Don Iohn before the rest hearing his Message was in such hast to have returned that he would have perswaded Fuscarinus to have left the heavy Vessels and other weak Gallies at Cerigo and with 100 of the best Gallies with all speed to have returned to the General Of which opinion was also Lilly. But Fuscarinus more careful than the rest as he whom the danger more concerned would not yield to that perswasion for that in so doing they should as he said leave the Ships and Galeasses the chief part of their strength in danger to be spoiled by the Enemy whom they now kept at a Bay without the help of their General and should as he well hoped by often provoking of him at one time or other draw him to battel and have over him a notable Victory And therefore requested them for the love of God and the Zeal they bare unto the Common-good of all Christendom not to depart farther off nor to suffer the Enemy to escape out of their hands neither by their departure to leave the Islands of the Venetians subject to the fury of the Enemy whereas the General might at his pleasure and without danger come unto them they lying betwixt the Enemy and him But Columnius and Lilly resolutely set down hap what hap should to do what Don Iohn had commanded would not listen to the reasonable perswasions of the Venetian Admiral but told him flatly That if he would not in that they had said yield unto them they would forthwith leave him unto himself and with their Gallies presently return to Zacynthus as the General had commanded Whilst they were yet thus discoursing news was brought that the Enemy was come with his Fleet into the Fret of Cerigo which caused them all with one consent to resolve in such order to pass by the Enemy as if they should have given him present Battel whereas before they were determined by the perswasion of Fuscarinus to have gon to Crete and there leaving the Ships and Galeasses in safety to have afterwards returned to the General In such order the Christians passed by the Enemies Fleet which lay still in the Fret of the Sea without moving standing as it were rather upon the guard of themselves than resolved for Battel In three days sailing they came to Zacynthus where they found not Don Iohn but two of his Gallies and commandment that they should there leave their heavy Ships and with their Gallies come to Cephalenia where they should not fail to meet him Hereupon the Venetians weâe exceedingly grieved and muttered through the whole Fleet That the Spaniards bearing themselves upon their Wealth were too proud and in comparison of themselves regarded neither the conditions of the League neither any other Mans credit but trod all Men under foot and would now use the Venetians not as their Friends and Confederates but at their Slaves and Vassals feeding them in the mean time but with vain hope Yet forasmuch as the time and necessity so required they were content to be over-ruled
be revenged for their former loss and impeach their Enemies entrance into Siruan But wanting rather strength than courage to assaile the whole Army they thought it best to stay in ambush in some fit place untill some part of the Turkish Army allured with the prey of the Corn and Cattel should for the releif of their common Necessities descend into those fields And the rather to draw them on sent out divers men who as if they had gone about their own business and by chance at unawares had lighted upon the Turks Camp revealed unto them as a great Secret what a good Prey was hard by them and so withdrawing themselves out of sight privily awaited the coming of the Turks when as within the space of three days it so fell out that the aforesaid ten thousand Forragers arrived at the wished place where they had no sooner begun to charge themselves with the Prey but they were surprised by the Persians and all slain saving a few who by hasty flight saved themselves The noise of this hot Skirmish being heard into the Turkish Host caused Mustapha to imagine that the matter was fallen out even as indeed it was and therefore rising with his whole Army hasted with all possible speed to have succouâed the poor People who were now all slain And albeit he came not in so good time as to yield them relief yet came he very fitly to revenge their Death upon the Persians staying too long to load themseâves with the Spoil of their Enemies The place from whence the Turks were to have had the aforesaid Booty was almost in manner of an Island inclosed with the Rivers of Araxis and Canac whereinto Mustapha entred with his whole Power Deruis Bassa leading the one Wing as did Beyran Bassa the other and he himself coming on in the middle with the main Battel The Persians seeing Mustapha with all his Forces hasting towards them and withall remembring the late overthrow by them received in the Plains of Chielder began to bethink themselves how much better it had been for them to have contented themselves with the late ââughter of the Forragers and with speed to have got them away out of that Straight than by staying longer to be inclosed with the multitude of their Enemies as that they could now no way escape without most manifest Peril In this perplexity discoursing among themselves whether it were better to fly or with so great disadvantage to joyn battel and so rather to dye honourably than to live with reproach at last they resolved to reserve themselves to the further service of their Prince and Country deeming it rather a point of Wisdom than of Dishonour not to adventure unto most desperate and assured death so many worthy men as might in future time stand their Country in good stead yet did they not see how by flight well to escape for that they were in such sort strained within the Rivers as that there was no ground left for them to ecsape by than that which contrary to their Expectation was by the Turks already possessed In these Difficulties every man began to betake himself to his own private Conceit and Fortune Tocomac with Emir Chan and other the great Commanders of the Army were the first that turned their Backs and by the help of their Couragious Horses got over the River of Canac whose Example moved many others to attempt the like though not with like Fortune for that their Horses being not of such Courage and out of Breath lay many of them drowned in the River Wherewith others being amazed as perceiving inevitable death in flying present before their Eyes and reposing all their hope even in despair ran as it were headlong in a Rage and Fury upon their Enemies and in fighting shewed unspeakable Valour but what was one against an hundred For there they were also all slain though worthy of immortal Fame Thus was the Persian Army quite discomfited in this demy Island being first stained with the Blood of the Enemy and afterward with the slaughter of the Neighbour and proper Inhabitant and so became the perpetual Sepulchre of a most couragious and warlike People The Turks in this last Conflict lost not above 3000 men beside the slaughter of the 10000 Forragers although Tocomac to make his loss to seem the more tolerable made report to the King of a great slaughter made The Persian Captains full of sorrow for this unexpected overthrow with the license of their General departed every man to his several Government as Emanguli Chan to Genge Seraph Chan to Nassivan Tocomac himself to Reivan and all the rest to other Cities to the Government whereof they were before by the King appointed and so remained expecting his further Pleasure from Casbin Mustapha was now come to the River of Canac which he was to pass over into Siruan and therefore made straight Proclamation through his whole Army That every man should be in readiness against the next day to pass the River At which Proclamation all his People suddenly arose in a tumult and with injurious Terms even to his Face reproved his Folly and Inhumanity propounding utter danger unto himself and an universal Confusion unto the whole Army and therefore prayed him to surcease from proceeding any further unless he were minded to cast them all away But his resolute Mind was not by their Threats or Intreaties to be removed neither gave he them other Answer than this That so had Amurath commanded and that if all the rest should shew themselves unwilling to obey their Sovereign he himself would not nor could not but would be the first man to attempt and perform that which they all so abhorred and reproved Valiant Soulers he said were discovered and known not in Idleness and Ease but in great pains taking and difficult Enterprizes who never ought to be afraid to change this momentary Life for everlasting Honour or to shun Death if the Service of their Prince so required And for mine own part said he I most earnestly request you that after I have attempted the passage of the River if any thing happen unto me otherwise than well yet carry my dead Body to the other side of the River to the end that if I cannot whilst I yet live execute the Commandment of my Sovereign I may yet at least perform the same when I am but a speechless and liveless Carkas forasmuch as the desire of my Lord is not in any sort to be frustrated for making too great account of mine own Life Divers and sundry murmurings and whisperings followed upon this speech of the General who notwithstanding the next morning did first of all wade over the deep and swift River himself after whom presently followed the Bassa's with all their Slaves by whose Example the rest also were induced at last to do the like and so continued untill the darkness of the Night interrupted their Passage by which Occasion more than half
Whereupon they all suddenly in a tumult began with bitter Protestations to tell the General That their stipends wherewith it pleased the Sultan to favour them were not bestowed upon them to imploy their Forces and Virtues in such servile Works but only with their Swords and other Weapons to exercise that force and hardiness for which they were esteemed worthy of that Honour Whereunto the General answered in most haughty Terms and not yielding one jot to their Incivility but using all means of Authority and Terrour brought them to work so much as he desired So that within the space of twenty three days the Townes and Walls were erected the Ditches digged the Artillery orderly planted upon the Walls and the Water brought round about it Many Inconveniencies happened in the Army while they were busie in this work and namely upon the twenty fifth day of August when they had almost even finished the whole Building the Souldiers endured a most sudden cold by reason of the Snow that then fell in great abundance Chars thus fortified the General resolved to send Succours into Georgia to Teflis without which it was most certain that the Fortress would be yielded to the Georgians but in what sort to relieve it he remained doubtful To send part of his Army with some valiant Captain seemed dangerous and to go himself with all his Forces would âound as he thought to his discredit with his great Lord and Master whom he had already made believe that he had subdued the Georgians and brought all that Province to his Obedience and Devotion In this Ambiguity the desire he had to preserve his Credit with Amurath prevailed and so he made choice of Hassan Bassa Son to Muhamet principal Visier of the Court a gallant Gentleman and of great Valour to whom he delivered between eighteen and twenty thousand Souldiers joyning unto him one Resuan Captain of certain Adventurers that voluntarily offered themselves to follow the Forces of Hassan assigning unto him likewise forty thousand Duckets and many loads of Rice Meal and Barley with other things necessary both for Diet and War and so sent him away for Teflis Hassan with this charge set forward fully resolved to put these succours into Teflis or to lose all and at length came to the famous Streight of Tomanis where the over-grown Woods on the one side and the deep Vallies and craggie Rocks on the other would astonish a right constant Beholder When upon the sudden the Persians and the Georgians under the Conduct of Aliculi Chan and Simon at unawares set upon the Turks and joined Battel with them For these two valiant Captains remaining for the most part in the Borders of Teflis and Tomanis with 8000 Souldiers waiting for some Opportunity to annoy either them of the Fort of Teflis or else such as should come to their Succours understanding by their espials of the coming of Hassan with this aid had scattered themselves all along the said Streight in hope there to assail the Turks and holpen by the advantage of the Place to drive them headlong into the deep Valley and at once to bereave them both of their Goods and Life But Hassan careful of nothing more than how to avoid that danger chose rather to make his Journey through the thick Woods and so as he might to escape the ambush that the Enemy might lay for him upon that straight Passage And so entring with his Army into the Wood which he was to have left upon his left hand to discover what might be plotted against him he was hardly charged by the Enemy and constrained to fight with a thousand windings and turnings in and out through a thousand crooked Paths and doubtful Cranks in a most confused medly with great slaughter of his Men who not accustomed to this kind of Fight nor acquainted with the scituation of the place were in the skirmish driven fo far that down they fell and being not able to recover themselves were presently slain And thus with much ado he at length passed the Streight of Tomanis Hassan deeming himself much disgraced by suffering his Enemies in number so far inferior to have done him so much harm and so to have escaped his hands and further considering that in such Places sleights and stratagems more avail than open Forces burning with desire of revenge would needs stay near unto those Streights as if it had been to refresh his wearied Army but indeed to try if the Persians would adventure again to trouble him or no and appointed Resuan Bassa with certain Bands of the Souldiers of Graece and of his own Adventurers to lie in ambush within the covert of the Streight attentive to every stir of the Enemy Two days the Turks Army lay thus divided and were now resolved the third day to remove thence towards Teflis when as the Persian Captains Aliculi Chan and Simon vainly imagining that this stay of the Turks was for fear of the Persians foolishly returned and gave a fresh onset upon the flank of Hassans Squadrons Who forthwith raising all his Souldiers and giving a sign to Resuan with all speed compassed in his Enemies and straightning them on both sides took some of them alive cut in pieces other some and put all the rest to flight Among others that were taken alive was Aliculi Chan the Persian Captain who over-rashly charging upon the face of Hassan fell into his Hand The next day following being the eleventh day after Hassans departure from Chars he joyfully arrived at Teflis where he found among the poor besieged Turks many Miseries whereof some were already dead and some yet sick for they were so plagued with Famine that they not only devouâed their Horses but even the very Skins of the same Horses of Sheep and of Dogs and in such most miserable wants had passed the time whom Hassan at his arrival comforted with Gifts and good Words exhorting them to persist constant in the service of their King whose Honour as he said was never more than there to be respected And for as much as the Souldiers of the Fort did with one Voice request Hassan to appoint them a new Governour because they did mislike Mahamet Bassa who the last year was left by the General in that Fort Hassan removed the said Mahamet and put Amet Bassa in his place and so after he had filled up the places of the dead Souldiers with a new supply and set all things in order he took his leave recommending the charge and custody of that Fort to their Trust and Valour Hassan returning from Teflis and being without any trouble come to the Streight of Tomanis was advertised by his Scouts That it was so strongly possessed by the Enemy and so shut up with Artillery as that it was not to be passed through for Simon thinking as indeed it fell out that Hassan would return that way had so belayed that Streight as that the Turks could not without most
Corps du gard two of them Hungarians towards the Hill favoured with a Church and the third toward the River of the Almain Foot-men under the Charge of County Tomaso Caurioli of Brescia Serjeant-Major of the Field with all the Artillery who as in a place near and very open unto the Enemy there intrenched himself still approaching nearer and nearer both on the one side and the other Towards the evening of the self-same seventeenth day came to Basta one Peter Armenio with Letters from the Vayvod containing That having understood of his Arrival in the Camp of the Conspirators he now farther desired to know whether it were by the Consent and Commandment of the Emperour or not and how it came to pass that he would so do considering the divers chances of War the Sword hanging as it were even over his Head if he should chance to lose the Battel Whereunto Basta answered That the morrow following he would shew him the Authority he had from the Emperour alluding to the Imperial Standard he carried with him and that as concerning the Fortune and Danger to ensue he referred that wholly unto the Will and Pleasure of the Almighty the just Judge of all Controversies But in the mean time he exhorted him to leave that Province he had so evil governed unto his Imperial Majesty as he was in duty bound promising him free Passage into Valachia and giving him time to consider thereupon until Eight a clock the next Morning after which time it should be free for every Man to do for himself what he could Which Answer the Vayvod having read inflamed with disdain with many proud Words full of Threats and Disgrace although it was then night presently caused by the Sound of the Drum and Trumpet the Battel to be proclaimed against the next day On the other side Basta after he had assured his Camp having not only sent but gone himself to have the counsel of his own Eyes for his better understanding how the Enemy lay and finding no reasonable means for him there to attempt any Exploit by as well for the strength of the Trench before the Front and in part along the side of the Enemies Camp as also for the danger of a rising ground on the left hand whereunto all the Plane betwixt the Enemies Camp and the Village was subject thought it best to remove and make a short Retreat about the space of an Italian mile according to the commodiousness of the place thinking it no hard matter of so proud an Enemy and not altogether so well acquainted with martial Stratagems to gain a notable Victory This his purpose propounded in Council was greatly disliked of the Captains of the Confederates unto whom it seemed more safety to assault the Vayvod yet lying in his Strength than to retire before the face of an Enemy so strong and adventurous for that such a Retreat according to the manner of that Country would be deemed no other than a plain flight and to break his Order and arise was as they said but to discourage his own People and to encourage his Enemies But Basta the better to persuade them promised therein to shew to them a more cunning kind of Fight than was yet unto them known and declared the assurance that he in his own Person with the Almains in the Rereward would give them in that Retreat in such sort as that they should not lose so much as a man much less they needed to fear to fall into any disorder in so short a space his purpose being only to give the Plane unto the enemy wherein to shew himself in the open Field So the Retreat being agreed upon the Morning following being the 28 th of September the three Corps du guard before spoken of were betimes called back and the Baggage sent away after which followed the Transilvanians and Hungarians the Almains in the Rereward inclosing the great Ordnance The Vayvod aware of their Departure sent forthwith a great Troop of Horse-men especially of the Cossacks to take view of them and to skirmish with them which were so far kept off by a Company of Musqueteers in the Rereward as that they could not come so nigh as to do any harm although that all the way they went they were by them still charged to the great Contentment of Basta to see so good a beginning of his Designs as might bring them all to their wished Effect But when he saw the great Artillery upon the Carriages to come out of the Village a certain sign that the Enemy set forward with all his Forces he marched fair and softly to give him hope to overtake him and so retired as far as he thought good from the Village haying before thought of a convenient place wherein his People might with room enough upon advantage stay whenas about half a mile from him and as far from the Village he might see the Enemy march with his People in order of Battel then began he to march towards him also and perceiving the Enemy to come on in one only thick Front by reason of the straitness of the place having on the right hand towards the River placed as it were all his Horsemen and towards the Mountain his Foot-men alone and 500 Foot placed aloft without any Artillery as it seemed he would have done having planted some below at the foot of the Hill in the way and in the midst even before the Front of the Battel where the Horse-men came after the Foot-men he also placed his Squadron in one Front only to the intent not to be inclosed by the Enemy on the flank of his Army The body of his main Battel consisted of one great Squadron of about 3000 Almain Footmen flanked on each side with 150 Rutters of Silesia before the Squadron toward the right hand he had set a loose Wing of three hundred Musqueteers in the right Wing towards the Hill he placed a Company of Launces with two Squadrons of the Country-Footmen and in the left Wing toward the River one Squadron of Transilvanian Foot-men and two of Launces for that the Enemy was at that time very strong in Horse-men the Cossacks Archers and Harquebusers he placed in the Rereward of his great Artillery he would make no use for that having not much he would not stand upon the defence thereof but desired rather with all speed to come to the Sword with the Enemy unacquainted with such close fight foot to foot and well the less fit by reason of their light Armour And therefore he thought it best first to set forward his Squadron of Almains to give the charge bending towards the right hand amongst the thickest of the Foot-men towards the Artillery at the foot of the Hill as there whereas was the strength of the Enemies Infantry And doubting in the performing hereof to be charged on the left side with a great Squadron of about 3000 Launces which seemed to stand upon that Wing to give
the first charge he gave order unto Rodoniz his Lieutenant and Colonel of the Rutters which had the leading of the left Wing that he should at a certain sign given set forward towards the left hand for the charging of that great Squadron So his People being set in order and the manner of proceeding set down he putting on his Helmet with chearful Countenance said That at that time he trusted he should shew unto the Vayvod that his Trunchion could do more than his Scimitar and himself setting forward betwixt the Squadron of the Almain Foot-men and the Wing of the Musqueteers about two hours after Noon marched fair and softly towards the Enemy who without moving expected the discharging of their Artillery whereunto the nearer that the Enemy came unto it the less harm it did him by shooting either over or short in the Field which easily ascended The Wing of Musqueteers went directly to give a charge unto the Artillery and the Squadron toward the foot of the Hill where Basta desired forcibly to charge that thereby they might be enforced to spend their first Vollies and with some discouragement or disorder to retire presently came in all afront just upon the sign given and so with his Almain Foot-men and the Rutters on the right hand enclosed and compassed in behind the greatest part of the Enemies Foot-men At which very instant the Rutters on the left hand also so couragiously charged upon the three thousand Launces that better could not have been desired of any band of most old and expert Souldiers The Launces retiring without any hurt and the first Volley discharged forced the Infantry and so disordered the rest Whereupon the Wings charging there ensued presently a great slaughter and overthrow only forty of Basta's men being slain and as many hurt where of the Enemies were lost in the battel ten thousand and greater had the slaughter been if the Village and approach of the Night had not covered many of them that fled and staied the pursuit of the Victors that followed them Which putteth me in remembrance of the great Victory that Scipio Asiaticus had against Antiochus wherein were slain of the Romans but three hundred although that in the fight one of the Wings stood for a time doubtful there being lost of the Enemies above fifty thousand Howbeit there were afterwards found in all as was by the Peasants of the Country reported twenty thousand slain in this Battel By this Victory Basta recovered many Ensigns and much Armour before sent by the Emperour unto the Vayvod together with all his Tents and Baggage And presently after the overthrow there were many Troops of Horsemen sent out every way with Proclamation to spare the Lives of such of the Siculi as should lay down their Arms of whom many were sent Prisoners unto divers Places especially to Fogaras a strong Town towards Valachia As for the Vayvod himself he with certa in Cossacks escaped by flight The Morrow following Basta dispatched away the County Caurioli to inform the Emperour of all the Particularities of the Success of that Expedition who seemed to be therewith pleased yet neither gave Reward unto the County neither commended Basta in that he had done foreseeing perhaps what was to ensue thereof although he had in Writing before approved his Resolution and Motion made in Favour of the Confederates Staying that day in that quarter Basta gave order unto the Chiaki to send out a Thousand Horsemen to pursue the flying Vayvod who instead of so doing joyning themselves with other their Consorts setled themselves to ransack Alba-Iulia under the Colour that there was the Vayvods Wealth and Substance yet as the manner of such men is sparing neither Merchant nor Citizen which worthily seemed unto Basta a great wrong for to see the innocent punished and the guilty to escape free And albeit that he made what haste he might thitherwards with all his Camp and so stayed one day not far from thence to have given some redress unto the spoyl that had happened yet was all that his Labour lost for that so many of the greater sort and chiefest amongst them had their hands therein with whom he thought it more Wisdom as then to dissemble than to fall into any termes of Severity without hope of doing any good So he resolved in all haste to march towards Fogaras whither he heard say the Vayvod was come with new Forces out of Valachia and Moldavia and in six days march came to Cibinium where he received certain News That the great Chancellour of Polonia and Sigismund sometime the Transilvanian Prince were with a strong Army upon the Frontiers of Moldavia having sent before them Moyses the Siculian with about eight thousand of the Siculi his Souldiers to what purpose was easie to be seen Which Advertisement interrupted the Course of Basta's Victory for that it seemed not reasonable to pursue the Enemy and to leave behind him a doubt of so great Importance and especially for that he thought he could not assure himself of the Aid of the Country-people in case that Sigismund their old Prince were once seen in Transilvania Wherefore he thought good to stay where he was to provide for all Events as need should be and so resolved to send the Chiaki and one Ladislaus Pithi to Parley with Moyses who made a shew of no great Moment of his good will towards the Confederates In the mean time came two Messengers from the Vayvod offering in his Name that he should do whatsoever were in the behalf of the Emperour to be imposed upon him Unto whom these Conditions were by Basta and the rest of the Council propounded First That he should for ever resign all the claim he had or might have into the Country of Transilvania then That he altogether with his Army should give his Oath of Fidelity unto his Imperial Majesty also That he should forthwith through Valachia go with his Army unto the Frontiers of Moldavia to stay the Polonians from farther entrance and moreover to give his Wife and little Son in Hostage for the performance of these things With which Messengers was sent one Sebastian Techelli to receive the Oath and promised Hostages unto whom was appointed for the place of their safe keeping the Bishops Castle in Alba-Iulia the Vayvod having before requested That they might be so kept in Transilvania although Basta thought it much better to have had them kept in the upper Hungary This agreement being made Basta kept on his way towards Fogaras which he found already possessed by the Chiaki and so from thence to Corona After which the Vayvod distrusting of the Articles agreed upon went directly into Valachia but not at all into Moldavia not so much discomfited with the Forces of the Polonians whom he went against not doubting to give them a great overthrow as for the distrust he had of Moses the Siculian who in the Battel might shew himself his Enemy behind him
little behind the Foot in the Camp where they had lodged the night before The Tyrant Stephano having disposed his Army into divers Squadrons began about Nine of the Clock in the Morning to play with his Cannon upon Alexander's Army who found that the General of the Artillery had kept his Promise for most of the Bullets flew over his men and hurt them not upon which Confidence he commanded the Cossacks to charge the Tartarians which were advanced whom they soon defeated At the same Instant two thousand light Horse gave charge to the Hungarian Foot-men which guarded Stephano's Cannon and in an instant cut most of them in pieces and the rest yielded themselves so as Alexander became Master of his Cannon The Tyrant seeing his Infantery in danger to be defeated and his Cannon lost caused a Battalion of three thousand Valachian and Moldavian Horse-men to advance who without doubt had recovered the Cannon but the generous Prince Coresky with his Polonian Launciers charged them so furiously in the Flank as that they slew almost the one half of them upon the place and put the rest that remained to rout Presently after this followed another Squadron the which Coresky perceiving he wisely retired towards his Camp seeing his men wearied and tired with the slaughter of their Enemies and not able to maintain the Fight without some rest Then came Prince Alexander and Visnouisky who was his faithful Guide with the rest of his Horse-men to encounter this last Battalion of the Enemy whereunto they went with greater Courage for that they were assured the Vayvod Stephano was there present which Charge continued for the space of a quarter of an hour during which time Prince Coresky had leisure to take breath and to gather together what possibly he could of those of his Party to succour them that were then in fight who were almost tired and Prince Alexander far engaged But seeing these unexpected Succours he and his Men recovered their Forces and their Enemies were so much amased at it as that all them that remained alive were put to rour and fled But Stephano being naturally a Coward apprehending blows had retired himself to the rest of his Foot-men who had not yet come to fight making a shew that he would rather dye with them than fly away but seeing the Event of this last Charge and his Horsemen all in rout he soon resolved to save himself by flight having never given one stroke in this Battel The Foot-men which remained being about four thousand men seeing the success of the Battel yielded to the mercy of the Victors and cryed out God save Alexander Vayvod of Moldavia The day of the Victory Prince Alexander made his Entry into the City of Yas having the Princes Coresky and Visnouisky on either side after whom followed his whole Army Entering into the Castle he was there proclaimed Prince and Vayvod of Moldavia by all the Nobles and Boyers of the Country the which he would never accept untill that time The next day Prince Alexander understanding that a great number of the chiefest of the Inhabitants of Yas were fled into the Mountains and Forrests to attend the Events of these Troubles he sent certain Boyers to invite them to return back again with all assurance to their Houses causing part of his Army to dislodge and to be quartered in the Country thereabouts and there were one thousand and five hundred Foot and five hundred Horse under the leading of Prince Coresky sent to the City of Vasselloy for that Stephano had fled that way and might return back again into Moldavia As for the Artillery some were sent into Polonia and some were put into the Fort of Cochina the which is as it were the Arsenal of Moldavia At the same time Prince Alexander knowing that it was no less Glory to preserve than to get he called the chief Noblemen of his Court to Counsel to resolve what was fit to do to maintain him in his Estate which he had newly gotten by the Sword where it was concluded among other things that he should speedily send an Ambassador to the Grand Seignior to let him understand that he had never any intent to take Arms against his Majesty nor to withdraw Moldavia from his Obedience but that he had been sought unto being in Polonia and invited by the Boyers of Moldavia for the unspeakable Cruelties of the Vayvod Stephano who had resolved to root out the Nobility of the said Country having put many of the. chief to death without any occasion They had also charge to give the Sultan to understand That when his Majesty advanced Stephano to be Vayvod of Moldavia he had falsely suggested that he was Son to a Prince of Moldavia that he was not truly advertised by his Bassaes and Counsellors that his Predecessor had promised to the deceased Father of Prince Alexander and to Prince Simeon his Uncle that after his Decease his Sons should succeed him in the said Estate if they shewed not themselves unworthy and did pay the yearly Tribute of forty thousand Chequines which Tribute since the Death of Ieremy had been offered by Prince Constantine his eldest Son to Houssine Aga when as he was sent to seâtle the said Stephano as also that Prince Alexander promised to pay it hereafter and if need should be he would give Prince Bougdan his Brother as a sure and certain pledge for the performance of his Promises during the first year The Ambassadors having received these Instructions they took their Journey speedily to Constantinople but instead of passing through Thrace which was their directest course they were forced to go by Transilvania fearing to be hindered by the men of War which then troubled all Thrace Coming to Buda they went to salute the Bassa which commanded there who being a special Friend to Stephano put them in Prison violating the Law of Nations observed by the most barbarous and afterwards he sent them to Braille whither the Tyrant Stephano had fled They say he gave fifteen thousand Chequino's in recompence to the Bassa and to revenge himself in some sort of Prince Alexander in the Persons of his Ambassadors he caused their Heads to be cut off one night after Supper and their Bodies to be cast into the Danowe The Deaths of these Ambassadors were very prejudicial to Prince Alexander by means whereof the Grand Seignior was not truly advertised of what had past in Moldavia nor received the Complements Offers and Submission of Prince Alexander so as he was wonderfully incensed against him and sware his Ruine as you shall hear hereafter Stephano having received four thousand men from Michna Prince of Valachia and gathered together the Relicks of his scattered Army he marched toward Valachia whereof Prince Alexander being advertised he sent Prince Coresky with six thousand Horse Polonians and Cossacks to Ticouch a strong Frontier Town to guard that Passage And Prince Alexander and Visnouisky
fifteen thousand Men to enter Poland which they performed with such celerity that passing the River of Tyre above Chocin and Rinczug they in a few hours laid waste for the space of ten Leagues round Kemenitz and so retired with their Booty into Moldavia howsoever their haste was not attended with such good speed but that they were overtaken on the 4 th of Iuly by Stanislaus Konispolzki General of the Polish Army with no greater Force than two thousand five hundred Horse howsoever surprising them whilst they were feeding their Horses he put them into such Confusion and Disorder that he easily recovered all their Booty and took five of their chief Men Prisoners of which the Son-in-Law of the Cantemir was one But this was a faint Refreshment in respect to that terrible Storm of sixty thousand Men composed of Turks Tartars Moldavians and Valachians which under the Command of Abassa had already passed the Danube Konispolzki the Polish General having not sufficient Force to oppose them in open Field nor time to assemble a greater Army gathered what Supplies he could from the Cossacks and Lords of that Country and therewith encamped himself upon a Hill between the River Tyr and the Town of Chocin that he might be the better able to succour Kemenitz which the Enemy designed to assault Abassa who contemned this weak Force of the Poles resolved without farther consideration to attack them in their own Camp and force them to fight of which the Poles being well advised placed several Pieces of Artillery and lined all the Hedges and Ditches with Musquetiers where the Turks were necessarily to pass drawing out their whole Army into Batalia the Turks who hastened the nearest way to charge the Enemy fell into the Ambush where having lost about five hundred Men they began to make a stand and to consider of some more advantageous way to their Design Wherefore Abassa taking another Course which he judged to be free from all concealed Dangers ordered the Tartars to charge the Right Wing and the Moldavians and Valachians the left of the Enemy and he with his Turks would âight the main Body The Tartars with great Resolution performed their part and had wholly defeated that Wing had not Wisnovitzki with some Troops and a Train of small Artillery come in seasonably to their Succour The Moldavians and Valachians fought so faintly against the Enemy whom they considered to be Christians Brothers and Neighbours that they soon turned their Backs and fled but were not far pursued by the Poles Abassa receiving this Repulse sounded a Retreat and immediately repassed the River Tyr and marched with all the haste he was able stopping no where until he arrived at Rinzur about thirty English miles from the place of the Fight and arriving at length on the Banks of the Danube he gave License to his Souldiers to disperse into their Winter-Quarters in the mean time Abassa dispatched Advice to the Grand Signior of the Particulars of the Fight and of his great Victory by an entire defeat of the Polish Army The Grand Signior believed the Report which none durst to contradict and which was confirmed by the Rumour of an Ambassador coming from Poland For the Poles being at that time engaged in a War with Muscovy and apprehensive of another with Sweden judged it not seasonable to provoke the Turk but rather by way of Accommodation dispatched an Ambassador with a Train of three hundred Men to make Complaints against the late Acts of Hostility committed by Abassa as if he had moved his Arms without the Orders or Knowledg of the Sultan About that time that the Ambassador approached near to Constantinople the Grand Signior had another Son born but of a weakly and sickly Temperament howsoever great Joy was expressed and all the City was enlightned with Torches Bonefires and Fire-works and that the Grand-Signior might evidence his Greatness and Magnificence to the Ambassador he took this Occasion of the Birth of a Son to make a solemn Entrance into the City and to make the greater Show he armed all the Citizens and Inhabitans Before the Grand Signior would grant Audience to the Ambassador he ordered that Abassa should treat with him and understand his Business and Desires Abassa carried himself high in the Negotiation he pretended the Damages and Charges of the War the Demolishment of certain Palancas which were the Places of Refuge for the Cossacks and the Tribute of ten Years past with Security of paiment for the Time to come The Ambassador positively refused to hearken unto any Terms about Tribute and that for other Matters the Presents which he had brought to the Grand Signior would reasonably answer His Presents were A Coach lined with Velvet with six very fine Horses A Bason and Candlesticks of Silver richly gilt Four Clocks ten Vests of Sables six Quivers of Arrows with some Hunting-Dogs Being at length admitted to Audience and thereunto conducted by the Aga of the Spahees and the Câaous Bashee The Grand Signior asked the Ambassador which was not usual For what Reason he was come thither To which he answered That he was come to bring his Majesty Advice of the Coronation of his King and to establish a Peace if his Majesty should judg fit to accept thereof To which the Sultan replied That all Christian Kings ought either to receive the Ottoman Laws or pay him Tribute or try the sharpness of his Sword. And taking a Cemiter in his hand which hung by him he drew it half out and said With this I will subdue my Enemies and though my War in Persia continues I do not fear to undertake another in Poland To which the Ambassador returning a modest Answer was dismissed of the Royal Presence And now the Grand Signior to put a good face on the Business and to make the World believe that he designed what he spake he proclaimed a War with Poland and ordered his Tents to be carried abroad supposing hereby to draw the Poles to his own Terms of Agreement And in pursuance hereof he mounted on Horse-back and rode in state through the City his upper Vest was made after the Hungarian Fashion lined with Sables in his right hand he carried a Quiver of Arrows in his leât two drawn Swords on his Turbant he wore a large Plume of Feathers encompassed with a Circle of Diamonds and in this manner entring his Tents he proceeded to Adrianople But before his departure the Count Puchen Ambassador from the Emperor arrived with other sumptuous Presents offering Incense and Gifts of Peace at the Throne of this Greatness But before we relate the Transactions at Adrianople and the Success of Affairs at that Place let us recount several dismal Accidents at Constantinople The Grand Signior returning by Sea from a place called Stravosta in the Bay of Ismit anciently the Bay of Nicomedia where he had for some time held his Court and great Divan he was followed by several Vessels appointed to
the Venetians shewing a great Inclination to be revenged of the losses they had suffered by the Wars of Candy easily consented to the accomplishment of the League between the Emperour the King of Poland and the Venetians This Alliance was to be offensive none of the concerned should treat separately upon any Conditions whatsoever that this League shall tend to no other thing but to make War against the Turks the Emperour and the King of Poland shall act by Land with all their Forces and the Republick of Venice with a Naval Army at Sea and a Land Army in Dalmatia that the War be made by diversion the Emperour shall endeavour to recover Hungary the Poles Kaminiec and all the Ukraine and Venice all she has lost c. Whilst this was in concluding there came News to the Imperial Court of a very great defeat the Cossacks had given the Turks and Tartars the Chieftains of the Tartars being both slain and Haly Beg who commanded the Turks taken Prisoner who though he offered a hundred thousand Crowns for his Ransom was slain by the quarrelling Cossack in the heat of their contest about him But now the Season did invite both sides into the Field where the Christians were chiefly Aggressors The Christian Army in the beginning of Iune assembled at their general Rendevous betwixt Schinta and Shella to the number of thirty thousand Men from whence after some stay they passed the Danube near Gran it was believed that the design was formed against Newhausel and the rather because it had been so greatly streightned by General Mercy who had block'd it up all the Winter and reduced it to the Condition as was supposed of a voluntary surrender But it was at length discovered that Buda was at the bottom of the Design as a thing of greater Consequence being therefore to leave no Place behind them the Army was transported to Vicegrade a place scituate upon the Danube having left their Baggage under the Cannon of Gran and having without much labour rendred themselves Masters of the City the Turks that were in the Castle surrendered the next day marching out to the number of seven hundred and forty men In the mean time the Turks of Alba Regalis and the Neighbour Garrisons to the number of six thousand unexpectedly attack'd the Baggage at Gran but were so rudely received that having lost two hundred of their Men and four Colours they were forced to give back Major General Halloweil of the Imperialists was slain in this Fight But the Turks sollicitous for Newhausel and finding they could not sufficiently relieve it with small Parties resolved to attempt it with an Army and being advanced as far as Vacia the Duke resolved to oppose them To this purpose he set forwards and found them drawn up in Battalia upon the heights near the Town The place was of difficult access having on the left the Danube and a large Morass and the right secured by a Wood. The Duke having embattelled his men moved directly towards the Enemy and about Eleven of the Clock passed the Morass without any great opposition till being come upon the heights they were then charged with great fury but the Turks not being able to break them the first time they bravely attacked them the second and third time but with like success still repelled especially the third time with great loss and forced to save themselves by flight The Foot saved themselves in the Castle but were forced to surrender at discretion after three hours resistance Novigrade was hereupon quitted by the Turks and as soon possest by the Imperialists This Victory animated the Christians to prosecute their march to Pest whither being come they cast a great number of Bombs into the Town with that success that the fire taking in several places of it frightned the Garrison so that taking their best moveables with them they fled into Buda after they had also reduced some Houses in the Town to ashes and fired the Bridge behind them But the Christians taking possession of Pest quenched the fire repaired the fortifications and battered Buda with the Artillery they found in the place Hitherto fortune had been so favourable to the Imperialists that they began to think nothing insuperable to their courage This opinion made them pass the Danube again and undertake the Siege of Offen or Buda the Capital of the Kingdom sometimes the Residence of the Kings of Hungary and now of the Bassa's that govern that wealthy Kingdom with no less authority After some ruffling and skirmishes the City was invested and the Suburbs taken without any great opposition The Turks likewise quitted St. Gerards Hill and the besiegers began to batter the Walls with their Artillery The Turks abroad were not idle for having got twenty thousand Men together they were resolved to attempt the relief of Buda But the Christians having left all their Foot with what Horse was necessary to continue the Siege they marched with the rest of the Cavalry one thousand Foot under the command of Count Aversberg and two thousand five hundred Hussars of Count Esterhasis The Duke marched all Night to find out the Enemy who though well trenched at sight of the Christians came out of their Camp and embattell'd themselves for their defence The dispute lasted near four hours the Turks making several motions to gain the Flanks of the Enemy which being perceived the Christians used all possible diligence to prevent them and engaging at length after a sharp fight the Infidels being disordered were put to flight and so closely pursued that not only their Camp and Cannon were taken but at least four thousand of them slain and the great Standard the badge of the Grand Visier's dignity also surprised After this Victory the Duke returning to the Siege summoned the place but received for answer that the Governour had in the presence of his Messengers caused forty Christian Slaves to be hewed in pieces saying he wished he could do as much to all the Christian Army In revenge of this the Christians assaulted the place but in vain though upon a second attempt they carried the lower Town with their Swords in their hands notwithstanding the opposition they found was great They raised a Battery there of twenty four Cannon and seventeen Mortars from whence as also St. Gerards hill they battered the City Nor were the besieged idle who made a brave sally upon the Besiegers wherein they slew some hundreds of them with several considerable Officers besides the wounded The Christian Army beginning to want Forrage they made a Bridge to pass to the Isle of St. Margaret from whence they might be the better provided with all things Many were the attempts the batteries the sallies had endeavours on both sides The Christians endeavoured to hinder the Turks though in vain from watering at the Danube The Christians sprung a Mine by the great Tower which did indeed take effect but it was found that the Turks
right Wing where the Hungarians were many being slain and wounded on both sides About noon the Duke commanded some Pieces of Cannon to be planted on a Hill behind his Men from whence they shot and the Turks did the same with two great Pieces from a height where the Janizaries were The 14 th the Turks advanced their Camp to the very Morass upon Mountains opposite to our advanced Guards where they made three Batteries with great Cannon shooting into our very Camp. The 15 th a Polish Slave escaped out of the Turkish Camp and gave advice that the Seraskier Ibrahim Bassa was perswaded that the Christian Army did not exceed twenty thousand and thought of a retreat so that he might easily rout them if he suddenly fell upon them with his that was sixty thousand strong Upon this advice the Duke and the other Generals resolved to feign a Retreat and then by drawing the Enemy beyond the Morass find a place to fight with them in a pitch'd Battel The same day the Turks advanced towards a place in the Morass where they might pass with the Horse and took Post also in another where they might make a Bridge for the Foot. As the Christians had already reâolved to march the day following very early towards the Bridge of Boats at Vyfali they let flie some Guns only to amuse the Enemy In the mean time the Orders for the march of the Army were given in the following manner First that the Baggage should part that evening The left Wing having the Avaunt-Guard followed by that of the right Secondly that the Army should be ranged in Battalia before day and march as the place would permit the two Wings each in two Lines but if the way would oblige them to file that then they should begin by the left Wing and enlarge themselves as the ground did permit into their first order of Battel That the second line should have the Avaunt-Guard commanded by Count Dunewalt which was to be followed by the first line in the same manner At the right of the first line Count Styrum was to march upon the Mountains which he had viewed the day before with his Regiment the Dragoons of Luneburg and all the Hussars except those of Zoborra with some Field-pieces That the Fauconets should march before the first line and every Regiment with its Field-pieces as usual And finally that the Squadrons and the Battalions posted on the little Mountain on this side the Morass as also those on the Mountain to the right commanded by Major General Tungen should march at the sound of the Tymbals About ten at Night they had News that the Turks were passing the Morass whereupon all the Generals took Horse Lorrain in the right and the Elector of Bavaria in the left and all being in order they began to march at the sound of their Trumpets Tymbals and Drums which was continued till the Turks by Favour of the Night charged their left Wing whereupon the whole Army facing about they marched to succour their engaged Troops which done they continued advancing notwithstanding the cries and howlings of the Turks and their continual Skirmishing till it was break of day when a great Mist covered the whole Field that nothing could be discerned Both side made use of this accident ranging their Armies to their uttermost Advantage After seven in the Morning the Sun having dispell'd the Mist the Turks advanced upon the Christians with the noise of their Drums and horrible Cries discharging some Cannon upon their right Wing charged it with great fury but they were repulsed the same happened on the Mountain where Tungen commanded who was hurt there At the same time the Turks attacked with their greatest force and principally their Foot the heights on the Christians right where Count Styrum was but he was so seasonably succoured by some Imperial Battalions and other Troops of the second line that the Turks were forced to retire being indeed chased and repelled in all the parts of the Army Being fled by the Morass the way they came they seemed to make head again in their Camp but upon the advance of the Christians who passed the Morass with their Foot and Horse the terror and consternation was so great amongst the Turkish Souldiers that it was impossible for the Serasquier notwithstanding all his endeavour to perswade his Men to oppose the passage of the Morass They also abandoned their Camp Arms Cannon and other Instruments of War to the Pursuers besides forty Ensigns and some two hundred Prisoners which were taken The Serasquier was hurt in his Leg and having left five thousand upon the place secured the rest by a timely retreat The two Armies separating after the fight the Christians went back to Comorra in order to their prosecution of the Siege of Newheusel and the Serasquier having rallied his Forces and punished with strangling some of his chief Officers who had not well behaved themselves in the Battel of Gran and passed the Danube declaring he would relieve Newheusel whatever it cost but soon after he received the news as the Christians had at Comorra that the place was taken by assault The Serasquier however having formed a new train of Artillery of twenty Pieces which he took out of Buda and being re-inforced with several fresh Troops he marched towards Vaccia incamping betwixt that place and Pest but hearing of the approach of the Christian Army he abandoned Novigrade and Vaccia taking the Cannon and Ammunition with him that was there demolishing the said places and setting fire to them when he left them He also ruined the Country about Pest and having sent a Detachment to re-inforce the Garrison of Agria he repassed the Danube with the rest of his Army at Buda And now the Turks do not seem averse from Peace the Serasquier having sent an Aga to the Duke of Lorrain with a Letter wherein he acquainted his Highness that he had full power from the Grand Seignior to treat and conclude a Peace which he conjures him to promote by offers of great advantage as abandoning Count Tekely and delivering of the three Hostages which were in the Grand Seignior's hands But the Duke answered him that he had no Orders to treat of Peace and that a Victorious Army was not to be amused with such Proposals but that he would acquaint his Imperial Majesty with the Serasquier's desire The Serasquier having passed the Danube the few Tartars he had not exceeding six thousand left him and returned home The Bassa's of Agria Temiswar and Waradin were sent back with the Troops under their command and went home to their respective Governments the Serasquier with the rest of his Army posting himself betwixt Buda and Alba-Regalis to observe the Christians motion The Imperial Army had advanced in quest of the Turks as far as Vaccia but hearing that the Ottoman Army was separated in several Bodies and marched as above as also towards the Frontiers of Styria and
After this the General sent also to the Princess Ragotzki Count Tekely's Wife to surrender her strong Castle of Mongatz to the Emperour's Service which contrary to expectation she absolutely refused to do And this put an end to the Campaign in those parts except their Excursions beating up of Quarters and Surprises which were frequent on both sides Nor were the Turks more fortunate on the side of Croatia where Count Lesley commanded the Imperialists for he burnt the Suburbs of Canisia and destroyed the Countrey four Miles round and now understanding that the Turks had left but three or four thousand men to guard the Bridge at Esseck the Serasquier having taken the rest with him to fight the Imperialists he decamped from the Place of his Rendezvous near the Drave with a Resolution if possible to burn the said Bridge of Esseck In order to this he left his Baggage at Turanowitz with a Guard of two thousand Men discamping with four thousand Germans and two thousand Croats all choice Men each one being ordered to carry Provision with him for ten days by reason of the scarcity of Victuals by the way Michalovitz being surprised expecting no Enemy surrendred to his Avantcurrers upon his further advance the Country being alarm'd some Turkish Horse appearing skirmished with the Avant-guard of Croats and had treated them ill if they had not been succoured by the German Dragoons and Cuirasiers who had the Guard they however left a Captain-Lieutenant with near thirty Souldiers They marched on but no Turks opposed scarce appeared before they came to the Plains of Esseck Then there appeared a thousand Turkish Horse with some Foot at a distance behind them which obliged the Christians to range themselves in Battalia and the Turks suffered them to advance till they came within Musquet shot they then begun to stir and being charged on both Wings by the Croats they were wholly broke and routed and many of them slain in the pursuit The Infantry saved themselves in the Town and afterwards in the Castle The Christians advanced in order to thâ Suburbs which they took at first onset and afterwards the City both which they miserably pillaged and plundred The City of Esseck is great and populous having at least five hundred shops of Merchants of in it many Mosques and Hacars which are great Inns for Passengers All was crowded with Rice Flower Bread Bisquet Salt c. as also âarley Oats and Forrage in abundance enough to furnish an Army As soon as they were Master of the City they placed a Guard against ââe Castle whilst the General went to see the bridge the like whereof is not in the World. On this side the Drave from Esseck to the said âiver it is about eleven hundred paces long and on the other side more than eight thousand all of Oak Wood. It is twelve paces broad The Drave is not large in this place the Bridge being supported by only sixteen Boats. The Turks brake it the preceeding day letting the materials vogue with the stream into the Danube Count Lesley caused thirteen fair Mills upon the Drave to be burnt and having in vain attempted to burn the Bridge on the other side consumed that on this with Fire in few hours The Imperialists knowing that the Inhabitants had saved their best goods in the Castle they would also attempt that but having lost several Captains and other Officers they desisted and Lesley returned back to his Camp at Turaâââitâ The Wars against Poland were carried on with more Success at least Equality by the Ottomans who together with the Tartars made perpetual Incursions into the Vkrain and the confining Provinces burning and ravaging the Villages and Countrey carrying the alarm to the very Gates of Leopol Not were the Poles forward in their Preparations moving but very slowly to their general Rendezvous so that the King not going to the Field in Person it was very late in the year before they were come together however entertained in the mean time with a very sad account from Podolia Volinia and the lesser Russia of the miserable Devastations of those Countries by the continued Incursions of the Infidels The Grand Seignior had appointed Solyman Bassa now Seraskier to command his Army against the Poles year 1683. which he endeavoured to raise and form with all imaginable Industry being sollicitous for Caminiec which he took care by reiterated Convoys though some sometimes miscarried to provide for He hearing of the Christians advance towards the Niester the Cham of Tartary being joyned with him and both near forty thousand strong posted himself near the River to hinder the Poles from passing it And now the Armies drawing near it was supposed they would not separate without a Battel The Poles passed the Niester with theirs consisting of betwixt twenty and thirty thousand men on a Bridge they had made for that purpose advanced into Moldavia where they encamped and now the whole Army being come up the Crown General having summoned a Council of War it was determined to go and find the Enemy and force him to fight The Army marched accordingly and were three days passing the Woods and Streights of Boucovisia without any Intelligence of the Enemy Being come into a Plain their Van-Guard was presently charged by a Body of Tartars Ten Troops of Horse were sent to support the Christians but being over-power'd were forced to give way The Prince of Courland advancing with three Battalions and some Field-pieces gave the Christians Opportunity to rally and returning to the charge obliged the Tartars to retire to the Hill from whence they came The next Morning the two Armies stood in view of each other only some slight Skirmishes passing betwixt them The third the Seraskier designing to fall upon the Enemies right Wing with his main force charged it briskly but finding it strengthned from the main body retired and fell upon the main body it self but with the like success The Poles left Wing was charged by the Tartars with some advantage at first but in the Conclusion were forced to retire That day the Turks had been incommoded by the opposite Artillery composed of thirty pieces of Ordnance and the following day having received Cannon from Camineck they repayed them in kind The Christians continued encamped the two following days securing themselves with Trenches and Redoubts On the ninth day the Christian General being informed that a great Detachment was sent to fall in the rear of the Army and shut up the Passages of the Forrest he resolved to retire and that he might do it with less trouble he caused all their Waggons that were not absolutely necessary to be burnt It was next Morning before the Turks were aware of their march when descending into the Plain they charged three Battalions of foot which had not yet entered the Wood but they being well covered with turn Pikes and each two Field-pieces they received the Enemy with so great a Fire that they forced
and so put in a Supply into the place without hazarding a battel and that 8000 Tartars should harass the Country as far as Gran to cut off provisions from the Besiegers and infest them with continual courses Upon this advice the Duke called a Council of War where it was resolved to leave part of the Army in guard against the Town and to march with the rest of the Imperial and Auxiliary Forces against the Enemy who according to the said Letters were above 60000 strong although they had it from good hands that they did not exceed 40000 Combatants Aug. 13. The whole Army marched out of the Lines the night past except 20000 left there for the Guard of the Works and to hinder the Enemy from putting Supplies into the Place Oats and Forage were distributed for three days for the Horse and the Volunteers were formed into a fine Body under good Officers The Duke of Lorrain posted himself out of the Camp in sight of the Enemies 4000 Hussars and Heyducks having the Avantguard This night the Spies and some Deserters assured them that the following night they would be attacked in Battel-array upon break of day which obliged the Christians to dispose of all things for the Battel Aug. 14. The Turks before Sun-rising formed a Body of more than 8000 Ianizaries and Spahi's the most brave and most resolute of the Army who being divided into divers Troops marched from 6 in the Morning till 8 a clock curvetting behind the Mountains on the side of Alba Regaliâ and entered into a Plain the better to approach the Camp by the favour of a Valley The Duke of Lorrain having observed the Enemies countenance commanded Count Dunewald General of the Horse to take possession of the ground to the left with nine Imperial Regiments Cuirasiers Dragoons and Groats to which he added some Companies of Hussars and General Heusler had order to post himself with his Detachment upon the height on the right The Hussars who were with General Dunewald charg'd first and tho' they fought with all imaginable bravery they were notwithstanding forced to give way but seeing themselves supported by the Germans they took heart and returned to the Charge again The Turks seeing they had routed the Hussars thought to have had the others as good cheap upon these hopes they advanced with great fury and horrible cries against the Christians who received them without moving Heusler who had placed himself upon the height mentioned charged them smartly so that the fight was rude and bloudy and however the Turks saw themselves charged in their Flanks and Front they did not desist to make use of several efforts to break through the Enemy and have room to execute their design but all was in vain being every time repulsed until they were at length broke and forced to fly The execution was bloudy The Janizaries being abandoned by the Spabi's and environed by their Enemies throwing away their Arms sought to save themselves by flight but were most of them slain The Turks had above 3000 dead most of them Janizaries all chosen men who had undertaken to force a quarter and enter into the City or perish The Grand Visier had promised 20 Ducats to every one that should enter into the City whereof he gave each undertaker 5 in hand every one carried besides his ordinary arms 3 Hand-Granado's a Mattock and Spade to break the Retrenchments and fill the Ditches The Prisoners were 500 there being also taken 30 Ensigns and Standards 11 Pieces of Cannon and 10 Waggons loaden with Ammunition This great action cost the Christians but little the slain not exceeding 60 and the wounded but 33. After this fight the Turks made several movements and drew up in a Plain which lookt towards the Bavarian quarter and keeping their Wings upon heights they made meen as if they would come to a decisive battel or relieve the Place with all their Forces Hereupon a Council of War was called where it was resolved to follow the Enemy which was done by the Elector of Bavaria in the head of his Army but the Turks apprehending an Engagement retired The Generals Dunewald and Heusler pursued them beyond the Mountains and the Hussars had another skirmish with a great Party of Turks which stayed behind to amuse the Christians and favour the retreat of their Army The booty the Christians got was considerable for they had all the spoil of the Enemy whereof there was not one that had not the 5 Duckets which the Grand Visier had given him besides his own moneys The Besieged thinking they were already relieved made great fire upon them that kept the Approaches and supposed they might ruine some of the Enemies works but in vain for they were so briskly received that they lost the desire of risking further They however made a very furious sally on the Bavarian attack which was fatal to them for they were not only repelled by the Regiments of Baden and Aspremont but the retreat being cut off there was great slaughter made of them The Turks being retired without coming to a decisive battel the Army returned into their Lines and immediately dispatched young Count Palsi to the Emperour with the news of this great advantage and to lay 28 Colours and Standards at his feet that were taken in the late engagement The rest for some were taken in the pursuit were planted upon the great Rondel to make the Besieged comprehend the defeat of those Succours that they had expected with so much impatience Aug. 15. The Germans and Hussars scouting abroad brought some Prisoners in who all agreed in this that the Grand Visier notwithstanding this check would not desist making other attempts to put relief into the Town tho' with the hazard of his whole Army And in effect however he was retired he did not cease to alarm the Camp every night This Afternoon a signal was made to the Besieged for a Parley to inform them by the Janizaries Prisoners of the rout of their Succours but whether they perceived this within or not they answered by the fire of their great and small shot Aug. 16. The works of the three Attacks were pursued with vigour and in the Morning the Besieged's Palizadoes and Defences of Wood upon the Breach were fired in the Lorrain Attack and partly consumed by the Flames notwithstanding all the diligence of the Turks to extinguish them In this Action they threw a prodigious quantity of Stones Granadoes Sacks with Powder and other combustible matters upon the Assailants insomuch that four of them who fired them were burnt twelve Crowns a man being given to each of those who engaged themselves in this Service as a recompence and yet they could not clear the way for an Assault the Besieged having taken their time in the Night to plant other Palizadoes and repair their Defences In the Bavarian Attack the Castle and the great Tower were incessantly beaten which were as it were overturn'd by the force of the
quantity of artificial and combustible matters with that success that they pierced even to the said Planks and reduced them to ashes they also flung such a vast quantity of Granado's Stones and Arrows upon the Bavarians that they forced them to abandon this Post with the loss of twenty Souldiers Aug. 28. In the Lorrain attack they thundred with extreme violence from their Cannon upon the Flanks of the great Breach as did also the Brandenburgers to overthrow the Besieged's defences The Bavarians regained their Post and covered themselves so well in it that the Enemy would be much troubled to dislodg them Major Staben who commanded the Assailants was killed there the slain and wounded not otherwise exceeding 20. Upon the Report of some Renegado's that the Grand Visier was resolved to come this Night with all his Forces the Duke ordered all things for his reception and all the Army stood in Battalia but to no purpose for no Enemy did appear Aug. 29. Being the Decollation of St. Iohn Baptist and a day which the Turks have always superstitiously observ'd as fortunate to their Empire 1000 Spahi's and 2000 Ianizaries commanded by two Bassa's and seconded by 1500 Tartars came at break of day to make another trial on the Water side but seeing the Post too well provided on that quarter having received a discharge from the Musketâers that kept the Walls they retreated and judged it easier to try the passage by the same way that the last Supplies entred they went by the Valley of St. Paul and charged fiercely with their accustomed shouts upon the Regiments of Mercy Heusler and Newburg who received them with so much bravery that they killed a great number of them whereof some of the most determined were rash enough to push through to the very Lines where they were all slain except 4 who were lucky enough to get into the City The number of the dead in this action amounted to 600 besides the Prisoners which were not many and there were taken 25 Standards and Colours which were red intimating thereby that they would enter the City or perish On the other side some 30 were killed and wounded Mercy was of the number of the last but without danger and his Adjoutant of the first During this Tentative the Besieged made a sally upon the Bavarians but the Heyducks attacking them in Flank they had much a-do to retire leaving 17 dead upon the place The Grand Visier shewed himself with his Army all day on the Bavarian side ready to engage but seeing 3 Regiments of Cuirasiers and two of Dragoons being the Avant-Guard of General Scherfenberg's Army he quickly retreated back to his Camp. Aug. 30. Scherfenberg arrived this day with the rest of his Body proper men who seem'd eager to signalize themselvs The Deserters reported that the want was great in the Grand Visier's Army and that the famished Soldiers had plundered some Barks which had brought Provisions the Officers not being able to hinder them Aug. 31. The Lorrainers took a new Post in the Ditch before the Breach in the inner Wall but 3 fadom distant from the Pallisade and the place being very deep the Turks could not much hurt them where they had but 2 Soldiers wounded This Morning the Duke of Lorrain went accompanied with most of the Generals to the Elector's quarters where they held a Council of War and having dined there the Duke returned to his Quarters after which the Works were ordered to be enlarged and deepned for the easier ascent to the Assault which was resolved upon in a day or two Sept. 1. Three thousand Turks appeared before day by Moon-light on the Bavarian side but seeing the Christians in good order and ready to receive them they retired without any Engagement The Great Chancellor Count Straatman being arrived yesterday at the Camp with a secret Commission called a Council of War in which the Duke of Lorrain the Elector of Bavaria and all theImperial and Auxiliary Generals did meet The Chancellor exposed his Commission which contained his Imperial Majestie 's desires to put an end to this bloody Siege and that they should consult on the means the most proper and expedient for the terminating of it Two points were chiefly deliberated upon whether they should go with the greatest part of the Army leaving a sufficient number to guard the Lines to force the Grand Visier or should make a General assault upon the place and that with more Forces than had hitherto been employed The latâr was approved by most of the Generals and it was resolved to assault the place the next day for which purpose every thing that was necessary was prepared that the enterprise might not fail and lest the Enemy might know it it was given out that they would the next day go and fight the Grand Visier which caused great joy amongst the Officers and Souldiers desirous of signalizing themselves The Cannon of all the attacks were in the mean time imployed to inlarge the Breaches and cast down the Enemies fences Sept. 2. All the Generals mounted on Horseback and the Troops put themselves in order to quit the Lines and go to their place of Arms and march towards the Grand Visiâr making as iâ they would go and attack them in their Camp. The Duke of Lorrain and the Elector of Bavaria visited thâir Quarters encouragaing the Officers and Souldiers to maintain the cause of God and the Glory of the Emperour The Infantry was ranged into Battalions whilst the firing in the three attacks was redoubled and a vast quantity of Bombs and chained Bullets were shot against the besiegeds deâences which were for the most part thrown down and as the Troops were put in order to march towards the Grand Visier the motion oâ the Vanguard was instantly changed and at three in the Afternoon the Infantry that composed the Rear-guard was commanded to mount to the assault which was done in the three differing attacks of Lorrain Brandenburg and Bavaria besides which there were two false attacks to divert the Enemy And however that all imaginary precautions were put in use to render the assault easie they encountred so brave a defence in the besieged that they had much ado to surmount them they defended themselves for three quarters of an hour with Halbirds Half-Pikes Partizans and threw such a vast number of Stones Arrows and Granades that they repulsed the Assailants more than once until the Christians encouraged by the presence of their Generals returning with greater force rendred themselves at length Masters of the Breach in all the three attacks The Turks defended themselves by retiring from Retrenchment to Retrenchment so that the slaughter was very bloody and to conclude the besieged being beaten from all their fences the Assailants entred by force into the City ran thro' the streets killed all they met with sparing neither Sex nor Age so that all was filled with the dead bodies of these Infidels The Bavarians in pursuit of their
them to retire into their main Body 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 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 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 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 resistânce 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 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 Ianisaries 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
two Leagues distant from Comorra where Count Staremberg had Orders to March the Foot and on the 7 th 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 Horse-back and sent to advise the Duke of Loraine that he was Marching towards Barcan 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 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 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 sit 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 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 unto 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 Palfi and Taaff 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 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 Iabloniski 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 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 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. 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 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 and the Bravest of their Soldiery and so fatal was this Fight to them that they never recovered their Courage and Spirits again but suffer'd themselves for several years afterwards to be beaten and baffled by their Enemes After which we shall find them still decaying and giving Ground and at length falling into Discords and Civil Dissentions the Ottoman Empire had nearly expired had not the Christians falling into Wars amongst themselves which have always proved advantagious to the Turks given new Life and growth again unto that People This Victory obtained the King of Poland with his General and Senators justly applauded the Wisdom and Conduct of the Duke of Loraine and Valour of the German Troops to whom he acknowledged the whole Success of that day was to be attributed In the Quarters of the King Te Deum being sang and Thanks returned to Almighty God for so signal a Blessing the Duke of Loraine took a Survey of the Fort of Barcan to see in what manner it was possible to be put in a condition to offend Gran which was Situate on the other side of the Water just in opposition to it But such was the Fury of the Soldiers that they burnt almost all the Palisadoes and set fire to part of the Town and so ravenous were they after the Plunder of the Place that the Germans and Poles had fallen into Civil Wars amongst themselves had not Count Staremberg put an end to the Scuffle by commanding the âermans to with-draw and leaving the Poles Masters of the Place they made all the Spoyl they were able in revenge of the Loss they had suffered the day before Nothing could come more seasonable nor more advantagious to the Christian Arms than this Victory for besides the Loss as we have said of the best of their Men there remained not above two or three Thousand alive of all that Army which consisted of Fourteen thousand of their best Horse and Twelve hundred Ianisaries commanded by the new Pasha of Buda Haly Pasha of Aleppo and six other Pashas Twelve hundred or One thousand Prisoners were taken and amongst them the Pashas of Aleppo and Silistria with several other Agas The Consequences of which Victory were very happy to the Christians for besides that it administred new Courage to the drooping Spirits of the Poles it totally dismayed the Malecontents and produced such Disorder in the Turkish Army that the Great Vizier with all the Authority with which he was clothed was not able to contain them within any bounds or limits of Duty but rather fearing to be Murdered by them than hoping to Appease them was forced to abscond himself from their Rage in obscure Retirement By this Overthrow the Grand Vizier lost all the remainder of his Baggage which had been saved at the Battle of Vienna with Twelve Pieces of Cannon which had been advanced some Hours on the way before the Siege was raised and was employed by the new Vizier of Buda for the Service of this Camp. The Duke of Loraine pursuing the course of his good Fortune was desirous to conclude this Campaign with the taking of Gran which was the glorious period to which the Emperor directed him if possible to advance his Affairs In order hereunto the Duke of Loraine taking first according to his usual Methods a judicious Survey of the situation of the Place and the way thereunto observed that in the middle of the River something below Gran there was an Island in which was not only good Forage for the Horse but also an ancient Intrenchment which with some little Labour might be made useful and defensive against the Cannon of the Town And from the farther side of that Island with the help of a few Boats the whole Army might find an easy Passage The King of Poland approving this Design Boats were ordered down from Comorra for framing the Bridge But whilst this was doing the late Successes which had brought great Reputation to the Emperor's Affairs had moved Tekeli to send the Count de Humanay in Behalf of the Malecontents to offer Terms of Peace and Pacification The Duke of Loraine who had been long versed in the Practices of Tekeli and his Associates was of opinion That the Malecontents were not as yet reduced to such Terms as might render them
yielded to the Turks a Thousand Crowns every year arising on the Customs thereof Thus ended this Campagne to the Honour and Reputation of the Venetian Arms And the Auxiliary Gallies and Forces returned home having been more diminished by Fatigues and making Incursions into the Land than by slaughter or loss sustain'd from the Enemy The Venetians took their Winter-quarters in several Isles belonging to the Republick Molino Captain extraordinary of the Ships brought back his Squadron to Corsu 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 12 th of Iuly 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 On the 14 th 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 Ionathan 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 Testerdar 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 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 On the 16 th 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 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 whilst a
Days against all the Force of the Ottoman Army that the Tower which was adjoyning to the Castle was Blown up which made so wide a Breach that it was impossible to sustain another Assault of the Enemy having endured two Assaults before And therefore after a loss of the greatest part of the Garrison which was reduced from Three hundred and fifty to One hundred and thirty Soldiers the Surrender thereof seemed excusable and not to be imputed to the Cowardize or want of Conduct either in the Commander or in the Souldiers There was also something more than ordinary in the behaviour of the Turks towards the Garrison when this place was Surrender'd For they out of a Principle of hatred to the Christian Religion and of scorn and indignation against all People but those of their own Profession were commonly provoked to use their Victories with Pride and unlimited Insolence and to break their Faith and Engagements to which they had obliged themselves by Articles and Capitulations did now contrary to their usual practice Treat the vanquished of this Fortress with due respect and kindness and lest any thing should happen which might seem disagreeable to their Capitulations in their march by Land care was taken to Transport them in Boats and to Land them as near as was possible to the Christian Camp and for the better security on the way they were accompanied by three Turkish Officers whom the Duke of Loraine treated with a Civility corresponding unto which they had used towards the Garrison The next Day being the 11 th of August the Christian Army pitched their Tents at Almatz about a League distant from Strigonium From whence an Officer was sent to Complement the Duke of Loraine and the other Generals with a Relation of what the Turks had acted in the late Siege He told them That one the 30 th and 31 st of the last Month their Approaches were begun as were to be seen on the side towards Comorra at the Foot of St. Thomas his Mount and were in two Days time carried on to the Counterscarp of the lower City where they Sprang four Mines and seconded them with as many Assaults in which so many were killed that the Ditch seemed to be levelled and filled up with the dead Bodies of the Slain and made equal with the Border of the Counterscarp In fine About two Days before the Turks having received certain Intelligence of the Approach of the Christian Army for their Relief had raised the Siege with so much hast and precipitation as gave Courage to the Defendants to make a Sally upon them at their departure and falling on their Rear took a Bloody Farewel of them with the Slaughter of Three hundred of their Men. The Success of Strigonium made some amends for the loss of Vicegrade and gave undoubted proofs that where is any equality in Force the Christian Valour and Conduct challenges Fortune to be of their side and to favour and assist them The Duke of Loraine having recruited the Garrison of Strigonium with Five hundred Foot and succoured it with Ammunition and Provisions necessary for it's Defence raised his Camp on the 13 th and marched away in quest of the Seraskier with resolution to give him Battle in case the moorish and fenny Grounds which interposed between the two Armies did not prevent the Engagement The Day following with rising of the Sun was opened a clear Scene representing the whole Turkish Army which having passed the Danube to joyn with some Tartarian and Turkish Troops were Encamped on the farther side of a fenny of moorish Ground which lies between Newhausal and Senan extending it self from the Banks of the River to a certain rising Ground on which they had planted their whole Train of Artillery the Appearance of which seemed very formidable and not consisting of less than 55 or 60.000 fighting Men which for the most part were experienced Soldiers who had tried the Dint of the Enemies Sword and often without fear beheld Death in the Face The fenny and moorish Ground which interposed between the two Armies was the Bar which restrain'd the Courage and Mettle of the Christians who otherwise in despight of all disadvantages where had been any possibility of Engagement would have broke through all to have closed and mixed with their Enemy To perform which the boggy Ground was tried and 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 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 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 15 th and 16 th 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 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
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 Clâssa which in the Year 1648 year 1685. 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 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 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 March towards Hungary alarum'd by these Forces returned back to Clin for Conservation of his own Country And having alter'd the Design and Expedition of that Year he resolved to wage War nearer home in Dalmatia and accordingly sent Eight thousand Men to lay Siege to the Fortress of Duare The Place defending it self with great Resolution gave time and opportunity to the Generals Valier and Michael to come to its Relief which they performed so effectually that in less than an Hour's time the Turks were obliged to raise the Siege with the loss of Two hundred and fifty Men killed and Seventy Prisoners taken and on the Christians side no more than six were slain and about thirty wounded The Morlaques continued the Pursuit and routed the Pasha of Bosna himself who with a Body of Four thousand Horse was marching towards Duare to maintain the Siege These were Preludes to greater Matters which were then acting by the Venetian Fleet and gross of the Army under the auspicious Conduct of Francesco Morosini Captain General of the Venetian Forces both by Sea and Land For the Fleet being compleatly equipp'd and furnished with all Necessaries both for the Services of Land and Sea joyned with the Gallies belonging to the Pope to Malta and to the Duke of Florence all which together composed a Fleet consisting of Five Galeasses Thirty seven Gallies Twelve Galleots Twelve Men of War Four Petaches Three Pinks and Three Tartans besides Twenty two stout Ships of War which triumphantly Sailed into the Archipelago under the Command of Alexander Molino and Girolamo Delfin two Noblemen of Venice The Gallies of Tuscany were four Commanded by Admiral Guidi on which were Three hundred Land Soldiers under Prior Vandomi The Pope's Gallies were five in number which carrying no Flag joyned to the eight Gallies of Malta and composed one Squadron together under the Command of Prior Brancaccio who had the Title of General under whom was Cavalier Malaspina Director of the Ecclesiastical Gallies Upon the Pope's Gallies were Three hundred Land Soldiers and on those of Malta were a Thousand including the Knights themselves Commanded by their General Le Tour who by many brave Actions had signalized himself in the last famous Siege of the City of Candia The other Land Forces were Three thousand Italians One thousand Sclavonians and about Two thousand Four hundred Germans under Command of Prince Maximilian William of Brunswick all which together made up Eight thousand Foot besides Horse and besides several Persons of Quality who were Voluntiers and amongst the rest Prince Philip of Savoy a valiant and a generous Prince all which Land-forces were Commanded by Count St. Paul a General of great Ability and Experience having for a long time served the King of Denmark and the Duke of Newburg These Forces being joyned in the Port of Dragomestre which was the Place appointed for their general Rendezvous a Council of War was held where it was resolved to Sail to Cape Sapienza both to make a Diversion of the Turkish Forces which in great numbers were assembled about Patras and to confirm the Mainiotes to continue firm to the Venetians but it seems their
Works The Defendants also let down small Parties by Night from the Walls of the Town who covering them under the Rocks and in Holes Fired upon the Guards and being good Marks-men and shooting with Art seldom missed the Man they aimed at and being nimble and active Men skipt over the Rocks and made their Escape By Night they threw their Artificial Fires from the Walls into the Trenches which easily seized the Beams and Coverings made of Olive-tree and Rafters of old Houses taken from a Neighbouring Village which burned so impetuously that with great difficulty the Fire was quenched in doing which the Christians were exposed to the small Shot from the Walls which by the light of the Fire they poured upon them Their numbers thus daily decreasing by those who were Slain Sick and Wounded there seemed a kind of necessity of performing speedily some considerable Feat of Arms before they languished and consumed away in their Trenches and before the new Re-inforcements were come from the Captain Pasha who as it was said was already arrived with his Fleet in some part of the Morea This Council being agreed as necessary by all the Chief Officers The Captain General selected out of the Venetain Gallies and Galliots Fifteen hundred Levents or Soldiers belonging to the Fleet who were stout and robust Fellows under Command of Lieutenant Colonel Magnanin whom he commanded silently to Land after Mid-night Twelve hundred whereof were to take their way towards the Enemies Trenches on the left Hand at the opening into a Vally and the remaining Three hundred to the right Hand and to confound the Enemy the more the Fleet was ordered to weigh Anchor and move from their usual Station At the same time Three thousand choise Soldiers under command of General St. Paul were appointed to march out of their Line and on the 7 th of August by break of day in the Morning to Attack the Enemy in their Trenches who were more numerous in their Men than the Christians and had much the advantage over them by their Horse All things were punctually observed and executed accordingly And on the 7 th Day with the dawning of the Morning year 1685. the Signal was given by Firing two Barrels of Powder under the Breach which was immediately followed by all the Cannon of the Fleet and Camp and with such thick Vollies of small shot in the Front from the Three thousand Men which had Sallied out of the Line and from the Levents who had placed themselves both in the Rear and Flank that the Enemy believing the Venetian Camp to be much augmented by the accession of the Mainiotes and other Auxiliaries affrighted with a panick fear put themselves generally to Flight Those who were more couragious and stood the Brunt were not able to resist long but either were beaten and trampled down by their Fellows or killed by the Venetians who pursued the Flying Enemy as far as they could without Horse leaving the Ground cover'd with dead Bodies and with Blood. This Victory was the more remarkable because it was obtained on the 7 th of August which was the same Day of the past Year on which Santa Maura was taken The Booty was very considerable for besides the Artillery Arms and Ammunition of all sorts with store of Provisions the Turks left Three hundred Horse behind them which they had not time to mount with their Tents and Colours and two Horse Tails which are the Ensigns of Siaus Pasha who also fell in this Action All the Artillery was taken amongst which were six Pieces of Brass Cannon three whereof were marked with the Arms of the Republick The Day following the Captain of the Gulf âmploied as we have said to bring Fifteen hundred Mainiotes to the Camp arrived with Three hundred only And on the 9 th the Commander in chief of the Forces belonging to the great Duke of Toscany alledging that the Term of his Commission was expir'd and that he was not authorized to remain longer at the Siege he was licensed by the Captain General to depart and a Farewel taken with all expressions of kindness and civility And now to complete and consummate these Successes by taking the Fortress which was the chief and principal design of this Campaign all industry and care was used to clear the Passage of the Rocks Rubbish and other impediments which lay in the Way on the side of the Attack of Brunswick and Malta And on the other side towards the Venetian Attack to lay open and widen the principal of the three Chambers of the Gallery which was formed by the Engenier Bassignani and thereby to make an entrance so far as was possible undâr the chief Bulwark This work was so industriously carried on that on the 10 th of this Month of August the Mine was finished and charged with Two hundred and fifty Barrels of Powder which were found in the Turkish Camp. And that Evening at a Council of War at which the Captain General and all the principal Officers were present it was agreed next Morning by break of day to give Fire to the Mine and make a General Assault Accordingly on the 11 th the Troops being drawn into Battalia the Mine was fired which had it's due effect overthrowing the Bulwark and widening the Breach and blowing up all the Garrison which defended that part into the Air and not without hurt to many of the Venetian Soldiers who were nearest to the Mine and ready to second the Mine with an Assault So soon as the Blow was given the Italian Troops commanded by Serjeant Major Iovij with much Courage and Resolution proceeded to the Assault in the Front of which was Captain Marco Ferri a Person who had greatly signalized himself at the Siege of Candia and from thence and from other places had brought many Scars and Wounds which were so many Signs and Marks of Honour The Assailants were received with Bravery by the Defendants Howsoever an opportunity was given them to Enter the City at that time had they not instead of improving the advantage contented themselves with a Lodgment on the Breach At the same time so soon as the noise of the Mine was heard the Forces of Malta who were at the Head of the other Attack seconded by the Pope's and those of Brunswick with great Vigour gained the Top of the Breach which had been some Days open thô it was of very difficult access and had been repair'd in some manner by the Defendants Here now began a very furious Fight in which the Knights behaved themselves with as much Manhood and Prowess as became their Order endeavouring to force the Retrenchment but it being well Flank'd and furnished with Artillery they fired so terribly upon them that four of them were killed on the place and above thirty wounded The Cavalier de la Barre who commanded that Battalion behaved himself with all the Courage imaginable and thô seconded with
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 for want of which the Imperialists had not of late suffered in any thing a greater loss tâân 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 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 29 th of Iuly had begun to pass the Drave near Esseck all the Councils and Measures were changed 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 and in short all their Baggage became a Prey to the Victorious Germans whilst the timorous Turks fled in much Confusion towards Iagodina and Krakolovetz and many of them were taken up on the Way by the Hungarians Hussars and Rascians Great was the Joy of the Generals and Soldiers for so signal a Victory and having lodged one Night in the Enemies Camp with much Pleasure and Festivity the Day following early in the Morning they sang Praises to God for his Mercy and Blessings of Victory and as a signal of Triumph made the Camp to resound with three Vollies of Shot with Drums Trumpets Timbals and all sorts of Warlike Musick After Thanks were returned to Almighty God who is the God of Hosts and Giver of Victory the Imperial Generals thought
it reasonable and necessary to give some repose and rest to the wearied Troops and to augment their Commons and Refreshments Orders were given to the Commissaries to distribute amongst the Army the Provisions found in the Enemies Stores In the mean time the Hussars and Hângarians who had pursued the Enemy for some Days returned the 3d of September to the Camp bringing some Colours and many Prisoners with them together with 36 pieces of Cannon of the largest size And thus the Victory being compleat Prince Lewis permitted the Courier whom the Turkish Ambassadors had dis-speeded from Vienna to Constantinople to proceed he had been detained for some Weeks at Semendria so that now besides the Dispatch from the Ambassadors he carried another from Prince Lewis to the Grand Vizier giving him to understand that the Imperial Armies having advanced so far within the Bowels of the Otâoman Dominions he would now proceed forward to meet him and save him the trouble of a tedious March but in case his Company and coming should be unwelcome and displeasing to the Sultan they might thank themselves for the trouble of such unacceptable Guests which might have been avoided had they hearkened to the Propositions which His Imperial Majesây and His Allies made to them for a Peace which they having unadvisedly rejected had brought upon themselves all those Misfortunes which had attended them in every Action of this last Campaign In the mean time the Blockades of Canisia and Great Waradine were daily more streightned and all the Corn and Grass burned up in those parts which were neighbouring to those Cities and tho' they suffered much Want and Penury of all things and had received the unwelcome News of several Defeats given to the Turks yet supporting and comforting their Spirits with hopes that a Peace would speedily insuâ at least in the Winter Season they resolved not to surrender until the last Extremity ârince Lewis having refreshed his Forces with several Days of rest and plenty of Provisions taken from the Enemy and reinforced his Army with some Troops coming from Belgrade he prepared for a new Enterprize and began his March towards Nissa about 20 Leagues distant from the Camp at Patoschin the most part of the way Woody and Mountainous but nothing was now difficult or insuperable to the exalted Courage of the Germans The Turks on the other side tho' somewhat abased and mortified yet supported themselves with the Comfort That tho' they had lost their Camp with their Cannon Tents and Baggage yet most of their Army was still in being That the Tartars had beaten the Muscovites That the Troubles in Asia were pacified and the Discontents in Albania wtih Mamut Ogli Bey composed Moreover a Reinforcement of 20000 Men were sent to the Seraskier with new Tents and all the necessary Appurtenances for War and likewise it was reported abroad That the Grand Vizier would come himself in person and in despight of the preceding Misfortunes would yet put an Honourable end to this Campaign Prince Lewis little regarding the Talk and the Reports with which the Turks comforted themselves committing the charge of Patoschin to a Sergeant Major with 100 Horse to cover the Artillery and to guard them on their Way to Semendria he dis-speeded some Hungarians and Rascians to take a Survey of the Country and of the State of the Turks Affairs who accordingly coasting the Country brought News that the Turks were not only fled out of all those parts but had likewise abandoned Nissa having for their easier passage built a Bridge over a Marshy Ground near that Town Whereupon the Prince having fixed his Boats on Wheels Convoyed by a Party of 500 Horse he took his March with the whole Army on the 11th of September and arrived that Night at Iagodina after a hard March through Woods and Marshes and to make a passage for the Boats which were designed to make a Bridge over the Morava a new Way was made through the Woods where being arrived they happily met some other Boats from Passarovitz with some quantities of Flour which came seasonably for relief of the Army At Iagodina News was brought that the Turks had quitted Nissa whereupon Prince Lewis detached 50 Heydukes of Palfi's Regiments and 10 Dragoons on Foot to Crussavetz to bâeak down the Bridge there and conserve that Post and for passage of the Army at a more convenient place another Bridge was made with Boats and to cover it Colonel Strasser with 2000 Men made a Redoubt on the other side of the River And here so great was the Mortality of Men and Horse and want of Forage that it seemed almost impossible to advance farther but News being brought that the Turks were in great Consternation in their Camp and that the Soldiers deserted by Hundreds every Day and the Dukes of Croy and Holstein coming about that time to the Camp with some Recruits animated Prince Lewis to come to one Battle more with the Seraskier and having raised two Forts at the Bridge he passed over with his Horse on the 16th and the Day following with his Foot. The Turks had just then received a Recruit of 10000 Men and strongly intrenched themselves by the side of the River near Nissa The Prince being ill provided with Victuals in his Camp had no time to lose and therefore marched so fast that on the 22th of September he pitched his Camp within a League distant from Nissa near a little Stream which falls into the Nissava from whence he took a prospect of the Countenance and Situation of the Enemy and their Camp and having observed every thing and in what place the Enemy might most commodiously be Attacked on the 23th they marched forward in a close and well ordered Battalia but nothing happened that Day besides some small Skirmishes of little importance but that Night before the Evening was quite shut in the Prince made as if he intended to make a Bridge over the Rivar to pass to the Tartars who were posted on the other side but in the Morning he took another Method possessing himself of the sides of the Hills over the Enemies Camp 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
the desart encamped themselves on the side of the Forest there to consult what course to take But Tangrolipix who with his Turks lay a great way off in the covert of the Woods and Mountains understanding of the coming of his Enemies and of the manner of their lying thought it best upon the sudden by night to set upon the Sarasins and Persians if so happily he might overthrow them by policy whom he was not able to encounter in plain battel Upon which resolution having travelled two days long march in the desart the third day at night he suddenly set upon his Enemies lying negligently in their Trenches and by his unexpected coming brought such a fear upon them that they without longer stay betook themselves to flight every man shifting for himself without regard of others This Victory so happily gained and Tangrolipix now beyond his hope throughly furnished with Armor Horses and abundance of all things needful for the Wars kept the Woods and Forests no longer as a Thief or Out-law but shewed himself in the open field where daily repaired unto him numbers of Rogues and Vagabonds seeking after spoil with many other desperate Villains who for fear of punishment were glad of such a Refuge so that in a short space his Army was grown to be fifty thousand strong and so much the stronger for that they had nothing to trust unto more than the valour of themselves Whilst Tangrolipix thus increaseth Mahomet inraged with the overthrow of his Army in his fury caused all those ten Captains which had the leading thereof to have their eyes pluckt out threatning also to attire all the Souldiers that fled out of the battel in Womans apparel and so disgraced to carry them about as Cowards and withall raised a great Army for the suppressing of the Turks All things being now in readiness he set forward when by the way the Souldiers whom he had so threatned to disgrace suddenly fled to the Enemy with whose coming Tangrolipix greatly encouraged and strengthened resolved to give the Sultan battel And so boldly coming on met with him at ISPAHAN a City of PERSIA where was fought betwixt them a most terrible battel with wonderful slaughter on both sides In the heat of which battel Mahomet unadvisedly riding to and fro to encourage his Souldiers falling with his horse brake his Neck upon which mischance both the Armies coming to agreement by common consent proclaimed Tangrolipix Sultan in his stead and so made him King of PERSIA and of all the other large Dominions unto that Kingdom belonging This was the first Kingdom of the Turks begun by the good Fortune of Tangrolipix about 214 years after their coming out of SCYTHIA in the year also of our Lord 1030. Constantinus Monomachus then reigning or a little before according to the Turks account in the Reign of Romanus Argirus Constantine his Predecessor Tangrolipix by rare Fortune thus of a mean Captain become King of PERSIA forthwith commanded the Garrison which kept the bridge over the River ARAXIS to be removed and so free passage to be given unto the Turks his Country-men at their pleasure to come over who in great multitudes repaired into PERSIA where they were by the new Sultan well provided for and by little and little promoted unto the greatest Dignities of that Kingdom the Persians and Sarasins the ancient Inhabitants thereof being by these new come Guests now kept under and as it were trodden under foot Together with this Kingdom the Turks received the Mahometan Superstition the which they before not much abhorred as men using Circumcision So that hard it is to say whether Nation lost more the Persians and Sarasins by the loss of so great a Kingdom or the Turks by imbracing so great a Vanity Tangrolipix with his Turks thus possessed of the Kingdom of PERSIA held not himself therewith long content but made War upon his Neighbour Princes especially against Pisasiris the Caliph of BABYLON whom he in divers battels overthrew and having at length slain him joyned his Kingdom unto his own After that he sent Cutlu-Muses his Cousin with an Army against the Arabians by whom he was overthrown and put to flight But returning by MEDIA he requested of Stephan the Greek Emperors Lieutenant leave to pass with his Army by the confines of his Country which his request Stephan not only rejected but also by strong hand sought to stop his passage but joyning battel with him was by the Turks easily overthrown and himself taken So Cutlu-Muses returning to Tangrolipix and recounting unto him the success of his Wars perswaded him to turn his Forces into MEDIA as a most fruitful Country and easie to be subdued But he highly offended with the overthrow given by the Arabians would not hearken unto him but raising a new Army in hope of better Fortune went against the Arabians in person himself Cutlu-Muses in the mean time fearing the Sultans displeasure fled with his Followers and Favourites and taking for his refuge PASAR a strong City of the Chorasmians revolted from him which the Sultan seeming not to regard held on his intended Journey against the Arabians by whom he was also put to the worst and enforced with dishonour to return After that he with part of his Army besieged Cutlu-Muses who by the strength of the place and valour of the people for a great while notably defended himself In the mean time Tangrolipix not unmindful what Cutlu-Muses had before said unto him concerning the easiness of the Conquest of MEDIA a Country as he said defended but by Women sent Asan his Brothers Son sirnamed the Deaf with a convenient Army to invade the same who entring into the Frontiers of that Province was there by the Emperors Lieutenant overthrown and himself with the greatest part of his Army slain With which loss the Sultan rather inraged than discouraged sent Habramy Alim his Brother again with an Army of an hundred thousand fighting men with which so great a Power the Emperors Lieutenant thought it not good to encounter until he had procured further aid from the Emperor especially out of IBERIA and therefore kept himself with such power as he had within his strong and fenced places Which Alim perceiving and out of hope to draw him unto battel roaming up and down the Country at last besieged ARZEN an open Town but full of rich Merchants by whom it was contrary to his expectation notably defended for the space of six days until that at length the Turks seeing no other way to win it set fire upon it in divers places by force whereof the Inhabitants were enforced for safeguard of their lives to fly and to leave the Town with an infinite wealth to the spoil of the Enemy By this time was Liparites Governor of IBERIA come with a great Power to the aid of the Emperors Lieutenant in MEDIA whereof Alim having intelligence without delay hasted with his Army towards his Enemies and
meeting with them a little before night had with them a cruel fight wherein the Victory fell unto the Christians who had the Turks in chase a great part of the night Nevertheless Liparites valiantly fighting in another wing of the battel was there taken and so carried away Prisoner for whose ransome the Emperor sent a great sum of money with certain Presents to the Sultan all which he sent back again and frankly set Liparites at liberty wishing him never to bear Arms more against the Turks And with him sent the Seriph a man of great Place among the Mahumetans his Embassador unto the Emperor Who coming to CONSTANTINOPLE amongst other things proudly demanded of the Emperor to become Tributary unto the Sultan and so to be at Peace with him for ever Which his unreasonable demand was by the Emperor with no less disdain scornfully rejected and the Seriph so dismissed Which contempe of his Embassador the Sultan taking in evil part as also not a little moved with the death of his Nephew and loss of his Army with all his Power invaded the Roman Provinces but being come as far as COIME without any notable harm doing for that the Country people hearing before of his coming had in time conveyed themselves with their substance into their strong holds whereof there was great store in those Countries and hearing also that the Greek Emperor was raising a great Power to come against him at CESAREA not daring to proceed any further leaving so many Enemies behind him he fretting in himself returned into MEDIA where finding the people all fled into their strong Towns he laid siege unto MANTZICHIERT a City standing in a plain Champain Country but strongly fortified with a triple Wall and deep Ditches This City he furiously assaulted by the space of thirty days without intermission but all in vain the same being still notably defended by Basilius Governor thereof and the other Christians therein The Sultan weary of this siege and about to have risen was by Alcan one of his chief Captains perswaded yet to stay one day for him to make proof in what he were able to do for the gaining thereof whereunto the Sultan yielded committing the whole charge of the assault unto him Alcan the next day dividing the Army into two parts and placing the one part upon the higher ground of purpose with the multitude of theiâ shot to have overwhelmed the defendants with the other part of the Army furnished with all things needful for the assault approached to the Walls the Sultan in the mean time with certain of the chief Turks from an high place beholding all that was done But this so forward a Captain in the midst of his endeavour lost himself being slain with a great number of his Followers in approaching the Wall. His dead body known by the beauty of his Armor was by two valiant young men that sallied out of the Gate drawn by the hair of his head into the City and his head being forthwith cut off was cast over the Wall among the Turks wherewith the Sultan discouraged and out of hope of gaining the City rose with his Army pretending himself with other his urgent affairs to be called home and threatning withall the next Spring to return with greater Power and to do great matters But not long after great discord arose betwixt the Sultan and his Brother Habramie Alim insomuch that the Sultan sought by divers means to have taken him out of the way which Habramie perceiving fled to his Nephew Cutlu-Muses and joyning his Forces with hiâ denounced War unto the Sultan his Brother who meeting with them not far off from PASAR overcame them in plain battel wherein Habramie was taken and presently by the commandment of his Brother put to death But Cutlu-Muses with his Cousin Melech and 6000 Turks fled into ARMENIA and by Messengers sent of purpose requested of the Emperor Constantinus Mâhomachus to be received into his Protection But the Sultan with his Army following them at the heels they for their more safety were glad to fly into ARABIA The Sultan afterwards turning into IBERIA did there great harm spoiling the Country before him against whom the Emperor sent Michael Acoluthus a valiant Captain Of whose approach the Sultan hearing and that he would undoubtedly ere long give him battel deeming it no great honour unto him to overcome the Emperors Servant but an eternal dishonour to be of him overthrown retired with his Army back again to TAURIS leaving behind him one Samach with 3000 Turks to infest the Frontiers of the Emperors Territories which both he and other the Turks Captains afterward more easily did for that Monomachus the Emperor having prodigally spent the Treasures of the Empire to increase his Revenue had imposed a Tribute upon the Frontier Countries of his Empire wont before to be free from all Exactions in lieu whereof they were bound to defend the passages from all incursions of the Enemy but now pressed with new Impositions had dissolved their wonted Garrisons and left an easie entrance for the barbarous Enemies into the Provinces confining upon them Besides that the Emperor 's immediately following and especially Constantinus Ducas abhorring from Wars and given altogether to the hoarding up of Treasure gave little countenance and less maintenance unto men of Service which in short time turned to the great weakning and in fine to the utter ruine of the Constantinopolitan Empire At the same time also the Government of the Constantinopolitan Empire by the death of Constantinus Ducas the late Emperor came to his wife Eudocia with her three Sons Michael Andronicus and Constantinus all very young whose sex and tender years the barbarous Nations having in contempt at their pleasure grievously spoiled the Provinces of the Empire namely MESOPOTAMIA CILICIA CAPADOCIA yea and sometimes as far as COELOSIRIA The report whereof much troubled the Empress and gave occasion for many that loved her not to say That so troubled an Estate required the Government of some worthy man. Wherefore she fearing leât that the Senate making choice of some other she and her Children should be removed from the Government thought it best for the preservation of her State and her Childrens to make choice of some notable and valiant man for her Husband that for her and hers should take upon him the managing of so weighty Affairs But to check this her purpose the only remedy of her troubled thoughts she had at the death of the late Emperor Constantine her Husband at such time as the Soveraignty was by the Senate confirmed unto her and her Sons solemnly sworn never more to marry which her Oath was for the more assurance conceived into writing and so delivered unto the Patriarch to keep This troubled her more than to find out the Man whom she could think worthy of her self with so great honour She held then in prison one Diogenes Romanus a man of great Renown and