left where a Train of 60 pieces of Artillery was placed and caused them to be discharged without Intermission upon the Horse-men who likewise opened their Orders to avoid the murthering shot which overthrew them by whole Ranks yet the thundring of the Cannon so amazed the Horse not used to hear such Noises nor see such deadly Engines vomit Flame that they would not be ruled but flouncing and floundring many of them cast their Riders yet Hysmael with his Squadron still charging the Right Wing composed of Asian Horse-men cut a great number of them in pieces but whilst Vsta Ogli his General was endeavouring to do the like in the other part and entering too far amongst the Ranks he was slain with a Harquibuss shot which much abated the Courage of his Men yet could they not be prevailed with to retire till Selymus advanced with the Battalion of the Janizaries yet he gained but small Advantage whereupon in a great Rage he commanded another Tire of Ordnance which he had left as his last refuge furiously to be discharged upon the fighting Squadrons by which means such slaughter was made as well of his own men as the Persians mingled together in the attack that what for the Dust Smoke and thundring of the Artillery having on both sides lost in a manner their Sight and Hearing the Persian Horse were now so terrified that they were no longer to be ruled but disranking in divers parts the battel became broken and disordered at what time Hysmael having received a slight Wound with a Harquibuss-shot was retired at the Intreaty of his Friends to have it searched and dressed and there having notice that his General was slain as also what further had hapned he caused the retreat to be sounded which was done in such order that the Turks durst not pursue them nor durst they seize upon their Camp till they knew they were out of sight in which they found divers rich Pavilions wrought with Needle-work and Gold as also many beauteous Ladies that had accompanied their Husbands to the Wars all of which he caused to be set at Liberty except one of Hysmaels Wives whom he gave in Marriage to one of his Bassa's In this Battel fought in the Galderan fields near the City of Coy Anno 1514 30000 Turks were slain and amongst them divers Bassa's and Men of Note even all the flower of the Army though of the Persians not above 8000 the chief of Note being the General and amongst the slain were found the bodies of divers Persian Women who armed had accompanied their Husbands to share in their good or evil Fortune at which Selymus admiring caused them to be honourably buried and soon after had Tauris and many other Cities put into his hands but in his return through hardships and such as were cut off by the Persians and Mountaneers who still hover'd about his Camp to take all advantages he lost near three parts of his Army Thus Selymus with slaughter flesh'd at home Plotting fresh Murthers through strange Lands do's roame Like a Hircanian Tiger scenting blood From cold Araxis to warm Nilus flood Hastes to augment the Crimson stream late shed A Discription of the great Battel fought between Campson Gaurus Sultan of Aegypt and Selymus the first of that Name Emperour of the Turks near Aleppo in Syria c. SElymus the year after his Persian Expedition having subdued the Kingdom of Aladeules the Mountain King under pretence of Damage done him by the Mountaineers in his return and getting the King into his Hands by treachery cut off his Head. Whilst he was taking some Towns belonging to the Persian Sophy whom he heard was warring against the Indians and Bactrians He had notice that Campson Gaurus Sultan of Aegypt was coming against him with a powerful Army levied in Aegypt and Judea in favour of his Allie the Persian as hating Selymus for his Cruelty to his Father Brethren and Nephews whereupon fearing he should pass the River Euphrates and spoil his Dominions in Asia he sent Ambassadors to him to treat about renewing the League that had been between him and his Father Bajazet But the young Princes Aladine Son to Mahomet Selymus's elder Brother and Aladeules Son to the murther'd King of that Name pressing the Sultan to restore them by his Arms in so just a Cause his Embassy was rejected whereupon thinking it no time to delay he resolved to give the Persians rest and turn his Arms against the Aegyptian Sultan and thereupon passed the Mountains with an Army of 300000 Men at three Places causing the rough Passages to be made smooth and the Straights to be opened for the more commodious passage of his Ordnance and Baggage so that in five days contrary to the Expectation or Belief of the Sultan he had passed the huge Mountain of Amanus with his whole Army and all his Baggage and Encamped in the Plains of Commegena where from Alis-Beg Governour of the Mountain Kingdom he had news of the Sultan's Army so that he immediately marched towards him when coming in sight of each other and the Battel on both parts resolved upon the Sultan divided his Army into four Battels the first he committed to Kerebeus the second to Sybevius the third to Gazzeles and the fourth himself reserved as a Battel of Succour as also to defend the Camp whilst on the other hand Selymus plac'd the Asian Horse-men in the Right wing and the European's in the Left and in the middle the battel of the Janizaries with the Artillery in the front of them and between the two Wings his Pentioners being Souldiers of great Experience and in this Order the Turks always fight if the Ground will permit it The Battels ranged and set in order Kerebeius with his Squadron charged the European Horse-men with great fury but resolved now to be revenged on the Sultan for the death of his Brother he intended nothing more than to betray his Trust and thereupon after the first Charge that he might seem yet to do something wheeling off he fell upon the Sculions and such other slaves as kept the Baggage making some small slaughter of them that at the same time like a cunning Traytor he might satisfie the Expectations of his Valour and yet penetrate the Treason But Sebeius the Governour of Damasco behav'd himself far otherwise for entring overthwart the Ranks of the Right wing of the Turks Army he with his Mamalukes charged with such fury that having made great slaughter of the Asian Horse-men he broke in like a Tempest bearing down all before him till he charg'd upon the Ensigns in the midst of the wing nor could Mustapha the Beglerbeg nor Imbrahor Bassa with all their Forces stand before him or restrain the flight of their Souldiers so that cutting in pieces the Right wing he resolutely thrust in between the Battalion of the Janizaries and Pentioners there making so unexpected and lamentable a slaughter that Selymus was in great danger of being taken
Wings of the Lithuanian Horse and placed the Foot behind the Men an Arms to support them and so riding from Rank to Rank he admonished them to do their utmost for the Honour of their King and Country and not by any Cowardize in them be a means to lose a Battel upon which depended their Lives and Liberties c. He would have proceeded but whilst he was speaking the Moscoviâ— sounded the Charge whereupon commanding the Captains in the Vaunt-guard to break in upon the Enemy with their Spears mauger their shot of Arrows each battel moved furiously and although the Arrows flew thick as Hail yet the Poles passed on though some yet but a few oâ— them were slain so that the Archers being frustrated in a trice they brought iâ— to the Sword so that the Lithuanian stretching out their Wings and theâ— straitning them made good their Archers who sorely gauled the Moscovites who being on all sides in a manner oppressed could neither give back nor brake through in the front and those that were behind still thrusting them forward break their Array bearing out side-ways upon the Wings of the Lithuanians so at one time they attacked two Incounters in divers places so that the fight being hot on all parts and the Duke finding himself over-charged sent to Command the Horse-men in Ambush to advance who soon discovered themselves and came on with horrid crys and sounds of Trumpets to be thought more dreadful in their number which the Polonian General perceiving ordered his Battel to stand firm yet Polosky a Palatine of that Kingdom turned on them a squadron of Foot-men which had not been much shaken and sustaining the first shock of their Arrows gave Command for all the Harquibusiers to fire at once and so by a swift advance came to the push of Pike and Halbert causing the Moscovite Horse-men to recoil yet their Ranks being close they could not expand themselves or travers their Ground by reason of which they were obliged to sustain the fight in that narrow compass with great slaughter so that it was a pitious sight to see Men and Horses dead lying on heaps weltering in Blood and groaning out their last whilst in that part where the General fought the Ranks of Moscovites were broken and disordered and the Right Wing of Horse almost all cut in pieces so that the middle Battel wherein was yet the Person of the Great Duke was attacked on all sides and the foremost Ranks pierced through so that he despairing to restore the fight gave back and now the Foot that had routed his Ambushment of Horse having nothing to do charged upon his Battel of Succour and entring their Ranks who had been shaken before by the Lithuanian Horse they with their Pikes and Scimiters made a miserable slaughter putting them in all parts to the rout of which the Duke having notice and how those Horse he had laid in Ambush were likewise defeated whom he scarce thought as yet to have made their attack he with a Troop of his Nobles that were his Guard retired out of the Battel and left his Men to shift for themselves making all the speed he could to escape that Ruin and Desolation into which he had brought his Army which once known nothing but flight and confusion followed whilst the Poles had the Execution of them for many Miles with great slaughter In this Battel fought on the eighth of September 13000 men were slain and many of them of Note all the Baggage and rich Pavilions with the Great Dukes Standard taken as likewise was Michael Goliza but Smolensco being strongly fortified could not be regained Thus Blood still flows thus cruel Mars still raves And Drowns the Plains with Seas of Purple Waves A Description of the Great and Memorable Battel fought in Persia near the City of Coy or Coios between Hysmael the Persian Sophi and Selymus the First of that Name Emperour of the Turks SElymus to obtain the Diadem having caused his Father Bajazet the Second to be poysoned and to secure himself in the Throne strangled his three Brethren being grieved that his two Nephews Amurath and Aladine yet lived the one by securing himself in the Persian Court and the other in that of the AEgyptian Sultan upon the former's making some Inrodes into Capadocia he took an opportunity to quarrel with Hysmael the Persian Sophy and thereupon raising an Army of 300000 Horse and Foot and under pretence of his having aided his Rebels he marched to invade his Country and so drawing his People after him over the huge Mountains of Scodrasci Moscii and Ante-Taurus he passed along the Banks of the River Euphrates holding his way Eastward till he came to the River Araxis where he found all the Country wasted and destroyed by the Persians upon which the Army began to fall into great want of many things so that the Souldiers were forced to feed upon wild Fruits when in the mean time Vsta-Ogli the Persian General approached him with an Army of 80000 Horse and whilst either Army was at some distance one from the other Hysâ—ael came in Person to his Camp and from thence sent a Heraulâ— to Selymus to know why in a Hostile manner he had entred his Country having no Title thereto to which the Turk hautily reply'd That his Grandfather his Uncle and himself had greatly endamaged the Ottoman Empire by making several Incroachments Inrodes and Invasions and aiding the Rebels in the Reigns of Mahomet Bajazet and his own yet he esteemed them not a sufficient ground of War but sought after his Enemy young Amurath his Brother's Son who had lately wasted Cappadocia whom if he would quietly and friendly deliver into his Hands he would withdraw his Forces but if he refused to gratifie him therein he would with Fire and Sword not only destroy the Confines of Armenia but the very heart of Persia Notwithstanding these promises and Threats the Persian refused to comply with his demands in delivering up the young Prince to certain Death yet for that day both Armies lay in their Trenches but the next day they drew out and each being put in Battel-Array and incouraged by moving Orations to do their utmost the bloody blast was sounded after which the Persian Horsemen came on with great Futy over-setting the Vaunt-guard and overthrowing the Asapi by heaps these are a sort of ordinary Souldiers placed by the Turks for the most part to dull the Swords of the Enemy with their Blood and often set formost in Assaults to fill up the Trenches with their dead Bodies when they besieged a Town that the Janizaries may pass the easier over them nor was that all for the Persians at the same time charged the Spahi or Turkish Horsemen in either Wing causing them in some Confusion to give Ground which Selymus perceiving and finding they would soon charge the Battel of the Janizaries in the middle of which himself remained he caused the Orders to open to the right and the
for by the breaking in of Sebeius he was divided from his Foot-men in whom he reposed his greatest Confidence and now the Janizaries being hardly charged by Gazzeles who following the Fortune of Sebeius were brought to great distress nor could the routed Wing find any place of Retreat In this Confusion and Disorder Sinan Bassa who had been but lightly skirmished with by Kayerbeius came in with the Left wing of Horse and staid the fury of the Mamalukes whereat the disperced Squadrons of the Turks rallying and taking fresh Courage wrung the Victory out of their hands which they could not have done had Campson slighted the Baggage and come in in time with his Squadron or Kayerbeius been true to his Trust but the other Commanders having performed all that could be expected from men of Courage and Conduct and now the thundering Ordnance playing upon the ingaged Squadron as they had before on the Persian Horse-men they found the Place too hot and thereupon seering together in a thick Troop they broke through the midst of those that had enclosed them making great slaughter of the European Horse-men and Pentioners and so retir'd towards the Camp and City of Aleppo and being pursued by Sinan Bassa whist Campson Gaurus endeavoured to stay the flight and restore if possible the battel he was borne from his Horse in the Crowd and by reason of his Age and the weight of his Armour not being able to relieve himself he was in that Hurry and Confusion troden to death and being afterward found amongst the slain was expos'd to the view of the People that they might not flatter themselves with his being alive In this great battel fought on the 17th of August 1516 no less than thirty thousand Turks were slain and about the like number of Egyptians and Mamalukes so that after two other mortal battels with Tomombeus whom the Mamalukes chose their Sultan after the death of Campson one in the great City of Caire which lasted three days with great Effusion of blood and the other upon the banks of Nilus no less dreadful all the Rich Countries of Egypt and Palestine fell into the hands of the Turks who possess it to this day for Tomombeus flying after the last Defeat was taken in a Marish among the Flags up to the Neck in Water and brought to Selymus who would not admit him to his Presence but after he had rid upon a rugged Camel with his Face to the Tail quite thro' the City of Caire in derision he was hanged upon a Hook under the Gate of that City and all the Mamalukes that could be found put to the Sword. Thus Turkish Cruelty do's wider spread And Death in Triumph by their Swords is Lead Glutted with Slaughter he no Famine feels But Drunk with Blood profusely shed He reels A Description of the fatal Battel of Nugis fought between Lewis King of Hungary and Selymus the First of that Name Emperour of the Turks at Nugis in the Kingdom of Hungary c. LEwis King of Hungary upon notice that Solyman was advancing to Invade his Kingdom with a powerful Army and not being able to obtain Assistance of the neighbouring Princes raised the whole Power of his own Country not amounting to above 30000 Men and those but slenderly skill'd in the Trains of War yet at the Perswasions of one Tomoreus who promised him assured Victory telling him he had it by Revelation the King young and unexperienc'd rejected the Counsel of some grave Captains who foresaw the Danger of fighting eight to one with an approved Warrior for Solyman approached with no less than 300000 Men and resolved to give the Turks battel so that it was not long e'r both Armys confronted each other near to a small Town called Nugis between Belgrade and Buda whenas the Turkish Commanders seeing the weakness of the King besieged his Camp for many days yet the said Tomoreus desisted not to promise him Victory and undertook to set the Army in Battel-array and indeed it was now too late to think of Retreating without fighting their way through so that the Foot being stretch'd in a long Line as commodiously as the Place would allow they were supported by the Horse almost in the like manner that they might not be absolutely inclosed or if they were by doubling their Lines they might cast themselves into a Ring or Oval battel whilst the Camp intrenched or barrocado'd with chain'd Wagons was left on the right hand to secure the approach on that part though but slenderly guarded and near thereunto was placed a Regiment of the most experienc'd Horse-men for the security of the King's Person who would not be perswaded to reserve himself for a better Day by withdrawing from the Camp e're the battel was joyned so that now the great Guns on either part begun to play furiously though doing little damage yet the Turkish Squadrons advancing upon the first Charge the Hungarian Horse gave ground and soon after broke their Array which so discouraged the Foot-men that they scarcely made any Resistance but throwing away their Weapons were miserably slain and in less than two hours space the whole Army was in Rout upon which the Turks following the Execution not above 5000 escaped all the flower of the Nobility of that Kingdom being slain and the King attempting to escape plunged with his Horse into a miry Place where none coming to his Assistance he was stifled nor did Tomoreus escape but fell to augment the number of the slain After this fatal Blow was given to Hungary which was follow'd by innumerable Calamities occasioned by Civil Dissentions Solyman entred Buda and taking out of the Castle divers Brazen Statues placed there by Matthias Corvinus he departed to Constantinople leaving the Kingdom in a manner desolate especially of its Nobility Thus Rashness see a mighty Ruine wrought And a free Kingdom to Subjection brought Which almost ever since has Groan'd with War And hides more slain than in 't the living ar ' A Description of the Battel of Pavye fought between Francis the French King and Charles Duke of Burbon Charles de Lenoy and the Marquess of Picara Generals for Charles the Fifth Emperour of Germany THE French and Imperialists contending for the Sovereignty of Italy with various Fortunes and Francis the French King endeavouring to recover the Dutchy of Millain the Duke of Burbon Charles Lanoy Vice Roy of Naples and the Marquess of Piscara drew out an Army to oppose his proceedings so that after some time spent in training their Souldiers and putting them in order it came to a pitched Field and the Generals exhorting their Souldiers to do their utmost Endeavours to gain Honour and Fame the great Ordnance began to thunder on either part but that of the French being on the lower Ground had much the Advantage the shot whereof passing through the Ranks of the German Horsemen greatly incommoded them which the Commanders perceiving drew their battels closer and after some doubtful
Bay of Messina on the Coast of Sicily the Admirals and the other prime Commanders called a Council to consider what course was best to be observed or what measure to be taken in the management of the War against so powerful an Enemy eneouraging each other with an assured hope of Victory if they could come to a fair and equal fight For the Venetians had sent thither 108 Gallies six Galliasses two great Ships of extraordinary force with divers Galliots and Tenders to which were joyned twelve of the Popes Gallies commanded by Collumnius and with Don John of Austria General for Philip King of Spain and Auria his Admiral came 81 Gallies and other Vessels of Force three of which appertained to the Knights of Malta nor were other Princes and States wanting to contribute to this Expedition viz. The Dukes of Florence Savoy and the Estate of Genoa c. and in the Fleet beside Mariners were 20000 Persons most of known and approved Valour a fifth part being of the Nobility and Gentry of Spain Venice and Rome c. all gallantly accoutred and attended the principal of which were Franciscus Maria Prince of Vrbin Alexandeâ— Farnesius Prince of Parma and Paulus Jordanus Vrsianus of the Honourable Family oâ— the Roman Vrsini so that nothing being wanting but an Enemy to contend withaâ— Venerius the Venetian Admiral in Council pressed the General that for as much as they were assured that the Turkish Fleet was in the Gulph of Lepanto speedy Orders might be taken to sail thither and give them battel with the first advantage which being agreed upon by all the Commanders the Fleet was martialed in the following order viz. In the Right-wing consisting of 53 Gallies Auria the Spanish Admiral was placed in the Left wing with a like number of Gallies Barbadicus an experienced Commander of the Venetians took his place and in the middle the General placed himself with a Squadron of 70 Gallies Collumnius and Venerius commanding the rest of the Fleet on his Right and Left and in this Order they set forward with a prosperous Gale. Whilst these Preparations of the Christians were in hand the Turks had notice of â—ll that had passed and calling a Council â—n the Bay or Gulph of Lepanto where they â—ay they held a long debate whether they â—ould give the Christians battel or decline â—t but at length those that were against it â—eing over powered by the number of Voiâ—es of the contrary Opinion they came to a â—esult that the Fleet should be put in order â—o receive them which at the Command â—f Haly Bassa General of the Land Forces and great Admiral was done in this manner so soon as they came out of the Gulf viz. The middle battel consisting of about 60 Gallies was to be conducted by Haly Bassa assisted by Partau Bassa attended by Agan Master of the Turks Arsenal and the rest in all to the number of 350 Gallies and Ships of War were disposed much in the same posture as the Christian Fleet viz. The Right wing commanded by Mahomet Bey consisting of 50 Gallies to whom many experienced Sea Captains were joyned The Left wing was committed to the charge of Vluzales Vice-Roy of Argiers an old experienced Pirate consisting of â— Gallies attended on by Cariolo and Arabâ— his two Sons and strongly manned with Pirates and Sea Rovers In the Rearward was placed Amurath Dragut with 30 Gallies attended on by divers small Vessels And in these Orders both Fleets being arrainged though indeed the Turks were deceived in the number of the Christians by reason the Left wing of their Fleet lay under the Island and could not be well discerned the day being fair and calm about noon they fiercely engaged with such Shouts as made the Ocian Ring which notwithstanding waâ— soon exceeded by the thunder of the Cannons nor was God wanting to favour thâ— Christians by the suddain vering of the Wind which drove the Smoak of the Ordnance and Vollies of small shot in the faces of the Turks so that after a long bloody and obstinate fight of four hours the Turkish Admiral being slain his Gally taken and upward of 40 others taken burnt and sunk Victory began to declare on the part of the Christians but the Turkish Commanders fearing the Anger of Selimus if they should return vanquished fought like men in despair yet true Valour prevailing after an obstinate fight of six hours all the prime Commanders except Vluzales Carragosa being either slain wounded or taken Prisoners and he perceiving the battel irreparably lost shifted with his Squadron and getting clear with about thirty or forty Gallies flâ—d into the Bay of Lepanto leaving the rest in flâ—mes or miserably torn and disabled to fall into the hands of the Christians who pursued him as far as with safety they thought convenient and then return'd to take the Spoil where it was a dreadful Spectacle to behold the Sea coloured with Blood and thousands of dead and dying Bodies floating upon the Waves together with Masts Tackle pieces of Ships Gallies and such Weapons as were subject to float as also the Cries of the wounded and the flaming Vessels which made the Sea seem on a blaze As for the exact number of the Infidels that perished in this fight it is not known but modest Writers and amongst others Antenius Gnanaerius in his History of this War makes mention of no less than 32000 and amongst them these of Note viz. Haly Bassa General Mahomet Bey Governour of Alexandria Cassanes Son to Barbarossa the Piratical King of Argires together with his Son Mulaune Governour of Mytilene Giador Governour of Chiâ—s Cassambeus Governour of Rhodes Provi Agga Captain of Nauppâ—â—um Mustapha Zelibi great Treasurer to the Grand Seignior Caracoza and others of Note and amongst those that were taken Prisoners the chiefest of Note were Achmet and Mahomet Sons to Haly the General and Nephews to Selymus and Mechmet Bey Governour of Eubaea with 3500 of lesser Note of the Turkish Gallies 161 as also sixty Galliots and other small Vessels were taken and upward of forty burnt or sunk during the Fight This Important Victory to Christendom which put a stop to the Turkish Incroachment being intirely gained Don John Venerius and Collumnius coming on board the Admiral kindly embrac'd with all the Endearments of Reciprocal Love and afterwards in a most Christian Manner falling on their Knees ascribed not the Victory to the arm of Flesh out to him who is the God of Battels returning hearty Thanks to the great and wise Creator and Disposer of all things for giving them so signal and important a Victory over the Enemies of his Name in Imitation of whose pious Example the whole Fleet as well Souldiers and Mariners as Officers and Commanders did the like In this bloody and dismal Fight were slain no less than 7566 Christians of all Nations the Principal Persons were John and Barn dinus of the honourable Family of Cordona in Spain Horatio Caraffa Ferentes
Cromwell's own Guard and the best of his old Soldiers were forced to Retire whilst seconded by those numerous Supplies of fresh Soldiers who served like the Turkish Asapi to blunt the Royal Swords so that their wearied Arms no longer able to hold out they were forced to Retreat notwithstanding the Generous Example of the King who performed things worthy of wonder executing at once the part of a brave Commander and a valiant Captain in which he had his Horse twice shot under him yet could he not bring them to rally for being pressed and overpowred by numbers they had not time or space to do it in so that in the end the retreat turned into a disorderly flight whilst the Enemy following close at their heels entred Pell mel with them into the City And now notwithstanding the flight and confusion the cry went through the field to save the King who although he was pressed by Duke Hamilton and others to reserve his fortune to a better day yet scarcely could he be induced to quit the field nor would he till he perceived it impossible to rally his men and too plainly found the battel was irreparably lost and that Cromwel had entred and possessed himself of a part of the City and soon after took the Fort Royal by assault putting all he found therein to the Sword but not without considerable loss especially of the Cheshire men 1600 of which fell in the attempt and now when it was almost too late the King left the field and by the Aid of divers Loyal Souls after a considerable while concealing himself found means to escape beyond the Seas In this fatal battel fought on the third of September most of the Kings foot were either killed or taken Prisoners but of the Horse about three thousand escaped out of the Field those that account the least recon 3000 that were slain though none of note amongst them and the chief of the Prisoners were the Earls of Derby Lauderdale Cleveland Shrewsbury and the Lord Wentworth and of the Scots the Earls of Cranworth and Kelly and the Lord Sincler with divers Knights and Gentlemen and soon after Duke Hamilton and Major General Massey and others were taken This strange and wonderful Victory as the Juncto then sitting at Westminster gave it out though they had ten to one in the field made the Sectarian party greatly rejoyce and to appoint publick days of Thanksgiving as if God were the Patronizer of Villanies But since they miss'd of what was most their Aim We won't their further wicked Acts proclaim Lest by such Monsters we the Nation shame A Description of the Great and Memorable Battel fought before the City of Vienna in Austria on the 11. of September Anno 1683. between the King of Poland the Elector of Bavaria the Duke of Lorain c. and the Grand Visier Cara Mustapha c. VIENNA being pressed by the Turkish Power and the Garrison therein under Ernestus Count of Staremberg greatly weakned by sickness and the loss sustained in divers Sallies the Duke of Lorain having joyned the King of Poland they thought not convenient any longer to hazard a place of such Importance but to attempt the Relieving of it at the Price of a Battel and so on the 10 of September 1683. about eight in the Evening the Armies marched in order to it making together between 70 and 80000 fighting men the King of Poland commanding the Right Wing the Dukes of Lorain and Bavaria the Left and the Elector of Saxony and Prince Waldeck the main Body and in this order with what speed and silence they could they marched through a great Forrest the which had the Enemy taken care to have fortified would have proved a work of much difficulty Cara Mustapha the Grand Visier trusting to his number of men expected not to be attaqued in his Camp he being at his sitting down before the place 120000 strong but finding himself mistaken he thought it best to Rouse out of that Security and upon the Approach of the Christian Army detached 10000 Horse with an express command to possess themselves of the Passes c. but the Christians before that had passed them yet they advanced to Charge the Front of the Army but being gauled by a Regiment of Foot lodged in a Vineyard for that purpose which was supported by three other Battalions they only fired and wheeled off with great Cries whereupon the King of Poland and the other Commanders drew the Army up in three Lines all closed without any Interval and in that firmness they encroached upon the Enemy at what time the Turkish Horse advanced with great shouts hoping to break the Array of the Battel but perceiving the Christians stood firm to expect them they made a halt and discharging their Harquibusses at a distance wheeled off whereupon the first Line fired upon them and the whole Army advanced by a slow March still gaining upon the Infidels and making of them a considerable slaughter who Returning charged as before at a convenient distance and so wheeled off continuing often to do the like and as often the Christians fired upon them and so proceeded till within two Furlongs of their Camp at what time a Body of Foot and Dragoons were detached to Attaque their Canon of which they soon became Masters without any considerable loss the Enemy wanting Foot in a readiness to defend them nor did their Horse make any great resistance yet they made a shew to charge the Right wing in the Flank to prevent which the King of Poland commanded the second Line to advance and make a Front on that side whilst in Person he charged their Front with the first Line making them continually to give ground and whilst the Fight was hot on both sides the Turks in the Trenches made a furious Assault upon the City strugling even at the utmost hazard to carry it and so resolute they were in throwing themselves into the Ditches and Breach that great slaughter ensued which obliged Count Steremberg the Governour to send with all speed to the Duke of Lorain for assistance least the Turks at that juncture should enter and mix the ruine of the Citizens and Garrison-Soldiers with their own when immediately the Margrave of Baden was detached with 5000 Horse and 3000 Dragoons who entering the Trenches at the time the Garrison sally'd the Turks that were in them were cut in pieces and trodden down on all hands to the number of 6000 which unexpected bad success made known to the Visier and finding that now his hopes were altogether frustrated of entering the City in the time of the confusion he gave ground towards the Evening with the Gross of his Army in hopes to make an orderly retreat to the Camp but being furiously charged by the Christians he fled beyond it yet the Generals suspecting they might Rally and fall upon them under the favour of the Night would not enter the Camp by reason it might be
fear of punishment from those lawless enterprises which otherwise they would be continually putting in practice to the great disquiet if not subversion of the State or Kingdom for which tranquility and quiet Repose a Souldier may with the least Imputation to be layed to his charge of arrogating vain glory to himself conclude in some measure his Country beholden to him nor has it been held amiss to count the profession of Arms one of the noblest and most to be esteemed amongst all others not only for the causes I have mentioned but for sundry other pregnant Reasons for by it Men's fortunes are Raised many times from the lowest degree to the very top of Greatness and not only their Fortunes but their Fame which continues as a grateful Remembrance to their Country and an honour to their Posterity nor can the profession be said to be beneath the Regard of those of the Noblest rank seeing the fortunes of Empires and Kingdoms are so often cast in the Ballance and require not only Valour but Caution Experience and sound Judgment to rescue them from many dangers Nor must those that would be truly accounted brave in this way be unfurnished with good qualities and moral Virtues as Prudence Conduct Valour hardiness patience but above all seeing a Souldier carries his Life in his hand he must be indued with Religious and Pious Principles that his Conscience being at peace the terrors of Death and consequently of a fearful Judgment after it may not terrifie or deter him from undertaking any Enterprize that is brave and daring for although a man given up to wickedness may when danger is afar off seem bold and desperate yet when Death stares him in the face the thoughts of his Immortal state will trouble him and the twinges of Remorse maketh his Courage flag there are many things more necessary to be known to which great Regard ought to be had and especially When a young Gentleman in what station soever enters the Army without prejudice to his Reputation he ought to understand that he is obliged to shew great Respect to those that are his Superiours in Place or Command a civil Respect to his Equals and to have a Love and Charitable Regard to his inferiours or such as are under his Command that in so doing he may win their affections to stand by him in the greatest Extremity for especially where the Souldiers love their Officer they will never leave him in any action and gain to him a great deal of Reputation when on the contrary they will many times shrink from him in the heat of the fight sacrificing their honour to their Revenge wherefore although his Courage be never so great he is obliged to yield to Invincible necessity yet it is more honourable to be taken Prisoner than to turn his back and fly for if he be once suspected of Cowardice it will be very difficult to raise his sinking Reputation and in many things it is better to confess Ignorance than be Presumptious to undertake any thing he understands not for those to whom he makes such an ingenious acknowledgment will rather compassionate than deride him and take pleasure to instruct him to shew their own Experience and Reward his modesty nor is it any dishonour to ask advice upon Important occasions by way of opinion nor need he therein discover his own weakness but by a kind of a secret Inquiry inform himself in what may prove advantageous There are some General Rules that ought to be known by all especially by Commanders viz. that a Captain of Horse ought no more to dispute the command with a Captain of Foot in a Garison than the other ought to do it with him in the Field for in doing it he would very much wrong his judgment nor ought an elder Captain in a younger Regiment to expect he should without peculiar Orders or an extraordinary Commission command a younger Captain in an elder Regiment for their Rank is otherwise according to the Antiquity of the Regiment and not according to the Date of the Commission nor is there a small respect required from subalternates to their Superiours respectfully in all places thereby to gain love credit and applause even of the meanest and thus having made a small Essay not unnecessary to be taken notice of by young Souldiers and Officers I shall now proceed to speak something of Gunnery whereby those that are desirous to become Engeniers may in some measure be advantaged in their first undertakings and then to speak of Artificial Fire-Works and their use as they relate to War and Recreation that nothing material may be omitted that can be conceived necessary for the Adornment of this Work. That Arts and Arms may equally be twyn'd Mars and Minerva in one Circle joyn'd To give more lustre to the warlike Scene By making publick that which envies screene In darkness shades as loath to let it see The long'd for light where it so fain would be THE YOUNG Engeniers Master-piece OR A TREATISE of GVNNERY In all its material Parts and Particulars guiding and directing in what of that kind relates as well to Sea as Land. In knowing and managing any piece of Ordnance to the best Advantage on all Occasions and sundry other Matters and things highly necessary to be known c. AS for the Person who will undertake to be an expert Gunner it is highly requisite that he be not unskilful in or a stranger to the Mathematicks whereby he will be incapacitated to work any Proportion by Rule and consequently be obliged to manage his undertaking by guess rather than by any certain Rule nor is the Art of Geometry to be neglected seeing height breadth and depth as well as lengths are to be observed in this kind of mensuration that so the plot of any piece of Ground or convenient distance may be taken to advantage And as for the Necessaries wherewith he ought to be provided I hope few or none that proceed to this undertaking are ignorant yet I think it not amiss to mention what is requisite that none may plead ignorance and in this case they must have in a readiness the following Materials viz. Spare Wheels and Axeltrees Rammers Ladles or Scoups Sheep-skins well wooled for Sponges to clear the Piece Canvas or strong Paper to make Cartrages when the Piece is hot and will not Indure loose Powder without siring it as soon as it is cast in of which more hereafter as for shot of all kinds according to the undertaking he ought to be stored together with Artificial Fireworks and Torches dark Lanthorns c. hand Spikes Budgbarrels Baskets Match and a well armed Linestock with a pair of Compasses called Caliber Compasses to take the exact Diamiter of the shot and the bore of his piece ever observing to charge according to the thinnest part of the Mettal thereby to prevent breaking and another thing necessary is to be observed viz. When a piece to be fired lyes upon a